general terminology

adnexa

ovaries and fallopian tubes

afebrile

without fever

ambulatory

able to move about, not confined

amenorrhea

absence of menses

aneurysm

widening of a blood vessel due to pressure on weakened tissues causing formation of a sac of blood that may be clotted

aphagia

inability to swallow

aphasia

inability to express through speech

appendectomy

surgical removal of appendix

arrhythmia

irregularity or loss of rhythm of heartbeat

ascites

accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity

artery

blood vessel carrying blood away from heart

arthralgia

pain in a joint

ataxia

failure of muscle coordination

auscultation

process of listening for sounds within the body

avulsion

forceful pulling away of a part or structure

axilla

pertaining to the armpit

bradycardia

unusually slow heart beat (under 60 bpm)

bruit

murmur or sound heard in auscultation

cachectic

in a state of ill health, malnutrition, and wasting

cardiomegaly

enlargement of the heart

caries

gradual decay of soft, bony tissue, or a tooth (cavity)

cellulitis

an infection in or close to the skin

cerumen

ear wax

cervical

pertaining to the neck or cervix of the uterus

cholecystectomy

surgical removal of gallbladder

cholecystitis

inflammation of the gallbladder

conjunctiva

mucus membrane covering the eye and lining of eyelid

cornea

transparent coat of the eyeball that covers the eyeball and pupil

crepitus *****

palpable air in soft tissue

cyanotic

bluish or slate-like skin color

debridement

removal of foreign matter or dead tissue from a wound

dentition

the teeth in situ in dental arch

diaphoresis

excessive or profuse sweating

differential diagnosis

a diagnosis of symptoms of two or more diseases by comparison

diplopia

double vision

dysarthria

speech problem due to weakness, paralysis, muscular un coordination

dysmenorrhea

painful menstruation

dysphagia

difficulty swallowing

dysphasia

impairment of speech

dyspnea

difficult and labored breathing, shortness of breath

dysuria

painful urination

ecchymosis

bruise; discoloration due to bleeding underneath

ectopic pregnancy

implantation of the fertilized ovum outside the uterine cavity

edema

swelling of tissue due to accumulation of fluid

edentulous

without teeth

effusion

escape to fluid into a part

embolism

obstruction of a blood vessel by a blood clot or foreign substance

emesis

vomiting

epistaxis

nosebleed

epididymitis

inflammation of the epididymis

erythema

redness of skin caused by capillary congestion

erythematous

pertaining to or marked by erythema

euthymic

peace of mind

evulsion

forcible extraction of a part

exudates

production of pus or semen

febrile

having a fever

fluorescein

dye used for eye exam to observe corneal abnormalities

gastritis

inflammation of the stomach

gastroenteritis

inflammation of the stomach and intestinal lining

gravid

being pregnant

hematemesis

vomiting blood

hematochezia

bright red blood in stool

hematoma

swelling of blood in organ or tissue, bruise

hematuria

blood in urine

hemoptysis

coughing up blood

hemorrhage

excessive bleeding

hemorrhoids

dilated veins in the anorectum, can be internal or external

hepatosplenomegaly

enlargement of the spleen and liver

hypertension

high arterial blood pressure

hypotension

low arterial blood pressure

hypovolemia

dehydration

induration

area of hardened tissue

infarct

necrotic area of tissue following cessation of blood supply

inguinal

pertaining to groin

ischemia

threatened localized tissue death bc of low blood flow

ligament

tissue holding bones together

lymphadenopathy

enlargement of lymph node

macule

small spot or colored area

malaise

generalized discomfort

malleolus

projection on both sides of the ankle joint from lower leg bones

mastectomy

surgical excision of the breast

melena

black, tarry stool

meningitis

inflammation of spinal cord or brain membranes

metastasis

change in manifestation of disease from one organ to another

myalgia

muscular pain

nares

nostrils

nystagmus

involuntary rapid eye movement

occiput

back part of skull

orthopnea

difficulty breathing in any position but erect or standing

pallor

pale skin

palpable

able to be touched, easily perceived

papules

small inflammatory congested spot on skin (pimple)

paresthesia

abnormal sensation, no true loss of sensation

petechiae

small red spots on skin

para

number of viable offspring born to a woman

phalanx

any bones on fingers or toes

pharyngitis

inflammation of pharynx with pain in the throat

photophobia

intolerance to light

pleural effusion

collection of fluid in pleural space

pneumothorax

air or gas in pleural space