Chapter 6

Additional Suffixes and

Digestive System Terminology
The Language of Medicine

Bronchiectasis
Widening of the bronchial tubes from infection or congenital
obstruction

Lymphangiectasia
Dilation of the lymphatic vessels, which is usually congenital

Hematemesis
Vomiting of blood

Hemolysis
Destruction of red blood cells

Dyspepsia
Difficult digestion

Polyphagia
Excessive ingestion of food

Dysphagia
Difficult swallowing

Odynophagia
Painful swallowing of food

Rhinoplasty
Surgical repair of the nose
Enteroplasty
Surgical repair of the intestine (to treat the Short Bowel Syndrome)

Blepharoplasty
Surgical repair of the eyelids

Proptosis
Protrusion of the eyeballs

Hemoptysis
spitting blood or blood stained sputum

hemorrhage
bursting forth of blood/ excessive bleeding

menorrhagia
excessive bleeding during menstruation

herniorrhaphy
surgical repair of hernia by suturing

dysmenorrhea
painful menstrual discharge

pylorospasm
sudden involuntary contraction of muscles at the distal region of
the stomach

bronchospasm
contraction of the smooth muscles of the bronchi, as occurs in
asthma

cholestasis
stoppage of bile flow
hemostasis
stoppage of bleeding

pyloric stenosis
narrowing of the pyloric canal

atresia
closure of a normal body opening or a tubular structure

esophageal atresia
a congenital closure of the esophagus / no connection between the
esophagus and the stomach

biliary atresia
closure of bile ducts

buccal
pertaining to the cheeks

cecal volvulus
a twisted intestine in the area of the cecum

celiac disease
allergic reaction to protein present in barley and wheat that causes
inflammation which destroys the lining of the small intestine

celiac artery
a blood vessel that brings blood to the abdomen

cheilosis
abnormal condition of the lips

cholelithiasis
formation of gall stones
cholangiectasis
dilation of a bile duct

cholcystectomy
excision of the gall bladder

choledochal
pertaining to the common bile duct

colectomy
excision of the colon

colonoscopy
visual examination of the colon

dentalgia
toothache

gastroduodenal anastomosis/ gastro duoden o stomy

a new surgical connection between the stomach and the duodenum

gastroenteritis
inflammation of the stomach and small intestines

esophageal atresia
congenital closure of the esophagus

gastrojejunostomy
a new surgical connection between the stomach and the jejunm

gastrostomy
new opening of the stomach through the abdominal wall to the
outside of the body

gingivectomy
excision of all loose infected and diseased gum tissue

glossopharyngeal
pertaining to the tongue and throat

glycolysis
breakdown of sugar

hepatomegaly
enlargement of the liver

herniorrhaphy
surgical repair of hernia by suturing

ileostomy
opening of the ileum to the outside of the body

cholecyst o jejun o stomy

a new surgical connection between the gall bladder and the
jejunum

labioglossopharyngeal
pertaining to the lips, tongue and throat

sublingual
pertaining to under the tongue

lipase
an enzyme to digest fat
cholecystolithiasis
formation of gall stones in the gall bladder

periodontal membrane
a membrane surrounding the teeth

oropharynx
the part of the throat near the mouth

palatoplasty
surgical repair of the palate

pancreatic
pertaining to the pancreas

proctosigmoidoscopy
visual examination of the rectum and the sigmoid colon

pyloric stenosis
narrowing of the pyloric canal

rectosigmoidectomy
excision of the rectum and sigmoid colon

sialadenectomy
excision of a salivary gland

splenic flexure
the bend in the transverse colon near the spleen

steatorrhea
fat in the feces

aphthous somatitis
inflammation of the mouth with ulcers