Commonly Used Words and Definitions

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Abdomino/abdominal perineal resection (APR): A resection of a part of the lower bowel together with adjacent lymph nodes through abdominal and perineal incisions.

Abscess: A localized collection of pus buried in tissues, organs, or confined spaces.

Acute: Having a rapid onset and following a short but severe course.

Adenocarcinoma: A malignant tumor originating in glandular tissue or in which the tumor cells form recognizable glandular structures.

Adenoma, adenomatous: A usually benign epithelial (covering the internal and external surfaces of the body) tumor of a glandular structure or of glandular origin.

Adhesions: The abnormal union of parts/surfaces normally separate by the formation of new fibrous tissue; the newly formed uniting tissue.

Air contrast barium enema: An x-ray of the colon using barium and air injected into the lower bowel.

Amyloidosis: A collection of amyloid (starchlike, waxy material) in tissues (rectal mucosa) diagnosed with rectal biopsy.

Anal canal: The terminal/end section of the rectum

Anal manometry: A diagnostic evaluation using a small pressure catheter which provides information about the anal sphincter muscle tone and the coordination between the rectum and anal sphincter activity.

Anastomosis: A connection between two vessels; on opening created by surgical, traumatic, or pathological means between two normally separate spaces or organs.

Anatomy: The structural makeup of an organism or any of its parts.

Anorectal physiology: The study of the anatomy and physiology of the pelvic floor muscles including the internal and external anal sphincters and the puborectalis muscle, and their relationship to each other.

Antibiotic: A chemical substance produced by microorganisms which has the capacity, in dilute solutions, to inhibit the growth of or to kill other microorganisms.

Appliance: A device designed for a particular use; used for performing or for facilitating the performance of a particular function.

Arteriorogram: A radiograph of an artery after injection of a radiopaque medium.

Ascending colon: The part of the large intestine that extends from the cecum to the hepatic flexure (see diagram).

Ascites: The accumulation of serous fluid in the spaces between tissues and organs in the cavity of the abdomen.

Atonic colon: A colon lacking normal physiological tone or strength.

Barium enema: An x-ray of the colon using barium injected into the lower bowel to render it radiopaque.

Barron ligation: The surgical process of tying off internal hemorrhoids with rubber bands/ligatures for removal.

Benign: Not malignant; having good prognosis, responds favorably to treatment, not life- or health-threatening.

Biofeedback: A process of training an individual to become more aware and responsive to physiologic variables such as heart rate, blood pressure, or skin temperature. Used as a method of allowing individuals suffering from anal incontinence to gain control.

Biopsy: The removal and examination of tissue, cells or fluids from the living body for diagnostic purposes.

Bone marrow: The soft material that fills the cavities of the bones.

Bowel: Intestine, gut

Bowel prep: Cleansing of the lower colon or rectum or the entire colon, depending on the procedure which has been scheduled. This may include enemas, oral laxatives, and dietary restrictions and is done by patients before they arrive for their procedure.

Carcinoid: A benign or malignant tumor arising especially from the mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract (stomach or appendix) or in the small intestine or colon.

Carcinogenesis: The production of carcinoma.

Carcinoma: A malignant tumor of epithelial origin tending to infiltrate the surrounding tissues and give rise to metastases.

CEA (Carcinoembryonic Antigen): A glycoprotein that can be present in the peripheral blood of patients with cancer of the digestive system. When it is elevated, it is an indication of cancer in the body.

Cecum: The blind pouch in which the large intestine begins and into which the ileum opens from one side.

Cellulitis: Diffuse and especially subcutaneous inflammation of connective tissue.

Chemotherapy: The use of chemical agents in the treatment or control of disease or mental illness.

Chronic: Persisting over a long period of time; marked by long duration, by frequent recurrence, and often by slowly progressing seriousness.

Chronic ulcerative colitis: A chronic nonspecific inflammatory disease of the colon (cause unknown) characterized by diarrhea with discharge of mucus and blood, cramping, abdominal pain, and inflammation and edema of the mucous membrane with patches of ulceration.

Classification/Staging: The act or process of arranging in classes that have systematic relations usually founded on common properties; systematic arrangement in groups or categories according to established criteria. Also: the classification of the severity of a disease in distinct stages on the basis of established symptomatic criteria.

Coccydynia: Pain in the coccyx and adjacent regions.

Colitis: Inflammation of the colon.

Colitis cystica profunda: A benign disease characterized by varying sizes of cysts located deep to the muscular mucosae of the colon and rectum.

Colonoscopy: Endoscopic examination of the colon.

Colostomy: The surgical formation of an artificial anus; the surgical creation of a new opening of the colon on the surface of the body.

Comedones: Blackheads; plugs of dried secretions in excretory ducts of the skin.

Complications: A secondary disease or condition that develops in the course of a primary disease or condition and arises either as a result of it or from independent causes.

Condyloma: A warty growth on the skin or adjoining mucous membrane usually near the anus and genital organs.

Congenital: Existing at or dating from birth; acquired during development in the uterus and not through heredity.

Constipation: Abnormally delayed or infrequent passage of dry hardened feces; inability to move bowels regularly; infrequent or difficult evacuation of feces.

Continence: The ability to retain a bodily discharge voluntarily, as in feces or urine, until conditions are proper for defecation or urination.

Coumadin: A blood-thinning drug.

Crohn's disease: Inflammation that involves the distal portion of the ileum, sometimes spreading to the colon, and is characterized by diarrhea, cramping, and loss of appetite and weight with local abscesses and scarring.

CT scan: Computed/computerized tomography. A radiography in which a three dimensional image of a body structure is constructed by computer from a series of plane cross-sectional images made along an axis.

Defecation: The act of discharging feces from the bowels through the anus.

Defecography: A functional fluoroscopic evaluation of rectal emptying.

Descending colon: The part of the large intestine on the left side that extends from the splenic flexure to the sigmoid flexure (see diagram).

Desmoid: A dense benign connective tissue tumor.

Detection: The act of discovering or determining the existence or presence of a certain condition.

Diagnosis: The decision reached by identifying a condition/disease from its signs and symptoms.

Diarrhea: Abnormally frequent intestinal evacuations comprised largely of fluid stools.

Diverticula, diverticulum: An abnormal pouch or sac opening from a hollow organ (intestine); a pouch or sac formed by hernial protrusion of the mucous membrane through a defect in the muscular coat of the intestine.

Diverticular disease/diverticulitis: Inflammation of the diverticulum. A condition marked by the formation of small pouches along the border of the colon which becomes filled with feces which sometimes become irritated and give rise to inflammation and abscess.

Diverticulosis: An intestinal disorder characterized by the presence of many diverticula.

Duplication: An exact copy, replica, reproduction; a part of a chromosome in which the genetic material is repeated.

Electrolytes: Chemicals in the blood, evaluated by a lab test.

Endoanal ultrasonography: A sonographic evaluation of the anal sphincters and pelvic floor muscles used to determine anatomical abnormalities.

Endocavitary radiation: Placement of a radium implant into a body opening; a treatment for cancer.

Endometriosis: A condition in which tissue more or less perfectly resembling the uterine mucous membrane shows up in other parts of the pelvic cavity where it is not normally found.

Endorectal ultrasonography: A sonographic evaluation of the rectum and surrounding tissue to identify abnormal lesions and enlarged lymph nodes.

Endoscopy: Inspection of any cavity of the body; looking into a body organ by using an endoscope (or a proctoscope, flexible sigmoidoscope, colonoscope, etc.)

Enema: The injection of liquid into the intestine by way of the anus for cleaning or examination; also defines the liquid which is injected.

Enteritis: Inflammation of the intestines and especially of the ileum.

Enteroclysis: The injection of a nutrient or medicinal liquid into the small bowel used in radiographic examination of the small bowel.

Enterostomal therapy (ET): Currently referred to as Enterostomal Therapy Nursing (ETN). Nurses who specialize in the management of patients with wounds, ostomies, and incontinence; assess complications and recommend treatment; provide prosthetic fittings, education, and supportive counseling. Patients may be seen in hospitals, clinics, homes, or nursing homes.

Epidemiology: The science concerned with the study of the factors determining and influencing the frequency and distribution of disease, injury, and other health-related events; used for establishing programs to prevent and control the development and spread of disease.

Etiology: The study or theory of the factors that cause disease and the method of their introduction to the host.

Familial polyposis coli: A hereditary disease of multiple adenomatous polyps of the large intestine, and occasionally other parts of the gastrointestinal tract.

Fiber: Pertaining to all roughage.

Fissure, fissure-in-ano: A break or crack in tissue usually at the junction of skin and mucous membrane; a painful linear ulcer situated in the anal canal and extending from just below the dentate (jagged, tooth-like) line to the margin of the anus.

Fistula, fistula-in-ano: An abnormal communication between any two epithelial (single layered membrane) lined surfaces; an abnormal passage or communication, usually between two internal organs, or leading from an internal organ or abscess to the surface of the body and permitting passage of fluids or secretions; an abnormal communication between the anal canal and the perianal skin.

Flatus: Gas or air generated in the stomach, bowels, or gastrointestinal tract.

Foreign body: Coming from or having to do with another person or thing; not originating in the person or thing specified; not belonging; occurring in an abnormal situation in the living body and often introduced from the outside.

Frequency: The number of times any action or occurrence is repeated in a given period; the number of repetitions of a periodic process in a unit of time.

Gastrointestinal: Of, relating to, communicating with, or affecting both stomach and intestine.

Genetics: The study of genes and their hereditary.

Giardia: An infection in the gastrointestinal tract, usually the small bowel and colon, associated with diarrhea.

Guaiac test: A test for blood in urine or feces using a reagent containing guaiacum (a greenish-brown resin obtained from a particular tree) that yields a blue color when blood is present.

Hartmann's Operation: In 1923, Henri Hartmann described an operation which is now defined as a resection of the sigmoid colon with construction of a terminal colostomy and closure of the rectal stump. A variable length of the rectum may also be resected. The indication was initially cancer of the upper or middle third of the rectum, at a time when anterior resection had not been developed. Today, Hartmann's procedure is usually performed as an emergency procedure to treat the complications of various colorectal diseases.

Hartmann's Pouch: The remaining rectal stump after Hartmann's operation.

Hemicolectomy: Surgical excision of part (approximately half) of the colon.

Colectomy: Surgical excision of a portion (partial colectomy) or all (complete or total colectomy) of the colon.
Left hemicolectomy: Surgical resection of the entire left half of the colon, from the middle of the transverse colon to the rectum.
Right hemicolectomy: Surgical resection of the entire right colon, from the ileum to the middle of the transverse colon.

Hemoccult: A modified guaiac test in which filter paper impregnated with guaiacum turns blue if occult (concealed) blood is present.

Hemorrhage: To undergo heavy or uncontrollable bleeding; a copious discharge of blood from the blood vessels.

Hemorrhoid: A mass of dilated veins in swollen tissue at the margin of the anus or nearby within the rectum. Also called piles.
External hemorrhoid: Outside the rectum.
Internal hemorrhoid: Inside the rectum.
Prolapsed hemorrhoid: Internal protruding outside the rectum.
Thrombosed hemorrhoid: Containing clotted blood.

Hepatic flexure: The right-angle bend in the colon on the right side of the body near the liver that marks the junction of the ascending colon and the transverse colon; also called right colic flexure.

Hernia: A protrusion of an organ or part through connective tissue or through a wall of the cavity in which it is normally enclosed; also called rupture.
Abdominal: The protrusion of some internal body structure through the abdominal wall.
Acquired: One brought on by lifting or by a strain or other injury.
Cecal: One that contains the cecum or part of it.
Complete: One in which the sac and its contents have passed through the orifice.
Congenital: That which exists at birth.
Incarcerated: A hernia so obstructed that it cannot be reduced.
Incisional: A hernia occurring through an old abdominal incision.
Incomplete: One which has not passed quite through the orifice.
Inguinal: A hernia into the inguinal (groin) canal.
Reducible: One that may be returned by manipulation.
Umbilical: Protrusion of part of the intestine at the umbilicus, the defect in the abdominal wall and protruding bowel being covered with skin and subcutaneous tissue.

Hernial sac: A protruding pouch of peritoneum that contains a herniated organ or tissue.

Hidradenitis suppurativa: A chronic suppurative (relating to pus) inflammatory disease of the apocrine sweat glands marked by the development of one or more cutaneous nodules which gradually enlarge to the size of a pea and undergo softening and suppuration with subsequent discharge.

Hirschprung's Disease: Massive enlargement of the colon, resulting from obstruction caused by an aganglionic segment of the bowel; megacolon that is caused by congenital absence of ganglion cells in the muscular wall of the distal part of the colon with resulting loss of peristaltic function in this part and dilatation of the colon proximal to the aganglionic part; also called congenital megacolon.

Histology: The department of anatomy which deals with minute structure, function, and composition of tissues.

Hyperplasia: The abnormal multiplication or increase in the number of normal cells in normal arrangement in a tissue; an abnormal or unusual increase in the elements composing a part (as tissue cells).

Hyperplastic: Pertaining to or characterized by hyperplasia.

Hypertrophied anal papilla/papillae (HAP): Large, enlarging, excessively developing papilla/papillae (small, nipple-shaped projection or elevation) of the anal canal.

Ileitis: Inflammation of the ileum.

Ileoanal: Of, relating to, or connecting the ileum and anal canal.

Ileocecal: Of, relating to, or connecting the ileum and cecum.

Ileocecal valve: The valve formed by two folds of mucous membrane at the opening of the ileum into the large intestine.

Ileocolic: Of, relating to, or connecting the ileum and colon.

Ileorectal: Of, relating to, or connecting the ileum and rectum.

Ileostomy: Surgical formation of an artificial anus by connecting the ileum to an opening in the abdominal wall; the artificial opening made by an ileostomy.

Ileum: The last division of the small intestine that constitutes the part between the jejunum and the large intestine; the distal portion of the small intestine, extending from the jejunum to the cecum.

Ileus: Obstruction of the bowel/intestine; a condition commonly marked by painful distended abdomen, vomiting of dark or fecal matter, toxemia, and dehydration.

Impaction: Blockage by material such as feces that is firmly packed, lodged, or wedged in position in a body passage or cavity such as the colon or rectum.

Imperforate anus: Having no opening; lacking the usual opening.

Incidence: The rate at which events occur; the number of new cases of a specific disease occurring during a certain period.

Incontinence: Inability of the body to control the evacuative functions.

Incontinent: Unable to retain a bodily discharge voluntarily (such as feces or urine).

Infection: Invasion of the body by pathogenic micro-organisms and the reaction of tissues to their presence and to the toxins generated by them.

Inflammatory bowel disease: Usually Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis.

Intestinal gas: Gas generated in the bowels or gastrointestinal tract.

Intestine: The tubular portion of the alimentary canal that lies posterior to the stomach from which it is separated by the pyloric sphincter and consists of a slender but long anterior part made up of duodenum, jejunum, and ileum, which function in digestion and assimilation of nutrients and a broader, shorter posterior part made up of the cecum, colon, and rectum which serve chiefly to extract moisture from the by-products of digestion and evaporate them into feces.

Intractable: Not easily managed, controlled, relieved, or cured.

Intussusception: The prolapse of one part of the intestine into the lumen of an immediately adjoining part; the slipping of a length of intestine into an adjacent portion usually producing obstruction.

Irritable bowel syndrome: A functional commonly psychosomatic disorder of the colon characterized by the secretion and passage of large amounts of mucus, by constipation alternating with diarrhea, and by cramping abdominal pain. Also called irritable bowel, irritable colon, irritable colon syndrome, mucous colitis, spastic colon.

Ischemic colitis: An inflammation of the colon due to an insufficient blood supply; it is acute and usually occurs when an artery is plugged with atherosclerosis or a blood clot which travels; symptoms usually include abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea.

Ischiorectal: Of, relating to, or adjacent to both ischium and rectum.

Laparoscopy: Visual examination of the interior of the abdomen by means of a laparoscope; an operation involving laparoscopy; using a laparoscope to guide surgical procedures within the abdomen.

Large intestine: The more terminal division of the intestine that is wider and shorter than the small intestine, typically divided into cecum, colon, and rectum, and concerned especially with the resorption of water and the formation of feces; also called the large bowel.

Lesion: An abnormal change in structure of an organ or part due to injury or disease.

Leukoplakia: A condition commonly considered precancerous in which thickened white patches of epithelium occur on mucous membranes.

Liver: A large very vascular glandular organ of a dark-red color situated in the upper part of the abdomen on the right side; it is dome-shaped from fitting under the diaphragm; it has double blood supply from the hepatic artery and the portal vein; it produces and secretes bile and causes important changes in many of the substances contained in the blood which passes through it (as by converting most sugars into glycerin which it stores up until required, and by forming urea); it is essential to life.

Malabsorption: Faulty absorption of nutrient materials from the alimentary tract.

Malabsorption syndrome: A syndrome resulting from malabsorption that is typically characterized by weakness, diarrhea, muscle cramps, edema, and loss of weight.

Malignant: Tending to become progressively worse, deteriorate, and to result in death; tending to infiltrate, metastasize, and terminate fatally; of unfavorable prognosis; not responding favorably to treatment.

Malrotation: Failure of normal rotation of an organ during embryological development.

Meckel's diverticulum: An occasional sacculation or appendage of the ileum, derived from an unobliterated yolk stalk; the proximal part of the omphalomesenteric duct when persistent as a blind fibrous tube connected with the lower ileum.

Megacolon: Great often congenital dilation of the colon; abnormally large colon, due to dilation and hypertrophy.

Melanosis coli: A dark brownish black pigmentation of the mucous membrane of the colon due to the deposition of pigment in macrophages.

Metastasis: A transfer of a disease-producing agency (as cancer cells or bacteria) from an original site of disease to another part of the body with development of a similar lesion in the new location.

Morbidity: The condition of being diseased; the incidence of disease; the ratio of sickness in a specified group or community.

Mortality: The quality or state of having caused or being about to cause death; of, relating to, or connected with death; the number of deaths in a given time or place; the proportion/ratio of deaths to population. The mortality rate of disease is the ratio of the number of deaths from a given disease to the total number of cases of that disease.

Motility: The ability/capability of spontaneous movements, of being able to perform voluntary movements.

Mucous/mucus: Pertaining to or resembling mucus, slimy (mucous); a viscid fluid secreted by the mucous membrane (mucus).

Mucous membrane: A membrane that lines all the cavities of the body that open externally, such as the mouth, nose, or intestines, and which secretes mucus.

Neoplasia: The process of tumor formation; a tumorous condition of the body.

Neoplasm: A new growth of tissue serving no physiological function; any new and abnormal growth, such as a tumor; can be either benign or malignant.

Neoplastic: Of, relating to, or constituting a neoplasm or neoplasia.

Neuropathy: A functional disturbance or pathological change in the peripheral nervous system.

Obstipation: A severe and obstinate constipation; intractable constipation.

Obstruction: A condition of being clogged or blocked; any hindrance to the passage of the intestinal contents.

Occult: Concealed, as a hemorrhage; obscure.

Occult blood: Blood that occurs in such minute quantities that it can be recognized only with a microscope.

Ostomy: An operation (such as a colostomy or ileostomy) to create an artificial passage for bodily elimination.

Palliate: To reduce the severity of; to relieve to ease without curing.

Palliative: Affording relief, but not cure.

Parameters: Fixed boundaries or limits.

Pathology: The study of the essential nature of diseases and especially of the structural and functional changes produced by them; the anatomic and physiologic deviations from the normal that constitute disease or characterize a particular disease.

Perforated: Having a hole or series of holes; pierced with holes.

Perianal: Located around the anus; of, relating to, occurring in, or being the tissues surrounding the anus.

Perineal: Of or relating to the perineum.

Perineum: The area between the anus and the posterior part of the external genitalia.

Perioperative: Referring to the period of time from hospitalization to discharge.

Perirectal: Located around the rectum; of, relating to, occurring in, or being the tissues surrounding the rectum.

Peristomal: Located around the stoma; of, relating to, occurring in, or being the tissues surrounding the stoma.

Peritoneal: Of, relating to, or affecting the peritoneum.

Peritoneum: The serous membrane lining the abdomino-pelvic walls and investing the viscera. It is a strong, colorless membrane with a smooth surface, and forms a closed sac except in the female in whom it is continuous with the mucous membrane of the uterine tubes.

Peritonitis: Inflammation of the peritoneum; a condition marked by exudations in the peritoneum of serum, fibrin, cells, and pus. Symptoms include abdominal pain and tenderness, constipation, vomiting, and moderate fever.

Pharmacology: The science which deals with the study of drugs in all its aspects: the properties and reactions of drugs especially with relation to their therapeutic value.

Physiology: A branch of biology that deals with the functions and activities of life or of living matter (as organs, tissues, or cells) and of the physical and chemical phenomena involved; the organic processes and phenomena of an organism or any of its parts or of a particular bodily process.

Pilonidal/pilonidal disease: Containing hair nested in a cyst - used of congenitally anomalous cysts in the sacrococcygeal area that often become infected and discharge through a channel near the anus; of, relating to, involving, or for use on pilonidal cysts, tracts, or sinuses.

Pneumatosis cystoides: A condition characterized by the presence of thin-walled, gas-containing cysts in the wall of the intestines.

Polyp: A projecting mass of swollen and hypertrophied or tumorous membrane (as in the intestine).

Polypectomy: The surgical excision of a polyp.

Polypoid: Resembling a polyp (a polypoid intestinal growth); marked by the formation of lesions suggesting polyps (polypoid disease).

Polyposis: A condition characterized by the presence of numerous polyps (polyposis of the colon; multiple polyposis).

Pouch: An anatomical structure, space, cavity, or sac resembling a bag or pocket.

Pouchitis: Inflammation of a pouch.

Preoperative staging: Determining the level or stage of disease based on tumor size, regional nodes, and metastasis.

Procidentia: A prolapse or falling down.

Proctalgia fugax: A condition characterized by the intermittent occurrence of sudden spasmodic pain in the rectal area.

Proctectomy: Surgical removal/excision of the rectum.

Proctitis: Inflammation of the anus and rectum.

Proctocolectomy: Surgical removal of the rectum and colon.

Proctocolitis: Inflammation of the rectum and colon.

Proctometrogram: A functional fluoroscopic evaluation of rectal emptying.

Proctopexy: The suturing of the rectum to an adjacent structure (as in the sacrum).

Proctoplasty: Plastic surgery of the rectum and anus.

Proctoscopy: Dilation and visual inspection of the rectum with a proctoscope.

Proctoscope: An instrument used for dilating and visually inspecting the rectum.

Proctosigmoidectomy: Complete or partial surgical removal/excision of the rectum and sigmoid colon.

Proctosigmoiditis: Inflammation of the rectum and sigmoid colon.

Proctosigmoidoscopy: Sigmoidoscopy; examination of the rectum and sigmoid by means of the sigmoidoscope.

Proctostomy: Surgical creation of a permanent artificial opening into the rectum.

Proctotomy: Surgical incision into the rectum; the cutting of an anal or rectal stricture; the opening of an imperforate anus.

Prognosis: The act or art of foretelling the course or probable result of a disease; the prospect of survival and recovery from a disease as indicated by the nature and symptoms of the case as anticipated from the usual course of that disease or indicated by special features of the case.

Prolapse: The falling down or slipping of a body part from its usual position or relations; procidentia.

Pruritus: A localized or generalized itching due to irritation of sensory nerve endings from organic or psychogenic causes; itch.

Pruritus ani: An intense itching of the anal region.

Pudendal nerve latency: An electromyographic (EMG) evaluation of the pudendal nerves to determine the amount of time from nerve stimulation to muscle response. (Normal is 2.0 mSec +/- 0.2).

Radiation therapy: The treatment of disease (such as cancer) by means of x-rays or radioactive substances (radium); also called radiotherapy or radium therapy.

Recruitment: An electromyographic (EMG) evaluation done with a small sponge to determine pelvic floor muscle relaxation during straining.

Rectal: Relating to, affecting, or being near the rectum.

Rectal prolapse: Protrusion of the rectal mucous membrane through the anus in varying degrees.

Rectocele: Hernial protrusion of part of the rectum into the vagina; herniation of the rectum through a defect in the intervening fascia into the vagina.

Rectopexy: See proctopexy.

Rectoscope: See proctoscope.

Rectoscopy: See proctoscopy.

Rectosigmoid: The distal/lower part of the sigmoid and the proximal/upper part of the rectum.

Rectosigmoidectomy: Excision/removal of the rectum.

Rectosigmoiditis: Inflammation of the rectosigmoid.

Rectosigmoidoscope: See sigmoidoscope.

Rectosigmoidoscopy: See sigmoidoscopy.

Rectovaginal: Of, relating to, or connecting or communicating with the rectum and the vagina (as a rectovaginal fistula).

Rectum: The terminal/distal part of the large intestine from the sigmoid flexure to the anus.

Recurrence: Return of symptoms of a disease after a remission; reappearance of a tumor after previous removal.

Resection: Excision of part or all of the organ or other structure.

Reservoir: A space or cavity in which a body fluid is stored.

Scleroderma: A usually slow progressive disease marked by the deposition of fibrous connective tissue in the skin and often in internal organs; a systemic disease which may involve the connective tissues of any part of the body, including the skin, heart, esophagus, kidney, and lung. The skin may be thickened, hard, and rigid, and pigmented patches may occur.

Screening: The simultaneous use of multiple laboratory procedures for the detection of various diseases or pathologic conditions; mass examination of the population to detect the existence of a particular disease.

Sebaceous: Of, relating to, or being fatty material.

Sebaceous cyst: A cyst filled with sebaceous matter and formed by distention of a sebaceous gland as a result of obstruction of its excretory duct.

Sebaceous gland: Any of the small sacculated glands lodged in the substance of the derma, usually opening into hair follicles, and secreting an oily or greasy material composed in great part of fat which softens and lubricates the hair and skin.

Seton: One or more threads or a strip of silk or linen introduced beneath the skin by a knife or needle to provide drainage/drawn through a wound in the skin to make an issue; the tract or fistula so formed.

Sexually transmitted disease: A disease (such as syphilis, gonorrhea, the genital form of herpes simplex, HIV, or AIDS) usually or often transmitted by direct sexual contact; also called venereal disease or STD.

Sigmoid/sigmoid colon: Of, relating to, or being the sigmoid flexure of the intestine.

Sigmoid flexure: The contracted and crooked part of the colon immediately above the rectum; also called the sigmoid colon.

Sigmoidectomy: Surgical excision/removal of part of the sigmoid colon/flexure.

Sigmoiditis: Inflammation of the sigmoid colon/flexure.

Sigmoidopexy: Surgical attachment of the sigmoid flexure to the wall of the abdomen for relief of rectal prolapse.

Sigmoidoscope: A long hollow tubular instrument used for dilating and visually inspecting the sigmoid colon/flexure; designed to be passed through the anus in order to permit inspection, diagnosis, treatment, and photography of the lower part of the large intestine.

Flexible fiber-optic sigmoidoscope: A flexible long hollow tubular instrument utilizing fiber optics designed to be passed through the anus in order to permit visual inspection, diagnosis, treatment, and photography of the lower part of the large intestine.
Flexible: Capable of being turned, bowed, bent or twisted without breaking.
Fiber Optics: Thin transparent fibers of glass or plastic that are enclosed by material of a lower index of refraction and that transmit light throughout their length by internal reflections; a bundle of such fibers used in an instrument (as for viewing body cavities).

Sigmoidoscopy: The process of using a sigmoidoscope for the visual inspection, treatment, diagnosis, and photography of the lower part of the large intestine.

Small intestine: The proximal portion of the intestine; the part of the intestine that lies between the stomach and colon, consists of duodenum, jejunum, and ileum, and secretes digestive enzymes, and is the chief site of the absorption of digested nutrients; also called the small bowel.

Duodenum: The first or proximal, shortest, and widest part of the small intestine, extending from the pylorus to the jejunum.
Jejunum: The section of the small intestine which extends from the duodenum to the ileum and that is larger, thicker-walled, and more vascular and has more circular folds and fewer Peyer's patches than the ileum.
Ileum: The last/distal division of the small intestine that extends from the jejunum to the cecum and that is smaller and thinner-walled than the jejunum with fewer circular folds but more numerous Peyer's patches.

Sphincter: An annular muscle surrounding and able to contract or close a bodily opening.
Anal sphincter: Either of two sphincters (external and internal) controlling the closing of the anus.

Sphincteroplasty: Plastic surgery/surgical repair of a defective sphincter (as anal sphincteroplasty).

Sphincterotomy: Surgical cutting/incision of a sphincter; incision of the internal sphincter of the anus, used in the treatment of anal fissure.

Spleen: A large, highly vascular, ductless, gland-like organ situated in the upper part of the abdominal cavity on the left side and lateral to the cardiac end of the stomach; it has a flattened oblong shape, a dark purple color, pliable consistency, and is closely associated with the circulatory system in its function.

Splenic flexure: The bend of the colon under the spleen where the transverse colon joins the descending colon; also called the left colic flexure.

Sprue: A chronic form of malabsorption syndrome.

Statistics: Numerical facts pertaining to a body of things; also the science which deals with the collection and tabulation of such facts.
Vital statistics: That branch of biometry which deals with the data and laws of human mortality, morbidity, natality, and demography; also called biostatistics.

Stenosis: A narrowing or constriction of the diameter of a bodily passage or orifice.

Stenotic: Of, relating to, characterized by, or causing stenosis; abnormally narrowed.

Stoma: An artificial permanent opening especially in the abdominal wall made in surgical procedures (colostomy stoma, ileostomy stoma, etc.); also, the opening between two portions of the intestine in an anastomosis.

Stricture: An abnormal narrowing of a bodily passage (as from inflammation, cancer, or the formation of scar tissue); also, the narrowed part.

Suppurate: To form or discharge pus.

Suppuration: The formation of, conversion into, or act of discharging pus.

Surgeon: A medical specialist who performs surgery; a physician qualified to treat those diseases that are amenable to or require surgery.

Surgery: A branch of medicine concerned with diseases and conditions requiring or amenable to operative or manual procedures; the work done by a surgeon.

Synchronous: Occurring at the same time.

Syndrome: A group of signs and symptoms that occur together and characterize a particular abnormality.

Tenesmus: Painful straining; a distressing but especially ineffectual urge to evacuate the rectum or urinary bladder.

Rectal tenesmus: Painful, long-continued, and ineffective straining at stool.

Tone: The normal degree of vigor and tension; in muscle, the resistance to passive elongation or stretch; a sound of definite pitch and vibration; normal tension or responsiveness to stimuli.

Tonus: The normal condition of tension in muscles, making possible response to a stimulus.

Transit time study: A study to evaluate the amount of time it takes ingested food to travel though the gastrointestinal system. The study is done by taking a series of abdominal x-rays after the patient has ingested a capsule containing tiny radiopaque markers.

Transverse colon: The part of the large intestine that extends across the abdominal cavity joining the ascending colon to the descending colon.

Trauma: A wound or injury; an injury (as a wound) to living tissue caused by an extrinsic agent; injuries such as sprains, bruises, fractures, dislocations, concussions.

Tumor: An abnormal mass of tissue that is not inflammatory, arises from cells of preexistent tissue, and serves no useful purpose; a mass of new tissue which persists and grows independently of its surrounding structures, and which has no physiologic use; a neoplasm.
Benign: Any tumor not likely to recur after removal; an innocent tumor.
Desmoid: A hard fibrous tumor; a dense benign connective-tissue tumor.
Malignant: One which is likely to progress and eventually destroy life.
Villous: Papilloma, benign tumor.

Tumor markers: A substance usually identifiable in the blood that indicates the presence or extent of tumor in the body (to include CEA, PSA, etc).

Ulcer: A break in skin or mucous membrane with loss of surface tissue, disintegration and necrosis of epithelial tissue, and often pus.

Ulcerative colitis: A nonspecific inflammatory disease of the colon of unknown cause characterized by diarrhea with discharge of mucous and blood, cramping abdominal pain, and inflammation and edema of the mucous membrane with patches of ulceration.

Ultrasound: Vibrations of the same physical nature as sound but with frequencies above the range of human hearing; the diagnostic or therapeutic use of ultrasound and especially a technique involving the formation of a two-dimensional image used for the examination and measurements of internal body structures and the detection of body abnormalities; a diagnostic examination using ultrasound; also called echography, sonography, ultrasonography.

Upper GI and small bowel follow-through: An x-ray of the upper gastrointestinal tract and the small bowel done by ingesting/swallowing barium and following its progression.

Volvulus: A twisting of the intestine upon itself that causes obstruction; intestinal obstruction due to a knotting and twisting of the bowel.

Wound: An injury to the body consisting of a laceration or breaking of the skin or mucous membrane usually by a hard object or instrument forcefully driven or applied; an opening made in the skin or a membrane of the body incidental to a surgical operation or procedure.

X-ray: A photograph obtained by use of x-rays; to examine, treat, or photograph with x-rays.