Chapters 18-24 Flashcards
Acetylcholine
A neurotransmitter in the somtaic and autonomic nervous systems; principal synapses using acetylcholine include the skeletal neuromuscular junction, autonomic ganglia, and certain pathways in the brain
Adrenergic
Refers to synpases or physiological responses involving epinephrine and norepinephrine
Beta-Receptor
A primary class of the receptors that are responsive to epinephrine and (to a lesser extent) norepinephrine. Beta-receptors are subclassified into beta-1 and beta-2 receptors based on their sensitivity to various drugs
Cholinergic
Refers to synapses or physiological responses involving acetylcholine
Norepinephrine
A neurotransmitter that is important in certain brain pathways and in the terminal synapses of the sympathetic nervous system (SYN: noradrenaline)
Sympathetic
The sympathetic nervous system is one of the two main divisions of the autonomic nervous system. “Fight or Flight”
Parasympathetic
The parasympathetic nervous system is one of the two main divisions of the autonomic system. “Rest and Digest”
Alpha-Receptor
A primary class of the receptors that are responsive to epinephrine and (to a lessor exent) norepinephring. Alpha receptors are subclassified into alpha-1 and alpha-2 receptors based on their sensitivity to various drugs
Anticholinergics
Drugs that decrease activity at acetylcholine synapses. These agents are often used to diminish activity in the parasympathetic nervous system (SYN: parasympatholytic)
Parkinson’s Disease
The clinical syndrome of bradykinesia, rigidity, resting tremor, and postural instability associated with neurotransmitter abnormalities (dopamine) within the basal ganglia
Aldosterone
A steroid (mineralocorticoid) hormone produced by the adrenal cortex that acts on the kidney to increase sodium reabsorption, thereby retaining sodium in the body
Angiogenesis
The development of new blood vessels. Drugs that inhibit this effect can be useful in limiting the growth and proliferation of certain tumors
Hyperlipidemia
Involves abnormally elevated levels of any or all lipids and/or lipoproteins in the blood. It is the most common form of dyslipidemia (which includes any abnormal lipid levels)
Hypertension
A pathological condition characterized by a sustained, reproducible increase in blood pressure
Metabolic Syndrome
A condition characterized by insulin resistance, high blood pressure, abdominal obestity, and hyperlipidemia (SYN: Syndrome X)
Orthostatic Hypotension
A sudden fall in blood pressure that occurs when the patient stands erect; this is a frequent side effect of many medications
Sympatholytics
Drugs that inhibit or antagonize function within the sympathetic nervous system
Angina Pectoris
Severe pain and contriction in the chest region, usually associated with myocardial ischemia
Anticoagulation
A decrease in the blood’s capacity to coagulate (clot). Drugs with the ability to decrease coagulation are known as anticoagulants
Arrhythmia
A significant deviation from normal cardiac rhythm that results in a heart rate that is slower or faster than normal, or irregulat (SYN: dysrhythmia)
Congestive Heart Failure
A clinical syndrome of cardiac disease that is marked by decreased myocardial contractility, peripheral edema, SOB, and decreased tolerance for physical exertion
Dopamine
A neurotransmitter located in the CNS that is important in motor control and in certain aspects of behavior. The presence of endogenous or exogenous dopamine in the periphery also affects cardiovascular function
Inotropic
Refers to a substance that increases muscular contraction force (positive inotrope) or decreases contraction force (negative intotrope). Certain cardiac drugs are considered positive inotropes because they increase the force of cardiac contractions
Phosphdiesterase (PDE)
An enzyme that breaks down phophodiester bonds in organic compounds. Certain phophodiesterases are important clinically because they break down second messengers such as cyclic AMP, and drugs that inhibit these enzymes prolong the effects of cyclic AMP in the lungs and other tissues.
Fibrinolytics
Drugs which facilitate the breakdown and dissolution of clots that have already formed. These drugs work by converting plasminogen (profibrinolysin) to plasmin (fibrinolysin)
Hemophilia
A hereditary disease in which an individual is unable to synthesize adequate amounts of a specific clotting factor
Heostasis
The process of preventing blood loss from the circulation following injury to blood vessels (ANT: hemorrhage)
Thrombus
A blood clot formed by the activation of fibrin and platelets. Excessive thrombus formation (thrombosis) can be controlled by drugs that affect various aspects of the clotting mechanisms
Hyperlipidemia
A chronic and excessive increase in plasma lipids in the blood.
