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Gastrointestinal Terms
Cheil/o: lips
Chole/o: gallbladder
Col/o: large intestine/colon
Dent/o-teeth
Enter/o: small intestine
Esophag/o: esophagus
Gastr/o: stomach
Duoden/o:duodenum
Gingiv/o: gums
Gloss/o: tongue
Hepat/o: liver
Pancreat/o: pancreas
Procto/o: anus & rectum
Rect/o: rectum
Stomat/o: mouth
Diagnostic Terms
Aerophagia: the swallowing of air resulting in gas and bloating
Ascites: accumulation and retention of free fluid within the peritoneal cavity
Cholecystis: inflammation of the gallbladder
Cholelithiasis (bilary calculi): gallstones
Cirrhosis: scarring of the liver, poor liver function
Diverticulitis: small, bulging sacs of the inner lining of the intestine that become inflammed
Diverticulosis: abnormal presence of out pockets on the surface of the small intestine or
colon
Esophagitis: inflammation of the esophagus
Fistula: abnormal opening between two internal organs
Gastritis/gastroenteritis: inflammation of gastric mucosa
Hepatic coma: caused by disorders that affect the liver, worsening brain function when the
liver is no longer able to remove toxic substances in the blood
Hiatal hernia: portion of the stomach protrudes upward into the chest through an opening
in the diaphragm
Ilelitis: inflammation of the ileum
Inflammatory bowel disease: autoimmune, chronic inflammatory condition of the GI tract
Irritable bowel syndrome: unknown cause of symptoms including cramping, abdominal
pain, bloating, constipation/diarrhea
Malabsorption syndromes: conditions that result in imperfect/inadequate gastrointestinal
absorption
Pancreatic: inflammation of the pancreas
Peritonitis: inflammation of the peritoneum membrane
Portal systemic encephalopathy: inability of the liver to metabolize ammonia to form urea
Ulcer: open sore on the skin or mucous membrane that can bleed and scar
Ulcerative colitis: chronic inflammatory bowel disease, primarily located int eh
colon/rectum
Operative/Surgical Procedure Terms
Anastromosis: surgical connection of body parts
Cholescystectomy: surgical removal of the gallbladder
Colostomy: rectum is removed and end of colon is attached to stoma
Diverticulectomy: removal of the diverticulum
Gastrectomy: surgery/removal of part of the stomach
Gastroduodenal anastomosis (Billroth I): pyloric antrum and pylorus are surgically
removed and a new connection between the stomach and fist portion of the small intestine
is created
Gastrojejunal anastomosis (billroth II): subtotal excision of the stomach with closure of the
proximal end of the duodenum and side to side anastomosis of the jejunum to the
remaining portion of the stomach
Gastrojejunostomy: new opening between the stomach and jejunum
Ileostomy: colon and rectum are removed, end of ileum is attached to the stoma
Jejunostomy: opening into the jejunum
Pancreatectomy: removal of the pancreas
Pyloroplasty: enlarging the pyloric sphicter
Vagotomy: severing of the vegas nerve
Symptomatic Terms:
Achlorhydria: lack of gastric HCl secretions
Anorexia: lack of appitite
Aphagia: loss of the ability to swallow
Boborygmus: stomach growling
Bulimia: repeated binge eating followed by vomiting
Colic: severe abdominal pain
Constipation: decrease in frequency of bowel movements with straining with defecation
Diarrhea: frequent or unusually liquid bowel movements
Dumping syndrome: rapid passage of large amounts of food from stomach into the small
intestine (dizziness, sweating, decreased blood pressure)
Dysgeusia: reduced ability to taste
Dyspepsia: vague upper abdominal symptoms including upper abdominal pain, bloating,
early satiety, nausea, belching
Epigastric: referring to the upper abdominal region
Flatulence: perceived excess gas in the intestinal tract
Hepatomegaly: enlargement of the liver
Hyperchlorhydria: excess HCl in the stomach
Hypochlorhydria: low stomach acid
Jaundice: deposition of bile pigments in the skin (yellow tint)
Melena: dark-colored, tarry stool caused by old blood
Nausea: urge to vomit
Polyphagia: excessive hunger
Steatorrhea: feces containing fat
Chart Abbreviations:
abd: abdomen
BE: barium enema
BM: bowel movement
cath: catheter
GA: gastritis
GE: gastroesophogeal
GB: gallbladder
GBD: gallbladder disease
GBS: gastric bypass surgery
GERD: gastroesophogeal reflux disease
GI: gastrointestinal
GIT: gastrointestinal tract
HCl: hydrochloric acid
LED: lower esophageal sphincter
MOM: milk of magnesia
N/G: nasogastric
PEM (or PCM): protein energy malnutrition
PU: peptic ulcer
SI: small intestine
TPN: total parenteral nutrition