Common Pathology Summary

Condition Descripti
on
Alzheimer’s A condition characterized by progressive mental deterioration, often with confusion,
memory failure, disorientation, restlessness, agnosia, speech disturbances, inability to
carry out purposeful movement,
and hallucinosis.
Asthma A respiratory disorder causing narrowing of the airway that may be due to allergy or
hypersensitivity reactions. It is a complex disorder involving biochemical,
immunological, infectious, endocrinological, and
psychological factors.
Benign A histological diagnosis associated with nonmalignant, noninflammatory enlargement of
Prostatic the prostate, most common among men over 50 years of age. Also called prostatic
Hypertrophy hyperplasia.
(BPH)
Cataracts An abnormal progressive condition of the lens of the eye, characterized by loss of
transparency. A yellow,
brown, or white opacity can be observed within the lens, behind the pupil.
Cerebrovascular An abnormal condition of the brain characterized by occlusion by an embolus,
accident thrombus, or cerebrovascular hemorrhage or vasospasm, resulting in ischemia of the
(Stroke or CVA) brain tissues normally perfused
by the damaged vessels. Also called brain attack, cerebrovascular insult or stroke.
Chronic A progressive and irreversible condition characterized by diminished inspiratory and
Obstructive expiratory capacity of
Pulmonary the lungs. The condition is aggravated by cigarette smoking and air pollution. Kinds
Disease (COPD) include asthma, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema.
Chronic Renal Gradual loss of kidney function, with progressively more severe renal insufficiency until
Failure the stage called
chronic irreversible kidney failure or end-stage renal disease.
Congestive An abnormal condition that reflects impaired cardiac pumping and the inability to
heart failure maintain the metabolic needs of the body. Its causes include myocardial infarction,
(CHF) ischemic heart disease, and cardiomyopathy. Failure of the ventricles to eject blood
efficiently results in volume overload, ventricular dilation, and elevated intracardiac
pressure. Increased pressure in the left side of the heart causes pulmonary congestion.
Increased pressure in the right side causes systemic venous congestion and peripheral
edema.
Deep Vein A disorder involving a thrombus in one of the deep veins of the body, most commonly
Thrombosis the iliac or femoral vein.
(DVT)
Dementia A progressive organic mental disorder characterized by chronic personality
disintegration, confusion, disorientation, stupor, deterioration of intellectual capacity
and function, and impairment of control of memory, judgment, and impulses.
Diabetes Mellitus A complex disorder of carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism that is primarily a
result of a deficiency or complete lack of insulin secretion by the beta cells of the
pancreas or resistance to insulin.
Emphysema An abnormal condition of the pulmonary system, characterized by overinflation and
destructive changes in
alveolar walls. It results in a loss of lung elasticity and decreased gas exchange.
Gastro- A backflow of contents of the stomach into the esophagus that is often the result of
Esophageal Reflux incompetence of the lower esophageal sphincter. Gastric juices are acidic and therefore
disease. (GERD) produce burning pain in the esophagus. Repeated episodes of reflux may cause
esophagitis, peptic esophageal stricture, or
esophageal ulcer.
Glaucoma An abnormal condition of elevated pressure within an eye that occurs when aqueous
production exceeds aqueous outflow, resulting in damage to the optic nerve.
Gout A disease associated with an inborn error of uric acid metabolism that increases
Common Pathology
Revised October 25, 2022
 Common Pathology Summary
production or interferes
with excretion of uric acid. Excess uric acid is converted to sodium urate crystals that
precipitate from the blood and become deposited in joints and other tissues.
Hyperlipidemia An excess of lipids, including glycolipids, lipoproteins, and phospholipids, in the plasma.
Hypertension A common disorder that is a known cardiovascular disease risk factor, characterized by
elevated blood pressure over the normal values of 120/80 mm Hg in an adult over 18
years of age.
Hypothyroidism A condition characterized by decreased activity of the thyroid gland.
Multiple Sclerosis A progressive disease characterized by disseminated demyelination of nerve fibers of the
brain and spinal
cord. Multifocal lesions of plaque destroy the myelin and to a varying degree,
oligodendrocytes.
Myocardial Necrosis of a portion of cardiac muscle caused by an obstruction in a coronary artery
Infarction (MI) resulting from
atherosclerosis, a thrombus, or a spasm. Also called heart attack.
Osteoarthritis A form of arthritis in which one or many joints undergo degenerative changes, including
subchondral bony sclerosis, loss of articular cartilage, and proliferation of bone spurs
(osteophytes) and cartilage in the joint.
Osteoporosis A disorder characterized by abnormal loss of bone density and deterioration of bone
tissue, with an increased fracture risk. It occurs most frequently in postmenopausal
women, sedentary or immobilized
individuals, and patients on long-term steroid therapy.
Otitis Inflammation or infection of the ear. Kinds include otitis externa, otitis media.
Parkinson’s A slowly progressive degenerative neurological disorder characterized by resting
Disease tremor, pill rolling of the fingers, a masklike facies, shuffling gait, forward flexion of the
trunk, loss of postural reflexes, and muscle
rigidity and weakness.
Pneumonia An acute inflammation of the lungs, often caused by inhaled pneumococci of the species
Streptococcus
pneumoniae. The alveoli and bronchioles of the lungs become plugged with a fibrous
exudate. Pneumonia may also be caused by other bacteria, as well as by viruses,
rickettsiae, and fungi.
Pulmonary The blockage of a pulmonary artery by fat, air, tumor tissue, or a thrombus that usually
Embolism arises from a
peripheral vein (most frequently one of the deep veins of the legs).
Shingles (herpes An acute infection caused by reactivation of the latent varicella zoster virus, which mainly
zoster) affects adults, linked to stress, aging, and immune impairment. It is characterized by the
development of painful vesicular skin eruptions that follow the underlying route of cranial
or spinal nerves inflamed by the virus. Prompt treatment with antivirals can speed
healing and reduce the risk of postherpetic neuralgia
Sinusitis An inflammation of one or more paranasal sinuses.
(TIA) Transient An episode of cerebrovascular insufficiency, usually associated with partial occlusion of a
Ischemic Attack cerebral artery by an atherosclerotic plaque or an embolus. The symptoms vary with the
site and degree of occlusion. Disturbance of normal vision in one or both eyes, dizziness,
weakness, dysphasia, numbness, or unconsciousness may occur. The attack usually lasts
a few minutes. In rare cases symptoms continue for several hours.
Ulcerative Colitis A chronic, episodic, inflammatory disease of the large intestine and rectum. It is
characterized by profuse
watery diarrhea containing varying amounts of blood, mucus, and pus. Also called
inflammatory bowel disease.
Urinary tract An infection of one or more structures in the urinary system. Also called urinary infection.
Infection ( UTI )

Common Pathology
Revised October 25, 2022
 Common Pathology Summary

Reference: O’Toole, M.T. (Ed.). (2022). Mosby’s dictionary of medicine, nursing & health professions. (11th ed.). St. Louis, Missouri: Elsevier Inc.

Common Pathology
Revised October 25, 2022