Studied by 3 people
This covers all terminologies starting with the letter "A"
Abscesses
a collection of pus in the tissues
Acidosis
the depletion of the alkaline reserve in the body
Acute
a sudden, poignant illness of short duration but with severe symptoms
Addiction
the repeated use of any substance or any repetitive behaviours despite clear evidence of increased morbidity due to its long term use
Adenitis
inflammation of a gland
Adhesion
the normal joining of tissues (scar tissue) by a fibrous band usually resulting from injury or surgery
Adipose
meaning fatty
Adrenal gland
a ductless gland at the upper end of the kidney
Albumin
a protein substance found in animal and vegetable tissues
Albuminuria
the presence of albumin in the urine
Alignment
the state of being arranged in a line
Alimentary canal
the passage leading from the mouth, the stomach and the intestines to the outer opening of the rectum
Allergy
an exaggerated sensitivity of an individual to a substance
Alleviate
to lessen or make easier to endure (pain or injury)
Alopecia
the loss of hair from skin where it normally appears
Alveoli
air cells of the lungs
Ambulatory
refer to patients who can still walk
Amenorrhea
the absence or abnormal stoppage of menstruation
Amnesia
the loss of memory
Amputation
the act of cutting off an extremity or other part of the body
Analgesic
anything that relieves pain
Anaphylaxis
the increased susceptibility or hypersensitivity to a drug following its parenteral or oral administration
Anastomosis
the joining together of two normally distinct spaces or organs
Anemia
the state having deficient quantity or quality of the blood
Anesthetic
a substance that produces loss of feeling or sensation
Angina pectoris
is paroxysmal thoracic pain
Ankylosis
the abnormal consolidation of a joint, which prevents motion (ie. ankylosing spondylitis)
Anomaly
a deviation from the normal
Anorexia
the lack or loss of appetite
Anoxia
a decrease of oxygen below the normal level in the body tissues
Anthelmintic
any agent that destroys worms
Antibody
a specific blood substance that neutralizes foreign bodies
Antidote
a remedy that will counteract or remove the effect of poison
Anti-emetic
any agent that prevents or relieves nausea and vomiting
Antipyretic
any agent that relieves or reduces fever
Antiseptic
a substance that inhibits the growth of microorganisms without necessarily destroying them
Antispasmodic
any agent the relieves muscular spasm
Antitoxins
substances found in the blood and other body fluids that counteract the harmful effect of toxins or the poisons to which they are allied
Anuria
the total suppression of urine
Apathy
indifference or the lack of feeling or emotion
Apex
the tip, point or end of anything
Aphagia
the inability to swallow
Abnormal
means contrary to the usual structure, position, or condition
Abrasion
injury resulting from the scraping or rubbing off of the skin
Aphasia
the inability to express oneself by speech or writing
Aphonia
the loss of voice
Apnea
the temporary cessation of breathing (i.e. sleep apnea)
Apoplexy
paralysis commonly referred to as "stroke" resulting from cerebral vascular accident
Arrhythmia
the absence of rhythm, particularly in relation to the abnormality in the rhythm of the heart
Artery
the vessels through which the blood passes from the heart to all the different parts of the body
Arthritis
joint inflammation
Articulation
the junction between two or more bones of the skeleton
Ascites
the escape of serous fluid into the abdominal cavity
Aseptic
free from disease germs
Asphyxia
suffocation
Aspiration
the withdrawal of fluid or gas from a cavity by means of suction
Assimilation
the process of changing food into living tissue
Asthma
a disease marked by difficulty in breathing due to spasmodic contractions of the bronchial tubes
Ataxia
the irregularity of muscle coordination
Atonic
the lack of normal tone or strength
Atresia
a closing or congenital absence of a normal anatomic opening
Atrophy
a decrease in size or wasting away of a cell, tissue or organ
Audiometer
an instrument used to test the acuity of hearing
Aura
subjective sensation experienced by a person prior to a seizure such as epileptic attack
Aural
pertaining to the ear
Auscultation
the act of listening to sounds within the body to determine abnormal conditions
