Medical Terminology

Abdominocentesis

A surgical puncture of the abdominal cavity to remove fluid.

Acronym

A word formed from the initial letters of a series of words (e.g., HOSA for Health Occupations Students of America).

Acute

Referring to a disease or condition with a rapid onset and/or a short duration.

Angiography

An imaging technique to visualize blood vessels after injecting a contrast medium.

Appendectomy

Surgical removal of the appendix.

Arteriosclerosis

Hardening and loss of elasticity of the arterial walls.

Arthralgia

Pain in a joint.

Colostomy

Surgical creation of an opening between the colon and the abdominal wall.

Cyanosis

A bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes due to low oxygen levels in the blood.

Dermatologist

A physician specializing in diagnosing and treating skin disorders.

Diagnosis

The identification of a disease or condition by its signs, symptoms, and tests.

Diarrhea

Frequent, loose, or watery bowel movements.

Edema

Swelling caused by excess fluid in the tissues.

Endarterial

Relating to the inner lining of an artery.

Eponym

A disease, structure, or procedure named after a person.

Erythrocyte

A red blood cell.

Fissure

A groove or crack-like sore in the skin or mucous membrane.

Fistula

An abnormal passage between two internal organs or between an organ and the body surface.

Gastralgia

Pain in the stomach.

Gastritis

Inflammation of the stomach lining.

Gastroenteritis

Inflammation of the stomach and intestines.

Gastrosis

Any disease of the stomach.

Hemorrhage

Excessive or profuse bleeding.

Hepatomegaly

Enlargement of the liver.

Hypertension

Abnormally high blood pressure.

Hypotension

Abnormally low blood pressure.

Infection

The invasion and multiplication of microorganisms in the body.

Inflammation

A localized response to injury or infection, characterized by redness, heat, swelling, and pain.

Interstitial

Pertaining to spaces within a tissue or organ.

Intramuscular

Within or into a muscle.

Laceration

A torn or jagged wound.

Lesion

An abnormal change in tissue due to disease or injury.

Malaise

A general feeling of discomfort or unease.

Mycosis

Any disease caused by a fungus.

Myelopathy

Any disease of the spinal cord.

Myopathy

Any disease of the muscle.

Natal

Pertaining to birth.

Neonatology

The branch of medicine concerned with the care of newborn infants.

Neurorrhaphy

Surgical suturing of a severed nerve.

Otorhinolaryngology

The study of diseases of the ear, nose, and throat.

Palpation

The process of examining by touch.

Palpitation

An irregular or rapid heartbeat.

Pathology

The study of disease processes.

Phalanges

The bones of the fingers and toes.

Poliomyelitis

A viral infection that affects the central nervous system and can cause paralysis.

Prognosis

The predicted course and outcome of a disease.

Pyoderma

Any skin infection that produces pus.

Pyrosis

Heartburn; a burning sensation in the chest caused by stomach acid reflux.

Remission

A decrease or disappearance of signs and symptoms of a disease.

Sign

An objective indication of disease observable by others.

Supination

The act of rotating the palm or sole upward or forward.

Suppuration

The formation or discharge of pus.

Supracostal

Above the ribs.

Symptom

A subjective indication of disease experienced by the patient.

Syndrome

A group of symptoms that occur together and characterize a particular condition or disease.

Tenorrhaphy

Surgical suturing of a tendon.

Tonsillitis

Inflammation of the tonsils.

Trauma

A physical or emotional injury.

Triage

The process of prioritizing medical treatment based on urgency.

Viral

Relating to or caused by a virus.