Foreign Terms Flashcards
addendum
Things to be added. Plural is addenda (or addendums; both are acceptable, but addenda is preferred).
ad libitum
Shortened to ad lib. According to your pleasure. “The patient is to resume activity ad lib.”
auris dextra
A.D., right ear
auris sinistra
A.S., left ear (The word sinister comes from the term that means left-handed.)
aures utrae
A.U., each ear (often interpreted as both ears)
bruit(s)
Pronounced broo-ee(s). This is an abnormal vascular sound heard on auscultation during a physical exam.
cafe au lait spot
This is a skin lesion that is the color of coffee with milk - a distinctive light brown pigment having a macular form. Pronounced kahFAY o LAY
coup
A hit or stroke; found in such terms as coup de grace (coo day grawss), coup d’etat (coo day taw), contrecoup (contra-coo -as in a certain kind of brain injury)
cul-de-sac
A blind alley. Usually has reference to the uterine cul-de-sac.
en bloc
In one block. Common term in surgery and pathology where a specimen is removed in one piece. It is pronounced “on block”. But don’t spell it that way!
en masse
In mass - sometimes refers to one unit, not divided into parts. Pronounced “on mass” or sometimes “on moss”.
Gilbert disease
Pronounced zhee-Bear. An inborn abnormality of liver function.
in ano
About the only place you will ever hear this is in reference to “fistula in ano,” which is an abnormal opening near the anus.
in extermis
At the point of death.
in situ
In it original position; in its natural or normal place. “The carcinoma in situ has not spread to the surrounding tissues.” Very common term in pathology reports.
in toto
As a whole or in the whole, a totality. “The specimen was removed in toto.”
oculus dexter
O.D., right eye.
You will often hear the abbreviations for these terms, but will rarely, hear the words.
oculus sinister
O.S., left eye.
You will often hear the abbreviations for these terms, but will rarely, hear the words.
oculus uterque
O.U., each eye.
You will often hear the abbreviations for these terms, but will rarely, hear the words.
peau d’orange
Literally means “orange peel” and describes the appearance of the skin in certain dermatological conditions. pronounced “po-dranzh
per
For, through, by.
Per diem, by the day. Millimeters per second. Per annum, by the year.
raphe
Literally the word means “seam” and refers to the line of union between symmetrical physiologic structures.
Raynaud phenomenon or disease
This is a vascular disorder characterized by intermittent loss of circulation, usually to the extremities.
statim
At once, immediately.
You will hear this as “stat.”
status quo
The existing condition.
“There is no change in the patient’s status quo.
Virchow-Robin spaces
A perivascular space in the brain in which important immunological functions take place. pronounced “ver-cow ro-BAN”
a.c.
ante cibum - means before food. Ex: “Medication to be taken 40 mg a.c.”
a.m. or AM
ante meridiem - means in the morning.
b.i.d.
bis in die - means Twice a day or twice daily
d.
die - means day. This is the “d” in most abbreviations.
h.
hora - means hour.
g.t.t.
gutta - means a drop. Often appears in medication lists in reference to eardrops or eyedrops.
h.s.
hora somni - means at bedtime (literally the hour of sleep)
p.o.
per os - means by mouth. example “Lasix 40 p.o. q.d.”
p.m. or PM
post meridiem - means afternoon, or between noon and midnight
p.r.n.
pro re nata - means as needed. Example: “Tylenol 325 mg q.4h. p.r.n. pain.
q.d.
quaque die - means every day
q.h.
quaque hora - means every hour
q.2h.
quaque secunda hour - means every 2 hours
q.3h.
quaque tertia hora - means every 3 hours
q. 4h.
quaque quarta hora - means every 4 hours
q. 6h.
quaque sex hora - means every 6 hours
q. 8h.
quaque octa hora - means every 8 hours
q.i.d.
quater in die - four times a day
t.i.d.
ter in die - means three times a day
