Medical English 6th year

Amnesia

Partial or total (global) loss of memory of recent or remote (past) experiences

anencephaly

Rare congenital condition in which some or all of the cranium and cerebrum are missing

aphasia

Loss of the ability to communicate verbally or in writing

expressive aphasia

The inability to verbally express thoughts

receptive aphasia

The inability to understand the spoken or written word

arteriovenous malformation (AVM)

Abnormality in which arteries in the brain connect directly to veins (rather than to capillaries), forming an abnormal twisted nest of blood vessels

brain tumor

Benign or malignant tumor of any area of the brain

cephalalgia

Pain in the head, commonly known as a headache

cerebral palsy (CP)

Caused by a lack of oxygen to parts of the fetus' brain during birth

cerebrovascular accident (CVA)

Disruption or blockage of blood flow to the brain, which causes tissue death and an area of necrosis known as an infarct

hemiplegia

Paralysis on one side of the body

hemiparesis

Muscle weakness on one side of the body

coma

Deep state of unconsciousness and unresponsiveness caused by trauma or disease in the brain, by metabolic imbalance with accumulation of waste products in the blood (hepatic coma), or by too little glucose in the blood (hypoglycemia)

concussion

Traumatic injury to the brain that results in an immediate loss of consciousness (LOG) for a brief or prolonged period of time

dementia

Disease of the brain in which many neurons in the cerebrum die, the cerebral cortex shrinks in size, and there is progressive deterioration in mental function

Down syndrome

Naturally occurring, random error in cell division that creates a genetic defect in which there are three of chromosome 21, instead of the normal two

dyslexia

Difficulty reading and writing words even though visual acuity and intelligence are normal

encephalitis

Inflammation and infection of the brain caused by a virus

epilepsy

Recurring condition in which a group of neurons in the brain spontaneously sends out electrical impulses in an abnormal, uncontrolled way, also known as seizures or convulsions

status epilepticus

a prolonged, continuous seizure or repeated seizures that occur without the patient regaining consciousness

hematoma

Localized collection of blood that forms in the brain because of trauma to the cranium or the rupture of an intracranial aneurysm or an AVM

Huntington's chorea

Progressive inherited degenerative disease of the brain that begins in middle age

hydrocephalus

Condition in which an excessive amount of cerebrospinal fluid is produced or the flow of cerebrospinal fluid is blocked

meningitis

Inflammation and infection of the meninges of the brain or spinal cord caused by a bacterium or virus

migraine headache

Specific type of recurring headache that has a sudden onset with severe, throbbing pain, often on just one side of the head

narcolepsy

Brief, involuntary episodes of falling asleep during the daytime while engaged in activity

Parkinson's disease

Chronic, degenerative disease due to an imbalance in the levels of the neurotransmitters dopamine and acetylcholine in the brain, also known as parkinsonism

syncope

Temporary loss of consciousness

neural tube defect

Congenital abnormality of the neural tube (embryonic structure that becomes the fetal brain and spinal cord)

meningocele

a protrusion of the meninges through the skin

radiculopathy

Acute or chronic condition that occurs because of a tumor, arthritis, or a herniated nucleus pulposus (HNP) (when the contents of an intervertebral disk are forced out through a weak area in the disk wall)

spinal cord injury (SCI)

Trauma to the spinal cord with a partial or complete transection of the cord

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

Chronic, progressive disease of the motor nerves coming from the spinal cord

anesthesia

Condition in which sensation of any type, including touch, pressure, proprioception, or pain, has been lost

Bell's palsy

Weakness, drooping, or actual paralysis of one side of the face because of inflammation of the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII)

carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)

Chronic condition caused by repetitive motions of the hand and wrist, often from constant typing or data entry

Guillain-Barre syndrome

Autoimmune disorder in which the body makes antibodies against myelin

hyperesthesia

Condition in which there is a heightened awareness and sensitivity to touch and increased response to painful stimuli

multiple sclerosis (MS)

Chronic, progressive, degenerative autoimmune disorder in which the body makes antibodies against myelin. There is acute inflammation of the nerves and loss of myelin (demyelination) with interruption of nerve conduction in the brain and spinal cord

neuralgia

Pain along the path of a nerve and its branches that is caused by an injury

neuritis

Inflammation or infection of a nerve

polyneuritis

A generalized inflammation of many nerves in one part of the body or all the nerves in the body

neurofibromatosis

Hereditary disease with multiple benign fibrous tumors (neurofibromata) that grow on the peripheral nerves, also known as von Recklinghausen's disease

neuroma

Benign tumor of a nerve or any of the specialized cells of the nervous system

neuropathy

General category for any type of disease or injury to a nerve

paresthesia

Condition in which abnormal sensations, such as tingling, burning, or pinpricks, are felt on the skin

dermatitis

Any condition caused by disease or injury that results in inflammation or infection of the skin

edema

Excessive amounts of fluid move from the blood into the dermis or subcutaneous tissue and cause swelling

hemorrhage

Trauma to the skin releases a small or large amount of blood

petechiae

pinpoint hemorrhages in the skin from ruptured capillaries

ecchymosis

a hemorrhage under the skin that is 3 cm in diameter or larger

hematoma

an elevated, localized collection of blood under the skin

extravasation

when the blood flows into the surrounding tissues

lesion

Any visible damage to or variation from normal of the skin, whether it is from disease or injury

neoplasm

Any benign or malignant new growth that occurs on or in the skin

pruritus

Itching, associated with many skin diseases

rash

Any type of skin lesion that is pink to red, flat or raised, pruritic or nonpruritic

wound

Any area of visible damage to the skin that is caused by physical means (such as rubbing, trauma, etc.)

xeroderma

Excessive dryness of the skin

albinism

A lack of pigment in the skin, hair, and iris of the eye

cyanosis

Bluish-purple discoloration of the skin and nails due to a decreased level of oxygen in the blood

erythema

Reddish discoloration of the skin

jaundice

Yellowish discoloration of the skin, mucous membranes, and whites of the eyes, also known as icterus

necrosis

Gray-to-black discoloration of the skin in areas where the tissue has died

gangrene

Necrosis with subsequent bacterial invasion and decay

pallor

Unnatural paleness due to a lack of blood supply to the tissue

vitiligo

An autoimmune disorder in which the melanocytes are slowly destroyed in irregular and ever-enlarging areas

abrasion

Sliding or scraping injury that mechanically removes the epidermis, also known as a brush burn

blister

Repetitive rubbing injury that mechanically separates the epidermis from the dermis and releases tissue fluid

burns

Heat (fire, hot objects, steam, boiling water), electrical current (lightning, electrical outlets or cords), chemicals, and radiation or X-rays (sunshine or prescribed radiation therapy) can cause a bum to the epidermis or dermis

first-degree burn

This burn involves only the epidermis and causes erythema, pain, and swelling, but not blisters

second-degree burn

This burn involves the epidermis and the upper part of the dermis, also known as a partial-thickness burn

third-degree burn

This burn involves the epidermis and entire dermis, and sometimes the subcutaneous tissue and muscle layer beneath may be involved, also known as a full-thickness burn

eschar

a thick, crusty scar of necrotic tissue that forms on a third-degree burn

callus

Repetitive rubbing injury that causes the epidermis to gradually thicken into a wide, elevated pad

corn

a callus with a hard central area with a pointed tip that causes pain and inflammation

cicatrix

Fibrous tissue composed of collagen that forms as an injury heals, also known as a scar

keloid

a very firm, abnormally large scar that is bigger than the original injury

decubitus ulcer

Constant pressure to a particular area of the skin restricts the blood flow to those tissues, also known as pressure sores or bed sores

excoriation

Superficial injury with a sharp object such as a fingernail, animal claw, or thorn that creates a linear scratch in the skin

laceration

Deep, penetrating wound

abscess

Localized, pus-containing pocket under the skin caused by a bacterial infection

furuncle

a localized, elevated abscess around a hair follicle and the skin is inflamed and painful, also known as a boil

carbuncle

is composed of large furuncles with connecting channels through the subcutaneous tissue or to the skin surface

cellulitis

Spreading inflammation and infection of the connective tissues of the skin and muscle

herpes

Skin infection caused by the herpes virus

herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1

occurs on the lips, also known as cold sores or fever blisters

herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 2

a sexually transmitted disease that causes vesicles in the genital area, also known as genital herpes

herpes whitlow

a herpes simplex infection at the base of the fingernail from contact with herpes simplex type 1 of the mouth or type 2 of the genitals

herpes varicella-zoster

causes the skin rash of chickenpox during childhood, also known as shingles

tinea

Skin infection caused by a fungus that feeds on epidermal cells

tinea capitis

occurs on the scalp and causes hair loss

tinea corporis

occurs on the trunk and extremities

tinea cruris

occurs in the groin and genital areas and is known as jock itch

tinea pedis

occurs on the feet and is known as athlete's foot

verruca

Irregular, rough skin lesion caused by the human papillomavirus

pediculosis

Infestation of lice and their eggs (nits) in the scalp, hair, eyelashes, or genital hair

scabies

Infestation of parasitic mites that tunnel under the skin and produce vesicles that are itchy

contact dermatitis

Local reaction to physical contact with a substance that is an allergen or an irritant

urticaria

Condition of raised areas of redness and edema that appear suddenly and may also disappear rapidly, also known as hives