CH 5 PART 2- Comprehensive Study Guide to the Gastrointestinal System and Accessory Organs

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering major diseases, diagnostic signs, and imaging findings of the gastrointestinal system, gallbladder, liver, pancreas, and spleen based on the lecture transcript.

Colonoscopy

A procedure used to inspect the entire colon for inflammation, polyps, bleeding, or tumors, which allows for biopsies and polypectomy to prevent cancer.

CTC (CT colonography)

A low-dose, cross-sectional imaging technique that uses $3\text{D}$ and $2\text{D}$ images to detect colonic polyps, masses, and other structural abnormalities.

Appendicitis

Acute inflammation of the vermiform appendix, typically caused by luminal obstruction, leading to bacterial overgrowth and potential perforation.

McBurney’s point

The classic anatomical site in the right lower quadrant ($RLQ$) where focal tenderness is most often found during an examination for appendicitis.

Diverticulosis

A condition characterized by sac-like outpouchings, or diverticula, that herniate through weak points in the muscular layer of the colonic wall.

Diverticulitis

Inflammation, with or without infection, of colonic diverticula, often presenting with $LLQ$ pain, fever, and leukocytosis.

Ulcerative Colitis (UC)

A chronic immune-mediated inflammatory bowel disease that starts in the rectum and extends proximally in a continuous pattern, affecting the colonic mucosa.

Lead pipe appearance

A radiographic sign of chronic Ulcerative Colitis characterized by the loss of normal haustral markings in the colon.

Ischemic Colitis (IC)

A condition where reduced blood flow to the colon leads to inflammation and injury, most commonly affecting watershed regions like the splenic flexure.

Watershed regions

Specific areas of the colon with limited collateral blood supply, namely the splenic flexure and rectosigmoid junction, making them vulnerable to ischemia.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

A chronic functional gastrointestinal disorder involving dysregulation between the $GI$ tract and $CNS$, characterized by abdominal pain and altered bowel habits without structural damage.

Adenocarcinoma

The histological type that accounts for over 90\text{–}95\text{%} of all colorectal cancers.

Annular carcinoma

Also known as ‘napkin-ring’ carcinoma, this colonic adenocarcinoma grows circumferentially around the bowel wall, causing lumen constriction.

Large Bowel Obstruction (LBO)

A mechanical or functional blockage of the colon that prevents the passage of intestinal contents, most commonly caused by colorectal cancer in adults.

Volvulus

A mechanical large bowel obstruction caused by the twisting of a colonic segment around its mesenteric axis.

Coffee bean appearance

The classic plain abdominal X-ray finding for sigmoid volvulus, showing a markedly dilated, ahaustral loop of the colon.

Bird’s beak appearance

A characteristic radiographic finding on a barium enema indicative of a colonic volvulus.

Hemorrhoids

Normal vascular cushions or varicose veins in the distal rectum and anal canal that can become symptomatic when they enlarge, prolapse, or thrombose.

Cholelithiasis

The presence of gallstones within the gallbladder, most commonly made of cholesterol, formed by the precipitation of bile constituents.

The 4 F’s

The classic set of risk factors for gallstones: Female, Forty, Fertile, and Fat.

Acute Cholecystitis

Acute inflammation of the gallbladder, usually resulting from the persistent obstruction of the cystic duct by a gallstone.

Sonographic Murphy’s sign

A clinical finding during ultrasound where pain and inspiratory arrest occur when the probe is pressed over the gallbladder.

Emphysematous Cholecystitis

A life-threatening variant of acute cholecystitis characterized by gas formation within the gallbladder wall or lumen due to gas-producing organisms.

Porcelain Gallbladder

A condition characterized by calcification of the gallbladder wall, often associated with an increased risk for developing gallbladder carcinoma.

Hepatitis

Inflammation of the liver caused by a variety of factors including viral infections ($HAV$, $HBV$, $HCV$), alcohol use, metabolic disorders, or toxins.

Cirrhosis

The irreversible end stage of chronic liver disease characterized by diffuse hepatic fibrosis and regenerative nodule formation.

Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC)

The most common primary malignancy of the liver, typically arising in patients with a history of chronic liver injury and cirrhosis.

Hepatic Metastases

Malignant tumors that spread to the liver from a primary cancer elsewhere, most frequently originating from colorectal cancer.

Acute Pancreatitis

An acute inflammatory process of the pancreas involving autodigestion due to the premature activation of pancreatic enzymes.

Chronic Pancreatitis

A progressive inflammatory disease resulting in irreversible pancreatic fibrosis and permanent loss of exocrine and endocrine functions.

Pancreatic Pseudocyst

An encapsulated collection of pancreatic fluid with a non-epithelialized fibrous wall that typically develops at least $4$ weeks after an episode of pancreatitis.

Courvoisier sign

A clinical finding of painless jaundice coupled with a palpable gallbladder, often indicative of a pancreatic head tumor.

Insulinoma

A rare, usually benign pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor arising from beta cells that secretes excess insulin, leading to hypoglycemia.

Whipple’s triad

The diagnostic criteria for insulinoma: symptoms of hypoglycemia, documented low blood glucose, and relief of symptoms after glucose administration.

Gastrinoma

A neuroendocrine tumor that secretes excessive gastrin, often causing severe peptic ulcer disease and Zollinger–Ellison syndrome.

VIPoma

A rare pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor that secretes excessive vasoactive intestinal peptide ($VIP$), resulting in severe watery diarrhea, hypokalemia, and achlorhydria.

Pneumoperitoneum

The presence of free air in the peritoneal cavity, most commonly resulting from the perforation of a hollow viscus.

Splenomegaly

Enlargement of the spleen beyond its normal size, usually as a manifestation of an underlying systemic infection, hematologic, or congestive disorder.

Kehr’s sign

Referred left shoulder pain that occurs due to the presence of blood or irritation in the peritoneal cavity, classically associated with splenic rupture.