PATHOLOGY TERMS II

Question 1

Lesion

Answer 1

Lesions are any recognizable change in anatomy or structure of the tissues that can be caused by disease.

It is a pathologic change in an organ or tissue.
Think back when you had the mumps or chicken pox as child.

Question 2

Diagnosis

Answer 2

Diagnosis is the determination of the nature and cause of a disease. The identification of a disease or condition by scientific evaluation of signs and symptoms, history, lab results and procedures.

Question 3

Prognosis

Answer 3

Prognosis – The predicted outcome of a disease.

Question 4

Symptoms

Answer 4

Symptoms - Subjective complaints experienced by the patient. They are not directly measurable. Examples would be: pain, dizziness, itching.

Question 5

Signs

Answer 5

Signs – These are objective, measurable manifestations of a disease. These can be measured or detected. Examples: fever, blood pressure, abnormal pulse or respiratory rate.

Question 6

Syndrome

Answer 6

Syndrome is a group of symptoms or signs which usually appear together to indicate the presence of a particular disease. Examples: AIDS; Down’s syndrome (trisomy 21).

Question 7

Exacerbation

Answer 7

Exacerbation – An increase in the severity of the signs and symptoms of a disease.

Question 8

Complication

Answer 8

Complication – refers to any unfavorable condition which occurs during the course of a disease.

Question 9

Remission or abatement

Answer 9

Remission or abatement – A temporary cessation (stopping) of the manifestations.

Question 10

Congenital Disease

Answer 10

Congenital Disease – exists at the time of birth due to a developmental error, as a result of maternal infection, and having no genetic origin.

Question 11

Acquired Disease

Answer 11

Acquired Disease – one that is acquired after birth.

Question 12

Recurrent Disease

Answer 12

Recurrent Disease – comes back or recurs; usually describes diseases which show alternating increases and decreases in their symptoms.

Question 13

Hereditary Disease

Answer 13

Hereditary Disease – is one pertaining to a characteristic, condition or disease transmitted from parent to offspring. It is associated with a genetic disorder or chromosomal defect.

Question 14

Febrile Disease

Answer 14

Febrile Disease – Any disease characterized by fever.

Question 15

Idiopathic Disease

Answer 15

Idiopathic Disease is one of unknown origin. Example: cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis….. although there are theories as to the possible cause of these diseases.

Question 16

Acute Disease

Answer 16

Acute Disease – has a rapid onset and short duration. Example acute tuberculosis; pneumonia.

Question 17

Chronic Disease

Answer 17

Chronic Disease – has a slower onset and a long duration. Example arthritis.

Question 18

Occupational Disease

Answer 18

Occupational Disease – occurs as a result of unfavorable work conditions. Let’s take a look at two examples.

• Anthracosis or Black Lung Disease is caused by the inhalation of coal dust.
• Silicosis; caused by the inhalation of silica.

Question 19

Deficiency Disease

Answer 19

Deficiency Disease is brought about due to the absence or lack of an essential vitamin or mineral. Example: rickets (lack of Vitamin D) or goiter (deficiency in iodine).

Question 20

Intoxication / Intoxicating Disease

Answer 20

Intoxication / Intoxicating Disease is one that is brought about by the excess intake of any substance that can cause a state of poisoning. You are basically “poisoned” by a drug or toxic substance.

Question 21

Iatrogenic Disease

Answer 21

Iatrogenic Disease – is one which results from a physician’s treatment of a patient; any adverse condition in a patient resulting from treatment by a physician or surgeon.

Question 22

Fulminating Disease

Answer 22

Fulminating Disease – Latin root meaning lighting flash. In regards to a disease or condition, it refers to rapid, sudden and severe. It is often fatal.

Question 23

Infectious Disease

Answer 23

Infectious Disease – is one that is capable of causing an infection. A disease caused by the invasion of the body by a pathogenic microorganism.

Question 24

Allergies

Answer 24

Allergies – a hypersensitive reaction to a common, harmless antigen, most of which are environmental. This is an acquired immune response.

Question 25

Contagious Disease

Answer 25

Contagious Disease – is one that is easily transmitted from person to person either directly or indirectly.

Question 26

Infestation

Answer 26

Infestation – refers to the presence of macroscopic (can be seen with the unaided eye) organisms in or on the body, such as animal parasites.

Question 27

Organic Disease

Answer 27

Organic Disease – has a readily identifiable characteristic lesion associated with it such as swollen glands, ulcerations during syphilis; inflammation of the mucous membranes of strep throat. Some lesion exists.

Question 28

Functional Disease

Answer 28

Functional Disease are diseases with no anatomical or structural changes. Ex. Migraine headache or various mental disturbances called psychoses. No lesion exists; no anatomical or structural change.

Question 29

Nosocomial

Answer 29

Nosocomial pertains to a hospital. Often refers to infection. i.e. nosocomial (hospital acquired) infection.

Question 30

Prevalence

Answer 30

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

Question 31

Mortality rate

Answer 31

Mortality rate – is the number of deaths per unit of population.

Question 32

Morbidity rate

Answer 32

Morbidity rate – refers to the number of cases of disease per unit of population.

Question 33

Endemic disease

Answer 33

Endemic disease is when a type of disease is more or less continuously present in a community (never-ending). A disease or agent that is usually prevalent in a population or geographical area at all times. The expected or “normal” incidence of a condition in a certain geographical area or population.

Question 34

Epidemic disease

Answer 34

Epidemic disease attacks a large number of persons in a community at the same time. One whose incidence is beyond that expected for a given population.

Question 35

Pandemic disease

Answer 35

Pandemic disease – a disease occurring throughout the world.

Question 36

Sporadic disease

Answer 36

Sporadic disease – This occurs in neither an endemic or epidemic form (here and there with no know connection); occurring occasionally in a random or isolated manner.