Gastrointestinal
/ˌɡæs.troʊˌɪn.tesˈtaɪ.nəl/noun
Relating to the stomach and intestines.
Did you know?Gastrointestinal is a modern scientific compound built from Greek roots meaning “stomach” and “intestine,” showing how medical language still carries the bones of ancient anatomy.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
gastḗr
“stomach, belly”
Ancient Greek
Greek
énteron
“intestine, bowel”
Late Latin
Latin
gaster + intestinum
“stomach + intestine”
18th–19th Century
English
gastro- + intestinal
“a learned scientific compound referring to the stomach and intestines”
Modern English
English
gastrointestinal
“relating to the stomach and intestines”
Explore more surprising origins