Sophomore CMA medical terms to memorize

Abatement

A reduction in the severity of symptoms

Abiotic

Unrelated to living organisms (physical, not biological)

Abortive

When a disease is cut short

Abrasion

damage to the skin caused by friction

Abruption

A sudden separation or breaking off

Acute

Denotes a condition causing a sudden , temporary illness or injury

Ambulatory

Also referred to as outpatient care

Analgesia

The removal of pain while a patient is conscious

Anatomy

The study of the structure of living organisms

Benign

An abnormal but non-threatening growth or tumor

Biopsy

The removal of tissue for examination under a microscope

Chronic

Long-lasting and recurring, as opposed to acute

Contusion

A bride or minor injury that results from blunt force, such as falling

Compound fracture

A broken bone that pierces the skin

Compression

The application of pressure to stop bleeding or prevent further injury

Diagnosis

The identification of the disease causing a person’s symptoms by analyzing tests and information

Edema

An additional accumulation of fluid beneath the skin or in the internal body tissue caused by disease or injury

Epidermis

The outmost layer of the skin

Etiology

The cause of disease or condition

Exacerbetation

Deterioration/worsening of a medical condition

Fracture

A bone break caused by force or injury

Genetics

The science dealing with genes, studying how they work together to make up heredity and affect characteristics passed down from one generation to another

Gland

An organ that produces and secretes substances like hormones or enzymes

Hematemesis

Vomiting of blood

Hematology

The study, treatment, and prevention of blood disease and conditions

Hypertension

High blood pressure

Idiopathic

A condition with an unknown cause

Intractable

Medical conditions that are difficult to treat or cure

impatient

a patient who stays in a a hospital overnight or longer

Intervenous (IV)

Into a vein (blood vessels)

Lesion

A damaged area of skin, organ tissue or another body part caused by disease, injury or surgery

Malignant

Cancerous; likely to spread and cause death if not treated

Microbiology

Related to bacterial and viral infections

Neurology

Related to disorders of the brain, spinal cord, general nervous system

Outpatient

A person who receives treatment in hospital but does not stay there overnight

Pathology

The study of disease processes and their effects on different body systems

Pharmacology

The study of the function and activities of living organisms

Physiology

The study of the function and activities of living organisms

Polyp

A small clump of cells, commonly on the lining of an organism

Prognosis

The probability that someone will get better after an illness or surgery

Referred pain

Pain felt in an area different from the actual source

Relapse

Return to a disease state after treatment has ended

Remission

Signs of the disease disappear temporarily or permanently

Sepsis

An infection that spreads throughout the body because of bacteria in bloodstream

Stimulus

Trigger a physical and/ or behavioral change

Subcutaneous

Either injected or naturally existing under the skin

Sutures

Stitches used to close wounds after surgery

Syndrome

A set of symptoms that indicates a certain condition, disease, or abnormality

Terminal

A disease that cannot be cured

Topical

Medicine applied to the skin externally rather than internally

Transplant

The transfer of living tissue from one organism to another

Triage

A system for prioritizing patients’ needs based on the severity of their condition

Urology

Related to problems with the urinary tract on the reproductive system (in men)

Vaccine

A substance that stimulates the body’s immune system to produce antibodies against a specific disease-causing organism

Zoonotic disease

An infectious disease spread between animals and humans, such as rabies.