surgical/diagnostic

Surgical Terms

Built From Word Parts

biopsy (bx)

view of life (the removal of living tissue from the body to be viewed under the microscope)

dermatoautoplasty

surgical repair using one's own skin (skin graft) (also called autograft)

dermatoheteroplasty

surgical repair using skin from others (skin graft) (also called allograft)

dermatome

instrument used to cut skin (in thin slices for skin grafts)

dermatoplasty

surgical repair of the skin

rhytidectomy

excision of wrinkles (also called facelift)

rhytidoplasty

surgical repair of wrinkles

Surgical Terms

Not Built From Word Parts

cauterization

destruction of tissue with a hot or cold instrument, electric current, or caustic substance (also called cautery)

cryosurgery

destruction of tissue by using extreme cold, often by using liquid nitrogen

debridement

removal of contaminated or dead tissue and foreign matter from an open wound

dermabrasion

procedure to remove skin scars with abrasive material, such as sandpaper

excision

removal by cutting

incision

surgical cut or wound produced by a sharp instrument

incision and drainage

surgical cut made to allow the free flow or withdrawal of fluids from a lesion, wound, or cavity

laser surgery

procedure using an instrument that emits a high-powered beam of light used to cut, burn, vaporize, or destroy tissue

Mohs surgery

technique of microscopically controlled serial excisions of a skin cancer

suturing

to stitch edges of a wound surgically

Surgical Terms

Built From Word Parts

adenoidectomy

excision of the adenoids

adenotome

instrument used to cut the adenoids

bronchoplasty

surgical repair of a bronchus

laryngectomy

excision of the larynx

laryngoplasty

surgical repair of the larynx

laryngostomy

creation of an artificial opening into the larynx

laryngotracheotomy

incision into the larynx and trachea

lobectomy

excision of a lobe (of the lung)

pleuropexy

surgical fixation of the pleura

pneumonectomy

excision of a lung

rhinoplasty

surgical repair of the nose

septoplasty

surgical repair of the (nasal) septum

septotomy

incision into the (nasal) septum

sinusotomy

incision into a sinus

thoracocentesis

surgical puncture to aspirate fluid from the chest cavity

thoracotomy

incision into the chest cavity

tonsillectomy

excision of the tonsils

tracheoplasty

surgical repair of the trachea

tracheostomy

creation of an artificial opening into the trachea

tracheotomy

incision into the trachea

Diagnostic Terms

Built From Word Parts

-Endoscopy

...

bronchoscope

instrument used for visual examination of the bronchi

bronchoscopy

visual examination of the bronchi

endoscope

instrument used for visual examination within (a hollow organ or body cavity) (these are used for surgical procedures as well as for viewing)

endoscopic

pertaining to visual examination within (a hollow organ or body cavity) (used to describe the practice of performing surgeries that use endoscopes)

endoscopy

visual examination within (a hollow organ or body cavity)

laryngoscope

instrument used for visual examination of the larynx

laryngoscopy

visual examination of the larynx

thoracoscope

instrument used for visual examination of the chest cavity

thoracoscopy

visual examination of the chest cavity

-Diagnostic Imaging

...

radiograph

record of x-rays

radiography

process of recording x-rays

sonogram

record of sound

sonography

process of recording sound

tomography

process of recording slices (anatomical cross section)

-Pulmonary Function

...

capnometer

instrument used to measure carbon dioxide (levels in expired gas)

oximeter

instrument used to measure oxygen (saturation in the blood)

spirometer

instrument used to measure breathing (or lung volumes)

spirometry

a measurement of breathing (or air flow)

-Sleep Studies

...

polysomnography (PSG)

process of recording many (tests) during sleep (performed to diagnose obstructive sleep apnea); tests include electrocardiography, electromyography, electroencephalography, air flow monitoring, and oximetry

Diagnostic Terms

Not Built From Word Parts

-Diagnostic Imaging

...

chest computed tomography (CT) scan

computerized radiographic images of the chest performed to diagnose tumors, abscesses, and pleural effusion

chest radiograph (CXR)

radiographic image of the chest performed to evaluate the lungs and the heart (also called a chest x-ray)

lung ventilation/perfusion scan (VQ scan)

two nuclear scan tests, one to measure air flow throughout the lungs (ventilation), and one to measure the circulation to all areas of the lungs (perfusion); a this is used most often to help diagnose or rule out a pulmonary embolism (PE)

-Laboratory

...

acid-fast bacilli (AFB) smear

test performed on sputum to determine the presence of acid-fast bacilli, which cause tuberculosis

septum culture and sensitivity (C&S)

test performed on septum to determine the presence of pathogenic bacteria; septum is placed on a medium for growth (culture) and if pathogenic bacteria grow, is then tested for antibiotic sensitivity to identify an antibiotic that will provide the most effective treatment; this is used to identify the pathogen present and causing the infection

-Pulmonary Function

...

arterial blood gases (ABGs)

test performed on arterial blood to determine levels of oxygen (O2), carbon dioxide (CO2), and pH (acidity)

peak flow meter (PFM)

portable instrument used to measure air flow early in forced exhalation; helps monitor asthma and adjust medication accordingly

pulmonary function tests (PFTs)

group of tests performed to measure breathing capacity and used to determine external respiratory function; when abnormal, they are useful in distinguishing COPD from asthma; some tests involve the use of a spirometer

pulse oximetry

noninvasive method of measuring oxygen in the blood by using a device that attaches to the fingertip

-Other

...

auscultation

the act of listening through a stethoscope for sounds within the body which are abnormal and that suggest abnormalities or disease; used for assessing and diagnosing conditions of the lungs, pleura, heart, arteries, and abdomen

percussion

the act of tapping of a body surface to determine the density of the part beneath by the sound obtained; a dull sound where normally a hollow sound would be elicited indicates displacement of air by fluid or solid waste in a body space or cavity such as in a potential pleural space

PPD skin test

test performed on individuals who have recently been exposed to tuberculosis; this (purified protein derivative) of the tuberculin bacillus is injected intradermally; positive tests indicate previous exposure, not necessarily active tuberculosis (also called TB skin test)

stethoscope

instrument used to hear internal body sounds; used for performing auscultation and blood pressure measurement

Surgical Terms

Built From Word Parts

cystectomy

excision of the bladder

cystolithotomy

incision into the bladder to remove stone(s)

cystorrhaphy

suturing the bladder

cystostomy

creation of an artificial opening into the bladder (for urinary drainage)

cystotomy, vesicotomy

incision into the bladder

lithotripsy

surgical crushing of stone(s) (using shock waves)

meatotomy

incision into the meatus (to enlarge it)

nephrectomy

excision of the kidney

nephrolithotomy

incision into the kidney to remove stone(s)

nephrolithotripsy

surgical crushing of stone(s) in the kidney (using shock waves)

nephrolysis

separating the kidney (from other body structures)

nephropexy

surgical fixation of the kidney

nephrostomy

creation of an artificial opening into the kidney

pyelolithotomy

incision into the renal pelvis to remove stone(s)

pyeloplasty

surgical repair of the renal pelvis

ureterectomy

excision of the ureter

ureterostomy

creation of an artificial opening into the ureter (for drainage of urine)