Mechanisms of Disease

This set of flashcards covers vocabulary related to disease mechanisms, pathology, and preventive measures, designed to aid understanding and recall for exam preparation.

Health

Physical, mental, and social well-being—not merely the absence of disease.

Disease

An abnormality in body function that threatens health.

Etiology

Study of the factors that cause a disease.

Idiopathic

Unknown cause of a disease.

Signs

Objective abnormalities that can be seen or measured by someone other than the patient, such as a rash.

Symptoms

Subjective abnormalities felt only by the patient.

Pathogenesis

Mechanism of a disease’s development.

Acute disease

Disease with signs and symptoms that appear suddenly, persist for a short time, then disappear.

Chronic disease

Disease that develops slowly and lasts for a long time, potentially for life.

Epidemiology

The study of occurrence, distribution, and transmission of diseases in human populations.

Endemic disease

Disease that is native to a local region.

Epidemic

Occurrence of a disease affecting many people at the same time.

Pandemic

A widespread epidemic that affects populations globally.

Pathophysiology

Study of underlying physiological aspects of disease.

Genetic mechanisms

Occur when altered or mutated genes cause production of abnormal proteins.

Infectious mechanisms

Pathogenic organisms and particles that cause damage to the body.

Neoplastic mechanisms

Involve abnormal tissue growth or neoplasms.

Traumatic mechanisms

Injury caused by physical and chemical agents.

Metabolic mechanisms

Disruptions caused by endocrine imbalances or malnutrition.

Inflammatory mechanisms

Reactions of the immune system resulting in pain, redness, swelling, and warmth.

Autoimmunity

Faulty immune system response that attacks the body.

Degeneration

Breaking apart or degeneration of tissue.

Risk factors

Inherited traits or conditions that increase the likelihood of developing a disease.

Genetics (risk factor)

Inherited traits that can increase disease risk.

Age (risk factor)

Different phases of the human life cycle affecting disease risk.

Lifestyle (risk factor)

The way we live and work impacting health.

Stress (risk factor)

Physical, psychological, or emotional stress that can lead to health issues.

Environment (risk factor)

Influence of climate and pollution on health.

Preexisting conditions (risk factor)

Existing health issues that may complicate disease susceptibility.

Viruses

Microscopic, intracellular parasites with a nucleic acid core and protein coat.

HIV

A virus that attacks the immune system, primarily found in specific body fluids.

Coronaviruses

Second leading cause of the common cold, spread via respiratory fluids.

Flaviviruses

Viruses transmitted from infected animals to humans via insects.

Bacteria

Microscopic living organisms that can secrete toxins and form colonies.

Aerobic bacteria

Bacteria that require oxygen to grow.

Anaerobic bacteria

Bacteria that do not require oxygen to grow.

Bacilli

Rod-shaped bacterial cells.

Cocci

Round-shaped bacterial cells.

Spirilla

Spiral-shaped bacterial cells.

Spores

Non-reproducing forms of bacteria that withstand harsh conditions.

Fungi

Simple organisms similar to plants that lack chlorophyll.

Yeasts

Small, single-celled fungi.

Molds

Large, multicellular fungi.

Mycotic infections

Fungal infections that often resist treatment.

Protozoa

Large single-celled organisms with organized nuclei.

Amebas

Protozoa that possess pseudopodia.

Flagellates

Protozoa that possess flagella.

Ciliates

Protozoa that possess cilia.

Sporozoa

Protozoa that enter cells during one phase of their life cycle.

Nematodes

Roundworms, a major group of pathogenic animals.

Platyhelminths

Flatworms and flukes, another group of pathogens.

Arthropods

Complex multicellular organisms acting often as disease vectors.

Prevention

Methods are implemented to control disease transmission.

Aseptic technique

Practice that minimizes contamination and infection risk.

Vaccination

Introducing a killed or weakened pathogen to stimulate immunity.

Drug therapy

Use of substances to destroy or inhibit pathogens.

Antibiotics

Natural compounds derived from living organisms to fight bacteria.

Antiviral drugs

Medications that inhibit viral reproduction.

Tumors

Abnormal growths of cells classified as neoplasms.

Benign tumors

Localized, non-cancerous growths.

Malignant tumors

Cancerous growths that spread to other parts of the body.

Metastasis

The spread of cells from a primary tumor to form secondary tumors.

Carcinomas

Malignant epithelial tumors.

Adenocarcinoma

Glandular cancer categorized under carcinomas.

Sarcomas

Cancers developed in connective tissues.

Lymphoma

Cancer affecting the lymphatic system.

Osteosarcoma

Bone cancer.

Myeloma

Tumor originating from bone marrow.

Fibrosarcoma

A cancer of fibrous tissue.

Hyperplasia

Growth of too many cells in an area.

Anaplasia

Development of undifferentiated or immature cells.

Self-examination

Personal health check to detect signs of cancer.

Diagnostic imaging

Techniques like X-rays or MRI used to examine the body.

Biopsy

Tissue sampling procedure utilized for cancer diagnosis.

Cachexia

A disorder causing extreme weight loss and muscle wasting due to cancer.

Chemotherapy

Use of chemicals to treat cancer, targeting rapidly dividing cells.

Radiation therapy

Destructive radiation treatment aimed at cancer cells.