Comps Pathology Glossary

Abatement

decrease in, such as in pain.

Abrasion

an excoriation, removal of the epidermis of skin or mucous membrane (caused by a superficial injury)

Abscess

localized accumulation of pus surrounded by inflammatory tissue. (circumscribed collection of pus)

Acidosis

condition in which there is an excessive proportion of acid in the blood.

Acquired disease

a disease that presents itself after birth. Is not congenital.

Acromegaly

hyperfunction of pituitary gland after ossification has been completed (after puberty) which causes enlargement and thickening of skull bones and facial features.

Acute

a disease with a rapid onset and short duration

Addison’s Disease

affects the adrenal glands (results when insufficient cortisol is produced). Bronze discoloration of the skin is characteristic

Adenoma

a neoplasm formed by glandular epithelium. (a tumor in a gland)

Allergies

having hypersensitivity to a substance that does not normally cause a reaction.

Alzheimer’s Disease

a pre-senile dementia occurring usually in persons over 60 years of age; thought to be associated with neurofibril degeneration. (the degenerative nervous system disorder of unknown origin that destroys the neurons in the cortex or the brain)

Amelia

congenital absence of one or more limbs (the arms or legs did not develop and are missing)

Anasarca

generalized massive edema in subcutaneous tissue

Anemia

a decrease in the number of erythrocytes (red blood cells), hemoglobin or both.

(a condition that develops when the blood lacks enough healthy red blood cells or hemoglobin)

Aneurysm

a localized dilation of a blood vessel

Angioma

a swelling or tumor due to dilatation of the blood vessels (hemangioma) or lymphatics (lymphangioma).

Anoxia

deficient blood oxygen supplies to tissues.

Aplasia

failure of a tissue or an organ to develop normally

Arteriosclerosis

disease of the arteries resulting in thickening and loss of elasticity of the arterial walls (Hardening of the arteries)

Ascites

accumulation of free serous fluid in the abdominal cavity

Arteritis

inflammation of an artery or arteries. (Usually chronic)

Asphyxia

loss of consciousness from deficient (inadequate intake of) oxygen. (a lack of oxygen resulting from an airway obstruction)

Atherosclerosis

a form of arteriosclerosis marked by the deposition of lipids in the inner layer of arterial walls. (Results in hardening of the arteries)

Atrophy

a wasting, decrease in size of an organ or tissue

Autopsy (necropsy)

a postmortem examination of the organs and tissues of a body to determine cause of death or pathological condition

Bilirubin

the red pigment in the bile

Biliverdin

the green pigment in the bile

Brain purge

pre-embalming purge as a result of a fracture of the skull, a surgical procedure in the cranial cavity or a trauma. It is possible for gas (a type of purge) to build up in the cranium and travel along the nerve routes to distend such tissues as the eyelids.

Cachexia

severe form of malnutrition

Carcinoma

general term for a malignant tumor.

Carbuncle

several communicating boils of the skin and subcutaneous tissues with the production and discharge of pus and dead tissue.

Cardiovascular Disease

the number one cause of death in the U.S.

Cavitation

formation of cavities in an organ or tissue; frequently seen in some forms of tuberculosis.

Cerebral Vascular Accident (Stroke)

a blow; hence a sudden attack, as a sunstroke, a paralytic or apoplectic stroke or apoplexy

Chancre

primary lesion, initial sclerosis, syphilitic sore, the first manifestation of syphilis

Choking

Asphyxia as a result of an obstruction in the air passage. (Airway obstruction)

Cholecystitis

inflammation of the gallbladder

Chronic

a disease with a more or less slow onset and long duration