Pathology Glossary Flashcards
Prefix meaning without or not
A
Decrease in, such as in pain
Abatement
An excoriation, a circumscribed removal of the epidermis of skin or mucous membrane
Abrasion
Localized accumulation of pus
Abscess
A marked decrease in blood carbon dioxide content
Acapnia
Condition in which there is an excessive proportion of acid in the blood
Acidosis
Presents itself after birth
Acquired
A disease which is not congenital, but has developed since birth
Acquired Disease
Prefix meaning extremity
Acro
Hyperfunction of pituitary gland after ossification has been completed
Acromegaly
A disease with a more or less rapid onset and short duration
Acute
Prefix meaning gland
Adeno
A neoplasm formed by glandular epithelium
Adenoma
Suffix meaning pain
Algia
Condition in which there is an excessive proportion of alkali in the blood
Alkalosis
Having a hypersensitivity to a substance that does not normally cause a reaction
Allergies
A pre-senile dementia occurring usually in persons over 60 years of age; thought to be associated with neurofibril degeneration
Alzheimer’s Disease
Congenital absence of one or more limbs
Amelia
Prefix meaning without
An
Generalized massive edema in subcutaneous tissue
Anasarca
A decrease in the number of erythrocytes, hemoglobin, or both
Anemia
A localized dilation of a blood vessel
Aneurysm
Suffix meaning vessel
Angio
A swelling or tumor due to dilatation of the blood vessels (hemangioma) or lymphatics (lymphangioma)
Angioma
Deficient blood oxygen supplies to tissues
Anoxia
Congenital absence of an organ or other part. In hematology, incomplete or defective development or a cessation of regeneration
Aplasia
Suffix meaning enzyme
Ase
Mutual opposition or contrary action. The inhibition of one bacterial organism by another
Antagonism
Prefix meaning before
Ante
Prefix meaning against
Anti
Glycoprotein substance developed in response to, and interacting specifically with an antigen AKA immunoglobulin
Antibody
A foreign substance that stimulates the formation of antibodies that interact specifically with it
Antigen
The prevention of sepsis by preventing or inhibiting the growth of causative microorganisms
Antisepsis
Dilution or weakening of virulence of a microorganism, reducing or abolishing pathogenicity
Attenuation
Failure of a tissue or an organ to develop normally
Aplasia
Disease of the arteries resulting in thickening and loss of elasticity of the arterial walls
Arteriosclerosis
Inflammation, usually of a chronic progressive character, involving an artery or arteries
Arteritis
Prefix meaning joint
Arthro
Accumulation of free serous fluid in the abdominal cavity
Ascites
Loss of consciousness from deficient oxygen
Asphyxia
A form of arteriosclerosis marked by the deposition of lipids in the inner layer of arterial walls
Atherosclerosis
A wasting, decrease in size of an organ or tissue
Atrophy
Prefix meaning self
Auto
A postmortem examination of the organs and tissues of a body to determine cause of death or pathological condition
Autopsy (Necropsy)
Self-nourishing bacteria that are capable of growing in the absence of organic compounds. Organisms that obtain carbon from carbon dioxide
Autotrophic Bacteria
A tearing away
Avulsion
Any rod-shaped microorganism
Bacillus (pl. Bacilli)
The presence of viable bacteria in the blood stream
Bacteremia
A procaryotic one-celled microorganism of the Kingdom Monera, existing as free living organisms or as parasites, multiplying by binary fission and having a large range of biochemical properties
Bacteria
A visible group of bacteria growing on a solid medium, presumably arising from a single microorganism
Bacterial Colony
An agent that destroys bacteria but not necessarily their spores
Bactericide
Science that studies bacteria
Bacteriology
The red pigment in bile
Bilirubin
The green pigment in bile
Biliverdin
A method of asexual reproduction in bacteria in which the cell splits into two parts, each of which develops into a complete individual
Binary Fission
Prefix meaning life
Bio
An arthropod vector in which the disease causing organism multiplies or develops within the arthropod prior to becoming infective for a susceptible individual
Biological Vector
Pre-embalming purge as a result of a fracture of the skull, a surgical procedure in the cranial cavity or a trauma. It is possible for gas (a type of purge) to build up in the cranium and travel along the nerve routes to distend such tissues as the eyelids
Brain Purge
Severe form of malnutrition
Cachexia
Several communicating boils of the skin and subcutaneous tissues with the production and discharge of pus and dead tissue
Carbuncle
General term for a malignant tumor
Carcinoma
The membrane that surrounds some bacterial cells; a loose gel-like structure that, in pathogenic bacteria,, helps to protect against phagocytosis
Capsule
Formation of cavities in an organ or tissue; frequently seen in some forms of tuberculosis
Cavitation
Suffix meaning a protrusion
Cele
The deterioration of an organ or cell structure which may include swelling
Cellular Degeneration
A cellular reaction to injury which may include pigmentation, calcification, and gout
Cellular Infiltration
Suffic meaning perforating
Centesis
A blow; hence a sudden attack, as a sunstroke, a paralytic or apoplectic stroke or apoplexy
Cerebral Vascular Accident (Stroke)
Primary lesion, initial sclerosis, syphilitic sore, the first manifestation of syphilis
Chancre
A large group of nonmotile, gram negative intracellular parasites
Chlamydia
Prefix meaning bile
Chol
Suffix meaning bile
Chole
Inflammation of the gallbladder
Cholecystitis
A disease with a more or less slow onset and long duration
Chronic
A degeneration or atrophy of the parenchyma cells of an organ with hypertrophy of the interstitial connective tissue
Cirrhosis
Congenitally malformed palate with a fissure along the midline
Cleft Palate
Study of disease by means of body secretions, excretions, and other body fluids performed in the laboratory in the diagnosis of a disease
Clinical Pathology
A type of bacteria that is spherical or ovoid in form
Coccus (pl. Cocci)
Inflammation of the mucous membrane of the colon
Colitis
The symbiotic relationship of two organisms of different species in which one gains some benefit such as protection or nourishment
Commensalism
A disease that may be transmitted directly or indirectly from one individual to another
Communicable
An unfavorable condition arising during the course of disease
Complication
The immediate and temporary disturbance of brain function
Concussion
Existing at the time of birth or shortly thereafter
Congenital
A disease that begins before birth and is evident at the time of birth
Congenital Disease
Accumulation of an excess of blood or tissue fluid in a body part
Congestion
The act of introducing disease germs or infectious material into an area or substance
Contamination
A bruise, often accompanied with swelling
Contusion
A congenital condition due to hypothyroidism resulting in mental retardation
Cretinism
Condition in which the descent of a testis into the scrotum is arrested at some point in the normal path
Cryptorchism
Bluish discoloration of the skin or mucous membrane due to lack or oxygen
Cyanosis
A sac within or on the body surface containing air or fluid
Cyst
Prefix meaning bladder
Cyst
Inflammation of a bladder, especially the urinary bladder
Cystitis
Chemical reaction involving breaking of chemical bonds; forms two or more smaller molecule compounds from larger molecule compounds
Decomposition
Disease due to lack of dietary or metabolic substance
Deficiency
The deterioration of tissues with corresponding functional impairment as a result of disease or injury
Degeneration
Loss of moisture from body tissue which may occur antemortem or postmortem
Dehydration
Prefix meaning through
Dia
A term used to designate two diseases, ___________ insipidus and __________ mellitus, each having the symptom of polyuria in common
Diabetes
The term denoting the naming of the disease or syndrome; to recognize the nature of a disease
Diagnosis
The condition of the heart being enlarged, occurring normally, artificially, or as a result of disease
Dilatation
A double bacillus, two being linked end to end to each other
Diplobacilli
A genus of bacteria that are gram-positive organisms occurring in pairs.
Diplococcus aka Streptococcus
A chemical or physical agent that kills disease causing microorganisms generally used on inanimate objects
Disinfectant
The destruction of infectious agents by chemical or physical means directly applied to an inanimate object
Disinfection
The presence of a number of diverticula of the intestine
Diverticulosis
Resistant, as in bacteria, to the action of a drug or drugs
Drug-Fast
Condition that results when the body part that dies had little blood and remains aseptic and occurs when the arteries but not the veins are obstructed
Dry Gangrene AKA Ischemic Necrosis
Prefix meaning difficult
Dys
Abnormal development of tissue
Dysplasia
Faulty nutrition
Dystrophy
Small non-elevated hemorrhagic patch; extravasation of blood into a tissue
Ecchymosis
Suffix meaning dilate
Ectasis
Suffic meaning removal of
Ectomy
Displaced; not in the normal place; for example extrauterine pregnancy
Ectopic
The implantation of the fertilized ovum in a site other than the normal one in the uterine cavity
Ectopic Pregnancy
Abnormal accumulation of fluids in tissue or body cavities
Edema
Excessive wasting away of the body
Emaciation
Free floating object in the bloodstream
Embolism
Suffix meaning vomit
Emesis
Suffix meaning blood
Emia
Pus in the pleural cavity
Empyema
Prefix meaning in
En
Inflammation of the brain
Encephalitis
A disease that is continuously present in a community
Endemic
Prefix meaning within
Endo
Inflammation of the endocardium, or lining membrane of the heart. May involve only the membrane covering the valves or the general lining of the chambers of the heart
Endocarditis
Inflammation of the mucous membrane of the cervix uteri
Endocervicitis
The ectopic occurrence of endometrial tissue or its diffuse inplantation or infiltration in the myometrium
Endometriosis
Produced or arising from within a cell or organism
Endogenous infection
A thick walled spore within a bacterium
Endospores
Bacterial toxin confined within the body of a bacterium freed only when the bacterium is broken down, found only in gram negative bacteria
Endotoxin
Inflammation of the intestine
Enteritits
Prefix meaning intestine
Entero
Prefix meaning upon
Epi
A disease that is currently in higher than normal numbers
Epidemic
A chronic neurogenic disease marked by sudden alterations in consciousness and frequently by convulsions
Epilepsy
Bleeding from the nose
Epistaxis
Inflammation of the esophagus
Esophagitis
Suffix meaning sensation
Esthesia
The study of the cause of disease
Etiology
Prefix meaning out of
Ex
Increase in severity of a disease
Exacerbation
Originating outside an organ or part
Exogenous Infection
A toxin produced by a microorganism and excreted into its surrounding medium, generally protein in nature
Exotoxin
Inccrease in severity of a disease
Exsanguination
Loss of blood to the point where life can no longer be sustained
Exsanguination
The fluid that oozes through the tissues into a cavity or to the surface
Exudate
A microorganism that prefers an environment devoid of oxygen but has adapted so that it can live and grow in the presence of oxygen
Facultative Aerobe
An organism that prefers an oxygen environment but is capable of living and growing in its absence
Facultative Anaerobe
Having the capacity to do something that is not compulsory, in particular having the ability to live or adapt to certain conditions
Facultative Bacteria
Prefers live organic matter as a source of nutrition but can adapt to the use of dead organic matter under certain conditions
Facultative Saprophyte
Term associated with Fever
Febrile
An encapsulated tumor composed mainly of fibrous connective tissue; fibroid, tumor, inoma
Fibroma
One in which the organisms are originally confined to one area but enter the blood or lymph vessel and spread to other parts of the body
Focal Infection
Any inanimate object to which infectious material adheres and can be transmitted
Fomite
Having rapid and severe onset, usually fatal
Fulminating
A condition or disease in which there is no recognizable change in anatomy
Functional
A group of diverse and widespread unicellular and multicellular organisms, lacking chlorophyll, usually bearing spores and often filamentous
Fungus (pl. Fungi)
An agent that kills fungi and their spores
Fungicide
An abscess or pyogenic infection of a sweat gland or hair follicle
Furuncle
A form of necrosis combined with putrefaction
Gangrene
Inflammation of the stomach
Gastritis
Inflammation of the gingival tissue
Gingivitis
Parenchymatous nephritis with pronounced lesions in the glomeruli
Glomerulonephritis
An infection that becomes systemic
General Infection
Deals with the study of the widespread processes of disease such as inflammation, degeneration, necrosis or cellular death, repair, etc. without reference to particular organs or organ systems
General Pathology
Suffix meaning generation
Genesis
A substance that destroys microorganisms
Germicide
Enlargement of the thyroid gland due to iodine deficiency
Goiter
Study of changes in structure of the body that are readily seen with the unaided eye as a result of disease
Gross Pathology
Prefix meaning blood
Hem, Hemo
Vomiting of blood
Hematemesis
Tumor like swelling of blood
Hematoma
Discharge of red blood cells in the urine
Hematuria
An inherited hemorrhagic disease characterized by a tendency to excessive and sometimes spontaneous bleeding
Hemophilia
Blood in sputum
Hemoptysis
Escape of blood from blood vascular system
Hemorrhage
Inflammation of the liver
Hepatitis
Genetic characteristics transmitted from parent to offspring
Hereditary
Abnormal protrusion of part of an organ through an abnormal opening in the wall that normally contains it
Hernia
Prefix meaning disimilar
Hetero
An organism that requires complex organic food from a carbon source in order to grow and develop
Heterotrophic Bacteria
Prefix meaning similar
Homeo
Prefix meaning water
Hydro
Abnormal collection of fluid in any sacculated cavity in the body, especially tunica vaginalis
Hydrocele
Excessive accumulationg of cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles of the brain
Hydrocephalus
Distention of the pelvis and calyces of one or both kidneys with urine as a result of obstruction
Hydronephrosis
Abnormal accumulation of fluid within the pericardial sac
Hydropericardium
Abnormal accumulation of fluid in the thoracic cavity
Hydrothorax
Prefix meaning above or excess
Hyper
Excess of blood in an area of the body
Hyperemia
The increased size of an organ or part due to the excessive but regulated increase in the NUMBER of cells
Hyperplasia
The enlargement of an organ or part due to the increase in SIZE of cells composing it
Hypertrophy
Prefix meaning deficiency or beneath
Hypo
Underdevelopment of a tissue, organ, or the body
Hypoplasia
Prefix meaning uterus
Hyster
Suffix meaning a process
Iasis
Results from the adverse activity of medical personnel
Iatrogenic
Of unknown cause
Idiopathic
An foreign or heterogeneous substance contained in a cell or in any tissue or organ that was not introduced as a result of trauma
Inclusions
Plant life occurring or adapted for living in a specific environment
Indigenous Flora
The formation of an area of necrosis in a tissue caused by obstruction in the artery supplying the area
Infarction
The state or condition in which the body or a part of it is invaded by a pathogenic agent that, under favorable conditions, multiplies and produces injurious effects
Infection
The harboring of animal parasites, especially macroscopic forms, such as ticks or mosquitos
Infestation
The process of seepage or diffusion into tissue of substances that are not ordinarily present
Infiltration
A tissue reaction to irritation, infection, or injury marked by localized heat, swelling, redness, pain, and sometimes loss of function
Inflammation
Prefix meaning below
Infra
A substance that kills insects
Insecticide
Prefix meaning between
Inter
Prefix meaning within
Intra
State of being intoxicated, especially of being poisoned by a drug or toxic substance
Intoxication
Extravasation of blood within the skull
Intracranial Hemorrhage
A compound consisting of iodine combined with a carrier, such as polyvinylpyrrolidone, often used as a reoperative skin disinfectant
Iodophores
Reduction in arterial blood supply
Ischemia
Suffix meaning inflammation of
Itis
Conditions characterized by excessive concentration of bilirubin in the skin and tissues and deposition of excessive bile pigment in the skin, cornea, body fluids, and mucous membranes with the resulting yellow appearance of the patient
Jaundice
A tear or torn wound
Laceration
A substance that kills insect larva
Larvacide
Specific pathologic structural and functional changes or both brought about by disease
Lesion
Disease characterized by the appearacne of great numbers of immature and abnormal white blood cells
Leukemia
Prefix meaning white
Leuko
Increase in the number of white blood cells in the blood
Leucocytosis
Abnormal reduction in the number of white blood cells in the blood
Leucopenia
A tumor composed of fatty tissue
Lipoma
Suffix meaning stone
Lith
The major organ for detoxificiation and production of bile
Liver
Infection caused by germs lodging and multiplying at one point in a tissue and remaining there
Local Infection
Malignancy of lymphoid tissue
Lymphoma
Suffix meaning to dissolve
Lysis
Prefix meaning large
Macro
Prefix meaning bad
Mal
Suffix meaning softening
Malacia
A defect or deformitiy
Malformation (Anomaly)
Prefix meaning breast
Mast
The spread of tumor cells from one part of the body to another by blood or lymph
Metastasis
Temperature above which bacterial growth will not take place 120 degrees F
Maximum Temperature
A living organism or an object that is capable of transmitting infections by carrying the disease agent on its external body parts or surface
Mechanical Vector
Study of disease to ascertain cause and manner of death
Medicolegal Pathology
Forensic Pathology
Prefix meaning great
Mega
Suffix meaning large
Megaly
Prefix meaning thick
Melan
A malignant pigmented mole
Melanoma
Blood in stool
Melena
Prefix meaning month
Men
Inflammation of the membranes of the brain or spinal cord
Meningitis
Bacteria that prefers moderate temperatures and develops best at temperatures between 25 and 40 degrees C
Mesophile
Replacement of one type of tissue into a form that is not normally found there
Metaplasia
Transfer of a disease from its primary site to a distant location
Metastasize
Prefix meaning small
Micro
A microorganism that requires very little free oxygen
Microaerophilic
Scientific study of microorganisms and their effect on other living organisms
Microobiology
Study of microscopic changes that cells, tissues, and organs undergo as a result of dsease
Microscopic Pathology aka Histopathology
Temperature below which bacterial growth will not take place (32 degrees F)
Minimum Temperature
Infection caused by two or more organisms
Mixed Infection
Necrotic tissue that is wet as a result of inadequate venous drainage; may be accompanied by the invasion of saprophytic bacteria
Wet (Moist) Gangrene
Relative incidence of a disease in the population or number of cases in a given time at a given population
Morbidity Rate
Number of deaths in a given time or place or proportion of deaths to a population
Mortality Rate
A chronic disease of the nervous system characterized by remissions and relapses and by the presence of patches of demyelination associated with sclerosis or hardening, scattered diffusely throughout the gray and white matter of the brain stem and spinal cord
Multiple Sclerosis
A relationship in which organisms of two different species live in close association to the mutual benefit of each
Mutualism
The branch of science concerned with the study of fungi
Mycology
Bacteria of the Mycoplasma genus that are found in humans and most have no cell wall; the smallest free living organisms presently known, being intermediate in size between viruses and bacteria
Mycoplasmas
Inflammation of the spinal cord or of the bone marrow
Myelitis
Prefix meaning muscle
Myo
Referred to as a heart attack
Usually results in damage to the myocardium
Myocardial Infarction
Inflammation of the muscular walls of the heart
Myocarditis
Prefix meaning mucus
Myx
Prefix meaning death
Necro
Pathological death of a tissue still a part of the living organism
Necrosis
Renal calculus or gravel
Nephrolithiasis
Prefix meaning new
Neo
The abnormal, excessive and uncontrolled multiplication of cells with the formation of a mass or new growth of tissue
Neoplasm (Tumor)
Prefix meaning kidney
Nephr
Organisms that are free living and relationships are not required for survival
Non-Symbiotic
Infection acquired in a hospital
Nosocomial
A disease with an abnormally high rate of occurrence in members of the workforce
Occupational Disease
Suffix meaning pain
Odyna
Suffix meaning like
Oid
Prefix meaning few
Oligo
Diminished amount of urine production
Oliguria
Suffix meaning tumor
Oma
Inflammation of an ovary
Oophritis
An organism that exists as part of the normal flora but may become pathogenic under certain conditions
Opportunist
Temperature at which organisms grow best (98/100 degrees F)
Optimum Temperature
A condition or disease in which there is a change in anatomy
Organic
Suffix meaning full of
Osis
Pressure that develops when two solutions of different concentrations are separated by a semipermeable membrane
Osmotic Pressure
Prefix meaning bone
Osteo
A tumor formed of bone. May occur as an overgrowth or outgrowth from bone, but constituting an independent tumor
Osteoma
A disease marked by softening of the bones due to faulty calcification in adulthood
Osteomalacia
Inflammation of bone and bone marrow
Osteomyelitis
A disease of bone marked by increased porosity from widening of the Haversian canals and softness from absorption of the calcareous material. Loss of Bone density
Osteoporosis
Suffix meaning mouth
Ostomy
Suffix meaning cut
Otomy
Epidemic, widespread, even of worldwide event
Pandemic Disease
A circumscribed overgrowth or hypertrophy of the papillae - of a cutaneous or mucous surface
Papilloma
Paralysis agitans
Parkinson’s Disease
An interactive relationship between two organisms in which one is harmed and the other benefits
Parasitism
Study of structural changes in the body caused by disease
Pathological Anatomy aka Morbid Anatomy
The science that deals with the study of disease
Pathology
The manner in which a disease develops
Pathogenesis
The state of producing or being able to produce pathological changes and disease
Pathogenicity
Suffix meaning disease
Pathy
Suffix meaning poverty, decrease
Penia
An ulcer of the mucous membrane of the stomach or duodenum, caused by the action of highly acid gastric juice
Peptic Ulcer
Inflammation of the pericardium, the membrane covering the heart and beginning of the great vessels
Pericarditis
Inflammation of the peritoneum, or lining of the abdominal cavity
Peritonitis
Antemortem, pinpoint, extravascular blood discoloration visible as purplish hemorrhages of the skin
Petechia
Prefix meaning to eat
Phgo
Inflammation of the mucous membrane and underlying parts of the pharynx
Pharyngitis
Suffix meaning affinity for
Phila
Prefix meaning vein
Phleb
Inflammation of a vein
Phlebitis
Congenital condition in which the proximal portions of the limbs are poorly developed or absent
Phocomelia
Study of changes in body functions due to disease
Physiological Pathology
Coloration caused by deposit, or lack, of colored material in the tissues
Pigmentation
Suffix meaning to form
Plasia
Suffix meaning paralysis
Plegia
Refers to the lungs/pulmonary
Plueral Cavity
Inflammation of the pleura, pleuritis
Pleurisy
Suffix meaning breath
Pnea
General term used to denote any prolonged inhalation of mineral dust
Pneumoconiosis
Infection of the lungs
Pneumonia
Prefix meaning gray
Polio
A highly contagious infectious disease of the spinal cord caused by a filterable virus
Poliomyelitis
Prefix meaning many, excess
Poly
An increase in total red blood cell mass
Polycythemia Vera
A growth or mass of tissue that protrudes from a mucous membrane
Polyp
Prefix meaning after
Post
Prefix meaning before
Pro
Number of cases of disease present in a specified population at a given time
Prevalance
An original infection from which a second one originates
Primary Infection
A small proteinaceous infectious particle that is resistant to most procedures that modify nucleic acids
Prion
Prediction of the outcome of disease
Prognosis
Inflammation of the prostate gland
Prostatitis
One-celled organisms of the Kingdom Protista - most are unicellular although some are colonial
Protozoa
Science that deals with study of protozoa
Protozoology
Prefix meaning false
Pseudo
Bacteria that prefer cold, thriving at temperatures between 0 and 25 degrees C
Psychrophile
Suffix meaning falling
Ptosis
To cause a copious evacuation from body orifices
Purge
Condition in which spontaneous bleeding occurs in the subcutaneous bleeding occurs in the subcutaneous tissues, causing the appearance of purple patches on the skin
Purpura
A small elevation of the skin containing pus
Pustule
Inflammation of the pelvis of the kidney
Pyelitis
Prefix meaning pus
Pyo
Reappearance of symptoms after a period of remission (abatement)
Recurrent
Returned, noting symptoms or lesions reappearing after an intermission or remission
Recurrent Disease
The replacement of damaged cells with identical cells
Regeneration
Temporary cessation of symptoms of disease
Remission
Kidney Stones
Renal Calucli
Physical or mechanical restoration of damaged or diseased tissue by the growth of healthy new cells, not necessarily the same type, or by surgery
Repair
The termination of the inflammatory response with the affected part returning to its normal state
Resolution
Suffix meaning bursting forth
Rhagia
Suffix meaning flow
Rhea
Inflammation of the nasal mucous membrane
Rhinitis
Inflammation of the nasal mucous membrane
Rhinitis
A disease of infants and young children caused by deficiency of vitamin D resulting in defective bone growth
Rickets
A genus of gram-negative, pathogenic, intracellular parasitic bacteria
Rickettsia
Area of science that studies rickettsia
Rickettsiology
Inflammation of the fallopian tube, or of the eustachian tube
Salpingitis
Suffix meaning hardening
Sclerosis
Infection caused by a different organism than the one causing the primary infection
Secondary Infection
Condition characterized by the multiplication of bacteria in blood
Septicemia
Objective disturbances produced by disease, observed by physician, nurse or person attending patient
Signs
Inflammation of the sinus cavities
Sinusitis
Deals with the specific features of disease in relation to particular organs or organ systems
Special Pathology
Congenital defect in which part of the vertebral column is absent or incomplete closure
Spina Bifida
A genus of spiral bacteria having a corkscrew shape with a rigid cell wall and hair-like projections called flagella that assist in movement
Spirillum (pl. Spirilla)
A genus of bacteria having a flexible cell wall but no flagella in the traditional sense. Movement in these organisms occurs by contractions (undulating) of long filaments (endoflagella) that run the length of the cell
Spirochete
Disease that occurs occasionally in a random or isolated manner
Sporadic
A genus of gram-positive, nonmotile, opportunistic bacteria which tend to aggregate in irregular, grape-like clusters
Staphylococcus
Suffix meaning standing still
Stasis
Abnormal constriction of a channel or orifice
Stenosis
Process of completely removing or destroying all life forms or their products on or in a substance
Sterilization
A genus of bacteria containing gram-negative rods, which form a chain like colony
Streptobacilli
Gram-positive cocci that occur in chains
Streptococci
A microbe that canly only live in the presence of oxygen
Strict (Obligate) Aerobe
A microbe that can only survive in an area without oxygen present
Strict (Obligate) Anaerobe
A parasite that is completely dependent on its living host for survival
Strict (Obligate) Parasite
An organism that can only survive on dead or decaying organic matter
Strict (Obligate) Saprophyte
The formation of pus
Suppuration
Study of tissue specimens excised surgically in a major or minor operation
Surgical Pathology
The living together in close association of different species
Symbiosis
Subjective disturbances caused by disease that are felt or experienced by patient but not directly measurable
Symptoms
Prefix meaning together with
Syn
Set of signs and symptoms associated with a particular disease
Syndrome
The harmonious action of two microorganisms producing an effect that neither could produce alone
Synergism
Grouping of four spherical shaped cells
Tetracocci
Bacteria that thrive best at high temperatures between 40 and 70 degrees C
Thermophile
The formation or presence of an attached blood clot
Thrombosis
Blood distribution throughout the body of poisonous products of bacteria growing in a focal or local site, thus producing generalized symptoms
Toxemia
A poisonous substance of plant, animal, bacterial, or fungal origin
Toxin
Suffix meaning nourish
Trophy
Real or genuine disease producing organism
True Pathogen
Implantation and development of the fertilized ovum in a uterine tube
Tubal Pregnancy
An open sore or lesion of skin or mucous membrane accompanied by sloughing of inflamed necrotic tissue
Ulcer
Suffix meaning relating to urine
Uria
A toxic condition caused by retention in the blood of waste products normally excreted in the urine
Uremia
Relating to one or both ureters
Ureteritis
Inflammation of the urethra
Urethritis
Inflammation of the vagina, colpitis
Vaginitis
Failure of a heart valve to close tightly, thus allowing regurgitation of blood
Valvular Insufficiency (Incompetence)
Blister-like eleVation of skin containing serous fluid
Vesicle
A genus of spiral bacteria which are curved or bent rods that resemble commas
Vibrio
To move rapidly, vibrate
Vibrio
An agent destructive to viruses
Viricide
The study of viruses and viral diseases
Virology
Relative power and degree of pathogenicity possessed by organisms to produce disease
Virulence
An intracellular, infectious parasite, capable of living and reproducing only living cells
Virus
AKA moist gangrene
Wet Gangrene
Prefix meaning yellow
Xantho
