Exam 1 Pathology: Key Terms and Definitions

pathology

the scientific study of disease

rough endoplasmic reticulum

protein synthesis and secretion

mitochondria

powerhouse of the cell, organelle that is the site of ATP (energy) production

golgi apparatus

stack of membranes in the cell that modifies, sorts, and packages proteins from the endoplasmic reticulum

golgi vesicle

stores lipids and proteins and transports them out of the cell

plasma membrane

a selectively-permeable phospholipid bilayer forming the boundary of the cells

ribosomes

small granules of RNA that synthesize proteins

smooth endoplasmic reticulum

metabolic breakdown of drugs, hormones, and nutrients; synthesis of steroid and androgen hormones

lysosomes

cell organelle filled with enzymes needed to break down certain materials in the cell

hypoxia

lack of oxygen

anoxia

lack of oxygen

reversible cell injury

impairs cell function but does not result in cell death

irreversible cell injury

necrosis and apoptosis

atrophy

diminished cell size

hypertrophy

increased cell size

hyperplasia

increase in number of cells

metaplasia

changing from one type of mature tissue to another

dysplasia

abnormal, disorganized development of cells

neoplasia

development of a tumor

anthracosis

coal dust accumulates in the lungs

hemosiderosis

abnormal increase of iron in blood

lipid accumulation

fat accumulation in the liver

theories of cellular aging

wear and tear theory; genetic component

autolysis

the spontaneous breakdown of cells as they self-digest

necrosis

tissue death

coagulative necrosis

cell proteins are altered or denatured, usually due to anoxia

liquefactive necrosis

in brain, bacterial infections (abscesses), or wet gangrene after coagulative

caseous necrosis

degeneration and death of tissue with a cheese-like appearance; from TB and fungal infections

enzymatic fat necrosis

associated with pancreatitis, breasts; soap formation due to trauma

apoptosis

process of programmed cell death

physiologic apoptosis

normal phenomenon that serves to eliminate cells that are no longer needed and to maintain a steady number of various cell populations.

pathologic apoptosis

seen in malignant neoplasms, cells damaged by radiation or chemicals, tissues infected by viruses, and immunologic damage as seen in graft-vs-host disease

lack of apoptosis

uncontrolled cell proliferation because cells don't destroy themselves when they should

hyaloplasm

clear fluid of cytoplasm

cytoskeleton

network of protein filaments within some cells that helps the cell maintain its shape and is involved in many forms of cell movement

hypertrophy of muscles

only occurs in cardiac and striated muscles

PMNs (neutrophils)

most numerous phagocytic cells; first to appear with acute inflammation; bactericidal; secrete inflammation mediators

eosinophils

involved in allergic reactions and parasidic infections

basophils

chronic infection, bactericidal; release cytokines at site and throughout body

platelets

blood clotting, help with healing from inflammation

components of chronic inflammation

lymphocytes, plasma cells, fibroblasts, angioblasts

steps of inflammation

1. neutrophils stick to walls of vessels

2. neutrophils work their way through junctions of endothelial cells

3. neutrophils get through membrane

4. neutrophils move like amoeba away from the vessel and toward the inflammation

5. neutrophils swallow source and kill bacteria

6. lysosomes dissolve and digest dead bacteria

hyperemia

superabundance of blood

edema

puffy swelling of tissue from the accumulation of fluid

cellular response to inflammation

chemotaxis, cellular adherence, cellular migration

inflammation mediators

chemicals released by irritated tissues that promote the events of the inflammation response

histamine

Chemical stored in mast cells that triggers dilation and increased permeability of capillaries.

bradykinin

a powerful vasodilator that increases capillary permeability and constricts smooth muscle

plasmin

an enzyme that dissolves the fibrin of blood clots

fibrin

protein that forms the basis of a blood clot

classical pathway

immune reactions (antigens/antibody complexes activate)

alternative pathway

bacterial endotoxins lead to activation

lectin pathway

activated by carbohydrates on bacteria

clinical classification of inflammation is based on

duration, etiology, location, characteristics

serous inflammation

clear fluid, blister

fibrinous inflammation

fibrin-rich, thicker, severe inflammation

purulent inflammation

pus-filled, abscesses

abscess

localized collection of pus

ulcerative inflammation

necrosis on or near the surface leads to loss of tissue and creation of a local defect (ulcer)

pseudomembranous inflammation

Ulceration and a pseudomembrane over the ulcer; includes pus and fibrin

chronic inflammation

continuous injury or irritation to tissue

granulomatous inflammation

form of chronic inflammmation characterized by formation of granulomas

plasma derived mediators

synthesized in the liver; include acute-phase proteins, coagulation factors, and complement proteins

cell-derived mediators

mast cells, platelets, arachidonic acid derivatives

macrophages

phagocytize foreign substances and help activate T cells

myofibroblasts

fibroblasts containing contractile fibers that are the mechanism of wound contraction

angioblasts

precursors of blood vessels

fibroblasts

produce fibers and ground substance

keloid

overgrowth of scar tissue

sequelae

a problem resulting from a disease or injury

exudate

fluid, such as pus, that leaks out of an infected wound

neoplastic cells

Another term for cancerous cells.

benign tumors

named with -oma

malignant tumors

named with -carcinoma or -sarcoma

blastoma

immature tumor composed of embryonic cells

germ cell tumors

Class of tumors that originate in either the egg or sperm

teratomas

benign tumors that arise from germ cells; have hair, teeth, bone, muscle, etc

cancer grading

based on degree of differentiation of the tumor cells and the number of mitoses (aggressiveness). Higher grading=more anaplasia (lack of differentiation)

cancer staging

a classification system that describes how far a person's disease has advanced

angiogenesis

formation of new blood vessels, especially for a tumor

grades of tumors

Grade I = mild dysplasia

Grade II = moderate dysplasia

Grade III = severe dysplasia

Grade IV = anaplasia

factors that influence staging

tumor size, lymph node involvement, and metastases

proto-oncogenes

the corresponding normal cellular genes that are responsible for normal cell growth and division

oncogenes

cancer causing genes

Proto-oncogenes and oncogenes

A single base change can produce an altered gene

producs; mutations can increase the number of copies of a

normal gene

translational science

takes findings from the lab tests for development for use at the bedside

anasarca

severe generalized edema, entire body

ascites

fluid in the abdominal cavity

hydrothorax

collection of fluid in the pleural cavity

hydropericardium

edema of the pericardial cavity

transudate

noninflammatory fluid that resembles serum but with slightly less protein

inflammatory edema

hydrostatic edema

Edema caused by hypertension or venous stagnation

oncotic edema

Edema caused by decrease in osmotic pressure generated by plasma proteins

lymphedema

swelling due to an abnormal accumulation of lymph fluid within the tissues

hypervolemic edema

caused by retention of sodium and water

hyperemia

superabundance of blood

active hyperemia

increased blood flow through a tissue associated with increased metabolic activity

passive hyperemia

An excessive amount of blood in a body part due to decreased venous drainage

hemorrhage

excessive bleeding