GENERAL MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY Flashcards
without fever
afebrile
to walk (with cane/walker)
ambulation
an excessive localized enlargement of an artery caused by a weakening of the artery wall
aneurysm
medication used to relieve nausea and vomiting
antiemetics
medication used to reduce fever
antipyretics
an abnormal heart rhythm (aka cardiac dysrhythmia)
arrhythmia
a blood vessel that carries oxygenated blood away from the heart
artery
pain in a joint
arthralgia
connection between bones
articulation
partial or total collapse of the lungs
atelectasis
the action of pulling or tearing away (i.e., skin ________)
avulsion
armpit
axilla
a tumor that is not dangerous and does not spread
benign
an abnormal murmur or sound heard through a stethoscope
bruit
an abnormal enlargement of the heart
cardiomegaly
a headache
cephalgia
earwax
cerumen
removal of foreign matter or dead tissue from a wound
debridement
the teeth in situ or in the dental arch
dentition
excessive sweating
diaphoresis
a reduction of reimbursement for medical services when documentation is missing in a medical chart
downcodes
painful menstruation
dysmenorrhea
painful intercourse
dyspareunia
indigestion
dyspepsia
difficulty swallowing
dysphagia
difficulty breathing
dyspnea
painful urination
dysuria
swelling of body tissues due to an excessive accumulation of fluid in connective tissues or a serous cavity
edema
without teeth
edentulous
escape of fluid into a cavity
effusion
to become extremely thin or lean; wasting
emaciate
obstruction of a blood vessel by a clot of blood or foreign substance
embolism
vomiting
emesis
bleeding from the nose
epistaxis
with fever
febrile
manner of walking
gait
pregnant
gravid
gums
gingiva
vomiting of blood
hematemesis
bright red bloody stools
hematochezia
swelling of blood which occurs in an organ or tissue resulting from ruptured blood vessels
hematoma
blood in the urine
hematuria
the accumulation of blood in the pleural cavity
hemothorax
coughing up blood
hemoptysis
persistently low arterial blood pressure
hypotension
inability to control bowel movements and urine
incontinence
tissue death resulting from failure of blood supply
infarct
pertaining to the groin region
inguinal
an inadequate blood supply to an organ or part of the body
ischemia
articulation or junction between two or more bones or cartilage
joint
scar formation consisting of dense tissue
keloid
to do with tears
lacrimal
fatigue/exhuastion
lethargy
fibrous tissue, binding bones together
ligament
belonging to the tongue
lingual
enlargement of a lymph node
lymphadenopathy
generalized feeling of discomfort or weakness
malaise
a tumor that can invade/destroy local tissues and spread to other parts of the body
malignant
projections on either side of the ankle joint from the lower leg bones (tibia/fibula)
malleolus
black, tarry-like stool
melena
muscular pain
myalgia
when a test or procedure is performed on a patient, but it is not documented in the medical chart to allow for generation of a bill
missed ancillary
heart attack
myocardial infarction
nostrils
nares
sharp pain along the course of a nerve or several nerves
neuralgia
back part of the skull
occiput
painful swallowing
odynophagia
large bony projection of the ulna forming the elbow joint
olecranon
shortness of breath while lying down flat
orthopnea
mouth; orifice
Os
able to be touched or felt
palpable
a noticeable, rapid, strong, or irregular heartbeat
palpitations
women who has given birth to one or more viable offspring; the number of viable offspring born by a woman
para
abnormal tactile sensation often described as creeping, burning, tingling, or numbness
paresthesia
extreme sensitivity to light
photophobia
inflammation of the pleural lining of lung which causes pain when taking a deep breath
pleurisy
excessive thirst
polydipsia
excessive urination
polyuria
itchiness
pruritis
consisting of pus
purulent
thin, watery discharge from the nose
rhinorrhea
pertaining to the ischium or hip
sciatic
long, slender portion of bone
shaft
any mixed matter with saliva that is expectorated through the mouth
sputum
star-shaped; radiating from a center
stellate
narrowing of a body opening or passage
stenosis
passing out or fainting
syncope
ringing in the ears
tinnitus
the twisting of a bodily organ on its own axis (i.e., ovary or testicles)
torsion
vessel carrying deoxygenated blood to the heart (excluding pulmonary vein)
vein
passing quickly into and out of existence (temporary condition)
transient
dizziness, often described as the room spinning
vertigo
constant symptom that increases and decreases in severity
waxing and waning
