Common Medical Terms and Abbreviations

These flashcards cover various common medical terms and abbreviations, aiding in the understanding of relevant medical terminology.

Cadaver

A dead human body that may be used by physicians and other scientists to study anatomy, identify disease sites, determine causes of death, and provide tissue to repair defects.

Caesarean Birth

An operation in which a baby is born through a cut made in the wall of the abdomen and uterus.

Cancer

An abnormal growth of cells which proliferate in an uncontrolled way and may metastasize.

Capillary

A tiny blood vessel that connects arterioles and venules.

Carcinogen

A substance or agent that causes cancer.

Cardiomegaly

Enlargement of the heart.

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

A life-saving emergency procedure that involves breathing for the victim and applying external chest compression to make the heart pump.

Cardiotocography

A machine that traces the baby's heart rate and the woman's contractions to assess the baby’s wellbeing.

CAT Scan

A computerized axial tomography scan, which is a painless X-ray test generating cross-sectional views of a patient's anatomy.

Catheter

A small tube that can be passed through a part of the body to perform various medical functions.

Cephalgia

Also known as a headache.

Cervical Screening

An internal swab test to check if the cervix is healthy, sometimes called a smear test.

Chickenpox

A highly infectious viral disease also known as varicella.

Cholesterol

A group of blood fats that includes LDL (bad cholesterol) and HDL (good cholesterol).

Chromosomes

Genetic structures within cells which contain DNA, with normal cells having 46 chromosomes.

Chronic

Something that persists or continues for at least six months.

Colostomy

An artificial exit from the colon created to divert waste through a hole in the abdomen.

Colostrum

The first breastmilk produced during pregnancy and in the first few days after the baby is born.

Cyanosis

A condition resulting in bluish skin, stemming from a lack of oxygen in the blood.

Dilatation and Curettage (D&C)

A minor operation expanding the cervical canal to scrape the uterine lining.

DASH Diet

An eating plan designed to lower blood pressure.

Debridement

The act of removing dead, contaminated, or adherent tissue or foreign material.

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

A blood clot within a deep vein, typically in the thigh or leg.

Defibrillation

The use of a controlled electric shock to normalize the heart's rhythm.

Delirium

A sudden state of severe confusion and rapid changes in brain function.

Dementia

Significant loss of intellectual abilities, such as memory capacity.

Depression

A common mental health condition characterized by low mood or loss of pleasure.

Diabetes

A condition caused by high levels of glucose in the blood.

Dysarthria

Speech that is slurred, slow, and difficult to understand due to muscle control issues.

Dyskinesia

The presence of involuntary movements.

Dysmenorrhea

Painful periods.

Dyspareunia

Pain during or after sexual intercourse.

Dyslexia

A specific developmental disability that alters the way the brain processes written material.

Dyspnea

Difficult or labored breathing; shortness of breath.

Dystonia

Involuntary movements and prolonged muscle contraction resulting in twisting motions.

Dysuria

Pain during urination or difficulty urinating.

Echocardiography

A diagnostic test using ultrasound waves to make images of the heart.

Eczema

A type of inflammatory skin reaction characterized by redness, swelling, and crusting.

Edema

The swelling of soft tissues due to excess fluid accumulation.

Emboli

Substances that travel through the bloodstream and can block blood vessels.

Embolism

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

Embryo

An organism in the early stages of growth from fertilization to the beginning of the third month of pregnancy.

Emesis

Vomiting.

Endemic

Characteristic of a particular population or region with low spread.

Enema

Liquid injected into the rectum for therapeutic or diagnostic purposes.

Epidemic

More cases of a disease than expected in a community during a specific time.

Epistaxis

Nosebleed.

Erythema

Redness of the skin due to capillary congestion.

Etiology

The study of causes, including the causes of a disease.

Extension

The process of straightening or the state of being straight.

Extubate

To remove a tube from a hollow organ or passageway.

Fallopian Tube

Hollow tubes leading from the womb to the fimbriae near the ovaries.

Fertility

The ability to conceive a baby and for a woman to become pregnant.

Flank

The part of the body on the side between the ribs and hip.

Flare

An exacerbation of a chronic disease, where symptoms suddenly worsen.

Flatulence

Excess gas in the intestinal tract.

Flexion

The process of bending, or the state of being bent.

Flush

A temporary redness of the skin, typically from excitement or embarrassment.

Fissure

A crack, slit, or groove in the body.

Fistula

An abnormal passageway in the body.

Gait

A manner of walking.

Gastroenteritis

Inflammation of the stomach and intestines, resulting in diarrhea or vomiting.

Gene

A biological unit that passes on inherited information from parent to child.

Genetic

Relating to, caused or controlled by genes.

Gerontology

The study of aging and its social, psychological, cognitive, and biological aspects.

Glucose

The simple sugar that is the chief source of energy.

Graft

Healthy tissue taken from one part of the body to replace diseased tissue.

Granulation

Part of the healing process involving new connective tissue and capillaries.

Grief

The normal process of reacting to a loss.

Gynecologist

A physician who specializes in treating diseases of the female reproductive organs.

EENT

Abbreviation for Ear, Eyes, Nose, Throat.

ECG/EKG

Electrocardiogram, a test that checks for problems with the electrical activity of the heart.

D/C

Abbreviation for Discontinue.

DVT

Deep Vein Thrombosis, a blood clot within a deep vein.