TERMS Flashcards
AChE
Acetylcholinesterase: an enzyme that causes rapid hydrolysis of acetylcholine. Its action serves to stop excitation of a nerve after transmission of an impulse.
ACTH
Adrenocorticotropic hormone: is produced by the pituitary gland. Its key function is to stimulate the production and release of cortisol from the cortex (outer part) of the adrenal gland.
ADH
Anti-diuretic hormone: acts to maintain blood pressure, blood volume and tissue water content by controlling the amount of water and hence the concentration of urine excreted by the kidney.
ADP
Adenodiphosphate: also known as adenosine pyrophosphate (APP), is an important organic compound in metabolism and is essential to the flow of energy in living cells.
AFP
Alpha fetoprotein: a protein produced by a fetus that is present in amniotic fluid and the bloodstream of the mother. Levels of the protein can be measured to detect certain congenital defects such as spina bifida and Down syndrome.
ALS
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.
AMP
Adenosine monophosphate: a compound consisting of an adenosine molecule bonded to one acidic phosphate group, present in most DNA and RNA. It often exists in a cyclic form with the phosphate bonded to the nucleoside at two points.
ANA
Anti-nuclear antibody: The antibodies that target “normal” proteins within the nucleus of a cell are called antinuclear antibodies (ANA). An antinuclear antibody test checks to see if you have an autoimmune disorder, a condition where the immune system attacks healthy cells.
ANS
Autonomic nervous system: the part of the nervous system responsible for control of the bodily functions not consciously directed, such as breathing, the heartbeat, and digestive processes.
ATP
Adenosine triphosphate: a compound consisting of an adenosine molecule bonded to three phosphate groups, present in all living tissue. The breakage of one phosphate linkage (to form adenosine diphosphate, ADP ) provides energy for physiological processes such as muscular contraction.
AV
Atrioventricular: relating to the atrial and ventricular chambers of the heart, or the connection or coordination between them.
BMR
Basal metabolic rate: the rate at which the body uses energy while at rest to keep vital functions going, such as breathing and keeping warm.
BPM
Beats per minute: Your pulse is measured by counting the number of times your heart beats in one minute. For example, if your heart contracts 72 times in one minute, your pulse would be 72 beats per minute (BPM). This is also called your heart rate.
BUN
Blood urea nitrogen: Urea nitrogen is a waste product that your kidneys remove from your blood. Higher than normal BUN levels may be a sign that your kidneys aren’t working well. People with early kidney disease may not have any symptoms. A BUN test can help uncover kidney problems at an early stage when treatment can be more effective.
cAMP
Cyclic adenosine monophosphate: is a common second messenger that is regulated by the activation of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and mediates numerous biological responses. Quantification of intracellular cAMP levels remains an important methodology in molecular pharmacological studies of GPCRs.
CBC
Complete blood count: a blood test that measures many different parts and features of your blood, including:
Red blood cells, which carry oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body.
White blood cells, which fight infections and other diseases. There are five major types of white blood cells. A CBC test measures the total number of white cells in your blood. A different test called a CBC with differential measures the number of each type of these white blood cells.
Platelets, which stop bleeding by helping your blood to clot.
Hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body.
Hematocrit, a measurement of how much of your blood is made up of red blood cells.
Mean corpuscular volume (MCV), a measure of the average size of your red blood cells.
cGMP
Guanosine cyclic monophosphate: a cyclic nucleotide derived from guanosine triphosphate (GTP). cGMP acts as a second messenger much like cyclic AMP. Its most likely mechanism of action is activation of intracellular protein kinases in response to the binding of membrane-impermeable peptide hormones to the external cell surface
CIN
Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia: a premalignant condition of the uterine cervix. The ectocervix (surface of the cervix that is visualized on vaginal speculum examination) is covered in squamous epithelium, and the endocervix, including the cervical canal, is covered with glandular epithelium.
CMV
Cytomegalovirus: a kind of herpesvirus which usually produces very mild symptoms in an infected person but may cause severe neurological damage in people with weakened immune systems and in the newborn.
CN
Cranial nerve: One of twelve pairs of nerves that pass from the brain, through openings in the skull, to different areas of the head, neck, chest, and abdomen. The cranial nerves send information between the brain and the sense organs (the eyes, ears, nose, and tongue).
CNS
Central nervous system: The central nervous system is made up of the brain and spinal cord: The brain controls how we think, learn, move, and feel. The spinal cord carries messages back and forth between the brain and the nerves that run throughout the body.
CPR
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation: a medical procedure involving repeated compression of a patient’s chest, performed in an attempt to restore the blood circulation and breathing of a person who has suffered cardiac arrest.
CRP
C-reactive protein: an protein found in blood plasma, whose circulating concentrations rise in response to inflammation. It is an acute-phase protein of hepatic origin that increases following interleukin-6 secretion by macrophages and T cells.
CSF
Cerebrospinal fluid: clear watery fluid which fills the space between the arachnoid membrane and the pia mater.
DHT
Dihydrotestosterone: a male sex hormone which is the active form of testosterone, formed from testosterone in bodily tissue
DNA
Deoxynucleic acid: a self-replicating material that is present in nearly all living organisms as the main constituent of chromosomes. It is the carrier of genetic information.
DPT
Diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus: The DPT vaccine or DTP vaccine is a class of combination vaccines against three infectious diseases in humans: diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus. The vaccine components include diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and either killed whole cells of the bacterium that causes pertussis or pertussis antigens.
DTR
Deep tendon reflex: sometimes called the stretch reflex or myotatic reflex because of the stretch action and the muscle response involved. Some authors argue that they are not the same reflex.[5] They believe the tendon reflex occurs after the tendon’s active stretching when it is tapped with the hammer.
EBV
Epstein-Barr virus: a herpesvirus causing infectious mononucleosis and associated with certain cancers, for example Burkitt’s lymphoma.
ECG/EKG
Electrocardiogram: a record or display of a person’s heartbeat produced by electrocardiography.
EEG
Electroencephalogram: a test or record of brain activity produced by electroencephalography.
EMG
Electromyogram: measures muscle response or electrical activity in response to a nerve’s stimulation of the muscle. The test is used to help detect neuromuscular abnormalities
FEV
Forced expiratory volume: measures how much air a person can exhale during a forced breath.
FSH
Follicle-stimulating hormone: a hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary gland which promotes the formation of ova or sperm.
GABA
Gamma-aminobutyric acid: a neurotransmitter, a chemical messenger in your brain. It slows down your brain by blocking specific signals in your central nervous system (your brain and spinal cord).
GFR
Glomerular filtration rate: a test used to check how well the kidneys are working. Specifically, it estimates how much blood passes through the glomeruli each minute. Glomeruli are the tiny filters in the kidneys that filter waste from the blood.
GGT
Gamma-glutamyl transferase: an enzyme used as an index of liver dysfunction and marker of alcohol intake
GMP
Guanosine 5’-monophosphate: a second messenger molecule that modulates various downstream effects, including vasodilation, retinal phototransduction, calcium homeostasis, and neurotransmission
GnRH
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone: a releasing hormone responsible for the release of follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone from the anterior pituitary
Hb
Hemoglobin: a red protein responsible for transporting oxygen in the blood of vertebrates. Its molecule comprises four subunits, each containing an iron atom bound to a heme group.
hCG
Human chorionic gonadotropin: a hormone produced by the placenta during pregnancy. It helps thicken a person’s uterine lining to support a growing embryo and tells the body to stop menstruation. HCG levels rise after conception and continue to rise until about 10 weeks in pregnancy.
HDL
High density lipoprotein: sometimes called “good” cholesterol, absorbs cholesterol in the blood and carries it back to the liver.
IL
Interleukin: any of a class of glycoproteins produced by leukocytes for regulating immune responses.
IM
Intramuscular: situated or taking place within, or administered into, a muscle.
IV
Intravenous: an intravenous device for delivering electrolyte solutions, medicines, and nutrients
LDL
Low density lipoprotein: sometimes called “bad” cholesterol, is a fat that circulates in the blood, moving cholesterol around the body to where it is needed for cell repair and depositing it inside of artery walls.
LH
Luteinizing hormone: a hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary gland that stimulates ovulation in females and the synthesis of androgen in males.
LHRH
Luteinizing hormone releasing hormone: A hormone made by a part of the brain called the hypothalamus. Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone causes the pituitary gland in the brain to make and secrete the hormones luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).
LLQ
Left lower quadrant: The left lower quadrant (LLQ) of the human abdomen is the area left of the midline and below the umbilicus. The LLQ includes the left iliac fossa and half of the left flank region.
Important organs here are:
the descending colon and sigmoid colon
the left ovary and fallopian tube
the left ureter
LUQ
Left upper quadrant: the location of the left portion of the liver, part of the stomach, the pancreas, left kidney, spleen, portions of the transverse and descending colon, and parts of the small intestine.
MAO
Monoamine oxidase: an enzyme (present in most tissues) that catalyzes the oxidation and inactivation of monoamine neurotransmitters.
MCH
Major histocompatibility complex: group of genes that code for proteins found on the surfaces of cells that help the immune system recognize foreign substances. MHC proteins are found in all higher vertebrates. In human beings the complex is also called the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) system.
There are two major types of MHC protein molecules—class I and class II. Class I MHC molecules span the membrane of almost every cell in an organism, while class II molecules are restricted to cells of the immune system called macrophages and lymphocytes.
MRI
Magnetic resonance imaging: a non-invasive imaging technology that produces three dimensional detailed anatomical images.
MVA
Motor vehicle accident: any accident involving a motor vehicle that results in bodily injury to any person, or damage to the property of any person.
NAC
N-acetyl cysteine: A drug usually used to reduce the thickness of mucus and ease its removal. It is also used to reverse the toxicity of high doses of acetaminophen. Also called acetylcysteine and N-acetylcysteine.
NADH
Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate: the reduced version of NADP+, which serves as a proton donor and electron carrier.
NK
Natural killer (cells): A type of immune cell that has granules (small particles) with enzymes that can kill tumor cells or cells infected with a virus. A natural killer cell is a type of white blood cell.
NSAID
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug: medicines that are widely used to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and bring down a high temperature.
OTC
Over the counter: Refers to a medicine that can be bought without a prescription (doctor’s order).
PABA
Para-aminobenzoic acid: is a chemical that occurs naturally in the body. It is also found in several foods including grains, eggs, milk, and meat.
PG
Progesterone: a steroid hormone released by the corpus luteum that stimulates the uterus to prepare for pregnancy.
PMN
Polymorphonuclear neutrophil: he most abundant innate immune cells in the body and act as the first defense against infections. PMNs also play a key role in responses to ischemia and clearance of damaged host tissues.
PNS
Peripheral nervous system: the nervous system outside the brain and spinal cord.
RBC
Red blood cells: a red blood cell that (in humans) is typically a biconcave disc without a nucleus. Erythrocytes contain the pigment hemoglobin, which imparts the red color to blood, and transport oxygen and carbon dioxide to and from the tissues. A less technical term for erythrocyte.
RF
Rheumatoid factor: the autoantibody that was first found in rheumatoid arthritis. It is defined as an antibody against the Fc portion of IgG and different RFs can recognize different parts of the IgG-Fc.
Rh
Rhesus factor: an antigen occurring on the red blood cells of many humans. It is particularly important as a cause of hemolytic disease of the newborn and of incompatibility in blood transfusions.
RLQ
Right lower quadrant: is a part of your abdomen. The section from the bottom of your ribs down to your pubic hair is divided into four quarters. The section on your right side under your belly button is your RLQ.
RNA
Ribonucleic acid: a nucleic acid present in all living cells. Its principal role is to act as a messenger carrying instructions from DNA for controlling the synthesis of proteins, although in some viruses RNA rather than DNA carries the genetic information.
RSV
Respiratory syncytial virus: a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. Most people recover in a week or two, but RSV can be serious, especially for infants and older adults
SOD
Superoxide dismutase: a metal-containing antioxidant enzyme that reduces harmful free radicals of oxygen formed during normal metabolic cell processes to oxygen and hydrogen peroxide
TIBC
Total iron-binding capacity: a test that measures the blood’s ability to attach itself to iron and transport it around the body
TNF:
Tumor necrosis factor: Tumor a multifunctional cytokine that plays important roles in diverse cellular events such as cell survival, proliferation, differentiation, and death. As a pro-inflammatory cytokine, TNF is secreted by inflammatory cells, which may be involved in inflammation-associated carcinogenesis.
TRH
Thyrotropin-releasing hormone: a hormone produced by neurons in the hypothalamus that stimulates the release of thyroid-stimulating hormone and prolactin from the anterior pituitary.
TSH
Thyroid stimulating hormone: a hormone produced by the pituitary gland. Its role is to regulate the production of hormones by the thyroid gland.
URI
Upper respiratory infection: an infection of the nose, sinuses, or throat. URIs are spread by coughs, sneezes, and direct contact. The common cold is the most frequent kind of URI. The flu and sinus infections are other kinds of URIs.
UTI
Urinary tract infection: common infections that happen when bacteria, often from the skin or rectum, enter the urethra, and infect the urinary tract. The infections can affect several parts of the urinary tract, but the most common type is a bladder infection (cystitis).
VLDL
Very low-density lipoprotein: cholesterol is produced in the liver and released into the bloodstream to supply body tissues with a type of fat (triglycerides)
VMA
Vanillylmandelic acid: a principal catecholamine metabolite C9H10O5 whose presence in excess in the urine is used as a test for pheochromocytoma
WBC
White blood cell: any of the blood cells that are colorless, lack hemoglobin, contain a nucleus, and include the lymphocytes, monocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils
called also leukocyte, white blood corpuscle, white cell
WHO
World Health Organization: the United Nations agency working to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable.