medterm exam i

-centesis

A surgical procedure to remove fluid or gas from a body cavity.

-poiesis

The process of formation or production, often related to blood cells.

Acute

A condition with a sudden onset and short duration.

Adhesion

The abnormal sticking together of tissues or organs, often after surgery.

Antipyretic

A medication that reduces fever.

Antitussive

A medication that suppresses coughing.

Arthritis

Inflammation of the joints.

Bx

biopsy; The removal of a small piece of tissue for examination.

Cachexia

Severe weight loss and muscle wasting, often due to chronic illness.

Diaphoresis

Excessive sweating, usually related to illness or stress.

Etiology

The cause or origin of a disease.

Heterogeneous

Composed of different elements or parts.

Maximal

The greatest possible degree or extent.

Objective Information

Measurable data collected through observation and tests.

PA (Physician Assistant)

A healthcare professional licensed to practice medicine under a physician.

Pneumonia

Inflammation or infection of the lungs.

Prophylactic

A measure taken to prevent disease.

Rapport

A positive and trusting relationship, often between patient and provider.

Syndrome

A collection of symptoms and signs associated with a specific condition.

-asthenia

Weakness or lack of strength.

-betes

Related to a metabolic disorder, as in diabetes.

-blast

An immature or precursor cell.

-cyst

A sac-like structure containing fluid or other material.

-cyte

A cell.

-dynia

Pain.

-ectasis

Dilation or expansion of a structure.

-emesis

Vomiting.

-kinesis

Movement.

-lepsy

A seizure or convulsion.

-lysis

The breakdown or destruction of cells.

-malacia

Softening of tissue.

-mnesia

Related to memory.

-penia

A deficiency or low count.

-phasia

Speech impairment or disorder.

-plasia

Formation or growth.

-plegia

Paralysis.

-ptosis

Drooping or sagging of an organ or part.

-rrhea

Excessive flow or discharge.

-rrhexis

Rupture.

-staxis

Dripping or oozing (often used for nosebleeds).

-tripsy

Crushing, as in lithotripsy (breaking down kidney stones).

-trophy

Growth or development.

An-

Without or lack of.

Android

Resembling a male; also refers to the Android operating system.

Dentalgia

Tooth pain.

Endo-

Inside or within.

Ex-

Out or away.

Hemiplegia

Paralysis of one side of the body.

Oligo-

Few or scanty.

Retro-

Backward or behind.

Ambilateral

Affecting both sides.

Apex

The pointed end of an organ, such as the heart or lung.

Brand Name

The trade name of a medication given by a manufacturer.

Chemical Name

The scientific name describing the molecular structure of a drug.

Defenestrate

To throw out of a window (rare in medical terminology).

Ectomorph

A body type characterized by a lean and slender build.

Endomorph

A body type with a rounder and softer physique.

Generic Name

The official, non-brand name of a medication.

Karyogenesis

The formation of a cell nucleus.

Mesomorph

A muscular and athletic body type.

Midsagittal

Dividing the body into equal right and left halves.

Pathology

The study of disease.

Prophylactic

A measure taken to prevent disease.

Trade Name

Another term for a brand-name drug.

Transverse

A horizontal plane dividing the body into upper and lower parts.

Unilateral

Occurring on one side.

Vertex

The topmost part of the head or an organ.

Alopecia

Hair loss.

Antipruritic

A medication that relieves itching.

Antiviral

A medication that fights viral infections.

Autograft

A skin graft taken from the patient's own body.

Avulsion

The tearing away of a body part or tissue.

Boil

A painful pus-filled bump caused by infected hair follicles.

Bulla

A large fluid-filled blister.

Cicatrix

A scar.

Comedo

A clogged hair follicle (blackhead or whitehead).

Corneum

The outermost layer of the skin.

Cryosurgery

The use of extreme cold to destroy abnormal tissue.

Debridement

The removal of dead or damaged tissue.

Decubitus

A pressure ulcer or bed sore.

Dehiscence

The reopening of a surgical wound.

Dermomycosis

A fungal infection of the skin.

Ecchymosis

A bruise caused by bleeding under the skin.

Erythema

Redness of the skin.

Erythroderma

Widespread redness and scaling of the skin.

Eschar

A thick, dry scab that forms over a wound.

Excoriation

Skin damage caused by scratching or rubbing.

Exudate

Fluid that leaks from wounds or infections.

Gangrene

Tissue death due to lack of blood supply.

Hidradenitis

Inflammation of the sweat glands.

Hives

Raised, itchy welts on the skin (urticaria).

Impetigo

A contagious bacterial skin infection.

Keloid

A raised, thickened scar.

Lentigo

A small brown skin spot (age spot).

Leukoderma

Loss of skin pigmentation.

Leukoplakia

White patches on mucous membranes, often in the mouth.

Lupus

An autoimmune disease that affects the skin and organs.

Macule

A small, flat discolored skin patch.

Miliaria

Heat rash caused by blocked sweat glands.

Nevus

A mole or birthmark.