Liver And Pancreas Flashcards
Define: icterus
Jaundice
What is jaundice?
Yellowing of the skin caused by increased levels of bilirubin (usually related to increased lysis of RBCs)
How much bilirubin before jaundice appears?
Usually bilirubin levels must reach close to double normal concentration before yellowing is evident.
How is bilirubin transported? Why?
Unconjugated bilirubin is water insoluble and must be transported with an albumin chaperone
What happens to conjugated bilirubin?
It is water-soluble and should be included in the bile. When elevated, may appear in urine.
What is the difference between indirect and direct bilirubin? Relationship to urine?
Indirect = unconjugated / insoluble / prehepatic. Cannot appear in urine.
Direct = conjugated / soluble / posthepatic. Can appear in urine when elevated?
What is hemolytic anemia and what is it’s relationship to jaundice?
Accelerated degradation of RBCs leading to excessive release of bilirubin
Define: cholestasis
Obstructive jaundice caused by biliary obstruction —> bile spills over into the tissues when the bile cannot move into the intestines normally due to obstruction
Define: hepato-cellular jaundice
Jaundice associated with liver damage
Which of these result in bilirubin in the urine?
- cholestasis
- hepatocellular jaundice
- hemolytic anemia
- choluric jaundice
- acholuric jaundice
Why??
Choluric jaundice = elevated conjugated or direct BR
Cholestasis is the only one that results in urinary bilirubin —> the problem is bile duct obstruction, which is post-conjugation
Acholuric jaundice = elevated unconjugated or indirect BR
Hemolytic anemia and liver failure both result in free unconjugated bilirubin —> not water soluble and therefore not in the urine.
Review: which are the fat-soluble vitamins?
A
D
E
K
What are the ingredients of bile?
Water Cholesterol Bile acids Bile salts Lecithin Bile pigments Inorganic ions
What is the van den Bergh reaction? What does it test for?
Tests for the presence of bilirubin in the blood. Distinguishes between direct and indirect.
[Mix serum and sulfanilic acid —> if turns red —> conjugated bilirubin is present
Serum, sulfanilic acid and alcohol —> if turns red —> unconjugated bilirubin is present]
Define: kernicterus
Brain damage in an infant due to jaundice
Define: cirrhosis
Diffuse scarring / fibrosis of the liver. Irreversible disruption of function with nodular hyperplasia (from past repair attempts)
Review: define ascites
Abdominal fluid due to accumulation of fluid (most often related to portal HTN)
Manifestations of cirrhosis
Portal HTN leading to:
- circulatory obstruction
- ascites
- esophageal varicosities
- splenomegaly
Review: most common varicosities?
- esophageal
- pampiniform plexus
- saphenous veins (lower leg)
- hemorrhoids
What are the 3 stages of cirrhosis?
- Fatty liver
- Alcoholic hepatitis
- Cirrhosis (fibrosis)
What are the characteristics of fatty liver?
- asymptomatic
- universal in heavy drinkers
- reversible with lifestyle changes
- normal function
- enlarged with greasy appearance
What are the characteristics of alcoholic hepatitis?
- Inflammation and necrosis of hepatocytes
- inclusion of Mallory bodies (hyaline deposits)
What are the symptoms of alcoholic hepatitis?
Possible sx include: Vomiting Anorexia Hepatomegaly Pain Jaundice
What are the characteristics of cirrhosis?
- Necrosis of hepatocytes
- Collagenous scarring
- slow progression
- irreversible
Threshold for risks associated with drinking?
36% of caloric intake
What is accumulating in pigment cirrhosis?
Iron