- active transport
- the movement of solutes through a transmembrane protein using energy expenditure
- adhesiolysis
- removal of adhesions
- anal fissure
- a small tear or cut in the lining of the anus, which can cause pain, bleeding, and discomfort during bowel movements
- anus
- opening at the end of the digestive tract through which feces (solid waste) are expelled from the body
- ascending colon
- portion of the colon that travels upward from the cecum on the right side of the abdomen
- bile
- digestive fluid produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder
- bloating
- sensation of fullness or swelling in the abdomen, often accompanied by gas and discomfort
- bowel preparation (bowel prep)
- a medical procedure that involves the cleansing of the gastrointestinal tract, particularly the colon, in preparation for certain medical procedures or surgeries
- bowel retraining
- teaching the body to have a bowel movement at a certain time of the day
- breath test
- noninvasive diagnostic tool used to assess various aspects of bowel functioning, particularly related to carbohydrate metabolism and bacterial overgrowth in the gastrointestinal tract
- Bristol Stool Chart
- a diagnostic medical tool designed to classify the form of human feces into seven categories
- capsule endoscopy
- imaging study used to evaluate the small intestine for abnormalities such as bleeding, inflammation, or tumors
- cardia
- uppermost part of the stomach closest to the esophagus, where food enters
- cecum
- initial connection point between the small intestine and the colon
- chyme
- semifluid mixture produced in the stomach during digestion, which consists of partially digested food, water, and digestive juices
- Cologuard
- a noninvasive screening test for colorectal cancer
- colon
- consists of several segments: ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon, and sigmoid colon
- colonoscopy
- imaging study used to examine the colon and rectum for abnormalities such as polyps, inflammation, or tumors
- colostomy
- involves forming a stoma using a section of the colon (large intestine), where a portion of the intestine is brought out through the abdominal wall and connected to the skin
- consistency
- texture of the stool, ranging from hard and formed to soft and loose
- constipation
- a common gastrointestinal condition characterized by infrequent or difficult passage of stool; often defined as less than three bowel movements per week
- contrast
- special dye used for imaging tests
- defecation
- the process of eliminating solid waste, known as feces or stool, from the body through the anus
- descending colon
- portion of the colon that descends along the left side of the abdomen
- diarrhea
- a common gastrointestinal condition characterized by frequent, loose, and watery stools; often defined as more than three unformed stools in twenty-four hours
- digital disimpaction
- a medical procedure performed to remove impacted stool from the rectum and lower colon using a gloved, lubricated finger
- duodenum
- shortest segment of the small intestine; resides just below the stomach, forming a C-shaped curve
- endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
- imaging study used to assess the bile ducts and pancreatic duct for abnormalities such as stones, strictures, or tumors
- enema
- an intervention used to manage constipation, involving the introduction of a liquid solution into the rectum to stimulate bowel movements and evacuate stool
- enterocyte
- specialized cell that lines the wall of the small intestine and is equipped with microvilli, tiny projections that greatly increase the surface area available for absorption
- esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)
- imaging study used to evaluate the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum for abnormalities such as ulcers, inflammation, or tumors
- esophagus
- a muscular tube behind the trachea and in front of the spine between the pharynx and stomach; peristalsis moves the food down the esophagus, while esophageal sphincters open for food to pass through and then close to prevent regurgitation
- facilitated diffusion
- relies on carrier proteins but does not require energy expenditure and moves nutrients down their concentration gradient
- fecal immunochemical test (FIT)
- detects occult blood in stool samples with improved sensitivity and specificity compared to FOBT
- fecal impaction
- a large, hardened mass of stool becomes lodged in the rectum or lower colon, making it difficult or impossible to pass stool normally
- fecal incontinence (also, bowel incontinence)
- the inability to control bowel movements, leading to involuntary leakage or passage of feces, gas, or mucus from the rectum
- fecal occult blood test (FOBT)
- detects occult blood in stool samples, indicating gastrointestinal bleeding
- feces (also, stools or bowel movements)
- solid waste products of digestion that are expelled from the body through bowel elimination
- flexible sigmoidoscopy
- imaging study used to evaluate the rectum and sigmoid colon for abnormalities such as polyps, inflammation, or tumors
- fundus
- rounded portion of the stomach that expands as the stomach fills with food
- gastrointestinal (GI) system
- a complex network of organs within the human body responsible for digestion and absorption of nutrients as well as the elimination of waste; encompasses the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, anus, and accessory organs
- genetic testing
- evaluates proper bowel functioning by identifying genetic mutations associated with specific gastrointestinal disorders
- hematochezia (also, rectal bleeding)
- bright red blood in the stools; may suggest lower GI tract bleeding
- hemorrhoids
- swollen and inflamed vein in the rectum or anus that can cause discomfort, itching, and bleeding
- hydrogen breath test
- primarily used to detect bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine and assess carbohydrate malabsorption, particularly lactose intolerance
- ileostomy
- involves forming a stoma using a section of the ileum (small intestine), where a portion of the intestine is brought out through the abdominal wall and connected to the skin
- ileum
- the longest part of the small intestine; connects the small intestine to the large intestine
- jejunum
- middle portion of the small intestine that is primarily responsible for the absorption of nutrients, including carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals
- lactulose breath test
- specifically designed to diagnose small intestinal bacterial overgrowth by assessing the transit time and bacterial fermentation in the small intestine
- laparoscopy
- a minimally invasive surgical procedure to assess and address various GI conditions that may adversely affect bowel functioning
- large intestine
- is approximately 5 ft (1.5 m) long and consists of the cecum and colon; this vital component of the gastrointestinal tract is responsible for bowel elimination
- laxative
- medication commonly used to manage constipation by promoting bowel movements
- meconium
- the first bowel movement of a newborn that appears sticky and dark green to black in color
- melena
- black, sticky, tarry stools that may suggest upper GI bleeding
- methane breath test
- evaluates bacterial overgrowth and carbohydrate malabsorption, focusing on methane-producing bacteria
- moderate sedation (also, conscious sedation)
- a medical technique used to induce a state of reduced consciousness and relaxation in patients undergoing certain medical procedures or interventions
- mouth
- the orifice at the beginning of the gastrointestinal tract into which food is introduced into the gastrointestinal system; the mouth consists of the lips, tongue, hard and soft palates, gums, teeth, tongue, and salivary glands
- opioid-induced constipation (OIC)
- constipation caused by opioid use
- ova and parasite examination
- detects parasite eggs, larvae, or cysts in stool samples, indicating intestinal parasitic infections
- passive diffusion
- occurs when nutrients move across the intestinal lining from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration without the need for carrier proteins or energy
- peristalsis
- rhythmic, wavelike contraction and relaxation of the intestinal muscles that serves to mix food with gastric juices and propel food, water, and digestive juices forward through the digestive tract
- pharynx
- a funnel-shaped, muscular organ, the walls of which constrict to help push food to the esophagus, lift the walls of the pharynx during swallowing, and prevent air from being swallowed
- pyloric sphincter
- muscular valve located at the lower end of the stomach, near its junction with the small intestine (specifically, the duodenum); responsible for the release of chyme into the small intestine
- pylorus
- lower portion of the stomach that connects to the small intestine
- rectum
- final straight portion of the large intestine where feces are stored before elimination through the anus
- sigmoid colon
- final S-shaped segment of the colon that leads to the rectum
- small intestine
- a convoluted tube approximately 22 ft (6.7 m) long that stretches from the stomach to the large intestine
- stoma
- an opening surgically created in the body to allow the passage of bodily waste from the body
- stomach
- muscular organ located in the upper abdomen that plays a pivotal role in the digestive process
- stomach body
- central region of the stomach where most of the digestion occurs
- stool culture
- detects pathogenic bacteria, viruses, or parasites responsible for gastrointestinal infections
- stool softener
- medication used to alleviate constipation by adding moisture to the stool, making it softer and easier to pass
- substrate
- a substance or compound that undergoes a chemical reaction or is acted on by an enzyme to produce a specific product
- suppository
- solid medication inserted into the rectum, where it dissolves to release medication locally
- transverse colon
- portion of the colon that runs horizontally across the abdomen, connecting the ascending and descending segments of the large intestine