Alimentary system Flashcards
(379 cards)
Define Digestion
Process of breaking down macro-molecules to allow absorption
Define Absorption
Process of moving nutrients and water across a membrane
Describe the different pathways after ingestion.
- Digestion -> Excretion
- Digestion -> Absorption
- Excretion
List the components of the GI system.
(Salivary glands - Parotid, sublingual and sub-mandibular)
- Oesophagus
- Stomach
- Liver
- Gallbladder
- Pancrease
- Duodenum
- Jejenum
- Ileum
- Appendix
- Ascending colon
- Transverse colon
- Descending colon
- Sigmoid colon
- Rectum
- Anus
List the main diseases of the Upper, mid and lower GI tract.
- Oesophageal cancer
- Barret’s oesophagus
- Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease
- Stomach cancer
- Gastric ulcers
- Liver sclerosis
- Hepatitis
- Jaundice
- Cholangiti
- Liver failure
- Diabetes
- Pancreatitis
- Pancreatic cancer
- Duodenal ulcers
- Obesity
- Coeliac disease
- Crohn’s disease
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Appendicitis
- Colon cancer
What are the general symptoms related to GI tract disease?
- Anorexia
- Weight loss
- Anaemia
What are the symptoms related to upper GI tract disease?
- Haematemesis (vomiting blood)
- Melaena (dark faeces)
- Nausea and vomiting
- Dysphagia
- Odynophagia (painful swallowing)
- Heartburn
- Acid regurgitation
- Belching
- Chest pain
- Epigastric pain
What are the symptoms related to hepatobilary GI tract disease?
- Right upper quadrant pain
- Biliary colic (pain related to gallbladder)
- Jaundice
- Dark urine
- Pale stool
- Abdominal distension (Ascites)
What are the symptoms related to mid GI tract disease?
- Abdominal pain
- Steatorrhoea
- Diarrhoea
- Abdominal distension
What are the symptoms related to lower GI tract disease?
- Abdominal pain
- Bleeding
- Constipation
- Diarrhoea
- Incontinence
List the general signs and symptoms seen in GI tract disease.
- Cachexia (weakness, and wasting of body)
- Obesity
- Lymphadenopathy
- Anaemia
- Jaundice
List the signs and symptoms seen in the hands in GI tract disease.
- Koilinychia (spoon shaped nails)
- Leuconychia (white spots on nails)
- Clubbing
- Dupytrens contracture (fixed forward curvature of finger/s)
- tachycardia
- tremor
List the signs and symptoms seen in the abdomen in GI tract disease.
- Organ enlargement
- Mass
- Tenderness
- Distension
List the signs and symptoms seen in the anus and rectum in GI tract disease.
- Haemorrhoids
- Fistula (abnormal passage)
- Fissure (tear/open sore)
- Rectal masses
- Proctitis (inflammation)
What basic investigations can be done for the GI system?
- History: presenting symptoms, dietary habits, family history, ethnicity, environmental factors, travel
- Physical examination: hands, skin, palpable abdominal organs, digital rectal exam, rigid sigmoidoscopy
What further investigations/procedures can be done for the GI system?
Haematology, biochemistry and microbiology:
- Blood tests: blood sugar (glucose, fasting glucose, glucose intolerance, HbA1C)
- Tumour markers (CA19-9 - pancreatic and other GI cancers)
- Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (Crohn’s disease)
- Urea and electrolytes (absorption disorders)
- Liver function tests
- Antibodies
- Microbiology - Hep B, Hep C, faecal occult blood)
Procedures:
- Endoscopy
- Colonoscopy
- Ultrasound
- CT, MRI, X-ray
What GI tract diseases have the highest mortality rates?
- GI tract cancers (cumulatively) have the largest proportion of deaths from cancer
- Liver cirrhosis is the largest cause of death out of all GI tract diseases (and increasing)
What is the prevalence of ulcerative colitis? What is the treatment?
1 in 500
Treatment - colectomy
What is the prevalence of Crohn’s disease?
1 in 1000
What is Coeliac disease? What is the prevalence?
- Gluten insensitivity
- 1 in 87
Outline pancreatic conditions.
Acute pancreatitis:
- mild to life-threatening
- blockage of pancreatic duct causing back-up of pancreatic enzymes causing severe inflammation
- ethanol and gallstones in 80%
Chronic pancreatitis:
- permanent damage to pancreas
- alcohol excess main cause
- can greatly impair quality of life
What infections are common in the GI tract?
Bacterial:
- Helicobacter Pylori:(commonly found) nausea, bloating, weight loss
- Escherichia coli: nausea, diarrhoea, cramps
Viral:
- Norovirus: nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea
Describe the consequences of H. pylori infection.
- 85% no long term effects
- 14% peptic ulceration
- 1% gastric adenocarcinoma or lymphoma
What environmental factors affect the susceptibility to GI disease across the world?
- Energy intake
- Staple foods
- Changes in food through time