Introduction to Pathophysiology

These flashcards cover key terminology and concepts related to pathophysiology, including definitions of terms related to diseases, mechanisms of injury, and physiological processes.

Pathophysiology

The study of functional and physiological changes in the body that result from disease or injury.

Etiology

The cause or origin of a disease, such as infectious agents, genetic defects, or environmental factors.

Pathogenesis

The sequence of cellular and tissue events that occur from the initial cause to the development of the disease.

Lesion

A structural or functional abnormality caused by disease or injury.

Morbidity

The rate or frequency of disease in a population.

Mortality

The rate of death caused by a disease in a given population.

Homeostasis

The dynamic balance of internal conditions that maintain health; disease often reflects a disruption of homeostasis.

Adaptation

Physiological adjustments that cells or tissues make in response to stress or environmental change.

Nosology

The systematic classification and naming of diseases.

Incidence

The number of new cases of a disease over a specified period.

Prevalence

The total number of existing cases of a disease in a population.

Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs)

A measure combining years of life lost due to premature death and years lived with disability.

Quality-Adjusted Life Years (QALYs)

A measure of disease impact on life quality and expectancy.

Infarction

Tissue death due to a lack of blood supply.

Apoptosis

A programmed, energy-dependent process of cell death that eliminates unwanted or damaged cells without provoking inflammation.

Necrosis

Uncontrolled cell death due to acute injury, characterized by loss of membrane integrity and inflammation.

Calcium Homeostasis

The regulation of intracellular calcium levels essential for several physiological processes.

Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS)

Unstable molecules that can cause oxidative stress and damage cellular components.

Fibrinoid necrosis

A type of necrosis characterized by the deposition of immune complexes and fibrin-like material in the walls of blood vessels.

Gangrene

Extensive tissue necrosis due to a loss of blood supply, often affecting limbs or digits.

Hypoxia

Reduced oxygen supply to tissues, which can lead to cell injury or death.

Inflammation

A protective response by the immune system that can cause injury as well as healing.

Tissue homeostasis

The balance between cell proliferation and cell death necessary for maintaining normal tissue function.

Adaptation in cells

Adjustments made by cells in response to stress to maintain function.

Degenerative diseases

Diseases characterized by the degeneration of cells and tissue.

Autoimmune diseases

Diseases caused by the immune system mistakenly attacking the body's own cells.

Cellular aging

The process of gradual decline in cellular function over time.

Cellular injury mechanisms

Biochemical pathways that lead to disruptions in essential cellular functions.