patho glossary Flashcards
abscess
a localized collection of pus in a cavity formed by disintegration of tissues.
acinus (acini = pl.)
a small sac-like dilatation, e.g. in the lung the basic unit of gas exchange, each acinus is supplied by a single terminal bronchiole; in the liver, the smallest functional unit.
acute
a disease with sudden onset of signs and a short course.
adenocarcinoma
a malignant tumour originating in glandular tissue.
adenoma
a benign tumor made up of glandular elements.
adenosis
a disease of a gland, often marked by the abnormal formation or enlargement of glandular tissue.
adhesion
in close proximity; joining of parts to one another which may occur abnormally as in a fibrous band of scar tissue that binds together normally separate anatomical structures.
afferent
toward the centre, e.g. afferent nerves carry impulses toward the central nervous system.
agenesis
absence or failure of formation of any part or organ.
amino acid(s)
the basic building block of protein; there are 20 common amino acid types and their sequence will determine the properties and function of each protein.
amyloid
the extracellular protein substance deposited in amyloidosis.
There are several precursor proteins which are then deposited in the tissue as amyloid; e.g.amyloid light chain (AL) - a component of immunoglobulin, occurs in mulitple myeloma;amyloid associated protein (AA) - derived from liver protein, occurs in reactive systemic amyloidosis; amyloid familial (AF) - abnormal transthyretin.
amyloidosis
a group of conditions of diverse etiologies characterized by the accumulation of insoluble fibrillar proteins (amyloid) in various organs and tissues of the body - eventually organ function is compromised. The associated disease states may be inflammatory, hereditary or neoplastic and the deposition may be local or generalized or systemic.
analgesia (analgesic)
the absence of pain; removing pain.
anaphylaxis
the immediate immunologic (allergic) reaction initiated by the combination ofantigen (allergen) with mast cell cytophilic antobody (chiefly IgE). anaphylactic (adj) - as in anaphylactic shock - life threatening respiratory distress, vascular collapse and shock; manifesting extremely great sensitivity to foreign protein or other material.
anaplasia
loss of differentiation of cells and of their orientation to one another and to their framework and blood vessels.
anastomosis
a connection between two blood vessels or tubes.
aneurysm
a ballooning out of the wall of a blood vessel or a heart chamber due to a weakening of the wall by disease or injury.
angina
spasmodic, choking or suffocating pain. a. pectoris, paroxysmal pain in the chest often radiating to the arms; usually due to interference with the supply of oxygen to the heart muscle; often precipitated by excitement or effort.
antibody
an immunoglobulin molecule that reacts with a specific antigen that induced its synthesis. Synthesized by B lymphocytes that have been activated by the binding of a antigen to a cell surface receptor.
antigen
any substance, almost always a protein, not normally present in the body which when introduced to the body stimulates a specific immune response and the production of antibodies
aphasia
partial or complete loss of the ability to speak, write or understand spoken or written language, resulting from damage to the brain by injury or disease.
apnea
lack of breathing.
apocrine
a form of secretion in which a portion of the cytoplasm leaves the cell together with the product of secretion.
apoptosis
programmed cell death (carefully orchestrated by genes and gene products that turn the pathway to cell death on or off); fragmentation of the cell into membrane-bound particles that are eliminated by phagocytosis; from the Greek for “falling off”.
arrhythmia(s)
irregular heart beat.
ascites
accumulation of serous fluid in the abdominal cavity.
ataxia
failure of muscle coordination; unable to coordinate muscle movement resulting in jerkiness and incoordination.
ATP
adenosine triphosphate. A chemical very important in energy metabolism in the cell.
atrophy
a wasting away; a decrease in the size and function of a cell, tissue, organ or part.
auscultation
listening for sounds within the body; it may be performed with the unaided ear or with a stethoscope.
bacteremia
the presence of bacteria in the blood.
bifurcation
the split of a tube or vessel into two branches or channels.
benign
not malignant; not recurrent; favourable for recovery.
biopsy
removal and examination, usually microscopic, of tissue from the living body, performed to establish a precise diagnosis
bradycardia
abnormally slow heart action.
bronchiectasis
chronic dilatation of the bronchi. It may affect the tube uniformly or occur in irregular pockets.
bronchus
one of the large passages conveying air to and within the lungs.
BUN - blood urea nitrogen
the urea concentration of serum or plasma, specified in terms of nitrogen content; an important indicator of renal function. (urea is the chief nitrogenous end-product of protein metabolism, formed in the liver from amino acids and from ammonia compounds).
cachexia
extreme loss of weight and body wasting associated with serious illness.
calculus
a stone developing in the body, e.g. kidney or bile (not the branch of mathematics!)
carbuncle
deep-seated pus-producing infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissues
cardiomegaly
hypertrophy (enlargement) of the heart.
caries
destruction of bone or teeth.
caseous - “cheesy” or “cheese-like”. As in caseous necrosis
cell death characteristic of certain inflammations (e.g. tuberculosis) where the affected tissue shows the crumbly consistency and dull, opaque quality of cheese. Based on casein - the principal protein of milk, the basis of curds and cheese
catarrh
inflammation of a mucuos membrane with increased flow of mucous. catarrhal (adj.)
cellulitis
inflammation of the soft or connective tissue in which a thin, watery exudate spreads through the tissue spaces.
chemotaxis
movement of cells or organisms in response to chemical stimulation.chemotactic (adj.).
cholangitis
inflammation of a bile duct or the entire biliary tree
cholecyst
the gallbladder
cholelithiasis
presence of concretions (“gall stones”) in the gallbladder or bile ducts.
chronic
a condition with slow onset, mild but continuous manifestations and long-lasting, often progressive effects.
ciliated
cilia are small hair-like structures which help to transport secretions along the surface of a cell.
CIN
cervical intraepithelial neoplasia; one of the terminologies in use to describe precancerous or dysplastic changes in the cervical epithelial cells..
clubbing
proliferation of soft tissue about the ends (terminal phalanges) of fingers and toes.
CMV
cytomegalovirus
coagulate
to cause to clot or become clotted; to convert a fluid or substance in solution into a solid or a gel. coagulative (adj.) as in coagulative necrosis - a type of necrosis in which affected cells or tissue are converted into a dry, dull, homogeneous eosinophilic mass without nuclei as a result of the coagulation of protein.
collateral (blood supply)
new vessels which develop following chronic interruption of blood supply.
congestion
abnormal accumulation of blood or fluid in a part (e.g. of blood - passive congestion - obstruction of the escape of blood from a part (as in liver); pulmonary congestion - engorgement of pulmonary vessels, with transudation of fluid into alveolar and interstitial spaces).
columnar (cells) - refers to a shape of cells which often line ducts or glands within the body.
congenital
present at birth; cause may be genetic or non-genetic (infectious, chemical, physical).
Congo red
specific stain for detection of amyloid fibrils. Proteins with a beta-pleated sheet structure will display red-green birefringence under polarized light
contralateral
the opposite side of the body.
contusion
a bruise; an injury of a part without a break in the skin, characterized by swelling, discoloration, and pain
cor pulmonale
right-sided heart failure which occurs as a result of long-standing lung disease.
creatine
an amino acid; found in muscle. Phosphorylated creatine is an important storage form of high-energy phosphate = creatine phosphate or phosphocreatine. Energy source for muscle contraction.
creatine kinase
an enzyme that catalyzes the phosphorylation of creatine by ATP to form phosphocreatine. It occurs as three isozymes (specific to brain, cardiac and skeletal muscle, respectively). Each isozyme has two components composed of muscle (M) and brain (B) subunits - CK1 (BB) is found primarily in brain, CK2 (MB) in cardiac muscle and CK3 (MM) primarily in skeletal muscle. Differential determination of isozymes is used in clinical diagnosis.
cribiform
perforated, sieve-like pattern
cruciate
shaped like a cross.
cryptorchid
a person with undescended testes.
cryptorchid
a person with undescended testes.
(cryptorchidism) - failure of one or both testes to descend into the scrotum.
CT (computerized tomograph)
sophisticated radiologic technique yielding a detailed image of internal body structures. Also CAT - computerized axial tomography.
cyanosis
a bluish discoloration of skin, lips, nail beds or mucous membranes due to excessive concentrations of reduced hemoglobin in blood and hence deficient oxygenation of blood. cyanotic (adj.).
cyst
cystectomy
any closed epithelium-lined cavity or sac, normal or abnormal, usually containing liquid or semisolid material; a bladder.
- removal of a cyst; removal or resection of the bladder.
cytology
the study of cells, their origin, structure, function and pathology; the microscopic examination of cells as a means of detecting malignancy and microbiologic changes. Cells can be obtained by aspiration, washing, smear or scraping.
cytotoxin - (cytotoxic = adj.
a toxin or antibody having a specific toxic action upon the cells of special organs.
DES - diethylystilbestrol
a synthetic nonsteroidal estrogen; females exposed to it in utero are subject to increased risk of vaginal and cervical carcinoma..
degenerative
progressive and often irreversible deterioration
dialysis
a procedure by which a machine is used to replace kidney functions in patients with diseased kidneys.
diapedesis
the passage of leukocytes (white blood cells) through capillary walls to site of inflammation.
diaphoresis
perspiration, especially profuse perspiration.
differentiation
the distinguishing of one thing from another; the act or process of acquiring completely individual characters; increase in morphological or chemical heterogeneity.
dilation
the act of dilating or stretching.
dilation
dilatation-
the act of dilating or stretching.
- the condition of being stretched beyond normal dimensions, usually in a tubular structure or an opening.
diuresis
excessive amount of urine; diuretic - produces an increase in amount of urine.
diverticulum (diverticula = pl)
a pouch or sac occurring normally or created by the bulging of a membrane through a defect in the muscular coat of a tubular organ, such as the intestine.
diverticulosis - the presence of diverticula.
diverticulitis - an inflammation of a diverticulum, especially those in the wall of the colon which fill with fecal matter and become inflamed. May cause bleeding or obstruction or may burst.
duct
a passage with well-defined walls, especially a tubular structure for the passage of excretions or secretions.
dysmenorrhea
painful menstruation.
dysplasia
abnormality of development; in pathology, alteration in size, shape, and organization of adult cells.
dyspnea
labored or difficult breathing.
dysrhythmia
defective heart rhythm; also see arrythmia
ecchymosis
a small hemorrhagic spot in the skin or mucous membrane, larger than apetechia, forming a nonelevated, rounded, or irregular blue or purplish patch. ecchymoses, pl.
ectasia
dilatation, expansion or distention. e.g. duct ectasia = dilatation of duct plugged with secretion, accompanied by periductal and interstitial inflammatory infiltrate.
ectopic
out of place; an object or organ situated in an unusual place away from its normal position.
edema
the accumulation of excess fluid in the intercellular or interstitial tissue spaces or body cavities.
efferent
moving away from the centre, e.g. efferent nerve fibres carry motor impulses to muscles.
effusion(s)
the escape of a fluid into a part; the effused material (see exudate)
electrolyte
a compound when dissolved in water separates into charged particles. Electrolytes play an essential role in the workings of cells maintaining fluid balance and acid-base balance.
embolus (emboli, pl.)
a detached intravascular solid, liquid or gaseous mass that is carried by the blood to a site distant from its point of origin, thus obstructing the flow of blood. Most (99%) arise from thrombi (thromboembolus). embolism - the sudden obstruction or blocking of a vessel by an embolus.
empyema
accumulation of pus in a body cavity.
encephalitis
inflammation of the brain.
endocarditis
inflammation of the endocardium.
endocarditis
inflammation of the endocardium
the innermost tunic of the heart (includes endothelial and subendothelial connective tissue)..
endogenous
originating from within the body
endometriosis
presence of benign glands and uterine stroma (connective tissue elements) outside of the uterus.
endoscope
an instrument to visually examine the interior of a hollow organ such as the colon, intestine or bladder; endoscopy is the procedure
enzyme
a substance, usually a protein, that initiates and accelerates a chemical reaction.
eosin
any of a class of rose-colored stains or dyes; bromine derivatives of fluorescein; used in histology as a stain
epicanthus (epicanthal, adj.)
a vertical fold on either side of the nose; a normal characteristic in persons of certain races, but absent in others.
epidemiology
the study of the relationships of various factors determining the frequency and distribution of diseases in the human community; also the field of medicine dealing with the determination of specific causes of localized outbreaks of infection, poisoning or other disease of recognized etiology.
epigastrium
the upper and middle region of the abdomen, located within the sternal angle. epigastric is the adjective.
erythema
diffuse or patchy redness of skin, blanching on pressure, due to congestion of cutaneous capillaries.
erythrocyte(s)
red blood cell(s)
etiology - (etiologic, etiological = adj.)
the science dealing with the causes of disease.
excise
to cut out; excision - the act of cutting out.
exogenous
originating from outside of the body.
exudate
a fluid with a high concentration of protein and cellular debris which has escaped from blood vessels and has been deposited in tissues, or on tissue surfaces, usually as a result of inflammation.
facies
the face; or the expression or appearance of the face.
fibrillation
a small, local, involuntary muscular contraction, due to spontaneous activation of single muscle cells or muscle fibers whose nerve supply has been damaged or cut off. Also see ventricular fibrillation.
fibrin
an insoluble protein essential to the clotting of blood, derived from fibrinogen; a component of thrombi, vegetations, and acute inflammatory exudates.
fibrinogen
a coagulation factor
fibrinoid
resembling fibrin; an eosinophilic, homogeneous, proteinacious material that is frequently formed on the walls of blood vessels and connective tissue in some patients (e.g with disseminated lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, etc.). fibrinoid necrosis - results in acidophilic (eosinophilic) deposits with staining reactions that resemble fibrin in connective tissue, blood vessel walls and other sites.
fibrosis
formation of fibrous tissue usually in repair or replacement of cellular elements.fibrotic (adj).
fistula (fistulas, fistulae, pl.)
an abnormal passage or communication from one organ to another or from an internal organ to the body surface; may be caused by disease or injury or created surgically.
friable
easily crumbled.
gangrene
necrosis due to obstruction, loss or diminution of blood supply
glomerulonephritis
nephritis with inflammation of the capillary loops in the renal glomeruli.
granuloma
a term applied to any small nodular aggregation of mononuclear inflammatory cells or such a collection of modified macrophages resembling epithelial cells, giant cells and other macrophages (usually surrounded by a rim of lymphocytes)
gyrus - (gyri = pl.)
one of the convolutions on the surface of the brain caused by infolding of the cortex.
hamartoma
a benign tumour-like nodule composed of an overgrowth of mature cells and tissues normally present in the affected part, but with disorganization and often with one element predominating.
hematemesis
the vomiting of blood.
hematochezia
presence of red blood in the stool
hematoma
a localized mass of blood, usually clotted, trapped in an organ, space, or tissue, resulting from a break in the wall of a blood vessel.
hematuria
the presence of blood in the urine.
hemianopia
loss of vision or blindness in half the visual field of one or both eyes.
hemiparesis
weakness on one side of the body
hemiplegia
paralysis of one side of the body.
hemoglobin
the oxygen carrying pigment of the red blood cells (erythrocytes). It is a conjugated protein containing four heme groups and globin. A molecule of hemoglobin contains 4 globin polypeptide chains - designated alpha, beta, gamma and delta. In the adult, Hemoglobin A predominates (alpha2, beta2).
hemolysis
the liberation of hemoglobin, consisting of separation of the hemoglobin from the red cells and its appearanc in plasma.
hemoptysis
the spitting of blood or blood-stained sputum
hemorrhage
to bleed; an escape of blood from the blood vessels. hemorrhagic (adj.)
hemosiderin
a product of the decomposition of hemoglobin, found mainly intercellularly in areas of old hemorrhage.
hemostasis
the arrest of bleeding by the physiological properties of vasoconstriction and coagulation or by surgical means; interruption of blood flow through any vessel or to any anatomical area.
hepatomegaly
enlargement of the liver
hernia
the protrusion of a portion of an organ or tissue through an abnormal opening.
hilum or hilus (hila = pl.)
the part of an organ where blood vessels and nerves enter and leave.
HIV
human immunodeficiency virus; the biological agent causing AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome).
HPV
human papilloma virus; subtypes have been associated with the development of cervical cancer.
hydrocephalus
a congenital or acquired condition marked by dilatation of the cerebral ventricles, usually occurring secondarily to obstruction of the cerebrospinal fluid (csf) pathways, and accompanied by an accumulation of csf within the skull; h. ex vacuo, compensatory replacement by cerebrospinal fluid of the volume of tissue lost in atrophy of the brain.
hydrosalpinx
the accumulation of serous fluid in the fallopian tube.
hyperemia
an excess of blood in a part.
