Key Terms
Connective Tissue
Tissue that supports, protects, and gives structure to other tissues and organs in the body (e.g., bone, cartilage, fat, blood).
Epithelial Tissue
Tissue that forms the covering on all internal and external surfaces of your body (like skin), lines body cavities, and forms glands.
Muscle Tissue
Tissue composed of cells that have the special ability to shorten or contract in order to produce movement of body parts.
Nerve Tissue
The main component of the nervous system (brain, spinal cord, and nerves), which regulates and controls body functions by transmitting signals.
Organ
A self-contained structure made of two or more different types of tissues that work together to perform a specific function (e.g., heart, lungs, liver).
System
A group of organs that work together to perform one or more major functions for the body (e.g., the digestive system, the nervous system).
Congenital
Describes a condition or trait that is present at birth. It may be inherited (genetic) or caused by environmental factors during pregnancy.
Degenerative
Describes a disease or condition in which the structure or function of affected tissues or organs progressively deteriorates over time.
Dehydration
A harmful condition in which the body loses more water than it takes in, preventing it from carrying out its normal functions.
Diagnosis
The process of identifying a disease, condition, or injury by examining its signs and symptoms, as well as using health history and test results.
Edema
Swelling caused by excess fluid trapped in the body's tissues.
Etiology
The study of the causes or origins of diseases and conditions.
Infectious
Describes a disease that is caused by a pathogen (like a bacterium or virus) and can be spread from one organism to another.
Inherited
Refers to a trait or condition that is passed down from parents to their offspring through genes (genetically).
Prognosis
The likely course or outcome of a disease, including the chance of recovery or recurrence.