Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

DIG > L08 - Jaundice > Flashcards

L08 - Jaundice Flashcards

1
Q

What is bilirubin?

A

A yellow compound that occurs in the normal catabolic haem breakdown pathway in vertebrates

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What can an elevated level of bilirubin indicate?

A

Liver damage or disease - liver isn’t clearing bilirubin properly

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What would you expect to happen to serum albumin levels when liver disease is present?

A

They would decrease

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is jaundice?

A

Yellow discolouration of the skin, eye and other tissues due to a build up of BILIRUBIN in tissue fluids and bloodstream

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What can cause neonatal bilirubin?

A

Delays in clearance of bilirubin from red cell breakdown

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What proteins could you test for in a liver function test?

A
  1. Bilirubin
  2. Liver enzymes (AST/ALT)
  3. Hepatobiliary enzymes (gGT, alkaline phosphatase)
  4. Albumin
  5. Total protein
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What would you expect to happen to AST/ ALT when liver disease is present?

A

Increased

- but could also mean dmg to another organ that prod it such as heart or kidneys

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What other things could you test for to indicate liver disease (not in liver function test????) - not sure

A
  1. Auto antibodies
  2. Haematology
  3. Viral markers
  4. Metabolic indicators
  5. Tumour markers
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

How is bilirubin produced?

A 
Product of haem catabolism 
From: 
- RBC
- Myoglobin
-  Cytochromes 
- Peroxidases
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Which cells produce bile and how much is produced per day?

A

0.5L prod per day by hepatocytes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is bile and its function?

A
  • Contains bile acids
  • Involved in emulsification of fat in SI
    Fat soluble vit uptake (A, D, E, K)
  • Many waste products (bilirubin) are eliminated from body by secretion into bile –> elim in faeces
  • Excretion of some substances which can’t be cleared by kidneys; cholesterol, bilirubin
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Where is bile stored?

A

Stored and concentrated in the gallbladder in between meals when no fat needs to be digested (approx 100ml)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Approximately how many times is bile recycled in a day and why?

A

6 - 8 times per day

- To recycle bile salts so that they can be used again

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What is the enterohepatic cycle?

A

Substances metabolised in liver, excreted into the bile and passed into the intestinal lumen, they are then reabsorbed across the intestinal mucosa and returned to the liver VIA PORTAL CIRC

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What stimulates bile secretion?

A

Cholecystokinin (CCK) secreted by cells of upper SI, stimulates the gallbladder to contract and release stored bile into the SI

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What are the stages of liver failure?

A
  1. Inflammation - deposits of fat lead to liver enlargement (fatty liver disease - build ups of fat in liver)
  2. Liver fibrosis - scar tissues begin to form
  3. Cirrhosis - loss of liver cells and irreversible liver scarring (growth of CT destroys liver cells)
  4. End-stage liver disease (ESLD)
  5. Liver cancer
17
Q

How much excess does total bilirubin in serum need to be to indicate jaundice?

A

2mg/ml

  • Doesn’t necessarily indicate liver disease
  • Depends on country/ practice
18
Q

What is pre-hepatic disease? (Possible causes?)

A
  • Not related to liver
  • Haemolytic anaemia which causes excess haem breakdown
  • Acc of unconjugated bilirubin
19
Q

What is intra-hepatic disease? (Possible causes?)

A
  • Originates within the liver (liver condition)
    Bilirubin recycling pathway is abnormal
  • Leading to elevated bilirubin in circ
  • Can be caused by disease, infection, drug use, genetic abnormalities, hormonal effects
  • Cholestasis
20
Q

What is extra-hepatic disease? (Possible causes?)

A

Blockage/ smth after liver that has already conjugated bilirubin

  • Extrahepatic biliary tract obstruction - blockage of normal flow of bile from liver to intestinal tract
  • Cancer of pancreas, bile duct or intestine
  • Cholestasis
21
Q

How could you distinguish between intra/pre/extra - hepatic disease?

A

Measure whether the bilirubin has been conjugated or not

22
Q

What is cholestasis?

A

The red formation or secretion of bile or extrahepatic biliary obstruction
- Decrease in bile flow due to impaired secretion by hepatocytes or obstruction to bile flow

23
Q

What are some causes as to why a patient could be diagnosed with jaundice and not liver disease?

A
  1. Pre-hepatic
  2. Intra-hepatic
  3. Extra-hepatic
24
Q

Where is bilirubin prod and what are the cells collectively known as?

A
  • Mainly in spleen (macrophages)
  • Liver (Kupfer cells)
  • Renal tubular cells
  • All over body by macrophages
  • Collectively known as RETICULOENDOTHELIAL SYSTEM
25
Q

What is Gilbert’s syndrome?

A

A mild liver disorder that does nor properly process bilirubin

26
Q

Will the bilirubin be conjugated or unconjugated in pre-hepatic jaundice?

A

Unconjugated

27
Q

Will the bilirubin be conjugated or unconjugated in intra-hepatic jaundice?

A

Conjugated or unconjugated

28
Q

Will the bilirubin be conjugated or unconjugated in extra-hepatic jaundice?

A

Conjugated

29
Q

What disease other than Gilbert’s syndrome could cause high levels of bilirubin?

A

Sickle cell anaemia

- Sickle RBC broken down after 10-20 days rather than the normal 120 days

30
Q

How can Gilbert’s syndrome be passed?

A
  • Offspring
  • It is a genetic mutation (autosomal recessive) of the UGT1A1 gene
  • Cannot be trasmitted by human-human contact
31
Q

What are the different types of gallstones?

A
  1. Cholesterol
  2. Pigment
  3. Mix of both cholesterol and pigment

DIG (31 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions