Intro to Pathology Flashcards
What is the definition of pathophysiology?
Pathophysiology is the study of the disruption of normal bodily function (homeostasis) due to disease or the physiology of abnormal function.
What is the definition of pathology?
Pathology is the study of structural or morphological abnormalities which are expressed as diseases of cells, tissues, organs, and whole systems.
What is the definition of disease?
Disease is an impairment of cells, tissues, organs or body system functions. It is the result of altered functions of the body and poses a challenge to body homeostasis. It is synonymous with illness or being sick.
What is body homeostasis?
Homeostasis is a dynamic steady state marked by appropriate regulatory responses by the body, in other words……Health!
What is the definition of etiology?
Means what is the cause of a disease or disorder (genetic, acquired, or infectious, etc.)
What is the definition of idiopathic disease?
Has an unidentifiable cause.
What is the definition of iatrogenic?
Means a result of medical treatment.
What is the definition of congenital?
Disorder occurring during fetal development. i.e. a congenital berry aneurysm.
What is the definition of nosocomial?
Usually an infectious disorder as a result of being inside of a hospital (i.e. hospital-acquired).
What is the definition of genetic?
Means an inherited disease.
What is the definition of acute disease?
Severe disorder with quick onset, usually self-limiting with signs and symptoms i.e. acute myocardial infarct.
What is the definition of chronic disease?
A long-term continuous disease process characterized by exacerbations and remissions that is usually not curable i.e. chronic ulcerative colitis.
What is the definition of subacute disease?
Somewhere between acute and chronic timeframes.
What is the definition of subclinical disease?
No signs or symptoms that does not usually progress.
What is the definition of carrier state?
Patient harbors an organism, does not show signs or symptoms, but can transmit the disease i.e. “Typhoid Mary” (Mary Mallon was a carrier for Salmonella typhi in her bile, responsible of deaths).
What is the definition of a syndrome?
A syndrome is a group of clinical symptoms and physical features that characterize a particular disorder.
