Week 1
I’m the body’s largest organ and I regulate temperature, protect from UV rays, and sense the world around me. I even have appendages like hair and nails!
What is skin?
This vitamin is crucial for collagen cross-linking—without it, you might bruise easily and your gums could bleed.
What is vitamin C?
This inflammatory myopathy shows CD8+ T-cell infiltrates on biopsy and proximal muscle weakness.
What is polymyositis?
Postmenopausal women with low estrogen are at risk for this condition marked by decreased bone mass and increased fragility fractures.
What is Osteoporosis?
A medical student flexes their biceps and notes that the force transmits through this dense regular connective tissue band that connects muscle to bone and helps stabilize joints during movement.
What is a tendon?
This type of wound healing is like a clean paper cut—edges close quickly with minimal scarring.
What is healing by first intention?
This autoimmune disease features a malar rash, positive ANA, and can affect nearly every organ system.
What is systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)?
This is the most common benign soft tissue tumor—basically a big, soft blob of mature adipocytes.
What is a lipoma?
A newborn’s flat skull bones developed through this type of ossification that bypasses a cartilage model.
What is Intramembranous ossification?
A marathon runner with early osteoarthritis takes over-the-counter meds that inhibit cyclooxygenase enzymes to reduce pain and inflammation. This class of drugs, which blocks prostaglandin synthesis, also carries risks like GI ulcers and renal impairment.
What are NSAIDs?
A patient compulsively pulls their own hair out, often in times of stress. It’s not lice—it’s this psych condition.
What is trichotillomania?
In this condition, antibodies attack acetylcholine receptors at the neuromuscular junction, causing fatigue that improves with rest.
What is myasthenia gravis?
You might pick up this roundworm from undercooked pork—and it loves to camp out in skeletal muscle.
What is Trichinella spiralis?
Chronic exposure to this hormone stimulates RANKL expression and osteoclastic bone resorption, potentially leading to osteoporosis.
What is Parathyroid Hormone (PTH)?
Cartilage breakdown and subchondral sclerosis on knee X-ray point to this common degenerative joint condition.
What is Osteoarthritis?
This skin cancer arises from melanocytes and follows the ABCDEs of diagnosis—especially if it’s asymmetric and changes over time.
What is malignant melanoma?
This calcium-binding protein in muscle kicks off contraction by exposing binding sites on actin.
What is troponin C?
A swimmer with a cut who ends up with rapidly progressive necrotizing fasciitis probably met this marine bacterium.
What is Vibrio vulnificus?
A wrestler with a torn meniscus damaged this type of cartilage known for its resistance to compression and its mix of type I and type II collagen.
What is Fibrocartilage
A woman with morning stiffness that improves throughout the day and symmetric joint swelling likely has this autoimmune disease.
What is Rheumatoid arthritis?
If your Wood’s lamp glows green on a kid’s scalp lesion, this sneaky organism is probably the culprit.
What is Microsporum species?
This receptor releases calcium from the sarcoplasmic reticulum and is the cause for malignant hyperthermia in some patients.
What is the ryanodine receptor (RyR)?
This bug causes gas gangrene and looks like a boxcar on Gram stain.
What is Clostridium perfringens?
This major mineral component gives bone its compressive strength and is released during osteoclast-mediated resorption.
What is Hydroxyapatite
A man presents with acute first MTP joint pain after a steak and beer dinner. You suspect deposition of this substance.
What is Monosodium urate (gout)?