| Abscess
|
A collection of Pus caused by an
infection in a closed space. |
| Anoscope |
A short (3 inch) lighted instrument that is used to
visualize the anal canal. |
| Anus |
The opening at the lower end of the
large intestine. |
| Biopsy |
Sampling a body tissue for microscopic examination
in order determine the nature of a disease process. |
| Board
Certified |
A surgeon who has trained at a accredited
hospital and who has passed a qualifying examination given by accrediting
agency recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties. |
| Bowen's Disease |
A non-invasive skin cancer that involves the skin in
and about the anus. |
| Brooke
Ileostomy |
A technique of constructing a surgical
connection between the small intestine and the skin that was described
by Sir Brian Brooke in England. |
| Cancer |
The uncontrolled growth of malignant tissue which is
characterized by invasion and distant spread (metastasis). |
| CAT Scan |
Computerized Axial Tomography.; An
computerized x-ray examination the permits detailed non-invasive examinations
of internal organs. |
| Cecum |
The first part of the large intestine, located just
after the junction of the small intestine with the large intestine.
|
| Chemotherapy |
The administration of oral or intravenous
anticancer medications. |
| Cholecystectomy |
Surgical removal of the Gallbladder. |
| Cholecystitis |
Inflammation/infection of the gallbladder. |
| Cholelithiasis |
Gall stones. |
| Colitis |
An inflammatory condition of the
large intestine. |
| Colon &Rectal
Surgery |
The medical and surgical treatment of diseases of the
small and large intestine, including the rectum and anus. |
| Colon |
The large intestine, the final 3-4
feet of the gastrointestinal tract. |
| Colonoscope |
The long flexible lighted instrument used for performing
Colonoscopy. |
| Colonoscopy |
An examination of the large intestine
utilizing a long lighted fiberoptic or video scope. |
| Colostomy |
A surgically constructed connection between the large
intestine (colon) and the skin. Requires an appliance or "bag" to
collect intestinal waste. |
| Congenital |
Present at birth. |
| Continent Ileostomy |
see Koch Pouch. |
| Crohn's
Disease |
An inflammatory immune disease of
the intestinal tract that causes thickening of the intestinal wall
and inflammation of the intestinal lining (mucous membrane). Crohn's
Disease can cause problems from the mouth to the anus. Symptoms include
abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever, and weight loss. Complications include
bleeding, obstruction, perforation and development of fistulas. |
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| Defacography |
A specialized X-Ray examination of the rectum. |
| Demerol |
A narcotic analgesic (pain reliever)
usually administered during Colonoscopy. |
| Diverticulitis |
Inflammation of the colon that occurs in the region
of existing diverticulosis. This results in intense pain associated
with fever, constipation or diarrhea. Complications of diverticulitis
include intestinal obstruction, perforation, bleeding, and the development
of abnormal connections (Fistulas) between the skin, intestine, bladder
or vagina. |
| Diverticulosis |
A condition of the large intestines
characterized by the development of weakness in the intestinal wall
that permits herniation or outpouching of the intestinal lining. Diverticulosis
usually develops as a result of inadequate dietary fiber. |
| Dysfunction |
Lack of normal function Enema A cleansing solution
used for preparation for examination of the large intestine. |
| Enterostomal
Therapy |
The treatment of patients with surgically
constructed connections between the intestine or the urinary tract
and the skin. |
| Episiotomy |
A surgical incision made in the back wall of the vagina
and the skin between the vagina and the rectum to facilitate childbirth.
|
| Familial
Polyposis |
A genetic (inherited) disease of
the large intestine manifested by the development of many colon polyps
that always degenerate into Cancer. |
| Fiber |
Fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains. |
| Fissure-in-Ano
|
A tear or ulcer in the lining of
the anal canal that is usually caused by diarrhea, constipation or
trauma. |
| Fistula |
An abnormal connection between the intestine and the
skin (enterocutaneous), the vagina (enterovaginal or colovaginal),
or the bladder (enterovesical or colovesical). |
| Fistula-in-Ano |
Anal Fistula. An abnormal connection
between the anal canal and the skin surrounding the anus that is caused
by infection of the anal glands, Crohn's Disease or Cancer. |
| Gall Bladder |
The sac-like organ located beneath the liver that stores
bile. |
| General
Surgery |
The surgical treatment of diseases
of the abdomen, abdominal wall (hernias), breast, and endocrine organs.
|
| Gill, Norma |
The Founder of the first school of Enterostomal Therapy
at The Cleveland Clinic. |
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Top |
| Hemorrhage |
Uncontrolled bleeding. |
| Hemorrhoids |
Dilated veins that are located at the anal opening.
May be either internal or external. |
| Ileocolic |
Referring to the last few inches
of the small intestine and the first part of the large intestine.
A clinical pattern of Crohn's Disease. |
| Ileostomy |
A surgically constructed connection between the small
intestine (ileum) and the skin. Requires an appliance or "bag" to
collect intestinal waste. |
| Immune |
Referring to a complex series of
chemical events that occur in relation to an allergic reaction, the
result of which is inflammation. |
| Inflammatory
Bowel Disease |
Ulcerative Colitis or Crohn's Disease. |
| Inguinal |
Relating to the groin. |
| Intestinal
Obstruction |
Blockage of the small or large intestine by tumor,
inflammation or adhesions. Symptoms usually include crampy abdominal
pain, nausea, vomiting, abdominal distention and constipation. |
| Hernia |
A defect in the abdominal wall. |
| J-Pouch |
A surgically constructed reservoir made from the small
intestine and connected to the anal sphincter muscles in order to
restore intestinal continuity and maintain continence in patients
undergoing surgery for ulcerative colitis or Familial Polyposis. |
| Koch
Pouch |
Also called Continent Ileostomy.
A surgically constructed intestinal reservoir with a leak-free valve
that is emptied by insertion of a catheter 3-4 times daily. |
| Laparoscope |
A lighted camera used to visualize the organs in the
abdominal cavity. |
| Laparoscopic |
Referring to surgical procedures
that are performed through a laparoscope. |
| Laparoscopy |
The technique of visualizing the organs in the abdominal
cavity using a camera and light source placed through the abdominal
wall via a cylindrical "port." |
| LASER |
High energy light that is used for
cutting and/or destroying tissue in surgery. |
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Top |
| Occult |
Hidden. |
| Paget's
Disease |
A non-invasive skin cancer that involves
the skin in and about the anus. |
| Perforation |
A hole in the intestine that permits the flow of intestinal
contents into the abdominal cavity. |
| Polyp |
A flat or grape-like growth of benign
or malignant tissue in the intestine. |
| Proctocolectomy |
The surgical removal of the colon and rectum. |
| Prolapse |
Also called Procidentia. The protrusion
of the rectum through the anus. Usually caused by relaxation of the
normal supporting structures of the rectum. |
| Pruritis Ani |
Itching of the anus and skin surrounding the anus. |
| Radiation
Therapy |
X-Ray treatment that is directed
against cancers. |
| Rectum |
The last 15cm (6 inches) of the intestinal tract. |
| Restorative
Proctocolectomy |
Surgical Removal of a diseased colon
and rectum with the reestablishment of intestinal continuity utilizing
an intestinal reservoir. Also called J-Pouch, Parks Pouch, Ileoanal
Pull Through and Ileal Pouch Anal Anastomosis. |
| Sigmoidoscope |
A rigid or flexible tube with a light source that is
used to examine the last 12-25 inches of the large intestine. |
| Sigmoidoscopy |
A visual examination of the lower
12-25 inches if the large intestine using a lighted scope. |
| Sphincter |
The internal and external muscle that surrounds the
anus. The sphincter permits continence or control over intestinal
function. |
| Suppositories |
Specially made medication that is
inserted into the rectum. |
| Turnbull, Rupert B. |
One of the pioneers of modern Colon and Rectal Surgery.
The former Chief of Colon and Rectal Surgery at The Cleveland Clinic. |
| Ulcerative
Colitis |
An Inflammatory Bowel Disease that
causes inflammation of the lining of the colon and typically causes
bloody diarrhea. |
| Ultrasound |
A noninvasive, painless technique of visualizing the
tissues surrounding the rectum using sound waves that are emitted
from a specially shaped anal probe. |
| Urostomy |
A surgically constructed connection
between the urinary tract and the skin, usually performed in a patient
whose bladder has been removed. Permits the passage of urine from
the body. |
| Versed |
An intravenous sedative usually administered during
Colonoscopy. |
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Top |