MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY Flashcards
Dislocation
Displacement of one or more bones from their normal location
Fracture
Any damage or break to a bone
Potts Fracture
A fracture across the lower end of the fibula, just above the ankle
Aphasia
Loss of speech
Coma
A state of unrousable consciousness
Concussion
Injury to the brain resulting in a disturbance of normal brain function
Convulsion
Generalised involuntary contraction of muscle
Dementia
Loss of mental (intellectual) function due to organic brain disease
Dysphagia
Difficulty swallowing
Dysphasia
Difficulty speaking
Encephalitis
Inflammation of the brain due to infection
Epilepsy
Transient disturbances of brain function
Hemiparesis
Paraesthesia affecting one side of the body
Hemiplegia
Paralysis of one side of the body
Meningitis
Inflammation of the meninges (outer layer of the brain)
Multiple Sclerosis
A degenerative disease of the nervous system resulting in loss of motor function
Paralysis
Muscle weakness that varies in its severity and degree
Paraplegia
Paralysis of the lower legs
Paraesthesia
Tingling sensation often described as pins and needles
Post Ictal
The stage following convulsion
Quadriplegia
Paralysis of the limbs and torso
Seizure
Convulsion
Schizophrenia
A psychiatric disorder characterised by disintegration of thinking process, reality and emotional responses
Sciatica
Pain in the back and outer side of the upper leg
Stroke
Interruption of blood flow in the brain
Syncope
Fainting caused by vasovagal reaction
Vertigo
Dizziness
Anaemia
Reduction of quantity of oxygen carrying cells in the blood
Aneurysm
Balloon like swelling in the walls of the arteries
Angina
Reduction of blood flow to the heart muscle in the coronary arteries
Atrial
Relating to the upper chambers of the heart
Blood Pressure
Pressure of the blood in the arteries, usually measured in mmHg
Bradycardia
Slow heart rate
Cardia/Cardiac
Relating to the heart
Cardiac Arrest
Cessation of effective pumping action by the heart muscle
Cyanosis
Bluish discolouration of the The skin and mucus membrane, resulting from lack of oxygen
Defibrillation
An electric shock administered to restore normal rhythm in cardiac arrest
Diastole
The period between contractions when the heart muscle relaxes
Embolus
A clot in the artery which obstructs the flow of blood
Epistaxis
Nose bleed
Fibrillation
A rapid unco-ordinated heart muscle action resulting in inadequate circulation
Frank
Fresh blood
Haematoma
Accumulation of blood within tissue
Haemorrhage
Bleeding
Heart Block
Impairment of normal electrical conduction in the heart
Hypertension
Elevation of arterial blood pressure
Hypotension
Decrease in arterial blood pressure
Hypovolemia
Decreased volume of circulating blood
Infarction
Death of tissue as a result of inadequate oxygen supply
Myocardial
Relating to the myocardium (heart muscle)
Arrhythmia
Any variation from the normal cardiac rhythm (normal sinus rhythm)
Ischaemia
Inadequate circulation of blood caused by constriction or blockage in the blood vessels