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Belching :
Release of excess intestinal gas through the mouth (also called burping )
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Bile:It is fluid
produced by the liver. It contains bile salts and bile pigments.
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Biliary tract: The system that stores bile and releases it into the first part of the small intestine for digestion.
The biliary tract includes the gall bladder and bile ducts.
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Bowel: The small or large intestine.
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Colon:
A portion of the large intestine not including the rectum (see also large intestine).
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Colonoscopy : A medical test that uses an instrument to view the inside of the large intestine.
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Computerised tomography (CT ) scan :
An X-ray technique that produces three-dimensional images of the internal organs, bones and other structures.
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Constipation :
The infrequent or difficult passage of hard, dry stools.
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Descending colon : The portion of the large intestine just beyond the transverse colon that starts on the left side of the abdomen and moves down toward the sigmoid colon.
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Diarrhoea :
Loose or watery and frequent bowel movements.
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Digestion :
The process of breaking down foods into smaller components that the body can absorb to use for energy, growth and cell repair.
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Duodenum : The first part of the small intestine. Digestive juices from the pancreas, liver and gall bladder empty into the duodenum.
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Dyspepsia: Upper abdominal discomfort, often due to disorders of the stomach, upper small intestine, biliary tract, liver or pancreas.
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Dysphagia : Difficulty in swallowing.
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Fibre :
The indigestible part of foods of plant origin is called
fibre.
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Flatulence :
The presence of excess gas in the stomach or intestines.
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Gall bladder : It is a sac-like organ located under the liver that stores and concentrates bile secreted by the liver. The gall bladder releases bile into the small intestine during digestion.
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Gas : Gas that usually comes from swallowing air, the break
- down of food or both.
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Gastric: Pertaining to the stomach
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Heartburn : A burning sensation in the chest that results when gastric acid backs up into the
oesophagus.
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Hepatic : Pertaining to the liver.
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Hiatal hernia : Upper part of the stomach bulges through the diaphragm opening (hiatus) and into the chest cavity.
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Ileum : The last portion of the small intestine.
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Indigestion : A non-specific term that refers to upper abdominal discomfort (dyspepsia).
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Intestines :
The portion of the digestive tract that extends from the stomach to the anus.
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Irritable bowel syndrome : A chronic condition characterized by abdominal pain, cramping, diarrhoea and constipation.
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Jejunum :
The middle portion f the small intestine located between the duodenum and ileum.
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Lactose Intolerance :
A condition in which a person's small intestine doesn't produce enough lactase, an enzyme that digests a sugar found naturally in milk and other dairy products (lactose).
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Large intestine :
A muscular tube that extends from the end of the small intestine (ileum) to the anus.
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Laxative : A medicine that helps relieve constipation.
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Liver
:It is the largest internal organ in the body. It is located in the upper right portion of the abdomen.
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Manometry :
A test that measures muscle contractions.
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Nausea : An unpleasant sensation in the abdomen, which may be followed by vomiting.
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Nonulcer dyspepsia :
A common disorder in which the upper digestive tract produces symptoms such as pain, burning or discomfort in the upper abdomen, but tests fail to reveal a specific cause such as peptic ulcer.
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Oesophagus
:The muscular tube that connects the throat (pharynx) and the stomach.
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Pancreas: An organ that lies horizontally, partly behind the lower part of the stomach.
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Pancreatitis : An inflammation of the pancreas that may cause intense and persistent pain in the upper abdomen.
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Peristalsis:
Wave-like muscle contractions that propels flood and liquid naturally through the digestive tract.
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Rectum
:The lowest portion of the large intestine that stores stool until it is expelled.
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Reflux : Backflow.
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Regurgitation :
See reflux
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Sigmoid colon
:The lower part of the large intestine that connects to the rectum.
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Small Intestine : A long, muscular tube that breaks food into smaller components that can be absorbed through its lining into the bloodstream. Most of the digestion and absorption process takes place in the small intestine.
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Sphincter :
A circular band of muscle that opens and closes.
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Stomach : A muscular,
sac-like organ that churns and breaks food into smaller pieces.
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Stool :
Waste products such as bacteria and food residue expelled from the body through the rectum and anus. Also referred to as
faeces.
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Stricture : Narrowing of a passageway. Also called
stenosis.
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Vomit : The forceful ejection of stomach contents through the mouth.
