abbreviation for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay which is a type of blood test usually used to measure antibodies.

The inner and outer tissue covering digestive tract organs.

A test to see whether there is blood in the stool that is not visible to the naked eye. A sample of stool is placed on a chemical strip that changes color if blood is… 

Air that results from the normal breakdown of food. The gases are passed out of the body through the rectum (flatus) or the mouth (burping).

Nerve or muscle damage in the stomach that causes slow emptying, vomiting, nausea, or bloating. Also called delayed gastric emptying.

A general term that refers to celiac disease and dermatitis herpetiformis.

A virus most often spread through unclean food and water.

A natural chemical produced in one part of the body and released into the blood to trigger or regulate particular functions of the body. The digestive system makes a large number of different hormones.

The lower end of the small intestine.

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