Pathology · Immune System · Easy
Autoimmunity
Meaning: State in which the body's defence system mistakenly attacks its own healthy tissues.
In practice: Autoimmunity against the thyroid gland underlies Hashimoto's disease, the commonest cause of hypothyroidism in the UK.
Quick check
Two questions on related pathology words.
Which word means: Age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength.
Answer: Sarcopenia
Which word means: Benign tumour of glandular tissue that forms fluid-filled cystic spaces.
Answer: Cystadenoma
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