This article covers the medical terminology of the gastrointestinal system. These terms will help with the study of gastrointestinal conditions and diseases. You can use this list as you cover disease processes related to the gastrointestinal system in your studies.
First, this article will cover a list of word roots, and a few additional suffixes and prefixes specifically related to the gastrointestinal system. Secondly, you will find terms related to gastrointestinal specialties and their definitions. There is also a list of gastrointestinal structures, diagnostic test, and procedures. Finally, there is a list containing diseases and conditions of the gastrointestinal system.
If you need a background on how medical terms are formed, read the article on Medical Terminology Basics. Also, the article 11 Rules for Changing Singular Terms to Plural Terms is a good article for the use of singular and plural endings used in medical terminology. Since a list of basic prefixes and suffixes has been presented in the previous articles, these lists are just a review of those medical terms.
Review of Prefixes
This section contains prefixes that are used for the medical terminology of most systems. Prefixes are used at the beginning of a word to modify or vary the meaning of the word. When the prefixes are detached from a term, it is followed by a hyphen (-).
| Prefixes | Definition |
|---|---|
| a-, an- | no, not, without, away |
| aut- | self |
| brady- | slow |
| dia- | apart, through |
| end-, endo- | within, inside |
| exo- | outside of, without |
| epi- | above |
| hyper- | excessive |
| hypo- | insufficient |
| inter- | between |
| intra- | middle |
| media- | medium |
| medial- | situated or pertaining to the middle |
| medi- | middle |
| medio- | within |
| normo- | normal |
| per- | through |
| peri- | around |
| physio-, physi- | related to nature or physiology |
| poly- | many |
| pro- | before, for, in front of, from, in behalf of, on account of |
| re- | back, again |
| retro- | behind, back, backward |
| sub- | under, below, beneath, in small quantity, less than normal |
| syn-, sy-, syl-, sym- | union or association |
| tachy- | fast |
| trans- | across, through, beyond, over |
| ultra- | excess |
Review of Suffixes
Below are some suffixes that can be used for the medical terminology of most systems. Suffixes are placed at the end of a word root or word part to modify or vary the meaning. Suffixes can indicate a condition, disease or a procedure. When a suffix is written detached it is preceded by a hyphen (-).
| Suffixes | Definition |
|---|---|
| -ac. -al, -ar, -ary | Pertaining to |
| -ic | Pertaining to, characteristics |
| -ose, -ous | Pertaining to |
| -tic | Pertaining to |
| -centesis | surgical puncture as to aspirate or remove fluid |
| -cision | process of cutting |
| -ectomy | excision (surgical removal or cutting out) |
| -gram | a drawing or a written record |
| -graph | product of a drawing, writing or recording |
| -graphy | the process of recording |
| -ia | condition |
| -ism | condition process, theory of, principle, method |
| -itis | inflammation |
| -ologist | one who studies |
| -ology | study of |
| -lysis | process of loosening, freeing, or destroying |
| -opsy | to view |
| -osis | condition, status process |
| -otomy | cutting into |
| -ostomy | formation of an opening |
| -plasty | surgical repair |
| -pathy | disease |
| -sclerosis | hardening |
| -scope | instrument for viewing |
| -scopy | visual examination with a lighted instrument |
| -sis | state of, condition |
| -stasis | to stand, place, stop, control |
| -stenosis | narrowing |
| -tension | pressure |
| -therapy | treatment |
| -thoracic | chest |
| -ule | small |
Word Root and Combining Vowel for the Gastrointestinal System
This is a list of word roots with their combining vowel used for the gastrointestinal system.
| Word Root | Definition |
|---|---|
| An(o) | pertaining to the anus |
| Appendic(o) | referring to the appendix |
| Cec(o) | Pertaining to the cecum |
| Chol(e) | bile |
| Cholangi(o) | bile duct |
| Cholecyst(o) | gallbladder |
| Choledoch(o) | common bile ducts |
| Colon(o) | pertaining to the colon |
| Diverticul(o) | diverticulum |
| Duoden(o) | duodenum |
| Enter(o) | intestine |
| Esophag(o) | esophagus |
| Gastro(o) | stomach |
| Hepat(o) | liver |
| Ile(o) | ileum |
| Jejun(o) | jejunum |
| Pancreat(o) | pancreas |
| Proct(o) | rectum and anus |
| Rect(o) | rectum |
| Sigmoid(o) | sigmoid colon |
| Spleen(o) | spleen |
| Hemat(o) | blood |
Additional Gastrointestinal suffixes and prefixes
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Bili- | bile |
| Cec-, ceco- | cecum |
| Cirrh- | yellow |
| Cys- | bladder or sac |
| Dys- | bad or painful |
| Gastro-, gastr- | stomach |
| Sigmoid- | sigmoid colon |
| -pancreat | pancreas |
| -phagia | to eat or swallow |
Gastrointestinal Specialties
This is a list of the gastrointestinal specialist and their general job description.
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Gastroenterologist | Gastro means stomach. |
| Entero means intestine. | |
| -logist means one who studies. | |
| A physician specializing in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. | |
| Gastroenterology | Gastro means stomach. |
| Entero means intestine. | |
| -logy means the study of. | |
| The study of the diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. |
The Structure and Function of the Gastrointestinal System
The gastrointestinal tract is a pathway that begins at the mouth and ends at the anus. The upper portion of the gastrointestinal tract includes the oral cavity, teeth, tongue, salivary glands, pharynx and esophagus.
The lower portion of the gastrointestinal tract includes the stomach, small intestine, and large intestine. The accessory organs include the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas. The gastrointestinal tract is also known as the alimentary tract, the alimentary canal, and the digestive tract.
Check out the article Nursing Assessment of the Gastrointestinal System to learn about the different organs and accessory organs. Also, the article 11 Facts About the Gastrointestinal System Every Nursing Student Should Know will give some foundational information about the gastrointestinal system.
Remember, not all terms used for medical terminology use a prefix, word root, combining vowel or a suffix. But, they are still medical terminology related to the gastrointestinal system.
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Anus | The terminal end of the anal canal. |
| Appendix | An accessory part that is attached to a main structure. |
| Vermiform appendix | |
| Vermiform means resembling a worm. | |
| A wormlike process that extends from the cecum. | |
| Biliary | Bili- pertains to bile |
| Pertaining to bile or the gallbladder duct which transport bile. Sometimes called the biliary tree. | |
| Colon | A part of the large intestine located between the cecum and the rectum. |
| Cecum | Cec(o) means cecum |
| The first part of the large intestine. | |
| Duodenum | Duoden(o) means duodenum |
| The first and shortest portion of the small intestine | |
| Epigastric | Epi- mean above. |
| Gastric mean stomach. | |
| The area above the stomach. | |
| Esophagus | Esophag(o) means esophagus |
| The hollow tube that extends from the pharynx to the stomach. | |
| Gallbladder | Gall pertains to bile. |
| Bladder is a membrane sac acting as a receptacle for secretions. | |
| A sac-shaped organ located under the right lobe of the liver. | |
| Hypochondrium | Hypochondriac region. |
| Hypo- mean under. | |
| Chondriac mean cartilage. | |
| The area of the abdomen located underneath the cartilage of the lower ribs. | |
| Hypogastric | Hypo- mean under. |
| Gastric means stomach. | |
| The lower portion of the abdomen located below the umbilical area. | |
| Ileum | Ile(o) refers to the ileum. |
| The lower third portion of the small intestine. | |
| Inguinal | Pertaining to the groin. |
| Jejunum | Jejun(o) refers to the jejunum. |
| The middle portion of the small intestine. | |
| Liver | One of the largest organs in the abdominal cavity located below the diaphragm in the upper right quadrant of the abdomen. |
| Pancreas | An organ located posterior (behind) the stomach that secretes the hormones insulin and glucagon and also secrets buffers and digestive enzymes into the duodenum. |
| Rectum | A portion of the large intestine between the colon and anus. |
| Sigmoid colon | Sigmoid means pertaining to a S-shape. |
| An S-shaped section of the colon that extends from the descending colon to the rectum. | |
| Stomach | A muscular bag lined with mucus membranes that expand and is a reservoir for food. |
| Suprapubic | Supra- means above. |
| Pubic means area of the symphysis pubis | |
| An area above the symphysis pubis. | |
| Umbilical | Umbilicus means navel. |
| Pertaining to the umbilical cord. |
Diagnostic Studies of the Gastrointestinal System
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Abdominal Computed tomography (CT) | Abdominal refers to a portion of the body located between the thorax and pelvis. |
| A technique that uses radiographic to produce an image of the cross section of tissue. | |
| Abdominal Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) | Abdominal refers to a portion of the body located between the thorax and pelvis. |
| Magnetic means lodestone. | |
| Resonance means to sound again. | |
| Imaging means image. | |
| An MRI is a procedure used to produce an image by the creation of a magnetic field to give detailed information about the gastrointestinal system. | |
| Abdominal ultrasound | Abdominal refers to a portion of the body located between the thorax and pelvis. |
| Ultra means beyond, farther, | |
| Ultrasound is high-frequency sound waves. | |
| Barium test | Administration of a radiopaque barium sulfate liquid to visual defects of the esophagus and surrounding areas. |
| Cholangiography | Chol- means bile. |
| -graphy means the process of recording. | |
| The IV (intravenous) instillation of a radiopaque contrast to visualized and record information about the major bile ducts. | |
| Colonoscopy | Colon (o) pertains to the colon. |
| -scopy is a visual examination with a lighted instrument. | |
| The examination of the lining of the colon with a colonoscope. | |
| Endoscopy | Endo- refers to within, inside. |
| -scopy is a visual examination with a lighted instrument. | |
| The examination of the organs and cavities of the body with an endoscope. | |
| Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) | Endo- refers to within, inside. |
| -scopy is a visual examination with a lighted instrument. | |
| Cholangi(o) means bile ducts. | |
| Pancreat(o) refers to the pancreas. | |
| -graphy means the process of recording. | |
| An endoscopic test that allows the visualization of the bile ducts and pancreatic ducts. | |
| Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) | Esophag(o) refers to the esophagus. |
| Gastr(o) refers to the stomach. | |
| Duoden(o) refers to the duodenum. | |
| -scopy is a visual examination with a lighted instrument. | |
| A test used for the visualization of the upper gastrointestinal tract. | |
| Liver function test (LFT) | Test of evaluate the functions of the liver including storage, metabolism, filtration, and excretion. |
| Liver biopsy | Biopsy is the removal of a small piece of tissue to be used for microscopic examination. |
| A procedure in which a needle is inserted into the liver to obtain a specimen. | |
| Sigmoidoscopy | Sigmoid(o) refers to the sigmoid colon. |
| -scopy is a visual examination with a lighted instrument. | |
| The inspection of the sigmoid colon and rectum using a sigmoidoscope. |
Procedures of the Gastrointestinal System
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Appendectomy also appendicectomy | Appendic(o) pertaining to the appendix. |
| -ectomy means excision (surgical removal or cutting out) | |
| Surgical removal of the vermiform appendix. | |
| Cecostomy | Cec(o) is pertaining to the cecum. |
| -ostomy is the formation of an opening. | |
| The surgical formation of an opening into cecum. | |
| Cholecystectomy | Chole(o) means bile. |
| Cys- means bladder or sac. | |
| -ectomy means excision (surgical removal or cutting out). | |
| The surgical removal of the gallbladder. | |
| Cholecystostomy | Chole(o) means bile. |
| Cys- means bladder or sac. | |
| -ostomy is the formation of an opening. | |
| The surgical formation of an opening into the gallbladder. | |
| Choledochojejunostomy | Chole(o) means bile |
| Doch(o) or dochus means containing. | |
| Jejun(o) refers to the jejunum. | |
| -ostomy is the formation of an opening. | |
| A surgical procedure to form a connection between the common bile duct and jejunum. | |
| Choledocholithotomy | Chole(o) means bile. |
| Doch(o) or dochus means containing. | |
| Lith(o) means stone. | |
| -otomy means cutting into. | |
| Surgical incision into the common bile duct for the removal of gallstones. | |
| Colectomy | Cole- means colon. |
| -ectomy means excision (surgical removal or cutting out). | |
| Surgical excision of part of the colon. | |
| Colostomy | Col(o) refers to the colon. |
| -ostomy is the formation of an opening. | |
| Surgical opening into the colon to form an artificial anus on the abdominal wall. | |
| Esophagogastrostomy | Esophag(o) means esophagus. |
| Gastr(o) means stomach. | |
| -ostomy is formation of an opening. | |
| Anastomosis of the esophagus to a portion of the stomach. | |
| Gastrectomy | Gastr(o) means stomach. |
| -ectomy means excision (surgical removal or cutting out). | |
| The surgical removal of all or part of stomach. | |
| Gastrostomy | Gastr(o) means stomach. |
| -ostomy is the formation of an opening. | |
| A surgical opening into the stomach through the abdominal wall usually for the placement of a feeding tube. | |
| Ileostomy | Ile(o) refers to the ileum. |
| -ostomy is the formation of an opening. | |
| A surgical opening to bring the ileum to the surface of the abdomen. | |
| Pyloroplasty | Pylor(o) refers to the pylorus. |
| -plasty means surgical repair. | |
| Enlargement and repair of pyloric sphincter area. |
Diseases and Conditions of the Gastrointestinal System
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Achalasia | A- means no, not or without. |
| Chalasia is the abnormal relaxation of the cardiac sphincter of the stomach. | |
| The constriction of the lower portion of the esophagus due to the inability of the cardiac sphincter of the stomach to relax. | |
| Appendicitis | Appendic(o) pertaining to the appendix. |
| -itis means inflammation. | |
| Inflammation of the vermiform appendix. | |
| Ascites | The accumulation of a large amount of fluid in the peritoneal space. |
| Cholelithiasis | Chole(o) means bile. |
| -lithiasis means stones. | |
| The presences of gallstones in the gallbladder. | |
| Cirrhosis | Cirrh- means yellow |
| -osis refers to a condition. | |
| A degenerative disease of the liver. | |
| Dysphagia | Dys means bad or painful. |
| -phagia means to eat or swallow. | |
| Difficulty swallowing. | |
| Gastritis | Gastr- means stomach. |
| -itis means inflammation. | |
| Inflammation of the lining stomach. | |
| Hematemesis | Hemat- means blood. |
| Emesis means vomit. | |
| The vomiting of bright red blood. | |
| Hematachezia | Hemat- means blood. |
| -chezia means defecation or the passage of foreign substances with the stool. | |
| The passage of bright red blood from the rectum. | |
| Hepatitis | Hepat- means liver. |
| -itis means inflammation. | |
| The inflammation of the liver. | |
| Hepatomegaly | Hepat(o) means liver. |
| -megaly means large. | |
| The abnormal enlargement of the liver. | |
| Jaundice | Jaundice means yellow. |
| A large amount of bilirubin in the blood causing a yellow discoloration of skin, mucus membrane and sclera of the eye. | |
| Melena | Melena means black. |
| The distinctive black tarry stool which usually suggests digested blood. | |
| Odynophagia | Odyn(o) means pain. |
| -phagia means to eat or swallow. | |
| A burning squeezing pain while swallowing caused by irritation of the esophageal mucosa. | |
| Pyrosis | Pyr(o) means fire or heat. |
| -osis refers to a condition. | |
| Pyrosis means heartburn. | |
| Heartburn is a painful burning sensation in the esophagus just below the sternum. | |
| Spleenomegaly | Spleen(o) pertains to the spleen. |
| -megaly means large. | |
| The abnormal enlargement of the spleen. | |
| Steatorrhea | Steat(o) means fat. |
| -rrhea means to discharge of flow. | |
| A large amount of fat in the feces that is foul smelling and floats. |
Reference
Mosby’s Medical Dictionary (2017). 10th ed. St Louis, MO. Elsevier Inc.
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