Unit 6 Medical Interpeting

Comprehensive medical vocabulary flashcards covering the Nervous, Reproductive, Respiratory, Sensory, Skeletal, and Urinary systems as described in the lecture notes.

Alzheimer disease

A deteriorating/progressive disease of the brain leading to the loss of language skills, thinking, and memory.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

A deteriorating/progressive disorder for motor neurons in the central nervous system that causes paralysis and muscle loss.

Ataxia

The inability to control body movements.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

A behavioral disorder, mostly in children, characterized by poor focus, impulsivity, and hyper activity.

Autism

A mental disorder present from early childhood involving difficulties with communication, social interaction, and understanding abstract language concepts.

Bell palsy

Severe weakness or paralysis of the facial nerve that controls muscle movements, usually happening on one side of the face and characterized by facial droop.

Bipolar disorder

A condition characterized by fluctuating periods of elation and depression.

Brain stem

The central part of the brain that connects with the spinal cord and is responsible for controlling basic body functions like heart rate, blood pressure, consciousness, swallowing, and breathing.

Carotid endarterectomy

A procedure that removes the buildup that causes the carotid arteries to stop or decrease blood flow to the brain.

Cerebral embolism

The result of a clot or plaque blocking blood flow to the brain, which causes an ischemic stroke.

Cerebrospinal fluid

A clear, colorless fluid in the brain and spinal cord that cushions the brain, reduces weight, maintains chemical stability, and removes waste.

CNS

One of two nervous systems in the body, consisting of the brain and spinal cord.

Cognitive

Processes involving conscious intellectual activities like thinking, reasoning, and remembering.

Computed tomography (CT)

A noninvasive study using a combination of computer and X-ray images of internal body structures to look for abnormalities.

Concussion

A brain injury resulting in a brief loss of consciousness.

Convulsion

An involuntary muscle contraction of the body or limb that can happen as a result of toxins, seizures, or fever.

CT myelography

A radiographic study using contrast dyes to form images of the spinal column, including roots, nerves, and tissues.

Dementia

A brain disease or injury that causes progressive deterioration of mental processes leading to personality changes, mood disorders, and impaired reasoning.

EEG

An electroencephalogram, which is a diagnostic study using electrodes attached to the head to record electrical brain activity.

Encephalitis

Inflammation of the brain, caused by an allergic reaction or infection.

Epilepsy

A chronic neurological disorder characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain.

Gait

An individual's manner of walking.

Glioblastoma

A massive tumor in the brain or spinal cord that starts in supportive glial cells.

Hemiplegia/hemiparesis

Paralysis on one side of the body.

Hydrocephalus

A buildup of fluid in the brain that leads to enlargement of the head and can cause brain damage.

Lumbar puncture

A surgical procedure, also known as a lumbar tap, to remove spinal fluid using a hollow needle.

Meningitis

Inflammation of the meninges, the membranes surrounding the spinal cord and brain.

Multiple sclerosis

A long term, progressive disease characterized by damage to the sheaths that surround nerves in the spinal column and brain.

Myelin

The insulating sheath surrounding nerve fibers that regulates the speed of electrical impulses between neurons.

Neuralgia

Pain along the course of a nerve, resulting from nerve irritation or damage.

Neuron

A nerve cell that receives and sends electrical impulses.

Paraplegia

Complete or partial paralysis of the lower half of the body.

Parkinson

A condition caused by decreased dopamine characterized by tremors, rigidity, impaired balance, shuffling gait, and slow movement.

Peripheral nervous system

A network of nerves that branch out of the central nervous system to the rest of the body.

PTSD

A condition that develops when one experiences or witnesses a terrifying or dangerous event.

Psychogenic

A condition that originates within the mind rather than having a physical cause.

Psychosis

A detachment from reality, characterized by impairment of thoughts and emotions.

Psychosomatic

A condition caused or aggravated by a mental component like stress or internal conflict.

Radiculopathy

Inflammation or damage to a spinal nerve root causing pain, weakness, numbness, and tingling that radiates along the nerve pathway.

Quadriplegia

Complete paralysis of all four extremities.

Schizophrenia

A disorder that affects the ability to break down thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, leading to distorted perception and inappropriate behaviors.

Sciatica

Pain radiating from the lower back down to the leg caused by compression of a spinal nerve root in the lower back.

Seizures

A burst of electricity in the brain that causes convulsions or decreased clarity.

Serotonin

A substance that assists nerve impulses and plays a role in mood, digestion, sleep, and pain perception.

Shingles

An infection caused by chicken pox resulting in inflammation of nerve ganglia and a red painful rash.

Shunt

A connecting device that allows blood to flow from one location to another.

Stroke

Damaged brain tissue caused by a severe blockage of blood or the rupture of a blood vessel in the brain.

Subarachnoid hemorrhage

Leakage of blood into the space between two membranes in the brain, caused by the rupture of an aneurysm.

Tremor

Involuntary shaking movement in the hands, arms, legs, and feet.

Adenomyosis

A condition where the inner lining of the uterus breaks through the muscle wall of the uterus.

BPH

Benign prostatic hypertrophy; a male condition involving an enlarged prostate gland that causes difficulty with urination.

Cervix

The narrow necklike canal at the bottom of the uterus.

Colposcopy

A procedure that uses a magnification instrument to evaluate the vagina, vulva, and cervix.

ED

Erectile dysfunction; a condition where a man is unable to get or keep an erection.

Endometrium

The inner lining of the uterus, which thickens during the menstrual cycle in preparation for egg implantation.

Endometriosis

A condition where endometrial tissue grows outside the uterus, such as on the ovaries or fallopian tubes.

Epididymis

A narrowed tube or duct behind each testis that transports sperm to the vas deferens.

Fallopian tubes

Tubes that connect the ovaries to the uterus and serve as a pathway for the egg.

Fibroids

Tumors in the smooth muscle of the uterus that can lead to heavy menstrual periods.

HPV

Human papillomavirus; many varieties of infection passed through sexual contact.

Hysterectomy

Surgical removal of the uterus.

IUD

Intrauterine device; a contraceptive device placed inside the uterus to stop pregnancy.

Lumpectomy

A breast cancer treatment where the surgeon removes the tumor and a margin of normal tissue to preserve healthy breast tissue.

Oophorectomy

Surgical removal of one or both ovaries.

Orchiectomy

Surgical procedure to remove one or both testicles.

Pap smear

A test where a swab of the cervix is taken to check for abnormal cell growth.

Perineum

The area between the genitalia and the anus.

Pessary

A device inserted into the vagina to support sagging pelvic organs.

PSA test

A blood test measuring prostate specific Antigen levels; elevated levels can indicate various prostate conditions.

Salpingectomy

Surgical removal of one or both fallopian tubes.

Seminal vesicles

A pair of glands in the male reproductive system that open into the vas deferens and produce components of semen.

Sperm

The male reproductive cell that fertilizes the female egg to become an embryo.

Vas deferens

The tube in the male reproductive system that transports sperm from the testes to the urethra.

ABG test

Arterial blood gas test that measures oxygen and carbon dioxide ($CO_2$) levels in the blood.

Alveoli

Air sacs in the lungs that contract and expand with inhaling and exhaling.

Asthma

A condition narrowing the airways due to spasms, making breathing difficult.

Bronchioles

Smaller vessels that form from the main bronchi to create a bronchial tree.

Bronchitis

Inflammation of the tubes leading from the trachea to the lungs, causing coughing and mucus production.

Cilia

Small hairs that help move mucus from the nose, sinuses, and throat.

Consolidation

A condition where air-filled lung tissue becomes filled with fluid, pus, or blood, leading to solidification.

COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; limits breathing due to chronic obstruction of bronchial airways and lungs.

Cystic fibrosis

An inherited lung disease characterized by thick mucus in the lungs and airways due to defective exocrine glands.

Deviated septum

A condition where the wall between the nostrils is displaced to one side, making one nasal passage smaller.

Emphysema

Destruction of the alveolar walls, causing air sacs to remain in an inflated state.

Epiglottis

Cartilage on top of the larynx that closes over the windpipe to prevent food or liquid from entering the airway during swallowing.

Hyperventilation

Increased respiratory rate leading to an excessive loss of carbon dioxide in the blood.

Intubation

Insertion of a breathing tube through the nose or mouth into the trachea to keep the airway open.

Laryngomalacia

A condition where soft, immature cartilage of the upper larynx collapses inward, causing airway obstruction and stridor in infants.

Nebulizer

A drug delivery machine that uses mist inhalation into the lungs to assist with breathing.

OSA

Obstructive sleep apnea; the cessation of breathing, especially during sleep.

Pneumoconiosis

A lung disease resulting from frequent dust inhalation leading to the accumulation of dust in the lungs and airways.

Pulmonary embolism

A medical emergency where a blood clot blocks an artery in the lungs, causing shortness of breath and chest pain.

Spirometry

A diagnostic study that measures the amount of air going in and out of the lungs.

Tracheostomy

A surgical incision into the trachea followed by the insertion of a tube to provide respiratory support.

Aphasia

The partial or total inability to understand language.

Astigmatism

Spherical dividing in the lens of the eye that distorts images.

Cataract

Cloudy eye lens resulting in blurred vision.

Cochlea

An inner ear organ responsible for hearing.

Conjunctivitis

Inflammation of the conjunctiva, also known as pink eye, causing redness, itching, and discharge.

Dysphonia

Difficulty speaking or vocal impairment.