Definitions O Flashcards
obesity
An excessive accumulation of fat in the body. The term obese is usually used to refer to individuals who are more than 20 to 30% over the established weight standards for their height, age, and gender. The term gender refers to the differences between men and women.
oblique fracture
An oblique fracture occurs at an angle across the bone.
obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Obsessive-compulsive disorder is characterized by recurrent obsessions (repetitive, intrusive, distressing thoughts or impulses) and/or compulsions (repeatedly feeling compelled to do things, like wash or pray). OCD makes someone feel he or she must do compulsive behaviors, such as repeated cleaning or checking, to prevent harm or stop the obsession. Performing compulsions provides only temporary relief, but not performing them temporarily increases anxiety.
occupational therapy
Occupational therapy consists of activities to promote recovery and rehabilitation to assist patients in performing the activities of daily living (ADL), which include grooming, eating, and dressing.
ocular prosthesis
An ocular prosthesis may be fitted to wear over a malformed eye or to replace an eyeball that is either congenitally missing or has been surgically removed. A prosthesis is an artificial substitute for a diseased or missing body replacement part. Also known as an artificial eye.
oligomenorrhea
The term used to describe infrequent or very light menstruation in a woman with previously normal periods.
oligospermia
A sperm count of below 20 million/mL. This is also known as a low sperm count and is a common cause of male infertility.
oliguria
scanty urination. This can be caused by dehydration, renal failure, or a urinary tract obstruction.
onychia
An inflammation of the matrix of the nail that often results in the loss of the nail. Also known as onychitis.
onychocryptosis
Commonly known as an ingrown toenail. The edges of a toenail, usually on the big toe, curve inward and cut into the skin. The affected area is prone to inflammation or infection.
onychomycosis
A fungal infection of the nail. Depending on the type of fungus involved, this condition can cause the nails to turn white, yellow, green, or black and to become thick or brittle.
onychophagia
Nail biting or nail eating.
oophorectomy
The surgical removal of one or both ovaries. If both ovaries are removed in a premenopausal woman, the patient experiences surgical menopause. Also known as an ovariectomy.
oophoritis
Inflammation of an ovary. This condition frequently occurs when salpingitis or pelvic inflammatory disease are present.
open-angle glaucoma
Open-angle glaucoma is by far the most common form of this condition. The trabecular meshwork gradually becomes blocked, causing a buildup of pressure. Symptoms of this condition are not noticed by the patient until the optic nerve has been damaged; however, it can be detected earlier through regular eye examinations, including tonometry and visual field testing. See the later section ?Diagnostic Procedures for Vision and the Eyes.? Also known as chronic glaucoma.
open fracture
An open fracture is one in which the bone is broken and there is an open wound in the skin. Also known as a compound fracture.
ophthalmoscope
an instrument used to examine the interior of the eye.
ophthalmoscopy
The use of an ophthalamoscope to visually examine the fundus (back part) of the eye. This examination includes the retina, optic disk, choroid, and blood vessels. Also known as a funduscopy.
opportunistic infection
An opportunistic infection is caused by a pathogen that does not normally produce an illness in healthy humans. However, when the host is debilitated, these pathogens are able to cause an infection. Debilitated means weakened by another condition.
oral administration
Oral administration refers to medications taken by mouth to be absorbed through the walls of the stomach or small intestine. These drugs can be in the form of liquids, tablets (pills), or capsules. Medications to be released in the small intestine are covered with an enteric coating to prevent them from being absorbed in the stomach.
oral glucose tolerance test
An oral glucose tolerance testis performed to confirm a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus and to aid in diagnosing hypoglycemia.
oral or maxillofacial surgeon
An oral or maxillofacial surgeon specializes in surgery of the face and jaws to correct deformities, treat diseases, and repair injuries.
oral rehydration therapy (ORT)
A treatment in which a solution of electrolytes is administered in a liquid preparation to counteract the dehydration that can accompany severe diarrhea, especially in young children.
oral thrush
A yeast infection that occurs in the mouth.
orbitotomy
A surgical incision into the orbit. This procedure is performed for biopsy, abscess drainage, or removal of a tumor or foreign object.
orchidectomy
The surgical removal of one or both testicles. Also spelled as orchiectomy.
orchiopexy
The repair of an undescended testicle. This is endoscopic surgery performed on infants before the age of 1 year to move the testicle into its normal position in the scrotum.
organic disorder
An organic disorder produces symptoms caused by detectable physical changes in the body. For example, chickenpox, which has a characteristic rash, is an organic disorder caused by a virus.
orthostatic hypotension
Low blood pressure that occurs upon standing up. Orthostatic means relating to an upright or standing position. Also known as postural hypotension.
orthotic
A mechanical appliance, such as a leg brace or a splint, that is specially designed to control, correct, or compensate for impaired limb function.
ossification
A baby?s skeleton begins as fragile membranes and cartilage, but after three months it starts turning into bone in a process called ossification, which continues through adolescence. Even after growth is completed, this process of new bone formation continues as osteoclasts break down old or damaged bone and osteoblasts help rebuild the bone. Ossification repairs the minor damage to the skeletal system that occurs during normal activity and also repairs bones after injuries such as fractures.
ostealgia
Pain in a bone. Also known as osteodynia.
ostectomy
The surgical removal of bone.
osteitis
An inflammation of a bone. Also spelled ostitis.
osteoarthritis (OA)
Osteoarthritis is the most commonly associated with aging. OA is known as a degenerative joint disease because it is characterized by the wearing away of the articular cartilage within the joints. Degenerative means the breaking down or impairment of a body part. It is also characterized by hypertrophy of bone and the formation of osteophytes. Also known as wear-and-tear arthritis.
osteochondroma
A benign bony projection covered with cartilage. Benign means something that is not life-threatening and does not recur. This type of tumor is also known as an exostosis (plural,exostoses).
osteoclasis
The surgical fracture of a bone to correct a deformity.
osteomalacia
Abnormal softening of bones in adults. This condition is usually caused by a deficiency of vitamin D, calcium, and/or phosphate. Also known as adult rickents.
osteomyelitis
An inflammation of the bone marrow and adjacent bone. The bacterial infection that causes osteomyelitis often originates in another part of the body and spreads to the bone via the blood.
osteonecrosis
The death of bone tissue due to insufficient blood supply.
osteopathic manipulative therapy
Mechanical spinal adjustment used in conjunction with conventional medical therapies by an osteopath.
osteopenia
Thinner-than-average bone density. This term is used to describe the condition of someone who does not yet have osteoporosis, but is at risk for developing it.
osteophytes
Also known as bone spurs.
osteoplasty
The surgical repair of a bone or bones.
osteoporosis
A marked loss of bone density and an increase in bone porosity that is frequently associated with aging.
osteoporotic hip fracture
Osteoporotic hip fracture is usually caused by weakening of the bones due to osteoporosis and can occur either spontaneously or as the result of a fall. Complications from these fractures can result in the loss of function, mobility, independence, or death. Osteoporotic means pertaining to or caused by the porous condition of bones. Also known as a broken hip.
osteorrhaphy
The surgical suturing, or wiring together, of bones.
osteosarcoma
a hard-tissue sarcoma that usually involves the upper shaft of the long bones, pelvis, or knee.
osteotomy
The surgical cutting of a bone. This may include removing part or all of a bone, or cutting into or through a bone.
ostomy
A surgical procedure to create an artificial opening between an organ and the body surface. This artificial opening is also known as a stoma. Ostomy can be used alone as a noun to describe a procedure or as a suffix with the word part that describes the organ involved.
otalgia
Pain in the ear. Also known as an earache.
otitis
Any inflammation of the ear. The second part of the term gives the location of the inflammation. For example, otitis externa is an inflammation of the external auditory canal.
otitis media
An inflammation of the middle ear.
otomycosis
A fungal infection of the external auditory canal. Also known as swimmer?s ear.
otoplasty
The surgical repair, restoration, or alteration of the pinna of the ear. This is sometimes done as a cosmetic surgery called ear pinning to bring the ears closer to the head.
otopyorrhea
The flow of pus from the ear.
otorrhagia
Bleeding from the ear.
otorrhea
Any discharge from the ear. In rare cases this could include leakage of cerebrospinal fluid.
otosclerosis
The ankylosis of the bones of the middle ear, resulting in a conductive hearing loss. Ankylosis means fused together. This condition is treated with a stapedectomy.
otoscope
An instrument used to examine the external ear canal.
ovarian cancer
Ovarian cancer originates within the cells of the ovaries. These cancer cells can break away from the ovary and spread (metastasize) to other tissues and organs within the abdomen or travel through the bloodstream to other parts of the body.
ovariorrhexis
The rupture of an ovary.
overactive bladder (OAB)
Overactive bladder occurs when the muscles of the bladder contract involuntarily even though the bladder is not actually full enough to indicate the need to urinate. The urinary sphincters? relaxation in response to this urgent need to urinate may result in urinary frequency or accidental urination. This is a common condition in adults older than 40 and may be caused by excessive consumption of caffeine or alcohol, urinary tract infections, neurological diseases, or bladder or prostate problems. Also known as urge incontinence.
overflow incontinence
Continuous leaking from the bladder either because it is full or because it does not empty completely. It is usually caused by a blocked urethra and is prevalent in older men with enlarged prostates.
over-the-counter drug
A medication that can be purchased without a prescription. Also known as an OTC.
overuse injuries
Minor tissue injuries that have not been given time to heal. These injuries can be caused by spending hours at the computer keyboard or by lengthy sports training sessions.
overuse tendinitis
An inflammation of tendons caused by excessive or unusual use of a joint. Also known as overuse tendinosis.
