Lesson: Medical Terminology – Understanding Terms and Disorders of the Abdominal Cavity and its Associated Organs
Overview
This lesson will help you understand medical terms related to Disorders of the Abdominal Cavity and its Organs. You'll learn the Greek and Latin roots, prefixes, and suffixes that form these terms, making it easier to decipher medical vocabulary.
Disorders by Body Part
Colon / Large Intestine
Coloptosis: Colon's prolapse Components: col- (colon) + -ptosis (prolapse) Meaning: Prolapse of the colon
Megacolon: Colon’s dilation Components: mega- (large) + colon (large intestine) Meaning: Abnormal dilation of the colon
Colitis: Inflammation of the large intestines Components: col- (colon) + -itis (inflammation) Meaning: Inflammation of the colon
Colica mucosa: Ulcerative colitis or bowel disease Components: col- (colon) + -ica (related to) + mucosa (mucous) Meaning: Chronic ulcerative colitis affecting the mucous lining of the colon
Stomach
Gastrocele: Hernia of the stomach Components: gastr- (stomach) + -cele (hernia, pouching) Meaning: Hernia involving the stomach
Gastrotomia: Opening of the stomach Components: gastr- (stomach) + -tomy (cut, incision, opening) Meaning: Surgical opening of the stomach
Gastrectomia: Removal of the stomach Components: gastr- (stomach) + -ectomy (surgical removal) Meaning: Surgical removal of part or all of the stomach
Cecum
Typhlectasia: Dilation of the cecum Components: typhl- (cecum) + -ectasia (dilation, expansion) Meaning: Abnormal dilation of the cecum
Typhlpexia: Fixing of the cecum Components: typhl- (cecum) + -pexia (fixation) Meaning: Surgical fixation of the cecum
Urinary Bladder
- Cystolithiasis: Stones in the urinary bladder Components: cyst- (urinary bladder) + -lithiasis (formation of stones) Meaning: Formation of stones in the urinary bladder
Spleen
Splenomegalia: Enlargement of the spleen Components: splen- (spleen) + -megalia (enlargement) Meaning: Enlargement of the spleen
Splenorrhexis: Rupture of the spleen Components: splen- (spleen) + -rrhexis (rupture) Meaning: Rupture of the spleen
Liver
Hepaticostomia: Fistula of the hepatic duct Components: hepatic- (liver) + -stomia (surgical hole, fistula) Meaning: Surgical creation of a fistula in the hepatic duct
Hepatopexia: Surgical anchoring of the liver Components: hepat- (liver) + -pexia (fixation) Meaning: Surgical anchoring of the liver to the abdominal wall
Small Intestine
Enterocolitis: Inflammation of the small and large intestines Components: enter- (small intestine) + col- (large intestine) + -itis (inflammation) Meaning: Inflammation of both the small and large intestines
Ileostomia: Fistula of the small intestine Components: ile- (small intestine) + -stomia (surgical hole, fistula) Meaning: Surgical creation of a fistula in the small intestine
Ileus: Intestinal blockage Components: ile- (small intestine) Meaning: Blockage in the small intestine