Tag Archives: Glossary.

A mixture of water, protein, and salts produced in the mouth that makes food easy to swallow and begins the process of digestion.

A break or tear in any organ or soft tissue.

An operation to modify the effects of a previous operation.

Dry vomiting.

The surgical removal of an organ.

A condition that occurs when gastric juices or small amounts of food from the stomach flow back into the esophagus and mouth. Also called reflux.

A condition that occurs when gastric juices or small amounts of food from the stomach flow back into the esophagus and mouth. Also called regurgitation.

The lower end of the large intestine leading to the anus.

A condition in which the rectum slips so that it protrudes from the anus.

Damage to the small intestine from radiation therapy that likely results in malabsorption of nutrients and diarrhea.

Damage to the colon from radiation therapy.

The opening from the stomach into the top of the small intestine (duodenum).

A narrowing of the opening between the stomach and the small intestine.

The muscle between the stomach and the small intestine.

Severe irritation of the colon caused by Clostridium difficile bacterium. It occurs after taking oral antibiotics, which kill bacteria that normally live in the colon.