Foreign body 2270767 225341417 2008-07-13T04:50:31Z Shari.alaina 7378760 /* Foreign bodies in animals */ {{for|other uses of this term|foreign body (disambiguation)}} {{TOCleft}} {{DiseaseDisorder infobox | Name = Effects of foreign body entering through natural orifice | ICD10 = {{ICD10|T|15||t|15}}-{{ICD10|T|19||t|15}} | ICD9 = {{ICD9|930}}-{{ICD9|939 }} | ICDO = | Image = Foreign_Body.jpg| Caption = [[Endoscopy]] image of gastric foreign body ([[toothbrush]])| OMIM = | OMIM_mult = | MedlinePlus = | eMedicineSubj = | eMedicineTopic = | DiseasesDB = | }} In [[physiology]], a '''foreign body''' (Latin: ''corpus alienum'') is any object originating outside the body. In machinery, it can mean any unwanted intruding object. == Foreign bodies in humans == Foreign bodies typically become lodged in the [[eye]]s, [[ear]]s, [[nose]], [[airway]]s, and [[rectum]] which are the main [[orifice]]s of human beings. Foreign bodies can be in hollow organs (like swallowed [[battery (electricity)|batteries]]) or in tissues (like bullets). They can be inert or irritating. If they irritate they will cause [[inflammation]] and [[scar]]ring. They can bring [[infection]] into the body or acquire infectious agents and protect them from the body's [[immune system|immune defenses]]. They can obstruct passageways either by their size or by the scarring they cause. Some can be [[toxicity|toxic]]. Both children and adults experience problems caused by foreign objects getting stuck in their bodies. Young children, in particular, are naturally curious and may intentionally put shiny objects, such as coins or button batteries, into their mouths. They also like to stick things in their ears and up their noses.<ref> MERCK MANUAL, Professional edition, Ear, Nose, Throat, and Dental Disorders.</ref> Adults may accidentally swallow a non-food object or inhale a foreign body that gets stuck in the throat. Airborne particles can lodge in the eyes of people at any age. These foreign bodies often result in [[allergy|allergies]] which are either temporary or even turn into a chronic allergy. This is especially evident in the case of [[dust]] particles. Most objects that are swallowed will, if they have passed the [[pharynx]], pass all the way through the [[gastrointestinal tract]]. Rarely an object becomes arrested (usually in the terminal [[ileum]] or the [[rectum]]) or a sharp object penetrates the [[intestine|bowel]] wall. If the person who swallowed the foreign body is doing well, usually a [[x-ray]] image will be taken which will show any metal objects, and this will be repeated a few days later to confirm that the object has passed all the way through the digestive system. Also it needs to be confirmed that the object is not stuck in the airways, in the bronchial tree. If the foreign body causes problems like pain, vomiting or bleeding it must be removed. Also swallowed [[mercury battery|mercury batteries]] should be removed as soon as possible as they are very dangerous especially to small children. == Foreign bodies in animals == [[Image:Bottle top swallowed by dog 2.JPG|thumb|Bottle top swallowed by a dog]] [[Image:Needle swallowed by cat.JPG|thumb|Needle swallowed by a cat]] Foreign bodies are common in animals, especially [[dog]]s and [[cat]]s. Dogs will readily eat toys, bones, and any object that either has food on it or retains the odor of food. Unlike humans, dogs are susceptible to gastrointestinal obstruction due to their ability to swallow relatively large objects and pass them through the [[esophagus]]. Foreign bodies most commonly become lodged in the [[stomach]] because of the inability to pass through the [[pyloric sphincter]], and in the [[jejunum]]. Symptoms of gastrointestinal obstruction include vomiting, abdominal pain, and depression due to [[dehydration]]. [[Peritonitis]] results if either the stomach or intestine has ruptured. Foreign bodies in the stomach can sometimes be removed by [[endoscopy|endoscopic]] retrieval or if necessary by [[gastrotomy]]. Foreign bodies in the jejunum are removed by [[enterotomy]]. Certain foreign bodies in animals are especially problematic. Bones or objects with sharp edges may cause tearing of the wall of the esophagus, stomach, or small intestine and lead to peritonitis. [[Penny|Pennies]] swallowed in large numbers may cause [[zinc]] poisoning, which in dogs leads to severe [[gastroenteritis]] and [[hemolytic anemia]]. '''Linear foreign bodies''' can especially be dangerous. A linear foreign body is usually a length of string or yarn with a larger object or clump of material at either end. One end is usually lodged in the stomach or proximal small intestine and the other end continues to travel through the intestines. The material becomes tightly stretched and the intestines may "accordion up" on themselves or be lacerated by it<ref>[http://vetmedicine.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=vetmedicine&cdn=homegarden&tm=26&f=21&tt=8&bt=1&bts=1&zu=http%3A//www.peteducation.com/article.cfm%3Fcls%3D0%26cat%3D1765%26articleid%3D1181]</ref>. This is especially common in cats who may enjoy playing with a ball of string or yarn. Sometimes the linear foreign body anchors in the mouth by catching under the tongue. <ref>[http://vetmedicine.about.com/od/terminology/g/G_linearfb.htm]</ref>Pantyhose is a common linear foreign body in dogs. == References == <references/> {{Unreferenced|date=January 2008}} == External links == * Case report of [http://clinicalcases.blogspot.com/2003/03/foreign-body-ingestion-i-swallowed-pen.html Foreign Body Ingestion]. Clinical Cases and Images. * [http://www.susysafe.org The Susy Safe Project]. A Surveillance System on Suffocation Injuries due to Foreign Bodies in European Children. {{Consequences of external causes}} [[Category:Pediatrics]] [[Category:Gastroenterology]] [[Category:Dog health]] [[de:Fremdkörper]] [[nl:Corpus alienum]]