Medical Terminology: Disease Processes and Prognosis

A complete set of vocabulary flashcards based on general medical terminology, disease etiology, stages, manifestations, and epidemiology.

Biopsy

Excision of a small amount of living tissue, used as a means to diagnose or determine the cause of a disease.

Autopsy

An examination of a body after death.

Diagnosis

Identification of a specific disease through evaluation of signs and symptoms, lab tests, or other tools.

Etiology

Causative factors of a disease.

Idiopathic

A term used to describe an unknown cause of a disease.

Iatrogenic

A term used to describe a disease that is caused by a treatment, error, or procedure.

Predisposing Factors

Substances, events, characteristics, or conditions that contribute to disease onset and indicate a high risk, but not certain development, of a disease.

Prophylaxis

A measure designed to preserve health and prevent the spread of disease.

Pathogenesis

Development of a disease or the sequence of events involved in the tissue changes related to a specific disease process.

Onset

The appearance of the first signs or symptoms of a disease.

Acute

A sudden and obvious onset of a short-term illness that develops quickly with marked signs like high fever or severe pain.

Chronic

A disease that persists for a long time, often with milder, gradual symptoms, causing more permanent tissue damage.

Subclinical State

A state in some conditions in which pathologic changes occur but the patient exhibits no obvious signs.

Latent Stage (Incubation Period)

A silent stage referring to the time between initial exposure to a pathogen and the onset of symptoms, during which a person has no clinical signs.

Prodromal Period

A time period characterized by nonspecific signs of illness, such as feeling like one is coming down with something.

Convalescence or Rehabilitation

The period of recovery to a normal, healthy state.

Disease Manifestation

Clinical evidence or effects of a disease, encompassing its signs and symptoms.

Signs

Objective indicators of a disease that are obvious to someone else, such as rash, fever, or drainage.

Symptoms

Subjective feelings caused by a disease, such as pain or nausea.

Lesions

A term that describes a specific, local change in tissue.

Syndrome

A collection of signs and symptoms, often affecting more than one organ, that usually occur together in response to a certain condition.

Remission

A period or condition in which the manifestations of the disease subside, either temporarily or permanently.

Exacerbation

A worsening in the severity of a disease or in its signs and symptoms.

Precipitating Factor

A condition that triggers an acute episode.

Complications

New, secondary, or additional problems that arise after the original disease begins.

Sequelae

Potential unwanted outcomes of a primary condition.

Prognosis

Defines the likelihood for recovery or other outcomes of a disease.

Morbidity

Indicates the disease rates within a group.

Mortality

Indicates the relative number of deaths resulting from a particular disease.

Epidemiology

The science of tracking the pattern or occurrence of disease.

Communicable Diseases

Diseases or infections that can spread from person to person.

Epidemic

A higher than expected number of cases of an infectious disease within a given area.

Pandemic

Higher numbers of cases of an infectious disease occurring in many regions of the globe.

Notifiable or Reportable Diseases

Diseases that must be reported by physicians to certain designated authorities to prevent further spread and maintain public health.

Microscopic examination vs. Gross examination

Microscopic examination of tissues/changes at the cellular level, Gross examination changes at the organ or system level.