BIO122 WK1 Pathology

Pathology

The study of the changes in cells, tissues, and organs that underlie disease; serves as a bridge between science and medicine.

Aetiology

The underlying cause or mechanism of a disease.

Pathogenesis

The progression of a disease from start to end.

Morphological changes

The alterations that occur in cells, tissues, and organs due to disease.

Clinical manifestations

The signs and symptoms experienced by patients.

Signs

Objective measures that can be observed by others, such as vital signs or physical exam findings.

Symptoms

Subjective experiences reported by the patient, such as pain or nausea.

Cellular adaptations

Changes made by cells in response to stimuli, which can be physiological or pathological.

Hypertrophy

An increase in cell size, often due to increased demand; can be physiological or pathological.

Physiologic Hypertrophy

Increased cell size due to normal demands, hormones, or growth factors.

Pathologic Hypertrophy

Increased cell size due to disease conditions, such as ventricular hypertrophy from high blood pressure.

Hyperplasia

An increase in cell number, leading to an enlarged tissue or organ; can be physiological or pathological.

Atrophy

A decrease in cell size and number, often due to disuse or decreased demand; can be physiological or pathological.

Metaplasia

A reversible change where one differentiated cell type is replaced by another cell type, often a precursor to dysplasia or cancer.

Necrosis

Cell death due to uncontrolled external factors, often referred to as "cell homicide."

Apoptosis

Programmed cell death, where the cell destroys itself while maintaining the body's overall function.