Mechanisms of Disease: Vocabulary Flashcards (Lecture Notes)

Vocabulary flashcards covering core terms from the lecture notes on pathology, infection, cancer, genetics, pain, immune disorders, and patient care.

Pathology

The study of disease; its causes, development, and effects on body structure and function (the study and diagnosis of disease).

Homeostasis

The body's stable internal environment maintained by organs and processes; disruption can indicate disease.

Signs

Objective findings of disease observed by a clinician (e.g., redness, fever).

Symptoms

Subjective experiences reported by the patient (e.g., pain, fatigue).

Acute disease

A disease that begins suddenly and runs a brief course.

Chronic disease

A disease that develops slowly and lasts longer than 6 months; may be intermittent.

Pathogenesis

The development of a disease, including stages, causative factors, and progression.

Predisposing factors

Factors that increase susceptibility to disease (age, gender, lifestyle, environment, heredity, immunodeficiency).

Risk factors

Variables that increase the probability of disease; can be changeable or nonchangeable.

Inflammation

A protective bodily response to tissue injury or invasion by pathogens, characterized by redness, heat, swelling, pain, and sometimes loss of function.

Acute inflammation

Short-term inflammatory response that helps contain and resolve injury or infection.

Chronic inflammation

Long-standing inflammation that can cause tissue damage and hinder healing.

Chemical mediators

Substances such as histamine, kinins, and prostaglandins that mediate inflammation.

Vasodilation

Widening of blood vessels to increase blood flow to the affected area.

Capillary permeability

Increased leakage of fluid from capillaries, leading to edema and pain.

Edema

Swelling caused by fluid accumulation due to increased capillary permeability.

Chemotaxis

Movement of white blood cells toward the site of injury guided by chemical signals.

Phagocytosis

Engulfing and digestion of pathogens and debris by phagocytes.

Infection

Invasion by pathogens causing disease; can damage tissue directly or via toxins.

Endogenous infection

Infection originating from within the body.

Exogenous infection

Infection originating outside the body.

Modes of transmission

Direct or indirect contact, inhalation, ingestion, inoculation by insect/animal, and asymptomatic spread.

Superbugs

Virulent antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria that cause difficult-to-treat infections.

MRSA

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, a common superbug. A leading cause of surgical wound infections.

VRE

Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus; a resistant pathogen of concern in healthcare settings.

CRE

Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae; difficult-to-treat infections with limited antibiotics.

Pathogens

Agents that cause disease, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa.

Bacteria

Single-celled microorganisms; one category of pathogens.

Viruses

Noncellular infectious agents that hijack host cells to replicate.

Fungi

Molds and yeasts that can cause disease; part of the pathogen group.

Protozoa

Single-celled organisms that can cause disease.

Cancer

A group of diseases characterized by uncontrolled cell proliferation and neoplasm formation.

Benign neoplasm

Noncancerous tumor; grows slowly and resembles tissue of origin; rarely recurs after removal.

Malignant neoplasm

Cancerous tumor; cells are variable, can invade other tissues, and may metastasize.

TNM staging

System evaluating tumor size/extent (T), regional lymph node involvement (N), and metastasis (M) to assign a stage (I–IV).

Grading

System describing how abnormal cancer cells look under the microscope; indicates aggressiveness.

Cancer treatment

Therapies to manage cancer, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, hormone therapy, and immunotherapy.

Cancer prevention

Lifestyle and environmental measures to reduce cancer risk (diet, no tobacco, vaccination, sun protection, exercise, healthy weight).

PSA

Prostate-Specific Antigen; a tumor marker used in screening and monitoring prostate cancer.

Cancer vaccines

Vaccines designed to prevent cancer (e.g., HPV vaccine) or stimulate immune response against cancer cells.

Hospice care

Care for terminally ill patients focusing on comfort and support; does not hasten or postpone death.

Autoimmune disease

A disorder in which the immune system attacks the body's own tissues.

Immunodeficiency

A diminished or absent immune response, increasing infection risk.

Hypersensitivity

Exaggerated or inappropriate immune response; includes allergic reactions.

Allergy

IgE-mediated hypersensitivity with symptoms such as sneezing, itching, and wheezing.

Immunotherapy

Treatment that stimulates the body's immune system to fight disease (often cancer).

Pain

Subjective sensory and emotional experience; can be physiologic or psychological.

Nociceptors

Pain receptors that detect noxious or damaging stimuli.

Dermatome

Skin area supplied by a single spinal nerve (31 pairs total).

Referred pain

Pain perceived at a site distant from the actual tissue injury, often following dermatomes.

Analgesics

Medications that relieve pain.

NSAIDs

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; reduce pain and inflammation.

Integrative medicine

Combination of mainstream medicine with evidence-based complementary therapies.

Holistic medicine

Approach that considers the whole person: physical, emotional, social, spiritual.

Nontraditional medicine

Therapies used in addition to conventional care (e.g., acupuncture, herbs, massage).