Chapter 1 Medical Terminology - Medical Vocabulary PGS 8-14

For Chapter 1

abate

lessen, ease, or cease. notes lessening of pain or decrease in severity of symptoms.

abnormal

away from the norm or rule. condition considered not normal.

abscess

localized collection of pus, which may occur in any part of the body

acute

sudden, sharp, severe; used to describe disease that has sudden onset. severe symptoms, and a short course.

adhesion

process of being stuck together. (abdominal adhesion usually involves the intestines and is caused by inflammation or trauma. This type of adhesion may cause intestinal obstruction and require surgery.

afferent

carrying impulses toward a center

ambulatory

condition of being able to walk, not confined to bed.

antidote

substance given to counteract poisons and their effects

antipyretic

pertaining to an agent that is used to lower an elevated body temperature (fever)

antiseptic

pertaining to an agent that works against sepsis (putrefaction); a technique or product used to prevent or limit infections.

antitussive

pertaining to an agent that works against coughing

apathy

condition where one lacks feelings and emotions and is indifferent

asepsis

without decay; sterile, free from all living microorganisms

axillary (ax)

pertaining to the armpit

biopsy (Bx)

surgical removal of a small piece of tissue for microscopic examination; used to determine a diagnosis of cancer or other disease processes in the body

cachexia

condition of ill health, malnutrition, and wasting. it may occur in chronic diseases such as cancer and pulmonary tuberculosis.

Centigrade (C)

literally means having 100 steps or degrees; unit of temperature measurement (celcius scale with a boiling point at 100 degrees and a freezing point at zero. Each degree of temperature is about (1/100 or 0.01) of the scale.

centimeter

unit of measurement in the metric system; one hundredth of a meter

chemotherapy

the use of chemical agents in the treatment of disease, specifically drugs used in cancer therapy

chronic

pertaining to time; denotes a disease with little change or of slow progression; the opposite of acute

Diagnosis (Dx)

the process of identifying a disease or disorder, which is generally determined through the use of scientific and skillful methods of knowledge, several types of information are used for diagnosis, including signs and symptoms.

diaphoresis

to carry through sweat glands; profuse sweating

disease

literally means lack of ease. pathological condition of the body that presents with a series of symptoms, signs, and laboratory findings peculiar to it and sets it apart from normal or or other abnormal body states; a disruption of normal functioning of the body by a process that can be congenital or infectious, or the failure of normal activity to maintain and sustain health.

disinfectant

chemical substance that can be applied to objects to destroy pathogenic microorganisms, such as bacteria

efferent

carrying impulses away from a center

empathy

the ability to sense intellectually and emotionally the feelings of another person

epidemic

pertaining to upon the people; the rapid, widespread occurrence of an infectious disease that can be spread by any pathological organism transmitted by and to humans, birds, insects, etc

etiology

study of the cause(s) of disease

Excision

process of cutting out, surgical removal

ferbrile

pertaining to fever, a sustained body temperature (T) above 98.6 degrees F

gram (g)

unit of weight in the metric system; a cubic centimeter or a milliliter of water is equal to the weight of a gram

heterogeneous

literally means pertaining to a different formation; composed of unlike substances; the opposite of homogeneous

illness

state of being sick

incision

process of cutting into

kilogram (kg)

unit of weight in the metric system; 1000g; a kilogram is equal to 2.2 lb

liter (L)

unit of volume in the metric system; 1000 mL; a liter is equal to 33.8 fl oz or 1.0567 qt

macroscopic

pertaining to objects large enough to be examined by the naked eye

malignant

literally means formation of bad kind; growing worse, harmful, cancerous

malformation

literally means process of being badly shaped, deformed, a structural defect that fails to form normal shape and therefore affect the function

maximal

pertaining to the greatest possible quantity, number, or degree

microgram (mcg)

unit of weight in the metric system; one-millionth of a gram of one-thousandth of a milligram (0.001mg)

microorganism

small living organisms that are no visible to the naked eye

microscope

scientific instrument designed to view small objects

milligram (mg)

unit of weight in the metric system; 0.001g

millimeter (mL)

unit of volume in the metric system; 0.001 L

minimal

pertaining to the least possible quantity

morbidity

state of being diseased; ill, sick; refers to the disease rate or number of cases of a particular disease given age range, gender, occupation, or other relevant population-based grouping

mortality

being human, subject to death; refers to the death rate reflected by the population in a given region, age range, or other relevant statistical grouping.

multiform

occurring in or having many shapes; an object that has more than one defined shape

necrosis

abnormal condition of tissue death

oncology

literally means study of tumors; the study of the etiology, the characteristics, and treatments, etc of cancer

pallor

paleness, lack of color

palmar

pertaining to the palm of the hand

paracentesis

surgical puncture of a body cavity for fluid removal

prognosis

literally means state of foreknowledge; prediction of the course of a disease and the recovery rate of the affected person

prophylactic

pertaining to preventing or protecting against disease or pregnancy

pyrogenic

pertaining to the production of heat; a fever

radiology

study of x-rays and other imaging modalities that use x-rays

rapport

relationship of understanding between to individuals, especially between the patient and the physician

sequela

abnormal condition that follows and it the result of a disease, treatment, or injury, such as deafness after treatment with an ototoxic drug (ot