Unit 1: Introduction to Pathology

Disease

Abnormal performance of certain physiologic functions

Febrile disease

Any disease characterized by fever

Lesion

Any recognizable change in anatomy or in structure of the tissues the can be caused by disease; pathological change in an organ or tissue

Complication

Any unfavorable condition which occurs during the course of a disease

Intoxication/intoxicating disease

Brought about by the excess intake of any substance that can cause a state of poisoning

Deficiency disease

Brought about due to absence or lack of an essential vitamin or mineral

Infectious disease

Capable of causing an infection; caused by the invasion of the body by a pathogenic microorganism

Etiology

Cause of the disease

Recurrent disease

Comes back after time

Chemical agents

Compounds that produce some type of cellular swelling

Predisposing conditions

Conditions that make us more susceptible

Diagnosis

Determination of the nature and cause of a disease; identification of a disease or condition by scientific evaluation of signs and symptoms, history, lab results, and procedures

Idiopathic Disease

Disease of unknown origin

Fulminating disease

Disease or condition that is rapid, sudden, severe, and often fatal

Endemic disease

Disease that attacks a large number of people in a community at the same time

Pandemic disease

Disease that occurs throughout the world

Disease

Disturbance in the structure or function or both of the cells, tissues, or organs

Disease

Dynamic series of changes that may end in recovery, permanent, injury, or death

Contagious disease

Easily transmitted from person to person directly or indirectly

Congenital Disease

Exists at the time of birth, due to a developmental error having no genetic origin

Allergens

Foreign particles which are responsible for reactions occurring within the body of a person who is sensitive to those allergens

Syndrome

Group of symptoms and/or signs that usually appear together to indicate the presence of a particular disease

Organic disease

Has a readily identifiable characteristic lesion associated with it

Physical agents

Heat, low temperature, electricity, x-rays

Allergies

Hypersensitive reaction to a common, harmless antigen; most are environmental

Exacerbation

Increase in the severity of the signs and symptoms of a disease

Silicosis

Inhalation of silica

Heredity

Inherited disease; when fertilization of egg is made, a certain amount of genetic material is passed to baby

Anthracosis (black lung disease)

Insulation of coal dust

Deficiency of essential substances

Lack of vitamins and minerals necessary for normal body function

Mortality rate

Number of deaths per unit of population

Signs

Objective measurable manifestations of a disease

Acquired Disease

Occurring after birth

Sporadic disease

Occurs in a random a isolated manner

Hereditary disease

Pertains to a characteristic, a condition, or a disease transmitted from parent to offspring (genetics and chromosomes)

Trauma (mechanical injury)

Physical injury or a wound caused by external force

Autopsy

Post mortem examination of the organs and tissues of a body to determine the cause of death or pathological condition (necropsy)

Acute disease

Rapid onset, short duration

Prevalence

Refers to the number of a new and old cases of a disease during a particular period

Infestation

Refers to the presence of macroscopic organisms in or on the body, such as animal parasites

Iatrogenic disease

Results from a physicians treatment of a patient

Chronic disease

Slower onset, long duration

Microscopic Pathology (Histopathology)

Structural changes brought about by disease, seen with a microscope

Gross Pathology (macroscopic)

Structural changes brought about by disease, seen with the naked eye

Doctrine of Cellular Pathology

Structural changes of disease may be found in the cells of a sick organ

Physiological pathology

Studies changes in function brought about by disease

Special pathology

Studies disease in relation to a specific organ or system

Clinical Pathology

Study of excretions, secretions, and various other body fluids for the purpose of diagnosing a disease; laboratory diagnosis of disease

General pathology

Study of general processes of disease such as inflammation, necrosis and cell death; refers to the body as a whole

Surgical Pathology

Study of tissues that have been surgically removed (biopsy)

Symptoms

Subjective complaints experienced by the patient; cannot be measured

Remission (abatement)

Temporary cessation of the manifestations

Etiology

The cause of a disease; study of all factors that may be involved in the development if disease

Pathogenesis

The manner in which disease develops

Morbidity rate

The number of cases

Prognosis

The predicted outcome of a disease

Occupational disease

The result of unfavorable work conditions

Pathology

The study of disease, branch of medicine that studies the characteristics, causes, and effects of disease

Pathological anatomy

The study of structural changes in the body brought about as a result of disease

Functional disease

This has no such characteristic lesion

Nosocomial

This pertains to a hospital, often refers to infection

Excitatory (or immediate) causes of disease

Those conditions that actually cause the disease

Infectious agents

Various microorganisms; bacteria, viruses, parasites