| sigmoid colon | <anatomy> The portion of the colon that connects to the descending colon above and the rectum below. (27 Sep 1997) |
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| spastic colon | A bowel disorder with no demonstrable organic abnormality. Often referred to as a functional bowel disorder or spastic colon. Symptoms include episodic, crampy abdominal pains often related to anxiety. (27 Sep 1997) |
| nervous colon syndrome | <syndrome> A common gastrointestinal disorder characterised by abdominal pain, bloating, mucous in stools, and irregular bowel habits with alternating diarrhoea and constipation, symptoms that tend to be chronic and wax and wane over the years. Although nervous colon syndrome can cause chronic recurrent discomfort, it appears to be an abnormal condition of gut contractions (motility) and does not lead to any serious organ problems. Diagnosis usually involves excluding other illnesses. Treatment is directed toward relief of symptoms and includes high fibre diet, exercise, relaxation techniques, avoidance of caffeine, milk products and sweeteners, and medications. Alternative names include irritable bowel syndrome, spastic colitis, and mucus colitis. (12 Dec 1998) |
| syndrome, nervous colon | See Syndrome, irritable bowel. (12 Dec 1998) |
| descending colon | 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) |
| diverticula of colon | 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) |
| diverticular disease of colon | <radiology> Overactivity of smooth muscle causing herniation of mucosa and submucosa through the muscle layers, incidence: 5-10% in 5th decade; 50% past 7th decade; M:F = 1:1, aetiology: decreased faecal bulk; diet high in refined fibre and low in roughage, location: sigmoid (80%): narrowest colonic segment with highest pressure, entire colon (17%), caecum/ascending colon (4-12%) see also: prediverticular disease of colon, colonic diverticulosis, colonic diverticulitis, colonic diverticular hemmorrhage (12 Dec 1998) |
| iliac colon | That portion of the descending colon which occupies the left iliac fossa, between the crest of the left ilium and the pelvic brim. Irritable colon, tendency to colonic hyperperistalsis, sometimes with colicky pains and diarrhoea. Lead-pipe colon, the scarred rigid colon of advanced ulcerative colitis. Mucosa of colon, the lining coat of the colon. Synonym: tunica mucosa coli. (05 Mar 2000) |
| irritable colon | A functional bowel disorder characterised by recurrent crampy abdominal pain and diarrhoea. Invasive gastrointestinal diagnostics are often unrevealing. (27 Sep 1997) |
| transverse colon | <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) |
| bridging hepatic necrosis | Area of liver necrosis which bridges adjacent portal areas and central veins; subsequent post-necrotic collapse and fibrosis is likely to result in cirrhosis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| right branch of proper hepatic artery | <anatomy, artery> Right branch of proper hepatic artery; terminal branch of proper hepatic artery supplying right lobe of liver; branch: cystic artery. Synonym: ramus dexter arteriae hepaticae propriae, right branch of proper hepatic artery. (05 Mar 2000) |
| right hepatic artery | <anatomy, artery> Right branch of proper hepatic artery; terminal branch of proper hepatic artery supplying right lobe of liver; branch: cystic artery. Synonym: ramus dexter arteriae hepaticae propriae, right branch of proper hepatic artery. (05 Mar 2000) |
| right hepatic duct | The duct that transmits bile to the common hepatic duct from the right half of the liver and the right part of the caudate lobe. Synonym: ductus hepaticus dexter. (05 Mar 2000) |
| right hepatic veins | Veins draining much of the right lobe of the liver (posterior segments [VI & VII] and part of the inferior anterior segment [V]) which merge to form a single or sometimes double trunk, draining into the right side of the suprahepatic portion of the inferior vena cava (between the superior surface of the liver and the diaphragm); when single, it is the largest vein of the liver. Synonym: venae hepaticae dextrae. (05 Mar 2000) |