Glossary

Please speak with your doctor about any concerns you may have, or for further explanation of the terms or information discussed on this website.

Abdominal Wall - A wall of muscles in the lower torso area.

Adhesiolysis - Severing of adhesive band(s); performed by either laparotomy (open surgery) or laparoscopy.

Adhesion Barrier - A medical device that can be used to reduce internal scarring (adhesions) following surgery by separating the internal tissues and organs while they heal.

Adhesions - Internal scars that may form after surgery on or between internal organs and/or body tissue. Adhesions between tissues can twist and pull organs out of their normal places.

Adverse Event - An undesirable medical event (also known as a side effect) experienced by a patient after he/she receives a drug, therapeutic biologic, or device.

Anesthesia - Medication provided to manage pain during surgery. Regional anesthesia allows you to stay awake during a surgical procedure. General anesthesia does not allow you to stay awake during a surgical procedure.

Bowel Obstruction - A blockage in the small or large intestine (bowel) preventing the normal flow of intestinal contents.

Cauterization - A technique used to stop bleeding that involves applying a hot instrument, electrical current, or chemical substance directly to tissue.

Cesarean Section - A surgical procedure in which your OB/GYN makes an incision through your lower abdomen and then through your uterus in order to access and deliver your baby. An alternative to vaginal birth when indicated by an OB/GYN.

Chronic Pelvic Pain - Long-term or persistent (three months or longer) pain in the pelvis.

Colectomy - The removal of some or all of the colon.

Colitis - Inflammation of the colon (large intestine).

Colon - Also known as the large intestine. The colon extends from the cecum (near the appendix) to the rectum.

Crohn's Disease - An inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract, often affecting the small intestine and colon.

Diverticulitis - A condition that occurs when small pouches (diverticula) in the colon become infected or irritated.

Ectopic Pregnancy - A pregnancy in which the fertilized egg implants outside of the uterus, usually in the fallopian tube.

Endometriosis - The formation or growth of endometrial tissue (tissue in the inner layer of the uterine wall) in places other than the uterus. This tissue frequently forms cysts.

Fallopian Tube - Either of the pair of tubes that carry the eggs from the ovary to the uterus—also called the uterine tubes

Fibrin - An insoluble, fibrous protein formed in the clotting of blood. Fibrin may act like glue between tissues.

Fibroids - Benign/non-cancerous growths in, on, or within the walls of the uterus.

Fibrous - Tissue that consists of or resembles fibers. For example, adhesive tissue may be fibrous.

Food and Drug Administration - The U.S. government agency that regulates food, drugs, and medical devices sold in the United States.

Hysterectomy - Surgical removal of the uterus.

Ileostomy - Creation of a surgical opening through the abdominal wall into the small intestine. Fecal matter drains through this opening into a bag on the abdomen.

Infertility - The inability to become pregnant.

Inflammation - A localized response (specific to a part of the body) to injury that may be characterized by redness, heat, pain, swelling.

Intraperitoneal Therapy - Chemotherapy treatment delivered through a catheter placed directly into the intra-abdominal space, rather than by intravenous injection.

Laparoscopy - An operation that opens up the abdomen.

Myomectomy - The surgical removal of a myoma. A myoma is a tumor consisting of muscle tissue.

Omentum - A fold of the peritoneum that supports or connects abdominal structures. The peritoneum is the smooth transparent membrane that lines the cavity of the abdomen.

Ovaries - Female reproductive organs that produce eggs and female sex hormones.

Ovum - A mature egg that is ready for fertilization.

Pelvic Floor - The network of muscles that supports the bladder, bowel, and in women, the vagina.

Peritoneum - The smooth, transparent, thin membrane that lines the cavity of the abdomen and is folded inward over the organs in the abdominal and pelvic area of the body.

Radiotherapy - The treatment of disease by radiation (such as X-rays); also called radiation therapy.

SEPRAFILM® Adhesion Barrier - An adhesion barrier manufactured by Genzyme Biosurgery that separates internal tissues and organs while they heal in order to reduce internal scarring (adhesions) following open surgery in the pelvis or abdomen.

Small Bowel - The part of the intestine that lies between the stomach and colon. The small bowel secretes digestive enzymes, and is the chief site of the absorption of digested nutrients. It is also called the small intestine.

Small Bowel Obstruction - A blockage in the small intestine (bowel) preventing the normal flow of intestinal contents.

Ulcerative Colitis - A digestive disease characterized by inflammation of the colon.

Uterus - A female reproductive organ for containing and providing nourishment to a fetus during development prior to birth (often referred to as the womb).