Topics for Anatomy and Physiology
Find educational topics for Anatomy and Physiology aligned with the Zambian tertiary curriculum.
Psoriatic Arthritis
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Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is chronic inflammatory arthritis associated with psoriasis, part of spondyloarthritis family—heterogeneous disease with five clinical domains: peripheral arthritis, axial disease, enthesitis, dactylitis, skin/nail psoriasis. For Zambian students, relevant for dermatology-rheumatology interface; often unrecognized. Pathophysiology: IL-23/IL-17 axis, TNF, genetic (HLA-B27 axial, HLA-Cw0602 psoriasis). Enthesitis central. Clinical: PSORIASIS precedes …
Reactive Arthritis
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Reactive arthritis (ReA) is spondyloarthritis arising 1-4 weeks after certain gastrointestinal or genitourinary infections, classically presenting with arthritis, urethritis/cervicitis, conjunctivitis—'incomplete Reiter's' (only 1/3 have classic triad). For Zambian students, important differential diagnosis in sexually active adults and post-dysentery. Pathophysiology: preceding infection (GI: Shigella, Salmonella, Campylobacter, Yersinia; GU: Chlamydia trachomatis) in …
Enteropathic Arthritis
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Enteropathic arthritis (EA) is spondyloarthritis associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD: Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis) or other GI conditions. For Zambian students, important consideration in patients with IBD or unexplained chronic diarrhoea. Pathophysiology: shared genetic susceptibility (HLA-B27 axial, NOD2/CARD15 Crohn's), gut inflammation → increased intestinal permeability → bacterial antigen translocation …
Rhabdomyolysis
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Rhabdomyolysis is life-threatening syndrome of skeletal muscle injury and necrosis with release of intracellular contents into circulation, causing acute kidney injury, electrolyte disturbances, and compartment syndrome. For Zambian students, critical in trauma, prolonged immobilization, heat illness, malaria, HIV, and statin use. Pathophysiology: direct muscle injury (crush, burns, electrocution) OR metabolic …
Muscular Dystrophies
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Muscular dystrophies (MD) are inherited, progressive disorders characterized by muscle fibre degeneration, weakness, and replacement by fibrofatty tissue. For Zambian students, essential for paediatric neurology, differential diagnosis of weakness. Pathophysiology: genetic defects in sarcolemmal, extracellular matrix, or nuclear membrane proteins → sarcolemmal instability, impaired membrane repair, increased susceptibility to contraction-induced …
Myasthenia Gravis
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Myasthenia gravis (MG) is autoimmune disorder of neuromuscular junction, caused by antibodies against acetylcholine receptors (AChR) or receptor-associated proteins, leading to fatigable weakness. For Zambian students, essential for neurology, critical care, and thymus pathology. Pathophysiology: AChR antibodies (80%) → AChR blockade, cross-linking/internalization, complement-mediated destruction → reduced functional AChRs at postsynaptic …
Polymyositis and Dermatomyositis
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Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies—polymyositis (PM) and dermatomyositis (DM)—are autoimmune disorders causing progressive, symmetric proximal muscle weakness, with characteristic skin manifestations in DM. For Zambian students, important differential diagnosis for proximal weakness; DM associated with malignancy requires screening. Pathophysiology: DM—humoral-mediated, complement attack on endomysial capillaries → capillary depletion, ischaemia, perifascicular atrophy. PM—cell-mediated, …
Systemic Sclerosis (Scleroderma)
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Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is chronic autoimmune connective tissue disease characterized by microvascular injury, immune dysregulation, and progressive fibrosis of skin and internal organs. For Zambian students, important for rheumatology, pulmonary hypertension, and renal crisis recognition. Pathophysiology: vascular (early: endothelial injury, apoptosis, capillary rarefaction, intimal proliferation, Raynaud's), immune (autoantibodies, T cells, …
Sjögren's Syndrome
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Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by lymphocytic infiltration of exocrine glands, causing keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eyes) and xerostomia (dry mouth). May be primary or secondary (associated with RA, SLE, SSc). For Zambian students, important for differential diagnosis of dry eyes/mouth, fatigue, arthralgia. Pathophysiology: autoimmune epithelitis—CD4+ T cell, …