Chapter 7: Digestive System Disorders

Question 1

GERD

Answer 1

Gastroesophageal reflux disease: weak lower esophageal sphincter leads to stomach contents to enter back into esophagus

Question 2

Dyspepsia

Answer 2

Painful digestion with bloating, heartburn, nausea

Question 3

Peptic ulcer

Answer 3

A break in the mucosal lining of the esophagus, duodenum, stomach

Question 4

Melena

Answer 4

Dark, foul smelling tools due to blood being digested (caused by internal bleeding)

Question 5

Hematemesis

Answer 5

Vomiting of blood either bright red (fresh blood) or dark blood (slightly digested) due to hemorrhage

Question 6

Ulcerative colitis

Answer 6

Type of inflammatory disease; chronic inflammation of the colonic mucosa most commonly the rectum and sigmoid colon (sores along the wall)

Question 7

Tenesmus

Answer 7

The urge to dedicate despite the colon being empty

Question 8

Toxic megacolon

Answer 8

Colon in risk of rupturing due to inflammation of bowel (ie. ulcerative colitis)

Question 9

Crohn’s disease

Answer 9

A type of inflammatory disease of the intestines thought to be an uncontrolled response against bacteria

Question 10

Celiac disease

Answer 10

T-cell autoimmune disorder where a person with disease shows severe reaction to gluten (specifically the protein gliadin found in gluten) that caused destruction of the small intestinal venous epithelium and leads to malabsorption of nutrients

Question 11

Epistaxis

Answer 11

Nose bleed

Question 12

Caput medusa

Answer 12

Distended veins on the abdominal wall

Question 13

Ascites

Answer 13

Build up of fluid in the peritoneal cavity

Question 14

Hepatic encephalopathy

Answer 14

Disruption of neurotransmissions in the brain due to the liver’s inability to detoxify toxins (i.e. Ammonia to urea, very damaging to brain)

Question 15

Esophageal varices

Answer 15

Distended veins in the lower third (the veins that lead to portal hepatic system) of the esophagus due to portal hypertension

Question 16

Portal hypertension

Answer 16

High blood pressure of the veins in the portal venous system

Question 17

Asterixis

Answer 17

A tremor in the hands while wrists are extended due to hepatic encephalopathy (like bird flapping it’s wings)

Question 18

Cholithiasis

Answer 18

Formation of gallstones

Question 19

Icterus

Answer 19

A.k.a jaundice. Yellowish pigmentation of skin due to high levels of bilirubin in the bloodstream

Question 20

Cirrhosis

Answer 20

Irreversible, fibrotic replacement of healthy liver tissue caused by chronic damage to the liver (i.e. Alcoholism)

Question 21

Cholecystitis

Answer 21

Inflammation of gallbladder (usually due to gallstones obstructing the cystic duct)