Medical Systems and Terminology (copy)

abduct

draw away from the median line of the body

abscess

localized collection of pus buried in tissues, organs, or confined spaces

acetabulum

socket in the pelvis within which the head of the femur fits

acromioclavicular joint

shoulder – collarbone junction

creatinine

substance found in muscle and blood and excreted in the urine

brachial plexus (not brachioplexus)

a network of vessels and nerves in the shoulder/arm region

bronchiectasis

dilation of the bronchial tubes

bruit

sound or murmur heard in auscultation, especially an abnormal one

cuspid

having one cusp or point; canine tooth

D & C

dilation of the cervix and curettage of the uterus

acute

having a short and relatively severe course

adduct

draw toward the median line of the body

allesthesia

the circumstance whereby a sensation such as pain or touch is experienced at a point remote from that at which the stimulus occurs

anastomosis

a connection between two vessels

bariatrics

the study of overweight, its causes, prevention, and treatment

basilar

pertaining to a base or basal part

benign

not malignant; not recurrent; favorable for recovery

bicuspid

having two cusps or points; bicuspid valve of the heart; pre-molar tooth

canines

teeth immediately lateral to the incisors

cardiology

the study of the heart and its functions

cerebrospinal

(not cerebral spinal) – pertaining to the brain and spinal cord

cervical

pertaining to the part of the spine connecting the head and trunk; pertaining to a constricted part of an organ

cesarean section (not capitalized)

a surgical incision through the abdominal wall and uterus, performed to deliver a fetus

cholecystectomy

excision of the gallbladder

chondromalacia

abnormal softening of cartilage

chronic

persisting over a long period of time

discogram

graphic record of the view of an intervertebral disk

dorsal

pertaining to the back or the position more toward the back; same as posterior in human anatomy

dysphagia

difficulty in swallowing

ecchymosis

small hemorrhagic spot on the skin – larger than a petechia

edema

presence of abnormally large amounts of fluid in the intercellular tissue spaces of the body

encephalopathy

any degenerative disease of the brain

fasciculated

clustered together or occurring in bundles

fasciitis

inflammation of a fascia, a band of fibrous tissue that lies deep under the skin

fibrillation

a small, local, involuntary contraction of muscle

fibrosis

formation of fibrous tissue

fibula

the outer and smaller of the two bones in the lower leg

foraminotomy

the operation of removing the roof of the intervertebral foramina for the relief of nerve root compression

fundus

the bottom or base of anything – e.g., uterus, eye

gallbladder

(one word) – small, pear-shaped muscular sac, located under the right lobe of the liver, in which bile secreted by the liver is stored until needed by the body for digestion

gastroenteritis

an acute inflammation of the lining of the stomach and intestines

geriatric

pertaining to the treatment of the aged

glioblastoma

a rapidly growing tumor

gynecology

the branch of medicine which treats diseases of the genital tract in women

H & P

history and physical

humerus

the bone that extends from the shoulder to the elbow

hypotension

abnormally low blood pressure

hypoxia

reduction of sufficient oxygen in tissues in spite of adequate blood supply

ileum

a portion of the small intestine

ileus

a bowel obstruction

ilium

pelvis; part of the hipbone

incisors

the four anterior teeth in either jaw

infarction

formation of an infarct (generally, a necrosis of tissue due to an obstruction of circulation); commonly myocardial infarction or heart attack

oophorocystectomy

excision of an ovarian cyst

keloid

an elevated, irregularly-shaped scar

kymograph

an instrument for recording variations or undulations, arterial or other

laminectomy

excision of the posterior arch of a vertebra

laminotomy

division of the lamina of a vertebra

laparoscopy

examination of the interior of the abdomen by means of an instrument called a laparoscope

lavage

the irrigation or washing out of an organ, such as a stomach or bowel

lordosis

abnormally increased curvature of the thoracic and lumbar spine

lumbar

pertaining to the part of the back between the thorax and the pelvis

luxation

dislocation in which bone is displaced from its normal position in the joint cavity

meninges

the three membranes that envelop the brain and spinal cord

metastasis

the transfer of disease from one organ or part to another not directly connected with it.

molars

a posterior teeth which are used for grinding food

musculoskeletal

pertaining to or comprising the skeleton and the muscles

nephrology

scientific study of the kidney, its anatomy, physiology, pathology, and pathophysiology

neurology

that branch of medical science which deals with the nervous system

neuron

any of the conducting cells of the nervous system

nystagmus

involuntary, rapid movement of the eyeball

oophorectomy

the removal of an ovary or ovaries

ophthalmology

(often misspelled) – the branch of medical science dealing with the anatomy, functions and diseases of the eye

orthopedics

that branch of surgery and medical science which is specially concerned with the preservation and restoration of the function of the skeletal system, its articulations, and associated structures

palpate

to examine by the hands; to feel

paracentesis

aspiration

patella

kneecap

perfusion

the passage of a fluid through the vessels of a specific organ

petechia, plural petechiae

a tiny red spot on the skin, but usually used in the plural

phalanges

any of the bones of the fingers or toes

pituitary

gland found at the base of the brain

plantar fasciitis

inflammation of the fascia of the sole of the foot

pulmonology

the medical science concerned with the anatomy, physiology, and pathology of the lungs

Raynaud’s disease

vascular disorder characterized by ischemia of the fingers or toes

refraction

the deviation of light in passing obliquely from one medium to another; the process of determining the refractive errors of the eye and their correction by glasses

sphygmomanometer

an instrument for measuring blood pressure in arteries

spondylitis

inflammation of one or more vertebrae

spondylosis

degenerative changes of vertebrae

spondylolisthesis

forward displacement of lumbar vertebra(e)

stapedectomy

surgical creation of a small opening in the stapes

sternum

the breast bone; the bone connecting with the clavicles and the first seven ribs

syncope

temporary suspension of consciousness, a faint or swoon

synovial (also called synovial fluid)

of, or pertaining to, a viscid fluid contained in joint cavities

thoracic

pertaining to or affecting the chest

tibia

the inner and larger bone of the lower leg; the shin bone

triage

the sorting out and classification of casualties of war or other disaster to determine priority of need and proper place of treatment

uvula

most commonly refers to the uvula palatine, the small, fleshy mass hanging from the soft palate above the root of the tongue

venous

of or pertaining to the veins

viscid

sticky, thick

xiphoid

shaped like a sword, as in xiphoid process