Glossary
5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) - aminosalicylate; active component of sulfasalazine 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) - major metabolite of azathioprine; immunosuppressive drug used in the treatment of Crohn's disease that has not responded to other medications abscess - localized collection of pus; may form in the abdominal cavity or rectal area in Crohn's disease acute abdomen - any serious, acute intra-abdominal condition with pain, tenderness, and muscular rigidity acute appendicitis - inflammation of the appendix usually due to bacterial infection aminosalicylates - anti-inflammatory compounds related to aspirin amylase - enzyme that breaks down starches; found in saliva, pancreatic juice, and gastric juice anal canal - outlet for the rectum anal skin tags - fibrous polyps (mass of tissue that bulges outward) of the anus; also known as "elephant ears" because of their appearance anal sphincter - valvelike muscle that keeps the anus closed except during defecation analgesic - compound capable of relieving pain anastomosis - surgical union between two tubular structures, e.g., ends of healthy intestine anemia - lower than normal amount of circulating red blood cells or hemoglobin anorectal - relating to the anus and rectum antrum - "J"-shaped, widest part of the stomach; located between body of stomach and pylorus aphthous stomatitis - inflammation of the mucous membrane of the mouth; canker sore ascending colon - portion of the colon (large intestine) that travels up the right side of the body from the cecum to the region of the liver azathioprine - immunosuppressive drug used to prevent organ rejection after transplantation and to treat lupus and other systemic inflammatory disease such as rheumatoid arthritis |
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