Medical Terminology - Classification of Diseases

Vocabulary flashcards generated from Medical Terminology HRS 118 Lecture 3 Part 2 on Classification of Diseases.

Disease

Any condition that disrupts the normal structure or function of the body, usually associated with specific signs, symptoms, or measurable changes in body tissues or organs.

Endemic

Constant presence of a disease within a region or population.

Epidemic

A rapid increase in the number of cases of a disease in a specific area.

Pandemic

A worldwide spread of a disease affecting many countries and populations.

Genetic (Hereditary) Disorders

Disorders caused by abnormal, mutated, or missing genes passed from parents to children through DNA, which may affect body structure, metabolism, or development.

-genetic / -genic

Medical word part meaning produced by or originating from.

Congenital Disorders

Disorders present at birth, regardless of cause, resulting from genetic abnormalities, environmental exposures (drugs, infections, radiation), or unknown causes.

Congenital

Medical term meaning born with.

Autoimmune Disorders

Disorders that occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own healthy cells as harmful antigens, leading to chronic inflammation and tissue damage.

Antigen

A harmful substance that causes the body to produce antibodies.

auto-

Prefix meaning self.

immune

Word part meaning protection.

Allergies (Allergic Reactions)

An abnormal immune response to a harmless substance (allergen), which can be localized or systemic.

Anaphylaxis

A life-threatening systemic allergic reaction.

Infectious Diseases (Infections)

Diseases (also called communicable, contagious, or transmissible) caused by pathogens entering and multiplying in the body.

patho-

Prefix meaning disease.

Pathogenic

Capable of causing disease.

Tumour (Neoplasm)

An abnormal growth of body tissue.

Benign tumour

A non-cancerous growth that grows slowly and does not spread to other organs (e.g., lipoma).

Malignant tumour (Cancer)

A cancerous growth that can invade nearby tissues and spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body.

Carcinoma

Cancer originating in epithelial tissues such as skin, breast, lungs, liver, and pancreas.

Sarcoma

Cancer of connective tissues including bones, muscles, and cartilage.

Neo-

Prefix meaning new.

-plasm

Suffix referring to growth.

-oma

Suffix indicating a tumour.

Basal cell carcinoma

The most common and slow-growing skin cancer that rarely spreads.

Squamous cell carcinoma

A faster-growing skin cancer that can spread if left untreated.

Melanoma

The most dangerous form of skin cancer arising from melanocytes (pigment cells), having a high risk of spreading.

Nutritional Deficiency Diseases

Diseases caused by a lack of essential nutrients in the body.

deficiency

Word part or term meaning lack of.

Degenerative Diseases

Diseases involving progressive deterioration of tissues or organs, often related to aging or wear-and-tear.

degen-

Prefix meaning decline or deterioration.

Endocrine/Metabolic Disorders

Disorders caused by hormone imbalance due to gland dysfunction.

endo-

Prefix meaning within.

-crine

Suffix meaning secretion.

Iatrogenic Diseases

Diseases or conditions caused as a result of medical treatment or procedures (e.g., medication side effects, surgical complications).

iatro-

Prefix meaning physician or treatment.

Nosocomial (Hospital-acquired) Diseases

Infections acquired during a stay in a hospital or healthcare facility, often caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

noso-

Prefix meaning disease.

-comial

Suffix meaning hospital.