Pathophysiology Introduction

Question 1

Define pathophysiology

Answer 1

The study of functional or physiologic changes in the body that result from disease processes

Question 2

Define Pathology

Answer 2

The laboratory study of cell and tissue changes associated with disease

Question 3

Define disease

Answer 3

A deviation from the normal structure or function of any part, organ, system (or combination) from a state of wellness. WHO includes physical, mental and social well-being in it’s definition of health. When homeostasis cannot be maintained without intervention.

Question 4

Homeostasis

Answer 4

The maintenance of a relatively stable internal environment regardless of external changes

Question 5

Factors that can account for variations in “normal” limits for health indicators

Answer 5

Age, gender, genetics, environment, activity level

Question 6

Diagnosis

Answer 6

Refers to the identification of a specific disease through evaluation of signs and symptoms, lab test or other tools.

Question 7

Etiology

Answer 7

The causative factors in a particular disease - congenital defects, inherited or genetic disorders, microorganisms like viruses or bacteria, immunologic dysfunction, environmental factors, nutritional deficiencies

Question 8

Define idiopathic

Answer 8

When the cause of a disease is unknown

Question 9

Define iatrogenic

Answer 9

When a treatment, procedure or an error may cause a disease - ex bladder infection from catheterization

Question 10

Predisposing factors

Answer 10

The tendencies that promote development of a disease in an individual. Indicates high risk but not certain development - ex. age, gender, inherited factors, occupational exposure.

Question 11

Pathogenesis

Answer 11

The development of the disease or the sequence of events involved in the tissue changes related to the specific disease process.

Question 12

Subclinical state

Answer 12

Exists in some conditions in which pathologic changes occur, but no obvious manifestations are exhibited by the patient - ex. kidney damage may progress to an advanced stage before symptoms manifest.

Question 13

Incubation or latent stage

Answer 13

Time between exposure to the microorganism and the onset of signs or symptoms

Question 14

Prodromal period

Answer 14

The time in the early development of a disease when one is aware of a change in the body but the signs are nonspecific - ex fatigue, loss of appetite

Question 15

Manifestations of a disease

Answer 15

Clinical evidence or effects - the signs and symptoms

Question 16

Lesion

Answer 16

A specific local change in tissue

Question 17

Syndrome

Answer 17

A collection of signs and symptoms, often affecting more than one organ, usually occur together in response to a certain condition

Question 18

Precipitating factor

Answer 18

A condition that triggers an acute episode, such as a seizure. An angina attack can be precipitated by shovelling snow on a cold day.

Question 19

Sequelae

Answer 19

The potential unwanted outcomes of the primary condition, such as paralysis following recovery from stroke

Question 20

Convalescence or rehabilitation

Answer 20

The period of recovery and return to the normal healthy state

Question 21

Prognosis

Answer 21

The probability or likelihood for recovery or other outcomes. Average outcomes

Question 22

Morbidity

Answer 22

Indicates disease rates in a group

Question 23

Mortality

Answer 23

The relative number of deaths resulting from a particular disease

Question 24

Epidemiology

Answer 24

The science of tracking the pattern or occurrence of disease. Includes data on transmission and distribution of diseases.

Question 25

Epidemics

Answer 25

Occur when there are a higher than expected number of cases of an infectious disease within a given area

Question 26

Pandemics

Answer 26

Involve higher numbers of cases in may regions of the globe.

Question 27

Incidence of disease

Answer 27

Indicates the number of NEW cases in a given population noted within a state time period

Question 28

Prevalence of disease

Answer 28

The number of NEW and OLD or existing cases within a specific population and time period

Question 29

Atrophy

Answer 29

A decrease in the size of cells, a reduction in tissue mass. Ex. reduced use, insufficient nutrition

Question 30

Hypertrophy

Answer 30

Increase in the size of individual cells. Ex additional work by the tissue - enlarged heart

Question 31

Hyperplasia

Answer 31

Increase in the number of cells resulting in an enlarged tissue mass. May be compensatory to meet increased demands or pathologic when there is a hormonal imbalance.

Question 32

Metaplasia

Answer 32

Occurs when one mature cell type is replaced by a different mature cell type. Ex, when stratified squamous epithelium replaces ciliated columnar epithelium in the respiratory tract of cigarette smokers.

Question 33

Dysplasia

Answer 33

Term applied to tissue in which the cells vary in size and shape, large nuclei are present and the rate of mitosis is increased. Ex. chronic irritation from infection, precancerous change. Pap smears detect dysplasia.

Question 34

Anaplasia

Answer 34

Cells that are undifferentiated with variable nuclear and cell structures and numerous mitotic figures - cancer

Question 35

Neoplasia

Answer 35

New growth - a neoplasm is commonly called a tumor

Question 36

Gangrene

Answer 36

An area of necrotic tissue that has been invaded by bacteria

Question 37

Infarction

Answer 37

An area of dead cells resulting from lack of oxygen

Question 38

Endemic

Answer 38

Disease that is usually present in a specific region and culture

Question 39

Compensatory Hyperplasia

Answer 39

An adaptive response that allows certain organs like the liver to regenerate

Question 40

Pathologic hyperplasia

Answer 40

Abnormal proliferation of normal cells, caused by excessive hormonal stimulation, or the effect of growth factors on target cells

Question 41

Hormonal hyperplasia

Answer 41

is also a physiologic response resulting from hormonal stimulation. This type of hyperplasia occurs mainly in estrogen-dependent organs such as the uterus and breast.

Question 42

Hypoxia

Answer 42

the inadequate supply of oxygen to the tissue despite adequate perfusion of the tissue by blood. Inadequate oxygen supply will impair aerobic cellular respiration, interfering with energy (ATP) production in the cell. Anaerobic cellular respiration will occur, leading to a decrease in pH and further metabolic impairment. Hypoxia may be caused by:

Reduction of oxygen content of inspired air
Decrease in hemoglobin available for oxygen binding
Cardiovascular and/or respiratory disease

Question 43

Pyropoptosis

Answer 43

Differs from apoptosis in that pyroptosis results in the lysis or dissolution of the cell, releasing destructive lysosomal enzymes into the tissue, which cause inflammation (swelling, redness, and pain) as well as damage to nearby cells and reduced function.

Question 44

Liquefaction necrosis

Answer 44

Occurs when the necrotic material becomes softened and then liquefied under the influence of certain cell enzymes.

Question 45

Coagulation necrosis

Answer 45

results from the denaturation of proteins, usually following hypoxic injury caused by ischemia (i.e., myocardial infarction). The cells retain some form for a period of time after death.

Question 46

Fat necrosis

Answer 46

s a condition in which neutral fats of adipose (fat) cells are broken down into fatty acids by infectious material or by enzymes.

Question 47

Caseous necrosis

Answer 47

is a form of coagulation necrosis in which a thick, yellowish, “cheesy” substance forms (as is found in cases of tuberculosis).

Question 48

Explain how the condition of hyperplasia may eventually progress to neoplasia (cancer).

Answer 48

Hyperplasia involves the rapid increase in cell number, usually resulting in a larger cell mass. In the case of pathologic hyperplasia the increase is abnormal and could be a result of hormonal stimulation or effect on growth factors. This could in some cases lead to dysplasia in which the shape and structure of the cells also become abnormal. If the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells continues, a cancer may develop.

Question 49

Explain why the formation of necrotic tissue from a microbial infection would not be attributed to the process of apoptosis.

Answer 49

Apoptosis involves cell death caused by normal processes—it is often called programmed cell death. There need not be any external factors involved as the cell’s death is determined by its genes.