Digestive System Disorders

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering gastrointestinal disorders including GERD, peptic ulcers, gallstones, cirrhosis, and inflammatory bowel diseases (Crohn's and Ulcerative Colitis).

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

The repeated backward movement of stomach contents into the esophagus, often caused by a weak or inappropriately relaxed lower esophageal sphincter.

Lower esophageal sphincter

The muscle that, when weak or relaxed at inappropriate times, allows acid and digestive contents to move upward and irritate the esophageal lining.

Barrett's esophagus

A condition that may result from repeated acid exposure and irritation of the esophageal lining.

Peptic ulcer

A lesion that develops when damaging factors like hydrochloric acid, pepsin, H. pylori, or NSAIDs overpower the protective mechanisms of the stomach or duodenum.

H. pylori

A damaging factor that can contribute to the development of peptic ulcers by weakening mucosal protection.

Hemorrhage

A complication of peptic ulcers where blood vessel erosion causes hematemesis, melena, anemia, or shock.

Hematemesis

The vomiting of blood, which may occur if a peptic ulcer causes a hemorrhage.

Melena

Dark, tarry stools containing blood, often associated with bleeding from a peptic ulcer.

Perforation

A complication where a peptic ulcer creates a hole through the stomach or duodenal wall.

Peritonitis

Inflammation caused when gastric or intestinal contents enter the abdominal cavity, often due to an ulcer perforation.

Penetration

A complication where a peptic ulcer extends into a nearby organ, such as the pancreas.

Gastric-outlet obstruction

Blockage of food passage caused by edema or scar tissue from an ulcer.

Gastric ulcer pain

Epigastric pain that often worsens shortly after eating because food may increase acid contact with the ulcer.

Duodenal ulcer pain

Pain that often improves temporarily after eating but returns $2-3$ hours later or during the night.

Gallstones

Calculi that cause sudden RUQ or epigastric pain, often radiating to the right shoulder or back after a fatty meal.

Cholecystitis

Inflammation of the gallbladder that may cause fever and leukocytosis if gallstones are present.

Jaundice

Yellowing of the skin and eyes that occurs if a gallstone obstructs the common bile duct or if the liver poorly processes bilirubin.

Cirrhosis

A condition where chronic liver injury causes hepatocyte death and the replacement of flexible working tissue with stiff fibrous scar tissue.

Portal hypertension

Abnormally high pressure in the portal venous system caused by cirrhotic scar tissue and nodules increasing resistance to blood flow through the liver.

Albumin

A protein produced by the liver; low levels due to cirrhosis lead to edema and ascites.

Asterixis

A physical sign of poor ammonia detoxification, often associated with hepatic encephalopathy.

Hepatic encephalopathy

A condition where toxins such as ammonia reach systemic circulation and cause confusion due to impaired liver function or portal-systemic shunting.

Ascites

The collection of fluid in the abdominal cavity, a common complication of portal hypertension and low albumin.

Splenomegaly

Enlargement of the spleen caused by blood backing up from the portal vein.

Esophageal and gastric varices

Enlarged, fragile veins that may rupture and hemorrhage, resulting from portal hypertension.

Caput medusae

Enlarged veins appearing around the umbilicus due to portal hypertension.

Hepatorenal syndrome

Kidney failure contributed to by severe liver disease.

Crohn's disease

A type of inflammatory bowel disease that can affect any area from the mouth to the anus, characterized by transmural inflammation and skip lesions.

Ulcerative colitis (UC)

An inflammatory bowel disease limited to the colon and rectum, characterized by continuous inflammation of the mucosa and submucosa.

Skip lesions

Diseased sections of the bowel with normal areas in between, a hallmark characteristic of Crohn's disease.

Transmural

Involvement of all layers of the bowel wall, as seen in Crohn's disease.

Cobblestone mucosa

The appearance of the bowel lining in Crohn's disease caused by deep fissures and thickened wall tissue.

Toxic megacolon

A severe complication specifically associated with ulcerative colitis.

Fistulas

Abnormal connections between different parts of the bowel or other organs, commonly seen as a complication of Crohn's disease.