Med Terms Flashcards
Cellulitis
Inflammation of subcutaneous, loose connective tissue; Skin infection
Cervical
o Pertaining to the neck or to the cervix of the uterus
Conjunctiva
o Delicate membrane lining the eyelids and covering the eyeball
Contusion
o A mechanical injury causing hemorrhages beneath unbroken skin; bruise
Crepitus
o A crackling or grating sound, usually of bones
Ecchymosis
o Hemmorrhaic, non-elevated, irregularly-formed, discolored area of skin caused by the seepage of blood beneath the epidermis (a bruise!)
Edema
o Swelling of body tissues due to an excessive accumulation of fluid in connective tissue or a serous cavity
Erythema
o Unusual redness of the skin caused by capillary congestion
Hematoma
o Swelling of blood which occurs in an organ or tissue resulting from ruptured blood vessels
Hemorrhage
o Excessive or profuse bleeding
Joint
o Articulation or junction between two or more bones or cartilage
Meningismus
o The triad of nuchal rigidity, photophobia, and headache. It is a sign of irritation of the meninges.
Nares
o Nostrils
Palpable
o Able to be touched
Purulent
o Consisting of matter of pus
Rale
o Abnormal respiratory sound heard on auscultation; often referred to as “crackles”
Rhonchi
o A whistling or snoring sound heard on auscultation of the chest when air channels are partially obstructed; the plural of rhonchus
Stridor
o Harsh or high-pitched respiratory sound, caused by an obstruction of the air passages. Audible without auscultation.
Wheeze
o Difficult breathing with a whistling sound resulting from narrowing of the lumen of the respiratory passageways. Most commonly heard by auscultation, but can also be outwardly audible.
Adnexa
o Refers to the appendages of an organ
Cachectic
o State of ill appearance and malnutrition
Cornea
o Transparent coat of the eyeball covering the iris and pupil, allowing light into the eye.
CVAT
o Costovertebral angle tenderness
Dehiscence
o A surgical complication in which a wound breaks open along surgical suture
Dorsiflexion
o Backward flexion, as in bending backward either a hand or foot
Effusion
o Escape of fluid into a cavity
Exudate
o A fluid with a high content of protein and cellular debris which has escaped from blood vessels and has been deposited in tissues or on tissue surfaces, usually as a result of inflammation
Fundus
o The large, upper end of the uterus
Gravid
o State of being pregnant
Icteric
(Jaundice) The yellowish discoloration of the skin, sclerae (white of the eyes) and mucous membranes caused by hyperbilirubinemia
Induration
o Act of hardening; a specific area of hardened tissue
Macule
o Small colored spot on the skin
Malocclusion
o PEx:ENT
o Imperfect closure or meeting of opposing teeth
Nystagmus
o PEx:Eye
o Involuntary rapid eye movements
Occiput
o Back part of the skull
Os
o Opening/Orifice
o Ex. Cervix, mouth
Pallor
o PEx:Skin
o Paleness to the skin
Urticaria
o PEx:Skin
o Hives or wheals which are either more red or more pale than the surrounding area and are often attended by itching
Vein
o Vessels carrying deoxygenated blood to the heart, excluding pulmonary veins.
Artery
o Blood vessel carrying oxygenated blood away from the heart, excluding pulmonary arteries
Avulsion
o A forcible pulling away of a part or structure
o Ex. Nail injury where nail is pulled from nail bed
Bruit
o PEx:Cardiovascular
o A murmur or sound heard on auscultation of carotid artery in neck
Cyanotic
o PEx:Skin
o Pertaining to a bluish or slate-like skin color
Dentition
o PEx:Mouth
o The teeth in situ or in the dental arch
Dermis
o PEx:Skin
o True skin, beneath the epidermis
Euthymic
o PEx:Psychological
o Pertaining to a normal mood in which the range of emotions is depressed nor highly elevated
Fluorescein
o PEx:Eyes
o Red, crystalline substance used in diagnostic examination of the eye to detect corneal lesions, abrasions, or foreign bodies.
Gingiva
o PEx: ENT
o Gums
Inguinal
o PEx:GU
o Pertaining to the groin region
Ischemia
o PEx:Cardiovascular
o Temporary and localized anemia due to restricting circulation to a part.
Ligament
o PEx:Musculoskeletal
o Fibrous tissue, binding bones together
Lingual
o PEx:ENT
o Belonging to the tongue
Loculations
o The presence of numerous small spaces or cavities
Palate
o PEx:ENT
o Roof of the mouth; the partition separating the nasal and oral cavities
Petechiae
o PEx:Skin
o Tiny red spot occurring on the skin caused by a small amount of escaping blood
Sciatic
o PEx:Musculoskeletal
o Pertaining to the ischium or hip
Sclera
o PEx:Eyes
o Dense fibrous opaque outer coat enclosing the eyeball except the part covered by the cornea
Shaft
o PEx:Musculoskeletal
o Long slender portion of a long bone
Supination
o PEx: Muscolo
o Rotation of either the forearm or foot
Turgor
o PEx:Skin
o Condition of being distended or swollen; normal fullness
Articulation
o PEx:Musculoskeletal
o Connection between bones
Axilla
o PEx:Musculoskeletal
o Armpit
Cerumen
o PEx: ENT
o Ear wax
Condylar, Condyle
o PEx:Musculoskeletal
o A rounded projection of a bone
Edentulous
o PEx:ENT
o Without teeth
Emaciate
o PEx:Constitutional
o To become extremely thin or lean; wasting
Fascia
o PEx:Skin
o Fibrous membrane of connective tissue supporting and separating muscles and body organs
Fontanel
o PEx:Head
o Any of the spaces closed by membranous structures between the uncompleted angles of the parietal bones and the neighboring bones of a fetal or young skull
Interstice
o A small interval, space, or gap in a tissue, organ, or structure
Keloid
o PEx:Skin
o Scar formation consisting of dense tissue
Lacrimal
o PEx:Eyes
o To do with tears
Malleolus
o PEx: Musculoskeletal
o Projections on either side of the ankle joint from the lower leg bones
Mottled
o PEx:Skin
o Marked by spots of blotches of different colors or shades
Olecranon
o PEx:Musculoskeletal
o Large bony projection of the ulna forming the elbow joint
Paroxysmal
o Describes a sudden recurrence of intensification of symptoms
Popliteal Fossa
o PEx:Musculoskeletal
o Depression in the posterior portion of the knee
Post-ictal
o PEx:Neurological
o Manifestations of seizure induced reversible alterations in neuronal function, but not structure. Post seizure symptoms include exhaustion, inability to think clearly, migraine
Stellate
o PEx:Skin
o Star-shaped; radiating from a center-usually describing a rash
Wheal
o PEx:Skin
o Round, localized area of edema on the skin attended by severe itching which vanishes quickly
