Topics for Anatomy and Physiology
Find educational topics for Anatomy and Physiology aligned with the Zambian tertiary curriculum.
Cholangiocarcinoma: Biliary Tract Cancer
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Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a malignant tumour arising from biliary epithelium, classified by anatomical location: INTRAHEPATIC (iCCA, peripheral, mass-forming), PERIHILAR (pCCA, Klatskin tumour, 50-60%, biliary confluence), DISTAL (dCCA, 20-30%, between cystic duct and ampulla). For Zambian students, risk factors include PRIMARY SCLEROSING CHOLANGITIS (PSC), LIVER FLUKES (Opisthorchis, Clonorchis—rare in Zambia), HEPATOLITHIASIS, …
Biliary Strictures: Benign vs Malignant
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Biliary strictures are focal narrowings of the bile duct, posing a CRITICAL DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS: BENIGN vs MALIGNANT. For Zambian students, this distinction is essential—misdiagnosis leads to either unnecessary surgery for benign disease (high morbidity) or missed opportunity for curative resection of malignancy. ETIOLOGY: BENIGN: IATROGENIC (post-cholecystectomy—most common, clipping, thermal injury, …
Post-Cholecystectomy Bile Leak
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Bile leak is a complication of cholecystectomy (0.5-2% laparoscopic), usually from CYSTIC DUCT STUMP (70%) or ACCESSORY DUCTS OF LUSCHKA (gallbladder fossa). For Zambian students, recognition and management are essential—most leaks are ENDOSCOPICALLY TREATABLE, avoiding re-operation. CLINICAL: PRESENTATION: 2-10 days post-op: persistent RUQ pain, fever, nausea, vomiting, biliary peritonitis (generalized …
Cystic Fibrosis Liver Disease
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Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a multisystem disorder caused by CFTR mutations, leading to thick, viscous secretions. CF-associated liver disease (CFLD) is the THIRD LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH in CF (after pulmonary and transplant complications). For Zambian students, CF is RARE in indigenous African populations, but occurs. PATHOPHYSIOLOGY: CFTR dysfunction in …
Caroli Disease and Caroli Syndrome
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Caroli disease is a rare congenital disorder characterized by NON-OBSTRUCTIVE, SACCULAR OR FUSIFORM DILATATION of the intrahepatic bile ducts. Caroli SYNDROME = Caroli disease + CONGENITAL HEPATIC FIBROSIS (ductal plate malformation). For Zambian students, it is a diagnostic consideration in young patients with recurrent cholangitis or portal hypertension. PATHOPHYSIOLOGY: Autosomal …
Portal Vein Cavernous Transformation
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Portal vein cavernous transformation (PVCT) is the formation of multiple, tortuous collateral veins in the porta hepatis, developing as a sequela of CHRONIC PORTAL VEIN THROMBOSIS (PVT). It represents a NATURAL PORTOSYSTEMIC SHUNT, but does NOT prevent complications of portal hypertension. For Zambian students, PVCT is an IMPORTANT DIAGNOSIS in …
Hypersplenism in Cirrhosis
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Hypersplenism is a frequent complication of cirrhosis-related portal hypertension, characterized by SPLENOMEGALY and CYTOPENIAS (thrombocytopenia most common, leukopenia, anaemia). For Zambian students, hypersplenism is a DAILY CLINICAL PROBLEM. It is a MARKER OF PORTAL HYPERTENSION and ADVANCED LIVER DISEASE, but rarely requires specific intervention. PATHOPHYSIOLOGY: PORTAL HYPERTENSION → passive splenic …
Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia
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Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT, Osler-Weber-Rendu syndrome) is an autosomal dominant disorder of FIBROVASCULAR DYSPLASIA, characterized by MUCUTANEOUS TELANGIECTASIAS and ARTERIOVENOUS MALFORMATIONS (AVMs) in visceral organs (lungs, liver, brain, GI tract). For Zambian students, HHT is a diagnostic consideration in patients with recurrent epistaxis, family history, and unexplained anaemia or hepatic …
Liver Abscess: Pyogenic vs Amoebic
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Liver abscess is a common, life-threatening infection in tropical settings. For Zambian students, DISTINGUISHING PYOGENIC (PLA) from AMOEBIC (ALA) is essential—epidemiology, management, and prognosis differ. AMOEBIC LIVER ABSCESS (ALA): CAUSE: Entamoeba histolytica. PATHOGENESIS: faecal-oral, trophozoites invade colonic mucosa → portal circulation → liver. PROTEOLYTIC ENZYMES liquefy tissue. CLINICAL: YOUNG ADULT …