Gastrointestinal System - Colon Pathology

Vocabulary practice flashcards generated from lecture notes covering colon pathologies, including appendicitis, diverticular disease, inflammatory bowel diseases, ischemic colitis, IBS, colon cancer, obstructions, volvulus, and hemorrhoids.

Appendicitis

Inflammation of the appendix, most common in children, which can be caused by obstruction of fluid flow from a fecalith or scarring.

Fecalith

A stone-like mass of hardened feces that can cause obstruction of fluid flow in the appendix, leading to appendicitis.

Diverticulosis

Acquired outpouchings consisting of herniations of mucosa and submucosa through the muscular layers at points of weakness in the bowel wall, occurring most commonly in the sigmoid colon.

Diverticulitis

A complication of diverticulosis defined as necrosing inflammation within the diverticula.

Ulcerative Colitis

An idiopathic inflammatory disease of the bowel characterized by alternating periods of remission and relapse, which may lead to a lead pipe appearance or toxic megacolon.

Toxic Megacolon

A rare but severe complication associated with ulcerative colitis.

Lead Pipe Appearance

A chronic radiographic appearance of the bowel seen in ulcerative colitis resulting from the loss of normal haustral markings.

Crohn's Colitis

The second major cause of inflammatory bowel disease, identical to Crohn's disease in the small bowel, which most commonly affects the proximal colon and terminal ileum while rarely affecting the rectum.

Ischemic Colitis

A condition characterized by the abrupt onset of lower abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, diarrhea, and abdominal tenderness, most common in individuals over 50 years old with a history of cardiovascular disease.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

A disorder involving an alteration in intestinal motility as the underlying pathophysiologic abnormality, presenting with alternating periods of constipation and diarrhea, and having no radiographic appearance.

Cancer of the Colon

The third leading cause of cancer death in the United States, peaking between 50 and 70 years old and occurring twice as often in men, with predisposing factors including long-term ulcerative colitis and familial polyposis.

Familial Polyposis

An inherited predisposing factor for cancer of the colon.

Large Bowel Obstruction

A blockage of the large intestine, about 70% of which result from primary colonic carcinoma, characterized by a slower onset of symptoms and fewer fluid/electrolyte disturbances than small bowel obstructions.

Volvulus of the Colon

The twisting of the bowel on itself that may cause obstruction, occurring most commonly in the cecum and sigmoid colon.

Cecal Volvulus

A form of colonic volvulus occurring in the cecum, representing one of the most common sites for bowel twisting.

Sigmoid Volvulus

A form of colonic volvulus occurring in the sigmoid region, representing one of the most common sites for bowel twisting.

Hemorrhoids

Varicose veins of the distal rectum that cause pain, itching, and bleeding, resulting from increased venous pressure caused by conditions such as constipation, pelvic tumor, or pregnancy.