word list medical terminology Flashcards
abdominal
relating to the abdomen.
absorption
The process of taking nutrients from the digestive system into the blood so they can be used in the body.
alopecia
hair loss, or the absence of hair from areas of the body where it’s normally found
amenorrhea
the absence of menstruation in a female of reproductive age
anabolism
a metabolic process that builds complex molecules from simpler ones, using energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate
analgesic
a medication that reduces pain without altering consciousness, sensory awareness, or nerve impulses.
anastomosis
a surgical procedure that connects two tubular structures in the body, such as blood vessels or loops of the intestine
antibiotic
a drug that treats infections caused by bacteria and other microorganisms
antiemetic
a drug or agent that prevents or reduces nausea and vomiting
antipyretic
a substance or drug that reduces fever
benign
something is not cancerous and is not likely to be dangerous or serious.
bilateral
affecting or relating to both sides of the body or two of something.
cancer
a term for a group of diseases where abnormal cells grow and spread uncontrollably in the body
carcinoma
a type of cancer that starts in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs
catabolism
metabolic process that breaks down complex molecules into smaller units to release energy and create smaller molecules
caudal
relating to the tail or hind part of the body, or being directed toward the tail
celiac
a chronic digestive and immune disorder that occurs when a person’s immune system attacks the small intestine in response to eating gluten
cerebrum
the largest part of the brain
cervix
the narrow, lower part of the uterus, or the neck of the uterus
chancre
a painless, firm ulcer that appears at the site where a pathogen enters the body
chemotherapy
a cancer treatment that uses drugs to kill or stop the growth of cancer cells
choledocholithiasis
a medical condition where gallstones are present in the common bile duct
circumcision
the surgical removal of the foreskin of a male
cirrhosis
a chronic liver disease that occurs when healthy liver tissue is replaced by scar tissue, making it difficult for the liver to function properly
colon
The longest part of the large intestine
colostomy
a surgical procedure that creates an opening in the abdomen to divert part of the colon outside of the bod
contusion
bruise, which is an injury to the soft tissue caused by a blunt force, like a fall, kick, or blow
coronal
relating to the crown of the head or of a tooth
CT scan
a medical imaging procedure that uses X-rays to create detailed 3D pictures of the inside of the body:
cytology
a medical procedure that examines cells from bodily fluids or tissues to diagnose or screen for diseases
decubitus ulcer
a skin injury caused by prolonged pressure on an area of the body
dental
relating to, used in, or specializing in dentistry or the teeth
dermatitis
skin inflammation, irritation, or swelling
dermatologist
a medical doctor who specializes in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of conditions affecting the skin, hair, nails, and mucous membranes
dermatology
the medical field that deals with the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of conditions affecting the skin, hair, nails, and mucous membranes
diagnosis
the process of identifying a disease, condition, or injury by analyzing a patient’s signs and symptoms
diarrhea
having three or more loose or watery stools in a day, or more frequently than what’s normal for an individual
distal
a body part is farther away from the center of the body than another part.
diverticulitis
a condition that occurs when pouches or sacs in the colon become inflamed or infected
duodenum
the first part of the small intestine, where food is further digested after leaving the stomach
dysphagia
difficulty swallowing
eczema
a chronic inflammatory skin condition that causes the skin to become inflamed, itchy, and red
electroencephalogram
EEG) is a medical test that measures electrical activity in the brain by recording brain waves
enamel
the hard, white, dense, inorganic substance that covers the crown of teeth
encephalitis
inflammation of the brain
endogastric
relating to or of the inside of the stomach
endometriosis
a chronic condition in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside of the uterus:
endometrium
the tissue lining the uterus
epidermis
In medical terms, the epidermis is the outermost layer of the skin:
epidural
the procedure of injecting medication into the epidural space
epigastric
relating to the upper middle part of the abdomen, or lying above or on the stomach
epilepsy
seizure disorder. Epilepsy is a chronic brain condition that causes recurring seizures, which are caused by abnormal electrical signals in the brain
episiotomy
an incision made in the perineum during childbirth
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”
follicle
a sac or pouch-like cavity formed by a group of cells that can have different functions in the body
gametes
reproductive cells in animals or plants
gastroenterologist
a doctor who specializes in the digestive system
generic name
the official, non-brand name for a medicine that usually refers to the drug’s chemical name
gestation
the period of time between conception and birth when a baby develops in the mother’s womb
gingivitis
gum disease or periodontal disease
gonads
primary reproductive organs that produce and release eggs or sperm
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.
gynecologist
a physician who specializes in gynecology, which is the study of women’s reproductive health and organs
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.
hematemesis
vomiting blood
hematuria
Hematuria; Blood in the urine.
hepatitis
inflammation of the liver
hepatomegaly
enlarged liver
histology
the study of the microscopic structure of tissues and cells
homeostasis
the body’s ability to maintain a stable internal environment, despite changes in the external environment
human papilloma virus
(HPV) is a group of related viruses
hydrocephalus
water on the brain
hysterectomy
surgical removal of the uterus
iatrogenic
an injury or illness that is caused by medical treatment or care
idiopathic
a disease or condition that has an unknown cause
ileum
the final part of the small intestine
incontinence
Inability to control the flow of urine from the bladder (urinary incontinence) or the escape of stool from the rectum (fecal incontinence).
intervertebral
flat, round cushions between vertebrae in the spine
intradermal
within or between the layers of the skin, or administered by entering the skin
intussusception
a serious condition in which part of the intestine slides into an adjacent part of the intestine
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.
lactation
the process of producing and releasing milk from the mammary glands
laparoscopy
a surgical procedure that allows a surgeon to examine the inside of the abdomen or pelvis without making large incisions
lithotripsy
noninvasive medical procedure that uses shock waves to break up kidney stones and stones in the ureter
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:
mammography
a medical procedure that uses X-rays to create images of the breast to detect breast cancer and other breast diseases
medulla
the lowest part of the brain and the inner part of an organ
melanin
a natural substance that gives color to the skin, hair, and eyes, and protects the skin and eyes from ultraviolet (UV) light damage:
melanoma
a type of skin cancer that begins in melanocytes, the cells that produce melanin and give skin its color
melena
black or tarry stools that indicate bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract
meningitis
inflammation of the meninges
meningomyelocele
birth defect where the spinal cord, spinal canal, and spine don’t close properly
menopause
the natural, permanent end of a woman’s menstrual periods and reproductive years
menses
the time of menstruation, or the menstrual flow
metabolism
the chemical processes that occur in the body to create energy and materials for cells and organisms to grow, reproduce, and stay healthy
metastasis
the spread of cancer cells from the original tumor to other parts of the body
micturition
urination, or the process of expelling urine from the bladder
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.
mutation
a change in the DNA sequence of a cell
neoplasm
an abnormal growth of tissue that can be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous)
nephrectomy
Surgery to remove a kidney or part of a kidney
nephrolithotomy
a surgical procedure that removes kidney stones
neuron
A type of cell that receives and sends messages from the body to the brain and back to the body
neuropathy
when nerve damage leads to pain, weakness, numbness or tingling in one or more parts of your body.
nocturia
a condition that causes you to wake up during the night to pee
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.
obstetrician
a doctor who specializes in the care of women during pregnancy and childbirth
obstetrics
a medical specialty that focuses on the care of a mother and fetus during pregnancy, childbirth, and immediately after
oncology
the medical field that specializes in the study, diagnosis, treatment, and care of cancer patients
orchiectomy
a surgical procedure to remove one or both testicles
pallor
a loss of color or paleness in the skin and mucous membranes
palsy
paralysis or weakness in the muscles, often accompanied by tremors or loss of feeling
pap test
a medical procedure that examines cells from the cervix for signs of cervical cancer or precancerous cell changes
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.
Parkinson disease
a type of movement disorder.
pathology
the medical study of disease, including its causes, effects, and nature