A
anaesthetist – a doctor who administers sedation
B
barium enema – lower gastrointestinal x-ray
barium swallow – oesophageal xray after drinking a barium and water solution
biopsy – tissue samples for pathology
C
cannula – needle to inject sedation
D
diagnostic – the gathering of information to evaluate disease
diathermy – electric current used to cut & cauterize bleeding
dilatation – widening or stretching beyond normal dimensions
diverticulitis – inflammation of a diverticulae (pockets in the bowel)
G
gastrointestinal – stomach or intestines
gastroenterologist – Doctor who specialises in gastroenterology
given capsule study – swallowed capsule with small camera inside for detection of GI bleeding
H
haemorrhoids – vascular structure in the anal canal
I
indigo carmine – dye used to enhance visualisation in colonoscopies
P
pathology – the study of the disease through analysis of tissue and cells
perforation – a tear or small hole
polyp – an abnormal growth of tissue or stalk-like protrusion
polypectomy – removal of a polyp
R
reflux – when stomach acid or, occasionally, stomach content, flows back into the food pipe (oesophagus), irritating the lining of the oesophagus
