Pathology - Liver Flashcards
name some possible causes of acute liver failure
viruses
drugs
alcohol
bile duct obstruction
name three possible outcomes of acute liver failure
complete recovery
chronic disease
liver failure
what is jaundice?
yellowing of the skin and sclera due to excess bilirubin
what are the three types of jaundice classified by site?
pre hepatic
hepatic
post hepatic
what are the two types of jaundice?
conjugated
unconjugated
what defines cirrhosis?
bands of fibrosis separating regenerative nodules of hepatocytes
name some possible causes of cirrhosis
alcohol chronic hepatitis iron overload autoimmune liver disease gallstones
name three possible complications of cirrhosis
portal hypertension
ascites
liver failure
what are caput medusae?
distended superficial epigastric veins
seen in portal hypertension
name three other causes of portal hypertension, besides cirrhosis
budd chiari
portal vein thrombosis
portal fibrosis
what causes oedema in cirrhosis?
reduced albumin synthesis = hypoalbuminaemia
what causes ascites in cirrhosis?
hypoalbuminaemia
secondary hyperaldosteronism
portal hypertension
what causes haematemesis in cirrhosis?
ruptured oesophageal varices due to portal hypertension
what effects can hyperoestrogenism due to cirrhosis have?
spider naevi
gynaecomastia
what can cause purpura and bleeding in cirrhosis?
reduced synthesis of clotting factors
