Med Term Final Exam

abscess

localized collection of pus surrounded by inflamed tissue caused by infection

acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

AIDS

activities of daily living

ADL

adenoma

a benign tumor that arises in or resembles glandular tissue

adenopathy

enlargement of a gland or lymph node

advanced maternal age

AMA

aerosol

nebulized particles suspended in air or gas; liquid stored under pressure with propellant that allows it to be dispensed in mist form; colloid system in which the dispersion medium is a gas

afebrile

without fever

allograft

harvest of skin from another human donor for temporary transplant until an autograft is available

alopecia

baldness

amniocentesis

percutaneous puncture through abdominal wall into the uterus to obtain amniotic fluid for diagnostic purposes

analgesic

alleviating pain; not sensitive to pain

anaphylaxis

Life threatening allergic reaction

aneurysm

dilation of a weakened wall in a blood vessel

angina pectoris

chest pain, which may radiate to the left arm, that occurs when there is a lack of oxygen or insufficient supply of blood to the myocardium

anthracotic

black pigmentation in the lungs due to the accumulation of carbon

antihypertensive

lowers blood pressure

antineoplastic

agent that works against new growths

antipruritic

a drug that relieves itching

anuric

pertaining to the absence of urine

aphasia

loss in ability to speak, write, or comprehend language

aplastic

pertaining to a failure to form

appendectomy

surgical removal of the vermiform appendix

appendicitis

inflammation of the vermiform appendix

ascites

abnormal accumulation of serous fluid in the abdominal cavity

asymptomatic

without symptoms

asystole

absence of electrical and mechanical activity in the heart

atherosclerosis

buildup of plaque in an artery

atrophy

wasting away in size or activity of a body part

atrophic

pertaining to degeneration or wasting

autograft

harvest of patient's own skin for transplant

BCC

basal cell carcinoma

benign

not cancerous

benign prostatic hyperplasia

BPH

bilateral

pertaining to two sides

bisect

to divide into two equal parts

bivalve

cut in two equal parts that are attached at one end

blepharospasm

involuntary contraction of the eyelid

bosselated

marked by numerous bosses or rounded protuberances

bronchitis

inflammation of the bronchi

bursectomy

surgical removal of a bursa

cachexia

state of ill health and malnutrition characterized by weakness and emaciation

calcification

deposition of calcium salts

candidiasis

yeast infection

carcinoma

a malignant tumor that occurs in epithelial tissue

cardiomegaly

enlargement of the heart

catheter

tube for injecting or removing fluids

catheterization

use or introduction of a catheter

cellulitis

inflammation of deep subcutaneous connective tissue

cephalic

pertaining to the head

CVA

cerebrovascular accident

chancre

a painless, primary lesion of syphilis

chemotherapy

treatment of cancer with chemicals

cholecystitis

inflammation of the gallbladder

cholecystectomy

surgical removal of the gallbladder

chondrosarcoma

malignant tumor of cartilage

COPD

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

circumferential

involves entire circumference of lumen

circumscribed

well-defined and easily distinguished borders

coagulation

process of blood clotting

cobblestone

resembling a stone used for paving streets; used to describe GI pathologies such as IBD

colostomy

the surgical creation of an artificial excretory opening between the colon and the body surface

colposcopy

visual examination of the vagina and cervix using a colposcope

compound fracture

broken end of bone protrudes through skin (aka open fracture)

condyloma acuminatum

genital warts caused by HPV

congenital

present at birth

congestive heart failure

CHF

contraceptive

agent that prevents conception

contralateral

on the opposite side of the body

CABG

coronary artery bypass graft

cyanosis

bluish discoloration of the skin or mucous membranes due to excessive deoxyhemoglobin in blood

cystic

pertaining to a cyst; pertaining to the gallbladder or urinary bladder

cystitis

inflammation of the urinary bladder

cystoprostatectomy

surgical excision of bladder and prostate

cystoscopy

the visual examination of the urinary tract using a cystoscope

CMV

cytomegalovirus

decalcification

loss of calcium in tooth or bone

degenerative joint disease

DJD

demarcated

sharp transition in gross appearance

dermatologist

a physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating disorders of the skin

diabetes mellitus

DM

diaphoresis

profuse sweating

diplopia

double vision

DIC

disseminated intravascular coagulopathy

diverticulitis

inflammation of diverticula

diverticulosis

abnormal presence of diverticula

dusky

purple/green color change that results from ischemia to an area

dysplasia

abnormal development

dyspnea

difficulty breathing, shortness of breath

dysrhythmia

abnormal heart rhythm

dysuria

painful or difficult urination

echocardiogram

record produced by echocardiography; ultrasound of the heart

ectopic

outside of the normal location

edematous

swelling of otherwise normal-appearing tissue caused by abnormal accumulation of fluid

electrocardiogram

record of the electrical activity of the heart

ellipse

elongated circle, or oval shape

embolism

obstruction of a blood vessel by a clot of blood or foreign substance which has been brought via blood current

emesis

vomiting

encapsulated

to be contained within a capsule

endarterectomy

surgical removal of the lining of an artery