Foreign Terms Flashcards
addendum
Things to be added. Plural is addenda (or addendums; both are acceptable, but addenda is preferred).
ad libitum
Shortened to ad lib. According to your pleasure. “The patient is to resume activity ad lib.”
auris dextra
A.D., right ear
auris sinistra
A.S., left ear (The word sinister comes from the term that means left-handed.)
aures utrae
A.U., each ear (often interpreted as both ears)
bruit(s)
Pronounced broo-ee(s). This is an abnormal vascular sound heard on auscultation during a physical exam.
cafe au lait spot
This is a skin lesion that is the color of coffee with milk - a distinctive light brown pigment having a macular form. Pronounced kahFAY o LAY
coup
A hit or stroke; found in such terms as coup de grace (coo day grawss), coup d’etat (coo day taw), contrecoup (contra-coo -as in a certain kind of brain injury)
cul-de-sac
A blind alley. Usually has reference to the uterine cul-de-sac.
en bloc
In one block. Common term in surgery and pathology where a specimen is removed in one piece. It is pronounced “on block”. But don’t spell it that way!
en masse
In mass - sometimes refers to one unit, not divided into parts. Pronounced “on mass” or sometimes “on moss”.
Gilbert disease
Pronounced zhee-Bear. An inborn abnormality of liver function.
in ano
About the only place you will ever hear this is in reference to “fistula in ano,” which is an abnormal opening near the anus.
in extermis
At the point of death.
in situ
In it original position; in its natural or normal place. “The carcinoma in situ has not spread to the surrounding tissues.” Very common term in pathology reports.
in toto
As a whole or in the whole, a totality. “The specimen was removed in toto.”
oculus dexter
O.D., right eye.
You will often hear the abbreviations for these terms, but will rarely, hear the words.
oculus sinister
O.S., left eye.
You will often hear the abbreviations for these terms, but will rarely, hear the words.
