- The terms “multiple sclerosis” and
“atherosclerosis” are similar in that they both refer to
the concept of “systemic”
a. inflammation
b. mobility
c. hardening
d. degeneration - Cardiomegaly is most similar to cardiac
a. hypertrophy
b. arrest
c. atrophy
d. muscle
e. dysrhythmia
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
- Answer: c. hardening
Both “multiple sclerosis” and “atherosclerosis” refer to diseases where there is a form of hardening in the body. The term hardening refers to the stiffening or thickening of tissues, which is characteristic of both conditions but in different ways.
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) involves the hardening of the myelin sheath that covers nerve fibers in the central nervous system. This hardening process, or scarring (called sclerosis), disrupts normal nerve signaling, which is central to the disease’s neurological symptoms like weakness, coordination problems, and sensory disturbances.
- Atherosclerosis, on the other hand, refers to the hardening and narrowing of arteries due to the buildup of plaque, primarily composed of fat, cholesterol, and other substances. This buildup restricts blood flow and can lead to cardiovascular events like heart attacks or strokes.
Both conditions involve the thickening or hardening of tissues, though in different systems of the body—nervous and cardiovascular. Hence, the correct answer is hardening.
- Answer: a. hypertrophy
Cardiomegaly refers to the enlargement of the heart, which often results from cardiac hypertrophy, a condition in which the heart muscle thickens in response to increased workload. Cardiomegaly is a symptom of cardiac hypertrophy, and it indicates the heart’s adaptation to factors like high blood pressure or heart valve problems, where the heart has to work harder to pump blood.
- Cardiac hypertrophy occurs when the heart muscle increases in size to cope with chronic stress or increased demand, and it is one of the leading causes of cardiomegaly. It can be either pathological (due to disease like hypertension) or physiological (as seen in athletes).
- In contrast, terms like cardiac arrest (stoppage of the heart’s function), atrophy (shrinkage or wasting of tissue), and dysrhythmia (irregular heart rhythms) are not directly related to the enlargement of the heart. The correct answer is therefore hypertrophy, as it directly explains the cause of cardiomegaly.