Chapter 1: Introduction to Medical Terminology (Medical Terms) Flashcards
abdominocentesis
surgical puncture to remove excessive fluid or for diagnostic purposes
acute
rapid onset, a severe course, and a relatively short duration
angiography
process of producing a radiographic study of blood vessels after injecting a contrast medium for visibility
appendectomy
surgical removal of the appendix
arteriosclerosis
abnormal hardening of the artery
arthralgia
joint pain
colostomy
surgical creation of an artificial opening between the colon and the body surface
cyanosis
bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes caused by inadequate oxygen in the blood
dermatologist
skin specialist
diagnosis
the identification of a disease
diarrhea
the abnormally frequent flow of loose or watery stools
edema
swelling caused by an abnormal accumulation of fluid in cells, tissues, or the cavities
endarterial
pertaining to the interior or lining of an artery
eponym
a disease, structure, operation, or procedure named for the person who discovered or described it first
erythrocyte
red blood cell
fissure
a groove or crack-like sore of the skin; describes the normal folds in the brain contours
fistula
abnormal passage, usually between 2 internal organs or leading from an organ to the body surface
gastralgia
stomach pain
gastritis
inflammation of the stomach lining
gastroenteritis
inflammation of the mucous membrane lining the stomach and the intestines
gastrosis
stomach disease
hemorrhage
large loss of blood in a short amount of time
hepatomegaly
enlargement of the liver
hypertension
increased blood pressure
hypotension
decreased blood pressure
infection
invasion of the body by a pathogenic organism
inflammation
localized response to an injury or to tissue destruction
interstitial
between, but not within, the parts of the tissue
intramuscular
within the muscle
laceration
torn or jagged wound; accidental cut
lesion
a pathological change of tissues due to injury or disease
malaise
a feeling of discomfort, often the first indication of an infection or disease
mycosis
abnormal fungal condition or disease
myelopathy
a pathological change or disease in the spinal cord or the bone marrow
myopathy
a pathological change in the muscles
myorrhexis
muscle rupture
natal
pertaining to birth
neonatology
study of disorders of newborn babies
neurorrhaphy
the surgical suturing of the neurons
otorhinolaryngology
study of the ears, larynx, or throat
palpation
examination technique in which one feels the texture, size, consistency, and location of certain body parts
palpitation
the pounding of a racing heart
pathology
study of diseases
phalanges
finger and toe bones
poliomyelitis
highly contagious viral infection of the brainstem and spinal cord which sometimes can lead to paralysis
prognosis
prediction of possible courses and outcomes of a disease
pyoderma
acute, inflammatory, pus-forming bacterial skin infection such as impetigo
pyrosis
the burning sensation caused by acidic stomach contents into the esophagus
remission
temporary, partial, or complete disappearing of symptoms of a disease without having achieved a cure
sign
objective evidence of disease which can be measured by the patient or others
supination
the act of rotating the arm so that the palms face upward or forward
suppuration
formation or discharge of pus
supracostal
above or outside the ribs
symptom
subjective evidence of disease which can only be measured by the patient
syndrome
a set of signs and symptoms that occur together as part of a specific disease process
tonsillitis
inflammation of the tonsils
trauma
wound or injury
triage
medical screening of patients to determine their relative priority of need and proper place of treatment
viral
pertaining to a virus
