pathophys 1: disease process and terminology

discusses different medical terms that are used generally when diagnosing a patient.

acute pain

Usually has a sudden onset and is severe in intensity.

allergen

An antigenic substance capable of producing an allergic response in the body.

anaphylaxis

A severe systemic allergic response characterized by redness

antigen

Any substance that stimulates the immune system to produce antibodies.

asymptomatic

Without symptoms

auscultation

A diagnostic technique of listening for sounds within the body

benign tumors

Develop slowly and can arise from any tissue. They tend to remain encapsulated and do not infiltrate surrounding tissue.

carcinogen

A substance that produces cancer or that causes transformation of a normal cell to a cancerous one.

chromosomes

Structures in the nucleus of a cell that function in the transmission of genetic information.

chronic pain

Is usually less severe and has a duration of longer than 6 months.

complication

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

epidemiology

the study of the occurrence

exacerbation

a period of time in which signs and symptoms may grow more severe

genotype

Genetic code.

homeostasis

A state of equilibrium within the body.

idiopathic

of a disease when the cause is not known

ischemia

restricting or obstructing the supply/flow of blood.

karyotype

The complete chromosomal composition of the nucleus

malignant tumors

Can represent a serious threat to the life and well-being of a person. Can cause death if not treated. Anaplastic (cells are variable in appearance and disorderly - irreversible changes in structure)

metastasis

Spreading of a malignant disease or pathogenic microorganisms from one organ or part to another not directly connected with it.

morbidity

the incidence of the disease (number of cases within a population)

mortality

the number of deaths that occur among people with the disease

mutation

A variation or change in genetic structure.

neoadjuvant therapy

A preliminary cancer treatment.

neoplasms

A relentlessly growing mass of abnormal cells that proliferates at the expense of the healthy organism.

nociceptors

Nerves that receive and transmit painful stimuli.

oncogene

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

pathogenesis

the development of disease (occurs in stages)

phagocyte

The process by which cells surround and ingest certain foreign particles.

phenotype

The entire physical appearance and biochemical and psychological makeup of an individual as determined by the interaction of genetic makeup and environmental factors.

prevalence

the percentage of a population that is affected with a particular disease at a given time

prognosis

the predicted outcome of a disease

relapse

the return of a disease weeks or months after its apparent cure

remission

a period of time in which signs and symptoms subside or disappear; not always considered a cure

sequela

the aftermath of a particular disease

signs

objective findings (evidence of disease) observed on physical examination (ex. abnormal pulse)

somatoform

Psychogenic symptoms without an underlying disease process.

symptoms

subjective findings (indications of the disease) reported by patients (ex. pain

transient pain

Comes and goes

tumor markers

Substances produced and secreted by tumor cells that can help in diagnosis.