Disorders of the Liver, Gallbladder, and Pancreas Flashcards

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards focused on portal hypertension, types of viral hepatitis, forms of cirrhosis, gallbladder and pancreatic disorders, and gastrointestinal cancers based on lecture notes.

Portal Hypertension

Abnormally high blood pressure in the portal venous system caused by resistance to blood flow.

Varices

Distended, tortuous veins found in the lower esophagus as a result of long-term portal hypertension.

Splenomegaly

An enlarged spleen caused by increased splenic vein pressure, which is a branch of the portal vein.

Thrombocytopenia

The most common manifestation of portal hypertension that may lead to increased bleeding.

Ascites

The accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity caused by increased pressure in the mesenteric veins.

Paracentesis

A medical procedure used to remove excess fluid from the peritoneal cavity in patients with ascites.

Hepatic encephalopathy

Impaired cognitive function characterized by flapping tremors and electroencephalogram changes, caused by the buildup of ammonia and proteins.

Jaundice (Icterus)

A yellow or greenish pigment of the skin and eyes caused by hyperbilirubinemia.

Hyperbilirubinemia

An excess of bilirubin in the blood, often a product of RBC hemolysis or bile duct disorders.

Hepatorenal syndrome

Functional renal failure characterized by oliguria and sodium/water retention, resulting from reduced blood flow to the kidneys.

Hepatitis A

A viral disease transmitted via the fecal-oral route through contaminated food or water.

Hepatitis B

A virus accounts for 15\text{--}30\text{%} of cases, transmitted via infected blood, body fluids, contaminated needles, sexual contact, or from mother to baby.

Hepatitis C

A viral disease accounting for 50\text{--}80\text{%} of cases, primarily transmitted via blood through intravenous drug use or transfusions.

Hepatitis D

A form of viral hepatitis that only occurs in the presence of Hepatitis B.

Hepatitis E

A viral disease transmitted via the fecal-oral route, most common in developing countries and having the highest mortality in pregnant women.

Hepatitis G

A recently discovered hepatitis virus that is sexually and parenterally transmitted.

Prodromal Phase

The initial phase of hepatitis characterized by fatigue, malaise, nausea, and low-grade fever.

Icteric Phase

A phase of hepatitis starting $1\text{--}2\text{ weeks}$ after prodromal, lasting $2\text{--}6\text{ weeks}$, characterized by jaundice and an enlarged, tender liver.

Recovery Phase

A phase beginning with jaundice resolution approximately $6\text{--}8\text{ weeks}$ after exposure, where liver function tests return to normal.

Fulminant hepatitis

A clinical syndrome involving severe impairment or necrosis of liver cells and potential liver failure, often a complication of Hep C or Hep B.

Cirrhosis

An irreversible inflammatory disease of the liver where hepatic tissue is replaced by fibrosis and nodules over several years.

Alcoholic Cirrhosis

Liver scarring caused by long-term heavy alcohol use, involving increased lipogenesis and decreased fatty acid oxidation (fatty infiltration).

Biliary Cirrhosis

Liver damage caused by blocked or damaged bile ducts or canaliculi.

Primary biliary cirrhosis

An autoimmune disease of unknown etiology where mitochondrial autoantibodies are the hallmark.

Secondary biliary cirrhosis

Liver damage caused by a prolonged blockage of the bile duct and its branches.

Post necrotic cirrhosis

Liver scarring following significant damage from drugs, toxins, or severe hepatitis, developing in 25\text{%} of Hep C patients.

Cholelithiasis

The most common disorder of the gallbladder, commonly known as gallstones, which can be cholesterol or pigmented.

Cholecystitis

Inflammation of the gallbladder, usually caused by a lodged gallstone.

Acute Pancreatitis

Inflammation of the pancreas frequently due to alcoholism or biliary tract obstruction leading to the auto-digestion of pancreatic tissues by released enzymes.

Chronic Pancreatitis

Persistent inflammation of the pancreas commonly due to chronic alcohol abuse; it is a known risk factor for pancreatic cancer.

Stomach Cancer

Malignancy where 90\text{%} are adenocarcinomas forming from the innermost mucosal lining of the stomach.

Aspergillus flavus

A source of mycotoxins commonly seen in farmers' crops that serves as a risk factor for liver cancer.

Pancreatic Cancer

A highly fatal cancer ranking as the $4^{\text{th}}$ common cause of cancer death in men and $5^{\text{th}}$ in women, with nearly 100\text{%} mortality.