GI, Cardiovascular, and Neurological Concepts Vocabulary Flashcards

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, clinical manifestations, and pathophysiology for GI, Cardiovascular, and Neurological topics from the lecture notes.

Cholelithiasis

The presence of gallstones in the gallbladder.

Cholecystitis

Inflammation of the gallbladder that produces right upper quadrant (RUQ) pain radiating to the back after consuming high-fat meals.

Hematemesis

Bright red blood present in vomitus.

Melena

Black, tarry stool resulting from digested blood.

Dysphagia

Difficulty swallowing.

Diverticulitis

Inflammation of small pouches (diverticula) in the colon lining.

GERD

Gastroesophageal reflux associated with weakness of the lower esophageal sphincter.

PUD

Peptic ulcer disease; commonly caused by H. pylori mucosal injury and carries a major risk of gastric hemorrhage.

Esophageal varices

Dilated esophageal veins that carry a major risk of hemorrhage.

Cirrhosis

Chronic liver disease associated with liver dysfunction and jaundice.

Jaundice

Yellowing of the skin associated with bilirubin accumulation and liver dysfunction.

Pancreatitis

Inflammation caused by pancreatic enzyme autodigestion, which may produce hemorrhage and tissue necrosis.

IBS

Irritable bowel syndrome; characterized by a bowel pattern of chronic diarrhea alternating with constipation.

Ulcerative colitis

Inflammatory bowel disease characterized by frequent diarrhea, potentially up to $12\,\text{times/day}$, containing blood and mucus.

Hepatitis A

Viral hepatitis associated with fecal-oral transmission, particularly through contaminated food or water.

Hepatitis B

Viral hepatitis associated with exposure to infected blood.

Appendicitis

Inflammation characterized by right lower quadrant (RLQ) pain accompanied by nausea and vomiting.

Cardiac output (CO)

The volume of blood ejected by a ventricle in $1\,\text{minute}$.

Stroke volume (SV)

The amount of blood ejected by a ventricle with one contraction.

Preload

The amount of blood returning to the heart that stretches the ventricles before contraction.

Afterload

The resistance the ventricle must overcome to eject blood.

Systole

The period of ventricular contraction and ejection.

Diastole

The relaxation of the myocardium that allows for ventricular filling.

SA node

The sinoatrial node; functions as the normal pacemaker of the heart.

Endocarditis

Inflammation of the innermost lining of the heart, including the heart valves.

Pericarditis

Inflammation of the outermost/pericardial layer surrounding the heart.

Cardiac tamponade

Pressure on the heart caused by fluid accumulation in the pericardial space that impairs ventricular filling and reduces effective cardiac output.

Atherosclerosis

Narrowing of arteries associated with plaque buildup.

Stable angina

Predictable chest pain triggered by exertion that lasts less than $15\,\text{minutes}$ and resolves with rest.

Myocardial infarction (MI)

Myocardial injury caused by complete or near-complete coronary obstruction.

Valvular prolapse

A condition in which heart valve leaflets become floppy and bulge backward.

Secondary hypertension

Hypertension caused by an identifiable underlying condition; may resolve when the root cause is treated.

HDL

High-density lipoprotein or 'good' cholesterol; higher levels are generally protective against atherosclerotic CAD risk.

LDL

Low-density lipoprotein or 'bad' cholesterol associated with atherosclerotic plaque risk.

Left-sided heart failure

Heart failure that backs blood into the lungs, producing clinical manifestations of crackles, pulmonary congestion, dyspnea, and frothy sputum.

Right-sided heart failure

Heart failure that backs blood into systemic circulation, producing peripheral edema, jugular vein distention (JVD), hepatomegaly, ascites, and sacral edema.

Meningitis

Inflammation of membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord; clinical manifestations include headache, photophobia, and nuchal rigidity.

Bradykinesia

Slowness of movement; one component of the Parkinson's disease triad.

Resting tremor

A tremor present at rest, classic to Parkinson's disease, often described as 'pill-rolling'.

Cogwheel rigidity

Jerky resistance to passive movement; part of the classic Parkinson's disease triad.

Aphasia

Language impairment resulting from neurological injury.

Receptive aphasia

Difficulty understanding spoken language, associated with injury to Wernicke's area in the temporal lobe.

Expressive aphasia

Inability to speak or difficulty forming words.

Aura

A brief sensory warning, such as a visual or auditory sensation, occurring immediately before a seizure.

Post-ictal phase

The period immediately following a seizure during which the individual may be sleepy, confused, fatigued, or difficult to arouse.

Multiple sclerosis (MS)

A central nervous system demyelinating disorder in which loss of myelin leads to nerve damage and decreased coordination.

TIA

Transient ischemic attack; transient neurologic symptoms lasting minutes to hours that resolve without lasting deficits.

Stroke

Interruption of cerebral blood flow that may produce lasting neurologic deficits and contralateral motor weakness.

Nuchal rigidity

Neck stiffness; a hallmark clinical indicator of meningeal inflammation.

Occipital lobe

The brain region responsible for visual processing; injury to this area can cause visual loss.

Temporal lobe

The brain region responsible for hearing and receptive language functions.

Frontal lobe

The brain region responsible for personality and behavior; injury can lead to personality changes.