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| A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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Sprue
| 1. A disorder of the small intestine that causes a failure to absorb nutrients in food, which then leads to the passage of a large amount of fat in the feces (poop). The intestine is a tube shaped structure that is part of the digestive tract. It stretches from an opening in the stomach to the anus (rear end) and occupies most of the lower parts of the belly. The small intestine is a part of the intestine that takes in all of the nutrients that the body needs. The type of sprue discussed in this definition is also known as cachexia aphtosa and catarrhal dysentery.
Sprue causes many different types of symptoms, such as diarrhea, weight loss, weakness, paleness, poor appetite, pain in the bones, muscle cramps, a smooth and shiny tongue, and open sores in the lining of the intestine. There are two forms of sprue. One form occurs mostly in tropical regions of the world (areas that are hot and moist). The other form, known as celiac sprue is more common and is due to sensitivity to a protein found in wheat, known as gluten. Sprue occurs in both children and adults. 2. In dentistry, sprue refers to metal or wax that is used to make the opening(s) for liquid metal to flow into a mold to make a cast. The metal that later fills these holes are also known as sprue. Sprue comes from the Dutch word "sprouw" meaning "a kind of tumor." |
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