Health Science Theory: Medical Terminology

hepatomegaly

enlargement of the liver

otoscope

instrument designed for visual examination of the eardrum

dermatologist 

medical practitioner specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of skin disorders 

gastrotomy

an opening into the stomach from abdominal wall

bradycardia

medical condition of slow heart rate

rhinoplasty

plastic surgery performed on the nose

craniectomy

surgical procedure for the removal of part of the skull

arthritis

group of conditions that cause inflammation and pain in the joints

sagittal

plane that divides body into left and right sections (slice down the middle)

coronal

vertical plane that divides body into anterior and posterior sections

transverse

horizontal plane that divides body into upper and lower sections

DX

medical abbreviation for diagnosis

pathology

branch of medicine that studies the nature, causes, and effects of diseases

intra-

within

FUO

fever of unknown origin

CAD

coronary artery disease: condition where arteries that supply blood to the heart become narrow or blocked

NPO

nothing by mouth

TID

three times a day

hypodermal

below the skin

medial vs lateral

medial: closer to midline

lateral: further away from midline

superior vs inferior

superior: above

inferior: below

proximal vs distal

proximal: closer to center of body or point of attachment

distal: further from the center of body or point of attachment

extension vs flexion

extension: movement that increases angle between two bones or body parts

flexion: movement that decreases angle between two bones or body parts

abduction vs adduction

abduction: movement of body part away from midline

adduction: movement of body part towards midline

dorsal vs ventral

dorsal: back or upper surface of body

ventral: front or lower surface of body

anterior vs posterior

anterior: front of body

posterior: back of body