Biliary Disorders Focus Review

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the anatomy, pathophysiology, diagnostics, and management of biliary disorders based on Chapter 45 lecture notes.

Bile

A fluid made by the liver and stored/concentrated by the gallbladder containing water, electrolytes, lecithin, fatty acids, cholesterol, bilirubin, and bile salts used to emulsify fat and absorb fat-soluble vitamins.

Cystic duct

The duct connecting the gallbladder to the common bile duct; obstruction here can cause biliary colic and cholecystitis.

Common bile duct

The duct formed by the cystic and hepatic ducts that carries bile to the duodenum; obstruction causes jaundice, dark urine, and clay-colored stool.

Cholelithiasis

The formation of gallstones in the gallbladder which may be silent or cause symptoms after fatty meals.

Cholecystitis

Inflammation of the gallbladder, which can be acute or chronic.

Calculous cholecystitis

A type of gallbladder inflammation caused specifically by stone obstruction of bile outflow.

Acalculous cholecystitis

Gallbladder inflammation occurring without stones, typically associated with severe physiologic stress such as major surgery, trauma, or burns.

Biliary colic

Severe right upper quadrant or epigastric pain caused by the gallbladder contracting against an obstructed duct, often radiating to the back or right shoulder.

Cholangitis

An infection associated with obstruction in the biliary tract, often presenting as an emergency with fever, pain, and jaundice.

Cholecystectomy

Surgical removal of the gallbladder, commonly performed using a laparoscopic approach.

T-tube

A tube placed in the common bile duct to allow external bile drainage, often used when there are retained stones or significant edema.

Cholecystokinin

The hormone stimulated by fat in the duodenum that triggers gallbladder contraction and relaxation of the sphincter of Oddi.

Sphincter of Oddi

The structure that regulates the flow of bile and pancreatic secretions into the duodenum.

Jaundice

Yellowing of the skin or sclera occurring when bile pigments are absorbed into the blood due to common bile duct obstruction.

Pruritus

Severe itching of the skin caused by the irritation of bile salts or pigments in patients with obstructive jaundice.

Clay-colored stool

Stool that lacks bile pigment (grayish) because the pigment does not reach the intestine due to obstruction.

Gallstone ileus

A condition where a gallstone causes an obstruction in the small bowel.

Ursodeoxycholic acid

A medication used to improve bile flow and help dissolve small radiolucent cholesterol stones in patients where surgery is contraindicated.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)

A procedure used to visualize the biliary tree and pancreas that can also remove stones from the common bile duct using a basket or balloon.

Lithotripsy

The use of laser, electrohydraulic, or extracorporeal shock waves to fragment gallstones.

Gallbladder Capacity

The gallbladder normally stores and concentrates between $30$ and $50\,mL$ of bile.

Bile Peritonitis

A serious postoperative complication of gallbladder surgery characterized by worsening abdominal pain, tenderness, rigidity, and fever.