Med term final exam

abscess

collection of pus surrounded by inflamed tissue and caused by localized infection.

AIDS

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

ADL

activities of daily living

adenoma

benign epithelial tumor characterized by cells that form recognizable glandular structures or cells that are derived from glandular epithelium

adenopathy

enlargement of a gland or a lymph node. Also called adenomegaly

AMA

advanced maternal age

aerosol

Nebulized particles suspended in air or a gas

afebrile

without fever

allograft

Harvest of skin from another human donor for temporary transplant until an autograft is available.

alopecia

loss or lack of hair in skin areas where hair is normally present. Also called baldness

amniocentesis

Percutaneous puncture through the abdominal wall and into the uterus to obtain amniotic fluid for diagnostic and assessment purposes

analgesic

1. Alleviating pain. 2. Not sensitive to pain. 3. An agent that relieves pain.

anaphylaxis

A type 1 hypersensitivity reaction to a previously encountered antigen; results in pruritis, urticaria, and angioedema, is followed by vascular collapse and shock, and is often accompanied by life-threatening respiratory distress

aneurysm

A sac filled with fluid or clotted blood formed by the dilation of a weakened wall of an artery, a vein, or the heart

angina pectoris

Spasmotic thoracic pain that often radiates to the left arm and is most often caused by a lack of oxygen or an insufficient supply of blood to the myocardium

anthracotic

black diffuse pigment on surface of specimen; usually lungs from pollution

antihypertensive

Pertaining to a substance or procedure that reduces high blood pressure. 2. An agent that counteracts high blood pressure

antineoplastic

Preventing or suppressing the growth of neoplasms (tumors); inhibiting the maturing and spreading of malignant cells.

antipruritic

Drugs that lessen itching. Examples include diphenhydramine OTC, available in oral or topical formulations.

anuric

Pertaining to cessation of urinary secretion by the kidney or a urinary output of less than 100 ml per day.

aphasia

A speech disorder marked by a loss or defect in the ability to speak, write, or comprehend spoken or written language

aplastic

anatomically undeveloped from the stem cell or primordium.

appendectomy

Surgical excision of the vermiform appendix.

appendicitis

Inflammation of the vermiform appendix

ascites

An abnormal accumulation of serous fluid in the abdominal cavity.

asymptomatic

Without symptoms; causing no symptoms.

asystole

The absence of electrical and mechanical activity in the heart.

atherosclerosis

A common arterial disorder in which deposits of yellowish plaques of cholesterol, lipids, and cellular debris are formed in the walls of large and medium-sized arteries.

atrophic

a body part, tissue, or organ that has wasted away, become smaller, or deteriorated

atrophy

1. The wasting away or diminution in size or activity of a body part. 2. To undergo this process.

autograft

Harvest of the patient's own skin for transplant.

BCC

basal cell carcinoma

benign

Not cancerous; not recurrent; favorable for recovery.

BPH

Benign Prostatic hyperplasia

bilateral

Pertaining to two sides.

bisect

specimen cut into two separate equal parts

bivalve

specimen cut down the center into two parts with a margin intact

blepharospasm

Involuntary contraction of the eyelid muscles, resulting in complete or partial closure of the eyelid.

bosselated

area marked by numerous bosses or rounded protuberances

bronchitis

Acute or chronic inflammation of the bronchi; characterized by coughing, fever, and expectoration

bursectomy

Surgical removal of a bursa

cachexia

A state of general ill health and malnutrition, characterized by weakness and emaciation.

calcification

The deposition of calcium salts in organic tissue, resulting in the hardening of tissue.

candidiasis

infection of the skin and mucous membranes that is caused by a fungus of the genus Candida, usually Candida albicans

CVA

Cerebrovascular Accident

carcinoma

cancerous, or malignant, new growth composed of epithelial cells that tend to invade surrounding tissues, giving rise to metastasis

cardiomegaly

Hypertrophy, or enlargement, of the heart.

catheter

A hollow, flexible, tubular device used to withdraw fluids from, or instill fluids into, a body cavity.

catheterization

The use or introduction of a catheter.

cellulitis

Acute, spreading, edematous inflammation of the deep subcutaneous connective tissue, usually caused by infection; characterized most commonly by local heat, redness, swelling, and pain.

cephalic

Pertaining to the head.

Chancre

The primary lesion of syphilis, occurring at the entry site of the infection. Typically painless and presenting as a small red papule or crusted erosion that exudes a serous fluid, leading to a nontender regional lymphadenopathy.

chemotherapy

The use of chemical agents to destroy cancer cells on a selective basis

cholecystectomy

Surgical removal of the gallbladder.

cholecystitis

inflammation of the gallbladder.

chondrosarcoma

A malignant tumor of cartilaginous cells or their precursors, occurring most commonly in long bones, the scapula, and the pelvic girdle.

COPD

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

circumferential

lesion or area of interest that is encircling and/or pertains to a circumference or perimeter of a specimen

circumscribed

lesion or structure contained in a well-defined area of within definite boundaries or limits

coagulation

1. The transformation of a liquid into a solid, especially of the blood

cobblestone

multiple raised similarly sized rounded densities on a linear surface typically on GI tract

colostomy

Surgical creation of an opening between the colon and the surface of the body to be used for the passage of stool.

colposcopy

An examination of the vagina and cervix performed with a colposcope.

compound fracture

A fracture in which the broken end of the bone has protruded through the skin. Also called open fracture.

condyloma acuminatum

Infectious papilloma with a core of connective tissue covered with epithelium, usually occurring on the external genitalia or in the perianal region; caused by the human papilloma virus. Also called venereal wart or genital wart.

congenital

Present at, and usually before, birth; referring to conditions existing at birth, regardless of their cause.

CHF

Congestive heart failure

contraceptive

1. Preventing or diminishing the likelihood of conception. 2. An agent that prevents or reduces the chances of conception.

contralateral

Pertaining to, situated on, or affecting the opposite side, as opposed to ipsilateral

CABG

Coronary artery bypass graft

cyanosis

A bluish discoloration, particularly of the skin and mucous membranes, caused by excessive concentration of deoxyhemoglobin in the blood

cystic

Pertaining to a cyst. 2. Pertaining to the gallbladder or the urinary bladder.

cystitis

Inflammation of the urinary bladder.

cystoprostatectomy

surgical removal of the urinary bladder and the prostate gland, often including nearby lymph nodes and seminal vesicles

cystoscopy

A direct visual examination of the urinary tract using a cystoscope.

CMV

cytomegalovirus

decalcification

1. The loss of calcium salts from a tooth or bone. 2. Removal of calcareous matter.

DJD

degenerative joint disease

demarcated

lesion or area of interest that shows sharp transition from one gross appearance to another

dermatologist

A physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of skin disorders.

DM

diabetes mellitus

diaphoresis

Secretion of sweat, especially of a profuse degree. Also called sudoresis.

diplopia

The perception of two images of a single object caused by extraocular muscle dysfunction or an innervating nerve disorder. Also called ambiopia, double vision, or binocular polyopia.

DIC

disseminated intravascular coagulopathy

diverticulitis

Inflammation of one or more diverticula, especially of colonic diverticula.

diverticulosis

abnormal presence of diverticula, particularly through the muscular portion of the sigmoid colon

dusky

Color change which result from ischemia or the loss of blood flow/nutrients to an area.

dysplasia

Any abnormality of development of organs or tissues.

dyspnea

Shortness of breath; labored or difficult breathing

dysrhythmia

Any disturbance or abnormality of rhythm. 2. An abnormal cardiac rhythm; the term arrhythmia is more often used

dysuria

painful or difficult urination, usually due to bacterial infection or obstruction in the urinary tract

echocardiogram

record produced by echocardiography

ectopic

Situated in an unusual place, away from its normal location

edematous

swelling of otherwise normal-appearing tissue

EKG

electrocardiogram

ellipse

specimen shaped like an ellipse

embolism

Sudden blockage of an artery by a clot or foreign body that has been brought to its site of lodgement by blood current.

emesis

vomiting

encapsulated

space enclosed by a coating or membrane; has a protective capsule

endarterectomy

Surgical removal of the thickened intimal lining of an artery.