Disorders of Growth and Cancer Flashcards
(62 cards)
What are the possible causes. of developmental anomalies?
Genetic mutations, chromosomal aberrations, teratogens, environmental factors (smoking / alcohol)
What is the difference between congenital anomalies and developmental anomalies?
Developmental anomalies are a subset of congenital anomalies.
Congenital anomalies exist at or before birth and may be either function / metabolic or structural.
Developmental anomalies is deformity, absence or excess of body parts / tissues which occur when normal growth is disturbed and cause a structural problem
Give an example of a syndrome which predisposes to a ventricular septal defect.
Down syndrome
Ventricular septal defects are usually symptomless at birth. T/F?
True.
If a ventricular septal defect is uncorrected, how can this lead to cyanosis?
If uncorrected, the defect can increase pulmonary resistance and lead to the reversal of the shunt which causes mixing of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood in the left ventricle and so not all of the blood being pumped into the systemic circulation is oxygenated which results in cyanosis
What are the possible symptoms of spina bifida?
Muscle weakness or paralysis, bowel and bladder problems, seizures, orthopaedic problems (deformed feet, uneven hips, scoliosis), hydrocephalus
What is a hamartoma?
A malformation which may resemble a neoplasm which results from faulty growth in an organ
What is a hamartoma composed of?
A mixture of mature tissue elements which would normally be found at that site which develop and grow at the same rate as the surrounding tissue
What is a chondroid hamartoma?
A benign lung lesion which may be seen as a ‘coin lesion’ on CXR and can mimic malignancy, composed of epithelium, cartilage, fat and smooth muscle
Hamartomas are benign. T/F?
True
What is an ectopia?
Abnormal location or position of an organ or a tissue, most often occurring congenitally but can occur as a result of injury
What is diverticulum?
A circumscribed pouch or sac caused by herniation of the lining of the mucosa of an organ through a defect in the muscular coat
Give examples of diverticulum
Meckel’s diverticulum
Sigmoid colon diverticula
Diverticular disease
Describe Meckel’s diverticulum
A congenital anomaly which is two inches long and present at the terminal ileum. A blind ended duct that is a remnant of the yolk sac which failed to involute. Often contains ectopic pancreatic or gastric tissue.
How can diverticulum cause large bowel obstruction?
If there is chronic inflammation of the diverticulum then there will be fibrosis which in turn will cause hypertrophy of the muscle which can exacerbate the problem and lead to stenosis and large bowel obstruction
What are the possible complications of Meckel’s diverticulum?
Inflammation Bleeding perforation obstruction intussusception
What is intussusception?
Where part of the intestine folds into the part directly ahead of it
What condition can inflammation of Meckel’s diverticulum mimic?
Appendicitis
What is hypertrophy?
The increase in the size of cells due to increased synthesis of structural proteins and organelles and therefore increase in the size of the organ
Hypertrophy is always pathological. T/F?
False
Give examples of when hypertrophy can occur physiologically.
Due to increased functional demand e.g. when building muscle due to increased exercise
By hormonal stimulation
What is hyperplasia?
The increase in the number of cells in an organ or tissue
In what physiological scenarios is hyperplasia necessary?
In connective tissue in response to wound healing
Due to hormonal stimulation such as the normal proliferation of the endometrium during the menstrual cycle
Give an example of a condition in which hyperplasia is pathological.
BPH
