Vital Signs, Body Structure and Function, and Common Diseases and Disorders

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering vital signs measurement, body systems anatomy and physiology, and common communicable and non-communicable disorders.

Vital Signs

Measurements reflecting the function of three body processes essential for life: regulation of body temperature, breathing, and heart function.

Body Temperature

The balance between the amount of heat produced and the amount of heat lost by the body.

Pulse

The beat of the heart felt at an artery as a wave of blood passes through the artery.

Pulse Rate

The number of heartbeats or pulses felt in $1\,\text{minute}$; for healthy adults, it is between $60$ and $100\,\text{beats per minute}$.

Tachycardia

A heart rate of more than $100\,\text{beats per minute}$.

Bradycardia

A heart rate of less than $60\,\text{beats per minute}$.

Pulse Oximeter

A device placed on the client's index finger that measures both pulse rate and the oxygen level in the blood ($\text{SpO}_2$).

Respiration

The act of breathing (chest rise and fall), with a normal resting rate of $12$ to $20\,\text{respirations per minute}$ in healthy adults.

Blood Pressure (BP)

The amount of force exerted against the walls of an artery by the blood.

Systole

The pumping phase of the heart where chambers contract to force blood out into the blood vessels.

Diastole

The resting phase between heartbeats where the heart muscle relaxes and its chambers fill with blood.

Systolic Pressure

The amount of force needed to pump blood out of the heart into the arterial circulation; normally $90$ to $140\,\text{mm Hg}$.

Diastolic Pressure

The pressure in the arteries when the heart is at rest; normally $60$ to $90\,\text{mm Hg}$.

Hypertension

A consistent blood pressure measurement that is more than $140/90\,\text{mm Hg}$.

Hypotension

A blood pressure measurement that is less than $90/60\,\text{mm Hg}$.

Sphygmomanometer

An instrument comprising an inflatable cuff and a measuring device used in conjunction with a stethoscope to measure blood pressure.

Stethoscope

An instrument used to listen to the sounds produced by the heart, lungs, and other body organs.

Anatomy

The study of body structures.

Physiology

The study of how body structures work.

Cell

The basic unit of body structure.

Epithelial Tissue

Tissue that covers internal and external body surfaces.

Connective Tissue

Tissue that anchors, connects, and supports other tissues.

Muscle Tissue

Tissue that stretches and contracts to let the body move.

Nerve Tissue

Tissue that receives and carries impulses to the brain and back to body parts.

Homeostasis

A steady state or stable internal environment maintained when all the organ systems work together.

Epidermis

The outer layer of the skin.

Dermis

The inner layer of the skin.

Long Bones

Bones designed to bear the body's weight.

Short Bones

Bones that allow skill and ease in movement, such as the carpal bones of the wrist and tarsal bones of the ankle.

Flat Bones

Bones that protect internal body organs.

Irregular Bones

Bones that allow various degrees of movement and flexibility.

Sesamoid Bones

Short and irregular bones that protect tendons.

Joint

The point at which two or more bones meet to allow movement.

Ball-and-Socket Joint

A joint type that allows movement in all directions.

Hinge Joint

A joint type that allows movement in only one direction.

Pivot Joint

A joint type that allows turning from side to side.

Saddle Joint

A joint type that allows for a wide range of motion.

Gliding Joint

A joint type that allows for limited but complex gliding movements.

Condyloid Joint

A joint where the oval articular surface of one bone fits into the oval depression of a second articulating bone (such as in the wrist or knuckles).

Skeletal Muscles

Striated, voluntary muscles attached to bones that can be consciously controlled.

Smooth Muscles

Non-striated, involuntary muscles present in the stomach, intestines, and blood vessels that work automatically.

Cardiac Muscle

Striated, involuntary muscle found only in the heart.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

The division of the nervous system consisting of the brain and spinal cord.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

The division of the nervous system involving $12$ pairs of cranial nerves and $31$ pairs of spinal nerves throughout the body.

Meninges

Three layers of connective tissue (dura mater, arachnoid, and pia mater) that cover and protect the brain and spinal cord.

Dura Mater

The tough outer layer of the meninges lying next to the skull.

Arachnoid

The middle layer of the meninges.

Pia Mater

The delicate inner layer of the meninges.

Ossicles

Three small bones in the middle ear: the malleus, the incus, and the stapes.

Pituitary Gland

The master gland located at the base of the brain behind the eyes that secretes hormones regulating other glands and body functions.

Communicable Disease

An illness caused by microbes that spread easily and can be transmitted from one person to another.

Pandemic

A disease or infection that spreads quickly throughout an entire country, or even worldwide.

Hepatitis

An inflammation of the liver, which can be mild or cause death, caused in Canada primarily by types A, B, and C viruses.

Tumour

A new growth or clump of abnormal cells resulting from out-of-control cell division.

Benign Tumour

A noncancerous tumour that grows slowly, does not spread to other body parts, and rarely threatens life.

Malignant Tumour

A cancerous tumour that invades and destroys nearby tissue, can spread to other body parts, and may be life-threatening.

Metastasis

The spread of cancer cells from a primary tumour to other parts of the body.

Chemotherapy

A cancer treatment using oral or intravenous drugs that kill rapidly dividing cells.

Stomatitis

Inflammation of the mouth, often occurring as an adverse effect of chemotherapy.

Alopecia

Hair loss, commonly occurring as an adverse side effect of chemotherapy.

Malignant Melanoma

A less common but most dangerous type of skin cancer characterized by asymmetrical, multicolored, or irregularly bordered moles; can be fatal if untreated.

Athlete's Foot

A highly contagious fungal skin infection that causes the foot to peel, burn, itch, and turn red.

Boil (Furuncle)

A painful, red, pus-filled lump caused by an infection of a hair follicle, usually by Staphylococcus bacteria.

Cyst

An abnormal closed sac containing air, fluid, or semi-solid material enclosed by a distinct membrane.

Dermatitis

Inflammation of the skin caused by direct contact with an irritating or allergy-causing substance.

Eczema

An inflammatory skin condition characterized by dry, red, and extremely itchy patches of skin, sometimes involving papular or vesicular lesions.

Impetigo

A contagious bacterial skin disorder caused by Streptococcus or Staphylococcus bacteria, characterized by crusting lesions that drain and spread.

Psoriasis

A persistent skin disorder that causes red scaly plaques formed by excessive skin accumulation that becomes inflamed.

Scabies

A highly contagious skin infection caused by a mite that burrows under the skin to deposit eggs, causing intense itching.

Scleroderma

A rare progressive autoimmune disease that involves hardening of the skin and connective tissue in the body.

Seborrheic Keratosis

A noncancerous skin growth common in older persons that is often dark or multicolored with a grainy surface.

Shingles

A viral infection caused by the herpes varicella zoster virus that produces a painful rash of raised blisters along a nerve pathway.

Skin Tag

A small, painless flap of flesh-coloured skin that looks like a droplet or tag.

Urticaria

An allergic reaction causing raised red skin welts (wheals); commonly known as hives.

Closed Fracture

A simple broken bone where the bone breaks but does not push through the skin.

Open Fracture

A compound broken bone where the bone pierces through the skin, carrying a high risk of infection.

Skeletal Traction

A traction method using surgically inserted pins, wires, or screws directly into the bone to apply a heavy, steady pulling force.

Skin Traction

A temporary traction measure applying a pulling force to boots, splints, or tapes attached to the skin using lighter weights.

Osteomyelitis

Inflammation or infection of the bone marrow, often caused by Staphylococcus bacteria following a fracture or surgery.

Amputation

The surgical or traumatic removal of all or part of an extremity.

Gangrene

A condition in which there is death of tissue, which can spread throughout the body and cause death if untreated.

Prosthesis

An artificial replacement for a missing body part.

Phantom Limb Pain

Pain or aching sensations felt in a limb that has been amputated, thought to be caused by irritation of nerve endings in the stump.

Osteoporosis

A bone disorder in which bones become porous and brittle, breaking easily; common in older persons and postmenopausal women.

Osteoarthritis (OA)

The most common form of arthritis, characterized by the breakdown and wearing out of cartilage in weight-bearing joints.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

A chronic, progressive autoimmune disease causing inflammation of connective tissue and small joints, leading to deformities.

Gout

A metabolic form of arthritis caused by the accumulation of uric acid crystals in joint cartilage and tendons, usually affecting the big toe first.

Fibromyalgia

A condition associated with aching, stiffness, and fatigue in muscles, ligaments, and tendons across multiple body areas.

Epilepsy

A neurological condition marked by recurrent episodes of convulsive seizures, sensory disturbances, and loss of consciousness.

Aura

A warning sign or sensation experienced by an individual before a seizure starts.

Stroke (CVA)

A cerebrovascular accident occurring when a blood vessel in the brain is blocked or bursts, obstructing blood flow to brain tissue.

Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)

A temporary interruption of blood flow to the brain that lasts a few minutes and serves as a warning sign of a stroke.

Hemiplegia

Paralysis affecting one side of the body, often caused by a stroke.

Aneurysm

A localized dilation (expansion and weakness) of the wall of an artery or heart chamber.

Brain Aneurysm

A bulging weak area in the wall of an artery that supplies blood to the brain; rupture causes blood to escape into the brain, causing a stroke.

Acquired Brain Injury (ABI)

Damage to brain tissue caused by lack of oxygen, illness, falls, sports injuries, or accidents after birth.

Parkinson's Disease

A slow, progressive disorder affecting the brain area controlling movement, characterized by tremors, muscle rigidity, slow movement, and a mask-like expression.

Huntington's Disease

An inherited neurological disorder that destroys brain cells, causing uncontrolled movements, emotional disturbances, and cognitive decline.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

A persistent, progressive neurological disease in which the myelin covering nerve fibres in the brain and spinal cord is destroyed.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

A rapidly progressive, fatal neurological disease (also called Lou Gehrig's disease) that attacks motor nerve cells controlling voluntary muscles.