Pathology

nephrotoxic is an adjective describing substances that can damage the kidneys; used in medical contexts to denote agents, drugs, or toxins harmful to renal tissue. It denotes potential or actual kidney injury risk and is commonly found in pharmacology and toxicology literature. The term combines Greek roots for kidney and poison, reflecting its specific organ-otoxic meaning.

Neuroblastoma is a malignant tumor that arises from immature nerve cells, typically in the adrenal glands or along the spinal cord. It most often affects children, and its name reflects its origin from neuroblasts. The term combines neuro-, blast-, and -oma, signaling neural tissue origin and tumor formation. (2–4 sentences, 50–80 words)

Neutropenia is a medical condition characterized by abnormally low levels of neutrophils, a type of white blood cell essential for fighting infections. It can predispose individuals to infections and may result from chemotherapy, certain diseases, or bone marrow disorders. The term combines roots for white (neutro) and poverty/deficiency (penia).

Neutrophil is a type of white blood cell that defends the body by ingesting bacteria and other invaders. It is the most abundant circulating leukocyte in humans and is key to the innate immune response. The term combines roots referring to its neutral staining properties and its cellular identity.

Neutrophilia is a medical condition marked by an abnormally high number of neutrophils, a type of white blood cell, in the blood. It can indicate infection, inflammation, or hematologic disorders. The term combines Greek roots for 'neutrophil' and 'excess' and is used primarily in clinical discussions and lab reporting.

An osteoma is a benign bony growth, typically forming on skull bones or facial bones. It is a slow-growing, solitary tumor composed of mature bone tissue. Although often asymptomatic, it can cause fullness or discomfort if it enlarges near nerves or sinuses and may require surgical removal if symptomatic or cosmetically concerning.

Pancytopenia is a hematologic condition characterized by a reduction in all three blood cell lines: red cells, white cells, and platelets. It indicates bone marrow suppression or failure and can lead to anemia, infection, and bleeding. The term combines “pan-” (all), “cyto-” (cell), and “penia” (deficiency).

Phlegmon is a medical term for a diffuse, spreading inflammatory swelling or soft tissue infection, typically without a defined abscess. It describes subcutaneous or fascial inflammation that can extend along tissue planes, often requiring urgent medical attention. The word is specialized, used mainly in clinical or surgical contexts, especially in descriptions of cellulitis-like processes.

Plasma is a state of matter in which a gas becomes ionized, containing free electrons and ions. It is distinct from solids, liquids, and non-ionized gases, and is characterized by its conductive properties and responsiveness to electromagnetic fields. In biology and medicine, plasma refers to the liquid component of blood; in physics, it denotes ionized gas used in various technologies. (2-4 sentences, 50-80 words)

Pleomorphism refers to variability in form within a species or organism, often describing differences in cell or organism morphology under varying conditions. In biology and pathology, it denotes structural diversity that can affect function, diagnosis, or classification. The term blends Greek roots referring to form and shape, highlighting the concept of multiple shapes within a single lineage or species.

Ploidy is a biological term referring to the number of complete sets of chromosomes in a cell or organism. It denotes how many full chromosome copies exist, such as haploid, diploid, or polyploid states. The concept is central to genetics, cell division, and evolution, affecting inheritance, reproduction, and genome stability.

Poikilocytosis is a medical term describing a broad variation in the shape of red blood cells within a blood sample. It indicates abnormal erythrocyte morphology, often seen in various anemias and hematologic disorders. The term is primarily used in clinical diagnoses and research settings.

Polycystic is an adjective describing conditions characterized by multiple cysts, typically in an organ such as the kidneys or ovaries. In medical contexts it often refers to Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) or polycystic kidney disease, indicating a multiplicity of sac-like fluid-filled cavities. The term combines Greek roots to denote many cysts within tissue.

Polycythemia is a medical condition characterized by an abnormally high concentration of red blood cells in the bloodstream. It can be primary or secondary and may lead to thickened blood and impaired circulation. The term is used in clinical contexts and requires careful pronunciation due to its multisyllabic structure and Greek/Latin roots.

Polyp is a noun referring to a growth that protrudes from a mucous membrane, often in the nasal passages, digestive tract, or bladder. It can be benign or precancerous, and in medical contexts may require observation or intervention. The term also appears in biology to describe similar protruding structures on organisms. In casual usage, it is primarily a medical/biological descriptor.

Polyposis refers to the condition of having multiple polyps, usually in the mucous membranes of the digestive tract or nasal passages. It denotes a pathological proliferation of polyp tissue and can be associated with hereditary syndromes or sporadic occurrences. In medical contexts, it often implies a risk of malignancy or complications stemming from polyp burden.

A medical term referring to abnormal enlargement of a body part due to the growth of tissue that is not a true hypertrophy of muscle. It describes an apparent enlargement caused by fat or other non-muscle elements, rather than an increase in functional muscle fibers. The term is used in clinical contexts to differentiate true muscle growth from perceived enlargement.

Rhabdomyosarcoma is a malignant tumor arising from skeletal muscle tissue, most commonly affecting children and adolescents but also seen in adults. It is a rare cancer that can occur anywhere in the body, often presenting as a soft, enlarging mass. The term combines elements indicating muscle tissue and cancer, reflecting its tissue origin and behavior.