Gastrointestinal, Neurologic, and Multi-System Disorders Flashcards

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering Gastrointestinal, Neurologic, Cell Biology, Hematologic, Immune, Neoplastic, Infectious, Reproductive, Cardiovascular, Pulmonary, and Endocrine systems based on lecture objectives.

Enteric Nervous System (ENS)

A network of neurons that supports GI innervation and handles gastrointestinal motility and function independently or in conjunction with the autonomic nervous system.

Peyer's patches

Lymphoid tissue structures located in the small intestine that play a major role in the Gut-Associated Lymphoid Tissue (GALT).

Glycogenesis

One of the three major functions of carbohydrate metabolism in the liver involving the formation of glycogen from glucose.

Glycogenolysis

The physiological process of breaking down glycogen into glucose, serving as a function of carbohydrate metabolism.

Gluconeogenesis

The metabolic pathway that results in the generation of glucose from non-carbohydrate carbon substrates.

White Matter

A component of the brain and spinal cord consisting of myelinated axons, to be differentiated from gray matter.

Limbic System

A complex system of nerves and networks in the brain, including the hippocampus and amygdala, involved in instinct and mood.

Inotropic and Metabotropic Receptors

Two main classes of receptors at the post-synaptic dendrite that receive neurotransmission.

Upper Motor Neurons

Neurons that originate in the motor region of the cerebral cortex or brainstem and carry motor information down to the lower motor neurons.

Myasthenia Gravis

A chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disease characterized by weakness of the skeletal muscles, caused by an identified disruption in communication between nerves and muscles.

$$p53$$

A critical tumor suppressor gene that regulates the cell cycle and has significant effects on tumor division.

Mitosis

The process of cell reproduction; in the context of neoplasia, its impact is studied regarding cancer cell proliferation.

Sarcolemma

The cell membrane of a striated muscle fiber cell which, along with the sarcoplasmic reticulum, functions in muscle contraction.

MCV and MCHC

Mean Corpuscular Volume and Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration; terms applied to define the size and hemoglobin concentration of $\text{RBCs}$.

Virchow's Triad

A group of three factors (endothelial injury, stasis or turbulence of blood flow, and hypercoagulability of the blood) that are thought to contribute to thrombosis.

$$MHC I$$

Major Histocompatibility Complex type $I$ which specifically pairs with $CD8$ cells in adaptive immunity.

$$MHC II$$

Major Histocompatibility Complex type $II$ which specifically pairs with $CD4$ cells in adaptive immunity.

mecA gene

A gene found in bacterial cells, specifically $S. aureus$, whose presence indicates resistance to certain antibiotics.

Osteoprotegrin (OPG)

A cytokine receptor that inhibits the differentiation of macrophages into osteoclasts, affecting bone resorption.

Atheroma

An accumulation of degenerative material in the inner layer of an artery wall, which can involve foam cells and lead to potential rupture.

$$FEV_1$$

Forced Expiratory Volume in $1$ second; a specific measurement used to predict lung function with a defined normal value.

Tubuloglomerular Feedback

A mechanism that, alongside the myogenic mechanism, adjusts renal blood flow to maintain a stable Glomerular Filtration Rate.

SIADH

Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone; an endocrine disorder characterized by the excessive release of antidiuretic hormone from the posterior pituitary.