Medical Terminology: Digestive System

Understanding Word Parts

• enter/o means intestines
• col/o means colon/large intestine
• bil/i means bile/gall
• gastr/o means stomach
• inguin/o means groin
• gluc/o means sugar
• lapar/o means abdominal wall/abdomen
• proct/o means rectum/anus
• dent/i means tooth
• cholecyst/o means gallbladder
• peri- means around/surrounding
• -chezia means defecation/elimination of wastes
• pre- means before/in front of
• -pepsia means digestion
• dia- means complete/through
• -rrhea means flow/excessive discharge
• -stomy means surgical opening
• -orexia means appetite
• -prandial means meal
• -emesis means vomiting

Definitions of Medical Terms

• Colostomy refers to the creation of a surgical opening in the colon
• Laparoscope refers to an instrument used to view the abdomen
• Anorexia refers to a condition of without an appetite
• Postprandial means after a meal

Term Breakdowns and Definitions

• Gastroenteritis breakdown: gastr/o/enter/itis; definition: inflammation of the stomach and small intestine
• Cholecystectomy: cholecystectomy; definition: surgical removal of the gallbladder
• Oropharyngeal: pertaining to the mouth/throat
• Periodontist: specialist around the area of teeth/throats
• Lithotripsy: medical procedure to break up/remove stones
• Gingivectomy: surgical removal of gums

Interpreting Medical Records

A. Notes from Dr. Orr, ATT PHYS, GI specialist to RN

• ATT PHYS means attending physician
• GI means gastrointestinal
• RN means registered nurse
• Pt is patient
• OP means out patient
• EGD means esophagogastroduodenoscopy
• Visual examination of colon using a scope
• Hx means history
• GERD means gastro esophageal reflux disease
• N.p.o. means nothing per oral

Why is it Necessary for the patient to be n.p.o prior to endoscopy?

• A patient needs to have an empty stomach prior to the procedure to reduce the risk of inhaling stomach contents

B. Notes from B. Kramer, Doctor of Dental Surgery to dental assistant

• dental means pertaining to tooth/teeth
• oral means mouth
• hemiglossectomy means surgical removal of the tongue
• CAT means computed tomography
• NG means nasogastric

Why is it Necessary for the patient to have an NG tube after a hemiglossectomy?

• A patient needs to have an NG feeding tube because their tongue needs time to heal before they can eat again

C. Notes from T. Ayers, ER Physician Assistant, to pt's PCP, Dr. R. Bailey

• ER means Emergency room
• PCP primary care physician
• c/o means Complaints of
• SOB means shortness of breath
• dyspepsia means difficult digestion/indigestion
• MI means myocardial infarction/heart attack
• P means pulse
• BP means blood pressure
• WNL means within normal limits
• lab means laboratory
• cardiac pertains to the heart
• EKG/ECG means electrocardiogram
• R/O means rule out
• UGI means upper gastro-intestinal
• Dx means diagnosis
• OTC means over the counter
• p.r.n means as needed
• p.c. means after meals
• hs means bedtime
• Tx means treatment
• Why might this patient have thought he was having an MI when he went into the ER?:-
• A hiatal hernia affects the upper part of the stomach near the heart.

This lesson covers medical terms related to the digestive system. It includes prefixes, suffixes, and root words associated with organs like the intestines, colon, stomach, and gallbladder. Key terms like colostomy, laparoscope, anorexia, and postprandial are defined.