Chapter 1: Concepts of Health and Disease
1. Pathophysiology: is the study of how normal physiology is altered in the
context of health issues.
2. Disease: is any deviation from normal structure or function in the body,
characterized by specific symptoms or signs, with known or unknown
causes, and various outcomes.
3. Etiologic Factors: The causes of disease are referred to as etiologic factors.
1. Biologic agents (e.g., bacteria, viruses)
2. Physical forces (e.g., trauma, burns, radiation)
3. Chemical agents (e.g., poisons, alcohol)
4. Genetic inheritance, and nutritional excesses or deficitis.
Risk Factors: multiple factors that predispose you to a particular disease
Congenital Conditions: defects present at birth, may not be evident until later in
life. Caused by genetic influences, environmental factors (viral infections in the
mother, maternal drug use, irradiation, gestational position in utero)
Acquired Defects: Occurs after birth, injury, infectious agents, nutrition, lack of
oxygen, inappropriate immune responses and neoplasia.
4. Pathogenesis: Pathogenesis explains how a disease develops and
progresses.
5. Morphology: Morphology pertains to the structure or form of cells and
tissues, with morphologic changes being characteristic of diseases.
6. Manifestation of Disease: Diseases can manifest as:
1. Symptoms (subjective complaints like pain or dizziness)
2. Signs (observable manifestations like elevated temperature or a sore
throat)
