Commonly Used Medical Terms Flashcards
Abdominopelvic
Pertaining to the abdomen and pelvis
Acute
Describes sudden onset, usually of severe symptoms that run a short course. Opposite of chronic
Abcess
A pus filled cavity surrounded by inflamed tissue that can develop anywhere there is infection
Adenoma
A neo plasm of glandular epithelium
Adhesion
A firm attachment of adjacent serous membranes by bands or masses of fibrous connective tissue
Adnexa
Accessory parts of a structure- i.e The adnexa uteri are the accessory parts of the uterus
Amenorrhea
Absence or suppression of menstruation; normal before puberty, after menopause, and during pregnancy and lactation
Amniocentesis
Trans abdominal puncture of the amniotic sac using a needle and syringe in order to remove amniotic fluid
Anaplasia
The reverting of a specialized cell to its primitive or embryonic state.
Anastomosis
Surgical formation of a passage or opening between two hollow viscera or vessels
Anemia
A disorder characterized by a decrease in hemoglobin in the blood to levels below the normal range
Aneurysm
Localized abnormal dilation of a blood vessel, usually an artery, due to congenital defect or weakness of the wall of the vessel
Anorchism
A congenital condition in which there is a lack of one or both testes
Anterior
Before or in front of, in anatomical nomenclature – refers to the ventral or abdominal side of the body
Anteroposterior
Passing from the front to the rear
Anuria
Without urine
Aorta
The main trunk of the arterial system of the body
Aortopathy
Any aortic disease
Arteriosclerosis
Narrowing of the aorta
Aplasia
Failure of an organ or tissue to develop normally, congenital absence of an organ.
Apnea
Temporary cessation of breathing
Arteriole
A minute artery thats distal end leads into a capillary
Arteriopathy
Any disease of the arteries
Arteriosclerosis
Term applied to a number of pathological conditions in which there are thickening, hardening, and loss of elasticity of the walls of arteries
Aspiration
- Breathing in foreign objects by suction, foreign bodies maybe aspirated into the nose, lungs or throat on inspiration.
- A medical procedure that is used to remove some fluids from a part of the body
Asphyxia
Used to describe a condition in which there is insufficient oxygen. Can happen due to drowning choking inhalation of toxics. Leads to anoxia- absence of blood supply to the organs, especially the brain
Asthma
A disease caused by increased responsiveness of the tracheobronchial tree to the various stimuli; the result is peroxisomal constriction of the bronchial airways
Atherosclerosis
Most common form of arteriosclerosis. It is a disease in which plaque builds up inside arteries, causing hardening and narrowing of arteries. Plaque is made of cholesterol, fatty substances, cellular waste products, calcium, and fibrin
Atresia
- Congenital absence or closure of a normal body opening
2. Absence or disappearance of an anatomical part
Atrophy
A decrease in size of an organ or tissue
Ascites
Accumulation of serous fluid in the peritoneal cavity
Aura
A premonitory awareness of an approaching mental or physical disorder, The particular sensation that precedes an epileptic seizure
Benign
Not recurrent or progressive; opposite of malignant
Bilateral
Pertaining to or affecting two sides
Bradycardia
Slowness of heart action
Carcinoma
A new or malignant tumor that occurs in epithelial tissue
Caudal
Pertaining to any tail like structure; inferior in anatomical position terms
Cerebral palsy
A non-progressive paralysis resulting from developmental defects in the brain or trauma at birth
Cervical
Pertaining to the cervix
Cervicitis
Inflammation of the cervix
Cervicocolpitis
Inflammation of the cervix and the vagina
Colpitis
Inflammation of the vagina
Colpocele
Hernia into the vagina
Colpocystitis
Inflammation of the vagina and the bladder
Colpodynia
Pain in the vagina
Cryptorchism
Testes fail to descend into the scrotum
Cheyne-Stokes Respiration
A common and bizarre breathing pattern characterized by a period of apnea, lasting 10 to 60 seconds followed by gradually increasing depth and frequency of respirations; seen in patients with head injuries brain tumors and stroke
Cholecystectomy
Excision of the gallbladder
Cholecystitis
Inflammation of the gallbladder
Cholecystogram
A radiographic picture of the gallbladder
Choledocholithiasis
Calculi in the common bile duct
Choledoctotomy
A surgical incision of the common bile duct
Cholelith
A gall stone
Cholelithiasis
Formulation or presence of calculi or bile stones in the gallbladder or common bile duct; the stones may or may not cause symptoms
Colostomy
The opening of a portion of the colon through the abdominal wall to its outside surface; performed when it is pathologically impossible for the feces to pass through the colon and out the anus; or because the distal bowel has been surgically removed
Congenital
Present at birth
Congestive heart failure
An abnormal condition characterized by circulatory congestion caused by cardiac disorders; especially, myocardial in fraction of the ventricles
Continents
Used in reference to the ability to control urination and defecation
Craniotomy
Opening of skull and removal of a portion of it to perform brain surgeries
Cyanosis
Slightly bluish, grayish, or dark purple discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes due to lack of oxygen in the blood
Cystocele
A bladder hernia that protrudes into the vagina
Cystoscope
Instrument for interior examination of the bladder and ureter; it is introduced through the urethra into the bladder
Cystoscopy
Examination of the inside of the bladder with the cystoscope
Cytology
The science that deals with the formation, structure and function of the cells
Cirrhosis
Chronic disease of the liver
Colic
Spasm in any hollow or tubular soft organ accompanied by pain
Corpus Luteum
Means the yellow body. It is a structure of the ovary that results from the rupturing of a mature follicle during ovulation. This small, yellow body serves to produce hormones especially progesterone following ovulation
Convulsion
Paroxysms of involuntary muscle contractions and relaxations
Carcinogenic
Pertaining to an agent that produces cancer
Contraindication
Improper or imprudent use or treatment
Diabetes Mellitus
A chronic disorder of carbohydrate metabolism, characterized by hyperglycemia and glycosuria and resulting from an inadequate production or utilization of insulin. Symptoms: polyuria and polydipsia polyphagia weight loss fatigue slow wound healing and increased infection. The term diabetes mellitus is to differentiate the common diabetes from another rare disease called diabetes insipidus which has different mechanisms
Diagnosis
The term denoting name of the disease or syndrome a person has or is believed to have
Diaphragm
The muscular membranous partition separating the thoracic and abdominal cavities
Distal
Farthest from the center, from a medial line, or from the trunk; opposed to proximal
Diastole
The relaxation phase of the cardiac cycle
Diuretic
An agent that increases the secretion of urine
Diverticulum
A sack or pouch on the wall of a canal or Organ. E.g. bladder diverticulum
Dorsal
Toward the back
Duodenectomy
Excision of all or part of the Duodenum
Dysmenorrhea
Pain associated with menstruation
Dysplasia
Abnormal development of tissue. E.g. cervical dysplasia (abnormal cell growth in the cells lining the cervical canal predisposing it to cancer)
Dyspnea
Difficult breathing, sometimes accompanied by pain
Dystocia
Difficult labor or childbirth
Diarrhea
frequent passage of ununiformed, watery bowel movements
Dyspareunia
Occurrence of pain during sexual intercourse
Dialation and Curettage (D&C)
A widening of the cervical canal with a dilator and the scraping of the uterine endometrium with a curette, it is performed to secure endometrial or endocervical tissue for psychological examination to control abnormal uterine bleeding, and as a therapeutic measure for incomplete abortion, usually performed in the OR
Diuresis
Increased excretion of urine
Differentiation
The ability of a cell to carry on specialized activities
Dysuria
Pain with urination
Edema
Swelling
Emesis
Vomiting
Encephalitis
Inflammation of the brain
Encephalocele
Protrusion of the brain through a cranial fissure
Endocrine
And internal secretion; pertains to a gland that secretes directly into the bloodstream
Endo chronologist
A medical scientist skilled in Endo chronology
Endoscope
A device consisting of a tube and optical system for observing the inside of a hollow organ or cavity; this observation may be done through a natural body opening or, through a small incision
Enteritis
Inflammation of the intestines
Epigastric
Pertaining to the epigastrium
Epistaxis
Hemorrhage from nose; nosebleed
Endometriosis
A condition in which endometrial tissue occurs in various sites outside the uterus in the abdominal or pelvic cavity
Estrogen
Any natural or artificial substance that induces estrogenic activity
Eclampsia
Major just order of pregnancy that may be manifested by high blood pressure, edema, convulsions, renal dysfunction, protein in urea, and in severe cases – coma
Etopic pregnancy
A pregnancy in which the fertilized ovum does not reach the uterine cavity, but becomes implanted on any tissue other than the lining of the uterine cavity, most frequently in fallopian tube’s
Episiotomy
Incision of Perinum from the vaginal orifice, usually done to facilitate childbirth.
Erythema
Redness of the skin
Evisceration
Protrusion of internal organs through wound
Fertilization
Process in which an ovum becomes impregnated by spermatozoon
Fimbriae
Finger like process that works to propel a discharged ovum from the ovary into a fallopian tube.
Fibroid
Benign tumor of the uterus
Fissure
A cleft, or groove
Fistual
Abnormal channel between two organs or an internal organ and the skin. E.g. fistulas in Crohn’s disease
Fibrosis
The formation of fibrous tissue, usually as a reparative process
Gangrene
Necrosis, or death of tissue, usually due to deficient or absent blood supply
Gasterectomy
Surgical removal of a part or the whole of the stomach
Gastrologist
Physician who specializes in gastrology
Gastroscopy
Examination of the stomach and abdominal cavity by use of a gastroscope.
Gout
A complex type of arthritis caused by metabolic disturbance. It’s a cute form is marked by inflammation of the joints; joints affected maybe at any location but gout usually begins in the knee or foot
Gravida
Pregnant woman
Hemangioma
A benign tumor of dilated blood vessels
Hematemesis
To throw up blood
Hematuria
To have blood in the urine
Hemiplegia
Paralysis of one side of the body. It occurs in patients with stroke.
Hemiparesis
Weakness of one side of the body. Not as severe as hemi plasia.
Diaphoresis
Excessive sweating
Hemorrhage
Abnormal, severe internal or Extertal discharge of blood
Hemostasis
Arrest of bleeding or circulation
Hepatoma
A tumor of the liver
Hepatomegaly
enlargement of the liver
Hernia
Protrusion or projection of an organ or part of an organ through the wall of the cavity that normally contains it
Hirsutism
Condition characterized by excessive growth of hair or the presence of hair in unusual places, especially in women
Histologist
An individual who specializes in the study of cells and microscopic tissues
Hyperalgia
Excessive sensitivity to pain
Hyperemia
In excess of blood in any part of the body
Hyperemesis
Excessive vomiting
Hyperglycemia
Increase in blood sugar as in diabetics
Hyperplasia
Excessive proliferation of normal cells in the normal tissue arrangement of an organ. E.g. endometrial hyperplasia
Hypertension
A condition in which the patient has a higher blood pressure then that judged to be normal
Hypertrophy
Increase in size of an organ or structure that does not involve tumor formation
Hyperglycemia
A deficiency of sugar in the blood; a condition in which the glucose in the blood is abnormally low
Hypovolemia
A sudden decrease in blood volume
Hypotension
Decrease of systematic and diastolic blood pressure below normal
Hysterectomy
Surgical removal of the uterus through the abdominal wall or through the vagina
Hysterodynia
Uterine pain, also known as hysteralgia
Hysteritis
Inflammation of the uterus
Hysterotomy
Incision into the uterus
Hysteroscope
An instrument used in the biopsy of uterine tissue
Hypoxia
Absence or deficiency of oxygen in the tissues
Hydrops
Edema. Hydrops fatalis… Cities, pleural effusion paracardial effusion, skin Adema in the fetus
Hystero-oophorectomy
Surgical X scission of the uterus and one or both ovaries
Hysterosalpingectomy
Surgical excision of the uterus and fallopian tube’s
Ileostomy
Creation of a surgical passage through the abdominal wall into the ileum; the fecal material drains into a bag worn on the abdomen
Impetigo
Highly contagious skin infection marked by isolated pustules small collection of pus in the epidermis which become crusted and rupture occurs principally around the mouth and nostrils
Incontinence
Inability to retain urine, semen, or feces, through loss of sphincter control or because of cerebral or spinal lesions
Inferior
Beneath; lower
Insulin
A hormone secreted by the beta cells of the islits of Langerhands of the pancreas. It is responsible for maintaining the level of sugar in the blood
Intercostal
Between the ribs
Intravenous pyelogram
IVP, in which a radio opaque material is given intravenously; any blockage along the urinary tract will be readily deducted by this examination
Intrauterine
Pertaining to within the uterus
Intussuseception
The slipping of one part of an intestine into another part just below it
Ischemia
Local and temporary deficiency of blood supply due to obstruction of the circulation to a part. Heart angia is a result of deficiency of blood supply to the heart
Idiopathic
Self originated or occurring without a known cause
Iatrogenic
Induced as a result of the effects of medical treatment e.g. pseudo aneurysm formation do to femoral line
In situ
In a localized site; confined to one place
Icterus
Jaundice
Infarct
An area of necrosis resulting from a lack of blood supply
Involution
The return of an enlarge Organ to its normal size. E.g. uterine involution after childbirth
Jaundice
Yellowness of skin and whites of eyes, mucous membranes and body fluids due to deposition of bile pigment resulting from excess Billy Rubin in the blood
Jejunectomy
Excision of part or all of the jejunum
Laparoscope
An endoscope designed to permit visual examination of the peritoneal cavity
Laparoscopy
Abdominal exploration employing a type of endoscope called a laparascope
Lateral
Pertaining to the side.
Leukemia
A chronic or acute disease of unregulated clonal proliferation of the stem cells of the blood forming tissues
Lithiasis
Formulation of calculi and concretions
Leukocyte
A white corpuscle
Lipoma
A fatty tumor; it is frequently found in multiple, but is not malignant.
Lithotripsy
Crushing of a calculus in the bladder or urethra
Lithotomy
Incision of a duct or organ usually the common bile duct or bladder for removal of a calculus
Malignant
Growing worse; resisting treatment, said of cancerous growth; tending or threatening to produce death; harmful
Mammography
Use of radiography of the breast to diagnose breast cancer
Medial
Pertaining to the middle; near the medial plane
Menopause
That. Which marks the permanent cessation of menstrual activity; usually begins between the age of 45 and 55.
Menorragia
Excessive bleeding at the time of the menstrual period, either in number of days or amount of blood, or both
Multigravida
A woman who has been pregnant two or three times may be written as gravida II or III etc. according to the number of pregnancies
Multipara
A woman who has born more than one viable fetus of greater than 24 weeks of gestation whether or not the offspring were alive at birth (may be written as para two or para three) and so on according to the number of deliveries
Metromalcia
Softening of the uterus
Myometrium
Muscular wall of the uterus
Metrocarcinoma
Uterine carcinoma
Menarche
Initial menstrual period
Mittelschmerz
Abdominal pain that occurs midway between the menstrual periods at ovulation
Nausea
Unpleasant sensation usually precedes vomiting
Necrosis
Death of areas of tissue or bone surrounded by healthy parts due to infection, toxins, or trauma
Neonatal
Concerning the first 4 to 6 weeks after birth
Neoplasm
A new and abnormal formation of tissue, as a tumor or growth; it serves no useful function, but grows at the expense of the healthy organism
Nephritis
Inflammation of the kidney
Nephrolith
A stone or calculus in the kidney
Nephrolithiasis
The presence of calculi in the kidney
Nephromegaly
Enlargement of one or both kidneys
Nephrons
The structural and functional unit of the kidney
Nephropathy
Disease of the kidney
Nephrectomy
Removal of a kidney
Nosocomial
Anything that occurs within the healthcare environment e.g. MERSA
Neurologist
A specialist in diseases of the nervous system
Nocturia
Urination, especially excessive, during the night
Oliguria
Diminished amount of urine formation
Oophorectomy
Excision of an ovary
Oophoritis
Inflamed condition of an ovary
Oophoroma
Ovarian tumor
Ovaritis
Inflammation of an ovary
Ovarectomy
Excision of an ovary
Oogenesis
Formation of the ovum
Orchidectomy
Surgical excision of a testicle
Orchidopexy
surgical fixation of a testicle – used for occasions of cryptorchidism
Orchioplasty
Surgical repair of a testicle. Post Squirtle drama and rupture of a teste
Orchiotomy
incision into a testicle
Orchitis
Inflammation of a testicle
Pancreas
A flat Oregon located posterior and slightly inferior to the stomach
Pancreatoectomy
Excision of part or all of the pancreas
Para
A woman who has produced a viable young regardless of whether or not the child was living at birth, numerals are used to designate the number of pregnancies that have resulted in the birth of viable offspring as para zero no para para one para 11 etc.
Parturition
Act of giving birth
Pelvic inflammatory disease
Ascending infection from the vagina or cervix into the uterus, fallopian tube’s, and broad ligament
Phlebotomy
Incision of a vein to with draw blood
Pneumonectomy
Excision of the lung tissue, of an entire long, or less or of a single lobe
Pneumonia
Inflammation of the lungs primarily caused by bacteria, viruses, and chemical irritants
Polyp
A tumor with a pedicle
Polyuria
Excessive secretion and discharge of urine
Posterioanterior
Term indicating the flow or movement from back to front
Postprandial
Following a meal
Premenstrual syndrome
A syndrome that occurs several days prior to the onset of menstruation and ends a short time after the onset of menstruation
Prenatal
Before birth
Primigravida
A woman during her first pregnancy
Primipara
A woman who has given birth for the first time
Progesterone
A steroid hormone obtain from the corpus luteum and placenta
Proximal
Nearest to the point of attachment, center of the body; opposite of distal
Pruritus
Severe itching; maybe a symptom of a disease process such as allergic response, or maybe due to emotional factors
Pyelogram
A rotogenogram of the uterus and renal pelvis
Pyelonephritis
Inflammation of kidneys substance and Pelvis
Pyorrhea
A discharge of purulent matter- eg periodontitis
Pyuria
Pus in the urine; evidence of renal disease
Perineum
X ternal region between the vulva and anus
Peristalsis
A progressive wave like movement that occurs in voluntarily in hollow tubes of the body, especially the alimentary canal the G.I. tract and the fallopian tube’s
Paraplegia
Paralysis of the lower portion of the trunk and both legs due to spinal injury
Palliative
Treatment that eliminates the symptoms but does not affect the cause of the symptoms
Ptosis
Drooping or prolapse of an organ or part. Usually, refers to drooping of the upper eyelids
Purulent
Containing pus
Pyrexia
Fever
Parenteral
Any route of drug administration other than via the gastrointestinal system e.g. injections
Quadriplegia
Paralysis of all four extremities and usually the trunk
Radiologist
A physician who practices diagnosis and treatment by use of radiant energy
Radiology
The branch of medicine concerned with radioactive substances, including x-rays, radioactive isotopes, and ionizing radiation’s
Renal
Pertaining to the kidney
Reproductive
Concerning, or employed in, reproduction
Salpingitis
Inflammation of the fallopian tube
Salpingectomy
Excision of the fallopian tube
Salpingo-oophorectomy
Surgical excision of an ovary and a fallopian tube
Spermatozoon
Mature male sex or germ cell
Scoliosis
Lateral curvature of the spine; usually consists of two curves, the original abnormal curve and a content station curve in the opposite direction
Systole
That part of the heart cycle in which the heart is in contraction
Superior
Higher than; situated above something else
Shunt
Passage between two blood vessels or between two sides of the heart
Tachycardia
Unusually rapid heart beat, usually defined as a heart rate over 100 bpm in adult
Testopathy
Any disease of the testicles
Testosterone
And androgen isolated from the testes of a number of animals including humans and considered to be the principal testicular hormone produced in men
Thoracentesis
Surgical puncture of the chest wall for removal of fluids, usually done by using a large bore needle
Thoracic
Pertaining to the chest or thorax
Thoracotomy
Surgical incision of the chest wall
Tracheostomy
Creation of an opening into the trachea through the neck, with the insertion of an indwelling tube to facilitate passage or air evacuation of secretions; the procedure maybe an emergency measure or an elective one
Torsion
Twisting, any organ that moves freely can become twisted
Uterocele
Cystlike dilation of the ureter near its opening into the bladder; usually a result of congenital stenosis of ureter orifice
Uterolithiasis
Development of calculus in the ureter
Uteroliths
A stone or calculi in the ureter
Urinary
Pertaining to, secreting, or containing urine
Urologist
A physician who specializes in the practice of urology
Urology
The branch of medicine concerned with the urinary tract in both sexes and the genital tract in the male
Uterocele
Hernia containing the uterus
Uteroplasty
Surgical repair of the uterus
Utero scope
An instrument for viewing the uterine cavity a.k.a. hysteroscope
Uterine Adnexia
Refers to the ovaries and fallopian tubes
Varicose veins
Enlarged, twisted superficial veins; may occur in almost any part of the body but are commonly observed in the lower extremities and in the esophagus
Ventral
Pertaining to the Belly, opposite of dorsal
Vertigo
The sensation of the moving around in space, or of having objects move about the person; it is the result of disturbance of equilibratory apparatus
Vesicle
Small sack containing fluid; a blister like small elevation on the skin containing Serous fluid e.g. chickenpox
Volvulus
A twisting of the bowel upon its self causing obstruction; a prolapsed mesentary is the predisposing cause, usually occurs at sigmoid and ileocecal areas of intestines
Vaginitis
Inflammation of the vagina
Zygote
The fertilized ovum
Micturition
Voiding, urination
Diaphoresis
Excessive sweating
