Mini-Dictionary (Glossary 1)

Abdomen

space below the chest that contains organs such as the stomach, liver, intestines, and gallbladder

Abdominal

pertaining the abdomen

Ablation

removal of abnormal tissue by surgical or mechanical means

Abnormal

pertaining to being away from the norm; irregular

acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)

suppression or deficiency of the immune response (destruction of lymphocytes) caused by exposure to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

acromegaly

enlargement of the extremities caused by excessive secretion of growth hormone after puberty

Acute

New, usually of rapid onset and of concern, opposite of chronic

acute myocardial ischemia

sudden decrease in blood flow to heart muscle

adenectomy

removal of a gland

adentitis

inflammation of a gland

Adenocarcinoma

cancerous tumor of glandular cells

Adenoidectomy

removal of the adenoids

adenoids

lymphoid tissue located behind the nasal cavity

Adenoma

a benign tumor that arises in or resembles glandular tissue

Adenopathy

disease of glands. often this term refers to enlargement of lymph nodes (which are not true glands, but collections of lymphatic tissue)

Adnexa Uteri

accessory structures associated with the uterus; fallopian tubes and ovaries

Adrenal Cortex

outer section of each adrenal gland; secretes cortisol, aldosterone, and sex hormones

Adrenal Glands

a pair of endocrine glands that sit just above the kidneys and secrete hormones (epinephrine and norepinephrine) that help arouse the body in times of stress.

Adrenalectomy

surgical removal of one or both adrenal glands

Adrenaline

a hormone secreted by the adrenal glands, especially in conditions of stress, increasing rates of blood circulation, breathing, and carbohydrate metabolism and preparing muscles for exertion.

Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH, corticotropin)

Release triggered by CRH from hypothalamus

Causes release of corticosteroids by adrenal cortex

Adrenopathy

disease of the adrenal gland

AIDS

acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

Air sacs

Thin-walled sacs within the lung. Inhaled oxygen passes into the blood from the sacs, and carbon dioxide passes out from the blood into the sacs to be exhaled.

Albumin

a large-molecule protein found in blood and tissues

Albuminuria

albumin in the urine

Alkaline phosphatase

An enzyme needed in the formation of bone; serum activity of this enzyme is useful in diagnosis

allergist

specializes in diagnosing and treating conditions of altered immunologic reactivity, such as allergic reactions

alopecia

hair loss

ALT

alanine transaminase (enzyme elevated in liver disease); formerly called SGPT

alveolar

pertaining to the alveolus

alveoli

thin-walled, microscopic air sacs that exchange gases

Alzheimer's disease

a neurocognitive disorder marked by neural plaques, often with an onset after age 80, and entailing a progressive decline in memory and other cognitive abilities

Amenorrhea

absence of menstruation

amniocentesis

needle puncture of the amniotic sac to withdraw amniotic fluid for analysis

anal

pertaining to the anus

analgesics

drugs that relieve pain

analysis

A detailed examination of the elements or structure of something.

anastomosis

a surgical connection between two hollow or tubular structures

androgen

Male sex hormone

anemia

lack of a normal number of red blood cells

Anesthesiology

administration of agents capable of bringing about a loss of sensation

Aneurysm

ballooning of a weakened portion of an arterial wall

Angina

chest pain

Angiography

x-ray imaging of blood vessels after injection of contrast material

Angioplasty

surgical repair of a blood vessel

Angiotensin

a peptide hormone that constricts blood vessels, causes the retention of sodium and water, and produces thirst and a salt appetite

ankylosing spondylitis

a form of rheumatoid arthritis that primarily causes inflammation of the joints between the vertebrae

ankylosis

consolidation and immobilization of a joint

Anomaly

deviation from what is normal

antenatal

before birth

antepartum

before birth

anterior

front of the body

antiandrogen

blocks the formation of androgens or interferes with their effect in tissues

antiarrhythmic

drug that opposes an irregular heartbeat

antibiotic

a medicine used to save lives because it destroys harmful bacteria and cures infections

antibody

A protein that acts against a specific antigen

anticoagulant

prevents blood clotting

anticonvulsant

a drug that opposes convulsions

antidepressant

a drug that opposes depression

antidiabetic

drug given to prevent or treat diabetes mellitus

antiestrogen

a drug that inhibits the action of estrogenic hormones

Antifungal

an agent that destroys or inhibits the growth of fungi

Antigen

substance that triggers an immune response

Antihistamine

a drug that blocks the effects of histamine in the body

Antihypertensive

a medication administered to lower blood pressure

Antitubercular

Used to treat tuberculosis. Fights tuberculosis.

Antiviral

drug used to treat viral infections

Anuria

absence of urine

Anus

A muscular opening at the end of the rectum through which waste material is eliminated from the body

Aorta

The large arterial trunk that carries blood from the heart to be distributed by branch arteries through the body.

Aortic Stenosis

calcification of aortic valve cusps that restricts forward flow of blood during systole

Apex

pointed end of an organ

Aphakia

absence of the lens of the eye

Aphasia

impairment of language, usually caused by left hemisphere damage either to Broca's area (impairing speaking) or to Wernicke's area (impairing understanding).

Apnea

temporary cessation of breathing

Appendectomy

surgical removal of the appendix

Appendix

A small, fingerlike extension of the vertebrate cecum; contains a mass of white blood cells that contribute to immunity.

Arachnoid membrane

middle layer of the meninges

Areola

dark-pigmented area surrounding the breast nipple

arrhthmia

irregular heartbeat

Arteriography

process of recording (x-ray) arteries after injecting contrast material

Arteriole

small artery

arteriolitis

inflammation of an arteriole

arteriosclerosis

abnormal hardening of the walls of an artery or arteries

arteriovenous fistula

type of vascular access for dialysis; created by surgically connecting an artery to a vein

Artery

A blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart

Arthralgia

joint pain

Arthritis

inflammation of a joint

Arthrocentesis

surgical puncture to remove fluid from the joint space

Arthrogram

visual record of a joint

Arthropathy

joint disease

Arthroplasty

surgical repair or replacement of a joint

Arthroscope

instrument used to look into a joint

Arthroscopy

the visual examination of the internal structure of a joint

Arthrosis

abnormal condition of a joint

Acites

build up of fluid in abdomen

Asphyxia

condition caused by insufficient intake of oxygen

Aspiration

Breathing fluid, food, vomitus, or an object into the lungs

AST

aspartate aminotransferase (formerly SGOT), an enzyme normally present in blood and tissues such as heart and lungs