PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF

GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT
Arif Imam Hidayat, S.Kep., Ners., MNS
Pathophysiology (consisting of the Greek origin words “pathos” = suffering;
“physis” = nature, origin; and “logos” = “the study of”) refers to the study of
abnormal changes in body functions that are the causes, consequences, or
concomitants of disease processes.
Studies of pathophysiology are concerned with the investigation of biological
processes that are directly related to disease processes of physical, mental, or
psychophysiological conditions and disorders (e.g., alterations in the endocrine
system, in certain neurotransmitters, or inflammatory parameters related to the
activity of the immune system).
Thus, pathophysiological research aims at identifying biological markers and
mechanisms for predicting and explaining disease processes in terms
of etiology and pathogenesis.
Pathophysiology is formally considered as a subdiscipline within physiology.

2
Etiology Concerns the causative factors in a particular disease
There may be one or more causative factors

Idiopathic when the cause of a disease is unknown

Iatrogenic When a treatment, procedure, or an error may cause a disease
Pathogenesis the development of the disease or the sequence of events involved
in the tissue changes related to the disease process
Insidious A gradual progression with only vague or very mild signs
Acute disease a short term illness that develops very quikly with marked signs
Chronic Disease a milder condition developing gradually, but persists and causes
more permanent tissue damage
Syndrome collection of signs and symptoms that usually occur together in
response to a condition
Exacerbation during which signs increase
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
THANK YOU
arif.hidayat@unsoed.ac.id