Gastrointestinal System Lecture Practice Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering the anatomy, functions, laboratory diagnostics, and major diseases of the gastrointestinal system as presented in the lecture notes.

Mouth

Anatomical structure where ingestion and the initial process of digestion begin.

Teeth

Structures used for the process of mastication in the oral cavity.

Tongue

Anatomical organ located in the mouth involved in the gastrointestinal system.

Epiglottis

Structure located near the pharynx involved in the gastrointestinal tract pathway.

Salivary glands

Glands in the oral region that secrete saliva to facilitate digestion.

Pharynx

A part of the throat that serves as a passageway for food traveling to the esophagus.

Esophagus

The muscular tube that connects the pharynx to the stomach.

Liver

Large internal organ belonging to the gastrointestinal system that produces bile.

Gallbladder

Small organ that stores bile for use in the digestive process.

Pancreas

Glandular organ that provides essential enzymes and hormones for digestion.

Small intestine

The region of the gastrointestinal tract where the majority of absorption and digestion occurs.

Large intestine

The part of the digestive tract responsible for water absorption and waste formation.

Appendix

A small pouch attached to the start of the large intestine.

Rectum

The final section of the large intestine leading to the anus.

Anus

The terminal opening of the gastrointestinal tract through which waste is excreted.

Stomach

The organ where food is mixed with gastric juice for initial protein breakdown.

Hematemesis

The vomiting of blood, indicating bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract.

Melena

The passage of black, tarry stools containing digested blood.

Diverticulosis

A condition characterized by the presence of small outpocketings or diverticula in the colon.

Crohn disease

An inflammatory bowel disease with segmental distribution that can affect any part of the GI tract including the ileum.

Ulcerative colitis

An inflammatory bowel disease characterized by diffuse inflammation limited specifically to the colon.

Peritonitis

An inflammatory condition of the peritoneum often resulting from intestinal rupture or infection.

Ileus

A condition of intestinal obstruction or failure of peristalsis resulting in late or absent movement of bowel contents.

Hernia

The protrusion of a gastrointestinal organ through an abnormal opening in the cavity wall.

Fecal occult blood test (FOBT)

A screening test used for detecting hidden or invisible blood in the stool.

CBC (Complete Blood Count)

A laboratory test used to evaluate for anemia caused by chronic or acute gastrointestinal bleeding.

Iron studies

Diagnostic tests used to assess for iron-deficiency anemia in patients with chronic GI blood loss.

PT/INR

Tests used for assessing the coagulation status in patients with gastrointestinal bleeding disorders.

Stool culture

A laboratory test used to identify pathogens responsible for infectious diarrhea.

Antigen tests

Laboratory diagnostics used to detect specific antigens of infectious diarrhea pathogens in stool.

PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction)

A diagnostic method for detecting the genetic material of pathogens in stool samples.

Fecal calprotectin

A protein marker measured in stool used to assess or monitor inflammatory bowel disease.

Fecal lactoferrin

A marker in the stool used to indicate the presence of gastrointestinal inflammation.

Helicobacter pylori serologic testing

A blood test used to detect infection in patients with peptic ulcer disease.

CRP (C-Reactive Protein)

A non-specific blood marker used to detect general gastrointestinal inflammation.

ESR (Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate)

A non-specific laboratory test used to monitor inflammatory activity in the GI tract.

Celiac disease

A malabsorption syndrome diagnosed via anti-tTG and anti-endomysial antibodies.

Anti-tTG

An antibody used in serologic testing for the diagnosis of Celiac disease.

Anti-endomysial antibodies

Specific antibodies used as markers for Celiac disease screening and diagnosis.

Fecal fat analysis

A laboratory test performed to evaluate suspected fat malabsorption.

Vitamin B12 and folate levels

Blood measurements used to evaluate the presence of megaloblastic anemia in malabsorption cases.

D-xylose test

A clinical test used to assess for carbohydrate absorption defects in the intestines.

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA)

A tumor marker used primarily for monitoring patients with colorectal cancer.

CA 19-9

A tumor marker used primarily for diagnosing or monitoring pancreatic and biliary cancers.

Stool DNA tests

Diagnostic tests that analyze stool for genetic markers of early colon cancer.

Biopsy and histopathology

The essential procedures required for the definitive diagnosis of gastrointestinal cancers.

Mesentery

The fold of membrane that attaches the intestine to the abdominal wall and provides blood supply.

Serosa

The outermost layer of the gastrointestinal wall consisting of a connective tissue layer and peritoneum.

Myenteric plexus

A network of nerves located within the muscularis layer of the gastrointestinal tract.

Submucosal plexus

A nerve network located within the submucosa layer of the gastrointestinal tract.

Intramural plexus

The intrinsic nervous system of the GI tract including the myenteric and submucosal plexuses.

Submucosa

The layer of the GI tract located beneath the mucosa containing glands and ducts.

Muscularis

The muscular layer of the GI wall responsible for motility, consisting of circular and longitudinal layers.

Circular muscle layer

The inner part of the muscularis layer that encircles the gastrointestinal tract.

Longitudinal muscle layer

The outer part of the muscularis layer that runs along the length of the gastrointestinal tract.

Mucosa

The innermost layer of the GI tract containing mucous epithelium, lamina propria, and muscularis mucosae.

Mucous epithelium

The surface layer of the mucosa that interfaces with the contents of the GI tract.

Lamina propria

The connective tissue layer of the mucosa situated beneath the epithelium.

Muscularis mucosae

The thin layer of smooth muscle that forms the boundary of the mucosa.

Lymph nodule

The immune tissue structure found within the mucosal layer of the GI tract.

Ingestion

The process of taking food or liquid into the gastrointestinal system through the mouth.

Mastication

The process of chewing food into smaller pieces.

Deglutition

The medical term for the act of swallowing.

Digestion

The process of breaking down food chemically and mechanically for nutrient uptake.

Absorption

The movement of nutrients from the GI tract into the bloodstream or lymph.

Excretion

The removal of indigestible waste from the gastrointestinal system.

Dental caries

Common alimentary disease characterized by tooth decay or dental cavity formation.

Periodontal disease

Common disease involving the inflammation or infection of the gums.

Stomatitis

A general term for inflammatory diseases of the mouth.

Herpesvirus infection

A viral cause of inflammatory stomatitis.

Candida albicans

A fungal pathogen that causes thrush, a form of oral stomatitis.

Aphthous stomatitis

The clinical name for common mouth sores known as canker sores.

Squamous cell carcinoma

The histological classification for the vast majority of oral cancer tumors.

Leukoplakia

A clinical presentation of oral cancer appearing as white patches on the mucosa.

Erythroplakia

A clinical presentation of oral cancer appearing as red patches on the mucosa.

Esophageal atresia

A developmental abnormality where the esophagus ends in a blind pouch and does not connect to the stomach.

Atresia with esophageal-tracheal fistula

A developmental defect involving an abnormal connection between the esophagus and the trachea associated with atresia.

Achalasia

An esophageal motility disorder characterized by difficulty in swallowing.

Esophageal varices

Dilated veins in the esophagus typically caused by hepatic portal hypertension.

Peptic esophagitis

Inflammation of the esophagus caused by the reflux of gastric juice.

Adenocarcinoma

A type of cancer in the lower esophagus typically developing in the setting of Barrett’s esophagus.

Barrett’s esophagus

A condition resulting from chronic reflux where the esophageal lining changes, predisposing to cancer.

Dyspepsia

The clinical term for indigestion or upper abdominal discomfort.

Acute (erosive) gastritis

Inflammation of the stomach lining often caused by stress, shock, food, chemicals, or drugs.

Chronic atrophic gastritis

Gastritis often related to Helicobacter pylori or autoimmune factors, leading to mucosal thinning.

Pepsin

An enzyme in gastric juice that acts as a contributing factor in the development of peptic ulcers.

Nitrosamines

Chemical compounds in food suspected to be involved in the etiology of stomach cancer.

Hirschsprung’s disease

A developmental abnormality of the colon characterized by the absence of ganglion cells.

Megacolon

The proximal dilatation of the colon seen in conditions like Hirschsprung’s disease or ulcerative colitis.

Meckel’s diverticulum

A congenital diverticulum that occurs as a developmental abnormality of the intestines.

Diverticulitis

Inflammation of diverticula which may lead to abscess formation, fistula, or stenosis.

Hemorrhoids

Varicose veins located in the rectum or anus.

Angiodysplasia

A vascular disorder characterized by malformed blood vessels in the intestinal wall.

Ischemic bowel disease

Condition caused by atherosclerosis or thrombosis of mesenteric arteries leading to decreased blood flow.

Transmural inflammation

Inflammation involving the full thickness of the bowel wall, typically seen in Crohn’s disease ($++$).

Granuloma

A microscopic pathological feature present in Crohn’s disease ($+$) but absent in ulcerative colitis ($-$).

Vibrio cholerae

A bacterial pathogen that causes infectious diarrhea within the small intestine.

Giardia lamblia

A parasite that causes an infection leading to diarrhea in the small intestine.

Tubular adenoma

A histological type of intestinal polyp characterized by glandular structures.

Carcinoma of the Large Intestine

The third most common cancer of internal organs affecting approximately $190,000$ persons per year in the United States.