Abdomen - the portion of the torso between the chest and pelvis, containing the stomach, lower part of the esophagus, small and large intestines, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, and spleen.
Abdominoperineal resection - the surgical removal of the anus, rectum, and sigmoid colon, which results in the need for a permanent colostomy.
Acute - a sudden onset of symptoms.
Adhesion - scar tissue: fibrous bands that cause surrounding organs or tissue to adhere abnormally.
Abscess - a pocket or collection of pus caused by infection.
Adjuvant - a substance that aids another substance.
Alimentary canal - the digestive tract.
Alimentation - the process of nourishing the body, which includes chewing, swallowing, digestion, absorption, and assimilation.
Anal fissure - a crack in the skin in or near the anal canal.
Anastomosis - a surgical connection between two previously separated organs (in abdominal surgery the connection is usually between two ends of the small intestine).
Anemia - a condition that results when the number of red blood cells, the amount of hemoglobin, and/or the volume of packed red blood cells is greatly below normal; it is sometimes called low red blood cell count.
Anorectal - related to the anus and rectum or the junction region between the two.
Anorexia - a loss of appetite.
Anorexia nervosa - an eating disorder marked by weight loss, emaciation, disturbed body image and a pathological fear of weight gain.
Antibiotic - a drug that destroys microorganisms or inhibits their growth.
Antidepressant - a drug that stimulates the mood to lesson depression.
Antidiarrheal - a medication used to control diarrhea.
Anti-inflammatory - a drug that counteracts inflammation.
Antispasmodic - a drug used to decrease some of the contractions of the smooth muscle of the small intestine.
Anus - the opening from the rectum to outside the body.
Appendix - a small, fingerlike tube located where the large and small intestines join; it has no known function. Inflammation of the appendix (appendicitis) requires immediate medical attention, often in the form of surgical removal of the appendix (appendectomy).
Ascending colon - the first part of the colon that begins at the cecum and passes upward to the transverse colon.
Asceptic necrosis - a complication resulting from long-term use of steroids in high doses that causes one or both hip joints to suddenly undergo massive deterioration.
Ascites - fluid in the abdomen.
Autoimmunity - an immune reaction to the body's own tissues.
This information
is provided as a general educational service
and is not intended to recommend any particular treatment plan
or to replace the advice of physicians. It is important that patients
seek and rely on the advice of a healthcare professional
about their individual medical conditions.
