Digestive System Medical Terms

Digestive System Medical Terms

• The digestive system breaks down food, absorbs nutrients, and eliminates waste.
• Key organs include the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, liver, pancreas, and gallbladder.

Terminology Related to the Small Intestine

• Duodenum: The first part of the small intestine.
• Ileum: The last part of the small intestine.
• Jejunum: The middle portion of the small intestine.

Terminology Related to the Digestive System

• Enzyme: Organic catalyst speeding up chemical reactions.
• Peritoneum: Serous membrane lining the abdominal cavity.
• Emesis: Vomiting

Combining Forms in Digestive Terminology

• Gastr/o: Refers to the stomach.
• Gastritis: Inflammation of the stomach.
• Lingu/o: Refers to the tongue.
• Or/o: Refers to the mouth.
• Enter/o: Refers to the intestines (mostly small).
• Enteropathy: Disease of the intestines.
• Hepat/o: Refers to the liver.
• Hepatomegaly: Enlargement of the liver.
• Chol/e, Cholecyst/o: Refers to bile or the gallbladder.
• Cholecystectomy: Surgical removal of the gallbladder.
• Gingiv/o: Refers to gums.
• Pancreat/o: Refers to the pancreas.

Suffixes in Digestive Terminology

• -pepsia: Refers to digestion.
• Dyspepsia: Indigestion or difficulty in digestion.
• Eupepsia: Normal digestion.
• -ectomy: Surgical removal of something.
• Appendectomy: Surgical removal of the appendix.
• Colectomy: Surgical removal of part of the colon.
• -megaly: Enlargement.
• Splenomegaly: Enlargement of the spleen.
• Hepatomegaly: Enlargement of the liver.

Prefixes in Digestive Terminology

• Hyper-: Excessive or over.
• Hyperemesis: Excessive vomiting.
• Hyperacidity: Excess acid in the stomach.
• Hypo-: Below normal or deficient.
• Hypogastric: Below the stomach.
• Hypoacidity: Below normal stomach acid levels.
• Dys-: Difficult or painful.
• Dysphagia: Difficulty swallowing.
• Dyspepsia: Difficult or painful digestion.

Common Digestive Disorders

• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): Chronic acid reflux.
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): Affects the large intestine, causing abdominal pain and diarrhea.
• Ulcerative Colitis: Chronic inflammation of the colon with ulcer formation.
• Crohn's Disease: Inflammatory bowel disease affecting any part of the digestive tract.
• Ascites: Fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity.
• Cholelithiasis: Stones in the gallbladder or common bile duct.
• Hemorrhoids: Varicose veins in the rectum.
• Hematemesis: Vomiting blood.

Diagnostic Procedures

• Endoscopy: Procedure using a camera to view the inside of the digestive tract.
• Colonoscopy: Examination of the colon using a scope.
• Barium Swallow: X-ray of the upper digestive tract after ingesting barium.

Medical Terminology Related to the Liver

• Hepat/o: Refers to the liver.
• Hepatopathy: Disease of the liver.
• Hepatotoxicity: Toxicity or poisoning of the liver.
• Cirrhosis: Chronic liver damage leading to liver failure.
• Jaundice: Yellowing of the skin due to elevated bilirubin levels.

Abbreviations Related to the Digestive System

(Table format not applicable)

• GERD: Gastroesophageal reflux disease
• GI: Gastrointestinal
• HAV: Hepatitis A virus
• HBV: Hepatitis B virus
• HCV: Hepatitis C virus
• IBD: Inflammatory bowel disease
• IBS: Irritable bowel syndrome
• NG: Nasogastric
• PPI: Proton pump inhibitor
• TPN: Total parenteral nutrition

Case Study: Ahmad

• Age: 51 years
• Occupation: Businessman
• Medical History: 10-year history of heartburn worsening over the last year.
• Chief Complaint: Frequent epigastric pain and heartburn after meals and at bedtime, with regurgitation.
• History of Present Illness: Ahmad’s heartburn has worsened over the last year and is daily, including at night, disrupting sleep and causing fatigue.
• Treatment: Prescribed a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) to reduce stomach acid.
• Follow-up: Return to the clinic after four weeks for reassessment before scheduled endoscopy in 7 weeks.
• Diagnosis: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and suspected erosive esophagitis.

Test your knowledge of key medical terms related to the digestive system. This quiz covers essential organs, terminology, and combining forms associated with digestion and its processes. Perfect for students in medical or healthcare programs!