Midterm Exam Medical Terminology and Definitions

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering medical terms, word roots, and clinical definitions for the Midterm Exam.

abdominal

Relating to the abdomen

abnormal

Not normal; unusual

adduct

Move a body part toward the midline

Metastasis

Spreading of cancer

adenectomy

Surgical removal of a gland

adenocarcinoma

Cancerous tumor of a gland

amenorrhea

Absence of menstrual periods

amniocentesis

Test of amniotic fluid during pregnancy to detect abnormalities

analgesia

No pain

anemia

Low red blood cells or hemoglobin

anesthetist

A professional trained to administer anesthesia

angiogram

X-ray of blood vessels

antenatal

Before birth

antibiotic

Substances made outside of the body from microorganisms to fight bacteria

apnea

Temporary stop in breathing

arteriorrhaphy

Surgical suturing of an artery

arthralgia

Joint pain

arthritis

Inflammation of the joints

arthroscope

Instrument to view inside a joint

arthroscopy

Visual examination of the inside of a joint

autopsy

Examination of a body after death to determine the cause of death

bilateral

Affecting both sides of the body

biologist

A scientist who studies living organisms

biopsy

Removal of a living tissue for examination

bradycardia

Slow heart rate

bronchoscopy

Visual examination of the airways (bronchial tubes) with a scope

carcinoma

A cancer of the epithelial tissues

cardiac

Relating to the heart

cardiologist

A doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating heart diseases

cardiomegaly

Enlargement of the heart

cardiomyopathy

Disease of the heart muscle

cardiopathy

Any heart disease

celiac

Relating to the abdomen or celiac disease (gluten intolerance)

cephalic

Relating to the head

cerebral

Relating to the largest part of the brain (cerebrum)

cerebrosclerosis

Hardening of brain tissue

cerebrovascular

Relating to brain blood vessels

cerebrum

The largest part of the brain

cervical

Relating to the neck or cervix

chronic

Long-lasting condition; opposite of acute

coccyges

Tailbones

colonoscopy

Visual examination of the colon

colostomy

Surgical opening of the colon to the outside of the body for waste removal

colposcopy

Visual examination of the vagina/cervix

coronary

Relating to heart arteries, veins or blood vessels

cutaneous

Relating to the skin

cystitis

Inflammation of the bladder

cystoscopy

Visual examination of the urinary bladder

cytologist

A specialist who studies cells, often examining cell samples to help diagnose diseases

dermatitis

Skin inflammation

dermatologist

A physician who diagnoses and treats skin conditions

dermatosis

General skin disorder

diagnosis

Identification of a disease; state of complete knowledge

diameter

Distance across a circle

diarrhea

Frequent loose stools

duodenojejunostomy

Surgical connection (communication) between the duodenum and the jejunum (the first and second part of the small intestines)

duodenoscope

Instrument to view the duodenum (the first part of the small intestines)

duodenum

First part of the small intestine immediately after the stomach

dysentery

Severe intestinal infection which causes severe diarrhea with blood

dysmenorrheal

Pertaining to or causing painful menstruation (dysmenorrhea)

dyspnea

Difficulty breathing

dysuria

Painful or difficult urination

Electrocardiogram (ECG)

A record of the heart's electrical activity

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

A recording of the brain's electrical activity

electroencephalography

The process to measure or record the brain waves

encephalitis

Inflammation of the brain

endocrine glands

Glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream

endocrinologist

A medical doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating conditions related to the endocrine glands and the hormones they produce

endometrium

Inner lining of the uterus

endoscope

Tube to view inside the body

epithelial

Relating to skin/tissue lining

erythema

Redness of skin like sunburn

erythrocyte

Red blood cell

esophagoscopy

Visual examination of the esophagus with a scope

eupnea

Normal breathing

euthanasia

The act of intentionally ending a person's life to relieve suffering; Mercy killing

exocrine glands

Glands that secrete hormones through ducts to the surface of an organ or the skin

gastric

Relating to the stomach

gastritis

Stomach inflammation

gastroenteritis

Inflammation of stomach and intestines

gastroenterologist

A doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases of the digestive system, including the stomach, intestines, liver, pancreas, and gallbladder

gastroenterology

Study of the digestive system (stomach and small intestines)

gastroscopy

Visual examination of the stomach

gingivitis

Gum inflammation

gnathic

Relating to the jaw

gynecologist

A doctor who specializes in the health of the female reproductive system

gynecology

Study of women's diseases

hematologist

Blood specialist

hematoma

Collection of blood under skin; blood mass

hepatorrhagia

Bleeding from the liver

hematuria

Condition of having blood in the urine

hemigastrectomy

Removal of half the stomach

hemiplegia

Paralysis of one side of body

hemoglobin

Protein in red blood cells

hemorrhage

Heavy bleeding

hepatitis

Liver inflammation

hepatoma

Liver tumor

hepatomegaly

Enlarged liver

hyperglycemia

High blood sugar

hypertension

High blood pressure