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27.5: Key Terms

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    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

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