Category: Definitions – Glossary
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.
O
Obesity
Pronounced – oh-BEE-si-tee
Obesity is excess body fat. Obesity is a range of weight that is greater than what is generally considered healthy for a given height. The term also identifies ranges of weight that have been shown to increase the likelihood of certain diseases and other health problems.
Obstruction
Pronounced – ub-STRUK-shun
A blockage in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract that prevents the flow of liquids or solids.
N
Nausea
Pronounced – NAW-zee-uh
Nausea is the feeling of needing to throw up, or vomit.
Neonatal
Relating to a newborn baby during the first month of life.
Nerve Cells
Nerves are long fibers that carry messages from the body to the brain, and back again, like telephone lines. The messages often tell a body part what to do. Nerve cells are part of nerves. In the intestine, the nerve cells tell muscles how to push the stool along.
M
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Pronounced – mag-NEH-tik REH-zuh-nunts IH-muh-jing
A non-invasive scanning technique that enables investigators to see and track, for example, Multiple Sclerosis (MS) lesions as they evolve. MRI is a procedure in which radio waves and a powerful magnet linked to a computer are used to create detailed pictures of areas inside the body. These pictures can show the difference between normal and diseased tissue. MRI makes better images of organs and soft tissue than other scanning techniques, such as computed tomography (CT) or x-ray. MRI imaging is especially useful for imaging the brain, the spine, the soft tissue of joints, and the inside of bones. Also called MRI, nuclear magnetic resonance imaging or NMRI.
Malignant
Pronounced – ma-LIG-nant
Cancerous. Malignant tumors can invade and destroy nearby tissue and spread to other parts of the body.
L
Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy
Pronounced – LAP-uh-roh-SKOP-ik KOH-lee-siss-TEK-toh-mee
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is an operation to remove a persons gallbladder. Their doctor inserts a laparoscope and other surgical instruments through small holes made in the abdomen. A camera allows the doctor to see the gallbladder on a television screen. The doctor removes the gallbladder through the holes.
Large Intestine
Pronounced – LARJ in-TES-tin
The part of the intestine that goes from the cecum to the rectum. The large intestine absorbs water from stool and changes it from a liquid to a solid form. The large intestine is 5 feet long and includes the appendix, cecum, colon, and rectum. Also called colon.
K
Kidney
One of two bean shaped organs that filter wastes from the blood. The kidneys are located near the middle of the back. They create urine, which is delivered to the bladder through tubes called ureters.
J
Jaundice
Pronounced – JAWN-dus
Jaundice is a symptom of many disorders. Jaundice causes the skin and eyes to turn yellow from too much bilirubin in the blood.
I
Idiopathic
Of, relating to, or designating a disease having unknown cause.
Ileostomy
Pronounced – il-ee-AW-stuh-mee
Ileostomy is a surgery to remove the entire large intestine and connect the bottom of the small intestine (ileum) to a hole in the abdomen. This hole in the abdomen is called a stoma. Stool leaves the body through the stoma, instead of through the anus, and goes into a bag attached to the skin around the stoma. This bag must be emptied several times a day.
Ileum
Pronounced – il-ee-um
The lower end of the small intestine.
H
Heartburn
Pronounced – HART-burn
A painful, burning feeling in the chest. Heartburn is caused by stomach acid flowing back into the esophagus. Changing the diet and other habits can help to prevent heartburn. Heartburn may be a symptom of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD).
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)
Pronounced – HELL-uh-koh-BAK-tur py-LOH-ree
A spiral shaped bacterium found in the stomach. H. pylori damages stomach and duodenal tissue, causing ulcers. Previously called Campylobacter pylori.
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.