Module 1 Flashcards
Define Disease
A deviation from the normal structure or function of any part, organ, system, (or combination of these), or from a state of wellness.
Define Etiology
Concerns the causative factors in a particular disease.
Define Idiopathic
When the cause of a disease is unknown.
Define Iatrogenic
When a treatment, a procedure, or an error causes a disease. An example of this would be a bladder infection caused by a prescribed drug.
Define Predisposing
Encompasses the tendencies that promote development of a disease. Example: Insufficient Calcium intake predisposes to osteoporosis.
Define Pathogenesis
The development of the disease or sequence of events involved in tissue changes related to the specific disease process.
Define Acute Disease
Indicates a short-term illness that develops quickly with marked signs such as high fever or severe pain. Example: Acute appendicitis.
Define Chronic Disease
Often a milder condition developing gradually such as RA, but it persists for a long time and usually causes more permanent tissue damage. Often a chronic disease is marked by intermittent acute episodes.
Define Onset, Acute
Sudden & obvious. Example: Gastroenteritis with vomiting, cramps and diarrhea.
Define Onset, Insidious
Gradual progression with only vague or very mild signs.
Define Manifestations
The clinical evidence or effects, the signs and symptoms, of disease. These manifestations, such as redness and swelling, may be local, or found at the site of the problem.
Define Signs
Objective indicators of disease that are obvious to someone other than the affected individual.
Define Symptoms
Subjective feelings such as pain or nausea.
Define Lesion
A term used to describe a specific local change in the tissue. May be microscopic or highly visible.
Define Remissions and Exacerbations
Mark the course or progres of a disease. A remission is a period or condition in which the manifestations of the disease subside either permanently or temporarily. An exacerbation is a worsening in the severity of the disease or in its signs/symptoms.
Define Complications
New secondary or additional problems that arise after the original disease begins.
Define Prognosis
Probability or likelihood for recovery or other outcomes
Define Morbidity
Indicates disease rates within a group
Define Mortality
Indicates relative number of deaths resulting from a particular disease
Define Cellular Atrophy
Refers to a decrease in the size of cells resulting in a reduced tissue mass. Common causes include reduced use of the tissue, insufficient nutrition, decreased neurological or hormonal stimulation and aging.
Define Cellular Hypertrophy
Refers to an increase in the size of individual cells resulting in enlarged tissue mass. An example of hypertrophy is the effect of consistent exercise on skeletal muscle, leading to an enlarged muscle mass.
Define Hyperplasia
An increased number of cells resulting in an enlarged tissue mass.
Define Metaplasia
Occurs when one mature cell type is replaced by a different mature cell type.
Define Dysplasia
The term applied to tissue in which the cells vary in size and shape, large nuclei are frequently present, and the rate of mitosis is increased.
Define Neoplasm
New Growth. Commonly called a tumor. Tumors are of two types; Benign and Malignant. Malignant neoplasms are referred to as cancer.
Define Apoptosis
Refers to programmed cell death; Normal occurrence in the body
Define Ischemia
Deficit of oxygen in the cells
Define Hypoxia
Reduced oxygen in tissues; Nutritional deficits
Define Necrosis
When a group of cells die
Define Infarction
An area of dead cells resulting from lack of oxygen
Define Gangrene
an area of necrotic tissue that has been invaded by bacteria
