Cardiac tamponade is a rapid, unchecked rise in pressure in the pericardial sac that compresses the heart, impairs diastolic filling,…

Abnormal electrical conduction or automaticity changes heart rate and rhythm. Arrhythmias vary in severity—from mild, producing no symptoms, and requiring…

A thoracic aortic aneurysm is an abnormal widening of the ascending, transverse, or descending part of the aorta. Aneurysm of…

Infection is the invasion and multiplication of microorganisms in or on body tissue that cause signs, symptoms, and an immune…

Genetics is the study of heredity—the passing of physical, biochemical, and physiologic traits, both healthy and pathogenic, from biological parents…

The body is mostly liquid—various electrolytes dissolved in water. Electrolytes are ions (electrically charged versions) of essential elements—predominantly sodium (Na+),…

The cell is the smallest living component of a living organism. Organisms can be made up of a single cell,…

Cancer refers to a group of more than 100 different diseases characterized by DNA damage that causes abnormal cell development…