ABSTRACT
Abscess Localized collection of pus, surrounded by a pyogenic membrane Adenoma Benign glandular neoplasm Aneurysm Abnormal permanent dilatation of a blood vessel or part of a
heart chamber Apoptosis Programmed cell death Atrophy Pathological or physiological reduction in size or number or both
of an organ or tissue Carcinoma A malignant epithelial neoplasm Cirrhosis Combination of widespread fibrosis and regenerative nodule
formation following necrosis of hepatic cells Cyst Cavity with an epithelial lining and containing fluid or other
material Cytokine Substances produced by one cell that influence the behaviour of
another, affecting intercellular communication Cytotoxic Causing cell injury but not necessarily lethal Differentiation Embryological: process by which a cell develops special
characteristics Pathological: degree of morphological resemblance of a neoplasm to its parent tissue
Diverticulum Abnormal hollow pouch communicating with the lumen of the structure(s) from which it has arisen
Dysplasia Abnormal growth and differentiation of a tissue in epithelia – often a feature of the early stages of neoplasia
Dystrophy Abnormal development or degeneration of a tissue Ectasia Abnormal dilatation Ectopic Tissue or substance in or from an inappropriate site (not
metastasis) Effusion Abnormal collection of fluid in a body cavity Embolus Fluid or solid mass mobile within a blood vessel and capable of
blocking its lumen Empyema Cavity filled with pus Endocrine Characteristic of cells producing hormones secreted into the
blood with distant effects Endotoxin Toxin derived from disruption of the outer membrane of Gram-
negative bacteria Erosion Loss of superficial layer or surface Exophytic Tumour growing outwards from a surface usually because it
lacks invasive properties Exotoxin Toxin secreted by living bacteria Exudate Extravascular accumulation of protein-rich fluid as a result of
increased vascular permeability Fibrosis Process of depositing excess collagen into tissue in attempted repair Fistula Abnormal connection between two epithelial-lined surfaces
Bulk tissue necrosis. Dry sterile; wet bacterial putrefaction Grade Degree of malignancy of a neoplasm (well, moderately or poorly
differentiated) Granulation Newly formed connective tissue often found at the edge or base tissue of ulcers and wounds, made up of capillaries, fibroblasts,
myofibroblasts and inflammatory cells embedded in mucin-rich ground substance during healing
Granuloma An aggregate of epithelioid macrophages often including giant cells
Haematoma Localized collection of blood or blood clot, usually within solid tissue
Hamartoma Congenital tumour-like malformation comprising two or more mature tissue elements normally present in the organ in which it arises
Hernia Abnormal protrusion of an organ or part of it from one body compartment to another
Hyperplasia Enlargement of an organ or tissue as a result of increased cell numbers
Hypertrophy Enlargement of an organ or part of it as a result of increased cell size
Infarction Death of a tissue as a result of insufficient blood supply Ischaemia Inadequate blood supply to, or to part of, an organ Malignant Condition with risk of morbidity and mortality, usually applied
to tumours Metaplasia Reversible change in the character of a tissue from one mature
cell type to another Metastasis Process by which a primary malignant neoplasm gives rise to
secondary tumours at distant sites, usually by lymphatic, vascular or transcoelomic spread
Mucocele Mucus-filled cyst or hollow organ Mutation Irreversible alteration in the base sequence of DNA, which may
occur spontaneously or in response to a mutagenic agent; may result in the synthesis of an abnormal protein product
Necrosis Pathological cell or tissue death within a living organism irrespective of cause
Neoplasm Abnormal or uncoordinated tissue growth persisting after withdrawal of the initiating cause
Oedema Abnormal collection of fluid within or between cells Oncogene A gene inappropriately, abnormally or excessively expressed in
tumours, the product of which is responsible for their autonomous growth
Opsonin Factor which enhances the efficiency of phagocytosis because it is recognized by receptor(s) on leukocytes; two major opsonins are the Fc fragment of immunoglobulin G and a product of complement, C3b
Natural process of tissue repair Papilloma Benign neoplasm of non-glandular epithelium Papillary Surface of a lesion characterized by numerous folds, fronds or
villous projections Paracrine Characteristic of neighbouring cells of different types
influencing each other by secretion of cytokines, growth factors or hormones
Pleomorphism Variation in size and shape, usually of nuclei and characteristic of malignant neoplasms
Polymorphic Consisting of more than one cell type Polyp Sessile or pedunculated protrusion from a body surface Pseudocyst Cavity with a distinct wall but lacking an epithelial lining
containing fluid Pseudomembrane False membrane consisting of inflammatory exudate rather
than epithelium Putrefaction Decomposition or rotting of dead tissue as a result of
bacterial action, often accompanied by unpleasant odours Repair Healing with replacement of lost tissue not necessarily by
similar tissue Resolution Restoration of normality Sarcoma Malignant connective tissue neoplasm Sclerosis Hardening of a tissue often caused by excess deposition of
excess collagen Serous Containing serum or a fluid resembling it Sinus Blind-ending tract communicating with an epithelial surface –
can be normal or abnormal Stenosis Narrowing of a lumen Stoma Any normal, pathological or surgically constructed opening
between one hollow structure and another or the skin Stroma Non-neoplastic reactive connective tissue within a neoplasm Telangiectasia Dilated small blood vessels Thrombus Solid mass of coagulated blood formed within the circulation Ulcer Breach in epithelial surface with tissue loss
