gallbladder a small, pear-shaped sac under the liver that receives and stores bile made by the liver.
gallstones hardened masses of cholesterol forming in the gallbladder.
gastrectomy the surgical removal of part or all of the stomach.
gastrin a digestive hormone. gastritis inflammation of the stomach. gastroenteritis inflammation of the stomach lining. glucose a simple sugar.
glycogen the form of sugar stored in the liver.
hematemesis vomiting of blood.
hemorrhoids enlarged veins inside or outside the anal canal.
hepatitis a viral infection of the liver causing inflammation, characterized by jaundice and fever.
hiatal hernia a disorder in which the lower end of the stomach or esophagus protrudes through the diaphragm.
hydrochloric acid a powerful stomach acid that aids in the digestion of food.
ileocecal valve the point where the small intestine meets the large intestine.
ileostomy the surgical removal of the colon.
ileum between the jejunum and large intestine, the last portion of the small intestine.
inguinal hernia a disorder in which a loop of intestine protrudes into the groin, often the result of strain from heavy lifting, coughing, or accidents.
insulin a hormone secreted by the pancreas that regulates carbohydrate metabolism by controlling blood sugar levels.
jaundice the yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes due to the presence of bile pigments, a symptom of an abnormality in bile processing.
jejunum the part of the small intestine between the duodenum and the ileum.
large intestine the last and largest section of the alimentary canal.
lipase a pancreatic enzyme that speeds the hydrolysis of emulsified fats.
lipids fats that are insoluble in water but soluble in certain organic solvents.
liver the largest gland in the body, it aids digestion by producing bile.
lower esophageal sphincter (les) just above the stomach, the musculature that prevents gastric contents from backing up (reflux) into the esophagus.
pancreas a large gland behind the stomach that secretes insulin to help regulate blood sugar levels.
pancreatic juice an alkaline secretion of the pancreas aiding in the digestion of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats.
pancreatitis inflammation of the pancreas, usually caused by biliary tract disease or alcoholism.
parotid gland a saliva-producing gland in the back of the mouth.
pepsin a digestive enzyme secreted by the stomach.
peptic ulcer lesion in the gastric mucosal membrane, caused by the excess production of and contact with hydrochloric acid and pepsin.
peristalsis the rhythmic muscular contractions that push food through the alimentary canal.
peritoneum the membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and covers the abdominal organs.
peritonitis acute or chronic inflammation of the peritoneum.
portal vein the vein connecting the liver and the small intestine.
ptyalin a salivary enzyme that breaks down starches.
pylorus the part of the stomach connecting with the duodenum.
reflux the backing up of stomach contents into the esophagus, causing heartburn.
serotonin a common body compound found in the blood and having several functions, one of which is to inhibit gastric secretion.
small intestine between the stomach and the colon, the part of the alimentary canal that absorbs most of the nutrients from food for distribution to other organs and other parts of the body.
solar plexus a large network of nerves located behind the stomach and supplying nerves to the abdominal organs.
sphincter a muscle that opens and closes a body opening, such as the rectum.
trypsin an enzyme that helps digest proteins.
villi fingerlike projections lining the small intestine.
ears
aero-otitis middle ear inflammation produced by changes in altitude.
anvil the middle of the three tiny bones that transmit vibrations in the middle ear. Also known as the incus.
auditory nerve the nerve that carries electrical impulses from the ear to the brain.
auricle the external portion of the ear. Also known as the pinna.
cauliflower ear deformed ear caused by repeated trauma, mainly seen in boxers.
cerumen earwax.
cochlea the spiral cavity of the inner ear containing the organ of Corti.
conductive deafness deafness caused by any defect of the external or middle ear.
Corti, organ of in the cochlea, it contains sensory cells that code sound waves into electrical signals, which are then sent to the brain.
Darwin's tubercle a point of cartilage in the upper part of the outer ear thought to be a vestige of a pointed ear by Charles Darwin.
eardrum the tympanic membrane.
equilibrium balance of the body, as maintained by the semicircular canal of the inner ear.
eustachian tube the canal leading from the back of the throat to the ear; it allows air pressure in the middle ear to equalize with air pressure outside in order to protect the eardrum from bursting.
hammer one of the three tiny bones that transmit vibrations in the middle ear. Also known as the malleus.
incus see anvil.
inner ear the interior portion of the ear that contains the cochlear and auditory nerve.
labyrinth the semicircular canal of the inner ear; the organ of balance.
labyrinthitis inflammation of the labyrinth, causing vertigo and dizziness.
lop ears drooping ears.
malleus see hammer.
middle ear on the inside of the eardrum, the portion of the ear containing the hammer, anvil, and stirrup as well as the eustachian tube.
ossicles the three bones of the middle ear.
otalgia earache.
otitis externa painful inflammation of the external ear canal and auricle caused by bacteria. Known as swimmer's ear because it is often contracted by swimming in contaminated water.
otitis media inflammation of the middle ear that sometimes causes severe, throbbing pain, usually in children.
otocleisis obstruction of the eustachian tube.
otology the study of ear diseases.
otoplasty plastic surgery on the ears, usually to repair cauliflower ears or lop ears.
otosclerosis a hereditary disorder characterized by the development of spongy bone over the stirrup, disrupting vibrations and causing progressive deafness. It is the most common form of conductive deafness.
pinna the external ear.
semicircular canal the labyrinth.
sensorineural deafness deafness caused by damage to the inner ear, to the auditory nerve or to the auditory cortex of the brain. Also known as nerve deafness.
stapes see stirrup.
stirrup one of the three tiny bones that transmit vibrations in the middle ear. Also known as stapes.