EMT Medical Terms

Anoxia

absence of oxygen

Apnea

absence of breathing

Bilateral

pertaining to both sides

Brachial

pertaining to the arm

Bradycardia

slow heart rate (less than 60 bpm)

Bronchial

pertaining to air tubes of the lungs

Bronchoconstriction

airway tubes getting smaller

Bronchodilation

airway tubes getting larger

Cardiac

pertaining to the heart

Constriction

getting smaller or tighter

Contraindication

a condition or circumstance that suggests or indicates that a particular technique or drug should not be used in the case in question

Contusion

bruise

Cyanosis

bluish discoloration of the skin

Deoxygenate

remove oxygen from

Dilation

expanding or enlarging a hollow structure or opening in the body

Distal

situated away from the center of the body or from the point of attachment

Dyspnea

difficulty breathing

Ecchymosis

black and blue discoloration

Edema

Swelling (fluid buildup)

Emesis

vomiting

Epistaxis

nosebleed

Epidermis

outermost layer of skin (above the dermis)

Epigastric

pertaining to above the stomach

Extension

Straightening of a joint

Flexion

bending a joint

Glucose

simple sugar that’s an important source of energy

Hematoma

abnormal collection of blood outside of a blood vessel

Hematemesis

vomiting blood

Hyperglycemia

high blood sugar

Hypoglycemia

low blood sugar

Hyperoxia

excessive oxygen

Hypothermia

low body temperature

Hyperthermia

high body temperature

Hypoxia

oxygen deficiency

Hypertension

high blood pressure

Hypotension

low blood pressure

Hypoperfusion

Decreased blood flow through organs or tissues

Intercostal

pertaining to between the ribs

Intrathoracic

Pertaining to within the chest cavity

Intraabdominal

pertaining to within the abdomen

Intracranial

pertaining to within the cranium (skull)

Indication

valid reason to use a certain test, medication, procedure, or surgery

Lateral

side (toward the side)

Medial

toward the midline

Perfusion

passage of fluid through the blood vessels or other natural channels to an organ or a tissue

Patent

passage or structure that is open and unobstructed

Pulmonary edema

Swelling or fluid buildup in lungs

Pedal edema

Swelling or fluid buildup in feet

Pedal

pertaining to the foot

Pulseless

No pulse

Prone

lying face down

Pericardial

pertaining to around the heart

Peristalsis

automatic wave like movement of the muscles that line your gastrointestinal tract

Supine

lying on the back

Sublingual

pertaining to under the tongue

Subcutaneous

pertaining to under the skin

Tachycardia

fast heart rate (over 100bpm)

Tachypnea

rapid breathing

Vasoconstriction

constriction of blood vessels

Vasodilation

widening of blood vessels

Vascular

pertaining to blood vessels

unilateral

limited to one side