Unit 8 for Brainscape - Word List Flashcards
abdominal
pertaining to the abdomen
adaptive
able to respond to changing circumstances; describes the immune response which is specific to a particular organism or cell surface marker
adenoid
a collection of immune tissue at the top back of the oral cavity
adenoidectomy
surgical removal of the adenoids
adenoiditis
inflammation of the adenoids
affinity
attraction for another person or substance
agranulocyte
an immune cell without microscopic granules
albumin
the most abundant protein in the liquid component of blood (plasma); also found in egg whites
anaphylaxis
a condition in which the innate immune system goes out of control and threatens life
anastomosis
the joining of two or more vessels
anemia
a condition of low oxygen carrying capacity in the blood (literally, “without hemoglobin in the blood”)
aneurysmectomy
surgical removal of an aneurysm
angina pectoris
pain in the chest, possibly indicating a myocardial infarction (“heart attack”)
angiocarditis
inflammation of the heart and the large blood vessels
angioedema
swelling due to leakage from blood vessels (often from an abnormal immune response)
angiogenesis
the process of creating blood vessels
angiogram
a record of the anatomy of blood vessels
angiography
a procedure for visualizing the anatomy of blood vessels
angiolith
a calcified clot in the blood vessels
angioplasty
surgical revision of the blood vessels
angiopoiesis
the process of creating blood vessels
angiorrhaphy
suturing blood vessels
angiosclerosis
hardening of blood vessel walls due to disease
angioscope
instrument for looking inside blood vessels
anisocytosis
condition where red blood cells are not all the same size or shape
antianginal
drug which relieves angina pectoris
antiarrythmic
drug which helps re-establish normal heart rhythm
antibody
protein which is an essential part of the adaptive immune defense; made by activated B lymphocytes
anticoagulant
drug which interferes with the clotting response
antidiuretic
drug which prevents the excessive production of urine
antigen
a biological substance which provokes an immune response, especially one involving the formation of antibodies
antihypertensive
drug which reduces blood pressure
aortalgia
pain in the aorta
aortectasia
abnormal dilation of the aorta
aortic
pertaining to the aorta
aortitis
inflammation of the aorta
aortogram
a record of the anatomy of the aorta
aortolith
a calcified clot in the aorta
aortorrhaphy
suturing the aorta
aortotomy
cutting into the aorta
apex
the highest point
apheresis
removal of the blood, separation of one or more blood components, followed by the return of the remainder
aplastic
unable to form (e.g. blood in the bone marrow)
appendix
an immune organ which is attached to the large intestine near the junction with the small intestine; short for vermiform (“wormlike”) appendix
arrest
a stopping (e.g. cardiac arrest, stopping the heart cycle)
arrhythmia
abnormal rhythm of the heart
arterectomy
surgical removal of an artery
arteriogram
a record of the anatomy of arteries
arteriole
small artery
arteriolith
a calcified clot in the arteries
arteriopathy
disease of the arteries
arterioplasty
surgical revision of the arteries
arteriorrhaphy
suturing of an artery
arteriorrhexis
rupture of an artery
arteriosclerosis
hardening of arteries due to disease
arteriosus
containing many arteries
arteritis
inflammation of one or more arteries
artery
vessel which leads away from the heart
asplenia
condition of no spleen
atherectomy
surgical removal of an atherosclerotic plaque
atherogenesis
the process of creating atherosclerotic plaques
atherosclerosis
the formation of hardened plaques (collections of fat, cholesterol, cellular waste, calcium, and fibrin) in arteries
atrial
pertaining to the atrium
atrioventricular
pertaining to the atrium and ventricle
atrioventricular bundle
electrical conduction path between the atrioventricular node and the heart muscle
atrioventricular node
secondary pacemaker for the heart; a way for the heart to maintain rhythm if the sinoatrial node fails
atrium
two of the four chambers of the heart; where the blood first enters the heart (by analogy with the atrium of a Roman villa)
autoimmune
immune attack on one’s own tissues
autoregulation
maintenance of one’s blood pressure or flow regardless of changing conditions (e.g. when standing)
autorhythmicity
pacemaker activity of the heart
axillary
pertaining to the armpit
azygos
unpaired vein in the trunk
baroreceptor
receptor for detecting blood pressure
basophil
white blood cell whose granules stain intensely for basic dyes (e.g. hematoxylin, a dark blue or purple dye)
biconcave
having indentations on two sides (such as the shape of a normal red blood cell)
bicuspid
having two sharp leaflets (such as the mitral valve of the heart); the bicuspid and mitral valves are two names for the same thing
bilirubinemia
condition of excess bilirubin in the blood (bilirubin is a product of the breakdown of red blood cells)
brachiocephalic
supplying the arm and head
bradycardia
condition of slow heartbeat
bundle branches
the part of the electrical conduction pathway of the heart that branches off the atrioventricular bundle (bundle of His) and leads to the Purkinje fibers
bundle of His
atrioventricular bundle
capillary
blood vessel where oxygen and glucose are exchanged for waste products; joins an arteriole and a venule
cardiac
pertaining to the heart
cardiomegaly
enlargement of the heart due to disease
cardiomyocyte
a heart muscle cell
cardiomyopathy
disease of the heart muscle
cardiomyotomy
cutting into the heart muscle
cardiothoracic
pertaining to the heart and chest
cardiotonic
a drug that strengthens the heart
cardiotoxic
poisonous to the heart
cardiovascular
pertaining to the heart and blood vessels
cardioversion
restoring a normal heart rhythm
carditis
inflammation of the heart
catheterization
introducing a tube into a vessel in order to add drugs, remove blood, or insert surgical instruments
cephalic
pertaining to the head
chordæ tendineæ
tiny strands of connective tissue which anchor the heart valves in place
circulation
the movement of blood around in a continuous circuit
circumflex
bent like a circle
coagulation
the process of blood clotting
coagulopathy
disease of the clotting pathway
conduction
movement of electrically charged particles in the heart
congestive
heart disease characterized by the buildup of fluid
contractile
able to shorten in response to electrical stimulation
coronary
the arteries of the heart, named because of their resemblance to a crown
cyanosis
abnormal blue color of the skin or other organs
cytapheresis
removal of the blood with separation of blood cells, followed by the return of the plasma (fluid portion of blood)
cytokine
extracellular chemical signals which promote movement or differentiation of immune cells
cytopenia
abnormally low levels of cells in the blood
cytotoxic
poisonous to cells
deoxygenated
blood that has delivered its oxygen cargo to cells in capillaries
diaphoresis
excessive sweating as a symptom of another illness
diastole
relaxation of the heart
diastolic
pertaining to relaxation of the heart, e.g. the lowest value in blood pressure
differential
the process of taking things apart to analyze them, for example a list of diagnoses, or blood cells
differentiation
the process by which a cell becomes different from its parent (stem) cell
dilate
enlargement of a round structure
ductus
Latin word for tube or channel
dysrhythmia
disease characterized by an abnormal heart rhythm pattern
echocardiogram
a record of the anatomy of the heart, obtained using sound waves
echocardiography
a procedure for visualizing the anatomy of the heart, obtained using sound waves
effusion
fluid leaking from a vessel or organ
electrocardiogram
a record of the electrical activity of the heart
electrocardiography
a procedure for observing the electrical activity of the heart
elliptocytosis
condition where red blood cells have an abnormal oval shape
embolectomy
surgical removal of an embolus
embolus
a plug in a vessel, often made up of air, fat, or a clot
endocarditis
inflammation of the inner lining of the heart
endocardium
innermost layer of the heart
endoscopy
using a tube-like camera to look inside an organ
eosinophil
white blood cell whose granules stain intensely for acidic dyes (e.g. eosin, a bright red dye)
epicardium
outermost layer of the heart
epitope
place on the outer surface of an antigenic molecule which attracts binding of an antibody
erythrocyte
a red blood cell
erythrocytosis
abnormally high number of red blood cells
erythropoiesis
the process of creating red blood cells
erythropoietin
protein hormone which promotes the formation of red blood cells
externa
outside
extrinsic
coming from outside
femoral
pertaining to the thigh (femur)
fenestrated
containing many microscopic holes (“windows”)
fibrillation
abnormally rapid heart rhythym which interferes with the effective pumping action of the heart
fibrin
protein which forms clots
fibrinogen
protein which is a precursor to fibrin
fibrinolysis
breakdown of fibrin clots
fibrous
filled with fibers
granulocyte
an immune cell with microscopic granules that can be seen with staining protocols
granzyme
an enzyme found in the granules of granulocytes which is used to disable invaders
hapten
a molecule that attaches to a non-antigenic molecule, making it into an effective antigen
hematocrit
a test to determine the number of red blood cells in a blood draw
hematology
the study of blood and blood diseases
hematopoiesis
the process of creating blood (i.e. blood cells)
hemiazygos
vein in the trunk which half-resembles the azygos vein
hemoglobin
the protein responsible for carrying oxygen (and to a lesser extent, carbon dioxide) in red blood cells
hemoglobinopathy
disease of hemoglobin production
hemolysis
breakdown of blood, particularly red blood cells
hemophilia
disease characterized by an abnormally poor clotting response (literally, “love of blood” because of the amount of blood produced by wounds)
hemorrhage
abnormally large flow of blood (literally, “blood bursting forth”)
hemostasis
blood stoppage due to clotting or the use of a surgical procedure (e.g. cautery) or instrument (e.g. a hemostat)
hemostatic
tending to promote the stoppage of blood
hepatosplenitis
inflammation of the liver and spleen
histamine
extracellular chemical signal released in the inflammatory response
histocompatibility
the ability of transplanted tissue to evade the body’s immune defenses (literally, “the ability of tissue to get along with others”)
hydrostatic
pressure due to the pumping action of the heart
hyperbilirubinemia
condition of too much bilirubin in the blood
hypercoagulability
condition of too much blood clotting
hypersplenism
condition of too much spleen action (e.g. removal of normal red blood cells)
hypertension
condition where blood pressure is too high
hypertrophic
pertaining to a condition of too much growth
hypertrophy
condition of too much growth
hypervolemia
condition of too much blood volume
hypoperfusion
condition of too little blood delivery to tissues
hypotension
condition where blood pressure is too low
hypovolemia
condition of too little blood volume
iliac
pertaining to the flank or small intestine
immunity
the process by which the body defends itself against microbial invaders
immunocompetent
able to mount an effective immune response
immunocompromised
unable to mount an effective immune response
immunodeficient
able to mount only a weak or ineffective immune response
immunoglobin
a protein involved in the immune response; antibody
immunology
the study of the immune system and its dysfunction
immunosuppression
the process of lowering or incapacitating the immune response
inflammation
the innate immune response; the four cardinal signs are redness, heat, swelling, and pain
inguinal
pertaining to the groin
innate
“built-in”; describes the immune response which is not specific to a particular organism or cell surface marker
intercalated
inserted in between layers
interleukin
extracellular chemical signal which affects white blood cells primarily
interstitial
the space between cells (including the fluid which resides there)
interventricular
between the ventricles of the heart
intima
inside
intrinsic
coming from factors within a tissue or organ
ischemia
lack of blood supply
jugular
vein of the neck which carries blood from the brain and head back to the heart
laparosplenectomy
surgical removal of the spleen through a small incision in the abdomen
leukemia
a cancer characterized by a large number of abnormally formed white blood cells
leukocyte
a white blood cell
leukocytosis
abnormally high levels of white blood cells
leukopenia
abnormally low levels of white blood cells
lymphadenectomy
surgical removal of lymph nodes (lymph glands)
lymphadenitis
inflammation of lymph nodes
lymphadenopathy
disease of the lymph nodes
lymphadenotomy
cutting into the lymph nodes
lymphangiectasia
abnormal dilation of the lymphatic vessels
lymphangiogram
a record of the anatomy of the lymphatic vessels
lymphangiography
a procedure for visualizing the anatomy of the lymphatic vessels
lymphangitis
inflammation of one or more lymphatic vessels
lymphedema
swelling of the lymphatic vessels
lymphocyte
a subtype of white blood cell that either controls an adaptive immune attack or makes antibodies
lymphoid
resembling the lymph organs
lymphoma
a cancer characterized by abnormalities in the lymphocytes, a subset of white blood cells
lymphopenia
low levels of lymphocytes (a subset of white blood cells)
macrocytosis
condition where red blood cells are abnormally large
macrophage
defensive cell in the connective tissues that engulfs and destroys invaders
marginal
pertaining to the edges
mast cell
defensive cell in the connective tissues that releases histamine and other chemicals
media
in the middle
mediastinum
the cavity which contains the heart, great vessels, part of the esophagus, and the thymus; essentially everything in the chest except lungs
megakaryocyte
a cell which gives rise to platelets (thrombocytes)
microcytosis
condition where red blood cells are abnormally small
mitral
a heart valve that is shaped like a Roman Catholic bishop’s mitre (peaked cap with a crease in the middle); same as bicuspid
monoclonal
a group of cells that are all genetically identical (usually pertains to B cells which all make the same type of antibody molecule)
monocyte
circulating white blood cell which transforms into a macrophage in the tissues
mononucleosis
disease characterized by a large number of abnormal lymphocytes; caused by Epstein-Barr virus
murmur
heart sound that resembles a rumble or groan or machinery noise
myeloid
a family of blood cells which includes red blood cells and granulocytes
myeloma
a cancer arising from the bone marrow
myelopoiesis
the process of creating bone marrow
myocardial
pertaining to the heart muscle
myocarditis
inflammation of the heart muscle
myocardium
the heart muscle itself (i.e. not including the inner lining or outer lining or membranes)
nephrosplenopexy
surgical fixation of the kidney and spleen
neutropenia
abnormally low levels of neutrophils
neutrophil
white blood cell whose granules stain equally for acidic and basic dyes (e.g. both hematoxylin and eosin in the Wright stain)
nitroglycerin
drug which dilates blood vessels to relieve angina pectoris
normocyte
a red blood cell that is normal in size and hemoglobin content
normotension
normal blood pressure
occlusion
blockage
oligocythemia
disease characterized by too few (“a handful of”) red blood cells
opsonization
process by which a bacterial invader becomes “tagged” and set up for destruction by the immune system
oxygenated
blood that has picked up its oxygen cargo in the lungs
palpitation
the physical feeling from a fluttery, irregular heartbeat
pancytopenia
abnormally low levels of all blood cells
pectoralgia
pain in the chest, possibly indicating a myocardial infarction (“heart attack”)
pectoris
the chest
perforin
protein that attacks invading cells and pokes holes in their cell membrane
perfusion
blood moving through a tissue to supply oxygen and glucose and remove wastes
pericardial
pertaining to the membrane surrounding the heart
pericardiocentesis
removing fluid from the pericardial cavity
pericardiotomy
cutting into the pericardium
pericarditis
inflammation of the pericardium
pericardium
the bag-like membrane surrounding the heart
petechia
red pinpoint on the skin (usually seen as the plural petichae)
phagocytosis
process by which a macrophage or other immune cell surrounds, swallows, and destroys an invading cell
phlebalgia
pain in the veins
phlebarteriectasia
abnormal dilation of the veins and arteries
phlebectomy
surgical removal of a vein
phlebitis
inflammation of a vein
phlebologist
a person who studies vein disease
phlebology
the study of vein disease
phlebophlebostomy
making a connection (“mouth”) between two veins
phlebosclerosis
hardening of veins due to disease
phlebostenosis
narrowing of a vein
phlebotomist
a person who cuts into a vein (i.e. punctures veins to remove blood for analysis)
phlebotomy
cutting into a vein (i.e. venipuncture to remove blood for analysis)
placenta
the tissue which supplies oxygen and nutrients to the fetus; it results from a collaboration between mother and fetus
plasma
the liquid component of blood (including soluble clotting factors)
plasmapheresis
removal of the blood with separation of plasma, followed by the return of the cells and platelets
plasmin
protein component of the blood which breaks down fibrin when activated
plasminogen
precursor protein which gives rise to plasmin when activated
plateau
a flat area of a graph, such as a cardiac voltage trace
platelet
cell fragment that is necessary for blood clotting (literally, “a little plate”); same as thrombocyte
plateletpheresis
removal of the blood with separation of platelets, followed by the return of the other cellular components and plasma
pluripotent
a stem cell which is capable of making several different types of daughter cells
poikilocytosis
condition where red blood cells are of many different sizes and shapes
polycythemia
disease characterized by too many red blood cells
popliteal
pertaining to the dorsal surface of the knee
precapillary
the segment of an arteriole before its entry into a capillary
pressure
physical property that results from the collision of molecules in a liquid or gas with the walls of the container; an increase in the number of molecules results in an increase in pressure
progesterone
hormone which acts in favor of gestation (carrying a child to term)
prolapse
disease characterized by a floppy valve which does not close completely, permitting blood to regurgitate
prothrombin
precursor protein which gives rise to thrombin when activated
prothrombinase
enzyme which acts on prothrombin
pulmonary
pertaining to the lungs
Purkinje fibers
the part of the electrical conduction system that spreads over the entire surface of the ventricle
regurgitation
movement in a direction opposite to the normal flow
reperfusion
restoring blood to a tissue or organ that has lost blood supply temporarily
restrictive
type of heart muscle disease characterized by stiffness of the heart muscle
resuscitation
bringing someone back to life
reticulocyte
the stage of red blood cell development just before maturation (named for its net-like appearance)
semilunar
having a half-moon shape
septal
pertaining to the wall within an organ such as the heart
septicemia
abnormally large number of microorganisms in the blood
septoplasty
surgical revision of the chamber walls of the heart
septum
the wall between the chambers of the heart (or other organs)
serum
the liquid component of blood after soluble clotting factors are removed
sinoatrial
pertaining to the atrium of the heart, and the nearby coronary sinuses (which receive venous blood from the heart)
sinusoid
resembling a sinus (large, hollow space)
spherocyte
an abnormally round red blood cell
spherocytosis
condition where red blood cells are abnormally rounded
sphygmomanometer
device for measuring blood pressure (blood pressure cuff)
spleen
organ in the upper left abdomen, important in the immune response and in removing aged red blood cells
splenalgia
pain in the spleen
splenectomy
surgical removal of the spleen
splenitis
inflammation of the spleen
splenodynia
pain in the spleen
splenolysis
breakdown of the tissue of the spleen
splenomalacia
softening of the spleen due to disease
splenomegaly
enlargement of the spleen due to disease
splenopathy
disease of the spleen
splenoptosis
drooping of the spleen (movement of the spleen out of its normal position)
splenorrhexis
rupture of the spleen
stasis
holding back
stenosis
narrowing of a tube or vessel
striated
showing obvious stripes
subclavian
pertaining to an area below the clavicle (collarbone)
submandibular
pertaining to an area below the mandible (lower jaw)
systemic
affecting the entire system
systole
contraction of the heart
systolic
pertaining to contraction of the heart, e.g. the peak value in blood pressure
tachycardia
condition of fast heartbeat
tamponade
pressure on the heart due to the buildup of fluid in the pericardial sac
telangiectasia
abnormal dilation of the “end” (smallest) blood vessels
thrombin
protein component of the blood which makes up a key part of the clotting cascade
thrombocyte
platelet
thrombocytopenia
abnormally low levels of platelets (thrombocytes)
thrombocytosis
abnormally high levels of platelets (thrombocytes)
thromboembolism
a plug in a vessel from a clot
thrombogenic
drug or substance which promotes blood clotting
thrombophlebitis
inflammation of a vein due to formation of a clot
thromboplastin
blood protein which is part of the clotting pathway
thrombus
clot
thymic
pertaining to the thymus
thymopathy
disease of the thymus
thymus
immune organ in the mediastinum; responsible for the maturation of T lymphocytes
titer
the amount of antibody needed to cause a particular response, such as inactivation of a foreign protein
tonsil
a collection of immune tissue on either side of the throat
tonsillectomy
surgical removal of the tonsils
tonsillitis
inflammation of the tonsils
transesophageal
across the esophagus (especially where it is close to the heart in the mediastinum)
transfusion
moving blood from one person to another
tricuspid
having three sharp leaflets (such as the tricuspid valve of the heart)
tunica
tunic or coat; refers to layers of a blood vessel
umbilical
pertaining to the connection between placenta and fetus
vagus
nerve which innervates most of the thoracic and abdominal organs
valvectomy
surgical removal of a heart valve
valvotomy
surgical revision of a heart valve (same as valvuloplasty or valvulotomy); the surgical revision involves making cuts into it
valvular
pertaining to a valve
valvulitis
inflammation of a heart valve
valvuloplasty
surgical revision of a heart valve (same as valvotomy or valvulotomy)
valvulotomy
surgical revision of a heart valve (same as valvotomy or valvuloplasty); the surgical revision involves making cuts into it
varicose
abnormally dilated
varicotomy
cutting into a varicose vein
vascular
pertaining to the blood vessels
vasculitis
inflammation of the blood vessels
vasoconstriction
the process of reducing the diameter of a blood vessel
vasoconstrictor
a drug which reduces the diameter of a blood vessel
vasodilation
the process of increasing the diameter of a blood vessel
vasodilator
a drug which increases the diameter of a blood vessel
vasopressin
a hormone which increases blood pressure (same as antidiuretic hormone)
vasopressor
a drug which increases blood pressure
vasospasm
an abnormal contraction in the muscles of the arterial wall, potentially causing a loss of blood supply and/or increase in blood pressure
vegetation
a growth on a heart valve
vein
blood vessel leading to the heart
vena cava
the largest blood vessels leading to the right atrium of the heart (superior vena cava; inferior vena cava)
venectomy
surgical removal of a vein
venogram
a record of the anatomy of the veins
venosclerosis
hardening of veins due to disease
venospasm
an abnormal contraction in the muscles of the walls of veins
venostasis
blood which pools and does not move normally within veins
venosus
containing many veins
venous
pertaining to the veins
ventricle
two of the four chambers of the heart; where the blood is pumped out of the heart to the lungs or body
ventriculotomy
cutting into a heart ventricle