Medical Terminology Wk 1 Flashcards
Abscess
Enclosed collection of liquefied tissue, known as pus, somewhere in the body due to the body’s defensive reaction to foreign material.
Abrasion
A rubbed or scraped area on skin or mucous membrane
Acute
Having severe symptoms and a short course.
Adduction
To draw inward toward the median axis of the body or toward an adjacent part or limb.
Adverse reaction
Any harmful, unintended effect of a medication, diagnostic test, or therapeutic intervention.
Alkalosis
Abnormally high alkalinity (low hydrogen-ion concentration) of the blood and other body tissues
A condition of the blood and other body fluids in which the bicarbonate concentration is above normal, tending toward alkalinity.
Abduction
Movement of a body part away from the median/midline plane (of the body, in the case of limbs; of the hand or foot, in the case of digits).
Allergic reaction
Occurs when a person’s immune system reacts to normally harmless substances in the environment.
Alopecia
Loss of hair; baldness.
Ampule
- A hermetically sealed vial made of glass or plastic that contains a sterile medicinal solution or a powder that is usually made into a solution for subcutaneous, intramuscular, or intravenous injection.
- A sealed glass or plastic bulb containing a solution for hypodermic injection.
Anaphylaxis
A sudden, usually systemic allergic reaction, characterized by:
1) vasodilation resulting in decreased blood pressure
2) smooth muscle contraction resulting in shortness of breath
3) hives, caused by hypersensitivity
…induced by a secondary exposure to a foreign substance, such as a drug or protein, after an initial sensitizing exposure.
Antipyretic
- Reducing or tending to reduce fever.
2. A medication that reduces fever.
Antiseptic
A substance that prevents infection by inhibiting the growth of infectious agents.
Anuria
The absence of urine formation. Also called anuresis.
Anemia
A reduction in the hemoglobin of red blood cells with consequent deficiency of oxygen in the blood, leading to weakness and pallor.
Aneurysm
A sac formed by abnormal dilation of the weakened wall of a blood vessel
Anus
The opening at the lower end of the digestive tract (alimentary canal) through which solid waste is eliminated from the body.
Apex
A narrowed or pointed end of an anatomical structure
i.e. Apex of the heart
Aphagia
Loss of the ability to swallow.
Apnea
Temporary absence or cessation of breathing.
Ascites
An abnormal accumulation of serous fluid in the abdominal (peritoneal) cavity.
Asepsis
The process of removing or protecting against infection of pathogenic microorganisms
Aseptic
Free of pathogenic microorganisms
Assessment
An evaluation of a condition.
Ataxia
Loss of the ability to coordinate muscular movement.
Atelectasis
The absence of gas from all or part of the lung, due to failure of expansion of the alveoli; partial or complete collapse of the lung
Atresia
The absence or closure of a normal body orifice or tubular passage such as the anus, intestine, or external ear canal.
Atrophy
A wasting or decrease in size of a body organ, tissue, or part owing to disease, injury, or lack of use
Auditory
Of or relating to hearing, the organs of hearing, or the sense of hearing.
Auscultation
The act of listening for sounds made by internal organs to aid in the diagnosis of certain disorders.
Axillary
Of, relating to, or near the armpit
Benign
Having little or no detrimental effect; harmless
Bolus
A round soft mass of chewed food within the mouth or digestive tract.
Bradycardia
Slowness of the heart rate, usually fewer than 60 beats per minute in an adult human.
Bradypnea
Abnormal slowness of respiration.
Bruit
An abnormal sound heard in auscultation.
Buccal
Of or relating to the cheeks or the mouth cavity.
Bullae
A large blister or vesicle.
Cannula
A flexible tube, usually containing a trocar at one end, that is inserted into a bodily cavity, duct, or vessel to drain fluid or administer a substance such as a medication.
Canthus
The angle formed by the meeting of the upper and lower eyelids at either side of the eye.
Carcinoma
Any of various types of malignant neoplasm derived from epithelial cells, chiefly glandular (adenocarcinoma) or squamous (squamous cell carcinoma); skin cancer; the most commonly occurring kind of cancer.
Catheter
A hollow flexible tube for insertion into a body cavity, duct, or vessel to allow the passage of fluids or distend a passageway.
Cellulitis
inflammation of any of the tissues of the body, characterized by fever, pain, swelling, and redness of the affected area
Chronic
Lasting for a long period of time or marked by frequent recurrence
Circumduction
The circular movement of a limb such that the distal end of the limb delineates an arc.
Colostomy
Surgical construction of an artificial excretory opening from the colon.
Congenital
Of or relating to a condition that is present at birth, as a result of either heredity or environmental influences
Contact Precautions
guidelines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for reducing the risk of transmission of epidemiologically important microorganisms by direct or indirect contact.
Contracture
abnormal shortening of muscle tissue, rendering the muscle highly resistant to stretching
Contralateral
pertaining to, situated on, or affecting the opposite side.
Contusion
injury to tissues with skin discoloration and without breakage of skin; called also bruise.
Crepitus
a grating sound or sensation produced by friction between bone and cartilage or the fractured parts of a bone.
Cyanosis
physical sign causing bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes.
Cyst
an abnormal closed epithelium-lined sac in the body that contains a liquid or semisolid substance
Cystectomy
Excision of the bladder, gallbladder (cholecystectomy), or cyst
Debride
The removal of foreign material and dead or damaged tissue, esp. in a wound.
Defecation
elimination of wastes and undigested food, as feces, from the rectum.
Dermatitis
inflammation of the skin.
Dialysis
Filtration of blood to rid the body of harmful wastes, extra salt, and water.
Diaphoresis
ex-cessive sweating; may be associated with exercise or with emotional, physical, and mental stress, or medically induced
Diastolic Pressure
the intracardiac pressure during diastolic relaxation of a cardiac chamber; the lowest arterial blood pressure reached during any given ventricular cycle.
Distal
Situated away from the center of the body, or from the point of origin
Diuresis
increased excretion of urine
Doff
To take off; remove: doff one’s clothes.
Don
To put on
Dorsal
directed toward or situated on the back surface, as opposed to ventral
Drainage
systematic withdrawal of fluids and discharges from a wound, sore, or cavity.
Droplet Precaustions
guidelines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for reducing the risk of droplet transmission of infectious agents.
Dyspnea
Breathlessness or shortness of breath
Ecchymosis
a hemorrhagic spot, larger than a petechia, in the skin or mucous membrane, forming a flat, rounded or irregular, blue or purplish patch.
Eczema
Any superficial inflammatory process involving primarily the epidermis, marked early by redness, itching, minute papules and vesicles, weeping, oozing, and crusting, and later by scaling, lichenification, and often pigmentation.
Edema
condition of abnormally large fluid volume in the circulatory system or in tissues between the body’s cells (interstitial spaces).
Embolus
a clot or other plug, usually part or all of a thrombus, brought by the blood from another vessel and forced into a smaller one, thus obstructing circulation
Emesis
- Synonym(s): vomiting
2. Combining form, used in the suffix position, for vomiting.
Enema
The injection of liquid into the rectum through the anus for cleansing, for stimulating evacuation of the bowels, or for other therapeutic or diagnostic purposes.
Enteral
Within, or by way of, the intestine or gastrointestinal tract
Epigastric
pertaining to the epigastrium, the area above the stomach.
Epistaxis
hemorrhage from the nose, usually due to rupture of small vessels overlying the anterior part of the cartilaginous nasal septum.
Erythema
redness of the skin caused by congestion of the capillaries in the lower layers of the skin
Eschar
a dry, dark scab or falling away of dead skin
Eupnea
normal respiration
Excoriation
a scratch or abrasion of the skin.
Expectorate
To spit; to eject saliva, mucus, or other fluid from the mouth.
Extremity
- the distal or terminal portion of elongated or pointed structures.
- limb.
Exudate
a mass of cells and fluid that has seeped out of blood vessels or an organ, especially in inflammation.
Febrile
- pertaining to fever.
2. characterized by fever; called also feverish, pyrectic, and pyretic.
Feces
Body waste discharge from the intestines
Fissure
A deep furrow, cleft, or slit.
Fistula
permanent abnormal passageway between two organs in the body or between an organ and the exterior of the body.
Flatus
- gas or air in the gastrointestinal tract.
2. gas or air expelled through the anus.
Flora
the bacteria and fungi, both normally occurring and pathological, found in or on an organ.
Fracture
- the breaking of a part, especially a bone.
2. a break in continuity of bone
Friction
- The act of rubbing the surface of an object against that of another.
Flexion
- the act of bending or the condition of being bent.
Gait
Manner or style of walking.
Gastrointestinal
pertaining to the stomach and intestine.
Gastrostomy
a surgical procedure for inserting a tube through the abdomen wall and into the stomach for feeding and drainage.
Genitourinary
Relating to the organs of reproduction and urination collectively.
Glycosuria
the presence of glucose in the urine.
Gross
coarse or large; visible to the naked eye.
Guaiac
A wood resin and reagent used in testing for occult blood.
Gynecomastia
strictly a male disease and is any growth of the adipose (fatty) and glandular tissue in a male breast; Not always abnormal, but excess growth.
Hematoma
a solid swelling of clotted blood within the tissues.
Hematuria
the discharge of blood in the urine
Hygiene
conditions or practices conducive to maintaining health and preventing disease, especially through cleanliness.
Hydronephrosis
the swelling of the kidneys when urine flow is obstructed in any or part of the urinary tract.
Hypercapnia
Abnormally increased arterial carbon dioxide tension.
Hyperplasia
the enlargement of an organ or tissue caused by an increase in the reproduction rate of its cells, often as an initial stage in the development of cancer.
Hypertension
HBP; High Blood Pressure
Hypertrophy
increase in volume of a tissue or organ produced entirely by enlargement of existing cell
Hypotension
low blood pressure
Hypoxemia
inadequate oxygenation of the blood
Hypoxia
Deficiency in the amount of oxygen reaching body tissues.
Idiosyncratic Reaction
an uncommon response to a drug because of a genetic predisposition. (IDR)
Ileostomy
surgical opening constructed by bringing the end or loop of small intestine (the ileum) out onto the surface of the skin. Intestinal waste passes out of the ileostomy and is collected in an external pouching system stuck to the skin
Incontinence
Lack of moderation or self-control
Intradermal
ID; within the dermis
Intramuscular
IM; within the muscle
Intravenous
IV; within the vein
Integument
a tough outer protective layer; the skin
Keloid
A raised scar after an injury has healed.
Laceration
a deep cut or tear in skin or flesh.
Lateral
of, at, toward, or from the side or sides.
Lumen
the cavity or channel within a tube or tubular organ, as a blood vessel or the intestine.
Maceration
the softening of a solid by soaking
Malignant
(of a disease) very virulent or infectious
Medial
pertaining to or situated toward the midline
Melanoma
a tumor arising from the melanocytic system of the skin and other organs
Micturition
the act of passing urine; urination.
Murmur
a recurring sound heard in the heart through a stethoscope in auscultation that is usually a sign of disease or damage.
Narcotic
a chemical agent that induces stupor, coma, or insensibility to pain
Nebulizer
a drug delivery device used to administer medication in the form of a mist inhaled into the lungs
Necrosis
Pathologic death of one or more cells, or of a portion of tissue or organ, resulting from irreversible damage
Neuropathy
A disease or abnormality of the nervous system
Nocturia
excessive urination at night
Nosocomial
pertaining to or originating in a hospital
Oliguria
diminished urine secretion in relation to fluid intake
Opthalmic
of, relating to, or resembling the eye
Orifice
An opening, especially to a cavity or passage of the body; a mouth or vent.
Orthopnea
shortness of breath while lying flat
Orthostatic Hypertension
a medical condition consisting of a sudden increase in blood pressure when a person stands up
Otoscope
a medical device which is used to look into the ears
Oximetry
measurement of oxygen saturation of the blood using an oximeter
Oxygen Saturation
the concentration of oxygen in the blood
Pallor
an unhealthy pale appearance
Palpation
method of feeling with the fingers or hands during a physical examination
Papule
a small, raised, solid pimple or swelling, often forming part of a rash on the skin and typically inflamed but not producing pus
Paradoxical Reaction
an effect of medical treatment, usually a drug, opposite to the effect which would normally be expected
Parenteral
some route other than through the alimentary canal, such as by subcutaneous, intramuscular, intrasternal, or intravenous injection
Patent
open, unobstructed, not closed, apparent, evident.
Peristalsis
The wavelike muscular contractions of the intestine or other tubular structure that propel the contents onward by alternate contraction and relaxation
Petechiae
Minute hemorrhagic spots, of pinpoint to pinhead size, in the skin, which are not blanched by pressure
Phlebitis
Inflammation of a vein
Phlebotomy
the practice of drawing blood from patients and taking the blood specimens to the laboratory to prepare for testing
Polypharmacy
the use of four or more medications by a patient
Polyuria
production of abnormally large volumes of dilute urine
Prone
With the front (or ventral) surface downward. To lie prone is to lie face downward. Prone is as opposed to supine.
Proteinuria
The presence of abnormal quantities of protein in the urine, which may indicate damage to the kidneys.
Proximal
situated nearer to the center of the body or the point of attachment.
Pruritus
Severe itching of the skin, as a symptom of various ailments.
Psoriasis
A condition in which skin cells build up and form scales and itchy, dry patches.
Pulse
The rhythmic dilation of an artery that results from beating of the heart.
Pulse Deficit
the absence of palpable pulse waves in a peripheral artery for one or more heart beats, as is often seen in atrial fibrillation
Pulse Pressure
the difference between the systolic and diastolic pressure readings
Purulent
consisting of, containing, or discharging pus.
Pus
a protein-rich liquid inflammation product made up of leukocytes, cellular debris, and a thin fluid called liquor puris.
Respirations
the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the atmosphere and the body cells
Sclera
A portion of the fibrous layer forming the outer envelope of the eyeball, except for its anterior sixth, which is the cornea.
Sepsis
a bacterial infection in the bloodstream or body tissues; result of septicemia
Septicemia
the presence of infective agents or their toxins in the bloodstream, popularly known as blood poisoning
Serous
pertaining to serum; thin and watery, like serum released by serous glands filling the body cavity, enriched with protein and water.
Sputum
a mixture of saliva and mucus coughed up from the respiratory tract
Standard Precautions
guidelines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for reducing the risk of transmission of blood-borne and other pathogens in hospitals
Stasis
Stagnation of the blood or other fluids.
Stenosis
an abnormal narrowing or contraction of a duct or canal
Sterile
Free from all live bacteria or other microorganisms and their spores; inability to reproduce
Stoma
an incised mouth like opening that is kept open for drainage or other purposes,
Stool
A discharging of the bowels.
Supine
lying with the face upward, or on the dorsal surface; as opposed to prone
Tachycardia
abnormally rapid heart rate, usually taken to be over 100 beats per minute
Tachypnea
very rapid respiration
Thrombophlebitis
Thrombophlebitis is the inflammation of a vein with blood clot formation inside the vein at the site of the inflammation
Transfusion
process of transferring whole blood or blood components from one person (donor) to another (recipient)
Umbilicus
the (usually) depressed scar marking the site where the umbilical cord entered the fetus; called also navel
Urostomy
Surgical construction of an artificial excretory opening from the urinary tract.
Urticaria
A skin condition characterized by welts that itch intensely, caused by an allergic reaction, an infection, or a nervous condition. Also called hives, nettle rash.
Vertigo
A sensation of irregular or whirling motion, either of oneself or of external objects, often caused by inner ear disease.
Vital Signs
The rates or values indicating an individual’s pulse, temperature, respiration, and blood pressure
Void
To evacuate urine or feces; excrete
Vomitus
Vomited matter.
