Glossary
Abscess
Encapsulated collection of pus occurring in areas of inflammation due to bacteria
Anemia
An abnormality of the blood caused by a deficiency of hemoglobin or in the number of red blood cells (erythrocytes)
Colon
The large bowel
Duodenum
First segment of the small bowel
Dysplasia
Abnormal development of tissue. Dysplasia may occur in different degrees of severity and may be considered a precursor of cancer of the bowel
Erythema nodosum
Violet-red thickening of the skin, usually on the arms or legs
Fistula
Abnormal, “short circuit” connection between two bowel segments, between the bowel and the bladder or vagina, or between the bowel and the skin occurring as a result of inflammation
IBD
Inflammatory bowel disease
Ileocecal valve
Valve-like structure forming the junction between the lower segment of the small bowel (ileum) and the colon
Ileum
Final segment of the small bowel
Ileus
Obstruction of the bowel caused by narrowing (stenosis) or paralysis
Immunosuppression
Therapy aimed at inhibiting the body’s immune system
-itis
Suffix denoting inflammation. For example, “colitis” means inflammation of the colon
Jejunum
Middle segment of the small bowel
Osteoporosis
Loss of bone tissue or changes in the overall form of the bone resulting in reduced mechanical strength and a tendency to fracture
Perforation
Formation of a hole in the wall of a hollow organ, such as the bowel
Peritonitis
Inflammation of the membrane lining the inner surface of the abdomen
Pouch
Reservoir for stool that is surgically created from a bowel loop
Relapse
Renewed manifestation of disease symptoms, such as an acute flare-up in IBD
Stenosis
Narrowing of the bowel often caused by inflammation. Over time, longlasting inflammation can result in scar-tissue formation that makes the narrowing permanent
Stricture
Another name for stenosis. Strictures, however, represent narrowing of the bowel that has become permanent due to scar-tissue formation
Stricturoplasty
Surgical procedure to release strictures in the bowel without excision (removal) of the entire segment of narrowed, stenotic bowel
Subileus
Incomplete form of intestinal obstruction or ileus
Toxic megacolon
Complication occurring mostly in patients with ulcerative colitis and involving an acute dilation (ballooning) of the colon
Tumor-Necrosis- Factor (TNF)
Messenger substance in the human body that plays an important role in inflammatory processes
Ulcer
Hole or defect in the mucous membrane lining of an internal organ