Topics for Anatomy and Physiology
Find educational topics for Anatomy and Physiology aligned with the Zambian tertiary curriculum.
Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome
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Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (ZES) is a rare disorder caused by a GASTRIN-SECRETING NEUROENDOCRINE TUMOUR (GASTRINOMA), leading to HYPERGASTRINAEMIA, marked gastric acid hypersecretion, and SEVERE, REFRACTORY PEPTIC ULCER DISEASE. For Zambian students, ZES is a CONSIDERATION in patients with MULTIPLE ULCERS, ULCERS IN UNUSUAL LOCATIONS (post-bulbar), REFRACTORY TO STANDARD THERAPY, or ASSOCIATED …
Non-Variceal Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding
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Non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding (NVUGIB) is a COMMON MEDICAL EMERGENCY with significant morbidity and mortality (5-10%). For Zambian students, NVUGIB is a DAILY CLINICAL PROBLEM, predominantly caused by PEPTIC ULCER DISEASE (H. pylori, NSAIDs). MASTERY OF A SYSTEMATIC, PROTOCOL-DRIVEN APPROACH TO RESUSCITATION, RISK STRATIFICATION, ENDOSCOPIC THERAPY, AND POST-BLEEDING MANAGEMENT IS …
Gastric Cancer: Epidemiology and Pathogenesis
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Gastric cancer (GC) is the FIFTH MOST COMMON CANCER and FOURTH LEADING CAUSE OF CANCER DEATH worldwide, with a disproportionately high burden in Eastern Asia, Central/South America, and Eastern Europe. For Zambian students, the incidence in indigenous Africans is RELATIVELY LOW, but increases with H. pylori prevalence, dietary factors, and …
Gastric Cancer: Staging and Multidisciplinary Management
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Gastric cancer (GC) management has evolved significantly, with a paradigm shift toward MULTIDISCIPLINARY, PERIOPERATIVE, AND INDIVIDUALIZED THERAPY. For Zambian students, while many advanced therapies may not be available, understanding the principles of STAGING and the HIERARCHY OF TREATMENT OPTIONS is essential for appropriate referral and counselling. STAGING: TNM (8th edition). …
Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors
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Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the MOST COMMON MESENCHYMAL NEOPLASMS of the gastrointestinal tract, arising from the INTERSTITIAL CELLS OF CAJAL (pacemaker cells). For Zambian students, GIST is an important differential diagnosis for subepithelial masses and GI bleeding. The availability of TYROSINE KINASE INHIBITORS (IMATINIB) has transformed a highly chemotherapy-resistant …
Celiac Disease
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Celiac disease (CD) is a chronic, immune-mediated enteropathy triggered by ingestion of GLUTEN (storage proteins in wheat, barley, rye) in genetically susceptible individuals (HLA-DQ2/DQ8). For Zambian students, CD was historically considered RARE in Africa, but is increasingly recognized with urbanization, Western diet adoption, and improved diagnostic capacity. It is a …
Tropical Sprue
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Tropical sprue (TS) is an acquired, chronic malabsorption syndrome of unclear etiology, affecting residents of or visitors to TROPICAL REGIONS (Caribbean, Central/South America, India, Southeast Asia). For Zambian students, TS is a DIAGNOSIS OF EXCLUSION in patients with malabsorption, but its existence in Africa is controversial; some experts consider it …
Environmental Enteric Dysfunction
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Environmental enteric dysfunction (EED), formerly tropical enteropathy, is a subclinical, diffuse small bowel disorder affecting infants and children in LOW-INCOME, UNSANITARY ENVIRONMENTS. For Zambian students, EED is a MAJOR, UNDERAPPRECIATED PUBLIC HEALTH PROBLEM, contributing to STUNTING, VACCINE FAILURE, and IMPAIRED CHILD DEVELOPMENT. PATHOPHYSIOLOGY: Chronic, repeated faecal-oral microbial exposure → small …
Whipple's Disease
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Whipple's disease (WD) is a RARE, CHRONIC, MULTISYSTEM INFECTION caused by Tropheryma whipplei, a Gram-positive actinobacterium. For Zambian students, WD is an EXOTIC, UNLIKELY DIAGNOSIS, but it is CLASSIC and must be recognized because it is CURABLE with antibiotics. Failure to diagnose can be fatal. PATHOPHYSIOLOGY: T. whipplei infects macrophages …