Medical Terminology for Health Professions Part 6 Flashcards
eosinophils
destroy parasitic organisms and play a major role in allergic reactions
epicardium
the external layer of the heart and the inner layer of the pericardium
erythrocytes
mature red blood cells produced by the red bone marrow (red blood cells - RBC)
fibrinogen
clotting protein found in the plasma
heart
a hollow, muscular organ located between the lungs
heart failure
a chronic condition in which the heart is unable to pump out all of the blood that it receives
heart murmur
an abnormal sound heard when listening to the heart or neighboring large blood vessels
hemangioma
a benign tumor made up of newly formed blood vessels
hematologist
a physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating abnormalities, diseases, and disorders of the blood and blood-forming tissues
hemochromatosis
a genetic disorder in which the intestines absorb too much iron
hemoglobin
the iron-containing pigment of the erythrocytes
hemolytic anemia
characterized by inadequate number of circulating red blood cells due to the premature destruction of red blood cells by the spleen
hemorrhage
the loss of a large amount of blood in a short time
hemostasis
to stop or control bleeding
Holter monitor
a portable electrocardiograph that is worn by an ambulatory patient to continuously monitor the heart rates and rhythms over a 24-hour period
hyperlipidemia
the general term used to describe elevated levels of cholesterol and other fatty substances in the blood
hypertension
the elevation of arterial blood pressure to a level that is likely to cause damage to the cardiovascular system
hypoperfusion
a deficiency of blood passing through an organ or body part
hypotension
lower than normal arterial blood pressure
implantable cardioverter defibrillator
a double action pacemaker
iron-deficiency anemia
the most common form of anemia
ischemia
a condition in which there is an insufficient oxygen supply due to a restricted blood flow to a part of the body
ischemic heart disease
a group of cardiac disabilities resulting from an insufficient supply of oxygenated blood to the heart
left atrium
receives oxygen-rich blood from the lungs through the four pulmonary veins
left ventricle
receives oxygen-rich blood from the left atrium
leukemia
a type of cancer characterized by a progressive increase in the number of abnormal leukocytes found in blood forming tissues, other organs, and in the circulating blood
leukocytes
the blood cells involved in defending the body against infective organisms and foreign substances (white blood cells - WBC)
leukopenia
describes any situation in which the total number of leukocytes in the circulating blood is less than normal
lymphocytes
identify foreign substances and germs in the body and produce antibodies that specifically target them
megaloblastic anemia
a blood disorder characterized by anemia in which the red blood cells are larger than normal
minimally invasive coronary artery bypass
procedure performed with the aid of a fiber optic camera through small openings between the ribs
mitral valve
located between the left atrium and left ventricle
monocytes
provide immunological defenses against many infectious organisms
myelodysplastic syndrome
a group of bone marrow disorders that are characterized by the insufficient production of one or more types of blood cells due to dysfunction of the bone marrow
myocardial infarction
the occlusion of one or more coronary arteries caused by plaque buildup (heart attack)
myocarditis
an inflammation of the myocardium
myocardium
the middle and thickest of the heart’s three layers and consists of specialized cardiac muscle tissue
neutrophils
the most common type of WBC
nitroglycerin
a vasodilator that is prescribed to prevent or relieve the pain of angina by dilating the blood vessels to the heart
orthostatic hypotension
low blood pressure that occurs upon standing up
palpitation
a pounding or racing heart with or without irregularity in rhythm
paroxysmal atrial tachycardia (PAT)
an episode that begins and ends abruptly during which there are very rapid and regular heartbeats that originate in the atrium
percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty
a procedure in which a small balloon on the end of a catheter is used to open a partially blocked coronary artery by flattening the plaque deposit and stretching the lumen (AKA angioplasty)
pericarditis
an inflammation of the pericardium that causes an accumulation of fluid within the pericardial sac
pericardium
the double-walled membranous sac that encloses the heart
peripheral arterial occlusive disease
an example of a peripheral vascular disease caused by atherosclerosis
peripheral vascular disease
refers to disorders of the blood vessels located outside the heart and brain
pernicious anemia
caused by a lack of the protein intrinsic factor that helps the body absorb vitamin B-12 from the gastrointestinal tract
phlebitis
the inflammation of a vein
phlebography
a radiographic test that provides an image of the leg veins after a contrast dye is injected
plaque
a fatty deposit that is similar to the buildup of rust inside a pipe
plasma
a straw-colored fluid that contains nutrients, hormones, and waste products
plasmapheresis
the removal of whole blood from the body and separation of the blood’s cellular elements
polyarteritis
a form of angiitis involving several medium and small arteries at the same time
polycythemia
an abnormal increase in the number of red cells in the blood due to excess production of these cells by the bone marrow
prothrombin
clotting protein found in the plasma
pulmonary arteries
carry deoxygenated blood out of the right ventricle and into the lungs
pulmonary circulation
the flow of blood only between the heart and lungs
pulmonary semilunar valve
located between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery
pulmonary veins
carry the oxygenated blood from the lungs into the left atrium of the heart
pulse
the rhythmic pressure against the walls of an artery caused by the contraction of the heart
Purkinje fibers
specialized conductive fibers located within the walls of the ventricles
Raynaud’s phenomenon
a peripheral arterial occlusive disease in which intermittent attacks are triggered by cold or stress
restenosis
describes the condition when an artery that has been opened by angioplasty closes again
Rh factor
refers to the presence, or absence of the Rh antigen on red blood cells
right atrium
receives oxygen-poor blood from all tissues, except the lungs, through the superior and inferior venae cavae
right ventricle
pumps the oxygen-poor blood through the pulmonary semilunar valve and into the pulmonary artery, which carries it to the lungs
septicemia
a systemic condition caused by the spread of microorganisms and their toxins via the circulating blood
serum
plasma fluid after the blood cells and the clotting proteins have been removed
sickle cell anemia
a genetic disorder that causes abnormal hemoglobin, resulting in some red blood cells assuming an abnormal sickle shape
sinoatrial node
located in the posterior wall of the right atrium near the entrance of the superior vena cava
stent
a wire-mesh tube that is commonly placed after the artery has been opened
stress test
performed to assess cardiovascular health and function during and after stress
sudden cardiac death
results if treatment is not provided within a few minutes
systemic circulation
includes the flow of blood to all parts of the body except the lungs