Medical Terminology

Blood

Fluid tissue of the body that consists of 55% liquid plasma and 45% formed elements (cells), produced through hematopoiesis.

Hematopoiesis

The process of blood cells being produced in red bone marrow.

Erythrocytes

Red blood cells that lack a nucleus.

Leukocytes

White blood cells; five different types including Basophil, Eosinophil, Neutrophil, Monocyte, and Lymphocyte.

Thrombocytes

Platelets that are part of the clotting system but are not complete cells.

Arteriosclerosis

Hardening of an artery.

Atherosclerosis

Hardening and narrowing of arteries due to buildup of cholesterol plaque inside arteries.

Ischemia

Insufficient supply of oxygen to tissue; implies to hold back blood.

Myocardial Infarction

A heart attack.

Hypertension

High blood pressure.

Tachycardia

Abnormally fast resting heart rate, greater than 100 bpm in adults.

Bradycardia

Abnormally slow resting heart rate, less than 60 bpm in adults.

Phlebitis

Inflammation of a vein.

Hemostasis

The process of stopping or controlling blood.

Hemoglobin

Oxygen-carrying blood protein, pigment of erythrocytes.

Leukopenia

Deficiency in the number of white blood cells.

Anemia

Lower than normal number of red blood cells.

Hemorrhage

Loss of a large amount of blood in a short period.

Thrombus

A blood clot that adheres to the interior wall of an artery or vein.

Electrocardiogram

A record of the electrical activity of the myocardium.

Defibrillation

Use of electric shock to restore the heart's normal rhythm.

Angioplasty

A technique of mechanically widening a narrowed or obstructed blood vessel.

Valvoplasty

Surgical repair or replacement of a heart valve.

Cardiomyopathy

Disease of heart muscle.

Aneurysm

An abnormal bulge in a blood vessel.

Thrombocytopenia

Deficiency in the number of thrombocytes in blood.

Embolus

A foreign object circulating in the blood.

Cardiac Catheterization

A diagnostic procedure where a catheter is guided to the heart and contrast medium is injected to produce an angiogram.