| A | B |
|---|
| achalasia | cardio spasm; an abnormal condition characterized by inability of muscle to relax in the cardiac sphincter of the stomach |
| achlorhydria | absence of hydrochloric acid in the gastric juices |
| anastomosis | surgical joining of 2 ducts blood vessels or bowel segments to allow flow from one to another |
| ascites | An abnormal intraperitoneal accumulation of a fluid containing large amounts of protein and electrolytes. |
| asterixis | A hand-flapping tremor, often accompanying metabolic disorders.The tremor is usually induced by extending the arm and dorsiflexing the wrist. |
| chachexia | Weakness and emaciation associated with general ill health and malnutrition. |
| CEA carcinoembryonic antigen | An antigen present in very small quantities in adult tissue. Changes in CEA values are used to monitor tumor response to treatment. |
| dehiscence | partial or complete separation of wound edges. |
| dumping syndrome | rapid gastric emptying caused by distention of duodenum or jejunum produced by a bolus of hypertonic food. |
| Biliary atresia | congenital absence or underdeveopment of one or more of the biliary structures, causing jaundice and early liver damage. |
| Dyspepsia | a vague feeling of epigastric discomfort after eating. |
| Dysphagia | Difficulty in swallowing, commonly associated with obstructive or motor disorders of the oropharynx, hypopharynx, or esophagus. |
| Esophageal varices | a complex of longitudinal tortuoous veins at the lower end of the esophagus, enlarged and swollen as the result of portal hypertension. These vessels are especially susceptible to hemorrhage. |
| Evisceration | disembowelment, the removal of the viscera from the abdominal cavity. |
| Exacerbations | an increase in the seriousness of a disease or disorder as marked by greater intensity in the signs or symptoms of the patient being treated. |
| Flatulence | the presence of an excessive amount of air or gas in the stomach and intestinal tract, causing distention of the organs and in some cases mild to moderate pain. |
| Gluten | the insoluble protein constituent of wheat and other grains. |
| Hematemesis | vomiting of bright red blood, indicating rapid upper GI bleeding, commonly associated with esophageal varices or peptic ulcer. |
| Hepatic encephalopathy | a neuropsychiatric manifestation of extensive liver damage caused by chronic or acute liver disease. |
| Hepatitis | an inflammatory condition of the liver, characterized by jaundice, hepatomegaly, anorexia, abdominal and gastric discomfort, abnormal liver function, clay-colored stools, and tea-colored urine. |
| Intussusception | infolding of one segment of the intestine into the lumen of another segment. |
| Jaundice | a yellow discoloration of the skin, mucous membranes, and sclerae of the eyes caused by greater than normal amounts of bilirubin in the blood. |
| Leukoplakia | a precancerous, slowly developing change in a mucous membrane characterized by thickened, white, firmly attached patches that are slightly raised and sharply circumscribed. |
| Lumen | cavity or channel within a tube or tubular organ |
| Melena | tar-like, fetid smelling stool containing undigested blood |
| Occlusion | a blockage in a canal, vessel, or passage of the body |
| Occult blood | hidden blood- hidden from view |
| Paracentesis | a procedure in which fluid is withdrawn from a body cavity. |
| Paralytic (adynamic) ileus | lack of intestinal peristalsis and bowel sounds |
| Parenchyma | the functional tissue or cells of an organ or gland, as distinguished from supporting or connective tissue. |
| Pathognomonic | signs or symptoms specific to a disease condition |
| Remissions | decrease in severity of the disease or any of its symptoms |
| Sclerotherapy | the use of sclerosing (hardening of tissue) chemicals to treat varicosities such as hemorrhoids or esophageal varices. |
| Spider telangiectases | a branched group of dilated capillary blood vessels forming a spiderlike image on the skin. |
| Steatorrhea | excess fat in the feces |
| Stoma | artificial opening of an internal organ on the surface of the body created surgically. |
| Tenesmus | persistent, ineffectual spasms of the rectum or bladder, accompanied by the desire to empty the bowel or bladder |
| Volvulus | a twisting of bowel onto itself causing intestinal obstruction |
