Etiology
Cause of Disease, describes what sets the disease process in motion
Risk factors
Multiple factores that predispose one to a particular disease- Age, Gender, Race, Genetics, Education
Congenital conditions
Defects that are present at birth, although they may not be present until later in life
Acquired defects
Defects caused by events that occur after birth
Pathogenesis
Describes how the disease process evolves, process or progress
Morphology
The fundamental structure or form, structure of cells or tissues.
Morphologic changes
The gross anatomic and microscopic changes that are characteristic of a disease
Histology
The study of the cells and extracellular matrix of body tissues.
Lesion
A pathologic or traumatic discontinuity of a body organ or tissue
Clinical manifestations
The development of a disease based on the observation of symptom manifestations via clinical tests.
Signs and symptoms
The structural and functional changes that accompany a disease.
Symptom
A subjective complaint that is noted by the person with a disorder
Sign
A manifestation that is noted by an observer.
Syndrome
A compilation of signs and symptoms that are characteristic of a specific disease state.
Complications
Possible adverse extensions of a disease or outcomes from treatment
Sequelae
Lesions or impairments that follow or are caused by a disease.
Diagnosis
The designation as to the nature or cause of a health problem; Objective, signs a Clinician observes
Clinical history (Chief complaint)
History of when symptoms began and where are they now
Clinical Course
Combines science and symptoms to determine the disease. Describes the evolution of a disease.
Acute disorder
A disease that is relatively sever but self-limiting
Chronic disease
A disease that implies a continuous, long-term process. Can run a continuous course or can present with exacerbations.
Subacute disease
Intermediate- between acute and chronic; not as severe as an acute disease and not as prolonged as a chronic disease
Epidemiology
Study of disease and occurrence in the human populations. Also patterns of disease
Epidemiology
Looks at patterns of persons affected with a particular disorder such as age, race, dietary habits, lifestyle, and geographic location.
Epidemiologic methods
Used to determine how a disease is spread, how to control it, how to prevent it, and how to eliminate it.
Disease Case
An existing case or the number of new episodes of a particular illness that is diagnosed within a given period.
Prevalence
A measure of existing disease in a population
Incidence
The number of new cases arising in a population at risk during a specified time; trend
Mortality
Death producing characteristics of a disease; fatal outcome
Morbidity
Functional effects of a disease; unhealthy or with a disease
Histology
Deals with the study of cells and extracellular matrix of body tissues