Medical terms
Study of diseases and their effects on the body
Pathology
Patient: Jordan, 15 years old
Chief complaint: “My stomach hurts really badly.”
Symptoms
Pain began around the belly button
Several hours later, pain moved to the lower-right abdomen
Loss of appetite
Nausea
Mild fever
Walking makes the pain worse
Vital signs
Temperature: 101.3°F (38.5°C)
Heart rate: 108 bpm
Respiratory rate: 20/min
Blood pressure: 110/68 mmHg
Test results
White blood cell count: Elevated
Abdominal ultrasound: Inflamed appendix
Urinalysis: No evidence of a urinary infection
Why might the location of the pain have changed? What organ is involved?
Answer: Appendicitis
Teaching point: Appendicitis occurs when the appendix becomes inflamed. The pain can initially be vague before becoming more localized.
This bone is commonly called the collarbone.
Clavicle
This professional assists physicians during surgery and can perform certain medical procedures and examinations.
Physician Assistant (PA)
This is the largest organ of the human body.
Skin
The process by which the body maintains a stable internal environment.
Homeostasis
Patient: Alex, 17 years old
Chief complaint: “I feel exhausted and dizzy all the time.”
Symptoms
Fatigue
Headaches
Dizziness when standing
Difficulty concentrating
Gets tired unusually quickly during basketball practice
Looks paler than usual
Vital signs
Temperature: 98.4°F (36.9°C)
Heart rate: 102 bpm
Respiratory rate: 18/min
Blood pressure: 104/66 mmHg
Test results
hemoglobin-low
Hematocrit- low
ferritin- low
Blood glucose- normal
O2 saturation-98%
Team challenge:
What does hemoglobin normally do? Why could a low level cause these symptoms?
Answer: Iron-deficiency anemia
Teaching point: Hemoglobin in red blood cells carries oxygen. Iron is needed to make hemoglobin, so iron deficiency can reduce oxygen delivery to tissues.
This organ produces bile and helps detoxify the blood.
liver
This professional helps patients recover movement and strength after injuries, surgeries, or illnesses.
Physical Therapist (PT)
Your stomach contains a very strong acid that helps break down food. This acid is primarily...
What is hydrochloric acid?
system involved in fluid balance and immune defense
Lymphatic system
Patient: Sam, 14 years old
Chief complaint: “I'm drinking water constantly, but I'm still thirsty.”
Symptoms
Extreme thirst
Frequent urination
Unexplained weight loss
Fatigue
Blurry vision
Symptoms have developed over several weeks
Vital signs
Temperature: 98.6°F (37°C)
Heart rate: 104 bpm
Respiratory rate: 22/min
Blood pressure: 108/70 mmHg
Blood glucose-320mg
Urine glucose-Positive
Urine ketones- Postitive
Sodium-Slightly elevated
HbA1c-Elevated
Team challenge:
Why would excess glucose in the blood cause someone to urinate so frequently?
Answer: Type 1 diabetes
Teaching point: In type 1 diabetes, the immune system destroys insulin-producing pancreatic cells. Without enough insulin, glucose builds up in the bloodstream.
Upper chamber of the heart
Atrium
This professional prepares and dispenses medications and teaches patients how to use them safely.
Pharmacist
The human body contains approximately this many bones in adulthood.
What is 206?
organism that can cause disease
Pathogen
Patient: Riley, 16 years old
Chief complaint: “I feel sick after our camping trip.”
Symptoms
Fever
Headache
Muscle aches
Nausea
Increasing fatigue
Symptoms began several days after returning from a wooded camping area
A small red area was noticed on the skin, but Riley doesn't remember being bitten
Vital signs
Temperature: 102.2°F (39°C)
Heart rate: 110 bpm
Respiratory rate: 20/min
Blood pressure: 112/70 mmHg
Test results
White blood cell count: Slightly low
Platelets: Low
Liver enzymes: Elevated
Tick exposure: Possible
Lyme disease test: Negative
Team challenge:
What type of exposure should the team investigate? Why might a negative Lyme test not completely solve the mystery?
Answer: A tick-borne illness such as ehrlichiosis
Teaching point: Ticks can transmit several different infections, not just Lyme disease. Different tick-borne illnesses have different symptoms and laboratory patterns.
Femur
This emergency medical professional provides immediate care to injured or ill patients before they reach a hospital.
EMT
If all the blood vessels in an adult human body were placed end-to-end, they would stretch roughly this far.
What is tens of thousands of miles?
response of tissue to injury or infection
Inflammation
Patient: Taylor, 17 years old
Chief complaint: “My heart suddenly started racing.”
Symptoms
Sudden pounding heartbeat
Lightheadedness
Mild chest discomfort
Episodes begin and end suddenly
First noticed while sitting and studying
No fever
Vital signs during the episode
Temperature: 98.5°F (36.9°C)
Heart rate: 190 bpm
Respiratory rate: 22/min
Blood pressure: 102/64 mmHg
Oxygen saturation: 99%
Test results
Blood glucose: Normal
Electrolytes: Normal
ECG: Very rapid, regular heartbeat
ECG between episodes: Normal
Team challenge:
What does the sudden start/stop pattern suggest? Is the heart necessarily “weak” just because it is beating very quickly?
Answer: Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)
Teaching point: SVT is an abnormally rapid heart rhythm originating above the heart's ventricles. Someone can have a structurally normal heart while experiencing episodes of very rapid heart rate.
Nerve cell
Neuron
This physician specializes in diagnosing and treating cancer.
Oncologist
Goosebumps are actually caused by tiny muscles attached to these structures.
What are hair follicles?