Pathophysiology Foundations: Cellular Adaptations and Injury Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards defining foundational terms in pathophysiology, cell biology, cellular adaptations, neoplasia, and hypoxic tissue injury based on the lecture transcript.

Transcription

The cellular process of copying DNA into mRNA.

Translation

The cellular process of converting mRNA into a protein or polypeptide chain.

Hexokinase

The first enzyme in the glycolytic pathway that requires proper structural folding to function.

Etiology

The study of the root cause or origin of a disease or altered cellular state.

Cortisol

A stress hormone released during emotional or physical trauma; corticosteroids dampen the body's immune response.

Atrophy

A cellular adaptation characterized by a decrease or shrinkage in cell size.

Atrophic Vaginitis

The shrinkage of the vaginal lining occurring in postmenopausal women as a result of ovarian failure and loss of estrogen and progesterone.

Hypertrophy

A cellular adaptation characterized by an increase in individual cell size.

Pathological Hypertrophy

An increase in cell size without supportive vascular adaptation, such as left ventricular hypertrophy caused by chronic hypertension.

Physiological Hypertrophy

An increase in cell size supported by adequate blood vessel expansion, such as muscle enlargement from weight training or cardiac expansion in marathon runners.

Hyperplasia

An increase in the number of cells within a tissue, occurring exclusively in cells capable of mitosis.

Metaplasia

A reversible cellular adaptation where one fully differentiated cell type transitions into another cell type in response to chronic irritation or stress.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

A condition caused by a dysfunctional esophageal sphincter that allows stomach acid with a pH of around $1$ to damage the esophageal lining, inducing metaplasia.

Dysplasia

An abnormal, precancerous cellular change characterized by excessive growth, disrupted cell architecture, and variations in shape and size.

Barrett's Esophagus

A dysplastic change in the esophageal epithelium caused by unresolved chronic GERD, featuring mucus-secreting goblet cells and an increased risk of esophageal cancer.

Heterogeneity

Variability in cell shape, size, color intensity, and nuclear features within a tissue sample.

Neoplasia

Uncontrolled new tissue growth that can present as either benign or malignant.

Benign Neoplasm

A non-cancerous new growth characterized by slow growth, well-differentiated cells, defined borders, and an inability to metastasize.

Malignant Tumor

A cancerous growth characterized by disorganized, poorly differentiated cells, ill-defined borders, and the capability to metastasize.

Metastasize

The process by which malignant cells spread beyond the boundaries of the primary tumor to secondary sites.

Well Differentiated

Describing neoplastic cells that closely resemble normal, healthy mature cells, which indicates a good prognosis.

Poorly Differentiated

Describing neoplastic cells that lack normal cellular structure and appear highly abnormal, indicating malignancy and a poor prognosis.

Hypoxia

A state of oxygen deprivation within body tissues, commonly affecting high-demand organs like the brain first.

Ischemia

A localized condition marked by poor, diminished, or absent blood circulation to an organ or tissue.

Reactive Oxygen Species

Free radical molecules produced as natural byproducts of mitochondrial respiration during pyruvate breakdown and oxidative phosphorylation, capable of causing tissue damage if accumulated.