G

Gadolinium
A chemical compound given during Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans that helps distinguish new lesions from old.

Gallbladder
Pronounced – GAWL-blah-dur
The organ that stores the bile made in the liver. Connected to the liver by bile ducts. The gallbladder can store about 1 cup of bile. Eating signals the gallbladder to empty the bile through the bile ducts to help digest fats.

Ganglion Cells
Pronounced – GANG-li-on
A type of nerve cell involved in moving stool through the large intestine. A person with Hirschsprung Disease (HD) is missing these cells from part of the large intestine.

Gastric
Pronounced – GAH-strik
Related to the stomach.

Gastric Ulcer
Pronounced – GAH-strik UL-sur
An open sore in the lining of the stomach. Also called Stomach Ulcer.

Gastrin
Pronounced – GAH-strin
A hormone released after eating. Gastrin causes the stomach to produce more acid.

Gastroenterologist
Pronounced – GAH-stroh-en-tuh-RAW-luh-jist
A doctor who specializes in digestive diseases.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
Pronounced – GAH-stroh-eh-SAW-fuh-JEE-ul REE-fluks duh-zeez
Flow of the stomach’s contents back up into the esophagus. Happens when the muscle between the esophagus and the stomach (the lower esophageal sphincter) is weak or relaxes when it shouldn’t. May cause esophagitis. Also called esophageal reflux or reflux esophagitis.

Gastrointestinal (GI) Tract
Pronounced – GAH-stroh-in-TES-tuh-nul trakt
The large, muscular tube that extends from the mouth to the anus, where the movement of muscles and release of hormones and enzymes digest food. Also called the alimentary canal or digestive tract.

Globus Hystericus
A constant feeling of a lump in the throat when there is nothing there. Usually related to stress. Sometimes simply called globus.

Goiter
Pronounced – GOY-ter
The enlargement of the thyroid gland, which is often associated with iodine deficiency in the diet (found in iodized salt), but can also be caused by other conditions. Most goiters are not cancer.

Granuloma
Pronounced – gran-yoo-LOH-ma
A mass of red, irritated tissue in the Gastrointestinal (GI) tract found in Crohn’s Disease.