Chapter 6: Disease
 Major categories of diseases.
 Types of infectious organisms & some
diseases caused by them.
 Common responses to disease.
 Examples of neoplasia.
 Word parts pertaining to diseases.
 Major terms describing types of diseases.
 Major manifestations of diseases.
Copyright © 2011 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Key Terms
acute
Sudden, severe; having a short course
benign
Not recurrent or malignant; favorable for recovery; describing tumors that
do not spread
carcinoma
A malignant neoplasm composed of epithelial cells (from Greek root
carcino, meaning “crab”) (adjective: carcinomatous)
chronic
Of long duration; progressing slowly
cyst
An abnormal filled sac or pouch. Used as a root meaning a normal
bladder or sac, such as the urinary bladder or gallbladder (root: cyst/o)
edema
Accumulation of fluid in the tissues; swelling. Adjective edematous
etiology
The cause of a disease
Copyright © 2011 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Key Terms (cont’d)
Gram stain
A laboratory staining procedure that divides bacteria into two groups:
gram-positive, which stain blue, and gram-negative, which stain red
hernia
Protrusion of an organ through an abnormal opening; a rupture
inflammation
A localized response to tissue injury characterized by heat, pain,
redness, and swelling
lesion
A distinct area of damaged tissue; an injury or wound
malignant
Growing worse; harmful; tending to cause death; describing an invasive
tumor that can spread (metastasize) to other tissues
metastasis
Spread from one part of the body to another; characteristic of cancer.
Verb is metastasize (me-TAS-ta-sīz); adjective: metastatic (met-a-STATik)
necrosis
Death of tissue (root necr/o means “death”); adjective: necrotic (neKROT-ik)
Copyright © 2011 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Key Terms (cont’d)
neoplasm
An abnormal and uncontrolled growth of tissue, namely, a tumor; may
be benign or malignant. From prefix neo- meaning “new” and root
plasm meaning “formation.” The root onc/o and the suffix -oma refer to
neoplasms.
parasite
An organism that grows on or in another organism (the host), causing
damage to it
pathogen
An organism capable of causing disease (root path/o means
“disease”)
phagocytosis
The ingestion of organisms, such as invading bacteria or small
particles of waste material by a cell (root phag/o means “to eat”). The
phagocytic cell, or phagocyte, then destroys the ingested material.
prolapse
A dropping or downward displacement of an organ or part; ptosis
Copyright © 2011 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Key Terms (cont’d)
pus
A product of inflammation consisting of fluid and white blood cells (root:
py/o)
sarcoma
A malignant neoplasm arising from connective tissue (from Greek root
sarco, meaning “flesh”) (adjective: sarcomatous)
sepsis
The presence of harmful microorganisms or their toxins in the blood or
other tissues (adjective: septic)
toxin
A poison (adjective, toxic) (roots: tox/o, toxic/o)
trauma
A physical or psychological wound or injury
Copyright © 2011 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Supplementary Terms
acid-fast stain
A laboratory staining procedure used mainly to identify the tuberculosis
(TB) organism
communicable
Capable of passing from one person to another, such as an infectious
disease
endemic
Occurring at a low level but continuously in a given region, such as the
common cold
epidemic
Affecting many people in a given region at the same time; a disease that
breaks out in a large proportion of a population at a given time
exacerbation
Worsening of disease; increase in severity of a disease or its symptoms
iatrogenic
Caused by the effects of treatment (from Greek root iatro-, meaning
“physician”)
idiopathic
Having no known cause (root idio means “self-originating”)
Copyright © 2011 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Supplementary Terms (cont’d)
In situ
Localized, noninvasive (literally “in position”); said of tumors that do not
spread, such as carcinoma in situ (CIS)
Normal flora
The microorganisms that normally live on or in the body. These
organisms are generally harmless, and often are beneficial, but they can
cause disease under special circumstances, such as injury or failure of
the immune system.
Nosocomial
Describing an infection acquired in a hospital (root nos/o means
“disease,” and comial refers to a hospital). Such infections can be a
serious problem, especially if they are resistant to antibiotics; for
example, there are now strains of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus
aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant S. aureus (VRSA), which
cause troublesome infections in hospital settings.
Copyright © 2011 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Supplementary Terms (cont’d)
Opportunistic
Describing an infection that occurs because of a host's poor or altered
condition
Pandemic
Describing a disease that is prevalent throughout an entire region or the
world. AIDS is now pandemic in certain regions of the world.
Remission
A lessening of disease symptoms; the period during which such lessening
occurs
Septicemia
Presence of pathogenic bacteria in the blood; blood poisoning
Systemic
Pertaining to the whole body
Copyright © 2011 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Supplementary Terms
Manifestations of Disease
abscess
A localized collection of pus
adhesion
A uniting of two surfaces or parts that may normally be separated
anaplasia
Lack of normal differentiation, as shown by cancer cells
ascites
Accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity
cellulitis
A spreading inflammation of tissue
effusion
Escape of fluid into a cavity or other body part
exudate
Material that escapes from blood vessels as a result of tissue injury
fissure
A groove or split
fistula
An abnormal passage between two organs or from an organ to the surface
of the body
Copyright © 2011 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Supplementary Terms
Manifestations of Disease
gangrene
Death of tissue, usually caused by lack of blood supply; may be
associated with bacterial infection and decomposition
hyperplasia
Excessive growth of normal cells in normal arrangement
hypertrophy
An increase in size of an organ without increase in the number of cells;
may result from an increase in activity, as in muscles
induration
Hardening; an abnormally hard spot or place
metaplasia
Conversion of cells to a form that is not normal for that tissue (prefix
meta- means “change”)
polyp
A tumor attached by a thin stalk
purulent
Forming or containing pus
suppuration
Pus formation
Copyright © 2011 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Abbreviations
AF
Acid fast
Gm-
Gram-negative
CA
Cancer
MRSA
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus
aureus
CIS
Carcinoma in situ
Staph
Staphylococcus
FUO
Fever of unknown origin
Strep
Streptococcus
Gm+
Gram-positive
VRSA
Vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus
aureus
Copyright © 2011 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Roots for Disease
Root
Meaning
Example
Definition of Example
alg/o, algi/o,
algesi/o
pain
algesia
condition of having pain
carcin/o
cancer, carcinoma
carcinoid
resembling a carcinoma
cyst/o, cyst/i
filled sac or pouch,
cyst, bladder
cystic
pertaining to or having
cysts
lith
calculus, stone
lithiasis
stone formation
onc/o
tumor
oncogenic
causing a tumor
Copyright © 2011 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Roots for Disease (cont’d)
Root
Meaning
Example
Definition of Example
path/o
disease
pathogen
organism that produces disease
py/o
pus
pyoderma
pus-containing skin disease
pyr/o, pyret/o
fever, fire
pyrexia
fever
scler/o
hard
sclerosis
hardening of tissue
tox/o, toxic/o
poison
endotoxin
toxin within bacterial cells
Copyright © 2011 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Prefixes for Disease
Prefix
Meaning
Example
Definition of Example
brady-
slow
bradypnea
slow breathing (-pnea) rate
dys-
abnormal,
painful, difficult
dysplasia
abnormal development (plas) of
tissue
mal-
bad, poor
malabsorption
poor absorption of nutrients
pachy-
thick
pachycephaly
abnormal thickness of the skull
tachy-
rapid
tachycardia
rapid heart (cardiac) rate
xero-
dry
xeroderma
dryness of the skin
Copyright © 2011 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Suffixes for Disease
Suffix
Meaning
Example
Definition of Example
-algia,
-algesia
pain
neuralgia
pain in a nerve (neur/o)
-cele
hernia,
localized
dilation
gastrocele
hernia of the stomach (gastr/o)
-clasis,
-clasia
breaking
karyoclasis
breaking of a nucleus (kary/o)
-itis
inflammation
cystitis
inflammation of the urinary
bladder (cyst/o)
-megaly
enlargement
hepatomegaly
enlargement of the liver
(hepat/o)
Copyright © 2011 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Suffixes for Disease (cont’d)
Suffix
Meaning
Example
Definition of Example
-odynia
pain
urodynia
pain on urination (ur/o)
-oma*
tumor
lipoma
tumor of fat cells
-pathy
any disease of
nephropathy
any disease of the kidney
(nephr/o)
*Plural: -omas, -omata.
Copyright © 2011 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Suffixes for Disease (cont’d)
Suffix
Meaning
Example
Definition of Example
-rhage†, rhagia†
bursting forth,
profuse flow,
hemorrhage
hemorrhage
profuse flow of blood
-rhea†
flow, discharge
pyorrhea
discharge of pus
-rhexis†
rupture
amniorrhexis
rupture of the amniotic sac
(bag of waters)
-schisis
fissure, splitting
retinoschisis
splitting of the retina of the
eye
†Remember
to double the r when adding this suffix to a root.
Copyright © 2011 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Words for Disease Used as Suffixes
Word
Meaning
Example
Definition of Example
dilation*,
dilatation*
expansion,
widening
vasodilation
widening of blood vessels
(vas/o)
ectasia, ectasis dilation,
dilatation,
distension
gastrectasia
dilatation of the stomach
(gastr/o)
edema
accumulation of
fluid, swelling
cephaledema
swelling of the head
lysis*
separation,
loosening,
dissolving,
destruction
dialysis
separation of substances
by passage through (dia-)
a membrane
malacia
softening
Craniomalacia
softening of a skull
(crani/o)
*May also refer to treatment.
Copyright © 2011 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Words for Disease Used as Suffixes
Word
Meaning
Example
Definition of Example
necrosis
death of tissue
Osteonecrosis
death of bone (oste/o)
tissue
ptosis
dropping,
downward
displacement,
prolapse
blepharoptosis
drooping of the eyelid
(blephar/o)
sclerosis
hardening
phlebosclerosis
hardening of veins
(phleb/o)
spasm
sudden
contraction, cramp
arteriospasm
spasm of an artery
Copyright © 2011 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Words for Disease Used as Suffixes
Word
Meaning
Example
Definition of Example
stasis*
suppression,
stoppage
menostasis
suppression of menstrual
(men/o) flow
stenosis
narrowing,
constriction
bronchostenosis
narrowing of a bronchus (air
passageway)
toxin
poison
nephrotoxin
substance poisonous or
harmful for the kidneys
*May also refer to treatment.
Copyright © 2011 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Disease Categories
• Infectious
– Caused by microorganisms, parasites called
pathogens
• Degenerative
– Caused by wear and tear, aging or trauma
– Arthritis, emphysema
• Neoplasia
– Abnormal, uncontrolled growth of tissue
Copyright © 2011 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Disease Categories (cont’d)
• Immune disorders
– Failures of immune system
– Allergies
– Autoimmune disorders
• Metabolic disorders
– Caused by lack of enzymes
– Hereditary disorders
Copyright © 2011 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Disease Categories (cont’d)
• Malnutrition
• Hormonal disorders
– Underproduction or overproduction of hormones
– Diabetes mellitus
• Mental and emotional disorders
– Affects the mind
– Individuals unable to adapt to environment
Copyright © 2011 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Infectious Diseases
• Caused by:
– Viruses
– Bacteria
– Fungi (yeast and molds)
– Protozoa (single-celled animals)
– Worms
Copyright © 2011 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Infectious Diseases (cont’d)
• Bacteria categorized by:
– Shape
• Round
• Rod-shaped
• Curved
– Arrangements they form
– Dyes when stained in lab
• Most common is Gram stain
Copyright © 2011 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Prefixes and Roots for Infectious Diseases
Word Part
Meaning
Example
Definition of Example
staphyl/o
grapelike cluster
staphylococcus
a round bacterium that forms
clusters
strept/o
twisted chain
streptobacillus
a rod-shaped bacterium that
forms chains
bacill/i, bacill/o bacillus
bacilluria
bacilli in the urine (-uria)
bacteri/o
bacterium
bacteriostatic
stopping (stasis) the growth
of bacteria
myc/o
fungus, mold
mycotic
pertaining to a fungus
vir/o
virus
viremia
presence of viruses in blood
(-emia)
Prefixes
Roots
Copyright © 2011 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Responses to Disease
• Inflammation
– Body’s response to infection and diseases
– Four signs: heat, pain, redness, swelling
– Suffix –itis indicates inflammation
• Examples include:
– Appendicitis (inflammation of appendix)
– Tonsillitis (inflammation of tonsils)
Copyright © 2011 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Responses to Disease (cont’d)
• Phagocytosis
– Process used by body
– Gets rid of:
• Invading microorganisms
• Damaged cells
• Other harmful debris
– Found circulating in blood, tissue, lymphatic system
– Remains of process called pus
Copyright © 2011 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Phagocytosis
Copyright © 2011 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Response to Diseases (cont’d)
Immunity
• Immune system controls response to disease
• Adaptive immunity: acquired during life from exposure to
disease organisms
• Monitors body for:
– Abnormal cells
– Malfunctioning cells
• May cause its own problems
– Overreaction produces allergies
– Reaction to own tissues causes autoimmune diseases
Copyright © 2011 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Neoplasia
• Neoplasm
– Abnormal and uncontrolled growth of tissue
• Metastasizing
– Benign
– Malignant
• Examples of malignant tumors:
– Carcinoma (epithelial tissue)
– Sarcoma (connective tissue or muscle)
Copyright © 2011 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Pretest
1. Any organism so small that it can only be seen with a
microscope is a:
(a) miniorganism
(b) macroorganism
(c) microcell
(d) microorganism
Copyright © 2011 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Pretest
1. Any organism so small that it can only be seen with a
microscope is a:
(a) miniorganism
(b) macroorganism
(c) microcell
(d) microorganism
Copyright © 2011 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Pretest
2. A disease that has a sudden and severe onset is
described as:
(a) chronic
(b) mild
(c) acute
(d) infectious
Copyright © 2011 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Pretest
2. A disease that has a sudden and severe onset is
described as:
(a) chronic
(b) mild
(c) acute
(d) infectious
Copyright © 2011 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Pretest
3. Abnormal and uncontrolled growth of tissue is termed:
(a) anemia
(b) neoplasia
(c) parasitism
(d) toxicity
Copyright © 2011 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Pretest
3. Abnormal and uncontrolled growth of tissue is termed:
(a) anemia
(b) neoplasia
(c) parasitism
(d) toxicity
Copyright © 2011 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Pretest
4. Abnormal and uncontrolled growth of tissue is termed:
(a) cocci
(b) yeasts
(c) fungi
(d) bacilli
Copyright © 2011 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Pretest
4. Abnormal and uncontrolled growth of tissue is termed:
(a) cocci
(b) yeasts
(c) fungi
(d) bacilli
Copyright © 2011 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Pretest
5. Single-celled animals, as a group, are called:
(a) algae
(b) molds
(c) protozoa
(d) vibrios
Copyright © 2011 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Pretest
5. Single-celled animals, as a group, are called:
(a) algae
(b) molds
(c) protozoa
(d) vibrios
Copyright © 2011 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Pretest
6. Heat, pain, redness, and swelling are the characteristics
signs of:
(a) immunity
(b) fever
(c) inflammation
(d) healing
Copyright © 2011 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Pretest
6. Heat, pain, redness, and swelling are the characteristics
signs of:
(a) immunity
(b) fever
(c) inflammation
(d) healing
Copyright © 2011 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Pretest
7. White blood cells engulf foreign organisms by the
process of:
(a) phagocytosis
(b) egestion
(c) ejection
(d) dysphagia
Copyright © 2011 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Pretest
7. White blood cells engulf foreign organisms by the
process of:
(a) phagocytosis
(b) egestion
(c) ejection
(d) dysphagia
Copyright © 2011 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Pretest
8. The sum of all body defenses against infectious disease
is termed:
(a) pyosis
(b) complementation
(c) secretion
(d) immunity
Copyright © 2011 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Pretest
8. The sum of all body defenses against infectious disease
is termed:
(a) pyosis
(b) complementation
(c) secretion
(d) immunity
Copyright © 2011 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins