Definitions Flashcards
ABSCESS
Localized collections of pus caused by suppuration buried in a tissue, an organ, or a confined space.
ADENOCARCINOMA
Malignant tumor of glandular epithelium.
ADENOMA
Benign tumor of glandular epithelium.
ADHESION
Adhesions are fibrous bands of scar tissue that form between internal organs and tissues, joining them together abnormally.
AGENESIS
Complete absence of an organ or is anlage.
AMYLOIDOSIS
Disorder characterized by the extracellular deposits of proteins that are prone to aggregate and form insoluble fibrils.
ANAPLASIA
Dedifferentiation, or loss of structural and functional differentiation of malignant tumors.
ANEURYSM
Congenital or acquired dilations of blood vessels or the heart.
APLASIA
Incomplete development of an organ or its anlage.
APOPTOSIS
Pathway of cell death in which cells activate enzymes that degrade the cells’ own nuclear DNA and nuclear and cytoplasmic proteins.
ARTERIOSCLEROSIS
Hardening of the arteries, arterial wall thickening and loss of elasticity.
ARTERITIS
Arterial wall inflammation.
ASCITES
Extravascular fluid collection (effusion) in the peritoneal cavity.
ATELECTASIS
Loss of lung volume caused by inadequate expansion of air spaces.
ATHEROSCLEROSIS
Characterized by intimal lesions called atheromas (or atheromatous or atherosclerotic plaques) that impinge on the vascular lumen and can rupture to cause sudden occlusion.
ATRESIA
Absence of an opening, usually of a hollow visceral organ or duct.
ATROPHY
Shrinkage in the size of cells by the loss of cell substance.
ATYPIA
Structural abnormality in a cell due to reactive or neoplastic processes
AUTOLYSIS
Enzymatic digestion of cells (especially dead or degenerate) by enzymes present within them (autogenous).
BALANITIS
Local inflammation of the glans penis.
BIOPSY
Process involving extraction of sample cells or tissues for examination to determine the presence or extent of a disease.
BLASTOMA
Embryonal tumor, more common in children, that is caused by malignancies in precursor cells, often called blasts, characterized by small blue cells.
CARCINOGENESIS
Multistep process resulting from the accumulation of multiple genetic alterations that collectively give rise to the transformed phenotype causing malignant neoplasms.
CARCINOID
Malignant tumors composed of cells that contain dense-core neurosecretory granules in there cytoplasm, may
secrete hormonally active polypeptides. Applied only in lung tumor classification of neuroendocrine tumors.
CARCINOMA
Malignant neoplasms of epithelial cells.
CARCINOMA, in situ
Severe dysplastic changes which involve the entire thickness of the epithelium.
CARCINOMA, microinvasive
Superficially invasive epithelial neoplasm, invasion detected only microscopically.
COARCTATION
Congenital narrowing or constriction of the aorta
CONDYLOMA
HPV associated warty lesion of the genital squamous epithelium.
CONGESTION
Passive process resulting from impaired outflow of venous blood from a tissue, causing increased blood volume within the tissue.
CYST
An abnormal closed epithelium-lined cavity in the body, containing liquid or semisolid material.
DEGENERATION
Gradual deterioration of specific tissues, cells, or organs with corresponding impairment or loss of function.
DERMATITIS
Inflammation of the skin.
DESMOPLASIA
Tumor induced stromal reaction characterized by collagen rich connective tissue.
DIFFUSE
Not definitely limited or localized, continuous or widespread distribution.
DIVERTICULUM
Acquired pseudodiverticular outpouchings of the colonic mucosa and submucosa.
DYSPLASIA
Disorderly proliferation of the epithelium recognized by a loss in the uniformity of individual cells and in their architectural orientation.
DYSTROPHY
Abnormal development or growth of a tissue or organ, usually resulting from nutritional deficiency.
ECTASIA
Any local dilation of a structure.
ECTOPIA
An abnormal location or position of an organ or a body part, occurring congenitally or as the result of injury.
EDEMA
Accumulation of interstitial fluid within tissues.
EMBOLUS
Detached intravascular solid, liquid, or gaseous mass that is carried by the blood from its point of origin to a distant site, where it often causes tissue dysfunction or infarction.
EMPHYSEMA
Permanent enlargement of the air spaces distal to the terminal bronchioles, accompanied by destruction of their walls without significant fibrosis.
EMPYEMA
pleural exudate caused by microbial invasion through either direct extension of a pulmonary infection or blood-borne seeding
ENDOCARDITIS
Inflammation of the endocardium, which may be infective or non-infective of origin.
ENDOPHYTIC
Tending to grow inward into tissues in fingerlike projections from a superficial site of origin — used for tumors
EPITHELIOID CELL
Activated macrophages which may develop abundant cytoplasm and begin to resemble epithelial cells
EROSION
The superficial destruction of a surface by friction, pressure, ulceration, or trauma.
EXOPHYTIC
A neoplasm or lesion that grows outward from an epithelial surface.
EXUDATE
Protein-rich fluid accumulation
FIBROSIS
Excessive deposition of collagen and other ECM components in a tissue.
FISTULA
A permanent abnormal passageway between two organs in the body or between an organ and the exterior of the body.
FOCAL
Localized lesion, limited to a specific area.
FOCAL, MULTIPLE
More than one localized lesion, limited to a specific area.
FOCAL, SOLITARY
A single localized lesion, limited to a specific area.
GIANT CELL
A multinucleate “cell” or syncytium formed by a fusion of activated macrophages.
GIANT CELL, FOREIGN BODY TYPE
A multinucleate “cell” or syncytium formed around inert foreign material formed by a fusion of activated macrophages.
GIANT CELL, LANGHANS TYPE
A multinucleate “cell” or syncytium formed around caseating necrosis, typically in tuberculosis, formed by a fusion of activated macrophages.
GRADE
Level of malignancy based on the cytologic differentiation of tumor cells and the number of mitoses within the tumor.
GRANULATION TISSUE
Material formed in the process of repair of wounds of soft tissue, consisting of connective tissue cells and ingrowing young vessels.
GRANULOMA
Aggregates of activated macrophages with scattered lymphocytes.
HAMARTOMA
A mass of disorganized tissue indigenous to the particular site.
HEMATOMA
Hemorrhage accumulating within a tissue.
HEMOPERICARDIUM
Hemorrhage within the pericardial cavity.
HEMOTHORAX
Hemorrhage within the pleural cavity.
HERNIATION
Abnormal protrusion of an organ or other body structure through a defect or natural opening in a covering membrane, muscle, or bone.
HETEROTOPIA
Or choristoma refers to microscopically normal cells or tissues that are present in abnormal locations.
HYALINE
A clear, eosinophilic, homogeneous substance occurring in cellular degeneration.
HYDROTHORAX
Extravascular fluid collection (effusion) in the pleural cavity.
HYPERCHROMASIA
An increase in chromatin in cell nuclei, causing increased staining of nuclei with hematoxylin.
HYPERPLASIA
Hyperplasia is an increase in the number of cells in an organ that stems from increased proliferation, either of differentiated cells or, in some instances, less differentiated progenitor cells.
HYPERTROPHY
Hypertrophy is an increase in the size of cells resulting in an increase in the size of the organ.
INFARCTION, anaemic
Area of ischemic necrosis caused by occlusion of the vascular supply to the affected tissue.
Infarction, haemorrhagic
Area of ischemic necrosis caused by occlusion of the vascular supply to the affected tissue and consequential bleeding (dual or collateral blood supply, venous occlusion, reestablished flow after infarction).
INFLAMMATION, acute fibrinous
Initial, rapid response to infections and tissue damage with fibrin-rich exsudate (due to large vascular leaks or local procoagulant stimulus)
INFLAMMATION, acute hemorrhagic
Initial, rapid response to infections and tissue damage with capillary endothelial destruction and consequent bleeding.
INFLAMMATION, acute purulent
Initial, rapid response to infections and tissue damage characterized by the production of pus (exudate of neutrophyls, liquefied debris of necrotis cells and edema fluid).
INFLAMMATION, acute serous
Initial, rapid response to infections and tissue damage marked by exudation of cell-poor fluid.
INFLAMMATION, chronic active
Pattern of chronic mucosal inflammation mixed with acute inflammation of the glands.
INFLAMMATION, chronic non-specific
Prolonged host response (weeks or months) to persistent stimuli that may follow unresolved acute inflammation or be chronic from the onset (cells: lymphocytes, plasma cells).
INFLAMMATION, chronic granulomatous
Form of chronic inflammation characterized by collections of activated macrophages, often with T lymphocytes and sometimes associated with central necrosis (granuloma formation).
INVASION
Invasion refers to the direct extension and penetration by cancer cells into neighbouring tissues.
INVOLUTION
Reduction of volume of an organ or tissue (similarly to atrophy) due to physiological processes (e.g. thymus)
KARYOLYSIS
Form of nuclear destruction: fading.
KARYORRHEXIS
Form of nuclear destruction: fragmentation.
KOILOCYTE
HPV infected squamous epithelial cell characterised by nuclear irregularity, hyperchromasia and perinuclear halo.
LITHIASIS
Formation of calculi (stones).
LYMPHOMA
Malignant tumor of the lymphoid tissue.
MASTITIS
Inflammation of the breast.
MELANOMA
Malignant tumor of melanocytes.
METAPLASIA
Change in which one adult cell type (epithelial or mesenchymal) is replaced by another adult cell type.
METASTASIS
Spread of a tumor to sites that are physically discontinuous with the primary tumor and unequivocally marks a tumor as malignant.
NECROSIS
Form of cell death in which cellular membranes fall apart, and cellular enzymes leak out and ultimately digest the cell.
NEOPLASM
Tissue growth due to abnormal and uncontrolled cell proliferation.
ONCOGENE
Genes that induce a transformed phenotype when expressed in cells by promoting increased cell growth.
ORCHITIS
Inflammation of the testis.
PAPILLOMA
Benign epithelial neoplasms, growing on any surface, that produce microscopic or macroscopic fingerlike fronds.
PETECHIAE
Minute (1 to 2 mm in diameter) hemorrhages into skin, mucous membranes, or serosal surfaces.
PHLEBITIS
Inflammation of a vein.
PHLEBOTHROMBOSIS
Venous thrombosis.
PHLEGMON
Diffuse form of acute purulent inflammation, spreading through tissue spaces over a large area without definite limits.
PLEOMORPHISM (POLYMORHISM)
Variation of size and shape of cells, usually charasteristic for malignant neoplasms.
PNEUMONIA
Inflammation of the lung.
PNEUMOTHORAX
Air in the thoracic cavity.
POLYP
Inflammation of the rectum
PSEUDOCYST
Liquefied areas of necrotic tissue become walled off by fibrous tissue to form a cystic space, lacking an epithelial lining.
PSEUDOMEMBRANE
Adherent layer of inflammatory cells and debris at sites of mucosal injury.
PUSTULE
Discrete, pus-filled, raised lesion.
PYKNOSIS
Form of nuclear destruction: shrinkage.
PYOTHORAX
Pus in the thoracic cavity.
RECURRENCE
Neoplasm growing at the same place of previously treated primary tumor.
REGENERATION
Replacement of damaged tissue components and essentially return to a normal state.
RELAPSE
Return of a disease after its apparent cessation.
REMISSION
Partial or complete disappearance of a chronic or a malignant disease.
REPAIR
Regeneration by proliferation of residual (uninjured) cells and maturation of tissue stem cells, and the deposition of connective tissue to form a scar.
RESOLUTION
Restoration of the site of acute inflammation to normal.
SALPINGO-OOPHORITIS
Inflammation of the adnex (ovary and tube).
SARCOMA
Malignant neoplasm of mesenchymal origin.
SHOCK
A state in which diminished cardiac output or reduced effective circulating blood volume impairs tissue perfusion and leads to cellular hypoxia.
STASIS
Stagnation of fluid due to obstruction and congestion.
HEPATIC STEATOSIS
Fatty degeneration of the liver.
STENOSIS
Narrowing of a lumen.
SUPPURATION
Formation of pus.
TERATOMA
Germ cell neoplasia that contains ecto- endo and mesodermal tissues.
THROMBUS
The formation or presence of a blood clot in a blood vessel.
TRANSUDATE
Fluid with low protein content, little or no cellular material, and low specific gravity (protein content: <3g/l).
TUMOR SUPRESSOR GENE
Genes that normally prevent uncontrolled growth and, when mutated or lost from a cell, allow the transformed phenotype to develop.
TUMOR, benign
A tumor which has microscopic and gross characteristics that are considered to be relatively innocent, implying that it will remain localized and is amenable to local surgical removal.
TUMOR, malignant
A tumor which can invade and destroy adjacent structures and spread to distant sites (metastasize) to cause death.
ULCER
Local defect, or excavation, of the surface of an organ or tissue that is produced by the sloughing (shedding) of inflamed necrotic tissue.
