Author Question: Science is a way of knowing about nature and understanding how the natural world interrelates. ... (Read 73 times)

storky111 · **on:** Aug 19, 2018

Science is a way of knowing about nature and understanding how the natural world interrelates.
Indicate whether the statement is true or false

Question 2

Describe why ascites, portal hypertension, and esophageal varices occur in patients with cirrhosis.

thall411 · **Reply #1 on:** Aug 19, 2018

Answer to Question 1

True

Answer to Question 2

The restricted blood flow within the liver results in a greater volume of portal blood, which causes a rise in blood pressure in the portal vein known as portal hypertension. When portal blood flow is impeded, the blood is forced backward into nearby veins and then diverted to the systemic circulation via collateral vessels, which develop and expand throughout the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and in regions near the abdominal wall. As portal pressure builds, some of these collaterals can become enlarged and engorged with blood, forming abnormally dilated vessels called varices and these can occur in the esophagus. Ascites is primarily a consequence of portal hypertension, sodium and water retention in the kidneys, and reduced albumin synthesis in the diseased liver. The elevated pressure causes fluid to leak into the abdominal cavity.