P&P1 Flashcards
Define Pathophysiology
The study of how the functions of cells, tissues and organs are altered in disease or injury
Define Aetiology
The study of the cause, or causes, of a disease
Define Idiopathic Aetiology
When the cause of the disease is unknown
Define Iatrogenic Aetiology
When the disease is caused by a medical treatment, procedure or an error
Define Pathogenesis
Represents the development of a disease, and usually
covers how a disease becomes established and progresses
Define Acute (pathogenesis)
Short-term illness that develops quickly
Define Chronic (pathogenesis)
Often a milder condition that develops gradually for a long time
Signs
Objective indicators of disease that are obvious to someone other than the person affected
Symptoms
Subjective feelings e.g., pain and nausea
Epidemiology
The study of the characteristics and distribution patterns of a disease within populations
Incidence
Represents the number of new cases of a disease diagnosed within a particular period
Prevalence
The total number of cases of a disease, both newly and previously diagnosed at a particular time
What is cell adaption
Cells adapt to new conditions such as prolonged exposure to persistent or intense stimuli by changing in size, number and type
What happens to a cell when it experiences reversible injury
Affected cells recover after the stimulus is removed
What happens to a cell when it experiences irreversible injury
Results in cell death
Cell Adaption
Define Atrophy
A decrease in the size of cells, tissues or organs due to demand on cells decreasing below normal
(bedridden patients and fractured limbs that are immobilised for a long period (decreased workload), spinal cord injury)
Cell Adaption
Define Hypertrophy
An increase in the size of cells, tissues or organs due to demand on cells that is greater than normal
(body building)
Cell Adaption
Define Hyperplasia
An increase in the number of cells in response to increased demand
(uterine enlargement during pregnancy)
Cell Adaption
Define Metaplasia
One cell type transforms into another cell type
(Columnar cells in bronchus transform from ciliated columnar epithelial cells into stratified squamous epithelium due to cigarette smoking)
Cell Adaption
Define Dysplasia
Disorderly arrangement of cells leading to breakdown of the tissue
Maybe reversible if the stimulus is discontinued/removed
(Columnar cells in bronchus transform from ciliated columnar epithelial cells into stratified squamous epithelium due to cigarette smoking. If the stimulus persists it may progress to dysplasia)
