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About the education tab | All about the liver and liver disease | A - Z terms
A - Z terms
Absorption
The passage of digested food and other substances across the walls of the stomach and intestine. Acute
A sudden and often severe onset of an illness. Albumin
One of the major proteins circulating in the bloodstream and only made in the liver. It has a role in fluid distribution in the body. ALP/ALK-PHOS
Alkaline -phosphatase. An enzyme produced mostly in the bile ducts and measured in Liver Function Tests. This is also produced by bone cells. ALT ~ Alanine aminotransferase
An enzyme produced mostly by the liver cells and measured in Liver Function Tests Angiogram
Under general anaesthetic a substance is injected into one of the main arteries. X rays are then taken which identify the blood distribution from that part of the body. Antibody
A substance produced by the body which destroys foreign matter e.g. bacteria. Ascites
An abnormal collection of fluid in the abdomen. AST ~ Aspartate aminotransferase
An enzyme produced mostly by the liver cells and measured in Liver Function Tests. Atresia
Blocked, destroyed, missing. Auto-immune
A condition in which the body's defence system (immune system) targets part of the body for attack. Banding
Treatment of varices by the placing of surgical rubber bands around the varices during endoscopy (see later). Bile
A yellow-green liquid that is excreted from the liver, stored in the gall bladder and passes into the duodenum to aid in the digestion of food by breaking down fat. Biliary tract
A system of tubes which carries bile from the liver cells, gall bladder and drains into the intestine. Bilirubin
This is a breakdown product from old red blood cells. The life of a red blood cell is normally about 4 months in adults, in babies it is between 2 - 3 weeks. • Unconjugated bilirubin is the first type of bilirubin produced which is changed to the conjugated bilirubin form in the liver and is then excreted in bile. Biopsy
The removal and examination of a small piece of body tissue. Cannula
A short, soft narrow plastic tube put into a vein and secured there so drugs/fluids/blood etc can be given as required intravenously (IV). Cardiac
Referring to the heart. Carrier
A person who may pass on a condition or hereditary characteristic without suffering from or showing symptoms of it. Cell
The basic unit of all living things, which can reproduce itself exactly. Central line/CVL
A long soft narrow plastic tube which enters via a small vein into a larger vein. Used for giving drugs/fluid etc intravenously over a long time. It can also be used for taking blood samples for testing. Cholangitis
This is an infection of the bile ducts in the liver resulting in inflammation. Chronic Hepatitis
Refers to a disease of the liver that is marked by inflammation, persisting for a prolonged period (chronic). The individual cells of the liver are damaged and may be destroyed by inflammation. Causes include viruses, medication and autoantibodies. Chronic
An illness or condition which persists over a period of time, usually with a gradual onset. Cirrhosis
Occurs when liver cells are destroyed by disease, poison, drugs, alcohol etc and are replaced by scar tissue. Scarring interferes with blood flow through the liver, causing more cell death and further scarring. The liver becomes smaller and hard. This can result in the liver being unable to function properly, medically referred to as decompensation. CMV
Cytomegalovirus. Coagulopathy
Disruption of the blood clotting process. Congenital
A condition that is recognised at birth or that is believed to be present before birth. Cryptogenic
See ideopathic Cystic
Relating to the gall bladder. Duct
A narrow tube through which fluid can pass from one part of the body to another. Dysplasia
Any abnormal development of body tissue or organ. Donor
A person who gives part of their body or blood to help other people. EBV
Epstein Barr virus. The virus which causes glandular fever. ECG
Electrocardiogram. Records the electrical activity of the heart EEG
Electroencephalogram. Records the electrical activity of the brain. ERCP
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. A special X-ray used to examine the bile ducts. Encephalopathy
Irritation of the brain often displayed as tiredness, irritability, lack of concentration and personality changes and is associated with liver failure. An acute form can progress to confusion and coma. Echocardiogram
A scan of the heart using high frequency sound waves, similar to an ultrasound of the abdomen. Endoscopy
Examination of the inside of the gut using a flexible scope which is passed through the mouth and down the oesophagus. Faeces
Stool. Poo. Fatty liver
The accumulation of fat within the liver. FBC
Full blood count. A blood test which measures the number of cells in the blood e.g. white cells, red blood cells (Haemoglobin -Hb), and platelets. Fibrosis
The formation of scar tissue to replace normal tissue. Fulminant
An severe form of acute liver failure. Gamma GT (GGT)
Gamma - glutamyltranspephidase. An enzyme produced mostly by the bile ducts and measured in the Liver Function Tests. Gall bladder
The small sac which collects and stores bile made by the liver. Gall stones
Stones which can form from parts of the bile and collect in the gall bladder and bile ducts. Gastroenterology
Study of the digestive systems. Genes
The means by which characteristics and diseases carried by parents are passed to their children. Graft
Any organ, tissue, or object used for transplantation to replace a faulty part of the body. Haematemesis
Vomiting blood. Haemoglobin
The part of the red blood cell which carries oxygen. Hepatic
Refers to the liver. Hepatic Artery
The blood vessel which brings oxygen to the liver. Hepatic Vein
The blood vessel by which blood leaves the liver. Hepatomegaly
Enlargement of the liver. Hepatology
The study of the liver. Hypoplasia
Incomplete or underdeveloped organ or tissue. Hypo/Hypertension
Low/high blood pressure. Idiopathic
Something which is of no known cause, also known as cryptogenic. Immune System
The body's defence against foreign substances such as, bacteria and viruses. Immunosuppression
Lowering of the body's natural ability to recognise and attack any foreign substances. Immunosuppressant Drug
Medicine which reduces the body's ability to recognise and attack foreign substances. Immunity
The condition of being protected against a particular disease, either through natural exposure to the disease or through vaccination. Incidence
The number of new cases of a disease occurring during a certain period of time in a defined population. Infection
An unhealthy state caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi. INR
International Normalised Ratio - a measure of the ability of the blood to clot. Jaundice
A condition where the eyes and /or skin become yellow due to an abnormally high level of bilirubin in the blood. Liver Function Test (LFT'S)
Liver function tests. Blood tests which show how well the liver is working. Liver Transplant
Transfer of a healthy liver or part of a liver to a patient whose own liver no longer functions adequately. Lymph
A clear watery liquid derived from body tissues which carries white blood cells and fats. It travels through the lymphatic system of the body. Malabsorption
Poor absorption of nutrients from the gut leading to symptoms such as weight loss, weakness, tiredness and loose stools. Metabolism
Process by which nutrients are broken down and used for body energy and function. Metabolic Disorder
Occurs when some part of the metabolism process (see above) does not work correctly. Naso Gastric (NG) Feeding
Feeding directly into the stomach via a tube passed up the nose. Naso Gastric (NG) Tube
The tube which goes up the nose and down into the stomach used for feeding. Parental Nutrition (TPN)
Liquid form of food which is given directly into the blood supply (intravenously). Peritoneum
Transparent sheet of tissue covering the abdominal organs. Phlebotomist
A person who takes blood samples for testing. Phosphate
A substance used in the body for healthy bone formation. Platelets
A part of blood important for clotting. Portal Hypertension
High blood pressure in the portal vein which may occur due to scarring of the liver or a blockage of the portal vein. Portal Vein
Main vein carrying blood from the gut to the liver. Pruritus
Itching thought to be caused by high levels of bile acids in the blood. Pulmonary
Referring to the lungs. Rejection
Attack by the body's immune system against a transplanted organ. • Acute Rejection ~ Sudden onset • Chronic Rejection ~ Gradual onset, more persistent and often less responsive to treatment Respiratory
Referring to breathing. Rickets
Poor bone development as a result of vitamin D deficiency. This can be due to poor nutrition or poor liver function. Sclerotherapy
Treatment of varices (see below) by the injection of a solution into the varices which blocks them during endoscopy. Spider Naevi
Small broken veins on the skin, looking like spiders. Spleen
An abdominal organ which filters blood and removes old blood cells. Its blood vessels connect with the liver. See diagram 1. Splenomegaly
Enlargement of the spleen. Split Bilirubin
A blood test which measures the conjugated (direct) and unconjugated (indirect) bilirubin levels in the blood. Stent
An artificial means of keeping a tube within the body open. Steroid
Medicine to reduce the activity of the body's immune system. Stricture/Stenosis
A narrowing of a tube within the body. Thrombosis
An abnormal blood clot in a vein or artery. TPR
Temperature, pulse and respiration. TTA
To take away. Refers to medicines which are to be taken home. TTO
To take out. Refers to medicines which are to be taken home. Ultrasound Scan
An investigation using high frequency sound waves to give a picture of organs inside the body. Variceal Bleed
Bleeding from varices (see below). Varices
Veins in the lining of the gut, especially the oesophagus and stomach, which become enlarged and look like varicose veins.
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