| abdomen |
belly |
| abdominal |
having to do with the belly |
| abdominal cavity |
space in the belly where the stomach, intestines, kidney, liver, gall bladder, pancreas, spleen, and ureters are found |
| abdominocentesis |
use of needle or tube to drain fluid from the belly |
| abdominoperineal resection |
surgery to remove the middle and end of the large intestine |
| abdominoplasty |
surgery to fix the stomach |
| abduction |
movement away from the middle of the body |
| abortion |
the premature end of a pregnancy |
| abrasion |
area where skin or other tissue is scraped away |
| abruptio placentae |
premature separation of the placenta from the mother |
| abscess |
swelling filled with pus |
| absorption |
the way a drug or other substance enters the body |
| acapnia |
decreased carbon dioxide in the blood |
| acetabulum |
pocket in the hip bone that holds the top of the upper leg bone |
| acidosis |
increase of acid in the blood |
| acne |
pimples |
| acoumeter |
tool used to measure hearing |
| acoustic neuroma |
growth in the ear canal |
| acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) |
contagious illness that results in decreased ability of the body to protect itself from other illnesses |
| acromegaly |
a disease of adults in which the body makes too much growth hormone |
| actinic keratosis |
skin disease (bumps) caused by extreme overexposure to the sun |
| activated partial thromboplastin time |
a test of blood clotting time used to measure the ability of the blood to clot |
| acute |
lasting a short time but often causing a serious problem |
| Addison's disease |
serious disorder in which there is decreased cortisol and aldosterone in the body, resulting in weakness, low blood pressure, and other serious problems |
| adduction |
movement toward the middle of the body |
| adenohypophysis |
gland in the brain that makes many hormones that control body functions |
| adenoidectomy |
surgery to take out the adenoids |
| adenoiditis |
inflammation of the adenoids |
| adenoids |
.infection-fighting glands in the back of the throat |
| adenomyosis |
a growth of muscle in the uterus |
| adenotome |
tool used to remove adenoids |
| adhesion |
tissue stuck together |
| adipose |
having to do with fat |
| administer |
give |
| adrenal gland |
a gland found over each kidney |
| adrenalectomy |
surgery to remove an adrenal gland |
| adrenaline |
hormone made by the adrenal glands that speeds up body organs and helps the body deal with stress |
| adrenalitis |
inflammation of one or both adrenal glands |
| adrenocortical hormone |
any of the hormones made by the outer layer of the adrenal glands |
| adrenocorticohyperplasia |
increased growth of one or both adrenal glands |
| adrenocorticotropic hormone |
hormone made by the brain that activates the adrenal glands |
| adrenomegaly |
increase in size of one or both adrenal glands |
| adrenopathy |
disease of one or both adrenal glands |
| adverse |
harmful, bad |
| aerosol |
drug or substance made as a mist to be breathed in |
| afferent |
going toward the center area |
| afterbirth |
material that provides nutrition for the unborn baby and comes out after the baby is born (placenta) |
| airway |
tube through which air passes to enter and leave the lungs |
| alanine aminotransferase (ALT) |
substance in blood that is measured to check for liver disease |
| albino |
white; lacking pigment (lacking color) |
| albuminuria |
protein in the urine |
| alcohol |
drug found in whisky, wine, and beer that slows down the central nervous system |
| aldosterone |
hormone made by the adrenal glands that controls the amount of mineral salts in the body |
| allergy |
oversensitivity to a substance |
| alopecia |
baldness |
| alpha-fetoprotein |
substance in blood that is measured to check for liver cancer, testicular cancer , and spina bifida |
| ALS |
see amyotrophic lateral aclerosis (ALS); see also Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS) |
| Alzheimer's disease |
disorder that causes mental confusion |
| amenorrhea |
when a woman has no menstrual period |
| amniocentesis |
removal of some of the waters from around an unborn baby for laboratory testing |
| amniochorial |
having to do with the tissues that surround the unborn baby |
| amniography |
x-ray of the uterus (womb) and unborn baby taken after putting a dye into the bag of waters |
| amnion |
tissue that covers the unborn baby |
| amnionitis |
inflammation of the amnion |
| amniorrhea |
leaking of waters from around the unborn baby |
| amniorrhexis |
breaking of the amnion |
| amnioscope |
tool inserted through the cervix to look at the amniotic fluid and the unborn baby |
| amniotic fluid |
waters around the unborn baby |
| amniotic sac |
bag of tissue that surrounds the unborn baby |
| amniotomy |
rupture of the membranes (breaking of the tissues around the unborn baby)- done to start labor |
| amphetamines |
drugs that speed up metabolism and decrease appetite ("speed") |
| amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) |
a disease of the nerves that causes weakness |
| anal |
having to do with the anus |
| analgesic |
drug used to control pain |
| anaphylactic shock |
serious allergic reation to a substance (e.g., food, drug) |
| androgen. |
male sex hormone |
| anemia |
decreased number of red blood cells |
| anesthesia |
loss of sensation or feeling |
| anesthetic |
drug that is used to produce loss of pain sensation |
| aneurysm |
area where an artery is swollen like a sack because the wall of the artery is weak |
| aneurysmectomy |
surgery to take out an aneurysm |
| angina pectoris |
chest pain due to decreased oxygen being supplied to the heart |
| angiocarditis |
inflammation of the heart and the blood vessels entering the heart |
| angioma |
growth made up of blood vessels or lymph vessels |
| angioplasty |
surgery to open up a narrow blood vessel |
| angiorrhaphy |
stitching a blood vessel |
| angioplasm |
cramp in the blood vessels |
| angiostenosis |
narrowing of the inside of a blood vessel |
| angled |
bent, not straight |
| ankylosing spondylitis |
inflammation of the spine causing pain and stiffness |
| ankylosis |
joint stiffness |
| anoplasty |
surgery to fix the anus |
| anorexia |
no appetite for food |
| anorexia nervosa |
mental disorder in which fear of getting fat results in starvation and weight loss |
| anoxia |
no oxygen |
| antacid |
drug used to decrease acid in the stomach (e.g., Tums, Rolaids) |
| antecubital. |
in front of the elbow |
| antepartum |
before childbirth |
| anterior |
having to do with the front of the body |
| anterior and posterior colporrhaphy |
surgery to fix weak muscles in the pelvic area |
| anterior lobe |
front part of an organ |
| anterior lobe of the pituitary |
part of the pituitary gland that discharges many hormones |
| antianginal |
drug used to relieve chest pain |
| antiarrhythmic |
drug used to resote the natural rhythm of the heart |
| antibiotic |
drug used to stop or slow down the growth of germs |
| antibody |
type of protein that helps protect the body against foreign matter, such as baccteria and viruses |
| anticoagulant |
drug used to stop blood from clotting |
| anticonvulsant |
drug used to stop seizures |
| antidiarrheal |
drug used to stop diarrhea |
| antidiuretic hormone |
hormone made by the pituitary gland that helps the kidneys keep water in the body by decreasing urine formation |
| antidote |
substance used to treat allergic reactions |
| antiemetic |
drug used to stop vomiting |
| antihistamine |
drug used to treat allergic reaction |
| antinauseant |
drug used to stop nausea and vomiting |
| antipruitic |
drug used to stop itching |
| antiseptic |
substance used to stop or slow down the growth of germs |
| antrectomy |
surgery to remove the lower part of the stomach |
| antrum |
lower part of the stomach |
| anuria |
no urine being made |
| anus |
ring of muscle that keeps the opening at the end of the digestive tract closed |
| aorta |
biggest artery in the body |
| aortic stenosis |
narrowing of the aorta where it comes out of the heart |
| aortogram |
x-ray of the aorta |
| apepsia |
without digestion |
| aphagia |
not able to swollow |
| aphasia |
not able to speak or write and not able to understand spoken or written words |
| apnea |
stopping of breathing |
| aponeurorrhaphy |
stitiching of an aponeurosis |
| aponeurosis |
strong tissue that joins muscle to bone |
| appendectomy |
surgery to remove the appendix |
| appendicitis |
inflammation of the appendix |
| appendix |
nearly, about |
| approximately |
nearly, about |
| aqueous humor |
liquid found in the front of the cavity of the eye |
| arachnoid |
middle layer of the meninges |
| areola |
dark-colored skin around the breast nipple |
| arrhythmia |
uneven heart beat |
| arteriogram |
x-ray using a dye to outline an artery |
| arterioles |
small branches of arteries |
| arteriorrhexis |
breaking of an artery |
| arteriorsclerosis |
hardening of the artery |
| artery |
the type of blood vessel that carries blood and oxygen from the heart to the rest of the body |
arthralgia |
pain in a joint |
| arthritis |
inflammation of one or more joints |
| arthrocentesis |
use of a needle to remove fluid from a joint |
| arthroclasia |
surgery to free up a joint that it is stiff so it cannot move |
| arthrodesia |
surgery to fasten a joint so it cannot move |
| arthrogram |
x-ray of a joint |
| arthroplasty |
surgery to fix a joint |
| arthrosclerosis |
stiffening of the joints |
| arthroscope |
tool used to look into a joint |
| arthrotomy |
surgery to cut into a joint |
| articular cartilage |
smooth tissue that covers the bones inside a joint |
| artificial insemination |
use of a tool to put sperm into the vagina for the purpose of beginning pregnancy |
| ascites |
fluid in the belly |
| aspartate aminotransferase (AST) |
substance in blood that is measured to detect liver disease |
| aspermia |
no sperm |
| asphyxia |
suffocation |
| aspirate |
removing a substance using suction |
| asthma |
breathing disorder in which there is a wheezing and difficulty breathing |
| astigmatism |
flaw in the curve of the eye |
| ataxia |
uncontrolled muscle movement; incoordination |
| atelectasis |
collapse of a lung |
| atherosclerosis |
hardening of the arteries |
| atraumatic |
not damaging to tissue |
| atrioventricular defect |
hole in the heart present at birth |
| atrophy |
wasting away, or decrease in size, of a body organ |
| audiogram |
report of a hearing test |
| audiologist |
doctor who studies hearing |
| audiology |
the study of hearing |
| audiometer |
tool used to measure hearing |
| audiometry |
measurement of hearing |
| aural |
having to do with the ear |
| auricle |
outside flap of the ear |
| auscultation |
use of a stethoscope to listen to sounds inside the body |
| autoimmune disease |
disorder in which a person's immune system attacks parts of his or her own body |
| bacteria |
type of germs |
| bacterial |
having to do with bacteria |
| bacterial analysis |
test used to detect and identify bacteria |
| bacterial endocarditis |
bacterial infection of the inner lining of the heart |
| bag of waters |
sack containing liquid that surrounds the unborn baby |
| balanitis |
inflammation of the end of the penis |
| balanorrhagia |
balanitis with discharge of pus from the end of the penis |
| balanorrhea |
discharge of fluid from the penis |
| barbiturates |
group of drugs that are used for different reasons, including general anesthesia, sedation, and stopping seizures |
| Bartholin's adentitis |
inflammation of the mucus-producing glands in the vagina |
| Bartholin's glands |
mucus-producing glands in the vagina |
| basal cell carcinoma |
tumor of the skin (type of skin cancer) |
| bayonet |
tool that is sharp like a knife |
| benign |
not cancerous |
| benign prostatic hypertrophy |
increase in size of the prostate gland |
| beta blocker |
drug used to slow down the heart |
| beta-HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) |
substance in blood that is measured to detect cancer of the testicles |
| bicupsid valve |
a valve in the heart that controls the flow of blood by opening and closing with each heart beat |
| bilateral |
having to do with both sides of the body |
| bile |
brown-yellow-green liquid made in the liver and stored in the gallbladder that helps with digestion |
| bile duct |
tube that carries bile |
| bilirubim |
a substance found in bile- a high level of bilirubin in the blood causes jaundice |
| binocular |
having to do with both eyes |
| biopsy |
removal of tissue so it can be looked at under a microscope |
| bleeding time |
test to measure how long it takes for a small cut to stop bleeding |
| blepharitis |
inflammation of the eyelid |
| blepharoplasty |
surgery to fix the eyelid |
| blepharoptosis |
drooping of the upper eyelid |
| blood |
red liquid pumped by the heart |
| blood pressure (BP) |
the pressure of blood flowing through blood vessels |
| blood urea nitrogen (BUN) |
substance in blood that is measured to check kidney function |
| blood vessels |
tubes that carry blood through the body |
| bone marrow |
soft tissue inside bones that makes blood cells |
| bone marrow biopsy |
use of a needle to remove bone marrow so that it can be looked at under a microscope |
| bone marrow transplant |
putting normal bone marrow from one person into another person |
| bowel |
the intestine |
| bradycardia |
slow heart beat |
| bradykinesia |
moving slow |
| bradypepsia |
slow digestion |
| brain |
main part of the central nervous system |
| brais stem |
joins the brain to the spinal column |
| brand name |
commercial name for a drug |
| breasts |
milk-producing glands of women |
| breech birth |
when feet, buttocks, or knees come out before head at birth |
| bronchi |
more than one bronchus |
| bronchitis |
inflammation of the bronchi |
| brochoconstrictor |
drug used to make the bronchi tighten up and become narrower |
| bronchodilator |
drug used to make the bronchi open up and become bigger |
| bronchogenic |
beginning in the bronchus |
| bronchogram |
x-ray of the bronchi |
| bronchoplasty |
surgery to fix the bronchi |
| bronchopneumonia |
inflammation of the bronchi and lungs |
| bronchoscope |
tool used to look into the bronchi |
| bronchospasm |
sudden, uncontrolled narrowing of airways in lungs |
| bronchus |
tube that carries air from the bronchi |
| bulimia |
an eating disorder in which a person cannot stop eating and often vomits to make room for more food |
| bunion |
bone growth inside the base of the big toe |
| bursa |
small sack filled with liquid that cushions moving parts, such as two bones in a joint |
| bursitis |
inflammation of the bursa |
| bursolith |
stone in a bursa |
| bursotomy |
surgery to cut into a bursa |
| bypass |
an artificial passageway from one blood vessel to another to get around a blood clot |
| caffeine |
drug found in coffee and colas that speeds up the central nervous system, heart rate, and blood pressure |
| calcaneus |
heel bone |
| calcipenia |
low in calcium |
| cancellous bone |
a type of bone that looks like a sponge |
| cancer |
abnormal tissue that grows and spreads in the body until it kills |
| cancer chemotherapy |
treatment of cancer using drugs |
| cancer radiotherapy |
treatment of cancer using x-rays |
| cancerous |
having to do with cancer |
| capillary |
tiny blood vessel that connects arterioles to venules |
| carbohydrates |
type of fuel for the body that includes sugars and starches |
| carbuncle |
group of boils on the skin |
| carcinoembryonic antigen |
substance in blood that is measured to detect tumors of stomach or intestines |
| carcinogenic |
causing cancer |
| carcinoma |
type of cancer |
| cardiac |
having to do with the heart |
| cardiac arrest |
stopping of the heart |
| cardiac catheterization |
putting a catheter into the heart to test for or treat a heart problem |
| cardiac pacemaker |
battery-powered tool put under the skin to control the heart rate |
| cardiac scan |
ultrasonographic test to view the structure of the heart |
| cardiac tamponade |
squeezing of the heart caused by fluid or blood build-up in the sac around the heart |
| cardiodynia |
pain in the heart |
| cardiogenic |
beginning in the heart |
| cardiologist |
doctor who treats disorders of the heart |
| cardiology |
increase in the size of the heart |
| cardiomegaly |
disorder of the heart muscle |
| cardiomyopathy |
disorder of the heart muscle |
| cardiopulmonary bypass |
artificial passageway through which blood goes around the heart during open-heart surgery |
| cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) |
giving artificial respiration and heart massage to try to save a person whose breathing or heart has stopped |
| cardiotonic |
drug used to strengthen the pumping action of the heart |
| cardiovalvulitis |
inflammation of the heart valves |
| cardioversion |
use of electric shock to make the heart beat with normal rhythm |
| carpal |
having to do with the wrist |
| carpal bones |
wrist bones |
| carpal tunnel syndrome |
painful disorder caused by a pinch nerve in the wrist |
| carpectomy |
surgery to remove a wrist bone |
| carpoptosis |
drooping wrist |
| cartilage |
a rubbery type of tissue that pads the joints and keeps the shape of the nose and outside ear flaps |
| cataract |
clouding of the lens of the eye |
| cathartic |
drug used to stop constipation |
| catheter |
flexible, tube-like tool used to take fluids out or put fluids into the body |
| caudal |
toward the lower side of an organ or structure |
| cecum |
the first part of the large intestine, which is shaped like a pouch |
| celiotomy |
surgery to cut into the abdominal cavity |
| cell |
the basic building block of all living things |
| cell membrane |
layer that surrounds a cell |
| cellulitis |
inflammation of connective tissue |
| central nervous system (CNS) |
the brain and spinal cord |
| central nervous system drugs |
drugs that speed up or slow down the central nervous system |
| cephalagia |
headache |
| cephalic |
related to the head or the head end of the body |
| cephalosporin |
type of antibiotic |
| cerebellitis |
.inflammation of the cerebellum |
| cerebellum |
the part of the brain that controls the movement of the muscles and helps maintain balance |
| cerebral |
having to do with the cerebrum |
| cerebral aneurysm |
aneurysm in the brain |
| cerebral angiography |
x-ray of the blood vessels in the brain |
| cerebral palsy (CP) |
birth disorder of the brain that results in difficulty moving |
| cerebral thrombosis |
blood clot in the brain |
| cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) |
the liquid around and in the brain and spinal cord |
| cerebrovascular accident (CVA) |
stroke |
| cerebrum |
largest part of the brain, divided into right and left side |
| cerumen |
ear wax |
| ceruminoma |
growth inside the gland that discharges ear wax |
| cervical vertebrae |
bones of the neck |
| cervicectomy |
surgery to remove the cervix |
| cervicitis |
inflammation of the cervix |
| chalazion |
pimple on the eyelid caused by an inflamed gland |
| cheilorrhaphy |
surgery to stitch a lip |
| chemical name |
chemical formula for a drug (generic) |
| chemotherapeutic agent |
anticancer drug |
| chemotherapy |
treatment of disease using drugs |
| chest cavity |
space where the heart, lungs, esophagus, traches, bronchi, and thymus are located |
| chiropodist |
doctor who treats disorders of the feet |
| chiroproctor |
doctor who treats disorders of the spine and nerves |
| chisel |
wedge-like tool with a blade that is used for cutting or chipping |
| chlamydia |
type of germ that usually infects the eyes, lungs, or sex organs |
| chloasma |
a tumor arising from the skin and other organs |
| cholangiogram |
x-ray of the gallbladder and bile ducts |
| cholangioma |
cancer of a bile duct |
| cholecystectomy |
surgery to remove the gallbladder |
| cholecystitis |
inflammation of the gallbladder |
| choledocholithiasis |
gallstonees in a bile duct |
| choledocholithotripsy |
surgery to crush gallstones in a bile duct |
| cholelithiasis |
gallstones |
| cholinergic |
type of nerve or a drug used to change its action |
| chondrectomy |
surgery to remove cartilage |
| chondromalacia |
softening of joint cartilage, usually inside the knee |
| chorioamnionitis |
inflammation of the tissue that covers the unborn baby |
| chorion |
outside layer of the tissue that covers the unborn baby |
| choroid |
middle layer of the eyeball |
| chromosomes |
structures that hold the genes |
| chronic |
lasting a long time |
| chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) |
lung disorder in which the flow of air to the lungs is blocked (e.G., emphysema) |
| cicatrix |
scar |
| circumcision |
surgery to remove the foreskin |
| cirrhosis |
serious liver disorder in which connective tissue replaces normal liver tissue, and liver failure often occurs |
| clavicle |
collarbone |
| cleft lip and plate |
birth defect in which there is a split in the lip and the roof of the mouth |
| clinical trial |
research study |
| clip |
metal fastener used to join or close the edges pf a wound |
| clitoris |
sensitive female sex tissue located above the opening for urination |
| coagulation time |
measure of how long it takes for blood to clot in a test tube |
| coarctation of the aorta |
birth disorder in which an area of the aorta is very narrow |
| coccyx |
tailbone |
| cochlea |
the organ of hearing inside the ear |
| coitus |
sexual intercourse between a man and a woman |
| colectomy |
surgery to remove part or all of the colon |
| colonoscope |
tool used to look into the colon |
| colostomy |
an opening, or the surgery to make an opening, between the colon and the outside of the body |
| colpitis |
inflammation of the vagina |
| colporrhaphy |
stitching of the vagina |
| colposcope |
tool with magnifying glass used to look into the vagina and at the cervix |
| coma |
varying degrees of unconsciousness from which a person may not awaken |
| compact bone |
hard layers of the bone |
| compensation |
payment, money |
| complications |
difficulties, problems |
| computerized tomography (CT) |
x-ray machine that uses a computer to make pictures of the organs of the body |
| computerized axial tomography (CAT) |
x-ray machine that uses a computer to make pictures of the body |
| conception |
the beginning of pregnancy when the fertilized egg implants in the uterus |
| concomitant |
given at the same time |
| concussion |
uncnsciousness resulting from a blow to the head affecting the brain |
| condom |
cover worn over the penis during sexual intercourse to prevent infecion or pregnancy |
| congenital anomaly |
birth defect |
| congenital heart disease (CHD) |
heart disease present at birth |
| congenital heart failure (CHF) |
failure of the heart resulting in fluid build-up in the lungs, other body tissues, or both |
| conjunctiva |
tissue that lines the eyelids and covers part of the eye inside its sockets |
| conjunctivitis |
inflammation of the conjunctiva |
| connective tissue |
type of tissue that connects, supports, touches, and surrounds variuos body parts |
| conscious |
awake and aware |
| consequences |
outcomes, results |
| constipation |
decreased number of or difficulty making bowel movements |
| contraindications |
medical reasons that prevent a person from using a certain drig or treatment |
| contusion |
bruise |
| convulsion |
seizure |
| Coombs' test |
blood test to detect antibodies against red blood cells that is used in analyzing blood problems and crossmatching blood for transfusions |
| cor pulmonale |
heart disease or heart failure caused by a disorder of the lungs |
| cornea |
clear tissue covering the front part of the eye |
| corneoiritis |
inflammation of the cornea and iris |
| coronary artery |
atery that supplies blood to the heart |
| coronary artery byass graft (CABG) |
surgery to make a new passgaeway for blood to the heart |
| coronary ischemia |
not enough blood going to the heart |
| coronary thrombosis |
blood clot in a coronary artery |
| corpus |
main portion of a body part or organ |
| cortex |
outer layer of an organ or other structure in the body |
| cortical |
having to do with a cortex |
| corticotropin |
hormone made by the brain that activates the adrenal glands |
| cortisol |
important hormone made by the adrenal gland that affects metabolism and mineral balance |
| costectomy |
surgery to remove a rib |
| cough |
sudden, loud flow if air from the lungs |
| CPR |
see cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) |
| cranial |
related to the head or top of the body |
| cranial cavity |
space inside the skull that holds the brain |
| cranioplasty |
surgery to fix the skull |
| craniotomy |
surgery on the skull or to make an opening in the skull |
| cranium bifidum |
birth defect in which there is a crack in the skull |
| creatinine clearance test |
blood test used to see if the kidneys can effctively remove creatinine from the blood |
| cretinism |
a birth defect in which lack of thyroid hormone results in stopping of physical and mental development |
| Crohn's disease |
serious inflammation of any part of the gastrointestinal tract |
| crossmatch |
blood test to check if it is safe to give blood transfusion to a person |
| croup |
children's breathing disorder resulting in coughing and harsh breathing |
| cryoextraction of the lens |
surgery using low temperatures to remove a cataract |
| cryoretinopexy |
surgery of the innermost layer of the eye |
| culdocentesis |
removal of fluid from the pouch between the vagina and the rectum |
| culdoscope |
tool used to look into the pouch between the vagina and the rectum |
| cumulation |
increased action of a drug when given over a period of time |
| curt (curette) |
spoon shaped tool used for scraping or cutting |
| curved |
having a curved handle or a curved blade |
| Cushing's syndrome |
disorder caused by too much of the adrenal hormones or long-time use of cortisone-type drugs in which there are many symptoms, including a fat, round face and weakness |
| cyanosis |
blue color of tissues such as the skin or gums caused by too little oxygen |
| cyesiology |
the study of pregnancy |
| cyesis |
pregnancy |
| cyst |
any closed sac in the body, especially one that contains fluid or semisolid material |
| cystectomy |
surgery to remove the urinary bladder or gallbladder, also, removal of a cyst |
| cystic fibrosis (CF) |
genetic disorder of glands resulting in lung and digestive problems |
| cystitis |
inflammation of the urinary bladder |
| cystocele |
type of hernia in which the urinary bladder bulges into the vagina |
| cystogram |
x-ray of the urinary bladder |
| cystolith |
stone in the urinary bladder |
| cystolithotomy |
surgery to remove a stone from the urinary bladder |
| cystoscope |
tool used to look into the urinary bladder |
| cystostomy |
surgery to make an opening into the urinary bladder |
| cystotrachelotomy |
surgical cut into the neck of the urinary bladder |
| cystoureterogram |
x-ray of the urinary bladder and ureters |
| cytogenic |
making cells |
| cytoid |
like a cell |
| cytology |
the study of cells |
| cytomegalovirus (CMV) |
type of herpes virus |
| cytoplasm |
material inside a cell |
| dacryocytitis |
inflammation of the tear sac |
| dacryocystorhinostomy |
surgery to make an opening between the tear sac and the nose |
| debridement |
surgery to clean foreign material and dead tissue out of a wound |
| decubital ulcer |
bedsore |
| decubitus ulcer |
bedsore |
| deep |
inside the body |
| deep vein thrombosis |
blood clot in a deep vein |
| defecation |
making a bowel movement |
| defribrillation |
use of electric shock to make the heart start beating, or to correct an abnormal heart rate or rhythm |
| dementia |
mental decline |
| deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) |
material that makes up the genes |
| depressant |
drug that slows down the action of the central nervous system |
| dermabrasion |
method used to remove scars from the skin |
| dermatitis |
skin iflammation |
| dermatoautoplasty |
skin grafting using skin from another area of the patient's body |
| dermatofibroma |
type of benign skin growth |
| dermatoheteroplasty |
skin grafting using skin from another person |
| dermatologist |
doctor who treats disorders of the skin |
| dermatome |
tool used to cut thin slices of the skin to use as skin grafts |
| dermatoplasty |
surgery to repair the skin |
| dermis |
inner layer of the skin |
| detached retina |
separation of the retina from the middle layer of the eye |
| determine |
find out, see if |
| deviated septum |
when the inner wall separating the two sides of the nose is off to one side |
| diabetes insipidus |
excessive discharge of urine from the body caused by a deficiency in the quantity of antidiuretic hormone being produced in the body |
| diabetes mellitus |
disorder in which there is decreased insulin in the body or the body's insulin is not effective, resulting in high blood sugar, increased thirst and urine, and many other side effects |
| diagnosis |
determination of the cause of a medical problem |
| diaphoresis |
heavy sweating |
| diaphragm |
thin flat muscle that helps with breathing and separates the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity |
| diaphragmatocele |
bulging of the abdominal organs into the chest area through a hole in the diaphragm |
| diaphysis |
the long part of arm and leg bones |
| diarrhea |
frequent, loose bowel movement |
| diastole |
the time when the heart rests between contractions and fills with blood |
| digital rectal exam |
exam using a finger inside the rectum to fell internal organs such as the prostate gland and uterus |
| dilation and curettage (D&C) |
surgery to remove the contents and inner lining of the uterus after a miscarriage or abortion; procedure is also used to treat abnormal bleeding |
| dilator |
tool used for stretching or enlarging an opening or tube |
| diplopia |
seeing double |
| diskectomy |
surgery to remove one of the rings between the bones that make up the spine |
| dissector |
tool used to separate or cut apart tissue |
| disseminate |
scatter or spread |
| distal |
away from the center of the body; distant |
| distended |
stretched out or swollen, such as a full bladder |
| diuresis |
increased discharge of urine |
| diuretic |
drug used to get excess water out of the body and increase urine; "water pill" |
| diverticulectomy |
surgery to remove abnormal pooming off to the colon |
| diverticulitis |
inflammation of abnormal pouches coming off of the colon |
| diverticulosis |
abnormal pouches coming off the colon |
| Doppler flow studies |
use of ultrasonography to see blood flow inside blood vessels |
| dorsal |
having to do with the back of the body |
| double-blind trial |
test or experiment in which neither the person giving the treatment nor the patient knows which treatment the patient is receiving |
| Down's syndrome |
birth disorder in which there is one extra chromosome, mental retardation, and changed appearance of the head, hands, and feet |
| duct |
tube that carries a body fluid |
| ductus deferens |
tube that carries sperm out of the testicle |
| dull |
not sharp |
| duodenal ulcer |
sore in the duodenum |
| duodenum |
first part of the small intestine |
| dura mater |
outer layer of the meninges (membranes that surround brain and spinal cord) |
| duritis |
inflammation of the dura mater |
| dyscrasia |
disorder, usually of the blood cells |
| dysentery |
inflammation of the intestine, usually the colon, resulting in pain and in blood and mucus in bowel movements |
| dysmenorrhea |
painful menstruation |
| dyspepsia |
trouble digesting food with discomfort after meals |
| dysphagia |
trouble swallowing |
| dysphasia |
difficulty speaking and putting words together |
| dysphonia |
trouble with the voice and speaking |
| dysplasia |
abnormal development or cell growth |
| dyspnea |
trouble breathing |
| dystocia |
difficult childbirth |
| dysuria |
pain when urinating |
| ecchymosis |
black and blue mark; bruise |
| echnocardiogram |
picture of the heart in motion made using ultrasonography |
| echoencephalography |
use of ultrasonography to record the shape of the brain |
| eclampsia |
convulsions in a pregnant woman caused by high blood pressure and other medical problems |
| ectopic pregnancy |
pregnancy growing outside the uterus, often in fallopian tubes |
| eczema |
type of itchy skin rash |
| edema |
swelling caused by fluid held in the tissues |
| efferent |
going away from the center of the body |
| ejaculation |
discharge of semen from the penis during the climax of sexual intercourse |
| electrocardiogram (ECG) |
picture of the electrical action of the heart |
| electrocardiograph |
machine that records the electrical action of the heart |
| electroencephalogram (EEG) |
picture of brain wave activity |
| electroencephalograph |
machine that records brain wave activity |
| elevator |
tool used for lifting tissue |
| embolectomy |
surgery to remove a blood clot |
| embolus |
blood clot |
| embryo |
unborn baby from 2 to 8 weeks after it is formed |
| embryoid |
looking like an embryo |
| embryology |
the study of the development of the unborn baby |
| emesis |
vomiting |
| emetic |
drug used to make a person vomit; useful in treating poisoning |
| emmetropia |
normal condition of the eye when light focuses correctly on the retina |
| emollient |
substance that softens the skin |
| emphysema |
disorder in which too much air collects deep in the lungs |
| encephalitis |
inflammation of the brain |
| encephalomyeloradiculitis |
inflammation of the brain, the spinal cord, and the spinal nerve roots |
| encephalosclerosis |
hardening of the brain |
| endocervicitis |
inflammation of the inner lining of the cervix |
| endocrinologist |
doctor who treats disorders of the glands that make hormones |
| endocrinopathy |
disease of the glands that make hormones; hormonal imbalance |
| endometriosis |
growths outside of the uterus made up of the tissues that lines the uterus |
| endometritis |
inflammation of the inner lining of the uterus |
| endometrium |
inner lining of the uterus |
| endophthalmitis |
inflammation of the contents of the eye |
| endorphin |
substance made by the body to stop pain |
| endoscope |
tool used to look into body structures and hollow organs, such as the stomach |
| endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) |
x-ray of the bile and pancreatic ducts made using an endoscope |
| endosteum |
tissue that lines the inside of bone |
| endotracheal |
inside the windpipe |
| enema |
liquid that is injected into the rectum to promote bowel movement |
| enterorrhaphy |
surgery to stitch the intestine |
| enucleation |
surgery to remove the eye |
| epidermal |
having to do with the outer layer of the skin |
| epidermis |
outer layer of skin |
| epididymis |
tubes that stores and carries sperm |
| epigastric region |
area above the navel |
| epiglottis |
flap of skin that keeps food from going down the windpipe |
| epiglottitis |
inflammation of the epiglottis |
| epilepsy |
seizure disorder |
| epinephrine |
hormone made by the adrenal glands that speeds up body organs and helps the body deal with stress |
| epiphysis |
growth area of a long bone |
| episioperineoplasty |
surgery to fix the vulva and perineum |
| episiorrhaphy |
stitching a tear in the vulva |
| episiotomy |
surgical cut in the vagina to keep it from tearing when a baby is being born |
| epistaxis |
nosebleed |
| epithelial |
having to do with the epithelium |
| epithelioma |
benign or malignant growth made up of epithelial tissue |
| epithelium |
type of tissue that covers the outside of the body and makes up the lining and outer layers of most body organs and parts |
| equivalent |
equal, same |
| erythema |
redness |
| erythrocyte count |
the number of erythrocytes in the blood |
| erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) |
blood test that measures how long it takes for erythrocytes to sink to the bottom of a tube- used to check for inflammation in the body |
| erythrocytes |
cells in blood that carry oxygen; red blood cells |
| erythrocytosis |
increase in number of red blood cells |
| erythroderma |
red skin |
| esophagogastroduodenoscopy |
use of an endoscope to look into the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum |
| esophagoscope |
tool used to look into the esophagus |
| estrogen |
female sex hormone |
| estrogen receptor assay |
blood test used to detect tumor cells in patients with breast cancer |
| etiology |
the cause or causes of an illness |
| eupnea |
normal breathing |
| eustachian tube |
tube that connects the middle ear and the throat |
| eversion |
turning inside out |
| excretion |
the way that substances leave the body |
| exophthalmic |
has a bulging eyeball or eyeballs |
| exophthalmos |
bulging of one or both eyeballs |
| exostosis |
bony growth on the surface of a bone |
| extension |
the straight position of an arm or leg |
| external auditory meatus |
opening or passageway between the outside of the ear and the eardrum |
| external ear |
outside part of the ear |
| external genitalia |
sex organs on the outside of the body: penis, scrotum, and urethra in men; vulva, clitoris, and urethra in women |
| extracorporeal |
outside of the body |
| extravasation |
escape of blood from blood vessels and into tissue |
| gait |
the way a person walks |
| galactorrhea |
too much discharge of milk from the breast |
| gallbladder |
small sack under the liver that holds bile |
| gamma globulin |
type of pron that helps the body fight infection |
| ganglion |
group of nerve cells found outside the central nervous system; or a benign tumor on muscle connective tissue or on a tendon |
| ganglionectomy |
surgery to remove a ganglion |
| ganglionitis |
inflammation of a ganglion |
| gangrene |
death of tissue caused by loss of blood flow and usually followed by infection |
| gastrectomy |
surgery to remove all or part of the stomach |
| gastric lavage |
washing the stomach out |
| gastric ulcer |
sore in the stomach |
| gastritis |
inflammation of the stomach |
| gastriodynia |
pain in the stomach |
| gastroenteritis |
inflammation of the stomach and intestines |
| gastroscope |
tool used to look into the stomach |
| gastrostomy |
surgery to make an opening from the outside of the body into the stomach |
| gavage |
feeding a person through a tube that goes into the stomach |
| general anesthesia |
physical state of unconsciousness and loss of pain sensation caused by anesthetic drugs |
| generic name |
chmical name for a drug |
| genes |
material passed from parent to child that determines the make-up of the body and mind |
| genetic |
having to do with the genes |
| genital |
having to do with the sex organs |
| genital herpes |
disease caused by a herpesvirus in which there are blisters on the genitalia |
| genitalia |
male and female sex organs |
| gingiva |
the gums |
| gingivectomy |
surgery to remove gum tissue |
| gingivitis |
inflammation of the gums |
| gland |
tissue that produces a material, such as the saliva or a hormone |
| glans penis |
end of the penis |
| glaucoma |
increased pressure inside the eye that causes visual problems |
| globulins |
proteins in the blood |
| glomerulonephritis |
inflammation of the kidney |
| glomerulus |
place in the kidney where urine is formed |
| glossitis |
inflammation of the tongue |
| glossopathy |
disease of the tongue |
| glossorrhaphy |
surgery to stitch the tongue |
| glucocorticoids |
drugs or natural substances made by the adrenal glands that have many effects on body metabolism, raise sugar level in the blood, and reduce inflammation |
| glucose |
type of sugar found in the blood |
| glucose tolerance test |
test that measures blood sugar levels over a certain amount of time in a patient after he drinks a beverage that contains a measured amount of sugar |
| glycosuria |
sugar in urine |
| gonad |
sex gland: female ovary or male testicle |
| gonorrhea |
type of bacterial infection in the sex organs and sometimes in the skin and joints |
| gout |
disorder in which crystals of uric acid deposit in and around joints, causing pain and arthritis |
| granulocytopenia |
drop in white blood cell count |
| growth hormone (GH) |
hormone made by the pituitary gland that controls the growth of the body |
| guaiac test |
test for blood in stool |
| gynecologist |
doctor who test disorders of the sex organs of women |
| gynecology |
the study of the reproductive system of women |
| hair |
thin strands of protein that grow up from the hair follicles |
| heart |
muscle that moves or pumps blood through the body |
| heart failure |
when the heart inadequaately pumps blood through the body |
| heart murmur |
swishing sound, heard when listening to the heart through a stethoscope, caused by abnormal flow of blood through the heart |
| hematemesis |
blood in vomit |
| hematocrit |
the percentage of blood made up of red blood cells |
| hematocytopenia |
not enough blood cells |
| hematologist |
doctor who treats blood disorders |
| hematology |
the study of blood |
| hematoma |
pocket of blood caused by bleeding from a broken blood vessel; appears "black and blue" |
| hematopoiesis |
the making of blood cells |
| hematosalpinx |
blood in the uterine tube |
| hematuria |
blood in the urine |
| hemiparesis |
muscle weakness or partial paralysis, usually with loss of feeling, on half of the body |
| hemiplegia |
total loss of muscle movement, usually with loss of feeling, on half of the body |
| hemodialysis |
method used to remove waste material from the blood |
| hemoglobin (Hgb) |
substance that carries oxygen and gives blood its red color |
| hemolysis |
bursting open of red blood cells |
| hemophilia |
genetic defect in which blood clots too slowly |
| hemorrhage |
bleeding, escape of blood from blood vessels |
| hemorrhoidectomy |
surgery to remove hemorrhoids |
| hemorrhoids |
twisted and bulging veins in the rectal area |
| hemostasis |
the stopping of bleeding |
| hemothorax |
blood in the chest cavity |
| hepatitis |
inflammation of the liver |
| hepatoma |
growth on the liver |
| hernia |
bulging of an organ through an abnormal opening in a muscle wall |
| herniated disk |
breaking of a ring-shaped pad in the spine, which often pinches a nerve; slipped disk |
| herniorrhaphy |
surgery to fix a hernia |
| herpes |
groups of tiny blisters found on the skin caused by infection with a herpesvirus |
| heterosexual |
person who is attracted to the opposite sex |
| hiccup |
sudden, uncontrolled spasm of the diaphragm |
| hidradenitis |
inflammation of a sweat gland |
| hip bone |
bone at the lower part of the body trunk |
| hirsutism |
abnormal hairiness (in women, an adult male pattern of hair distribution |
| histology |
the study of tissue under the microscope |
| Hodgkin's disease |
a cancer of white blood cells |
| homosexual |
person who is attracted to the same sex |
| hordeolum |
infection of the oil glands of the eyelids |
| hormone |
substance made by a gland in the body that regulates another part of the body |
| Hospital Formulary |
list of drugs and their proper doses maintained by each hospital |
| humeral |
having to do with the upper arm bone |
| humerus |
upper arm bone |
| hydrocephalus |
increase in fluid in usually causing pressure on the brain; water on the brain |
| hydronephrosis |
abnormal collection of urine in the kidney causing a swollen kidney |
| hydrosalpinx |
fluid in the uterine tube |
| hymen |
fold of tissue at the opening of the vagina |
| hymenectomy |
surgery to remove the hymen |
| hypercalcemia |
too much calcium in the blood |
| hypercapnia |
too much carbon dioxide in the blood |
| hyperesthesia |
very sensitive to touch |
| hyperglycemia |
too much sugar in the blood |
| hyperkalemia |
too much potassium in the blood |
| hyperkinesis |
overactive movements |
| hyperopia |
farsightedness |
| hyperplasia |
abnormal increase in the number of normal cells |
| hypertension |
high blood pressure |
| hypertensive heart disease |
heart problems caused by high blood pressure |
| hyperthyroidism |
overactive thyroid gland |
| hyperventilation |
breathing that is too fast |
| hypnotic |
drug used to make a person sleep |
| hypocalcemia |
not enough calcium in the blood |
| hypocapnia |
not enough carbon dioxide on the blood |
| hypochondriac region |
area to the right or left above the naval |
| hypodermic |
under the skin |
| hypodermic injection |
injection of a substance under the skin |
| hypoesthesia |
state of having less than normal sensitivity to stimulation |
| hypogastric region |
area below the naval |
| hypoglycemia |
not enough sugar in the blood |
| hypokalemia |
not enough potassium in the blood |
| hyponea |
weak, slow breathing |
| hypospadias |
birth defect in which the urethra opens under the penis instead of the tip of the penis |
| hypotension |
low blood pressure |
| hypothermia |
low body temperature |
| hypothyroidism |
underactive thyroid gland |
| hypotonia |
decreased muscle tone |
| hypoventilation |
too little air entering the lungs |
| hypoxemia |
not enough oxygen in the blood |
| hypoxia |
not enough oxygen in the tissues |
| hysteratresia |
birth defect in which the uterus does not open to the outside of the body |
| hysterectomy |
surgery to remove the uterus |
| hysteropexy |
surgery to fasten down the uterus in its normal position |
| hysterosalpingo-oophorectomy |
surgery to remove all of the internal female reproductive organs |
| hysterosalpingography |
taking an x-ray of the uterus and the uterine tubes using a dye to outline them |
| hysteroscope |
tool used to look into the uterus |
| iatrology |
the science of medicine |
| icterus |
too much bile in the blood causing a yellow color to the skin, gums, eye, and other tissues |
| idiopathic |
of unknown cause |
| idiosyncrasy |
rare side effect of a drug; unusual reaction of a person to a drug |
| ileocecal |
having to do with the ileum and the cecum |
| ileum |
third and last part of the small intestine |
| ileus |
blockage of the intestines |
| iliac regions |
areas to the right and left below the naval |
| iliofemoral |
having to do with the hip and thigh bones |
| ilium |
wing-shaped upper part of the hip bone |
| immune globulins |
proteins that help protect the body from infection and foreign matter |
| immune system |
the cells and substances that protect the body from infection and foreign matter |
| immunity |
protection against infection |
| immunodeficiency |
weakness of the immune system |
| impedance plethysmography |
test used to find blood clots |
| impetigo |
skin infection |
| impotent |
not able to have or to keep an erection during sexual intercourse |
| incontinence |
not able to control bladder or bowel actions |
| induration |
hard spot |
| inferior |
toward the lower part of the body |
| inflammation |
swelling, redness, and pain in tisuues caused by injury or damage |
| influenza |
the flu |
| infusion |
placing a liquid substance into a vein by letting it flow in with gravity |
| inhalant |
substance given through the nose or mouth to reach the lungs |
| insulin |
the hormone that controls blood sugar levels |
| interictal |
happening between seizures |
| intermittent claudication |
pain and weakness in the legs when walking is impossible and then goes away after a rest |
| intervertebral disks |
pads found between each ring (bone) in the spine |
| intracavity injection |
injection of a substance into a body cavity |
| intracoronary thrombolytic therapy |
injection of medicine to dissolve a blood clot in an artery of theheart |
| intracranial |
inside the skull |
| intradermally |
given into the skin |
| intradermal injection |
injection of a substance into the skin |
| intradermal tests |
allergy tests performed by injecting allergy-causing substances underneath the skin to see if they cause a reaction |
| intramuscular injection (IM) |
injection of a substance into a muscle (e.g., upper arm pr backside) |
| intraocular |
within the eye |
| intrathecal injection |
injection of a substance into the space surrounding the spinal cord (i.e., spinal canal) |
| intravenous (IV) injection |
injection of a substance into a vein |
| intravenous pyelogram |
x-ray of the kidneys and ureters using dye that is injected into the blood |
| intussusception |
telescoping of the intestine into itself |
| inversion |
turning inward |
| investigation |
study |
| iritis |
inflammation of the iris |
| irritable bowel syndrome |
bowel disorder in which there is pain and diarrhea or constipation |
| ischium |
lower part of the pelvic bone, part you sit on |
| islets of Langerhans |
tissue in the pancreas that makes and discharges insulin and other hormones |
| isthmus |
thin strip of tissue that joins two parts of the body |
| labyrinth |
structure in the inner ear |
| labyrinthectomy |
surgery to remove the inner ear |
| labyrinthitis |
inflammation of the inner ear |
| laceration |
torn, ragged cut |
| lacrimal |
having to do with the tears |
| lacrimal duct |
.passageway in the eyelids that drains tears; a type of tear duct |
| lactating |
making milk |
| lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) |
substance measured in a blood test to assess damage to heart and other organs |
| lactogenic |
causing the making of breast milk |
| lactorrhea |
too much discharge of milk from the breast |
| laminectomy |
surgery to remove the top of vertebra |
| laparoscope |
tool used to look into the abdominal cavity |
| laparotomy |
surgery to make an opening into the wall of the belly to llok inside with a laparoscope |
| large intestine |
the bowel between the small intestine and the anus, including the cecum, colon, and rectum |
| laryngeal |
having to do with the voice box |
| laryngectomy |
surgery to remove the voice box |
| laryngitis |
inflammation of the voice box |
| laryngocentesis |
surgery to puncture the voice box |
| laryngoplasty |
surgery to fix the voice box |
| laryngoscope |
tool used to look into the voice box |
| laryngospasm |
sudden, uncontrolled cramp in the voice box |
| laryngostomy |
surgery to make an opening into the voice box |
| laryngotracheobronchitis |
inflammation of the larynx, windpipe, and bronchi; croup |
| larynx |
voice box |
| laser angioblast |
using a laser light to open blocked arteries |
| lateral |
toward or having to do with the side of the body |
| latex agglutination test |
blood test used to detect antibodies |
| laxative |
drug used to stop constipation |
| LE (lupus erythematosus)-cell test |
blood test used to detect the presence of a certain type of white blood cell seen in people with lupus erythematosus and similar disorders |
| legionnaires' disease |
serious disorder caused by bacterial infection in which there is high fever, stomach pain, headache, and pneumonia |
| leiodermia |
disorder in which the skin is too smooth and shiny |
| leiomyoma |
smooth muscle growth |
| leiomyosarcoma |
cancer of smooth muscle |
| lens |
structure in the eye that is normally clear and helps to focus light coming into the eye |
| lesion |
abnormal area of tissue, such as a wound, sore, rash, or boil |
| leukemia |
cancer of white blood cells |
| leukocoria |
white pupil |
| leukocyte |
one of the infection-fighting cells in the blood and body tissues; white blood cells |
| leukocyte count |
number of white blood cells in the blood |
| leukocytosis |
increase in number of white blood cells in the blood |
| leukoderma |
white skin |
| leukokoria |
white pupil |
| libido |
sexual desire |
| ligament |
elastic tissue that connects bone or cartilage |
| lipid |
fat |
| lipid tests |
blood tests that measure how much fat is in the blood |
| lipoid |
fatty |
| lipoma |
growth made up of fat cells |
| lipoprotein electrophoresis |
blood test that measures the amounts of fat and protein in the blood |
| lithotripsy |
surgery or other method to crush a stone |
| liver |
large organ that helps in many body functions, including digestion, metabolism, and storage of substances |
| lobar pneumonia |
bacterial infection of one or more sections of the lung |
| lobectomy |
surgery to remove a section of the lung |
| lochia |
normal discharge from the vagina for 1 to 2 weeks after childbirth |
| long bone |
bone that is long and slender, such as a leg or arm bone |
| lordosis |
forward curving of the spine, causing saddle back or swayback |
| Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS) |
muscle disorder |
| lower GI (gastrointestinal) series |
x-ray using a dye given as an enema to outline the large intestine |
| lumbar puncture |
spinal tap using a needle to remove spinal fluid for testing from the lowerback |
| lumbar region |
lower back of the body |
| lumbar vertebrae |
bones of the spine in the lower back |
| lumen |
the space inside a tube-like body structure, such as a blood vessel |
| lung lobe |
one of five sections of the two lungs |
| lungs |
the two main organs for breathing |
| lupus erythematosus (LE) |
chronic disorders of connective tissue in which there can be skin rash, arthritis, kidney problems, and anemia, among other problems |
| lymph |
clear liquid tissue |
| lymph node |
tissue that filters disease germs from the blood; also called a lymph gland |
| lymphadenitis |
inflammation of the lymph nodes |
| lymphadenography |
x-ray of the lymph nodes |
| lymphocyte |
type of white blood cell |
| lymphoid tissue |
tissue that contains lymphocytes |
| lymphoma |
cancerous growth made up of lymphoid tissue, particularly lymphocytes |
| macro- |
describes something that is large or long |
| macule |
flat, colored spot on the skin |
| magnetic resonance imagining (MRI) |
the use of magnetic wves to look at soft tissues of the body |
| malignant |
cancerous |
| mallet |
hammer-like tool used for striking objects |
| mammary glands |
milk-producing tissue in the breasts |
| mammary papilla |
breast nipple |
| mammogram |
x-ray of the breast |
| mammoplasty |
surgery to reconstruct the breast |
| mandible |
lower jaw bone |
| Mantoux test |
skin test used to check for tuberculosis |
| mastalgia |
pain in the breast |
| mastectomy |
surgery to remove a breast |
| mastitis |
inflammation of the mammary gland or of the breast |
| mastoid cells |
air spaces inside the mastoid process |
| mastoid process |
protruding part of a bone located in the skull behind the ear |
| mastoidectomy |
surgery to remove the mastoid process or mastoid cells |
| mastoiditis |
inflammation of the air spaces in the mastoid process that communicate with the middle ear |
| mastoidotomy |
surgery to cut into the mastoid process |
| mastoptosis |
drooping breasts |
| maxilla |
upper jaw bone |
| maxillectomy |
surgery to remove the upper jaw bone |
| maxillitis |
inflammation of the upper jaw bone |
| meconium |
first stool of the newborn |
| medial |
toward or having to do with the middle of the body |
| medications |
medicines, drugs |
| mediastinum |
tissue and organs in the middle of the chest between the two lungs |
| medulla oblongata |
part of the brain that controls breathing, blood pressure, and otherimportant body functions; brain stem |
| meibomian cyst |
pimple on the eyelid caused by an inflamed gland (stye) |
| melanin |
material that makes the color of the skin and hair |
| melanoma |
cancerous black growth on the skin |
| melasma |
a blotchy brown stain on the skin, usually over the cheeks, forehead, or neck; often associated with pregnancy, menopause, or the use of oral contraceptives |
| menarche |
time in life when a girl starts having a menstrual period |
| Meniere's disease |
disorder of the inner ear in which there is dizziness, ringing in the ears, and loss of hearing |
| meninges |
three-layered tissue that covers the brain and spinal cord |
| meningitis |
inflammation of the meninges |
| meningocele |
bulging of the meninges through a hole in bone |
| meningomyeloradiculitis |
inflammation of the meninges and roots of the spinal nerves |
| meniscectomy |
surgery to remove a meniscus |
| meniscitis |
inflammation of the meninges and roots of the spinal nerves |
| meniscus |
one of two crescent-shaped pads inside the knee joint |
| menometrorrhagia |
too much bleeding from the uterus during menstruation and at other times |
| menopause |
time in life when a woman stops having a menstrual period |
| menses |
discharge of blood and tissue from the uterus that happens about every 4 weeks in women who are not pregnant |
| menstrual |
having to do with menstruation |
| menstrual period |
the time of menstruation |
| menstruation |
discharge of blood and tissue from the uterus that happens about every 4 weeks in women who are not pregnant |
| metabolism |
total of all the important actions in the body that keep it alive |
| metacarpal bones |
.bones of the hand between the wrist and fingers |
| metastasis |
spread of disease from one place in the body to another place in the bosy that is not nearby |
| matatarsal bones |
foot bones |
| metrorrhea |
discharge from the uterus |
| micro- |
describes something that is small or delicate |
| microcephalus |
person with a very small head |
| micturate |
urinate |
| middle ear |
the space between the eardrum and the inner ear |
| migraine |
type of severe headache that occurs periodicaaly and is often associated with nausea, vomiting, and constipation or diarrhea |
| miotic |
substance that makes the pupil of the eye smaller (e.g., narcotic) |
| miscarriage |
loss of an unborn baby from the uterus before it is able to survive outside the mother's body |
| mitral commissurotomy |
surgery to repair the mitral valve to enlarge the opening between the two parts of the left side of the heart |
| mitral valve |
valve between two chambers on the left side of the heart |
| molecular pharmacology |
the study of the action between two parts of the left side of the heart |
monoparesis |
weak muscle movement and loss of feeling in one arm or one leg |
| monoplegia |
loss of movement and loss of feeling in one arm or one leg |
| motility |
ability to move |
| mouth |
opening through which food passes into the body to be digested |
| mucopurulent |
slimy and with pus in it |
| mucus |
slimy fluid |
multigravida |
women who has been pregnant two or more times |
| multipara |
woman who has given birth two or more times |
multiple sclerosis (MS) |
slowly worsening disorder of the central nervous system that causes weakness, incoordination, numbness, and probh talking and seeing |
| muscle |
type of tissue that causes movement |
| muscular dystrophy (MD) |
genetic problem resulting in muscle weakness and atrophy |
myasthenia |
muscle weakness |
| myasthenia gravis |
disorder that causes muscles to get tired quickly |
| mydriatic |
substance that makes the pupil of the eye bigger |
| myelogram |
x-ray of the spinal cord using dye that is injected into the spinal area |
| myeloma |
cancer of the types of cells normally found in bone marrow |
| myelomalacia |
softening of the spinal cord |
| myocardial infarction (MI) |
heart attack |
| myocardial ischemia |
not enough blood going to the heart |
| myocarditis |
inflammation of the heart muscle |
myocardium |
muscle of the heart |
| myoma |
growth made up of muscle tissue |
| myomectomy |
surgery to remove a myoma or a piece of muscle |
| myometritis |
inflammation of the muscle of the uterus |
| myometrium |
muscle of the uterus |
| myopathy |
muscle disorder |
| myopia |
nearsightedness |
| myoplasty |
surgery to fix a muscle |
| myorrhaphy |
surgery to stutch a muscle |
| myringitis |
inflammation of the eardrum |
| myringoplasty |
surgery to fix a ruptured eardrum |
| myxedema |
disorder caused by lack of thyroid hormone in which areas of the skin are swollen |
| nail |
tough plate of tissue covering the top of the end of each finger and toe |
| narcotic |
strong habit-forming drug that stops pain and depresses the central nervous system |
| nasal |
having to do with the nose |
| nasal septum |
wall that divides the nose into two sides |
| nasogastric tube |
tube that goes through the nose and into the stomach; used for feeding liquid food to a patient |
| nasolacrimal duct |
tube that drains tears from the eye into the nose; tear duct |
| nasopharyngeal |
having to do with the nasopharynx |
| nasopharyngitis |
inflammation of the nasopharynx |
| natal |
having to do with childbirth |
| nausea |
sick to the stomach |
| nebulizer |
device used to turn liquids into mists for breathing treatments |
| necrosis |
death of tissue or skin |
| neonate |
newborn infant |
| neonatology |
the study of disorders of newborn infants |
| neoplasm |
new growth that is not normal; tumor |
| nephrectomy |
surgery to remove a kidney |
| nephritis |
kidney inflammation |
| nephroblastoma |
type of malignant kidney tumor |
| nephrogram |
x-ray of the kidney |
| nephrohypertrophy |
overgrowth of the kidney |
| nephrolithiasis |
stones in the kidney |
| nephroma |
growth in the kidney |
| nephromegaly |
overgrowth of the kidney |
| nephropexy |
surgery to tie down a kidney |
| nephroptosis |
sagging kidney |
| nephrosonography |
use of ultrasonography |
| nerve |
string-like tissue that carries messages to and away from the brain and spinal cord and tells muscles to move |
| nervous tissue |
type of tissue that makes up the central nervous system and nerves |
| neuralgia |
nerve pain |
| neurectomy |
surgery to remove part of a nerve |
| neuritis |
inflammation of a nerve |
| neuroarthropathy |
disorder of the joints and the central nervous system or nerves |
| neuroblast |
cell that will develop into a nerve |
| neurohypophysis |
part of the brain that discharges hormones including oxytocin and vasopressin |
| neuroid |
like a nerve |
| neurologist |
doctor who treats disorders of the central nervous system and nerves |
| neurolysis |
surgery to open the covering of a nerve to destroy a nerve |
| neuroma |
growth made up of nerve tissue |
| neuropathy |
a disturbance in the function of the brain or spinal cord that may affect the nerves and muscles of the body |
| neuropharmacologic drug |
drug that acts on the nervous system |
| neuroplasty |
surgery to fix a nerve |
| neurorrhaphy |
stitching a cut nerve |
| neurosis |
mental and emotional disorder |
| neurotomy |
surgery to make a break in a nerve |
| nevus |
mole; birthmark |
| nocturia |
too much urination at night |
| norepinephrine |
hormone discharged from nerves, the brain, and the adrenal glands that helps the body deal with stress and low blood pressure |
| nucleus |
center of a cell |
| nulligravida |
woman that has never given birth |
| nullipara |
woman that has never given birth to an infant that lived |
| nyctalopia |
difficulty seeing at night |
| obstetrician |
doctor who takes care of pregnant women and delivers babies |
| obstetrics |
the study of pregnant women and childbirth |
| obstructive sleep apnea |
breathing problems while sleeping because the airways collapse or get closed off |
| occlude |
close off |
| oculmycosis |
fungus infection in the eye |
| oculus dexter (OD) |
right eye |
| oculus sinister (OS) |
left eye |
| oculus uterque (OU) |
each eye |
| oligomenorrhea |
occasional and irregular menstruation that occurs every 35 days to 6 months |
| oligospermia |
deceased amount of sperm in semen |
| oliguria |
decreased amount of urine |
| omphalitis |
inflammation of the belly button |
| omphalocele |
a birth defect in which there is bulging of the intestine through the body wall in the belly button region |
| oncogenic |
causing tumors to form |
| oncologist |
doctor who treats cancer |
| oncology |
cancer |
| onychectomy |
surgery to remove a nail |
| onychocryptosis |
ingrown nail |
| onychomalacia |
softening of the nails |
| onychomycosis |
fungal infection of the nail |
| onychophagia |
nail biting |
| oophorectomy |
surgery to remove the uterus and ovaries |
| oophoritis |
inflammation of the ovary |
| oophorohysterectomy |
surgery to remove the uterus and ovaries |
| opportunity |
chance |
| opthalmagia |
pain in the eye |
| opthalmic |
having to do with the eye |
| opthalmologist |
doctor who treats eye disorders |
| opthalmology |
the study of eye disorders |
| opthalmopathy |
disorder of the eye |
| opthalmorrhagia |
bleeding from the eye |
| optic |
having to do with the eye |
| optic nerve. |
nerve that carries visual messages from the retina to the brain |
| optician |
.person who makes glasses |
| optometer |
.tool used in eye examinations |
| optometry |
the study of the eye and vision |
| oral |
having to do with the mouth |
| oral administration |
giving a drug by mouth |
| orchidopexy |
.surgery to tie down a testicle in the scrotum |
| orchiectomy |
surgery to remove one or both testicles |
| orchiepididymitis |
inflammation of a testicle and epididymis |
| orchiopexy |
surgery to tie down a testicle in the scrotum |
| orchioplasty |
surgery to fix a testicle |
| orchitis |
inflammation of a testicle |
| organ |
.two or more kinds of tissues that work together to make up a part of the body with a unique function |
| orgasm |
the climax of sexual excitement |
| orthodontist |
dentist who treats teeth and jaw disorders |
| orthopedics |
the study of the bones and joints |
| orthopedist |
doctor who treats bone and joint disorders |
| orthopnea |
difficult breathing except when sitting up |
| orthotist |
person who puts on and teaches the use braces and splints |
| ossicles |
bones of the middle ear that carry sound |
| osteoarthritis (OA) |
disorder, which is seen mostly in older persons, in which the joints become painful and stuff |
| osteoblasts |
cell that makes bone |
| osteocarcinoma |
.bone cancer growth |
| osteochondritis |
inflammation of bone and cartilage |
| osteoclasis |
surgery to break a bone |
| osteocyte |
bone cell |
| osteofibroma |
benign tumor of bone and connective tissue |
| osteogenesis imperfecta |
genetic disorder in which the bones are delicate and break easily |
| osteomalacia |
soft bones |
| osteomyelitis |
infection and inflammation of bone |
| osteonecrosis |
death of bone tissue |
| osteoplasty |
surgery to fix a bone |
| osteoporosis |
loss of calcium from bone tissue resulting in bones that break easily; prevalent in postmenopausal women |
| osteosarcoma |
cancer of bone |
| osteotome |
chisel-like tool used for cutting or marking bone |
| otalgia |
earache |
| otitis |
inflammation of the ear |
| otitis externa |
.inflammation of the outer ear canal |
| otitis interna |
inflammation of the inner ear |
| otitis media |
inflammation of the middle ear |
| otologist |
doctor who treats disorders of the ear |
| otology |
the study of the ear |
| otomastoiditis |
inflammation of the ear together with mastoiditis |
| otomycosis |
fungus infection in the outer ear canal |
| otopyorrhea |
discharge of pus from the ear |
| otorhinolaryngologist |
doctor who treats disorders of the ear, nose, and throat |
| otosclerosis |
bone deposits in the inner ear |
| otoscope |
tool used to look into the ear |
| ovaries |
more than one ovary |
| ovulation |
discharge of an egg from the ovary |
| ovum |
the female sex cell that joins with the male sperm to make a zygote and eventually a baby; egg |
| oximeter |
tool used to measure the amount of oxygen in the blood |
| oxytocin |
hormone made by the brain that makes the uterus cramp and milk come out of the breasts |
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