Glossary of terms

Listed below are some of the words that you might come across concerning diseases and conditions of the bowels.

 

 

 

Abscess
A localised collection of pus in a cavity that is formed by the decay of diseased tissues.

 

Acute
A sudden onset of symptoms (eg as in relapse; contrast with chronic).

 

Adjuvant therapy
Other forms of therapy that are used in addition to surgery for the treatment of cancer, eg chemotherapy and low-dose radiotherapy.

 

Aetiology
The cause of a disease or condition.

 

Anaemia (anemia)
A reduction in the number of red blood cells in the body, which is measured as a fall in haemoglobin (Hb) in the blood. This can be a sign of bleeding, eg from the bowel.

 

Analgesia
Pain relievers, eg paracetamol, morphine.

 

Anastomosis (in bowel surgery)
The joining together of two ends of healthy bowel after the section of diseased bowel has been cut out (resected) by the surgeon.

 

Anus
The opening to the back passage (rectum).

 

Barium enema
A diagnostic X-ray of the large bowel (colon). Barium is inserted into the rectum via the anus to outline the bowel.

 

Benign
Not cancerous.

 

Biopsy
Removal of small pieces of tissue from parts of the body (eg a colonic biopsy) for examination under the microscope for diagnosis.

 

 

 

 

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Caecum
The first part of the large intestine, where the small intestine joins. The appendix is attached to the caecum.

 

Chemotherapy
Drug therapy, eg drugs that are used to attack cancer.

 

Chronic
Symptoms occurring during a long period of time (contrast with acute).

 

Colitis
Inflammation of the colon.

 

Colon
The large intestine, which extends from the caecum to the rectum. It has ascending, transverse, descending and sigmoid portions.

 

Colonoscopy
Inspection of the colon using an illuminated flexible telescope called a colonoscope > > Endoscopy

 

Colostomy
Surgical creation of an opening between the colon and the surface of the body. Part of the colon is brought out of the abdomen creating a stoma. A bag is placed over this to collect waste material.

> Colostomy

 

Constipation
Infrequent or difficult passing of faeces (bowel motions, stools).

 

Computed Axial Tomography (CT) scan
A type of X-ray. For example, a number of pictures are taken of the abdomen and fed into a computer to form a detailed picture of the inside of the body

 

Defecation
The act of passing faeces (bowel motions, stools).

 

Diagnosis
Determination of the nature of the disease.

 

Diarrhoea
An increase in the frequency, liquidity and weight of bowel motions.

 

Distal
Further down the bowel towards the anus (contrast with proximal).

 

Diverticulum (plural: diverticula)
Small pouch-like projections through the muscular wall of the intestine, which may become infected, causing diverticulitis.

> Diverticulitis

 

Dysplasia
Alterations in the size, shape and organisation of mature cells that indicate the possible development of cancer.

 

Electrolytes
Salts in the blood, eg sodium, potassium and calcium.

 

Enema
A liquid that is introduced into the rectum to encourage the passing of motions; this can be used to 'clear' the bowels before surgery.

 

Endoscopy
A collective name for all visual inspections of body cavities with an illuminated telescope. Examples are: gastroscopy, colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy.

> Endoscopy

 

Exacerbation
An aggravation of symptoms.

 

 

 

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Faeces (stools, motions)
The waste matter that is eliminated from the anus.

 

Fistula
An abnormal connection, usually between two organs, or leading from an internal organ to the body surface (eg an anal fistula is between the anus and skin surface.

> Anal fistulas

 

Haemorrhoids (piles)
Swollen 'cushions' of tissue with a rich blood supply in the area of the anus, which bleed easily and can prolapse (protrude from the anus).

> Haemorrhoids (piles)

 

Heredity
The transmission of characteristics from parent to child.

 

Histology
The examination of tissues under the microscope to assist diagnosis.

 

Ileostomy
This is when the open end of the healthy ileum is diverted to the surface of the abdomen and secured there to form a new exit for waste matter.

> Ileostomy

 

Inflammation
A natural defence mechanism of the body whereby blood cells rapidly accumulate at a site of damage or infection, which leads to reddening, swelling and pain. The area is usually 'hot' to touch.

 

Laxative
A medicine or tablet that causes emptying of the bowel. This might be by purging (stimulating the bowel) or by increasing the volume of stool (bulking).

 

Lesion
A term that is used to describe any structural abnormality in the body.

 

Malignant
Cancer.

 

Mucus
A white, slimy lubricant that is normally produced by the intestines.

 

Neutropenia
Reduction in the number of white cells that fight infection.

 

Oedema (edema)
Accumulation (build-up) of excessive amounts of fluid in the tissues, resulting in swelling.

 

Oncologist
A doctor who specialises in cancer care using drugs and radiotherapy.

> Oncology (Cancer)

 

Palliative care
Improving the quality of life by providing support and control of symptoms.

> Palliative care

 

Pathology
The study of the cause of disease.

 

Perforation
An abnormal opening (hole) in the bowel wall, which causes the contents to spill into the normally sterile abdominal cavity.

 

Peritoneum
The membrane that lines the abdominal cavity.

Peritonitis
Inflammation of the peritoneum, often due to a perforation.

 

Pilonidal sinus
A small pit, usually containing hair, at the base of the spine. Such pits frequently become infected and can require surgery.

> Pilonidal sinus

 

Polyp
A protruding growth from a mucous membrane (eg a colonic polyp protrudes from the lining of the bowel in the colon).

 

Prophylaxis
Treatment to prevent a disease occurring before it has started.

 

Proximal
Further up the bowel towards the mouth (contrast with distal).

 

Pruritus ani
A condition that causes intense itchiness around the anus.

 

 

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Radiologist
The doctor who interprets X-ray pictures to make a diagnosis.).

 

Radiotherapy
The use of high-energy rays, which can attack cancer cells.

 

Rectum
The bowel just above the anus (the back passage).

 

Relapse
Return of disease activity.

 

Remission
A lessening of symptoms of the disease and return to good health.

 

Sigmoid
The portion of the colon, shaped like a letter ‘S’, which extends from the descending colon to the rectum..

 

Sigmoidoscopy
Inspection of the sigmoid colon with an illuminated telescope called a sigmoidoscope.

 

Stricture
The narrowing of a portion of the bowel.

 

Suppository
A small, bullet-shaped, solid medication, which is put into the rectum.

 

Tenesmus
A persistent (abnormal) urge to empty the bowel.

 

Terminal ileum
The last part of the ileum, which joins the caecum via the ileo-caecal valve.

 

Tumour
An abnormal growth, which might be benign (not cancerous) or malignant (cancer).

 

Ulcerative colitis
Ulceration and inflammation of the large bowel.

 

Ultrasound
Use of high-pitched sound waves to produce pictures of internal organs on a screen for diagnostic purposes. These are made by passing a transducer with conducting jelly over a specific body cavity (eg the abdomen in abdominal ultrasound.

 

 

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