word list medical terminology Flashcards
1
Q
abdominal
A
relating to the abdomen.
2
Q
absorption
A
The process of taking nutrients from the digestive system into the blood so they can be used in the body.
3
Q
alopecia
A
hair loss, or the absence of hair from areas of the body where it’s normally found
4
Q
amenorrhea
A
the absence of menstruation in a female of reproductive age
5
Q
anabolism
A
a metabolic process that builds complex molecules from simpler ones, using energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate
6
Q
analgesic
A
a medication that reduces pain without altering consciousness, sensory awareness, or nerve impulses.
7
Q
anastomosis
A
a surgical procedure that connects two tubular structures in the body, such as blood vessels or loops of the intestine
8
Q
antibiotic
A
a drug that treats infections caused by bacteria and other microorganisms
9
Q
antiemetic
A
a drug or agent that prevents or reduces nausea and vomiting
10
Q
antipyretic
A
a substance or drug that reduces fever
11
Q
benign
A
something is not cancerous and is not likely to be dangerous or serious.
12
Q
bilateral
A
affecting or relating to both sides of the body or two of something.
13
Q
cancer
A
a term for a group of diseases where abnormal cells grow and spread uncontrollably in the body
14
Q
carcinoma
A
a type of cancer that starts in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs
15
Q
catabolism
A
metabolic process that breaks down complex molecules into smaller units to release energy and create smaller molecules
16
Q
caudal
A
relating to the tail or hind part of the body, or being directed toward the tail
17
Q
celiac
A
a chronic digestive and immune disorder that occurs when a person’s immune system attacks the small intestine in response to eating gluten
18
Q
cerebrum
A
the largest part of the brain
19
Q
cervix
A
the narrow, lower part of the uterus, or the neck of the uterus
20
Q
chancre
A
a painless, firm ulcer that appears at the site where a pathogen enters the body
21
Q
chemotherapy
A
a cancer treatment that uses drugs to kill or stop the growth of cancer cells
22
Q
choledocholithiasis
A
a medical condition where gallstones are present in the common bile duct
23
Q
circumcision
A
the surgical removal of the foreskin of a male
24
Q
cirrhosis
A
a chronic liver disease that occurs when healthy liver tissue is replaced by scar tissue, making it difficult for the liver to function properly
25
colon
The longest part of the large intestine
26
colostomy
a surgical procedure that creates an opening in the abdomen to divert part of the colon outside of the bod
27
contusion
bruise, which is an injury to the soft tissue caused by a blunt force, like a fall, kick, or blow
28
coronal
relating to the crown of the head or of a tooth
29
CT scan
a medical imaging procedure that uses X-rays to create detailed 3D pictures of the inside of the body:
30
cytology
a medical procedure that examines cells from bodily fluids or tissues to diagnose or screen for diseases
31
decubitus ulcer
a skin injury caused by prolonged pressure on an area of the body
32
dental
relating to, used in, or specializing in dentistry or the teeth
33
dermatitis
skin inflammation, irritation, or swelling
34
dermatologist
a medical doctor who specializes in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of conditions affecting the skin, hair, nails, and mucous membranes
35
dermatology
the medical field that deals with the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of conditions affecting the skin, hair, nails, and mucous membranes
36
diagnosis
the process of identifying a disease, condition, or injury by analyzing a patient's signs and symptoms
37
diarrhea
having three or more loose or watery stools in a day, or more frequently than what's normal for an individual
38
distal
a body part is farther away from the center of the body than another part.
39
diverticulitis
a condition that occurs when pouches or sacs in the colon become inflamed or infected
40
duodenum
the first part of the small intestine, where food is further digested after leaving the stomach
41
dysphagia
difficulty swallowing
42
eczema
a chronic inflammatory skin condition that causes the skin to become inflamed, itchy, and red
43
electroencephalogram
EEG) is a medical test that measures electrical activity in the brain by recording brain waves
44
enamel
the hard, white, dense, inorganic substance that covers the crown of teeth
45
encephalitis
inflammation of the brain
46
endogastric
relating to or of the inside of the stomach
47
endometriosis
a chronic condition in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside of the uterus:
48
endometrium
the tissue lining the uterus
49
epidermis
In medical terms, the epidermis is the outermost layer of the skin:
50
epidural
the procedure of injecting medication into the epidural space
51
epigastric
relating to the upper middle part of the abdomen, or lying above or on the stomach
52
epilepsy
seizure disorder. Epilepsy is a chronic brain condition that causes recurring seizures, which are caused by abnormal electrical signals in the brain
53
episiotomy
an incision made in the perineum during childbirth
54
fibroid
Fibroids are muscular tumors that grow in the wall of the uterus (womb). Another medical term for fibroids is leiomyoma (leye-oh-meye-OH-muh) or just "myoma"
55
follicle
a sac or pouch-like cavity formed by a group of cells that can have different functions in the body
56
gametes
reproductive cells in animals or plants
57
gastroenterologist
a doctor who specializes in the digestive system
58
generic name
the official, non-brand name for a medicine that usually refers to the drug's chemical name
59
gestation
the period of time between conception and birth when a baby develops in the mother's womb
60
gingivitis
gum disease or periodontal disease
61
gonads
primary reproductive organs that produce and release eggs or sperm
62
gonorrhea
Gonorrhea, sometimes referred to as GC, is a sexually transmitted disease caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, a bacterium that can grow and multiply in the reproductive tract. The bacterium can also grow in the mouth, throat, eyes and anus.
63
gynecologist
a physician who specializes in gynecology, which is the study of women's reproductive health and organs
64
gyrus
a ridge on the cerebral cortex of the brain, and is a medical term that refers to the surface convolutions or rounded ridges of the brain.
65
hematemesis
vomiting blood
66
hematuria
Hematuria; Blood in the urine.
67
hepatitis
inflammation of the liver
68
hepatomegaly
enlarged liver
69
histology
the study of the microscopic structure of tissues and cells
70
homeostasis
the body's ability to maintain a stable internal environment, despite changes in the external environment
71
human papilloma virus
(HPV) is a group of related viruses
72
hydrocephalus
water on the brain
73
hysterectomy
surgical removal of the uterus
74
iatrogenic
an injury or illness that is caused by medical treatment or care
75
idiopathic
a disease or condition that has an unknown cause
76
ileum
the final part of the small intestine
77
incontinence
Inability to control the flow of urine from the bladder (urinary incontinence) or the escape of stool from the rectum (fecal incontinence).
78
intervertebral
flat, round cushions between vertebrae in the spine
79
intradermal
within or between the layers of the skin, or administered by entering the skin
80
intussusception
a serious condition in which part of the intestine slides into an adjacent part of the intestine
81
jaundice
a condition characterized by the yellowing of the skin, mucous membranes, and whites of the eyes due to elevated levels of bilirubin in the blood.
82
lactation
the process of producing and releasing milk from the mammary glands
83
laparoscopy
a surgical procedure that allows a surgeon to examine the inside of the abdomen or pelvis without making large incisions
84
lithotripsy
noninvasive medical procedure that uses shock waves to break up kidney stones and stones in the ureter
85
malignant
a disease or condition where abnormal cells grow out of control and can invade nearby tissues or spread to other parts of the body:
86
mammography
a medical procedure that uses X-rays to create images of the breast to detect breast cancer and other breast diseases
87
medulla
the lowest part of the brain and the inner part of an organ
88
melanin
a natural substance that gives color to the skin, hair, and eyes, and protects the skin and eyes from ultraviolet (UV) light damage:
89
melanoma
a type of skin cancer that begins in melanocytes, the cells that produce melanin and give skin its color
90
melena
black or tarry stools that indicate bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract
91
meningitis
inflammation of the meninges
92
meningomyelocele
birth defect where the spinal cord, spinal canal, and spine don't close properly
93
menopause
the natural, permanent end of a woman's menstrual periods and reproductive years
94
menses
the time of menstruation, or the menstrual flow
95
metabolism
the chemical processes that occur in the body to create energy and materials for cells and organisms to grow, reproduce, and stay healthy
96
metastasis
the spread of cancer cells from the original tumor to other parts of the body
97
micturition
urination, or the process of expelling urine from the bladder
98
mri
a noninvasive medical imaging test that produces detailed images of almost every internal structure in the human body, including the organs, bones, muscles and blood vessels.
99
mutation
a change in the DNA sequence of a cell
100
neoplasm
an abnormal growth of tissue that can be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous)
101
nephrectomy
Surgery to remove a kidney or part of a kidney
102
nephrolithotomy
a surgical procedure that removes kidney stones
103
neuron
A type of cell that receives and sends messages from the body to the brain and back to the body
104
neuropathy
when nerve damage leads to pain, weakness, numbness or tingling in one or more parts of your body.
105
nocturia
a condition that causes you to wake up during the night to pee
106
nuclear medicine
A branch of medicine that uses small amounts of radioactive substances to make pictures of areas inside the body and to treat disease.
107
obstetrician
a doctor who specializes in the care of women during pregnancy and childbirth
108
obstetrics
a medical specialty that focuses on the care of a mother and fetus during pregnancy, childbirth, and immediately after
109
oncology
the medical field that specializes in the study, diagnosis, treatment, and care of cancer patients
110
orchiectomy
a surgical procedure to remove one or both testicles
111
pallor
a loss of color or paleness in the skin and mucous membranes
112
palsy
paralysis or weakness in the muscles, often accompanied by tremors or loss of feeling
113
pap test
a medical procedure that examines cells from the cervix for signs of cervical cancer or precancerous cell changes
114
parenteral
situated or occurring outside the intestine. parenteral drug administration by intravenous, intramuscular, or subcutaneous injection. especially : introduced otherwise than by way of the intestines.
115
Parkinson disease
a type of movement disorder.
116
pathology
the medical study of disease, including its causes, effects, and nature
117
pediatrician
a medical doctor who specializes in the health of children from birth through adolescence
118
pedis
of the foot
119
peristalsis
The rippling motion of muscles in the intestine or other tubular organs characterized by the alternate contraction and relaxation of the muscles that propel the contents onward.
120
peritoneal
relating to the peritoneum, which is the tissue that lines the abdominal wall and covers most of the organs in the abdomen
121
pharmacology
The study of the origin, chemistry, and uses of drugs and their effects on the body.
122
posterior
the back of a structure or the back of the body
123
postpartum
The time that begins right after a woman gives birth and lasts about 6 weeks.
124
prenatal
relating to the time before birth, or during pregnancy
125
prone
the body position in which a person is lying flat on their front, face down.
126
prostate
A gland in the male reproductive system
127
proteinuria
the presence of excess protein in the urine
128
proximal
closer to the center of the body or to the point of attachment to the body
129
pruritus
itching, an irritating or painful sensation on the skin that makes you want to scratch
130
psoriasis
a chronic skin condition that causes red patches with white scales
131
puberty
the period of time when a child's body and hormones change to mark the transition into adulthood
132
pyelonephritis
kidney infection
133
quadriplegia
a medical condition that causes partial or total paralysis of the arms, hands, trunk, legs, and pelvic organs.
134
radiation
a form of energy that can be used to diagnose or treat disease, or as a source of radiant energy in imaging procedures
135
radiology
The use of radiation (such as x-rays) or other imaging technologies (such as ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging) to diagnose or treat disease.
136
radiotherapy
The use of high-energy radiation from x-rays, gamma rays, neutrons, protons, and other sources to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors
137
remission
the reduction or disappearance of a disease's signs and symptoms
138
saggital
A vertical plane running from front to back; divides the body or any of its parts into right and left sides.
139
salpingectomy
the surgical removal of one or both fallopian tubes
140
sarcoma
A type of cancer that begins in bone or in the soft tissues of the body, including cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, fibrous tissue, or other connective or supportive tissue
141
scabies
a skin disease caused by a parasitic infestation of the human itch mite
142
scleroderma
a rare, chronic autoimmune disease that causes the skin to thicken and harden
143
scrotum
the external sac of skin that holds and protects the testicles in males
144
septicemia
the presence of bacteria, viruses, or fungi in the bloodstream
145
sphincter
A ring-shaped muscle that relaxes or tightens to open or close a passage or opening in the body
146
spina bifida
a birth defect in which an area of the spinal column doesn't form properly, leaving a section of the spinal cord and spinal nerves exposed through an opening in the back
147
stroke
The sudden death of brain cells due to lack of oxygen, caused by blockage of blood flow or rupture of an artery to the brain.
148
sublingual
something is placed under the tongue
149
superior
toward the head end of the body or higher on the vertical axis
150
supine
lying on your back with your face and torso facing up
151
syncope
fainting or passing out
152
syphilis
common sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by Treponema pallidum bacteria
153
testicle
an oval-shaped gland that produces sperm and male hormones and is located inside the scrotum
154
toxicology
the study of how substances, chemicals, and situations can harm living organisms, including humans, animals, and the environment
155
trade name
brand name or trademark name given to a drug by the company that manufactures it
156
tranquilizer
A drug that calms and soothes, and reduces stress and tension.
157
transdermal
a drug or medicine is applied to the skin and absorbed into the bloodstream
158
transverse
a horizontal plane that divides the body into upper and lower sections
159
tumor
an abnormal growth of tissue that occurs when cells divide and grow more than they should, or don't die when they should
160
ultrasound
a non-invasive imaging technique that uses high-frequency sound waves to create pictures of the inside of the body
161
uremia
a condition where waste products build up in the blood due to kidney failure
162
ureter
a muscular tube that carries urine from the kidneys to the bladder
163
urethra
a tube-shaped passage that carries urine from the bladder out of the body
164
urethrotomy
a surgical procedure that widens a narrowing in the urethra, or water pipe, to treat urethral stricture disease
165
urination
the process of expelling urine from the bladder
166
urologist
a medical doctor and surgeon who specializes in diagnosing and treating conditions of the urinary and reproductive systems
167
vagus
a pair of cranial nerves that originate in the brainstem and extend from the neck to the large intestine:
168
varices
A condition in which a vein, most often in the legs, becomes permanently enlarged, twisted, and painful
169
vasectomy
a surgical procedure that involves cutting or tying off the vas deferens, the tubes that carry sperm from the testicles
170
ventral
relating to the front or anterior part of the human body:
171
verruca
a wart that grows on the sole of the foot, also known as a plantar wart
172
viscera
the soft internal organs of the body, particularly those in the chest and abdomen
173
voiding
the bodily process of discharging waste matter, such as urine or feces
174
aneurysm
a bulge or ballooning in a blood vessel wall that occurs when a weak spot in the wall balloons out due to blood pressure
175
abduction
the movement of a limb or body part away from the body's midline
176
accommodation
the ability of the eye to adjust its focus from near to far objects, and vice versa
177
acid
A chemical that gives off hydrogen ions in water and forms salts by combining with certain metals.
178
addiction
A chronic, relapsing disease characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, despite serious adverse consequences, and by long-lasting changes in the brain.
179
adduction
the movement of a body part toward the middle of the body or toward another body part
180
agglutinate
the clumping together of particles, such as bacteria or red blood cells, that are suspended in a liquid
181
albumin
a protein found in blood plasma that helps keep fluids from leaking out of blood vessels
182
alkaline
something is basic, or has a pH greater than 7 on the pH scale
183
allergen
a substance that causes an allergic reaction in a person who is sensitive to it
184
alvelous/alveoli
tiny air sacs in the lungs that facilitate the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the lungs and blood:
Definition
185
Alzheimer
a brain disorder that causes a gradual decline in memory, thinking, and behavior
186
anaphylaxis
a life-threatening, acute, and severe allergic reaction that affects the entire body.
187
anemia
a medical condition that occurs when the body doesn't have enough healthy red blood cells or when those cells aren't functioning properly
188
angiogenesis
the formation of new blood vessels
189
angioplasty
a medical procedure that widens a blocked or narrowed blood vessel to improve blood flow
190
antigen
a substance that causes the body to produce antibodies and an immune response against it
191
antihistamine
a drug that prevents or treats allergy symptoms by blocking the effects of histamine
192
anxiety
a feeling of fear, dread, and uneasiness that can be a reaction to stress
193
apnea
a temporary or complete absence of breathing
194
arteriostenosis
vascular disease where the blood vessels carrying oxygen away from the heart (arteries) become damaged from factors such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes and certain genetic influences.
195
arthocentesis
a medical procedure that involves using a sterile needle and syringe to remove fluid from a joint
196
arthralgia
pain in one or more joints
197
arthritis
the inflammation or degeneration of one or more joints
198
arthroplasty
a surgical procedure that replaces a damaged joint with an artificial joint, or prosthesis, to restore joint function
199
arthroscopy
a surgical procedure that uses a narrow tube with a camera and light to examine and treat joint problems
200
asthma
a chronic lung disease that causes the airways in the lungs to narrow and swell, making breathing difficult
201
astigmatism
common and generally treatable imperfection in the curvature of the eye that causes blurred distance and near vision
202
atherosclerosis
a condition where plaque builds up in the arteries, causing them to thicken and narrow
203
atrophy
the decrease in size or wasting away of an organ, tissue, cell, or body part
204
auditory
relating to the ear or the sense of hearing
205
auscultation
the act of listening to the sounds of the body during a physical exam, usually with a stethoscope
206
autoimmune
a medical condition that occurs when the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own healthy cells and tissues
207
bradycardia
a slow heart rate, or an abnormal heart rhythm, where the heart beats less than 60 times per minute
208
bronchodilator
a medication that relaxes the muscles in the lungs to open up the airways and make breathing easier
209
bronchus/bronchi
A large airway that leads from the trachea (windpipe) to a lung.
210
cardiac
Having to do with the heart.
211
cardiologist
a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels
212
cardiomyopathy
a disease of the heart muscle that makes it harder for the heart to pump blood
213
cataracts
A cataract is a condition in which the lens of the eye becomes cloudy, impacting a person's ability to see
214
cerumen
earwax, a waxy substance that protects and lubricates the ear canal
215
claustrophobia
an irrational fear of enclosed spaces
216
conjunctivitis
A condition in which the conjunctiva (membranes lining the eyelids and covering the white part of the eye) become inflamed or infected
217
costovertebral
relating to a rib and its adjoining vertebra.
218
croup
a respiratory illness that affects the upper airways, including the voice box (larynx), windpipe (trachea), and bronchial tubes (bronchi)
219
Cushing syndrome
a rare hormonal disorder that occurs when the body has too much cortisol, a hormone produced by the adrenal glands, over a long period of time
220
cyanosis
a bluish or purplish discoloration of the skin, lips, or nail beds caused by low levels of oxygen in the blood
221
cytoxic
A substance that kills cells, including cancer cells.
222
dementia
a decline in mental abilities that affects thinking, memory, and behavior
223
dependence
A condition in which a person takes a drug over time, and unpleasant physical symptoms occur if the drug is suddenly stopped or taken in smaller doses.
224
diabetes mellitus, type 1 & 2
a group of diseases that cause abnormally high blood sugar levels
225
diaphoresis
excessive sweating due to an underlying health condition or a medication
226
diaphoretic
excessive sweating due to a secondary condition
227
diaphysis
the main or midsection (shaft) of a long bone
228
diuretic
a drug that increases the amount of urine produced by the kidneys, helping the body get rid of excess fluid and salt
229
echocardiography
a noninvasive procedure that uses high-frequency sound waves to create an image of the heart
230
embolus
anything that moves through the blood vessels until it reaches a vessel that is too small to let it pass
231
emphysema
a chronic lung disease that damages the air sacs in the lungs, making it difficult to breathe
232
endocardium
the thin, smooth tissue that lines the heart's chambers and valves, and is the inner layer of the heart's walls
233
endocrinology
the medical specialty that focuses on the endocrine system, which is made up of glands and organs that produce hormones
234
epiphyseal plate
a hyaline cartilage plate in the metaphysis at each end of a long bone.
235
epistaxis
a nosebleed, which is bleeding from the nose, nasal cavity, or nasopharynx
236
erythropoiesis
The formation of red blood cells in blood-forming tissue.
237
eustachian tubes
a pair of fibrocartilaginous tubes that connect the middle ear to the nasopharynx, or upper throat
238
exophthalmos
bulging or protruding eyes
239
expectorate
to cough up and spit out material from the respiratory tract
240
fibrin
a protein that's involved in blood clotting and wound healing
241
fibromylagia
a chronic disorder that causes widespread pain and tenderness in the muscles and soft tissues throughout the body
242
geriatrics
the medical specialty that focuses on the health of the elderly and the process of aging
243
gerontology
the study of aging and the aging population, including the physical, mental, and social aspects of aging
244
gigantism
a rare condition that causes abnormal growth, especially in height, due to excessive growth hormone (GH) during childhood
245
glaucoma
a chronic eye disease that occurs when fluid builds up in the eye, damaging the optic nerve and causing vision loss or blindness
246
globulin
a group of proteins in the blood that are produced by the liver and immune system
247
goiter
an enlarged thyroid gland
248
gouty arthritis
a type of arthritis caused by a buildup of uric acid in the body, which leads to inflammation in the joints
249
Graves disease
autoimmune disorder that causes the thyroid gland to produce too much thyroid hormone, leading to hyperthyroidism:
250
hematemesis
vomiting blood
251
hematologist
a medical professional who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases of the blood, bone marrow, and lymphatic system.
252
hematoma
a collection of blood that forms outside of a blood vessel in a tissue, organ, or body space.
253
hemoglobin
a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues and organs, and carbon dioxide back to the lungs
254
hemolysis
the process by which red blood cells break down
255
hemophilia
a hereditary bleeding disorder that prevents blood from clotting properly
256
hemoptysis
Coughing or spitting up blood from the respiratory tract.
257
hemorrhage
a loss of blood from a damaged blood vessel
258
hemostasis
the body's natural response to stop bleeding and repair an injury
259
hirsutism
excessive growth of thick, dark hair in areas of the body where it's typically not present or minimal, such as the face, chest, and back
260
hormone
a chemical messenger that travels through the bloodstream to control the actions of cells and organs
261
hyperglycemia
high blood sugar
262
hypertension
a medical condition in which the pressure of your blood in your blood vessels is persistently too high
263
hyperthyroidism
A condition that occurs when the thyroid gland makes more thyroid hormones than the body needs
264
hypertrophy
the excessive growth or thickening of cells, which leads to an increase in the size of an organ or tissue
265
hypochondriac
An anxiety disorder that causes people to have an excessive and persistent fear of having a serious or life-threatening illness
266
hypoglycemia
low blood sugar, or low blood glucose
267
hypothyroidism
a condition in which the thyroid gland doesn't produce enough thyroid hormone
268
hypoxia
a condition where there is a lack of oxygen in the body's tissues
269
iatrogenic
an illness or injury that was caused by a medical professional, treatment, or diagnostic procedure, usually unintentionally
270
immunoglobulin
a protein in the blood and tissue fluids that helps the body fight infection
271
Immunosuppression
the state of a weakened immune system, making it harder for the body to fight infection and disease
272
insomnia
having trouble sleeping at night, staying asleep, or both
273
intercostal
something is located or extends between the ribs
274
intubation
a medical procedure that involves inserting a tube into a hollow organ or the trachea (windpipe) through the mouth or nose
275
ischemia
a part of the body is receiving less than the normal amount of blood flow
276
leukemia
a cancer that occurs in the blood and bone marrow, and is characterized by the production of abnormal white blood cells
277
lymphadenopathy
Disease or swelling of the lymph nodes
278
lymphedema
lymph fluid builds up in the body's tissues, causing swelling:
279
macrophage
a type of white blood cell that plays a key role in the body's immune system
280
macular degeneration
chronic condition that damages the retina and causes vision loss
281
mania
a period of extreme mood swings, increased energy, and disturbed thoughts that is different from a person's normal state
282
mediastinum
the space in the chest between the lungs that contains many important organs and tissues
283
murmur
an abnormal sound or extra beat heard when listening to the heart or large blood vessels with a stethoscope
284
muscular dystrophy
a group of genetic diseases that cause progressive muscle weakness and atrophy (loss of muscle mass)
285
mutation
a change in the DNA sequence of a cell
286
myopia
you can see objects that are near clearly but have difficulty seeing objects that are farther away
287
myringotomy
a procedure to create a hole in the ear drum to allow fluid that is trapped in the middle ear to drain out
288
narcissim
a range of feelings and attitudes about oneself, from healthy to pathological
289
orthopnea
shortness of breath when lying down, which is relieved by sitting or standing up
290
osmosis
the process of a solvent passing through a semipermeable membrane into a solution with a higher concentration of solute
291
osteocyte
a cell that lies within the substance of fully formed bone
292
osteogenesis
the process of bone formation and development
293
osteomyelitis
a serious bone infection that causes inflammation and swelling of the bone tissue
294
osteoporosis
a medical condition that causes bones to become weak and more likely to break:
295
otitis media
an inflammation or infection in the middle ear
296
palliative care
Care given to improve the quality of life and help reduce pain in people who have a serious or life-threatening disease, such as cancer.
297
percussion
a method of tapping body parts with fingers, hands, or small instruments as part of a physical examination
298
pericarditis
inflammation of the pericardium, the sac that surrounds the heart
299
phlebotomist
a medical professional who draws blood from patients and prepares the samples for analysis
300
phobia
an intense and irrational fear of something that poses little to no real danger
301
platelet
A tiny, disc-shaped piece of cell that is found in the blood and spleen
302
pleura
a thin layer of tissue that lines the chest cavity and covers the lungs
303
pneumonectomy
a surgical procedure to remove one or both lungs
304
presbyopia
the gradual loss of the eye's ability to focus on objects that are close up
305
psychology
the scientific study of the mind and behavior, including how the mind works and how it affects behavior
306
psychosis
a severe mental disorder that causes a person to lose touch with reality and have difficulty relating to others
307
psychosomatic
involving, or concerned with bodily symptoms caused by mental or emotional disturbance
308
respiratory
the organs, tissues, and muscles involved in breathing, or the act of breathing itself
309
schizophrenic
a chronic mental disorder that affects a person's ability to think, feel, and relate to others
310
scoliosis
causes an abnormal sideways curve of the spine, usually in the shape of an S or C
311
senility
the physical and mental decline that occurs with old age, especially the deterioration of cognitive functioning
312
serum
the clear, yellowish liquid that remains after blood cells and clotting proteins have been removed from blood
313
spirometer
an instrument that doctors use to measure how well a person's lungs are working.
314
systole
the phase of the heartbeat when the heart muscle contracts and pumps blood into the aorta and other large blood vessels
315
tetany
a condition characterized by involuntary muscle contractions and overly stimulated peripheral nerves
316
thoracentesis
a medical procedure that involves removing fluid from the pleural cavity, or the space between the lungs and the chest wall, using a needle
317
thoracic
relating to the chest, or thorax, which is the area of the body between the neck and abdomen
318
thrombus
a blood clot that forms in a blood vessel or the heart when blood cells, proteins, and platelets stick together
319
tinnitus
hearing sounds that have no external source, such as ringing, buzzing, roaring, or hissing.
320
tolerance
the capacity of the body to endure or become less responsive to a substance (such as a drug)
321
toxic
relating to poison or something harmful to the body
322
transfusion
a procedure that involves introducing whole blood or blood components into a patient's bloodstream through a vein
323
tuberculosis
a bacterial disease that affects the lungs and other parts of the body, and is spread through the air
324
vaccine
A substance or group of substances meant to cause the immune system to respond to a tumor or to microorganisms, such as bacteria or viruses
325
vasoconstriction
the narrowing of blood vessels due to the contraction of the muscles in their walls
326
vasodilation
the widening of blood vessels
327
vertebrae
the individual bones that make up the spinal column, or backbone
328
vertigo
the sensation of spinning or moving, or that the world is spinning around you
