Pathology

Fibroma is a benign tumor composed of fibrous or connective tissue, often developing in soft tissues such as skin or mucous membranes. It is noncancerous but can cause discomfort or cosmetic concern, and may require excision or monitoring depending on location and growth. In medical contexts, it’s typically described by location and depth.

Fibrosis is the formation or development of excess fibrous connective tissue in an organ or tissue, typically as part of a reparative or reactive process. It often results from chronic injury or inflammation and can lead to scarring and impaired function. In medical contexts, fibrosis is used to describe pathologic tissue change that disrupts normal architecture and performance.

Ganglioneuroma is a rare, benign tumor arising from nerve tissue, typically from sympathetic ganglia. It grows slowly and is usually noncancerous, though it can cause symptoms by pressing on nearby structures. The term combines Greek roots for nerve tissue and tumor, reflecting its neural origin and benign nature. Size and location influence clinical presentation and management.

Granulocytopenia is a hematologic condition characterized by an abnormally low number of granulocytes, especially neutrophils, in the blood. It can increase infection risk and may result from drugs, immune disorders, or bone marrow issues. The term emphasizes a deficiency of granulocytes, a crucial white blood cell type, impacting immune defense.

Granulocytosis is a medical term describing an elevated level of granulocytes in the blood. It is used mainly in clinical contexts and research to indicate an abnormal increase in certain white blood cells, impacting immune response. The term reflects hematology terminology and is encountered by specialists and informed patients. Typically, its usage appears in diagnostic reports and scholarly articles.

Granuloma is a small area of inflammation, typically a cluster of immune cells, which forms in response to infection, injury, or irritants. It can occur in various tissues, often indicating a chronic or persistent immune reaction. The term is used across medical and scientific contexts to describe this nodular inflammatory process.

A hematoma is a localized swelling filled with blood outside of a blood vessel, usually caused by injury. It forms when blood leaks from damaged capillaries and collects in surrounding tissues, producing a raised, sometimes discolored lump. The term is used in medical reporting and patient contexts to describe this collection of clotted blood beneath the skin or within organs.

Hepatitis is an inflammatory disease of the liver, caused by viral infection, alcohol use, or autoimmune factors. It commonly presents with jaundice, fatigue, and abdominal pain, and can be acute or chronic. The term covers several distinct conditions (types A–E) that affect liver function and health outcomes.

Hepatocellular is a medical term describing anything related to liver cells, typically used in pathology and hepatology. It combines hepat- (liver) with -ocellular (cellular), referring to liver parenchymal cells. The word is primarily used in formal scientific writing and clinical contexts to specify cellular origin within hepatic tissue.

A hepatocyte is a principal liver cell specializing in metabolic, detoxification, and protein-synthesis tasks. It is polygonal, polyhedral, and organized into plates within hepatic lobules, performing essential biochemical processes that sustain liver function. The term combines Greek roots for liver (hepar) and cell (kytos), reflecting its cellular liver role and specialized activities.

Hepatoma is a malignant liver tumor, typically hepatocellular carcinoma that may also refer to rare liver tumors. The term combines Greek roots for liver (hepar) and tumor (oma), and is used in medical contexts to describe a primary liver cancer or hepatic neoplasm. It is a specialized, technical word encountered mainly in clinical literature and pathology.

A histiocyte is a type of immune cell derived from monocytes that resides in tissues, where it engulfs pathogens and debris. It plays roles in antigen presentation and inflammatory responses. The term is used mainly in pathology and immunology contexts to describe tissue-resident macrophage-like cells.

Histology is the branch of biology that studies the microscopic structure of tissues. It involves preparing thin tissue sections, staining them, and examining them under a microscope to understand tissue organization, cellular relationships, and function. The word combines Greek roots related to tissue and science, and it’s a foundational tool in pathology, anatomy, and biomedical research.

Hyalinization is the process of forming or becoming hyaline—an extracellular, glassy, translucent material—or the transformation of tissue into a hyaline-like substance. In biology and medicine, it often describes the conversion of structures toward a clear, pale, glassy appearance, typically involving protein accumulation and altered tissue architecture. The term is used across histology, pathology, and developmental biology to denote a specific, glassy degenerative or formative change.

Hypercellularity refers to an unusually high density of cells within a tissue or organ, often indicating a pathologic or neoplastic process. It can also describe tissues with increased cellularity due to reactive or developmental factors. In medical contexts, it is used to contrast with hypocellularity, where few cells are present. The term combines hyper- (excess) with cellularity (cell density).

Hyperchromasia is a morphological feature seen in cells with excessive DNA content, giving them an intensely staining, dark appearance under light microscopy. It denotes markedly increased chromatin density, often associated with cellular atypia and malignancy. The term is used in pathology to describe this nuclear characteristic in contrast to normal chromatin distribution.

Hyperglycemia is a condition characterized by an abnormally high level of glucose in the blood. It typically refers to prolonged elevated blood sugar, often associated with diabetes, and can lead to symptoms such as frequent thirst, fatigue, and increased urination if not managed. It’s a term used in clinical contexts as well as patient education.

Hyperlipidemia is a medical condition characterized by elevated levels of lipids in the blood, typically cholesterol and triglycerides. It is often asymptomatic but increases cardiovascular risk if untreated. The term combines the Greek prefix hyper- (above), lip- (fat), and -emia (blood), indicating excessive fat in the bloodstream.

Hypernatremia is a medical condition characterized by an elevated sodium level in the blood, usually due to dehydration, water loss, or excessive salt intake. It can disrupt cellular function, particularly in the brain, and requires careful management to restore normal osmolar balance and prevent complications.

Hypocellularity refers to a reduced number or density of cells in a tissue or organism, typically indicating diminished cellularity compared to a normal baseline. It is used in medical and biological contexts to describe conditions where cell populations are sparse, affecting tissue function or growth. The term combines hypo- (below), cell (cell), and the -ularity suffix indicating a state or condition.

Hypokalemia is a medical condition characterized by an abnormally low level of potassium in the blood. It can cause muscle weakness, cramps, and arrhythmias, and may result from poor intake, diuretics, or diseases that influence potassium balance. Proper diagnosis relies on血 potassium measurements and clinical context, guiding treatment to restore potassium levels.

Immunohistochemistry is a laboratory technique that uses antibodies labeled with markers to detect specific antigens in tissue samples. It combines immunology and histology to visualize the distribution and localization of target molecules, typically via fluorescent or chromogenic signals. The method is central to diagnostics and research, enabling precise mapping of proteins within cells and tissues.

A biological term describing the set of cell-surface markers and other immunological features used to classify cells, typically in hematology or immunology. It combines elements meaning immune, phenotype, and genetic expression, referring to a cellular identity defined by immunological markers. The term is used in research and clinical diagnostics to distinguish cell types and states based on surface proteins.

Infiltration refers to the act or process of entering or penetrating something, especially to gain information or establish a presence. It can describe physical entry, biological seepage, or covert penetration in strategic or security contexts. The term often implies gradual, sustained intrusion rather than a single, overt act.