Pathophysiology Glossary Flashcards
abscess
a localized pocket of purulent exudate surrounded by imflammation
accomodation
the lens of the eye adjusts its shape for distance
achlorhydria
a lack of hydrochloric acid in the gastric secretions
acidosis
an increased number of hydrogen ions; a blood pH of less than 7.4
adenocarcinoma
malignant tumor arising from glandular epithelial cells
adenoma
benign tumor made up of glandular epithelial cells
adhesion
a band of fibrous scar tissue forming an abnormal connection between two surfaces or structures
adrenergic
related to the sympathetic nervous system transmitters norepinephrine and epinephrine
afferent
toward the center; for example, afferent nerves carry impulses toward the central nervous system
agenesis
lack of an organ or structure because of a developmental error
agglutination
clumping together of cells or particles
AIDS
a chronic infectious disease caused by HIV, which destroys helper t-lymphocytes. causing a loss of immune response
albumin
a plasma protein responsible for maintaining osmotic pressure of the blood
aldosterone
a mineralocorticoid hormone that increases the reabsorption of sodium and water in the renal tubules
alkalosis
a decreased number of hydrogen ions; a blood pH of greater than 7.4
allele
one of two forms of a gene at corresponding sites on a chromosome pair; the code for phenotype or characteristic manifested in an individual
allergen
an antigen that can initiate an allergic reaction
alopecia
hair loss
amenorrhea
the absence of menstrual periods
amnesia
loss of memory
amniocentesis
removal of a small amount of amniotic fluid from around the fetus for examination and diagnosis
amputation
the removal of a body part
anabolism
the building up or synthesis of complex compounds from simple molecules
anaerobic
metabolism and function without oxygen
analgesic
a substance that relieves pain
anaphalaxis
a life-threatening systemic allergic or hypersensitivity reaction, with respiratory obstruction and decreased blood pressure
anaplasia
undifferentiated primitive cells of variable size and shape, associated with cancer
anasarca
severe generalized edema
anastomosis
a connection between two blood vessels or tubes
androgen
steroid hormone that enhances male characteristics (e.g. testosterone)
anemia
a decrease in circulating hemoglobin and oxygen-carrying capacity in the blood because of decreased RBC production, decreased hemoglobin production, excessive hemolysis, or loss of blood
anencephaly
congenital condition where most of the brain and skull are absent
anesthetic
a substance that reduces sensation, locally or systemically
aneurysm
an outpouching or abnormal dilated area in a blood vessel
angiogenesis
the development of new capillaries
angiography
an examination of blood vessels using radiographs with a contrast medium
angioplasty
repair of a blood vessel
angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)
an enzyme that converts angiotensin I to angiotensin II, a potent general vasoconstrictor and stimulus for aldosterone secretion
anion
a negatively charged ion such as chloride, Cl-
ankylosis
fixation or immobility of a joint
ankylosis
fixation or immobility at a joint
anomaly
an abnormal structure, often congenital
anorexia
loss of appetite
antagonism
opposing action
antibiotic
a substance derived from microorganisms that is used to treat infection
antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
increases absorption of water in the renal tubules
antigen
a substance that causes the production of antibodies
antimicrobial
an agent that kills or inhibits growth and reproduction of microorganisms
antineoplastic
a substance or process that destroys neoplastic cells
antioxidant
a substance such as vitamin E that reduces oxygenation and production of damaging “free radicals” during cell metabolism
antiseptic
reduces the number of microorganisms on the skin
anuria
absence of urine production
aphasia
loss of the ability to communicate, speak coherently, or understand speech
apnea
lack of breathing
apoptosis
normal programmed cell death in tissues
arrhythmia
loss of normal heart rate and rhythm; dysrhythmia
arteriosclerosis
hardening and loss of elasticity of the arterial wall with narrowing of the lumen
arthroscopy
examination and possible treatment of a joint through insertion of a small instrument
Aschoff Bodies
localized lesions in the heart muscle that may interfere with conduction
ascites
abnormal accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity
asepsis
the absence of pathogens
aspiration
inhaling liquid or solid material into the lungs, or withdrawing fluid or tissue from a cavity or organ
asymptomatic
no signs or symptoms
asystole
absence of cardiac contractions; cardiac arrest or standstill
ataxia
impaired coordination, imbalance, staggering gait
atelectasis
collapse and nonaeration of part or all of a lung
atherosclerosis
development of obstruction by cholesterol plaques and thrombus on the walls of large arteries
athetoid
involuntary writhing movement of limbs and body
atopic
inherited tendency to hypersensitivities
atresia
blind end to a tube, loss of the lumen
atrophy
degeneration and wasting of tissue, organs, or muscle due to decrease in cell size
atypical
unusual, not characteristic
aura
a sensation (e.g. visual or auditory), usually preceding a seizure or migraine headache
auscultation
listening for sounds, perhaps with a stethoscope, within the body (e.g. lungs, heart, intestines)
autoantibody
antibodies to self-antigens such as cells or DNA
autoclave
an appliance to sterilize instruments or materials with steam at high temperature and pressure
autodigestion
abnormal destruction of tissues by activated digestive enzymes
autoimmune
the development of antibodies to self-antigens
autoinoculation
the spread of infection (e.g. by fingers) from one site to a second site on the body
autopsy
an examination of part or all of a body, including organs, after death (postmortem) to determine the cause of illness and death
autoregulation
autonomic regulation or reflex control of blood flow in an area depending on the local needs
azotemia
excess urea and other nitrogen wastes in the blood, as in renal failure
bacteremia
bacteria present in the circulating blood
bactericidal
chemical that destroys bacteria
bacteriostatic
substance that reduces the growth of and reproduction of bacteria
baroreceptor
a sensory nerve receptor that is stimulated by a change in pressure, perhaps blood pressure
basal metabolic rate
the amount of energy (measured by oxygen requirements) to maintain essential function in the body at rest
benign
nonthreatening, mild, or nonmalignant
bicurcation
the division of a tube or vessel into two channels or branches
bilirubin
a product of the breakdown of hemoglobin, excreted in bile
biopsy
the removal of a small piece of living tissue for microscopic examination to determine a diagnosis
bolus
a round mass of food ready to be swallowed; a dose of concentrated drug administered intravenously all at once
borborygmus
the rumbling or gurgling sounds from gas in the intestine
bradycardia
abnormally slow heart rate
bradykinin
a chemical mediator released during inflammation causing vasodilation
Broca’s Area
area of the left frontal lobe of the brain in which the output of words, both written and verbal, is coordinated
bronchoconstriction
contraction of smooth muscle in the bronchioles
bruit
an abnormal sound heard by auscultation (e.g. blood flow in an aneurysm
cachexia
extreme loss of weight and body wasting associated with serious illness
calcification
deposits of calcium in tissues
calculus
a stone developing in the body (e.g. kidney or bile)
carcinogen
a substance that causes cancer by changing normal cells
cardiomegaly
a heart that is larger than normal size
caries (dental)
destruction of the tooth surface or erosion in the enamel surface of a tooth
carpopedal spasm
a strong muscle contraction of the hand or foot
carrier
a person hosting an infectious pathogen who shows no signs of the disease but could transmit the infection to others
catabolism
the breakdown of complex molecules into simple molecules during metabolism
cataract
an opacity of the lens of the eye
catheter
a small tube inserted into the bladder to remove urine; a tube inserted into a blood vessel or other structure to allow drainage or maintain an opening
cation
a positively charged ion such as sodium, Na+
chemical mediator
a chemical released in the body during an inflammatory response or immune response
chemoreceptor
a sensory nerve receptor stimulated by chemical changes such as pH
chemotaxis
the movement of cells toward or away from an area of the body in response to chemical signals (e.g. phagocytic cells move to an area of tissue injury)
cholestasis
obstructed flow of bile in the liver or biliary tract
chorea
involuntary repeated jerky movements of face and limbs
Chorionic Villus
part of the placenta that can be tested for genetic defects in the fetus
choroid plexus
infoldings of blood vessels blood vessels of the pia mater that secrete cerebrospinal fluid
chromosome
made up of genes, the genetic code of the living cell, consisting of DNA
chronic
a condition with insidious or slow onset, mild but continuous manifestations, and long-lasting, often progressive, effects
chyme
thick, semifluid mixture of partially digested food passing out of the stomach into the duodenum
clonic movements
consisting of rapid, alternating contraction and relaxation of skeletal muscle
coagulation
the process of changing a liquid into a solid (e.g. blood forming a thrombus)
cognitive
intellectual abilities, for example memory, thinking, problem solving, judgment, intitiative
cohesion
tendency to stick together or be attracted
colic
sharp severe pain resulting from strong, smooth muscle contraction (e.g. intestinal)