The Digestive System Pathology

Question 1

Dentistry

Answer 1

Branch of healthcare involved with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of conditions involving the teeth, jaw, and mouth. Practitioner is a ‘dentist.’

Question 2

Gastroenterology

Answer 2

Branch of medicine involved in diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders of the digestive system. Physician is a ‘gastroenterologist.’

Question 3

Oral Surgery

Answer 3

Branch of dentistry that uses surgical means to treat dental conditions. Specialist is an ‘oral surgeon.’

Question 4

Orthodontics

Answer 4

Branch of dentistry concerned with correction of problems with tooth alignment. Specialist is an ‘orthodontist.’

Question 5

Periodontics

Answer 5

Branch of dentistry concerned with treating conditions involving the gums and tissues surrounding the teeth. Specialist is a ‘periodontist.’

Question 6

Proctology

Answer 6

Branch of medicine involved in diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders of the anus and rectum. Physician is a ‘proctologist.’

Question 7

Anorexia

Answer 7

General term meaning loss of appetite that may accompany other conditions. Also used to refer to ‘anorexia nervosa,’ which is an eating disorder involving the refusal to eat

Question 8

Aphagia

Answer 8

Being unable to swallow or eat

Question 9

Ascites

Answer 9

Collection or accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity

Question 10

Bradypepsia

Answer 10

Having a slow digestive system

Question 11

Cachexia

Answer 11

Loss of weight and generalized wasting that occurs during a chronic disease

Question 12

Cholecystalgia

Answer 12

Having gallbladder pain

Question 13

Constipation

Answer 13

Experiencing difficulty in defecation or infrequent defecation

Question 14

Dentalgia

Answer 14

Tooth pain

Question 15

Diarrhea

Answer 15

Passing of frequent, watery, or bloody bowel movements. Usually accompanies gastrointestinal (GI) disorders

Question 16

Dysorexia

Answer 16

Abnormal appetite; usually a diminished appetite

Question 17

Dyspepsia

Answer 17

‘Upset stomach’; indigestion

Question 18

Emesis

Answer 18

Vomiting

Question 19

Gastralgia

Answer 19

Stomach pain

Question 20

Hematemesis

Answer 20

Vomiting blood

Question 21

Hematochezia

Answer 21

Passing bright red blood in the stools

Question 22

Hyperemesis

Answer 22

Excessive vomiting

Question 23

Jaundice

Answer 23

Yellow cast to the skin, mucous membranes, and the whites of the eyes caused by the deposit of bile pigment from too much bilirubin in the blood. Bilirubin is a waste product produced when worn-out red blood cells are broken down. May be a symptom of a disorder such as gallstones blocking the common bile duct or carcinoma of the liver. Also called ‘icterus.’

Question 24

Melena

Answer 24

Passage of dark tarry stools. Color is the result of digestive enzymes working on blood in the gastrointestinal tract

Question 25

Nausea

Answer 25

Urge to vomit

Question 26

Obesity

Answer 26

Body weight that is above a healthy level. A person whose weight interferes with normal activity and body function has 'morbid obesity.'

Question 27

Polyphagia

Answer 27

Excessive eating; eating too much

Question 28

Postprandial

Answer 28

After a meal

Question 29

Pyrosis

Answer 29

Pain and burning sensation usually caused by stomach acid splashing up into the esophagus, Commonly called 'heartburn.'

Question 30

Regurgitation

Answer 30

Return of fluids and solids from the stomach into the mouth

Question 31

Aphthous Ulcers

Answer 31

Painful ulcers in the mouth of unknown cause. Commonly called 'canker sores.'

Question 32

Cleft Lip (CLEFT)

Answer 32

Congenital anomaly in which the upper lip and jaw bone fail to fuse in the midline, leaving an open gap. Often seen along with a cleft palate. Corrected with surgery

Question 33

Cleft Palate

Answer 33

Congenital anomaly in which the roof of the mouth has a split or fissure. Corrected with surgery

Question 34

Dental Caries

Answer 34

Gradual decay and disintegration of teeth caused by bacteria; may lead to abscessed teeth. Commonly called a 'tooth cavity.'

Question 35

Gingivitis

Answer 35

Inflammation of the gums

Question 36

Herpes Labialis

Answer 36

Infection of the lip by the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). Also called 'fever blisters' or 'cold sores.'

Question 37

Periodontal Disease

Answer 37

Disease of the supporting structures of the teeth, including the gums and bones; the most common cause of tooth loss

Question 38

Sialadenitis

Answer 38

Inflammation of a salivary gland

Question 39

Esophageal Varices

Answer 39

Enlarged and swollen varicose veins in the lower end of the esophagus. If these rupture, serious hemorrhage results; often related to liver disease

Question 40

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

Answer 40

Acid from the stomach flows backward up into the esophagus causing inflammation and pain

Question 41

Pharyngoplegia

Answer 41

Paralysis of the throat muscles

Question 42

Gastric Carcinoma

Answer 42

Cancerous tumor in the stomach

Question 43

Gastritis

Answer 43

Stomach inflammation

Question 44

Gastroenteritis

Answer 44

Inflammation of stomach and small intestine

Question 45

Hiatal Hernia

Answer 45

Protrusion of the stomach through the diaphragm (also called a 'diaphragmatocele') and extending into the thoracic cavity; gastroesophageal reflux disease is a common symptom

Question 46

Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD)

Answer 46

Ulcer occurring in the lower portion of the esophagus, stomach, and/or duodenum; thought to be caused by the acid of gastric juices. Initial damage to the protective lining of the stomach may be caused by a Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacterial infection. If the ulcer extends all the way through the wall of the stomach, it is called a 'perforated ulcer,' which requires immediate surgery to repair

Question 47

Anal Fistula

Answer 47

Abnormal tube-like passage from the surface around the anal opening directly into the rectum

Question 48

Appendicitis

Answer 48

Inflammation of the appendix; may require an 'appendectomy.'

Question 49

Bowel Incontinence

Answer 49

Inability to control defecation

Question 50

Colorectal Carcinoma

Answer 50

Cancerous tumor originating in the colon or rectum

Question 51

Crohn's Disease

Answer 51

Form of chronic inflammatory bowel disease affecting primarily the ileum and/or colon. Also called 'regional ileitis.' This autoimmune condition affects all the layers of the bowel wall and results in scarring and thickening of the gut wall

Question 52

Diverticulitis

Answer 52

Inflammation of a diverticulum (an out-pouching off the gut), especially in the colon. Inflammation often results when food becomes within the pouch

Question 53

Diverticulosis

Answer 53

Condition of having diverticula (outpouches off the gut). May lead to diverticulitis if one becomes inflamed

Question 54

Dysentery

Answer 54

Disease characterized by diarrhea, often with mucus and blood, sever abdominal pain, fever, and dehydration. Caused by ingesting food or water contaminated by chemicals, bacteria, protozoans, or parasites

Question 55

Enteritis

Answer 55

Inflammation of the small intestines

Question 56

Hemorrhoids

Answer 56

Varicose veins in the rectum and anus

Question 57

Ileus

Answer 57

Severe abdominal pain, inability to pass stools, vomiting, and abdominal distension as a result of an intestinal blockage. The blockage can be a physical block such as a tumor or the failure of bowel contents to move forward due to loss of peristalsis (a nonmechanical blockage). May require surgery to reverse the blockage

Question 58

Inguinal Hernia

Answer 58

Hernia or protrusion of a loop of small intestines into the inguinal (groin) region through a weak spot in the abdominal muscle wall that develops into a hole. May become incarcerated or strangulated if the muscle tightens down around the loop of intestines and cuts off its blood flow

Question 59

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Answer 59

Disturbance in the functions of the intestine from unknown causes. Symptoms generally include abdominal discomfort and an alteration in bowel activity. Also called 'spastic colon' or 'functional bowel syndrome.'

Question 60

Polyp

Answer 60

Small tumor with pedicle or stem attachment; commonly found in vascular organs such as nose, uterus, and rectum

Question 61

Polyposis

Answer 61

Presence of small tumors, called "polyps," containing a pedicle or stemlike attachment in the mucous membranes of the large intestine (colon); may be precancerous

Question 62

Proctoptosis

Answer 62

Prolapsed or drooping rectum

Question 63

Ulcerative Colitis

Answer 63

Chronic inflammatory condition resulting in numerous ulcers formed on the mucous membrane lining of the colon; the cause is unknown. Also known as 'inflammatory bowel disease' (IBD)

Question 64

Volvulus

Answer 64

Condition in which the bowel twists upon itself causing an obstruction; painful and requires immediate surgery

Question 65

Cholecystitis

Answer 65

Inflammation of the gallbladder; most commonly caused by gallstones in the gallbladder or common bile duct that block the flow of bile

Question 66

Cholelithiasis

Answer 66

Presence of gallstones; may or may not cause symptoms such as 'cholecystalgia.'

Question 67

Cirrhosis

Answer 67

Chronic disease of the liver associated with failure of the liver to function properly

Question 68

Hepatitis

Answer 68

Inflammation of the liver, usually due to a viral infection. Different viruses are transmitted by different routes, such as sexual contact or from exposure to blood or fecally contaminated water or food

Question 69

Hepatoma

Answer 69

Liver tumor

Question 70

Pancreatitis

Answer 70

Inflammation of the pancreas