Organ Systems and Mechanisms of Disease

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering organ systems, organ replacement, disease terminology, pathogenic organisms, cancer mechanisms, and the inflammatory response.

Organ

A structure made up of two or more kinds of tissues that together perform a more complex function than a single tissue.

Organ System

A group of organs that perform a more complex function than can any organ alone.

Integumentary System

An organ system consisting solely of the skin and its appendages (hair, nails, microscopic sense receptors, sweat glands, and oil glands) whose primary function is protection.

Skeletal System

An organ system composed of 206 named bones, cartilage, ligaments, and joints that provides support, protection, movement, mineral storage, and blood cell formation.

Skeletomuscular System

The combination of the skeletal and muscular systems working together to produce movement.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

The structural division of the nervous system composed of the brain and spinal cord.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

The structural division of the nervous system consisting of cranial nerves, spinal nerves, and sense organs.

Neuroendocrine System

The combined functioning of the nervous system and endocrine system, which perform communication, integration, and control across the body.

Alimentary Canal

The primary pathway of the digestive system, also known as the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, formed by the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, and anal canal.

Prostheses

Artificial devices used as nonvital organ replacements, such as artificial limbs, pacemakers, contact lenses, or artificial joints.

Health

A state of physical, mental, and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease.

Disease

An abnormality in body function that threatens health.

Etiology

The study of the factors that cause a disease.

Idiopathic

A term describing a disease that has an unknown cause.

Pathogenesis

The pattern of a disease's development.

Epidemiology

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

Endemic

Refers to a disease that is native to a local region.

Epidemic

An outbreak of a disease that affects many people at the same time within a region.

Pandemic

A widespread, often global, disease epidemic.

Pathophysiology

The study of the underlying physiological aspects and mechanisms of disease.

Virus

A microscopic, intracellular parasite consisting of a nucleic acid core with a protein coat that invades host cells and pirates organelles.

Prions

Pathogenic protein molecules that convert normal proteins to abnormal proteins, causing rare degenerative nervous system disorders like BSE and vCJD.

Aerobic Bacteria

Bacteria that require oxygen to survive and grow.

Anaerobic Bacteria

Bacteria that require no oxygen to survive and grow.

Bacterial Spores

Nonreproducing forms of bacteria that are resistant to unfavorable environmental conditions.

Mycotic Infections

Fungal infections caused by yeasts or molds that often resist treatment.

Amebas

A group of protozoa that possess pseudopodia for movement.

Sporozoa

Protozoa (also known as coccidia) that enter cells during one phase of a two-part life cycle and are borne by vectors during the other phase.

Nematodes

Pathogenic roundworms that parasitize or damage human tissues.

Platyhelminths

Pathogenic flatworms and flukes.

Arthropods

Large complex multicellular animals—including parasitic mites, ticks, lice, fleas, mosquitoes, and spiders—that frequently act as disease vectors or cause injury.

Neoplasm

An abnormal growth of cells, commonly referred to as a tumor, which may be benign or malignant.

Metastasis

The process by which cells leave a primary tumor and spread to start a secondary tumor at a new location.

Papilloma

A benign epithelial tumor that forms fingerlike projections.

Adenoma

A benign epithelial tumor originating in glandular tissue.

Lipoma

A benign connective tissue tumor composed of adipose (fat) tissue.

Carcinoma

A malignant tumor originating from epithelial tissue, such as melanoma or adenocarcinoma.

Sarcoma

A malignant tumor originating from connective tissue, such as lymphoma, osteosarcoma, myeloma, or fibrosarcoma.

Hyperplasia

A cellular mechanism involved in cancer characterized by the growth of too many cells.

Anaplasia

A cellular mechanism involved in cancer characterized by the development of undifferentiated cells.

Carcinogens

Chemical agents that alter genetic activity and increase the risk of cancer.

Cachexia

A syndrome associated with advanced cancer characterized by loss of appetite, severe weight loss, and general weakness.

Chemotaxis

The attraction of white blood cells to an injury site driven by inflammation mediators.