Basic Medical Terminology Flashcards by Paul Rhoads

abrasion

Scrape of the skin due to something abrasive

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abscess

Collection of pus underneath the skin

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antipyretic

Medication used to reduce a fever

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acute

New, usually of rapid onset and of concern, opposite of chronic

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afebrile

Without a fever (Temperature of less than 100.4)

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Located towards the front of the body

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appendicitis

Dangerous infection of the appendix

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auscultation

Listening to sounds arising within organs (as the lungs)

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benign

Normal, of no danger to health

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bradycardia

Slow heart-rate (HR<60bpm)

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bronchitis

Infection of the bronchi (upper airway)

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bronchiolitis

Infection of the bronchioles (smaller air-tubes in the lungs)

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catheter

Tube inserted into vessels or body cavities to permit injection or withdrawal of fluids or to keep a passage open

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chronic

Long-standing, constant. Opposite of acute

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cellulitis

Infection of skin cells

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conjunctivitis

Infection of the outer layer of the eye

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dialysis

Process for removing waste from the blood for people with renal (kidney) failure

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diaphoresis

Sweating

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diffuse

Spread out (not localized)

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distal

Farther from the trunk of the body

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dyspnea

Difficulty breathing

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dysuria

Painful urination

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ecchymosis

A bruise

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-ectomy (suffix)

Surgical removal (e.g. tonsillectomy)

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edema

Swelling

emesis

Vomiting

epilepsy

Seizure disorder

epistaxis

Nose bleed

erythema/erythematous

Redness/Red

exudates (tonsillar)

Pus-pockets on the tonsils

febrile

The state of having a fever (Temperature of more than 100.4)

grossly

Obviously; a lot; wholly

hematemesis

Gross amounts of blood in the vomit

hematuria

Blood in the urine

hemoptysis

Coughing up gross amounts of blood

hemorrhage

Excessive or profuse bleeding

hepatomegaly

Enlarged liver

hernia

Protrusion of an organ through the wall of the cavity that normally contains it

hyperlipidemia

High cholesterol

hypertension

High blood pressure

hypotension

Low blood pressure

hypoxia

Low oxygen saturation of the body, not enough oxygen in the blood

ICD-10

A system to classify and code diagnoses, symptoms, and procedures

infarct

Area of dead tissue after a lack of blood supply

inferior

Lower on the body, farther from the head

ischemia

Lack of blood supply

-itis (suffix)

Inflammation (e.g. appendicitis)

laceration

Splitting of the skin due to trauma (a cut due to something sharp)

lateral

Farther from the midline (a line that can be traced from nose to belly-button)

lethargic

Septic, very sick, about to die

medial

Near the midline

meningitis

Dangerous infection of the outer lining of the brain

otitis externa

Infection of the outer ear (ear canal)

otitis media

Infection of the inner ear (behind the eardrum)

melena

Black tarry stool

myalgia

Muscular pain, “muscle aches”

pallor

Pale skin

palpation

Examine by touch

palpitation

To beat rapidly, irregularly, or forcibly (usually relating to the heart)

peritoneal signs

Guarding/Rebound/Rigidity: PE findings indicating a rupture in the abdomen

pharyngitis

Throat infection

pneumonia

Bacterial infection of the lungs

posterior/dorsal

Rear or backside of the body

prone

Body position laying flat, face down

proximal

Nearer to the trunk of the body

pulmonary

Relating to the lungs

purulence/purulent

Pus/Pus-like

rales

Crackles; wet crackling noise in lungs

rhinorrhea

Clear nasal discharge, "runny nose"

rhonchi

Rattling noise of mucous in the lungs

-scopy (suffix)

Viewing with a scope (e.g. colonoscopy)

sepsis

Dangerous infection of the blood

sinusitis

Infection/inflammation of the nasal sinuses

small bowel obstruction

Physical blockage of the small intestines

streptococcal pharyngitis

strep throat

superior

Higher on the body, nearer to the head

supine

Body position laying face up

syncope

"Passing out", loss of consciousness or fainting

tachycardia

Fast heart rate (HR>100bpm)

trismus

Inability to open the jaw due to pain

tachypnea

Increased breathing rate

ulcerations

Blisters or open-sores

vertigo

Room-spinning dizziness (not light-headed)

wheezing

High pitched sound heard in the lungs with asthmatics or lung disease