Chapter 2 Gastrointestinal Microbiota Jan S. Suchodolski The intestinal microbiota is the collection of all live microorganisms that inhabit the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The word microflora is often used synonymously, but…
Chapter 17 Hepatoencephalopathy Jill Maddison Definition Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) refers to a complex of neurologic abnormalities that occur in man and animals as a result of marked hepatic insufficiency. Pathophysiology and…
Chapter 13 Dysphagia and Gagging Robert J. Washabau Definition The term dysphagia derives from the Greek roots dys, meaning “difficulty” or “disorder,” and phagia, meaning “in eating.” Broadly defined, dysphagia would…
Chapter 15 Gastrointestinal Gas Eructation, Borborygmus, and Flatulence Nick Cave Definition Eructation is defined as the expulsion of gastrointestinal gas from the oral cavity; whereas flatulence is defined as the expulsion…
Chapter 14 Fecal Incontinence Nick Cave Definition Fecal incontinence is defined as the inability to retain feces in the colon and rectum leading to uncontrolled leakage of fecal material at times…
Chapter 6 Abdominal Pain Jean A. Hall Definition Abdominal pain is pain that originates from within the abdominal cavity. Acute abdomen is a term used to designate acute onset of abdominal…
Chapter 12 Dyschezia and Tenesmus Albert E. Jergens Definition Dyschezia and tenesmus are clinical signs usually associated with colorectal disease. Dyschezia is the term applied to difficult or painful defecation, which…
Chapter 10 Constipation Robert J. Washabau Definition Reviews of idiopathic megacolon have emphasized the importance of considering an extensive list of differential diagnoses (e.g., neuromuscular, mechanical, inflammatory, metabolic/endocrine, pharmacologic, environmental, and…
