A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A
Abdominoperineal excision	A surgical procedure for the removal of a low rectal or anal tumour resulting in a permanent colostomy. It is sometimes called an APER or APR.
Abscess	A localised collection of pus, either under the skin or in a cavity.
Accessories (ostomy)	Examples include washers, pastes, belts, skin barriers, creams and deodorants.
ACE	Antigrade colonic enema.
Acupuncture	Insertion of special needles to specific points of the body.
Acute	A sudden onset of symptoms.
Adenocarcinoma	Malignant cells.
Adenoma	A benign tumour or growth that arises from the layer of cells lining the organ (epithelium).
Adenomatous polyp	A benign tumour or growth. It can be removed with a colonoscope.
Adhesion	Two surfaces that stick together following surgery or infection.
Adjuvant therapy	Radiotherapy/chemotherapy either pre- or post-operatively.
Allergy	Hypersensitivity to a foreign substance.
Anaemia	A blood condition resulting in a decrease or deficiency in red blood cells.
Anal canal	Connects the rectum to the anus.
Anal sphincter	Controls defaecation.
Analgesics	Pain-relieving drugs.
Anastomosis	A surgical join of two ends of a healthy bowel.
Anterior resection	Surgical removal of the end part of the colon and rectum.
Anti-coagulants	Medication to thin the blood.
Anti-depressants	Medication to alleviate depression.
Anti-inflammatory	Medication to reduce swelling.
Appliance	An adhesive one or two piece pouch to be worn over your stoma.
Ascending colon	The large bowel situated on the right side of the abdomen.
Ascites	An abnormal collection of fluid in the peritoneal cavity.
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B
Ballooning	When the pouch or bag fills with gas or flatus.
Barium enema	An x-ray investigation where a chalky, milky substance is introduced into the bowel.
Barium meal	A chalky, milky mixture that is drunk, which outlines the bowel when x-rayed.
Benign growth	A non-cancerous growth.
Biopsy	Removal of a small piece of tissue.
Burping the pouch	The process by which the pouch or bag is released from the body to release gas.
Bypass	A surgical redirection.
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C
Caecum	The first 10-15cm of the ascending colon.
Cancer	An abnormal division of cells within the body.
Catheter	A tube inserted into the body to give fluid or take away fluids.
CEA test	‘Carcion-Embryonic Antigen’. A specific blood test that may indicate possible changes within the body.
Chemotherapy	Drug treatment for cancer.
Chronic	Long standing or slow progression of a disease or symptoms.
Closed pouch	Pouch or bag that is used for colostomates.
Colectomy	A surgical procedure to remove part or all of the colon.
Colon	The large bowel.
Colonoscopy	Examination of the colon with a special scope with a camera on it inserted via the anus.
Colostomy	An artificial opening of the large bowel onto the surface of the abdomen.
Computed tomography (CT) scan	A high resolution x-ray.
Constipation	Infrequent or incomplete passing of hard, dry stools.
Convexity	An appliance that has an outward curve that applies pressure to the peristomal skin.
Cortocosteroids	Medication to reduce inflammation.
Crohn’s disease	A chronic inflammatory disease of the gastro-intestinal tract.
CT Pneumocolon	X-ray procedure that uses air to look at the bowel.
CT Scan	An x-ray using a computerised technique.
Cut-to-fit	An appliance where the flange is cut to the exact size and shape of the stoma.
Cystectomy	Complete removal of the bladder.
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D
Defaecation	Emptying of faecal matter from the large bowel.
Defunctioning stoma	A stoma that allows the repaired bowel to rest.
Dermatitis	Inflammation of the skin.
Descending colon	The last part of the large bowel leading to the rectum and anus.
Diarrhoea	Frequent and excessive loss of watery stools.
Dilate	Stretch or widen.
Distal	Furthest away from.
Distension	An uncomfortable, bloated feeling in the abdomen.
Diverticular Disease	Small pockets that form in the wall of the large bowel most commonly found in the descending or sigmoid colon.
Drainable pouch	A stoma appliance that can be emptied at the bottom. It can be worn for several days.
Dukes staging	A staging system for bowel cancer.
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E
Eczema	Superficial inflammatory process involving the skin.
Endoscopy	A scope that allows inspection of the gastrointestinal tract.
Erectile dysfunction	Inability to achieve full or partial erection of the penis.
Excoriation	Peristomal skin that has been exposed to an irritant.
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F
Familial adenomatous polyposis	An inherited disease of the bowel.
Filter – Dual-Carb^®	A filter for a stoma pouch that allows gas / flatus to be gently dispersed.
Fistula	A correction passage between two organs or skin.
Flange	An adhesive base plate to which the appliance attaches.
Flatus	A natural gas which is a by-product of the digestive system.
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G
Genetics	The study of hereditary development.
Gracilis Neosphincter	A complex surgical procedure to avoid a permanent stoma.
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H
Haemorrhage	Excessive bleeding.
Haemorrhoids	Swollen veins in the anus, which may cause pain. Also referred to as piles.
Hartmanns procedure	A surgical procedure that results in a colostomy.
Hemicolectomy	A surgical procedure that results in removal of part of the bowel (left or right side).The joining of the two remaining ends to restore normal function.
Hernia	A small protrusion of the intestine through a weakness in the abdominal muscles.
Homeopathy	Treatment of disease using natural non-chemical medication.
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I
Ileal conduit	A surgical procedure to create an artificial opening to divert urine onto the abdomen.
Ileoanal pouch	This procedure is usually recommended for patients with ulcerative colitis (and more rarely Familial Adenomatous Polyposis). The surgical procedure will remove both the bowel and rectum and then create a pouch (also referred to as a reservoir) utilising the distal ileum. This pouch is sometimes referred to as a J-pouch.
Ileocaecal junction	Joining of the small and large bowel.
Ileostomy	A surgical procedure where the ileum is brought out onto the abdomen and a stoma is formed.
Ileum	The small bowel.
Impotence	Inability to achieve an erection due to psychological or physiological problems.
Incision line	A surgical cut.
Incontinence	The inability to hold on to stools or urine.
Interstitial cystitis	Inflammation of bladder tissue causing inflammation, pain and frequency on passing urine.
Irrigation	An introduction of fluid via a stoma.
Irritable bowel syndrome	A syndrome of varying bowel symptoms.
Ischaemia	A lack of blood supply to an organ or structure.
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J
Jaundice	A yellowish colouring to the skin and eyes.
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L
Laparotomy	A mid-line incision in the abdomen.
Lesion	An abnormal area of tissue.
Lubrication	A substance to avoid friction.
Lymph nodes	Part of the lymphatic system that acts as a barrier to infection.
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M
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)	A magnetic x-ray scan.
Malabsorption	The body’s inability to absorb nutrients.
Malignant tumour	A cancerous growth.
Margin	When the tumour is excised a wide area (a margin) needs to be clear from any cancerous cells.
Megacolon	A bowel, which has become excessively dilated.
Mesentery	Blood supply to the intestine.
Mesorectum	The top layer that lines the bowel.
Metachronous	Occurring at different times.
Metastases	A spread of a secondary cancer from the original tumour site.
Microporous tape	An acrylic based tape.
Micturition	Emptying urine out of the bladder. Also referred to as urination.
Mitrofonoff procedure	A surgical procedure when a reservoir is formed using bladder or bowel.
Mucus	A jelly-like substance produced by the bowel.
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N
Nasogastric tube	A tube that is put into the nose and leads down into the stomach.
Nausea	A feeling of sickness.
Necrosis	Destruction of tissue through lack of blood supply.
Neo adjuvant drugs	Chemotheraphy/radiotherapy given before surgery.
Night drainage bag	A bag that has a large capacity for overnight use.
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O
Obstruction	A blockage that stops the normal function of a structure or organ.
Oedema	Accumulation of fluid causing swelling of local tissue.
Oncologist	A doctor specialising in cancer treatments, eg radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
One-piece pouch	A pouch with a hydrocolloid flange, which adheres to the body.
Opaque	A pouch you can’t see through.
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P
Palliative treatment	A treatment that is designed to relieve the symptoms of disease rather than cure.
Panproctocolectomy	A surgical procedure that removes the colon, rectum and anus resulting in an end ileostomy.
Penile implants	Artificial device surgically inserted to provide erection.
Perforation	A burst made by the body itself due to infection or disease
Perianal	The area or skin around the anus.
Peristalsis	The natural movement of the bowel that helps the progression of food through the digestive system.
Peristomal skin	The area of skin surrounding the stoma.
Peritonitis	Infection of the peritoneal cavity.
PET Scan	Positron emission tomography. This is a type of x-ray.
Phantom rectum	Sensation of wanting to empty the rectum when the bowel has been diverted or taken away.
Polyps	A raised area in the lining of the bowel.
Pressure sore	Ulceration of the skin due to pressure.
Proctoscope	An instrument to look at the lower end of the anus.
Prognosis	The prediction of the progression of the disease.
Prolapse	A part of an organ that protrudes from its normal position.
Proximal	Nearest to.
Psoriasis	Chronic recurrent skin condition.
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Q
Quality of Life	An individual’s perception of their everyday life.
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R
Radiotherapy	Deep X-rays to a diseased area.
Rectum	Final section of the bowel that leads to anus.
Reflexology	A recognised complementary therapy to aid relaxation.
Relapse	Return of the disease.
Remission	Disease not as active.
Renal	Relating to the kidney system.
Resect, resection	Removal of part of the bowel by surgery.
Retraction of the stoma	A stoma sinking below the abdominal surface.
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S
SCN	Stoma care nurse.
Secondary cancer	Cancer that has spread to another area.
Sigmoid colon	Last part of large bowel that curves down towards the rectum.
Sigmoidoscopy	A rigid or flexible tube with a fibre-optic light passed into the sigmoid colon via the rectum to examine the bowel.
Sinus	A cavity.
Siting	The marking on the abdomen for the site of the stoma.
Skin barrier cream/film	An accessory to protect peristomal skin.
Slow release medicines	Medication that releases slowly into your blood system throughout the day, usually taken once or twice a day.
Small intestine	Small bowel.
Softback	Material used to cover the pouch.
Sphincter	Ring shaped muscles that contract and relax on natural openings.
Squaemous cell carcinoma	A malignant tumour often arising in the anus or bowel.
Stenosis	Narrowing of the bowel or stoma.
Stoma	Opening of the bowel on to the abdominal wall.
Strictoplasty	An operation to reshape a narrowed bowel.
Stricture	Narrowing of the bowel.
Support belt	An elasticated or made to measure belt to provide abdominal support.
Suppositories	Medication administered via the anus or stoma.
Sutures	Medical term used to describe stitches.
Systemic treatment	Whole body system is treated.
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T
Total mesorectal excision	Removal of the mesorectum.
Transanal resection	A surgical procedure that removes part of the anal area.
Transparent pouch	A clear stoma pouch.
Transverse colostomy	A colostomy formed in the transverse colon.
Trauma	An injury.
Tumour	A growth of abnormal cells that can be benign or malignant.
Two-piece pouch	Includes a base plate/flange and pouch.
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U
Ulcer	Loss of continuity of the skin.
Ulcerative colitis	Inflammation of large bowel/colon.
Ultrasound	An investigation using sound waves to look at internal organs.
Ureter	The tubes that run from the kidneys to the bladder.
Urethra	The tube that runs from the bladder to pass urine.
Urinary tract infection (UTI)	An infection of the urinary tract, bladder or kidneys.
Urostomy	A stoma through which urine passes.
Urostomy pouch	A pouch used to collect urine.
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W
Wear time	Relates to the length of time a stoma appliance is worn.
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