GALLBLADDER, LIVER, & PANCREAS: Key Terms

Question 0

A motor disturbance marked by intermittent lapse of an assumed posture; a characteristic of hepatic coma. Also called, “flapping tremor”

Answer 0

asterixis

Question 1

The accumulation of edematous fluid within the peritoneal cavity

Answer 1

ascites

Question 2

Acute pain resulting from obstruction of a bile duct, usually caused by cholelithiasis

Answer 2

biliary colic

Question 3

Dilated cutaneous veins around the umbilicus in patients suffering from cirrhosis of the liver

Answer 3

caput medusa

Question 4

The removal of the gallbladder

Answer 4

cholecystectomy

Question 5

An inflammation of the gallbladder

Answer 5

cholecystitis

Question 6

The condition in which gallstones lodge in the common bile duct

Answer 6

choledocholithiasis

Question 7

The presence of stones within the gallbladder of biliary tract

Answer 7

cholelithiasis

Question 8

A liver disease characterized by diffuse interlacing bands of fibrous tissue dividing the hepatic parenchyma into micronodular or macronodular areas

Answer 8

cirrhosis

Question 9

A condition characterized by destruction of normal hepatic structures and their replacement with necrotic tissue and scarring

Answer 9

cirrhosis of the liver

Question 10

Any destruction of the brain

Answer 10

encephalopathy

Question 11

Varicosities of branches of the azygous vein that connects with the portal vein in the esophagus; related to portal hypertension and cirrhosis of the liver

Answer 11

esophageal varices

Question 12

Foul-smelling breath associated with severe liver disease

Answer 12

fetor hepaticus

Question 13

Vomiting of blood

Answer 13

hematemesis

Question 14

An inflammation of the liver

Answer 14

hepatitis

Question 15

Bile pigmentation of the tissues, membranes, and secretions

Answer 15

icterus

Question 16

A yellowing of the skin and mucous membranes that reflects excessively high blood levels of bilirubin (bile pigment)

Answer 16

jaundice

Question 17

A persistent redness of the palms, which may be seen in liver disease

Answer 17

palmar erythema

Question 18

The surgical puncture of a cavity to aspirate fluid

Answer 18

paracentisis

Question 19

The early or very beginning stage of an illness

Answer 19

prodromal stage

Question 20

Itching

Answer 20

pruritus

Question 21

An abnormal or dilated cavity resembling a true cyst but not lined with epithelium. Also called adventitious cyst or false cyst

Answer 21

pseudocyst

Question 22

A form of telangiectasis with a central elevated red dot the size of a pinhead from which small blood vessels radiate; often occurs with liver disease

Answer 22

spider angioma

Question 23

cholelithiasis vs cholecystitis

Answer 23

PRESENCE of gallstones vs INFLAMMATION of gallbladder associated with gallstones