Terms relevant to GI

Question 1

Define palmar erythema

Answer 1

Reddening of palms, due to hyper pigmentation

Question 2

Define petechiae

Answer 2

Small (1-2mm) red/purple spots on the skin, caused by minor bleeds.

Question 3

Define fauces

Answer 3

The passage between the throat and pharynx

Question 4

Define Spider naevi

Answer 4

Swollen red blood vessels of arachnid appearance. Common and benign. >5 is abnormal and sign of liver disease.

Question 5

Define jaundice

Answer 5

Yellow/greenish pigmentation of the skin/eyes due to excess bilirubin, indicative of liver failure.

Question 6

Define dysphagia

Answer 6

Difficulty in swallowing

Question 7

Define odynophagia

Answer 7

Pain when swallowing

Question 8

What is virchow’s node?

Answer 8

A node in the left supraclavicular region. When enlarged it is indicative of gastric cancer.

Question 9

What is haematemesis?

Answer 9

Vomiting blood.

Question 10

Define melaena

Answer 10

Dark, black and tarry stool.

Associated with upper GI bleeding

Question 11

What term is used to describe passing fresh blood through the anus?

Answer 11

Haematochezia

Question 12

Define tenesmus

Answer 12

Constant feeling of needing to visit the loo

Question 13

What is fluid accumulation of more than 25ml in abdo called?

Answer 13

Ascites

Question 14

Define flatus

Answer 14

fart

Question 15

What is flatulence?

Answer 15

Effected by expelling gas from anus.

Question 16

Define hernia

Answer 16

A weakness/break in abdominal wall causing contents to escape out into epidermal layer.

Question 17

What is ‘fetor hepaticas’?

Answer 17

‘Breath of the dead’

A late stage sign of liver failure, breath smells very bad.

Question 18

What is caput medusae?

Answer 18

Distended and enlarged superficial veins in abdominal region.