A
abscess
A localized accumulation of pus resulting from an infection.
achalasia
A disorder of the esophagus caused by the inability of the lower esophageal sphincter to relax and by abnormal esophageal contractions. Results in difficulty swallowing.
acute cholecystitis
Inflammation of the gallbladder producing severe pain, fever, nausea, and vomiting.
anal fissure
A tear in the skin that lines the anal canal, the part of the rectum closest to the anus.
antireflux barrier
A mechanical impediment created by the lower esophageal sphincter and the diaphragm that prevents the contents of the stomach from entering the esophagus.
anus
The opening at the end of the digestive tract through which stool is expelled. It is controlled by two sphincters and is only open during defecation.
autoimmune disease
A health problem in which the body’s immune system begins to attack its own tissues.
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B
barium x-ray
See upper GI series.
Barrett’s esophagus
A disorder in which the cells that normally line the inside of the esophagus are replaced by more acid-resistant cells; associated with an increased risk of esophageal cancer.
bile
A substance synthesized by the liver, stored and concentrated in the gallbladder, and then released into the duodenum to help in the digestion and absorption of dietary fat.
bile ducts
Tubes that carry bile from the left and right lobes of the liver to the gallbladder.
biliary colic
Intermittent episodes of sharp pain in the right upper portion of the abdomen that occur when gallstones block the flow of bile from the gallbladder.
bilirubin
A component of bile made by the liver. Pigment gallstones are primarily made up of bilirubin.
bowel
The lower digestive tract, which is about 25 feet long and consists of the small and large intestines.
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C
capsule endoscopy
A noninvasive test that allows for a full view of the small intestines, particularly the areas that are usually unreachable with an upper endoscopy or colonoscopy. You ingest a capsule that contains a video camera, which takes pictures of the digestive tract and transmits these images to a recording device.
cecum
The first part of the colon (large intestine).
celiac disease
A disorder that occurs in people who are sensitive to gluten, a component of wheat and other grains. Can cause diarrhea, bloating, weight loss, anemia, and vitamin deficiencies.
cholangitis
Infection and inflammation of the bile ducts.
cholecystectomy
Surgical removal of the gallbladder.
cirrhosis
A disease that causes the liver to slowly deteriorate and eventually malfunction as a result of the replacement of healthy tissue with scar tissue. Typically caused by alcohol abuse.
colectomy
Surgical removal of part or all of the colon.
colon
The part of the digestive tract that is connected to the small intestine. The colon absorbs water and electrolytes such as potassium from undigested foods before passing waste on to the rectum for release from the body. Also called the large intestine.
colonoscopy
A diagnostic procedure in which an endoscope is inserted through the anus and rectum to view the colon and the final portion of the small intestine (terminal ileum).
colorectal cancer
Cancer of the colon or rectum. Often preceded by the development of colorectal polyps.
common bile duct
A tube that carries bile from the liver and gallbladder to the small intestine.
constipation
A common but typically benign condition characterized by infrequent bowel movements and difficulty passing stool.
Crohn’s disease
A chronic inflammatory disorder that primarily affects the small intestine but can involve any segment of the gastrointestinal tract.
cystic duct
A tube that carries bile from the gallbladder to the common bile duct.
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D
diaphragm
The muscle that separates the chest from the abdomen; its movements play an important role in breathing.
diarrhea
An increase in the number of bowel movements and a decrease in the consistency of stools.
digital rectal exam
Insertion of a gloved finger into the rectum to feel for polyps and other abnormalities.
diffuse esophageal spasm
Prolonged and excessive contractions of the esophagus.
diverticulitis
A disorder in which small pouches in the wall of the large intestine (diverticula) become inflamed or infected.
diverticulosis
The development of small pouches (diverticula) that bulge outward through weak points in the wall of the large intestine.
duodenal bulb
The portion of the duodenum that is closest to the stomach.
duodenal ulcer
A nonhealing defect or sore that occurs in the lining of the duodenum.
duodenum
The first portion of the small intestine.
dyspepsia
Discomfort in the upper abdomen, accompanied by nausea and, sometimes, vomiting. Also known as upset stomach or indigestion.
dysphagia
Difficulty swallowing food or liquids.
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E
endoscopic dilation
An endoscopic procedure for the treatment of achalasia in which a balloon device is inserted into the esophagus to expand the lower esophageal sphincter.
endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
A diagnostic test that combines endoscopy with x-rays to view the pancreatic ducts and bile ducts.
endoscopy
A procedure that uses a thin, lighted viewing tube to visually examine the interior of a hollow organ, such as the esophagus, stomach, or small intestine.
esophageal manometry
A diagnostic test for esophageal disorders that measures lower esophageal sphincter pressure and evaluates esophageal contractions.
esophageal rings and webs
Thin, fragile folds in the inner lining of the esophagus that partially or completely block the esophagus.
esophageal stricture
A narrowing of the esophagus caused by chronic inflammation and scar tissue.
esophageal ulcers
Nonhealing defects in the inner lining of the esophagus.
esophagus
A muscular tube that is part of the upper digestive system. Food moves from the mouth to the throat and then to the esophagus.
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F
fecal incontinence
The involuntary loss of bowel control; a relatively common problem in older adults.
fistula
An abnormal channel or connection in the body caused by disease. May develop between different segments of the digestive tract, or between the digestive tract and other organs, usually the bladder, vagina, or skin.
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G
gallbladder
A pear-shaped sac located under the liver that stores bile. Plays an important role in the digestion and absorption of dietary fat.
gallstones
Small "pebbles" that form in the gallbladder and cause pain. Most gallstones are made of cholesterol, but some are made of bilirubin (a component of bile made by the liver).
gastritis
An inflammation of the inner lining of the stomach.
gastroesophageal junction
The place where the esophagus meets the stomach.
gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
A backflow of the stomach’s contents into the esophagus that leads to heartburn and indigestion.
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H
Heller myotomy
A surgical procedure for the treatment of achalasia in which an incision is made through the muscle of the lower esophageal sphincter to weaken it.
hemorrhoids
Clusters of swollen veins in and around the anus and rectum that can cause pain.
hepatobiliary scintigram
A diagnostic test for acute cholecystitis in which a small amount of radioactive material is injected into a vein to visualize the bile duct system. Also called a hepato-iminodiacetic acid (HIDA) scan.
hiatal hernia
A protrusion of the gastroesophageal junction and a portion of the stomach into the chest cavity. These parts of the gastrointestinal tract are normally located in the abdominal cavity.
H2-blockers
Drugs that inhibit gastric acid secretion. Also known as histamine H2-antagonists.
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I
ileostomy
A surgical procedure that attaches the last part of the small intestine (ileum) to an opening in the skin of the abdomen so that fecal material can pass out of the body.
ileum
The last portion of the small intestine.
irritable bowel syndrome
A common and frequently misunderstood digestive disorder that affects more women than men and can cause diarrhea, bloating, or constipation.
ischemia
A reduced supply of oxygen to any part of the body due to the obstruction of blood flow.
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J
jejunum
The middle section of the small intestine.
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L
laparoscopic surgery
A minimally invasive surgery performed through small incisions in the abdomen using specialized instruments and a tiny camera.
large intestine
The part of the digestive tract that is connected to the small intestine. It absorbs water and electrolytes such as potassium from undigested foods before passing waste on to the rectum for release from the body. Also called the colon.
liver
A large organ located on the upper-right side of your torso, opposite your stomach and behind your ribcage. Its main function is to make a substance called bile that is needed to digest food in the small intestine.
lower esophageal sphincter (LES)
A ring of muscle at the lower end of the esophagus that contracts to prevent the reflux of stomach contents into the esophagus.
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M
main pancreatic duct
A tube that carries digestive juices from the pancreas to the duodenum.
major duodenal papilla
A protuberance in the duodenum that contains openings for the common bile duct and the main pancreatic duct.
metaplasia
A change in the cells in a tissue from a normal to abnormal state, as occurs in Barrett’s esophagus.
mucosal protectants
Drugs that increase the resistance of the inner lining of the digestive tract to damaging acid from the stomach.
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N
Nissen fundoplication
A surgical procedure for gastroesophageal reflux disease and hiatal hernia that involves lifting a portion of the stomach and tightening it around the gastroesophageal junction to increase lower esophageal sphincter pressure.
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O
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P
pancreas
A long, thin gland that lies horizontally behind the bottom part of the stomach and makes digestive enzymes that flow through the pancreatic duct to the small intestine. These enzymes, along with bile from the gallbladder, break down food for use as energy.
pancreatitis
Inflammation of the pancreas.
peptic ulcer
A nonhealing defect or sore in the inner lining of the stomach or duodenum.
perforation
A hole in an organ.
peristalsis
A series of wavelike muscle contractions that occur automatically to move food and fluid through the digestive tract.
peritonitis
Inflammation or infection of the lining of the abdominal cavity.
pH
A measurement of acidity or alkalinity.
polyp
A small, noncancerous (benign) clump of cells that grows in the rectum and colon. Over the course of 10–15 years, some polyps
usually those larger than a pea
may become cancerous.
promotility agents
Drugs that increase digestive tract motility, resulting in faster removal of acid from the esophagus, greater esophageal sphincter pressure, and better emptying of the stomach.
proton pump inhibitors
Drugs that strongly suppress acid production in the stomach.
pylorus
A circular muscle that connects the opening at the end of the stomach with the duodenum.
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Q
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R
rectum
The area into which the colon pushes waste products for storage before they are released through the anus during a bowel movement.
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S
sigmoidoscopy
A procedure in which the last 25 inches of the colon are examined with a short, flexible endoscope inserted through the anus.
small intestine
The part of the digestive tract that absorbs nutrients from foods. The stomach passes food into the small intestine where digestive juices from the liver and pancreas help break down food. Undigested food components (waste) pass from the small intestine to the large intestine.
sphincter of Oddi
The layers of muscle that control the entry of bile and pancreatic juices into the duodenum from the common bile duct and the pancreatic duct.
steatorrhea
The presence of large amounts of undigested fat in the stool.
stomach
The portion of the digestive tract that mechanically breaks down food and mixes it with digestive juices. When the food becomes a thick liquid, it passes into the small intestine.
stricture
An abnormal narrowing of hollow tubes in the body, such as the esophagus or bile ducts, due to the formation of scar tissue.
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T
trachea
The windpipe.
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U
ulcer
A nonhealing defect or sore in the mucosal lining of organs such as the stomach and duodenum.
ulcerative colitis
A chronic inflammatory disease of the large intestine caused by an abnormal autoimmune reaction that causes the body to attack its own bowel.
upper endoscopy
A procedure that examines the inside lining of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum using a long, thin, flexible tube with a light and tiny video camera at its tip, to look for abnormalities such as inflammation, ulcers, and tumors.
upper esophageal sphincter
An area of muscular tissue at the upper end of the esophagus that contracts to prevent air from entering the esophagus when swallowing is not taking place.
upper GI series
X-rays of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum that are taken after the patient swallows a solution of barium to make the organs visible on x-ray film.
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V
virtual colonoscopy
A noninvasive test in which a CT scan of the abdomen is done to obtain two- and three-dimensional images of the colon and rectum. It has a number of drawbacks and typically is not performed unless standard colonoscopy cannot be done.
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W
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X
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Y
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Z
Z-line
An irregular white line seen on endoscopy that corresponds to the gastroesophageal junction, the place where the esophagus meets the stomach.
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Glossary derived from
The Johns Hopkins White Paper 2007: Digestive Disorders
Look In the Book: Digestive Disorders
copyright 2007 Johns Hopkins Health Alerts.
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