Pathology

Splenomegaly is a medical condition characterized by an abnormal enlargement of the spleen. It can arise from infections, liver disease, or hematologic disorders. In clinical contexts, it is often part of diagnostic discussions and requires careful assessment of associated symptoms and underlying causes.

Steatohepatitis is a liver condition marked by fatty (steatosis) changes accompanied by inflammation (hepatitis). It refers to fat accumulation in liver cells that triggers an inflammatory response, potentially leading to liver damage. The term combines stenographic roots from Greek and Latin, and is commonly used in medical contexts and research discussions.

Steatosis refers to abnormal fat accumulation within cells or tissues, most commonly in the liver (hepatic steatosis). It is a non-inflammatory condition that can result from metabolic factors, alcohol use, or certain medications, and may progress to steatohepatitis if unchecked. In medical contexts, it is used to describe a fatty change in organs, typically diagnosed via imaging or biopsy.

Suppuration is the process of forming or discharging pus, typically as a result of infection. In medical contexts it refers to the production and separation of pus from infections or infected tissues, or the resulting discharge. The term is chiefly used in clinical literature, pathology, and descriptive medical reporting.

Thrombocytopenia is a medical condition characterized by an abnormally low platelet count in the blood, which can impair clotting and increase bleeding risk. It is commonly seen in various disorders, including bone marrow diseases, immune-mediated platelet destruction, and certain medications. The term combines Greek roots for clot and cell with a suffix indicating deficiency. It is chiefly used in clinical contexts and medical literature.

Acantholysis is a histopathological term describing the breakdown of intercellular connections in stratified squamous epithelium, leading to detached, rounded epidermal cells. It’s a specialized concept used in dermatology and pathology to explain certain blistering diseases. The term combines Greek roots referring to “nerve” and “looseness,” but is used primarily in tissue-level pathology contexts.

Acanthosis is a medical term describing a thickening of the skin's epidermal layer. It is used primarily in dermatology to denote abnormally increased keratinocyte proliferation, often appearing as dark, velvety patches. The word is technical and context-specific, typically encountered in clinical documentation and scholarly discussion rather than casual speech.

Adenitis is an inflammation or infection of a gland or lymph node, often resulting from localized infection spreading to surrounding tissues. It can present as swelling, tenderness, and warmth in the affected area, sometimes accompanied by systemic symptoms. The term combines medical Latin roots to describe inflammatory pathology in glandular tissue.

Adenoma refers to a benign tumor formed from glandular tissue. It typically presents as a growth with gland-like features and can occur in various organs. The term is used in medical contexts to describe neoplastic lesions that resemble normal glandular structures, but do not invade surrounding tissues aggressively. (2–4 sentences, ~60 words)

Anaplasia is a medical term describing a loss of mature cellular differentiation, often seen in malignant tumors. It denotes cells that have reverted to a more primitive or abnormal state, highlighting disordered development. The word is used mainly in pathology and literature on disease progression.

An antigen is a molecule or a part of a molecule that the immune system recognizes as foreign, triggering an immune response. It is typically a protein or polysaccharide, or a fragment thereof, that can be detected by antibodies or immune cells. In immunology, antigens are central to how vaccines and immune surveillance work, marking targets for defense mechanisms.

Antigenicity refers to the capacity of a substance, often a foreign protein or molecule, to elicit an immune response by binding to specific antibodies or T-cell receptors. It encompasses the quality or degree to which an antigen can be recognized as foreign, triggering immunological activity. In scientific contexts, antigenicity is a key property determining immunogenic potential and vaccine design.

Basophilia is a medical term describing an abnormally high level of basophils in the blood. It is often evaluated in hematology as part of diagnosing allergic or inflammatory conditions, myeloproliferative disorders, or reactions to certain medications. The word combines a root for the basophil cell type with a suffix indicating a condition or state.

Calcification is the process by which a substance becomes rigid or deposits calcium salts, often forming hard tissue in organisms or inorganic materials. In medicine, it refers to the build-up of calcium salts within soft tissues, detectable by imaging. The term combines the root “calc-” meaning lime or calcium with the agent suffix “-ification,” indicating a process or result.

Calcinosis is a medical condition characterized by the deposition of calcium salts in body tissues, often forming nodules or calcifications. It can arise in various clinical contexts and may be associated with metabolic or genetic disorders. The term is used across medical specialties and requires precise pronunciation for clear communication in exams, research, and patient interactions.

Carcinogenesis refers to the process by which normal cells are transformed into cancer cells, typically through genetic mutations and environmental exposures. It encompasses the initiation, promotion, and progression stages that lead to tumor development. The term is used mainly in medical, biochemical, and toxicological contexts to describe cancer formation over time.

cholangiocarcinoma is a rare, malignant tumor that originates in the bile ducts (cholangiocytes). It develops along the biliary tree, often presenting late with jaundice or abdominal discomfort, and requires specialized oncologic and hepatobiliary treatment. Understanding its name helps both clinicians and patients discuss diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy options clearly.

Cholangiopathy is a medical condition involving disease or dysfunction of the bile ducts (cholangiopathy of the biliary tree). It encompasses a range of pathologies that affect bile duct epithelium and flow, often leading to cholestasis or biliary cirrhosis. The term is used in clinical contexts to describe ductal disorders that can complicate liver health.

Chondrosarcoma is a malignant tumor of cartilaginous origin, typically slow-growing and capable of local invasion. It most often arises in the pelvis, ribs, shoulder, and femur, presenting with dull pain or a palpable mass. This expert-level term is used in oncology and pathology contexts and requires precise pronunciation due to its multi-syllabic, Latin-based construction.

Desmoplasia is a growth response of fibrous or connective tissue around a neoplasm, characterized by dense stromal fibrosis and reactive development. It affects how tumors interact with surrounding tissue and can influence tumor grading and treatment approaches. The term combines roots referring to fibrous (desmo-) tissue proliferation and growth (plasia).

Dyskeratosis is a pathological condition marked by abnormal keratinization of cells, often appearing as abnormal skin or mucous membranes. It denotes a change in the maturation of epithelial cells leading to rough, discolored patches. The term is primarily used in medical contexts and literature, describing cellular dysplasia related to keratinocyte maturation.

Effusion refers to the act of pouring forth or sending out something, often describing a fluid or emotion that flows freely. In medical contexts, it denotes abnormal accumulation of fluid in a body cavity or tissue. The term can also describe an unrestrained outpouring of feeling or expression. It implies excess or outward flow rather than a controlled release.

Endocarditis is an infection of the inner lining of the heart chambers and valves, typically caused by bacteria or fungi. It can damage heart valves and lead to serious complications if untreated. This term combines medical prefixes and root to describe the inflammation of the endocardium, the heart’s inner lining, especially in a clinical setting.

Erythrocytosis is a medical condition characterized by an abnormally high red blood cell count. It can be primary (due to intrinsic marrow pathology) or secondary (driven by hypoxia or other stimuli). The term is used in clinical contexts and research to describe erythrocyte excess, which may affect blood viscosity and tissue oxygen delivery.