Lecture 6: The Pancreas and GIT Disorders

The Pancreas

• Elongated, feather-shaped organ located posterior to the stomach.
• Functions as both digestive and endocrine organ by producing digestive enzymes and hormones, primarily insulin.

Disorders Affecting the Gastrointestinal Tract (GIT)

• Dysphagia: Difficulty in swallowing.
• Esophagitis: Inflammation of the esophagus.
• GERD: Gastroesophageal reflux disease; upward flow of stomach acids into the esophagus.
• Gastritis: Inflammation of gastric mucosa, can lead to ulcers; causes include infections, food allergies, spicy foods, and NSAIDs.
• Gastric Ulcer: Erosion of gastric mucosa.
• Dyspepsia: Impairment of digestion.
• Appendicitis: Acute inflammation of the appendix; can result in peritonitis if the appendix ruptures.
• Colitis: Inflammation of the colon.
• Enteritis: Inflammation of the intestines.
• Enteropathy: Any intestinal disease.
• Cancer: Commonly affects the lower GIT, particularly the colon.
• Anorexia: Loss of appetite due to psychological reasons.
• Hyperemesis: Excessive vomiting.
• Gastroenteritis: Inflammation of both the stomach and intestines.
• Gastroduodenitis: Inflammation of the stomach and duodenum.
• Enterohepatitis: Inflammation of the intestine and liver.

Pharmacology

• Antacids: Neutralize stomach acid.
• Emetics: Induce vomiting, often used in poisoning cases.
• Antiemetics: Relieve vomiting.

Diagnosis of Digestive System Diseases

• Colonoscope: Used for colon examinations.
• Colonoscopy: Visual examination of the colon.
• Duodenoscopy: Examination of the duodenum using an endoscope.
• Enteroscope: Instrument for examining intestines.
• Gastroscope: Instrument for stomach examination.
• Gastroscopy: Visual examination of the stomach.
• Sialography: Radiography of salivary glands and ducts.

Practices and Practitioners

• Gastroenterology: Medical specialty focused on digestive system disorders.
• Gastroenterologist: Specialist in diagnosing and treating digestive disorders.
• Internal Medicine: Specialty in diagnosing and treating serious chronic illnesses in the abdomen and related organs.
• Internist: Specialist in internal medicine.
• Proctologist: Specialist in rectal and anal disorders.

Terminology

• Stom/o: Mouth
• Pharyng/o: Pharynx, throat
• Labi/o: Lips
• Dent/i & Odont/o: Teeth
• Lingu/o & Gloss/o: Tongue
• Uvul/o: Uveola
• Cleft Palate: Congenital split in the roof of the mouth.
• Cleft Lip: Congenital split in upper lip.
• Fistula: Abnormal channel from an internal organ to the body surface.
• Polyp: Benign growth in the intestine.

Additional Terminology

• Gastr/o: Stomach (e.g., Gastritis, Gastrectomy)
• Hepat/o: Liver (e.g., Hepatitis, hepatoma)
• Chol/e: Gall, bile (e.g., Cholecystitis, cholecystectomy)
• Cyst/o: Bladder, sac
• Emes/o: Vomit (e.g., Emesis, emetic, antiemetic)
• Lith/o: Stone (e.g., Cholelithotomy)
• Lapar/o: Abdominal wall (e.g., Laparotomy)
• -centesis: To puncture (e.g., Abdominocentesis)
• -tripsy: To crush (e.g., Cholelithotripsy)
• -rrhea: Flow, discharge (e.g., Diarrhea)
• -iasis: Abnormal condition (e.g., Cholelithiasis)