27.5: Key Terms
- Page ID
- 105863
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)- abdomen
- the anterior region of a person’s trunk between the diaphragm and pelvis
- aerophagia
- swallowing air
- anorexia
- loss of appetite
- bloating
- a feeling of fullness and tightness in the abdomen
- borborygmus
- abdominal sound, described as stomach growling, heard without a stethoscope
- caput medusae
- distended veins that extend from the umbilicus
- constipation
- a condition characterized by uncomfortable, infrequent bowel movements
- Cullen sign
- ecchymosis in the subcutaneous fatty tissue below the umbilicus, indicating hemorrhagic pancreatitis
- defecation
- the process of eliminating waste from the body through the rectum and anus
- diarrhea
- frequent, loose, watery stool
- dysuria
- pain or discomfort with urination
- ecchymosis
- bruising
- emesis
- the forceful expulsion of the food contents out of the stomach through the mouth
- fascia
- thin, fibrous connective tissue
- flatulence
- intestinal gas passed through the rectum
- fluid wave
- a test to check for free fluid in the abdomen
- gastric cancer
- stomach cancer
- Grey Turner sign
- ecchymosis along the flank associated with acute necrotizing pancreatitis
- hematemesis
- vomiting of blood
- hematochezia
- bloody stool
- hepatomegaly
- enlarged liver
- hernia
- an abdominal organ, usually the intestine, pushed through the muscle of the abdominal wall
- hollow viscera
- organs that are hollow tubes or pouches
- hyperactive bowel sounds
- may indicate bowel obstruction or gastroenteritis
- hyperpnea
- forced breathing
- hypoactive bowel sounds
- may be present with constipation, after abdominal surgery, peritonitis, or paralytic ileus
- inferior vena cava (IVC)
- the body’s largest vein; carries blood to the heart from the bottom half of the body back to the heart; located in the posterior abdominal wall to the right of the aorta
- intra-abdominal pressure (IAP)
- the steady pressure within the abdominal cavity that occurs from the interaction of the abdominal wall and viscera
- left lower quadrant (LLQ)
- houses the lower part of the large intestine (descending colon), sigmoid colon, and the left ovary and fallopian tube in females
- left upper quadrant (LUQ)
- houses the stomach, the spleen, pancreas, portions of the small intestine and large intestine, and a portion of the liver
- melena
- dark, tarry stools, often associated with upper gastrointestinal bleeding
- nausea
- the sensation of discomfort and unease in the stomach that is often accompanied by the urge to vomit
- naval
- umbilicus
- nephromegaly
- enlarged kidney
- peristalsis
- the wavelike movement of the gastrointestinal system to move contents forward
- peritoneal space
- the layer of tissue that surrounds the abdomen
- protuberant
- convex or bulging abdomen
- rebound tenderness
- the clinician maintains pressure over an area of tenderness and then withdraws the hand abruptly; if the patient winces with pain upon withdrawal of the hand, the test is positive
- right lower quadrant (RLQ)
- houses the appendix, part of the large intestine (cecum and ascending colon), the right ovary and fallopian tube in females
- right upper quadrant (RUQ)
- houses the liver, gallbladder, and portions of the small intestine and large intestine
- rigidity
- involuntary contraction of the abdominal musculature in response to peritoneal inflammation; it is a reflex the patient cannot control
- scaphoid
- sunken abdomen
- solid viscera
- solid organ
- splenomegaly
- enlarged spleen
- striae
- white or silvery elongated marks that occur when the skin stretches, especially during pregnancy or excessive weight gain
- viscera
- an organ in the abdomen
- visceromegaly
- the abnormal enlargement of abdominal organs
- voluntary guarding
- voluntary contraction of the abdominal wall musculature, usually the result of fear, anxiety, or the touch of cold hands