Terms - Common Flashcards
1
Q
ABATE
A
to lessen or decrease
2
Q
ABDOMINAL GUARDING
A
tensing of the abdominal wall muscles to guard inflamed organs within the abdomen from the pain of pressure upon them. The tensing is detected upon when the abdomen is pressed
3
Q
ABERRATION
A
a deviation or irregularity - synonymous with deflection, departure, divergence, diversion, or turning.
4
Q
ABDUCTION
A
the movement of a limb away from the midline of the body.
5
Q
ABFRACTION
A
wear or noticing, at the neck of a tooth at or below the gumline.
6
Q
ABIOTIC
A
not associated with living organisms. Anything in the environment incapable of life or incompatible with life or antagonist to it.
7
Q
ABLATE
A
to remove.
8
Q
ABRUPTION
A
a sudden breaking off or away.
9
Q
ABSCESS
A
a local accumulation of pus anywhere in solid tissue of the body.
10
Q
ACANTHOSIS
A
an increase in the thickness of the prickle cell layer of the epidermis
11
Q
ACETABULUM
A
the cup-shaped socket of the hip joint designed for the head of the femur.
12
Q
ACHLORHYDRIA
A
a lack of hydrochloric acid in the digestive juices of the stomach.
13
Q
ACIDOSIS
A
a distinctly abnormal condition resulting from the accumulation of acid or from the depletion of alkaline reserves.
14
Q
ACQUIRED
A
anything that is not present at birth but develops some time later.u
15
Q
ACTINIC
A
refers to the ultraviolet rays from sunlight of ultraviolet lamps.
16
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ACUTE
A
sudden (abrupt) onset and rapid clinical course of short duration
17
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ADDICTION
A
a chronic relapsing condition characterized by compulsive drug-seeking and abuse and by long-lasting chemical changes in the brain,
18
Q
AGENESIS
A
failure to develop the most primitive structure of a definitive organ
19
Q
ADDUCTION
A
the movement of a limb toward the midline of the body
20
Q
AFFERENT
A
carrying toward
21
Q
AGAMMAGLOBULINEMIA
A
total or near-total absence of gamma globulin
22
Q
AGENESIS
A
lack of development of something (organ or tissue)
23
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AGONIST
A
often mimics the action of a naturally occurring substance.
24
Q
ALGOPHOBIA
A
an abnormal and persistent fear of pain
25
ALKALOSIS
a dangerous decrease in the normal acidity of the blood
26
ALLOGRAFT
the transplant of an organ or tissue from one individual to another of the same species
27
AMNIOCENTESIS
procedure used in prenatal diagnosis to obtain amniotic fluid for diagnostic tests
28
AMORPHOUS
lack of definite form
29
ANAEROBIC
condition/state not requiring oxygen
30
ANEURYSM
a localized widening (dilatation) of an artery, vein, or the heart
31
ANOMALY
deviation from the average or norm
32
APHAGIA
inability to eat
33
APICOECTOMY
A surgical root canal treatment used to seal the tip of a root when surgical root canal treatment used to seal the tip of a root when conventional root canal treatment has failed or is contraindicated. Usually a very straight forward treatment with quick recovery.
34
APLASIA
failure to develop or grow past the primordial structure
35
ARTEFACT
a mechanically produced alteration
36
ARTERIAL
pertaining to arteries
37
ASCITES
accumulation of fluid in the abdominal or peritoneal cavity
38
ATELECTASIS
the incomplete expansion of the newly born infant's lung or a collapse of lungs.
39
ATYPICAL OR ATYPIA
describes findings that do not conform to normalcy or type.
40
AUTOLYSIS
disintegration of tissue or cells by action of their own autogenous enzymes
41
BACILLOPHOBIA
an abnormal and persistent fear of bacteria
42
BALANITIS
inflammation of the rounded head of the penis
43
BALANOPOSTHITIS
inflammation of glans penis and the prepuce
44
BARIATRICS
the field of medicine concerned with weight loss
45
BENIGN
a non-life threatening condition
46
BICUSPID
having two flaps or cusps as the valve located between the left atrium and left ventricle
47
BILATERAL
having, or relating to, two sides
48
BILIARY
having to do with the gallbladder, bile ducts or bile
49
BIOINFORMATICS
the sum of the computational approaches to analyze, manage, and store biological data
50
BONDING
The name given to the process of placing esthetic white fillings. As different from amalgam fillings, these bonded fillings actually adhere to the tooth structure and make the tooth stronger
51
BRADYCARDIA
a slow heart rate, usually defined as less than 60 beats per minute
52
BRADYKINESI
slowed ability to start and continue movements, and impaired ability to adjust to body's position
53
BREECH
the buttocks
54
BRUXISM (CLENCHING)
the habit of clenching and grinding the teeth using extremes of muscle power.
55
CACHEXIA
severe wasting of tissues due to long-standing chronic diseases and malignancies
56
CADAVER
a dead human body that may be used to study anatomy
57
CALCIFICATION
the process of depositing calcium in tissue
58
CALCULUS
a stone within the body and calcium salt deposits on the teeth
59
CALCULUS
the scientific term for tartar, which is the accumulation of calcified substance that adheres to the teeth.
60
CANCER
an abnormal growth of cells which tend to proliferate in an uncontrolled way and, in some cases, to metastasize (spread)
61
CARDIAC
pertaining to the heart
62
CALCULUS
renal stones, gallstones, or calcific deposits on teeth
63
CANKER SORE
A painful ulcer that lasts seven to ten days, usually on the looser gum tissue in the softer areas of the mouth. Scientifically known as aphthae.
64
CANCER
any malignant lesion
65
CARCINOMA
malignant lesion of epithelial origin
66
CARIES
molecular decay of teeth or bone
67
CAUDAD
toward the feet or, in embryology, toward the tail
68
CEMENTATION
The placement of a fixed crown or bridge with a dental cement to assure retention.
69
CENTENARIAN
someone who is 100 or more years old. Someone 110 years old and over may be also be referred to as a supercentenarian
70
CHAPERONE
any protein that is required for the proper folding or assembly of another protein or protein complex without being a component of the final structure
71
CHEMO
slang for chemotherapy (drug therapy for cancer)
72
CHIMERA
a person composed of two genetically distinct types of cells
73
CHRONIC
slow and insidious onset and clinical course
74
COARCTATION
a narrowing, stricture or constriction, particularly of a tubular structure
75
CODON
a set of any three adjacent bases in DNA or RNA
76
COHORT
in a clinical study, a well-defined group of subjects or patients who have had a common experience or exposure and are then followed up for the incidence of new diseases or events
77
COITUS
sexual union of a male and a female; also called sexual intercourse
78
COMPOSITE
The material traditionally used for bonded restorations. Made from an admixture of various glass particles in a polymerized gel
79
CONGENITAL
present at birth
80
CONGESTION
presence of abnormal amount of blood, passively, in the vessels of a part
81
CORNIFICATION
conversion of epithelium to keratinized squamous type
82
CORTEX
outer layer of an organ
83
CRAPULENCE
sickness or indisposition resulting from an excess of drinking or eating
84
CREPITATION
Grinding or gravelly sounds from within the jaw joint resulting from direct contact of bone against bone with no disc, or cushion, in between. May be with or without associated pain
85
CURETTAGE
the act of removing infected tissue from a wound; used commonly in dentistry to refer to the removal of grossly inflammed gum tissue caused be severe periodontal disease.
86
CURETTE
spoon-shaped instrument with a sharp edge designed for removing tissue or growth from the surface of a structure
87
CYSTS
sac containing a liquid or a semisolid substance
88
DEBRIDEMENT
the process of removing dead, contaminated or adherent foreign material. The act of cleansing an infected area
89
DECUBITUS
a bed sore as the consequence of lying down in one position too long
90
DEMENTIA
significant loss of intellectual abilities severe enough to interfere with social and occupational functioning
91
DESMOPLASIA
the excessive growth of fibrous or connective tissue
92
DIABETES
condition characterized by excessive urination
93
DIAPEDESIS
outward passage through intact vessel walls of corpuscular elements of the blood
94
DICOR
A decade old procedure for all porcelain crowns.
95
DIATHESIS
refers to a predisposition or tendency
96
DILATATION OR DILATION
stretching or distention of tissue beyond normal dimensions
97
DIVERTICULUM
abnormal pouch leading of a luminal structure
98
DROPSY
an old term for any condition characterized by an excessive accumulation of fluid in body cavities and subcutaneous tissue
99
DYSPAREUNIA
pain during sexual intercourse
100
ECLAMPSIA
convulsion (seizures) occurring with pregnancy-associated hypertension
101
ECTOPIC
in the wrong place/out of place/not in the usual location
102
EFFACEMENT
virtually total destruction/the thinning of the cervix which occurs before and while it dilates during delivery of a newborn
103
EFFUSION
Too much fluid/an outpouring of fluid.
104
ELEPHANTIASIS
grossly enlarged extremities secondary to lymphatic obstruction
105
EMBOLI
something that travels through the blood stream, lodges in a blood vessel and blocks it.
106
EMESIS
vomiting
107
ENAMEL
The hard crystalline material that covers the outside of the tooth. The hardest substance in the human body
108
ENANTHEM
a rash inside the body
109
ENCOPRESIS
inability to control the elimination of stool (fecal incontinence)
110
ENDEMIC
disease present in a community continually but in relatively low frequency
111
ENURESIS
involuntary urination
112
EPIDEMIC
disease occurring in a community spontaneously and at a high rate
113
EPISIOTOMY
a surgical procedure for widening the outlet of the birth canal to facilitate delivery of the baby and to avoid a jagged rip of the perineum (the area between the anus and vulva, the opening of the vagina
114
EPISPADIAS
congenital malformation in which the opening of the urethra (from which comes the urinary stream) is on the dorsum (topside) of the penis as opposed to hypospadias in which the opening is on the ventral (underside) of the penis
115
EPISTAXIS
nosebleed
116
ERUCTATION
burping or belching/casting up wind (expelling air) from the stomach through the mouth
117
EXFOLIATE
to peal off spontaneously or deliberately wear away the top layer of a surface epithelium.
118
EXUDATE
substance that passes through membranes (vessels) in an inflammatory condition and has high content of serum proteins
119
FISTULA
an abnormal connection between two epithelial surface which may present as a drainage spot in the gums.
120
FLATULENCE
excess gas in the intestinal tract
121
FLEXION
the process of bending or in the state of being bent
122
FOCAL
a localized area of disease/the point at which rays converge
123
FOUNDATION
A filling done before a crown or bridge preparation. It is especially designed to be retentive in the tooth and to provide strength underneath the crown or bridge
124
FURUNCLE
a collection of pus of the skin ("boil")
125
GAMETOPHOBIA
an abnormal and persistent fear of being married.
126
GANGRENE
the death of body tissue due to the loss of blood supply to that tissue, especially of an extremity, and some times permitting bacteria to invade the tissue and accelerate its decay
127
GARGOYLISM
the term conveys the often-grotesque image of the medieval cathedral gargoyle
128
GASTROSCHISIS
a defect in the abdominal wall allowing for protrusion of abdominal content.
129
GERIATRIC
the branch of medicine concerned with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease in older people and the problems specific to aging
130
GESTATION
the period of time from conception to birth
131
GINGIVOPLASTY
The reshaping of gum contours, often for esthetic purposes
132
GINGIVECTOMY
The removal of excess or extra gum tissue to improve cleansibility and health
133
GOITER
enlargement of the thyroid gland
134
GRANULOMA
a localized collection of mononuclear phagocytic cells
135
GREENSTICK FRACTURE
a fracture in which one side of a bone is broken while the other is bent similar to that of a green stick
136
GREGARIOUS
living in the company of others
137
GYMNOPHOBIA
an abnormal and persistent fear of nudity
138
HAMARTOMA
a non-neoplastic collection of tissue native to the area in a tumor-like fashion
139
HEMAGIOMA
a localized mass of blood vessels and on the skin manifests as the "birth mark"
140
HEMATOMA
a collection blood in the subcutaneous tissue following a venipuncture
141
HEMOPHILIA
a group of inherited bleeding disorders in which the ability of blood to clot is impaired
142
HEPATIC
pertaining to the liver
143
HERNIA
a general term referring to a protrusion of a tissue through the wall of a cavity in which it is normally contained
144
HYDROCELE
an accumulation of fluid in the space around the testes
145
HYDROCEPHALUS
an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles of the brain
146
IATROGENIC
disease due to the action of the therapist or a prescribed therapy
147
IDIOPATHIC
etiology unknown
148
ILEUS
obstruction of the intestine due to it being paralyzed
149
IMMATURITY
incomplete maturation of growth and development
150
INDURATION
hardening of soft tissue of the body
151
IMPACTION
A tooth that is "stuck", or can grow no further into the mouth. Usually referrs to wisdom teeth, but any tooth can be impacted under unusual circumstances
152
IMPLANTS
Artificial tooth roots that are placed into and fuse with the bone of the jaw. They can be used to replace teeth or to support and retain dentures.
153
IMPRESSION
A mold, or negative, or intaglio of a tooth or teeth. Impressions are used to make crowns, bridges, veneers, dentures, some fillings, and study models
154
INFARCT
an area of tissue death generally due to a local lack of oxygen
155
INLAY
A laboratory made internal filling, cemented or bonded into a tooth
156
IN SITU
in normal location/a neoplastic growth that is confined to its site of origin and has not invaded neighboring tissue or gone elsewhere in the body
157
INSOMNIA
inadequate or slow quality of sleep
158
INTERSTITIAL
spaces between the cells
159
ISCHEMIA
virtual total blood supply to an area due to blockage of the blood vessels
160
KARYOTYPE
a standard arrangement of the chromosome complement done for chromosome analysis
161
KELOID
tumor-like mass of connective tissue in response to injury
162
KERATECTOMY
the removal of part of the cornea
163
KERATOSIS
the overgrowth of the horny (keratinized) layer of the epidermis
164
KERNICTERUS
high blood level of unconjugated bilirubin with deposition in the brain resulting in injury
165
KYPHOSIS
outward curvature of the spine, causing a humped back
166
LACRIMAL
pertaining to tears
167
LAMINA
a plate or layer
168
LANUGO
downy hair on the body of the fetus or newborn baby (neonate)
169
LAPAROSCOPE
an instrument through which structures within the abdomen and pelvis can be observed
170
LATENT
hidden, dormant, inactive
171
LAVAGE
washing out
172
LIBIDO
sexual drive or the psychic energy from all instinctive biological drives
173
LIGAND
a molecule that binds to another molecule
174
LIGATE
to tie or to tie off
175
LINGUAL
pertaining to the tongue
176
LIPID
pertaining to fat
177
LORDOSIS
excessive inward curvature of the spine
178
LUETIC
pertaining to syphilis
179
LUMEN
passage or space within a tubular structure
180
LYONIZATION
the inactivation of an X chromosome
181
MACULE
a small localized pigmented lesion of the skin without elevation or depression
182
MALIGNANT
life-threatening
183
MALOCCLUSION
Bad or misaligned bite.
184
MASOCHISM
pleasure from ones own pain
185
MASTALGIA
pain in the breast
186
MASTICATE
to chew, grind or pulverize food until it turns to a pulp
187
MATURITY
complete growth and/or maturation
188
MEATUS
an opening or passageway
189
MEIOSIS
the process of germ cell formation with the reduction of chromosome number from 46 to 23
190
MELENA
stool stained black by blood pigment or dark blood products (tarry stools)
191
MENARCHE
the time in a girl's life that menstruation first begins
192
MENOPAUSE
the time in a woman's life when menstrual periods permanently cease
193
MESENTERY
a fold of tissue which attaches organs to the body wall
194
MESIODENS
An extra tooth lodged in between the front teeth.
195
METASTASIS
the process by which cancer spreads from a primary site to a secondary site
196
MICTURITION
the act of urinating
197
MIMETIC
pertaining to the ability to imitate
198
MIOSIS
contraction of the pupils
199
MITOSIS
the ordinary form of cell division without reduction in the number of chromosomes
200
MITRAL
resembling the bishop's headdress, the miter
201
MORBITITY
non-fatal threatening state of a disease
202
MORTALITY
fatal threatening state of a disease
203
MOSAIC
an individual or tissue containing two or more types of genetically different cells
204
MURMUR
a sound due to vibrations from the flow of blood through the heart
205
MYDRIASIS
dilatation of the pupils
206
MYOSITIS
Muscle inflammation caused by overuse and oxygen debt
207
NATRIURESIS
the excretion of an excessively large amount of sodium in the urine
208
NEONATAL
pertaining to the newborn period which is the first four weeks after birth
209
NEOPLASM
new uncontrolled/autonomous growth
210
NIDUS
central point of origin/any structure that resembles a nest
211
NUCHAL
pertaining to the back of the neck
212
NULLIPAROUS
never having given birth to a child
213
NYSTAGMUS
rapid rhythmic repetitious involuntary eye movements
214
OCCULT
hidden
215
ODYNOPHAGIA
pain upon swallowing food and fluids
216
OMENTUM
a sheet of fat that is covered by peritoneum
217
OMPHALOS
the umbilicus (navel)
218
ONGOGENE
a mutated gene that contributes to the growth of a neoplasm
219
ONLAY
A tooth restoration that covers the entire biting surface.
220
PALLIATE
to treat partially and incompletely for reduction of the severity of the consequences of the disease
221
PALPATE
to touch or feel
222
PALPEBRAL
pertaining to the eyelid
223
PALPITATIONS
unpleasant sensations of irregular and/or forceful beating of the heart
224
PARENCHYMA
functional element of an organ or a tissue
225
PARENTERAL
entering the body not by the alimentary tract but rather by another mean, subcutaneous, intramuscular or intravenous
226
PARESIS
partial or incomplete paralysis
227
PARESTHESIA
an abnormal spontaneous sensation such as burning, pricking, numbness, tingling, creeping, etc.
228
PAROXYSM
a sudden, violent episode/abrupt worsening of preexisting symptoms
229
PARTURITION
the process of delivering the baby and placenta
230
PATENT
open, unobstructed, affording free passage
231
PRIMER
A dentin treatment which allows it to bond to composite materials similarly to enamel.
232
PROBAND
the family member through whom a family's medical history comes known
233
PROGNATHISM
an overly prominent jaw
234
PROPHYLAXIS
A routine cleaning for healthy teeth and gums.
235
PULP
The technical name for the "nerve" inside the tooth; actually contains a nerve, an artery, a vein, a0. lymphatic drainage, and some primordial cells.
236
QUIESCENT
marked by a state of inactivity, repose, or tranquillity
237
RADIAL
spreading from a central point
238
RECESSIVE
a condition occurring in the absence of a gene responsible for the dominant trait
239
RECOMBINANT
a new combination of genes
240
REGURGITATION
a backward flowing
241
RENAL
pertaining to the kidney
242
RESECTABLE
capable of being removed
243
RESUSCITATION
the procedure of restoring to life
244
RIGOR
a chill with shivering/rigidity
245
SAGITTAL
a vertical plane passing through the standing body from front to back
246
SALIENT
a feature which is very prominent - "standing out"
247
SALUTARY
promoting health or well-being
248
SANGUINE
having a ruddy or reddish coloration
249
SARCOMA
malignant lesion of mesenchymal origin
250
SCLEROSIS
hardening as the result of increase fibrosis
251
SCOLIOSIS
lateral curvature of the spine
252
SENESCENCE
an aged state
253
SENSITIVITY
Discomfort in a tooth caused by touch, sweet, hot, cold, biting pressure, or releasing pressure.
254
SEPTICEMIA
toxicity due to invasion of the bloodstream by virulent bacteria usually coming from a local site of infection
255
SEQUELA
a pathological condition resulting from a prior disease or injury
256
SHOCK
failure of the circulatory system to maintain adequate tissue perfusion which sharply decreases the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to vital organs
257
SOMNOLENT
sleepy or tendency to cause sleep
258
STASIS
stoppage of flow of blood or lymph
259
STENOSIS
narrowing of vessels or a tubular structure
260
STROKE
the sudden death of brain tissue due to a lack of oxygen when blood flow to the brain is impaired due to blockage or bleeding (hemorrhage). Often called a cerebrovascular accident and indicated as CVA
261
STROMA
supporting framework of a tissue
262
SUBACUTE BACTERIAL ENDOCARDITIS
An infection of the valve and muscle tissue inside the heart.
263
SUBLUXATION
partial displacement of a structure with complete displacement being designated as luxation
264
SUPINATION
rotation of the forearm and hand so that the palm is up or the foot and leg with the sole up. The opposite is pronation
265
SYNCEPHALY
conjoined twins whose heads are joined together
266
SYNCOPE
partial or complete loss of consciousness with interruption of awareness of oneself and ones surroundings
267
SYNDROME
a set of signs and symptoms that tend to occur together and which reflect the presence of a particular disease or an increased likelihood of developing a particular disease
268
TACHYCARDIA
a rapid heart rate, usually defined as greater than 100 beats per minute
269
TERATOGEN
any agent that can disturb the development of an embryo or fetus
270
TINNITUS
a sensation of "ringing" in the ears or another noise that seems to originate in the ears or head
271
TOTIPOTENT
having unlimited capability
272
TRANSFERRIN
a plasma protein that transport iron through the blood to the liver, spleen and bone marrow
273
TRIMESTER
the distinct three month periods associated with pregnancy
274
TUMOR
any abnormal mass of tissue (inflammatory, neoplastic - benign or malignant)
275
TRANSUDATE
substance that passes through membranes (vessels) in non-inflammatory conditions and has a low content of serum proteins
276
ULCER
significant break in surface continuity
277
URACHUS
an embryonic canal which connects the bladder with the umbilical cord
278
UREMIA
the presence of excessive amount of nitrogenous waste product in the blood which often signifies renal failure
279
VALGUS
angled outward, bent or twisted outward
280
VARICOSE VEIN
a dilated, tortuous vein often associated with incompetency of the valves in the veins
281
VENOUS
pertaining to veins
282
VERRUCA
a local growth of the outer layer of the skin (wart) caused by the human papilloma virus
283
VERTIGO
a feeling of dizzily turning around or that things are dizzily turning about you
284
VESSICLE
a small fluid-filled space on the skin and some mucous membrane
285
VOLVULUS
abnormal twisting of the intestine which can impair the blood flow to the affected area
286
WHEAL
a raised, itchy (pruritic) area of the skin generally in association with allergy
287
XANTHOMA
yellowish firm nodules in the skin frequently seen in diabetics and lipid disorders
288
XENOGRAFT
a surgical graft from one species to an unlike species
289
ZYGOTE
the cell formed by the union of a male sex cell (sperm) and a female sex cell (ovum)
