Congenital Terminology

Question 1

Acyanotic

Answer 1

Not cyanotic - sufficient oxygenation of blood

Question 2

Anastomosis

Answer 2

An opening (connection) created by surgical, traumatic, or pathological means between two normally distinct spaces or organs

Question 3

Anomalous

Answer 3

Irregular - marked by deviation from the natural order

Question 4

Anamoly

Answer 4

Marked deviation from the normal standard - especially as a result of congenital or hereditary defects

Question 5

Asplenia

Answer 5

Without a spleen

Question 6

Atresia

Answer 6

Congenital absence or closure of a normal body orifice or tubular organ - usually refers to valves or vessels

Question 7

Baffle

Answer 7

Any surgical channel that directs blood from point A to point B, directing blood flow from the original path.

Question 8

Cardiac crux

Answer 8

The portion of the heart where the two AV valves and two septa (IVS and IAS) come together to form a cross

Question 9

Clubbing

Answer 9

Proliferative change in the soft tissue about terminal phalanges of the fingers or toes, with no constant osseous (bone) changes

Question 10

Complete repair

Answer 10

In congenital surgery, the separation of systemic and pulmonary circulation.

Question 11

Concordant

Answer 11

Connections are normal

Question 12

Conduit

Answer 12

Channel for the passage of fluids (prosthetic material or homograph)

Question 13

Confluent

Answer 13

Becoming merged - running together (connected)

Question 14

Congenital heart disease

Answer 14

Any abnormal cardiovascular anatomy present from birth

Question 15

Cyanotic

Answer 15

A bluish discoloration, especially of the skin and the mucous membranes due to reduced saturation in the blood. The hemoglobin is usually increased.

Question 16

Dextrocardia

Answer 16

An abnormal position of the heart with the apex towards the right

Question 17

Dextroposition

Answer 17

Regardless of direction of base-apex axis - heart positioned in the right side of the chest

Question 18

Discordant

Answer 18

Connections are opposite

Question 19

Doming

Answer 19

Description of a valve where it has an appearance like a silo or dome, due to decreased excursion of a valve

Question 20

Dysplastic

Answer 20

Very abnormal in development, usually a valve

Question 21

Erythrocytosis

Answer 21

Increased in total red cell mass as a compensatory mechanism in response to tissue hypoxia

Question 22

Hypoplastic

Answer 22

Small (referring to any structure)

Question 23

Left AVV

Answer 23

AV valve on left side of heart

Question 24

Levocardia

Answer 24

The normal position of the heart with the apex towards the left

Question 25

Mesocardia

Answer 25

An abnormal position of the heart with the apex towards the midline

Question 26

Morphologic

Answer 26

Pertaining to the basic form and structure of a particular organ or part

Question 27

Neonate

Answer 27

An infant in the first four weeks after birth

Question 28

Nonconfluent

Answer 28

Not running together - not connected

Question 29

Polysplenia

Answer 29

Multiple spleens

Question 30

Residua

Answer 30

Anatomic abnormalities that are cardiac, vascular, or non-cardiovascular that remain after surgery

Question 31

Right AVV

Answer 31

AV valve on right side of the heart

Question 32

Segmental approach

Answer 32

Standardized approach used in congenital heart disease to describe cardiovascular anatomy and pathology

Question 33

Sequelae

Answer 33

Physiologic alterations or disorders that remain after surgery and are looked upon as long-term consequences of an operation

Question 34

Situs

Answer 34

Site or position

Question 35

Situs solitus

Answer 35

Normal position of the atria or viscera

Question 36

Situs inversus

Answer 36

Reversed position of the atria or viscera

Question 37

Situs ambiguous

Answer 37

One or a combination of unusual anatomic findings

Question 38

Straddling

Answer 38

AVV chordal insertions into two ventricles