General Pathobiology - Lecture 1: Introduction to Pathology & Mechanisms of Cell Injury

A complete set of vocabulary flashcards covering basic pathology terminology, causes of cell injury, and the mechanisms of cellular damage as presented in the introductory lecture.

Pathology

The study of disease; it connects the study of normal structure & function to the study of abnormalities that occur.

Disease

A deviation from normal structure or function, manifested by a characteristic set of symptoms & signs.

General Pathology

The study of the basic mechanisms of disease (typically covered in Year 2).

Systemic Pathology

The study of diseases as they occur in each organ system.

Aetiology

The cause of disease.

Pathogenesis

The mechanism or explanation of how a disease develops.

Pathophysiology

The study of functional changes in the body that occur as a result of disease, combining pathology and physiology.

Morphological changes

Structural changes in tissues and organs, also referred to as lesions.

Lesion

A structural change in tissues or organs.

Clinical significance

The functional consequences of disease, including signs, clinical symptoms, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment.

Ante mortem

Before death.

Post mortem

After death.

Postmortem examination

Also called an autopsy or necropsy; a thorough examination of a patient after death to determine cause and manner of death and evaluate disease or injury.

Anatomical pathology

The examination of postmortem specimens or tissue biopsies using the naked eye (gross pathology) or a microscope (histopathology).

Clinical pathology

The analysis of body fluids and cells through haematology, urinalysis, biochemistry, and cytology.

Hypoxia

Reduced oxygen supply or oxygen deficiency.

Anoxia

A total lack of oxygen.

Ischaemia

A reduced blood supply to an organ, tissue, or part of the body.

ATP depletion

The reduction of cellular energy (ATP), often caused by hypoxia, anoxia, ischemia, or toxins like cyanide.

Hydropic degeneration

Also known as acute cell swelling; a reversible cell injury where water influx occurs due to the failure of energy-dependent sodium-potassium pumps.

Free Radical

An unstable, highly reactive molecule with unpaired electrons that can injure cells by attacking proteins, DNA, and lipids.

Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS)

A group of oxygen-centered free radicals, such as superoxide anion ($O_2^-$), hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$), and hydroxyl radical ($HO^\bullet$).

Lipid peroxidation

The oxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids in cell membranes caused by free radicals, leading to extensive membrane damage.

Antioxidant

Substances like Vitamin A, C, E, and enzymes (such as superoxide dismutase) that inhibit oxidation and prevent cell damage from free radicals.

Oxidative Stress

An imbalance between free radical production and free radical scavenging.

Reversible cell injury

A stage of cell injury where the cell can return to normal if the stimulus is removed; characteristics include acute cell swelling and fatty change.

Irreversible cell injury

A stage of cell injury leading to cell death (necrosis or apoptosis), often associated with excessive intracellular calcium and mitochondrial damage.