glossary of medical terms

abdomen

The body cavity between the chest and thighs

acute

illness characterized by sudden offset ,sharp rise, and short course. acute may also describe sharp severe pain

ambulate

to walk

ambulatory

able to walk around

amnesia

forgetfulness loss of memory

antibiotic

a drug used in medical treatment that prevents disease caring microorganisms from multiplying.

anus

Outlet of the rectum.

aphasia

this order of language, unable to speak ; able to speak but not able to express self-properly

asepsis

the condition of being free of disease producing organisms

ashen

grayish color of skin

ataxtia

unsteady or uneven gait

axilla

the armpit

bacteria

sometimes called “germ”; a kind of microorganism. many forms of bacteria cause disease

bed cradle

equipment that is placed over the body to keep sheets and blankets from touching the patient

bed sore

decubitus ulcer. It is an opening in the skin occurring as a part of the body as a result of pressure irritation or both.

bladder

A sac stores fluid or gas; “urinary bladder”

body mechanics

The coordinated use of body parts tubers do some motion and maintain equilibruim

buttocks

Body part composed of glutteal muscles your rear end

catheter

tube placed in person to aid in passing fluids

centigrade

A measurement of temperature using a scale that is divided 100 units or degrees. the freezing temperature of water is 0° C centigrade written 0°C . water boils at 100° C

cerebral

a word used to refer to the brain

chronic

illness or symptoms marked by long duration or frequent recurrence

circulation

The continuous movement of blood throughout the heart and blood vessels to all parts of the body

circulatory system

the heat, blood vessels, blood ,in all the organs that pump and carry blood in other fluids throughout the body

colostomy

surgical formation of artificial anus

coma

A state of deep unconsciousness often caused by disease, injury or drugs

communicable disease

a disease that is easily spread from a person to another

compress

Folded pieces of cloth or gauze used to apply pressured to a part of a patient's body. the compress may also be used to supply moisture ,heat ,cold or medication to a specific part of the body.

congestion

an abdormal condition caused by unusually large amount of blood or fluid and a part of the body

contaminate

introduction of bacterial or infectious material into a clean or sterile surface

contracture

when muscle tissue gets drawn together or shorten because of a spasm or paralysis either permanent or temporary

convalescent

getting well or recovering after illness or surgery

cva

cerebral vascular accident (stroke)

Death Rattle

A sound by a dying patient caused by air passing through the mucus collected in the throat or bronchial tubes

defecation

emptying of the lower bowel

dehydration

when condition in which body has less than the normal amount of fluid.” fluid volume deficit” sometimes used instead of dehydration.

dentures

False teeth .dentures may replace all or some of a person's teeth and are described as being partial or complete ,upper or lower

dentureless

Without dentures

diabetes

A condition that develops when the body cannot change its sugar into energy .when this sugar collects in the body of the patient may need a special diet or may have to be given a drug called insulin

diagnosis

Finding out what kind of disease or medical condition a patient is suffering from. a medical diagnosis can be usually be made by a nurse practitioner or physician assistant but it's always approved by a physician

diagnostic and examination

A physical examination that assists the physician to make a diagnosis

digestive system

The group of body organs that carries out digestion. digestion is the process in the body in which food is broken down mechanically and chemically ;it is then changed into forms that can enter the bloodstream and be used by the body

disability

Loss of ability to use part or parts of the body any normal way

disinfection

The process of destroying most disease caring germs

disposable

Supply items use ones and then thrown away

draping

Covering a patient or parts of the body with a sheet or blanket usually during a physical examination of the patient

dyspnea

difficult or a labored breathing

edema

abdominal swelling of a part of the body caused by fluid collecting in that area. usually the swelling is in the ankles legs hands or abdomen

emaciation

a wasting away of the flesh caused by a disease or sometimes a lack of blood. an emaciation patient is very thin

emesis

to vomit

endocrine

a ductless gland in the body that secretes a substance that affects the way some body systems do their work

exhalation

the process of breathing out air during respiration

expectorate

to spit

fahrenheit

A system for measuring temperature .in the Fahrenheit system, the temperature of water a boiling is 212 F and freezing is 32 F

feces

Waste material or digestion, normally passed throughout the rectum; stool

fever

the term for a person's condition when his/ hers and body temperature is above normal

flaccid

limp

flatus

guess expose from the lower bowel ;fart

flex

to been upon itself

fluid intake

the fluid taken into the body from all sources

fracture

A break in the bones