GI Flashcards
What is considered the foregut, midgut and hindgut?
- the foregut is the pharynx to the duodenum, including the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, and spleen
- the midgut is the duodenum to the proximal ⅔ of the transverse colon
- the hindgut is the ⅔ of the transverse colon to the pectinate line
Describe midgut development in utero.
- around week 6, the midgut herniates through the umbilical ring
- around week 10, it returns to the abdominal cavity while rotating around the SMA
What is gastroschisis?
this is a ventral wall defect that arises from failure of the abdominal folds to properly close, leaving the abdominal contents exposed
What is an omphalocele?
- this is a ventral wall defect that arises from persistent herniation of the abdominal contents into the umbilical cord
- the result is that the abdominal contents remain outside the body but are covered by the peritoneum and amnion of the umbilical cord
How does a gastroschisis differ from an omphalocele?
gastroschisis leaves the abdominal contents in the abdomen and exposed while omphalocele leaves them herniated and covered by the peritoneum
What is the most common tracheoesophageal anomaly?
esophageal atresia with distal tracheoesophageal fistula
How does a pure esophageal atresia/stenosis differ from an EA with distal TEF?
- in those with a TEF, air is able to enter the stomach
- in those with no TEF and atresia alone, this doesn’t occur and there is a gasless abdomen
Esophageal Atresia with Distal Tracheoesophageal Fistula
- the most common TE anomaly
- presents with polyhydramnios in utero
- neonates drool, choke, and vomit at the time of their first feeding
- the TEF allows air to enter the stomach and duodenum; this helps differentiate it from esophageal atresia alone
- cyanosis can occur secondary to laryngospasm, which occurs to avoid reflux-related aspiration
Duodenal Atresia
- failure of the duodenum to canalize
- presents with polyhydramnios in utero plus bilious vomiting and abdominal distention within the first 1-2 days of life
- dilation of the stomach and proximal duodenum occurs and has a “double bubble” appearance on x-ray
- strongly associated with Down syndrome
Jejunal/Ileal Atresia
- failure of parts of the jejunum or ileum to develop due to distruption of the SMA
- leads to ischemic necrosis and segmental resorption of the affected segment
- affected segment takes on a spiraled, “apple peel” appearance
Hypertrophic Pyloric Stenosis
- congenital hypertrophy of pyloric smooth muscle
- the most common cause of gastric outlet obstruction in infants; more common in males
- presents with non-bilious, projective vomiting at 2-6 weeks old (begins developing at time of birth), which contributes to a hypokalemic, hypochloremic metabolic alkalosis
- can be palpated as an “olive” like mass in the epigastric region and you can visualize peristalsis
- more common in first born males and associated with exposure to macrolides
- treatment is surgical
Describe development of the pancreas.
- it is derived from the foregut, which gives rise to two pancreatic buds
- the ventral bud contributes to the uncinate process and main pancreatic duct
- the dorsal bud becomes the body, tail, isthmus, and accessory pancreatic duct
- both buds contribute to the head
What is the Ampulla of Vater?
- the dilated portion of the main pancreatic duct where the gall bladder drains into
- terminates in the sphincter of Odi within the duodenal wall
Annular Pancreas
- a ventral pancreatic bud abnormality
- arises as the ventral bud encircles the 2nd part of the duodenum
- presents with non bilious vomiting and abdominal dissension, much like duodenal atresia
Pancreas Divisum
- failure of the ventral and dorsal pancreatic buds to fuse
- relatively common and most often asymptomatic
- may cause chronic abdominal pain and/or pancreatitis
Which abdominal structures are retroperitoneal?
SAD PUCKER
- suprarenal glands
- aorta and IVC
- duodenum (2nd-4th parts)
- pancreas (except tail)
- ureters
- colon (descending and ascending)
- kidneys
- esophagus (thoracic portion)
- rectum (in part)
Where is the falciform ligament? What runs within it?
- it is the ligament that connects the liver to the anterior abdominal wall
- contains the ligament teres hepatic derived from the fetal umbilical vein
What is contained within the hepatoduodenal ligament?
the portal triad (proper hepatic artery, portal vein, and common bile duct)
What is the Pringle maneuver?
a maneuver that consists of compressing the hepatoduodenal ligament, and the portal triad within, by placing your thumb and index fingers within the omental foramen to control bleeding
What runs in the gastrohepatic ligament?
gastric arteries
Where is the gastrocolic ligament and what runs within it?
- it connects the greater curvature of the stomach with the transverse colon as part of the greater omentum
- it contains gastroepiploic arteries
What two ligaments separate the greater and lesser peritoneal sacs?
- gastrohepatic
- gastrosplenic
What runs within the gastrosplenic ligament?
- short gastric arteries
- left gastroepiploic vessels
What does the splenorenal ligament contain?
- the splenic artery and vein
- the tail of the pancreas
What are the layers of the gut tube?
- mucosa (epithelium, BM, lamina propria)
- submucosa ( + Meissner plexus)
- muscularis externa (inner circular, Auerbach plexus, outer longitudinal)
- serosa/adventitia (intraperitoneal/retroperitoneal)
What is the basal rate of slow waves in the stomach, duodenum, and ileum?
- stomach: 3 per minute
- duodenum: 12 per minute
- ileum: 8-9 per minute
What epithelium lines the esophagus?
a non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium
What are Brunner glands?
glands found in the submucosa of the duodenum, which secrete bicarbonate and serve to protect the duodenum from gastric acid
At what vertebral level do the celiac trunk, SMA, and IMA branch off of the abdominal aorta?
- celiac: T12
- SMA: L1
- IMA: L3
Superior Mesenteric Artery SYndrome
- a syndrome of intermittent intestinal obstruction
- associated with diminished mesenteric fat (e.g. low body weight or malnutrition)
- the transverse duodenum is compressed between the SMA and aorta
- primary symptom is post-prandial pain
Where do the foregut, midgut, and hindgut receive their blood supply and parasympathetic innervation?
- foregut: celiac trunk, vagus nerve
- midgut: SMA, vagus nerve
- hindgut: IMA, pelvic nerve
Describe the vasculature that arises from the celiac trunk.
- the trunk gives rise to the common hepatic, splenic, and left gastric arteries:
- the common hepatic then gives rise to the proper hepatic (which ascends before giving off the right gastric) and the gastroduodenal artery, which divides into the right gastroepiploic artery and pancreaticoduodenal arteries
- the left gastric gives off an ascending esophageal branch before running along the lesser curvature and forming a strong anastomosis with the right gastric
- the splenic artery supplies the renal artery but also gives rise to the short gastric arteries that supply the fundus and the left gastroepiploic artery
Between what vessels do varices form as a result of portal hypertension? What is the clinical manifestation of each?
- esophageal varices: left gastric anastomoses with the azygos
- caput medusae: paraumbilical veins with the small epigastric veins of the anterior abdominal wall
- anorectal varices: superior rectal with the middle and inferior rectal veins
What is a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt?
a shunt placed between the portal vein and hepatic vein to relieve portal hypertension
What is the pectinate line?
a line formed by the meeting of the endoderm and ectoderm in the anal canal
How does the region of the anal canal above the pectinate line differ from that below it in blood supply, venous drainage, lymphatic drainage, possible pathologies, and innervation?
- above: risk of internal hemorrhoids (painless) and adenocarcinoma; supplied by the superior rectal artery from the IMA; and drained into the portal system via the superior rectal vein and IMV; drains to the internal iliac nodes
- below: risk of external hemorrhoids (painful), anal fissures, and squamous cell carcinoma; supplied by the inferior rectal artery from the internal pudendal artery; and drained into the internal iliac and IVC directly via the inferior rectal and internal pudendal veins; drains to the superficial inguinal nodes
Anal Fissure
- a tear in the anal mucosa below the pectinate line
- most often posteriorly because that is the most poorly perfused area
- associated with low-fiber diets and constipation
- presents with pain while pooping and blood on toilet paper
Where are Kupffer cells located? What is their role?
- they are specialized macrophages found in the liver
- they line the sinusoids
Where are stellate cells found? What is their role?
- also known as ito cells, they are found in the space of disse, the perisinusoidal space of the liver
- they store vitamin A when quiescent and are responsible for liver fibrosis when activated
Describe the direction of blood and bile flow through the liver?
- blood flows from zone I to III from the portal vein/hepatic artery to the central vein
- bile flows in the opposite direction
What is unique about zone I of the liver?
- the area surrounding branches of the portal vein and hepatic artery
- the first zone affected by viral hepatitis and ingested toxins
What is unique about zone II of the liver?
it is the most affected by yellow fever
What is unique about zone III of the liver?
- the area surrounding the central vein
- the first affected by ischemia
- contains the P450 system
- most sensitive to metabolic toxins
- the site of alcoholic hepatitis
What structures are found within the femoral region and in what order are they situated?
- from lateral to medial (toward the navel) you will find the nerve, artery, vein, and then lymphatics (NAVeL)
What structures form the femoral triangle?
- the inguinal ligament superiorly
- the sartorius muscle laterally
- the adductor longs muscle medially
What structures are contained within the femoral sheath?
the vein, artery, and canal (containing the deep inguinal lymph nodes)
What structures normally passes through the inguinal canal in males and females?
the spermatic cord in males and the round ligament of the uterus in females
What are the two primary complications of hernias?
- incarceration (not reducible)
- strangulation (ischemia and necrosis)
On which side are diaphragmatic hernias more common?
the left because the right is relatively protected by the liver
What is the most common kind of diaphragmatic hernia?
a hiatal hernia in which the stomach herniates upward through the esophageal hiatus
What is a sliding hiatal hernia?
- the most common diaphragmatic hernia
- it results when the gastroesophageal junction is displaced upward, forming a “hourglass stomach”
What is a paraesophageal hernia?
a type of herniation of the stomach through the esophageal hiatus in which the gastroesophageal junction is in it’s normal location but the fundus of the stomach protrudes into the thorax next to the esophagus
Indirect Inguinal Hernia
- a hernia that begins with tissue entering the internal inguinal ring lateral to the inferior epigastric vessels
- goes through the internal inguinal ring, through the external inguinal ring, and into the scrotum
- follows the path of descent of the testes and is covered by all three layers of the spermatic fascia (internal, cremasteric, external)
- occurs in infants due to failure of the processes vaginalis to close, particularly in males
Direct Inguinal Hernia
- a hernia that bulges directly through the abdominal wall, through the inguinal triangle (medial to the inferior epigastric vessels, lateral to the rectus abdominis, superior to the inguinal ligament)
- it passes through the external inguinal ring only and protrudes through the inguinal triangle
- it is covered only by the external spermatic fascia
- it is more prevalent in older men
What kind of abdominal hernia is most common in infants, older men, and older women?
- infants: indirect inguinal hernia
- men: direct inguinal hernia
- women: femoral hernia
Where are indirect inguinal, direct inguinal, and femoral hernias located?
- indirect: above the inguinal ligament, lateral to the inferior epigastric vessels
- direct: above the inguinal ligament in the inguinal triangle medial to the inferior epigastric vessels
- femoral: below the inguinal line, lateral to the pubic tubercle
Describe the source, action, and regulation of gastrin.
- secreted by G cells in the antrum of the stomach and duodenum
- in response to stomach distention or alkalization, amino acids, vagal stimulation via gastrin-releasing peptide
- promotes gastric acid secretion, growth of gastric mucosa, and gastric motility
Gastrin levels will rise if what medication is used chronically?
PPI
How do gastrin levels change in chronic atrophic gastritis?
they increase
Describe the source, action, and regulation of somatostatin.
- secreted by D cells in the pancreatic islets and GI mucosa
- in response to an increase in acid or decrease in vagal stimulation
- serves to decrease gastric acid and pepsinogen secretion, pancreatic and small intestine fluid secretion, gall bladder contraction, and insulin and glucagon release
What is octreotide? What are it’s primary uses and adverse effects?
- a somatostatin analog used to treat acromegaly, carcinoid syndrome, and variceal bleeding
- may cause nausea, cramps, steatorrhea, or cholelithiasis
Describe the source, action, and regulation of CCK.
- secreted by I cells in the duodenum and jejunum
- in response to an increase in fatty acids or amino acids
- increases pancreatic secretion and gallbladder contraction, slows gastric emptying, and relaxes the sphincter of Odi
Describe the source, action, and regulation of secretin.
- secreted by S cells in the duodenum
- in response to an increase in acid or fatty acids in the lumen of the duodenum
- increases bicarb secretion from the pancreas, lowers gastric acid secretion, and increases bile secretion
Give two reasons bicarb secreted by the pancreas is important.
- it helps neutralize gastric acids, protecting the small intestine
- it neutralizes the gastric acid, which is necessary for pancreatic enzymes to function
Describe the source, action, and regulation of glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide.
- also known as GIP, it is secreted by K cells in the duodenum and jejunum
- in response to fatty acids, amino acids, or oral glucose
- stimulates insulin release and reduces gastric acid secretion
Why does oral glucose lead to a greater release of insulin than a the equivalent dose of glucose IV?
because oral glucose triggers release of GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide/gastric inhibitory peptide), which stimulates additional insulin release
Describe the source, action, and regulation of motilin.
- secreted within the small intestine
- in response to a fasting state
- produces migratory motor complexes
What is the clinical use of motilin agonists?
they are used to stimulate intestinal peristalsis
Describe the source, action, and regulation of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide.
- secreted by parasympathetic ganglia in sphincters, gallbladder, and small intestine
- in response to distention, vagal stimulation, and reduced adrenergic input
- serves to increase intestinal water and electrolyte secretion (i.e. VIPomas cause a watery diarrhea) as well as relaxation of intestinal smooth muscle and sphincters
What are the symptoms of a VIPoma?
symptoms are derived from it’s action of increasing water and electrolyte secretion in the small intestine and relaxing sphincters
- watery diarrhea
- hypokalemia
- achlorhydia
Describe the source, action, and regulation of gherlin.
- secreted by cells in the stomach
- in response to fasting
- stimulates appetite
What molecule is responsible for mediating smooth muscle relaxation within the GI tract and of the LES?
nitric oxide
Describe the source, action, and regulation of intrinsic factor.
- produced by parietal cells in the stomach
- binds VitB12 and required for VitB12 absorption in the terminal ileum
Describe the source and regulation of gastric acid secretion.
- secreted by parietal cells in the stomach
- promoted by histamine, ACh, and gastrin
- inhibited by somatostatin, GIP, prostaglandin, and secretin
Describe the source, action, and regulation of pepsin.
- secreted by chief cells in the stomach as pepsinogen, which is activated by gastric acid
- in response to vagal stimulation and local acid
- aids in protein digestion
Describe the source, action, and regulation of bicarb secretion within the GI tract.
- secreted by mucosal cells in the stomach, duodenum, salivary glands, and pancreas as well as from Brunner glands in the duodenum
- largely basal secretion, but increased release from pancreas and gall bladder in response to secretin
- to neutralize acid
How does gastrin induce gastric acid release?
it has some direct effect on parietal cells in the stomach, but primarily it acts on enterochromaffin-like cells, which then secrete histamine onto parietal cells
What three vitamin/mineral deficiencies are of concern in those with small bowel disease or who have had a resection?
- iron
- folate
- B12
Where and in what form is iron absorbed in the GI tract?
absorbed as Fe 2+ from the duodenum
Where is folate absorbed along the GI tract?
the small intestine
Where is B12 absorbed along the GI tract?
the terminal ileum
Where in the GI tract are bile salts re-absorbed?
the terminal ileum
What is intrinsic factor necessary for?
the absorption of vitamin B12 in the terminal ileum
List the three groups of pancreatic enzymes that are secreted.
- a-amylase
- lipases
- proteases
How does an increase or decrease in the flow of pancreatic secretions change the content of the solutions?
- low flow secretions have a high chloride ion content
- high flow secretions have a high bicarb content
What is unique about alpha-amylase secreted by the pancreas?
it is the only enzymes that is secreted active form
Describe pancreatic enzyme activation.
- alpha-amylase is secreted in the active form
- enterokinase/enteropeptidases in the brush-border of the duodenum and jejunum activate trypsin, which then activates the rest of the pancreatic proenzymes
What is the first pancreatic protease activated? How is it activated?
trypsin is the first activated and it is activated by enterokinases and enteropeptidases in the brush-bord of teh duodenum and jejunum
Enterocytes are capable of absorbing what carbohydrates?
only monosaccharides (e.g. glucose, galactose, and fructose)
Describe how glucose gets from the lumen of the small intestine into the blood.
- via the Na-dependent SGLT1 from the lumen into enterocytes
- then into the blood by GLUT-2
Describe how galactose gets from the lumen of the small intestine into the blood.
- via the same Na-dependent SGLT1 as glucose into enterocytes
- then into the blood by GLUT-2
Describe how fructose gets from the lumen of the small intestine into the blood.
- into enterocytes via facilitated diffuse mediated by GLUT-5
- then into the blood by GLUT-2
What is the D-xylose absorption test?
- a test used to distinguish GI mucosal damage from other causes of malabsorption
- it is a monosaccharide and passively absorbed thus only requires an intact mucosa for absorption
- in those with a mucosal defect or bacterial overgrowth blood and urine levels remain low; but in those with pancreatic insufficency, blood and urine levels rise normally
Describe the location, structure, and primary cell types of Peyer’s patches.
- they are unencapsulated lymphoid tissue aggregates found in the lamina porpria and submucosa of the ileum
- M cells sample the lumen and present antigens to B cells, which differentiate into IgA-secreting plasma cells
What is bile composed of?
- bile salts (acids conjugated to glycine or taurine)
- phospholipids
- cholesterol
- bilirubin
- water and ions
What enzyme catalyzes the rate-limiting step of bile acid synthesis?
cholesterol 7a-hydroxylase
List three functions of bile.
- promote digestion and absorption of lipids and fat-soluble vitamins
- cholesterol excretion
- antimicrobial activity via membrane disruption
What is the body’s only means of eliminating cholesterol?
bile formation
Describe bilirubin metabolism.
- protoporphyrin is reduced to unconjugated bilirubin
- water-insoluble UCB is transported to the liver via albumin where it is conjugated with glucuronate by uridine glucuronyl transferase (UGT) in hepatocytes
- CB is water soluble and excreted in bile
- in the bile gut bacteria metabolize CB to urobilinogen
- most urobilinogen is oxidized and excreted in the feces as stercobilin, giving stool it’s brown color
- some urobilinogen enters enterohepatic circulation and is reabsorbed
- the rest is excreted in urine as urobilin, giving it a yellow color
Cleft lips and palates result from failure of what process?
failure of the facial prominences to grow and fuse together
How many facial prominences are there?
five: 1 superior, 2 lateral, 2 inferior
Aphthous Ulcer
- a painful, superficial ulceration of the oral mucosa
- typically arises during periods of stress and will resolve spontaneously
- characterized by a grayish base (granulation tissue) surrounded by erythema
Behcet Syndrome
an immune complex-mediated small-vessel vasculitis that leads to a syndrome of recurrent aphthous ulcers, genital ulcers, and uveitis
Oral Herpes
- vesicles involving the oral mucosa that rupture, resulting in shallow, painful, red ulcers
- most cases are due to HSV-1 infection
- primary infection occurs in childhood but virus remains dormant in the ganglia of the trigeminal nerve
- often reactivated by stress or sunlight
Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Mouth
- a malignant neoplasms of squamous cells lining the oral mucosa
- most often arisen in the floor of the mouth
- risk factors include tobacco and alcohol
- oral leukoplakia and erythroplakia (vascularized leukoplakia) can be precursor lesions, but erythroplakia is more suggestive of dysplasia than leukoplakia
What is luekoplakia? What can it be confused with?
- it is an oral lesion described as a white plaque that cannot be scraped away
- often represents squamous cell dysplasia and in those cases it is a precursor lesion to squamous cell carcinoma of the oral mucosa
- may be confused with oral candidiasis or hairy leukoplakia; however, oral candidiasis is usually easily scraped away and hairy leukoplakia (a form of hyperplasia induced by EBV) arises mostly on the lateral tongue with a shaggy appearance
Hairy Leukoplakia
- hyperplasia of the oral mucosa caused by EBV in immunocompromised patients
- takes the form of a white, shaggy lesion on the lateral tongue
- not to be confused with leukoplakia or oral candidiasis
Oral Candidiasis v. Leukoplakia v. Hairy Leukoplakia
- oral candidiasis is a fungal infection of the mouth seen in those who are immunocompromised, and it takes the from of easily scraped away white lesions
- leukoplakia is a white lesion that cannot be scraped away, and it often represents dysplasia in which case it is a precursor lesion to squamous cell carcinoma of the oral mucosa
- hairy leukoplakia is an EBV-induced hyperplasia that takes the form of a shaggy white lesion on the lateral tongue in immunocompromised individuals
Which is more suggestive of squamous cell carcinoma of the oral mucosa, leukoplakia or erythroplakia?
erythroplakia is vascularized leukoplakia and thus more likely to be malignant
What are the three major salivary glands?
- parotid
- submandibular
- sublingual
Mumps
- an infection with mumps virus
- results in bilateral inflammation of the parotid salivary glands
- complications include orchitis, pancreatitis, and aseptic meningitis
- orchitis carries a risk of sterility but is only likely in those over the age of 10 who contract mumps
- serum amylase is increased due to salivary or pancreatic involvement
Sialadenitis
- inflammation of the salivary gland
- most commonly caused by an obstructing stone, leading to a unilateral S. aureus infection
What is the most common tumor and the most common malignancy of the salivary gland?
- tumor: pleomorphic adenoma
- malignancy: mucoepidermoid carcinoma
Pleomorphic Adenoma
- the most common benign tumor of the salivary gland
- it is composed of stromal tissue and epithelial tissue (i.e. pleomorphic)
- it most often affects the parotid and presents as a mobile, painless, circumscribed mass at the angle of the jaw
- has a high rate of recurrence due to it’s irregular borders and often incomplete resection
- rarely, may transform into carcinoma, which often presents with signs of facial nerve damage after many recurrences of the benign tumor
A patient presents with recurrent pleomorphic adenoma that has begun to cause facial nerve problems. What has likely occurred?
- recurrent pleomorphic adenoma has become malignant
- as such it has become invasive and has affected the facial nerve running through the parotid
What nerve runs through the parotid gland?
the facial nerve
Warthin Tumor
- a benign cystic tumor of the salivary gland
- with abundant lymphocytes and germinal centers (i.e. cystic tumor with lymph node tissue)
- almost always affects the parotid
Which salivary gland is most affected by pathology?
the parotid
Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma
- the most common malignancy of the salivary gland
- composed of mutinous and squamous cells
- usually affects the parotid and commonly involves the facial nerve
Esophageal Web
- a thin protrusion of the esophageal mucosa into the lumen, most often seen in the upper esophagus
- presents with dysphagia for poorly chewed food
- increases the risk for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
- a feature of Plummer-Vinson syndrome (iron deficiency anemia, esophageal web, and beefy-red tongue due to atrophic glossitis)
What are the features of Plummer-Vinson syndrome?
- iron deficiency anemia
- esophageal web
- beefy-red tongue due to atrophic glossitis
Mallory-Weiss Syndrome
- a longitudinal laceration of the mucosa at the gastroesophageal junction caused by severe vomiting
- most often seen in alcoholics and bulimics
- presents with painful hematemsis
- risk of Boerhaave syndrome with rupture of esophagus leading to air in the mediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema
Wha tis Boerhaave syndrome?
rupture of the esophagus, which leads to air in the mediastinum and in subcutaneous tissue, which can be heard as crackling when pressing down on the skin
Esophageal Varices
- dilated submucosal veins in the lower esophagus
- arises secondary to portal hypertension because blood can no longer flow into the left gastric vein and then the portal vein
- typically asymptomatic but may present with a painless hematemesis
- risk of rupture, which is the most common cause of death in those with cirrhosis
Where along the length of the esophagus are varices most likely?
in the lower third
What is the most common cause of death in those with cirrhosis?
rupture of esophageal varices
Achalasia
- disordered esophageal motility with an inability to relax the LES
- caused by damage to ganglion cells in the myenteric plexus, which are important for motility
- presents with dysphagia for both solids and liquids, putrid breath, high LES pressure, and “bird beak” sign due to dilation of the esophagus
- have an increased risk for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
GERD
- reflux of acid from the stomach due to reduced LES tone
- risk factors include alcohol, tobacco, obesity, fat-rich diet, caffeine, and hiatal hernia
- presents with heartburn, adult-onset asthma and cough, damage to enamel of teeth, and ulceration with stricture (ulcer heals by fibrosis, which constricts)
- risk of Barrett esophagus as a late complication