Pancreatic Cancer is a malignant (cancerous) growth that starts in the pancreas. It most often arises from the ducts that carry digestive enzymes, but other pancreatic cell types can be involved. The term is commonly used in gastroenterology, oncology, radiology, and GI surgery to describe a diagnosis, a suspected diagnosis, or a clinical workup. It is discussed in contexts such as jaundice evaluation, unexplained weight loss, and pancreatic mass assessment.

Pancreatic Insufficiency is a term used when the pancreas cannot supply what the body needs for normal digestion and/or metabolic control. Most commonly, it refers to reduced **exocrine** function, meaning too little digestive enzyme and bicarbonate reaches the small intestine. It can also be used more broadly to include reduced **endocrine** function, meaning impaired insulin and glucagon production. The concept is commonly used in gastroenterology, pancreatology, nutrition, and GI surgery follow-up.

Chronic Pancreatitis is a long-term inflammatory disease of the pancreas that leads to permanent structural damage. It commonly causes chronic abdominal pain and progressive loss of pancreatic function over time. Clinicians use the term in gastroenterology, internal medicine, and GI surgery to describe a specific pattern of pancreatic injury and its complications. This overview is for education and general understanding, not personal medical advice.

Acute Pancreatitis is a sudden inflammation of the pancreas. It commonly causes upper abdominal pain and elevated pancreatic enzymes in blood tests. The term is used in emergency medicine, gastroenterology, internal medicine, and GI surgery. It is discussed in clinical care, imaging reports, and hospital admission diagnoses.

Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas, an organ that makes digestive enzymes and hormones like insulin. It commonly presents with upper abdominal pain and elevated pancreatic enzymes on blood tests. Clinicians use the term in emergency, inpatient, outpatient, and surgical settings to describe a specific inflammatory syndrome. It is discussed in gastroenterology, hepatology, and gastrointestinal (GI) surgery because causes and complications often involve the biliary system and GI tract.

Choledocholithiasis means gallstones in the common bile duct. It is a common cause of biliary obstruction and right upper abdominal pain. The term is used in gastroenterology, hepatology, emergency medicine, and GI surgery. It often comes up when evaluating jaundice, pancreatitis, or cholangitis.

Cholecystitis means inflammation of the gallbladder. It most often develops when bile flow out of the gallbladder is obstructed, commonly by gallstones. In clinical settings, Cholecystitis is a diagnosis used in emergency medicine, gastroenterology, and general surgery. It is discussed when evaluating right upper abdominal pain, fever, and abnormal liver or inflammatory lab results.

Gallstones are solid deposits that form from components of bile. They most often develop in the gallbladder, but they can also be found in the bile ducts. Gallstones are commonly discussed in gastroenterology, hepatology, emergency medicine, and GI surgery because they can cause pain, infection, and obstruction.

Cholelithiasis means the presence of gallstones in the gallbladder. Gallstones are solid deposits that form from components of bile. The term is commonly used in gastroenterology, hepatology, emergency medicine, and GI surgery.

Cholangitis is inflammation and infection of the bile ducts. It most often happens when bile flow is blocked and bacteria can ascend into the biliary tree. Clinicians commonly use the term in emergency, inpatient, gastroenterology, hepatology, and GI surgery settings. It is discussed as a potentially serious cause of sepsis arising from the hepatobiliary system.