GLOSSARY
Abdomen
Area between the chest and the hips that contains the stomach, small intestine, large intestine, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, and spleen.
Alimentary canal
Gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
Anal electromyography
Diagnostic test involving the insertion of needle electrodes into muscles around anus to measure nerve damage.
Anal fissure
Small tear in the anus. Symptoms include itching, pain, or bleeding.
Anal fistula
Abnormal opening between anus and another organ or anus and the skin. May result from injuries or sub-dermal abscesses or disease (e.g. cancer, Crohn's disease).
Anal sphincter
Ring of muscle at the anal aperture that keeps the anus closed.
Anastomosis
The surgical creation of an opening between two hollow organs or vessels, or one hollow organ or vessel and the skin. A colostomy is an anastomosis between the colon and the skin.
Anoscopy
A visual exam of the anus using an anoscope.
Anorectal manometry
Use of a manometry catheter to measure anal and rectal pressure, reflexes and sensation.
Anticholinergics
Medicines that calm muscle spasms in the intestine.
Antispasmodics
Medicines that help reduce or stop muscle spasms in the intestines.
Anus
Terminal end of the digestive tract.
Ascending colon
First third of the colon on the right side of the abdomen.
Asymptomatic
Without symptoms.
Atonic colon
Lack of normal muscle tone in the colon generally caused by disease or the overuse of laxatives. May result in chronic constipation.
Barium
Chalky liquid used to coat the inside of organs to improve visualization in X-ray.
Barium enema X-ray
Lower GI series.
Bowel
Portion of GI tract made up by the small and large intestines.
Bowel prep
Process used to clean the colon in preparation for surgery or visualization studies.
Bulbocavernosis reflex
A reflex contraction of the anal sphincter mediated by the pudendal nerve and produced by squeezing the clitoris or the glans of the penis.
Bulking agents
Laxatives that make bowel movements soft and easy to pass.
Cannula
A hollow tube generally used for accessing the body through the skin or a natural orifice.
Catheter
Generally thin, flexible, hollow tube that acts as short or long-term entryway into the body.
Cecum
First part of the large intestine at junction of small/large intestine.
Colectomy
Surgical removal all or part of the colon.
Colic
Attacks of abdominal pain, caused by muscle spasms in the intestines.
Colitis
Irritation of the colon.
Collagen
Prevalent body protein that shapes the structure of tendons, bones, and connective tissues.
Collagen vascular disease
Malfunction of the immune system that can affect tendons, bones, and connective tissues.
Colon
The large intestine. Consists of the cecum, ascending colon, the transverse colon, the descending colon, the sigmoid colon, and the rectum. Primary purpose is to extract water from feces.
Colonic inertia
When muscles of the colon do not work properly to excrete waste.
Colonoscopy
Visual exam of the colon through a long, flexible, narrow tube.
Colonoscopic polypectomy
Removal of growths (polyps) through a colonoscope.
Colorectal transit study
Test to see how food moves through the colon.
Colostomy
Surgically created opening between the colon and the abdominal wall allowing the diversion of fecal waste.
Congenital
Present at birth.
Constipation
Condition in which the stool becomes hard and dry.
Continence
Ability to control bowel movements or urine.
Continent ileostomy
Surgically created pouch of the small intestine. Stool that collects in the pouch is removed by inserting a small tube through an opening made in the abdomen.
Crohn's disease
A chronic form of inflammatory bowel disease.
Cystocele (dropped bladder)
When bladder wall droops into the anterior vaginal space as a result of weakening of the pelvic floor.
Defecation
Passage of stool through the anus.
Defecography
X-ray of the anus and rectum during bowel evacuation to measure colonic muscle effectiveness.
Descending perineum syndrome
Weakness and excessive ballooning of the pelvic muscles associated with chronic constipation due to straining, vaginal deliveries, or prior surgery.
Digestive system
Organs in the body that break down and absorb food.
Distention
Bloating or swelling.
Diverticulitis
Condition that occurs when weakness in the muscle layer of the colon creates small out-pouches (diverticulum) and become inflamed.
Diverticulosis
Condition that occurs when weakness in the muscle layer of the colon creates small out-pouches.
Electrocoagulation
Electrical current delivered to tissue to cease bleeding.
Encopresis
Accidental bowel movement.
Endo anal ultrasound (EAU)
Ultrasound of the anal muscles taken by passing a probe into the anus to assess muscle integrity.
Endoscope
Thin, flexible tube with integrated camera to visualize the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, colon, or rectum. Colonoscopes and sigmoidoscopes are types of endoscopes.
Enteric Nervous System (ENS)
Autonomic nervous system within the walls of the digestive tract. Regulates digestion and muscle contractions that eliminate solid waste.
Epithelium
Inner lining of cavities of human organs.
Etiology
Cause.
Excrete
To get rid of waste from the body.
Fecal incontinence
Inability to control the passage of stool or gas.
Fecalith
A hard mass of dried feces.
Feces
Stool.
Fistula
Abnormal opening between two organs or between one organ and the outside of the body, caused when damaged tissues come into contact with each other and join together while healing.
Gardner's syndrome
Condition in which many polyps form throughout the digestive tract.
Gastroenterologist
Physician who specializes in digestive diseases.
Gastroenterology
Field of medicine concerned with the function and disorders of the digestive system.
Gastrointestinal (GI) tract
Large, muscular tube or cavity that extends from the mouth to the anus.
Health related quality of life (HRQL)
The impact an illness has on quality of life, including the individual's perception of his or her illness.
Hemorrhoidectomy
Surgical removal of hemorrhoids.
Hemorrhoids
Swollen blood vessels in and around the anus that cause itching, pain, and bleeding.
Hernia
An out-pouching or abnormal protrusion of the inner part of a structure through the middle layer and/or outer part of a structure.
Imperforate anus
Birth defect in which the anal canal fails to develop.
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
Inflammation and ulcers in the GI tract. The most common causes are ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.
Inguinal hernia
Segment of the large or small intestine that protrudes into the groin and may cause pain, pressure or burning.
Innervated
A structure supplied with intact nerves.
Intestinal flora
Bacteria, yeasts, and fungi that grow normally in the intestines.
Intestinal mucosa
Surface lining of the intestines that absorb nutrients.
Intractable
Symptoms that don't respond to standard treatments.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Hyper activity of GI nerves causing sensitivity to food, stool, gas, and stress.
Ischemic colitis
Decreased blood flow to the colon, which causes fever, pain, and bloody diarrhea.
Kegel exercises
Series of pelvic floor flexing exercises recommended for women with urinary stress incontinence, men who have urinary incontinence after prostate surgery and people who have fecal incontinence.
Laparotomy
Surgical incision into the abdomen.
Lavage
To clean or rinse.
Laxatives
Medications to relieve long-term constipation.
Lower GI series
X-rays of the rectum, colon, and lower part of the small intestine. Also called Barium Enema X-ray.
Manometry
Tests that measure muscle pressure and movements in a muscular organ
Megacolon
Large and swollen colon; results from severe constipation.
Melena
Blood in the stool.
Motility
Movement of food through the digestive tract.
Mucosa
Mucous membrane that lines a structure (e.g. nose, mouth, GI tract).
Occult
Hidden.
Occult bleeding
Blood in stool that is not visible to the naked eye.
Ostomy
Typically refers to a surgically created opening between GI tract and the skin with the intended purpose of permitting stool passage from the body. Colostomy and Ileostomy are types of ostomies.
Overlapping Sphincter Repair
Surgical procedure used to repair a damaged or weakened anal sphincter where the sphincter is strengthened via overlapped edges sutured together.
P-value
The p (probability) value is a calculation used in studies to determine if the results are caused by chance or not. A p value less than 0.05 is statistically significant and indicates that the result is not due to chance.
Pathogenesis
The origin and development of a disease or disorder.
Pathology
The study of the fundamental nature, causes, and development of abnormal conditions and the structural and functional changes that result.
Pathophysiology
Changes or alterations in function that accompany a syndrome or disease.
Pelvic Floor
A large hammock-like structure of muscles stretching across the floor of the pelvis. Supports reproductive organs, urinary structures and the lower portion of the GI tract.
Perianal
Area around the anus.
Perianal abscess
A collection of pus in and around the anus.
Perineal
Related to the perineum.
Perineum
Area between the anus and the sex organs.
Peristalsis
Wavelike movement of muscles in the GI tract that moves food and liquid through the GI tract.
Polyp
Abnormal tissue growth on the inner or outer surface of an organ.
Polyposis
Presence of many polyps.
Proctectomy
Operation to remove the rectum.
Proctitis
Irritation of the rectum.
Proctocolectomy
Surgical removal the colon and rectum.
Proctocolitis
Inflammation of the colon and rectum.
Proctologist
Physician who specializes in disorders of the anus and rectum.
Proctoscope
Short, rigid metal tube used to look into the rectum and anus.
Proctoscopy
Examination of the rectum and anus with a proctoscope.
Proctosigmoidoscopy
Endoscopic examination of the rectum and sigmoid colon. See also endoscopy.
Prokinetic
Drugs that enhance propulsion of contents through the gut.
Puborectalis muscle
A voluntarily controlled muscle that acts as a sling to support the rectum. Contraction kinks the lower rectums so contents are not expelled when abdominal pressure increases, such as when coughing or lifting.
Randomized controlled trial
A study in which patients are randomly assigned to receive one of several clinical interventions.
Rectal manometry
Test that uses a measuring device to assess pressure and contractions of the rectal and anal sphincter muscles.
Rectocele
Sloutching of the anterior rectal wall and posterior vaginal wall into the wall of vagina.
Rectopexy
Surgical placement of sutures and mesh to position, secure and anchor the rectum to the sacrum.
Rectum
Muscular portion of colon approximately 5 inches long that connects the sigmoid colon to the anus.
Refractory
Resistant to treatment.
Sigmoid colon
Lower part of the colon that empties into the rectum.
Sigmoidoscopy
A flexible or rigid tube for visual exam of the sigmoid colon.
Small intestine
GI tract organ about 20 ft in length. Includes the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum.
Spastic colon
See irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Sphincter
Ring-like band of muscle.
Sphincteroplasty
Surgery to repair a damaged or weakened anal sphincter.
Stoma
Generally refers to a surgically created opening in the abdomen that is the permanent or temporary terminal end of the GI tract.
Stool
Solid waste of undigested foods, bacteria, mucus, and dead cells that pass through the rectum as bowel movements.. Also called Feces.
Stricture
Abnormal narrowing of a body opening. Also called Stenosis.
Tenesmus
Constant feeling of the need to empty the bowel, accompanied by pain, cramping and involuntary straining efforts.
Ulcerative colitis
Serious disease that causes ulcers and inflammation in the inner lining of the colon and rectum. See also Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).
Ultrasound
An imaging method using high-frequency sound waves.