HOSA Pathophysiology

pathology

the scientific study of disease

asymptomatic

without symptoms

syndrome

A group of symptoms typical of a particular disease or condition

symptoms

subjective findings

signs

objective findings

predisposing factors

risk factors; make a person vulnerable to a disease

chronic

A condition that develops slowly and lasts a long period of time

acute

A condition with a rapid onset with a short course (less than 6 months) ending in recovery or death

pathogenesis

the stages of development of a disease

C-reactive protein

protein produced by the liver, levels of CRP increase when inflammation is present in the body; a blood test can be done to detect inflammation in the body

Widespread inflammation

marked by systemic symptoms, such as fever, malaise, and loss of appetite, elevated white blood cells

ESR

Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate; measures the rate that red blood cells fall to the bottom of a tube in mm/hr. Rate is higher w/ autoimmune disorders. Measures amount of inflammation in the body, can be used to help with diagnoses.

Acute inflammation

a normal, protective physiologic response to tissue injury and disease; is accompanied by redness, swelling, pain, and loss of function

ischemia

holding back/obstructing the flow of blood

exudative response/ inflammation exudate

attempts to wall off, or destroy, and digest bacteria and dead/foreign material; this in tissues causes swelling and the excess fluid puts pressure on tissue and nerve endings, causing pain.

phagocytic

the process in which cells surround and digest certain particles

Methicillin-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

"superbug" that is to blame for aggressive skin & soft tissue infections, quickly developing into abscesses and cellulitis; sometimes called "flesh-eating bacteria".

autosomes

the 22 remaining pairs of chromosomes

genotype

an organism's genetic makeup

karyotype

a display of the chromosome pairs of a cell arranged by size and shape

phenotype

an organism's physical appearance, or visible traits.

autosomal dominant

the gene in question is located on an autosome & the mutant phenotype is seen even if a normal gene is present (eg- Huntington's and Marfan's syndrome)

autosomal recessive

gene located on an autosome but is insufficient to produce mutant phenotype unless both genes are inherited (eg- cystic fibrosis & phenylketonuria).

X-linked (sex linked)

recessive; the gene is located only on the X chromosome: more common in males. (eg- Duchenne's muscular dystrophy and hemophilia A).

neoplasm

A new growth of different or abnormal tissue, such as a tumor or wart; can be benign or malignant

cancer

a group of diseases characterized by uncontrolled cell proliferation

carcinoma

cancer of the epithelial cells

sarcoma

cancer of the supportive tissues, such as bone, cartilage, and muscle.

leukemia

cancer of the blood-forming organs. Bone marrow, spleen, lymph system, characterized by abnormal increase of WBCs

melanoma

cancer of the melanin-producing cells of the body (skin cancer)

benign tumors

slow growth by expansion, encapsulated; cells adhere to e/o; well differentiated & resemble origin; remain localized, no destruction, no hemorrhage, may be smooth and movable, rare recurrence

malignant tumor

rapid growth & invasive; not differentiated & abnormal; ulceration & necrosis & hemorrhage: often recur.

metastasis

spreading of a malignant disease or pathogenic microbe from one organ or part to another not directly connected to it.

cancer stage

reflects tumor size and extent of tumor spread: helps determine choice of treatment options and prognosis; method that institutions use to communicate patient information for standardization.

neoadjuvant therapy

administered to preoperatively shrink the tumor to facilitate surgical removal of a tumor.

ablation

the removal, especially of organs, abnormal growths, or harmful substances, from the body by mechanical means, as by surgery.

oncogenes

a gene in a virus that can prompt a cell to turn malignant

immune disorders may generate one of three effects:

hypersensitivity (allergy), autoimmune diseases(immune system is overactive and kills its own cells), immunodeficiency disorders (immune system is absent or reduced activity)

kwashiorkor

a protein-calorie malnutrition, the starvation associated with famine

immunosenescence

gradual deterioration of the functions of the immune system; associated with aging

hyperlipidemia

high cholesterol

ausculation

trained listening; listening with a stethoscope for sounds within the body, such as heart valve sounds or the lungs, during an exam.

differential diagnosis

the distinguishing of a disease or condition from others presenting with similar signs and symptoms

nociceptors

pain receptors; activated by mechanical damage, dissolved chemicals, and extreme temperatures

prognosis

a prediction of the course of a disease

remission

the signs and symptoms of disease at times subside for a period of time

exacerbation

a period of time when a disease's signs and symptoms recur in all their serverity after a period of remission.

relapse

occurs when a disease returns weeks or months after its apparent cessation

complication

a disease or other abnormal state that develops in a person already suffering from a disease

sequela

the aftermath of a particular disease

mortality

the measure of the number of deaths attributed to a disease in a given population over a period of time

pus

released from dying neutrophils after digesting bacteria & toxins that liquefy the surrounding tissue; a thick yellow fluid consisting of liquefied tissue, dead neutrophils, and inflammatory exudate

prevalence

describes the number of cases of disease occurring at a given time

incidence

describes the number of new cases at a given time

epidemiology

Branch of medical science concerned with the incidence, distribution, and control of diseases that affect large numbers of people

etiology

the study of causation of a disease

idiopathic

cause of disease is unknown

lesion

an abnormal tissue structure or function; may be the result of a wound, injury, or pathologic condition

palliative treatment

aka-symptomatic; designed to relieve & manage the symptoms of the disease without addressing the cause

immunity

the ability of the body to defend itself against infectious agents and even abnormal body cells, s.a. cancer cells

nonspecific immunity

aka-innate immunity; present at birth & provides immediate but general protection against any foreign agent that enters the body

specific immunity

aka-acquired immunity; is effective against particular identified foreign agents & develops in response particular identified foreign agents & develops in response to contact with that agent

interferon

a group of substances that stimulate the immune system; it can interfere with viral multiplication

hyperemia

increased amount of blood; (associated with inflammation, causing increased heat and redness).

neutrophils

leukocytes that line up within capillary walls during inflammation. they're specialized cells that defend the body against microbes & speed healing up by engulfing cell debris; can move between blood vessels and tissue

histamine

damaged tissue releases this substance during inflammation to attract leukocytes & also causes capillary walls to become more permeable.

chemotaxis

the attraction of the WBC's to the site of inflammation.

leukocytosis

the excessive production of WBC's

monocytes/macrophages

phagocytic leukocytes that follow the neutrophils to clear the debris

fibrin

a plasma protein, essential for the blood clotting mechanism; forms a clot in the damaged tissue, walling off the infection & preventing its spread.

pyogenic

causing pus formation

Suppurative inflammation

An inflammation associated with pus formation (eg- abscesses, boils, & styes)

fibroblasts

a type of CT cell that produce collagen fiber; during fibrosis, the fibers contract, drawing the cut surfaces together

fibrosis

the formation of a meshwork of collagen tissue after a wound known as "scar tissue"

keloid healing

the development of a scar after surgery of a severe burn that is raised & hard; it's really a benign tumor; removal is usually ineffective

adhesions

collagen fibers anchor together adjacent structures, which can interfere with organ functions

lymphedema

occurs when tissues swell because lymphatic vessels are blocked

humoral immunity

specific immunity that provides protection from infection by antibodies

cell-mediated immunity

specific immunity that provides protection against infection using activated lymphocytes.

T Lymphocytes

responsible for cell-mediated immunity & are processed by the thymus gland

B Lymphocytes

responsible for Humoral immunity; highly specific for one type of antigen; Lymphocytes that produce antibodies in cell-mediated immunity

plasma cells

transform from B Lymphocytes; divide rapidly and produce a large number of antibodies, which are secreted into the lymph & circulated

immunoglobins (Ig)

these antibodies are plasma proteins, which are gamma globulins; antibodies

IgG

neutralizes toxins & viruses

IgM

protects newborns

IgA

offers localized protection at mucosal surfaces

IgE

involved in allergy

IgD

activates B lymphocytes

Cytotoxic (CD8) T Lymphocytes

aka-killer T cells; capable of killing invading organisms. they have receptor proteins that bind tightly to specific antigens & then release poison into the pathogen

Helper (CD4) T Lymphocytes

help the immune system in many ways; increase the activity of killer T cells & stimulate B cells; secrete lymphokines that increase lymphoid response to the antigen & activate macrophages

Suppressor T Lymphocytes

believed to dampen/suppress the immune response

basophils

a type of WBC that promotes inflammation & participates in allergic responses

mast cells

Cells found in CT; they contain heparin, serotonin, bradykinin, & histamine

heparin

an anticoagulant released during inflammation

serotonin

one of the many neurotransmitters involved

in regulating mood, emotions, & behavior

bradykinin

substance released by damaged tissue that promotes inflammation

epinephrine

the hormone secreted by the adrenal medulla in emergency situations or durning periods of high stress; also used as a drug to dilate bronchioles in some asthma attacks

What can be used to reduce the immune response and stabilize the vascular system?

Epinephrine, glucocorticoids, or cortisone derivatives

Type i Hypersensitivity

labeled allergic/anaphylactic hypersensitivity