Pathology of the Digestive System

anorexia

lack of appetite. often is a sign of malignancy or liver disease

anorexia nervosa

loss of appetite associated with emotional problems such as anger, anxiety, and irrational fear of weight gain

ascites

abnormal accumulation of fluid in the abdomen; occurs when fluid passes from the bloodstream and collects in the peritoneal cavity

borborygmi ( singular: borborygmus

rumbling or gurgling noises produced by the movement of gas, fluid, or both in the gastrointestinal tract

constipation

difficulty passing stools; occurs when peristalsis is slow, and stools are dry/hard

diarrhea

frequent passage of loose watery stools

dysphagia

difficulty in swallowing

eructation

gas expelled from stomach through mouth; belching

flatus

gas expelled through anus

hematochezia

passage of fresh, bright red blood from the rectum

jaundice (icterus)

yellow-orange coloration of the skin and whites of the eyes cause by high levels of bilirubin in the blood.

melena

black, tarry stools; feces containing digested blood

nausea

unpleasant sensation in the stomach with a tendency to vomit

steatorrhea

fat in the feces

aphthous stomatitis

inflammation of the mouth with small painful ulcers

dental caries

tooth decay

dental plaque

accumulation of foods, proteins from saliva, and necrotic debris on the tooth enamel

herpetic stomatitis

inflammation of the mouth caused by infection with herpesvirus

oral leukoplakia

white plaques or patches on the mucosa of the mouth

periodontal disease

inflammation and degeneration of gums, teeth, and surrounding bone.

achalasia

results from the lose of peristalsis so that food cannot pass easily through the esophagus

esophageal cancer

malignant tumor of the esophagus

esophageal varices

swollen varicose veins at the lower end of the esophagus

gastric cancer

malignant tumor of the stomach

gastroesophageal reflux disease

GERD. solids and fluids return to the mouth from the stomach. leads to a burning sensation caused by regurgitation of hydrochloric acid from the stomach to the esophagus.

hernia

protrusion of an organ or part through the tissue and muscles normally containing it

peptic ulcer

open sore in the lining of the stomach or duodenum

anal fistula

abnormal tube-like passageway near the anus

colonic polyps

polyps (benign growth) protrude from the mucous membrane of the colon

colorectal cancer

adenocarcinoma of the colon or rectum, or both

Crohn disease

chronic inflammation of the intestinal tract

diverticulosis

abnormal outpouchings (diverticula) in the intestinal wall of the color; can occur when fecal matter becomes trapped in diverticula

dysentary

painful inflammation of the intestines commonly caused by bacterial infection; can come from ingestion of food/water containing bacteria, amebae, or viruses

hemorrhoids

swollen, twisted varicose veins in the rectal region

ileus

loss of peristalsis with resulting obstruction of the intestines

inflammatory bowel disease

inflammation of the colon and small intestine

intussusception

telescoping of the intestines; one segment of the bowel collapses into the opening of another segment

irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

group of GI symptoms ( abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation) without structural abnormalities in the intestines

ulcerative colitis

chronic inflammation of the colon with presence of ulcers; rectal bleeding and pain. often starts in the color and inflammation spreads proximally throughout the colon

volvulus

twisting of the intestine on itself; causes intestinal obstruction leading to severe pain, nausea, vomiting, and absence of bowel sounds

cholelithiasis

gallstones in the gallbladder. calcul(stones) can prevent bile from leaving the gallbladder and bile ducts

cirrhosis

chronic degenerative disease of the liver; lobes of the liver become infiltrated with fat and scarred with fibrous tissue

hepatocellular carcinoma

HCC;liver cancer

pancreatic cancer

malignant tumor of the pancreas; often occurs in the head of the pancreas (closer to the duodenum)

pancreatitis

inflammation of the pancreas; digestive enzymes attack pancreatic tissue and damage the gland

viral hepatitis

inflammation of the liver caused by a virus

hepatitis A

a viral hepatitis spread by contaminated food or water and characterized by a slow onset of symptoms

hepatits B

a viral hepatitis is transmitted by sexual contact, blood transfusions, the use of contaminated needles, or may be acquired by maternal-fetal transmission

hepatitis C

a viral hepatitis transmitted by blood transfusions or needle inoculation