Medical Terminology 2

abnormal

pertaining to away from the norm; irregular

adrenal glands

two endocrine glands, each above a kidney. they produce hormones such as adrenaline (epi) & hydrocortisone (cortisol)

analysis

separating a substance into its component parts

anemia

deficiency of hemoglobin and/or in number of red blood cells. results in reduced delivery of oxygen to body cells. (means lacking in blood)

antepartum

before birth

antibiotic

a chemical substance produced by various microorganisms or fungi that inhibits or destroys bacteria or other small organisms. (penicillin and streptomycin)

antibody

a substance that works against germs ("bodies" of infection). they are produced by white blood cells when germs (antigens) enter the bloodstream

antigen

foreign protein (such as on a bacterium or virus) that stimulates white blood cells to make antibodies. antigens are then destroyed by the antibodies

aphasia

absence or impairment of communication through speech

apnea

not able to breath; temporary stoppage of breathing. sleep apnea is when a person is momentarily unable to contract respiratory muscles and maintain air flow through the nose and mouth

atrophy

decrease in size of cells within an organ

benign

not cancerous; a tumor that does not spread and is limited in growth. (opposite of malignant)

bilateral

pertaining to two (both) sides

bradycardia

slow hearbeat

congenital anomaly

irregularity (present at birth); deviation from the normal

dialysis

complete separation of wastes (urea) from the blood when the kidneys fail

diarrhea

discharge of watery wastes from the colon

dysphagia

difficulty swallowing

dysplasia

abnormality of the development or the formation of cells. normal cells change in size, shape, and organization

dyspnea

painful labored/difficult breathing

dysuria

painful/difficult urination

ectopic pregnancy

pregnancy that is not in the uterus; usually occurring in a fallopian tube

endocrine glands

organs that produce (secrete) hormones; examples are thyroid, pituitary, and adrenal glands

endoscopy

process of viewing the inside of hollow organs or cavities with an endoscope

epidural hematoma

pathological mass of blood above the dura matter (outermost layer of membranes surrounding the brain & spinal cord).

excision

act of cutting out, removing, or resecting

extrahepatic

pertaining to outside the liver

hemigastrectomy

removal of half of the stomach

hemiplegia

paralysis that affects the right or left side of the body

hyperglycemia

high blood sugar

hyperplasia

cells increase in number. the prostate gland is enlarged in (BPH).

hypertension

high blood pressure. (no known cause but contributing factors include age, obesity, smoking, and heredity.

hyperthyroidism

excessive activity of the thyroid gland

hypertrophy

enlargement or overgrowth of an organ or part of the body as a result of an increase in the size of individual cells

hypoxia

deficiency of oxygen in tissues

hypoglycemia

low blood sugar

incision

cutting into the body or into an organ

intervertebral

pertaining to lying between two backbones. a disc is an intervertebral structure

intrauterine

pertaining to within the uterus

intravenous

pertaining to within a vein

malignant

pertaining to cancerous tumors that invade and spread to distant organs; tending to become progressively worse

metacarpal

bones of the hand between the wrist bones (carpals) and the finger bones (phalanges)

metastasis

spread of a cancerous tumor to a distant organ or location. means change of place

neonatal

pertaining to new birth; the first 4 weeks after birth

neoplastic

pertaining to a new growth, or neoplasm

paralysis

loss or impairment of movement in a part of the body

paraplegia

impairment or loss of movement in the lower part of the body, primarily the legs and in some cases bowl and bladder function

parathyroid glands

four endocrine glands behind the thyroid gland. these glands are concerned with maintaining the proper levels of calcium in the blood and bones

perianal

pertaining to surrounding the anus

periosteum

membrane that surrounds bone

polydipsia

excessive thirst

polyneuropathy

disease of many nerves

polyuria

excessive urination

postmortem

after death

postpartum

after birth

precancerous

pertaining to a condition that may come before a cancer, a condition that tends to become malignant

prolapse

falling down or drooping of a part of the body. prolapse literally means sliding forward

prosthesis

artificial substitute for a missing part of the body.

quadriplegia

paralysis of all four extremities and usually the trunk of the body caused by injury to the spinal cord in the cervical region of the spine

relapse

return of disease after its apparent termination

remission

lessening or absence of signs and symptoms of a disease

resection

removal (excision) of an organ or a structure

retroperitoneal

pertaining to behind the peritoneum

subcostal

pertaining to below the ribs

subcutaneous

pertaining to under the skin

subdural hematoma

collection of blood under the dura mater (outermost layer of the membranes surrounding the brain)

subscapular

pertaining to under the shoulder bone

subtotal

less than total; often just under the total amount

syndrome

set of symptoms and sings that occur together to indicate a disease condition

tachycardia

condition of fast, rapid heartbeat

tachypnea

condition of rapid breathing

transabdominal

pertaining to across the abdomen

transurethral

Pertaining to across (through) the urethra. TURP is transurethral resection of the prostate gland by surgery through the urethra.

tricuspid valve

fold of tissue between the upper and lower chambers on the right side of the heart. It has three cusps or points and prevents back flow of blood into the right atrium when the heart is pumping blood

Ultrasonography

recording of internal sound waves as they impact body structures

unilateral

pertaining to one side

urinalysis

examination of urine to determine its contents

anesthesiology

study of how to administer agents capable of bringing about loss of sensation and consciousness

cardiologist

physician specializing in the study of the heart and heart disease

cardiovascular surgeon

specialist in operating on the heart and blood vessels

clinical

pertaining to the bedside or clinic; involving patient care

colitis

inflammation of the colon (large intestine)

colorectal surgeon

physician specializing in operating on the colon and rectum

dermatologist

physician specializing in the skin and its diseases

dermatology

study of the skin and its diseases

emergency medicine

care of patients requiring immediate action

endocrinologist

specialist in the study of endocrine glands and their disorders

enteritis

inflammation of the small intestine

family practitioner

medical doctor responsible for primary care and treatment of patients on a continuing basis

gastroenterologist

specialist in the treatment of stomach and intestinal disorders

gastroscopy

visual examination of the stomach

geriatric

pertaining to treatment of older people

geriatrician

specialist in the treatment of diseases of old age

gynecologist

specialist in the study of female disorders

gynecology

study of female disorders

hematologist

specialist in blood and blood disorders

hematoma

mass or collection of blood under the skin. commonly called a bruise or "black

hospitalist

a physician whose primary focus is hospital medicine. this includes patient care, teaching, and research related to hospital care

iatrogenic

pertaining to an adverse condition that results from a medical or surgical treatment

infectious disease

A disease that is caused by a pathogen and that can be spread from one individual to another. (microorganisms such as bacteria)