Glossary
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abscess
localized collection of pus
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aphthae
painful white blisters inside the mouth
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anamnesis
medical history; information about a patient, his/her life, past and present environment, problems and previous illnesses, treatments, illnesses that run in the family as reported by the patient or others familiar with the patient before the commencement of treatment
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anaemia
a condition where erythrocyte and/or haemoglobin concentration in the blood is decreased due to bleeding, faulty red blood cell production, destruction of red blood cells or a combination of both
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ankylosing spondylitis
a chronic form of arthritis that primarily affects the spine
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arthritis
inflammation of a joint
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autoimmune hepatitis
chronic, autoimmune disease of the liver that occurs when the body's immune system attacks liver cells causing the liver to be inflamed
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C-reactive protein (CRP)
indicator of acute inflammation, in healthy individuals present in very low concentrations
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calprotectin
calcium binding protein found in neutrophils and secreted into faeces in inflammatory bowel disease
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colon
large intestine
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dysplasia
an abnormal development, size, shape and organisation of cells, tissues, organs, extremities, body
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endoscope
a device for visual examination of body cavities and hollow organs and performing certain procedures (with cold light source, usually with a canal for irrigation of visual field, canal for introducing instruments and connection with a camera)
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endoscopy
examination by means of an endoscope
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episclera
a thin layer of tissue that lies between the white of the eye (sclera) and the conjunctiva
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episcleritis
inflammation of the episclera
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erythema nodosum
a type of skin inflammation that produces tender red and often painful bumps (nodules) under the skin
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fistula
an abnormal passage, usually as a canal between two organs or from a deeper tissue to the surface (skin, mucosa), formed by a pathologic process (e.g. purulent infection, operation or due to development disorders, often named after organs or parts with which it connects
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gastrointestinal tract
digestive tract
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haemoglobin
a protein molecule in red blood cells that carries oxygen to tissues and gives blood its red colour
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hydronephrosis
urine-filled dilation of the renal pelvis and/or calyces as a result of obstruction
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ileus
severe or complete mechanical and/or functional obstruction of the normal movement of the product of digestion with typical symptoms (abdominal cramps, vomiting, not passing stools or gas); bowel obstructio
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incidence
number of newly diagnosed cases
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lesion
localised flat tissue change; plaque
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lumen of the intestine
the opening inside the intestine
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manifestation
expression
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mucosa
a membrane that lines various cavities in the body; it contains glands that excrete mucus
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prevalence
number of existing cases
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pyoderma gangrenosum
a rare skin condition that is characterized by small, red bumps or blisters (papules or nodules) that eventually erode to form swollen ulceration of various sizes with a blue-black rim. They are not related to an infection or to gangrene. Often occurs as an extra intestinal form of chronic inflammatory bowel disease.
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remission
a temporary diminution of the severity of a health condition
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sacroiliitis
an inflammation of sacroiliac joints where spine and pelvis join
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spondylitis
inflammation of one or more vertebrae
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sporadic
appearing or happening at irregular intervals in time, scattered or isolated instances
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ESR
erythrocyte sedimentation rate
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steatosis
excessive build-up of fat in various tissues
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stenosis
narrowing of tubular body organs
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stoma
a surgically created opening on the abdominal wall connected with the bowels, through which the bowel excretes its contents
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stomatitis
inflammation of the oral mucosa
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ulceration
disintegration of surface epithelial tissue resulting from processes on the surface or below
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ulcer
a lesion or sore on the skin or mucous membrane resulting from the gradual disintegration of surface epithelial tissue
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uvea
the middle layer of the eye
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uveitis
inflammation of the uvea