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Abdominopelvic Quadrant:
One of four divisions of the anterior abdominal surface.
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Abdominopelvic Region
One of nine divisions of the anterior abdominal
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CT, CAT (computerized [axial] tomography):
An imaging technique that uses Xrays to reconstruct the body’s three-dimensional structure.
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Disease
A malfunction of organs or organsystems resulting from a failure of homeostatic regulation.
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DSA (digital subtraction angiography):
A technique used to monitor bloodflow through specific organs, such as the brain, heart, lungs,or kidneys. X rays are taken beforeand after a radiopaque dye is administered, and a computer “subtracts” detailscommon to both images.
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Embryology:
The study of structural changesduring the first two months of development.
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Histology:
The study of tissues.
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MRI (magnetic resonance imaging):
An imaging technique that employs amagnetic field and radio waves to portray subtle structural differences.
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PET (positron emission tomography) scan
An imaging technique that shows thechemical functioning, as well as the structure, of an organ.
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Radiologist:
A physician who specializes inperforming and analyzingradiological procedures.
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Spiral-CT:
A method of processing computerizedtomography data to provide rapid, three-dimensional images of internal organs.
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Ultrasound:
An imaging technique that usesbrief bursts of high-frequency sound waves reflected by internal structures.
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X rays:
High-energy radiation that canpenetrate living tissues.
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Cholesterol:
A steroid, important in the structure of cellular membranes, that, in highconcentrations, increases the risk of heart disease
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Mole(mol), millimole (mmol):
A quantity of an element or compound that has a weight in grams equal to its atomic or molecular weight
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Omega-3 fatty acids:
Fattyacids, abundant in fish flesh and fish oils, that have a double bond threecarbons away from the end of the hydrocarbon chain. Their presence in the diethas been linked to reduced risks of heart disease and other conditions.
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Radioisotopes:
Isotopes with unstable nuclei that spontaneously emit subatomic particles or radiationin measurable amounts.
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Benign tumor:
A mass or swelling in which the cells usually remain within a connective-tissue capsule; rarely life threatening.
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Cancer:
An illness caused by mutations leading to the uncontrolled growth and replicationof affected cells.
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Dextran
A carbohydrate that cannot cross cell membranes; commonly administered in solution to patients after blood loss or dehydration
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DNAfingerprinting:
Identifying an individual on the basis of repeating nucleotide sequences in hisor her DNA.
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Invasion:
Thespread of cancer cells from a primary tumor into surrounding tissues.
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Malignant Tumor:
A mass or swelling in which the cells no longer respond to normal controlmechanisms, but divide rapidly.
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Metastasis:
The spread of malignant cells into distant tissues and organs, where secondary tumorssubsequently develop.
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Normal Saline:
A NaCl solution that approximates the normal osmotic concentration of extracellular fluids.
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Oncogene:
A cancer-causing gene created by a somatic mutation in a normal gene involved with growth, differentiation, or cell division.
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Primary Tumor:
The mass of cells in which a cancer cell initially developed.
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Secondary Tumor:
A colony of cancerous cells formed by metastasis.
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Tumor:
A mass or swelling produced by abnormal cell growth and division.
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Abscess:
The accumulation of pus within an enclosed tissue space.
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Adhesions:
Restrictive fibrous connectionsthat can result from surgery, infection, or other injuries to serous membranes.
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Ananaplasia:
An irreversible change in the sizeand shape of tissue cells.
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Antiangiogenesis Factor:
A secretion, produced by chondrocytes, that inhibits the growth of blood vessels.
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Ascites:
The accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity, usually caused by liver or kidney disease or heart failure.
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Dysplasia:
A reversible change in the normalshape, size, and organization of tissue cells.
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Exfoliative cytology:
The study of cells shed orcollected from epithelial surfaces.
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Liposuction:
A surgical procedure to removeunwanted adipose tissue by sucking it out through a tube.
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Metaplasia:
A reversible structural change that alters the character of a tissue.
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Necrosis:
Tissue destruction that occurs after cells have been injured or destroyed; a result of the release of lysosomal enzymes through autolysis.
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Pathologists:
Physicians who specialize in the study of disease processes.
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Pericarditis:
An inflammation of the pericardial lining that may lead to the accumulation of pericardial fluid
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Peritonitis:
An inflammation of the peritoneum after infection or injury.
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Pleural Effusion:
The accumulation of fluid within the pleural cavities as a result of chronic infection or inflammation of the pleura.
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Pleuritis:
An inflammation of the pleural cavities. This condition may cause the production of a sound known as a pleural rub.
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Regeneration:
The repairing of injured tissues that follows inflammation.
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