Commonly Used Medical Terms Flashcards
(286 cards)
1
Q
Abdominopelvic
A
Pertaining to the abdomen and pelvis
2
Q
Acute
A
Describes sudden onset, usually of severe symptoms that run a short course. Opposite of chronic
3
Q
Abcess
A
A pus filled cavity surrounded by inflamed tissue that can develop anywhere there is infection
4
Q
Adenoma
A
A neo plasm of glandular epithelium
5
Q
Adhesion
A
A firm attachment of adjacent serous membranes by bands or masses of fibrous connective tissue
6
Q
Adnexa
A
Accessory parts of a structure- i.e The adnexa uteri are the accessory parts of the uterus
7
Q
Amenorrhea
A
Absence or suppression of menstruation; normal before puberty, after menopause, and during pregnancy and lactation
8
Q
Amniocentesis
A
Trans abdominal puncture of the amniotic sac using a needle and syringe in order to remove amniotic fluid
9
Q
Anaplasia
A
The reverting of a specialized cell to its primitive or embryonic state.
10
Q
Anastomosis
A
Surgical formation of a passage or opening between two hollow viscera or vessels
11
Q
Anemia
A
A disorder characterized by a decrease in hemoglobin in the blood to levels below the normal range
12
Q
Aneurysm
A
Localized abnormal dilation of a blood vessel, usually an artery, due to congenital defect or weakness of the wall of the vessel
13
Q
Anorchism
A
A congenital condition in which there is a lack of one or both testes
14
Q
Anterior
A
Before or in front of, in anatomical nomenclature – refers to the ventral or abdominal side of the body
15
Q
Anteroposterior
A
Passing from the front to the rear
16
Q
Anuria
A
Without urine
17
Q
Aorta
A
The main trunk of the arterial system of the body
18
Q
Aortopathy
A
Any aortic disease
19
Q
Arteriosclerosis
A
Narrowing of the aorta
20
Q
Aplasia
A
Failure of an organ or tissue to develop normally, congenital absence of an organ.
21
Q
Apnea
A
Temporary cessation of breathing
22
Q
Arteriole
A
A minute artery thats distal end leads into a capillary
23
Q
Arteriopathy
A
Any disease of the arteries
24
Q
Arteriosclerosis
A
Term applied to a number of pathological conditions in which there are thickening, hardening, and loss of elasticity of the walls of arteries
25
Aspiration
1. Breathing in foreign objects by suction, foreign bodies maybe aspirated into the nose, lungs or throat on inspiration.
2. A medical procedure that is used to remove some fluids from a part of the body
26
Asphyxia
Used to describe a condition in which there is insufficient oxygen. Can happen due to drowning choking inhalation of toxics. Leads to anoxia- absence of blood supply to the organs, especially the brain
27
Asthma
A disease caused by increased responsiveness of the tracheobronchial tree to the various stimuli; the result is peroxisomal constriction of the bronchial airways
28
Atherosclerosis
Most common form of arteriosclerosis. It is a disease in which plaque builds up inside arteries, causing hardening and narrowing of arteries. Plaque is made of cholesterol, fatty substances, cellular waste products, calcium, and fibrin
29
Atresia
1. Congenital absence or closure of a normal body opening
| 2. Absence or disappearance of an anatomical part
30
Atrophy
A decrease in size of an organ or tissue
31
Ascites
Accumulation of serous fluid in the peritoneal cavity
32
Aura
A premonitory awareness of an approaching mental or physical disorder, The particular sensation that precedes an epileptic seizure
33
Benign
Not recurrent or progressive; opposite of malignant
34
Bilateral
Pertaining to or affecting two sides
35
Bradycardia
Slowness of heart action
36
Carcinoma
A new or malignant tumor that occurs in epithelial tissue
37
Caudal
Pertaining to any tail like structure; inferior in anatomical position terms
38
Cerebral palsy
A non-progressive paralysis resulting from developmental defects in the brain or trauma at birth
39
Cervical
Pertaining to the cervix
40
Cervicitis
Inflammation of the cervix
41
Cervicocolpitis
Inflammation of the cervix and the vagina
42
Colpitis
Inflammation of the vagina
43
Colpocele
Hernia into the vagina
44
Colpocystitis
Inflammation of the vagina and the bladder
45
Colpodynia
Pain in the vagina
46
Cryptorchism
Testes fail to descend into the scrotum
47
Cheyne-Stokes Respiration
A common and bizarre breathing pattern characterized by a period of apnea, lasting 10 to 60 seconds followed by gradually increasing depth and frequency of respirations; seen in patients with head injuries brain tumors and stroke
48
Cholecystectomy
Excision of the gallbladder
49
Cholecystitis
Inflammation of the gallbladder
50
Cholecystogram
A radiographic picture of the gallbladder
51
Choledocholithiasis
Calculi in the common bile duct
52
Choledoctotomy
A surgical incision of the common bile duct
53
Cholelith
A gall stone
54
Cholelithiasis
Formulation or presence of calculi or bile stones in the gallbladder or common bile duct; the stones may or may not cause symptoms
55
Colostomy
The opening of a portion of the colon through the abdominal wall to its outside surface; performed when it is pathologically impossible for the feces to pass through the colon and out the anus; or because the distal bowel has been surgically removed
56
Congenital
Present at birth
57
Congestive heart failure
An abnormal condition characterized by circulatory congestion caused by cardiac disorders; especially, myocardial in fraction of the ventricles
58
Continents
Used in reference to the ability to control urination and defecation
59
Craniotomy
Opening of skull and removal of a portion of it to perform brain surgeries
60
Cyanosis
Slightly bluish, grayish, or dark purple discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes due to lack of oxygen in the blood
61
Cystocele
A bladder hernia that protrudes into the vagina
62
Cystoscope
Instrument for interior examination of the bladder and ureter; it is introduced through the urethra into the bladder
63
Cystoscopy
Examination of the inside of the bladder with the cystoscope
64
Cytology
The science that deals with the formation, structure and function of the cells
65
Cirrhosis
Chronic disease of the liver
66
Colic
Spasm in any hollow or tubular soft organ accompanied by pain
67
Corpus Luteum
Means the yellow body. It is a structure of the ovary that results from the rupturing of a mature follicle during ovulation. This small, yellow body serves to produce hormones especially progesterone following ovulation
68
Convulsion
Paroxysms of involuntary muscle contractions and relaxations
69
Carcinogenic
Pertaining to an agent that produces cancer
70
Contraindication
Improper or imprudent use or treatment
71
Diabetes Mellitus
A chronic disorder of carbohydrate metabolism, characterized by hyperglycemia and glycosuria and resulting from an inadequate production or utilization of insulin. Symptoms: polyuria and polydipsia polyphagia weight loss fatigue slow wound healing and increased infection. The term diabetes mellitus is to differentiate the common diabetes from another rare disease called diabetes insipidus which has different mechanisms
72
Diagnosis
The term denoting name of the disease or syndrome a person has or is believed to have
73
Diaphragm
The muscular membranous partition separating the thoracic and abdominal cavities
74
Distal
Farthest from the center, from a medial line, or from the trunk; opposed to proximal
75
Diastole
The relaxation phase of the cardiac cycle
76
Diuretic
An agent that increases the secretion of urine
77
Diverticulum
A sack or pouch on the wall of a canal or Organ. E.g. bladder diverticulum
78
Dorsal
Toward the back
79
Duodenectomy
Excision of all or part of the Duodenum
80
Dysmenorrhea
Pain associated with menstruation
81
Dysplasia
Abnormal development of tissue. E.g. cervical dysplasia (abnormal cell growth in the cells lining the cervical canal predisposing it to cancer)
82
Dyspnea
Difficult breathing, sometimes accompanied by pain
83
Dystocia
Difficult labor or childbirth
84
Diarrhea
frequent passage of ununiformed, watery bowel movements
85
Dyspareunia
Occurrence of pain during sexual intercourse
86
Dialation and Curettage (D&C)
A widening of the cervical canal with a dilator and the scraping of the uterine endometrium with a curette, it is performed to secure endometrial or endocervical tissue for psychological examination to control abnormal uterine bleeding, and as a therapeutic measure for incomplete abortion, usually performed in the OR
87
Diuresis
Increased excretion of urine
88
Differentiation
The ability of a cell to carry on specialized activities
89
Dysuria
Pain with urination
90
Edema
Swelling
91
Emesis
Vomiting
92
Encephalitis
Inflammation of the brain
93
Encephalocele
Protrusion of the brain through a cranial fissure
94
Endocrine
And internal secretion; pertains to a gland that secretes directly into the bloodstream
95
Endo chronologist
A medical scientist skilled in Endo chronology
96
Endoscope
A device consisting of a tube and optical system for observing the inside of a hollow organ or cavity; this observation may be done through a natural body opening or, through a small incision
97
Enteritis
Inflammation of the intestines
98
Epigastric
Pertaining to the epigastrium
99
Epistaxis
Hemorrhage from nose; nosebleed
100
Endometriosis
A condition in which endometrial tissue occurs in various sites outside the uterus in the abdominal or pelvic cavity
101
Estrogen
Any natural or artificial substance that induces estrogenic activity
102
Eclampsia
Major just order of pregnancy that may be manifested by high blood pressure, edema, convulsions, renal dysfunction, protein in urea, and in severe cases – coma
103
Etopic pregnancy
A pregnancy in which the fertilized ovum does not reach the uterine cavity, but becomes implanted on any tissue other than the lining of the uterine cavity, most frequently in fallopian tube's
104
Episiotomy
Incision of Perinum from the vaginal orifice, usually done to facilitate childbirth.
105
Erythema
Redness of the skin
106
Evisceration
Protrusion of internal organs through wound
107
Fertilization
Process in which an ovum becomes impregnated by spermatozoon
108
Fimbriae
Finger like process that works to propel a discharged ovum from the ovary into a fallopian tube.
109
Fibroid
Benign tumor of the uterus
110
Fissure
A cleft, or groove
111
Fistual
Abnormal channel between two organs or an internal organ and the skin. E.g. fistulas in Crohn's disease
112
Fibrosis
The formation of fibrous tissue, usually as a reparative process
113
Gangrene
Necrosis, or death of tissue, usually due to deficient or absent blood supply
114
Gasterectomy
Surgical removal of a part or the whole of the stomach
115
Gastrologist
Physician who specializes in gastrology
116
Gastroscopy
Examination of the stomach and abdominal cavity by use of a gastroscope.
117
Gout
A complex type of arthritis caused by metabolic disturbance. It's a cute form is marked by inflammation of the joints; joints affected maybe at any location but gout usually begins in the knee or foot
118
Gravida
Pregnant woman
119
Hemangioma
A benign tumor of dilated blood vessels
120
Hematemesis
To throw up blood
121
Hematuria
To have blood in the urine
122
Hemiplegia
Paralysis of one side of the body. It occurs in patients with stroke.
123
Hemiparesis
Weakness of one side of the body. Not as severe as hemi plasia.
124
Diaphoresis
Excessive sweating
125
Hemorrhage
Abnormal, severe internal or Extertal discharge of blood
126
Hemostasis
Arrest of bleeding or circulation
127
Hepatoma
A tumor of the liver
128
Hepatomegaly
enlargement of the liver
129
Hernia
Protrusion or projection of an organ or part of an organ through the wall of the cavity that normally contains it
130
Hirsutism
Condition characterized by excessive growth of hair or the presence of hair in unusual places, especially in women
131
Histologist
An individual who specializes in the study of cells and microscopic tissues
132
Hyperalgia
Excessive sensitivity to pain
133
Hyperemia
In excess of blood in any part of the body
134
Hyperemesis
Excessive vomiting
135
Hyperglycemia
Increase in blood sugar as in diabetics
136
Hyperplasia
Excessive proliferation of normal cells in the normal tissue arrangement of an organ. E.g. endometrial hyperplasia
137
Hypertension
A condition in which the patient has a higher blood pressure then that judged to be normal
138
Hypertrophy
Increase in size of an organ or structure that does not involve tumor formation
139
Hyperglycemia
A deficiency of sugar in the blood; a condition in which the glucose in the blood is abnormally low
140
Hypovolemia
A sudden decrease in blood volume
141
Hypotension
Decrease of systematic and diastolic blood pressure below normal
142
Hysterectomy
Surgical removal of the uterus through the abdominal wall or through the vagina
143
Hysterodynia
Uterine pain, also known as hysteralgia
144
Hysteritis
Inflammation of the uterus
145
Hysterotomy
Incision into the uterus
146
Hysteroscope
An instrument used in the biopsy of uterine tissue
147
Hypoxia
Absence or deficiency of oxygen in the tissues
148
Hydrops
Edema. Hydrops fatalis… Cities, pleural effusion paracardial effusion, skin Adema in the fetus
149
Hystero-oophorectomy
Surgical X scission of the uterus and one or both ovaries
150
Hysterosalpingectomy
Surgical excision of the uterus and fallopian tube's
151
Ileostomy
Creation of a surgical passage through the abdominal wall into the ileum; the fecal material drains into a bag worn on the abdomen
152
Impetigo
Highly contagious skin infection marked by isolated pustules small collection of pus in the epidermis which become crusted and rupture occurs principally around the mouth and nostrils
153
Incontinence
Inability to retain urine, semen, or feces, through loss of sphincter control or because of cerebral or spinal lesions
154
Inferior
Beneath; lower
155
Insulin
A hormone secreted by the beta cells of the islits of Langerhands of the pancreas. It is responsible for maintaining the level of sugar in the blood
156
Intercostal
Between the ribs
157
Intravenous pyelogram
IVP, in which a radio opaque material is given intravenously; any blockage along the urinary tract will be readily deducted by this examination
158
Intrauterine
Pertaining to within the uterus
159
Intussuseception
The slipping of one part of an intestine into another part just below it
160
Ischemia
Local and temporary deficiency of blood supply due to obstruction of the circulation to a part. Heart angia is a result of deficiency of blood supply to the heart
161
Idiopathic
Self originated or occurring without a known cause
162
Iatrogenic
Induced as a result of the effects of medical treatment e.g. pseudo aneurysm formation do to femoral line
163
In situ
In a localized site; confined to one place
164
Icterus
Jaundice
165
Infarct
An area of necrosis resulting from a lack of blood supply
166
Involution
The return of an enlarge Organ to its normal size. E.g. uterine involution after childbirth
167
Jaundice
Yellowness of skin and whites of eyes, mucous membranes and body fluids due to deposition of bile pigment resulting from excess Billy Rubin in the blood
168
Jejunectomy
Excision of part or all of the jejunum
169
Laparoscope
An endoscope designed to permit visual examination of the peritoneal cavity
170
Laparoscopy
Abdominal exploration employing a type of endoscope called a laparascope
171
Lateral
Pertaining to the side.
172
Leukemia
A chronic or acute disease of unregulated clonal proliferation of the stem cells of the blood forming tissues
173
Lithiasis
Formulation of calculi and concretions
174
Leukocyte
A white corpuscle
175
Lipoma
A fatty tumor; it is frequently found in multiple, but is not malignant.
176
Lithotripsy
Crushing of a calculus in the bladder or urethra
177
Lithotomy
Incision of a duct or organ usually the common bile duct or bladder for removal of a calculus
178
Malignant
Growing worse; resisting treatment, said of cancerous growth; tending or threatening to produce death; harmful
179
Mammography
Use of radiography of the breast to diagnose breast cancer
180
Medial
Pertaining to the middle; near the medial plane
181
Menopause
That. Which marks the permanent cessation of menstrual activity; usually begins between the age of 45 and 55.
182
Menorragia
Excessive bleeding at the time of the menstrual period, either in number of days or amount of blood, or both
183
Multigravida
A woman who has been pregnant two or three times may be written as gravida II or III etc. according to the number of pregnancies
184
Multipara
A woman who has born more than one viable fetus of greater than 24 weeks of gestation whether or not the offspring were alive at birth (may be written as para two or para three) and so on according to the number of deliveries
185
Metromalcia
Softening of the uterus
186
Myometrium
Muscular wall of the uterus
187
Metrocarcinoma
Uterine carcinoma
188
Menarche
Initial menstrual period
189
Mittelschmerz
Abdominal pain that occurs midway between the menstrual periods at ovulation
190
Nausea
Unpleasant sensation usually precedes vomiting
191
Necrosis
Death of areas of tissue or bone surrounded by healthy parts due to infection, toxins, or trauma
192
Neonatal
Concerning the first 4 to 6 weeks after birth
193
Neoplasm
A new and abnormal formation of tissue, as a tumor or growth; it serves no useful function, but grows at the expense of the healthy organism
194
Nephritis
Inflammation of the kidney
195
Nephrolith
A stone or calculus in the kidney
196
Nephrolithiasis
The presence of calculi in the kidney
197
Nephromegaly
Enlargement of one or both kidneys
198
Nephrons
The structural and functional unit of the kidney
199
Nephropathy
Disease of the kidney
200
Nephrectomy
Removal of a kidney
201
Nosocomial
Anything that occurs within the healthcare environment e.g. MERSA
202
Neurologist
A specialist in diseases of the nervous system
203
Nocturia
Urination, especially excessive, during the night
204
Oliguria
Diminished amount of urine formation
205
Oophorectomy
Excision of an ovary
206
Oophoritis
Inflamed condition of an ovary
207
Oophoroma
Ovarian tumor
208
Ovaritis
Inflammation of an ovary
209
Ovarectomy
Excision of an ovary
210
Oogenesis
Formation of the ovum
211
Orchidectomy
Surgical excision of a testicle
212
Orchidopexy
surgical fixation of a testicle – used for occasions of cryptorchidism
213
Orchioplasty
Surgical repair of a testicle. Post Squirtle drama and rupture of a teste
214
Orchiotomy
incision into a testicle
215
Orchitis
Inflammation of a testicle
216
Pancreas
A flat Oregon located posterior and slightly inferior to the stomach
217
Pancreatoectomy
Excision of part or all of the pancreas
218
Para
A woman who has produced a viable young regardless of whether or not the child was living at birth, numerals are used to designate the number of pregnancies that have resulted in the birth of viable offspring as para zero no para para one para 11 etc.
219
Parturition
Act of giving birth
220
Pelvic inflammatory disease
Ascending infection from the vagina or cervix into the uterus, fallopian tube's, and broad ligament
221
Phlebotomy
Incision of a vein to with draw blood
222
Pneumonectomy
Excision of the lung tissue, of an entire long, or less or of a single lobe
223
Pneumonia
Inflammation of the lungs primarily caused by bacteria, viruses, and chemical irritants
224
Polyp
A tumor with a pedicle
225
Polyuria
Excessive secretion and discharge of urine
226
Posterioanterior
Term indicating the flow or movement from back to front
227
Postprandial
Following a meal
228
Premenstrual syndrome
A syndrome that occurs several days prior to the onset of menstruation and ends a short time after the onset of menstruation
229
Prenatal
Before birth
230
Primigravida
A woman during her first pregnancy
231
Primipara
A woman who has given birth for the first time
232
Progesterone
A steroid hormone obtain from the corpus luteum and placenta
233
Proximal
Nearest to the point of attachment, center of the body; opposite of distal
234
Pruritus
Severe itching; maybe a symptom of a disease process such as allergic response, or maybe due to emotional factors
235
Pyelogram
A rotogenogram of the uterus and renal pelvis
236
Pyelonephritis
Inflammation of kidneys substance and Pelvis
237
Pyorrhea
A discharge of purulent matter- eg periodontitis
238
Pyuria
Pus in the urine; evidence of renal disease
239
Perineum
X ternal region between the vulva and anus
240
Peristalsis
A progressive wave like movement that occurs in voluntarily in hollow tubes of the body, especially the alimentary canal the G.I. tract and the fallopian tube's
241
Paraplegia
Paralysis of the lower portion of the trunk and both legs due to spinal injury
242
Palliative
Treatment that eliminates the symptoms but does not affect the cause of the symptoms
243
Ptosis
Drooping or prolapse of an organ or part. Usually, refers to drooping of the upper eyelids
244
Purulent
Containing pus
245
Pyrexia
Fever
246
Parenteral
Any route of drug administration other than via the gastrointestinal system e.g. injections
247
Quadriplegia
Paralysis of all four extremities and usually the trunk
248
Radiologist
A physician who practices diagnosis and treatment by use of radiant energy
249
Radiology
The branch of medicine concerned with radioactive substances, including x-rays, radioactive isotopes, and ionizing radiation's
250
Renal
Pertaining to the kidney
251
Reproductive
Concerning, or employed in, reproduction
252
Salpingitis
Inflammation of the fallopian tube
253
Salpingectomy
Excision of the fallopian tube
254
Salpingo-oophorectomy
Surgical excision of an ovary and a fallopian tube
255
Spermatozoon
Mature male sex or germ cell
256
Scoliosis
Lateral curvature of the spine; usually consists of two curves, the original abnormal curve and a content station curve in the opposite direction
257
Systole
That part of the heart cycle in which the heart is in contraction
258
Superior
Higher than; situated above something else
259
Shunt
Passage between two blood vessels or between two sides of the heart
260
Tachycardia
Unusually rapid heart beat, usually defined as a heart rate over 100 bpm in adult
261
Testopathy
Any disease of the testicles
262
Testosterone
And androgen isolated from the testes of a number of animals including humans and considered to be the principal testicular hormone produced in men
263
Thoracentesis
Surgical puncture of the chest wall for removal of fluids, usually done by using a large bore needle
264
Thoracic
Pertaining to the chest or thorax
265
Thoracotomy
Surgical incision of the chest wall
266
Tracheostomy
Creation of an opening into the trachea through the neck, with the insertion of an indwelling tube to facilitate passage or air evacuation of secretions; the procedure maybe an emergency measure or an elective one
267
Torsion
Twisting, any organ that moves freely can become twisted
268
Uterocele
Cystlike dilation of the ureter near its opening into the bladder; usually a result of congenital stenosis of ureter orifice
269
Uterolithiasis
Development of calculus in the ureter
270
Uteroliths
A stone or calculi in the ureter
271
Urinary
Pertaining to, secreting, or containing urine
272
Urologist
A physician who specializes in the practice of urology
273
Urology
The branch of medicine concerned with the urinary tract in both sexes and the genital tract in the male
274
Uterocele
Hernia containing the uterus
275
Uteroplasty
Surgical repair of the uterus
276
Utero scope
An instrument for viewing the uterine cavity a.k.a. hysteroscope
277
Uterine Adnexia
Refers to the ovaries and fallopian tubes
278
Varicose veins
Enlarged, twisted superficial veins; may occur in almost any part of the body but are commonly observed in the lower extremities and in the esophagus
279
Ventral
Pertaining to the Belly, opposite of dorsal
280
Vertigo
The sensation of the moving around in space, or of having objects move about the person; it is the result of disturbance of equilibratory apparatus
281
Vesicle
Small sack containing fluid; a blister like small elevation on the skin containing Serous fluid e.g. chickenpox
282
Volvulus
A twisting of the bowel upon its self causing obstruction; a prolapsed mesentary is the predisposing cause, usually occurs at sigmoid and ileocecal areas of intestines
283
Vaginitis
Inflammation of the vagina
284
Zygote
The fertilized ovum
285
Micturition
Voiding, urination
286
Diaphoresis
Excessive sweating
