Abrasion
A skin wound caused by scraping
Acidosis
pathologic disease resulting from an abnormal level of hydrogen ions (decrease in pH)
Acyanotic
absence of a bluish appearance of the skin and mucous membranes
Adenocarcinoma
a cancerous gland like tumor such as wilms' tumor
Adenosarcoma
a cancerous gland like tumor such as wilms' tumor
Affect
Appearance of observable emotions
Agglutination
the clumping of antigens with antibodies or of the red blood cells from one type of blood with the red blood cells of another type
Aggregation
the coming together of entities such as platelets, blood cells, or diseases
Amblyopia
reduced vision in an eye without a detectable organic lesion
Amenorrhea
Absence of menstruation
Amniocentesis
taking a fluid sample between the 15th and the 16th week of pregnancy to diagnose congenital anomalies
Amyloid
a waxy, starchlike protein that tends to build up in tissues and organs in certain pathologic conditions
Analgesia
relief of pain
Anastomosis
the surgical or pathologic connection between two vessels or tubular structures
Anecephalic
No cranial vault and little cerebral tissue
Angioplasty
repair of a narrowed blood vessel through surgery or other angiographic procedures
Anhedonia
An inability to experience pleasure
Anosmia
impatient or loss of smell
Anthracosis
A lung disease caused by inhalation of coal dust. It is also called coal-miner's lung or black lung.
Anticholinesterase
any enzyme that counteracts in the presence of choline esters
Antiemetic
a medication that prevents or relieves nausea and vomiting
Antipyretic
a drug or treatment that reduces or relieves fever
Antiseptic
a substance that inhibits the growth of microorganisms
Aphasia
a nerve defect that results in loss of speech
Aphonia
inability to produce normal speech sounds or loss of voice
Aphthous ulcers
recurrent painful canker sores in the mouth
Arteriosclerosis
Hardening of the arteries
Asbestosis
Respiratory disease brough or by inhaling abbestos fibers
Ascites
abnormal intraperitoneal accumulation of serous fluid
Aspiration
drawing in or out by suction
Asystole
the absence of contractions of the heart; cardiac standstill
Ataxic
uncoordinated gait associated with pathology of the central nervous system
Atherosclerosis
A condition in which an artery wall hardens and thickens due to plaque buildup.
Aura
a sensation or phenomenon that signals the onset of an epileptic seizure or a migraine
Autism
A disorder that appears in childhood and is marked by deficient communication, social interaction, and understanding of others' states of mind.
Autoimmune
an immune response resulting in the presence of self-antigens or auto-antigens of certain body cells
Autoinoculation
refers to spreading a microorganism by contact with a lesion on one's own body
Autonomic
refers to the autonomic nervous system that has two divisions (i.e., sympathetic and para sympathetic)
Avulsion
separation of a body part by tearing
Avulsion
separation of a body part by tearing
Azoospermia
an absence of spermatozoa in the seaman
Azotemia
an excess of urea or other nitrogenous bodies in the blood
Bicornate uterus
a uterus having two horns or horn-shaped branches
Blepharitis
Inflammation of the eyelids
Bradycardia
Abnormally slow heartbeat
Bruit
an abnormal sound heard in auscultation
Bulla
A fluid-filled blister that is greater than 1 cm in diameter and contains non-purulent ("clear") exudate.
Bursae
A closed sac lined with a synovial membrane and filled with fluid, usually found in areas subject to friction, such as where a tendon passes over a bone.
Calcitonin
A hormone produced by the C-cells of the thyroid gland that decreases serum calcium levels. It targets the bones (stimulates osteoblasts), the kidneys (reduces calcium reabsorption), and the small intestine (decreases calcium absorption).
Candidiasis
(moniliasis) white, cheesy, curdlike patch on buccal mucosa due to superficial fungal infection
Cardiomegaly
enlargement of the heart
Cardiomyopathy
a defect in the heart muscle
Catatonic posturing
a state of not being able to move, with the assumption of a rigid, often bizarre posture
Catheterization
Introduction of a catheter into a body cavity or organ to inject or remove fluid.
Cautery
an instrument or chemical that destroys tissue as a therapeutic measure
Cellulitis
an acute, diffuse, spreading infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissue
Cellulitis
an acute, diffuse, spreading, infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissue
Cephalalgia
pain in the head, headache
Chancre
a type of skin lesion usually associated with primary syphilis
Cholinergic
an agent that produces the affect of acetylcholine at the connections of muscles and nerves
Chorea
the ceaseless occurrence of involuntary muscular movements of the limbs or the facial muscles
Circadian rhythm
the biologic clock in humans; the rhythmic repetition of certain phenomena, such as hunger, fatigue, and changes in blood pressure, that ted to fluctuate within a 24 hour period
Circumoral cyanosis
a bluish discoloration around the mouth
Cognitive
pertaining to the mental processes of thinking, knowing, remembering, and perceiving
Collagen
A protein fiber with a unique triple-helix that gives it great strength. Tissues with a lot of collagen fibers are typically very strong, e.g. bone, tendons, ligaments, etc.
Colporrhaphy
suture of the vagina
Comedo
a blackhead; as seen in achne
Concussion
A loss of function, either partial or complete, as resulting from a blow or fall (for instance) is termed a:
Contractures
immobility of muscles or a joint caused by shortening or wasting of tissue or muscle fibers
Contrecoup
Mechanism of injury in which the brain rebounds off the other side of the skull after an initial impact
Contusion
An injury to the tissues under the skin that causes blood vessels to rupture allowing blood to seep into the tissues Ex. Bruise
Corticotropin
hormone secreted by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland
Crainiotomy
incision into the skull, usually to relieve pressure, to remove a lesion, or to control bleeding
Creatinine
an important nitrogen compound that is a normal constituent of urine and blood; increased levels may indicate renal damage
Crepitation
dry, grating sound or sensation caused by bone ends rubbing together, indicating a fracture or joint destruction
Cryotherapy
the therapeutic use of cold
Curettage
the removal of growths or other material from the wall of a cavity or other material from the wall of a cavity or other surface
Cystoscopy
An examination of the bladder with an instrument called a cystoscope.
Debride
remove foreign material or dead tissue in the wound
Deficit
a deficiency from what is normal
Delusion
a fixed false belief
Demyelination
loss of the myelin sheath of a nerve
Dermatome
a configured zone of skin innervated by a spinal cord segment
Dialysate
the fluid that passes through a semipermeable membrane during dialysis
Diplopia
double vision
Diplopia
double vision
Dyscrasia
a pathologic condition; and abnormal condition of the blood
Dysmenorrhea
Painful menstruation
Dyspareunia
pain or discomfort in the pelvis or vagina during or after sexual intercourse
Dysphonia
hoarseness; difficulty in speaking
Dysplasia
marked by abnormal adult cells
Dysplasia
marked by abnormal adult cells
Dystrophy
condition produced by faulty nutrition
Dysuria
painful or difficult urination
Ecchymosis
discoloration of the skin associated with a contusion
Electrodesiccation
Tissue is destroyed by burning with an electric spark.
Electromyography
an electrodiagnosis assessment of the activity of skeletal muscles
Electromyography
an electrodiagnostic assessment of the activity of the skeletal muscles
Embolism
a mass (ex. Foreign body, blood clot, or a piece of tumor) that breaks off and causes occlusion of an artery
Endarterectomy
the surgical excision of the innermost lining of an artery to remove blockage