Inflammatory Bowel Disease & Hepatitis Lecture Notes

Vocabulary flashcards summarizing key terms and definitions related to inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn disease, ulcerative colitis) and viral hepatitis (types A-D, disease phases, complications).

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

Chronic inflammatory disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, most commonly affecting the small and large intestines; includes Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis.

Crohn Disease

Granulomatous, transmural inflammation with skip lesions, usually in the ileum and ascending colon; may cause bowel thickening, obstruction, ulceration, and fistula formation.

Skip Lesions

Patchy segments of diseased intestine separated by normal tissue, characteristic of Crohn disease.

Fistula

An abnormal passageway connecting two epithelial-lined organs or segments of bowel, often a complication of Crohn disease.

Ulcerative Colitis

Continuous, superficial inflammation of the mucosal layer of the colon, beginning in the rectum and extending proximally; causes friability, ulceration, and potential massive hemorrhage.

Friability

Easily bleeding mucosal tissue, commonly seen in ulcerative colitis.

Massive Hemorrhage

Severe gastrointestinal bleeding that can occur when friable colonic tissue in ulcerative colitis erodes blood vessels.

Hepatitis

Inflammation of the liver due to viral infection, alcohol abuse, or toxins; may progress to hepatic necrosis and cirrhosis.

Cirrhosis

End-stage liver disease marked by widespread fibrosis and nodular regeneration following chronic hepatic injury.

Prodromal Phase (Hepatitis)

First ~2 weeks; fatigue, anorexia, malaise, headache, low-grade fever before jaundice appears.

Icteric Phase (Hepatitis)

2–6 week period with jaundice, dark urine, clay-colored stools, and tender hepatomegaly.

Recovery Phase (Hepatitis)

Begins ≈8 weeks after exposure; jaundice resolves though liver may stay enlarged and tender for 1–4 weeks more.

Hepatitis A Virus (HAV)

Fecal-oral transmission via contaminated food or water; 1–2 month incubation; vaccine available; diagnosed by anti-HAV antibodies.

Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)

Spread by blood, body fluids, or perinatally; 2–3 month incubation; carrier & chronic states possible; vaccine available; detected by HBsAg in blood.

Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)

Bloodborne transmission; 2–3 month incubation; high rate of chronic infection; no vaccine; diagnosed by anti-HCV antibodies.

Hepatitis D Virus (HDV)

Blood/body-fluid transmission requiring co-infection with HBV (HBsAg); 2–3 month incubation; chronic carrier state; no vaccine; detected by anti-HDV antibodies.