Early Tissue Reactions

Flashcards for vocabulary terms related to early tissue reactions.

Somatic Effects

Effects upon the body that was irradiated.

Genetic Effects

Effects upon future generations due to irradiation of germ cells.

Somatic tissue reactions

Related to the dose received with consequences including cell death.

Threshold

A point at which effects appear and below which they are absent.

Early Tissue Reactions

May appear within minutes, hours, days, or weeks after exposure to ionizing radiation

Erythema

Diffuse redness of the skin.

Epilation

Hair loss.

Desquamation

Shedding of outer layer of skin.

Acute Radiation Syndrome (ARS)

Occurs in humans after large whole-body doses of ionizing radiation (6 Gyt or more) delivered over a short period of time.

Prodromal period

The immediate response of radiation sickness that occurs within hours after exposure.

Latent period

The time after irradiation during which there are no signs of radiation sickness.

Manifest illness

Period when signs and symptoms return, usually more severe or intense symptoms of the prodromal period, with a few additional symptoms.

Hematopoietic Syndrome

Occurs when people receive whole-body doses of ionizing radiation ranging from 1 to 10 Gyt.

Gastrointestinal Syndrome

Has a threshold dose of approximately 6 Gyt.

Cerebrovascular Syndrome

Occurs at doses of 50 Gyt or more to the central nervous system and cardiovascular system.

Biologic dosimetry

Analysis of tissue damage used to estimate radiation dose.

LD 50/30

Indicates the whole-body dose of radiation that is lethal to 50% of the exposed population within 30 days.

LD 50/60

Indicates the whole-body dose of radiation that is lethal to 50% of the exposed population within 60 days.

Radiodermatitis

A significant reddening of the skin caused by excessive exposure to low-energy ionizing radiation that eventually caused cancerous lesions.

Grenz rays

X-rays with energies of 10 to 20 kVp.

Hematopoietic system

Bone marrow, circulating blood, lymphoid organs (lymph nodes, spleen, and thymus gland).

Pluripotential stem cell

Cell that determines what type of cell will develop and what its function will be in the hematopoietic system.

Cytogenetics

The study of cell genetics with an emphasis on chromosomes.

Karyotype

A photograph of the human cell nucleus during metaphase; a chromosome map.

Metaphase

the phase of mitosis in which chromosome damage from radiation exposure can be evaluated.

Chromosome aberrations

Deviation from normal development of growth of structures containing genetic material.