Block 7 (GI) - L1 to L3 Flashcards
True or false - the tongue and the major salivary glands are part of the oral cavity.
False - the major salivary glands are NOT part of the oral cavity.
The ___ protects the airway during swallowing to avoid aspiration.
Epiglottis
What are the 3 major exocrine salivary glands (in order from largest to smallest) and what do they secrete?
- Parotid
- Submandibular
- Sublingual
Saliva (enzymes + mucus)
Describe the composition of the saliva secreted from each of the 3 major glands.
- Parotid: purely serous
- Submandibular: mixed (serous>mucinous)
- Sublingual: mixed (mucinous>serous)
The parotid gland drains via the ___ duct.
Stensen
The submandibular gland drains via the ___ duct.
Wharton
The sublingual gland drains via the ___ ducts, which terminate in the submandibular duct.
Bartholin and Rivunus
What comprises the salivary unit?
Acinus and draining duct system
Which of the salivary glands is the only one to have intraparenchymal lymph nodes?
Parotid
What is sialadenitis?
Inflammation of the salivary glands
Discuss acute sialadenitis.
Typically caused by an ascending bacterial infection (S. aureus, S. viridans) and secondary to sialolithiasis and reduced saliva flow.
Typically unilateral
What are obstructive causes of chronic/recurrent sialadenitis?
- Stenosis
- Chronic sialolithiasis
- Mucus retention
What are non-obstructive causes of chronic/recurrent sialadenitis?
Sjogren’s syndrome, sarcoidosis, TB
What are the symptoms of sialadenitis?
- Swelling and pain in the affected gland
- Fever (acute)
- Dry mouth
- Fibrosis leading to a hard salivary gland
What is the most common cause of acute, painful bilateral parotid swelling?
Mumps sialadenitis
What population is most affected by mumps?
Children
What causes mumps?
Paramyxovirus
What are conditions associated with mumps?
Orchitis (can lead to sterility), pancreatitis, or aseptic meningitis
___ is elevated when the salivary gland or pancreas is involved in mumps.
Serum amlyase
What is the treatment for mumps?
Supportive
What is the most common benign salivary gland neoplasm?
Pleomorphic adenoma (60% of parotid, submandibular, and minor salivary gland neoplasms)
Discuss the epidemiology of pleomorphic adenoma.
Adults: F>M, peaks in 4th/5th decades
Children (5-15): M>F
Describe the tumor of a pleomorphic adenoma.
Painless, slow-growing, well-circumscribed mass
Composed of glandular/ductal epithelial structures and myoepithelial cells with variable morphology present within a mesenchymal stroma
How is a pleomorphic adenoma treated?
Surgical excision
What is the second most common benign salivary gland tumor (most commonly involving the parotid gland)?
Warthin tumor (papillary cystadenoma lymphomatosum)
Describe the appearance of a Warthin tumor.
Biphasic tumor composed of bilayered oncocytic cells forming cysts and papillary fronds within a dense lymph node-like stroma (tram track)
Cyst fluid is brown and viscous, like used motor oil
Discuss the epidemiology of the Warthin tumor.
M>F, 6th and 7th decades
Smoking is an associated etiologic factor
How is a Warthin tumor treated?
Surgical excision
What is the most common malignant salivary gland tumor in children and adults?
Mucoepidermoid carcinoma
Discuss the epidemiology of mucoepidermoid carcinoma.
F>M (mean age - 47)
Describe the composition of a mucoepidermoid carcinoma.
Painless, fixed, slow-growing mass
Mucus cells, intermediate cells, and epidermoid cells with variable cystic/solid components
What is the treatment for a mucoepidermoid carcinoma?
Surgical excision +/- neck dissection
What prevents reflux of gastric contents and acid back into the esophagus?
Lower esophageal sphincter (LES)
Describe the different mucosa in the esophagus and the stomach.
Esophagus: squamous mucosa
Stomach: glandular mucosa
Separated by GEJ
What are the layers of the esophagus?
- Epithelium
- Lamina propria
- Submucosa
- Muscularis mucosa
- Muscularis externa
What is atresia?
Rare congenital defect composed of a discontinuous segment of esophagus associated with a terminal blind pouch proximally and a lower blind pouch distally
What is typically associated with atresia?
Fistula between the trachea and the lower discontinuous segment
How does a baby with atresia present?
Regurgitation shortly after birth with poor feeding
What are complications of atresia?
Aspiration +/- pneumonia, paroxysmal suffocation, and fluid/electrolyte disturbances
What is achalasia?
Failure of the LES to relax due to degeneration of the myenteric plexus with muscle denervation and increase LES resting tone
What are the symptoms of achalasia?
Odynophagia
Impaired peristalsis with progressive dysphagia
What is seen when a Barium swallow is done to detect achalasia?
“Bird’s beak” deformity and proximal dilation
What is the etiology of achalasia?
Unknown, but autoimmune or viral etiologies are suspected
What are some causes of secondary achalasia?
- Trypanosoma cruzi infection (Chagas disease)
- Mass effect from extraesophageal tumors
- Diabetes, sarcoidosis, amyloidosis
Achalasia is associated with an increased risk of ___.
Carcinoma (especially squamous cell carcinoma)
What is scleroderma?
Autoimmune mediated chronic connective tissue disorder; can be localized or systemic (two types of systemic - CREST or systemic sclerosis)
What are the symptoms of CREST?
- Calcinosis (calcium deposits in skin)
- Raynaud’s phenomenon (spasm of blood vessels in response to cold or stress)
- Esophageal dysfunction (acid reflux and decrease in motility of esophagus)
- Sclerodactyly (thickening and tightening of the skin on the fingers and hands)
- Telangiectasis (dilation of capillaries causing red marks on the surface of the skin)
What GI involvement is seen in scleroderma?
- Progressive dysphagia due to damage of esophageal tissues and fibrosis; can lead to acid reflux and secondary Barrett’s
- Aspiration
What is Plummer-Vinson Syndrome?
Triad of dysphagia, iron deficiency anemia, and esophageal webs; +/- glossitis and stomatitis/angular cheilitis
What is the epidemiology of Plummer-Vinson Syndrome?
Rare, typically affects middle-aged women
What is a hiatal hernia?
Herniation of the GEJ and/or proximal stomach into the chest cavity as a result of the separation or widening of the diaphragmatic crura
What is the cause of a hiatal hernia?
Exact cause unknown, but thought to be associated with increased abdominal pressure (obesity, pregnancy)
What are the two types of hiatal hernia?
- Sliding: GEJ and proximal stomach are pulled up into the mediastinal space
- Rolling: proximal stomach herniates through the crura
What are complications of a hiatal hernia?
Strangulation/obstruction +/- perforation, bleeding, GERD
What is a Mallory-Weiss tear?
Longitudinal mucosal lacerations or tears occuring at the GEJ in association with severe retching and vomiting (people with bulimia and alcohol use disorder)
What is a predisposing factor for a Mallory-Weiss tear?
Hiatal hernia