Liver Cirrhosis and portal hypertension Flashcards
What is the largest solid organ in the human body?
The liver
The liver plays a crucial role in various metabolic processes.
List three key functions of the liver.
- Detoxification
- Synthesis of digestive enzymes
- Protein production
What is the liver’s unique regenerative capacity?
The liver can regenerate its tissue after injury or loss.
What are the two main segments of the liver?
- Right hemi-liver
- Left hemi-liver
What cell type constitutes 80% of the adult liver cell population?
Hepatocyte
What is the role of bile duct epithelia (cholangiocytes)?
Contribute to bile secretion
What is the main function of Kupffer cells?
Specialized tissue macrophages that phagocytose pathogens from the gut.
What is gluconeogenesis?
The process of synthesizing glucose from non-carbohydrate sources.
What substances are included in bile?
- Bile acids
- Phospholipids
- Cholesterol
- Conjugated drugs
- Electrolytes
- Bilirubin
What vitamins are stored in the liver?
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin B12
- Small amounts of Vitamin K and folate
What is the primary metabolic pathway for ammonia in the liver?
Converted to urea in the urea cycle.
What is cirrhosis?
Development of regenerative nodules surrounded by fibrous bands in response to chronic liver injury.
Name a common cause of cirrhosis.
- Alcohol
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
- Viral hepatitis (Hepatitis B, C)
- Autoimmune hepatitis
- Inherited diseases (Haemochromatosis, Wilson’s disease)
What is the gold standard for diagnosing fibrosis/cirrhosis?
Liver biopsy
What is a non-invasive test for liver fibrosis?
Transient elastography (Fibroscan)
Fill in the blank: The transition from compensated cirrhosis to decompensated cirrhosis occurs at a rate of _______ per year.
5-7%
True or False: Decompensated cirrhosis is a systemic disease.
True
What is the mortality rate for variceal hemorrhage in cirrhosis patients?
15%
What happens to albumin levels in end-stage liver disease?
Decreases due to decreased synthesis.
What is the effect of cirrhosis on prothrombin time?
Increased due to decreased synthesis of clotting factors.
What is the significance of portal hypertension?
Can lead to complications such as varices, ascites, and encephalopathy.
What is the role of stellate cells in liver injury?
Involved in the development of fibrosis.
What is the typical survival rate for patients with ascites after five years?
10-20%
Name a consequence of hepatic encephalopathy.
50% mortality at 1 year.
What is the primary role of the liver in immune regulation?
Filters all blood from the gut and supplies important chemokines/cytokines.
