Endoscopy and Imaging Techniques

Types of Endoscopes

• Esophagoscopy: Used to visualize the esophagus
• Gastroscopy: Used to visualize the stomach
• Colonoscopy: Used to visualize the colon
• Sigmoidoscopy: Used to visualize the sigmoid colon

X-Ray and Other Imaging Techniques

• MRI: Magnetic Resonance Imaging uses magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed images of organs and tissues
• CAT Scan: Computed Axial Tomography uses X-rays and a computer to create cross-sectional images of the body
• Barium Swallow: A contrast medium (barium) is swallowed to visualize the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum
• Barium Enema: A contrast medium (barium) is inserted into the rectum to visualize the colon and rectum
• Upper GI Series: Uses X-rays and a contrast medium (barium) to examine the upper digestive tract
• Cholangiography: A procedure that uses a contrast medium to visualize the bile ducts
• Cholecystography: A procedure that uses a contrast medium to visualize the gallbladder
• Liver Scan: Uses radioactive isotopes to create images of the liver
• Ultrasound: Uses sound waves to create images of internal organs and structures

Eating Disorders

• Anorexia: Characterized by an intense fear of gaining weight and a distorted body image. It often leads to severe food restriction and excessive exercise.
• Bulimia: Characterized by episodes of binge eating followed by purging behaviors, such as vomiting, using laxatives, or excessive exercise.
• Obesity: Defined as having excessive body fat that can lead to health problems. Typically results from consuming more calories than are burned.

Diagnostic, Procedural, and Laboratory Terms

• Endoscopies are procedures using a long, flexible tube with a camera to visualize the inside of the body.
• Esophagoscopy examines the esophagus.
• Gastroscopy examines the stomach.
• Colonoscopy examines the colon (large intestine).
• Sigmoidoscopy examines the sigmoid colon (the last part of the colon).

X-Ray and Other Imaging Techniques

• MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) uses magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed images of organs and tissues.
• CAT scan (Computed Axial Tomography) uses X-rays to create cross-sectional images of the body.
• Barium swallow uses a contrast medium, barium, to make the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine visible on X-rays.
• Barium enema uses barium to visualize the colon on X-rays.
• Upper GI series uses X-rays to examine the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine.
• Cholangiography uses contrast medium to visualize the bile ducts.
• Cholecystography uses contrast medium to visualize the gallbladder.
• Liver scan uses radioactive tracer to visualize the liver.
• Ultrasound uses sound waves to create images of organs and tissues.

Pathological Terms

• Anorexia is a serious eating disorder characterized by a morbid fear of gaining weight and a refusal to maintain a healthy weight.
• Bulimia is a serious eating disorder characterized by episodes of binge eating followed by purging behaviors like vomiting, excessive exercise, or laxative use.
• Obesity is characterized by excessive body weight, often due to overeating and lack of physical activity.