Glossary L

is responsible for absorption of water and excretion of solid waste material. Food and waste material are moved along the length of the intestine by rhythmic contractions of intestinal muscles. Waste is solid because most of the water has been removed by the intestines as it travels through them.

The first 5-6 feet of large intestine are called the colon or large bowel and the last 6-8 inches of the colon are the rectum and anal canal. The anal canal ends at the anus (which opens the colon to the outside of the body).

Laparotomy - procedure to gain access to the abdomical cavity
This is a surgical procedure involving an incision through the abdominal wall to gain access into the abdominal cavity. It is also known as coeliotomy. (This procedure is used to gain access via a previous scar)

Laparoscopy - procedure to look inside the abdomen
A test used to look inside the abdomen. Laparoscopic surgery is 'key-hole' surgery which is done for various conditions.

Leakage from your pouch/bag
Leakage from an ill fitting pouch/bag can cause sore skin around the stoma, make sure the skin is dry before fitting your pouch/bag. Creases may be filled with a special 'putty'
find out more about this product from your stoma nurse. Manufacturers and suppliers will be able to advise on additional methods of sealing appliances, such as additional adhesive supports.

Local anaesthetic     
Drug to stop sensation in one part of the body.

Loop colostomy
This colostomy is created by bringing a loop of bowel through an incision in the abdominal wall. The loop is held in place outside the abdomen by a plastic rod slipped beneath it. An incision is made in the bowel to allow the passage of stool through the loop colostomy. The supporting rod is removed approximately 7-10 days after surgery, when healing has occurred that will prevent the loop of bowel from retracting into the abdomen. A loop colostomy is most often performed for creation of a temporary stoma to divert stool away from an area of intestine that has been blocked or ruptured.

Loop ileostomy
A loop of the small intestine is brought out through the stoma, but the colon and rectum are not removed. This is usually carried out as a temporary procedure, when it is necessary to remove only a part of the colon. Once the remaining colon has healed, it can be reconnected to the small intestine, and the stoma can then be closed.

Lymph nodes
A lymph node  is an organ consisting of many types of cells, and is a part of the lymphatic system. Lymph nodes are found throughout the body, and act as filters or traps for foreign particles and contain white blood cells. They are an important factor to the correct functioning of the immune system. 

Lymph nodes have clinical significance, too. They get inflamed or enlarged in various conditions, which may range from as trivial as throat infection to life-threatening conditions as cancers. In the latter, the condition of lymph nodes is so significant that it is used for cancer staging, which decides the treatment modalities to be employed, and for determining the prognosis (the outcome of disease).

Lymph nodes can be also used for diagnosis by biopsy whenever they are inflamed. Certain diseases affect lymph nodes with characteristic consistency (feel) and location.