PATHOLOGY TERMS II Flashcards
Lesion
Lesions are any recognizable change in anatomy or structure of the tissues that can be caused by disease.
It is a pathologic change in an organ or tissue.
Think back when you had the mumps or chicken pox as child.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is the determination of the nature and cause of a disease. The identification of a disease or condition by scientific evaluation of signs and symptoms, history, lab results and procedures.
Prognosis
Prognosis – The predicted outcome of a disease.
Symptoms
Symptoms - Subjective complaints experienced by the patient. They are not directly measurable. Examples would be: pain, dizziness, itching.
Signs
Signs – These are objective, measurable manifestations of a disease. These can be measured or detected. Examples: fever, blood pressure, abnormal pulse or respiratory rate.
Syndrome
Syndrome is a group of symptoms or signs which usually appear together to indicate the presence of a particular disease. Examples: AIDS; Down’s syndrome (trisomy 21).
Exacerbation
Exacerbation – An increase in the severity of the signs and symptoms of a disease.
Complication
Complication – refers to any unfavorable condition which occurs during the course of a disease.
Remission or abatement
Remission or abatement – A temporary cessation (stopping) of the manifestations.
Congenital Disease
Congenital Disease – exists at the time of birth due to a developmental error, as a result of maternal infection, and having no genetic origin.
Acquired Disease
Acquired Disease – one that is acquired after birth.
Recurrent Disease
Recurrent Disease – comes back or recurs; usually describes diseases which show alternating increases and decreases in their symptoms.
Hereditary Disease
Hereditary Disease – is one pertaining to a characteristic, condition or disease transmitted from parent to offspring. It is associated with a genetic disorder or chromosomal defect.
Febrile Disease
Febrile Disease – Any disease characterized by fever.
Idiopathic Disease
Idiopathic Disease is one of unknown origin. Example: cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis….. although there are theories as to the possible cause of these diseases.
Acute Disease
Acute Disease – has a rapid onset and short duration. Example acute tuberculosis; pneumonia.
Chronic Disease
Chronic Disease – has a slower onset and a long duration. Example arthritis.
Occupational Disease
Occupational Disease – occurs as a result of unfavorable work conditions. Let’s take a look at two examples.
- Anthracosis or Black Lung Disease is caused by the inhalation of coal dust.
- Silicosis; caused by the inhalation of silica.
Deficiency Disease
Deficiency Disease is brought about due to the absence or lack of an essential vitamin or mineral. Example: rickets (lack of Vitamin D) or goiter (deficiency in iodine).
Intoxication / Intoxicating Disease
Intoxication / Intoxicating Disease is one that is brought about by the excess intake of any substance that can cause a state of poisoning. You are basically “poisoned” by a drug or toxic substance.
Iatrogenic Disease
Iatrogenic Disease – is one which results from a physician’s treatment of a patient; any adverse condition in a patient resulting from treatment by a physician or surgeon.
Fulminating Disease
Fulminating Disease – Latin root meaning lighting flash. In regards to a disease or condition, it refers to rapid, sudden and severe. It is often fatal.
Infectious Disease
Infectious Disease – is one that is capable of causing an infection. A disease caused by the invasion of the body by a pathogenic microorganism.
Allergies
Allergies – a hypersensitive reaction to a common, harmless antigen, most of which are environmental. This is an acquired immune response.
Contagious Disease
Contagious Disease – is one that is easily transmitted from person to person either directly or indirectly.
Infestation
Infestation – refers to the presence of macroscopic (can be seen with the unaided eye) organisms in or on the body, such as animal parasites.
Organic Disease
Organic Disease – has a readily identifiable characteristic lesion associated with it such as swollen glands, ulcerations during syphilis; inflammation of the mucous membranes of strep throat. Some lesion exists.
Functional Disease
Functional Disease are diseases with no anatomical or structural changes. Ex. Migraine headache or various mental disturbances called psychoses. No lesion exists; no anatomical or structural change.
Nosocomial
Nosocomial pertains to a hospital. Often refers to infection. i.e. nosocomial (hospital acquired) infection.
Prevalence
Prevalence – Refers to the number of new and old cases of a disease during a particular period.
Mortality rate
Mortality rate – is the number of deaths per unit of population.
Morbidity rate
Morbidity rate – refers to the number of cases of disease per unit of population.
Endemic disease
Endemic disease is when a type of disease is more or less continuously present in a community (never-ending). A disease or agent that is usually prevalent in a population or geographical area at all times. The expected or “normal” incidence of a condition in a certain geographical area or population.
Epidemic disease
Epidemic disease attacks a large number of persons in a community at the same time. One whose incidence is beyond that expected for a given population.
Pandemic disease
Pandemic disease – a disease occurring throughout the world.
Sporadic disease
Sporadic disease – This occurs in neither an endemic or epidemic form (here and there with no know connection); occurring occasionally in a random or isolated manner.
