A-B Vocabulary

Question 1

Abductor

Answer 1

That which draws something in the direction away from the midline. The opposite of adductor.

Question 2

Ablation

Answer 2

The removal of a part of the body, growth, or noxious substance.

Question 3

Abscess

Answer 3

A circumscribed collection of pus, “a pus pocket.”

Question 4

Achalasia

Answer 4

Failure to relax; referring especially to visceral openings, i.e., esophagus. (“A-chelax-ia”)

Question 5

Acromegaly

Answer 5

A disorder marked by a progressive enlargement of the head, face, hands, feet, and thorax due to the excessive secretion of growth hormone.

Question 6

Acute

Answer 6

Rapid onset; having a short course.

Question 7

Adductor

Answer 7

That which draws something toward the midline. Opposite of abductor.

Question 8

Adenoma

Answer 8

An ordinarily benign neoplasm or growth of epithelial tissue, usually well circumscribed. The tumor cells form at glands or gland-like structures.

Question 9

Adipose

Answer 9

Fatty; relating to fat.

Question 10

Afterload

Answer 10

The resistance to flow encountered in the systemic circulation.

Question 11

Agenesis

Answer 11

Absence; failure of formation of any part.

Question 12

Agranulocytosis

Answer 12

Condition characterized by pronounced reduction in the number of white blood cells specifically polymorph nuclear leukocytes, i.e., segs and bands.

Question 13

Akinesia

Answer 13

Absence or loss of the power of voluntary motion; immobility.

Question 14

Akinesthesia

Answer 14

Absence of the sense of the perception of movement.

Question 15

Alexia

Answer 15

Loss of the power to grasp the meaning of written or printed words and sentences.

Question 16

Alkalosis

Answer 16

Abnormally high alkali (bicarbonate) in the blood or other body fluids causing an increase pH.

Question 17

Alopecia

Answer 17

Baldness or loss of hair.

Question 18

Amaurosis

Answer 18

Blindness, especially that occurring without apparent change in the eye itself.

Question 19

Amniocentesis

Answer 19

Transabdominal aspiration of fluid from the amniotic sack during pregnancy.

Question 20

Analgesia

Answer 20

Relief of pain.

Question 21

Anaphylaxis

Answer 21

A significant allergic reaction following exposure to antigen in a subject previously sensitized to that specific antigen. This generally occurs very rapidly after exposure and often is accompanied by swelling, breathing difficulties, hypotension.

Question 22

Anemia

Answer 22

A condition in which the number of red blood cells are less than normal. Often measured with a low hemoglobin or hematocrit (the low blood.)

Question 23

Anencephaly

Answer 23

Marked defective development of the brain and bony structure usually with only rudimentary brain stem present. Generally not compatible with life.

Question 24

Angina pectoris

Answer 24

Literally, strangulation of the chest; a paroxysmal, constricting substernal pain of brief duration, which frequently accompanies myocardial ischemia.

Question 25

Angle closure

Answer 25

Narrowing the angle formed inside the lateral aspects of the anterior chamber of the eye where the aqueous humor drains.

Question 26

Anorexia

Answer 26

Loss of appetite.

Question 27

Anoxia

Answer 27

Absence of oxygen in the blood or tissues.

Question 28

Antenatal

Answer 28

Period in pregnancy from the time of conception until the onset of labor (prenatal).

Question 29

Anticipatory guidance

Answer 29

Patient/family counseling which includes information, advice, and suggestions about expected health-related life occurrences, health maintenance, and preventive plans.

Question 30

Antigen

Answer 30

A foreign protein that can cause an allergic reaction in a sensitized host.

Question 31

Anuresis

Answer 31

Absence of the act of urination.

Question 32

Aphasia

Answer 32

Impaired or absence communication by speech, writing, or signs due to brain dysfunction in the dominate hemisphere.

Question 33

Apnea

Answer 33

Absence of breathing.

Question 34

Ascites

Answer 34

Accumulation of serous fluid in the peritoneal cavity.

Question 35

Ataxia

Answer 35

A loss of the power of motor coordination.

Question 36

Atelectasis

Answer 36

Compressed lung tissue with collapsed alveolar air spaced.

Question 37

Benign

Answer 37

Mild or noncancerous.

Question 38

Biparietal Diameter

Answer 38

Used in fetal ultrasounds. Refers to the greatest transverse diameter of the head which extends from one parietal boss to the other.

Question 39

Blepharitis

Answer 39

Inflammation of the eyelids.

Question 40

Body mass index (BMI)

Answer 40

Weight in kilograms divided by the height in meters squared.

Question 41

Bradycardia

Answer 41

A slow heartbeat general defined as a rate less than 60 beats/minute.

Question 42

Breathlessness

Answer 42

Appropriate shortness of breath, e.g., following heavy exercise.

Question 43

Bronchiectasis

Answer 43

An abnormal dilation of the bronchus or the bronchial tubes.

Question 44

Bruit

Answer 44

Sound produced by disturbance in laminar blood flow through an artery.

Question 45

Bursa

Answer 45

A closed sack lined with a synovial type membrane containing fluid usually found in areas of friction, i.e., where a tendon passes over a bone.