Medical Terminology Flashcards

A comprehensive collection of vocabulary flashcards derived directly from the provided medical terminology glossary.

abdomen

Part of the trunk between the thorax and the pelvis.

abdominocentesis

puncture of the abdomen (usually for the purpose of withdrawing fluid)

abducens

Sixth (VI) nerve; responsible for eye movement

abduction

Action of moving away from the midline.

ablation

Removal of tissue to destroy its function.

abruptio placentae

separation of the placenta from the wall of the uterus

accommodation

The act of adjusting something to make it fit the needs; for example, the lens of the eye adjusts itself.

acetabulum

The cup-shaped cavity of the hip bone that receives the head of the femur to form the hip joint.

achilles tendon

A tendon formed from gastrocnemius and soleus muscles and inserted into the calcaneus bone. Also called calcaneal tendon.

acromegaly

Enlargement of the head, face, hands, and feet due to excess growth hormone in an adult.

activities of daily living

Daily routines for mobility, personal care, bathing, dressing, eating, and moving.

addison disease

An autoimmune disease leading to decreased production of adrenocortical steroids.

adduction

Action of moving toward the midline.

adenocarcinoma

A cancer arising from glandular epithelial cells.

adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)

hormone secreted by the pituitary gland, which stimulates the cortex of the adrenal gland

afferent

Moving toward a center; for example, nerve fibers conducting impulses to the spinal cord and brain.

agglutination

Process by which cells or other particles adhere to each other to form clumps.

agnosia

inability to comprehend

akinetopsia

the inability to see objects in motion

aldosteronism

Condition caused by excessive secretion of aldosterone; also called "Conn syndrome"

alkaline

Substance with a pH above 7.0. Also called "basic"

allograft

Skin transplant taken from another member of the patient's species (homo because it is from a similar species; allo because it is from another person

alopecia

Partial or complete loss of hair, naturally or from medication.

alveolus

Terminal element of the respiratory tract where gas exchange occurs. Plural alveoli.

amenorrhea

Absence or abnormal cessation of menstrual flow.

amniocentesis

Removal of amniotic fluid for diagnostic purposes.

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

a degenerative disease of the central nervous system causing loss of muscle control; also known as Lou Gehrig's disease

anabolism

The buildup of complex substances in the cell from simpler ones as a part of metabolism.

anaphylaxis

Immediate severe allergic response.

anastomosis

A surgically made union between two tubular structures. Plural anastomoses.

anencephaly

Born without cerebral hemispheres.

aneurysm

Circumscribed dilation of an artery or cardiac chamber.

angina pectoris

oppressive pain in the chest caused by irregular blood flow to the heart

angiogram

Radiograph obtained after injection of radiopaque contrast material into blood vessels.

angioplasty

Recanalization of a blood vessel by surgery.

ankylosing spondylitis

a stiffening inflammation of the vertebrae

anorexia

Without an appetite; or having an aversion to food.

anosmia

lack of a sense of smell

antidiuretic hormone

Posterior pituitary hormone that decreases urine output by acting on the kidney. Also called vasopressin.

antipyretic

Agent that reduces fever.

aorta

Main trunk of the systemic arterial system.

aphasia

inability to speak

apnea

Absence of spontaneous respiration.

apoptosis

Programmed normal cell death.

arrhythmia

Condition when the heart rhythm is abnormal.

arteriosclerosis

Hardening of the arteries.

arthrocentesis

Withdrawal of fluid from a joint through a needle.

arthroplasty

Surgery to restore, as far as possible, the function of a joint.

ascites

Accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity.

asepsis

Absence of living pathogenic organisms.

astigmatism

Inability to focus light rays that enter the eye in different planes.

asystole

Absence of contractions of the heart.

ataxia

Inability to coordinate muscle activity, leading to jerky movements.

atelectasis

Collapse of part of a lung.

atherosclerosis

Atheroma in arteries.

atrial fibrillation

quivering or spontaneous contraction of muscle fibers in the heart's atrium

atrophy

Wasting or diminished volume of a tissue or organ.

auscultation

Diagnostic method of listening to body sounds with a stethoscope.

autoimmune disease

a disease caused by the body's immune system attacking the body's own healthy tissue

autopsy

Examination of the body and organs of a dead person to determine the cause of death.

avulsion

Forcible separation or tearing away, often of a tendon from bone.

axilla

Medical name for the armpit. Plural axillae.

axon

Single process of a nerve cell carrying nervous impulses away from the cell body.

babinski sign

Abnormal neurologic response to plantar reflex that is normal in infants

basal metabolic rate

Energy the body requires to function at rest

bell palsy

Paresis, or paralysis, of one side of the face.

benign prostate hyperplasia

noncancerous overdevelopment of the prostate; also known as enlarged prostate

biceps brachii

A muscle of the arm that has two heads or points of origin on the scapula.

bicuspid

Having two points. A bicuspid heart valve has two flaps; a bicuspid (premolar) tooth has two points.

bilirubin

Bile pigment formed in the liver from hemoglobin.

biopsy

Removing tissue from a living person for laboratory examination.

bipolar disorder

A mood disorder with alternating episodes of depression and mania.

blepharoptosis

Drooping of the upper eyelid.

blood pressure

force exerted by blood on the walls of blood vessels

blood-brain barrier

A selective mechanism that protects the brain from toxins and infections.

bradycardia

Slow heart rate (below 60 beats per minute).

brainstem

Comprises the thalamus, pineal gland, pons, fourth ventricle, and medulla oblongata.

bronchiectasis

Chronic dilation of the bronchi following inflammatory disease and obstruction.

bronchodilator

Agent that increases the diameter of a bronchus.

bruxism

Gritting or grinding together of the teeth, often during sleep

bulimia

Episodic bouts of excessive eating with compensatory throwing up.

bursa

A closed sac containing synovial fluid. Plural bursae.

calcaneus

Bone of the tarsus that forms the heel.

calcitonin

Thyroid hormone that moves calcium from blood to bones.

calculus

Small stone. Plural calculi.

candidiasis

Infection with the yeastlike fungus Candida. Also called thrush.

catabolism

Breakdown of complex substances into simpler ones as a part of metabolism.

cataract

Complete or partial opacity of the lens.

cerebellum

The most posterior area of the brain, located between the midbrain and the cerebral hemispheres.

cerebrospinal fluid

Fluid formed in the ventricles of the brain that surrounds the brain and spinal cord.

cerebrovascular accident (CVA)

an accident involving the blood vessels of the brain

cerumen

Waxy secretion of the ceruminous glands of the external ear.

cholecystectomy

Surgical removal of the gallbladder.

choledocholithiasis

Presence of a gallstone in the common bile duct.

cirrhosis

Extensive fibrotic liver disease.

claudication

Intermittent leg pain and limping.

colles fracture

Fracture of the distal radius at the wrist.

colostomy

Artificial opening from the colon to the outside of the body.

computed tomography

a recording procedure using a computer to "cut" or view "slices" of a patient's organs

concussion

Mild brain injury.