Medical Terms Flashcards
(181 cards)
1
Q
Abdomino-pelvic
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
Abscess
A
a pus-filled cavity surrounded by inflamed tissue that can develop anywhere there is infection
4
Q
Adenoma
A
a benign neoplasm of glandular epithelium while the malignant tumor arising from glandular epithelium tissue is called adenocarcinoma
5
Q
Adhesions
A
a firm attachment of adjacent serous membranes by bands or masses of fibrous connective tissue, usually as a result of infection, inflammation, bleeding, tumors, trauma, procedures, and surgery
6
Q
Adnexa
A
accessory parts of a structure, the adnexa uteri (ovaries and fallopian tubes) 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
transabdominal 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. For example, anaplastic thyroid cancer. Anaplastic tumors usually have worse prognosis than other types of cancer
10
Q
anaphylaxis
A
is a serious allergic reaction that often involves swelling, hives, hypotension, and in severe cases causes shock and death.
11
Q
Anastomosis
A
surgical formation of a passage or opening between two hollow viscera or vessels
12
Q
Anemia
A
a disorder characterized by a decrease in hemoglobin in the blood to levels below the normal range
13
Q
Aneurysm
A
localized abnormal dilatation of a blood vessel, usually an artery, due to weakness of the wall of the vessel or due to atherosclerotic changes or congenital defect
14
Q
Anorchism
A
a congenital condition in which there is a lack of one or both testes
15
Q
Anterior
A
before or in front of, in anatomical nomenclature, refers to the ventral or abdominal side of the body. Opposite of posterior
16
Q
Anteroposterior
A
passing from the front to the rear
17
Q
Anuria
A
absence of urine
18
Q
Aorta
A
the main trunk of the arterial system of the body
19
Q
Aortopathy
A
any aortic disease
20
Q
Aortostenosis
A
narrowing of the aorta
21
Q
Aplasia
A
failure of an organ or tissue to develop normally, congenital absence of an organ. E.g. uterine aplasia
22
Q
Apnea
A
temporary cessation of breathing
23
Q
Arteriole
A
a minute artery that’s distal end leads in to a capillary
24
Q
Arteriopathy
A
any disease of the arteries
25
Arteriosclerosis
term applied to a number of pathological conditions in which there are thickening, hardening, and loss of elasticity of the walls of arteries
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Aspiration
It has two meaning: breathing in foreign objects by suction, foreign bodies may be aspirated into the nose, throat or lungs on inspiration. The other meaning is the medical procedure that is used to remove some fluids from a part of the body. e.g. cyst aspiration
27
Asphyxia
literally means without pulse but used to describe a condition in which there is insufficient oxygen. Can happen due to drowning, chocking, inhalation of toxics. It leads to anoxia: absence of blood supply to organs especially the brain
28
Asthma
a disease caused by increased responsiveness of the tracheobronchial tree to various stimuli; the result is paroxysmal constriction of the bronchial airways
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Atherosclerosis
the 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 (a clotting material in the blood).
30
Atresia
It has two meaning: 1-congenital absence or closure of a normal body opening. E.g. anal atresia (imperforate anus). 2- absence or disappearance of an anatomical part e.g. ovarian follicles
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Atrophy
a decrease in size of an organ or tissue. e.g. ovarian atrophy in postmenopausal women
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ascites
accumulation of serous fluid in the peritoneal cavity
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Aura
a premonitory awareness of an approaching physical or mental disorder; the peculiar sensation that precedes an epileptic seizure or migraine attack
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Benign
not recurrent or progressive; opposite of malignant
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Bilateral
pertaining to, affecting, or relating to two sides, opposite of unilateral
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Bradycardia
slowness of heart action < 60 beats per minute, opposite of tachycardia
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Carcinoma
malignant tumor that occurs in epithelial tissue
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Caudal
pertaining to any tail-like structure; inferior in position, opposite of cranial
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Cerebral Palsy
a nonprogressive paralysis resulting from developmental defects in the brain or trauma at birth
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Cervical
pertaining to the cervix. For example, cervical cancer or cervical vertebrae
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Cervicitis
inflammation of the cervix
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Cervicocolpitis
inflammation of the cervix and vagina
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Colpitis
aka, vaginitis, inflammation of the vagina
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Colpocele
occurs when the base of the vagina sags in women who have previously undergone a hysterectomy
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Colpocystitis
inflammation of the vagina and bladder
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Colpodynia
pain in the vagina
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Cryptorchism
testes fail to descend into the scrotum
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Cheyne-Stokes Respiration
a 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
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Cholecystectomy
excision of the gallbladder
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Cholecystitis
inflammation of the gallbladder
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Cholecystogram
a radiographic picture of the gallbladder
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Choledocholithiasis
calculi in the common bile duct
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Choledochotomy
a surgical incision of the common bile duct
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Cholelith
a gallbladder stone
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Cholelithiasis
formation or presence of calculi or bile stones in the gallbladder. The stones may or may not cause symptoms
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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
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Congenital
present at birth
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Congestive Heart Failure
an abnormal condition characterized by circulatory congestion caused by cardiac disorders; especially, myocardial infarction of the ventricles
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Continence
used in reference to the ability to control urination and defecation
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Cyanosis
slightly bluish, grayish, or dark purple discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes due to lack of oxygen in the blood
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Cystocele
Hernia in which the urinary bladder protrudes into the walls of the vagina, sometimes occurs after child birth
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Cystoscope
instrument for interior examination of bladder and ureter; it is introduced through the urethra into the bladder
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Cystoscopy
examination of the inside of the bladder with the cystoscope
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Cytology
the science that deals with the formation, structure and function of cells
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Cirrhosis
chronic disease of the liver
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Colic
spasm in any hollow or tubular soft organ accompanied by pain
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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
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Convulsions
paroxysms of involuntary muscle contractions and relaxations
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carcinogenic
pertaining to an agent that produces cancer
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Contraindication
improper or imprudent use or treatment
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Diabetes Mellitus
a chronic disorder of carbohydrate metabolism, characterized by hyperglycemia and glycosuria and resulting from inadequate production or utilization of insulin. Symptoms: polyurea (excessive urination), and polydipsia (increased thirst), polyphagia, and weight loss, fatigue, slow healing of wounds and increased infection. The term diabetes mellitus is to differentiate the common diabetes from another rare disease called diabetes insipidus which has different mechanism
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Diagnosis
the term denoting name of the disease or syndrome a person has or is believed to have
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Diaphragm
the muscular membranous partition separating the thoracic and abdominal cavities
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Diaphoresis
excessive sweating
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Distal
farthest from the center, from a medial line, or from the trunk; opposed to proximal
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Diastole
relaxation phase of the cardiac cycle, opposite of systole
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Diuretic
an agent that increases the secretion of urine
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Diverticulum
a sac or pouch on the wall of a canal or organ. e.g. bladder diverticulum
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Dorsal
toward the back, opposite of ventral
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Duodenectomy
excision of all or part of the duodenum
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Dysmenorrhea
pain in association with menstruation
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Dysplasia
abnormal development of tissue. e.g. cervical dysplasia: abnormal cell growth in the cells lining the cervical canal predisposing it to cancer
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Dyspnea
difficulty breathing, sometimes accompanied by pain
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Dystocia
difficult labor or childbirth
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Dyspareunia
pain during sexual intercourse
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Dilatation & 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 cytologic examination to control abnormal uterine bleeding, and as a therapeutic measure for incomplete abortion, usually performed in the OR
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Diuresis
increased excretion of urine
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Differentiation
the ability of a cell to carry on specialized activities. Cancers with well-differentiated cells have better prognosis than cancers with poorly differentiated cells
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Dysuria
painful or difficult urination
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Edema
a local or generalized condition in which the body tissues contain an excessive amount of tissue fluid
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Emesis
vomiting. Hyperemesis: excessive vomiting. Hematemesis: vomiting blood
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Encephalitis
inflammation of the brain
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Encephalocele
protrusion of the brain through a cranial fissure
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Endocrine Gland
an internal secretion; pertains to a gland that secretes directly into the bloodstream, opposite of exocrine gland
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Endocrinologist
a medical scientist skilled in endocrinology
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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
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Enteritis
inflammation of the intestines
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Epigastric
pertaining to the epigastrium, the part of the upper abdomen, immediately over the stomach
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Epistaxis
hemorrhage from nose; nosebleed
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Endometriosis
a condition in which endometrial tissue occurs in various sites outside the uterus in the abdominal or pelvic cavity
101
Estrogenic
any natural or artificial substance that induces estrogenic activity
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Eclampsia
major disorder of pregnancy that may be manifested by high blood pressure, edema, convulsions, renal dysfunction, proteinuria, and in severe cases seizures and coma
103
Ectopic 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 tubes
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Episiotomy
incision of perineum from the vaginal orifice, usually done to facilitate childbirth. Aka perineotomy
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Erythema
redness of the skin
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Evisceration
protrusion of internal organs through a wound
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Fertilization
process in which an ovum becomes impregnated by spermatozoon
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Fimbriae
finger-like processes that work to propel a discharged ovum from the ovary into a fallopian tube
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Fibroid
benign tumor of the uterus
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Fissure
a cleft or groove
111
Fistula
abnormal channel between two organs or an internal organ and the skin. E.g. fistulas in Crohn disease
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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
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Gastrectomy
surgical removal of a part or the whole of the stomach
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Gastrologist
physician who specializes in gastrology
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Gastroscopy
examination of the stomach and abdominal cavity by use of a gastroscope
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Gout
a complex type of arthritis caused by metabolic disturbance. Its acute form is marked by inflammation of the joints; joints affected may be at any location, but gout usually begins in the knee or foot
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Gravida
a pregnant woman. Primigravida: a woman during her first pregnancy. Multigravida: a woman who has been pregnant two or more times; may be written as gravida II or III, etc., according to the number of pregnancies.
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Nulligravida
a woman who has never been pregnant
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Hemangioma
a benign tumor of dilated blood vessels
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Hyperemesis
excessive vomiting
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Hematemesis
vomiting of blood
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Hemoptysis
coughing up of blood or blood-stained mucus from the bronchi, larynx, trachea, or lungs. This can occur with lung cancer, infections such as tuberculosis, bronchitis, or pneumonia, and certain cardiovascular conditions, such as pulmonary embolism
124
Hematuria
blood in the urine
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Hemiparesis
weakness of one side of the body. Not as severe as hemiplegia
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Hemiplegia
Hemiparalysis, paralysis of one side of the body. It occurs in patients with stroke
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Hemorrhage
abnormal, severe internal or external discharge of blood
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Hemostasis
arrest of bleeding or circulation
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Hepatoma
a tumor of the liver
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Hepatomegaly
enlargement of the liver
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Hernia
protrusion or projection of an organ or a part of an organ through the wall of the cavity that normally contains it. e.g. inguinal hernia (fat or portion of the bowel pass through the inguinal canal)
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Hirsutism
condition characterized by excessive growth of hair or the presence of hair in unusual places, especially in women. e.g. polycystic ovary disease
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Histologist
an individual who specializes in the study of cells and microscopic tissues
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Hyperalgia
excessive sensitivity to pain, aka, hyperalgesia
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Hyperemia
an excess of blood in any part of the body
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Hyperglycemia
increase in blood sugar as in diabetics, opposite of hypoglycemia
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Hyperplasia
excessive proliferation of normal cells in the normal tissue arrangement of an organ. e.g. endometrial hyperplasia
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Hypertension
increase of systolic and/ or diastolic blood pressure, opposite of hypotension
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Hypertrophy
increase in size of an organ or structure that does not involve tumor formation, opposite of hypotrophy
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Hypovolemia
a sudden decrease in blood volume
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Hysterectomy
surgical removal of the uterus through the abdominal wall or through the vagina
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Hysterodynia
uterine pain, aka, hysteralgia
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Hysteritis
inflammation of the uterus, aka, uteritis
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Hysterotomy
incision into the uterus
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Hysteroscope
an instrument that’s used to view inside the uterine cavity; used to obtain tissue from the endometrium, a biopsy
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Hypoxia
absence or deficiency of oxygen in the tissues
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Hydrops
edema. e.g. hydrops fetalis: ascites, pleural effusion, pericardial effusion, skin edema in the fetus
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Hystero-oophorectomy
surgical excision of the uterus and one or both ovaries
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Hysterosalpingectomy
surgical excision of the uterus and fallopian tubes
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Ileostomy
creation of a surgical passage through the abdominal wall into the ileum; the fecal material drains into a bag worn on the abdomen
151
Impetigo
is a common and highly contagious skin infection that mainly affects infants and children. It is marked by isolated pustules (small collection of pus in the epidermis), especially around a child's nose and mouth, and on hands and feet. The sores burst and develop honey-colored crusts
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Incontinence
inability to retain urine, semen, or feces, through loss of sphincter control or because of cerebral or spinal lesions
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Inferior
beneath; lower, opposite of superior
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Insulin
a hormone secreted by the beta cells of the islets of Langerhans of the pancreas
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Intercostal
between the ribs
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Intravenous Pyelogram
IVP, in which a radiopaque material is given intravenously; any blockage along the urinary tract will be readily detected by this examination
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Intrauterine
pertaining to within the uterus, such as IUD: intrauterine device
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Intussusception
the slipping of one part of an intestine into another part just below it
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Ischemia
local and temporary deficiency of blood supply due to obstruction of the circulation to a part. E.g. heart angina as a result of deficiency of blood supply to the heart
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Idiopathic
self-originated or occurring without a known cause
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Iatrogenic
induced as a result of the effects of medical treatment. E.g. pseudoaneurysm formation due to femoral line
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In-situ
in a localized site; confined to one place
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Icterus
jaundice
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Infarct
an area of necrosis resulting from a lack of blood supply. E.g. heart infarction.
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Involution
the return of an enlarged organ to its normal size. E.g. uterine involution after child birth
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Jaundice
yellowness of skin and whites of eyes, mucous membranes and body fluids due to deposition of bile pigment resulting from excess bilirubin in the blood
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Jejunectomy
excision of part or all of the jejunum
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Laparoscope
an endoscope designed to permit visual examination of the peritoneal cavity
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Laparoscopy
abdominal exploration employing a type of endoscope called a laparoscope
170
Lateral
pertaining to the side, opposite of medial
171
Leukemia
cancer of the body's blood-forming tissues, including the bone marrow and the lymphatic system.
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Lithiasis
formation of calculi and concretions
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Leukocyte
a white corpuscle
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Lipoma
a fatty tumor; it is frequently found in multiple but is not malignant
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Lithotripsy
crushing of a calculus in the bladder or urethra
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Lithotomy
incision of the common bile duct or the urinary bladder for removal of a calculus
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Malignant
cancerous tumor, opposite of benign
178
Mammography
use of radiography of the breast to diagnose breast cancer
179
Medial
pertaining to the middle; near the medial plane, opposite of lateral
180
Melena
Dark, black feces due to the presence of blood in the stool
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Menopause
that period which marks the permanent cessation of menstrual activity; usually occurs between the age of 45 and 55
