Chapter 4 Words Flashcards
Abnormal
Pertaining to being away (AB-) from the norm.
Irregular.
Adrenal Glands
Two endocrine glands, each above a kidney.
The adrenal glands produce hormones such as adrenaline (epinephrine) and hydrocortisone (cortisol).
Amenorrhea
Absence of menstrual periods.
Analysis
Separating apart.
Separating a substance into its component parts.
Anemia
Lacking in blood.
Deficiency of hemoglobin and/or in number of red blood cells, which results in reduced oxygen to body cells.
Antepartum
Before birth.
Antibody
A substance that works against (ANTI-) germs (“bodies” of infection).
Protein made by white blood cells - literally, a “body” working “against” foreign substance.
Antibodies are produced by white blood cells when germs (antigens) enter the bloodstream.
Antibiotic
A chemical substance that kills bacteria.
A chemical substance produced by various microorganisms or fungi (immature plants) that inhibits or destroys bacteria or other small organisms.
Examples or antibiotics are penicillin, erythromycin, and streptomycin. They are used in the treatment of infectious diseases.
Antibiotics are produced outside the body by microorganisms and primitive plants called molds.
As disease-fighting medications, they are taken by mouth or through intravenous injection, or applied topically to be absorbed through the skin.
Aphasia
No speech.
Absence of communication through speech.
- a stroke affecting the language area of the brain can produce this condition.
Antigen
Foreign protein that stimulates white blood cells to make antibodies.
Antigens are foreign substances, such as bacteria and viruses.
When antigens enter the body, they stimulate white blood cells to produce antibodies that act against the antigens.
Aplastic Anemia
Bone marrow fails to produce red blood cells (erythrocytes), white blood cells (leukocytes), and clotting cells (platelets).
Atrophy
No nourishment; development.
Decrease of size of cells within an organ.
- disuse of a muscle can result in muscular atrophy. Muscles shrink as cells decrease in size.
Hemolytic Anemia
Red blood cells are destroyed (-LYTIC), and bone marrow cannot compensate for their loss. This condition can be hereditary or acquired (after infection or chemotherapy) or can occur when the immune system acts against normal red blood cells (autoimmune condition).
Iron Deficiency Anemia
Low iron levels lead to low hemoglobin concentration or deficiency of red blood cells.
Pernicious Anemia
The mucous membrane of the stomach fails to produce a substance (intrinsic factor) that is necessary for the absorption of vitamin B12 and the proper formation of red blood cells.
Sickle Cell Anemia
Erythrocytes assume an abnormal crescent or sickle shape; this “sickling” is due to the inheritance of an abnormal type of hemoglobin. The sickle-shaped cells clump together, causing clots that block blood vessels.
Apnea
Not able to breathe.
Temporary stoppage of breathing.
- in sleep apnea, during sleep, a person is momentarily unable to contract respiratory muscles and maintain air flow through the nose and mouth.
- in this term, the root (PNE, meaning breathing) is embedded in the suffix (-PNEA). Sleep apnea occurs when breathing stops suddenly during sleep.
Urinalysis
A urinalysis (urine + analysis) is the separation of urine to determine its components.
The following chart shows typical urinalysis findings:
1. Color - Light Yellow (normal) - Red (hematuria) (abnormal)
2. Clarity - Clear (normal) - Cloudy (infection) (abnormal)
3. pH (chemical nature) - slightly acidic (normal) - alkaline (infection) (abnormal)
4. Protein - very slight (normal) - proteinuria (renal disease) (abnormal)
5. Sugar - none (normal) - glycosuria (diabetes mellitus) (abnormal)
Bilateral
Pertaining to two (both) sides
Bradycardia
Slow heartbeat
Congenital
Pertaining to produce together.
A congenital anomaly is an irregularity (anomaly) present at birth.
Examples are webbed fingers and toes and heart defects.
Diarrhea
Complete flow, discharge.
Discharge of watery wastes from the colon.
Feces (stools) are loose and watery. Normal water reabsorbtion through the walls of the colon is impaired.
Dyspnea
Painful (DYS-) (labored, difficult) breathing (-PNEA).
Dysphagia
Difficult swallowing