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GI
GI1. In medicine, commonly used abbreviation for gastrointestinal, referring collectively to the stomach and the small and large intestine. 2. Outside of medicine, GI may stand for galvanized iron, general issue or government issue (as in GI Joe). RELATED TERMS-------------------------------------- Gastrointestinal Having to do with the stomach and intestines. Stomach The organ between the esophagus and the small intestine. The stomach is where digestion of protein begins. Intestine The tube involved in digestion and extending from the stomach to the anus. Consists of the small intestine and the large intestine. Iron A mineral in the body that works with protein to make hemoglobin, essential for the blood. SIMILAR TERMS-------------------------------------- PREVIOUS AND NEXT TERMS-------------------------------------- Gerstmann-Straussler-Scheinker syndrome A rare familial form of progressive dementia inherited in an autosomal dominant manner due to a mutant prion gene on chromosome 20pter-p12. Abbreviated GSS. Degeneration of the nervous system usually starts in the fourth or fifth decade of life with slowly developing dysarthria (difficulty speaking) and cerebellar ataxia (wobbliness) and later the progressive dementia become evident. Death usually occurs within 10 years of the onset of symptoms. Gestalt therapy A psychotherapeutic concept that stresses understanding mental processes as holistic entities (gestalts) rather than as discrete steps. Gestalt therapy often uses group therapy techniques to help patients gain this type of insight. Gestation period The period of development of the young from the time of conception until birth. For humans the full gestation period is normally 9 months. GFAP Glial fibrillary acidic protein. The degenerative brain condition called Alexander disease is caused by mutation in GFAP (glial fibrillary acidic protein). The GFAP gene provides instructions for making GFAP protein, a member of the intermediate filament family that provides support and strength to cells. Several molecules of GFAP protein bind together to form the main intermediate filament found in specialized brain cells called astrocytes. Astrocytes are star-shaped cells that support the functions of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system). If the central nervous system is injured through trauma or disease, astrocytes react by rapidly producing more GFAP. GFP Green fluorescent protein. A protein that glows green under fluorescent light. Found naturally in the jellyfish Aequorea victoria, GFP fluoresces green when exposed to blue light. It has a sequence of three amino acids (serine-tyrosine-glycine) which is responsible for its fluorescence. GI Giant cell tumor of bone A tumor of bone characterized by massive destruction of the end (epiphysis) of a long bone. The site most commonly struck by this tumor is the knee -- the far end of the femur and the near end of the tibia. The tumor is often coated by new bony growth. It causes pain, restricts movement, and is usually cancerous. Treatment is by surgery, usually followed by chemotherapy. Giant cell tumor, malignant A type of bone tumor characterized by massive destruction of bone near the end (epiphysis) of a long bone. The site most commonly struck by this tumor is the knee -- the far end of the femur and the near end of the tibia. The tumor is often coated by new bony growth. It causes pain and restricts movement. Treatment is by surgery, usually followed by chemotherapy. Giant hypertrophic gastritis A premalignant disorder of the stomach characterized by overgrowth of the stomach lining (the gastric mucosa) and hypoalbuminemia (low blood serum level of albumin) due to loss of albumin by the stomach. The abnormalities of the stomach are highly characteristic with giant folds, excess mucus secretion by the lining of the stomach, and hypochlorhydria (decreased acid secretion by the stomach). The disease tends to lead to stomach cancer. Giant platelet syndrome This condition is a primary problem of platelets in which the platelets lack the ability to stick adequately to injured blood vessel walls and as a result of this problem there is abnormal bleeding. Giardia A genus of protozoa that infect the gastrointestinal tract of some animals, including humans. Giardia have a large sucking disk which permits them to adhere to the intestinal lining. The species that infects humans (and causes diarrhea) is Giardia lamblia. We thank you for using the Medical Glossary to search for GI. If you have a better definition for GI than the one presented here, please let us know by making use of the suggest a term option. This definition of GI may be disputed by other professionals. Our attempt is to provide easy definitions on GI and any other medical topic for the public at large.
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