What does the term tortuous mean in reference to the stomach or bowel?
2006-10-02 06:44:53 · 4 answers · asked by delmar6 1 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Other - Diseases
It means having or making twists and turns. When used to describe the stomach or bowel, this is normal. When used to describe veins, this is not normal. It depends on what's being described and knowing that structure's normal anatomy.
Tortuous doesn't mean "long & winding", and the colon (large intestine) is already 5 feet long on average. It doesn't elongate any further and constipation doesn't cause this.
2006-10-02 06:57:46 · answer #1 · answered by TweetyBird 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It means long and winding, as in:
A "tortuous colon" is one that is very elongated- which can cause or be the result of years of constipation.
2006-10-02 13:49:27 · answer #2 · answered by psioni 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Tortuous means bent, twisted, winding. It comes from the Latin tortus, twisting.
2006-10-02 13:53:44 · answer #3 · answered by Mag999nus 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It has many loops and curves, not straight, winding.
2006-10-02 13:47:02 · answer #4 · answered by yakkydoc 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋