Introduction to Pathophysiology – Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering foundational terms and concepts from the Introduction to Pathophysiology lecture.

Pathophysiology

Study of functional or physiological changes in the body that result from disease processes.

Homeostasis

Maintenance of a relatively stable internal environment regardless of external changes.

Health

State of physical, mental, and social well-being.

Disease

Deviation from the normal state of homeostasis.

Health Indicators

Normal value ranges used to assess health that vary with age, gender, genetics, environment, and activity level.

Seven Steps to Health

Evidence-based lifestyle guidelines such as no smoking, balanced diet, regular activity, sun protection, screenings, prompt medical visits, and safe handling of hazards.

Pathology

Branch of medicine that describes structural changes in tissues caused by disease.

Disease Prevention

Primary focus of health care that includes vaccinations, screening programs, community initiatives, and routine checkups.

Research Process – Stage 1

Basic science phase involving lab work, technology identification, and often animal or cell studies.

Research Process – Stage 2

Early human testing with a small number of subjects.

Research Process – Stage 3

Large clinical trials using double-blind studies on many patients.

Medical History

Record of illnesses, allergies, hospitalizations, treatments, and all drugs or supplements taken.

Gross Level

Disease changes visible at the organ or system level.

Microscopic Level

Disease changes occurring at the cellular level.

Biopsy

Excision of a small amount of living tissue for diagnostic examination.

Autopsy

Postmortem examination of a body and its organs.

Diagnosis

Identification of a disease through evaluation of signs, symptoms, and laboratory tests.

Etiology

Causative factors in a particular disease such as genetics, microorganisms, or trauma.

Idiopathic

Describes a disease with an unknown cause.

Iatrogenic

Disease caused by an error, treatment, or medical procedure.

Predisposing Factor

Condition such as age, gender, or environment that increases risk of disease.

Prophylaxis

Measure designed to preserve health and prevent disease spread.

Pathogenesis

Development or sequence of events leading to a disease.

Acute Disease

Disease that develops quickly and is short-term with severe symptoms.

Chronic Disease

Disease that develops gradually, persists long-term, and may have intermittent acute episodes.

Subclinical State

Pathologic changes occur without obvious manifestations.

Latent State

No symptoms are apparent; in infection it corresponds to the incubation period.

Prodromal Period

Early stage of disease with nonspecific or absent signs.

Manifestations

Clinical evidence of disease, including signs and symptoms; local at site, systemic throughout body.

Signs

Objective indicators of disease observed by others.

Symptoms

Subjective feelings reported by the patient.

Lesion

Specific local change in tissue.

Syndrome

Collection of signs and symptoms that occur together.

Diagnostic Test

Laboratory or imaging study used to assist in diagnosis based on manifestations and history.

Remission

Period in which disease manifestations subside.

Exacerbation

Worsening in severity of disease manifestations.

Precipitating Factor

Condition that triggers an acute episode of a disease.

Complication

New secondary problem that arises during the course of a disease.

Therapy

Measures intended to promote recovery or slow disease progress.

Sequelae

Potential unwanted outcomes or residual effects following a disease.

Convalescence

Period of recovery and return to a healthy state; rehabilitation.

Prognosis

Probability or likelihood of recovery or other outcomes.

Morbidity

Disease rates within a group.

Mortality

Number of deaths resulting from a disease.

Epidemiology

Study and tracking of disease occurrence and patterns; WHO and CDC are major centers.

Incidence

Number of new cases of a disease in a population during a specific time period.

Prevalence

Total number of new and existing cases of a disease in a population during a specific time.

Epidemic

Occurrence of a higher-than-expected number of cases in an area.

Pandemic

Epidemic that spreads to many regions of the globe.

Communicable Disease

Infectious disease that can spread from one person to another.

Notifiable Disease

Infectious disease that must be reported to authorities to prevent further spread.

Atrophy

Decrease in cell size resulting in reduced tissue mass.

Hypertrophy

Increase in cell size resulting in enlarged tissue mass.

Hyperplasia

Increase in the number of cells resulting in enlarged tissue mass.

Metaplasia

Replacement of one mature cell type by a different mature cell type.

Dysplasia

Cells vary in size and shape within a tissue; often precancerous.

Anaplasia

Undifferentiated cells with variable structure, typical of malignancy.

Neoplasia

New growth; commonly called a tumor.

Apoptosis

Programmed cell death, a normal controlled process.

Ischemia

Deficit of oxygen to cells due to reduced blood supply.

Hypoxia

Reduced oxygen content in tissues.

Pyroptosis

Form of cell death causing lysis and local inflammation.

Liquefaction Necrosis

Dead cells liquefy because of enzymatic breakdown.

Coagulative Necrosis

Cell proteins are altered or denatured, leading to coagulation.

Fat Necrosis

Fatty tissue broken down into fatty acids.

Caseous Necrosis

Form of coagulative necrosis producing a thick, yellowish, “cheesy” material.

Infarction

Area of dead cells resulting from prolonged ischemia (oxygen deprivation).

Gangrene

Area of necrotic tissue invaded by bacteria, often following ischemia.