Medical Terms Flashcards

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1
Q

Abdomino-pelvic

A

pertaining to the abdomen and pelvis

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2
Q

Acute

A

describes sudden onset, usually of severe symptoms that run a short course. Opposite of chronic.

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3
Q

Abscess

A

a pus-filled cavity surrounded by inflamed tissue that can develop anywhere there is infection

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4
Q

Adenoma

A

a benign neoplasm of glandular epithelium while the malignant tumor arising from glandular epithelium tissue is called adenocarcinoma

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5
Q

Adhesions

A

a firm attachment of adjacent serous membranes by bands or masses of fibrous connective tissue, usually as a result of infection, inflammation, bleeding, tumors, trauma, procedures, and surgery

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6
Q

Adnexa

A

accessory parts of a structure, the adnexa uteri (ovaries and fallopian tubes) are the accessory parts of the uterus

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7
Q

Amenorrhea

A

absence or suppression of menstruation; normal before puberty, after menopause, and during pregnancy and lactation

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8
Q

Amniocentesis

A

transabdominal puncture of the amniotic sac using a needle and syringe in order to remove amniotic fluid

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9
Q

Anaplasia

A

the reverting of a specialized cell to its primitive or embryonic state. For example, anaplastic thyroid cancer. Anaplastic tumors usually have worse prognosis than other types of cancer

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10
Q

anaphylaxis

A

is a serious allergic reaction that often involves swelling, hives, hypotension, and in severe cases causes shock and death.

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11
Q

Anastomosis

A

surgical formation of a passage or opening between two hollow viscera or vessels

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12
Q

Anemia

A

a disorder characterized by a decrease in hemoglobin in the blood to levels below the normal range

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13
Q

Aneurysm

A

localized abnormal dilatation of a blood vessel, usually an artery, due to weakness of the wall of the vessel or due to atherosclerotic changes or congenital defect

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14
Q

Anorchism

A

a congenital condition in which there is a lack of one or both testes

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15
Q

Anterior

A

before or in front of, in anatomical nomenclature, refers to the ventral or abdominal side of the body. Opposite of posterior

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16
Q

Anteroposterior

A

passing from the front to the rear

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17
Q

Anuria

A

absence of urine

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18
Q

Aorta

A

the main trunk of the arterial system of the body

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19
Q

Aortopathy

A

any aortic disease

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20
Q

Aortostenosis

A

narrowing of the aorta

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21
Q

Aplasia

A

failure of an organ or tissue to develop normally, congenital absence of an organ. E.g. uterine aplasia

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22
Q

Apnea

A

temporary cessation of breathing

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23
Q

Arteriole

A

a minute artery that’s distal end leads in to a capillary

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24
Q

Arteriopathy

A

any disease of the arteries

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25
Q

Arteriosclerosis

A

term applied to a number of pathological conditions in which there are thickening, hardening, and loss of elasticity of the walls of arteries

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26
Q

Aspiration

A

It has two meaning: breathing in foreign objects by suction, foreign bodies may be aspirated into the nose, throat or lungs on inspiration. The other meaning is the medical procedure that is used to remove some fluids from a part of the body. e.g. cyst aspiration

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27
Q

Asphyxia

A

literally means without pulse but used to describe a condition in which there is insufficient oxygen. Can happen due to drowning, chocking, inhalation of toxics. It leads to anoxia: absence of blood supply to organs especially the brain

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28
Q

Asthma

A

a disease caused by increased responsiveness of the tracheobronchial tree to various stimuli; the result is paroxysmal constriction of the bronchial airways

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29
Q

Atherosclerosis

A

the most common form of arteriosclerosis. It is a disease in which plaque builds up inside arteries causing hardening and narrowing of arteries. Plaque is made of cholesterol, fatty substances, cellular waste products, calcium and fibrin (a clotting material in the blood).

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30
Q

Atresia

A

It has two meaning: 1-congenital absence or closure of a normal body opening. E.g. anal atresia (imperforate anus). 2- absence or disappearance of an anatomical part e.g. ovarian follicles

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31
Q

Atrophy

A

a decrease in size of an organ or tissue. e.g. ovarian atrophy in postmenopausal women

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32
Q

ascites

A

accumulation of serous fluid in the peritoneal cavity

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33
Q

Aura

A

a premonitory awareness of an approaching physical or mental disorder; the peculiar sensation that precedes an epileptic seizure or migraine attack

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34
Q

Benign

A

not recurrent or progressive; opposite of malignant

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35
Q

Bilateral

A

pertaining to, affecting, or relating to two sides, opposite of unilateral

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36
Q

Bradycardia

A

slowness of heart action < 60 beats per minute, opposite of tachycardia

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37
Q

Carcinoma

A

malignant tumor that occurs in epithelial tissue

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38
Q

Caudal

A

pertaining to any tail-like structure; inferior in position, opposite of cranial

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39
Q

Cerebral Palsy

A

a nonprogressive paralysis resulting from developmental defects in the brain or trauma at birth

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40
Q

Cervical

A

pertaining to the cervix. For example, cervical cancer or cervical vertebrae

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41
Q

Cervicitis

A

inflammation of the cervix

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42
Q

Cervicocolpitis

A

inflammation of the cervix and vagina

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43
Q

Colpitis

A

aka, vaginitis, inflammation of the vagina

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44
Q

Colpocele

A

occurs when the base of the vagina sags in women who have previously undergone a hysterectomy

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45
Q

Colpocystitis

A

inflammation of the vagina and bladder

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46
Q

Colpodynia

A

pain in the vagina

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47
Q

Cryptorchism

A

testes fail to descend into the scrotum

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48
Q

Cheyne-Stokes Respiration

A

a bizarre breathing pattern characterized by a period of apnea lasting 10 to 60 seconds followed by gradually increasing depth and frequency of respirations; seen in patients with head injuries, brain tumors and stroke

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49
Q

Cholecystectomy

A

excision of the gallbladder

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50
Q

Cholecystitis

A

inflammation of the gallbladder

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51
Q

Cholecystogram

A

a radiographic picture of the gallbladder

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52
Q

Choledocholithiasis

A

calculi in the common bile duct

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53
Q

Choledochotomy

A

a surgical incision of the common bile duct

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54
Q

Cholelith

A

a gallbladder stone

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55
Q

Cholelithiasis

A

formation or presence of calculi or bile stones in the gallbladder. The stones may or may not cause symptoms

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56
Q

Colostomy

A

the opening of a portion of the colon through the abdominal wall to its outside surface; performed when it is pathologically impossible for the feces to pass through the colon and out the anus; or because the distal bowel has been surgically removed

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57
Q

Congenital

A

present at birth

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58
Q

Congestive Heart Failure

A

an abnormal condition characterized by circulatory congestion caused by cardiac disorders; especially, myocardial infarction of the ventricles

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59
Q

Continence

A

used in reference to the ability to control urination and defecation

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60
Q

Cyanosis

A

slightly bluish, grayish, or dark purple discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes due to lack of oxygen in the blood

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61
Q

Cystocele

A

Hernia in which the urinary bladder protrudes into the walls of the vagina, sometimes occurs after child birth

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62
Q

Cystoscope

A

instrument for interior examination of bladder and ureter; it is introduced through the urethra into the bladder

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63
Q

Cystoscopy

A

examination of the inside of the bladder with the cystoscope

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64
Q

Cytology

A

the science that deals with the formation, structure and function of cells

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65
Q

Cirrhosis

A

chronic disease of the liver

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66
Q

Colic

A

spasm in any hollow or tubular soft organ accompanied by pain

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67
Q

Corpus Luteum

A

means the yellow body. It is a structure of the ovary that results from the rupturing of a mature follicle during ovulation. This small, yellow body serves to produce hormones especially progesterone following ovulation

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68
Q

Convulsions

A

paroxysms of involuntary muscle contractions and relaxations

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69
Q

carcinogenic

A

pertaining to an agent that produces cancer

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70
Q

Contraindication

A

improper or imprudent use or treatment

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71
Q

Diabetes Mellitus

A

a chronic disorder of carbohydrate metabolism, characterized by hyperglycemia and glycosuria and resulting from inadequate production or utilization of insulin. Symptoms: polyurea (excessive urination), and polydipsia (increased thirst), polyphagia, and weight loss, fatigue, slow healing of wounds and increased infection. The term diabetes mellitus is to differentiate the common diabetes from another rare disease called diabetes insipidus which has different mechanism

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72
Q

Diagnosis

A

the term denoting name of the disease or syndrome a person has or is believed to have

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73
Q

Diaphragm

A

the muscular membranous partition separating the thoracic and abdominal cavities

74
Q

Diaphoresis

A

excessive sweating

75
Q

Distal

A

farthest from the center, from a medial line, or from the trunk; opposed to proximal

76
Q

Diastole

A

relaxation phase of the cardiac cycle, opposite of systole

77
Q

Diuretic

A

an agent that increases the secretion of urine

78
Q

Diverticulum

A

a sac or pouch on the wall of a canal or organ. e.g. bladder diverticulum

79
Q

Dorsal

A

toward the back, opposite of ventral

80
Q

Duodenectomy

A

excision of all or part of the duodenum

81
Q

Dysmenorrhea

A

pain in association with menstruation

82
Q

Dysplasia

A

abnormal development of tissue. e.g. cervical dysplasia: abnormal cell growth in the cells lining the cervical canal predisposing it to cancer

83
Q

Dyspnea

A

difficulty breathing, sometimes accompanied by pain

84
Q

Dystocia

A

difficult labor or childbirth

85
Q

Dyspareunia

A

pain during sexual intercourse

86
Q

Dilatation & Curettage (D&C)

A

a widening of the cervical canal with a dilator and the scraping of the uterine endometrium with a curette, it is performed to secure endometrial or endocervical tissue for cytologic examination to control abnormal uterine bleeding, and as a therapeutic measure for incomplete abortion, usually performed in the OR

87
Q

Diuresis

A

increased excretion of urine

88
Q

Differentiation

A

the ability of a cell to carry on specialized activities. Cancers with well-differentiated cells have better prognosis than cancers with poorly differentiated cells

89
Q

Dysuria

A

painful or difficult urination

90
Q

Edema

A

a local or generalized condition in which the body tissues contain an excessive amount of tissue fluid

91
Q

Emesis

A

vomiting. Hyperemesis: excessive vomiting. Hematemesis: vomiting blood

92
Q

Encephalitis

A

inflammation of the brain

93
Q

Encephalocele

A

protrusion of the brain through a cranial fissure

94
Q

Endocrine Gland

A

an internal secretion; pertains to a gland that secretes directly into the bloodstream, opposite of exocrine gland

95
Q

Endocrinologist

A

a medical scientist skilled in endocrinology

96
Q

Endoscope

A

a device consisting of a tube and optical system for observing the inside of a hollow organ or cavity; this observation may be done through a natural body opening or through a small incision

97
Q

Enteritis

A

inflammation of the intestines

98
Q

Epigastric

A

pertaining to the epigastrium, the part of the upper abdomen, immediately over the stomach

99
Q

Epistaxis

A

hemorrhage from nose; nosebleed

100
Q

Endometriosis

A

a condition in which endometrial tissue occurs in various sites outside the uterus in the abdominal or pelvic cavity

101
Q

Estrogenic

A

any natural or artificial substance that induces estrogenic activity

102
Q

Eclampsia

A

major disorder of pregnancy that may be manifested by high blood pressure, edema, convulsions, renal dysfunction, proteinuria, and in severe cases seizures and coma

103
Q

Ectopic Pregnancy

A

a pregnancy in which the fertilized ovum does not reach the uterine cavity, but becomes implanted on any tissue other than the lining of the uterine cavity, most frequently in fallopian tubes

104
Q

Episiotomy

A

incision of perineum from the vaginal orifice, usually done to facilitate childbirth. Aka perineotomy

105
Q

Erythema

A

redness of the skin

106
Q

Evisceration

A

protrusion of internal organs through a wound

107
Q

Fertilization

A

process in which an ovum becomes impregnated by spermatozoon

108
Q

Fimbriae

A

finger-like processes that work to propel a discharged ovum from the ovary into a fallopian tube

109
Q

Fibroid

A

benign tumor of the uterus

110
Q

Fissure

A

a cleft or groove

111
Q

Fistula

A

abnormal channel between two organs or an internal organ and the skin. E.g. fistulas in Crohn disease

112
Q

Fibrosis

A

the formation of fibrous tissue, usually as a reparative process

113
Q

Gangrene

A

necrosis, or death of tissue, usually due to deficient or absent blood supply

114
Q

Gastrectomy

A

surgical removal of a part or the whole of the stomach

115
Q

Gastrologist

A

physician who specializes in gastrology

116
Q

Gastroscopy

A

examination of the stomach and abdominal cavity by use of a gastroscope

117
Q

Gout

A

a complex type of arthritis caused by metabolic disturbance. Its acute form is marked by inflammation of the joints; joints affected may be at any location, but gout usually begins in the knee or foot

118
Q

Gravida

A

a pregnant woman. Primigravida: a woman during her first pregnancy. Multigravida: a woman who has been pregnant two or more times; may be written as gravida II or III, etc., according to the number of pregnancies.

119
Q

Nulligravida

A

a woman who has never been pregnant

120
Q

Hemangioma

A

a benign tumor of dilated blood vessels

121
Q

Hyperemesis

A

excessive vomiting

122
Q

Hematemesis

A

vomiting of blood

123
Q

Hemoptysis

A

coughing up of blood or blood-stained mucus from the bronchi, larynx, trachea, or lungs. This can occur with lung cancer, infections such as tuberculosis, bronchitis, or pneumonia, and certain cardiovascular conditions, such as pulmonary embolism

124
Q

Hematuria

A

blood in the urine

125
Q

Hemiparesis

A

weakness of one side of the body. Not as severe as hemiplegia

126
Q

Hemiplegia

A

Hemiparalysis, paralysis of one side of the body. It occurs in patients with stroke

127
Q

Hemorrhage

A

abnormal, severe internal or external discharge of blood

128
Q

Hemostasis

A

arrest of bleeding or circulation

129
Q

Hepatoma

A

a tumor of the liver

130
Q

Hepatomegaly

A

enlargement of the liver

131
Q

Hernia

A

protrusion or projection of an organ or a part of an organ through the wall of the cavity that normally contains it. e.g. inguinal hernia (fat or portion of the bowel pass through the inguinal canal)

132
Q

Hirsutism

A

condition characterized by excessive growth of hair or the presence of hair in unusual places, especially in women. e.g. polycystic ovary disease

133
Q

Histologist

A

an individual who specializes in the study of cells and microscopic tissues

134
Q

Hyperalgia

A

excessive sensitivity to pain, aka, hyperalgesia

135
Q

Hyperemia

A

an excess of blood in any part of the body

136
Q

Hyperglycemia

A

increase in blood sugar as in diabetics, opposite of hypoglycemia

137
Q

Hyperplasia

A

excessive proliferation of normal cells in the normal tissue arrangement of an organ. e.g. endometrial hyperplasia

138
Q

Hypertension

A

increase of systolic and/ or diastolic blood pressure, opposite of hypotension

139
Q

Hypertrophy

A

increase in size of an organ or structure that does not involve tumor formation, opposite of hypotrophy

140
Q

Hypovolemia

A

a sudden decrease in blood volume

141
Q

Hysterectomy

A

surgical removal of the uterus through the abdominal wall or through the vagina

142
Q

Hysterodynia

A

uterine pain, aka, hysteralgia

143
Q

Hysteritis

A

inflammation of the uterus, aka, uteritis

144
Q

Hysterotomy

A

incision into the uterus

145
Q

Hysteroscope

A

an instrument that’s used to view inside the uterine cavity; used to obtain tissue from the endometrium, a biopsy

146
Q

Hypoxia

A

absence or deficiency of oxygen in the tissues

147
Q

Hydrops

A

edema. e.g. hydrops fetalis: ascites, pleural effusion, pericardial effusion, skin edema in the fetus

148
Q

Hystero-oophorectomy

A

surgical excision of the uterus and one or both ovaries

149
Q

Hysterosalpingectomy

A

surgical excision of the uterus and fallopian tubes

150
Q

Ileostomy

A

creation of a surgical passage through the abdominal wall into the ileum; the fecal material drains into a bag worn on the abdomen

151
Q

Impetigo

A

is a common and highly contagious skin infection that mainly affects infants and children. It is marked by isolated pustules (small collection of pus in the epidermis), especially around a child’s nose and mouth, and on hands and feet. The sores burst and develop honey-colored crusts

152
Q

Incontinence

A

inability to retain urine, semen, or feces, through loss of sphincter control or because of cerebral or spinal lesions

153
Q

Inferior

A

beneath; lower, opposite of superior

154
Q

Insulin

A

a hormone secreted by the beta cells of the islets of Langerhans of the pancreas

155
Q

Intercostal

A

between the ribs

156
Q

Intravenous Pyelogram

A

IVP, in which a radiopaque material is given intravenously; any blockage along the urinary tract will be readily detected by this examination

157
Q

Intrauterine

A

pertaining to within the uterus, such as IUD: intrauterine device

158
Q

Intussusception

A

the slipping of one part of an intestine into another part just below it

159
Q

Ischemia

A

local and temporary deficiency of blood supply due to obstruction of the circulation to a part. E.g. heart angina as a result of deficiency of blood supply to the heart

160
Q

Idiopathic

A

self-originated or occurring without a known cause

161
Q

Iatrogenic

A

induced as a result of the effects of medical treatment. E.g. pseudoaneurysm formation due to femoral line

162
Q

In-situ

A

in a localized site; confined to one place

163
Q

Icterus

A

jaundice

164
Q

Infarct

A

an area of necrosis resulting from a lack of blood supply. E.g. heart infarction.

165
Q

Involution

A

the return of an enlarged organ to its normal size. E.g. uterine involution after child birth

166
Q

Jaundice

A

yellowness of skin and whites of eyes, mucous membranes and body fluids due to deposition of bile pigment resulting from excess bilirubin in the blood

167
Q

Jejunectomy

A

excision of part or all of the jejunum

168
Q

Laparoscope

A

an endoscope designed to permit visual examination of the peritoneal cavity

169
Q

Laparoscopy

A

abdominal exploration employing a type of endoscope called a laparoscope

170
Q

Lateral

A

pertaining to the side, opposite of medial

171
Q

Leukemia

A

cancer of the body’s blood-forming tissues, including the bone marrow and the lymphatic system.

172
Q

Lithiasis

A

formation of calculi and concretions

173
Q

Leukocyte

A

a white corpuscle

174
Q

Lipoma

A

a fatty tumor; it is frequently found in multiple but is not malignant

175
Q

Lithotripsy

A

crushing of a calculus in the bladder or urethra

176
Q

Lithotomy

A

incision of the common bile duct or the urinary bladder for removal of a calculus

177
Q

Malignant

A

cancerous tumor, opposite of benign

178
Q

Mammography

A

use of radiography of the breast to diagnose breast cancer

179
Q

Medial

A

pertaining to the middle; near the medial plane, opposite of lateral

180
Q

Melena

A

Dark, black feces due to the presence of blood in the stool

181
Q

Menopause

A

that period which marks the permanent cessation of menstrual activity; usually occurs between the age of 45 and 55