Topics for Anatomy and Physiology
Find educational topics for Anatomy and Physiology aligned with the Zambian tertiary curriculum.
Anorectal Diseases: Fissure and Fistula
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Anal fissure and anal fistula are common anorectal conditions with distinct pathophysiology and management. ANAL FISSURE: longitudinal tear in anoderm, distal to dentate line. ACUTE (<6 weeks) vs CHRONIC (>6 weeks). PATHOPHYSIOLOGY: trauma (hard stool), hypertonic internal anal sphincter → ischemia of posterior commissure (poor blood supply). LOCATION: POSTERIOR MIDLINE …
Anorectal Abscess
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Anorectal abscess is an acute infection of the cryptoglandular epithelium, originating in the intersphincteric space. For Zambian students, it is a COMMON SURGICAL EMERGENCY. CLASSIFICATION (by space): PERIANAL (60%, superficial), ISCHIORECTAL (20%, deeper, supralevator?), INTERSPHINCTERIC (5%), SUPRALEVATOR (rare, supralevator). CLINICAL: PERIANAL ABSCESS: THROBBING, CONSTANT PAIN, exacerbated by sitting, defecation. EXTERNAL …
Pilonidal Disease
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Pilonidal disease is an acquired, chronic inflammatory condition of the SACROCOCCYGEAL (natal cleft) region, caused by penetration of loose hairs into the skin. For Zambian students, it is COMMON in hirsute young males. PATHOPHYSIOLOGY: Hair penetration → foreign body reaction → midline pits → infection → abscess → chronic draining …
Short Bowel Syndrome
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Short bowel syndrome (SBS) is a malabsorptive state resulting from extensive small bowel resection, leading to DIARRHOEA, DEHYDRATION, MALNUTRITION, and WEIGHT LOSS. For Zambian students, SBS is an UNDERDIAGNOSED, DEVASTATING CONDITION with HIGH MORTALITY, often caused by MESENTERIC ISCHEMIA, CROHN'S DISEASE, VOLVULUS, or TRAUMA. PATHOPHYSIOLOGY: Loss of absorptive surface area, …
Carcinoid Syndrome and Neuroendocrine Tumors
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Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are rare neoplasms arising from neuroendocrine cells throughout the body. Carcinoid syndrome is the paraneoplastic syndrome associated with metastatic small intestinal NETs, caused by secretion of SEROTONIN and other vasoactive substances. For Zambian students, NETs are RARE, but must be recognized as a treatable cause of chronic …
Familial Adenomatous Polyposis
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Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is an autosomal dominant disorder caused by germline mutation in the APC gene, characterized by HUNDREDS TO THOUSANDS of colorectal adenomas, with NEARLY 100% LIFETIME RISK of COLORECTAL CANCER by age 40-50 years without prophylactic colectomy. For Zambian students, FAP is RARE but must be recognized …
Lynch Syndrome
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Lynch syndrome (LS), formerly hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC), is the MOST COMMON HEREDITARY COLORECTAL CANCER SYNDROME (2-4% of all CRC), caused by germline mutations in DNA MISMATCH REPAIR (MMR) genes (MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2, EPCAM). For Zambian students, LS is RARE but IMPORTANT—identification enables CANCER PREVENTION in affected individuals …
Ischemic Colitis
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Ischemic colitis (IC) is the MOST COMMON FORM of gastrointestinal ischemia, resulting from reduced blood flow to the colon, usually NON-OCCLUSIVE. For Zambian students, IC is an UNDERDIAGNOSED cause of LOWER GI BLEEDING, particularly in ELDERLY, HYPERTENSIVE, and DIALYSIS patients. PATHOPHYSIOLOGY: WATERSHED AREAS: SPLENIC FLEXURE (Griffith's point) and SIGMOID-RECTAL JUNCTION …
Radiation Proctitis
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Radiation proctitis is injury to the rectum caused by ionizing radiation, a common complication of PELVIC RADIOTHERAPY (prostate, cervical, rectal, bladder, anal cancer). For Zambian students, with increasing access to radiotherapy (Lusaka), this is an EMERGING IATROGENIC CONDITION. ACUTE RADIATION PROCTITIS: occurs during or immediately after radiotherapy (<3 months). CHRONIC …