Chapters 17, 18, 19, and 20: Related Clinical Terms

Blood chemistry tests

Chemical analysis of substances in the blood, e.g., glucose, iron, calcium, protein, bilirubin, and pH.

Blood fraction

Any one of the components of whole blood that has been separated out from the other blood components, such as platelets or clotting factors.

Bone marrow biopsy

A sample of red bone marrow is obtained by needle aspiration (typically from the anterior or posterior iliac crest) and examined to diagnose disorders of blood cell formation, leukemia, various marrow infections, and anemias resulting from damage to or failure of the marrow.

Exchange transfusion

A technique of removing the patient’s blood and infusing donor blood until a large fraction of the patient’s blood has been replaced; used to treat fetal blood incompatibilities and poisonings.

Hematology

Study of blood.

Hematoma

Accumulated, clotted blood in the tissues usually resulting from injury; visible as “black and blue” marks or bruises; eventually absorbed naturally unless infections develop.

Hemochromatosis

An inherited disorder of iron overload in which the intestine absorbs too much iron from the diet. The iron builds up in body tissues, where it oxidizes to form compounds that poison those organs (especially joints, liver, and pancreas). Regular removal of blood from the body maintains safe iron levels.

Myeloproliferative disorder

All-inclusive term for a group of proliferative disorders (disorders in which normal cell division controls are lost) including leukoerythroblastic anemia involving fibrosis of the bone marrow, polycythemia vera, and leukemia.

Plasmapheresis

A process in which blood is removed, its plasma is separated from formed elements, and the formed elements are returned to the patient or donor. The most important application is removal of antibodies or immune complexes from the blood of individuals with autoimmune disorders (multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, and others). Also used by blood banks to collect plasma for burn patients and to obtain plasma components for therapeutic use.

Septicemia

Excessive and harmful levels of bacteria or their toxins in the blood. Also called blood poisoning.

Asystole

Situation in which the heart fails to contract.

Cardiac catheterization

Diagnostic procedure that involves passing a fine catheter (tubing) through a blood vessel into the heart. Oxygen content of blood, blood flow, and pressures within the heart can be measured. Findings help to detect valve problems, heart deformities, and other heart malfunctions.

Commotio cordis

(“concussion of the heart”) Situation in which a relatively mild blow to the chest causes arrhythmia and sudden death because it occurs during a vulnerable interval (2 ms) when the heart is repolarizing. Explains those rare instances when youngsters drop dead on the playing field after being hit in the chest by a ball.

Cor pulmonale

(cor = heart, pulmo = lung) A condition of right-sided heart failure resulting from elevated blood pressure in the pulmonary circuit (pulmonary hypertension). Acute cases may develop suddenly due to a pulmonary embolism; chronic cases are usually associated with chronic lung disorders such as emphysema.

Endocarditis

Inflammation of the endocardium, usually confined to the endocardium of the heart valves. Endocarditis often results from infection by bacteria that have entered the blood but may result from fungal infection or an autoimmune response. People with drug abuse disorders may develop endocarditis by injecting themselves using contaminated needles.

Heart palpitation

A heartbeat that is unusually strong, fast, or irregular so that the person becomes aware of it; may be caused by certain drugs, emotional stress (“nervous heart”), or heart disorders.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)

The leading cause of sudden death in young athletes, this condition, which is usually inherited, causes the cardiac muscle cells to enlarge, thickening the heart wall. The heart pumps strongly but doesn’t relax well during diastole when the heart is filling.

Mitral valve prolapse

Valve disorder affecting up to 1% of the population; most often seen in young females. It appears to have a genetic basis resulting in abnormal chordae tendineae or a malfunction of the papillary muscles. One or more of the mitral valve flaps become incompetent and billow into the left atrium during ventricular systole, allowing blood regurgitation. Occasionally requires valve replacement surgery.

Myocarditis

(myo = muscle, card = heart, itis = inflammation) Inflammation of the cardiac muscle layer (myocardium) of the heart; sometimes follows an untreated streptococcal infection in children. May weaken the heart and impair its ability to pump effectively.

Paroxysmal atrial tachycardia (PAT)

Bursts of atrial contractions with little pause between them.

Ventricular tachycardia (VT or V-tac)

Rapid ventricular contractions that are not coordinated with atrial activity.

Aneurysm

(aneurysm = a widening) A balloon-like outpocketing of an artery wall that places the artery at risk for rupture; most often reflects gradual weakening of the artery by chronic hypertension or atherosclerosis. The most common sites of aneurysms are the abdominal aorta and arteries feeding the brain and kidneys

Angiogram

(angio = a vessel, gram = writing) Diagnostic technique involving the infusion of a radioplaque substance into the circulation for X-ray examination of specific blood vessels. The major technique for diagnosing coronary artery occlusion and risk of a heart attack.

Deep venous thrombosis

Clot formation in a deep vein. An ever-present danger is that the clot may detach and form a life-threatening pulmonary embolus.

Diuretic

(diure = urinate) A chemical that promotes urine formation, thus reducing blood volume. Diuretic drugs are frequently prescribed to manage hypertension.

Phlebitis

(phleb = vein, itis = inflammation) Inflammation of a vein accompanied by painful throbbing and redness of the skin over the inflamed vessel. It is most often caused by bacterial infection or local physical trauma.

Phlebotomy

(tomy = cut) A venous incision or puncture made for the purpose of withdrawing blood or bloodletting.

Sclerotherapy

Procedure for removing varicose or spider veins. Tiny needles are used to inject scarring agents into the abnormal vein. The vein scars, closes down, and is absorbed by the body.

Superficial thrombophlebitis

Inflammation and clot formation in superficial veins, usually in the leg.

Elephantiasis

Typically a tropical disease in which the lymphatics (particularly those of the lower limbs and scrotum) become clogged with parasitic roundworms, an infectious condition called filariasis. Swelling (due to edema) reaches enormous proportions.

Hodgkin’s lymphoma

A cancer of lymphoid tissue; symptoms include swollen, nonpainful lymph nodes, fatigue, and often intermittent fever and night sweats. Characterized by presence of giant malignantly transformed B cells called Reed-Sternberg cells. Infection with Epstein-Barr virus (see mononucleosis below) and genetic susceptibility appear to be predisposing factors. Treated with chemotherapy and radiation; high cure rate.

Lymphadenopathy

(adeno = a gland; pathy = disease) Any disease of the lymph nodes.

Lymphangiography

Diagnostic procedure in which the lymphatic vessels are injected with radioplaque dye and then visualized with X rays.

Lymphoma

Any neoplasm (tumor) of the lymphoid tissue, whether benign or malignant.

Mononucleosis

Sometimes called the “kissing disease,” infectious mononucleosis is a highly contagious viral disease most often seen in young adults. Caused by the Epstein-Barr virus, the disease has a hallmark of excessive numbers of lymphocytes. Many of these lymphocytes are so large and atypical that they were originally misidentified as monocytes, and the disease was mistakenly named mononucleosis. The affected individual complains of being tired and achy, and has a chronic sore throat and a low-grade fever. There is no cure, but with rest the condition typically runs its course to recovery in four to six weeks.

Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma

Includes all cancers of lymphoid tissues except Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Involves uncontrolled multiplication and metastasis of undifferentiated lymphocytes, with swelling of the lymph nodes, spleen, and Peyer’s patches; other organs may eventually become involved.

Sentinel node

The first node that receives lymph drainage from a body area suspected of being cancerous. When examined for presence of cancer cells, this node gives the best indication of whether metastasis through the lymphatic vessels has occurred.

Splenomegaly

(mega = big) Enlargement of the spleen. May be due to accumulation of infectious microorganisms; typically caused by septicemia, mononucleosis, malaria, or leukemia.

Tonsillitis

(itis = inflammation) Inflammation of the tonsils, typically due to bacterial infection. Tonsils become red, swollen, and sore.