27.6: Key Terms

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