Medical Terms
abdominocentesis (ab-dom-ih-noh-sen-TEE-sis)
the surgical puncture of the abdominal cavity to remove fluid for diagnostic purposes
acronym
a word formed from the initial letters of the major parts of a compound term
acute
a condition that has a rapid onset, a severe course, and a relatively short duration
angiography (an-jee-OG-rah-fee)
the process of producing a radiograpgic study of rhe blood vessels after the injection of a contrast medium to make the blood vessels visible
appendectomy (ap-en-DECK-toh-mee)
Surgical removal of the appendix
arteriosclerosis
abnormal hardening of the walls of an artery or arteries
diagnosis (dye-ag-NOH-sis)
the identification of a disease
edema (eh-DEE-mah)
swelling caused by excess fluid in the body tissues
eponym (EP-oh-nim)
a disease, structure, operation, or procesure named for the person who first discovered or described it
erythrocyte (eh-RITH-roh-sight)
a mature blood cell
fissure
a groove or crack-like sore of the skin. this term also describes normal folds in the contours of the brain
fistula (FIS-chuh-lah)
an abnormal passage usually between two internal organs or leading from an organ to the surface of the body.
gastralgia (gas-TRAL-jee-ah)
pain in the stomach
gastritis (gas-TRY-tis)
inflamation of the stomach
gastroenteritis (gas-troh-en-ter-EYE-tis)
inflammation of the stomach and small intestine.
gastrosis (gas-TROH-sis)
any abnormal condition or disease of the stomach.
hemorrhage
The loss of a large amount of blood in a short time.
hepatomegaly (hep-ah-toh-MEG-ah-lee)
abnormal enlargement of the liver.
hypertension
higher than normal blood pressure.
hypotension
lower than normal blood pressure
infection
invasion of the body by a pathogenic organism.
inflammation
A localized response to an injury or destruction of tissue that is characterized by heat, redness, swelling, and pain.
ileum
the last and longest portion of the small intestine. (e for intestine)
ilium
part of the hip bone ( i like hip)
malaise (mah-LAYZ)
(french) a feeling of general discomfort or uneasiness that is often the first indication of an infection or other disease
exudate (ECKS-you-dayt)
a fluid such as puss that leaks out of an infected wound.
inflammation
A localized response to an injury or to the destruction of tissues
erythema
redness
hyperthermia
heat
edema
swelling
laceration
a torn or jagged wound or an accidental cut.
lesion
a pathologic change of the tissues due to disease or injury.
mucous adjective
describes the specialized membranes that line the body cavities.
mucus noun
the name if the fluid secreted by these mucous membranes.
mycosis
describes any abnormal condition or disease caused by a fungus
palpation (pal-PAY-shun)
examination technique in which the examiners hands are used to feel texturize, size, consistency and location of certain body parts.
palpitation
pounding or racing heart.
pyrosis
heartburn
supination
The act of rotating the arm so that the palm of the hand is forward or upward
suppuration
the formation or discharge of pus
triage
the medical screening of patients to determine their relative priority of need and the proper place of treatment.
trauma
wound or injury
anatomy
the study of the structures of the body.
physiology
is the study of functions of the structures of the body
anatomic position
describes the body standing in the standard position.
pathology
the study of all aspects of diseases
prognosis
a prediction of the probable course and outcome of a disorder
remission
the temporary, partial, or complete disappearance of the symptoms of a disease without having acheived a cure.
sign
objective evidence of disease such as fever.
symptom
evidence of a disease, such as pain or a headache that can only be evaluated by the patient
syndrome
a set of signs and symptoms that occur together as part of a specific disease process
Genetics
the genetic components that transfer characteristics from parents to their child
tissues
a group of similarly specialized cells that work together to preform specific functions
glands
a group of specialized cells that is capable of producing secretions
hypochondriac
below the ribs or describes a person with an abnormal concern about their health.
parietal
cavity wall
membrane
a thin layer of tissue that covers a surface, lines a cavity, or divides a space or organ.
mesentery
a fusable double layer of the parietal peritoneum that attatches parts of the intestine to the interior abdominal wall
visceral
relating to internal organs
retroperitoneal
located behind the peritoneum
peritonitis
inflamation of the peritoneum
genome
a complete set of genetic information of an organism
chromosome
a genetic structure located within the nucleus of each cell
somatic cell
any cell in the body except the gametes (sex cells)
aplasia
is the defective development or the congenital absence of an organ or tissue
hypoplasia
The incomplete development of an organ or tissue usually due to a deficiency in the number of cells
anaplasia
Changing the structure of cells and in their orientation to each other
malignant
harmful, capable of spreading, and potentially life threatening
benign
not life threatening