Medical laboratory

Escape of fluid from blood vessels or lymphatic system into a body cavity or space

a type of necrosis characterized by dull, opaque, partly or completely fluid remains of tissue, observed in abscesses and frequently in infarcts of brain.

To adjust the output or reading from a testing device to assure that it gives a correct answer; the adjustment is based on measurement of one or more known substances called standards (or calibrators).

a fluid with a high concentration of protein and cellular debris which has escaped from blood vessels and has been deposited in tissues, or on tissue surfaces, usually as a result of inflammation.

yellowness of the skin, sclera, mucous membranes and excretions due to increased bilirubin in the blood and deposition of bile pigments.

sophisticated radiologic technique yielding a detailed image of internal body structures. Also CAT - computerized axial tomography.

a bluish discoloration of skin, lips, nail beds or mucous membranes due to excessive concentrations of reduced hemoglobin in blood and hence deficient oxygenation of blood. cyanotic (adj.).

A condition or illness that arises slowly over days or weeks and may or may not resolve with treatment. It is the opposite of acute.

rupture of the cell nucleus in which the chromatin disintegrates into formless granules that are extruded from the cell.

A compound that contains at least one hydrogen atom and can react with a base to form a salt; a chemical with a pH less than 7. An example of acid in the body is hydrochloric acid (HCl) involved in digestion in the stomach.

resulting from the activity of physicians; usually used for any adverse condition in a patient resulting from treatment by a physician or surgeon. Derived from iatr(o) (Gr) - medicine, physician. iatric - pertaining to medicine or a physician.

an inflammation of a diverticulum, especially those in the wall of the colon which fill with fecal matter and become inflamed. May cause bleeding or obstruction or may burst.

the study of the relationships of various factors determining the frequency and distribution of diseases in the human community; also the field of medicine dealing with the determination of specific causes of localized outbreaks of infection, poisoning or other disease of recognized etiology.

resembling fibrin; an eosinophilic, homogeneous, proteinacious material that is frequently formed on the walls of blood vessels and connective tissue in some patients (e.g with disseminated lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, etc.). fibrinoid necrosis - results in acidophilic (eosinophilic) deposits with staining reactions that resemble fibrin in connective tissue, blood vessel walls and other sites.

The urea concentration of serum or plasma, specified in terms of nitrogen content; an important indicator of renal function. (urea is the chief nitrogenous end-product of protein metabolism, formed in the liver from amino acids and from ammonia compounds).

the formation of an infarct; acute myocardial infarction (AMI) - circulation to a region of the heart is obstructed and necrosis of tissue is occurring.

A condition in adults resulting from excess growth hormone characterized by enlargement of the hands and feet, change in shoe size, gradual changes in facial features, including protrusion of the lower jaw and brow, and enlargement of the nasal bone

Hormones that are responsible for the induction of sexual differentiation and produce secondary male physical characteristics such as a deep voice and facial hair. An example is the hormone testosterone. They are also present in females as precursors to female hormones (such as estrogen).

Removal of a small amount of tissue and/or fluid; the specimen is usually obtained by cutting or by suction through a needle.

The most common inherited cause of mental retardation; takes its name from the appearance of the stained X chromosome under a microscope – there is a site near the end of this chromosome that does not stain, indicating its fragility. The gene in the fragile region is important in making a special protein needed by developing brain cells.