Medical Terminology (Term 1)

abscess

pocket of pus caused by infection

acute

sudden onset of disease

adherence

extent to which patient correctly follows medical advice

adjunct

something that is added but not essential

afebrile

without fever

agranulocytosis

severe decrease in WBC levels

alopecia

hair loss

ambulatory

able to walk or move around; not bedridden

amenorrhea

lack of menstruation

amnesia

memory loss

analgesic

pertaining to pain

anaphylaxis

severe, life-threatening allergic reaction

andropause

decrease in male hormone (testosterone) levels

anemia

deficiency of hemoglobin; reduced RBC levels cause weakness and shortness of breath

anhedonia

inability to feel pleasure

aneurysm

weak spot in blood vessel that causes a bulge or outward swelling

angioedema

swelling beneath the skin or mucous membranes often around the face, lips, or throat due to allergic reaction

anorexia

eating disorder characterized by severe restriction of food intake

anterior

toward/nearer the front

antiemetic

medication use to prevent or reduce nausea and vomiting

antibiotic (2)

medication used…

• to inhibit growth of or destroy microorganisms

• to treat infections caused by bacteria

anti-inflammatory

medication used to reduce inflammation (swelling, pain, and redness)

antipruritic

medication used to relieve itching

antipyretic

medication used to prevent or reduce fever

antiseptic

substance used to prevent growth of microorganisms on external surfaces of the body

antitussive

medication used to prevent or relieve a cough

aphagia

lack of ability to swallow

arrhythmia

condition in which the heart beats with an irregular rhythm

arthralgia

pain in the joint

ascites

buildup of fluid in the abdomen

aspiration

• action of drawing breath (inhalation)

• inhaling food, liquid, or other materials into the lungs by accident

asthenia

abnormal physical weakness or lack of energy

ataxia

loss of coordination or control of body movements

atrophy

decrease in size or wasting away of body tissue or organ (from lack of use or injury)

auscultation

action of listening to sounds from bodily organs (usually w/ a stethoscope) as part of diagnosis

axillary

relating to the armpit area

bilateral

relating to two sides; affecting / involving both sides of the body

biopsy

examination of tissue removed from living body to discover presence / cause / extent of a disease

benign

not harmful in effect

bronchitis

inflammation of the mucous membrane in the bronchial tube