Chapter 22 Terminology

Question 1

What is the abdominal peritoneum?

Answer 1

The serous membrane lining the walls of the abdominal cavity

The retroperitoneum is the posterior aspect.

Question 2

Define adhesions in the context of abdominal surgery.

Answer 2

Strands of scar tissue that form between the peritoneum and membranes of abdominal viscera

Occur as a result of inflammation or infection; must be released during surgery.

Question 3

What is a direct inguinal hernia?

Answer 3

A hernia that results from weakness in the inguinal floor

It is a common type of hernia.

Question 4

What is a fistula?

Answer 4

An abnormal tract or passage leading from one hollow organ to another or from an organ to the skin

Usually caused by infection.

Question 5

Define hernia.

Answer 5

A protrusion of tissue or an organ through an abnormal opening

Can occur in various parts of the body.

Question 6

What is an incarcerated hernia?

Answer 6

Herniated tissue that is trapped in an abdominal wall defect

Requires emergency measures to prevent ischemia and tissue necrosis.

Question 7

What is an incisional hernia?

Answer 7

The postoperative herniation of tissue through a surgical incision

Occurs during or after the healing process.

Question 8

Define indirect inguinal hernia.

Answer 8

A hernia that protrudes into the membranous sac of the spermatic cord

Usually due to a congenital defect in the abdominal wall.

Question 9

What is the linea alba?

Answer 9

A strip of avascular connective tissue that lies on the abdominal midline

Important for abdominal surgeries.

Question 10

What is a McBurney incision?

Answer 10

An incision in which the oblique right muscle is manually split

Allows for removal of the appendix.

Question 11

Define ventral hernia.

Answer 11

A weakness in the abdominal wall resulting in protrusion of abdominal viscera

Occurs against the peritoneum and abdominal fascia.

Question 12

What are viscera?

Answer 12

The organs or tissue of the abdominal cavity

Includes various organs involved in digestion and other functions.

Question 13

What is an anastomosis?

Answer 13

A surgical procedure in which two hollow structures are joined

Commonly performed in gastrointestinal surgeries.

Question 14

What is the Billroth I procedure?

Answer 14

A gastroduodenostomy, or surgical anastomosis, of the stomach and the duodenum

Used in certain gastric surgeries.

Question 15

What is the Billroth II procedure?

Answer 15

A gastrojejunostomy, or surgical anastomosis, of the stomach and the jejunum

Another type of gastric surgery.

Question 16

Define exploratory laparotomy.

Answer 16

A laparotomy performed to examine the abdominal cavity

Done when less-invasive measures fail to confirm a diagnosis.

Question 17

What is a gastrostomy?

Answer 17

A surgical opening through the stomach wall connecting to the outside of the body

Used for feeding or drainage.

Question 18

What is the isolation technique?

Answer 18

A method of preventing contamination of the sterile field during bowel or metastatic tumor resection

Important for maintaining surgical sterility.

Question 19

Define laparotomy.

Answer 19

A procedure in which the abdominal cavity is surgically opened

Techniques used are applicable to all open surgical procedures of the abdomen.

Question 20

What is morbid obesity?

Answer 20

A condition in which the patient’s body mass index (BMI) is 40 or higher

Individual is at least 100 pounds (45 kg) over the ideal weight despite aggressive attempts to lose weight.

Question 21

What does the suffix -ostomy refer to?

Answer 21

An opening between two hollow organs

Example: gastroduodenostomy.

Question 22

Define stoma.

Answer 22

An opening created in a hollow organ and sutured to the skin

Used to drain the organ’s contents.

Question 23

What is a stoma appliance?

Answer 23

A two- or three-piece medical device used to collect drainage from a stoma

Attached to the patient’s skin to cover the stoma.

Question 24

What is cirrhosis?

Answer 24

A disease of the liver in which the tissue hardens and the venous drainage becomes blocked

Usually caused by chronic alcoholism.

Question 25

Define **lobectomy**.

Answer 25

Surgical removal of one or more anatomical sections of the liver or lung ## Footnote Commonly performed for tumors.

Question 26

What is **segmental resection**?

Answer 26

Anatomical resection of the liver in which segments divided by specific blood vessels and biliary ducts are removed ## Footnote A more targeted surgical approach.

Question 27

Define **body image** in psychology.

Answer 27

The way a person sees himself or herself through the eyes of others ## Footnote A negative body image can affect identity and social interactions.

Question 28

What is **needle wire localization**?

Answer 28

A technique used to identify a nonpalpable tissue mass ## Footnote Used in preoperative breast biopsy.

Question 29

Define **mastectomy**.

Answer 29

A procedure in which breast tissue, including the skin, areola, and nipple, is removed ## Footnote Lymph nodes are not removed in a simple mastectomy.

Question 30

What is a **modified radical mastectomy**?

Answer 30

A procedure in which the entire breast, nipple, and areolar region are removed ## Footnote Lymph nodes are usually removed.

Question 31

Define **radical mastectomy**.

Answer 31

The entire breast, all axillary nodes, and the chest wall muscles are removed ## Footnote A more extensive surgical procedure.

Question 32

What is **resection**?

Answer 32

Removal of a portion or all of an organ or other structure ## Footnote Commonly performed in various surgeries.

Question 33

What is a **sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB)**?

Answer 33

A procedure in which one or more lymph nodes are removed to determine whether a tumor has metastasized ## Footnote Important for cancer staging.

Question 34

Define **skin flap**.

Answer 34

A full-thickness mass or flap of tissue containing epidermis, dermis, and superficial fascia ## Footnote Attached to an area of the body where tissues have been removed.

Question 35

What is a **subcutaneous mastectomy**?

Answer 35

A procedure in which the breast is removed, but the skin, nipple, and areola are left intact ## Footnote Also called a lumpectomy.

Question 36

What is **Technetium-99**?

Answer 36

A radioactive substance used to identify sentinel lymph nodes ## Footnote Important in cancer surgeries.

Question 37

What skills and knowledge should be reviewed before starting this chapter?

Answer 37

* Techniques and instruments used in minimally invasive surgery * Techniques and instruments used in robotic surgery ## Footnote Refer to Chapters 20 and 21 for details.

Question 38

What are the general surgical procedures involved in the abdomen?

Answer 38

* Abdominal wall * Gastrointestinal (GI) system * Biliary system * Spleen * Pancreas * Hepatic system * Breast * Thyroid ## Footnote These organ systems are commonly involved in surgical procedures.