Tag Archives: Glossary.

A hormone in the pancreas that helps the body know when to make the hormones insulin, glucagon, gastrin, secretin, and renin.

A rare type of ulcer in the rectum that can develop because of straining to have a bowel movement.

The standard test for diagnosing celiac disease.

The organ where most digestion occurs. It measures about 20 feet and includes the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum.

X rays of the small intestine taken as barium liquid passes through the organ. Also called small bowel follow-through.

A special plastic tub that allows a person to sit in a few inches of warm water to help relieve the discomfort of hemorrhoids or anal fissures.

The lower part of the colon that empties into the rectum.

A person who is significantly below the average height, possibly due to a disease or medical condition such as malnutrition.

Problems related to absorbing nutrients after removal of part of the small intestine. Symptoms include diarrhea, weakness, and weight loss.

An infection with the bacterium Shigella, which usually causes a high fever, acute diarrhea, and dehydration.

These drugs help the muscles in the intestines work correctly when a slow-moving digestive system is caused by low levels of serotonin. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter found mostly in the digestive tract.

The process by which muscles in the intestines move food and wastes through the body.

A hormone made in the duodenum that causes the stomach to make pepsin, the liver to make bile, and the pancreas to make digestive juices.

A condition that causes granulomas in the liver, lungs, and spleen.

A bacterium that may cause intestinal infection and diarrhea.