Hepatic Flashcards
why is liver disease relevant to dentistry
liver is main production site for clotting factors 2, 7, 9, 10 = reduced clotting = more bleeding
chronic liver disease often accompanies hep B and C blood borne disease
where does the main blood flow come from to the liver
hepatic portal venous system
all blood from gut goes to liver
where does the main blood flow come from to the liver
hepatic portal venous system
all blood from gut goes to liver
what organ will be enlarged in haemolytic anaemia and why and what is a possible side effect of this
the spleen
splenomegaly
The RBC’s are stored and broken down in the spleen so it gets enlarged
pre-hepatic jaundice, yellow eyes and skin
what is the main cause of ‘too little liver’
cirrhosis
end stage liver disease
how would cirrhosis present histologically
regenerating cells seperated by bands of fibrosis
what causes cirrhosis (3) and give the process (2)
constant liver abuse, viruses such as hepatitis, alcohol
usually after liver cells are damaged = inflammation = regeneration
under constant, prolonged abuse, the cells will heal by fibrosis (scarring)
name 6 viruses that cause cirrhosis
Hep B, C, D, E
Cytomegalovirus
Epstein Barr Virus
why does Hep A not cause cirrhosis
this is an acute attack on the liver, not chronic (unline B, C, D, E, EBV,)
may kill patient but if recover, the virus is cleared completely from the liver and doesn’t cause chronic damage and fibrosis
what are the consequences of cirrhosis (4)
liver failure = jaundice
Portal hypertension = raised BP in portal venous system
Ascites =
Hepatocellular cancer =
what are varices and what causes them
Varices are dilated veins in the distal oesophagus or proximal stomach caused by elevated pressure in the portal venous system, typically from cirrhosis.
what is a treatment for varices
Varices are dilated veins in the distal oesophagus or proximal stomach caused by elevated pressure in the portal venous system, typically from cirrhosis.
inject sclerosing agent or place rubber band over it
what is the only symptom of varices and how would we diagnose
massive bleeding and being sick with blood
endoscopy
explain the blood flow through the liver
from the gut, the portal vein takes blood to the liver and this goes to capillary level
blood then leaves via the hepatic vein
give 2 reasons why fibrosis from cirrhosis causes problems in the liver and what does this lead to
fibrosis may disrupt blood supply = death of tissue and difficulty pushing blood through liver
hepatocytes are aligned along blood vessels in health but under cirrhosis, the cells form in nodules leading to th cells being harder to get to for the blood
This leads to portal vein hypertension
what is ascites and what causes this (explain mechanism (2))
a build up of fluid in the abdomen causing bloating and swollen abdomen
cirrhosis
Reduced albumin production = reduced fluid absorption into blood = increased external fluid
portal hypertension = high pressures in the gut = swelling
how would ascites present and what is its cause
large swollen abdomen which is dull to tap and would show up as high volume liquid under a scan
what is albumin and where is it produced
most abundant serum protein helping regulate osmosis and blood content and also helps carry proteins and hromones
absorbs fluid back into the blood at venous end of capillaries
produced in the liver
how might we vaccinate against hepatocellular carcinomas
vaccine against hepatitis B
stops hep B infection
stops cirrhosis therefor no fibrosis
reduces turnover of hepatocytes
reduces risk of hepatocellular carcinomas
what is the major cause of bile flow blockage
gall stones
what are the main signs and symptoms of jaundice
yellow skin
yellow eyes
itchiness
pale stool
dark urine
high Bilirubin levels in blood
what affects does gall bladder blockage have on the skin
this can cause jaundice = yellow skin
if a patient never drinks alcohol or doesn’t have hepatitis but suddenly gets pain and jaundice, what is the likely cause?
gall stone in bile duct
if a patient rarely drinks alcohol, doesnt have hepatitis and has no pain but comes in with jaundice, what is the liekly cause
a cancer in the bile duct or pancreatic/duodenal cancer that is blocking the bile duct