Chapter 1 - Introduction to Pathophysiology Flashcards
Pathophysiology
Functional changes in the body that result from disease
Think physiology - study of the function of the body, this is just abnormal function
Pathology
Structural changes in the body caused by a disease
Think anatomy - study of the structure, this is just abnormal structure
Homeostasis
“The body’s ability to detect change, activate mechanisms that oppose it, and thereby maintain a relatively stable internal environment.” - Saladin pg 15
Feedback loop requirements
Set point - “ideal” setting
Sensor - detects changes (actual value of what is being assessed)
Control center - compares the actual value to the set point and activates mechanisms to correct, if necessary
Effector - activated by the control center, will change the actual value to better align with the set point
Negative feedback loop
The response from the effector will oppose the change
Positive feedback loop
The response from the effector will amplify the change
Health
“…a state of complete physical, mental, and social well being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” - WHO
Disease
”…any deviation from the normal structure and function of any part, organ, or system…” – Hubert, et al pg 2
Primary prevention
Goal is to protect people from getting the disease or injury in the first place
Secondary prevention
Goal is to slow the progress of the disease or injury and to limit disability
Tertiary prevention
Goal is to prevent progression and maximize quality of life
Gross level
Can be seen with the naked eye
Microscopic level
Can’t be seen without aids, ie a microscope
Autopsy
To view for oneself. Gross viewing of a body and its parts after death
Biopsy
To view life. Excision of small amounts of tissue to be viewed with a microscope
Atrophy
Decrease in the size of cells
Hypertrophy
Increase in the size of cells
Hyperplasia
Increase in the number of cells
Metaplasia
One mature cell type is replaced with another mature cell type
Dysplasia
Cells vary in size and shape
Anaplasia
Undifferentiated cells (immature) with varying nuclear and cell structures
Neoplasia
Tumor
Malignant tumor
“Cancer.” Usually metastasizes and is more serious
Benign tumor
Less serious tumor, usually does not metasize
Apoptosis
Programmed cell death (autodigestion)
Necrosis
Non-programmed cell death
Pyroptosis
Cell lysis leads to digestive enzymes being released into the cell. Results in inflammation
Hypoxia
Reduced oxygen to the cells
Severe hypoxia decreases ATP production which leads to decreased function of sodium-potassium pump. Build up of Na in the cell leads to cell swelling and eventual death
Ischemia
Decreased supply of blood to an organ or tissue caused by circulatory obstruction
Liquefaction necrosis
Dead cells liquefy due to the release of digestive enzymes
Coagulative necrosis
Proteins denature which leads to coagulation (when a liquid turns to a solid or semi-solid)
Caseous necrosis
Form of coagulative necrosis where a thick, yellow, cheese-like substance forms
Fat necrosis
Coagulative necrosis of fat tissue
Infarct
Area of dead cells (necrosis) caused by lack of blood
Gangrene
Area of necrotic tissue that forms in the limbs due to loss of blood supply
Dry - coagulative necrosis
Wet - liquefactive necrosis due to bacterial infection
Gas - pockets of gas form under the skin due to bacterial metabolism
Diagnosis
Identification of a specific disease
Etiology
Causative factor(s) in a particular disease
Idiopathic
Cause of disease is unknown
Iatrogenic
Disease caused by the treatment (doctor, medication, surgery, etc…)
Predisposing factor
Tendencies that promote the development of a disease
Prevention
The act of preventing or hindering a disease
Pathogenesis
How the etiology leads to the anatomical and physiological changes of disease
Acute onset
“Sudden, rapid, or unanticipated development of a disease or its symptoms”
Insidious onset
“Gradual, very slow onset of disease manifestations”
Acute disease
Rapid onset, short duration, usually more severe
Chronic disease
Insidious onset, longer duration, and less severe
Latent state
No pathological changes are made
No clinical symptoms or signs
Can emerge to cause disease at a later time
Subclinical state
Pathological changes are occurring but not detectable
Changes to minor to present as signs or symptoms
Prodromal period
Early development of a disease
Signs and symptoms are non-specific
Disease manifestations
Clinical evidence of a disease
Symptoms
Subjective feelings of a disease
Signs
Objective indicators of a disease
Lesion
Specific local changes to a tissue
Syndrome
Collection of signs and symptoms that affect more than one organ
Remission
Period when manifestations of a disease go away
Exacerbation
A worsening in the severity of a disease
Precipitating factor
Condition that triggers an acute episode
Complications
A new additional problems that arise after the original disease begins
Therapy
Measures employed to promote recovery or slow progress
Sequela
Unwanted outcome of the primary condition
Convalescence
Period of recovery
Prognosis
The probability of recovery
Morbidity
Disease rates within a group
Mortality
Number of deaths resulting from a disease
Epidemiology
Tracking patterns or occurrences of a disease
Incidence
Number of NEW cases of a disease in a population within a specific time period
Prevalence
TOTAL number of cases of a disease within a population within a given time period
Endemic
Diseases that are regularly found within a specific population or a specific area
Epidemic
Higher than expected number of cases
Pandemic
High number of diseases across the globe
Communicable disease
Infectious disease that can spread from one person to another
Notifiable disease
Infectious disease that must be reported to appropriate health department
