Pathophysiology and Disease Process Flashcards

Vocabulary terms and definitions for common diseases, conditions, and diagnostic terminology across various body systems as presented in the Pathophysiology and Disease Process lecture note.

Cellulitis

Bacterial infection of connective tissue with severe inflammation of the skin, typically caused by Streptococcus or Staphylococcus entering through cuts or abrasions.

Dermatitis

Inflammation of a region of the skin caused by an allergic reaction to a specific allergen, resulting in a red, itchy rash.

Eczema

An inflammatory skin disease featuring red, itchy skin and vesicular lesions (blisters) believed to be caused by hereditary and environmental factors.

Basal cell skin cancer

A waxy bump or skin sore caused by DNA damage from ultraviolet B (UVB) exposure that does not heal within two months and grows over time.

Melanoma

A skin cancer associated with excessive UVB exposure characterized by asymmetry, irregular borders, nonuniform color, and a diameter of more than $\frac{1}{4}$ inch.

Sprain

Joint and ligament damage caused by a joint being pushed outside its normal range of motion, treated with RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation).

Osteoporosis

Bone loss making bones weaker and more prone to fracture, often diagnosed by measuring bone mineral density using a DEXA scan.

Osteoarthritis

Degeneration of articular cartilage and changes in the synovial membrane leading to pain with movement and stiffness after inactivity.

Rheumatoid arthritis

An autoimmune disorder leading to changes in connective tissues, typically starting as a systemic joint disorder in smaller joints like fingers.

Gout

A condition caused by excessive accumulation of uric acid in a joint, forming needle-like crystals, most common in the big toe.

Muscular dystrophy

Chronic and progressive muscle weakness leading to eventual paralysis, caused by a genetic mutation in genes that protect muscle fibers from damage.

Myopathy

A broad term for muscle weakness, cramps, stiffness, spasms, and tetany that can result from various disease processes.

Myalgia

A broad term for muscle pain which can be caused by traumatic injury, viral infection, or overuse of a muscle group.

Repetitive stress disorder (RSD)

A condition caused by repetitive tasks, forceful exertions, or sustained uncomfortable positions, resulting in pain, numbness, and loss of flexibility.

Shin splint

Pain and swelling in the lower leg caused by repeated stress of the tibia and connective tissues.

Anemia

A condition characterized by fatigue and dizziness most commonly caused by blood loss, dysfunction in hemoglobin creation, or excessive destruction of red blood cells.

Atherosclerosis

Hardening of the arteries due to fatty deposits causing narrowing of vessels, potentially due to high blood pressure, cholesterol, or smoking.

Congestive heart failure (CHF)

The heart's decreased ability to pump adequately due to conditions like coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, or heart defects.

Hemophilia

A genetic defect resulting in an absence of clotting factors in the blood, leading to excessive bleeding and frequent bruising.

Hypertension

Higher than normal blood pressure often caused by genetics, smoking, obesity, stress, or high salt intake.

Myocardial infarction (MI)

Commonly known as a heart attack; occurs when cardiac muscle becomes ischemic and dies due to occlusion typically caused by atherosclerosis.

Acute renal failure

A sudden change where kidneys can no longer filter blood effectively, leading to dangerous toxic waste levels and decreased urine output.

Chronic renal failure

A progressive disease where kidneys cannot adequately filter blood due to factors like diabetes, high blood pressure, or glomerulonephritis.

Renal calculi

Hard crystalline deposits (kidney stones) forming in the urine due to abnormally high levels of certain substances in the body.

Lithotripsy

A treatment modality using shock wave therapy to break down and flush out renal calculi through urination.

Urinary incontinence

Loss of bladder control leading to leakage of urine, sometimes triggered by coughing, lifting, or sneezing.

Urinary tract infection (UTI)

An infection in the urinary system most commonly caused by Escherichia coli (E. coli).

Appendicitis

Inflammation of the appendix due to a blockage leading to rapidly multiplying bacteria; typically treated by surgical removal.

Celiac disease

An immune response triggered by gluten that damages the small intestine and prevents the absorption of nutrients.

Diverticulosis

Pouchlike herniations through the muscular wall of the colon caused by high pressure inside the colon.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

Stomach contents leaking back up the esophagus due to lower esophageal sphincter muscle dysfunction.

Acute respiratory distress (ARDS)

A condition following an injury where fluid buildup in the alveoli blocks oxygen from passing into the bloodstream.

Asthma

Airway inflammation causing air passage linings to swell and tighten, reducing the amount of air that can pass in and out of the lungs.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

A disease where airflow is blocked, usually due to a combination of bronchitis and emphysema, with smoking as the primary cause.

Rhinitis

Irritation and inflammation of the mucous membrane in the nose leading to sneezing, runny nose, and excessive mucus production.

Alzheimer’s disease

The most common form of progressive dementia, caused by the progressive destruction of brain cells.

Cerebral concussion

A traumatic injury to the brain that can cause distorted vision, headache, dizziness, and nausea.

Sciatica

Pain radiating from the lumbar spine to the buttocks and down the leg due to compression of the sciatic nerve.

Cerebrovascular accident (CVA)

Also known as a stroke; caused by a decrease in blood supply to the brain or a rupture of a blood vessel in the brain.

FAST

An acronym for stroke symptoms: Facial muscle weakness, Arm droop, Speech abnormalities, and Time.

Shingles

A condition caused by the varicella zoster virus producing blisters and pain in a bandlike pattern following affected nerves.

Cushing syndrome

Condition characterized by excessive fat deposits in the face and subscapular area, often caused by overuse of oral corticosteroids.

Type 1 diabetes mellitus

A genetic, autoimmune condition, often called juvenile diabetes, caused by a lack of insulin production.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus

A chronic condition caused by insulin resistance, often linked to genetics, obesity, and lifestyle choices; commonly treated with metformin.

Hyperthyroidism

Overproduction of the thyroid hormone by the thyroid gland, leading to sudden weight loss and rapid heartbeat.

Hypothyroidism

Underproduction of the thyroid hormone by the thyroid gland, typically treated with synthetic hormone levothyroxine.

Graves’ disease

An immune system malfunction resulting in hyperthyroidism, significant thyroid enlargement, and bulging of the eyes.

Candidiasis

Commonly called a ‘yeast infection,’ it is an overgrowth of the fungal microorganism Candida albicans.

Ectopic pregnancy

A non-viable pregnancy where a zygote implants in an area other than the uterine wall, most commonly in the uterine tubes.

Endometriosis

A condition where endometrial tissue grows outside the uterine lining, such as on the ovaries, intestines, or pelvic wall.

Genital herpes

An incurable infection caused by the herpes simplex virus spread through sexual contact, causing sores in the genital area.

Cryptorchidism

Undescended testicles that fail to drop into the normal place in the scrotum.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)

Enlargement of the prostate common later in life that can cause uncomfortable urinary symptoms.

Radiolucent

Body structures that appear dark on imaging studies due to a lack of density.

Radiopaque

Structures that appear lighter or brighter on a radiograph, often aided by contrast materials like barium or iodine.

Tracers

Radioactive materials, also called radiopharmaceuticals, administered in nuclear medicine to assess bodily functions.

SPECT scan

A nuclear imaging scan used to assess brain damage following a stroke.

Endemic

A disease that predominately spreads throughout a community at a normal rate.

Epidemic

A disease that spreads rapidly to a large number of people within a community.

Pandemic

A worldwide outbreak of a disease, such as COVID-19.