Medical Terms

hydrocephalus

abnormal accumulation of fluid (CSF) in the brain

spina bifida

congenital defects in the lumbar spinal column caused by imperfect

union of vertebral parts (neural tube defect)

Alzheimer disease (AD)

brain disorder marked by gradual and progressive mental deterioration (dementia) with personality changes and impairment of daily functioning

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

degenerative disorder of motor neurons in the spinal cord and brainstem

epilepsy

chronic brain disorder characterized by recurrent seizure activity

Huntington disease

hereditary disorder marked by degenerative changes in the cerebrum leading to abrupt involuntary movements and mental deterioration

multiple sclerosis (MS)

destruction of the myelin sheath on neurons in the CNS and its replacement by plaques of sclerotic (hard) tissue

myasthenia gravis (MG)

autoimmune neuromuscular disorder characterized by weakness of voluntary muscles (attached to bones)

palsy

paralysis (partial or complete loss of motor function)

Parkinson disease (parkinsonism)

degeneration of neurons in the basal ganglia, occurring in later life and leading to tremors, weakness of muscles, and slowness of movement

Tourette syndrome

involuntary, spasmodic, twitching movements; uncontrollable vocal

sounds and inappropriate words

herpes zoster (shingles)

viral infection affecting peripheral nerves

meningitis

inflammation of the meninges; leptomeningitis

human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) encephalopathy

brain disease and dementia occurring with AIDS

brain tumor

abnormal growth of brain tissue and meninges

cerebral concussion

temporary brain dysfunction (brief loss of consciousness) after injury,

usually clearing within 24 hours

cerebral contusion

bruising of brain tissue as a result of direct trauma to the head; neurologic deficits persist longer than 24 hours

cerebrovascular accident (CVA)

disruption in the normal blood supply to the brain; stroke

absence seizure

minor form of seizure, consisting of momentary clouding of consciousness and loss of awareness of surroundings

aneurysm

enlarged, weakened area in an arterial wall, which may rupture, leading to hemorrhage and CVA (stroke)

astrocytoma

malignant tumor of astrocytes (glial brain cells)

aura

peculiar sensation experienced by some persons with epilepsy before onset of an actual seizure

dementia

mental decline and deterioration

dopamine

deficient in patient with Parkinson disease

embolus

a mass (clot) of material travels through the bloodstream and suddenly blocks a vessel

ictal event

pertaining to a sudden, acute onset, as the convulsions of an epileptic seizure

palliative

relieving symptoms but not curing

tic

involuntary movement of a small group of muscles, as of the face;

characteristic of Tourette syndrome

TIA

transient ischemic attack

tonic-clonic seizure

major convulsive seizure marked by sudden loss of consciousness, stiffening of muscles, and twitching and jerking movements

bradycardia and heart block (atrioventricular block)

failure of proper conduction of impulses from the SA node through the AV node to the atrioventricular bundle (bundle of His)

flutter

rapid but regular contractions, usually of the atria

fibrillation

rapid, random, inefficient, and irregular contractions of the atria and ventricles (350 beats or more per minute)

coarctation of the aorta (CoA)

narrowing of the aorta

patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)

a duct between the aorta and the pulmonary artery, which normally closes soon after birth, remains open

septal defects

small holes in the septa between the atria or the ventricles

tetralogy of Fallot

a congenital malformation of the heart involving four distinct defects

congestive heart failure (CHF)

the heart is unable to pump its required amount of blood (more blood enters the heart from the veins than leaves through the arteries)

coronary artery disease (CAD)

disease of the arteries surrounding the heart

murmur

an extra heart sound, heard between normal beats

deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

a blood clot forms in a large vein, usually in a lower limb

Raynaud disease

recurrent episodes of pallor and cyanosis primarily in fingers and toes

acute coronary syndromes

consequences of plaque rupture in coronary arteries: unstable angina and myocardial infarction

angina

chest pain resulting from myocardial ischemia

biventricular pacemaker

device enabling ventricles to beat together so that more blood is pumped out of the heart

bruit

an abnormal blowing or swishing sound heard during auscultation of an artery or organ

cardiac arrest

sudden, unexpected stopping of heart action

cardiac tamponade

pressure on the heart caused by fluid in the pericardial space

claudication

pain, tension, and weakness in a leg after walking has begun, but absence of pain at rest

digoxin

a drug that treats arrhythmias and strengthens the heartbeat

embolus

a clot or other substance that travel to a distant location and suddenly blocks a blood vessel

infarction

area of dead tissue

nitrates and nitroglycerin

drugs used in the treatment of angina. They dilate blood vessels, increasing blood flow and oxygen to myocardial tissue.

occlusion

closure of a blood vessel

patent

open

pericardial friction rub

scraping or grating noise heard on auscultation of the heart; suggestive of pericarditis

petechiae

small, pinpoint hemorrhages

statins

drugs used to lower cholesterol in the bloodstream

thrill

vibration felt on touching the body over an area of turmoil in blood flow (as a blocked artery)

vegetations

clumps of platelets, clotting proteins, microorganisms, and red blood cells on the endocardium in conditions such as bacterial endocarditis and rheumatic heart disease

coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG)

arteries and veins are anastomosed to coronary arteries to detour around blockages

endarterectomy

surgical removal of plaque from the inner layer of an artery

extracorporeal circulation

a heart-lung machine diverts blood from the heart and lungs while the

heart is repaired

heart transplantation

a donor heart is transferred to a recipient

percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)

a balloon-tipped catheter is inserted into a coronary artery to open the

artery; stents are put in place

thrombolytic therapy

drugs to dissolve clots are injected into the bloodstream of patients with coronary thrombosis

ascites

abnormal accumulation of fluid in the abdomen

borborygmus

rumbling or gurgling noise produced by the movement of gas, fluid, or both in the gastrointestinal tract

eructation

gas expelled from the stomach through the mouth

flatus

gas expelled through the anus

melena

black, tarry stools; feces containing digested blood

steatorrhea

fat in the feces; frothy, foul-smelling fecal matter

aphthous stomatitis

inflammation of the mouth with small, painful ulcers

dental caries

tooth decay

herpetic stomatitis

inflammation of the mouth (gingiva, lips, palate, and tongue) by infection with the herpesvirus

oral leukoplakia

white plaques or patches on the mucosa of the mouth.

achalasia

failure of the lower esophagus sphincter muscle to relax

esophageal varices

swollen, varicose veins at the lower end of the esophagus

gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

solids and fluids return to the mouth from the stomach

peptic ulcer

open sore or lesion of the mucous membrane of the stomach or duodenum

anal fistula

abnormal tube-like passageway near the anus

colonic polyposis

polyps (benign growths) protrude from the mucous membrane of the colon

Crohn disease

chronic inflammation of the intestinal tract (terminal ileum and colon)

diverticulosis

abnormal side pockets (outpouchings) in the intestinal wall

ileus

failure of peristalsis with resulting obstruction of the intestines

intussusception

telescoping of the intestines

irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

group of gastrointestinal symptoms associated with stress and tension

ulcerative colitis

chronic inflammation of the colon with presence of ulcers

volvulus

twisting of the intestine on itself

cirrhosis

chronic degenerative disease of the liver

gastric bypass

reducing the size of the stomach and diverting food to the jejunum (gastrojejunostomy)

percussion

tapping on a surface to determine the difference in the density of the underlying structure

pleural rub

scratchy sound produced by the motion of inflamed or irritated pleural surfaces rubbing against each other; also called a friction rub

rale (crackle)

fine crackling sound heard on auscultation (during inspiration) when there is fluid in the alveoli

rhonchus

loud rumbling sound heard on auscultation of bronchi obstructed by sputum

sputum

material expelled from the chest by coughing or clearing the throat

stridor

strained, high-pitched, relatively loud sound made on inspiration; associated with obstruction of the larynx or trachea

croup

acute viral infection in infants and children; characterized by obstruction of the larynx, barking cough, and stridor

diphtheria

acute infection of the throat and upper respiratory tract caused by the diphtheria bacterium

epistaxis

nosebleed