Pathology

Pandemic

a disease that is currently present in higher than normal numbers in several countries at the same time

Communicable

a disease that may be transmitted directly or indirectly from one individual to another

Iatrogenic

a disease that results from the adverse activity of physicians

Complication

an unfavorable condition arising during the course of the disease

Exacerbation

increase in the severity of a disease

Nosocomial

infection acquired in a hospital

Prevalance

number of cases of a disease present in a specified population at a given time

Mortality Rate

number of deaths in a given time or place, or proportion of deaths to a population

Signs

objective disturbances produced by disease that can be observed by the physician, nurse, or person attending the patient

Idiopathic

of unknown cause

Prognosis

prediction of the outcome of the disease

Acquired

presents itself after birth

Recurrent

reappearance of symptoms after a period of remission

Morbidity Rate

relative incidence of a disease in the population, or number of cases in a given time at a given population

Syndrome

set of signs and symptoms associated with a particular disease. Example: Down Syndrome

Lesion

specific pathological structural and functional changes, or both brought about by disease

Remission (Abatement)

temporary cessation of symptoms of a disease

Febrile

term associated with fever

Microscopic Pathology

the study of microscopic changes that cells, tissues, and organs undergo as a result of disease

Organic

a condition or disease in which there is a change in anatomy

Intoxication

state of being intoxicated, especially of being poisoned by a drug or toxic substance

Symptoms

subjective disturbances caused by disease that are felt or experienced by the patient, but are not directly measurable

Infestation

the harboring of animal parasites especially macroscopic forms such as ticks, or mosquitoes

Pathogenesis

the manner in which a disease develops

Infection

the state or condition in which the body or part of it is invaded by a pathogenic agent that under favorable conditions multiplies and produces injurious effects

Physiological Pathology

the study of changes in body function due to disease

Gross Pathology

the study of changes in structure of the body that are readily seen with the unaided eye as a result of disease

Medicolegal Pathology

the study of disease to ascertain the cause and manner of death

Clinical Pathology

the study of disease by means of body secretions, excretions, and other bodily fluids, performed in laboratory diagnosis of a disease

Pathological Anatomy

the study of structural changes in the body caused by disease. It is actually the way a part of the body changes when affected by a disease.

Etiology

the study of the causes of disease

Pathology

the study of the nature and cause of disease which involves changes in structure and function

Surgical Pathology

the study of tissue specimens excised surgically in a major or minor operation

Diagnosis

the term denoting the name of the disease or syndrome; to recognize the nature of the disease

Sporadic

a disease in where the cases are scattered and separated by distance or time

Occupational

a disease that an abnormally high rate of occurrence in members of the work force

Endemic

a disease that is continuously present in a community

Epidemic

a disease that is currently present in higher than normal numbers in a community

Acute

a disease with a more or less rapid onset and a short duration

Chronic

a disease with a more or less slow onset and a long duration

Disease

a condition within the body where normal function is compromised. There are many molecular and cellular changes related to disease.

Deficiency

a disease due to lack of some dietary or metabolic substance

Autopsy (Necropsy)

a postmortem examination of the organs and tissues of a body to determine cause of death or pathological condition

Functional

a condition or disease in which there is no recognizable change in anatomy

Special Pathology

deals with the specific features of a disease in relation to particular organs or organ systems

General Pathology

deals with the study of the widespread processes of disease such as inflammation, degeneration, necrosis or cellular death, repair, etc. without reference to particular organs or organ systems

Congenital

existing at the time of birth or shortly there-after

Hereditary

genetic characteristic transmitted from parent to offspring

Allergies

having a hypersensitivity to a substance that does not normally cause a reaction

Fulminating

having a rapid and severe onset, usually fatal