Chapter 1: Introduction to Pathophysiology - Vocabulary Flashcards

100 vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the Pathophysiology lecture notes.

Pathophysiology

The study of functional and structural changes in the body that result from disease processes.

Etiology

The causative factors of a disease (e.g., infections, genetics, environmental factors).

Idiopathic

A disease with no identifiable known cause.

Iatrogenic

A disease or condition caused by medical treatment or procedures.

Predisposing factors

Factors that increase the likelihood of developing a disease (age, genetics, exposures).

Prophylaxis

Measures designed to prevent disease and its spread.

Primary prevention

Actions to prevent disease from developing in healthy individuals.

Secondary prevention

Interventions after risk factors or disease are identified to halt progression.

Tertiary prevention

Measures to manage established disease and prevent complications.

Homeostasis

Maintenance of a relatively stable internal environment despite external changes.

Disease

A deviation from the normal structure or function of the body due to pathology.

Health

A state defined by the WHO as physical, mental, and social well-being, not merely absence of disease.

Normal values

Reference ranges or averages used to interpret health indicators, not absolutes.

Pathogenesis

The development and sequence of events leading to disease.

Acute

A short-term illness with rapid onset.

Chronic

A long-lasting or persistent illness.

Subclinical

Pathologic changes present without obvious clinical symptoms.

Incubation period

Time between exposure to a disease agent and onset of signs or symptoms.

Prodromal period

Early, nonspecific signs indicating the onset of disease.

Signs

Objective indicators of disease measured by others.

Symptoms

Subjective experiences of the patient reported as feelings or sensations.

Lesion

A localized tissue change due to disease.

Syndrome

A collection of signs and symptoms that occur together.

Diagnostic tests

Tests (lab, imaging, etc.) used to identify a disease.

Remission

A period when signs and symptoms subside.

Exacerbation

Worsening or intensification of disease signs or symptoms.

Precipitating factor

An immediate trigger for an acute episode.

Complication

A secondary problem arising during the course of a disease.

Sequelae

Potential long-term consequences of a disease.

Convalescence

Period of recovery and return to baseline health.

Prognosis

Probability or likely outcome of a disease.

Morbidity

Disease rates or impairment within a population.

Mortality

Death rate from a disease.

Autopsy

Postmortem examination to determine cause and progression.

Epidemiology

Study of the distribution and determinants of disease in populations.

Epidemic

A higher-than-expected number of cases within a region.

Pandemic

A disease occurring over a wide geographic area and affecting many people.

Notifiable diseases

Diseases that must be reported to health authorities.

Communicable diseases

Infections that can be transmitted from one person to another.

Incidence

Number of new cases in a defined population over a period.

Prevalence

Total number of existing cases in a population at a given time.

Ghon focus

TB granulomatous lesion in the lung.

Caseation necrosis

Cheese-like necrosis typically seen in TB granulomas.

Caseous necrosis

TB-related necrosis with cheese-like appearance.

Infarction

Localized tissue death due to lack of oxygen (ischemia).

Ischemia

Reduced blood supply to tissue.

Hypoxia

Insufficient oxygen reaching tissues.

Necrosis

Irreversible cell or tissue death due to injury.

Apoptosis

Programmed cell death with controlled cellular disposal and no inflammation.

Pyroptosis

Inflammatory programmed cell death that releases lysosomal enzymes.

Coagulative necrosis

Necrosis in which tissue architecture is preserved for a time.

Liquefactive necrosis

Necrosis where tissue becomes liquefied, often in brain or bacterial infections.

Fat necrosis

Necrosis of adipose tissue often associated with enzymes or infection.

Gangrene

Necrosis with tissue loss due to ischemia, sometimes infected.

Dry gangrene

Coagulative necrosis with tissue drying and mummification.

Wet gangrene

liquefactive necrosis with infection and pus formation.

Gas gangrene

Gangrene due to bacterial infection producing gas.

Metaplasia

Replacement of one mature cell type with another.

Hyperplasia

Increase in the number of cells, leading to tissue enlargement.

Hypertrophy

Increase in cell size, resulting in enlarged tissue mass.

Atrophy

Decrease in cell size or tissue mass due to disuse or aging.

Dysplasia

Abnormal cell growth with variability in size/shape; may be precancerous.

Anaplasia

Loss of differentiation and structural regulation, typical of malignancy.

Neoplasia

New, abnormal growth; can be benign or malignant.

Benign neoplasm

Noninvasive, usually slow-growing tumor.

Malignant neoplasm

Cancer; invasive and potentially metastatic tumor.

Biopsy

Removal of tissue for microscopic examination.

Endogenous

Originating from within the body.

Exogenous

Originating from outside the body.

Inflammation

Protective tissue response to injury or infection.

Microorganisms

Bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites that cause disease.

Granuloma

Small immune cell mass formed in chronic inflammation.

Ghon complex

TB granuloma with regional lymph node involvement.

Pap smear

Papanicolaou test; screening of cervical cells for dysplasia.

Pap test

Alternative term for Pap smear test.

Case study

A detailed clinical scenario used to apply concepts.

Radiologic examination

Imaging using X-ray, CT, MRI to visualize internal structures.

Creatine phosphokinase

Cardiac and skeletal muscle enzyme released during injury.

Troponin

Cardiac enzyme used to diagnose myocardial injury.

Double-blind trial

Study where neither participants nor researchers know treatment assignment.

Placebo

Inert substance or treatment used as a control in trials.

Basic science

Foundational laboratory research that identifies therapies.

Clinical trials

Research studies in humans to test safety and efficacy of therapies.

Phase I trial

Small-scale human trial to assess safety and dosage.

Phase II trial

Medium-scale trial to assess efficacy and side effects.

Phase III trial

Large-scale trials comparing new therapy to standard treatment.

Evidence-based research findings

Results supported by high-quality, systematic evidence.

Off-label use

Using a drug for an indication not approved by regulatory bodies.

AZT (azidothymidine)

First antiretroviral drug; example of trials stopped early due to efficacy.

Thalidomide

Drug later repurposed for cancer; example of off-label use.

Hydroxychloroquine

Drug repurposed for COVID-19 and other diseases.

SARS-CoV-2

Virus causing COVID-19.

Measles

Notifiable disease; highly contagious viral infection.

SARS

Severe acute respiratory syndrome; notifiable in many jurisdictions.

HIV/AIDS

Retroviral infection that leads to AIDS; notifiable disease.

Vaccination programs

Public health campaigns to immunize populations.

Public health surveillance

Systematic collection, analysis, and dissemination of health data.

World Health Organization (WHO)

UN agency coordinating international health within the UN system.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

US agency responsible for disease prevention and control.

Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

US agency that regulates drugs, biologics, and medical devices.