Pathophysiology Foundations – Week 1-2 Video Lecture

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from a two-hour pathophysiology lecture on course structure, inflammation, burns, arthritis, osteoporosis, aging, and basic infection concepts.

Pathophysiology

The study of functional changes in cells, tissues, and organs caused by injury, disorder, or disease.

Etiology

The cause or origin of a disease (e.g., autoimmune, genetic, infectious).

Pathogenesis

The sequence of events that leads from the cause of a disease to its clinical manifestations.

Clinical Manifestations

Observable signs and reported symptoms associated with a disease.

Prognosis

A predicted outcome or course of a disease over time.

Incidence

The number of new cases of a disease occurring in a specific time period.

Prevalence

The total number of existing cases of a disease at a particular point in time.

Inflammation

A protective vascular response to tissue injury marked by redness, heat, swelling, pain, and loss of function.

Five Cardinal Signs of Inflammation

Pain, heat (warmth), redness, swelling, and loss of function.

Vasodilation

Widening of blood vessels that increases blood flow to injured tissue during inflammation.

Capillary Permeability

The ability of capillary walls to allow fluids and cells to pass into surrounding tissue; rises during inflammation.

Phagocytes

White blood cells that engulf and destroy pathogens and debris (e.g., neutrophils, macrophages).

Leukocytosis

An elevated white-blood-cell count, often indicating systemic inflammation or infection.

Complement System

A plasma protein cascade that amplifies inflammation and promotes pathogen destruction.

Kinins

Plasma peptides (e.g., bradykinin) that increase pain, vasodilation, and vascular permeability.

Acute Inflammation

Rapid, short-term response to injury aimed at removing the injurious agent and restoring tissue.

Chronic Inflammation

Prolonged inflammatory response lasting weeks to years, often leading to tissue damage and fibrosis.

Exudate

Fluid that leaks out of vessels during inflammation; may be serous, sanguineous, serosanguineous, or purulent.

Serous Exudate

Clear, watery fluid seen in mild inflammation or superficial burns.

Purulent Exudate

Thick, yellow-green drainage rich in pus and microorganisms.

Sanguineous Exudate

Bloody drainage indicating vascular damage.

Serosanguineous Exudate

Thin, pink, watery fluid containing both serum and blood.

Dehiscence

Reopening of a previously closed surgical wound.

Keloid

Excessive scar tissue formation extending beyond the original wound boundaries.

Adhesion

Internal bands of scar tissue that abnormally connect tissues or organs after surgery or inflammation.

Superficial Burn

Burn injury limited to the epidermis; presents with redness, pain, and mild swelling.

Partial-Thickness Burn

Burn involving epidermis and part of the dermis; characterized by blisters and serous exudate.

Full-Thickness Burn

Burn that destroys epidermis, dermis, and often subcutaneous tissue; typically painless with eschar formation.

Eschar

Hard, leathery, dead tissue formed after a full-thickness burn or severe ulcer.

Rule of Nines

Quick method to estimate total body surface area burned by assigning multiples of 9 % to body regions.

Osteoarthritis (OA)

Degenerative joint disease due to wear-and-tear cartilage loss; usually affects individual joints asymmetrically.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

Systemic autoimmune disease causing chronic, symmetric inflammation of synovial joints.

Synovium

Membrane lining joint capsules that produces lubricating synovial fluid.

Pannus

Inflamed, granulation tissue overgrowth that erodes cartilage and bone in rheumatoid arthritis.

Ankylosis

Abnormal fusion or stiffness of a joint, often resulting from chronic inflammation.

Osteoporosis

Metabolic bone disease marked by decreased bone mass and porous, fragile bones due to remodeling imbalance.

Osteoblast

Bone-forming cell responsible for producing new bone matrix.

Osteoclast

Bone-resorbing cell that breaks down bone tissue.

Kyphosis

Forward curvature of the thoracic spine, commonly seen in advanced osteoporosis.

Sarcopenia

Age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength.

Senescence

The process of biological aging and gradual deterioration of functional characteristics.

Oxidative Stress

Cellular damage caused by free radicals overwhelming the body’s antioxidant defenses.

Free Radicals

Unstable molecules that damage cells by stealing electrons; generated by pollution, smoking, processed foods, etc.

Antioxidants

Substances (e.g., berries, leafy greens) that neutralize free radicals and reduce oxidative stress.

Incubation Period

Time from pathogen entry to appearance of first signs; patient is often contagious without symptoms.

Prodrome

Early, nonspecific symptoms (fatigue, mild discomfort) indicating onset of disease before full illness.

Chain of Infection

Sequence of factors (agent, reservoir, portal of exit, mode of transmission, portal of entry, susceptible host) required for disease spread.

Evidence-Based Practice (EBP)

Clinical decision-making based on best current research evidence, clinical expertise, and patient values.