Geriatric Anatomy and Physiology

Geriatric patient

An older adult, generally age 65 or older.

Physiologic reserve

The body's ability to compensate for stress, illness, or injury; it decreases with age.

Stenosis

Narrowing of an opening, such as a heart valve, that restricts blood flow.

Regurgitation

Backward flow of blood through a heart valve that does not close properly.

Cardiac hypertrophy

Thickening of the heart muscle walls.

Stroke volume

Amount of blood pumped by the heart with each contraction.

Cardiac output

Amount of blood the heart pumps in one minute.

Dysrhythmia

Abnormal heart rate or rhythm caused by electrical disturbances.

Arteriosclerosis

Hardening and stiffening of the arteries.

Baroreceptors

Pressure sensors that help the body regulate blood pressure.

Orthostatic hypotension

Drop in blood pressure when moving from lying or sitting to standing.

Hypoxia

Inadequate oxygen in body tissues.

Hypercapnia

Abnormally high carbon dioxide level in the blood.

Presbycusis

Age-related hearing loss, usually affecting high-frequency sounds first.

Neuropathy

Abnormal nerve function causing symptoms such as numbness, pain, tingling, or weakness.

Cataract

Clouding of the eye's lens that reduces vision.

Glaucoma

Damage to the optic nerve associated with increased pressure inside the eye.

Macular degeneration

Age-related deterioration that causes loss of central vision.

Retinal detachment

Separation of the retina from the tissue supporting it.

Osteoporosis

Loss of bone density that makes bones weak and prone to fractures.

Kyphosis

Excessive curvature of the spine, commonly seen in older adults.

Nephron

Functional filtering unit of the kidney; the total count decreases with age.

Drug toxicity

Harmful buildup of medication, which can occur when the kidneys or liver cannot clear drugs efficiently.

Integumentary system

The skin and related structures that protect the body and regulate temperature.

Thermoregulation

The body's ability to maintain a normal internal temperature; this becomes less effective with aging.