BI 231 Pathophysiology Unit 6 Study Guide

Emesis

The act of expelling the contents of the stomach through the mouth.

Hematemesis

The vomiting of blood, which may indicate bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract.

Hematochezia

The passage of fresh blood through the anus, typically indicating lower gastrointestinal bleeding.

Melena

The presence of black, tarry stools, often resulting from the digestion of blood in the gastrointestinal tract.

Constipation

A condition characterized by infrequent bowel movements or difficulty in passing stools.

Diarrhea

An increase in the frequency of bowel movements, often accompanied by a change in stool consistency.

Steatorrhea

The presence of excess fat in the stool, leading to oily, foul-smelling stools.

Dysphagia

Difficulty in swallowing, which can be caused by various mechanical or neurological factors.

Achalasia

A condition where the esophagus fails to properly move food into the stomach due to loss of peristalsis.

Maldigestion

The incomplete breakdown of food, leading to nutrient deficiencies.

Malabsorption

The failure of the intestines to absorb nutrients from food effectively.

Malnutrition

A condition resulting from inadequate intake of nutrients necessary for health and growth.

Failure to thrive (FTT)

A term used to describe a child whose growth is significantly below the expected standards for their age.

GI bleeding

Bleeding that occurs in the gastrointestinal tract, which can be classified as upper or lower based on the location.

GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease)

A chronic condition where stomach contents flow back into the esophagus, causing heartburn.

Hiatal hernia

A condition where part of the stomach protrudes through the diaphragm into the thoracic cavity.

Gastritis

Inflammation of the gastric mucosa, which can be acute or chronic.

Peptic ulcer disease (PUD)

A condition characterized by the formation of sores in the stomach lining or the upper part of the small intestine.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

A group of inflammatory conditions of the gastrointestinal tract, primarily including ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.

Diverticulum

An outpouching or sac-like structure that can form in the wall of the intestine.

Diverticulosis

The presence of diverticula in the intestine without inflammation.

Diverticulitis

Inflammation of the diverticula, often associated with abdominal pain and changes in bowel habits.

Appendicitis

An acute inflammation of the appendix, typically presenting with right lower quadrant pain and gastrointestinal symptoms.

Mild leukocytosis

A slight increase in the number of white blood cells in the blood, often indicating an underlying condition or stress response.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

A gastrointestinal disorder characterized by a group of symptoms including abdominal pain and altered bowel habits without any identifiable structural or functional abnormalities.

Portal hypertension

An increase in blood pressure within the portal venous system, often due to liver disease or obstruction.

Cirrhosis

A chronic liver disease marked by irreversible damage and scarring of liver tissue, often resulting from long-term alcohol use, hepatitis, or other factors.

Hepatorenal syndrome

A serious condition in which kidney function declines due to severe liver disease, despite the kidneys appearing normal.

Jaundice

A yellow discoloration of the skin and eyes resulting from elevated levels of bilirubin in the blood.

Cholelithiasis

The presence of gallstones in the gallbladder, which can cause pain, especially after eating.

Cholecystitis

An inflammation of the gallbladder, often associated with gallstones, leading to severe abdominal pain.

Acute pancreatitis

A sudden inflammation of the pancreas, often caused by gallstones or alcohol, characterized by severe abdominal pain and elevated digestive enzymes.

Chronic pancreatitis

A long-term inflammation of the pancreas that can lead to permanent damage and is often associated with alcohol abuse.

Adenocarcinoma

A type of cancer that originates in glandular tissues, commonly found in the colon, pancreas, liver, stomach, and esophagus.

Esophageal atresia

A congenital condition where the esophagus does not form properly, leading to feeding difficulties in infants.

Pyloric stenosis

A narrowing of the pylorus that causes projectile vomiting in infants, often requiring surgical intervention.

Meconium ileus

A condition in newborns where thick, sticky meconium obstructs the intestines, often associated with cystic fibrosis.

Barrett's esophagus

A condition in which the tissue lining the esophagus changes due to chronic acid exposure, increasing the risk of esophageal cancer.

Splenic congestion

Enlargement of the spleen due to increased pressure in the splenic vein, often resulting from portal hypertension.

Ascites

The accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity, commonly associated with liver disease and portal hypertension.

Hepatic encephalopathy

A decline in brain function due to severe liver disease, leading to the accumulation of toxins in the bloodstream.

Celiac disease

An autoimmune disorder characterized by hypersensitivity to gluten, leading to inflammation and damage in the small intestine.

Cystic fibrosis

A genetic disorder caused by a defect in chloride metabolism, resulting in thick mucus production and decreased pancreatic enzyme secretion.

Excitation-contraction coupling

The physiological process by which an electrical impulse triggers muscle contraction through calcium ion release.

Sarcomere

The basic structural and functional unit of muscle tissue, composed of actin and myosin filaments.

Calcium homeostasis

The regulation of calcium levels in the body, involving hormones such as parathyroid hormone, vitamin D, and calcitonin.

Complete fracture

A type of bone fracture where the bone is broken completely through.

Incomplete fracture

A fracture where the bone is partially broken but remains in one piece.

Open fracture

A fracture in which the broken bone protrudes through the skin.

Closed fracture

A fracture where the skin remains intact over the broken bone.

Comminuted fracture

A fracture where the bone is broken into multiple pieces.

Pathologic fracture

A fracture that occurs in a bone weakened by disease.

Linear fracture

A fracture that runs parallel to the long axis of the bone.

Oblique fracture

A fracture that occurs diagonally across the bone.

Transverse fracture

A fracture that occurs perpendicular to the long axis of the bone.

Spiral fracture

A fracture that encircles the bone, often caused by twisting forces.

Reduction

The medical procedure of realigning broken bones to their normal position.

Immobilization

The process of holding bones in place to promote healing after a fracture.

Dislocation

An injury where articulating bones are completely separated from each other.

Subluxation

A partial dislocation where bones move but still maintain some contact.

Strain

An injury involving a tear in a tendon, which connects muscle to bone.

Sprain

An injury involving a tear in a ligament, which connects bone to bone.

Fat embolus

A fat globule that can block blood flow, often released during bone injury.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

A condition where blood clots form in deep veins, often in the legs.

Pulmonary embolism (PE)

A blockage in the pulmonary arteries in the lungs, usually due to blood clots.

Myoglobinuria

A condition where myoglobin leaks from damaged muscle tissue into the urine, potentially harming the kidneys.

Osteoporosis

A condition characterized by decreased bone density and increased risk of fractures.

Osteomyelitis

An infection of the bone, which can be introduced from external sources or through the bloodstream.

Osteoarthritis (OA)

A degenerative joint disease characterized by the breakdown of cartilage and bone, leading to pain and stiffness.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

An autoimmune disorder causing chronic inflammation of the joints, often resulting in pain, swelling, and systemic symptoms.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

An autoimmune disorder characterized by chronic inflammation of the joints, leading to pain, stiffness, and potential joint damage.

Rheumatoid Factor (RF)

Autoantibodies present in the blood of many individuals with rheumatoid arthritis, indicating an autoimmune response.

Pannus

A layer of granulation tissue that forms in the joint space, contributing to joint destruction in rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid Nodule

A firm lump that forms under the skin, typically associated with rheumatoid arthritis, consisting of inflammatory cells.

Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS)

A type of inflammatory arthritis that primarily affects the spine, leading to pain and stiffness, and can result in fusion of the vertebrae.

HLA-B27

A specific genetic marker associated with an increased risk of developing ankylosing spondylitis.

Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)

A blood test that measures the rate at which red blood cells settle at the bottom of a test tube, indicating inflammation.

C-Reactive Protein (CRP)

A substance produced by the liver in response to inflammation, often measured to assess disease activity.

Gout

A form of arthritis caused by the accumulation of uric acid crystals in the joints, leading to sudden and severe pain.

Tophi

Subcutaneous nodules formed from the deposition of urate crystals, commonly seen in chronic gout.

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD)

An X-linked recessive disorder characterized by progressive muscle degeneration due to a deficiency of dystrophin.

Gowers Sign

A clinical sign of proximal muscle weakness where an individual uses their hands to walk up their legs to stand.

Osteosarcoma

The most common primary malignant bone tumor, often occurring in adolescents and young adults.

Chondrosarcoma

A malignant tumor that arises from cartilage, affecting bones and soft tissues.

Ewing Sarcoma

A malignant bone tumor that primarily affects children and adolescents, often associated with specific chromosomal translocations.

Rhabdomyoma

A benign tumor of striated muscle, often found in the heart.

Rhabdomyosarcoma

A malignant tumor of striated muscle, most commonly occurring in children.

Myotonia

A condition characterized by delayed relaxation of muscles after contraction.

Scoliosis

A lateral curvature of the spine, which can lead to postural and functional issues.

Dermatome

A specific area of skin that is innervated by sensory fibers from a single spinal nerve root.

Macule

A flat, discolored area of skin that is less than 1 cm in diameter.

Papule

A small, raised bump on the skin that is less than 1 cm and involves only the epidermis.

Patch

A flat, discolored area of skin that is greater than 1 cm in size.

Plaque

A raised, flat area of skin that is greater than 1 cm and involves only the epidermis.

Nodule

A solid, raised lesion that is between 1 and 2 cm in size, often containing fat.

Vesicle

A small, raised lesion that is less than 1 cm and contains fluid, involving only the epidermis.

Bulla

A large, fluid-filled blister that is greater than 1 cm in size.

Pustule

A raised lesion that is greater than 1 cm and contains pus.

Keloid

A raised scar that forms at the site of an incision or injury, varying in size and containing collagen.

Erosion

A depressed lesion that is less than 1 cm and involves the epidermis.