Medical Terminology: Roots, Prefixes, and Disease Definitions

Hypertension

Persisting high arterial blood pressure; generally established guidelines are values exceeding 140 mmHg systolic or exceeding 90 mmHg diastolic blood pressure.

Hypotension

Subnormal arterial blood pressure.

Orthostatic

Relating to an erect posture or position.

Orthostatic Hypotension

A form of low blood pressure that occurs in a standing patient.

Contraindicated

Any special symptom or circumstance that renders the use of a remedy or the carrying out of a procedure inadvisable, usually because of risk.

Anuria

Absence of urine formation.

Oliguria

Scant urine production (less than 500 mL in 24 hours); results in inefficient excretion of the products of metabolism.

Polyuria

Excessive excretion of urine resulting in profuse micturition; causes include diabetes insipidus, diabetes mellitus, and hypercalcemia, but sometimes results from overhydration.

Dysuria

Difficulty or pain in urination.

Arrhythmia

Loss of rhythm; denoting especially an irregularity of the heartbeat.

Erythema

Redness of the skin due to capillary dilatation. Often a sign of inflammation or infection.

Brachial

Relating to the arm.

Dysphagia

Difficulty in swallowing.

Dysphasia

Impaired (difficulty with) comprehension or production of, or communication by, speech, writing, or signs; due to an acquired lesion of or injury to a language center of the brain; may be transient if cerebral swelling subsides.

Cyanosis

A dark blue or purple discoloration of the skin, nail beds, lips, or mucous membranes. Results from inadequate oxygenation in the blood.

Hepatic

Relating to the liver.

Sanguineous

Relating to blood; bloody.

Serous

Relating to, containing, or producing serum or a substance having a watery consistency.

Purulent

Containing, consisting of, or forming pus.

Dorsal

Pertaining to the back or any dorsum.

Lateral

On the side.

Medial

Relating to the middle or center; nearer to the median or midsagittal plane.

Proximal

Nearest the trunk or the point of origin; said of part of a limb, of an artery or a nerve, so situated.

Distal

Situated away from the center of the body, or from the point of origin; specifically applied to the extremity or distant part of a limb or organ.

Enteral

Within, or by way of, the intestine or gastrointestinal tract, especially as distinguished from parenteral. A term used to describe tube feedings.

Internal

Away from the surface. USAGE NOTE: Often incorrectly used to mean medial.

Colostomy

The surgical construction of an artificial opening through the abdomen into the colon.

Colectomy

Excision or removal of a segment or entire colon.

Ophthalmic

Relating to the eye.

Otic

Relating to the ear.

Adjuvant

A substance added to a drug product formulation that affects the action of the active ingredient in a predictable way.

Polypharmacy

The administration of many drugs at the same time.

Prophylactic

An agent that acts to prevent a disease or condition.

Bradycardia

Slowness of the heartbeat, usually a rate less than 60 beats per minute.

Tachypnea

Rapid breathing (>20 breaths/min).

Pathogenic

Causing disease or abnormality.

Hemiplegia

Paralysis of one side of the body.

Edema

An accumulation of an excessive amount of watery fluid in cells, tissues, or serous cavities.

Asepsis

A condition in which living pathogenic organisms are absent; a state of sterility.

Manifestation

The display or disclosure of characteristic signs or symptoms of an illness.