Pathophysiology
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2008-07-03T17:32:17Z
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'''Pathophysiology''' is the study of the disturbance of normal [[mechanical]], [[physical]], and [[biochemical]] functions, either caused by a [[disease]], or resulting from a disease or abnormal syndrome, or condition that may not qualify to be called a disease.
An alternate definition is "the study of the [[biological]] and physical manifestations of disease as they correlate with the underlying abnormalities and [[physiological]] disturbances."<ref>Craig Scanlon, Egan's Fundamentals of Respiratory Therapy, St. Louis, 1999, p. 1186.</ref>
==Related fields==
Pathophysiology can be looked at as the intersection of two older, related disciplines: (normal) [[physiology]] and [[pathology]].
* [[Physiology]] is the study of normal, healthy [[bodily function]] (as opposed to [[anatomy]], which is the study of normal [[structure]]). When something disrupts normal [[physiological]] processes, it enters the realm of [[pathophysiology]].
* [[Pathology]], broadly speaking, is the "study of the nature and cause of disease."<ref>Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary, Clayton Thomas, Philadelphia, 1993, p. 1445.</ref> or the results of disease in the body.
Pathophysiology looks at the detailed [[malfunctioning]] that comes from or - alternately - causes disease.
One caution in this [[approach]] is that "healthy" [[structure]] and [[function]] is not precisely the same in any two individuals.
==Examples==
An example from the field of [[infectious disease]] would be the study of a [[toxin]] released by a [[bacterium]], and what that toxin does to the body to cause harm, one possible result being [[sepsis]].
Another example is the study of the [[chemical]] changes that take place in [[body tissue]] due to [[inflammation]].
==Uses==
Pathophysiology is a required study for most [[nursing school]] programs in the United States as well as other countries.
==See also==
*[[Pathology]]
==References==
{{reflist}}
*Kumar, V., Abbas, A. and N. Fausto. 2004. ''Robbins & Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease.'' Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders Company
[[Category:Pathology]]
[[Category:Physiology]]
{{pathology-stub}}
[[de:Pathophysiologie]]
[[es:Fisiopatología]]
[[hr:Patofiziologija]]
[[pl:Fizjologia patologiczna]]
[[ru:Патологическая физиология]]
[[sq:Fiziologjia patologjike]]
[[sv:Patofysiologi]]
[[zh:病理生理学]]
==External Links==
*[http://www.minnay.com/products/pathophys_index.html Pathophysiology Resources]