Gastrointestinal Disorders Lecture Flashcards

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering gastrointestinal disorders, including achalasia, hernias, inflammatory bowel diseases, and cancers, based on the provided lecture notes.

Achalasia

An esophageal motor disorder in which the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) fails to relax during swallowing, preventing food from entering the stomach normally.

Myenteric plexus

The nerve network where degeneration or a decreased number of ganglion cells leads to the development of primary achalasia.

Dysphagia

A medical term for difficulty swallowing, which is a common manifestation of achalasia, esophagitis, and hiatal hernias.

Esophagitis

Inflammation of the esophageal mucosa caused by irritation, infection, reflux, autoimmune disease, or injury.

Sliding hiatal hernia

The most common type of hiatal hernia where the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and upper stomach slide above the diaphragm.

Rolling (paraesophageal) hiatal hernia

A type of hernia where the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) remains in place while part of the stomach herniates beside the esophagus; it carries a higher risk for strangulation and ischemia.

Gastric dumping syndrome

The rapid emptying of hypertonic stomach contents into the small intestine, usually occurring $10-30$ minutes after eating.

Reactive hypoglycemia

A manifestation of gastric dumping syndrome where rapid glucose absorption triggers excessive insulin release, causing weakness, sweating, and dizziness.

Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors

Medications used in the treatment of gastric dumping syndrome to slow down the absorption of carbohydrates.

Gastritis

Inflammation of the stomach mucosa caused by factors such as irritation, infection, autoimmune disease, medications, or alcohol.

Intrinsic factor

A substance produced by parietal cells that is lost in chronic gastritis, leading to an increased risk for pernicious anemia.

$$H. pylori$$

A bacterium that is the most common cause of peptic ulcers (approximately $90\%$) and a major risk factor for stomach cancer (approximately $60\%$).

Duodenal ulcer

A peptic ulcer located in the duodenum that is more common than gastric ulcers and often causes pain that improves with meals.

Gastric ulcer

A peptic ulcer located in the stomach, usually single and smaller, with pain that often worsens after eating.

Stress ulcer

A superficial erosion of the stomach mucosa caused by mucosal ischemia due to severe physiologic stress, shock, or major trauma.

Curling ulcers

Specific types of stress ulcers that develop as a result of severe burns.

Malabsorption syndrome

A disorder where the small intestine cannot adequately digest or absorb nutrients, leading to nutritional deficiencies.

Celiac disease

Also known as non-tropical sprue, this is an autoimmune disorder caused by an abnormal immune response to gluten.

Villi blunting

The flattening or loss of normal finger-like projections in the small intestine, which reduces the absorptive surface area in celiac disease.

Steatorrhea

The presence of fatty, foul-smelling stools, commonly seen in malabsorption syndromes like celiac disease or Crohn's disease.

Lactose intolerance

A deficiency of the enzyme lactase that prevents the digestion of lactose, leading to gas and osmotic diarrhea.

Crohn's disease

A chronic inflammatory bowel disease characterized by transmural inflammation and skip lesions that can affect any portion of the GI tract.

Skip lesions

Areas of diseased bowel separated by segments of normal bowel, characteristic of Crohn's disease.

Transmural inflammation

Full-thickness inflammation that extends through the entire bowel wall, common in Crohn's disease and leading to fistula formation.

Ulcerative colitis

A chronic inflammatory bowel disease involving continuous superficial inflammation and ulceration limited to the colon and rectum.

Toxic megacolon

A life-threatening complication and medical emergency associated with ulcerative colitis.

Mechanical obstruction

A physical blockage (e.g., tumor, adhesion, volvulus) that prevents intestinal contents from passing through the bowel.

Paralytic ileus

A non-mechanical obstruction where intestinal peristalsis stops, often following abdominal surgery or due to certain medications.

Volvulus

A mechanical cause of intestinal obstruction involving the twisting of the bowel.

Intussusception

A mechanical cause of intestinal obstruction involving the telescoping of one bowel segment into another.

Diverticulosis

The formation of small outpouchings called diverticula through weak areas of the muscular wall of the colon, commonly in the sigmoid colon.

Diverticulitis

Inflammation and infection of diverticula, often resulting from microscopic perforation and bacterial invasion.

Villous (sessile) adenoma

A broad-based, flat colon polyp that carries the highest risk of malignant transformation.

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA)

A blood test used for monitoring the progression or recurrence of colon cancer.

Acute appendicitis

Infection and inflammation of the appendix, usually resulting from the obstruction of its lumen.

Fecalith

A hardened piece of stool that obstructs the opening of the appendix and initiates appendicitis.

McBurney's point

The specific location in the right lower quadrant where pain typically migrates or localizes in patients with appendicitis.