DIGESTIVE SYSTEM TERMS

1. Gastrointestinal System
1. also called alimentary tract
2. combining form is alimento

2. Structures
1. Mouth  (oral cavity)

a. PO  =  per os (orally)

b. NPO = nothing orally

c. Lips, cheeks, hard & soft palate, tongue, teeth

d. Combining form = stomato

e. Maxilla and mandible make up jaw

1) combining form for jaw = gnatho

2) prognathia = elongated mandible

3) brachygnathia = shortened mandible

f. lips = labia…..combining form = labio or cheilo

g. cheek = buccal

h. palates….hard & soft…..combining form = palato

i. tongue

1) combining form = lingual or glosso

2) dorsal surface has papillae or elevations which vary with species

3) frenulum connects tongue to ventral surface of oral cavity

j. teeth

1) combining form = dento

2) types of teeth

a) incisors = front teeth

b) canines = long, pointed teeth between incisors and premolars

c) premolars = bicuspids (because of 2 points

d) molars = used to grind food

3) dental formula

a) each species has its own

b) ex:  K-9 is 2( I 3/3, C 1/1, P 4/4, M 2/3 ) = 42

c) need to know…K-9, feline, bovine & equine

4) tooth structure

a) enamel = hard, white covering

b) cementum = covers root

c) dentin = connective tissue surrounding tooth pulp

d) pulp = nerves, blood vessels

5) tooth terms

a) apical foramen = hole at tip of root for nerves & blood vessels.

b) Periodontal = structures that support the teeth

c) Alveoli = sockets for teeth

d) Endodontics = treatment of diseases of teeth pulp

e) Orthodontics = correction of malocclusion

f) Adontia = absence of teeth

k. gums = gingival

1) combining form = gingivo

l. mastication = chewing

m. ptyalism = hypersalivation

n. deglutition = swallowing

1) combining form = phagio

o. pharynx = throat

1) combining form = pharyngo

2. Stomach

a. located within abdominal cavity

b. combining form = abdomino, celio, laparo, gastro

c. peritoneum = membrane lining the abdominal cavity

d. eating classifications

1) herbivores = eat only plants

2) carnivores = eat mainly meat

3) omnivores = eat plants and meat

3. Intestines

a. combining form = entero

b. gastroenterology = study of stomach and intestines

c. procto refers to anus and rectum ….ex:  proctoscope

4. Liver

a. combining form = hepato

5. Gall Bladder

a. sac embedded on liver which stores bile…..which aids in digestion of fats.

b. Combining form = chole

6. Pancreas

a. has both endocrine and exocrine functions

1) endocrine secretes insulin directly into bloodstream

2) exocrine secretes amylase, lipase & trypsin into GI tract for digestion,

a) amylase digests starch

b) lipase digests fats

c) trypsin digests protein

3) combining form = pancreato

7. Poop terms

a. feces

b. dung

c. manure

d. bowel movement (BM)

e. excrement

f. coprophagy = eating feces

8. Misc terms

a. peristalsis = “wave” of contractions of intestines

b. ingesta = food taken orally

c. sialo = saliva or salivation

d. peritoneum = lining of abdominal cavity

e. rugae = folds within the stomach

f. chole = bile

g. prehensile = grasping….ex: prehensile lips, tail

h. preprandial = before eating

i. postprandial = after eating

j. cachexia = general malnutrition

k. cribbing = vice of horses where they bite objects and suck air

l. atresia = absence of a normal body opening

m. gastric dilation volvulus = stomach fills with air and twists

n. hemoperitoneum = blood in the abdomen

3. Diagnostic terms
1. ballotment = technique for tapping the wall of a fluid-filled mass to bounce a solid structure against wall.  Used for pregnancy diagnosis.
2. barium = radiopaque material given orally to evaluate GI using  x-rays.
3. biopsy = removal of a piece of tissue for examination  microscopically.
4. colonoscopy = to examine the colon…(endoscope)
5. esophagoscopy = to examine the esophagus  (endoscope)
6. gastroscopy = to examine the stomach  (endoscope)
7. ultrasound = imaging of internal structures using sound waves.

4. GI Pathology Terms
1. anorexia = lack of appetite
2. ascites = abnormal amount of fluid within the abdomen
3. bloat = accumulation of gas in the stomach
4. borborygmas = GI sounds
5. cholecystitis = inflammation of the gall bladder
6. cirrhosis = disease that destroys the structure of the liver
7. colic = severe abdominal pain
8. colitis = inflammation of the colon
9. dental calculi = abnormal mineral deposits on teeth…(tartar)
10. diarrhea = abnormal frequency and liquid feces
11. dysphagia = difficult swallowing
12. dysentery = enteritis with abdominal pain and diarrhea
13. emesis = vomiting
14. nasogastric tube = tube placed through the nose to the stomach
15. emetic = drug that induces vomiting
16. anti-emetic = drug that prevents vomiting
17. enteritis = inflammation of the intestines
18. epulis = benign tumor of the gums
19. eructation = belching
20. eviscerate = remove or expose internal organs

a. ex:  abdominal incision breaks open

                  20.  lithiasis = suffix meaning stones

a. ex:  urolith, enterolith, fecalith

21. flatulence = excess gas in GI tract
22. gastritis = inflammation of the stomach
23. gastroenteritis = inflammation of the stomach & intestines
24. gingival hyperplasia = overgrowth of gum tissue
25. gingivitis = inflammation of the gums
26. glossitis = inflammation of the tongue
27. hematemesis = vomiting blood
28. hepatitis = inflammation of the liver
29. hepatoma = tumor of the liver
30. hepatomegaly = enlarged liver
31. hyperglycemia = increased blood sugar
32. hypoglycemia = decreases blood sugar
33. incontinence = inability to control…ex:  urinary incontinence
34. inguinal hernia = protrusion of bowel through inguinal canal in groin
35. intussusception = telescoping of one part of intestine into adjacent part.

a. secondary to GI irritation such as worms, enteritis

36. jaundice = yellow discoloration of skin & mm due to increased bilirubin

a. also called icterus or icteric

37. lethargy = condition of drowsiness or indifference
38. malabsorption = impaired uptake of nutrients from the GI tract.
39. malocclusion = abnormal contact between teeth
40. megacolon = abnormally large colon
41. melena = dark stools due to digested blood
42. nausea = sensation or urge to vomit
43. fistula = abnormal connection

a. ex:  oronasal fistula, recto-vaginal fistula

44. peridontitis = inflammation of the tissue surrounding the teeth
45. pica = eating or licking abnormal substances
46. polydipsia = increased thirst or drinking
47. polyp = small growth on a mucus membrane
48. polyphagia = excessive eating or swallowing
49. prolapse = protrusion of tissue or viscera from its normal position
50. orifice = an opening into the body
51. scours = diarrhea in livestock
52. shunt = bypass

a. ex:  turtles & tortoises have a renal-portal shunt

53. stenosis = narrowing of an opening
54. stomatitis = inflammation of the mouth
55. tenesmus = straining….ineffective attempt to urinate or defecate
56. torsion = twist
57. trichobezoar = hairball
58. ulcer = erosion of tissue

5. Procedures of the GI tract
1. abdominocentesis = to remove fluid from the abdomen
2. anastomosis = surgical connection between two hollow structures  (gut)
3. antidiarrheal = meds to treat diaeehea
4. bolus = a single mass of a substance given rapidly
5. colostomy = to surgically create an opening between the colon and the body surface
6. drench = to give liquid meds orally and force the animal to drink
7. enterotomy = to make an incision into the intestine
8. gastropexy = surgical fixation of the stomach to the abdominal wall
9. gastrotomy = surgical incision of the stomach
10. laparatomy = surgical incision into the abdomen
11. trocarization = insertion of a pointed instrument into a body cavity or organ.  ( to decrease pressure usually )