About Us | Privacy | Site Map
May 20, 2013


Colitis Glossary of Terms

The following are health and medical definitions of terms that appear in the Colitis article.

Abdomen: The belly, that part of the body that contains all of the structures between the...

See the entire definition of Abdomen

Abdominal: Relating to the abdomen, the belly, that part of the body that contains all of ...

See the entire definition of Abdominal

Abdominal cavity: The cavity within the abdomen, the space between the abdominal wall and...

See the entire definition of Abdominal cavity

Abdominal pain: Pain in the belly. Abdominal pain can be acute or chronic. It may reflect ...

See the entire definition of Abdominal pain

Abnormal: Outside the expected norm, or uncharacteristic of a particular patient.

Absorption: Uptake. For example, intestinal absorption is the uptake of food (or other sub...

See the entire definition of Absorption

Acetaminophen: A nonaspirin pain reliever or analgesic. Acetaminophen may be given alone t...

See the entire definition of Acetaminophen

Anatomy: The study of human or animal form, by observation or examination of the living be...

See the entire definition of Anatomy

Anemia: The condition of having a lower-than-normal number of red blood cells or quantity ...

See the entire definition of Anemia

Angina: Chest pain due to an inadequate supply of oxygen to the heart muscle. The pain is ...

See the entire definition of Angina

Antibiotic: A drug used to treat infections caused by bacteria and other microorganisms. ...

See the entire definition of Antibiotic

Anus: The opening of the rectum to the outside of the body.

Artery: A vessel that carries blood high in oxygen content away from the heart to the far...

See the entire definition of Artery

Atherosclerosis: A process of progressive thickening and hardening of the walls of medium-...

See the entire definition of Atherosclerosis

Autoimmune: Pertaining to autoimmunity, a misdirected immune response that occurs when the...

See the entire definition of Autoimmune back to top

Bacteria: Single-celled microorganisms that can exist either as independent (free-living) ...

See the entire definition of Bacteria

Bacterial: Of or pertaining to bacteria, as in a bacterial lung infection.

Barium: 1. A metallic element belonging to the alkaline earths with an atomic numbe...

See the entire definition of Barium

Barium enema: An enema using a white, chalky solution containing barium, in preparation fo...

See the entire definition of Barium enema

Benign: Not malignant. A benign tumor is one that does not invade surrounding tissue or sp...

See the entire definition of Benign

Biopsy: The removal of a sample of tissue for examination under a microscope to check for ...

See the entire definition of Biopsy

Blood count: The calculated number of white or red blood cells (WBCs or RBCs) in a cubic m...

See the entire definition of Blood count

Blood pressure: The blood pressure is the pressure of the blood within the arteries. It is...

See the entire definition of Blood pressure

Blood urea nitrogen: A measure of the urea level in blood. Abbreviated BUN. Diseases that ...

See the entire definition of Blood urea nitrogen

Bowel: The small and large intestine.

Brain: The portion of the central nervous system that is located within the skull. It func...

See the entire definition of Brain

Cancer: An abnormal growth of cells which tend to proliferate in an uncontrolled way and, ...

See the entire definition of Cancer

Carbon dioxide: A gas which is the byproduct of cellular metabolism and which collects in ...

See the entire definition of Carbon dioxide

CBC: A commonly used abbreviation in medicine that stands for complete blood count, a set...

See the entire definition of CBC

Cecum: The first portion of the large bowel, which is situated in the lower-right quadrant...

See the entire definition of Cecum back to top

Cell: The basic structural and functional unit of any living thing. Each cell is a small c...

See the entire definition of Cell

Chills: feelings of coldness accompanied by shivering. Chills may develop after exposure t...

See the entire definition of Chills

Cholesterol: The most common type of steroid in the body. Cholesterol has a reputation for...

See the entire definition of Cholesterol

Circulation: In medicine, the movement of fluid through the body in a regular or circuitou...

See the entire definition of Circulation

Circulatory: Having to do with circulation, the movement of fluid in a regular or circuito...

See the entire definition of Circulatory

Clostridium: A group of anaerobic bacteria (bacteria that thrive in the absence of oxygen)...

See the entire definition of Clostridium

Clostridium difficile: A bacterium that is one of the most common causes of infection of t...

See the entire definition of Clostridium difficile

Colectomy: An operation to remove all or part of the colon (large intestine). In a partial...

See the entire definition of Colectomy

Colitis: Inflammation of the large intestine (the colon). There are many forms of coliti...

See the entire definition of Colitis

Collagen: The principal protein of the skin, tendons, cartilage, bone, and connective tiss...

See the entire definition of Collagen

Colon: The long, coiled, tubelike organ that removes water from digested food. The remaini...

See the entire definition of Colon

Colon cancer: A malignant tumor arising from the inner wall of the large intestine (the co...

See the entire definition of Colon cancer

Colonoscopy: A procedure whereby a physician inserts a viewing tube (colonoscope) into the...

See the entire definition of Colonoscopy

Complete blood count: A set values of the cellular (formed elements) of blood. These meas...

See the entire definition of Complete blood count

Computerized tomography: Pictures of structures within the body created by a computer that...

See the entire definition of Computerized tomography back to top

Creatinine: A chemical waste molecule that is generated from muscle metabolism. Creatinine...

See the entire definition of Creatinine

Crohn's disease: A chronic inflammatory disease, primarily involving the small and large ...

See the entire definition of Crohn's disease

CT scan: Computerized tomography scan. Pictures of structures within the body created by a...

See the entire definition of CT scan

Cure: 1. To heal, to make well, to restore to good health. 2. A time withou...

See the entire definition of Cure

Dehydration: Excessive loss of body water. Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract that ca...

See the entire definition of Dehydration

Diabetes: Refers to diabetes mellitus or, less often, to diabetes insipidus. Diabetes mell...

See the entire definition of Diabetes

Diagnosis: 1 The nature of a disease; the identification of an illness. 2 A ...

See the entire definition of Diagnosis

Diarrhea: A common condition that involves unusually frequent and liquid bowel movements. ...

See the entire definition of Diarrhea

Drain: A device for removing fluid from a cavity or wound. A drain is typically a tube or ...

See the entire definition of Drain

Dry mouth: The condition of not having enough saliva to keep the mouth wet. This is due to...

See the entire definition of Dry mouth

Dysplasia: Abnormality in form or development. For example, retinal dysplasia is abnormal ...

See the entire definition of Dysplasia

Electrolyte: A substance that dissociates into ions in solution and acquires the capacity ...

See the entire definition of Electrolyte

Emergency department: The department of a hospital responsible for the provision of medica...

See the entire definition of Emergency department

Enema: Liquid injected into the rectum. An enema may be used for therapeutic (such as to s...

See the entire definition of Enema

Esophagus: The tube that connects the pharynx (throat) with the stomach. The esophagus lie...

See the entire definition of Esophagus back to top

Essential: In medicine, of unknown cause, as in essential hypertension (high blood pressur...

See the entire definition of Essential

Feces: The excrement discharged from the 'intestines.

Fever: Although a fever technically is any body temperature above the normal of 98.6 degr...

See the entire definition of Fever

Food poisoning: A common flu-like illness typically characterized by nausea, vomiting and...

See the entire definition of Food poisoning

Gastroenterologist: A physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases...

See the entire definition of Gastroenterologist

Gastroenterology: The medical specialty devoted to the study, diagnosis and treatment of d...

See the entire definition of Gastroenterology

Giardia: A genus of protozoa that infect the gastrointestinal tract of some animals, incl...

See the entire definition of Giardia

Heart: The muscle that pumps blood received from veins into arteries throughout the body. ...

See the entire definition of Heart

Heart attack: The death of heart muscle due to the loss of blood supply. The loss of bloo...

See the entire definition of Heart attack

Hemorrhoids: Dilated (enlarged) veins in the walls of the anus and sometimes around the re...

See the entire definition of Hemorrhoids

Heredity: The genetic transmission of characteristics from parent to child.

Hernia: A general term referring to a protrusion of a tissue through the wall of the cavit...

See the entire definition of Hernia

High blood pressure: A repeatedly elevated blood pressure exceeding 140 over 90 mmHg. Chro...

See the entire definition of High blood pressure

Hygiene: The science of preventive medicine and the preservation of health. Also commonly ...

See the entire definition of Hygiene

Ibuprofen: A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is commonly used to treat pa...

See the entire definition of Ibuprofen back to top

Immune: Protected against infection, usually by the presence of antibodies.

Immune system: A complex system that is responsible for distinguishing a person from every...

See the entire definition of Immune system

Infection: The invasion and multiplication of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, an...

See the entire definition of Infection

Inflammation: A localized reaction that produces redness, warmth, swelling, and pain as a ...

See the entire definition of Inflammation

Inflammatory bowel disease: A group of chronic intestinal diseases characterized by infla...

See the entire definition of Inflammatory bowel disease

Internal medicine: The medical specialty dedicated to the diagnosis and medical treatment ...

See the entire definition of Internal medicine

Intestine: The long, tubelike organ in the abdomen that completes the process of digestion...

See the entire definition of Intestine

Ischemia: Inadequate blood supply to a local area due to blockage of blood vessels leading...

See the entire definition of Ischemia

Kidney: One of a pair of organs located in the right and left side of the abdomen. The kid...

See the entire definition of Kidney

Laboratory: A place for doing tests and research procedures, and for preparing chemicals a...

See the entire definition of Laboratory

Large bowel: Another name for the large intestine.

Large intestine: Comes after the small intestine. Large because it is wider than the smal...

See the entire definition of Large intestine

Lightheadedness: A feeling you are "going to faint." Lightheadedness is medically distinc...

See the entire definition of Lightheadedness

Liver: The largest solid organ in the body, situated in the upper part of the abdomen on t...

See the entire definition of Liver

Lymphocytic: Referring to lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell. For example, lymphocyti...

See the entire definition of Lymphocytic back to top

Lymphocytic colitis: A type of inflammatory disease of the large intestine (colon). The na...

See the entire definition of Lymphocytic colitis

Medical history: 1. In clinical medicine, the patient's past and present which may ...

See the entire definition of Medical history

Microscopic: So small it cannot be seen without the aid of microscope. As opposed to macro...

See the entire definition of Microscopic

Mouth: 1. The upper opening of the digestive tract, beginning with the lips and con...

See the entire definition of Mouth

Mucosa: Having to do with a mucous membrane. For example, the oral mucosa.

Mucus: A thick fluid that is produced by the lining of some organs of the body.

Muscle: Muscle is the tissue of the body which primarily functions as a source of power. T...

See the entire definition of Muscle

Muscular: Having to do with the muscles. Also, endowed with above average muscle developme...

See the entire definition of Muscular

Nitrogen: Element number 7, a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas that is biologically impo...

See the entire definition of Nitrogen

Occult: Hidden. For example, occult blood in the stool is hidden from the eye but can be d...

See the entire definition of Occult

Onset: In medicine, the first appearance of the signs or symptoms of an illness as, for ex...

See the entire definition of Onset

Organ: A relatively independent part of the body that carries out one or more special func...

See the entire definition of Organ

Oxygen: The odorless gas that is present in the air and necessary to maintain life. Oxygen...

See the entire definition of Oxygen

Pain: An unpleasant sensation that can range from mild, localized discomfort to agony. Pa...

See the entire definition of Pain

Parasite: A plant or an animal organism that lives in or on another and takes its nourishm...

See the entire definition of Parasite back to top

Pathologist: A physician who identifies diseases and conditions by studying abnormal cells...

See the entire definition of Pathologist

Peripheral: Situated away from the center, as opposed to centrally located.

Peripheral vascular disease: A disease of blood vessels outside the heart. Peripheral vasc...

See the entire definition of Peripheral vascular disease

Platelet: An irregular, disc-shaped element in the blood that assists in blood clotting....

See the entire definition of Platelet

Poisoning: Taking a substance that is injurious to health or can cause death. Poisoning i...

See the entire definition of Poisoning

Poor circulation: An inadequacy of blood flow. Inadequate blood flow to a particular area ...

See the entire definition of Poor circulation

Primary care: A patient's main source for regular medical care, ideally providing continui...

See the entire definition of Primary care

Proctitis: Inflammation of the rectum. Proctitis may be due to a considerable number of ca...

See the entire definition of Proctitis

Prognosis: The forecast of the probable outcome or course of a disease; the patient's chan...

See the entire definition of Prognosis

Pseudomembranous colitis: Severe inflammation of the inner lining of the colon. Pseudomemb...

See the entire definition of Pseudomembranous colitis

Pulse: The rhythmic dilation of an artery that results from beating of the heart. Pulse is...

See the entire definition of Pulse

Radiologist: A physician specialized in radiology, the branch of medicine that uses ionizi...

See the entire definition of Radiologist

Rectum: The last 6 to 8 inches of the large intestine. The rectum stores solid waste until...

See the entire definition of Rectum

Red blood cell: The blood cell that carries oxygen. Red cells contain hemoglobin and it is...

See the entire definition of Red blood cell

Respiratory: Having to do with respiration.

back to top

Respiratory rate: The number of breaths per minute or, more formally, the number of moveme...

See the entire definition of Respiratory rate

Salmonella: A group of bacteria that cause typhoid fever and a number of other illnesses...

See the entire definition of Salmonella

Scan: As a noun, the data or image obtained from the examination of organs or regions of...

See the entire definition of Scan

Shigella: A group of bacteria that can cause infantile gastroenteritis, summer diarrhea of...

See the entire definition of Shigella

Shock: In medicine, a critical condition that is brought on by a sudden drop in blood flow...

See the entire definition of Shock

Sigmoid: In human anatomy, the lower colon (the lower portion of the large bowel). Sigmoid...

See the entire definition of Sigmoid

Small intestine: The part of the digestive tract that extends from the stomach to the larg...

See the entire definition of Small intestine

Smooth muscle: Along with skeletal and cardiac muscle, one of the types of muscle tissue i...

See the entire definition of Smooth muscle

Spleen: An organ that is located in the upper-left part of the abdomen, not far from the s...

See the entire definition of Spleen

Stomach: The digestive organ that is located in the upper abdomen, under the ribs. The upp...

See the entire definition of Stomach

Stool: The solid matter that is discharged in a bowel movement.

Stress: In a medical or biological context stress is a physical, mental, or emotional fact...

See the entire definition of Stress

Stroke: The sudden death of brain cells due to lack of oxygen, caused by blockage of blood...

See the entire definition of Stroke

Surgery: The branch of medicine that employs operations in the treatment of disease or inj...

See the entire definition of Surgery

Symptom: Any subjective evidence of disease. In contrast, a sign is objective. Blood comin...

See the entire definition of Symptom back to top

Symptomatic: 1 With symptoms, as a symptomatic infection. 2 Characteristic o...

See the entire definition of Symptomatic

Tenesmus: Straining to defecate or urinate. Tenesmus refers especially to ineffectual and ...

See the entire definition of Tenesmus

Therapy: The treatment of disease. Therapy is synonymous with treatment.

Tomography: The process for generating a tomogram, a two-dimensional image of a slice or s...

See the entire definition of Tomography

Toxin: A poison produced by certain animals, plants, or bacteria.

Transverse: In anatomy, a horizontal plane passing through the standing body so that the t...

See the entire definition of Transverse

Tumor: An abnormal mass of tissue. Tumors are a classic sign of inflammation, and can be ...

See the entire definition of Tumor

Tylenol: See: Acetaminophen.

Ulcerative colitis: A bowel disease that is characterized by inflammation with ulcer forma...

See the entire definition of Ulcerative colitis

Urea: A nitrogen-containing substance normally cleared from the blood by the kidney into t...

See the entire definition of Urea

Vascular: Relating to blood vessels. For example, the vascular system in the body includes...

See the entire definition of Vascular

Viral: Of or pertaining to a virus. For example, if a person has a viral rash, the rash wa...

See the entire definition of Viral

Viruses: Small living particles that can infect cells and change how the cells function. I...

See the entire definition of Viruses

Vital: Necessary to maintain life. For example, breathing is a vital function.

Volvulus: Abnormal twisting of a portion of the gastrointestinal tract, usually the intest...

See the entire definition of Volvulus back to top

White blood cell: One of the cells the body makes to help fight infections. There are seve...

See the entire definition of White blood cell

White blood cell count (leukocyte count): The number of white blood cells (WBCs) in the b...

See the entire definition of White blood cell count

Yersinia: A group of bacteria that appear rod-like under the microscope and include Yersin...

See the entire definition of Yersinia back to top


Women's Health

Find out what women really need.

Please acknowledge your agreement





Medical Dictionary


Use Pill Finder Find it Now

Pill Identifier on RxList

  • quick, easy,
    pill identification

Find a Local Pharmacy

  • including 24 hour, pharmacies