P

Pancreas
Pronounced – PAN-kree-ahs
A gland that makes enzymes for digestion and the hormone insulin.

Parasite
A parasite is an animal or plant that gets nutrients by living on or in an organism of another species (host). A complete parasite gets all of its nutrients from the host organism, but a semi-parasite gets only some of its nutrients from the host. Parasites can cause disease in humans. Some parasitic diseases are easily treated and some are not.

Parasitic
Pronounced – PAYR-uh-SIH-tikHaving to do with or being a parasite.

Paresthesia
Abnormal sensations such as numbness, prickling, or “pins and needles.”

Pathogenesis
The origin and development of any disease condition.

Pathologist
A medical professional trained to examine tissues, cells, and specimens of body fluids for evidence of disease.

Pathology
The study of the nature and cause of disease, which involves changes in structure and function.

Pepsin
Pronounced – PEP-sin
An enzyme made in the stomach that breaks down proteins.

Peptic
Pronounced – PEP-tik
Related to the stomach and the duodenum, where pepsin is present.

Peptic Ulcer
Pronounced – PEP-tik UL-sur
A sore in the lining of the esophagus, stomach, or duodenum. Usually caused by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori. An ulcer in the stomach is a gastric ulcer. An ulcer in the duodenum is a duodenal ulcer. The duodenum (doo-AW-duh-num) is the first part of your small intestine. You can have more than one ulcer.

Pharyngeal
Having to do with the throat (pharynx).

Pharynx
Pronounced – FAR-ingks
The throat, the tube connecting the back of the mouth and nose to the esophagus and windpipe. Serves as a passage for food from the mouth to the esophagus and for air from the nose and mouth to the larynx.

Photodynamic Therapy
Pronounced – foe-toe-dye-NAM-ik
Treatment with drugs that become active when exposed to light. These drugs kill cancer cells.

Plaque
Pronounced – plak
Plaque is a small, abnormal patch of tissue on a body part or an organ. Plaques may also be a build-up of substances from a fluid, such as cholesterol in the blood vessels.

Polyp
An abnormal, often precancerous growth of tissue. Colorectal polyps are growths of tissue inside the intestine. Colorectal relates to the colon, rectum, or both.

Prokinetic Drugs
Pronounced – PROH-kih-NET-ik drugz
Medicines that cause muscles in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract to move food.

Protein
A molecule made up of amino acids that are needed for the body to function properly. Proteins are the basis of body structures such as skin, hair and of substances such as enzymes, cytokines, and antibodies.

Pyloric Stenosis
Pronounced – py-LOR-ik stuh-NOH-sis
A narrowing of the opening between the stomach and the small intestine.