Medical Terms Flashcards
Abdomino-pelvic
pertaining to the abdomen and pelvis
Acute
describes sudden onset, usually of severe symptoms that run a short course. Opposite of chronic.
Abscess
a pus-filled cavity surrounded by inflamed tissue that can develop anywhere there is infection
Adenoma
a benign neoplasm of glandular epithelium while the malignant tumor arising from glandular epithelium tissue is called adenocarcinoma
Adhesions
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
Adnexa
accessory parts of a structure, the adnexa uteri (ovaries and fallopian tubes) are the accessory parts of the uterus
Amenorrhea
absence or suppression of menstruation; normal before puberty, after menopause, and during pregnancy and lactation
Amniocentesis
transabdominal puncture of the amniotic sac using a needle and syringe in order to remove amniotic fluid
Anaplasia
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
anaphylaxis
is a serious allergic reaction that often involves swelling, hives, hypotension, and in severe cases causes shock and death.
Anastomosis
surgical formation of a passage or opening between two hollow viscera or vessels
Anemia
a disorder characterized by a decrease in hemoglobin in the blood to levels below the normal range
Aneurysm
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
Anorchism
a congenital condition in which there is a lack of one or both testes
Anterior
before or in front of, in anatomical nomenclature, refers to the ventral or abdominal side of the body. Opposite of posterior
Anteroposterior
passing from the front to the rear
Anuria
absence of urine
Aorta
the main trunk of the arterial system of the body
Aortopathy
any aortic disease
Aortostenosis
narrowing of the aorta
Aplasia
failure of an organ or tissue to develop normally, congenital absence of an organ. E.g. uterine aplasia
Apnea
temporary cessation of breathing
Arteriole
a minute artery that’s distal end leads in to a capillary
Arteriopathy
any disease of the arteries
Arteriosclerosis
term applied to a number of pathological conditions in which there are thickening, hardening, and loss of elasticity of the walls of arteries
Aspiration
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
Asphyxia
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
Asthma
a disease caused by increased responsiveness of the tracheobronchial tree to various stimuli; the result is paroxysmal constriction of the bronchial airways
Atherosclerosis
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).
Atresia
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
Atrophy
a decrease in size of an organ or tissue. e.g. ovarian atrophy in postmenopausal women
ascites
accumulation of serous fluid in the peritoneal cavity
Aura
a premonitory awareness of an approaching physical or mental disorder; the peculiar sensation that precedes an epileptic seizure or migraine attack
Benign
not recurrent or progressive; opposite of malignant
Bilateral
pertaining to, affecting, or relating to two sides, opposite of unilateral
Bradycardia
slowness of heart action < 60 beats per minute, opposite of tachycardia
Carcinoma
malignant tumor that occurs in epithelial tissue
Caudal
pertaining to any tail-like structure; inferior in position, opposite of cranial
Cerebral Palsy
a nonprogressive paralysis resulting from developmental defects in the brain or trauma at birth
Cervical
pertaining to the cervix. For example, cervical cancer or cervical vertebrae
Cervicitis
inflammation of the cervix
Cervicocolpitis
inflammation of the cervix and vagina
Colpitis
aka, vaginitis, inflammation of the vagina
Colpocele
occurs when the base of the vagina sags in women who have previously undergone a hysterectomy
Colpocystitis
inflammation of the vagina and bladder
Colpodynia
pain in the vagina
Cryptorchism
testes fail to descend into the scrotum
Cheyne-Stokes Respiration
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
Cholecystectomy
excision of the gallbladder
Cholecystitis
inflammation of the gallbladder
Cholecystogram
a radiographic picture of the gallbladder
Choledocholithiasis
calculi in the common bile duct
Choledochotomy
a surgical incision of the common bile duct
Cholelith
a gallbladder stone
Cholelithiasis
formation or presence of calculi or bile stones in the gallbladder. The stones may or may not cause symptoms
Colostomy
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
Congenital
present at birth
Congestive Heart Failure
an abnormal condition characterized by circulatory congestion caused by cardiac disorders; especially, myocardial infarction of the ventricles
Continence
used in reference to the ability to control urination and defecation
Cyanosis
slightly bluish, grayish, or dark purple discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes due to lack of oxygen in the blood
Cystocele
Hernia in which the urinary bladder protrudes into the walls of the vagina, sometimes occurs after child birth
Cystoscope
instrument for interior examination of bladder and ureter; it is introduced through the urethra into the bladder
Cystoscopy
examination of the inside of the bladder with the cystoscope
Cytology
the science that deals with the formation, structure and function of cells
Cirrhosis
chronic disease of the liver
Colic
spasm in any hollow or tubular soft organ accompanied by pain
Corpus Luteum
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
Convulsions
paroxysms of involuntary muscle contractions and relaxations
carcinogenic
pertaining to an agent that produces cancer
Contraindication
improper or imprudent use or treatment
Diabetes Mellitus
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
Diagnosis
the term denoting name of the disease or syndrome a person has or is believed to have