| colon cutoff sign | Radiographic sign of (usually) inflammatory disease preventing distention of the distal transverse colon. (05 Mar 2000) |
|---|---|
| colon descendens | The fourth portion of the large intestine (colon) that communicates with the transverse colon in the left-upper quadrant of the abdomen and the rectum below. (27 Sep 1997) |
| colon obstruction | <radiology> Primary colon carcinoma (70%), diverticulitis (spasm, scarring), volvulus (caecal, sigmoid), inflammatory stricture (IBD, etc.), extrinsic lesion (hernia, neoplasm), faecal impaction, intussusception, Hirschsprung disease, imperforate anus, meconium plug, adhesions, retractile mesenteritis Note: left colon more common, more subacute than SBO (12 Dec 1998) |
| colon pelvinum | <anatomy> The portion of the colon that connects to the descending colon above and the rectum below. (27 Sep 1997) |
| colon sigmoideum | <anatomy> The portion of the colon that connects to the descending colon above and the rectum below. (27 Sep 1997) |
| colon transversum | <anatomy> The third division of the colon (large intestine). It communicates with the ascending colon in the upper right-hand quadrant of the abdomen and the descending colon in the upper left-hand quadrant. (19 Jan 1998) |
| colonalgia | Rarely used term for pain in the colon. Origin: colon + G. Algos, pain (05 Mar 2000) |
| colonialism | The aggregate of various economic, political, and social policies by which an imperial power maintains or extends its control over other areas or peoples. It includes the practice of or belief in acquiring and retaining colonies. The emphasis is less on its identity as an ideological political system than on its designation in a period of history. (webster, 3d ed; from dr. J. Cassedy, nlm history of medicine division) (12 Dec 1998) |
| colonic | Relating to the colon. (05 Mar 2000) |
| colonic angiodysplasia | <gastroenterology> Abnormal collections of blood vessels (vascular ectasias) usually located in the right colon in persons over age 60. Angiodysplasias account for 40% of the cases of recurrent or chronic lower GI bleeding in the elderly. Origin: Gr. Plassein = to form (27 Sep 1997) |
| colonic diverticula | Diverticula, which are herniations of mucosa and submucosa through or between fibres of the major muscle layer (muscularis propria) of the colon. Usually multiple, it occurs in 50% of western populations above the age of 70, but is much less common in other populations. Can cause bleeding and episodes of severe inflammation. Synonym: colonic diverticula. (05 Mar 2000) |
| colonic diverticular haemorrhage | <radiology> Not related to diverticulitis, incidence: 3-47% of diverticulosis, location: 75% located in ascending colon (larger neck and dome of diverticula), massive painless rectal hemmorhage, extravasation of radionuclide tracer, angiographic contrast pooling in bowel lumen, Treatment: transcatheter infusion of vasoconstrictive agents (Pitressin), embolization (Gelfoam) see: diverticular disease of colon (12 Dec 1998) |
| colonic diverticulitis | <radiology> Perforation of diverticulum with intramural/localised paracolic abscess, incidence: 20-25% of diverticular disease, pneumoperitoneum rare CT findings: inflammation of pericolonic fat (98%), diverticula (84%), bowel wall thickening of 4-12 mm (70%), abscess (47%), fluid with or without air of peritonitis (16%); fistula (14%); obstruction (12%); intramural sinus tract (9%); ureteral obstruction (7%) extraluminal contrast with BE: double tracking: longitudinal sinus tract (Crohn disease: longer segments of greater than 10 cm), abscess; fistula see: diverticular disease of colon (12 Dec 1998) |
| colonic diverticulosis | <radiology> Acquired herniations of mucosa and muscularis mucosa through the muscularis propria with wall components of mucosa, submucosa, and serosa = false diverticula of propulsion type, lateral diverticula: arise between mesenteric and antimesenteric teniae on opposite sides, antimesenteric intertenial diverticula: through the weakness in the muscular wall where nutrient arteries pass, giant sigmoid diverticulum: large gas-containing cyst (air entrapment secondary to ball-valve mechanism) arising in the left iliac fossa see: diverticular disease of colon (12 Dec 1998) |
| colonic fistula | Internal, a fistula between the colon and a hollow viscus, external, a fistula between the colon and the skin. (05 Mar 2000) |