Pathologic Processes Practice Flashcards: Module 2

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering basic pathophysiology concepts such as fluid shifts, electrolytes, cellular injury, and abnormal proliferation.

Osmosis

The movement of water from a more dilute compartment to a more concentrated compartment via a semi-permeable membrane.

Osmolality

A measurement of how concentrated a compartment is, determined by the proportion of solutes-to-water; normal serum value is $280-295$. tennis

Tonicity

A term interchangeable with salinity that refers to the "saltiness" of a fluid; the normal value for blood is $0.9\% \text{ NaCl}$.

Isotonic

An adjective used for normal tonicity; a fluid with a saline concentration of $0.9\% \text{ NaCl}$ is considered "normal saline" or $NS$.

Hypotonic

An IV fluid or blood state with a lower tonicity or concentration than normal blood, such as $0.45\% \text{ NaCl}$ ($0.45\% NS$).

Hypertonic

An IV fluid or blood state with a higher tonicity or concentration than normal blood, such as $3\% \text{ NaCl}$ ($3\% NS$).

Osmotic pressure

The pressure exerted by all the solutes in a compartment; it correlates with osmolality.

Oncotic pressure

Also known as colloidal osmotic pressure, this refers specifically to the osmotic pressure exerted by protein molecules.

Tissue-to-blood (T to B) fluid shift

A shift that occurs when blood osmolality increases (pathologic water loss), pulling water from the cells into the plasma space.

Blood-to-tissue (B to T) fluid shift

A shift that occurs when blood osmolality decreases (pathologic water gain or protein loss), causing water to be pulled into the tissue, resulting in edema.

Skin turgor

The state of flexibility or tightness of the skin cells; "tenting" indicates poor turgor and dehydration.

RAAS (Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System)

A compensatory mechanism where the kidneys secrete renin in response to high osmolality, low circulation volume, or low blood pressure to increase circulatory fluid volume.

Aldosterone

A hormone triggered by Angiotensin II that causes kidney tubules to “hold on” to $Na^+$ so that water follows back into circulation, decreasing urine output.

SIADH (Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone)

A condition characterized by abnormally high levels of $ADH$, leading to decreased urination, increased vascular fluid volume, and diluted plasma.

Hypoproteinemia

A state of low protein in the blood which decreases oncotic pressure and causes fluid to shift from the blood into the tissue (edema).

Natriuretic Peptide System (NPS)

A system where the right atrium and left ventricle secrete $ANP$ and $BNP$ to stimulate the kidneys to increase urination (diuresis) when fluid volume is high.

Apoptosis

A form of "programmed death" or cell "suicide" that allows the body to get rid of worn out, improperly developed, or genetically damaged cells.

Necrosis

Abnormal cell death that occurs when a cell is injured and reaches an irreversible point on the continuum of injury.

Creatine Kinase (CK)

An enzyme found in most muscle cells, including the heart, that catalyzes the transference of phosphate groups between $ADP$ and $ATP$; it leaks into the blood upon muscle injury.

Myoglobin

A type of protein found in most muscle cells that can leak into the bloodstream when muscle tissue is damaged.

Troponin

A type of protein molecule primarily found in heart muscle that serves as a serum marker for heart damage.

Ischemia

Oxygen deprivation to cells (hypoxia) specifically caused by a decrease in arterial circulation to the area.

Infarction

Cell death (necrosis) specifically caused by a lack of arterial blood supply to an area, often following untreated ischemia.

Carboxyhemoglobin (HgCO)

A compound formed when carbon monoxide binds to hemoglobin with an affinity $3000$ times greater than oxygen, preventing oxygen from binding.

Gout

A systemic disease caused by hyperuricemia (buildup of uric acid in the blood) where uric acid crystals settle in joints, causing inflammation.

Free Radicals

Atoms or molecules that act as "vandals" because they are a spin-off of uncontrolled redox reactions; an example is superoxide.

Lipid peroxidation

Damage to the cell membrane caused by free radicals reacting with lipids, resulting in "leaky" cells.

Benign tumor

A non-cancerous abnormal mass of tissue characterized by slow growth, well-encapsulated boundaries, and well-differentiated cells.

Metastasis

The propensity of malignant cells to invade sites distant to the immediate area of the original tumor.

Anaplasia

A loss of cellular differentiation characterized by cells staying in a younger stage of development and continuing to replicate wildly.

Angiogenesis

The development of a tumor cell's own blood supply, which diverts nourishment from normal cells.

Philadelphia chromosome

A shortened chromosome resulting from a translocation that leads to the overproduction of leukocytes in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia ($CML$).

Cachexia

A syndrome resulting from cancer that includes anorexia, early satiety, weight loss, and a malnourished appearance.

Atrophy

A decrease or shrinkage in cellular size, often occurring as a result of decreased workload or disuse.

Hypertrophy

An increase in the size of cells, and consequently the organ, caused by hormonal stimulation or increased functional demand.

Hyperplasia

An increase in the number of cells resulting from an increased rate of cell division, such as in Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia ($BPH$).

Metaplasia

The reversible replacement of one mature cell type by another less differentiated mature cell type in response to chronic injury or irritation.

Dysplasia

Abnormal changes in the size, shape, and organization of mature cells due to persistent cell injury; often referred to as "pre-cancer."