RAD 379U - Final Terms

Abdominal

Accessory Spleen

Small secondary spleen

Ampulla (Papilla) of vater

where common bile and pancreatic ducts enter the duodenum

Amylase

a digestive enzyme for carbohydrates, secreted by the pancreas, parotid glands, gynecological system and bowel

bare area

portion of the liver that rests directly on the diaphragm

bile

fluid secreted from the liver

Budd-Chiari syndrome

condition characterized by thrombosis of the hepatic vein

Cholangitis

inflammation of the bile ducts

Cholecystitis

Inflammation of the gallbladder

cholecystojejunostomy

surgical procedure connecting passage from gallbladder to  jejunum

cholecystokinin

hormone that stimulates gallbladder contraction and secretion of pancreatic enzymes

Choledochal

Pertaining to the common bile duct

cholelithiasis

the presence of gallstones in the gallbladder 

Cirrhosis

Diffuse fibrous disease of liver, causes portal hypertension

Common bile duct

Provides bile passageway from the united right & left hepatic ducts to the level of the cystic duct

Courvoisier's sign

RUQ mass with painless jaundice (usually indicative of pancreatic mass)

Cystic duct

provides bile passageway between the gallbladder neck with the common hepatic duct

Duct of Santorini

Accessory pancreatic duct

Duct of Wirsung

Primary excretory duct of the pacnreas/main duct

Enzyme

Protein catalyst used throughout the body in all metabolic processes

Fatty infiltration

diffuse fatty deposits throughout the liver, most often associated with alcoholic, obesity and diabetic conditions 

Floating gallstone

gallstone(s) appear(s) to float due to the higher specific gravity of contrast material than of the bile within the gallbladder

Gallbladder

pear-shaped sac that stores bile received from the liver

Gallstone

Crystals of bile salts within the gallbladder, may vary in size and number

Glisson’s capsule

fibrous tissue surrounding liver, bile ducts, hepatic arteries and portal veins

Hartmann’s pouch

portion of the gallbladder nearest the cystic duct where stones often collect

Heister’s valve

located within cystic duct, functions to keep duct from collapsing

Hemolytic anemia

condition resulting from the destruction of red blood cells

Hepatic

Pertaining to the liver

Hepatitis

Inflammation of the liver

Hepatofugal

abnormal portal flow away from the liver

Hepatomegaly

enlarged lived

hepatopetal

normal portal flow toward the liver

Hilus (hylum)

medial portion of the spleen

histoplasmosis

common infection caused by mold found in soil of central and eastern United States - leads to granulomatous deposits in the spleen

hyperlipidemia

congenital condition of elevated fat cells that cause pancreatitis

hypoalbuminemia

a significant lowering of the serum albumin

Inspissated

Thickening by evaporation or absorption of fluid

Intercostal

Between the ribs

islets of Langerhans

clusters of pancreatic cells responsible for endocrine functions

Jaundice

yellow pigmentation of the skin due to excessive bilirubin in blood system

Lipase

digestive enzyme secreted by pancreas only, parallels level of amylase but elevation persists longer

Mickey Mouse sign

appearance of common duct, hepatic artery and portal vein on a transverse scan

Morrison’s pouch

space between liver and right kidney where fluid may collect

Murphy’s sign

pain on deep inspiration, present when inflamed gallbladder is palpated

Pancreatitis

Inflammation of the pancreas

Peristalsis

action of smooth muscles propelling material through the gastrointestinal tract

Phlegmon

a diffuse spreading area of inflammation producing edema in soft tissue with possible progression to necrosis

Phrygian cap

folding of the fundus of the gallbladder

Porcelain gallbladder

calcification of the gallbladder wall  

Porta hepatis

region where portal vein, hepatic artery and common bile duct enters the liver

Portal triad

referring to the portal vein, hepatic artery and common bile duct

Post-prandial

following a meal

Prandial

relating to a meal

pseudocyst

a collection of walled-off fluid (often the result of pancreatitis)

Sphincter of Oddi

circular muscle fibers that surround  the ampulla of Vater and regulate outflow
of bile from common bile duct into duodenum

Spleen

an intraperitoneal organ located in the left hypochondrium, functions as the primary filtering element for the blood

Splenic agenesis

complete absence of the spleen

Splenomegaly

enlarged spleen (greater than 12 cm. in long axis) 

Sludge

thickened (inspissated) bile

Stasis

stoppage of the normal flow of fluids

Subcostal

beneath the ribs

Wandering spleen

atypical splenic position

WES sign

sonographic pattern seen when the gallbladder is filled with stones