Answers to Pronunciation of Terms 5-1

th
Chabner: The Language of Medicine, 11 Edition

Answers to Pronunciation of Terms

Chapter 5: Digestive System

Vocabulary and Terminology

Passage of materials through the walls of the small intestine into the
absorption bloodstream.
achlorhydria Absence of hydrochloric acid from the gastric juice.

Small building blocks of proteins, released when proteins are

amino acids digested.
An enzyme that digests (breaks down) starches into simpler
amylase substances (such as sugars).
A surgical procedure that creates a new opening between two
anastomosis previously unconnected tubular organs or parts of the same organ.
anus The opening of the rectum to the outside of the body.
appendectomy Removal or excision of the appendix.
appendicitis Inflammation of the appendix.
Small, slender sac near the beginning of the colon in the RLQ of the
appendix abdomen.

bile Digestive juice made in the liver and stored in the gallbladder
Pertaining to bile or bile ducts. Bile ducts empty bile into the small
biliary intestine (duodenum).
Orange-yellow pigment found in bile. It is released from the
bilirubin breakdown of hemoglobin when red blood cells die.
Intestine. The large bowel is called the colon and the small bowel is
bowel the small intestine.
buccal mucosa Mucous membrane lining the cheek.

canine teeth Pointed dog-like (canine means dog) next to the incisors.
Pertaining to the cecum, which is the first part of the large intestine
cecal (colon).
cecum First part of the large intestine (colon).
celiac Pertaining to the abdomen.
cheilosis Abnormal condition of the lip
cholecystectomy Removal (excision, resection) of the gallbladder.
choledocholithiasis Abnormal condition of stones in the common bile duct.
Surgical anastomosis (creation of a new opening) between the
choledochojejunostomy common bile duct and the jejunum.
choledochotomy Incision of the common bile duct.
cholelithiasis Abnormal condition of stones (gallstones) in the gallbladder.
colon Large intestine (bowel).
colonic Pertaining to the colon.
colonoscopy Visual endoscopic examination of the colon.
New opening of the colon through the abdominal wall to the outside
colostomy of the body.
Answers to Pronunciation of Terms 5-2
Tube carrying bile from the gallbladder and liver into the first part of
common bile duct the small intestine.
defecation Eliminating of wastes and undigested foods through the anus.
deglutition Swallowing.
dentibuccal Pertaining to the cheek and teeth.
Primary material found in teeth; surrounding the pulp and covered
dentin by enamel of the crown.

digestion Breakdown of complex foods to simpler forms.

duodenal Pertaining to the duodenum.
duodenum The first part of the small intestine.
elimination Act of removal of materials from the body.
emulsification Breakdown of large fat globules into smaller, digestible particles.

enamel Hard, outermost layer of a tooth.

endodontist A dentist specializing in the inner parts of the tooth.
enterocolitis Inflammation of the small intestine and colon.
New opening between two previously unconnected parts of the
enteroenterostomy small intestine.

enzyme Protein that speeds up the rate of a biochemical reaction.

esophageal Pertaining to the esophagus.
esophagus Tube that carries food from the pharynx (throat) to the stomach.

fatty acids Substances that are produced when fats are digested.
facial Pertaining to the face.
feces Solid wastes; stools.
gallbladder Small sac lying below the liver, in which bile is stored.
The tubular system related to the stomach and intestines beginning
gastrointestinal tract with the mouth and ending with the anus.
New surgical connection (anastomosis) between the stomach and the
gastrojejunostomy jejunum (second part of the small intestine).
New opening of the stomach through the abdominal wall to the
gastrostomy outside of the body.
gingivitis Inflammation of gums.
Process of producing new sugar from fats and proteins; occurs
gluconeogenesis mainly in the liver.
glucose Simple sugar necessary as a source of energy for body cells.
Storage form of glucose (sugar); it produces glucose when it is
glycogen broken down (glycogenolysis) in liver cells.
glycogenolysis Breakdown of glycogen to release sugar.
hepatoma Tumor of the liver.
hepatomegaly Enlargement of the liver.
hydrochloric acid Strong acid, present in a dilute form in the stomach; aids digestion.
High levels of bilirubin (yellow/orange pigment) in the bloodstream;
hyperbilirubinemia jaundice.
High levels of sugar in the bloodstream; often associated with
hyperglycemia diabetes mellitus.
hypoglossal Pertaining to under the tongue.
Answers to Pronunciation of Terms 5-3
ileitis Inflammation of the ileum (third part of the small intestine).
Ring of muscles that are between the ileum and the cecum (first part
ileocecal sphincter of the large intestine).

ileostomy New opening of the ileum to the outside of the body.

ileum Third (and final) portion of the small intestine.
incisor One of the four front teeth on either jaw.
Hormone secreted by the endocrine cells of the pancreas which
insulin transports sugar from the blood into the cells.
jejunum Second part of the small intestine.
labial Pertaining to the lip.
Process of visually examining the contents of the abdomen (using an
laparoscopy endoscope).

lipase Pancreatic enzyme necessary to digest fats.

lithogenesis Formation of stone (calculi).

Large, reddish-brown organ in the right upper quadrant (RUQ) of

liver the abdomen.
lower esophageal sphincter Ring of muscles between the esophagus and the stomach.
mastication Chewing.
melena Black, tarry stools; feces containing blood.

mesentery Membrane that holds the intestine together.

Sixth, seventh, and eighth teeth from the middle or either side of the
molar teeth dental arch.
oral Pertaining to the mouth.
orthodontist Dentist specializing in straightening teeth.
Roof of the mouth; hard palate is the front bony portion and the soft
palate palate is the posterior fleshy part near the throat.
palatopharyngoplasty Surgical repair of the pharynx and palate.
palatoplasty Surgical repair of the palate (roof of the mouth).
Gland under and behind the stomach; produces enzymes to digest
pancreas foods and the hormone insulin to transport sugar to cells.
pancreatitis Inflammation of the pancreas.
papillae Small elevations on the surface of the tongue containing taste buds.
Pertaining to by some route other than through the gastrointestinal
parenteral tract, as by intravenous injection.
parotid gland Salivary gland within the cheek, just anterior to the ear.
perianal Pertaining to surrounding the anus.
periodontist Dentist specializing in treating the gums.
peritonitis Inflammation of the peritoneum.
Rhythmic contractions of the tubes of the gastrointestinal tract and
peristalsis other tubular structures.
pharyngeal Pertaining to the throat or pharynx.
pharynx Throat.
portal vein Large vein bringing blood to the liver from the intestines.
postprandial After meals.
Answers to Pronunciation of Terms 5-4
Either of the two teeth on each side of each jaw, just behind the
premolar teeth canine teeth and in front of the molars.
proctologist Specialist in the study of the anus and the rectum.
protease Enzyme that digests protein.
pulp Soft tissue with a tooth containing nerves and blood vessels.
Ring of muscles that surrounds the opening of the stomach to the
pyloric sphincter duodenum.
pyloroplasty Surgical repair of the pyloric sphincter.
pylorus Distal region of the stomach near the duodenum.
rectocele Hernia of the rectum.
rectum Final section of the colon.

rugae Ridges on the hard palate and the wall of the stomach.
saliva Digestive juice produced by salivary glands.
Three pairs of exocrine glands secreting saliva into the mouth;
salivary glands parotid glands, sublingual glands, and submandibular glands.
sialadenitis Inflammation of a salivary gland.
sialolith Salivary gland stone; lodged in a salivary gland or duct.
sigmoid colon Distal, lower end of the colon.
sigmoidoscopy Visual endoscopic examination of the sigmoid colon.
sphincter Circular ring of muscle that surrounds an opening or orifice.
Discharge of fat in the feces due to improper digestion and
steatorrhea malabsorption of fat.
stomach Organ composed of three main parts: fundus (upper portion), body
(middle section), and antrum (lower portion). The stomach prepares
food for the small intestine, where further digestion and absorption
into the bloodstream take place.
stomatitis Inflammation of the mouth.
sublingual Pertaining to under the tongue.
submandibular Pertaining to under the lower jaw (mandible).
Chief form of fat (lipids) in body cells; composed of three molecules
triglycerides of fatty acids and one molecule of glycerol.
Small, fleshy mass hanging from the soft palate at the back of the
uvula mouth.
uvulectomy Removal (excision) of the uvula.
Finger-like, microscopic projections on the inner surface of the small
villi intestine; sites of absorption of foods and fluids.

Pathologic Terminology

achalasia Failure of the lower esophageal sphincter muscle (LES) to relax.

anal fistula Abnormal tube-like passageway near the anus.
anorexia Lack of appetite.
aphthous stomatitis Inflammation of the mouth with small ulcers; canker sores.
ascites Abnormal accumulation of fluid in the abdomen.
Rumbling or gurgling noise produced by hyperactive movement of
borborygmi gas, fluid, or both in the gastrointestinal tract.
cholelithiasis Gallstones in the gallbladder.
cirrhosis Chronic, degenerative disease of the liver.
Answers to Pronunciation of Terms 5-5
colonic polyps Benign growths protrude from the mucous membrane of the colon.
colorectal cancer Adenocarcinoma of the colon or the rectum or both.
constipation Difficulty in passing (eliminating) feces (stool).

Crohn disease Chronic inflammation of the intestinal tract.

dental caries Tooth decay.
diarrhea Frequent passage of loose, watery stools.
Small, pouch-like herniations through the muscular wall of a tubular
diverticula organ such as the colon.
Abnormal outpouchings (diverticula) in the intestinal wall of the
diverticulosis colon.

dysentery Painful, inflamed intestines commonly caused by bacterial infection.

dysphagia Difficulty in swallowing.
eructation Gas expelled from the stomach through the mouth.

esophageal cancer Malignant tumor of the esophagus.

esophageal varices Swollen, twisted veins at the lower end of the esophagus.
etiology Study of the cause of disease.
flatus Gas expelled through the anus.
gastric cancer Malignant tumor of the stomach.
gastroesophageal reflux disease
(GERD) Solids and fluids return to the mouth from the stomach.
hematochezia Passage of bright red blood from the rectum.
hemorrhoids Swollen, twisted veins in the rectal and anal region.
hepatocellular carcinoma Tumor of the liver (also called hepatocellular carcinoma).
herpetic stomatitis Inflammation of the mouth caused by infection with the herpesvirus.
Protrusion of the upper portion of the stomach upward through the
hiatal hernia diaphragm.
Jaundice; yellow-orange coloration of the skin and whites of the
icterus eyes caused by high levels of bilirubin in the blood.
idiopathic Pertaining to unknown cause of disease.
ileus Loss of peristalsis with resulting obstruction of the intestines.

inflammatory bowel disease Inflammation of the colon and small intestine.

A small loop of the bowel protrudes through a weakened lower
inguinal hernia abdominal muscle.

intussusception Telescoping of the intestines.

Group of gastrointestinal symptoms (abdominal pain, diarrhea,
constipation, and bloating), but without abnormalities in the
irritable bowel syndrome intestines.
Yellow-orange coloration of the skin and whites of the eyes caused
jaundice by high levels of bilirubin in the blood.
lipoma Benign tumor of fatty tissue.
melena Black, tarry stools; feces containing blood.
nausea Unpleasant sensation in the stomach with a tendency to vomit.
oral leukoplakia White plaques or patches on the mucous membranes of the mouth.
pancreatic cancer Malignant tumor of the pancreas.
Answers to Pronunciation of Terms 5-6
pancreatitis Inflammation of the pancreas.
peptic ulcer Open sore in the lining of the stomach or duodenum.
Inflammation and degeneration of gums, teeth, and surrounding
periodontal disease bone.

pyorrhea Discharge of pus from the gums.

ulcerative colitis Chronic inflammation of the colon with the presence of ulcers.
viral hepatitis Inflammation of the liver caused by a virus.
volvulus Twisting of the intestine on itself.