S8) Colon and Inflammatory Bowel Disease Flashcards
Compare and contrast UC and CD in terms of:
- Location
- Pathology
- Rectum involvement
- Mucosal inflammation
- Fistula formation
What sort of epithelium is found in the large intestine?
Columnar epithelium
State three functions of the large intestine
- Removes water from all the indigestible gut contents
- Vitamin production
- Temporary storage until defaecation
Distinguish between the small intestine and the large intestine in terms of structure
- Colon is much shorter (6 feet)
- Colon is much wider (average 6cm)
- Colon has crypts not villi
Describe the structure of the wall of the colon
External longitudinal muscle is incomplete:
- Three distinct bands (teniae coli)
- Haustra are sacculations caused by contraction of teniae coli
Describe mechanism of water absorption in the colon
- H2O absorption is facilitated by ENaC
- Induced by aldosterone
What is inflammatory bowel disease?
Inflammatory bowel disease is a group of clinical conditions which are characterised by the idiopathic inflammation of the GI tact and affect the overall function of the gut
What are the two common types of IBD?
- Crohn’s disease (15-30 yr olds & 60 yr olds)
- Ulcerative colitis (young adults)
Identify and describe 4 extra-intestinal problems of IBD
- MSK pain — arthritis
- Skin problems — erythema nodosum / pyoderma gangrenosum / psoriasis
- Liver/biliary tree issues — Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC)
- Eye problems
Identify and describe 3 possible causes of IBD
- Genetic (1st degree relative – increased risk)
- Gut organisms (altered interaction)
- Immune response (unknown trigger – antibiotics, infections, smoking, diet)
How does Crohn’s disease present?
- Tender mass (RLQ)
- Mild perianal inflammation/ulceration
- Low grade fever
- Mildly anaemic
Identify 6 gross pathological features of Crohn’s disease
- Hyperaemia
- Cobblestone Appearance
- Discrete superficial ulcers & deep ulcers
- Fistulae (bowel – bowel, bladder, vagina, skin)
- Mucosal Oedema
- Transmural inflammation
What are the effects of transmural inflammation as observed in CD?
- Thickening of bowel wall
- Narrowing of lumen
Identify a microscopic pathological feature of Crohn’s disease
Granuloma formation (pathognomonic)
Identify 3 investigations commonly used for CD
- Bloods (anaemia)
- CT /MRI scans (bowel wall thickening & obstruction)
- Colonoscopy