Abdomen: The large cavity between the chest and the pelvis containing the stomach, small intestine, colon (large bowel), liver, gallbladder and spleen. Abnormality: The state of being not normal, differing in any way from the usual state, structure or condition. Absorption: The process in which food nutrients are taken from the intestinal lumen into the bloodstream for distribution to all cells in the body. Adhesion: An internal growth of scar tissue that may occur following abdominal surgery. Alcoholism: Chronic, excessive and compulsive drinking that typically interferes with social or economic functioning. Alcoholism adversely affects the health of the alcoholic, particularly in the nervous and gastrointestinal systems. Anemia: A condition in which the number of red blood cells, the amount of hemoglobin or the volume of packed red blood cells is less than normal. Antacid: A medicine that counteracts or neutralizes acids, usually in the stomach or duodenum. Antidiarrheal drugs: Drugs that help to control diarrhea. Anus: The lower opening of the digestive tract through which feces (bowel movements) are discharged. . Ascites: An accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity. Autoimmunity: The condition in which antibodies are fighting against the body’s own tissues. Barium: The main ingredient of barium sulfate, given by mouth or rectum to patients undergoing one or more of the tests in the barium studies. Barium sulfate outlines the hollow organs of the digestive tract and makes them visible on x-ray images and under the fluoroscope. Barium enema: Lower gastrointestinal (GI) series. A diagnostic procedure in which X-rays are taken after barium sulfate is introduced into the patient by enema. The barium sulfate helps to outline the colon and rectum so that they appear clearly on the X-rays. Barrett’s esophagus: A change in the cell surface of the lower esophagus resulting from a long-term irritation caused by the backwash of acid from the stomach into the esophagus. Benign: Noncancerous, harmless. Bile: A complex fluid produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder, which aids in the digestion of fats and is used by the body to dispose of wastes that do not dissolve in water. Biopsy: A diagnostic procedure in which a small piece of tissue is removed for examination under a microscope. Bloating: A feeling of fullness in the abdomen, often occurring after meals. Cecum: A dilated pouch that forms the first part of the large intestine and connects the colon to the ileum. Celiac Sprue (celiac disease, gluten intolerance, gluten sensitive): An inherited disorder in which the lining of the small intestine is damaged when the affected individual eats wheat, rye, oats or barley. Gluten, a protein in these grains, is thought to be the offending agent. Cirrhosis: A chronic liver condition characterized by the growth of fibrous scar tissue, liver cell damage and regeneration, and distortion of liver structure. Cirrhosis can lead to failure of the liver to perform some of its critically important functions such as filtering out drugs and toxins, including alcohol, from the blood. Colitis: Inflammation of the colon. Colon: The part of the large intestine extending from the cecum to the rectum. Colonoscope: A long, flexible, narrow endoscope passed through the anus to look into the colon. Constipation: Infrequent and/or difficult passage of stools. Crohn’s disease: A chronic recurring inflammatory disease that can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract but most often affects the ileum or colon. Diarrhea: A condition in which bowel movements are passed more often than usual and in a partial liquid state. Dietary fiber: The indigestible, nonstarch material - such as hemicellulose, plant gums, pectins, celluloses-found in the cell walls of plants. Dietary fiber is found in a variety of plant foods, including whole grain breads and cereals, fresh fruits and vegetables, and nuts. Because dietary fiber resists digestion in the gastrointestinal tract, it accounts for a significant portion of the solid matter in bowel movements. Digestion: The process of breaking down food into simpler chemical compounds that are capable of being absorbed by the intestine. Dilation: The condition of being stretched out (distended) beyond normal size. Dilation is an increase in the diameter of a segment of a hollow organ such as the intestine. Distention: A visible increase in the waistline. Often occurring after meals. Diuretic: A substance that causes an increased flow of urine. Diverticulitis: A condition in which diverticula become inflamed. Diverticulosis: A condition in which small sacs (diverticula) form in the wall of the colon. This condition is common among older people. Diverticulum: A small sac that forms on the wall of a hollow organ (usually the colon). The plural form is diverticula. Duodenum: The first part of the small intestine. Dyspepsia: Another name for indigestion. Early Satiety: Feeling full before completing a normal sized meal. Edema: An accumulation of excess fluid between cells, causing swelling of the involved area. Edema is most often seen in the lower legs, feet and around the eyes. Endoscope: A small, flexible tube-like instrument, with a light on the end of it and consisting of thousands of tiny glass fibers, that allows a doctor to see into the esophagus, stomach, duodenum and colon. An endoscope also allows a doctor to perform biopsies, take color photographs and perform certain medical procedures that would otherwise require surgery. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP): A diagnostic examination performed by a physician through an endoscope. A catheter is placed through the endoscope into the opening where the bile ducts and pancreas enter the duodenum and dye is injected. A X-ray is taken during the injection to permit the doctor to see the system of ducts. Endoscopy: A procedure in which an endoscope is used. Enteritis: Inflammation of the small intestine. Enzyme: A protein that speeds up certain chemical processes. In the intestine, enzymes are needed to break down many foods into simpler substances so that they can be absorbed. Esophagitis: Inflammation of the esophagus. Esophagus: The organ that connects the mouth with the stomach. Feces: Solid body wastes, passed as bowel movements. Fiber: The part of a plant that is not digested. Fiber plays a role in controlling the consistency of stool and the speed at which it is moved through the digestive system. Fistula: An abnormal hollow connection between two internal organs or between an internal organ and the outside of the body. Flatulence: The passage of gas through the rectum, a normal occurrence; but troublesome if the frequency or volume is excessive or if the sound or odor is offensive. Fluoroscope: A device used to examine the organs of the digestive tract by means of X-rays. Gallbladder: A sac located beneath the liver that stores bile. The gallbladder can store about 1/2 pint of bile, which is emptied through the bile ducts to the duodenum after food is eaten. Gallstone disease (gallbladder disease): The condition of having gallstones in the gallbladder or lodged in one of the ducts leading to or from the gallbladder. Gallstone: Solid masses that form in the gallbladder or bile ducts. Stones are composed largely of cholesterol and bilirubin in varied proportions. Gastric: Located in the stomach, as in “gastric ulcer”. Gastric mucosa: The inner lining of the stomach. Gastric resection: A surgical procedure in which part or all of the stomach is removed. Gastric ulcer: An open sore on the lining of the stomach. Gastritis: Inflammation of the lining of the stomach. Gastroenteritis: Inflammation of the lining of both the stomach and the intestine. Hemorrhoids: Dilation of the veins in the anal area. The problems associated with hemorrhoids occur when these veins become enlarged, prolapsed or become plugged or inflamed. Hepatitis: A disease in which the liver is inflamed. A virus infection usually is the cause of hepatitis, although sometimes toxins or drugs are the cause. Hepatitis B vaccine: A newly developed preparation that is used to prevent virus B hepatitis (formerly called serum hepatitis) by stimulating the body to develop antibodies against the virus. The vaccine requires three injections to be effective. Hiatal Hernia: A condition in which part of the stomach slides up through the diaphragm into the chest cavity. Although usually symptomless, when symptoms do occur they are usually the result of lower esophageal sphincter (LES) causing heartburn and not to the hiatal hernia itself. Hormones: Chemicals formed in the body that help regulate body functions, including growth, metabolism and reproduction. They are produced by cells in one part of the body and carried in the bloodstream to other cells where they exert their effects. Ileum: The lowest part or end of the small intestine. Impaction: A hardened mass of stool difficult to pass from the body. Indigestion: A term used to indicate any disruption in the digestive process. Symptoms commonly include heartburn, nausea, bloating and gas. Doctors often call it dyspepsia. Infectious diarrhea (traveler’s diarrhea): A diarrheal illness caused by an infectious agent: bacterial, viral or protozoan. Inflammation: A condition in which the body is trying to respond to localized injury or destruction of tissues. All or some of’ these signs are present: redness, heat, swelling pain and/or loss of function. Inflammatory bowel disease: A name for a group of disorders in which various parts of the intestinal tract are inflamed. The most common disorders are ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS, spastic colon): A common functional disorder characterized by gas, abdominal pain, and diarrhea and/or constipation or alternately by both. Lactose: A complex sugar found in milk and milk products (also the principal sugar found in these products). Lactose must be broken down into the simple sugars galactose and glucose to be absorbed. Lactose intolerance: A common condition in which a person does not produce enough lactase to digest the lactose in milk or milk products. It is commonly associated with abdominal cramping and diarrhea after drinking milk or eating dairy products. This problem is present in over 80 percent of nonwhite adults. Large intestine: The part of the intestinal tract that extends from the ileum to the anus. The large intestine is divided into the appendix, cecum, colon (ascending, transverse, descending and sigmoid), rectum and anus. Obstruction: Blockage or clogging of a vessel, duct, etc., that prevents liquids or solids from flowing through the area and results in a buildup of pressure above the obstruction. Peptic ulcer: An open sore on the lining of the esophagus, stomach or duodenum. An ulcer in the stomach is called a gastric ulcer; an ulcer in the duodenum, a duodenal ulcer. Polyps: Any mass of tissue that protrudes from the mucous lining of an organ such as the intestine. Rectum: The extreme lower end of the large intestine leading to the anus. Reflux: A backward flow: regurgitation. Reflux esophagitis: Inflammation of the esophagus because of the backwash of stomach contents into the esophagus. Regurgitation: The backward flow of gas, gastric juice or small amounts of food from the stomach to the mouth. Sigmoidoscope: A rigid or flexible endoscope used to look into the anus, rectum and sigmoid colon. Small intestine: The largest part of the digestive tube that connects the stomach to the large intestine. The small intestine is divided into the duodenum, jejunum and ileum and is where most of the digestion and food absorption occurs. Sphincter: A ringlike band of muscle that constricts a passage or closes a natural body opening. Stomach: The large, irregularly shaped sac that is found between the esophagus and the small intestine. Stool: Feces; the waste matter discharged from the anus. Ulcer: An open sore on the skin surface or on a mucous surface such as the lining of the stomach. Ulcerative colitis: A chronic inflammatory disease of the large intestine (colon) lining. Upper GI series (barium): A diagnostic procedure in which X-rays are taken after the patient swallows a liquid containing barium. The barium liquid helps to outline the esophagus, stomach and duodenum so that they show us clearly on X-ray.