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27.5: Key Terms

Last updated

Nov 6, 2024
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- 27.4: Summary
- 27.6: Assessments

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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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