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Hemorrhoid Glossary

Hemorrhoid Glossary of terms related to Hemorrhoids and Anorectal Conditions

Abdomen

Part of the body between the pelvis and the chest.

Acute hemorrhoidal attack

Sudden pain and swelling of prolapsed internal hemorrhoids and/or external hemorrhoids.

Alimentary

Relates to a digestive organ

Anal

Pertains to the anus

Anal fissure

Rupture in the skin of the anal canal that exposes the sphincter muscle and causes severe pain, normally extends from the dentate line to the anal opening.

Anal stenosis

Narrowing of the anal canal

Anal ulcer

Severe and chronic anal fissure

Anal wart

Fleshy and lumpy growth in the anal canal or the anus, often due to the direct sexual contact.

Anorectal

Pertaining to the anus and rectum

Anoscope

A medical device in the form of a long tube with a light attached at one end that is used to visually inspect the anal canal.

Anoscopy

A procedure by which the anal canal and rectum is inspected for anorectal polyps using an anoscope.

Anus

Terminal end of the digestive system composed of two circular sphincter muscles. The anus usually remains closed, but the sphincter muscles relax and allow the anus to open for elimination of feces.

Barium enema

Enema made up of a solution of barium sulfate that is taken to assist with x-ray exposure where it can show any bulges in the colon that are due to polyps, ulcers, or tumors.

Barron ligator

Instrument used to place rubber band ligations on internal hemorrhoids

BICAP coagulation

Method of cauterizing and removing hemorrhoids using electricity with a Bipolar Circumactive probe (BACAP).

Cancer Screening

Cancer screening is looking for cancer before a person has any symptoms.

Cauterize

To sear with the help of caustic agents. This is used to destroy affected tissue or prevent the spread of infection.

Chronic

Continuing for a long period

Chronic hemorrhoids

Recurring hemorrhoids that are persistent for a long period of time.

Colitis

Inflammation of the colon lining

Colon

The large intestine or bowel. Part of the digestive system with the primary function of absorbing water and salt from digested food, which leads to the eventual formation of feces.

Colon and rectal surgeon

A surgeon who specializes in surgery of the rectum and colon.

Colonoscope

A 75-inch long flexible tube with a camera and special attachments used to cauterize polyps in the colon and rectum.

Colonoscopy

A visual medical exam of the colon to detect polyps using a colonoscope.

Colorectal

Pertaining to the colon and rectum.

Constipation

Difficult or strained passage of feces

Crohn’s Disease

Inflammation of the colon caused by blockage due to the development of scar tissues causing abscesses, fissures, fistulas, and skin tags.

Cryosurgery

Surgical procedure to remove tissues with a freezing process

CT scan

Computed Tomography scan (CT) to perform a virtual colonoscopy using a computer.

Dentate line

Ring of tissue arranged on top of the anal canal separating the anus from the rectum.

Digital examination

Medical examination of the anal canal where the doctor uses fingers to probe into the anal canal to locate hemorrhoids or polyps.

Electrocautery

Process using electricity to cauterize tissues.

Endoscopy

Visual exam of a body cavity with the help of an endoscope.

External hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoid located around the anus.

Fissure

Same as anal fissure.

Fistula

Tunnel within the anal canal extending from an infected gland to an external opening in the skin around the anus.

Gastroenterologist

Doctor that specializes in gastrointestinal diseases.

Gastrointestinal system or tract

Digestive organ extending from the esophagus to the anus.

Hemorrhoid

Swelling of veins in the anorectal area.

Hemorrhoid bundle

Cluster of hemorrhoids.

Hemorrhoidectomy

Surgical process to cut off hemorrhoidal tissues.

Hemorrhoids skin tag

A hemorrhoids skin tag is the same as a skin tag.

IBS

Same as Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Impaction

Sticking of dried and hardened feces within the intestines.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Gastrointestinal disorder due to inflammation of the affected tissues. Common types include ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.

Infrared Coagulation

Cauterization and removal of hemorrhoids using infrared light.

Internal Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids that occur inside the rectum.

Intestinal Transit Time

Time that it takes food to travel through the intestine and pass as a stool. This is normally used when trying to relate diet to digestion time.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Disorder characterized by bouts of constipation, diarrhea, cramps, and gas.

Large Bowel

Same as colon.

Laser Hemorrhoidectomy

Removal of hemorrhoids using laser beams.

Mucous colitis

Same as irritable bowel syndrome

Nervous bowel

Same as irritable bowel syndrome

Polyp (colon)

An abnormal growth in the lining of the colon that may be benign or malignant. The malignant type may lead to colorectal cancer.

Proctologist

A doctor that specializes in the treatment of anorectal diseases.

Protoscope

A ten-inch tubular device used for anal and rectal exams.

Protoscopy

Visual exam of the anus and rectum using a protoscope.

Prolapsed Hemorrhoid

A swollen internal hemorrhoid that bulges out of the anal opening.

Protruding hemorrhoid

A protruding hemorrhoid is the same as a prolapsed hemorrhoid.

Pruritus

Itching

Pruritus Ani

Anal itching, a common symptom of hemorrhoids

Rectum

End part of the colon, including the anal canal and storage space for feces before elimination.

Rubber band ligation

Method of removing hemorrhoid by tying it with a rubber band to stop it from getting a supply of blood. This causes the hemorrhoid to dry up and fall off.

Ruptured hemorrhoids

Blood clot within an external hemorrhoid that is bursting through the skin.

Sclerosing agent

Solution that irritates tissue causing scarring and hardening.

Sclerotherapy

This is a method of removing internal hemorrhoids by using a Sclerosing agent.

Severe hemorrhoids

Those hemorrhoids that are graded as fourth degree are considered severe. These hemorrhoids usually require surgery to remove them.

Sigmoidoscope

24-inch flexible tube used for rectal and colon examination.

Sigmoidoscopy

Visual exam of rectum and colon using a Sigmoidoscope.

Sitz bath

Warm water bath used to bring temporary relief from hemorrhoidal swelling and pain. A Sitz bath can be done on a special basin which is placed on top of the closed toilet or in the bathtub.

Skin Tag

A hemorrhoids skin tag is flabby skin that is remnant of a thrombosed hemorrhoid that is hanging out of the anal opening.

Small bowel

Same as small intestine.

Small intestine

The initial part of the intestine involved in the digestion of food and absorption of nutrients.

Sphincter muscle

Circular muscle that remains closed on contraction and open on relaxation. Controls opening and closing the anus.

Stool softener

Non-prescription medication or bulking agent used to make stools moist and and soft and easier to pass.

Strangulated hemorrhoid

A strangulated hemorrhoid is one in which the blood supply has been cut off.

Thrombosed hemorrhoid

Hard lump of an external hemorrhoid containing a blood clot.

Ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis is a common inflammatory bowel disease. Chronic colitis is characterized by pain, weight loss, and bloody diarrhea.

Ulcerative proctitis

When ulcerative colitis affects only the lowest part of the colon -- the rectum -- it is called Ulcerative proctitis.

Valves of Houston

Folds in the rectum that store fecal matter before elimination. These valves exert pressure for elimination when stools become heavy, triggering the urge to defecate.

Varicose veins

Swollen veins that change shape and become weak leading to improper functioning.

Vasoconstrictors

Substances that narrow the blood vessels resulting from contraction of the muscular wall of the vessels. These may be used to reduce blood flow to bleeding hemorrhoids.

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