Chapter 8

Digestive
System
Related Combining Forms

Structure Related Combining Forms

Mouth or/o, stomat/o
Pharynx pharyng/o
Esophagus esophag/o
Stomach gastr/o
Small intestine enter/o
Large intestine col/o, colon/o
Rectum and anus an/o, proct/o, rect/o
Liver hepat/o
Gallbladder cholecyst/o
Pancreas pancreat/o
Structures of Digestive System

• Gastrointestinal tract
– (gastr/o: stomach; intestin: intestine)
• Upper GI tract
– Mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach
• Lower GI tract
– Small and large intestines, rectum, anus
• Accessory organs
– Liver, gallbladder, pancreas
Structures of Digestive System
Oral Cavity

• Also known as the mouth

• Major structures
– Lips, hard and soft palates, salivary glands,
tongue, teeth, periodontium
• Lips
– Surround the opening to oral cavity
– Play a role in eating, breathing, speaking, and
expression of emotions
Oral Cavity
Palate

• Hard palate
– Anterior portion of the palate; covered with
specialized mucous membrane
• Soft palate
– Flexible posterior portion of the palate; closes
off nasal passage during swallowing
preventing upward movement of food/liquid
• Uvula
– Plays role in swallowing, snoring, and speech
Tongue

• Very strong, flexible, and muscular in nature

• Important in chewing, speaking, and
swallowing
• Upper surface: dorsum; contains taste buds
• Sublingual surface: under the tongue
• Lingual frenum: attaches tongue to the floor
of the mouth
Soft Tissues of Oral Cavity

• Periodontium
– Surround, support, and attach to teeth
• (peri-: surrounding; odonti: teeth; -um: noun
ending)
• Gingiva
– Specialized mucous membrane covering
bone of dental arches and surrounding neck
of the teeth
– Also known as Gum
Soft Tissues of Oral Cavity

• Sulcus
– Space between a tooth and surrounding
gingiva
– Infection can result from buildup of food
debris and bacteria
Dental Arches

• Bony structures of oral cavity

• Maxillary arch
– Upper jaw; does not move
• Mandibular arch
– Lower jaw; movable
• Temporomandibular joint
– Formed at the back of mouth where maxillary
and mandibular arches come together
Teeth

• Dentition
– Natural teeth arranged in upper and lower
jaws
– Incisors and canines (cuspids)
• Used for biting and tearing
– Premolars (bicuspids) and molars
• Used for chewing and grinding
Teeth
Primary and Permanent Dentition

• Primary dentition
– Deciduous dentition; baby teeth
– 20 teeth
– Erupt in early childhood
• Permanent dentition
– 32 teeth
– 20 replace primary teeth; 12 erupt at the back
of the mouth
Structures and Tissues of Teeth

• Crown
– Portion visible in the mouth
– Covered with enamel–the hardest substance
in the body
• Roots
– Hold teeth securely within the dental arch
• Cervix
– Neck of the tooth where crown and root meet
Structures and Tissues of Teeth
Structures and Tissues of Teeth

• Dentin
– Bulk of a tooth
• Pulp cavity
– Within the crown and roots of a tooth
• Pulp
– Consists of rich supply of blood vessels and
nerves providing nutrients and innervation to
a tooth
Saliva and Salivary Glands

• Saliva
– Colorless liquid that maintains moisture in the
mouth
– Begins the digestive process by lubricating
food during chewing and swallowing
– Contains amylase, the first step in chemical
digestion
Saliva and Salivary Glands
Saliva and Salivary Glands

• Parotid glands
– Located slightly in front of each ear
• Sublingual glands
– Located on floor of the mouth under the
tongue
• Submandibular glands
– Located on floor of the mouth near the
mandible
Pharynx

• Common passageway for respiration and

digestion
• Important role in deglutition (swallowing)
• Epiglottis closes entrance to trachea to
prevent food and liquid from moving from
pharynx during swallowing
Esophagus

• Muscular tube for the passage of ingested

food from pharynx to stomach
• Lower esophageal sphincter
– Muscular ring between esophagus and
stomach; relaxes to allow food to enter the
stomach and contracts to prevent stomach
contents from regurgitating into the
esophagus
Stomach

• Consists of fundus (upper, rounded part),

body (main portion), and antrum (lower part)
• Rugae
– Folds in mucosa lining allowing the stomach
to increase and decrease in size
• Gastric juices
– Enzymes and hydrochloric acid that aid in
food digestion
Stomach
Stomach

• Pyloric sphincter
– Ring-like muscle at base of stomach
controlling flow of partially digested food from
stomach to the duodenum
• Pylorus
– Narrow passage connecting stomach with the
small intestine
Small Intestine

• Extends from pyloric sphincter to the first part

of the large intestine
• Three sections
– Duodenum: first portion
– Jejunum: middle portion
– Ileum: longest portion
Large Intestine

• Extends from end of small intestine to the

anus
• Site of preparation of waste products of
digestion for excretion
• Major parts of the large intestine
– Cecum, colon, rectum, anus
Large Intestine
Cecum

• Lies on the right side of the abdomen

• Ileocecal sphincter
– Controls flow from ileum into cecum
• Vermiform appendix
– Appendix
– Hangs from the lower portion of the cecum
– Made up of lymphoid tissue
Colon

• Four parts
– Ascending colon: travels upward from cecum
to the undersurface of the liver
– Transverse colon: lies horizontal across the
abdominal cavity from right to left
– Descending colon: travels down the left side
of the abdominal cavity
– Sigmoid colon: continues from descending
colon and joins rectum
Rectum and Anus

• Rectum
– Widest division of large intestine; ends at
anus
• Anus
– Lower opening of digestive tract
– Internal and external anal sphincters control
the flow of waste
Accessory Digestive Organs

• Play role in digestive process, but are not the

part of the GI tract
• Liver
– Largest organ in the body
– Many functions, such as removing toxins from
blood and turning food into fuel/nutrients
– Bilirubin causes yellow–green color of bile
– Bile secreted by liver and aids in fat digestion
Accessory Digestive Organs
Biliary Tree

• Provides channels for transportation of bile

from liver to small intestine
Gallbladder

• Located under the liver

• Stores and concentrates bile
• Cholecystic: pertaining to the gallbladder
Pancreas

• Located behind the stomach

• Plays roles in digestive and endocrine
system
• Secretes pancreatic juices aid in digestion
and sodium bicarbonate that aid in
neutralization of stomach acids
Digestion

• Process by which complex food is broken

down into nutrients to be used by the body
• Digestive enzymes
– Responsible for chemical changes in food
Digestion

• Nutrient
– Substance necessary for normal functioning
of the body
– Primary (macronutrients)
• Carbohydrates, fats, proteins
– Essential micronutrients
• Vitamins, minerals
Metabolism

• Chemical reactions involved in body's use of

nutrients
– (metabol: change)
• Two parts
– Anabolism
• Builds up cells/substances by use of nutrients
– Catabolism
• Breaks down cells/substances releasing energy
and carbon dioxide
Absorption

• Complete digestion of nutrients and their

transportation to cells
• Villi
– Finger-like projections covering mucosa of
small intestine
• Lacteals
– Lymphatic structures absorbing fats and fat-
soluble vitamins that cannot be transported
directly by the bloodstream
Role of Mouth, Salivary Glands, and Esophagus

• Mastication
– Chewing
• Bolus
– Mass of food ready to be swallowed
• Peristalsis
– Wave-like contractions moving food forward
into the digestive system
Role of Stomach

• Continued breakdown of food by gastric

juices and digestive enzymes
• Chyme
– Semifluid mass of partly digested food that
passes out of the stomach through pyloric
sphincter into the small intestine
Role of Small Intestine

• Duodenum
– Site of mixing of chyme with pancreatic juice
and bile
• Jejunum
– Continues process of digestion using large
amounts of digestive enzymes
• Ileum
– Site of absorption of nutrients
Role of Large Intestine

• Receives and stores waste products of

digestion
• Feces
– Solid body wastes
• Defecation
– Bowel movement
• Gut microflora
– Bacteria in large intestine; fight infections
Role of Large Intestine

• Borborygmus
– Rumbling noise caused by the movement of
gas in the intestine
• Flatulence (flatus)
– Passage of gas out of the body through the
rectum
Medical Specialties Related to Digestive System

• Bariatrics
– Branch of medicine related to prevention and
control of obesity
• Dentist
– Specializes in diagnosing/treating
diseases/disorders of teeth and tissues of the
oral cavity
Medical Specialties Related to Digestive System

• Gastroenterologist
– Specializes in diagnosing/treating
diseases/disorders of stomach and intestines
• (gastr/o: stomach; enter: small intestine)
• Oral or maxillofacial surgeon
– Specializes in surgery of face and jaws to
correct deformities, treat diseases, or repair
injuries
Medical Specialties Related to Digestive System

• Orthodontist
– Specializes in prevention/correction of
malocclusion of teeth and related facial
structures
• (orth: straight or normal; odont: teeth)
• Periodontist
– Specializes in prevention/treatment of
disorders of tissue surrounding the teeth
• (peri-: surrounding: odont: teeth; -ist: specialist)
Medical Specialties Related to Digestive System

• Proctologist
– Specializes in disorders of colon, rectum, and
anus
• (proct: anus and rectum; -ologist: specialist)
• Registered dietitian
– Specialist in food and nutrition; counsels
patients on improving dietary intake
Pathology of Digestive System

• Tissues of the oral cavity

– Aphthous ulcers
• Gray–white pits with red border in soft tissues
lining the mouth
• Cheilosis
– Crack-like sores at the corners of the mouth
• (cheil: lips; -osis: abnormal condition or disease)
Tissues of Oral Cavity

• Herpes labialis
– Blister-like sores on lips and adjacent facial
tissue
– Caused by oral herpes simplex virus type 1
• Leukoplakia
– White precancerous lesion developing on
tongue and inside of the cheek
• (leuk/o: white; -plakia: plaque)
Tissues of Oral Cavity

• Stomatitis
– Inflammation of mucosa of the mouth
• (stomat: mouth or oral cavity)
• Stomatomycosis
– Disease of the mouth due to fungus
• (stomat/o: mouth or oral cavity; myc: fungus)
• Oral thrush
– Due to Candida albicans
Tissues of Oral Cavity

• Trismus
– Restriction of opening of the mouth
– Caused by trauma, surgery, or radiation of
oral cancer
• Xerostomia
– Lack of adequate saliva due to diminished
secretions by salivary glands
• (xer/o: dry; stom: mouth or oral cavity; -ia:
pertaining to)
Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate

• Cleft lip
– Deep groove of the lip upward to the nose as
a result of portion of the lip failing to close
during prenatal development
• Cleft palate
– Failure of palate to close during early
development of the fetus
• Cleft lip/palate may occur singly or together;
corrected by surgery
Dental Diseases and Conditions

• Bruxism
– Grinding/clenching of teeth
• Dental caries
– Infectious disease caused by bacterial
destruction of enamel and dentin of the teeth
• Dental plaque
– Formed in sheltered areas near gums/teeth
– Consists of bacteria and bacterial by-products
Dental Diseases and Conditions

• Edentulous
– Without teeth
• Halitosis
– Unpleasant odor coming from the mouth
• (halit: breath; -osis: abnormal condition or disease)
• Malocclusion
– Any deviation from normal position of upper
teeth against lower teeth
Dental Diseases and Conditions

• Peridontal disease
– Inflammation of tissues surrounding and
supporting the teeth
• Dental calculus (tartar)
– Hardened dental plaque
• Gingivitis
– Earliest state of periodontal disease and
affects only the gums
• (gingiv: gums)
Dental Diseases and Conditions

• Acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis

– Due to abnormal growth of bacteria in the
mouth
– Can lead to inflammation, bleeding, deep
ulceration, and death of gum tissues
Esophagus

• Dysphagia
– Difficulty in swallowing
• Eosionophilic esophagitis
– Chronic immune system disease in which
eosinophils build up in the esophagus, usually
as result of allergy to certain foods
• (esophagi: esophagus; -itis: inflammation)
Esophagus

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease

– Upward flow of acid from the stomach into the
esophagus
• (gastr/o: stomach; esophag: esophagus; -eal:
pertaining to)
• Barrett’s esophagus
– Occurs when chronic acid exposure causes
damage of cells in the epithelial tissue of the
esophagus
Esophagus

• Stricture
– Abnormal narrowing of the esophagus due to
scar tissue or other damage
– May result in swallowing difficulties
• Pyrosis
– Burning sensation due to acid reflux
• (pyr: fever or fire; -osis: abnormal condition or
disease)
Esophagus

• Esophageal varices
– Enlarged, swollen veins at the lower end of
the esophagus
• Hiatal hernia
– Portion of the stomach protrudes upward
through an opening in the diaphragm
• (hiat: opening; -al: pertaining to)
Stomach

• Gastritis
– Inflammation of stomach lining
– Often caused by Helibactor pylori
• Gastroparesis
• (gastr/o: stomach; -paresis: partial paralysis)
– Improper functioning of stomach muscles preventing
normal emptying of contents
• Gastrorrhea (gastr/o: stomach; -rrhea: flow or
discharge)
– Excessive secretion of gastric juice/mucus
Peptic Ulcers

• Peptic (pept: digestion; -ic: pertaining to)

• Gastric ulcers
– Occur in the stomach
• Duodenal ulcers
– Occur in the upper part of the small intestine
• Perforating ulcer
– Erosion through entire thickness of organ wall
– Complication of peptic ulcer
Nutritional Disorders

• Anorexia
– Loss of appetite
• Cachexia
– Physical wasting away with loss of weight and
muscle mass due to inability of body to
properly absorb nutrients
• Dehydration
– Fluid loss exceeds fluid intake
• (de-: removal; hydra: water; -tion: the process of)
Nutritional Disorders

• Malnutrition
– Lack of proper food/nutrients in body due to
shortage of food, poor eating habits, or
inability of body to digest, absorb, and
distribute these nutrients
• (mal-: bad or poor)
• Malabsorption
– Inability of small intestine to absorb nutrients
Nutritional Disorders

• Obesity
– Excessive accumulation of fat in the body
– More than 20%–30% over the established
weight standards for height, age, and gender
• Morbid obesity
– Weighing two times or more than ideal weight
– Body mass index (BMI) greater than 40
• BMI: body weight adjusted for height
Indigestion and Vomiting

• Aerophagia
– Excessive swallowing of air while eating or
drinking
• (aer/o: air; -phagia: swallowing)
• Dyspepsia
– Indigestion
• (dys-: painful; -pepsia: digestion)
Indigestion and Vomiting

• Emesis
– Reflex ejection of the stomach contents
• (emesis or -emesis: vomiting)
• Eructation
– Belching
Indigestion and Vomiting

• Hematemesis
– Vomiting of blood
• (hemat: blood; -emisis: vomiting)
• Hyperemesis
– Extreme, persistent vomiting resulting in
dehydration
• (hyper-: excessive; -emesis: vomiting)
Indigestion and Vomiting

• Nausea
– Urge to vomit
• Regurgitation
– Return of swallowed food into the mouth
Intestinal Disorders

• Celiac disease
– Inherited autoimmune disorder characterized
by severe reaction to food containing gluten
– Damages villi of small intestine leading to
malabsorption
• Gluten intolerance
– Digestive distress due to the response to
gluten
– Does not cause intestinal tissue damage
Intestinal Disorders

• Food allergy
– Immune system reaction occurring after
eating of certain foods
• Lactose intolerance
– Inability to digest dairy products
– Due to absence of the enzyme lactase
• Colorectal carcinoma
– Colon cancer
Intestinal Disorders

• Polyp
– Mushroom-like growth from the surface of the
mucous membrane
– May be benign or malignant
• Diverticulosis
– Chronic presence of abnormal number of
diverticula
– Often asymptomatic
• (diverticul: diverticulum; -osis: abnormal condition
or disease)
Intestinal Disorders

• Diverticulum
– Small pouch in the lining or wall of a tubular
organ
• Diverticulitis
– Inflammation or infection of the diverticula
• Enteritis
– Inflammation of the small intestine
– May be viral or bacterial
• (enter: small intestine; -itis: inflammation)
Intestinal Disorders

• Ischemic colitis
– Deprivation of blood supply to the large
intestine
• Ileus
– Partial or complete blockage of the small or
large intestine
– Due to decrease in peristalsis
– May occur temporarily after abdominal
surgery (postoperative ileus)
Intestinal Disorders

• Irritable bowel syndrome

– Intermittent cramping and abdominal pain
accompanied by constipation or diarrhea
– Unknown cause
• Inflammatory bowel diseases
– General term for diseases that cause
inflammation and swelling in intestines
– Most common are ulcerative colitis and
Crohn’s disease
Intestinal Disorders

• Ulcerative colitis
– Chronic, repeated episodes of inflammation in
the innermost lining of the rectum and large
intestine causing ulcers and irritation
• (col: colon; -itis: inflammation)
• Crohn’s disease
– Chronic, autoimmune disorder occurring
anywhere in the digestive tract
– Permeates every layer of affected tissue
Intestinal Disorders

• Intestinal obstruction
– Partial or complete blockage of small or large
intestine
– Adhesions join parts of the intestine which
otherwise should be separated
– Strangulating obstruction blocks blood flow to
the intestine leading to gangrene or
perforation
Intestinal Disorders

• Volvulus
– Twisting of the intestine on itself
• Intussusception
– Telescoping of one part of the small intestine
into the opening of the adjacent part
• (intussuscept: to take up or to receive within; -ion:
condition)
Intestinal Disorders
Intestinal Disorders

• Inguinal hernia
– Protrusion of loop of bowel through weak
place in lower abdominal wall
• (inguin: groin; -al: pertaining to)
• Strangulated hernia
– Constriction of portion of intestine inside
hernia
– Decreased blood supply causes ischemia in
this tissue
Infectious Diseases of Intestines

• Clostridium difficile
– Bacterial infection typically occurs following the use of
antibiotics that wipe out competing bacteria
– Common in hospitals or long-term care facilities
– Prevention: infection control measures
• Dysentery
– Bacterial infection spreads through food/water
contaminated with human feces
Infectious Diseases of Intestines

• Escherichia coli (E.coli)

– Transmitted through improper cooking of
contaminated food
• Salmonellosis
– Transmitted by feces through direct contact
with animals or eating contaminated foods,
unpasteurized milk, and cheese products
Anorectal Disorders

• Anal fissure
– Crack-like sore in the skin of anus
• Bowel incontinence
– Inability to control the excretion of feces
• Constipation
– Difficulty in emptying the bowel due to
hardened and dry feces
Anorectal Disorders

• Diarrhea
– Frequent flow of loose or watery stools
• (dia-: through; -rrhea: flow or discharge)
• Hemorrhoids
– Cluster of veins, muscles, and tissues which
slip near or through the anal opening
Anorectal Disorders

• Rectocele
– Bulging of front wall of rectum into vagina
– May be the result of childbirth or pregnancy
• (rect/o: rectum; -cele: hernia)
Abnormal Stools

• Hematochezia
– Flow of bright red blood in stool
– Usually indicates bleeding from lower part of
GI tract
• Melena
– Black, tarry, foul-smelling feces
– Usually indicates bleeding in upper part of GI
tract
Abnormal Stools

• Steatorrhea
– Presence of excess fat in stool
– Frothy, foul-smelling stool
– Usually caused by pancreatic disease,
removal of gallbladder, or malabsorption
disorders
• (steat/o: fat; -rrhea: flow or discharge)
Liver

• Ascites
– Abnormal accumulation of serous fluid in
peritoneal cavity
– May be the result of severe liver disease
• Hepatomegaly
– Abnormal enlargement of liver
• (hepat/o: liver; -megaly: enlargement)
Liver

• Jaundice
– Yellow discoloration of skin, mucous
membranes, and eyes
– Due to increased bilirubin in the blood
• Hepatitis
– Inflammation of liver
– Usually caused by viral infection
• (hepat: liver; -itis: inflammation)
Liver

• Cirrhosis
– Chronic degenerative disease of liver
– May be due to alcohol abuse or viral hepatitis
B or C
• (cirrh: yellow or orange; -osis: abnormal condition
or disease)
• Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
– Accumulation of fat in liver of the people who
drink small amount or no alcohol
Liver

• Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis
– Fatty accumulations plus liver-damaging
inflammation
– May progress to cirrhosis, irreversible liver
scarring, or liver cancer
Gallbladder

• Cholangitis
– Acute inflammation of bile duct
– Usually caused by bacterial infection
• (cholang: bile duct; -itis: inflammation)
• Cholecystitis
– Inflammation of gallbladder
– Often associated with gallstones
• (cholecyst: gallbladder)
Gallbladder

• Gallstone
– Hard deposit in gallbladder and bile ducts due
to concretion of bile components
• Cholelithiasis
– Presence of gallstones in gallbladder or bile
ducts
• (chole: bile or gall; -lithiasis: presence of stones)
Diagnostic Procedures of Digestive System

• Abdominal computed tomography

– Radiographic procedure showing cross-
section of tissue structure within abdomen
• Abdominal ultrasound
– Noninvasive test using very-high-frequency
sound waves to visualize internal organs
Diagnostic Procedures of Digestive System

• Cholangiography
– Radiographic examination of bile ducts with
the use of contrast medium
• (cholangi/o: bile duct; -graphy: the process of
recording)
Diagnostic Procedures of Digestive System

• Enema
– Placement of solution into rectum/colon to
empty the lower intestine
• Esophagogastroduodenoscopy
– Allows direct visualization of upper GI tract
• (esophag/o: esophagus; gastr/o: stomach;
duoden/o: duodenum; -scopy: visual examination)
Diagnostic Procedures of Digestive System

• Upper GI series and lower GI series

– Radiographic studies to examine digestive
system
– Require contrast medium
• Stool samples
– Specimens of feces that are examined for
content/characteristics
Endoscopic Procedures

• Require instrument for visual examination of

internal structures
• Anoscopy
– Visual examination of anal canal/lower rectum
• Capsule endoscopy
– Use of tiny video camera that is swallowed by
patient
– Camera transmits images of small intestine;
transmitted to data recorder worn by patient
Screening for Colorectal Carcinoma

• Colonoscopy
– Direct visual examination of inner surface of
the entire colon from rectum to cecum
• (colon/o: colon; -scopy: visual examination)
• Sigmoidoscopy
– Endoscopic examination of the interior of the
rectum, sigmoid colon, and possibly a portion
of the descending colon
• (sigmoid/o: sigmoid colon)
Screening for Colorectal Carcinoma

• Hemoccult® test
– Laboratory test for hidden blood in stool
• (hem: blood; -occult: hidden)
• Cologuard®
– Noninvasive stool test using DNA testing
along with screening for hidden blood
Treatment Procedures of Digestive System

• Antioxidants
– Chemicals, such as vitamins, that may
prevent or delay cell damage
– Present in fruits, beans, berries, nuts, and
dark chocolate
• Probiotics
– Living microorganisms that aid digestion and
protection of body from harmful bacteria
• (pro: supporting)
Treatment Procedures of Digestive System

• Medications
– Antacids
• Neutralize acids in the stomach
– Proton pump inhibitors
• Decrease the amount of acid produced by the
stomach
Treatment Procedures of Digestive System

• Medications
– Antiemetic
• Prevents or relieves nausea/vomiting
• (anti-: against; emet: vomit; -ic: pertaining to)
– Laxatives
• Medications/foods that stimulate bowel movements
Treatment Procedures of Digestive System

• Medications
– Intravenous fluids
• Administered to combat dehydration
• (intra-: within; ven/o: vein; -us: noun ending)
– Oral rehydration therapy
• Liquid preparation of electrolytes administered to
counteract dehydration, especially in young
children
Oral Cavity and Esophagus

• Dental prophylaxis
– Professional cleaning of teeth
• Dental implant
– Crown, bridge or denture that may or may not
be anchored to the jaw
• Root canal
– Removal of diseased or damaged pulp
Oral Cavity and Esophagus

• Gingivectomy
– Surgical removal of the diseased gingival
tissue
• (gingiv: gingival tissue; -ectomy: surgical removal)
• Palatoplasty
– Surgical repair of cleft palate, or cleft lip
• (palat/o: palate; -plasty: surgical repair)
Stomach

• Gastrectomy
– Surgical removal of all or part of the stomach
• (gastr: stomach; -ectomy: surgical removal)
• Nasogastric intubation
– Placement of feeding tube through nose into
the stomach to provide nutrition
• (nas/o: nose; gastr: stomach; -ic: pertaining to)
Stomach

• Gastrostomy tube
– Surgically placed feeding tube from exterior of
body directly into stomach to provide nutrition
• (gastr: stomach; -ostomy: surgically creating an
opening)
Stomach

• Total parenteral nutrition

– Specialized intravenous solution administered
to patients who cannot or should not get
nutrition through eating
• Bariatric surgery
– Treats morbid obesity
– Restricts amount of food entering the stomach
for digestion
Stomach

• Gastric bypass surgery

– Stapling of a section of stomach to make a
small pouch
– Causes food to bypass first part of small
intestine
• Lap-band adjustable gastric banding
– Places inflatable band around the exterior of
the stomach restricting food intake
Stomach

• Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty

– Suturing of stomach to make it a small tube,
reducing its capacity
– Endoscopic option for bariatric surgeries
requiring general anesthesia
Intestines

• Colectomy
– Surgical removal of all or part of the colon
• (col: colon; -ectomy: surgical removal)
• Colotomy
– Surgical incision into the colon
• (col: colon; -otomy: surgical incision)
Intestines

• Diverticulectomy
– Surgical removal of diverticulum
• (diverticul: diverticulum; -ectomy: surgical removal)
• Gastroduodenostomy
– Anastomosis between upper portion of
stomach and duodenum
• (gastr/o: stomach; duoden: first part of the small
intestine; -ostomy: surgically creating an opening)
Intestines

• Anastomosis
– Surgical connection between two hollow
structures
• Ileectomy
– Surgical removal of the ileum
• (ile: ileum; -ectomy: surgical removal)
Ostomies

• Ileostomy
– Surgical creation of artificial excretory opening
between ileum and outside of abdominal wall
• (ile: small intestine)
• Colostomy
– Surgical creation of artificial excretory opening
between the colon and the body surface
– May be temporary or permanent
Rectum and Anus

• Hemorrhoidectomy
– Surgical removal of hemorrhoids
• (hemorrhoid: hemorrhoid)
• Proctopexy
– Surgical fixation of prolapsed rectum to an
adjacent tissue/organ
• (proct/o: rectum; -pexy: surgical fixation)
Liver

• Hepatectomy
– Surgical removal of all or part of the liver
• (hepat: liver; -ectomy: surgical removal)
• Liver transplant
– Option for the patient whose liver is not
functioning properly for a reason other than
liver cancer
Gallbladder

• Choledocholithotomy
– Incision into common bile duct for the removal
of gallstones
• (choledoch/o: common bile duct; lith: stone;
-otomy: surgical incision)
Gallbladder

• Cholecystectomy
– Surgical removal of the gallbladder
• (cholecyst: gallbladder; -ectomy: surgical removal)