Medicines that relieve long-term constipation. Also called cathartics.

A feeling of fullness in the anus and rectum with occasional pain caused by muscle spasms.

The largest abdominal organ. The liver carries out many important functions, such as making important blood proteins and bile, changing food into energy, and cleaning alcohol and poisons from the blood.

Blood tests that may indicate abnormalities of the liver or biliary system. Also called liver function tests.

Blood tests that may indicate abnormalities of the liver or biliary system. Also called liver enzyme tests.

The place on a chromosome where a specific gene is located, a kind of address for the gene. The plural is “loci.”

An abnormal ring of tissue that may partially block the lower esophagus. Also called Schatzki

The muscle between the esophagus and stomach. When a person swallows, this muscle relaxes to let food pass from the esophagus to the stomach. It stays closed at other times to keep stomach contents from… 

Barium enema x ray.

An obstruction of lymph drainage from the small intestine causing malabsorption.