PATHOLOGY - UNIT 6 - BLOOD & FLOW

Question 1

What does the suffix -penia mean?

Answer 1

-penia – this suffix means a decrease in the # of cells.

Question 2

What does the suffix - cytosis mean?

Answer 2

-cytosis – this suffix denotes an increase in the # of cells.

Question 3

What is Leukocytosis?

Answer 3

Leukocytosis is an abnormal increase in number of circulating white blood cells (leucocytes, leukocytes). it is a transient response to inflammation and/or infection and is commonly seen with bacterial infections.

Question 4

What is Leucopenia?

Answer 4

Leucopenia is an abnormal decrease in the number of circulating white blood cells (leucocytes, leukocytes). is seen in tuberculosis, measles, mumps and influenza.

Question 5

What is Anemia?

Answer 5

Anemia
is a decrease in the number of red blood cells; a decrease in the amount of hemoglobin; or a combination of both of these:

Question 6

What are 3 causes of Anemia?

Answer 6

Anemia is caused by either

1. a decrease in red blood cell production.
2. An increase in red blood cell destruction.
3. Loss of red blood cells (bleeding ulcers, malignancies or excess menstrual bleeding.

Question 7

What are 4 symptoms of Anemia?

Answer 7

4 Anemia symptoms include:

1. • Pallor (paleness) in the mucous membranes.
2. • Fatigue and weakness due to decease oxygen delivery to the tissues (remember hemoglobin is the transport protein that carries oxygen to the tissues by the blood).
3. • Dyspnea (shortness of breath).
4. • Tachycardia (increased heart rate) because of the inadequate amount of oxygen.

Question 8

What are the 2 types of Anemia?

Answer 8

There are two types of anemia:

1. Primary anemia – anemia due to red blood cell or associated problem.
2. Secondary anemia – anemia as the result of another disease; such as persistent bleeding, leukemia, cancer etc.

Question 9

What is a Hemopoietic Disorder?

Answer 9

Hematopoietic disorders are those that arise as a result of unregulated proliferation (growth) of blood stem cells.

Question 10

What is hematopoiesis?

Answer 10

Hematopoiesis is the normal formation and development of blood cells in the red bone marrow.

Question 11

What is Leukemia?

Answer 11

Leukemia is a group of malignant diseases characterized by replacement of bone marrow with proliferating white blood cells. It is characterized by an uncontrolled over-production of White blood cells which prevents the immature blood cells (erythroblasts) from maturing into erythrocytes.
- - There is a reduction in erythrocytosis and a decrease in platelets (thrombocytes). considered to be “cancer of the blood” or “cancer” of white blood cells.

Question 12

What is the difference between acute and chronic leukemia?

Answer 12

Leukemia can be classified as Acute or Chronic depending on the relative “maturity” of the leukemic cells. More immature cells are seen in acute leukemia and more fully developed cells are the hallmark of chronic leukemia.

Question 13

What are the symptoms of Leukemia?

Answer 13

Symptoms of Leukemia include:

Swollen spleen 
Fever
Weight loss 
Fatigue 
Joint pain
Tendency to hemorrhage 
Anemia
Compromised immune system

Question 14

Polycythemia Vera

Answer 14

A type of blood cancer. that causes your bone marrow to make too many red blood cells. These excess cells thicken your blood, slowing its flow, which may cause serious problems, such as blood clots. Polycythemia vera is rare.

Question 15

Erythrocytosis

Answer 15

Erythrocytosis is when you have more red blood cells than normal. Red blood cells are also called erythrocytes.: Literally means too many red blood cells. Its not a disease but usually part of some other problem.

Question 16

What is Hemophilia?

Answer 16

Hemophilia is an inherited bleeding disorder in which the blood does not clot properly. - Generally affects only males.
- Transmitted by females Is referred to as a sex-linked inherited disorder because the defective generally is transmitted on the X chromosome.

Question 17

What is Thrombocytopenia?

Answer 17

Thrombocytopenia is a condition in which you have a low blood platelet count. Platelets (thrombocytes) are colorless blood cells that help blood clot. Its usually a secondary condition to usually secondary to various types of leukemia and certain anemias, chicken pox, radiation exposure and drug sensitivity.

Question 18

What is Purpura?

Answer 18

Purpura occurs when small blood vessels burst, causing blood to pool under the skin. This can create purple spots on the skin that range in size from small dots to large purple patches.

Question 19

What are the 8 predisposing factors attributed to Heart Disease?

Answer 19

Predisposing factors to Heart Disease

1. Heredity
2. Obesity
3. Diabetes
4. Elevated cholesterol levels
5. Smoking
6. Substance abuse (particularly cocaine)
7. Stress
8. Diet

Question 20

What is Dilation as it relates to Cardiac Pathology?

Answer 20

Dilation refers to an increase in the size of the heart or a heart chamber, due to a stretching of the muscle fibers.

Question 21

What is Hypertrophy as it relates to Cardiac Pathology?

Answer 21

Hypertrophy refers to an increase in the size of the heart due to an increase in the size of the individual cardiac muscles fibers.

Question 22

What is Cardiac Dilation?

Answer 22

Cardiac Dilation or Cardiac Dilatation is an enlargement of the heart caused by stretching and thinning of the muscles tissues in the walls of the heart. The heart chambers are filled with more blood than usual and do not empty fully.
- It is associated with acute pulmonary embolism and heart failure.

Question 23

What is Cardiac Hypertrophy?

Answer 23

Cardiac Hypertrophy is an increase in the size of the heart due to increased demands placed on it.

However, it does not effect both sides equally; because of their thin walls, the atria do not hypertrophy to the extent of the ventricles.

-AND There is a limit to the hypertrophy that the heart may undergo, and when the limit is passed, the result is heart failure.

Question 24

What are 4 things that cause Cardiac Hypertrophy?

Answer 24

The 4 Causes of Cardiac hypertrophy are:
o 1. Obstruction to the flow of blood through the peripheral blood vessels.
o 2. Diseased conditions involving the blood vessels and valves of the heart.
o 3. Inflammatory and degenerative changes in the heart muscles.
o 4. The common common cause is hypertension (high blood pressure).

Question 25

What is Endocarditis?

Answer 25

Endocarditis is the Inflammation of the inner lining of the heart, the endocardium. Most prominent changes are seen on the endocardial coverings of the valves on the LEFT side heart, most frequently the mitral valve. Post-Mortem conditions associated with endocarditis are possible vascular obstructions.

Question 26

What are 3 Valvular Defects (within the heart)?

Answer 26

THREE Valvular Defects (within the heart) are: 1. Valvular insufficiency or incompetence – is an incomplete closure of the valve flaps. 2. Valvular stenosis – is a narrowing of the valve openings. 3. Valvular prolapse – is a protrusion of the valve cusps out of normal position during movement. It is often see with the mitral valve (bicuspid valve), where one or both of the leaflets protrudes back into the left atrium during closure.

Question 27

What is Pericarditis?

Answer 27

Pericarditis is the Inflammation of the pericardium, the sac surrounding the heart.

Question 28

List 5 things that can cause or may be associated with pericarditis?

Answer 28

5 things associated with Inflammation of the pericardium, the sac surrounding the heart may be associated with: 1. Trauma 2. Neoplastic disease 3. Infection 4. Uremia - a buildup of toxins in your blood. It occurs when the kidneys stop filtering toxins out through your urine. 5. Myocardial infarction

Question 29

What is Myocarditis?

Answer 29

Myocarditis is the inflammation of the cardiac muscle (myocardium). Often due to a viral agent.

Question 30

What is Rheumatic Heart Disease

Answer 30

. Rheumatic Heart Disease is damage to the heart muscles and heart valves caused by episodes of rheumatic fever caused by Group A beta- hemolytic streptococcus. - Mitral and aortic valves are most commonly affected. - Bacteria causes an autoimmune reaction which in turn causes deformities in the heart valves and chordae tendinae. - We see less of this today due to antibiotics.

Question 31

What is Coronary Artery Disease / Ischemic Heart Disease?

Answer 31

Coronary Artery Disease / Ischemic Heart Disease is Generally, a pathologic change in the layers of the coronary arteries. Commonly refers to blockages in the coronary arteries caused by a decrease blood supply to the heart tissue.

Question 32

What are 5 causes of Coronary Artery Disease / Ischemic Heart Disease?

Answer 32

Five causes of Coronary Artery Disease / Ischemic Heart Disease are: 1. Atherosclerosis – fatty deposits (plaque) develops on the intimal (tunica intima) surface of the vessel causing the lumen to narrow. (The fatty material consists mostly of cholesterol.) 2. Atheroma – is an abnormal mass of fatty deposits in an arterial wall 3. Thrombosis – formation of blood clots on a blood vessel wall. Thrombi will form where blood flow is altered or decreased. 4. Spasm – sudden transient constriction of a blood vessel especially the coronary arteries. This will cause a decreased blood flow to the heart tissue. 5. Embolism – free floating particles that have obstructed the coronary arteries.

Question 33

What are the two types of Cardiac Failure that can happen?

Answer 33

Two types of Cardiac Failure are: a. Acute Cardiac Failure: Due to sudden change it the heart’s function (Myocarditis). Develops rapidly. b. Chronic Heart Failure (Congestive Heart Failure)  Develops over time.  Heart does not pump properly and the pulmonary and systemic veins becomes congested leading to the accumulation of edema (fluid).

Question 34

What is Cardiac Failure?

Answer 34

Cardiac Failure is when heart is pumping inadequately to meet the body’s demands

Question 35

List 4 Right Side (Return Problem) when it comes to circulation.

Answer 35

4 Right Side (Return Problems) are: Ankle edema Distended neck veins Swollen liver and spleen Pleural effusion

Question 36

List 3 Left Side (Lung Problem) when it comes to circulation.

Answer 36

left Side (Lung Problem) Shortness of breath Pulmonary edema Pleural effusion

Question 37

What is a Myocardial Infarction?

Answer 37

Myocardial Infarction is the necrosis of the heart muscle due to decreased blood supply. Often seen in the left ventricle.

Question 38

What are 5 Characteristics associated with Hypertensive Heart Disease?

Answer 38

FIVE Hypertensive Heart Disease characteristics are: 1. Heart has to work against increased peripheral resistance (increased blood pressure). 2. There's Enlargement (hypertrophy) of the left ventricle due to increased workload. 3. The End result may be heart failure . 4. There is also effects blood vessels in the kidneys leading to renal failure. 5. This may be associated with intracerebral hemorrhage or stroke.

Question 39

What is Cardiomyopathy?

Answer 39

Cardiomyopathy is any disease that affects the structure and function of the heart. Example: dilated or hypertrophic.

Question 40

What is Carditis?

Answer 40

13. Carditis is the inflammation of the heart (Endocarditis, Pericarditis, and Myocarditis

Question 41

What is Arteritis?

Answer 41

Arteritis is Inflammation of arteries

Question 42

What is Arteriosclerosis?

Answer 42

Arteriosclerosis is a degenerative process characterized by thickening, loss of elasticity and calcification of the arterial wall. o Results in decreased blood supply. o “hardening of the arteries”. o Blood vessels become brittle and are susceptible to rupturing.

Question 43

What is Atherosclerosis?

Answer 43

Atherosclerosis is a form of arteriosclerosis that is extremely serious. o Characterized by yellow plaque of cholesterol, lipid and cellular debris accumulating on the inner layers of large and medium sized arteries (this fatty substance is referred to as an Atheroma. o Major cause of: myocardial infarct, angina pectoris (chest pain) and coronary artery disease.

Question 44

What is an Aneurysm?

Answer 44

An Aneurysm A localized dilation (sac-like dilation) of the wall of a blood vessel due to the combined effects of a weakened vessel wall and increased blood pressure (hypertension). - May also be due to trauma or congenital defect. - Often associated with atherosclerosis. - Common in the abdominal aorta.

Question 45

What are the three types of Aneurysm?

Answer 45

The three types of Aneurysm are: 1. Fusiform: A symmetrical dilation with a weakness in the entire circumference of the vessel 2. Saccular: an asymmetrical weakness; the weakness is only on one side 3. Dissecting: A weakness that dissects through all three layers of the vessel

Question 46

What is Phlebitis?

Answer 46

Phlebitis is inflammation of a vein; Often seen in the deep veins of the legs. o Only when the deep veins are affected that the condition is considered serious. o Greatest danger is thrombus formation then the condition is called thrombophlebitis. o Usually due to poor circulation; obesity.

Question 47

What are Varicose Veins or Varices?

Answer 47

Varicose Veins or Varices are veins whose walls have become dilated and tortuous. - Its a condition in which the veins of the legs become painful, swollen and appear knotty under the skin often caused by a stagnation of blood in the veins. - It can be seen with pregnancy, uterine tumors or standing. - Veins dilate and valves become incompetent. - Most common sites are the veins in the legs and in the wall of the rectum (hemorrhoids).

Question 48

List three issues that are associated with Post-mortem Varicose Veins or Varices?

Answer 48

Post-mortem Varicose Veins or Varices are of great concern to us because they have direct impact of the ultimate success of embalming. They can cause: - Intravascular resistance to the flow of embalming fluid. - Damage the vascular walls, narrow the lumen of the vessel and lead to easy rupture of fragile vessels. - May lead to thrombosis and increased blood viscosity .