Chapter 13: The Gastrointestinal Tract

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abscess –

localized collection of pus surrounded by inflamed tissue

absorption –

process of nutrient molecules passing through wall of intestine into blood or lymph system

alimentary tract –

also known as the digestive tract; includes the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, duodenum, and small and large intestine

appendicolith –

a fecalith or calcification located in the appendix

ascites –

accumulation of serous fluid in the abdomen

cardiac orifice –

entrance of the esophagus into the stomach

cholecystokinin –

hormone secreted into the blood by the mucosa of the upper small intestine; stimulates contraction of the gallbladder and pancreatic secreti

Crohn’s disease –

inflammation of the bowel, accompanied by abscess and bowel wall thickening

diverticulum –

a pouchlike herniation through the muscular wall of a tubular organ that occurs in the stomach, the small intestine, or, most commonly, the

duodenal bulb –

first part of the duodenum

fecalith –

calcified deposit within the appendix; appendicitis can develop when the appendix becomes blocked by hard fecal matter; also called fecolith

gastrin –

endocrine hormone released from the stomach (stimulates secretion of gastric acid)

gastrohepatic ligament –

helps support the lesser curvature of the stomach

gastrophrenic ligament –

helps support the greater curvature of the stomach

gastrosplenic ligament –

ligament between the stomach and the spleen; helps support stomach and spleen

greater omentum –

double fold of the peritoneum attached to the duodenum, stomach, and large intestine; helps support the greater curve of the stomach; known

haustra –

normal segmentation of the wall of the colon

hemorrhage –

collection of blood

hepatic flexure –

ascending colon rises from the right lower quadrant to bend at this point to form the transverse colon

lesser omentum –

membranous extension of the peritoneum that suspends the stomach and duodenum from the liver; helps to support the lesser curvature of the s

lienorenal ligament –

ligament between the spleen and the kidney that helps support the greater curvature of the stomach

lymphoma –

malignancy of the lymph nodes, spleen, or liver

McBurney’s point –

located by drawing a line from the right anterosuperior iliac spine to the umbilicus; at approximately the midpoint of this line lies the ro

McBurney’s sign –

site of maximum tenderness in the right lower quadrant; usually seen with appendicitis

Meckel’s diverticulum –

congenital sac or blind pouch found in the lower portion of the ileum

mesentery –

a fold from the parietal peritoneum that attaches to the small intestine, anchoring it to the posterior abdominal wall

mesothelium –

fifth layer of bowel

mucosa –

first layer of bowel

muscularis –

third layer of bowel

paralytic ileus –

dilated fluid-filled bowel loops without peristalsis

peristalsis –

rhythmic dilatation and contraction of the gastrointestinal tract as food is propelled through it

polyp –

a small tumor-like growth that projects from a mucous membrane surface

pyloric canal –

muscle that connects the stomach to the proximal duodenum

rugae –

inner folds of the stomach wall

secretin –

released from small bowel as antacid; stimulates secretion of bicarbonate

serosa –

fourth layer of bowel; thin, loose layer of connective tissue, surrounded by mesothelium covering the intraperitoneal bowel loops

splenic flexure –

the transverse colon travels horizontally across the abdomen and bends at this point to form the descending colon

submucosa –

one of the layers of the bowel, under the mucosal layer; contains blood vessels and lymph channels

target sign –

characteristic of gastrointestinal wall thickening consisting of an echogenic center and a hypoechoic rim

valvulae conniventes –

normal segmentation of the small bowel

villi –

inner folds of the small intestine