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Medical Definitions
Medical Terminology
| Question Combining Forms | Answer |
|---|---|
| abdominal cavity | Body pace between abdominal walls, above the pelvis, and below the diaphragm. |
| abdomin(o) | abdomen |
| acetabul(o) | cut-shaped hip socket |
| aden(o) | gland |
| adip(o) | fat |
| adren(o) | adrenal glands |
| alveol(o) | air sac, alveolus |
| angi(o) | vessel |
| anterior | At or toward the front(of the body). |
| aort(o) | aorta |
| appendic(o) | appendix |
| arteri(o) | artery |
| arteriol(o) | arteriole a tiny artery connecting to a capillary. |
| arthr(o) | joint; articulation |
| aur(i), auricul(o) | ear |
| blephar(o) | eyelid |
| brachi(o) | arm |
| blood system | Body system that includes blood and all its component parts |
| bronch(o), bronchi | bronchus |
| bucc(o) | cheek |
| burs(o)_ | bursa |
| calcane(o) | heel bone |
| cardi(o) | heart;esophageal opening of the stomach |
| cardiovascular system | Body system that includes the heart and blood vessels; circulatory system. |
| carp(o) | wrist bones |
| celi(o) | abdomen |
| cell | Smallest unit of a living structure |
| cephal(o) | head |
| cerebell(o) | cerebellum |
| cerebr(o) | cerebellum |
| cervic(o) | neck;cervix |
| cheil(o), chil(o) | lip |
| chir(o) | hand |
| chol(e), cholo | bile |
| chondri(o), chondro | cartilage |
| col(o), colon(o) | colon |
| colp(o) | vagina |
| connective tissue | Fibrous substance that forms the body's supportive framework. |
| core(o) | pupil |
| coronal plane | Imaginary line that divides the body into anterior and posterior positions |
| cranial cavity | Space in the head that contains the brain |
| cortic(o) | cortex |
| costi, costo | rib |
| crani(o) | cranium |
| cross-sectional plane | Imaginary line that insects the body horizontally. |
| cyst(i), cysto | bladder; cyst |
| cyt(o) | cell |
| dactyl(o) | fingers,toes |
| deep | Away from the surface (of the body). |
| dent(i), dento | tooth |
| derm(o), derma,dermat(o) | skin |
| diaphragm | Muscle that divides the abdominal and thoracic cavities. |
| digestive system | Body system that includes all organs of digestion and waste excretions, from the mouth to the anus. |
| distal | Away from the point of attachment of the trunk. |
| dorsal | At or toward the back of the body |
| dorsal cavity | Main cavity on the back side of the body containing the cranial and spinal cavities. |
| duoden(o) | duodenum |
| encephal(o) | brain |
| endocrine system | Body system that includes glands that secrete hormones to regulate certain body functions. |
| enter(o) | intestines |
| epigastic region | Area of the body immediately above the stomach. |
| episi(o) | vulva |
| epithelial tissue | Tissue that covers or lines the body or its parts. |
| frontal plane | Imaginary line that divides that body into anterior and posterior positions. |
| gastr(o) | stomach |
| gingiv(o) | gum |
| gloss(o) | tongue |
| gnath(o) | jaw |
| gonad(o) | sex glands |
| hem(a), hemat(o), hemo | blood |
| hemic system | Organs involved in the production of blood including the cellular and the molecular components essential in providing defenses against foreign organisms or substances. |
| hepat(o),hepatic(o) | liver |
| hidr(o) | sweat |
| histi(o), histo | tissue |
| hypochondriac regions | Left and right regions of the body just below the cartilage of the ribs and immediately above the abdomen. |
| hypogastric regions | Areas of the body just below the umbilical region. |
| hyster(o) | uterus, hysteria |
| ile(o) | ileum |
| ili(o) | ilium |
| iliac regions | Left and right regions of the body near the upper portions of the hip bone. |
| inferior | Below another body structure. |
| inguin(o) | groin |
| inguinal regions | Left and right regions of the body near the upper portion of the hip bone. |
| integumentary system | Body system that includes skin, hair, and nails. |
| irid(o) | iris |
| ischi(o) | ischium |
| kary(o) | nucleus |
| kerat(o) | cornea |
| labi(o) | lip |
| lamin(o) | lamina |
| lapar(o) | abdominal wall |
| laryng(o) | larynx |
| lateral | to the side |
| lateral plane | Imaginary line that divides the body perpendicularly to the medial plane. |
| left lower quadrant (LLQ) | Quadrant on the lower left anterior side of the patient's body. |
| left upper quadrant (LUQ) | Quadrant on the upper left anterior side of the patient's body. |
| linguo | tongue |
| lip(o) | fat |
| lumbar region | Left and right regions of the body near the waist on the dorsal (or posterior) side. |
| lymph(o) | lymph |
| lymphatic and immune system | Body system that includes the lymph, glands of the lymphatic system, lymphatic vessels, and the specific and nonspecific defenses of the immune system. |
| mast(o) | breast |
| maxill(o) | maxilla |
| medial | At or near the middle (of the body) |
| medial plane | Imaginary line that divides the body into equal left and right halves. |
| medull(o) | medulla |
| mening(o) | meninges |
| midsagittal plane | See medial plane |
| muco | mucus |
| muscle tissue | Tissue that is able to contract and relax |
| musculoskeletal system | Body system that includes muscles, bones, and cartilage. |
| my(o) | muscle |
| myel(o) | spinal cords; bone marrow |
| nephr(o) | kidney |
| nervous system | Body system that includes the brain, spinal cord, and nerves and controls most body functions by sending and receiving messages. |
| nervous tissue | Specialized tissue that forms nerve cells and is capable of transmitting messages. |
| neur, neuro | nerve |
| oculo | eye |
| odont(o) | tooth |
| onych(o) | nail |
| oo | egg |
| oophor(o) | ovary |
| ophthalm(o | eye |
| opto, optico | eye; sight |
| or(o) | mouth |
| orchi(o),orchid(o) | testis |
| organ | Group of specialized tissue that performs a specific function. |
| osseo, ossi | bone |
| ost(e),osteo | bone |
| ot(o) | ear |
| ovari(o) | ovary |
| ovi, ovo | egg; ova |
| ped(o), pedi | food; child |
| pelvi(o), pelvo | pelvic bone; hip |
| pelvic cavity | Body space below the abdominal cavity that includes the reproductive organs. |
| pharyng(o) | pharynx |
| phleb(o) | vein |
| phren(o), phreni, phrenico | mind; diaphragm |
| pil(o) | hair |
| plasma, plasmo, plasmat(o) | plasma |
| pleur(o), pleura | rib; side; pleura |
| pneum(a), pneumat(o) | lungs; air; breathing |
| pod(o) | foot |
| posterior | At or toward the back side (of the body) |
| proct(o) | anus |
| prone | Lying on the stomach with the face down. |
| proximal | At or near the point of attachment of the trunk. |
| psych(o), psyche | mind |
| pulmon(o) | lung |
| pyel(o) | renal pelvis |
| rachi(o) | spine |
| rect(o) | rectum |
| reni, reno | kidney |
| reproductive system | Either the male or female body system that controls reproduction |
| respiratory system | Body system that includes the lings and airways and performs breathing. |
| rhin(o) | nose |
| right lower quadrant (RLQ) | Quadrant on the lower right anterior side of the patient's body |
| right upper quadrant (RUQ) | Quadrant on the upper right anterior side of the patient's body. |
| sacr(o) | sacrum |
| sagittal plane | Imaginary line that divides the body into right and left portions. |
| sarco | fleshy tissue; muscle |
| scler(o) | sclera |
| sensory system | Body system that includes the eyes and ears and those parts of other systems involved in the reactions of the five senses. |
| sial(o) | salivary glands; saliva |
| sigmoid(o) | sigmoid colon |
| somat(o) | body |
| sperma,spermato,spermo | semen;spermatozoa |
| spinal cavity | Body space that contains the spinal cord. |
| splanchn(o), splanchni | viscera |
| splen(o) | spleen |
| spondyl(o) | vertebra |
| stern(o) | sternum |
| steth(o) | chest |
| stom(a),stomat(o) | mouth |
| superficial | at or near the surface (of the body). |
| superior | above another body structure |
| supine | lying on the spine facing upward. |
| system | Any group of organs and ancillary parts that work together to perform a major body function. |
| ten(o),tendin(o), tendo, tenon(o) | tendon |
| test(o) | testis |
| thorac(o), thoracico | thorax, chest |
| thoracic cavity | Body space above the abdominal cavity that contains the heart, lungs, and major blood vessels. |
| thym(o) | thymus gland |
| thyr(o) | thyroid gland |
| tissue | Any group of cells that work together to perform a single function. |
| trache(o) | trachea |
| trachel(o) | neck |
| transverse plane | Imaginary line that intersects the body horizontally. |
| trich(o), trichi | hair |
| umbilical region | Area of the body surrounding the umbilicus. |
| urinary system | Body system that includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra and helps maintain homeostasis by removing fluid and dissolved waste. |
| varico | varicosity |
| vas(o) | blood vessel; duct |
| vasculo | blood vessel |
| veni, veno | vein |
| ventral | at or toward the front (of the body) |
| ventral cavity | Major cavity in the front of the body containing the thoracic, abdominal, and pelvic cavities. |
| ventricul(o) | ventricle |
| vertebro | vertebra |
| vesic(o) | bladder |
| abscess | Localized collection of pus and other exudate,usually accompanied by swelling and redness. |
| acne | Inflammatory eruption of the skin, occurring in or near sebaceous glands on the face, neck, shoulder, or upper neck. |
| acne vulgaris | See acne |
| actinic keratosis | Overgrowth of horny skin that forms from overexposure to sunlight; sunburn. |
| adip(o) | fatty |
| adipose | Fatty; relating to fat |
| allograft | Skin graft using donor skin from one person to another |
| albinism | Rare, congenital condition causing either partial or total lack of pigmentation. |
| alopecia areata | Loss of hair in patches, loss of hair in spots, baldness. |
| alpha-hydroxy acid | Agent added to cosmetics to improve the skin's appearance. |
| anesthetic | Agent that relieves pain by blocking nerve sensations |
| antibacterial | Agent that kills or slows the growth of a bacteria. |
| antibiotic | Agent that kills or slows the growth of microorganisms. |
| antifungal | Agent that kills or slows the growth of fungi. |
| antihistamine | Agent that controls allergic reactions by blocking the effectiveness of histamines in the body. |
| anti-inflammatory | Agent that relieves the symptoms of inflammations. |
| antipruritic | Agent that controls itching |
| antiseptic | Agent that kills or slows the growth of microorganisms. |
| apocrine glands | Glands that appear during and after puberty and secret sweat, as from the armpits. |
| astringent | Agent that removes excess oils and impurities from the surface of skin. |
| autograft | Skin graft using skin from one's own body |
| basal cell carcinoma | Slow-growing cancer of the basal cells of teh epidermis, usually a result of sun damage. |
| biopsy | Excision of tissue for microscopic examination. |
| birthmark | Lesion (especially a hemangioma) visible at or soon after birth; nevus |
| blackhead | See Comedo Open hair follicle filled with bacteria and sebum; common in acne; blackhead. |
| bulla(pl.bullae) | Bubble-like blister on the surface of the skin. |
| burn | Damage to the skin caused by exposure to heat, chemicals, electricity, radiation, or other skin irritants. |
| callus | Mass of hard skin that forms as a cover over broken skin on certain areas of the body, especially the feet and hands. |
| candidiasis | Yeast-like fungus on the skin, caused by Candida; characterized by pruritus, white exudate, peeling, and easy bleeding; examples are thrush and diaper rash. |
| carbuncle | Infected area of the skin producing pus and usually accompanied by fever. |
| cauterize | To apply heat to an area to cause coagulation and stop bleeding. |
| cellulitis | Severe inflammation of the dermis and subcutaneous portions of the skin, usually caused by an infection that enters the skin through an opening as a wound; characterized by local heat, redness, pain, and swelling. |
| chemotherapy | Treatment of cancer that uses chemicals to destroy malignant cells |
| chloasma | Group of fairly large, pigmented facial patches, often associated with pregnancy |
| cicatrix | Growth of fibrous tissue inside a wound that forms a scar; also, general term for scar. |
| cold sore | Eruption around the mouth or lips; herpes simplex virus type 1. |
| collagen | Major protein substance that is tough and flexible and that forms connective tissue in the body. |
| comedo | Open hair follicle filled with bacteria and sebum; common in acne; blackhead. |
| corium | See dermis Layer of skin beneath the epidermis containing blood vessels, nerves, and some glands |
| corn | Growth of hard skin, usually on the toes. |
| corticosteroid | Agent with anti-inflammatory properties. |
| crust | Hard layer, especially one found by dried pus, as in a scab. |
| cryosurgery | Surgery that removes tissue by freezing it with liquid nitrogen. |
| currettage | Removal of tissue from an area, such as a wound, by scraping. |
| cuticle | Thin band of epidermis that surrounds the edge of nails, except at the top. |
| cyst | Abnormal sac containing fluid |
| debridement | Removal of dead tissue from a wound. |
| decubitus ulcer | Chronic ulcer on skin over bony parts that are under constant pressure. |
| depigmentation | Loss of color of the skin |
| dermabrasion | Removal of wrinkles, scars, tattoos, and other marks by scraping with brushes or emery papers |
| dermatitis | Inflammation of the skin |
| dermat(o) | skin |
| diaphoresis | Excretion of fluid by the sweat glands; sweating. |
| discord lupus erythematosus | Mild form of lupus |
| ecchymosis (pl. ecchymoses) | Purplish skin patch(bruise) caused by broken blood vessels beneath the surface. |
| eccrine glands | sweat glands that occur all over the body, except where the apocrine glands occur. |
| eczema | severe inflammatory condition of the skin, usually of unknown cause. |
| electrodesiccation | Drying with electrical current. |
| emollient | Agent that smooths or softens skin. |
| epidermis | Outer portion of the skin containing several strata |
| erosion | wearing away of the surface of the skin, especially that caused by friction. |
| exanthematous viral disease | Viral disease that causes a rash on the skin. |
| excoriation | Injury to the surface of the skin caused by a scratch, abrasion, or burn, usually accompanied by some oozing. |
| exocrine glands | glands that secret through ducts toward the outside of the body |
| exudate | Any fluid excreted out of tissue, especially fluid excreted out of an injury to the skin. |
| fever blister | eruption around the mouth or lips; herpes simplex virus Type 1 |
| first-degree burn | least severe burn, causes injury to the surfaces of the skin without blistering. |
| fissure | Deep slit in the skin. |
| fulguration | destruction of tissue using electric sparks. |
| furuncle | localized skin infection, usually in a hair follicle and containing pus; boil |
| gangrene | Death of an area of skin, usually caused by loss of blood supply to the area. |
| genital herpes | See herpes simplex virus Type 2 Herpes that recurs on the genitalia; can be easily transmitted from on person to another through sexual contact. |
| hair follicle | tube-like sac in the epidermis out of which the hair shaft develops. |
| hair root | portion of hair beneath the skin surface. |
| hair shaft | portion of the hair visible above the skin surface. |
| herpes | an inflammatory skin disease caused by viruses of the family Herpesviridae. |
| herpes simplex virus Type 1 | Herpes that recurs on the lips and around the area of the mouth, usually during viral illnesses or states of stress. |
| herpes simplex virus Type 2 | Herpes that recurs on the genitalia; can be easily transmitted from one person to another through sexual contact. |
| herpes zoster | Painful herpes that affects nerve roots; shingles. |
| heterograft | skin graft using donor skin from one species to another |
| hidr(o) | sweat, sweat glands |
| hives | See urticaria group of reddish wheals, usually accompanied by pruritus and often caused by an allergy. |
| homograft | skin graft using donor skin from one person to another. |
| hypodermis | Subcutaneous skin layer; layer below the dermis |
| ichthy(o) | fish, scaly |
| impetigo | a type of pyoderma |
| integument | skin and all the elements that are contained within and arise from it |
| intradermal | from within the skin, particularly from the dermis |
| Kaposi's sarcoma | skin cancer associated with AIDS |
| keloid | thick scarring of the skin that forms after an injury or surgery. |
| keratin | hard, horny protein that forms nails and hair. |
| kerat(o) | horny tissue |
| keratolytic | Agent that aids in the removal of warts and corns. |
| keratosis | lesion on the epidermis containing keratin |
| lesion | wound, damage, or injury to the skin. |
| leukoderma | absence of pigment in the skin or in an area of the skin |
| leukoplakia | white patch of mucus membrane on the tongue or cheek |
| lip(o) | fatty |
| lunula(pl. lunulae) | half-moon shaped area at the base of the nail plate. |
| macule | small, flat, noticeably colored spot on the skin. |
| malignant melanoma | virulent skin cancer originating in the melanocytes, usually caused by overexposure to the sun. |
| Mantoux test | test for tuberculosis in which a small dose of tuberculin in injected into the skin with a syringe. |
| melan(o) | black, very dark |
| melanin | pigment produced by melanocytes that determines skin, hair, and eye color. |
| melanocyte | cell in the epidermis that produces melanin |
| Moh's surgery | removal of thin layers of malignant tissue until nonmalignant tissues is found. |
| myc(o) | fungus |
| nail | thin layer of keratin that covers the distal portion of fingers and toes. |
| neoplasm | abnormal tissue growth. |
| nevus(pl. nevi) | birthmark |
| nodule | small knob of tissue |
| onych(o) | nail |
| onychia, onychitis | inflammation of the nail |
| onychopathy | disease of the nail. |
| papillary layer | thin sublayer of the dermis containing small papillae (nipple-like masses). |
| papule | small, solid elevation on the skin |
| parasiticide | Agent that kills or slows the growth of parasites. |
| paronychia | inflammation, with pus, of the fold surrounding the nail plate. |
| patch | small area of skin differing in color from the surrounding area. |
| patch test | test for allergic sensitivity in which a small dose of antigen is applied to the skin on a small piece of gauze |
| pediculated polyp | polyp that projects upward from slender stalk. |
| pediculosis | lice infestation |
| pemphigus | autoimmune disease that causes skin blistering |
| petechia(pl. petechiae) | tiny hemorrhages beneath the surface of the skin. |
| pil(o) | hair |
| pilonidal cyst | cyst containing hair, usually found at the lower end of the spinal cord. |
| plantar wart | wart on the sole of the foot. |
| plaque | see patch small area of skin differing in color from the surrounding area. |
| plastic surgery | repair or reconstruction(as of the skin) by means of surgery. |
| polyp | bulging mass of tissue that projects outward from the skin surface. |
| pore | opening or hole, particularly in the skin. |
| pressure sore | See decubitus ulcer. Chronic ulcer on skin over bony parts that are under constant pressure. |
| pruritus | itching |
| psoriasis | chronic skin condition accompanied by scaly lesions with extreme pruritus. |
| purpura | skin condition with extensive hemorrhages underneath the skin covering a wide area. |
| pustule | small elevation on the skin containing pus. |
| pyoderma | any inflammation of the skin that produces pus. |
| radiation therapy | treatment of cancer that uses ionizing radiation to destroy malignant cells. |
| reticular layer | Bottom sublayer of the dermis containing reticula(network of structures with connective tissue between). |
| ringworm | fungal infection; tinea |
| rosacea | vascular disease that causes blotchy, red patches on the skin, particularly on the nose and cheeks. |
| roseola | skin eruption small, rosy patches, usually caused by a virus. |
| rubella | disease that causes a viral skin rash; German measles. |
| rubeola | disease that causes a viral skin rash; measles. |
| scabies | skin eruption caused by a mite burrowing into the skin. |
| scale | small plate of hard skin that falls off. |
| Schick test | test for diphtheria |
| scleroderma | thickening of the skin caused by an increase in collagen formation. |
| scratch test | test for allergic sensitivity in which a small amount of antigen is scratched onto the surface of the skin. |
| sebaceous cyst | cyst containing yellow sebum. |
| sebaceous glands | glands in the dermis that open to hair follicles and secrete sebum. |
| seb(o) | sebum, sebaceous glands. |
| seborrhea | overproduction of sebum by the sebaceous glands. |
| sebum | oily substance, usually secreted into hair follicle. |
| second-degree burn | moderately severe burn that affects the epidermis and dermis; usually involves blistering. |
| sessile polyp | polyp that projects upward from a broad base. |
| shingles | viral disease affecting peripheral nerves and caused by herpes zoster. |
| skin graft | placement of fresh skin over a damaged area. |
| squamous cell carcinoma | cancer of the squamous epithelium |
| squamous epithelium | flat, scaly layer of cells that makes up the epidermis. |
| steat(o) | fat |
| stratified squamous epithelium | layers of epithelial cells that make up the strata of the epidermis. |
| stratum(pl. strata) | layer of tissue, especially a layer of skin. |
| striae | stretch marks made in the collagen fibers of the dermis layer. |
| subcutaneous layer | bottom layer of the skin containing fatty tissue. |
| sweat glands | coiled glands of the skin that secrete perspiration to regulate body temperature and excrete waste products. |
| systemic lupus erythematosus | most severe form of lupus, involving internal organs. |
| third-degree burns | most severe type of burns; involving complete destruction of an area of skin. |
| tine test | test for tuberculosis in which a small dose of tuberculin is injected into a series of sites within a small space with a tine (instrument that punctures the surface of the skin). |
| tinea | fungal infection; ringworm |
| topical anesthetic | anesthetic applied to the surface of the skin. |
| trich(o) | hair |
| tumor | any mass of tissue; swelling |
| ulcer | open lesion, usually with superficial loss of tissue. |
| ultraviolet light | artificial sunlight used to treat some skin lesions. |
| urticaria | group of reddish wheals, usually accompanied by pruritus and often caused by an allergy. |
| varicella | contagious skin disease, usually occurring during childhood, often accompanied by the formation of pustules; chicken pox. |
| vascular lesion | lesion in a blood vessel that shows through the skin. |
| verruca(pl. verrucae) | flesh-colored growth, sometimes caused by a virus; wart. |
| vesicle | small, raised sac on the skin containing fluid. |
| vitiligo | condition in which white patches appear on otherwise normally pigmented skin. |
| wart | See verruca flesh-colored growth, sometimes caused by virus; wart |
| wheal | itchy patch of raised skin. |
| whitehead | closed comedo that does not contain the dark bacteria present in blackheads. |
| xanth(o) | yellow |
| xenograft | See heterograft skin graft using donor skin from species to another. |
| xer(o) | dry |
| bx | biopsy |
| DLE | Discoid Lupus Erythematosus |
| PPD | Psoralen-ultraviolet a light therapy |
| SLE | System Lupus Erythematosus |
| acetabul(o) | acetabulum |
| acetabulum | cup-shaped depression in the hip bone into which the top of the femur fits. |
| acromi(o) | end point of the scapula |
| acromion | part of the scapula that connects to the clavicle. |
| amphiarthroses | cartilaginous joint having some movement at the union of two bones |
| amputation | Cutting off of a limb or part of a limb. |
| analgesic | to relieve pain aspirin acetaminophen (NSAIDS are also analgesics.) Agents that relieve pain. |
| ankle | Hinged area between the lower leg bones and the bones of the foot. |
| ankyl(o) | bent crooked |
| ankylosis | Stiffing of a joint, especially as a result of disease. |
| anti-inflammatory | Agent that reduces inflammation. |
| arthr(o) | joint |
| arthaglgia | Severe joint pain |
| arthritis | Any of various conditions involving joint inflammation. |
| arthrocentesis | removal of fluid from a joint with use of puncture needle. |
| arthrodesis | Surgical fusion of a joint to stiffen it |
| arthography | Radiography of a joint |
| arthroplasty | Surgical replacement or repair of a joint. |
| arthroscopy | Examination with an instrument that explores the interior of a joint. |
| articular cartilage | cartilage joint |
| articulation | point at which two bones join together to allow movement. |
| atlas | First cervical vertebra |
| atrophy | Wasting away of tissue, organs, and cells, usually as a result of disease or loss of blood supply. |
| axis | second cervical vertebra. |
| bone | Hard connective tissue that forms the skeleton of the body. |
| bone grafting | Transplantation of bone from one site to another. |
| bone head | Upper, rounded end of a bone. |
| bone phagocyte | Bone cell that ingests dead bone and bone debris |
| bone scan | radiographic or ultrasound image of a bone. |
| bony necrosis | death of portions of bone. |
| brachi(o) | arm |
| bunion | an inflamed bursa at the foot joint, between the big toe and the first metatarsal bone. |
| bunionectomy | removal of a bunion |
| burs(o) | bursa |
| bursa | sac lined with a synovail membrane that fills the spaces between tendons and joints. |
| bursectomy | removal of a bursa |
| bursitis | inflammation of bursa |
| calcane(o) | heel |
| calcaneus | heel bone |
| calcar | another name for spur |
| calci(o) | calcium |
| calcium | Mineral important in the formation of bone. |
| cancellous bone | Spongy bone with latticelike structure. |
| cardiac muscle | Striated involuntary muscle of the heart. |
| carp(o) | wrist |
| carpal tunnel syndrome | pain and paraesthesia in the hand due to repetitive motion injury of the median nerve. |
| carpus, carpal bone | wrist bone |
| cartilage | flexible connective tissue found in joints, fetal skeleton, and the lining of various parts of the body. |
| cartilaginous disk | Thin, circular mass of cartilage between the vertebrae of the spinal column. |
| casting | forming of a cast in a mold; placing of fiberglass or plaster over a body part to prevent its movement. |
| cephal(o) | head |
| cervic(o) | neck |
| cervical vertebrae | Seven vertebrae of the spinal column located in the neck. |
| chiropractor | Health care professional who works to align the spinal column so as to treat certain ailments |
| chondr(o) | cartilage |
| chondromalacia | softening of cartilage |
| clavicle | curved bone of the shoulder that joins to the scapula; collar bone. |
| closed fracture | fracture with no open skin wound. |
| coccyx | small bone consisting of four fused vertebrae at the end of the spinal column; tailbone |
| Colles' fracture | fracture of lower end of the radius. |
| comminuted fracture | fracture with shattered bones. |
| compact bone | hard bone with tightly woven structure. |
| complex fracture | fracture with part of the bone displaced. |
| compound fracture | fracture with an open skin wound; open fracture. |
| compression fracture | fracture of one or more vertebrae caused by compressing on the space between the vertebrae. |
| condyle(o) | knob, knuckle |
| cost(o) | rib |
| crani(o) | skull |
| crest | bony ridge |
| dactyl(o) | fingers, toes |
| degenerative arthritis | arthritis with erosion of the cartilage. |
| densitometer | device that measures bone density using light and x-rays. |
| diaphysis | long middle section of a long bone; shaft |
| diarthroses | freely movable joints. |
| disk, disc(disk) | thin, circular mass of cartilage between the vertebrae of the spinal column. |
| diskography | radiographic image of intervertebral disk by injection of a contrast medium into the center of the disk. |
| dislocation | movement of a joint out of its normal position as a result of an injury or sudden, strenuous movement. |
| dorsal vertebrae | thoracic vertebrae |
| dystonia | abnormal tone in the tissues |
| elbow | joint between the upper arm and the forearm. |
| electromyogram | a graphic image of muscular action using electrical currents |
| endosteum | lining of the medullary cavity |
| epiphyseal plate | cartilaginous tissue that is replaced during growth years, but eventually calcifies and disappears when growth stops. |
| epiphysitis | inflammation of the epiphysis. |
| ethmoid bone | irregular bone of the face attached to the sphenoid bone. |
| ethmoid sinuses | sinuses on both sides of the nasal cavities between each eye and the sphenoid sinus. |
| exostosis | abnormal bone growth capped with cartilage. |
| external fixation device | device applied externally to hold a limb in place. |
| fasci(o) | fascia |
| fascia | sheet pf fibrous tissue that encloses muscles |
| femor(o) | femur |
| femur | long bone of the thigh. |
| fibr(o) | fiber |
| fibula | smallest long bone of the lower leg. |
| fissure | deep furrow or slit. |
| flaccid | without tone; relaxed |
| flat bone | thin, flattened bones that cover certain areas, as of the skull. |
| fontanelle | soft, membranous section on top of an infant's skull. |
| formen | opening or perforation through a bone. |
| formen magnum | opening in the occipital bone through which the spinal cord passes. |
| fossa | depression, as in a bone. |
| fracture | a break, especially in a bone. |
| frontal bone | large bone of the skull that forms the top of the head and forehead. |
| frontal sinuses | sinuses above the eyes. |
| goniometer | instrument that measures angles or range of motion in a joint. |
| gouty arthritis, gout | inflammation of the joints, present in gout; usually caused by uric acid crystals. |
| greenstick fracture | fracture with twisting or bending of the bone but no breaking; usually occurs in children. |
| hairline fracture | fracture with no bone separation or fragmentation. |
| heel | back, rounded portion of the foot. |
| herniated disk | protrusion of an intervertebral disk into neural canal |
| humer(o) | humerus |
| humerus | long bone of the arm connecting to the scapula on top and the radius and ulna at the bottom. |
| hypertrophy | abnormal increase as in muscle size. |
| hypotonia | abnormally reduced muscle tension, |
| ilo(o) | ilium |
| ilium | wide portion of the hip bone. |
| impacted fracture | fracture in which a fragment from on part of the fracture is driven into the tissue of another part. |
| imcomplete fracture | fracture that does not go entirely through a bone. |
| insertion | point at which muscles attach to a movable bone. |
| internal fixation device | device, such as a pin, inserted in bone to hold it in place. |
| involuntary muscle | muscles not movable at will. |
| irregular bones | any of a group of bones with a special shape to fit into certain area of the skeleton, such as the skull. |
| ischi(o) | ischium |
| ischium | one of three fused bones that form the pelvic girdle. |
| joint | place of joining between two or more bones. |
| kyph(o) | hump, bent |
| kyphosis | abnormal posterior spine curvature. |
| lacrimal bone | thin, flat bone of the face. |
| lamin(o) | lamina |
| lamina, (pl. laminae) | thin, flat part of either side of the arch of a vertebra. |
| laminectomy | removal of part of an invertebral disk. |
| leiomy(o) | smooth muscle |
| leiomyoma | benign tumor of smooth muscle. |
| leiomyosarcoma | malignant tumor of smooth muscle. |
| ligament | sheet of fibrous tissue connecting and supporting bones; attaches bone to bone. |
| long bone | any bone of the extremities with a shaft. |
| lordosis | abnormal anterior spine curvature resulting in a sway back. |
| lumb(o) | lumbar |
| lumbar vertebrae | five vertebrae of the lower back. |
| malleolus (pl. malleoli) | rounded protrusion of the tibia of fibula on either side of the ankle. |
| mandible | U-shaped bone of the lower jaw |
| mandibular bone | mandible. |
| marrow | connective tissue filling the medullary cavity, often rich in nutrients. |
| mastoid process | protrusion of the temporal bone that sits behind the ear. |
| maxill(o) | upper jaw |
| maxillary bone | bone of the upper jaw |
| maxillary sinus | sinus on either side of the nasal cavity below the eyes. |
| medullary cavity | soft center cavity in bone that often holds marrow. |
| metacarp(o) | metacarpal |
| metacarpal | one of the five bones of the hand between the wrist and the fingers. |
| metaphysis | section of long bone between the epiphysis and diaphysis. |
| metatarsal bones | bones of the foot between the instep(arch) and the toes. |
| muscle | contractile tissue that plays a major role in body movement. |
| muscle relaxant | agent that relieves muscle stiffness. |
| muscular dystrophy | progressive degenerative disorder affecting the musculoskeletal system, and later, other organs. |
| musculoskeletal system | system of the body including the muscles and skeleton. |
| my(o) | muscle |
| myalgia | muscle pain |
| myel(o) | spinal cord; bone marrow |
| myelography | radiographic imaging of the spinal cord |
| myeloma | bone marrow |
| myodynia | muscle pain |
| myoma | benign muscle tumor |
| myoplasty | surgical repair of muscle tissue |
| myositis | inflammation of a muscle. |
| narcotic | agent that relieves pain by affecting the body in ways similar to opium. |
| nasal bones | bones that form the bridge of the nose |
| nasal cavity | cavity on either side of the nasal septum. |
| neural canal | space through which the spinal cord passes. |
| nonsteriodal anti-inflammatory drug | agent that reduces inflammation without the use of steroids. |
| nucleus pulposus | fibrous mass in the center portion of the intervertebral disk. |
| occipital bone | bone that forms the lower back portion of the skull |
| olecranon | curved end of the ulna to which tendons of the arm muscles attach; bony prominence of the elbow. |
| open fracture | fracture with an open skin wound; compound fracture. |
| origin | point at which muscles attach to stationary bone. |
| orthopedist | physician who examines, diagnoses, and treats disorders of the musculoskeletal system. |
| orthosis, orthotic | external appliance used to immobilize or assist the movement of the spine or limbs. |
| osseus tissue | connective tissue into which calcium salts are deposited. |
| ossification | hardening into bone. |
| oste(o) | bone |
| osteaglia | bone pain |
| osteoarthritis | arthritis with loss of cartilage. |
| osteoblast | cells that forms bone. |
| osteoclasis | breaking of a bone in order to repair or reposition it. |
| osteoclast | large cells that reabsorbs and removes osseous tissue. |
| osteocyte | bone cell |
| osteodynia | bone pain |
| osteoma | benign tumor, usually in the skull or mandible. |
| osteomyelitis | inflammation of the bone marrow and surrounding bone. |
| osteopath | physician who combines manipulative treatment with conventional therapeutic measures. |
| osteoplasty | surgical replacement or repair of bone. |
| osteoporosis | degenerative thinning of bone. |
| osteoscarcoma | malignant tumor of bone. |
| osteotomy | cutting of bone. |
| palatine bone | bones that help form the hard palate and nasal cavity; located behind the maxillary bones. |
| parietal bone | flat, curved bone either side of the upper part of the skull. |
| patall(o) | knee |
| patella | large, sesamoid bone that forms the kneecap |
| pathological fracture | fracture occurring at the site of already damaged bone. |
| ped(i), pedo | foot |
| pelvi(o) | pelvis |
| pelvic cavity | cup-shaped cavity formed by the large bones of the pelvic girdle; contains female reproductive organs, sigmoid colon, bladder, and rectum. |
| pelvic girdle | hip bones. |
| pelvis | cup-shaped ring of bone and ligaments at the base of the trunk. |
| periosteum | fibrous membrane covering the surface of bone. |
| phalang(o) | finger or toe bone |
| phanlanges (sing. phalanx) | long bones of the fingers and toes. |
| phantom limbs; phantom pain | pain felt in a paralyzed or amputated limb. |
| phosphorus | mineral important to the formation of bone. |
| physical therapy | movement therapy to restore use of damaged areas of the body. |
| pod(o) | foot |
| podagra | pain in the big toe, often associated with gout. |
| podiatrist | medical specialist who examines, diagnoses, and treats disorders if the foot. |
| process | bony outgrowth or projection. |
| prosthetic device | artificial device used as a substitute for a missing or diseased body part. |
| pub(o) | pubis |
| pubes | anteroinferior portion of the hip bone. |
| pubic symphysis | joint between the two pubic bones. |
| rachi(o) | spine |
| radi(o) | forearm bone |
| radius | shorter bone of the forearm. |
| reduction | return of a part to its normal position. |
| rhabd(o) | rod-shaped |
| rhabdomy(o) | striated muscle |
| rhabdomyoma | benign tumor in striated muscle. |
| rhabdomyosarcoma | malignant tumor in striated muscle. |
| rheumatoid arthritis | autoimmune disorder affecting connective tissue. |
| rheumatoid factor test | test used to detect rheumatoid arthritis |
| rhematologist | physician who examines, diagnoses, and treats disorders of the joints and musculoskeletal system. |
| rib | one of twenty-four bones that form the chest wall. |
| rickets. | disease of the skeletal system, usually caused by vitamin d deficiency. |
| rigidity | stiffness |
| rigor | stiffening |
| sacrum | next-to-last spinal vertebra made up of five fused bones; vertebra that forms part of the pelvis. |
| scapul(o) | scapula |
| scapula | large flat bone that forms the shoulder blade. |
| sciatica | pain in the lower back, usually radiating down the leg, from a herniated disk or other injury or condition. |
| scoli(o) | curved |
| scoliosis | abnormal lateral curvature of the spinal column. |
| sella turcica | bony depression in the sphenoid bone where the pituitary gland is located |
| sequestrum | piece of dead tissue or bone separated from the surrounding area. |
| serum calcium | test for calcium in the blood. |
| serum creatine phosphokinase | enzyme active in muscle contraction, usually elevated after a myocardial infarction and in the presence of other degenerative muscle disease. |
| serum phosphorus | test for phosphorus in the blood. |
| sesamoid bone | bone formed in a tendon over a joint. |
| shin | anterior ridge of the tibia. |
| short bones | square-shaped bones with approximately equal dimensions on all sides. |
| simple fracture | fracture with no open skin wound. |
| sinus | hollow cavity, especially either side of two cavities on the sides of the nose. |
| skeleton | bony framework of the body. |
| smooth muscle | fibrous muscle of internal organs that acts involuntarily. |
| spasm | sudden, involuntary muscle contraction. |
| spactic | tending to have spasms. |
| sphenoid bone | bone that forms the base of the skull |
| sphenoid sinus | sinus above and behind the nose |
| spina bifida | congenital defect with deformity of the spinal column. |
| spinal column | column of vertebrae at the posterior of the body, from the neck to the coccyx. |
| spinal curvature | abnormal curvature of the spine. |
| spinous process | protrusion from the center of the vertebral arch. |
| splinting | applying a splint to immobilize a body part. |
| spondyl(o) | vertebra |
| spondylolisthesis | degenerative condition in which one vertebra misaligns with the one below it. |
| spondylolysis | degenerative condition of the moving part of a vertebra. |
| spondylosndesis | fusion of two or more spinal vertebrae. |
| spongy bone | bone with an open latticework filled with connective tissue or marrow. |
| sprain | injury to a joint without dislocation or fracture. |
| spur | bony projection growing out of a bone. |
| stern(o) | sternum |
| strain | injury to a muscle as a result of overuse. |
| striated muscle | muscle with a ribbed appearance that is controlled at will. |
| styloid process | peg-shaped protrusion from a bone. |
| subluxation | partial dislocation, as between joint surfaces. |
| sulcus | groove or furrow in the surface of bone. |
| suture | joining of two bones parts with fibrous membrane |
| symphysis | type of cartilaginous joint uniting two bones. |
| synarthrosis | fibrous joint with no movement. |
| synov(o) | synovial membrane |
| synovectomy | removal of part or all of a joint's synovial membrane. |
| synovial fluid | fluid that serves to lubricate joints. |
| synovial joint | a joint that moves |
| synovial membrane | connective tissue lining the cavity of joints and producing the synovial fluid. |
| talipes calcaneus | deformity of the heel resulting from weakened calf muscles. |
| talipes valgus | foot deformity characterized by eversion of the foot |
| talipes varus | foot deformity characterized by inversion of the foot. |
| tars(o) | tarsus |
| tarsus, tarsal bones | seven bones of the instep (arch of the foot) |
| temporal bone | large bone forming the base and sides if the skull |
| temporomandibular joint | joint of the lower jaw between the temporal bone and the mandible. |
| ten(o), tend(o), tendin(o) | tendon |
| tendinitis, tendonitis | inflammation of a tendon |
| tendon | fibrous band that connects muscle to bone or other structures. |
| tenotomy | surgical cutting of a tendon. |
| tetany | painfully long muscle contraction. |
| thorac(o) | thorax |
| thoracic vertebrae | twelve vertebrae of the chest area. |
| tibi(o) | tibia |
| tibia | larger of the two lower leg bones |
| tinel's sign | "pins and needles" sensation felt when an injured nerve site is trapped. |
| traction | dragging or pulling or straightening of something, as a limb, by attachment of elastic or other devices. |
| transverse process | protrusion on either side of the vertebral arch. |
| tremor | abnormal, repetitive muscle contractions. |
| trochanter | bony protrusion at the upper end of the femur. |
| true rib | seven upper ribs of the chest that attach to the sternum. |
| tubercle | slight bony elevation to which a ligament or muscle may be attached. |
| tuberosity | larger elevation in the surface of a bone. |
| uln(o) | ulna |
| ulna | larger bone of the forearm |
| uric acid test | test for acid content in urine, elevated levels may indicate gout. |
| vertebr(o) | vertebra |
| vertebra (pl. vertebrae) | one of the bony segments of the spinal column. |
| vertebral body | main portion of the vertebra, separated from arches of the vertebra |
| vertebral column | spinal column |
| visceral muscle | smooth muscle |
| vitamin d | vitamin important to the formation of bone |
| voluntary muscle | striated muscle |
| vomer | flat bone forming the nasal septum |
| zygomatic bone | bone that forms the cheek |
| A-K | above the knee (amputation) |
| B-K | below the knee (amputation) |
| C1, C2, etc. | first cervical vertebra, second cervical vertebra, etc. |
| ca | calcium |
| CTS | carpal tunnel syndrome |
| DJD | degenerative joint disease |
| DTR | deep tendon reflux |
| EMG | electromyogram |
| fx | fracture |
| IM | intramuscularly |
| L1, L2, etc. | first lumbar vertebra, second lumbar vertebra, etc. |
| MCP | metacarpophalangeal |
| NSAID | nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug |
| P | phosphorus |
| PIP | proximal interphalangeal joint |
| ROM | range of motion |
| T1, T2, etc. | first thoracic vertebra, second thoracic vertebra, etc. |
| TMJ | temporomandibular joint. |
| anastomosis | surgical connection of two blood vessels to allow blood flow between them. |
| aneurysm | ballooning of the artery wall caused by weakness in the wall. |
| angina | angina pectoris |
| angina pectoris | chest pain, usually caused by a lowered oxygen or blood supply to the heart. |
| angi(o) | blood vessel |
| angiocardiography | viewing of the heart and its major blood vessel by x-ray after injection of a contrast medium. |
| angiography | viewing of the heart's major blood vessels by x-ray after injection of a contrast medium. |
| angioplasty | opening of a blocked blood vessel, as by balloon dilation. |
| angioscopy | viewing of the interior of a blood vessel using a fiberoptic catheter inserted or threaded into the vessel |
| angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor | medication used for heart failure and other cardiovascular problems; acts by dilating arteries to lower blood pressure and makes heart pump easier. |
| antianginal | agent used to relieve or prevent attacks of angina |
| antiarrhythmic | agent used to help normalize cardiac rhythm |
| anticlotting | agent that prevents the formation of dangerous clots. |
| anticoagulant | agent that prevents the formation of dangerous clots. |
| antihypertensive | agent that helps control high blood pressure |
| aorta | largest artery of the body; artery through which blood exits the heart. |
| aort(O) | aorta |
| aortic regurgitation or reflux | backward flow or leakage of blood through a faulty aortic valve. |
| aortic valve | valve between the aorta and the left ventricle. |
| aortography | viewing of the aorta by x-ray after injection of contrast medium. |
| arrhythmia | irregularity in the rhythm of the heartbeat. |
| arteri(o) arter(o) | artery |
| arteriography | viewing of a specific artery by x-ray after injection of contrast medium |
| arteriole | a tiny artery connecting to a capillary. |
| arteriosclerosis | hardening of the arteries. |
| arteriotomy | surgical incision into an artery, especially to remove a clot. |
| arteritis | inflammation of an artery or arteries. |
| artery | a thick-walled blood vessel that, in systemic circulation, carries oxygenated blood away from the heart. |
| asystole | cardiac arrest |
| ather(o) | fatty matter |
| atherectomy | surgical removal of an atheroma |
| atheroma | a fatty deposit (plaque) in the wall of an artery. |
| atherosclerosis | hardening of the arteries caused by the building of atheromas |
| atri(o) | atrium |
| atrial fibrillation | an irregular, usually rapid, heartbeat caused by overstimulation of the AV node. |
| atrioventricular block | heart block; partial or complete blockage of the electrical impulses from the atrioventricular node. |
| atrioventricular bundle | bundles of fibers in the interventricular septum that transfer charges in the heart's conduction system; also called bundle of His. |
| atrioventricular node (AV node) | specialized part of the interatrail septum that sends a charge to the bundle of His. |
| atrioventricular valve | one of two valves that control blood flow between the atria and ventricles. |
| atrium(pl. atria) | either of the two upper chambers of the heart. |
| auscultation | process of listening to body sounds via a stethoscope. |
| bacterial endocarditis | bacterial inflammation of the inner lining of the heart. |
| balloon catheter dilation | insertion of a balloon catheter into a blood vessel to open the passage so blood can flow freely |
| balloon valvuloplasty | procedure that uses a balloon catheter to open narrowed orifices in cardiac valves. |
| bicuspid valve | atrioventricular valve on the left side of the heart. |
| blood | essential fluid containing plasma and other elements that circulates throughout the body; delivers nutrients to and removes waste from the body's cells. |
| blood pressure | measure of the force of blood surging against the walls of the arteries. |
| blood vessel | any of the tubular passageways in the cardiovascular systems through which blood travels. |
| bradycardia | heart rate of fewer than 60 beats per minute. |
| bruit | sound of murmur, especially an abnormal heart sound heard on auscultation, especially of the carotid artery. |
| bundle of His | bundle of fibers in the interventricular septum that transfer charges in the heart's conduction system |
| bypass | a structure (usually a vein graft) that creates a new passage for blood to flow from one artery to another artery or part of an artery; used to create a detour around blockages in arteries. |
| calcium channel blocker | medication that lessens the ability of calcium ions to enter heart and blood vessel muscle; used to lower blood pressure and normalize some arrhythmias. |
| capillary | a tiny blood vessel that forms the exchange point between the arterial and venous vessels. |
| carbon dioxide | waste material transported in the venous blood |
| cardi(o) | heart |
| cardiac arrest | sudden stopping of the heart; also called asystole. |
| cardiac catheterziation | process of passing a thin catheter through an artery or vein to the heart to take blood samples, inject a contrast medium, or measure various pressures. |
| cardiac cycle | repeated contraction and relaxation of the heart as it circulates blood within itself and pumps it out to the rest of the body or the lungs. |
| cardiac enzyme studies | blood test for determining levels of enzymes during a myocardial infarction; serum enzyme tests. |
| cardiac MRI | viewing of the heart by magnetic resonance imaging. |
| cardiac scan | process of viewing the heart muscle at work by scanning the heart of a patient into whom a radioactive substance has been injected. |
| cardiac tamponade | compression of the heart caused by fluid accumulation in the pericardial sac. |
| cardiomyopathy | disease of the heart muscle |
| cardiopulmonary bypass | procedure used during surgery to divert blood flow to and from the heart through a heart-lung machine and back into circulation. |
| cardiotonic | medication for congestive heart failure; increases the force of contractions of the myocardium. |
| carotid artery | artery that transport oxygenated blood to the head and neck |
| cholesterol | fatty substance present in animal fats,cholesterol circulates in the bloodstream, sometimes causing arterial plaque to form. |
| claudication | limping caused by inadequate blood supply during activity; usually subsides during rest. |
| coarctation of the aorta | abnormal narrowing of the aorta |
| conduction system | part of the heart containing specialized tissue that sends charges through heart fibers, causing the heart to contract and relax at regular intervals. |
| congenital heart disease | heart disease (usually a type of malformation) that exists at birth. |
| congestive heart failure | inability of the heart to pump enough blood out during the cardiac cycle; collection of fluid in the lungs result. |
| constriction | compression or narrowing caused by contraction, as of a vessel. |
| coronary angioplasty | opening of a blocked blood vessel, as by balloon dilation. |
| coronary artery | blood vessel that supplies oxygen-rich blood to the heart. |
| coronary artery disease | condition that reduces the flow of blood and nutrients through the arteries of the heart. |
| coronary bypass surgery | a structure (usually a vein graft) that creates a new passage for blood to flow from one artery to another artery or part of an artery; used to create a detour around blockages in arteries. |
| cyanosis | bluish or purplish coloration, as of the skin, caused by deficient oxygenation of the blood. |
| deep vein thrombosis | formation of a thrombus (clot) in a deep vein, such as femoral vein. |
| depolarization | contracting state if the myocardial tissue in the heart's conduction system. |
| diastole | relaxation phase of a heartbeat |
| digital subtraction angiography | use of two angigrams done with different dyes to provide a comparison bewteen the results. |
| diuretic | medication that promotes the excretion of urine |
| doppler ultrasound | ultrasound test of blood flow in certain vessels. |
| ductus arteriosus | structure in the fetal circulatory systems through which blood flows to bypass the fetus's nonfunctioning lungs. |
| ductus venosus | structure in the fetal circulatory system through which blood flows to bypass the fetal liver. |
| dysrthythmia | abnormal heart rhythm. |
| echocardiography | use of sound waves to produce images showing the structure and motion of the heart. |
| ejection fraction | percentage of teh volume of teh contents of the left ventricle ejected with each contratction. |
| electrocardiography | use of the electrocardiograph in diagnosis. |
| embolectomy | surgical removal of an embolus |
| embolus | mass of foreign materail blocking a vessel. |
| endarterectomy | surgical removal of the diseased portion of the lining of an artery |
| endocarditis | inflammation of the endocardium, espcecially one caused by a bacterial, (for example, staphylococci) or fungal agent. |
| endocardium | membranous lining of the chambers and valves of the heart, the innermost layer of heart tissues. |
| endothelium | lining of the arteries that secretes substances into the blood. |
| endovascular surgery | any of various procedures performed during cardiac catheterization, such as angioscopy and atherectomy. |
| epicardium | outermost layer of the heart tissue. |
| essentail hypertension | high blood pressure without any known cause |
| femoral artery | an artery that supplies blood to the thigh. |
| fibrillation | random, chaotic, irregular heart rthythm. |
| flutter | regular but very rapid heartbeat. |
| Fontan's operation | surgical procedure that create's a bypass from the right atrium to the main pulmonary artery; Fontan's procedure. |
| foramen ovale | opening in the septum of the fetal heart that closes at birth. |
| gallop | triple sound of a heartbeat, usually indicative of serious heart disease. |
| graft | any tissue or organ implanted to replace or mend damaged areas. |
| hardening of the arteries | ateriosclerosis |
| heart | musclar organ that receives blood from the veins and sends it into the arteries. |
| heart block | heart block; partial or complete blockage of the electrical impulses from the artrioventricular node to the ventricles. |
| heart transplant | implantation of the heart of a person who has just died into a person whose diseased heart cannot sustain life. |
| hemangi(o) | blood vessel |
| hemorrhoidectomy | surgical removal of hemmorrhoids. |
| hemorrhoids | varicose condition of veins in the anal region. |
| heparin | anticoagulant present in the body; also, synthetic version administered to prevent clotting. |
| high blood pressure | chronic condition with blood pressure greater than 140/90 |
| Holter monitor | portable device that provides a 24-hour electrocardiogram. |
| hypertension | chronic condition with blood pressure greater than 140/90 |
| hypertension heart disease | heart disease caused, or worsened, by high blood pressure. |
| hypotension | chronic condition with blood pressure below normal. |
| infarct | area of necrosis caused by a sudden drop in the supply of arterial or venous blood. |
| infarction | sudden drop in the supply of arterial or venous blood, often due to an embolus or thrombus. |
| inferior vena cava | large vein that draws blood from the lower part of the body to the right atrium. |
| intermittent claudication | attacks of limping, particularly in the legs, due to ischemia of the muscles. |
| intracardiac tumor | a tumor within one of the heart chambers. |
| intravascular stent | stent placed within a blood vessel to allow blood to flow freely. |
| ischemia | localized blood insufficiency caused by an obstruction. |
| left atrium | upper left heart chamber |
| left ventricle | lower left heart chamber |
| lipid-lowering | helpful in lowering cholesterol levels. |
| lipid profile | laboratory test that provides the levels of lipids, triglycerides, and other substances in the blood. |
| low blood pressure | chronic condition with blood pressure below normal |
| lumen | channel inside an artery through which blood flows. |
| mitral insufficiency or reflux | backward flow of blood due to a damaged mitral valve. |
| mitral stenosis | abnormal narrowing at the opening of the mitral valve. |
| mitral valve | atrioventricular valve on the left side of the heart |
| mitral valve prolapse | backward flow of blood into the left atrium due to protrusion of one or both mitral cusps into the left atrium during contractions. |
| multiple-gated acquisition angiography (MUGA) | radioactive scan showing heart function |
| murmur | soft heart humming sound heard between normal beats. |
| myocardial infarction | sudden drop in the supply of blood to an area of the heart muscle, usually due toa blockage in a coronary artery. |
| myocarditis | inflammation of the myocardium |
| necrosis | death of tissue or an organ or part due to irreversible damage; usually a result of oxygen deprivation. |
| nitrate | any of several medications that dilate the veins, arteries, or coronary arteries; used to control angina. |
| occlusion | the closing of a blood vessel |
| pacemaker | term for the sinoatrial node (SA node); also, an artifical device that regulates heart rhythm. |
| palpitations | uncomfortable pulsations of the heart felt as a thumping in the chest. |
| patent ductus arteroosus | a condition at birth in which the ductus arteriosus, a small duct between the aorta and the pulmonary artery, remains abnormally open. |
| percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty | insertion of a balloon catheter into a blood vessel to open the passage so blood can flow freely. |
| perfusion deficit | lack if flow through a blood vessel, usually caused by an occlusion. |
| pericardi(o) | pericardium |
| pericarditis | inflammation of the pericardium |
| pericardium | protective covering of the heart. |
| peripheral vascular disease | vascular disease in the lower extremities, usually due to blockages in the arteries of the groin or legs. |
| petechiae | minute hemorrhages in the skin |
| phleb(o) | vein |
| phlebitis | inflammation of the vein |
| phlebography | viewing of a vein by x-ray after injection of a contrast medium. |
| phlebotomy | drawing blood froma vein via a small incision |
| plaque | buildup of solid material, such as fatty deposit, on the lining of an artery. |
| polarization | resting state of the myocardial tissue in the conduction system of the heart. |
| popliteal artery | an artery that supplies blood to the cells of the area behind the knee. |
| positron emission tomography scans | type of nuclear image that measures movement of areas of the heart. |
| premature atrial contractions (PACs) | atrial contractions that occur before normal impulse; can be the cause of palpitations. |
| premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) | ventricular contractions that occur before the normal impulse; can be the cause of palpitations. |
| pulmonary artery | one of two arteries that carry blood that is low in oxygen from the heart to the lungs. |
| pulmonary artery stenosis | narrowing of the pulmonary artery, preventin the lungs from receiving enought blood from the heart to oxygenate. |
| pulmonary edema | abnormal accumulation of fluid in the lungs |
| pulmonary valve | valve that controls the blood flow between the right ventricle and the pulmonary arteries. |
| pulmonary vein | one of four veins that bring oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left atrium. |
| pulse | rhythmic expansion and contraction of blood vessel, usually an artery. |
| Purkinje fibers | fibers in the ventricle that cause it to contract. |
| Raynaud's phenomenon | spasm in the arteries of the fingers causing numbness or pain. |
| repolarization | recharging state; transiion from contraction to resting that occurs in the conduction system of the heart. |
| rheumatic heart disease | heart valve and/or muscle damage caused by an untreated streptococcal infection. |
| right atrium | upper right chamber of the heart |
| right ventricle | lower right chamber of the heart |
| risk factor | any of various factors considered to increase the probability that a disease will occur; for example, high blood pressure and smoking are considered risk factors for heart disease. |
| rub | frictional sound heard between heartbeats, usually indicating a pericardial murmur. |
| saphenous vein | any group of veins that transport deoxygenated blood from the legs. |
| secondary hypertension | hypertension having a known cause, such as kidney disease. |
| semilunar valve | one of the two valves that prevent the backflow of blood flowing out of the heart into the aorta and the pulmonary artery. |
| septal defect | congenital abnormality consisting of an opening in the septum between the atria or ventricles. |
| septum | partition between the left and right chambers of the heart |
| serum enzyme tests | laboratory test performed to detect enzymes present during or after a myocardial infarction; cardiac enzyme studies. |
| sinoatrial node (SA node) | region of the right atrium containing specialized tissue that sends electrical impulses to the heart muscle; causing it to connect. |
| sinus rhythm | normal heart rhythm |
| sonography | production of images based on the echoes of sound waves against structures. |
| sphygm(o) | pulse |
| sphygmomanometer | device for measuring blood pressure |
| stenosis | narrowing, particularly of blood vessel or of the cardiac valves. |
| stent | surgically implanted device used to hold something (as a blood vessel) open. |
| stress test | test that measures heart rate, blood pressure, and other body functions while the patient is exercising on a treadmill. |
| superior vena cava | large vein that transport blood collected from the upper part of the body to the heart. |
| systole | contraction phase of the heartbeat |
| tachycardia | heart rate greater than 100 beats per minute. |
| tetralogy of Fallot | set of four congenital heart abnomralities appearing together that cause deoxygenated blood to enter the systemic circulation; ventricular septal defect, pulmonary stenosis, incorrect position of the aorta, and right ventricular hypertrophy. |
| thromb(o) | blood clot |
| thrombectomy | surgical removal of a thrombus |
| thrombolytic | agent the dissolves a thrombus |
| thrombophlebitis | inflammation of a vein with a thrombus |
| thrombosis | presence of a thrombus in a blood vessek. |
| thrombotic occlusion | narrowing caused by a thrombus. |
| thrombus | stationary blood clot in the cardiovascular system, usually found from matter found in the blood. |
| tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA, TPA) | agent that prevents a thrombus from forming. |
| tricuspid stenosis | abnormal narrowing of the opening of the tricuspid valve. |
| triglyceride | fatty substance; lipid |
| valve | any of various structures that slow or prevent fluid from flowing backward or forward |
| valve replacement | surgical replacement of a coronary valve. |
| valvotomy | incision into a cardiac valve to remove an obstruction |
| valvulitis | inflammation of a heart valve. |
| valvuloplasty | surgical reconstruction of a cardiac valve. |
| varicose vein | dilated, enlarged, or twisted vein, usually on the leg. |
| vas(o) | blood vessel |
| vasoconstrictor | agent that narrows the blood vessels |
| vasodilator | agent that dilates or widens the blood vessels. |
| vegetation | clot on a heart valve or opening, usually caused by infection. |
| vein | any of various blood vessels carrying deoxygenated blood toward the heart, except the pulmonary vein. |
| vena cava | large vein that transport blood collected from the upper part of the body to the heart. Large vein that draws blood from the lower part of the body to the right atrium. |
| ven(o) | vein |
| venipuncture | small puncture into a vein, usually to draw blood or inject a solution. |
| venography | viewing of a vein by x-ray after injection of a contrast medium. |
| ventricle | either of the two lower chambers of the heart. |
| ventriculgram | x-ray of a ventricle taken after injection of a contrast medium. |
| venule | a tiny vein connecting to a capillary. |
| AcG | accelerator globulin |
| AF | atrial fibrillation |
| AS | aortic stenosis |
| ASCVD | arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease |
| ASD | atrial septal defect |
| ASHD | arteriosclerotic heart disease |
| AV | atrioventricular |
| BP | blood pressure |
| CABG | coronary artery bypass graft |
| CAD | coronary artery disease |
| cath | catheter |
| CCU | coronary care unit |
| CHD | coronary heart disease |
| CHF | congestive heart failure |
| CO | cardiac output |
| CPK | creatine phosphokinase |
| CPR | cardiopulmonary resuscitation |
| CVA | cerebrovascular accident |
| CVD | cardiovascular disease |
| DSA | digital subtraction angiography |
| DVT | deep venous thrombosis |
| ECG, EKG | electrocardiogram |
| ECHO | echocardiogram |
| ETT | exercise tolerance test |
| GOT | glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase |
| HDL | high-density lipoprotein |
| LDH | lactate dehydroganase |
| LDL | low-density lipoprotein |
| LV | left ventricle |
| LVH | left ventricular hypertrophy |
| MI | mitral insufficiency; myocardial infarction |
| MR | mitral regurgitation |
| MS | mitral stenosis |
| MUGA | multiple-gated acquisition scan |
| MVP | mitral valve prolapse |
| PTCA | percutanceous transluminal coronary angioplasty |
| PVC | premature ventricular contraction |
| SA | sinoatrial |
| SV | stroke volume |
| tPA, TPA | tissue plasminogen activator |
| VLDL | very low-density lipoprotein |
| VSD | ventricular septal defect |
| VT | ventricular tachycardia |
| adam's apple | thyroid carilage, supportive structure of the larynx; larger in males than in females. |
| adenoid(o) | adenoid gland |
| adenoidectomy | removal of the adenoids |
| adenoiditis | inflammation of the adenoids. |
| adenoids | collection of lymphoid tissue in the nasopharynx; pharyngeal tonsils. |
| alveol(o) | alveolus |
| alveolus (pl. alveoli) | air sac at the end of each bronchiole. |
| anthracosis | lung disease caused by long-term in halation of coal dust; black lung disease. |
| antitussives | agent that control coughing |
| apex | topmost section of the lung |
| apnea | cessation of breathing |
| arterial blood gases | laboratory test that measures the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in arterial blood |
| asbestosis | lung disorder caused by long-term inhalation of asbestos (as in construction work). |
| asthma | chronic condition with obstruction or narrowing of the bronchial airways. |
| atelectasis | collapse of a lung or part of a lung. |
| auscultation | listening to internal sounds with a stethoscope. |
| bacilli | a type of bacteria |
| base | bottom section of the lung |
| black lung | lung disease caused by long-term inhalation of coal dust. |
| bradypnea | abnormally slow breathing |
| bronch(o), bronchi(o) | bronchus |
| bronchial alveolar lavage | retrieval of fluid for examination through a bronchoscope. |
| bronchial brushing | retrieval of material for biopsy by insertion of a brush through a bronchoscope. |
| bronchiol(o) | bronchiole |
| bronchiole | fine subdivision of the bronchi made of smooth muscle and elastic fibers. |
| bronchitis | inflammation of the bronchi |
| bronchodilators | agents that dilate the walls of the bronchi |
| bronchography | radiological picture of the trachea and bronchi |
| bronchoplasty | surgical repari of a bronchus |
| bronchoscope | device used to examine airways |
| bronchospasm | sudden contraction in the bronchi that causes coughing |
| bronchus (pl. bronchi) | one of the two airways from the trachea to the lungs. |
| capn(o) | carbon dioxide |
| Cheyne-Stokes respiration | irregular breathing pattern with a period of apnea followed by deep, labored breathing that becomes shallow, then apneic. |
| chronic bronchitis | recurring or long-lasting bouts of bronchitis |
| chronic obstuctive pulmonary disease | disease of the bronchail tubes or lungs with chronic obstruction. |
| cilia | hairlike extensions of the cell's surface that usually provide some protection by sweeping foreign particles away. |
| crackles | popping sounds heard in the lung collapse or other conditions; rales |
| croup | acute respiratory syndrome in children or infants accompanied by seal-like coughing. |
| cystic fibrosis | disease that causes chronic airway obstruction and also affects the bronchial tubes. |
| diaphragm | membranous muscle between the abdominal and thoracic cavities that contracts and relaxes during the respiratory cycle. |
| diphtheria | acute infection of the throat and upper respiratory tract caused by bacteria |
| dysphonia | hoarseness usually caused by laryngitis |
| dyspnea | difficult breathing |
| emphysema | chronic condition of hyperinflation of the air sacs; often caused by prolonged smoking. |
| empyema | pus in the pleural cavity |
| endoscope | tube used to view a body cavity |
| endotracheal intubation | insertion of a tube through the nose or mouth, pharynx, and larynx and into the trachea to establish an airway. |
| epiglott(o) | epiglottis |
| epiglottis | cartilaginous flap that covers the larynx during swallowing to prevent food from enerting the airway. |
| epiglottitis | inflammation of the epiglottis |
| epistaxis | bleeding from the nose, usually caused by trauma or a sudden rupture of the blood vessels of the nose. |
| eupnea | normal breathing |
| exhalation | breathing out |
| expectorants | agents that promote the coughing and expelling of mucus. |
| expiration | exhalation |
| external nares | External openings at the base of the nose; also called external nares |
| external respiration | exchange of air between the body and the outside enviroment. |
| glottis | Part of the larynx consisting of the vocal folds of mucous membrane and muscle |
| Heimlich maneuver | Procedureto prevent choking to death. One person places his or her hands on the midsectionof the choking person's adbomen and thrusts upward until the obstruction is dislodged. |
| hemoptysis | lung or bronchial hemorrhage resulting in the spitting of blood. |
| hemothorax | Blood in the pleural cavity |
| hilum (also hilus) | Midsection of the lung where the nerves and vessels enter and exit. |
| hypercapnia | Excessive buildup of carbon dioxide in lings, usually associated wht hypoventilation |
| hyperpnea | Abnormally deep breathing |
| hyperventilation | Abnormally fast breathing in and out, often associated with anxiety. |
| hypopharynx | Laryngopharynx |
| hypopnea | Shallow breathing |
| hyppoventilation | Abnormally low movement of air in out of the lungs. |
| hypoxemia | deficient amount of oxygen in the blood. |
| hypoxia | deficient amount of oxygen in the tissue. |
| inferior lobe | Bottom lobe of the lung |
| inhalation | breathing in |
| inspiration | inhalation |
| intercostal muscles | muscles between the ribs |
| internal respiration | exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the cells. |
| laryng(o) | larynx |
| laryngectomy | Removal of the larynx |
| laryngitis | Inflammation of the larynx |
| laryngocentesis | Surgical puncture of the larynx |
| laryngopharynx | Part of the pharynx below and behind the larynx |
| laryngoplasty | Visual examination of the mouth and larynx using an endoscope. |
| laryngospasm | Sudden contraction of the larynx, which may cause coughing and may restrict breathing. |
| laryngostomy | Creation of an artificial opening in the larnyx |
| laryngotracheobronchitis | Inflammation of the larnyx, trachea, and bronchi |
| laryngotracheotomy | Incision into the larynx and trachea |
| larynx | Organ of voice production in the respiratory tract, between the pharynx and the trachea; voice box |
| lob(o) | lobe of the lung |
| lobeectomy | Removal of one of the lobes of a lung |
| lung | One of two organs of respiration (left lung and right lung) in the thoracic cavity where oxyegenation of blood takes place |
| mediastin(o) | mediastinum |
| mediastinoscopy | Visual examination of the mediastinum and all the organs within it using an endscope |
| mediastinum | Median portion of the thoracic cavity; septum between two areas of an organ or cavity |
| mesothelioma | Rare cancer of the lungs assocaited with asbestosis |
| middle lobe | Middle section of the right lung |
| nas(O) | nose |
| nasal cavity | Opening in the external nose where air enters the body |
| nasal septum | Cartilaginous division of the external nose |
| nasopharyngitis | Inflammation of the nose and the pharynx |
| nosopharyngoscopy | Examination of the nasal passages and the pharynx using an endscope |
| nasopharynx | Portion of the throat above the soft palate |
| nebulizer | Device that delivers medication through the nose or mouth in a fine spray to the respiratory tract |
| nose | External structure supported by nasal bones and containing cavity |
| nosebleed | Bleeding from the nose, usually caused by trauma or a sudden rupture of the blood vessels of the nose. |
| nostrils | External openings at the base of the nose; also called external nares |
| or(o) | mouth |
| oropharynx | Back portion of the mouth, a division of the pharynx |
| orthopnea | Difficulty in breathing, especially while lying down |
| otorhinolaryngologist | Medical doctor who diagnoses and treats disorders of the ear, nose and throat |
| ox(o), oxi, oxy | oxygen |
| pansinusitis | Inflammation of all the sinuses |
| paranasal sinuses | Area of the nasal cavity where external air is warmed by blood in the mucous membrane lining |
| parietal pleura | Outer layer of the pleura |
| paroxysmal | Sudden, as a spasm or convulsion |
| peak flow meter | Device for measuring breathing capacity |
| percussion | Tapping on the surface of the body to see if lungs are clear |
| pertussis | severe infection of the pharynx, larynx, and trachea caused by bacteria; whooping cough |
| pharyng(o) | pharynx |
| pharyngeal tonsils | Adenoids |
| pharyngitis | Inflammation of the pharynx |
| pharynx | Passageway at back of mouth for air and food; throat |
| phon(o) | voice, sound |
| phren(o) | diaphragm |
| pleur(o) | pleura |
| pleura (pl. pleurae) | Double layer of membrane making up the outside of the lungs |
| pleural cavity | Space between the two pleura |
| pleural effusion | Escape of fluid into the pleural cavity |
| pleuritis, pleurisy | Inflammation of the pleura |
| pleurocentesis | Surgical puncture of pleural space |
| pleuropexy | Fixing in place of the pleura surgically, usually in case of injury or deterioration |
| pneum(o), pneumon(o) | air, lung |
| pneumobronchotomy | incision of the lung and bronchus |
| pneumoconiosis | Lung condition caused by inhaling dust |
| pneumonectomy | Removal of a lung |
| pneumonia | Acute infection of the alveoli |
| pneumonitis | Inflammation of the lung |
| pneumothorax | Accumulation of air or gas in the pleural cavity |
| pulminary abscess | Large collection of pus in the lungs |
| pulmonary edema | Fluid in the air sacs and brochioles usually caused by failure of the heart to pump enough blood to and from lungs |
| pulmonary embolism | Clot in the lungs |
| pulmonary function tests | Tests that measure the mechanics of breathing |
| rales | Popping sounds heard in lung collapse or other conditions; rales |
| rhin(o) | nose |
| rhinitis | Nasal inflammation |
| rhinoplasty | Surgical repair of the nose |
| rhinorrhea | Nasal discharge |
| rhonchi | Whistling sounds heard on inspiration in certain breathing disorders, especially asthma |
| septoplasty | Surgical repair of the nasal septum |
| septostomy | Incision of the nasal septum |
| septum | Cartilaginous division, as in the nose or mediastinum |
| silicosis | Lung condition caused by silica dust from grinding rocks or glass or other materials used in manufacturing |
| sungultus | Hiccuping |
| sinusitis | Inflammation of the sinuses |
| sinusotomy | Incision of a sinus |
| soft palate | Flexible muscular sheet that separates the nasopharynx from the rest of the pharynx |
| spir(o) | breathing |
| spirometer | Testing maching that measures the lungs' volume and capacity |
| sputum sample or culture | Cultureof material that is expectorated (or brought back as mucus) |
| steth(o) | chest |
| stridor | High-pitched crowing sound heard in certain respiratory conditions |
| superior lobe | Topmost lobe of each lung |
| sweat test | Test for cystic fibrosis that measures the amount of salt in sweat. |
| tachypnea | Abnormally fast breathing |
| thorac(o) | thorax, chest |
| thoracic surgeon | Surgeon who specializes in surgery of the thorax |
| thoracocentesis | Surgical puncture of the chest cavity |
| thoracostomy | Establishment of an opening in the chest cavity |
| thoracotomy | Incision into the chest cavity |
| thorax | Chest cavity |
| throat | Passageway at back of mouth for air and food; throat |
| throat culture | Test for streptococcal or other infections in which a swab taken on the surface of the throat is placed in a culture to see if certain bacteria grow |
| thyroid catilage | Thyroid cartilgae, supportive structure of the larynx; larger in males than in females |
| tonsil(o) | tonsils |
| tonsillectomy | Removal of the tonsils |
| tonsillitis | Inflammation of the tonsils |
| trachea(o) | trachea |
| trachea | Airway from the larynx into the bronchi; windpipe |
| tracheitis | Inflammation of the trachea |
| tracheoplasty | Repair of the trachea |
| tracheostomy | Creation of an artificial opening in the trachea |
| tracheotomy | Incision into the trachea |
| tuberculosis | Acute infectious disease caused by bacteria called bacilli |
| upper respiratory infection | Infection of all or part of upper portion of respiratory tract |
| ventilator | Mechanical breathing device |
| visceral pleura | Inner layer of the pleura |
| vocal cords | Strips of epithelial tissue that vibrate and play a major role in the production of sound |
| voice box | Organ of voice production in the respiratory tract, between the pharynx and the trachea; voice box |
| wheezes | Whistling sounds heard on inspiration in certain breathing disorders, especially asthma |
| whooping cough | Severe infection of the pharynx, larynx, and trachea caused by bacteria; whooping cough |
| windpipe | Airway from the larynx into the bronchi; windpipe |
| ABG | Arterial blood gases |
| AFB | Acid-fast bacillus(causes tuberculossis) |
| A&P | auscultation and percussion |
| AP | anteroposterior |
| ARD | adult respiratory disease |
| ARDS | adult respiratory disease syndrome |
| ARF | acute respiratory failure |
| BS | breath sounds |
| COLD | chronic obstructive lung disease |
| COPD | chronic obstructive pulmonary disease |
| CPR | cardiopulmonary resuscitation |
| CTA | clear to auscultation |
| CXR | chest x-ray |
| DOE | dyspnea on exertion |
| DPT | diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus (combined vaccination) |
| ENT | ear, nose, and throat |
| ET Tube | endotracheal intubation tube |
| FEF | forced expiratory flow |
| FEV | forced expiratory volume |
| FVC | forced vital capacity |
| HBOT | hyperbaric oxygen therapy |
| IMV | intermittent mandatory ventilation |
| IPPB | intermittent positive pressure breathing |
| IRDS | infant respiratory distress syndrome |
| IRV | inspiratory reserve volume |
| LLL | left lower lobe (of the lung) |
| LUL | left upper lobe (of the lung) |
| MBC | maximal breathing capacity |
| MDI | metered dose inhaler |
| PA | posteroanterior |
| PCP | pneumocystis carininn pneumonia (a type of pneumonia to which AIDS patients are susceptible) |
| PEEP | postitive and expiratory pressure |
| PFT | pulmonary function tests |
| PND | paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea; postnasal drip |
| RD | respiratory disease |
| RDS | respiratory disease syndrome |
| RLL | right lower lobe (of the lungs) |
| RUL | right upper lobe (of the lungs) |
| SIDS | sudden infant death syndrome |
| SOB | shortness of breath |
| T&A | tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy |
| TB | tuberculosis |
| TLC | total lung capacity |
| TPR | temperature, pulse, and respiration |
| URI | upper respiratory infection |
| VC | vital capacity |
| V/Q scan | ventilation/perfusion scan |
| absence seizure | Mild epileptic seizure consisting of brief disorientation with the environment |
| acetylcholine | Chemical that stimulates cells |
| afferent neuron | Neuron that carries information from the sensory receptors to the central nervous system |
| agnosia | Inability to receive and understand outside stimuli |
| Alzheimer's Disease | Any of variety of degenerative brain diseases causing thought disorders, gradual loss of muscle control, and eventually, death |
| amnesia | Loss of memory |
| amyotrophic laterla sclerosis | Degenerative disease of the motor neurons leading to loss muscular control and death |
| analgesic | Agent that relieves or eliminates pain |
| anesthetic | Agent that causes loss of feeling or sensation |
| aneurysm | Abnormal widening of an artery wall that bursts and releases blood |
| anticonvulsant | Agent that lessens or prevents convulsions |
| aphasia | Loss of speech |
| apraxia | Inability to properly use familiar objects |
| arachnoid | Middle layer of meninges |
| astrocyte, astroglia | A type of neuroglia that maintains nutrient and chemicals levels in neurons |
| astrocytoma | Type of glioma formed from astrocytes |
| ataxia | Condition which uncoordinated voluntary muscular movement, usually resulting from disorders or the cerebellum or spinal cord |
| aura | Group of sypmtoms that precede a seizure |
| autonomic nervous system | Part of the peripheral nervous system that carries impulses from the central nervous system to glands, smooth muscles, cardiac muscle, and various membranes |
| axon | Part of a nerve cell that conducts nerve impulses away from the cell body |
| bacterial meningitis | Meningitis caused by a bacteria; pyrogenic meningitis |
| Babinski's reflex | Reflex on the plantar surface of the foot. |
| basal ganglia | Large masses of gray matter within the cerebrum |
| Bell's palsy | Paralysis of one side of the face; usually temporary |
| brain | Body organ responisble for controlling the body's functions and interactions with outside stimuli |
| brain contusion | Bruising of the surface of the brain without penetration |
| brainstem | One of the four major divisions of the brain; division that controls certain heart, lung, and visual functions |
| cell body | Part of a nerve cell that has branches or fibers that reach out to send or receive impulses |
| central nervous system | Body system consisting of the brain, spinal cord, and meninges |
| cerebell(o) | cerebellum |
| cerebellitis | Inflammation of the cerebellum |
| cerebellum | One of the four major divisions of the brain; division that coordinates musculoskeletal movement |
| cerebr(o) cerebri | cerebrum |
| cerebral angiogram | X-ray of the brain's blood vessels after a dye is injected |
| cerebral cortex | Outer portion of the cerebrum |
| cerebral infarction | Neurological incident caused by disruption in the normal blood supply to the brain; stroke |
| cerebral palsy | Congential disease caused by damage to the cerebrum during gestation or birth and resulting in lack of motor coordination. |
| cerebrospinal fluid | Watery fluid that flows throughout the brain and around the spinal cord |
| cerebrovascular accident | Neurological incident caused by damage disruption in normal blood supply to the brain;stroke |
| cerebrum | One of the four major divisions of the brain; division involved with emotions,memory, conscious thought, moral behaviorm sensory interpretations, and certain bodily movement |
| coma | Abnormally deep sleep with little or no respons to stimuli |
| computerized (axial) tomography scan | Radiographic imaging that produces cross-sectional images |
| concussion | Brain injury due to trauma |
| conductivity | Ability to transmit a signal |
| convolution | Folds in the cerebral cortex; gyri |
| cordotomy | Resectioning of a part of the spinal cord |
| corpus callosum | Bridge of nerve fibers that connects the two hemispheres of the cerebrum |
| crani(o) | cranium |
| cranial nerves | Any of 12 pairs of nerves tha tcarry impulses to and from the brain |
| craniectomy | Removal of a part of the skull |
| craniotomy | Incision into the skull |
| dementia | Deterioration in mental capacity, usually in the elderly |
| demyelination | Destruction of myelin sheath, particularly in MS |
| dendrite | A thin branching extension of a nerve cell that conducts nerve impulses toward the cell body |
| diencephalon | One of the four major structures of the brain; it is the deep portion of the brain and contains the thalamus |
| dopamine | Substance in the brain or manufactured substance that helps relieve symptoms of Parkinson's disease |
| dura mater | Outermost layer of meninges |
| duritis | Inflammation of the dura mater |
| dysphasis | Speech difficulty |
| efferent neuron | Neuron that carries information to the muscles and glands from the central nervous system |
| electrencephalogram | Record of the electrical impulses of the brain |
| embolic stroke | Sudden stroke caused by an embolus |
| embolus | Clot from somewhere in the body that blocks a small blood vessel in the brain |
| encephal(o) | brain |
| encephalitis | Inflammation of the brain |
| encephalogram | Record of the radiographic study of the ventricles of the brain |
| epidural space | Area between the pia mater and the bones of the spinal cord |
| epilepsy | Chronic recurrent seizure activity |
| epithalamus | One of the parts of the diencephalon; serves as a sensory relay station |
| evoked potentials | Record of the electrical wave pattern observedin EEG |
| excitability | Ability to respond to stimuli |
| fainting | Loss of consciousness due to a sudden lack of oxygen in the brain |
| fissure | One of may indentations of the cerebrum; sulci |
| frontal lobe | One of the four parts of each hemisphere of the cerebrum |
| gait | Manner of walking |
| gangli(o) | Ganglion |
| gangliitis | Inflammation of the ganglion |
| ganglion (pl. ganglia, ganglions) | Any group of nerve cell bodies forming a mass or a cyst in the peripheral nervous system; usually forms in the wrist |
| gli(o) | neuroglia |
| glioblastoma multiforme | Most malignant type of glioma |
| glioma | Tumor that arises from neuroglia |
| grand mal seizure | Severe epileptic seizure accompanied by convulsions, twitching, and loss of consciouness |
| gyrus(pl. gyri) | Folds in the cerebral cortex; gyri |
| hemorrhagic stroke | Stroke caused by blood escaping from a damaged cerebral artery |
| Huntington's chorea | Hereditary disorder with uncontrollable, jerking movements |
| hydrocephalus | Overproduction of fluid in the brain |
| hypnotic | Agent that induces sleep |
| hypothalamus | One of the parts of the diencephalon; serves as a sensory realy station |
| interneuron | Neuron that carries and processes sensory information |
| lobectomy | Removal of a portion of the brain to treat certain disorders |
| lobotomy | Removal of the frontal lobe of the brain |
| Lou Gehrig's disease | Degenerative disease of the motor neurons leading to loss of muscular control and death |
| lumbar puncture | Withdrawal of cerebrospinal fluid from between two lumbar vertebrae |
| medulla oblongata | Part of the brain stem that regulates hear and lung functions, swallowing, vomiting, coughing, and sneezing |
| mening(o), meningi(o) | meninges |
| meninges (sing. meninx) | Three layers of membranes that cover and protect the brain and spinal cord |
| meningioma | Tumor that arises from the meninges |
| meningitis | Inflammation of the meninges |
| meningocele | In spina bifida cystica, protrusion of the spinal meninges above the surface of the skin |
| meningomyelocele | IN spina bifida cystica, protrusion of the meninges and spinal cord above the surface of the skin |
| microglia | A type of neuroglia that removes debris |
| midbrain | Part of the brainstem involved with visual reflexes |
| multiple sclerosis (MS) | Degenerative disease with loss of myelin, resulting in muscle weakness, extreme fatigue, and some paralysis |
| myasthenia gravis | Disease involving overproduction of antibodies that block certain neurotransmitters; causes muscle weakness |
| myel(o) | Bone marrow, spinal cord |
| myelin sheath | Fatty tissue that covers axons |
| myelitis | Inflammation of the spinal cord |
| myelogram | X-ray of the spinal cord after a contrast medium has been injected |
| narcolepsy | Nervous system disorder that causes uncontrollable, sudden lapses into deep sleep |
| nerve | Bundle of neurons that bear electrical messages to the organs and muscles of the body |
| nerve cell | Basic cell of the nervous system having three parts: cell body, dendrite, and axon; neuron |
| nerve conduction velocity | Timing of the conductivity of an electrical shock administered to peripheral nerves |
| nerve impulse | Release energy that is received or transmitted by tissue or organs and that usually provokes a response |
| neur(o), neuri | nerve |
| neurectomy | Surgical removal of a nerve |
| narcotic | Agent that relieves pain by inducing a stuporous or euphoric state |
| neurilemma | Membranous covering that protects the myelin sheath |
| neuritis | Inflammation of the nerves |
| neuroglia, neuroglial | Cell of the nervous system that does not transmit impulse |
| neuron | Basic cell of the nervous systen having three parts; nerve cell |
| neuroplasty | Surgical repair of a nerve |
| neurorrhaphy | Suturing of a severed nerve |
| neurosurgeon | Medical specialist who performs surgery on the brain and spinal cord |
| neurotomy | Dissection of a nerve |
| neurotransmitter | various substances located in tiny sacs at the end of the axon |
| occipital lobe | One of the four parts of each hemisphere of the cerebrum |
| occlusion | Blocking of a blood vessel |
| oligodendroglia | A type of neuroglia that produces myelin and helps support neurons |
| oligodendroglioma | Type of glioma formed from oligodendroglia |
| palsy | Partial or complete paralysis |
| parasympathetic nervous system | Part of the autonomic nervous system that operates when the body is in a normal state |
| parietal lobe | One of the four part of each hemisphere of the cerebrum |
| Parkinson's disease | Degeneration of nerves in the brain caused by lack of sufficient dopmanine |
| PET (positron emission tomography) | Imaging of the brain using radioactive isotopes and tomography |
| petit mal seizure | Mild epileptic seizure consisting of brief cisorientation with the environment |
| pia mater | Innermost layer of meninges |
| polysomnography | Recording of electrical and movement patterns during sleep |
| pons | Part of the brainstem that controls certain respiratory functions |
| pyrogenic meningitis | Meningitis caused by bacteria; can be fatal; bacterail meningitis |
| radiculitis | Inflammation of the spinal nerve roots |
| receptor | Tissue or organ that receives nerve impulses |
| reflex | Involuntary muscular contraction in response to a stimulus |
| sciatica | Inflammation of the sciatic nerve |
| sedative | Agent that relieves feeling of agitation |
| shingles | Viral disease affecting the peripheal nerves |
| somatic nervous system | Part of the peripheral nervous system that receives and processes sensory input from various parts of the body |
| somnambulsim | Sleepwalking |
| somnolence | Extreme sleepiness caused by a neurological disorder |
| SPECT (single photon emission computed tomography) brain scan | Brain image produced by the use of radioactive isotopes |
| spin(o) | spine |
| spina bifida | Congential defect of the spinal column |
| spinal cord | Ropelike tissue that sits inside the vertebral column and from which spinal nerves extend |
| spinal nerves | Any of 31 pairs of nerves that carry messages to and from the spinal corn and the torso and extremities |
| sterotaxy or stereotactic surgery | Destruction of deep-seated brain structures using three-dimensional coordinates to locate the structures |
| stimulus (pl. stimuli) | Anything that arouses a response |
| stroke | Neurological incident caused by disruption in the normal blood supply to the brain; stroke |
| subdural space | Area between the dura mater and pia mater across which the arachnoid runs |
| sulcus (pl.sulci) | One of many indentations of the cerebrum; sulci |
| sympathetic nervous system | Of the part of the autonomic nervous system that operates when the body is under stress |
| synapse | Space over which nerve impulses jump from one neuron to another |
| syncope | Loss of consciousness due to a sudden lack of oxygen to the brain |
| Tay-Sachs disease | Hereditary disease that causes deterioration in the central nervous system and eventually, death |
| temporal lobe | One of the four parts of each hemisphere of the cerebrum |
| terminal end fibers | Group of fibers at the end of an axon that passes the impulses leaving the neuron to the next neuron |
| thalam(o) | thalamus |
| thalamus | One of the four parts of the diencephalon; serves as a sensory relay station |
| thrombotic stroke | Stroke caused by a thrombus |
| thrombus | Blood clot |
| tics | Twitching movement that accompany some neurological disorders |
| tonic-clonic seizure | Severe epileptic seizure accompanied by convulsions, twitching, and loss of consciousness |
| trancranial sonogram | Brain images produced by the use of sound waves |
| trephination | Circular incision into the skull |
| Tourette syndrome | Neurological disorders that causes uncontrollable speech sounds and tics |
| transient ischemic attack | Short neurological incident usually not resulting in permanent injury, but usually signaling that a larger stroke may occur |
| vag(o) | vagus nerve |
| vagotomy | Surgical cutting off of the vagus nerve |
| ventral thalamus | One of the four parts of the diencephalon; serves as a sensory relay station |
| ventricle | Cavity in the brain for cerebrospinal fluid |
| ventricul(o) | ventricle |
| viral meningitis | Meningitis caused by a virus and not as severe as pyrogenic meningitis |
| Ach | acetylcholine |
| ALS | amyotrophic lateral sclerosis |
| BBB | blood-brain barrier |
| CNS | central nervous system |
| CP | cerebral palsy |
| CSF | cerebrospinal fluid |
| CT or CAT scan | computerized (axial) tomography |
| CVA | cerebrovascular accident |
| CVD | cerebrovascular disease |
| EEG | electroencephalogram |
| ICP | intracranial pressure |
| LP | lumbar puncture |
| MRA | magnetic resonance angiography |
| MRI | magnetic resonance imaging |
| SAH | subarachnoid hemorrhage |
| TIA | transient ischemic attack |
| acetone | Type of ketone normally found in urine in small quantities; found in larger quantities in diabetic urine |
| albumin | Simple protein; when leaked into urine, may indicate a kidney problem |
| albuminuria | Presence of albumin in urine, usually indicative of disease |
| antispamodic | Pharmacological agent that relieves spasms; also decreases frequency of urination |
| anuresis | Abnormal retention of urine |
| anuria | Lack of urine formation |
| atresia | Abnormal narrowing, as of the ureters or urethra |
| azotemia | Excess of urea and other wastes in the blood |
| bilirubin | Substance produced in the liver; elevated levels may indicate liver disease or hepatitis when found in urine |
| bladder | Organ where urine collects before being excreted from the body |
| bladder cancer | Malignancy of the bladder |
| Bowman's capsule | Capsule surrounding a glomerulus and serving as a collection site for urine |
| Bright's disease | Inflammation of the glomeruli that can result in kidney failure |
| cali(o), calic(o) | calix |
| calices, calyces, (sing. calix, calyx) | Cup-shaped structures in the renal pelvis for the collection of urine |
| casts | materials formed in urine when protein accumlates; may indicate renal disease |
| condom catheter | Disposable catheter for urinary sample collection or incontinence |
| cortex | Outer portion of the kidney |
| creatine | Substance found in urine; elevated levels may indicate muscular dystrophy |
| creatinine | A component creatine |
| cyst(o) | bladder |
| cystectomy | Surgical removal of the bladder |
| cystitis | Inflammation of the bladder |
| cystocele | Hernia of the bladder |
| cystolith | Bladder stone |
| cystopexy | Surgical fixing of the bladder to the abdominal wall |
| cystoplasty | Surgical repair of the bladder |
| cystorrhaphy | Suturing of a damaged bladder |
| cystoscope | Tubular instrument for examining the interior of the bladder |
| cystoscopy | Tubular instrument for examining the inerior of the bladder |
| dialysis | Method of filtration used when kidneys fail |
| diuretic | Pharmacological agent that increases urination |
| dysuria | Painful urination |
| edema | Retention of water in cells, tissues, and cavities, sometimes due to kidney disease |
| end-stage-renal disease (ESRD) | The last stage of kidney failure |
| enuresis | Urinary incontinence |
| extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) | Breaking of kidney stones by using shock waves from outside the body |
| filtration | Process of separating solids from a liquid by passing it through a porous substance |
| Foley catheter | Indwelling catheter held in place by a balloon that inflates inside the bladder |
| glomerul(o) | glomerulus |
| glomerulonephritis | Inflammation of the glomeruli of the kidneys |
| glomerulus (pl. glomuleri) | Group of capillaries in a nephron |
| glucose | Form of sugar found in the blood; may indicate diabetes when found in the urine |
| hematuria | Blood in the urine |
| hemodialysis | Dialysis performed by passing blood through a filter outside the body and returning filtered blood to the body |
| hilum | Portion of the kidney where blood vessels and nerves enter and exit |
| hydronephrosis | Abnormal collection of urine in the kidneys due to a blockage |
| incontinence | Inability to prevent excretion of urine or feces |
| indwelling | Of a type of catheter inserted into a body |
| intracorporeal electrohydraulic lithotripsy | Use of an endoscope to break up stones |
| ketone | Substance that reults from the breakdown of fat; indicates diabetes of starvation when present in the urine |
| ketonuria | Increased urinary excretion of ketones, usually indicative of diabetes or starvation |
| kidney | Organ tha forms urine and reaborbs essentail substances back into the bloodstream |
| kidney failure | Loss of kidney function |
| kidney, ureter, bladder (KUB) | X-ray of three parts of the urinary system |
| lithotomy | Surgical removal of bladder stones |
| meato | meatus |
| meatotomy | Surgical enlargement of the meatus |
| meatus | External opening of a canal, such as the urethra |
| medulla | Soft, central portion of the kidney |
| nephrectomy | Removal of a kidney |
| nephritis | Inflammation of the kidneys |
| nephro(o) | kidney |
| nephroblastoma | Malignant kidney tumor found primarily in young children; nephroblastoma |
| nephrolithotomy | Surgical removal of a kidney stone |
| nephrolysis | Removal of kidney adhersions |
| nephroma | Any renal tumor |
| nephron | Functional unit of a kidney |
| nephropexy | Surgical fixing of a kidney to the abdominal wall |
| nephrorrhaphy | Suturing of a damaged kidney |
| nephrosis | Disorder caused by loss of protein in the urine |
| nephrostomy | Establsihment of an opening from the renal pelvis to the outside of the body |
| nocturia | Nighttime urination |
| oliguria | Scanty urine production |
| peritoneal dialysis | Type of dialysis in which liquid that extracts substances from blood is inserted into the peritoneal cavity and emptied outside the body |
| pH | Measurement of the acidity or alkalinity of a solution such as urine |
| phenylketones | Substances that, if accumulated in the urine of infants, indicate phenylketonuria, a disease treated by diet |
| polycystic kidney disease | Condition with many cysts on and within the kidneys |
| polyuria | Excessive urination |
| prostate | Gland surrounding the urethra in the male; active in ejaculation of semen |
| proteinuria | Abnormal presence of protein in the urine |
| pyel(o) | renal pelvis |
| pyelitis | Inflammation of the renal pelvis |
| pyeloplasty | Surgical repair of the renal pelvis |
| pyelotomy | Incision into the renal pelvis |
| pyuria | Pus in the urine |
| reabsorption | Process of returning essential elements to the bloodstream after filtration |
| ren(o) | Kidney |
| renal pelvis | Collectin area for urine in the center of the kidney |
| renin | Enzyme produced in the kidneys to regulate the filtration rate of blood by increasing blood pressure as necessary |
| renogram | Radioactive imaging of kidney function after introduction of a substance that is filtered through the kidney while it is observed |
| resectoscope | type of endoscope for removal of lesions |
| retrograde pyelogram | X-ray of the bladder and ureters after a contrast medium is injected into the bladder |
| retroperitoneal | Posterior to the peritoneum |
| specific gravity | Measurement of the concentration of wastes, minerals, and solids in urine |
| trigon(o) | trigone |
| trigone | Triangular area at the base of the bladder through which the ureters enter and the urethra exits the bladder |
| ur(o) urin(o) | urine |
| urea | waste product of nitrogen metabolism excreted in normal adult urine |
| uremia | Excess of urea and other wastes in the blood |
| ureter(o) | ureter |
| ureterctomy | Surgical removal of all or some of a ureter |
| ureteroplasty | Surgical repair of a ureter |
| ureterorrhaphy | Suturing of a ureter |
| urethr(o) | urethra |
| urethra | Tube through which urine is transported from the bladder ti the exterior of the body |
| urethropexy | Surgical fixing of the urethra |
| urethroplasty | Surgical repair of the urethra |
| urethrorrhaphy | Suturing of the urethra |
| urethrostomy | Establishment of an opening between the urethra and the exterior of the body |
| urethrotomy | Surgical incision of a narrowing in the urethra |
| uric acid | Nitrogenous waste excreted in the urine |
| urinalysis | Examination of the properties of urine |
| urinary bladder | Organ where urine collects before being excreted from the body |
| urinary system | body system that forms and excretes urine and helps in the reabsorption of essential substances |
| urinary tract infection | Infection of the urinary tract |
| urine | Fluid excreted by the urinary system |
| urology | Medical specialty that diagnoses and treats the urinary system and the male reproductive system |
| urostomy | Establishment of am opening in the abdomen to the exterior of the body for the release of urine |
| vesic(o) | bladder |
| voiding (urinating) cystourethogram (VCU, VCUG) | X-ray image made after indroduction of a contrast medium and while urination is taking place |
| Wilms' Tumor | Malignant kidney tumor found primarily in young children; nephroblastoma |
| ADH | antidiuretic hormone |
| A/G | albumin/globulin |
| AGN | acute glomerulonephritis |
| ARF | acute renal failure |
| ATN | acute tubular necrosis |
| BNO | bladder neck obstruction |
| BUN | blood urea nitrogen |
| CAPD | continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis |
| Cath | catheter |
| C1 | chlorine |
| CRF | chronic renal failure |
| cysto | cystoscopy |
| ESRD | end-stage renal disease |
| ESWL | extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy |
| HD | hemodialysis |
| IVP | intravenous pyelogram |
| K+ | potassium |
| KUB | kidney, ureter, bladder |
| Na+ | sodium |
| pH | power of hydrogen concentration |
| PKU | phenylketonuria |
| RP | retrograde pyelogram |
| SG | specific gravity |
| UA | urinalysis |
| UTI | urinary tract infection |
| VCU, VCUG | voiding cystourethrogram |
| abortion | Premature ending of a pregnancy |
| abortifacient | Medication to prevent implantation of an ovum |
| abruptio placnetae | Breaking away of the placenta from the uterine wall |
| afterbirth | Placenta and membranes that are expelled from the uterus afterbirth |
| amenoorrhea | Lack of menstruation |
| amni(o) | amnion |
| amniocentesis | Removal of a sample of amniotic fluid through a needle injected in the amniotic sac |
| anovulation | Lack of ovulation |
| anteflexion | Bending forward, as of the uterus |
| areola | Darkish area surrounding the nipple on a breast |
| aspiration | Biopsy in which fluid is withdrawn through a needle by suction |
| Bartholin's gland | One of two glands on either side of the vagina that secrete fluid into the vagina |
| birth control pills or implants | Medication that controls the flow of hormones to block ovulation |
| body | Middle portion of the uterus |
| carcinoma in situ | Localized malignancy that has not spread |
| cauterization | Removal or destruction of tissue using chemicals or devices, such as laser-guided equipment |
| cervic(o) | cervix |
| cervicitis | Inflammation of the cervix |
| cervix | Protective part of uterus, located at the bottom and protruding through the vaginal wall; contains glands that secrete fluid into the vagina |
| chlamydia | Sexually transmitted bacterial infection affecting various parts of the male or female reproductive systems; the bacterial agent itself |
| chorion | Outermost membrane of the sac surrounding the fetus during gestation |
| climacteric | Period of hormonal changes just prior to menopause |
| clitoris | Primary organ of female sexual stimulation, located at the top of the labia minora |
| coitus | Sexual intercourse |
| colp(o) | vagina |
| colposcopy | Examination of the vagina with colposcope |
| condom | Contraceptive device consisting of a rubber or vinyl sheath placed over the penis or as lining that covers the vaginal canal that blocks contact between the sperm and the female sex organs |
| condyloma | Growth on the external genitalia |
| conization | Removal of a cone-shaped section of the cervix for examination |
| contraception | Method of controlling conception by blocking access or interrupting reproductive cycles; birth control |
| copulation | Sexual intercourse |
| corpus luteum | Structure formed after the graafian follicle fills with a yellow substance that secretes estrogen and progesterone |
| cryosurgery | Removal or destruction of tissue using cold temperatures |
| culdocentesis | Taking of a fluid sample from the base of the pelvic cavity to see if an ectopic pregnancy has ruptured |
| culdoscopy | Examination of the pelvic cavity using an endoscope |
| diaphragm | Contraceptive device that covers the cervix and blocks sperm from entering; used in conjunction with spermicide |
| dysmenorrhea | Painful menstruation |
| dyspareunia | Painful sexaul intercourse due to any of various conditions, such as cysts, infection, or dryness, in the vagina |
| endometriosis | Abnormal condition in which uterine wall tissue is found in the pelvis or on the abdominal wall |
| endometrium | Inner mucous layer of the uterus |
| episi(o) | vulva |
| estrogen | One of the primary female hormones produced by the ovaries |
| fallopian tube | One of two tubes that lead from the ovaries to the uterus; uterine tube |
| fibroid | Benign tumor commonly found in the uterus |
| fimbriae | Hairlike ends of the uterine tubes that sweep the ovum into the uterus |
| follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) | Hormone necessary for maturation of oocytes and ovulation |
| foreskin | Fold of skin at the top of the labia minora |
| fundus | Top portion of the uterus |
| galact(o) | milk |
| gamete | Sex cell; mature female sex cell produced by teh ovaries, which then travels to the uterus. If fertilized, it implants in the uterus; if not, it is released during menstruation to the outside of the body |
| gestation | Period of fetal development in the uterus; usually about 40 weeks |
| gonad | Male or female sex organ; one of two glands that produce ova |
| gonorrhea | Sexually transmitted inflammation of the genital membranes |
| graafian follicle | Follicle in the ovary that holds an oocyte during development and then releases it. |
| gravida | Pregnant woman |
| gynec(o) | Female |
| gynecologist | Specialist who diagnoses and treats the processes and disorders of the female reproductive system |
| hormone | Chemical secretion from glands such as the ovaries |
| hormone replacement therapy (HRT) | Treatment with hormones when the body stops or decreases the production of hormones by itself |
| hymen | Fold of mucous membranes covering the vagina of a young female; usually ruptures during first intercourse |
| hyster(o) | uterus |
| hysteroctomy | Removal of the uterus |
| hysterosalpingography | X-ray of the uterus and uterine tubes after a contrast medium has been injected |
| hysteroscopy | Examination of the uterus using a hysteroscope |
| intrauterine device (IUD) | Contraeceptive device consisting of a coil placed in the uterus to block implantation of a fertilized ovum |
| introitus | External openings or entrance to a hollow organ, such as a vagina |
| isthmus | Narrow region at the bottom of the uterus opening into the cervix |
| Kegal exercises | Exercise to strengthen pubic muscles |
| labia majora | Two folds of skin that form the borders of the vulva |
| labia minora | Two folds of skin between the labia majora |
| lact(o), lacti | milk |
| lactation | Production of milk from the breasts following delivery |
| lactiferous | Producing milk |
| laparoscopy | Use of a lighted tubular instrument inserted through a woman's naval to perform a tubal ligation or to examine the fallopian tubes |
| leukorrhea | Abnormal vaginal discharge; usually whitish |
| lumpectomy | Removal of a breast tumor |
| luteinizing hormone (LH) | Hormone essential ot ovulation |
| mamm(o) | breast |
| mammary glands | Glandular tissue that forms the breasts, which respond to cycles of menstuation and birth |
| mammography | X-ray imaging of the breast as a cancer screening method |
| mammoplasty | Plastic surgery to reconstruct the breast, particularly after a mastectomy |
| mast(o) | breast |
| mastectomy | Removal of a breast |
| mastitis | Inflammation of the breast |
| mastopexy | Surgical procedure to attach sagging breasts in a more normal postion |
| men(o) | menstruation |
| menarche | First menstruation |
| menometrorrhagia | Irregular or excessive bleeding between or during menstruation |
| menopause | Time when menstruation ceases; usually between ages 45 and 55 |
| menorrhagia | Excessive menstrual bleeding |
| menstruation | Cyclical release of uterine lining through the vagina; usually every 28 days |
| metr(o) | uterus |
| metrorrhagia | Uterine bleeding between menstrual periods |
| miscarriage | Spontaneous, premature ending of a pregnancy |
| mons pubis | Mound of soft tissue in the external genitalia covered by pubic hair after puberty |
| morning-after pill | Medication to prevent implantation of an ovum |
| myomectomy | Removal of fibroids from the uterus |
| myonmetrium | Middle layer of muscle tissue of the uterus |
| nipple | Projection of the apex of the breast through which milk flows during lactation |
| oo | egg |
| obstetrician | Physician who specializes in pregnancy and childbirth care |
| oligomenorrhea | Scanty menstrual period |
| oligo-ovulation | Irregular ovulation |
| oocyte | Immature ovum produced in the gonads |
| oophor(o) | ovary |
| oophorectomy | Removal of an ovary |
| ov(i), ov(o) | egg |
| ovari(o) | ovary |
| ovulation | Release of an ovum(or rarely, more than one ovum) as part of monthly cycle that leads to fertilization or menstruation |
| ovum (pl. ova) | Mature female sex cell produced by the ovaries, which then travels to the uterus. If fertilized, it implants in the uterus; if not, it is released during menstruation to the outside of the body |
| oxytocin | Hormone given to induce labor |
| Papanicolaou smear | Gathering of cells from the cervix and vagina to abserve for abnormalities |
| para | Woman who has given birth to one or more viable infants |
| parturition | Birth |
| pelvimetry | Measurement of the pelvis during pregnancy |
| perimenopause | Three-to-five-year period of decreasing estrogen levels prior to menopause |
| perimetrium | Outer layer of the uterus |
| perine(o) | perineum |
| perineum | Space between the labia majora and the anus |
| placenta | Nutrient-rich organ that develops in the uterus during pregnancy; supplies nutrients to the fetus |
| placenta previa | Placement of the placenta so it blocks the birth canal |
| preclampsia | Toxic infection during pregnancy |
| progesterone | One of the primary female hormones |
| puberty | Pre-teen or early teen period when secondary sex characteristics develop and menstruation begins |
| retroflexion | Bending backward of the uterus |
| retroversion | Backward turn of the uterus |
| salping(o) | fallopian tube |
| salpingectomy | Removal of a fallopian tube |
| salpingitis | Inflammation of the fallopian tube |
| salpingotomy | Incision into the fallopian tube |
| sinus | Space between the lactiferous ducts and the nipple |
| spermicide | Contraceptive chemical that destroys sperm; usually in cream or jelly form |
| sponge | Polyurethane contraceptive device filled with spermicide and placed in vagina near cervix |
| syphilis | Sexually transmitted acute infection |
| tocolytic agent | Hormone given to stop labor |
| umbilical cord | Cord that connects the placenta in the mother's uterus to the navel of the fetus during gestation for nourishment of the fetus |
| uter(o) | uterus |
| uterine tube | One of two tubes through which ova travel from an ovary to the uterus |
| uterus | Female reproductive organ; site of implantation after fertilization or release of the lining during menstruation |
| vagin(o) | vagina |
| vaginitis | Inflammation of the vagina |
| vulv(o) | vulva |
| vulva | External female genitalia |
| AB | abortion |
| AFP | alpha fetoprotein |
| AH | abdominal hysterectomy |
| CIS | caricinoma in situ |
| CS | caesarean section |
| C-section | caesarean section |
| Cx | cervix |
| D&C | dilation and curettage |
| DES | diethylsilbestrol |
| DUB | dysfunctional uterine bleeding |
| ECC | endocervical curettage |
| EDC | expected date of confinement |
| EMB | endometrial biopsy |
| ERT | estrogen replacement therapy |
| FHT | fetal heart tones |
| FSH | follicle-stimulating hormone |
| G | gravida (pregnancy) |
| gyn | gynecology |
| HCG | human chorionic gonadotropin |
| HRT | hormone replacement therapy |
| HSG | hysterosalpingography |
| HSO | hysterosalpingoophorectomy |
| IUD | intrauterine device |
| LH | luteinizing hormone |
| LMP | last menstrual period |
| multip | multiparous |
| OB | obstetrics |
| OCP | oral contraceptive pill |
| P | para (live birth) |
| Pap smear | Papanicolaou smear |
| PID | pelvic inflammatory disease |
| PMP | previous menstrual period |
| PMS | premenstrual syndrome |
| primip | primiparous |
| TAH-BSO | total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salping oophorectomy |
| TSS | toxic shock syndrome |
| UC | uterine contractions |
| anabolic steriods | Prescription drug abused by some athletes to increase muscle mass |
| andr(o) | men |
| anorchism, anorchia | Congenital absence of one or both testicles |
| aspermia | Inability to produce sperm |
| azoospermia | Semen without living sperm |
| balan(o) | glans penis |
| balanitis | Inflammation of the glans penis |
| bulbourethral gland | One of two glands below the prostate that secrete a fluid to lubricate the inside of the urethra |
| castration | Removal of the testicles |
| chancroids | Bacterial infection that can be sexually transmitted; results in sores on the penis, urethra, or anus |
| circumcision | Removal of the foreskin |
| Cowper's gland | One of two glands below the prostate that secretes a fluid to lubricate the inside of the urethra |
| cryptorchism | Birth defect with the failure of one or both of the testicles to descend in to the scrotal sac |
| ejaculation | Expulsion of semen outside the body |
| epididym(o) | epididymis |
| epididymectomy | Removal of an epididymis |
| epididymis | Group of ducts at the top of the testis where sperm are stored |
| epididymitis | Inflammation of the epididymis |
| epispadias | Birth defect with abnormal opening of the urethra on the top side of the penis |
| flagellum | Tail at the end of a sperm that helps it move. |
| foreskin | Flap of skin covering the glans penis; removed by circumcision in many cultures |
| glans penis | Sensitive area at the tip of the penis |
| hernia | Abnormal protrusion of tissue through muscle that contains it |
| hydrocele | Fluid-containing hernia of the testis |
| hypospadias | Birth defect with abnormal opening of the urethra on the bottom side of the penis |
| impotence | Inability to maintain an erection for ejaculation |
| infertility | Inability to fertilize ova |
| oligospermia | Scanty production of sperm |
| orch(o), orchi(o), orchid(o) | testes |
| orchidectomy | Removal of a testicle |
| orchiectomy | Removal of a testicle |
| penis | Male reproductive part that covers the urethra on the outside of the body |
| perineum | Area between the penis and the anus |
| Peyronie's disease | Abnormal curvature of the penis caused by hardening in the interior of the penis |
| phimosis | Abnormal narrowing of the opening of the foreskin |
| prostat(o) | prostate gland |
| prostate gland | Gland surrounding the urethra that emits fluid to help sperm move and contracts its muscular tissue during ejaculation to help the sperm exit the body |
| prostatectomy | Removal of the prostate |
| prostate-specific antigen test | Blood test for prostate cancer |
| prostatitis | Inflammation of the prostate |
| scrotum | Sac outside the body containing the testicles |
| semen | Thick, whitish fluid containing spermatozoa and secretions from the seminal vesicles, Cowper's glands, and prostate; ejaculated from the penis |
| semen analysis | Observation of semen for viability of sperm |
| seminoma | Malignant tumor of the testicles |
| sperm | Male sex cell that contains chromosomes |
| sperm(o) spermat(o) | sperm |
| spermatozoon (pl. spermatozoa) | Male sex cell that contains chromosomes |
| testicles | Male organ that produces sperm and is contained in the scrotum |
| testis (pl. testes) | Male organ that produces sperm and is contained in the scrotum |
| testosterone | Primary male hormone |
| urethrogram | X-ray of the urethra and prostate |
| varicocele | Enlargement of veins of the spermatic cord |
| vas deferens | Narrow tube through which sperm leave the epididymis and travel to the seminal vesicles and into the urethra |
| vasectomy | Removal of part of the vas deferens to prevent conception |
| vasovasostomy | Reversal of a vasectomy |
| AIH | artificial insemination homogous |
| BPH | benign prostatic hypertrophy |
| PED | penile erectile dysfunction |
| PSA | prostate-specific antigen |
| SPP | suprapibic prostatectomy |
| TURP | transurethral resection of the prostate |
| agglutin(o) | agglutinin |
| agglutination | Clumping of cells and particles in blood |
| agglutinogen | Substance that causes agglutination |
| agranulocyte | Leukocyte with nongranular cytoplasm |
| albumin | Simple protein found in plasma |
| anemia | Condition in which red blood cells do not transport enough oxygen to the tissues |
| anisocytosis | Condition with abnormal variation in the size of red blood cells |
| anticoagulant | Agent that prevents formation of blood clots |
| antiglobulin test | Test for antibodies on red blood cells |
| basophil | Leukocyte containing heparin and histamine and performing a phagocytic function |
| basophilia | Condition with an increased number of basophils in the blood |
| biochemistry panel | Common group of automated tests run on one blood sample |
| blood | Fluid (containing plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets) circulated throughout the arteries, veins, capillaries, and heart |
| blood chemistry | Test of plasma for presence of a particular substance such as glucose |
| blood culture | Test of a blood specimen in a culture medium to observe for particular mocroorganisms |
| blood indices | Measurement of the characteristics of red blood cells |
| blood types or groups | Classification of blood according to its antigen and anitbody qualities |
| bone marrow biopsy | Extraction of bone marrow, by means of a needle for observation |
| bone marrow transplant | Injection of donor bone marrow into a patient whose diseased cells have been killed through radiation and chemotherapy |
| chemistry profile | test of plasma for presence of a particular substance such as glucose |
| coagulant | Clotting agent |
| coagulation | Changing of a liquid, especially blood, into a semi-solid |
| complete blood count (CBC) | Most common blood test for a number of factors |
| dyscrasia | Any disease with abnormal particles in the blood |
| electrophoresis | Process of separating particles in a solution by passing electricity through the liquid |
| eosino | eosinophil |
| eosinophil | Type of granulocyte |
| eosinophilia | Condition with an abnormal number of eosinophils in the blood |
| erythr(o) | red |
| erythroblastosis fetalis | Incompatibility disoreder between a mother with Rh negative and a fetus with Rh positive |
| erythrocyte | Mature red blood cell |
| erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) | Test for rate at which red blood cells fall through plasma |
| erythropenia | Disorder with abnormally low number of red blood cells |
| erythropoietin | Hormone released by the kidneys to stimulate red blood cell production |
| fibrin clot | Clot-forming threads formed at the site of an injury during coagulation where platelets clump together with various other substances |
| fibrinogen | Protein in plasma that aids in clotting |
| gamma globulin | Globulin that arises in lymphatic tissue and functions as part of the immune system |
| globin | Protein molecule; in blood, a part of hemoglobin |
| granulocyte | Leukocyte with granular cytoplasm |
| granulocytosis | Condition with abnormal number of granulocytes in the bloodstream |
| hematocrit | Measure of the percentage of red blood cells in a blood sample |
| hematocytoblast | Most immature blood cell |
| heme | Pigment containing iron in hemoglobin |
| hemo hemat(o) | blood |
| hemochromatosis | Hereditary condition with excessive iron buildup in the blood |
| hemoglobin | Protein in red blood cells essential to the transport of oxygen |
| hemolsis | Disorder with breakdown of red blood cell membranes |
| hemophilia | Hereditary disorder with lack of clotting factor in the blood |
| hemostatic | Agent that stops bleeding |
| heparin | Substance in blood that prevents clotting |
| histamine | Substance released by basophils and eosinophils; involved in allergic reations |
| leuk(o) | white |
| leukocyte | Mature white blood cell |
| lymphocyte | Type of agranulocyte |
| macrocytosis | Disorder with abnormally large red blood cells |
| megakaryocyte | Large cells in red bone barrow that form platelets |
| microcytosis | Disorder with abnormally small red blood cells |
| monocyte | Type of agranulocyte |
| multiple myeloma | Malignant tumor of the bone marrow |
| myeloblast | Immature granulocytes |
| neurtrophil | Type of leukocyte; granulocyte |
| pancytopenia | Condition with low number of blood components |
| partial thromboplastin time (PTT) | Test for ability of blood to coagulate |
| phag(o) | eating, devouring |
| phlebotomy | Insertion of a needle into a vein, usually for the purpose of extracting a blood sample |
| plasma | Liquid portion of unclotted blood |
| plasmapheresis | Process of removing blood from a person, centrifuging it, and returning only red blood cells to that person |
| platelet | Thrombocyte; part of a megakaryocyte that initiates clotting |
| platelet count (PLT) | Measurement of number of platelets in a blood samples |
| poikilocytosis | Disorder with irregularly shaped red blood cells |
| polycythemia | Disorder with abnormal increase in red blood cells and hemoglobin |
| prothrombin time (PT) | Test ability of blood to coagulate |
| purpura | Condition with multiple, tiny hemorrhages under the skin |
| red blood cell | One of the solid parts of blood formed from stem cells and having hemoglobin within; erythrocyte |
| red blood cell count | Measurement of red blood cells in a cubic millimeter of blood |
| red blood cell morphology | Observation of shape of red blood cells |
| relapse | Recurrence of a disease |
| remission | Disappearance of a disease for a time |
| reticulocytosis | Disorder with an abnormal number of immature erthrocytes |
| Rh factor | Type of antigen in blood that can cause a transfusion reaction |
| Rh-negative | Lacking Rh factor on surface of blood cells |
| Rh-positive | Having Rh factor on surface on blood cells |
| sedimentation rate (SR) | Test for rate at which red blood cells fall through plasma |
| serum | The liquid left after blood had clotted |
| SMA (sequential multiple analyzer) | Original blood chemistry machine; now a synonym for blood chemistry |
| stem cell | Immature cell formed in bone marrow that becomes differentiated into either a red or a white blood cell |
| thalassemia | Hereditary disorder characterized by inability to produce sufficient hemoglobin |
| thromb(o) | blood clot |
| thrombin | Enzyme that helps in clot formation |
| thrombocyte | Platelet; cell fragment that produces thrombin |
| thrombocytopenia | Bleeding condition with insufficient production of platelets |
| thrombolytic | Agent that disolves blood clots |
| thromboplastin | Protein that aids in forming a fibrin clot |
| transfusion | Injection of donor blood into a person needing blood |
| venipucture | Insertion of a needle into a vein, usually for the purpose of extracting a blood sample |
| von Willebrand's disease | Hemorrhagic disorder with tendency to bleed from mucous membranes |
| white blood cell | One of the solid parts of blood from stem cells that plays a role in defense against disease; leukocyte |
| APTT | activated partial thromboplastin time |
| baso | basophil |
| BCP | biochemistry panel |
| BMT | bone marrow transplant |
| CBC | complete blood count |
| diff | differential blood count |
| eos | eosinophils |
| ESR | erythrocyte sedimentation rate |
| G-CSF | Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor |
| GM-CSF | Granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor |
| HCT, Hct | hematocrit |
| HGB, Hgb, HB | hemoglobin |
| MCH | mean corpuscular hemoglobin |
| MCHC | mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration |
| MCV | mean corpuscular volume |
| mono | monocyte |
| PCV | packed cell volume |
| PLT | platelet count |
| PMN, poly | polymorphonuclear neurtrophil |
| PT | prothrombin time |
| PTT | partial thromboplastin time |
| RBC | red blood cell count |
| SR; sed,rate | sedimentation rate |
| seg | segmented mature white blood cells |
| WBC | white blood cell count |
| acquired active immunity | Resistance to a disease acquired naturally or developed by previous exposure or vaccination |
| acquired passive immunity | Inoculation against disease or poison, using antitoxins or antibodies from or in another person or another species |
| acquired immunodeficiency disease | AIDS |
| aden(o) | gland |
| allergen | Substance to which exposure causes an allergic reaction |
| allergy | Production of IgE antibodies against an allergen |
| anaphylaxis | Life-threatening allergic reaction |
| anntibody | Specialized protein that fights disease |
| antigen | any substance in the bloodstream that can provoke an immune response |
| antitoxin | Antibodies directed against a particular disease or poison |
| autoimmune disease | Any of a number of diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and scleroderma, caused by an autoimmune response |
| autoimmune response | Overactivity in the immune system against oneself causing destruction of one's own healthy cells |
| cell-mediated immunity | Resistance to disease mediated by T cells |
| cytotoxic cell | T cell that helps in destruction of infected cells throught out the body |
| enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (EIA, ELISA) | Test used to screen blood for the presence of antibodies to different viruses or bacteria |
| gamma globulin | Antibodies given to prevent or lessen certain diseases |
| helper cell | t cell that stimulates the immune response |
| histiocytic lymphoma | Lymphoma with malignant cells that resemble histiocytes |
| Hodgkin's lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease | Type of lymph cancer of uncertain origin that generally appears in early adulthood |
| human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) | Virus that causes AIDS; spread by sexual contact and exchange of body fluids |
| humoral immunity | Resistance to disease provided by plasma cells and anitbody production |
| hypersensitivity | Abnormal reaction to an allergen |
| hypersplenism | Overactive spleen |
| immun(o) | immunity |
| immunity | Resistance to particular pathogens |
| immunoglobulin | Type of antibody |
| immunosuppressive disease | Disease that flourishes because of lowered immune response |
| infectious mononucleosis | Acute infectious disease caused by the Epstein-Barr virus |
| interferon | Protein produced by T cells and other cells; destroys disease-causing cells with its antiviral properties |
| interleukin | Protein produced by T cells; helps regulates immune system |
| lymph | Fluid containing white blood cells and toher substances that flows in the lymphactic vessels |
| lymph(o) | lymph |
| lymphaden(o) | lymph nodes |
| lymphadenectomy | Removal of a lymph node |
| lymphadenopathy | Swollen lymph nodes |
| lymphadenotomy | Incision into a lymph nodes |
| lymphangi(o) | lymphatic vessels |
| lymph node | Specialized organ that produces lymphocytes and filters harmful substances from the tissues |
| lymph node dissection | Removal of a cancerous node for microscopic examination |
| lymphocytes | Lymph cells |
| lymphocytic lymphoma | Lymphoma with malignant cells that resemble large lymphocytes |
| lymphoma | Cancer of the lymph nodes |
| macrophage | Special cell that devours foreign substances |
| metastasis | Spread of a cancer from a localized area |
| natural immunity | Inherent resistance to disease found in a species, race, family group, or certain individuals |
| non-Hodgkin's lymphoma | Cancer of the lymph nodes with some cells resembling healthy cells and spreading in a diffuse pattern |
| opportunistic infection | Infection that takes hold because of lowered immune response |
| pathogen | Disease-causing agent |
| phagocytosis | Ingestion of foreign substances by specialized cells |
| plasma cell | Specialized cells that develop in the thymus and are responsible for cellular immunity |
| retrovirus | Type of virus that spreads by using DNA in the body to help it replicate its RNA |
| sarcoidosis | Inflammation condition with lesions on the lymph nodes and other organs |
| spleen | Organ of lymph system that filters, stores, removes, blood, and activates lymphocytes |
| splen(o) | spleen |
| splenectomy | Removal of the spleen |
| splenomegaly | Enlarged spleen |
| suppressor cell | t cell that suppresses B cells and other immune cells |
| T cells | Specialized cells that develop in the thymus and are responsible for cellular immunity |
| thym(o) | thymus |
| thymectomy | Removal of the tyhmus gland |
| thymocyte | Cell of the thymus gland that can mature into a T cell |
| thymoma | Tumor of the thymus gland |
| thymosin | Hormone secreted by the thymus gland that aids in distribution of thymocytes |
| thymus gland | Soft gland with two lobes that is involved in immune response; located in mediastinum |
| T lymphocytes | Specialized cells that develop in the thymus and are responsible for cellular immunity |
| tox(o), toxi, toxico | poison |
| vaccination vaccine | Injection of an antigen from a different organism to cause active immunity |
| Western blot | Test primarily used to check for antibodies to HIV in serum |
| AIDS | acquired immunodenficiency syndrome |
| ALL | acute lymphocytic leukemia |
| AML | acute myelogenous leukemia |
| AZT | Azidothymidine |
| CLL | chronic lymphocytic leukemia |
| CML | chronic myelogenous leukemia |
| CMV | cytomegalovirus |
| EBV | Epstein-Barr virus |
| EIS, ELISA | Enzyme-linked immonuosorbent assay |
| HIV | human immunodeficiency virus |
| HSV | herpse simples virus |
| IgA | immunoglobulin A |
| IgD | immunoglobulin D |
| IgE | immunoglobulin E |
| IgG | immunoglobulin G |
| IgM | immunoglobulin M |
| PCP | Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia |
| SLE | systemic lupus erythematosus |
| ZDV | Zidovudine |
| abdominocentesis | Incision into the abdomen to remove fluid |
| absorption | Passing of nutrients into the bloodstream |
| achalasia | Inability of a muscle, particularly the cardiac sphincter, to relax |
| achlorhydria | Lack of hydrochloric acid in the stomach |
| alimentary canal | Muscular tube from the mouth to the anus; digestive tract; gastrointestinal tract |
| amino acid | Chemical compound that results from digestion of complex proteins |
| amylase | Enzyme that is part of pancreatic juice and saliva and that begins the digestion of carbohydrates |
| anal canal | Part of the digestive tract extending from the rectum to the anus |
| anal fistula | Small opening in the anal canal through which waste matter can leak |
| anal fistulectomy | Removal of an anal fistula |
| anastomosis | Surgical union of two hollow structures |
| ankyloglossia | Conditon of the tongue being partially or completely attached to the bottom of the mouth |
| an(o) | anus |
| anorexia | Eating disorder with extreme weight loss |
| antacid | Agent that neutralizes stomach acid |
| antidiarrheal | Agent that controls loose, watery stools |
| antiemetic | Agent that prevents vomiting |
| antispasmodic | Agent that controls intestinal tract spasms |
| anus | Place at which feces exit the body |
| aphagia | Inability to swallow |
| append(o), appendic(o) | appendix |
| appendage | Any body part (inside or outside) either subordinate or to a larger part or having no specific central function |
| appendectomy | Removal of the appendix |
| appendicitis | Inflammation of the appendix |
| appendix | Wormlike appendage to the cecum |
| ascites | Fluid buildup in the abdominal and peritoneal cavities |
| bil(o), bili | bile |
| bile | Yellowish-brown to greenish fluid secreted by the liver and stored in the gallbladder; aids in fat digestion |
| bilirubin | Pigment contained in bile |
| Billroth's I | Excision of the pylorus |
| Billroth's II | Resection of the pylorus with the stomach |
| body | Middle section of the stomach |
| bowel | Intestine |
| bucc(o) | cheek |
| bulimia | Eating disorder with binging and purging |
| cathartic | Laxative |
| cec(o) | cecum |
| cecum | Pouch at the top of the large intestine connected to the bottom of the ileum |
| celi(o) | abdomen |
| cheeks | Walls of the oral cavity |
| cheilitis | Inflammation of the lips |
| cheiloplasty | Repair of the lips |
| chol(o), cholo | bile |
| cholangi(o) | bile vessel |
| cholangiography | X-ray of the bile ducts |
| cholangitis | Inflammation of the bile ducts |
| cholecyst(o) | gallbladder |
| cholecystectomy | Removal of the gallbladder |
| cholecystitis | Inflammation of the gallbladder |
| cholecystography | X-ray of the gallbladder |
| choledoch(o) | common bile duct |
| choledocholithotomy | Removal of stones from the common bile duct |
| cholelithiasis | Gallbladder in the bladder |
| cholelithotomy | Removal of gallstones |
| cholelithotripsy | Breaking up or crushing of stones in the body especially gallstones |
| chyme | Semisolid mass of partially digested food and gastric juices that passes from the stomach to the small intestines |
| cirrhosis | Liver disease, usually caused by alcoholism |
| col(o), colon(o) | colon |
| colectomy | Removal of the colon |
| colic | Gastrointestinal distress, especially of infants |
| colitis | Inflammation of the colon |
| colon | Major portion of the large intestine |
| colonoscopy | Examination of the colon using an endoscope |
| colostomy | Creation of an opening from the colon into the abdominal wall |
| constipation | Difficult or infrequent defecation |
| Crohn's disease | Type of irritable bowel disease with no ulcers |
| defecation | Release of feces from the anus |
| deglutition | Swallowing |
| diarrhea | Loose, watery stool |
| digestion | Conversion of food into nutrients for the body and into waste products for release from the body |
| diverticula | Small pouches in the intestinal walls |
| diverticulitis | Inflammation of the diverticula |
| diverticulosis | Condition in which the diverticula trap food or bacteria |
| duoden(o) | duodenum |
| duodenal ulcer | Ulcer of the duodenum |
| duodenum | Top part of the small intestine where chyme mixes with bile, pancreatic juices, and intestinal juice to continue the digestive process |
| dysentery | Irritation of the intestinal tract with loose stool |
| dyspepsia | Indigestion |
| dysphagia | Difficulty is swallowing |
| emesis | Backward flow from the normal direction |
| emulsification | Breaking down of fats |
| enter(o) | intestines |
| enteritis | Inflammation of the small intestine |
| enzyme | Protein that causes chemical changes in substances in the digestive tract |
| epoglottis | Movable flap of tissue that covers the trachea |
| eructation | Belching |
| esophag(o) | esophagus |
| esophagitis | Inflammation of the esophagus |
| esophagoplasty | Repair of the esophagus |
| esophagoscopy | Examination of the esophagus with an esophagoscope |
| esophagus | Part of alimentary canal from the pharynx to the stomach |
| fatty acid | Acid derived from fat during the digestive process |
| feces | Semisolid waste that moves through the large intestine to the anus, where it is released from the body |
| fistula | Abnormal opening in tissue |
| flatulence | Gas in the stomach or intestines |
| flatus | Gas in the lower intestinal tract that can be released through the anus |
| frenulum | Mucous membrane that attaches the tongue to the floor of the mouth |
| fundus | Upper portion of the stomach |
| gallbladder | Organ on lower surface of liver; stores bile |
| gallstones | Calculi in the gallbladder |
| gastrectomy | Removal of part or all of the stomach |
| gastric resection | Removal of part of the stomach and repair of the remaining part |
| gastritis | Inflammation of the stomach |
| gastr(o) | stomach |
| gastroenteritis | Inflammation of the stomach and small intestine |
| gastroscopy | Examination of the stomach using of an endoscope |
| gloss(o) | tongue |
| glossectomy | Removal of the tongue |
| glossitis | Inflammation of the tongue |
| glossorrhaphy | Suture of the tongue |
| gluc(o) | glucose |
| glucose | Sugar found in fruits and plants and in various parts of the body |
| glyc(o) | sugar |
| glycogen(o) | glycogen |
| glycogen | Starch that can be converted into glucose |
| gums | Fleshy sockets that hold the teeth and aid in chewing |
| halitosis | Foul mouth odor |
| hard palate | Hard anterior portion of the palate at the roof of the mouth |
| hematemesis | Blood in vomit |
| hematochezia | Red blood in stool |
| hemorrhoidectomy | Removal of hemorrhoids |
| hemorrhoids | Swollen,twisted veins in the anus |
| hepat(o) | liver |
| hepatic lobectomy | Removal of one ore move lobes of the liver |
| hepatitis | Inflammation or disease of the liver |
| hepatomegaly | Enlarged liver |
| hepatopathy | Liver disease |
| hiatal hernia | Protrusion of the stomach through an opening in the diaphragm |
| hyperbilirubinemia | Excessive bilirubin in the blood |
| icterus | Jaundice |
| ile(o) | ileum |
| ileitis | Inflammation of the ileum |
| ileostomy | Creation of an opening into the ileum |
| ileus | Intestinal blockage |
| intussusception | Prolapse of an intestinal part into a neighboring part |
| jaundice | Excessive bilirubin in the blood causing yellowing of the skin |
| jejun(o) | jejunum |
| jejunum | Middle section of the small intestine |
| labi(o) | lip |
| large intestine | Passageway in intestinal tract for waste received from small intestine to be excreted through the anus; alos, place where water reabsorption takes place |
| laxative | Agent that softens stool to relieve constipation |
| lingu(o) | tongue |
| lingual tonsils | Two mounds of lymph tissue at the back of the tongue |
| lipase | Enzyme contained in pancreatic juice |
| lips | Two muscular folds formed around the outside boundary of the mouth |
| liver | Organ important in digestive and metabolic functions; secretes bile |
| liver biopsy | Removal of a small amount of liver tissue to examine for disease |
| mastication | Chewing |
| melena | Old blood in the stool |
| mesentery | Membranous tissue that attaches small and large intestines to the muscular wall at the dorsal part of the abdomen |
| mouth | Cavity in the face in which food and water is ingested |
| nausea | Sick feeling in the stomach |
| obesity | Abnormal accumulation of fat in the body |
| or(o) | mouth |
| palatine tonsils | Mounds of tissue on either side of the pharynx |
| pancreas | Digestive organ that secretes digestive fluids; endocrine gland that regulates blood sugar |
| pancreat(o) | pancreas |
| pancreatectomy | Removal of the pancreas |
| pancreatitis | Inflammation of the pancreas |
| papilla (pl. papillae) | Tiny projection on the superior surface of the tongue that contains taste buds |
| paracentesis | Incision into the intestinal tract |
| parotitis, parotiditis | Inflammation of the parotid gland |
| pepsin | Digestive enzyme of gastric juice |
| peptic ulcer | Sore on the mucous membrane if the digestive system; stomach ulcer or gastric ulcer |
| perisalsis | Coordinated, rhythmic contractions of smooth muscle that force food through the digestive tract |
| periton(eo) | peritoneum |
| peritoneoscopy | Examination of the abdominal cavity using a peritoneoscope |
| peritonitis | Inflammtion of the peritoneum |
| pharyng(o) | pharynx |
| pharynx | Tube through which food passes to the esophagus |
| polypectomy | Removal of polyps |
| polyposis | Condition with polyps, as in the intestines |
| proct(o) | anus, rectum |
| proctitis | Inflammation of the rectum and anus |
| proctoplasty | Repair of the rectum and anus |
| proctoscopy | Examination of the rectum and anus using a proctoscope |
| pylor(o) | pylorus |
| pylorus | Narrowed bottom part of the stomach |
| rect(o) | rectum |
| rectum | Bottom portion of large intestine; connected to anal canal |
| reflux | Backward flow from the normal direction |
| regurgitation | Backward flow from the normal direction |
| rugae | Folds in stomach lining |
| salvia | Fluid secreted by salivary glands |
| salivary glands | Glans in the mouth that secrete fluids that aid in breaking down food |
| sial(o) | saliva, salivary glands |
| sialaden(o) | salivary glands |
| sialoadenitis | Inflammation of the salivary glands |
| simoid(o) | simoid colon |
| sigmoid colon | S-shaped part of large intestine connecting at the bottom to the rectum |
| simoidoscopy | Examination of the sigmoid colon using a sigmoidoscope |
| small intestine | Twenty-foot long tube that continues the process of digestion started in the stomach; place where most absorption takes place |
| soft palate | Soft posterior part of the palate in the mouth |
| steat(o) | fats |
| steatorrhea | Fat in the blood |
| stomat(o) | mouth |
| stomach | Large sac between the esophagus and small intestine; place where food is broken down |
| stool | Feces |
| throat | Pharynx |
| tongue | Fleshy part of the mouth that moves food during mastication |
| ulcerative colitis | Inflammation of the colon with ulcers |
| uvula | Cone-shaped projection hanging down from soft palate |
| villus (pl. villi) | Tiny fingerlike projection on the lining of the small intestine with capillaries through which digested nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream and lymphatic system |
| volvulus | Intestinal blockage caused by the intestine twisting on itself |
| ALT, AT | alanine transaminase |
| AST | aspartic acit transaminase |
| BE | barium enema |
| BM | bowel movement |
| EGD | esophagogastroduedenoscopy |
| ERCP | endoscopic rertograde cholangiopancreatography |
| GERD | gastroesophageal reflux disease |
| GI | gastrointestinal |
| IBD | inflammatory bowel disease |
| IBS | irritable bowel syndrome |
| NG | nosogastric |
| NPO | nothing by mouth (Latin nul per os) |
| SGOT | serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase |
| SGPT | serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase |
| TPN | total parenteral nutrition |
| UGI(S) | upper gastrointestinal (series) |
| acidosis | Abnormal release of ketones in the body |
| acromegaly | Abnormally enlarged features resulting from a pituitary tumor and hypersecretion of growth hormone |
| Adam's apple | Protrusion in the neck caused by a fold of thyroid cartilage |
| Addison's disease | Inderactivity of the adrenal glands |
| aden(o) | gland |
| adenectomy | Removal of a gland |
| adenohyophysis | Anterior lobe of the pituitary gland |
| adren(o), adrenal(o) | adrenal glands |
| adrenal cortex | Outer portion of the adrenal gland; helps control metobolism, inflammation, sodium and potassium retention, and effects of stress |
| adrenalectomy | Removal of an adrenal gland |
| adrenaline | Epinerphrine; secreted by adrenal medulla |
| adrenal medulla | Inner portion of adrenal glands; releases large quanties of hormones during stress |
| adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) | Hormone secreted by anterior pituitary; involved in the control of the adrenal cortex |
| aldosterone | Hormone secreted by adrenal cortex; mineralocorticoid; affects electrolyte and fluid balance |
| alpha cells | Specialized cells that produce glucagon in the pancreas |
| androgen | Any male hormone, such as testosterone |
| antidiuretic hormone (ADH) | Posterior pituitary hormone that increases water reabsorption; decreases urine output |
| antihyperglycemic | Agent htat lowers blood glucose |
| antihyopglycemic | Agent that raised blood glucose |
| beta cells | Specialized cells that produce insulin in the pancreas |
| blood sugar, blood glucose | Test for glucose in blood |
| calcitonin | Hormone secreted by the thyroid gland and othe endocrine glands; help control blood calcium levels |
| catecholamines | Hormones, such as epinephrine, released in response to stress |
| corticosteroids | Steroids produced by the adrenal cortex |
| cortisol | Hydrocortisone |
| Cushing's syndrome | Group of symptoms caused by overactivity of the adrenal glands |
| diabetes | Endocrine disorder with abnormally low levels of insulin; also known as insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) |
| diabetes | Disease caused by failure of the body to recognize insulin that is present or by abnormally low leve of insulin; also known as noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM); usually adult onset |
| diabetes insipidus | Condition caused by hyposecretion of anditiuretic hormone |
| diabetes mellitus | Endocrine disorder with abnormally low levels of insulin; also known as insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) |
| diabetes mellitus | Disease caused by failure of the body to recognize insulin that is present or by abnormally low leve of insulin; also known as noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM); usually adult onset |
| diabetic nephropathy | Kidney disease due to diabetes |
| diabetic neuropathy | Loss of sensation in the extremities due to diabetes |
| diabetic retinopathy | Gradual loss of vision due to diabetes |
| ductless gland | Endocrine gland |
| dwarfism | Abnormally stunted growth caused by hyposecretion of growth hormone, congenital lack of a thyroid gland, or genetic defect |
| electrolyte | Any substance that conducts electricity and is decomposed by it |
| endocrine gland | Gland that secretes substances into the bloodstream instead of into ducts |
| epinephrine | Hormone released by the adrenal medulla in response to stress; adrenaline |
| exocrine gland | Any gland that releases substances through ducts to a specific location |
| exophthalmos | Abnormal protrusion of the eyes typical of Grave's disease |
| fasting blood sugar | Test for glucose in blood following a fast for 12 hours |
| follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) | Hormone released by the anterior pituitary to aid in production of ova and sperm |
| gigantism | Abnormally fast and large growth caused by hypersecretion of growth hormone |
| gland | Any organized mass of tissue secreting or excreting substances |
| gluc(o) | glucose |
| glucogan | Hormone released by the pancreas to increase blood sugar |
| glucocorticoid | Hormone released by the adrenal cortex |
| glucose tolerance test (GTT) | Blood test for body's ability to metabolize carbohydratyes; taken after 12-hour fast, then repeated every hour for 4 to 6 hours after ingestion of a sugar solution |
| glucosuria | Glucose in the urine |
| glyc(o) | glycogen |
| glycogen | Converted glucose stored in the liver for future use |
| glycosuria | Glucose in the urine |
| goiter | Abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland as a result of its overactivity or lack of iodine in the diet |
| gonad(o) | sex glands |
| Grave's disease | Overactivity of the thyroid gland |
| growth hormone (GH) | Hormone released by anterior pituitary |
| hirsutism | Abnormal hair growth due to an excess of androgens |
| hormone | Substance secreted by glands and carried in the bloodstream to various parts of the body |
| hormone replacement therapy (HRT) | Ingestion of hormones to replace missing or low levels of needed hormones |
| hyperadrenalism | Overactivity of the adrenal glands |
| hyperparathyroidism | Overactivity of the parathyroid glands |
| hypersecretion | Abnormally high secretion, as from a gland |
| hyperthyroidism | Overactivity of the thyroid gland |
| hypoadrenalism | Underactivity of the adrenal gland |
| hypoglycemia | Abnormally low level of glucose in the blood |
| hypoglycemic | Agent that lowers blood glucose |
| hypoparathyroidism | Underactivity of the parathyroid glands |
| hypophysectomy | Removal of the pituitary gland |
| hypophysis | Pituitary gland |
| hyposecretion | Abnormally low secretion, as from a gland |
| hypothalamus | Gland in the nervous system that releases hormones to aid in regulating pituitary hormones |
| hypothyroidism | Underactivity of the thyroid gland |
| inhibiting | Preventin the secretion of other hormones |
| insulin | Substance released by the pancreas to lower blood sugar; helps transport glucose to cells and decrease blood sugar |
| insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus | Endocrine disorder with abnormally low levels of insulin; also known as insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) |
| islets of Langerhans | Specialized cells in the pancreas that release insulin and glucagon |
| isthmus | Narrow band of tissue connecting the two lobes of the thyroid gland |
| ketoacidosis | Condition of high acid levels caused by the abnormal release of ketones in the body |
| ketosis | Condition caused by the abnormal release of ketones in the body |
| luteinizing hormone (LH) | Hormone release to aid in maturation of ova and ovulation |
| melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) | Hormone released by the pituitary gland |
| melatonin | Hormone released by the pineal gland; affects sexual function and sleep patterns |
| mineralocorticoid | Steroid secreted by adrenal cortex |
| myxedema | Advanced adult hypothyroidism |
| neurohyophysis | Posterior lobe of pituitary gland |
| noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) | Disease caused by failure of the body to recognize insulin that is present or by abnormally low leve of insulin; also known as noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM); usually adult onset |
| norepinephrine | Hormone secreted by adrenal medulla |
| ovary | One of two female reproductive glands that secrete hormones in the endocrine system |
| oxytocin | Hormones released by the posterior pituitray gland to aid in uterine contractions and lactation |
| pancrease | Gland of both the endocrine system (blood sugar control) and the digestive system (as an exocrine gland) |
| pancreat(o) | pancreas |
| pancreatectomy | Removal of the pancreas |
| pancreatitis | Inflammation of the pancreas |
| parathormone (PTH) | Parathroid hormone |
| parathyroid(o) | parathyroid |
| parathyroidectomy | Removal of one or more of the parathyroid glands |
| parathyroid gland | One of four glands located adjacent to the thyroid gland on its dorsal surface that help maintain levels of blood calcium |
| parathyroid hormone | Hormone released by parathyroid glands help raise blood calcium levels |
| pineal gland | Gland located above pituitary gland; secretes melatonin |
| pituitary gland | Major endocrine gland; secretes hormones essential to metabolic functions |
| polydipsia | Excessive thirst |
| polyuria | Excessive amount of water in the urine |
| postprandial blood sugar | Test glucose in blood, usually about two hours after a meal |
| radioactive immunoassay (RIA) | Test for measuring hormone levels in plasma; taken after radioactive solution is ingested |
| radioactive iodine therapy | Use of radioactive iodine to eliminate thyroid tumors |
| radioactive iodine uptake | Test for how quickly the thyroid gland pulls in ingested iodine |
| receptor | Part of a target cell with properties compatible with a particular substance (hormone) |
| releasing | Allowing secretion of other hormones |
| somatotrophic hormone (STH) | Hormone secreted by anterior pituitary glands; important in growth and development |
| steroid | A hormone or chemical substance released by several endocrine glands or manufactured in various medications |
| suprarenal gland | Adrenal gland |
| sympathomimetic | Mimicking functions of th esympathetic nervous system |
| syndorme of inappropiate ADH (SIADH) | Excessive secretion of antidiuretic hormone |
| target cell | Cell with receptors that are compitable with specific hormones |
| testis, testicle | One of two male organs that secretes hormones in the endocrine system |
| tetany | Muscle paralysis, usually due to decreased levels of ionized calcium in the blood |
| thymectomy | Removal of the thymus gland |
| thymus gland | Gland that is part of the immune system as well as part of the endocrine system; aids in the maturation of T and B cells |
| thyr(o) thyroid(o) | thyroid gland |
| thyroidectomy | Removal of the thyroid |
| thyroid function test or study | Test for levels for TSH, T3 and T4 in blood plasma to determine thyroid function |
| thyroid gland | Gland with two lobes located on either side of the trachea; helps control blood calcium levels and metabolic function |
| thyroid scan | Imaging test for thyroid abnormalities |
| thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) | Hormone secreted by anterior pituitary gland; stimulates release of thyroid hormones |
| thyrotoxicosis | Overactivtiy of the thyroid gland |
| thyroxine (T4) | Compound found in or manufactured for thyroid gland; helps regulate metabolism |
| triiodothyronine (T3) | Thyroid hormone that stimulates growth |
| Type I diabetes | Endocrine disorder with abnormally low levels of insulin; also known as insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) |
| Type II diabetes | Disease caused by failure of the body to recognize insulin that is present or by abnormally low leve of insulin; also known as noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM); usually adult onset |
| urine sugar | Test for diabetes; determined by presence of ketones or sugar in urine |
| vasopressin | Hormone secreted by pituitary gland; raises blood pressure |
| virilism | Condtion with excessive androgen production, often resulting in the appearance of mature male characteristics in young children |
| ACTH | adrenocorticotropic hormone |
| ADH | antidiuretic hormone |
| CRH | corticotropin-releasing hormone |
| DM | diabetes mellitus |
| FSH | follicle-stimulating hormone |
| GH | growth hormone |
| GTT | glucose tolerance test |
| HCG | human chorionic gonadotropin |
| IDDM | insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus |
| LH | luteinizing hormone |
| MSH | melanocyte stimulating hormone |
| NIDDM | noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus |
| PRL | prolactin |
| PTH | parathyroid hormone, parathormone |
| STH | somatotropin hormone |
| TSH | thyroid-stimulating hormone |
| aerotitis media | Inflammation of the middle ear caused by air pressure changes; as in air travel |
| anacusis | Loss of hearing |
| aphakia | Absence of lens |
| asthenopia | Weakness of the ocular or ciliary muscle that causes the eyes to tire easily |
| astigmatism | Distortion of sight because of lack of focus of light rays at one point on the retina |
| audi(o), audit(o) | hearing |
| audiogram | Graph that plots the acoustic frequencies being tested |
| audiologist | Specialist in evaluating hearing function |
| audiometry | Measurement of acoustic frequencies using an audiometer |
| auditory ossicles | Three specially shaped bones in the middle ear that anchor the eardrum to the tympanic cavity and that transmit vibrations to the inner ear |
| aur(o), auricul(o) | hearing |
| auricle | Funnel-like structure leading from the external ear to the external auditory meatus; also called pinna |
| blephar(o) | eyelid |
| blepharitis | Inflammation of the eyelid |
| blepharochalasis | Loss of elasticity of the eyelid |
| blepharoplasty | Surgical repair of the eyelid |
| blepharoptosis | Drooping of the eyelid |
| blepharospasm | Involuntary eyelid movement; excessive blinking |
| blindness | Loss or absences of vision |
| cataract | Cloudiness of the lens of the eye |
| cerumin(o) | wax |
| chalazion | Nodular inflammation that usually forms on the eyelid |
| cholesteatoma | Fatty cyst within the middle ear |
| choroid | Thin posterior membrane in the middle layer of the eye |
| ciliary body | Thick anterior membrane in the middle layer of the eye |
| cochle(o) | cochlea |
| cochlea | Snail-shaped structure in the inner ear that contains the organ of Corti |
| cones | Specialized receptor cells in the retina that perceive color and bright light |
| conjunctiv(o) | conjunctiva |
| conjunctive (pl. conjunctivae) | Mucous membrane lining of the eyelid |
| conjunctivitis | Inflammation of the conjunctiva of the eyelid |
| contact lenses | Corrective lenses worn on the surface of the eye |
| cor(o), core(o) | pupil |
| corne(o) | cornea |
| cornea | Transparent anterior section of the eyeball that bends light in a process called refraction |
| cryoretinopexy | Fixing of a torn retina using extreme cold |
| cycl(o) | ciliary body |
| dacry(o) | tears |
| dacryoadenitis | Inflammation of the lacrimal glands |
| dacryocystectomy | Removal of a lacrimal sac |
| dacryocystitis | Inflammation of a tear duct |
| deafness | Loss or absence of hearing |
| decibel | Measure of the intensity of sound |
| dermatochalasis | Loss of elasticity of the eyelid |
| diopter | Unit of refracting power of a lens |
| diplopia | Double vision |
| ear | Organ of hearing |
| eardrum | Oval, semitransparent membrane that moves in response to sound waves and produces vibrations |
| endolymph | Fluid inside the membranous labyrinth important to hearing and equilibrium |
| enucleation | Removal of an eyeball |
| epiphora | Excessive tearing |
| equilibrium | Sense of balance |
| esotropia | Deviation of one eye inward |
| eustachian tube | Tube that connects the middle ear to the pharynx |
| exophthalmos, exophthalmus | Abnormal protrusion of the eyeballs |
| exotropia | Deviation of one eye outward |
| eye | Organ of sight |
| eyebrow | Clump of hair,usually about 1/2-inch above the eye, that helps to keep foreign particles from entering the eye |
| eyelashes | Group of hairs protruding from the end of the eyelid; helps to keep foreign particles from entering the eye |
| eyelid | Moveable covering over the eye |
| farsightedness | Hyperopia |
| fovea centralis | Depression in the center of the macula lutea; perceives sharpest images |
| glaucoma | Any various dieseases caused by abnomrally high eye pressure |
| hearing | Ability to perceive sound |
| hordeolum | Infection of a sebaceous gland of the eyelid; sty |
| hyperopia | Focusing behind the retina causing vision distortion; farsightedness |
| incus | One of three auditory ossicles; the anvil |
| ir(o), irid(o) | iris |
| iridectomy | Removal of part of the iris |
| iridotomy | Incision into the iris to relieve pressure |
| iris | Colored part of the eye that contains muscles that expand and contract in response to light |
| iritis | Inflammation of the iris |
| kerat(o) | cornea |
| keratitis | Inflammation of the cornea |
| keratoplasty | Corneal transplant |
| labyrinthitis | Inflammation of the labyrinth |
| lacrim(o) | tears |
| lacrimal glands | Glands that secret liquid to moisten the eyes and produce tears |
| lacrimation | Secretion of tears, usually excessively |
| lens | Colorless, flexible transparent body behind the iris |
| macula | Inner ear structure containing hairlike sensors that move to maintain equilibrium |
| macula lutea | Small, yellowish area located in the center of the retina, which has a depression called the fovea centralis |
| macular degeneration | Gradual loss of vision caused by degeneration of tissue of the macula |
| malleus | One of the three auditory ossicles; the hammer |
| mastoid(o) | mastoid process |
| mastoiditis | Inflammation of the mastoid process |
| membranous labyrinth | One of two tubes that make up the semicircular canals |
| Meniere's disease | Elvated pressure within the cochlea |
| miotic | Agent tha causes the pupil to contract |
| mydriatic | Agent that causes pupil to dilate |
| myopia | Foccusing in front of the retina causing vision distorting; nearsightedness |
| myring(o) | eardrum, middle ear |
| myringitis | Inflammation of the eardrum |
| myringotomy | Insertion of a small tube to drain fluid from the ears (particularly of children) |
| nas(o) | nose |
| nearsightedness | Myopia |
| neuroretina | Thick layer of nervous tissue in the retina |
| nyctalopia | Night blindness |
| nystagmus | Excessive involuntary eyeball movement |
| ocul(o) | eye |
| olfactory organs | Organs at the top of the nasal cavity containing olfactory receptors |
| ophthalm(o) | eye |
| ophthalmologist | Medical specialist who diagnoses and treats eye disorders |
| ophthalmoscopy | Visual examination of the interior of the eye |
| opt(o), optic(o) | eye |
| optician | Technician who makes and fits corrective lenses |
| optic nerve | Nerve that transmit nerve impulses from the eye to the brain |
| optometrist | Nonmedical specialist who examines the eyes and prescribes lenses |
| organ of Corti | Structure in the basilar membrane with hairlike receptors that receive and transmit sound waves |
| osseus labyrinth | One of two tubes that make up the semicircular canals |
| ossicul(o) | ossicle |
| otalgia | Pain in the ear |
| otitis externa | Inflammation of the external ear canal |
| otitis media | Inflammation of the middle ear |
| otoliths | Small calcifications in the inner ear that help to maintain balance |
| otologist | Medical specialist in ear disorders |
| otoplasty | Surgical reapair of the outer ear |
| otorrhagia | Bleeding from the ear |
| otorrhea | Purulent discharge from the ear |
| otosclerosis | Hardening of bones of the ear |
| otoscopy | Inspection of the ear using an otoscope |
| papillae | Small, raised structures that contain taste buds |
| paracusis | Impaired hearing |
| perilymph | Liquid secreted by the walls of the osseus labyrinth |
| phac(o), phak(o) | lens |
| phacoemulsification | Use of ulrasound to break up an remove cataracts |
| photophobia | Extreme sensitivity to light |
| pinkeye | Conjunctivitis |
| pinna | Auricle |
| presbyacusis | Age-related hearing loss |
| prebyopia | Age-related dimished ability to focus or accommodate |
| pseudophakia | Eye with an implanted lens after cataract surgery |
| pupil | Black circular center of the eye; opens and closes when muscles in the iris expand and contract in response to light |
| pupill(o) | pupil |
| refraction | Process of bending light rays |
| retin(o) | retina |
| retina | Oval, light-sensitive membraine in the interior layer of the eye; decodes light waves and transmits information to the brain |
| retinitis pigmentosa | Progressive, inherited disease with a pigmented spot on the retina and poor night vision |
| rods | Specialized receptor cells in the retina that perceive black to white shades |
| scler(o) | white of the eye |
| sclera 9pl. sclerae | Thick, tough membrane in the outer eye layer; supports the eyeball structure |
| scleritis | Inflammation of the sclera |
| scot(o) | darkness |
| scotoma | Blind spot in vision |
| semicircular canals | Structures in the inner ear important to equilibrium |
| sensory receptors | Specialized tissue containing cells that can receive stimuli |
| sensory system | Organs or tissue that perceive and receive stimuli from the outside or within the body |
| sight | Ability to see |
| smell | Ability to perceive odors |
| stapedectomy | Removal of the stapes to cure otosclerosis |
| stapes (pl. stapes, stapedes) | One of three auditory ossicles; the stirrup |
| strabismus | Eye misalignment |
| sty, stye | Hordeolum |
| taste | Ability to perceive the qualities of ingested matter |
| taste buds | Organs that sense the taste of food |
| taste cells | Specialized receptors cells withing the taste buds |
| tears | Moisture secreted from the lacrimal glands |
| tinnitus | Constant ringing or buzzing in the ear |
| tonometry | Measurement of tension or pressure within the eye |
| touch | Ability to perceive pressure on the skin |
| trabulectomy | Removal of part of the trabeculum to allow aqueous humor to flow freely around the eye |
| trichiasis | Abnormal growth of eyelashes in a direction that causes them rub on the eye |
| tympan(o) | eardrum, middle ear |
| tympanic membrane | Eardrum |
| tympanitis | Inflammation of the eardrum |
| tympanoplasty | Repair of the eardrum |
| uve(o) | uvea |
| uvea | Region of the eye containing the iris, choroid membrane, and ciliary bodies |
| verigo | Dizziness |
| vestibule | Bony chamber between the semicircular canal and the cochlea |
| acc. | accommonodation |
| AD | right ear |
| ARMD | age-related macular degeneration |
| AS | left ear |
| AU | both ears |
| D | diopter |
| dB | decibel |
| DVA | distance visual activity |
| ECCE | extracapsular cataract extraction |
| EENT | eye, ear, nose and throat |
| ENT | ear, nose, and throat |
| ICCE | intracapsular cataract cryoextraction |
| IOL | intracular lens |
| NVA | near visual acuity |
| OD | right eye |
| OM | otitis media |
| OS | left eye |
| OU | each eye |
| PERRLA | pupils equal, round, reactive to light and accommonodation |
| PE tube | polyethylene ventilating tube (placed in the eardrum) |
| SOM | serious otitis media |
| VA | visual acuity |
| VF | visual field |
| + | plus/convex |
| - | minus/concave |
| acanth(o) | spiny; thorny |
| actin(o) | light |
| aer(o) | air; gas |
| alge, algesi, algio, algo | pain |
| amyl(o) | starch |
| andro | masculine |
| athero | plaque; fatty substance |
| bacill(i) | bacilli; bacteria |
| bacteri(o) | bacteria |
| bar(o) | weight; pressure |
| bas(o), basi(o) | base |
| bio, Greek bios, life | life |
| blasto | immature cells |
| cac(o) | bad; ill |
| calc(o), calci(o) | calcium |
| carcin(o) | cancer |
| chem(o) | chemical |
| chlor(o) | chlorine, green |
| chondrio, chondro | cartilage, grainy, gritty |
| chore(o) | dance |
| chrom, chromat chromo | color |
| chrono | time |
| chyl(o) | chyle, a digestive juice |
| chym(o) | chyme, semifluid present during digestion |
| cine(o) | movement |
| coni(o) | dust |
| crin(o) | screte |
| cry(o) | cold |
| crypt(o) | hidden; obscure |
| cyan(o) | blue |
| cycl(o) | circle; cycle; ciliary body |
| cyst(o), cysti | bladder, cyst, cystic duct |
| cyt(o) | cell |
| dextr(o) | right, toward the right |
| dips(o) | thirst |
| dors(o), dorsi | back |
| dynamo | force; energy |
| echo | reflected sound |
| electr(o) | electricity; electric |
| eosin(o) | red; rosy |
| ergo | work |
| erythr(o) | red, redness |
| esthesio | sensation, perception |
| ethmo | ethmoid bone |
| etio | cause |
| fibr(o) | fiber |
| fluor(o) | light; luminous; fluorine |
| fungi | fungus |
| galact(o) | milk |
| gen(o) | producing; being born |
| gero; geront(o) | old age |
| gluco | glucose |
| glyco | sugars |
| gonio | angle |
| granulo | granular |
| gyn(o), gyne, gyneco | women |
| home(o), homo | same; constant |
| hydr(o) | hydrogen, water |
| hypn(o) | sleep |
| iatr(o) | physician; treatment |
| ichthy(o) | dry; scaly; fish |
| idio | distinct; unknown |
| immun(o) | safe; immune |
| kal(i) | potassium |
| karyo | nucleus |
| ket(o), keton(o) | ketone; acetone |
| kin(o), kine | movement |
| kinesi(o), kineso | motion |
| kyph(o) | humpback |
| lact(o), lacti | milk |
| latero | lateral, to one side |
| lepto | light, frail, thin |
| leuk(o) | white |
| lip(o) | fat |
| lith(o) | stone |
| log(o) | speech, words, thought |
| lys(o) | dissolution |
| macr(o) | large; long |
| medi(o) | middle; medial plane |
| meg(a), megal(o) | large; million |
| melan(o) | black; dark |
| mes(o) | middle; median |
| micr(o) | small; one-millionth; tiny |
| mio | smaller; less |
| morph(o) | structure; shape |
| narco | sleep; numbness |
| necr(o) | death; dying |
| noct(i) | night |
| normo | normal |
| nucle(o) | nucleus |
| nyct(o) | night |
| oncho, onco | tumor |
| orth(o) | straight; normal |
| oxy | sharp; acute; oxygen |
| pachy | thick |
| path(o) | disease |
| phago | eating; devouring; swallowing |
| pharmaco | drugs; medicine |
| phon(o) | sound; voice; speech |
| phot(o) | light |
| physi, physio | physical; natural |
| physo | air; gas; growing |
| phyt(o) | plant |
| plasma, plasmo | formative; plasma |
| poikilo | varied; irregular |
| pseud(o) | false |
| pyo | pus |
| pyreto | fever |
| pyro | fever; fire; hear |
| radio | radiation; x-ray; radius |
| salping(o) | tube |
| schisto | split |
| schiz(o) | split; division |
| scler(o) | hardness; hardening |
| scolio | crooked; bent |
| scoto | darkness |
| sidero | iron |
| sito | food; grain |
| somat(o) | body |
| somn(o), somni | sleep |
| sono | sound |
| spasmo | spasm |
| spher(o) | round; spherical |
| spir(o) | breath; breathe |
| squamo | scale; squamous |
| staphyl(o) | grapelike clusters |
| steno | narrowness |
| stere(o) | three-dimensional |
| strepto | twisted chains; streptococci |
| styl(o) | peg-shaped |
| syring(o) | tube |
| tel(o), tele(o) | distant; end; complete |
| terato | monster(as a malformed fetus) |
| therm | heat |
| tono | tension; pressure |
| top(o) | place; topical |
| tox(i), toxico, toxo | poison, toxin |
| tropho | food; nurtrition |
| vivi | life |
| xanth(o) | yellow |
| xeno | stranger |
| xer(o) | dry |
| xiph(o) | sword; xiphoid |
| zo(o) | life |
| zym(o) | fermentation; enzyme |
| a- | without |
| ab-,abs- | away from |
| ad- | toward, to |
| ambi- | both, around |
| an- | without |
| ana- | up, toward |
| ante- | before |
| anti- | against |
| apo- | derived. separate |
| aut(o)- | self |
| bi- | twice, double |
| brachy- | short |
| brady- | slow |
| cata- | down |
| circum- | around |
| co-, col-, com-, con-, cor- | together |
| contra- | against |
| de- | away from |
| di-, dif-, dir-, dis- | not, separated |
| dia- | through |
| dys- | abnormal; difficult |
| ect(o)- | outside |
| end(o)- | within |
| epi- | over |
| eu- | well, good, normal |
| ex- | out of, away from |
| exo- | external, on the outside |
| extra- | without, outside of |
| hemi- | half |
| hyper- | above normal; overly |
| hypo- | below normal |
| infra- | positioned beneath |
| inter- | between |
| intra- | within |
| iso- | equal,same |
| mal- | bad; inadequate |
| meg(a)-, megal(o)- | large |
| mes(o)- | middle, median |
| meta- | after |
| micr(o)- | small, microscopic |
| mon(o)- | single |
| multi- | many |
| olig(o)- | few; little; scanty |
| pan-, pnat(o)- | all, entire |
| par(a)- | beside; abnormal; involving two parts |
| per- | through intensely |
| peri- | around, about, near |
| pluri- | several, more |
| poly- | many |
| post- | after, following |
| pre- | before |
| pro- | before, forward |
| quadra-, quadri- | four |
| re- | again,backward |
| retro- | behind, backward |
| semi- | half |
| sub- | less than, under, inferior |
| super- | more than, above, superior |
| supra- | above, over |
| syl-, sym-, syn-, sys- | together |
| tachy- | fast |
| trans- | across, through |
| ultra- | beyond, excessive |
| un- | not |
| uni- | one |
| -ad | toward |
| -algia | pain |
| -asthenia | weakness |
| -blast | immature, forming |
| -cele | hernia |
| -cidal | destroying, killing |
| -cide | destroying, killing |
| -clasis | breaking |
| -crine | secreting |
| -crit | separate |
| -cyte | cell |
| -cytosis | condition of cells |
| -derma | skin |
| -desis | bingind |
| -dynia | pain |
| -ectasia | expansion; dilation |
| -ectasis | expanding; dilating |
| -ectomy | removal of |
| -edema | swelling |
| -ema | condition |
| -emesis | vomiting |
| -emia | blood |
| -emic | relating to blood |
| -esthesia | sensation |
| -form | in the shape of |
| -gen | producing, coming to be |
| -genesis | production of |
| -genic | producing |
| -globin | protein |
| -globulin | protein |
| -gram | a recording |
| -graph | recording instrument |
| -graphy | process of recording |
| -iasis | pathological condition or state |
| -ic | pertaining to |
| -ics | treatment, practice, body of knowledge |
| -ism | condition, disease, doctrine |
| -itis (pl. -itides) | imflammation |
| -kinesia | movement |
| -kinesis | movement |
| -lepsy | condition of |
| -leptic | having seizures |
| -logist | one who practices |
| -logy | study, practice |
| -lysis | destroying |
| -malacia | softening |
| -mania | obsession |
| -megaly | enlargement |
| -meter | measuring device |
| -metry | measurement |
| -oid | like, resembling |
| -oma (pl. -omata) | tumor, neoplasm |
| -opia | vision |
| -opsia | vision |
| -opsy | view of |
| -osis (pl. -oses) | condition, state, process |
| -ostomy | opening |
| -oxia | oxygen |
| -para | bearing |
| -parous | producing; bearing |
| -paresis | slight paralysis |
| -pathy | disease |
| -penia | deficiency |
| -pepsia | digestion |
| -pexy | fixation, usually done surgically |
| -phage, -phagia, -phagy | eating, devouring |
| -phasia | speaking |
| -pheresis | removal |
| -phil | attraction; affinity for |
| -philia | attraction; affinity for |
| -phobia | fear |
| -phonia | sound |
| -phoresis | carrying |
| -phoria | feeling; carrying |
| -phrenia | of the mind |
| -phthisis | wasting away |
| -phylaxis | protection |
| -physis | growing |
| -plakia | plaque |
| -plasia | formation |
| -plasm | formation |
| -plastic | forming |
| -plasty | surgical repair |
| -plegia | paraylsis |
| -plegic | one who is paralyzed |
| -pnea | breath |
| -poiesis | formation |
| -poietin | one that forms |
| -poietic | forming |
| -porosis | lessening in density |
| -ptosis | falling down; drooping |
| -rrhage | discharging heavily |
| -rrhagia | heavy discharge |
| rrhaphy | surgical suturing |
| -rrhea | a flowing, a flux |
| -rrhexis | rupture |
| -schisis | splitting |
| -scope | instrument for observing |
| -scopy | use of an instrument for observing |
| -somnia | sleep |
| -spasm | contraction |
| -stalsis | contraction |
| -stasis | stopping; constant |
| -stat | agent to maintain a state |
| -static | maintaining a state |
| -stenosis | narrowing |
| -stomy | opening |
| -tome | cutting instrument, segment |
| -tomy | cutting operation |
| -trophic | nutritional |
| -trophy | nutrition |
| -tropia | turning |
| -tropic | turning toward |
| -trophy | condition of turning toward |
| -uria | urine |
| -version | turning |
Created by:
mfenton142
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