Misc. Vocab Flashcards
Tissue
A group of specialized cells working together to perform one or more specific functions
Organ
A group of two or more different tissues working together to perform a specialized function
Organ system
A group of organs working together to perform vital body functions
Organism
An individual living thing
Homeostasis
The existence of a stable environment
Homeostatic regulation
The adjustment of physiological systems to maintain homeostasis
Receptor
Component of homeostatic regulation that receives stimuli
Control center
Component of homeostatic regulation that processes the signal and sends instructions
Effector
Component of homeostatic regulation that carries out instructions
Afferent
Input between receptor and control center
Efferent
Output between control center and effector
Negative feedback loop
The response of the effector negates the stimulus and the body is brought back to homeostasis; normal range achieved
Positive feedback loop
The response of the effector increases change of the stimulus and the body is moved away from homeostasis; normal range is lost; processes sped up
Thermoregulation
A process allowing the body to maintain its core internal temperature
Set point
Physiological value around which the normal value fluctuates; an ideal number for a specific physiological process
Vasodilation
An increase in diameter of blood vessels, increasing blood flow
Vasoconstriction
A decrease in diameter of blood vessels, decreasing blood flow
Homeostatic imbalance
Failure or inability to maintain homeostasis which can lead to illness, disease, or death
Symptoms
A subjective change
Signs
Objective changes which can be quantified
Prognosis
A prediction about the possible course or outcome from a specific disease
Pathology
The study of disease
Disease
Malfunction of organs or organ systems resulting from a failure of homeostatic mechanisms characterized by a set of signs and symptoms
Disorder
Any abnormality of structure or function
Acute
A disease of short duration but typically severe
Chronic
Illness persisting for a long time or constantly recurring
Etiology
Science and study of the cause of disease
Idiopathic
Any disease or condition of unknown cause
Epithelial tissue
Thin tissues that cover all exposed surfaces of the body
- Skin
- Lining of mouth, digestive track
Connective tissue
Tissue that supports, protects, and gives structure to other tissues and organs
- Bone
- Cartilage
- Fat
- Blood
- Lymphatic tissue
Muscle tissue
Composed of cells that have the special ability to shorten or contract in order to produce movement of body parts
Nervous tissue
Groups of organized cells in the nervous system
- Brain
- Spinal cord
- Nerves
- Neurons
Diagnosis
The identification of the nature of an illness or other problem by examination of the signs and symptoms
Palpation
To examine the body by gentle touch
Auscultation
The action of listening to sounds from the heart, lungs, or other organs with a stethoscope
Pericarditis
Inflammation of the pericardium
Pleurisy
Inflammation of the pleura
Peritonitis
Inflammation of the peritoneum
Percussion
A method of tapping body parts with fingers, hands, or small instruments to determine the size/consistency/borders of body organs
Necrosis
The tissue destruction that occurs after cells have been damaged or killed
Pus
Accumulation of debris, fluid, dead and dying cells, and necrotic tissue
Abscess
An accumulation of pus in an enclosed tissue
Fibrosis
Permanent replacement of normal tissue by scar tissue (fibrous tissue)
Sarcoma
A cancer arising in connective or other nonepithelial tissue
Carcinoma
A cancer arising in the epithelial tissue of the skin or of the lining of the internal organs
Lesion
A region in an organ or tissue that has suffered damage from injury or disease
Remission
Abatement, ending, or lessening in severity of signs and symptoms of a disease
Biopsy
Process of removing tissue samples surgically or with a needle
Autopsy
An examination of the organs of a cadaver to determine cause of death or to determine pathology
What are the levels of organization from simplest to most complex?
Chemical, cellular, tissue, organ, organ system, organismal
Oncologist
A person who studies tumors
Metastasis
The development of secondary malignant growths at a distance from a primary site of cancer
Parenchymal cells
Functional part of an organ or structure
Carcinogen
A substance capable of causing cancer in living tissue
Hypertrophy
An increase and growth of muscle cells achieved through exercise
Benign
A condition, tumor, or growth that is noncancerous
Malignant
Cancerous
Marfan syndrome
An inherited disorder that affects connective tissue.
Most commonly affects eyes, heart, blood vessels and skeleton
Extracellular matrix
Noncellular substances surrounding the cell
