Medical Terms Flashcards
A-
not, no, or lack of
-algia
pain or soreness
Audio-
hearing
Brady-
slow
Dys-
difficult, abnormal or painful
-ectomy
surgical removal
Hem-
blood
Hepato-
liver
Hyper-
high, above normal or excessive
Hypo-
low or below normal
-itis
inflammation
Myo-
muscle
Nephro-
kidney
Oligo-
too few or too little
Patho- or pathy-
disease or suffering
-pnea
breathing
Tachy-
fast
abscess
local collection of pus anywhere in the body
agranulocytosis
lack of granulocytes (WBCs) produced by the bone marrow
akathisia
inability to stay still with constant movement (restlessness)
akinesia
lack of body movement
alogia
lack of speech (also called aphasia)
alopecia
hair loss
amenorrhea
absence or cessation of menstruation
amnesia, anterograde
loss of memory related to events that occur after a traumatic event
amnesia, retrograde
loss of memory related to events occurring before a traumatic event
anaphylaxis
severe, life-threatening allergic reaction occurring within 30-60 minutes of an exposure. symptoms can include hypotension, swelling of the mouth and throat, difficulty breathing (bronchospasm, wheezing), hives, abdominal pain
angioedema
subcutaneous or submucosal swelling, typically in the tissues of the face, lips, mouth & throat. can occur in isolation or as a component of anaphylaxis
anion
negatively charged ion
anorexia
significant loss of appetite or aversion to food
anorgasmia
inability to achieve orgasm
anuria
no urine output
aortic dissection
tear in the wall of the aorta, which allows blood to flow between the wall layers, separating (dissecting) them
aphasia
lack of speech (alogia)
apoptosis
cell death
arrhythmia
abnormal heart rhythm
arthralgia
joint pain
arthritis
joint inflammation
ascites
fluid accumulation within the peritoneal space of the abdomen
asplenia
decreased spleen function or the absence of a spleen
asthenia
lack of energy and strength; weakness
ataxia
lack of muscle control & uncoordinated body movements
atherosclerosis
buildup of fats, cholesterol & other substances within arterial walls, which leads to plaques and a narrowing of the arterial space
attenuated
weakened
atypical
unusual
auscultation
listening to internal organs (i.e. heart & lungs) with a stethoscope
axillary
armpit
avolition
total lack of motivation
azotemia
buildup of urea (a nitrogen waste product normally eliminated by the kidneys) in the blood (also called uremia)
Beyond Use Date (BUD)
expiration date applied to a compounded product, beyond which the drug should not be used
bilateral
on both sides of the body
bioavailability
proportion (expressed as a percentage) of a drug that enters into the systemic circulation and is available to exert its biologic action
blepharitis
eyelid inflammation
bolus
single IV dose of a medication administered all at once over a short period of time
bradycardia
slow heart rate (<60 BPM)
bradykinesia
slow body movement
bronchitis
inflammation of the bronchi tubes in the film
bulimia
eating disorder characterized by binging (over-eating) followed by self-induced vomiting
cachexia
extreme weight loss & muscle wasting due to a chronic illness
carbuncle
red, inflamed cluster of furuncles (boils) that contain pus & can form an abscess
cardiomegaly
enlarged heart
cataplexy
sudden, temporary loss of muscle control & and inability to move while the person is awake, often triggered by strong emotions such as laughing, crying or fear
cataract
cloudiness covering the lens in the eye, caused by a breakdown of proteins & resulting in blurred vision
cation
positively charged ion
cellulitis
spreading bacterial infection in the skin or subcutaneous tissue, characterized by redness, swelling, warmth & pain
central line
long catheter inserted into a neck, upper chest or groin vein and guided into a large central vein (superior vena cava) to administer IV meds & fluid
cerebrovascular accident
when blood flow to part of the brain is blocked (e,g. by a clot or ruptured vessel) & brain cells die. also called a stroke
cerumen
ear wax
chancre
painless ulcer (usually located on the genitals) associated with primary syphilis
chelation
process by which ions and molecules (e.g. drugs) bind to metal ions, forming a non-absorbable complex
cholecystectomy
surgical removal of the gallbladder
cholelithiasis
formation of stones (calculi) in the gallbladder
cholestasis
reduction or blockage of bile flow
cirrhosis
advanced, irreversible fibrosis (scarring) of the liver
coagulopathy
condition associated with excessive bleeding & impaired clot formation
conjunctivitis
inflammation of the thin clear membrane that covers the eyeball & lines the inside of the eyelid
continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)
treatment for obstructive sleep apnea that uses a machine to pump air through the airways, keeping the windpipe open during sleep
crystalluria
presence of crystals in the urine caused by metabolic disorders or drugs
cystitis
bladder inflammation, usually due to a bacterial infection
delirium
acute change in mental status characterized by incoherent thoughts and speech, disorientation, agitation, hallucinations, delusions and/or paranoia
delusion
false or irrational belief based on an incorrect interpretation of reality
dementia
memory loss & difficulty with thinking, problem-solving and language that interferes with daily life
desiccant
substance that preserves something by removing moisture & keeping it dry
diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)
life-threatening hyperglycemic crisis characterized by high blood glucose, anion gap metabolic acidosis & ketones in the blood or urine
dialysis
process of removing waste products & excess electrolytes and fluid from the blood
diaphoresis
excessive or abnormal sweating not explained by the environmental temperature or a person’s activity level
diplopia
double vision
dissection
tear within the wall of a blood vessel (e.g. the aorta) which allows blood to flow between the wall layers, separating (dissecting) them
dyscrasia
any disease or abnormal condition of the body
dysentery
infection of the intestines, characterized by severe, bloody diarrhea and abdominal pain
dysgeusia
altered sense of taste
dyskinesia
abnormal, involuntary movements
dysmenorrhea
discomfort & pain during the menstrual period
dyspepsia
indigestion
dysphagia
difficulty swallowing
dysphonia
impairment of the voice (e.g. hoarseness) & difficulty speaking
dyspnea
difficult or labored breathing; shortness of breath
dystonia
involuntary movements & prolonged contractions of muscles that result in twisting body motions & abnormal posture
ectopic
in an abnormal place or position
embolism
foreign substance or blood clot that travels through the bloodstream and lodges in a blood vessel causing an obstruction
empyema
collection of pus & fluids in a body cavity, usually the pleural space (space between the lung & inner surface of the chest wall)
encephalitis
inflammation of the brain
encephalopathy
brain disease, damage or malfunction that results in an altered mental state
endocarditis
inflammation of the heart valves or lining of the heart chambers
endometriosis
painful condition in which tissue that normally lines the uterus (endometrium) has grown outside the uterus
enteral
involving the intestine
enuresis
involuntary urination
epistaxis
nosebleed
eructation
burping or belching
erythema
skin redness