Cell Injury and Pathology Vocabulary

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering the mechanisms, causes, and diagnostic standards of cell injury and pathology based on lecture notes.

Pathology

The study of diseases, their causes, mechanisms and effects.

Gold standard for diagnosis

Biopsy with gross and microscopic examination.

Gross examination

Examination of tissue with the naked eye.

Microscopic examination

Examination of tissue under a microscope.

Cell injury vs. cell death

Cell injury is reversible, whereas cell death is irreversible.

Hypoxia

Reduced oxygen supply to tissues.

Anoxia

Complete absence of oxygen.

Major causes of cell injury

Hypoxia/anoxia, chemical agents, physical agents, and free radicals.

Organs contributing to hypoxic cell injury

The lungs and the heart.

Hypoxic cell injury diseases

Myocardial infarction and COPD.

Chemical causes of cell injury

Alcohol, cigarette smoke, acetaminophen, and heavy metals.

Heavy metals (cell injury)

Mercury, lead and arsenic.

Physical causes of cell injury

Radiation, burns and frostbite.

Reactive oxygen species

Free radicals that damage proteins, lipids and DNA.

Autoimmune diseases (cell injury)

SLE, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic sclerosis and Sjögren syndrome.

Microorganisms (cell injury)

Bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites.

Metabolic diseases (cell injury)

Phenylketonuria and diabetes mellitus.

Kwashiorkor

A condition caused specifically by protein deficiency.

Marasmus

A condition caused by total calorie deficiency.

Exogenous intracellular accumulation

Examples include lead and anthracotic pigment.

Endogenous intracellular accumulation

Examples include triglycerides and bilirubin.

Aging and cell injury

Predisposes cells to injury because cell replication and repair decline with age.

Cyanotic newborn diagnosis

Improvement with oxygen suggests lung disease; little improvement suggests heart disease.

NAPQI

The toxic metabolite that causes acetaminophen toxicity.

N-acetylcysteine

The antidote for acetaminophen overdose.

Fenton reaction

The process by which free iron and copper generate toxic hydroxyl radicals.

Iron transport and storage

Transported by transferrin and stored as ferritin.

Staphylococcus aureus abscesses

Caused by its coagulase localizing infection with fibrin.

Streptococcus pyogenes cellulitis

Caused by a lack of coagulase which allows infection to spread.

Phenylalanine hydroxylase

The enzyme deficiency that leads to phenylketonuria.

PKU treatment

A diet that is low-phenylalanine and high-tyrosine.

Hypoalbuminemia and edema

Reduced plasma oncotic pressure allows fluid to leave blood vessels.

Transudate

Low-protein fluid resulting from pressure imbalance.

Exudate

Protein-rich inflammatory fluid.

Tissue oxygen delivery

Can be reduced by both cardiac disease and lung disease.

Pitting edema

A non-inflammatory type of edema caused by factors like hypoalbuminemia.