Intro to Patho 8/6/25

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the lecture on pathology and pathophysiology.

Pathophysiology

Study of the disruption of normal bodily function (homeostasis) due to disease; the physiology of abnormal function.

Pathology

Study of structural or morphological (visual) abnormalities expressed as diseases of cells, tissues, organs, and systems.

Disease

Impairment of cells, tissues, organs, or systems resulting in altered function and challenge to homeostasis; synonymous with illness.

Homeostasis

Dynamic steady state maintained by appropriate regulatory responses; the condition of good Health.

Etiology

The cause or origin of a disease or disorder (genetic, acquired, infectious, etc.).

Multifactorial

multiple etiologies for condition (genetic + infectious, etc)

Idiopathic Disease

A disease whose cause is unknown or unidentifiable. (idiot doesn’t know the path)

Iatrogenic

Resulting from medical treatment or procedures. (something happened during chemo, unexpected allergic rn to drug, etc) Can result in death but not always

Congenital

Occurring during fetal development; present at birth (e.g., berry aneurysm). “born w/ it”

Nosocomial

Disease, usually infectious, acquired in a hospital setting. (hospitals are germ pits)

Genetic Disease

An inherited disorder caused by abnormalities in genes or chromosomes.

Acute Disease

Severe disorder with rapid, aggressive onset; usually self-limiting and presents clear signs and symptoms (e.g., acute myocardial infarct).

Chronic Disease

Long-term, continuous process with exacerbations and remissions; usually not curable (e.g., chronic ulcerative colitis).

Subacute Disease

Disease course whose duration and severity fall between acute and chronic.

Subclinical Disease

A disease with no outward signs or symptoms that usually does not progress.

Carrier State

Condition in which a person harbors a pathogen without symptoms but can transmit it (e.g., Typhoid Mary).

Syndrome

Group of clinical symptoms and physical findings that characterize a particular disorder.

Down Syndrome (Trisomy 21)

Chromosomal disorder with characteristic facial features, intellectual disability, simian crease, congenital heart disease, etc.

Cushing Syndrome

Disorder caused by excess cortisol/ACTH characterized by central obesity, moon face, buffalo hump, purple striae, hypertension, etc.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)

Birth defects from prenatal alcohol exposure: smooth philtrum, thin upper lip, small palpebral fissures, growth delay, neurodevelopmental deficits.

Turner Syndrome (XO)

Monosomy X condition with short stature, webbed neck, shield chest, streak ovaries, coarctation of aorta, infertility.

Klinefelter Syndrome (XXY)

Extra X chromosome in males leading to tall stature, long limbs, testicular atrophy, gynecomastia, infertility.

Toxic Shock Syndrome

Acute, life-threatening condition caused by Staphylococcus aureus toxins, presenting with fever, rash, hypotension, and multi-organ involvement.

Berry Aneurysm

Congenital saccular dilation of cerebral arteries that can rupture causing subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Acute Myocardial Infarct (MI)

Acute necrosis of heart muscle due to coronary artery thrombosis, e.g., LAD occlusion.

Chronic Ulcerative Colitis

Chronic inflammatory bowel disease with relapsing–remitting course affecting colon mucosa.