Disorders of Liver, Pancreas, Gallbladder, GI, and Neural Function

Vocabulary flashcards covering anatomy-based pathology, clinical manifestations, and pathophysiology based on lecture notes.

Acute Pancreatitis

Inflammation of the pancreas leading to autodigestion, characterized by elevated serum amylase and lipase levels, and severe epigastric or LUQ pain radiating to the back.

Chronic Pancreatitis

Condition resulting from repeated acute attacks leading to fibrosis and scarring of the pancreas; clinical manifestations include weight loss, malabsorption, and diabetes due to beta cell damage.

Cholecystitis

Inflammation of the gallbladder often precipitated by fat-containing foods, manifesting as colicky pain radiating to the subscapular area, clay-colored stool, and jaundice.

Prehepatic Jaundice

Jaundice resulting from hemolysis and ineffective erythropoiesis, commonly associated with large bruising, trauma, and Rh incompatibility.

Hepatic Jaundice

Jaundice caused by liver dysfunction where bilirubin remains unconjugated because it cannot be broken down by the liver.

Posthepatic Jaundice

Jaundice due to issues with bilirubin transport, such as bile duct obstruction or gallstones; bilirubin is conjugated but cannot be turned into bile.

Cirrhosis

Irreversible end-stage of hepatic injury characterized by a fibrotic, nodular, and scarred liver that interferes with hepatic blood flow and function.

Gastroesophageal Varices

Dilated venous pathways resulting from portal hypertension as the body attempts to transport blood around a diseased liver; can result in backup into the esophagus.

Asterixis

A classic sign of advanced liver disease known as "liver flap," characterized by spastic jerking of hands in forced extension.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

A chronic functional disorder lasting more than $3$ months with no identifiable pathology, characterized by alternating diarrhea and constipation with abdominal cramping relieved by defecation.

Crohn’s Disease

A chronic inflammatory bowel disease characterized by lymphoid structures becoming blocked, "skip lesions," fibrous scar tissue, and localized pain in the RLQ.

Ulcerative Colitis

Chronic inflammatory disease of the mucosa of the rectum and colon characterized by large ulcerations without "skip lesions," typically manifesting as bloody diarrhea.

Diverticulosis

Outpouching of the walls of the colon resulting from low dietary fiber intake and high intraluminal pressure; can lead to diverticulitis (inflammation).

Colon Cancer Warning Signs

Black, tarry, bloody, or pencil-shaped (ribbon) stools and a change in bowel habits.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

Backflow of acidic gastric contents through the Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES) into the esophagus, causing inflammation and dyspepsia.

Hiatal Hernia

A defect in the diaphragm that allows a portion of the stomach to pass through the diaphragmatic opening into the thorax.

Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD)

Ulcerations in the upper GI tract caused by acid and pepsin, often associated with NSAID use or H. pylori infection; pain typically occurs when the stomach is empty.

Appendicitis

Inflammation of the vermiform appendix characterized by periumbilical and RLQ pain at McBurney’s Point and rebound tenderness.

Volvulus

Sudden twisting of the bowel on itself leading to intestinal obstruction and blood vessel compression which can cause ischemia or gangrene.

Celiac Disease

Malabsorption due to an autoimmune response to gluten in genetically susceptible people, leading to recurring abdominal bloating, pain, and weight loss.

Dumping Syndrome

Rapid dumping of hyperosmolar stomach contents into the small intestine, usually following gastric surgery, leading to increased bowel motility and diarrhea.

Intracranial Pressure (ICP) Factors

The three elements of the closed cranium system: brain tissue, CSF, and blood; an increase in any element can lead to increased ICP.

Cushing Response

A clinical manifestation of increased ICP characterized by widening pulse pressure with high systolic pressures, bradycardia, and altered respiratory rate.

Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)

A tool to assess level of consciousness ranging from $3$ to $15$; Mild (>12), Moderate ($9-12$), and Severe (<8).

Epidural Hematoma

A collection of arterial blood between the dura mater and the skull, typically associated with a skull fracture and rapid onset of symptoms.

Subdural Hematoma

A collection of blood, typically involving bridging veins, between the dura and the arachnoid membrane; symptoms develop more slowly than epidural hematomas.

Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)

A temporary episode of neurological dysfunction where an obstructing clot is lysed by the body's fibrinolytic system before permanent damage occurs.

Schizophrenia Positive Symptoms

Symptoms associated with D2 receptors and hyperdopaminergic activity, including hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized speech.

Schizophrenia Negative Symptoms

Symptoms associated with D1 receptors and hypodopaminergic activity, including flat affect, social withdrawal, and cognitive difficulties.

Alzheimer’s Disease Markers

Characterized by amyloid plaques, reduced activity of acetyltransferase, and decreased acetylcholine synthesis.

Spinal Shock

Temporary loss of reflexes below the level of spinal cord injury immediately following the event, characterized by flaccid muscles, hypotension, and bradycardia.

Autonomic Dysreflexia

Acute reflexive response to sympathetic activation below the level of injury, often caused by a full bladder, resulting in sudden HTN and bradycardia.

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD)

A recessive X-linked disorder where muscle tissue deteriorates, leading to weakness of postural, respiratory, and cardiac muscles.

Myasthenia Gravis (MG)

A chronic autoimmune disease involving the destruction of acetylcholine receptor sites at the neuromuscular junction, causing profound muscle fatigue.

Parkinson’s Disease

A mobility disorder featuring shaking, cogwheel rigidity, and slow movement, associated with dopamine deficiency and Lewy bodies.

Osteoarthritis

A local degenerative joint disorder associated with aging and wear-and-tear, characterized by Heberden’s and Bouchard’s nodules and bone-on-bone friction.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

A systemic autoimmune disease where T and B cell macrophages activate an inflammatory response in synovial tissue, causing symmetrical joint swelling.

Osteoporosis

Metabolic disease where bone resorption exceeds bone formation, leading to reduced mineral/protein matrix and increased fracture risk.

Gout

A disturbance of uric acid metabolism resulting in the deposition of urate salts in articular tissue, most commonly affecting the big toe.

Compartment Syndrome

Accumulation of pressure in a restricted soft-tissue compartment; early signs include paresthesia and pain, while late signs include loss of pulse.

Sensorineural Hearing Impairment

Hearing loss due to damage to the cochlea or nerve, often caused by long-term loud sound exposure or aging (presbycusis); usually irreversible.

Cataracts

Clouding or opacity of the lens leading to gradual, painless blurred vision, glare, and loss of the red reflex.

Open Angle Glaucoma

A condition of increased intraocular pressure and insidious onset, leading to a gradual loss of peripheral vision (tunnel vision).

Cardiogenic Shock

Shock resulting from severe ventricle dysfunction and inadequate pumping, distinguished by high preload and low cardiac output (CO).

Hypovolemic Shock

Shock caused by inadequate circulatory blood volume from hemorrhage, burns, or dehydration, distinguished by low preload and low CO.

Septic Shock

Severe systemic inflammatory response to infection, characterized by vasodilation, lowered BP, and high CO despite insufficient volume.

Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC)

A complication of shock involving abnormal clot formation in microvascular vessels while simultaneously bleeding without the ability to clot.