peritonitis, chronic Longstanding inflammation of the peritoneum. Causes of chronic peritonitis include repeated attacks of infection such as from pelvic inflammatory disease, foreign substances such as talc, and chronic infections within the abdomen such as tuberculosis.
peritonitis, acute Sudden inflammation of the peritoneum that results in abrupt abdominal pain (acute abdomen). The most serious causes of acute peritonitis include perforation of the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, gallbladder, bile duct, bowel, appendix, colon, rectum, and bladder; trauma; intestinal obstruction; pancreatitis; vascular catastrophes (mesenteric thrombosis or embolism); and as an infectious complication of peritoneal…
peritonitis Inflammation of the peritoneum, the membrane that lines the inner wall of the abdomen and pelvis. Peritonitis can result from infection, as by bacteria or parasites; injury and bleeding; or diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus. See also peritonitis, acute; peritonitis, chronic.
peritoneum The membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and covers most of the abdominal organs.
peritoneal dialysis A dialysis technique that uses the patient’s own body tissues inside the abdominal cavity as a filter. A plastic tube called a dialysis catheter is surgically placed through the abdominal wall, into the abdominal cavity. A special fluid is then flushed into the abdominal cavity and washed around the intestines. The intestinal walls…
peritoneal Having to do with the peritoneum.
peristalsis The rippling motion of muscles in the digestive tract. In the stomach, this motion mixes food with gastric juices, turning it into a thin liquid.
periphery 1 The outside or surface of a structure or the portion outside the central region. 2 The circumference of a circle or another geometric figure.
peripheral vascular disease Atherosclerosis of the arteries of the extremities. Peripheral vascular disease can lead to pain in the legs when walking (claudication) that is relieved by resting. See also atherosclerosis.
peripheral neuropathy A problem with the functioning of the nerves outside the spinal cord. Symptoms of peripheral neuropathy may include numbness, weakness, burning pain (especially at night), and loss of reflexes.
peripheral nervous system The portion of the nervous system that is outside the brain and spinal cord. Abbreviated PNS. The nerves in the PNS connect the central nervous system (CNS) to sensory organs, such as the eye and ear, and to other organs of the body, muscles, blood vessels, and glands. The peripheral nerves include…
peripheral blood stem cell transplantation See stem cell harvest, peripheral blood.