NRSE 2121 Pathophysiology - Chapter 1 Intro and Core Concepts

A vocabulary-focused set of flashcards covering core definitions and terms from the lecture notes on health, disease, etiologies, pathophysiology, inflammation, healing, and burns.

Health

A dynamic state of well-being; ‘normal’ varies by culture, location, genetics, and context, with health linked to maintaining homeostasis.

Disease

A condition that develops when significant changes prevent maintenance of homeostasis.

Homeostasis

Maintenance of a relatively stable internal environment despite external changes.

Etiology

Study of causes or reasons for phenomena; identifies factors that provoke disease.

Pathogenesis

Process of disease development and evolution from initial stimulus to clinical expression.

Clinical manifestations

The presentation of disease, including signs (objective) and symptoms (subjective).

Signs

Objective evidence of a disease observed by others.

Symptoms

Subjective experiences reported by the patient.

Syndrome

A group of signs and symptoms whose exact etiology may not yet be determined.

Idiopathic

Cause is unknown.

Iatrogenic

Cause results from medical treatment or intervention.

Infectious

Caused by pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, fungi.

Genetic

Originating from genetic factors or inheritance.

Metabolic

Related to abnormalities in metabolism.

Neoplastic

Related to neoplasia or tumor growth.

Environmental

Caused by environmental factors (physical, chemical, social).

Nutritional

Related to nutrition; deficiencies or excesses affecting health.

Risk factor

A factor that increases the likelihood of developing disease.

Predisposing factors

Factors that increase susceptibility to disease.

Prophylaxis

Measures taken to prevent disease or its progression.

Prevention

Actions aimed at preventing disease development or progression.

Incubation period

Time between exposure to a pathogen and onset of signs/symptoms.

Prodromal period

Early, nonspecific symptoms indicating disease is developing.

Latent period

A period in which disease is present but not yet clinically evident.

Onset

Beginning of disease or symptoms.

Acute

Short-term, rapid onset of disease with a severe course.

Subclinical

Disease present without noticeable signs or symptoms.

Remission

Period during which signs/symptoms are reduced or disappear.

Exacerbation

Worsening or intensification of disease symptoms.

Prognosis

Probability of future outcomes or course of a disease.

Morbidity

Frequency or impact of disease in a population.

Mortality

Death rate resulting from a disease in a population.

Incidence

Number of new cases of a disease in a population at risk during a period.

Prevalence

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

Endemic

Disease that is regularly found in a particular region or population.

Epidemic

A rapid, widespread increase in disease cases within a community.

Pandemic

A disease outbreak that spreads across large geographic areas or globally.

Epidemiology

Study of the patterns, causes, and effects of health and disease in populations.

Atrophy

Reduction in cell size and function due to decreased workload or injury.

Hypertrophy

Increase in cell size and mass in response to increased demand.

Hyperplasia

Increase in cell number due to mitotic activity.

Metaplasia

Replacement of one mature cell type with another; usually reversible.

Dysplasia

Disordered cellular growth with abnormal size/shape; often preneoplastic.

Neoplasia

New, uncontrolled growth of cells, i.e., tumor formation.

Hypoxia

Insufficient oxygen delivery to tissues.

Ischemia

Reduced blood supply to tissue, leading to hypoxia.

Hydropic swelling

Cellular swelling from water accumulation due to Na+/K+ pump failure.

Reversible cell injury

Injury that allows cells to recover if the insult is removed.

Necrosis

Irreversible, uncontrolled cell death with rupture and inflammation.

Apoptosis

Programmed cell death; controlled, non-inflammatory when possible.

Intrinsic pathway

Apoptosis triggered by internal cellular signals (e.g., DNA damage, p53).

Extrinsic pathway

Apoptosis triggered by external signals binding death receptors (e.g., Fas/TNF).

Fas ligand

External signal that binds Fas receptor to initiate apoptosis.

Death receptor

Cell surface receptor that triggers apoptosis when activated.

Phagocytosis

Engulfment and digestion of debris, pathogens, or dead cells.

Inflammation

Innate response to injury involving mediators, vasodilation, permeability, leukocyte recruitment, and healing.

Mediators

Chemical signals (e.g., histamine, prostaglandins, leukotrienes, bradykinin) that drive inflammation.

Histamine

Mediator causing vasodilation and increased vascular permeability.

Prostaglandins

Lipid mediators influencing inflammation, pain, and fever.

Leukotrienes

Mediators promoting leukocyte recruitment and inflammation.

Bradykinin

Mediator contributing to pain and vasodilation during inflammation.