Reproductive Disorders AMENORRHEA Amenorrhea is the abnormal absence of menstruation. Absence of menstruation is normal before puberty, after menopause, or during pregnancy and lactation; it’s pathologic at any other time….

Renal Disorders ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY (ACUTE RENAL FAILURE) Acute kidney injury, formerly known as acute renal failure, is the sudden interruption of renal function. Acute kidney injury can be caused…

Sensory Disorders CATARACT Acataract is a gradually developing opacity of the lens or lens capsule. Light shining through the cornea is blocked by this opacity, and a blurred image is…

Gastrointestinal Disorders ACHALASIA Achalasia is a disease of the muscle of the esophagus. In achalasia, the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) “fails to relax” and open to allow food to pass…

Skin Disorders ACNE Acne is an inflammatory disease of the pilosebaceous units (hair follicles). It occurs on areas of the body that have sebaceous glands, such as the face, neck,…

Musculoskeletal Disorders DEVELOPMENTAL DYSPLASIA OF THE HIP Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is an abnormal development or dislocation of the hip joint present from birth. DDH can be unilateral…

Endocrine Disorders ADRENAL HYPOFUNCTION Adrenal hypofunction is classified as primary or secondary. Primary adrenal hypofunction or insufficiency (Addison’s disease) originates within the adrenal gland and is characterized by the decreased…

Hematologic Disorders ANEMIA Anemia is a condition associated with lower than normal levels of erythrocytes in the blood. There are several types of anemia, including aplastic, iron deficiency, and pernicious….

Immunologic Disorders ACQUIRED IMMUNODEFICIENCY SYNDROME Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is the virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Although characterized by gradual destruction of cell-mediated (T-cell) immunity, AIDS also…

Neurologic Disorders ACCELERATION-DECELERATION INJURIES Acceleration-deceleration cervical injuries (commonly known as whiplash) result from sharp hyperextension and flexion of the neck that damages muscles, ligaments, disks, and nerve tissue. The prognosis…