Exam 2, Ch. 5, GastroIntestinal Pathologies

Question 1

Def. of mastication

Answer 1

chewing; the beginning of digestion

Question 2

Def. of peristalsis

Answer 2

rhythmic smooth muscle contractions of the digestive system

Question 3

Def. of chyme

Answer 3

milky white material created when gastric contents are mixed with hydrochloric acid and the proteolytic enzyme pepsin

Question 4

Esophagitis (def. and cause)

Answer 4

• inflammation of the esophagus commonly caused by reflux of gastric contents
• also caused by: infection, physical injury, and medication
• diet is a factor: chocolate, caffeine, and fatty foods all decrease pressure of esophageal sphincter

Question 5

Esophagitis (symptoms and on an image)

Answer 5

• burning chest pain
• may not be seen radiographically
• seen on double contrast studies as superficial ulcerations or erosions
• appear as streaks or dots of barium superimposed on the mucosa

Question 6

Barrett’s Syndrome (def. and cause)

Answer 6

• severe reflux esophagitis
• normal squamous epithelium is replaced by columnar epithelium (like in the stomach)
• high malignancy
• they are adenocarcinoma (arising from an epithelial tissue)

Question 7

Barrett’s Syndrome (on an image)

Answer 7

• postinflammatory stricture

- Barrett’s ulcer is usually separated from the hiatal hernia by a variable length of normal appearing esophagus

Question 8

Def. of diverticula

Answer 8

outpouchings; common lesions of the digestive tract that either: A. are composed of all the layers of the wall (“traction” or “true”), or b. composed of only mucosa and submucosa layers (“pulsion” or “false diverticula”)

Question 9

Def. of esophageal varices

Answer 9

dilated veins in the esophagus; most commonly the result of increased pressure to the portal venous system (portal hypertension) due to a cirrhotic liver

Question 10

Def. of volvulus

Answer 10

twisting of part of GI tract

Question 11

Def. of hiatal hernia

Answer 11

• herniation of the stomach into the thorax by way of the hiatus of the diaphragm
• can be severe in which most of the stomach lies in the thoracic cavity
• or mild, in which only part of the stomach herniates into the thorax, and comes back out once the pressure is lower

Question 12

Def. of dysphagia

Answer 12

difficulty swallowing

Question 13

Def. of achalasia

Answer 13

• functional obstruction of the distal esophagus with proximal dilation
• caused by incomplete relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter

Question 14

Cirrhosis (def. and cause)

Answer 14

• chronic destruction of the liver structure and parenchyma; leads to fibrosis of liver
• major cause is chronic alcoholism (10-20 years): either its toxic effect or the malnutrition that accompanies it

Question 15

Cirrhosis (on an image)

Answer 15

• large amounts of fat accumulates within the liver
• on CT: liver appears darker than spleen (normally, liver appears brighter). The portal veins appear brighter, when they should appear darker
• on US: coarse echogenicity; multiple hyperechoic micronodules or macronodules within liver

Question 16

Def. of intussusception

Answer 16

• the telescoping of one part of the intestinal tract into another because of peristalsis which forces the proximal segment of bowel to move distally within the ensheathing outer portion
• major cause of bowel obstruction in children (rare in adults)

Question 17

Def. of peptic ulcer disease

Answer 17

• erosion of the gastric or duodenal wall
• can be severe or superficial
• caused by acid and the enzyme, pepsin