Chapter 1: Introduction to Medical Terminology (Medical Terms)

Question 1

abdominocentesis

Answer 1

surgical puncture to remove excessive fluid or for diagnostic purposes

Question 2

acute

Answer 2

rapid onset, a severe course, and a relatively short duration

Question 3

angiography

Answer 3

process of producing a radiographic study of blood vessels after injecting a contrast medium for visibility

Question 4

appendectomy

Answer 4

surgical removal of the appendix

Question 5

arteriosclerosis

Answer 5

abnormal hardening of the artery

Question 6

arthralgia

Answer 6

joint pain

Question 7

colostomy

Answer 7

surgical creation of an artificial opening between the colon and the body surface

Question 8

cyanosis

Answer 8

bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes caused by inadequate oxygen in the blood

Question 9

dermatologist

Answer 9

skin specialist

Question 10

diagnosis

Answer 10

the identification of a disease

Question 11

diarrhea

Answer 11

the abnormally frequent flow of loose or watery stools

Question 12

edema

Answer 12

swelling caused by an abnormal accumulation of fluid in cells, tissues, or the cavities

Question 13

endarterial

Answer 13

pertaining to the interior or lining of an artery

Question 14

eponym

Answer 14

a disease, structure, operation, or procedure named for the person who discovered or described it first

Question 15

erythrocyte

Answer 15

red blood cell

Question 16

fissure

Answer 16

a groove or crack-like sore of the skin; describes the normal folds in the brain contours

Question 17

fistula

Answer 17

abnormal passage, usually between 2 internal organs or leading from an organ to the body surface

Question 18

gastralgia

Answer 18

stomach pain

Question 19

gastritis

Answer 19

inflammation of the stomach lining

Question 20

gastroenteritis

Answer 20

inflammation of the mucous membrane lining the stomach and the intestines

Question 21

gastrosis

Answer 21

stomach disease

Question 22

hemorrhage

Answer 22

large loss of blood in a short amount of time

Question 23

hepatomegaly

Answer 23

enlargement of the liver

Question 24

hypertension

Answer 24

increased blood pressure

Question 25

hypotension

Answer 25

decreased blood pressure

Question 26

infection

Answer 26

invasion of the body by a pathogenic organism

Question 27

inflammation

Answer 27

localized response to an injury or to tissue destruction

Question 28

interstitial

Answer 28

between, but not within, the parts of the tissue

Question 29

intramuscular

Answer 29

within the muscle

Question 30

laceration

Answer 30

torn or jagged wound; accidental cut

Question 31

lesion

Answer 31

a pathological change of tissues due to injury or disease

Question 32

malaise

Answer 32

a feeling of discomfort, often the first indication of an infection or disease

Question 33

mycosis

Answer 33

abnormal fungal condition or disease

Question 34

myelopathy

Answer 34

a pathological change or disease in the spinal cord or the bone marrow

Question 35

myopathy

Answer 35

a pathological change in the muscles

Question 36

myorrhexis

Answer 36

muscle rupture

Question 37

natal

Answer 37

pertaining to birth

Question 38

neonatology

Answer 38

study of disorders of newborn babies

Question 39

neurorrhaphy

Answer 39

the surgical suturing of the neurons

Question 40

otorhinolaryngology

Answer 40

study of the ears, larynx, or throat

Question 41

palpation

Answer 41

examination technique in which one feels the texture, size, consistency, and location of certain body parts

Question 42

palpitation

Answer 42

the pounding of a racing heart

Question 43

pathology

Answer 43

study of diseases

Question 44

phalanges

Answer 44

finger and toe bones

Question 45

poliomyelitis

Answer 45

highly contagious viral infection of the brainstem and spinal cord which sometimes can lead to paralysis

Question 46

prognosis

Answer 46

prediction of possible courses and outcomes of a disease

Question 47

pyoderma

Answer 47

acute, inflammatory, pus-forming bacterial skin infection such as impetigo

Question 48

pyrosis

Answer 48

the burning sensation caused by acidic stomach contents into the esophagus

Question 49

remission

Answer 49

temporary, partial, or complete disappearing of symptoms of a disease without having achieved a cure

Question 50

sign

Answer 50

objective evidence of disease which can be measured by the patient or others

Question 51

supination

Answer 51

the act of rotating the arm so that the palms face upward or forward

Question 52

suppuration

Answer 52

formation or discharge of pus

Question 53

supracostal

Answer 53

above or outside the ribs

Question 54

symptom

Answer 54

subjective evidence of disease which can only be measured by the patient

Question 55

syndrome

Answer 55

a set of signs and symptoms that occur together as part of a specific disease process

Question 56

tonsillitis

Answer 56

inflammation of the tonsils

Question 57

trauma

Answer 57

wound or injury

Question 58

triage

Answer 58

medical screening of patients to determine their relative priority of need and proper place of treatment

Question 59

viral

Answer 59

pertaining to a virus