Esophageal cancer - Answers Malignancy of the esophagus, typically squamous cell carcinoma
or adenocarcinoma; associated with smoking, alcohol, GERD, and Barrett's esophagus.
Progressive dysphagia - Answers Gradually worsening difficulty swallowing, starting with solids
then liquids; hallmark of esophageal cancer.
Esophagectomy - Answers Surgical removal of part or all of the esophagus.
Esophagogastrostomy - Answers Surgical connection of the esophagus to the stomach after
esophagectomy.
Esophagoenterostomy - Answers Surgical connection of the esophagus to the small intestine
when the stomach cannot be used.
Peptic ulcer disease - Answers Erosion of the GI mucosa from acid/pepsin; caused by H. pylori,
NSAIDs, or stress.
Erosion vs. ulceration - Answers Erosion is superficial mucosal damage; ulceration extends into
the muscular layer and may bleed/perforate.
Helicobacter pylori - Answers Gram-negative bacteria that colonize the stomach and cause
gastritis and peptic ulcers.
GI Bleed - Answers Bleeding anywhere in the GI tract, presenting as melena, hematemesis, or
hematochezia.
Mallory-Weiss syndrome - Answers Mucosal tear at the GE junction from severe vomiting →
hematemesis.
Perforation; peritonitis - Answers Full-thickness hole in GI tract → leakage → life-threatening
abdominal infection.
Gastric outlet obstruction - Answers Blockage of pylorus preventing gastric emptying; causes
vomiting, distention.
Parietal cell vagotomy - Answers Surgical cutting of vagus nerve branches to reduce acid
secretion.
Pyloroplasty - Answers Enlargement of the pyloric sphincter to improve gastric emptying.
Gastroduodenostomy (Billroth I) - Answers Partial gastrectomy connecting the stomach to the
duodenum.
Gastrojejunostomy (Billroth II) - Answers Partial gastrectomy connecting the stomach to the
jejunum.
, GI Decompression - Answers Removal of air/fluid using NG tube to relieve obstruction.
Dumping syndrome - Answers Rapid emptying of hypertonic food into small intestine →
dizziness, cramping, diarrhea after meals.
Postprandial hypoglycemia - Answers Late dumping; rapid rise then fall in glucose after meals.
IBS, IBD, Crohn's & UC - Answers
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) - Answers Functional disorder with abdominal pain + changes in
bowel habits without structural disease.
Rome III Criteria - Answers IBS diagnostic criteria: recurrent abdominal pain ≥3 days/month × 3
months with relief after defecation, change in stool frequency/form.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) - Answers Autoimmune chronic inflammation including
Crohn's and ulcerative colitis.
Crohn's disease - Answers Transmural inflammation anywhere from mouth to anus; skip lesions,
fistulas, strictures, weight loss.
Ulcerative colitis - Answers Continuous mucosal inflammation starting in rectum; bloody
diarrhea, pseudopolyps.
Skip lesion - Answers Areas of healthy bowel between inflamed segments (Crohn's).
Pseudopolyp - Answers Regenerating mucosa projecting into lumen (UC).
Crypt abscess - Answers Neutrophil-filled glandular crypts; hallmark of UC.
Tenesmus - Answers Painful urge to defecate despite empty rectum.
Enteral feedings / elemental diet - Answers Easily absorbed formulas used in Crohn's to reduce
bowel stimulation.
TPN - Answers IV nutrition for severe malabsorption or bowel rest.
Abscess - Answers Localized collection of pus in intestinal wall or surrounding tissue.
Strictures - Answers Narrowed segments from chronic inflammation causing obstruction.
Fistulas - Answers Abnormal connections between bowel and other organs (skin, bladder,
vagina).
Stricturoplasty - Answers Widening of narrowed bowel without removing sections.
Short bowel syndrome - Answers Malabsorption from extensive small bowel loss.
Colectomy - Answers Surgical removal of the colon.