Gastrointestinal and Salivary Gland Pathology

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering salivary gland tumors, esophageal pathology, gastritis, gastrointestinal polyposis syndromes, and inflammatory bowel diseases based on lecture material.

Sialadenitis

Inflammation of the salivary glands caused by etiologies such as sialoliths, mumps, sarcoidosis, and Sjögren syndrome; clinically presents with dry mouth (xerostomia), glandular swelling, and pain.

Sjögren syndrome

An autoimmune disorder characterized by intense lymphocytic infiltration of salivary and lacrimal glands, dry mouth, dry eyes, keratoconjunctivitis sicca, and parotid enlargement; associated with a 40-fold increased risk of lymphoma.

Keratoconjunctivitis sicca

Dryness and inflammation involving the eyes, commonly occurring as a clinical feature of Sjögren syndrome.

Pleomorphic adenoma

The most common salivary gland tumor (accounting for approximately 60% of parotid tumors); a benign, firm, lobulated mixed tumor that is variably encapsulated, carries an approximate 10% recurrence rate in the parotid, and has a 3–5% risk of malignant transformation.

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma

The most common malignant salivary gland tumor, occurring in the parotid and minor salivary glands; may exhibit a bluish appearance due to mucin production and a cystic growth pattern.

Barrett esophagus

An altered lining of the esophagus resulting from long-standing gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), predisposing patients to an increased risk of distal esophageal adenocarcinoma.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

Reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus linked to decreased lower esophageal sphincter tone and increased abdominal pressure; presents clinically with heartburn, dysphagia, and regurgitation of sour-tasting gastric contents.

Esophageal adenocarcinoma

Malignant tumor strongly associated with long-standing GERD and Barrett esophagus; most commonly located in the distal one-third of the esophagus, has a male-to-female ratio of approximately 7:1, and carries a 25% five-year survival rate.

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Malignant esophageal tumor primarily associated with tobacco and alcohol use; most commonly occurs in the middle one-third of the esophagus, has a male-to-female ratio of approximately 4:1, and carries a 9% five-year survival rate.

Helicobacter pylori

A curved, Gram-negative bacillus that accounts for approximately 90% of chronic infectious gastritis cases and is identified in approximately 65% of gastric ulcers and 85–100% of duodenal ulcers.

Autoimmune gastritis

An autoimmune cause of chronic gastritis (accounting for approximately 10% of cases) characterized by destruction of parietal cells, reduced intrinsic factor production, and resulting pernicious anemia due to impaired vitamin B12 absorption.

Intestinal metaplasia

A pathological mucosal transformation occurring in chronic gastritis that carries an increased gastric cancer risk (reported at 2–4%).

Colorectal adenocarcinoma

The most common malignancy of the gastrointestinal tract; key risk factors include high-fat/low-fiber diet, age over 50, personal/family history of polyps or cancer, and inflammatory bowel disease, with prognosis determined primarily by depth of invasion and lymph node metastasis.

Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP)

An autosomal dominant genetic disorder caused by mutations in the APC gene that results in the development of thousands of precancerous adenomatous colon polyps and a high risk of colorectal cancer.

Gardner syndrome

A variant of familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) characterized by intestinal polyposis combined with extraintestinal and orofacial findings, including jaw osteomas, epidermoid cysts, supernumerary or unerupted teeth, and increased odontomas.

Peutz–Jeghers syndrome

A polyposis syndrome featuring hamartomatous gastrointestinal polyps (predisposing to intussusception and increased overall GI adenocarcinoma risk) alongside childhood-onset, freckle-like oral and perioral pigmentation on the lips and vermilion border independent of sun exposure.

Atrophic glossitis

A smooth, "bald," and reddish tongue caused by mucosal atrophy and loss of normal papillae; overt lesions are typically tender and linked to iron deficiency, vitamin B12 deficiency, or pernicious anemia.

Glossopyrosis

A burning sensation of the tongue, often documented in malabsorption and deficiency states alongside atrophic glossitis.

Crohn disease

An inflammatory bowel disease that can affect any portion of the GI tract (most commonly the terminal ileum and colon); characterized by transmural inflammation, skip lesions, cobblestone mucosa, deep fissures, noncaseating granulomas, and frequent oral involvement.

Ulcerative colitis

An inflammatory bowel disease limited strictly to the colon and rectum; characterized by continuous, primarily mucosal inflammation, mucosal ulcerations, pseudopolyps, and rare oral manifestations such as pyostomatitis vegetans.

Pyostomatitis vegetans

A rare oral mucosal disorder characterized by pustular and vegetative lesions, recognized as an oral manifestation associated with ulcerative colitis.