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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
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