Pathology definitions

• Abscess

  collection of pus enclosed within a pyogenic membrane following the introduction of an infective agent.
• Acquired

  Applied to diseases, habit, etc.; not congenital but obtained after birth
• Anaphylactic reaction

  A profound degree of shock, with a severe: Fall in B/P, Loss of consciousness, Respiratory embarrassment, Facial and laryngeal oedema, and Urticaria
• Bacteraemia

  The transient presence of organisms in the blood stream.
• Bactericidal

  An antibiotic which kills organisms, e.g. Penicillin V.
• Bacteriostatic

  An antibiotic which inhibits the multiplication of micro-organisms e.g. Erythromycin, Tetracycline, Cidal in high concentration.
• Biopsy

  A histopathological examination of tissue removed surgically.
• Congenital

  Actually or potentially present at birth.
• Cyst

  A pathological fluid filled sac bounded by a wall and often lined by the epithelium.
• Diagnosis

  The recognition of a disease from its signs, symptoms and history.
• Dysplasia

  Abnormal tissue formation.
• Erythema

  Diffuse patchy redness of the skin. (A dermal inflammatory reaction.)
• Exudate

  A collection of serous fluid and cells in the extra vascular tissues formed as a result of acute inflammation.
• Fistula

  A pathological epithelium lined tract leading from one hollow organ to another, or between a hollow organ and the surface.
• Haemostasis

  The arrest of a flow of blood.
• Hereditary

  Transmitted from parent to offspring.
• Hyperaemia

  An increase in blood supply as in inflammation.
• Hyperplasia


  The increase in size of an organ or tissue due to the increase in the number of constituent cells.
• Hypertrophy

  An increase in size of an organ or tissue due to an increase in size of the constituent specialised cells. (Pure hypertrophy occurs only in muscle.)
• Idiopathic

  Of spontaneous origin applied to diseases which are not the sequel to any other disease, e.g. epilepsy, hypertrophy of the heart.
• Lymphadenopathy

  Any disease of the lymph glands
• Oedema

  Abnormal accumulation of serous fluid in the tissues.
• Prognosis

  A forecast of the probable duration, course and termination of a disease.
• Pus

  A creamy fluid contained within an abscess containing leukocytes, living and dead fluid exudate, fibrin, organisms living and dead tissue debris, e.g. nucleic acids and lipids.
• Pyrexia

  The rise of the body temperature above normal level
• Septicaemia

  The presence of organisms in the blood stream (the blood culture) which are usually associated with severe constitutional upset.
• Sign

  Any mark or indication providing objective evidence of disease.
• Sinus

  A suppurating tract.
• Symptoms

  The awareness of a disordered sensation or function in some part of the body.
• Syncope

  A vasovagal attack or 'faint'.
• Syndrome

  The concurrence of particular symptoms to form the characteristic pattern of certain diseases.
• Tumour

  Any swelling, but especially a neoplasm may be benign or malignant.
• Ulcer

  A break in the epithelial surface.
• Lymphadenopathy

  Any disease of the lymph glands
• Oedema

  Abnormal accumulation of serous fluid in the tissues.
• Prognosis

  A forecast of the probable duration, course and termination of a disease.
• Pus

  A creamy fluid contained within an abscess containing leukocytes, living and dead fluid exudate, fibrin, organisms living and dead tissue debris, e.g. nucleic acids and lipids.
• Pyrexia

  The rise of the body temperature above normal level
• Septicaemia

  The presence of organisms in the blood stream (the blood culture) which are usually associated with severe constitutional upset.
• Sign

  Any mark or indication providing objective evidence of disease.