Ch. 40 cardiology vocab words for MA

Slimetastic

Anaphylaxis

Rapidly progressing, life-threatening allergic reaction; Characterized by hives, swelling of the mouth and airway, difficulty breathing, wheezing, and loss of consciousness

antibodies

Proteins produced by cells in the immune system in response to a specific antigen. Work to destroy or weaken a specific antigen

antigens

Substances (usually proteins) on the surface of cells, viruses, bacteria, fungi, and nonliving substances, including drugs, chemicals, toxins, and foreign particles

Arteriosclerosis

A disease in which the arterial walls become thickened and lose their elasticity

Atheroma

A waxy lesion made up of cholesterol, fat, calcium, cells, and other substances, that builds up on the inner wall of an artery

Bilirubin

A reddish yellow pigment that results from the breakdown of red blood cells in the liver

Cardiac defibrillator

An external or implantable devices that provides an electric shock the heart to restore a normal sinus rhythm

constrict

To contract or shrink

Cytoplasm

A jelly-like substance that surrounds th4e nucleus and fills the cells. Organelles are suspended in the cytoplasm.

Deoxygenated

Oxygen deficient; Oxygen was removed

Ectopic pregnancy

A pregnancy in which the fertilized egg implants outside the uterus

Electrocardiography

The recording of electrical impulses of the heart as wave deflections on an instrument called an electrocardiograph. The record, or recording, is called an electrocardiogram

Embolus

An air bubble, blood clot, or foreign body that travels through the bloodstream and blocks a blood vessel.

Enzymes

Special proteins that speed up a chemical reaction in the body

Filamentous

composed of or containing filaments or strands of a substance

Glucose

A simple sugar that is absorbed by the intestines and found in the blood. It is used by cells for energy, and the extra is stored in the liver as glycogen

Hematopoiesis

The formation of blood cells

Incompetent valves

Valves that do not close completely and allow blood to leak backward into the prior chamber; also called “leaky valves”

Infarction

Tissue death

Insufficiency

Also called regurgitation or incompetence; the valve does not close completely, and blood leaks backward across the valve into the prior chamber

Mediastinum

The space in the thoracic cavity that lies between the lungs, containing the heart, trachea and esophagus

Orthostatic (postural) hypotension

A temporary fall in blood pressure that occurs when a person rapidly changes from a recumbent position to a standing position

pitting edema

Excessive fluid in the intercellular spaces in the tissue; when external pressure (socks, finger pressure) is relieved, a depression is seen in the tissue

Polycythemia

a condition caused by an abnormally large number of red blood cells (RBC) in the blood

purpura

A condition characterized by hemorrhages in the tissue, causing the appearance of purplish spots

solvent

a liquid that can dissolve other substanc3es

stem cells

Undifferentiated cells that can become specialized cells in the body

stenosis

Occurs when the heart valve flaps are stiff or fused together, thus narrowing the valve

syncope

fainting or loss consciousness and postural tone caused by diminished blood flow to the brain

thrombus

A blood clot that blocks the flow of blood

valvulitis

Inflammatory condition of a valve stenosis and obstructed blood flow; caused most commonly by rheumatic fever, bacterial endocarditis, or syphilis

viscosity

Resistance to flow; the thicker the liquid, the higher the viscosity

Whole blood

Plasma and the formed elements of blood in a free-flowing liquid form