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Area of Digestive System

Disease

Defined

Characteristics

Notes

Mouth and Associated Parts

Stomatitis

Inflammation of the mouth

Causes may be pathogenic organisms, mechanical trauma, irritants ie. Alcohol, tobacco, hot foods.

Glossitis

Inflammation of the tongue

Often associated with stomatitis

Gingivitis

Inflammation of the gingiva or gums

Usually caused by the long term effects of plaque buildup on the surface of the teeth

Also may be associated with generalized stomatitis.

Can occur with deficiency diseases such as scurvy or metallic poisoning. Scurvy is the condition associated with the lack of Vitamin C.

Cheilitis

Inflammation of the lips

Common Organisms that cause inflammation of the oral cavity include:

Candida albicans

The fungus that causes thrush

Herpes simplex I

The virus that causes cold sores or fever blisters

Treponema pallidum

The bacterium that causes syphilis (forms mucous patches in the mouth)

Pharynx

Pharyngitis

Inflammation of the throat

May be a primary infection such as strep throat or diphtheria

May be a complication of other infections such as rhinitis, sinusitis or influenza

Esophagus

Esophagitis

Inflammation of the esophagus

Often caused by regurgitation of stomach acid through the cardiac sphincter (Acid Reflux)

Stenosis or stricture of the esophagus is also a common condition (due to serious infections or chemical irritations that cause the formation of scar tissue or tumors inside or out).

Stomach

Gastritis

Inflammation of the stomach

May result from pernicious anemia, bacterial or viral infection, excessive indulgence in alcoholic beverages, dietary indiscretions or too much aspirin

Peptic Ulcer

Ulcers that occur in the mucous membranes of the stomach or duodenum. Caused by hyperacidity of the gastric juices

This hyperacidity is caused by the presence of the bacterium Helicobacter pylori

Complication

Perforation

Refers to an ulcer that eats through the stomach wall and allows the contents to reach the abdominal cavity causing a severe infection known as peritonitis

Complication

Pyloric stenosis

Occurs in the area of the pyloric valve. Stenosis of the valve between the stomach and small intestine. Caused by the formation of scar tissue from chronic ulcers

This is also a common condition of infants that occurs idiopathically.

Area of Digestive System

Disease

Defined

Characteristics

Notes

Small Intestine

Enteritis

Inflammation of the intestines

Caused by a number of organisms some of which are normal flora. These organisms are often obtained from contaminated food or water.

Symptoms may include: abdominal pain, cramping, diarrhea, fever and dehydration

Crohn’s Disease

An idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease that may lead to blockage of the intestine by swelling and scar tissue formation

Hernia

A condition in which a segment of intestine protrudes through the abdominal wall.

The major concern with hernias is that the intestine may become obstructed blocking the passage of its contents. Or the blood supply could be pinched off resulting in necrosis.

Types of Hernias

Inguinal Hernia

A hernia in which a segment of small intestine protrudes through the inguinal ring

This loop may protrude down into the scrotum of the male or the labia majora of the female.

Femoral Hernia

A hernia in which a segment of the small intestine protrudes through the femoral ring

This loop may protrude into the soft tissues adjacent to the femoral vessels in the area of the groin. Most commonly seen in women

Umbilical Hernia

A hernia at the navel in which a segment of small intestine of an infant protrudes through an imperfect closure of the umbilicus following birth

Diaphragmatic Hernia

A hernia in which a segment of an organ protrudes through one of the orifices of the diaphragm

A special type of this is the Hiatal hernia. A hernia in which a portion of the stomach protrudes through the diaphragm.

Area of Digestive System

Disease

Defined

Characteristics

Notes

Colon and Rectum

Colitis

Inflammation of the mucous membrane of the colon

Common causes seem to be stress and certain foods and beverages

Most frequently seen gastrointestinal disease

Ulcerative Colitis

Indopathic inflammatory bowel disease that causes ulcers in the lining of the lower colon and rectum

Causes diarrhea, the ulcers bleed and produce pus

25 to 40% of patients must eventually have their colons removed because of massive bleeding, severe illness, rupture of the colon or risk of cancer.

Diverticulosis

The condition of having a sac or pouch-like structure in the wall of the large intestine – These structures are diverticula

Diverticulitis – Inflammation of the diverticula. Occurs when the diverticula become impacted with fecal material and bacteria.

Symptoms include chronic constipation, mucus in the stool and severe abdominal pain.

Obstructions

1. Paralysis – a decrease in peristalsis in a section of the large intestine caused by a lack of nerve or blood supply

Is a condition called ileus atony where a portion of the ileum is not moving.

2. Volvulus – a twisting of a loop of intestine

Causes the nerve or blood supply to be cut-off leading to paralysis

3. Intussusception -- A slipping or telescoping of one segment of intestine into another

Due to increased peristalsis by one section or paralysis of the other

4. Adhesions – Scar tissue formed on loops of the bowel adhere the loops together preventing the normal process of peristalsis

Proctitis

Inflammation of the rectum and anus

Hemorrhoids (Piles)

Varicose veins of the rectum or anus

Two Kinds: INTERNAL and EXTERNAL: Determined by how close they are to the anorectal line

Appendicitis

Inflammation of the Appendix

If untreated, an inflamed appendix may burst and cause peritonitis

Polyps

Very common benign tumor-like growths.

Area of Digestive System

Disease

Defined

Characteristics

Notes

Liver

Infiltration and Degeneration

See Capstone Lecture Two

Hepatitis

Inflammation of the liver

Two Types

1. Toxic – Caused by exposure to certain poisons. Ie. drugs

2. Viral – Caused by several viral agents (Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C)

Hepatitis A (Infectious Hepatitis)

Spread directly from person to person by the fecal oral route. Usually due to poor sanitation methods. Not as serious as other forms.

Hepatitis B (Serum Hepatitis)

Transmitted through contaminated body fluids. Occupational hazard for those who work with blood or blood products. More serious than A, and may result in permanent liver damage.

Hepatitis C (Non-A Non-B Hepatitis)

Transmitted through contaminated body fluids. Most serious due to the lack of a vaccine.

Jaundice

A yellowish staining of the integuments, deeper tissues and the excretions with bile pigments

A symptom of liver disruptions. Causes a yellowness of the skin, whites of the eyes, mucous membranes, and body fluids due to the presence in the blood of the bile pigment bilirubin.

Cirrhosis

Degenerative changes in liver parenchyma cells with the formation of dense connective tissue, fatty infiltration and scarring.

Results in loss of functioning liver cells and an increase resistance to the flow of blood through the liver.

Seen in chronic liver disease. Can be caused by chronic alcoholism, damage by other toxins or drugs, or previous infections.

POSTMORTEM CONDITIONS

Jaundice

Ascites

Edema

Hemorrhage

Hemorrhaging is from a ruptured esophageal varix. Occurs because of the blockage of the portal vein. This blockage could also lead to ammonia toxicity in the body.

Area of Digestive System

Disease

Defined

Characteristics

Notes

Gallbladder and Bile Ducts

Cholecystitis

Inflammation of the gallbladder

May be acute or chronic

ACUTE: form is usually a result of the irritation caused by gallstones

CHRONIC: is important in the production of gallstones

Cholelithiasis

Formation or presence of calculi or bilestones in the gallbladder or common duct.

Most commonly composed of cholesterol, but mixed stones are common as well

Stones may block the passageway for bile and cause a backup leading to cholecystitis

Cholangitis

Inflammation of the bile ducts

Caused by obstruction of a duct by gallstones infected with bacteria.

Pancreas

Pancreatitis

Inflammation of the pancreas

ACUTE: form is characterized by necrosis, suppuration, gangrene, and hemorrhage

CHRONIC: leads to the formation of scar tissue associated with malfunction. Usually a consequence of alcoholism (chronic) or gallstone blockages (acute)

Peritoneum

Peritonitis

Inflammation of the membrane that lines the wall of the abdomen and covers the abdominal organs

Usually due to a bacterial infection caused by perforation of an ulcer or intestine

Postmortem Conditions of Digestive System Disorders

Ascites

Dehydration

Rapid decomposition

Febrile lesion

Emaciation

Rapid coagulation of blood

Jaundice

Edema

Hemorrhage

Purge

Abdominal distention