Definitions That May Help
from Dictionary.com; Medline’s Online Dictionary — www.medlineplus.com; CancerWEB's On-line Medical Dictionary — ( dictionary.reference.com/search?q=pathophysiology)
ac·i·do·sis: an abnormal condition of reduced alkalinity of the blood and tissues that is marked by sickly sweet breath, headache, nausea and vomiting, and visual disturbances and is usually a result of excessive acid (compare ALKALOSIS, KETOSIS)
activate: to become active; to convert (a compound, as a provitamin or enzyme) into an active form or different compound, especially. Into one that has a particular biological action (for example ergosterol by irradiation to vitamin D2 for use in treating rickets).
ac·ti·va·tor: a substance (as a chloride ion) that increases the activity of an enzyme (compare COENZYME); a substance given off by developing tissue that stimulates differentiation of adjacent tissue ; also : a structure giving off such a stimulant
al·ka·lo·sis: an abnormal condition of increased alkalinity of the blood and tissues (compare ACIDOSIS, KETOSIS)
apop·to·sis: programmed cell death; a genetically-determined process of cell self-destruction that is marked by the fragmentation of nuclear DNA; is activated either by the presence of a stimulus or by the removal of a stimulus or suppressing agent; is a normal physiological process eliminating DNA-damaged, superfluous, or unwanted cells (as immune cells targeted against the self in the development of self-tolerance or larval cells in amphibians undergoing metamorphosis); and, when halted (as by genetic mutation) may result in uncontrolled cell growth and tumor formation
cy·to·plasm: The protoplasm outside the nucleus of a cell; the organized complex of inorganic and organic substances external to the nuclear membrane of a cell and including the cytosol and membrane-bound organelles (as mitochondria or chloroplasts)
down·reg·u·la·tion: the process of reducing or suppressing a response to a stimulus ; specifically : reduction in a cellular response to a molecule (as insulin) due to a decrease in the number of receptors on the cell surface
e·lu·ci·date: To make clear or plain, especially by explanation; clarify.
ep·i·the·li·al: of or relating to epithelium (ep·i·the·li·um: membranous tissue composed of one or more layers of cells separated by very little intercellular substance and forming the covering of most internal and external surfaces of the body and its organs).
eti·ol·o·gy: the cause or causes of a disease or abnormal condition; a branch of medical science dealing with the causes and origin of diseases
func·tion·al: affecting physiological or psychological functions but not organic structure; performing or able to perform a regular function
he·mo·glo·bin·op·a·thy: a blood disorder (as sickle-cell anemia) caused by a genetically determined change in the molecular structure of hemoglobin
hy·po·ven·ti·late: breathe too shallowly: to breathe in an abnormally slow and shallow way
im·pe·dance: something that impedes (interferes or slows the progress of); resistance
in·tra·vas·cu·lar: situated in, occurring in, or administered by entry into a blood vessel; an intravascular injection
ke·to·sis: an abnormal increase of ketone bodies in the body in conditions of reduced or disturbed carbohydrate metabolism (as in uncontrolled diabetes mellitus) -- compare ACIDOSIS, ALKALOSIS
mi·cro·cir·cu·la·tion: blood circulation in the microvascular system ; also : the microvascular system itself
mi·to·chon·dr·i·a: a small intracellular organelle which is responsible for energy production and cellular respiration.
A spherical or elongated organelle in the cytoplasm of nearly all eukaryotic cells, containing genetic material and many enzymes important for cell metabolism, including those responsible for the conversion of food to usable energy. Also called chondriosome.
na·sal can·nu·la: a small tube for insertion into a body cavity, duct, or vessel [in this instance, the nose, nasal passages I would suspect]
nex·us: a connection or link between things, persons, or events esp. that is or is part of a chain of causation
nit·ric ox·ide (NO): an inorganic, gaseous free radical that carries a variety of messages between cells. So important, it has it's own page!
NMDA: a synthetic amino acid C5H9NO4 that binds selectively to a subset of glutamate receptors on neurons where the binding of glutamate results in the opening of calcium channels -- called also N-methyl- D-aspartate
nu·tra·ceu·ti·cal: A food or naturally occurring food supplement thought to have a beneficial effect on human health.
patho·phys·i·ol·o·gy: the physiology of abnormal states; specifically : the functional changes that accompany a particular syndrome or disease; or, derangement of function seen in disease; alteration in function as distinguished from structural defects.
per·fuse: to cause to flow or spread : ( DIFFUSE b : to force a fluid through (an organ or tissue) especially by way of the blood vessels <perfuse a liver with salt solution>); to force blood or other fluid to flow from the artery through the vascular bed of a tissue or to flow through the lumen of a hollow structure.
per·ox·y·ni·trite (ONOO-): a product of the reaction of nitric oxide with superoxide, is a potent and versatile oxidant that can attack a wide range of biological molecules. The peroxynitrite anion is relatively stable under basic conditions but is protonated at physiological pH; under physiological conditions, the half-life of the protonated species, peroxynitrous acid, is about 1 second. The peroxynitrite anion can react with DNA, proteins, and lipids at physiological conditions, leading to cellular damage and cytotoxity. Reaction with DNA can lead to oxidation and/or nitration to initiate a complex series of transformations involving base damage or strand breaks as well as reactions with the deoxyribose portion of the DNA. A major reaction with proteins is the formation of nitrotyrosine.
pro·te·mics: The study of the full set of proteins encoded by a genome.
prox·i·mate: next immediately preceding or following (as in a chain of causation, events, or effects); being or leading to a particular esp. foreseeable result without intervention; closely related in space, time, or order (very near; proximal); approximate.
re·dox (n): Oxidation-reduction; a reversible chemical reaction in which one reaction is an oxidation and the reverse is a reduction; an internal redox apparently occurs, and the electron moves from cation to anion
res·pir·a·tor·y al·ka·lo·sis (n): alkalosis that is caused by excessive elimination of carbon dioxide due to a respiratory abnormality (as hyperventilation)
-tro·pic: turning or changing in a specified way or in response to a specified stimulus: (heliotropic); affecting or attracted to something specified: ( gonadotropic).
un·der·pin: to support; to form part of, strengthen, or replace the foundation of
up·reg·u·la·tion: the process of increasing the response to a stimulus ; specifically : increase in a cellular response to a molecular stimulus due to increase in the number of receptors on the cell surface
