PORTOSYSTEMIC SHUNT Meaning and
Definition
-
A portosystemic shunt, also known as a hepatic shunt or liver shunt, is an abnormal connection that occurs between the portal vein and a neighboring blood vessel, diverting blood away from the liver. The portal vein is responsible for transporting nutrient-rich blood from the digestive organs to the liver for detoxification and processing before it circulates to the rest of the body. In cases of portosystemic shunts, there is an alternative pathway through which blood bypasses the liver, resulting in a diminished or impaired liver function.
This abnormal connection can be a congenital condition (present from birth) or acquired later in life due to liver disease or other medical conditions. Portosystemic shunts can occur either within the liver (intrahepatic) or outside the liver (extrahepatic), and can be either single or multiple.
Portosystemic shunts can lead to several complications, including a buildup of waste products in the bloodstream, decreased protein production, and impaired detoxification function of the liver. These complications can result in hepatic encephalopathy, a condition characterized by the accumulation of toxins in the brain, leading to neurological symptoms such as confusion, seizures, and personality changes.
Treatment for portosystemic shunts may involve surgical intervention to redirect blood flow back to the liver or the use of medication to manage symptoms and reduce complications. In severe cases or when other treatment options are not effective, a liver transplant may be considered.
Common Misspellings for PORTOSYSTEMIC SHUNT
- oortosystemic shunt
- lortosystemic shunt
- -ortosystemic shunt
- 0ortosystemic shunt
- pirtosystemic shunt
- pkrtosystemic shunt
- plrtosystemic shunt
- pprtosystemic shunt
- p0rtosystemic shunt
- p9rtosystemic shunt
- poetosystemic shunt
- podtosystemic shunt
- poftosystemic shunt
- pottosystemic shunt
- po5tosystemic shunt
- po4tosystemic shunt
- porrosystemic shunt
- porfosystemic shunt
- porgosystemic shunt
- poryosystemic shunt
Etymology of PORTOSYSTEMIC SHUNT
The term "Portosystemic Shunt" can be broken down into its parts to understand its etymology:
1. "Porto-" is derived from the Latin word "porta", meaning "gate" or "entrance". It refers to the portal vein, which is the main blood vessel that carries blood from the gastrointestinal tract to the liver.
2. "Systemic" comes from the Latin word "systema", which means "a whole compounded of several parts". In this context, it indicates that the shunt is bypassing the liver and carrying blood directly into the systemic circulation.
3. "Shunt" originates from the Old English word "scyttan", meaning "to divert" or "to turn aside". It denotes a redirecting or bypassing mechanism in medical terminology.
