Digestive, Renal, Reproductive & Oncology Review

Vocabulary flashcards covering key enzymes, hormones, pathologies, renal physiology, reproductive disorders, and oncology concepts discussed in the lecture.

Amylase

Pancreatic enzyme that breaks down carbohydrates; mnemonic: “Amy likes carbs.”

Trypsin

Pancreatic enzyme that digests proteins; excessive activation can autodigest the pancreas.

Chymotrypsin

Protein-splitting enzyme from the pancreas that works with trypsin.

Lipase

Pancreatic enzyme that hydrolyzes dietary fats.

Bile

Liver-derived fluid stored in the gallbladder; emulsifies lipids for digestion.

Peyer's Patches

Lymphoid tissue in the ileum that contributes to intestinal immunity and absorption.

Active Transport (GI)

Energy-requiring movement of nutrients across intestinal membranes when diffusion is insufficient.

Blood–Brain Barrier

Selective barrier protecting the brain; alcohol crosses rapidly, causing quick intoxication.

Cystic Fibrosis (GI aspect)

Genetic disorder producing thick mucus that blocks pancreatic ducts, leading to fat malabsorption and steatorrhea.

Steatorrhea

Fatty, foul stool caused by unabsorbed lipids in disorders like cystic fibrosis or celiac disease.

Autodigestion

Self-digestion of pancreatic tissue by its own enzymes during acute pancreatitis.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

“Rest and digest” division that stimulates gastrointestinal motility and secretion.

Sympathetic Nervous System

“Fight or flight” division that inhibits GI activity and diverts blood away from the gut.

Gastrin

Hormone from stomach mucosa that increases gastric motility and relaxes pyloric sphincter.

Histamine (GI)

Stimulates gastric hydrochloric acid secretion; blocked by H2 antagonists in ulcer therapy.

Secretin

Duodenal hormone that decreases gastric secretions and stimulates pancreatic bicarbonate.

Cholecystokinin (CCK)

Intestinal hormone that inhibits gastric emptying and triggers gallbladder contraction for bile release.

Metabolic Alkalosis

Acid-base disturbance commonly caused by loss of gastric acid through prolonged vomiting.

Metabolic Acidosis

Condition often resulting from bicarbonate-rich diarrheal fluid loss.

Acute Gastritis

Inflammation of stomach lining from NSAIDs, alcohol, stress, surgery, or H. pylori.

H. pylori

Bacterium linked to chronic gastritis, peptic ulcers, and gastric cancer.

Peptic Ulcer Disease

Acid-pepsin erosion of stomach or duodenal mucosa causing epigastric pain relieved by food.

Dumping Syndrome

Rapid gastric emptying causing diarrhea, weakness, and hypoglycemia 15-30 min after meals.

Pyloric Stenosis

Hypertrophy of pyloric muscle, especially in infants, leading to projectile vomiting.

Hepatitis A

Fecal-oral viral hepatitis; “Hepatitis S” for stool transmission; usually self-limiting.

Hepatitis B

Blood-borne hepatitis present in all body fluids except sweat; preventable by vaccine.

Hepatitis C

Blood-borne virus often linked to IV drug use; high risk for chronic infection and liver cancer.

Cirrhosis

Irreversible scarring of liver leading to portal hypertension, ascites, and asterixis.

Asterixis

“Flapping” hand tremor seen in hepatic encephalopathy.

Ascites

Fluid accumulation in peritoneal cavity due to hypoalbuminemia and portal hypertension.

Atrial Natriuretic Peptide (ANP)

Cardiac hormone that promotes sodium and water excretion, lowering blood volume and pressure.

Renin–Angiotensin–Aldosterone System (RAAS)

Kidney-triggered cascade raising blood pressure via vasoconstriction and sodium/water retention.

Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)

Posterior pituitary hormone (vasopressin) that increases water reabsorption in kidneys.

Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR)

Volume of filtrate formed per minute; key indicator of kidney function.

Nephron

Functional kidney unit responsible for filtration, reabsorption, and urine formation.

Bowman’s Capsule

Cup-shaped structure surrounding glomerulus where filtration begins.

Hemodialysis

Extracorporeal blood filtration performed 3× weekly for 3–4 h via vascular access.

Peritoneal Dialysis

Dialysis using peritoneal membrane at home; risk of peritonitis.

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

Non-malignant enlargement of prostate causing urinary hesitancy and dribbling in men ≥65 yr.

Cryptorchidism

Undescended testicle; major risk factor for testicular cancer.

Testicular Torsion

Twisting of spermatic cord causing ischemia; surgical emergency.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

Ascending infection of female upper reproductive tract causing steady pelvic pain.

Endometriosis

Ectopic endometrial tissue leading to dysmenorrhea and infertility.

Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH)

Pituitary hormone that initiates spermatogenesis and follicle maturation.

Luteinizing Hormone (LH)

Pituitary hormone that triggers ovulation and stimulates Leydig cells to secrete testosterone.

Amenorrhea

Absence of menstrual periods.

Dysmenorrhea

Painful menstruation.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

Virus causing genital warts and the majority of cervical cancers.

Cervical Cancer Screening

Pap smear detects precancerous cervical changes; HPV vaccine provides primary prevention.

BRCA1 / BRCA2

Inherited gene mutations greatly increasing breast and ovarian cancer risk.

TNM Staging

Cancer classification: T-tumor size, N-lymph node involvement, M-metastasis.

Paraneoplastic Syndrome

Systemic effects from tumor-secreted hormones (e.g., ectopic ACTH causing Cushing’s).

Anaplasia

Loss of cell differentiation; hallmark of aggressive malignancy.

Steady “Periumbilical” Pain

Early sign of appendicitis due to stretching of appendix capsule.

Fecalith

Hardened fecal mass that obstructs appendix lumen, leading to appendicitis.

Hydronephrosis

Dilation of renal pelvis from urine back-up, causing kidney damage.

Proteinuria

Presence of protein in urine, indicating glomerular damage (e.g., nephrotic syndrome).

Nephrotic Syndrome

Glomerular disorder with massive proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, and generalized edema.

Glomerulonephritis

Post-streptococcal immune inflammation causing hematuria, edema, and hypertension.

Acute Pancreatitis

Autodigestion of pancreas presenting with severe epigastric pain radiating to back.

Celiac Disease

Autoimmune intolerance to gliadin (gluten) causing villous atrophy and malabsorption.

Crohn’s Disease

Transmural inflammatory bowel disease with “skip lesions” and malabsorption.

Ulcerative Colitis

Continuous mucosal inflammation of colon and rectum with bloody diarrhea.

Peritonitis

Inflammation of peritoneum causing rigid “board-like” abdomen, tachycardia, hypotension.

Afferent Arteriole

Small artery bringing blood into the glomerulus for filtration.

Color Blindness (X-linked)

Defective photopigment gene on X chromosome; predominantly affects males.

Hemodialysis Complications

Risk of infection, clotting, and blood-borne viruses (HBV, HCV, HIV) via vascular shunt.