hepatology
Bile system medicine
Hepatology is the branch of medicine focused on the liver, gallbladder, biliary tree, and pancreas.
A hepatologist diagnoses and treats conditions like hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer.
The field sits within gastroenterology but concentrates specifically on hepatobiliary disorders: She was referred to hepatology for her elevated liver enzymes.
Abdominal detoxifying organ
- bile ductsChannels draining liver secretions
- gallbladderBile storage organ
- portal veinVessel feeding liver from gut
- lobulesSmall subdivisions of lobes
Irreversible hepatic scarring
- jaundiceYellowing from bile pigment
- fibrosisPathological connective tissue buildup
- cholangitisBiliary tract infection
- ascitesAbdominal cavity fluid accumulation
encephalopathy · Wilson's disease · hemochromatosis · fatty liver disease · liver abscess
Tissue sample for diagnosis
- ultrasoundInaudible high-frequency waves
- serologyStudy of blood antibodies
- bilirubinHemoglobin degradation byproduct
- albuminBlood and egg protein
Surgical organ relocation
- antiviralsMedicines that inhibit viruses
- interferonImmune response protein
- ablationRemoval by cutting, melting
- immunosuppressantsDrugs reducing body defenses
lactulose · ursodeoxycholic acid · dietary management · phlebotomy · palliative care
Study of entire genetic sequences
- clinical trialsControlled health research experiments
- epidemiologyStudy of disease spread
- pathogenesisHow disease develops
- virologyStudy of infectious agents
regeneration · genetic markers · biomarkers · stem cells · organoids · drug metabolism · pharmacokinetics · microbiome
liver
Abdominal detoxifying organ
- bile ductsChannels draining liver secretions
- gallbladderBile storage organ
- portal veinVessel feeding liver from gut
cirrhosis
Irreversible hepatic scarring
- jaundiceYellowing from bile pigment
- fibrosisPathological connective tissue buildup
- cholangitisBiliary tract infection
ascites · encephalopathy · Wilson's disease · hemochromatosis · fatty liver disease · liver abscess
biopsy
Tissue sample for diagnosis
- ultrasoundInaudible high-frequency waves
- serologyStudy of blood antibodies
- bilirubinHemoglobin degradation byproduct
transplantation
Surgical organ relocation
- antiviralsMedicines that inhibit viruses
- interferonImmune response protein
- ablationRemoval by cutting, melting
immunosuppressants · lactulose · ursodeoxycholic acid · dietary management · phlebotomy · palliative care
genomics
Study of entire genetic sequences
- clinical trialsControlled health research experiments
- epidemiologyStudy of disease spread
- pathogenesisHow disease develops
virology · regeneration · genetic markers · biomarkers · stem cells · organoids · drug metabolism · pharmacokinetics · microbiome · animal models
hepatologycardiology
Study of cardiac disorders
nephrology · pulmonology · neurology · dermatology · ophthalmology
hepatitis, hepatic, heparin, hepatica, hepatocyte, hepatoma, hepatectomy