Medical Terminology Final Word List

abscess

A localized collection of pus surrounded by inflamed tissue.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)

A chronic, potentially life-threatening condition caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that damages the immune system.

Activities of Daily Living (ADL)

Routine activities people do every day without assistance, such as eating, bathing, dressing, and toileting.

adenoma

A benign tumor formed from glandular structures in epithelial tissue.

adenopathy

Large or swollen lymph nodes, often due to infection or disease.

advanced maternal age (AMA)

Pregnancy in a person who will be 35 years of age or older at the estimated date of delivery.

aerosol

A substance enclosed under pressure and able to be released as a fine spray.

afebrile

Without fever; having a normal body temperature.

allograft

A tissue graft from a donor of the same species as the recipient but not genetically identical.

alopecia

Sudden or progressive hair loss, which can be partial or complete.

amniocentesis

A sampling of amniotic fluid using a hollow needle inserted into the uterus to screen for developmental abnormalities in a fetus.

analgesic

A drug or medication acting to relieve pain.

anaphylaxis

A severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction.

aneurysm

An excessive localized enlargement of an artery caused by a weakening of the artery wall.

angina pectoris

A condition marked by severe pain in the chest, often also spreading to the shoulders, arms, and neck, caused by an inadequate blood supply to the heart.

anthracotic

Relating to anthracosis, the asymptomatic accumulation of carbon pigmentation in the lungs (commonly seen in urban dwellers or miners).

antihypertensive

A medication or treatment used to lower high blood pressure.

antineoplastic

Acting to prevent, inhibit, or halt the development of a neoplasm (tumor).

antipruritic

A medication or substance used to relieve itching.

anuric

Pertaining to anuria, the failure of the kidneys to produce urine.

aphasia

Inability or impaired ability to understand or produce speech, as a result of brain damage.

aplastic

Failure of an organ or tissue to develop or function normally; e.g., aplastic anemia where bone marrow fails to produce blood cells.

appendectomy

Surgical removal of the appendix.

appendicitis

Inflammation of the appendix.

ascites

The accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity, causing abdominal swelling.

asymptomatic

Producing or showing no symptoms.

asystole

A condition in which the heart ceases to beat; flatline.

atherosclerosis

A disease of the arteries characterized by the deposition of plaques of fatty material on their inner walls.

atrophic

Exhibiting atrophy; wasted, thinned, or reduced in size due to degeneration of cells.

atrophy

The wasting away or reduction in size of a body organ or tissue.

autograft

A graft of tissue from one point to another of the same individual's body.

Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)

A type of skin cancer that begins in the basal cells, commonly caused by long-term exposure to solar radiation.

benign

Not harmful in effect; in medical terms, a tumor that is not malignant or cancerous.

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

Age-associated prostate gland enlargement that can cause urination difficulty.

bilateral

Having or relating to two sides; affecting both sides of the body.

bisect

To cut or divide into two equal parts.

bivalve

To cut into two parts that are attached at one end.

blepharospasm

Involuntary blinking or spasm of the eyelids.

bosselated

Marked by numerous small, rounded swelling elevations or knobs.

bronchitis

Inflammation of the mucous membrane in the bronchial tubes.

bursectomy

Surgical removal of a bursa (a fluid-filled sac that decreases friction between tissues).

cachexia

Weakness and wasting of the body due to severe chronic illness.

calcification

The accumulation of calcium salts in a body tissue, causing it to harden.

candidiasis

Infection with a yeast-like fungus of the genus Candida, commonly affecting skin, vagina, or mucous membranes.

carcinoma

A cancer arising in the epithelial tissue of the skin or of the lining of the internal organs.

cardiomegaly

Abnormal enlargement of the heart.

catheter

A flexible tube inserted into a body cavity or vessel to pass fluids or drain urine.

catheterization

The introduction of a catheter into a body cavity, such as the bladder to remove urine.

cellulitis

A common and potentially serious bacterial skin infection characterized by redness, swelling, and heat.

cephalic

Of or relating to the head; directed toward the head.

Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA)

A stroke; damage to the brain from interruption of its blood supply.

chancre

A painless ulcer, particularly the initial lesion of primary syphilis.

chemotherapy

The treatment of disease, especially cancer, by the use of chemical substances.

cholecystectomy

Surgical removal of the gallbladder.

cholecystitis

Inflammation of the gallbladder.

chondrosarcoma

A malignant tumor of cartilage cells.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

A chronic inflammatory lung disease that causes obstructed airflow from the lungs.

circumferential

Pertaining to a circumference; surrounding or encircling an area or organ.

circumscribed

Confined to a limited space or well-defined area.

coagulation

The process of blood changing from a liquid to a solid or semi-solid state (clotting).

cobblestone

An appearance resembling cobblestones, often seen in mucosal linings like the bowel in Crohn's disease or the throat in chronic inflammation.

colostomy

A surgical operation in which a piece of the colon is diverted to an artificial opening in the abdominal wall so as to bypass a damaged part of the colon.

colposcopy

A visual examination of the cervix, vagina, and vulva using a special magnifying instrument.

compound fracture

A fracture in which the broken bone breaks through the skin.

condyloma acuminatum

Anogenital warts caused by infection with certain types of Human Papillomavirus (HPV).

congenital

A condition present from birth.

Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)

A chronic progressive condition that affects the pumping power of your heart muscles.

contraceptive

A device, drug, or method used to prevent pregnancy.

contralateral

Relating to or denoting the side of the body opposite to that on which a particular structure or condition occurs.

Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG)

A surgical procedure to restore normal blood flow to an obstructed coronary artery.

cyanosis

A bluish discoloration of the skin resulting from poor circulation or inadequate oxygenation of the blood.

cystic

Relating to, containing, or resembling cysts.

cystitis

Inflammation of the urinary bladder.

cystoprostatectomy

Surgical removal of the urinary bladder and the prostate gland.

cystoscopy

An endoscopy of the urinary bladder via the urethra.

cytomegalovirus (CMV)

A common virus that can cause serious complications in immunocompromised individuals or newborns.

decalcification

The loss of calcium or calcium compounds from bones or teeth.

Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD)

Also known as osteoarthritis; a type of arthritis caused by inflammation, breakdown, and eventual loss of cartilage in the joints.

demarcated

Having defined boundaries or limits.

dermatologist

A physician who specializes in conditions of the skin, hair, and nails.

Diabetes Mellitus (DM)

A chronic disease that affects how the body turns food into energy, characterized by high blood glucose levels.

diaphoresis

Sweating, especially to an unusual degree as a symptom of disease or a side effect of a drug.

diplopia

Double vision; seeing two images of a single object.

Disseminated Intravascular Coagulopathy (DIC)

A condition in which blood clots form throughout the body's small blood vessels, leading to bleeding elsewhere due to depletion of clotting factors.

diverticulitis

Inflammation or infection of small pouches (diverticula) that can form in the walls of your intestines.

diverticulosis

A condition in which small, bulging pouches (diverticula) develop in the digestive tract, usually without inflammation.

dusky

Dark or purplish in color, often indicating poor tissue perfusion or oxygenation.

dysplasia

The presence of cells of an abnormal type within a tissue, which may signify a stage preceding cancer development.

dyspnea

Difficult or labored breathing; shortness of breath.

dysrhythmia

An abnormality in an physiological rhythm, especially in the activity of the brain or heart.

dysuria

Painful or difficult urination.

echocardiogram

A test of the action of the heart using ultrasound waves to produce a visual image of the heart.

ectopic

In an abnormal place or position; e.g., an ectopic pregnancy occurs outside the uterus.

edematous

Swollen with an excessive accumulation of fluid in the tissues.

electrocardiogram (EKG)

A record or display of a person's heartbeat produced by electrocardiography.

ellipse

An oval or egg-shaped surgical incision or tissue outline.

embolism

Obstruction of an artery, typically by a clot of blood or an air bubble.

emesis

The action or process of vomiting.

encapsulated

Enclosed in a capsule, capsule-like structure, or thick membrane.

endarterectomy

Surgical removal of part of the inner lining of an artery, together with any obstructive deposits.