The document discusses several medical terms related to the digestive system, including colonoscopy, cachexia, anastomosis, and lavage. It provides overview definitions and descriptions of procedures for each term, focusing on colonoscopy preparation and the process, symptoms and causes of cachexia, uses and techniques for anastomosis surgery, and the lavage procedure for washing out hollow organs. The sources listed at the end include medical textbooks, websites, and photos used for illustrative purposes.

1. Medical
Terminology of
the Digestive
System
Biology 120: Medical Terminology
By: Amy Slaight
10/08/2012

2. Focus on Digestive Terms
In this presentation, we will focus
on 4 terms pertaining to the
Digestive System:
Colonoscopy
Cachexia
Anastomosis
Lavage

3. Colonoscopy- Overview
Test that allows doctor to
examine inner lining of
rectum and colon
Helps spot ulcers, tumors,
inflammation, and bleeding
Also used as a pre-
screening measure to
check for pre-cancerous
growths, or polyps
Is one of the main tests
used to determine
presence of colon cancer

4. Colonoscopy- Prep & Procedure
1 – 3 days before test, colon prep begins (cleaning out colon)
It is advised to stay at home during this time, as the likelihood of
diarrhea and abdominal cramping is common
Colon prep also requires a clear, liquid diet during this period
Patients are sedated during surgery, and laid on their left side
During procedure, a thin, flexible tube known as colonoscope is
inserted into large intestine
Tube ranges between 48 inches to 72 inches long
Colonoscopy takes between 30 and 60 minutes
Full recovery is expected by next day

5. Cachexia - Overview
Defined as the loss of body mass that cannot
be reversed nutritionally
Known as a positive risk factor of death
Seen in patients suffering with:
Cancer
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Tuberculosis
Congestive Heart Failure
And other infectious diseases

6. Cachexia - Additional Details
Often involves full body wasting, which affects the skeletal
muscle (resulting in muscle atrophy)
Commonly seen at the end stages of cancer, and is known as
Cancer Cachexia
50% of all cancer patients are afflicted
80% of cancer patients that are terminally ill are susceptible
Widely misunderstood how these diseases cause Cachexia, which
has halted plans for a treatment cure
Steroids may be administered to help prevent weight loss and
increase appetite, though muscle atrophy is not reversed

7. Anastomosis- Overview
Defined as the connecting of 2 or more separated parts
Commonly refers to the joining of blood vessels or loops of intestines
Intestinal Anastomosis is administered due to one of the following:
Severe Infections
Surgery
Ex: To connect healthy parts of the colon or rectum, after diseased or
cancerous sections have been removed
Traumatic Perforations
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Chronic Constipation
Crohn’s Disease and more…

8. Anastomosis – Surgical Details
One of the most commonly performed surgical procedures
Especially in emergency settings
Contraindicated in these conditions, for fear of anastomotic leak:
Severe sepsis
Very poor nutritional status
Fecal contamination and other factors
Post surgery, this can be expected:
A certain amount pain, accompanied by pain-killers to tolerate
A special diet to prevent further bowel irritation
Normal bowel movements returning from 24 hours, to the next several
days

9. Lavage- Overview
Lavage is the washing out of a
hollow organ, such as the
stomach or lower bowel
Gastric lavage is also known as
stomach pumping or gastric
irritation
Normally used on a person who
has ingested a poison or has
overdosed on a drug or alcohol
Can also be used as a cooling
technique for hypothermic
patients, or to confirm levels of
bleeding from upper GI tract

10. Lavage- Procedure
Involves passing tube through nose (nasogastric lavage) into the
area in need
Not much preparation is needed, since this procedure is typically
done due to an emergency
This is followed by the repeated administration and removal of
small amounts of water (flushing)
Repeated until fluid shows no sign of contaminated contents
A suction device is on hand due to increased risk of aspiration

11. Sources
Content:
http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/colonoscopy/
http://www.rightdiagnosis.com/sym/cachexia.htm
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1892319-overview
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-gastric-lavage.htm
Pearson Prentice Hall – Medical Terminology, 4th Edition , 2009
Photos:
http://gastriclavage.net/
http://health.allrefer.com/pictures-images/diagnostic-peritoneal-lavage-series-3.html
http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/cachexia
http://chadlewismd.com/userfiles/image/ColonoscopyImage1.jpg
http://www.childrenscolorado.org/imgs/KidsHealth/kid/body/images_55926/1079619327
186.GI_system275.gif
http://science.nationalgeographic.com/staticfiles/NGS/Shared/StaticFiles/Science/Image
s/Content/digestive-system-23974146-ga.jpg