celiac disease
noun
a hereditary digestive disorder involving intolerance to gluten, usually occurring in young children, characterized by marked abdominal distention, malnutrition, wasting, and the passage of large, fatty, malodorous stools.
Also called
ce·li·ac-sprue
[see-lee-ak-sproo] /ˈsi li ækˌspru/.
Origin of celiac disease
First recorded in 1935–40
Words nearby celiac disease
celestine v,
celestite,
celia,
celiac,
celiac artery,
celiac disease,
celiac ganglion,
celiac gland,
celiac plexus,
celiac plexus reflex,
celiac trunk
Medical definitions for celiac disease
celiac disease
n.
A gastrointestinal disease characterized by sensitivity to gluten with malabsorption and mucosal atrophy, resulting in diarrhea, steatorrhea, and nutritional and vitamin deficiencies.
gluten enteropathy gluten-sensitive enteropathy nontropical sprue
Scientific definitions for celiac disease
celiac disease
[ sē′lē-ăk′ ]
A gastrointestinal disease characterized by an inability to absorb the protein gluten, resulting in diarrhea, the passage of stools having a high fat content, and nutritional and vitamin deficiencies. Individuals with celiac disease must avoid ingesting products made from grains containing gluten, including wheat, rye, barley, and oats.