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| This glossary contains: 19186 medical terms |
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Digestion
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Digestion The process the body uses to break down food into simple substances for energy, growth, and cell repair.
RELATED TERMS--------------------------------------
Food
Any substance eaten to provide nutritional support for the body.
Cell
Fundamental structural unit of all life. The cell consists primarily of an outer plasma membrane, which separates it from the environment; the genetic material (DNA), which encodes heritable information for the maintainance of life; and the cytoplasm, a heterogeneous assemblage of ions, molecules, and fluid.
SIMILAR TERMS--------------------------------------
DiGeorge syndrome
A genetic disorder characterized by hypocalcemia, immunodeficiency, and congenital heart disease: Hypocalcemia (low calcium levels in the blood) due to hypoplasia (underdevelopment) of the parathyroid glands that are needed to control calcium; Immunodeficiency due to hypoplasia (underdevelopment) of the thymus (an organ behind the breastbone needed for the maturation of lymphocytes into T cells); and Congenital heart disease with defects of the outflow tracts (the pulmonary artery and aorta) from the heart. Next to Down syndrome, DiGeorge syndrome is the most common genetic cause of congenital heart disease.
Digestants
Medicines that aid or stimulate digestion. An example is a digestive enzyme such as Lactaid for people with lactase deficiency.
Digestive system
The organs in the body that break down and absorb food. Organs that make up the digestive system are the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, and anus. Organs that help with digestion but are not part of the digestive tract are the tongue, glands in the mouth that make saliva, pancreas, liver, and gallbladder.
Digestive system disorders
A general term for all disorders of the digestive system, which processesfood and eliminates waste.
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Descending colon
The part of the colon where stool is stored. Located on the left side of the abdomen.
Diaphragm
The muscle wall between the chest and the abdomen. It is the major muscle that the body uses for breathing.
Diastolic blood pressure
The lowest blood pressure measure in the arteries, which occurs between heartbeats.
Dietitian
A specialist in the study of nutrition.
Digestants
Medicines that aid or stimulate digestion. An example is a digestive enzyme such as Lactaid for people with lactase deficiency.
Digestion
Digestive system
The organs in the body that break down and absorb food. Organs that make up the digestive system are the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, and anus. Organs that help with digestion but are not part of the digestive tract are the tongue, glands in the mouth that make saliva, pancreas, liver, and gallbladder.
Digital rectal exam (DRE)
Procedure in which the physician inserts a gloved finger into the rectum to examine the rectum and the prostate gland for signs of cancer.
Distention
Bloating or swelling of the abdomen.
Diuretic
A medication that lowers blood pressure.
Diverticula
Plural form of diverticulum.
RELATED TERMS--------------------------------------
Food
Any substance eaten to provide nutritional support for the body.
Cell
Fundamental structural unit of all life. The cell consists primarily of an outer plasma membrane, which separates it from the environment; the genetic material (DNA), which encodes heritable information for the maintainance of life; and the cytoplasm, a heterogeneous assemblage of ions, molecules, and fluid.
SIMILAR TERMS--------------------------------------
DiGeorge syndrome
A genetic disorder characterized by hypocalcemia, immunodeficiency, and congenital heart disease: Hypocalcemia (low calcium levels in the blood) due to hypoplasia (underdevelopment) of the parathyroid glands that are needed to control calcium; Immunodeficiency due to hypoplasia (underdevelopment) of the thymus (an organ behind the breastbone needed for the maturation of lymphocytes into T cells); and Congenital heart disease with defects of the outflow tracts (the pulmonary artery and aorta) from the heart. Next to Down syndrome, DiGeorge syndrome is the most common genetic cause of congenital heart disease.
Digestants
Medicines that aid or stimulate digestion. An example is a digestive enzyme such as Lactaid for people with lactase deficiency.
Digestive system
The organs in the body that break down and absorb food. Organs that make up the digestive system are the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, and anus. Organs that help with digestion but are not part of the digestive tract are the tongue, glands in the mouth that make saliva, pancreas, liver, and gallbladder.
Digestive system disorders
A general term for all disorders of the digestive system, which processesfood and eliminates waste.
PREVIOUS AND NEXT TERMS--------------------------------------
Descending colon
The part of the colon where stool is stored. Located on the left side of the abdomen.
Diaphragm
The muscle wall between the chest and the abdomen. It is the major muscle that the body uses for breathing.
Diastolic blood pressure
The lowest blood pressure measure in the arteries, which occurs between heartbeats.
Dietitian
A specialist in the study of nutrition.
Digestants
Medicines that aid or stimulate digestion. An example is a digestive enzyme such as Lactaid for people with lactase deficiency.
Digestion
Digestive system
The organs in the body that break down and absorb food. Organs that make up the digestive system are the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, and anus. Organs that help with digestion but are not part of the digestive tract are the tongue, glands in the mouth that make saliva, pancreas, liver, and gallbladder.
Digital rectal exam (DRE)
Procedure in which the physician inserts a gloved finger into the rectum to examine the rectum and the prostate gland for signs of cancer.
Distention
Bloating or swelling of the abdomen.
Diuretic
A medication that lowers blood pressure.
Diverticula
Plural form of diverticulum.
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This dictionary contains 19186 terms.
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