Cleansing of a cavity or tube with fluid. Example: when an enema is given through a colostomy stoma to cleanse the large bowel.

A disorder of unknown cause that is associated with abdominal pain, bloating, and altered bowel habits. Also called spastic colon or mucous colitis.

Irritation of the colon caused by decreased blood flow. It may cause bloody diarrhea.

A sign of many disorders. The skin and eyes turn yellow from too much bilirubin in the blood. See hyperbilirubinemia.

The middle section of the small intestine between the duodenum and ileum.

A plant-derived adhesive used in ostomy appliances.

Cells that line the liver. These cells remove waste such as bacteria from the blood.

An enzyme in the small intestine needed to digest milk sugar (lactose).

A lack of the lactase enzyme, causing lactose intolerance.

The sugar found in milk. The body breaks lactose down into galactose and glucose.