Medical Terminology: Ch. 9-15 - Terms

Peristalsis

Series of wave-like contractions

Orifice

Opening

Meatus

External opening of a canal

Anuria

Absence of urine formation

Glycosuria

Presence of glucose in the urine

Cystitis

Inflammation of the bladder

Cystocele

Hernia of the bladder through the vaginal wall

Dysuria

Difficult or painful urination

Edema

Swelling

Hypoproteinemia

Abnormally low concentration of protein in the blood

Hypospadias

Congenital abnormality of the urethral opening

Incontinence

Inability to control the excretion of urine and/or feces

Nephroliths

Kidney stones

Hyperglycemia

Abnormally high concentration of glucose in the blood

Hypoglycemia

Abnormally low concentration of glucose in the blood

Nocturnal enuresis

Urinary incontinence during sleep

Polyuria

Excessive urination

Urethritis

Inflammation of the urethra

Ureteritis

Inflammation of the ureter(s)

Uremia

Urea and other waste products remain in the blood

Ureteroliths

Ureter stones

Pyuria

Presence of pus in the urine

Cystoscopy

Visual examination of the urinary bladder using a cystoscope

Dialysis

Removes waste products, creatinine, and excess water from the blood of a patient whose kidneys no longer function

Plexus

Network of intersecting spinal nerves

Neurons

Transmit messages

Acrophobia

Fear of heights

Agoraphobia

Fear of environments where the patient thinks a panic attack could occur

Cephalgia

Headache

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Rapidly progressive disease that attacks the nerves responsible for controlling voluntary muscles

Causalgia

Persistent, severe burning pain; Usually follows after an injury to a sensory nerve

Epilepsy

Chronic neurological condition characterized by episodes of seizures of varying severity

Meningocele

Congenital herniation of the meninges through a defect in the skull or spinal column

Cerebrovascular accident (CVA)

Stroke; Brain damage that occurs when blood flow to the brain is disrupted due to blocked or ruptured blood vessel(s)

Syncope

Fainting; Brief loss of consciousness

Paresthesia

Burning or prickling sensation with no apparent physical cause; Usually in extremities

Kleptomania

Irresistable urge to steal items that are not needed for personal use or monetary gain

Pyromania

Irresistible urge to set fires

Radiculitis

Pinched nerve

Hyperesthesia

Abnormal and excessive sensitivity to touch, pain, or other sensory stimuli

Multiple sclerosis

Progressive autoimmune disorder; Inflammation that causes demyelination of neurons; Physical and cognitive problems

Myelography

CT study of the spinal cord after injection of a contrast medium through a lumbar puncture

Neurorrhaphy

Surgically suturing together the ends of a severed nerve

Cerumen

Earwax; Traps small insects, dust, debris, and some bacteria

Lacrimation

Secretion of tears

Ptosis

Drooping of the upper eyelid due to muscle weakness or paralysis

Conjunctiva

Transparent serous membrane that lines the underside of each eyelid; Forms a protective covering over the exposed surface of the eyeball

Blepharitis

Swelling of the eyelids

Conjunctivitis

Pinkeye; Inflammation of the conjunctiva

Glaucoma

Group of diseases characterized by increased intraocular pressure; Damages retinal nerve fibers and optic nerve

Macular degeneration

Gradually progressive condition; Macula at the center of the retina is damaged, resulting in loss of central vision but not total blindness

Astigmatism

Uneven curvatures of the cornea

Cataracts

Clouded lens

Extraocular

Outside the eyeball

Ophthalmoscopy

Visual examination of the back of the eye

Audiologist

Specializes in the measurement of hearing function and in rehabilitation of persons with hearing impairments

Tonometry

Measurement of intraocular pressure

Otitis media

Inflammation of the middle ear

Tinnitus

Ringing, buzzing, or roaring sound

Otorrhagia

Bleeding from the ear

Vertigo

Sense of dizziness and loss of balance; Often accompanied by nausea and vomiting

Myringotomy

Surgical incision in the eardrum to relieve pressure from excess pus or fluid or to create an opening for ear tubes

Stapedectomy

Surgical removal of the stapes bone

Epidermis

Outermost layer of skin; Protective covering for all internal and external surfaces of the body

Dermis

Corium; Thick layer of tissue that contains connective tissue, blood + lymph vessels, and nerve fibers; Hair follicles, sebaceous glands, sweat glands

Hidrosis

Production and excretion of perspiration

Diaphoresis

Profuse sweating

Alopecia

Partial or complete loss of hair

Onychomycosis

Fungal infection of the nail

Albinism

Genetic condition characterized by absence of pigment in the skin, air, and irises of the eyes

Vitiligo

Destruction of melanocytes; Irregular white skin; Hair may turn white

Verrucae

Warts; Caused by human papilloma virus (HPV)

Ecchymosis

Bruise; Large area of purplish discoloration due to bleeding under the skin

Purulent

Producing or containing pus

Lesion

Pathologic change of the tissues due to injury or disease

Lipedema

Chronic; Accumulation of fat and fluid in the tissues just under the skin of the hips and legs

Basal cell carcinoma

Malignant tumor of the basal cell layer of the epidermis

Squamous cell carcinoma

Starts in the squamous cells of the epithelium but can quickly spread to other body systems

Furuncles

Boils; Large, tender swollen areas caused by a staph infection around hair follicles or sebaceous glands

Pyoderma

Any acute inflammatory pus forming bacterial skin infection

Homeostasis

Process through which the body maintains constant internal environment

Estrogen

Secreted by ovaries

Progesterone

Prepares uterus for possible pregnancy

Testosterone

Secreted by testicles and adrenal cortex

Pituitary gland

Hypophysis; Made of posterior and anterior lobes; Secretes hormones that control the activity of other endocrine glands

Pineal gland

Secretions influence sleep-wake cycle including the hormone melatonin

Thyroid gland

Regulates body’s metabolism

Adrenal glands

Controls electrolyte levels; Regulates metabolism; Stress response

Acromegaly

Abnormal enlargement of the extremities caused by excessive secretion of growth hormone after puberty

Exophthalmos

Abnormal protrusion of the eyeball out of the orbit

Polydipsia

Excessive thirst

Polyphagia

Excessive hunger

Pancreatitis

Inflammation of the pancreas; Usually due to alcohol abuse

Type I diabetes

Genetic; Autoimmune insulin deficiency disorder

Type II diabetes

Insulin resistance disorder

Gynecomastia

Excessive mammary development in the male

Menarche

Beginning of menstruation

Primigravida

Woman during her first pregnancy

Amenorrhea

Abnormal absence of menstrual periods for 90 days or more

Spermatogenesis

Production of sperm