Topics for Anatomy and Physiology
Find educational topics for Anatomy and Physiology aligned with the Zambian tertiary curriculum.
Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth
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Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is defined as excessive bacteria in the small bowel (>10^3-10^5 CFU/mL) causing malabsorption and gastrointestinal symptoms. For Zambian students, SIBO is a COMMON, UNDERDIAGNOSED cause of chronic diarrhoea, bloating, and malabsorption, particularly in patients with PREDISPOSING CONDITIONS (gastric surgery, hypochlorhydria, dysmotility, chronic pancreatitis, cirrhosis, immunosuppression). …
Protein-Losing Enteropathy
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Protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) is a syndrome of excessive serum protein loss into the gastrointestinal tract, leading to HYPOPROTEINAEMIA and OEDEMA, in the absence of other causes (renal, hepatic, nutritional). For Zambian students, PLE is a CLINICAL DIAGNOSIS, with a BROAD DIFFERENTIAL (infectious, inflammatory, neoplastic, lymphatic). PATHOPHYSIOLOGY: Three mechanisms: 1) EROSIVE/MUCOSAL …
Intestinal Lymphangiectasia
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Intestinal lymphangiectasia (IL) is a disorder characterized by dilation and dysfunction of intestinal lymphatic vessels, leading to leakage of lymph into the gut lumen → PROTEIN-LOSING ENTEROPATHY, LYMPHOPENIA, and STEATORRHOEA. For Zambian students, PRIMARY IL (Waldmann's disease) is RARE, but SECONDARY IL is MORE COMMON (TB, lymphoma, retroperitoneal fibrosis, heart …
Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis
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Eosinophilic gastroenteritis (EGE) is a rare, chronic inflammatory disorder characterized by EOSINOPHILIC INFILTRATION of the gastrointestinal wall (mucosa, muscularis, serosa), in the absence of secondary causes (parasites, drugs, hypereosinophilic syndrome, EGPA). For Zambian students, EGE is a DIAGNOSIS OF EXCLUSION, particularly in the tropics where parasitic infection is endemic. PATHOPHYSIOLOGY: …
Ménétrier's Disease
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Ménétrier's disease (MD) is a rare, acquired, hypertrophic gastropathy characterized by GIANT RUGAL FOLDS (cerebriform) in the gastric body/fundus, with FOVEOLAR HYPERPLASIA (mucous cell hyperplasia), glandular atrophy, and HYPOPROTEINAEMIA (protein-losing gastropathy). For Zambian students, MD is a RARE but CLASSIC cause of PLE. CMV (children) and H. pylori (adults) are …
Acute Diarrhea in Adults
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Acute diarrhea (≥3 loose stools/day, <14 days) is one of the MOST COMMON PRESENTATIONS worldwide. For Zambian students, it is a DAILY CLINICAL PROBLEM, with infectious etiologies dominating. MASTERY OF SYNDROMIC DIAGNOSIS, REHYDRATION, SELECTIVE TESTING, AND APPROPRIATE ANTIBIOTIC USE IS ESSENTIAL. ETIOLOGY: VIRAL (50-70%): Norovirus (winter, outbreaks), Rotavirus (children, vaccine), …
Chronic Diarrhea: Diagnostic Approach
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Chronic diarrhea (≥4 weeks) is a common, challenging presentation with a BROAD DIFFERENTIAL. For Zambian students, a SYSTEMATIC, STEPWISE APPROACH is essential to avoid unnecessary testing and delayed diagnosis. ETIOLOGIES (CATEGORIES): WATERY (OSMOTIC vs SECRETORY), INFLAMMATORY, FATTY (MALABSORPTION/STEATORRHOEA). STEP 1: HISTORY, PHYSICAL, STOOL CHARACTERISTICS. OSMOTIC DIARRHEA: stops with fasting, high …
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
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Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common, chronic disorder of GUT-BRAIN INTERACTION, characterized by recurrent abdominal pain associated with defecation or a change in bowel habits. For Zambian students, IBS is a DIAGNOSIS OF EXCLUSION, but it is REAL, COMMON, and causes significant morbidity. It is NOT 'all in the …
Diverticulitis: Acute Management
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Acute diverticulitis is inflammation of colonic diverticula, a common surgical presentation. For Zambian students, incidence is RISING with urbanization and low-fibre diet. UNCOMPLICATED (phlegmon, 75%): LLQ pain, fever, leukocytosis, NO abscess/perforation. CT is gold standard (wall thickening, fat stranding). MANAGEMENT: OUTPATIENT (stable, tolerating oral): oral antibiotics (7-10d, cover Gram-neg/anaerobes: amoxicillin-clavulanate, …