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Below are listed a number of terms frequently used in connection with bowel medical
conditions - for a more comprehensive list you may wish to look at Dansac's Glossary
here. |
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Biopsy |
Sampling a body tissue for microscopic examination in order to determine the nature
of a disease process. |
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Brooke Ileostomy |
A technique of constructing a surgical connection between the small intestine and
the skin that was described by Sir Brian Brooke. |
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Colitis |
An inflammatory condition of the large intestine. |
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Colon & Rectal Surgery |
The medical and surgical treatment of diseases of the small and large intestine,
including the rectum and anus. |
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Colon |
The large intestine, the final 3-4 feet of the gastrointestinal tract. |
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Colonoscopy |
An examination of the large intestine utilizing a long lighted fibreoptic or video
scope. |
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Colostomy |
A surgically constructed connection between the large intestine (colon) and the
skin. Requires an appliance or "bag" to collect intestinal waste. |
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Crohn's Disease |
An inflammatory immune disease of the intestinal tract that causes thickening of
the intestinal wall and inflammation of the intestinal lining (mucous membrane).
Crohn's Disease can cause problems from the mouth to the anus. Symptoms include
abdominal pain, diarrhoea, fever, and weight loss. Complications include bleeding,
obstruction, perforation and development of fistulas. |
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Familial Polyposis |
A genetic (inherited) disease of the large intestine manifested by the development
of many colon polyps that always degenerate into Cancer. |
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Fistula |
An abnormal connection between the intestine and the skin (enterocutaneous), the
vagina (enterovaginal or colovaginal), or the bladder (enterovesical or colovesical). |
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Ileostomy |
A surgically constructed connection between the small intestine (ileum) and the
skin. Requires an appliance or "bag" to collect intestinal waste. |
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Inflammatory Bowel Disease |
Ulcerative Colitis or Crohn's Disease. |
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Intestinal Obstruction |
Blockage of the small or large intestine by tumor, inflammation or adhesions. Symptoms
usually include cramp-like abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, abdominal distention
and constipation. |
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Hernia |
A defect in the abdominal wall. |
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J-Pouch |
A surgically constructed reservoir made from the small intestine and connected to
the anal sphincter muscles in order to restore intestinal continuity and maintain
continence in patients undergoing surgery for ulcerative colitis or Familial Polyposis |
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Perforation |
A hole in the intestine that permits the flow of intestinal contents into the abdominal
cavity. |
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Polyp |
A flat or grape-like growth of benign or malignant tissue in the intestine. |
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Proctocolectomy |
The surgical removal of the colon and rectum. |
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Prolapse |
The protrusion of the rectum (or intestine) through the anus (or addominal wall).
Usually caused by relaxation of normal supporting structures. |
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Rectum |
The last 15cm (6 inches) of the intestinal tract. |
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Restorative Proctocolectomy |
Surgical Removal of a diseased colon and rectum with the re-establishment of intestinal
continuity utilizing an intestinal reservoir. Also called J-Pouch, Parks Pouch,
Ileo-anal Pouch, or Ileal Pouch Anal Anastomosis. |
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Sigmoidoscopy |
A visual examination of the lower 12-25 inches if the large intestine using a lighted
scope. |
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Sphincter |
The internal and external muscle that surrounds the anus. The sphincter permits
continence or control over intestinal function. |
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Ulcerative Colitis |
An Inflammatory Bowel Disease that causes inflammation of the lining of the colon
and typically causes bloody diarrhoea. |
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Urostomy |
A surgically constructed connection between the urinary tract and the skin, usually
performed in a patient whose bladder has been removed. Permits the passage of urine
from the body. |