Medical Terminology Exam (Year 4)

Cell

basic structural and functional unit of the living organism, microscopic unit

Enzyme

an organic substance that speeds the rate of a metabolic reaction

Glucose

simple sugar that circulates in the blood, main energy source for metabolism

Homeostasis

steady state, a condition of internal stability and constancy

Lipid

category of organic compounds that includes fats

Membrane

simple, very thin and pliable sheet of tissue that might cover an organ/line a cavity

Mitosis

cell division

Mucus

thick fluid secreted by cells in membranes and glands that lubricates and protects tissues

Nucleus

cells control center

Tissue

group of cells that acts together for a specific purpose

Parenchyma

functional tissue of an organ

Stem cell

immature cell that has the capacity to develop into any of a variety of cells

Anatomic position

standard position for anatomic studies

Peritoneum

large serous membrane that lines the abdominopelvic and covers the organs within it

Saggital plane

plane that divides the body into right and left portions

Epigastrium

epigastric region

Fundus

base or body of a hollow organ; area farthest from its opening

Lumen

central opening within a tube or hollow organ

Meatus

a passage or opening

Orifice

the opening of a cavity

Os

mouth, any body opening

Septum

a wall dividing two cavities

Sinus

a cavity, as within a bone

Sphincter

a circular muscle that regulates an opening

Acute

sudden, severe, having a short course

Benign

non recurrent or malignant, favorable for recovery, describing a tumor that does not spread to other tissues

Chronic

of long duration, progressing slowly

Edema

swelling; accumulation of fluid in the tissues

Etiology

the cause of a disease

Hernia

protrusion of an organ through an abdominal opening; a rupture

Malignant

growing worse, harmful, tending to cause death, describing an invasive tumor that can spread to other tissues

Necrosis

death of tissue

Neoplasm

abnormal and uncontrolled growth of tissue; a tumor

Pathogen

organism capable of causing disease

Phagocytosis

ingestion of organisms, such as invading bacteria or small particles of waste material by a cell

Prolapse

-drooping or downward displacement of an organ or part, ptosis

Pus

product of inflammation consisting of fluid and WBCs

Sarcoma

malignant neoplasm arising from CT

Sepsis

presence of harmful microorganisms or their toxins in the blood/tissues

Iatrogenic

caused by the effects of treatment

Idiopathic

having no known cause

Nosocomial

describing an infection acquired in a hospital

Systemic

pertaining to the whole body

Abscess

localized collection of pus

Adhesion

uniting of two surfaces or parts that may normally be separated

Auscultation

listening for sounds within the body

Biopsy

removal of a small amount of tissue for microscopic examination

Cautery

destruction of tissue by a damaging agent

Diagnosis

process of determining the cause/nature of an illness

Endoscope

instrument for examining the inside of an organ or cavity through a body opening

Excision

removal by cutting

Fixation

holding or fastening a structure in a firm position

Incision

a cut, as for surgery; act of cutting

Ophthalmoscope

instrument for examining the interior of the eye

Otoscope

instrument used to examine the ears

Palliative

providing relief but not a cure

Palpation

examination by placing the hands on the surface of the body to determine characteristics

Percussion

tapping the body lightly but sharply to assess the condition of the underlying tissue by the sounds

P…gnosis

prediction of a disease's course and outcome

Sign

objective evidence of disease that can be observed

Sphygmomanometer

blood pressure apparatus read in mm Hg, systole/diastole

Stethoscope

instrument used for listening to sounds produced within the body

Suture

to unite parts by stitching them together; also the thread or other material used the process or the seam formed by surgical stitching

Symptom

any evidence of disease

Vital signs

measurements that reflect basic functions necessary to maintain life (t, pulse, respiration, BP)

Cyanosis

bluish discoloration the skin due to lack of oxygen

Diaphoresis

profuse sweating

Malaise

a feeling of discomfort or uneasiness

Pallor

paleness, lack of color

Syncope

fainting; temporary loss of consciousness because of inadequate blood flow to the brain

Febrile

pertaining to fever

Speculum

instrument for examining a canal

Lavage

washing out of a cavity, irrigation

Paracentesis

puncture of a cavity for removal of fluid

Resection

partial excision of a structure

Anaphylaxis

extreme allergic reaction that can lead to respiratory distress and death

Antagonist

substance that interferes with or opposes the action of a drug

Brand name

trade or proprietary name of a drug

Contraindication

factor that makes the use of a drug undesirable or dangerous

Side effect

result of drug therapy that is unrelated to or an extension of its intended effect; undesirable

Adrenergic

drugs that mimic the action of the sympathetic NS, which responds to stress

Antitussives

suppress coughing

Expectorants

induce productive coughing to eliminate respiratory secretions

Bolus

concentrated amount of a diagnostic substance given rapidly intravenously

Catheter

thin tube that can be passed into a body cavity, organ or vessel

Parenteral

alongside the GI tract

Aorta

the largest artery that receives blood from the left ventricle and branches to the rest of the body

Aortic valve

the valve at the entrance to the aorta

Apex

the point of a cone-shaped structure; the apex of the heart is formed by the left ventricle and is pointed toward the inferior and left

Artery

a vessel that carries blood away from the heart

Arteriole

a small vessel that carries blood from the arteries into the capillary roots

Atriocentricular (AV) n

a small mass in the lower septum of the right atrium that passes impulses from the sinoatrial (SA) node towards the ventricles

Capillary

a microscopic blood vessel through which materials are excuanged between the blood and the tissues

Cardiovascular system

the part of the circulatory system that consists of the heart and the blood vessels

Electrocardiography (EC

study of the electrical activity of the heart as detected by electrodes placed on the surface of the body

Endocardium

the thin membrane that lines the chambers of the heart and covers the valves

Epicardium

the thin outermost layer of the heart wall

Myocardium

the thick middle layer of the heart wall composed of cardiac muscle

Pericardium

the fibrous sac that surrounds the heart

Pulmonary artery

the vessel that carries blood from the right side of the heart to the lungs