Hashimoto's thyroiditis (aka chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis) is an autoimmune disease causing primary hypothyrodism. Pathophysiology The thyroid gland is attacked by a variety of cell- and antibody-mediated immune processes Epidemiology 1st disease recognized to be...

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) are conditions caused by decreased blood flow in the coronary arteries, causing part of the heart muscle to be unable to function properly or dies. [faq]What is acute...

Hemolytic anemia is anemia due to hemolysis, the abnormal breakdown of RBC's, either in the blood vessels (intravascular hemolysis), or elsewhere in the body (extravascular). Sx Similar to other forms of anemia,...

Visceral pain is pain due to activation of nociceptors of the thoracic, pelvic, or abdominal viscera (organs). Sx Pain that is: Diffuse Difficult to localize Sickening Deep Squeezing Dull Referred to a distant, usually superficial, structure Nausea Vomiting Changes in vitals Emotional manifestations Pathophysiology Visceral...

Abdominal mass is a localized enlargement/swelling in the abdomen. Cause Depending on the location: Hepatomegaly (enlarged liver) Splenomegaly (enlarged spleen) Protruding kidney Pancreatic mass Retroperitoneal mass (mass in the posterior of the peritoneum) AAA (abdominal aortic aneurysm) Various tumors,...

Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a pattern of physical/mental defects that can develop in a fetus associated with high maternal alcohol consumption. FASD (Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders) are a continuum of...

FISH (fluorescence in situ hybridization) is a cytogenetic techniquet hat uses fluorescent probes that bind only those parts of the chromosome w/ a high degree of sequence complementarity.

Heart transplant (aka cardiac transplant) is a surgical transplant performed on Pt's w/ end-stage heart failure, or severe CAD. Method Cadaveric allograft (i.e. take a working heart from a recently deceased organ...

Otitis media is inflammation of the middle ear. Classification Acute otitis media (AOM), which is an infection of abrupt onset that usually presents w/ ear pain. Sx include bulging or a lack of...

Appendicitis (aka epityphlitis) is inflammation of the appendix. [faq]So I understand that appendicitis is inflammation of the appendix, but what is it, and where is it found? The appendix doesn't really do...