Glossary

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Panendoscope	A flexible endoscope capable of examining the esophagus, stomach, and proximal duodenum
Papillotome	Sphincterotome, a device used to cut the sphincter of Oddi
Percutaneous	Passing through the skin
Perforation	A hole in a hollow organ such as the stomach or the intestine
Peroral	To give by mouth or pass through the mouth into the gastrointestinal tract
Phlebotomy	Incision or needle puncture of a vein
Photocoagulation	Coagulation induced by light wave energy
Photodynamic therapy	Therapy involving the use of powerful light, and its effect on living organisms
Plasma	The fluid portion of the blood in which the particulate components are suspended
Pneumatic	Expandable by filling with air
Pneumoperitoneum	Air or gas in the abdominal cavity, usually seen on x-ray
Polypropylene	A synthetic, crystalline, thermoplastic polymer used in the manufacture of sutures, surgical casts and semi-permeable membranes
Polyvinyl tubing	Flexible, clear plastic tubing commonly used to collect or perfuse liquid, or measure pressures in the gastrointestinal tract
Port-asystemic shunt	Surgical creation of an artificial communication between the portal venous systems and other veins
Prosthesis	An artificial device used to replace a missing part of the body