HITT Final Exam Study Guide

exam date 12/13/2025

T1 N2 M0

TNM is the system used to describe how advanced a cancer is.

T = Tumor (size and extent)

• T1 = Small, limited tumor

• T2 = Larger tumor (usually >2 cm but <5 cm depending on the organ)

• T3/T4 = Very large or invading nearby structures

➡ Primary tumor is small and still localized.

N = Nodes (lymph node involvement)

• N0 = No lymph nodes affected

• N1 = Small number of nearby lymph nodes affected

• N2 = Moderate amount or multiple regional lymph nodes affected

• N3 = Many or distant lymph nodes affected

➡ Cancer has spread to several nearby lymph nodes (but not distant ones).

M = Metastasis (distant spread)

• M0 = No distant metastasis

• M1 = Cancer has spread to distant organs (lungs, liver, bone, etc.)

➡ No spread to distant organs.

Distal

Definition: Farther from the point of attachment or farther from the trunk of the body

Example: Fingers are distal to the elbow

Alopecia

• Definition: Loss of hair from the scalp or body.

• Examples: Male-pattern baldness, patchy hair loss, hair loss from chemo.

Term for renal calculus

Kidney stone

-oma

• Definition: Suffix meaning tumor or mass.

• Examples:

  • Lipoma = fat tumor

  • Carcinoma = cancerous tumor

Major depression

Long-lasting, severe depression that affects daily life

Dysthymic Disorder

Milder depression lasting 2 years or longer

Bipolar Disorder

Mood disorder with episodes of depression and mania

Hypomania

A milder form of mania—elevated mood/energy without severe impairment.

Transducer is used in what procedure?

Ultrasound (sonography)
A transducer sends and receives sound waves to create images of internal organs.

Prone

Lying face down on the stomach

Ear Thermometry

Measuring body temperature by placing a thermometer in the ear canal

Cochlear Implant

Surgically implanted device that helps severe hearing loss by sending sound signals to the auditory nerve

Audiometry

Test that measures hearing ability (tones, pitches, volume)

Otoscopy

Visual examination of the ear canal and eardrum using an otoscope

Macular degeneration process

• Disease where the macula (central part of the retina) breaks down.

• Causes loss of central vision, making it hard to read, see faces, or drive.

• Usually age-related.

Tinnitus

• Ringing, buzzing, or roaring sound in the ears without an external source.

• Often due to nerve or ear damage.

-centesis

• Definition: Surgical puncture to remove fluid.

• Examples:

  • Amniocentesis = removing amniotic fluid

  • Thoracentesis = removing fluid from chest

-oid

• Means resembling or like.

• Example: “lipoid” = fat-like

-algia

• Definition: Pain.

• Examples: Neuralgia = nerve pain, Myalgia = muscle pain.

Gynecomastia

• Enlargement of male breast tissue due to hormones, medications, or puberty.

Macule

Flat, colored skin spot (freckle)

Wheal

Raised, itchy bump (hives, mosquito bite)

Fissure

Crack or slit in the skin (athlete’s foot, chapped lips)

Petechia

Tiny pinpoint red/purple spots from bleeding under the skin

Endocardium

Inner lining of the heart chambers

Interatrial Septum

Wall dividing the left and right atria

Bundle of His

Part of the heart’s conduction system; carries electrical signals to ventricles

Pericardium

Double-layered sac surrounding the heart for protection and lubrication

Paranoid

• Definition: Excessive suspicion and mistrust of others; interpreting others’ actions as deliberately threatening.

• Example: Someone believing coworkers are plotting against them without evidence

Histrionic

• Definition: Excessive attention-seeking behavior, often dramatic or emotional.

• Example: Someone who constantly exaggerates their emotions to be the center of attention

Histrionic

• Definition: Excessive attention-seeking behavior, often dramatic or emotional.

• Example: Someone who constantly exaggerates their emotions to be the center of attention.

Narcissistic

• Definition: Excessive self-focus, need for admiration, and lack of empathy for others.

• Example: A person who constantly brags about achievements and dismisses others’ feelings.

Hypomania

• Definition: A mild form of mania characterized by elevated mood, increased activity, and impulsivity, but less severe than full mania.

• Example: Feeling unusually energetic, talkative, and restless for several days without major impairment

Optic chiasm

• Definition: The X-shaped structure where the optic nerves partially cross in the brain.

• Example: Damage here can cause vision loss in parts of both visual fields.

Rods

• Definition: Photoreceptor cells in the retina that detect low light and peripheral vision.

• Example: Rods help you see in a dark room.

Cones

• Definition: Photoreceptor cells in the retina responsible for color vision and sharp central vision.

• Example: Cones let you see red, blue, and green colors clearly

Conjunctiva

• Definition: Thin, transparent membrane covering the front of the eye and inner eyelids.

• Example: Conjunctivitis (“pink eye”) is inflammation of this membrane

-dynia

PAIN

Example: Cardiodynia = heart pain

-estasia

DILATION; STRETCHING

Example: Bronchiestasia = dilation of the bronchi

-mania

EXCESSIVE DESIRE; OBSESSION

Example: Kleptomania = uncontrollable urge to steal

-algesia

PAIN SENSITIVITY

Example: Hyperalgesia = increased sensitivity to pain

Otomycosis

fungal infection of the ear canal

Mastoiditis

infection of the mastoid bone behind the ear

Otopyorrhea

pus discharge from the ear

Myringitis

inflammation of the eardrum

Pleuritis

inflammation of the pleura (lining of the lungs)

Pyothorax

pus accumulation in the pleural cavity

Benign tumor

• Definition: Non-cancerous growth that does not spread to other tissues.

• Example: Lipoma (fatty tumor under the skin)

Cystic

having sacs filled with fluid or semi-solid material

Verrucous

wart-like appearance

Necrotic

dead tissue

Inflammatory

tissue showing signs of inflammation (redness, swelling)

Cephalad / Cephalic

toward the head

Caudal

toward the tail or lower part of the body

Dorsal

toward the back

Strabismus

misalignment of the eyes (crossed eyes)

Diabetic retinopathy

damage to retinal blood vessels due to diabetes

Cataract

clouding of the lens causing vision loss

Glaucoma

increased intraocular pressure damaging the optic nerve

group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve, which can lead to vision loss and blindness

Destruction of a clot

Thrombolysis

Rugae

folds in the stomach lining

Sphincter

• circular muscle controlling passage openings (e.g., esophagus or anus).

Papillae

small projections, e.g., taste buds or nipple-like structures

Myoma

benign tumor of muscle tissue (e.g., uterine fibroid)

Aldosterone

hormone from adrenal glands regulating sodium and water balance

Progesterone

hormone from ovaries preparing uterus for pregnancy

Glycogen

stored form of glucose in liver and muscles

Prolactin

hormone stimulating milk production

Osteomalacia

softening of the bones due to vitamin D deficiency in adults

Example: Weak bones causing fractures and pain

Osteomyelitis

infection of the bone, usually bacterial

Example: Pain, swelling, and fever following a bone injury

Osteoporosis

condition with decreased bone density and increased fracture risk

Example: Elderly women often develop osteoporosis, especially after menopause.

Stimulant

drug that increases activity of the nervous system

Example: Caffeine or amphetamines

Hypnotic

drug that induces sleep

Example: Prescription sleeping pills

Antihistamine

drug that blocks histamine to reduce allergy symptoms

Example: Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)

Anticoagulant

drug that prevents blood clotting

Example: Warfarin (Coumadin)

Petechia

tiny red or purple spots from bleeding under the skin

Palpations

sensations of rapid or irregular heartbeat

Pericarditis

inflammation of the pericardium (sac around the heart)

Claudication

pain in the legs during walking due to poor blood flow

Medical term for x-ray

Radiography

Barium enema

X-ray of the large intestine using barium contrast

Cholecystography

imaging test of the gallbladder

Serum hepatitis

blood test for hepatitis viruses

B surface antigen (HBsAg)

protein on hepatitis B virus; indicates infection

Gastroscopy

endoscopic examination of the stomach