Porth's Essentials of Pathophysiology, 4e

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Glossary

Ionize  To separate or change into ions. Ipsilateral  Situated on, pertaining to, or affecting the same side of the body. Ischemia  Decreased blood supply to a body organ or part, usually due to functional constriction or actual obstruction of a blood vessel. Juxta-articular  Situated near a joint or in the region of a joint. Juxtaglomerular  Near to or adjoining a glomerulus of the kidney. Karyotype  The total chromosomal characteristics of a cell; or the micrograph of chromosomes arranged in pairs in descending order of size. Keratin  A fibrous, sulfur-containing protein that is the primary component of the epidermis, hair, and horny tissues. (Adjective: keratinous) Keratosis  Any skin condition in which there is over- growth and thickening of the cornified epithelium. Ketosis  A condition characterized by the abnormal accumulation of ketones (organic compounds with a carboxyl group attached to two carbon atoms) in the body tissues and fluid. Kinesthesia  The sense of movement, weight, tension, and position of body parts mediated by input from joint and muscle receptors and hair cells. (Adjective: kinesthetic) Kyphosis  An abnormal condition of the vertebral column, characterized by increased convexity in the curvature of the thoracic spine as viewed from the side. Lacuna  A small pit or cavity within a structure, espe- cially bony tissue; or a defect or gap, as in the field of vision. Lateral  A position farther from the median plane or midline of the body or a structure; or situated on, coming from, or directed toward the side. Lesion  Any wound, injury, or pathologic change in body tissue. Lethargy  The lowered level of consciousness charac- terized by listlessness, drowsiness, and apathy; or a state of indifference. Ligament  One of many predominantly white, shiny, flexible bands of fibrous tissue that binds joints together and connects bones or cartilages. Ligand  A group, ion, or molecule that binds to the central atom or molecule in a chemical complex. Lipid  Any of the group of fats and fatlike substances characterized by being insoluble in water and soluble in nonpolar organic solvents, such as chloroform and ether. Lipoprotein  Any one of the conjugated proteins that is a complex of protein and lipid. Lobule  A small lobe. Lordosis  The anterior concavity in the curvature of the lumbar and cervical spine as observed from the side. Lumen  A cavity or the channel within a tube or tubu- lar organ of the body. Luteal  Of, pertaining to, or having the properties of the corpus luteum. Lysis  Destruction or dissolution of a cell or molecule through the action of a specific agent.

Maceration  Softening of tissue by soaking, especially in acidic solutions. Macroscopic  Large enough to be visible with the unaided eye without a microscope. Macula  A small, flat blemish, thickening, or discolor- ation that is flush with the skin surface; or a struc- ture having the form of a spot differentiated from surrounding tissues (e.g., macula lutea). (Adjective: macular) Malaise  A vague feeling of bodily fatigue and discomfort. Manometry  The measurement of tension or pressure of a liquid or gas using a device called a manometer. Marasmus  A condition of extreme protein-calorie malnutrition that is characterized by growth retar- dation and progressive wasting of subcutaneous tissue and muscle and occurs chiefly during the first year of life. Matrix  The intracellular substance of a tissue or the basic substance from which a specific organ or kind of tissue develops. Meatus  An opening or passage through any body part. Medial  Pertaining to the middle; or situated or ori- ented toward the midline of the body. Mediastinum  The mass of tissues and organs in the middle of the thorax, separating the pleural sacs containing the two lungs. Meiosis  The division of a sex cell as it matures, so that each daughter nucleus receives one half of the num- ber of chromosomes characteristic of the somatic cells of the species. Mesoderm  The middle layer of the three primary germ layers of the developing embryo, lying between the ectoderm and the endoderm. Metabolism  The sum of all the physical and chemical processes by which living organisms are produced and maintained, and also the transformation by which energy is provided for vital processes and activities. Metaplasia  Change in type of adult cells in a tissue to a form that is not normal for that tissue. Metastasis  The transfer of disease (e.g., cancer) from one organ or part to another not directly connected with it. (Adjective: metastatic) Miosis  Contraction of the pupil of the eye. Mitosis  A type of indirect cell division that occurs in somatic cells and results in the formation of two daughter nuclei containing the identical comple- ments of the number of chromosomes characteristic of the somatic cells of the species. Molecule  The smallest mass of matter that exhibits the properties of an element or compound. Morbidity  A diseased condition or state; the relative incidence of a disease or of all diseases in a population. Morphology  The study of the physical form and struc- ture of an organism; or the form and structure of a particular organism. (Adjective: morphologic) Mosaicism  In genetics, the presence in an individual or in an organism of cell cultures having two or more cell lines that differ in genetic constitution but are derived from a single zygote.