Medical terminology: Module 5, chapter 5 definitions

ACE inhibitor

=

medication administered to treat hypertension and congestive heart failure.

anemia

=

a disorder characterized by lower - than - normal of erythrocytes.

aneurysm

=

a localized weak spot or balloon - line enlargement of the wall of the artery.

angina

=

a condition in which severe episodes of chest pains occur due to an inadequate blood flow to the myocardium. 

angiography

=

an x-ray of the blood vessels after the injection  of a contrast medium 

angioplasty

=

the technique of mechanically widening a narrowed or obstructed blood vessel. 

antiarrhythmic

= 

a medication administered to control irregularities of the heartbeat. 

anticoagulant

=

medication that slows coagulations and prevents new clots from forming.

antigen

=

any substance that the body regards as being foreign.

antihypertensive

=

a medication administered to lower blood pressure. 

aorta

=

the largest blood vessel in the body. 

aortic stenosis

=

a buildup of calcium and fat deposits in the aortic valve.

aortic valve

=

located between the left and right ventricle and the aorta.

aplastic anemia

=

a condition characterized by an absence of all form blood elements caused by the failure of blood cell production in the bone marrow.

arrhythmia

=

a loss of the normal rhythm of the heartbeat.

arteries

=

large blood vessels that carry blood from the heart to all regions of the body.

arterioles

=

the smaller, thinner branches of arteries that deliver blood capillaries.

asystole

=

the complete lack of electric activity of the heart. 

atherectomy

=

surgical removal of plaque buildup from the interior of the artery 

atherosclerosis

= 

hardening and narrowing of the arteries due to buildup of cholesterol plaque on the interior walls of arteries.

atria

=

the two upper chambers of the heart.

atrial fibrillation

=

rapid uncontrolled twitching of the muscular wall of the atria.

atrioventricular (AV) node

=

located on the floor of the right atrium near the interatrial septum.

automated external defibrillator

=

electronic equipment that externally shocks the heart to restore a normal cardiac rhythm.

basophils

=

lest common type of white blood cell.

beta - blocker 

=

medication administered to reduce the workload of the heart by slowing down the rate  of the heartbeat. 

blood

=

the fluid tissue in the body.

blood dyscrasia

=

any pathological condition of the cellular elements of the blood

blood pressure

=

the measure of the amount of systolic and diastolic pressure exerted against the walls of the arteries.

bradycardia

=

an abnormally slow resting heart rate, usually at a rate of less than 60 beats per minute.

bundle of His (HISS)

=

a group of fibers located within the interventricular septum. These fibers can carry  an electrical pulse to ensure the sequence to the heart contractions.

calcium channel blockers

=

cause the heart and blood vessels to relax by decreasing the movement of calcium into the cells of these structures. 

capillaries

=

smallest blood vessels in the body.

cardiac arrest

=

an event in which the heart abruptly stops beating or develops an arrhythmia that prevents it from pumping blood effectively.

cardiac catheterization

=

a diagnostic and treatment in which a catheter is passed into a vein or artery and guided into the heart.

cardiologist

=

a physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating abnormalities, diseases and disorders of the heart. 

cardiomegaly

=

the abnormal enlargement of the heart.

cardiomyopathy

=

all diseases of the heart muscle.

cardiopulmonary resuscitation

=

an emergency procedure of life support consisting of artificial respiration and manual external chest compression.

cardiovascular

=

pertaining to the heart and blood vessels.

carotid arteries

=

the major arteries that carry blood upward to the head.

carotid endarterectomy

= 

surgical removal of the lining of a portion of a clogged caritoid artery leading to the brain. 

carditis

= 

an inflammation of the heart. 

cholesterol

=

a fatty substance that travels through the blood and is found in all parts of the body. 

chronic venous insufficiency

= 

a condition in which the venous circulation is inadequate due to the partial vein blockage or leaking of of venous valves. 

congenital heart defects

= 

structural abnormalities caused by the failure of the heart to develop normally before birth. 

coronary arteries

=

supplies oxygen - rich blood to the myocardium 

coronary artery disease

= 

atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries that reduces the blood supply to the heart muscle.

coronary thrombosis

=

damage to the heart caused by thrombus blocking a coronary artery.

defibrillation

= 

the emergency use of an electrical shock to restore the heart’s normal rhythm.

deoxygenated

= 

means “ oxygen poor “ 

diastolic pressure

= 

occurs when the ventricles relaxed, is the lowest pressure against the walls of the artery.

digitalis

=

strengthens the contraction of the heart muscle.

diuretic

=

medication administered to stimulate the kidneys to increase the secretion of urine the get rid excess sodium and water in the body.

duplex ultrasound

=

a diagnostic procedure to image the structure of the blood vessels and the flow of the blood through these vessels. 

electrocardiogram

=

a record of the electrical activity of the myocardium. 

electrocardiography

=

the noninvasive process of recording the electrical of the myocardium 

embolism

=

the sudden blockage of a blood vessel by an embolus. 

embolus

=

a foreign object, such as a blood clot, a quantity of air or gas, or a bit of tissue or tumor, this is circulating in the blood.

endarterial

=

lining the artery or pertaining to the inner portion of an artery.

endocarditis

=

inflammation of the inner lining of the heart 

eosinophils

= 

destroy parasitic organisms and play a major role in allergic reactions.

epicardium

=

external layer of the heart and inner layer of the pericardium.

erythrocytes

= 

mature red blood cells, produced the red bone marrow, primary role of these cells is to transport oxygen to the tissues.

fibrinogen

= 

clotting protein found in plasma. 

gangrene

=

tissue death caused by a severe shortage of blood supply due to illness, injury, and/or infection. 

heartbeat

=

the ability to pump blood effectively throughout the body. 

heart block

a congenital or acquired arrhythmia caused by electrical signal moving through the heart being partially or completely blocked. 

heart murmur

=

caused by defective heart halves. 

heart valve disease or valvular heart disease

=

a degenerative disorder that prevents heart valves from opening and closing property.

hemangioma

=

a benign tumor made of newly formed blood vessels.

hematologist

=

a physician who specializes in diagnoses and treating abnormalities, diseases and disorders of the blood and blood forming tissues.

hemochromatosis

=

a genetic disorder in which the intestines absorb too much iron. 

hemoglobin

= 

oxygen carrying blood protein pigment of erythrocytes.

hemolytic

=

pertaining to hemolysis. ( breaking down RBC ) 

hemolytic anemia

= 

condition characterized by an inadequate number of circulating red blood cells due to the premature destruction of the spleen. 

hemorrhage

=

the loss of a large amount of blood in a short time.

hemostasis

=

to stop or control bleeding.

Holter monitor

=

a portable electrocardiograph that is worn by an ambulatory patient to continuously monitor the heart rates and rhythms over a 24 or 48 hour period. 

hyperlipidemia

= 

elevated cholesterol and other fatty substances in the blood. 

hypertension

=

elevation of arterial blood pressure.

hypoperfusion

=

a deficiency of blood passing through an organ or body part.

hypotension

= 

lower than normal arterial pressure.

infarction

=

sudden insufficiency of blood to the heart 

inferior vena cava

=

transports blood from the lower portion of the body to the heart.

iron-deficiency anemia

=

most common form of anemia 

ischemia

=

a condition in which there is a insufficient supply of oxygen in the tissues due to restricted blood flow to the part of the body. 

left atrium

=

receives oxygen - rich blood from the left atrium. 

left ventricle 

receives oxygen - rich blood from the left atrium.

leukemia

=

a type of cancer characterized by a progressive increase in the number of abnormal white blood cells found in blood forming tissues, other organs, and in the circulating blood. 

leukocytes

=

white blood cells; involved in defending the body against infective organisms and foreign substances.

leukopenia

=

a decrease in the number of disease - fighting white blood cells circulating in the blood.

long QT syndrome

=

an inherited or medically acquired heart rhythm disorder that can cause fast, chaotic, and potentially dangerous arrythmias.

lymphocytes

=

identify foreign substances and germs in the body and produce antibodies.

megaloblastic anemia

=

a blood disorder characterized by anemia in which red blood cells are larger than normal.

mitral valve

=

located between the left atrium and left ventricle. also known as the biscuspid valve. bicuspid means having two cusps.

mitral valve prolapse

=

the abnormal protrusion of a heart valve that results in the inability of the valve to close completely. 

mitral valve regurgitation

=

when mitral valve does not close tightly and blood leaks back through the opening. 

monocytes

=

provide immunological defenses against many infectious organisms.

myelodysplastic syndrome

=

a type of cancer in which there is insufficient production of one or more types of blood cells due to dysfunction of bone marrow.