Medical Dictionary Flashcards
1
Q
2/24
A
2 hours
2
Q
6/12
A
6 months
3
Q
acne
A
A common inflammatory disorder of the sebaceous glands of the skin
4
Q
acute
A
Occurs quickly and resolves quickly
5
Q
aemia
A
Blood
6
Q
aetiology
A
Cause
7
Q
bladder
A
A muscular organ to store urine
8
Q
algia
A
Pain
9
Q
Alzheimer’s disease
A
A form of dementia
10
Q
amenorrhoea
A
Absence of menstruation
11
Q
anaesthesia
A
Loss of feeling or sensation in part or all of the body induced by drugs
12
Q
anaesthetist
A
A doctor who administers drugs to produce unconsciousness usually before surgical procedures
13
Q
analgesia
A
Pain relief
14
Q
analgesic neuropathy
A
Damage to the kidneys caused by analgesic medication
15
Q
anatomy
A
Study of the structure of living organisms
16
Q
angina
A
Heart pain caused by limited blood flow to the heart
17
Q
angiogram
A
The imaging of blood vessels using a contrast medium and a CT scan
18
Q
aortic aneurysm
A
A bulge in the wall of the aorta (largest blood vessel in the body)
19
Q
arrhythmia
A
Irregular heartbeat
20
Q
arteriosclerosis
A
Disease of arteries
21
Q
arthrocentesis
A
Removal of fluid from a joint
22
Q
arthroscopy
A
Small surgical incision into a joint and looking through a scope
23
Q
asthma
A
Narrowing of the bronchial airways causing coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath
24
Q
asymptomatic
A
Without symptoms
25
BCC
Basal cell carcinoma (most common form of skin cancer)
26
benign
Non-cancerous
27
bladder
Membranous sac that serves as a reservoir for urine
28
bone scan
An x-ray of all bones of the body with contrast medium inserted
29
BP
Blood pressure
30
brady
Slow
31
bradycardia
A slow heart rate
32
brain death
Permanent death of the functional capacity of the brain stem
33
brain tumour
Tumour found in the brain (can be benign or malignant)
34
bronchodilator
A drug used to widen air passages by relaxing bronchial muscles
35
bronchoscopy
A tube (bronchoscope) is passed through the trachea and bronchi for investigation or to remove a foreign body
36
bronchospasm
Narrowing of the bronchi by muscular contraction in response to some stimulus
37
cardi
Heart
38
cardiac arrest
Clinical death
39
cardiomyopathy
Disease of heart muscle Pronunciation: kar-di-oh-my-op-a-thi
40
carpel tunnel syndrome
Tingling, numbness or pain in the hand caused by pressure on the medial nerve as it passes near the wrist
41
catheterization
Insertion of a tube into the bladder to drain urine
42
cellulitis
An infection in the deep layers of the skin often seen in the lower legs where circulation can be poor
43
cerebro/cerebral
Brain
44
cerebro-vascular accident (CVA)
A stroke
45
Chiropractor
A practitioner who treat musculo-skeletal conditions by hand manipulation
46
cholelithiasis
The formation of stones in the gall bladder
47
cholelithotomy
Surgical removal of gall stones
48
chronic
Long term
49
Colles fracture
A fracture at the distal end of the radius
50
colo
Colon
51
colonoscopy
An examination of the colon using a scope
52
colostomy
A surgical procedure where a section of the colon is bought to the outside of the abdomen
53
comminuted fracture
The bone is broken into more than 2 pieces
54
compound fracture
The fractured bone has broken the skin
55
congenital
There at birth
56
contagious
Easily passed on from one person to another
57
corneal transplant
The replacement of diseased cornea with a donor cornea
58
cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
Resuscitation consisting of artificial respiration and manual heart compressions
59
cardio-version
Administering an electric shock to normalise heart rhythm
60
Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG)
Surgery performed to bypass a diseased artery.
61
Crohn’s disease
A condition causing inflammation of segments of the digestive tract
62
CSF
Cerebro spinal fluid
63
CT scan
Computerised Tomography
64
CVA
Cerebro-vascular accident (a stroke)
65
CXR
Chest x-ray
66
cyanosis
Bluish discolouration of the skin due to lack of oxygen. Pronunciation: sy-an-noh-sis
67
cystitis
Inflammation of the bladder
68
cystocele
Prolapse at the base of the bladder
69
cystoscopy
Examination into the bladder using a scope
70
debridement
Cleaning of a wound
71
deep vein thrombosis(DVT)
Blood clot usually in the lower legs
72
defibrillation
Administering an electric to restore heart function
73
dementia
Memory loss cause from loss of brain function
74
dermatitis
Inflammation of the skin by various causes
75
diagnosis
The process for considering the nature of a disorder based on signs and symptoms
76
dialysis-peritoneal
A method of removing toxins from the body through the peritoneal cavity when there is some form of kidney failure
77
dialysis-haemodialysis
A method of removing toxins from the blood when the kidneys are not functioning
78
diastolic
The lower reading of a blood pressure measurement
79
diplopia
Double vision
80
discectomy
Removal of a disc
81
diuretic
A drug that increases urine output
82
Doppler
Instrument used to measure ultrasound waves in blood vessels
83
DVT
Deep vein thrombosis (clot)
84
dynia
Pain
85
dys
Difficult or painful
86
dysmenorrhoea
Difficult or painful menstruation
87
dyspepsia
Indigestion
88
dysphagia
Difficulty swallowing
89
dyspnoea
Has difficulty breathing
90
dysuria
Difficulty passing urine
91
ECG
Electrocardiogram
92
Echocardiogram
The use of ultrasound waves to investigate heart function
93
ectomy
Removal of
94
ectopic pregnancy
The development of the foetus in another site (usually the fallopian tube) and not in the uterus
95
EEG
Electroencephalogram
96
embolism
A blood clot that can obstruct an artery and cause loss of blood flow
97
emesis
Vomit
98
emphysema
Damage and inflammation to the lungs causing lack of exchange of gases
99
encephalitis
Inflammation of the brain
100
endocardium
Inner layer of the heart
101
endometriosis
The presence of tissue similar to the kind lining the uterus, in other sites in the pelvis
102
epidemic
A disease occurring in a particular area
103
epilepsy
A disorder of brain function causing seizures or fits
104
epistaxis
A nosebleed
105
erythema
Redness or flushing of the skin
106
familial
Found commonly in some families
107
FBC
Full blood count
108
fibrocystic breast disease
Benign breast disease
109
gangrene
Dead skin
110
gastritis
Inflammation of the stomach
111
gastroenterologist
A doctor who treats diseases of the stomach and intestines
112
genetics
The science of hereditary
113
glaucoma
Loss of vision due to increased pressure in the eye
114
glyc
Sugar
115
greenstick fracture
An incomplete break in a bone
116
goitre
Enlargement of the thyroid gland often caused by a reduction in iodine production
117
gout
Excess of uric acid accumulates in the blood stream and in the joints
118
Gynaecologist
A doctor who treats conditions and diseases of the female reproductive system
119
haematemesis
Vomiting blood
120
haematoma
Blood clot under the skin (bruising)
121
haematuria
Blood in the urine
122
haemodialysis
A method of removing toxins from the body via the blood stream when kidneys have failed
123
haemorrhoids
Enlargement of the normal spongy blood-filled cushions in the wall of the anus
124
haemothorax
Blood in the pleural cavity (lung) usually due to injury
125
halitosis
Bad breath
126
hemi
Half
127
hemi-colectomy
Removal of half of the colon
128
hemiplegia
Paralysis either left or right sided
129
hepatitis
Inflammation of the liver
130
hepatomegaly
Large liver
131
hereditary
Passed down from parents to children
132
hiatus hernia
The stomach passes partly or completely into the chest cavity
133
hydrocephalus
A condition where there is an abnormal amount of cerebro spinal fluid (CSF) in the ventricles of the brain
134
hyper
More
135
hyperemesis
Excessive vomiting
136
hyperglycaemia
Too much sugar in the blood
137
hypertension
High blood pressure
138
hypertensive
Has high blood pressure
139
hyperthyroidism
Too much thyroid hormone
140
hyperventilate
Breathing at an abnormally rapid rate
141
hypo
Less
142
hypoglycaemia
Not enough sugar in the blood
143
hypotension
Low blood pressure
144
hypotensive
Has low blood pressure
145
hypothyroidism
Not enough thyroid hormone being produced
146
hysterectomy
Surgical removal of the uterus
147
IBS
Irritable bowel syndrome
148
idiopathic
Unknown cause
149
IHD
Ischaemic heart disease caused by reduced blood supply
150
infectious
Any disease that can be transmitted from one person to another
151
intrauterine
Within the uterus
152
intra-venous pyelogram (IVP)
Procedure looking at the kidneys using dye contrast
153
irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Recurrent abdominal pain and constipation and/or diarrhoea
154
jaundice
Yellow discolouration of the skin and whites of the eyes
155
kyphosis
Outward curvature of the spine
156
laparoscopy
Small surgical opening into the abdomen using a scope
157
laparotomy
Surgical opening into the abdomen
158
laryngectomy
Removal of the larynx
159
lipoma
Fatty lump
160
local
Close by
161
lumbar puncture
Removal of fluid from the spinal column (CSF)
162
lung biopsy
Removal of a small portion of lung tissue for examination
163
macular degeneration
Age related loss of vision
164
malignant
Cancerous
165
mammoplasty
Repair of the breast
166
mane
Morning
167
mastitis
Inflammation of the breast
168
melanoma
Malignant skin cancer
169
meningitis
Inflammation of the meninges lining of the brain
170
menorrhagia
Excessive bleeding from the uterus
171
MI
Myocardial infarct or heart attack
172
micro
Small
173
micro-specimen of urine(MSU)
A urine test sent to a pathology lab for testing
174
mitral valve prolapse
Collapse of the mitral valve in the heart
175
mitral valve stenosis
Narrowing of the mitral valve in the heart
176
MRI
Magnetic Resonance imaging (3D image of an organ)
177
myo
Muscle
178
myocardial infarct (MI)
Death of heart muscle (heart attack) Pronunciation: my-oh-kar-di-al in-farkt
179
myocardium
Muscle layer of the heart
180
myringotomy
A surgical opening into the middle ear
181
NAD
No abnormalities detected
182
narcotics
Strong analgesics or painkillers
183
neonate
An infant in the first 28 days of life
184
nephrolithotomy
The presence of kidney stones
185
nephrology
The study of the kidneys Pronunciation: ni-frol-oji
186
neuralgia
Pain along the course of a nerve Pronunciation: new-ral-ja
187
neuritis
Inflammation of peripheral nerves
188
neuro
Nerve
189
Neurologist
A doctor who treats diseases or conditions of the nervous system
190
Nocturnal enuresis
Involuntary passing of urine at night - bedwetting
191
#NOF
Fractured neck of femur
192
O2
Oxygen
193
Obstetrician
A doctor who gives ante-natal and post-natal care
194
oesophagoscopy
Look down into the oesophagus with a scope
195
oid
Similar to
196
oligospermia
Low sperm count
197
ology
The study of
198
oma
Tumour or abnormal growth
199
osteo
Bone
200
osteoarthritis
Inflammation of joints
201
osteoporosis
A condition where bones become brittle and porous
202
otalgia
Earache
203
otitis externa
External ear infection
204
otitis media
Middle ear infection
205
otomy
Surgical incision into
206
pacemaker
A battery operated device that helps control heart rate
207
palpitations
Awareness of heart beating/may be rapid or irregular
208
pandemic
Worldwide spread of disease
209
paraplegia
Paralysis below the waist
210
pathology
The study of disease processes
211
pathy
Disease or disorder
212
PD
Provisional diagnosis. A diagnosis that is made before all test results are finalised
213
PE
Pulmonary embolism
214
peak flow meter
A device measuring expiratory volume
215
pericardium
The outer layer of the heart
216
phagia
Swallow
217
physiology
The science of how living organisms function
218
PID
Pelvic inflammatory disease
219
pilonidal sinus
A tract leading from a break in the skin at the top of the buttocks and results in the infection penetrating into the lower layers of the skin
220
plegia
Paralysis
221
pleurisy
Inflammation of a part of the lungs and is often a secondary condition to pneumonia
222
Potts fracture
A fracture at the lower end of the fibula
223
pneum
Lung
224
pneumothorax
Air in the chest wall leading to collapse of the lung
225
Podiatrist
A practitioner who treats conditions of the feet
226
polydipsia
Excessive thirst
227
polyuria
Found in the beginning of a word
228
primipara
A woman who has given birth to one infant capable of surviving
229
prn
When required
230
prognosis
Likely outcome
231
prostatitis
Inflammation of the prostate gland
232
provisional diagnosis
A diagnosis that is made before all test results are finalised
233
pruritis
Itching of the skin
234
psoriasis
A skin condition causing scaly pink patches. The cause is unknown
235
Psychiatrist
A doctor who treats those with a mental illness. He can prescribe medications
236
pulmonary embolism
Obstruction of the pulmonary artery by a blood clot (PE)
237
quadriplegia
Paralysis of all four limbs
238
radiologist
Someone who interprets x-rays & other radiology procedures
239
remission
Showing no signs of the disease
240
renal tract
Relating to the kidneys
241
rescue breathing (EAR)
If a person has stopped breathing but still has a pulse they are given rescue breathing or (EAR)
242
Respiratory Physician
A doctor who treats conditions of the respiratory system
243
Rheumatologist
A doctor who treats auto immune diseases
244
root word
The part of the word indicating a body part
245
RUQ
Right upper quadrant
246
salpingectomy
Surgical removal of one or both fallopian tubes
247
SCC
Squamous cell carcinoma (form of skin cancer)
248
Scheuermann’s disease
e A disorder of spinal growth occurring in adolescence and can cause an outward curvature of the thoracic spine (kyphosis)
249
scleroderma
An autoimmune disease causing thickness of the skin
250
Sebaceous
Oily
251
simple fracture
A clean break with little damage to surrounding tissue
252
spirometer
An instrument measuring the amount of air inhaled and exhaled
253
solar keratosis
Pre- skin cancer lesions
254
stethoscope
An instrument used to listen
255
stoma
What is seen on the outside of the body following a colostomy
256
stress incontinence
The leaking of urine on coughing/straining etc
257
sub-lingually
Under the tongue
258
suffix
Found at the end of a word
259
syndrome
A set of signs indicating a particular disease
260
Systolic
The top blood pressure reading
261
tachy
Fast
262
tachycardia
Rapid heart rate
263
tds
Three times per day
264
testicular cancer
Cancer of the testes
265
thyroidectomy
Removal of the thyroid gland
266
thyrotoxicosis
Too much thyroid hormone being produced causing toxicity
267
TIA
Trans ischaemic attack
268
tinnitus
The sensation of sound or buzzing without external noise
269
tonsillectomy
Removal of tonsils
270
tonsillitis
Inflammation of tonsils
271
tracheostomy
Surgical incision into the trachea sometimes used for obstructive breathing
272
trans ischaemic attack (TIA)
Often known as a mini stroke caused by lack of blood supply to a part of the brain. Often no permanent damage to the brain.
273
tuberculosis
An infectious lung disease
274
(TURP) trans urethral resection of the prostate
A surgical procedure to remove part of the prostate gland
275
ultrasound
Sound waves that produce images of the body
276
uria
Urine
277
urinary incontinence
Involuntary passing of urine
278
Urologist
A doctor who treats conditions of the urinary system
279
URTI
Upper respiratory tract infection
280
urology
The study of the urinary system
281
urticarial
Hives
282
UTI (urinary tract infection)
An infection somewhere in the urinary tract
283
vasectomy
The surgical operation of severing the vas deferens to cause male sterility
284
void
To pass urine
