Med Term Final Review: Unknown Words

Vector-borne

infections transmitted by the bite of infected arthropod species

Epidemic

a sudden and widespread outbreak of a disease within a specific population group or area.

Pandemic

an outbreak of a disease occurring over a large geographic area, sometimes even worldwide.

Endemic

the ongoing presence of a disease within a population, group, or area.

Bloodborne

the spread of pathogens through infected blood or other body fluids.

Hypertrohpy

a general increase In the bulk of a body part or organ due to an increase in the size, but not the number, of cells in the tissues.

Dysplasia

“the abnormal development or growth of cells, or the presence of abnormal cells within a type of tissue.”

Aplasia

the defective development, or the congenital absence, of an organ or tissue.

Hypoplasia

the underdevelopment of an organ or tissue, usually due to a deficiency in the number of cells.

Hematopoietic

pertaining to the formation of blood cells.

Autologous

originating within an individual.

Callus

a bulging deposit that forms around the area of the break in a bone; also a thickening of the skin that is caused by repeated rubbing.

Crapitus

The crackling, crunching, grinding or grating noise that accompanies flexing a joint

Edema

swelling caused by excessive fluid accumulation in body tissues that can be symptomatic of nephrotic syndrome and other kidney diseases.

Suppuration

the formation of pus.

Supracostal

above or outside the ribs.

Fistula

an abnormal passage, usually between two internal organs or leading from an organ to the surface of the body.

Dia-

through, between, apart, complete

Atrophy

weakness or wearing away of body tissues and structures.

Hemiparesis

slight paralysis or weakness affecting one side of the body.

Epicondylitis

the inflammation of the tissues surrounding the elbow.

Myoclonus

the quick, involuntary jerking of a muscle or group of muscles.

Myorrhaphy

surgical suturing of a muscle.

clon/o

violent action

Ataxia

the lack of muscle coordination during voluntary movement.

Fibromyalgia

a debilitating chronic condition characterized by fatigue; diffuse or specific muscle, joint, or bone pain; and a wide range of other symptoms.

Atonic

lacking normal muscle tone or strength.

Dystonia

a movement disorder characterized by the involuntary and sometimes repetitive contraction of certain muscles.

Contracture

fixed tightening of muscle, tendons, ligaments, or skin

-crasia

a mixture or blending

Pernicious anemia

“anemia caused by a lack of the protein intrinsic factor (IF) that helps the body absorb vitamin B12 from the astrointestinal tract.”

Aplastic anemia

a condition characterized by an absence of all formed blood elements caused by the failure of blood cell production in the bone marrow.

Myocardial infraction

the occlusion of one or more coronary arteries caused by plaque buildup.

Varicose veins

abnormally swollen veins usually occurring in the superficial veins of the legs.

Orthostatic hypotension

low blood pressure that occurs upon standing up.

Leukopenia

a decrease in the number of disease-fighting white blood cells circulating in the blood.

Kaposi's sarcoma

a cancer that causes patches of abnormal tissue to grow under the skin, in the lining of the mouth, nose, and throat, in lymph nodes, or in other organs

Hemolytic

destroying worn-out erythrocytes (red blood cells) and releasing their hemoglobin for reuse.

Lymphedema

swelling of the tissues due to an abnormal accumulation of lymph fluid within the tissues.

neo-

new, strange

onc/o

tumor

Antitussive

medication administered to prevent or relieve coughing.

Croup

an acute respiratory infection in children and infants characterized by obstruction of the larynx, hoarseness, and swelling around the vocal cords, resulting in a barking cough and stridor.

Empyema

collection of pus in any body cavity.

Hemoptysis

expectoration of blood or bloodstained sputum.

Epistaxis

bleeding from the nose.

Aphonia

the loss of the ability of the larynx to produce normal speech sounds.

Pneumoconiosis

any fibrosis of the lung tissues caused by dust in the lungs after prolonged environmental or occupational contact.

Hypoxia

the condition of having deficient oxygen levels in the body tissues and organs; less severe than anoxia.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

a group of lung diseases in which the bronchial airflow is obstructed, making it difficult to breathe out.

Hiatal hernia

an anatomical abnormality in which a portion of the stomach protrudes upward into the chest, through an opening in the diaphragm.

Cheilitis

inflammation of the lips characterized by crack-like sores at the corners of the mouth, also known as cheilosis.

-pepsia

digest, digestion

cheil/o

lips

Ascites

an abnormal accumulation of serous fluid in the peritoneal cavity.

Anastomosis

a surgical connection between two hollow or tubular structures.

Espophageal varcices

enlarged and swollen veins at the lower end of the esophagus.

Dyspepsia

pain or discomfort in digestion.

Cholangitis

acute inflammation of the bile duct characterized by pain in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen, fever, and jaundice.

Leukoplakia

“an abnormal white, usually benign lesion (sore) that develops on the tongue or the inside of the cheek, develop in response to chronic irritation in the mouth such as smoking, chewing tobacco, or constant rubbing against a broken tooth.”

Trismus

any restriction to the opening of the mouth caused by trauma, surgery, or radiation associated with the treatment of oral cancer.

Hyperemesis

extreme, persistent vomiting that can cause dehydration.

Aerophagia

excessive swallowing of air while eating or drinking and is a common cause of gas in the stomach.

Volvulus

twisting of the intestine on itself, causing an obstruction.

Melena

the passage of black, tarry, and foul-smelling stools.

proct/o

anus and rectum

Pyonephrosis

pus in the renal pelvis

-cele

hernia, tumor, swelling

Wilms tumor

a rare type of malignant tumor of the kidney that occurs in young children.

Oliguria

scanty urination.

Neurogenic bladder

a urinary problem caused by interference with the normal nerve pathways associated with urination.

Lithotripsy

a procedure that uses shock waves to break up stones in the kidney and parts of the ureter

Lethargy

a lowered level of consciousness marked by listlessness, drowsiness, and apathy.

Parasomnia

general term for several categories of sleep disorders that occur while falling asleep, during sleep, or while waking from sleep.

Cerebrovascular accident

brain damage that occurs when blood flow to the brain is disrupted.

Reye's syndrome

a potentially serious or deadly disorder in children characterized by vomiting and confusion, sometimes following a viral illness for which the child was treated with aspirin.

Cranial hematoma

a collection of blood trapped in the tissues of the brain.

Syncope

the brief loss of consciousness caused by the decreased flow of blood to the brain.

-phasia

speak or speech

-tropic

having an affinity for

Cognition

the mental activities associated with thinking, learning, and memory.

Factitious disorder

a condition in which a person acts as if he or she has a physical or mental illness when he or she is not really sick.

Ischemic stroke

brain damage that occurs when the flow of blood to the brain is blocked by the narrowing or blockage of an artery.

caus/o

burning, burn

radicul/o

root or nerve root

Contusion

bruise

psych/o

mind

Paresthesia

a burning or prickling sensation with no apparent physical cause that is usually felt in the hands, arms, legs, or feet but can also occur in other parts of the body.

Acrophobia

an excessive fear of heights.

Amyotropic lateral sclerosis

a rapidly progressive neurological disease that attacks the nerve cells responsible for controlling voluntary muscles.

Otitis media

inflammation of the middle ear.

Anisocoria

a condition in which the pupils are unequal in size.

Tympanometery

the use of air pressure in the ear canal to test for disorders of the middle ear.

Audiometry

the use of an audiometer to measure hearing acuity.

phak/o

lens of eye

anis/o

Unequal, unlike, or dissimilar

Exotropia

form of strabismus, a misalignment of the eyes

Strabismus

a disorder in which the eyes point in different directions or are not aligned correctly because the eye muscles are unable to focus together.

Papilledema

swelling and inflammation of the optic nerve at the point of entrance into the eye through the optic duct.

Iritis

inflammation of the uvea primarily affecting structures in the front of the eye.