Medical Terminology- Diagnosis and Treatment; Surgery

diagnosis

the determination of the nature and cause of an illness

Vital signs

measurements that reflect basic functions necessary to maintain life

Otoscope

tool to examine the ear

sphygmomanometer

instrument to measure blood pressure

biopsy

the removal of tissue for microscopic examination

endoscope

an instrument used for visual examination of internal structures

therapy

the treatment of a diagnosis

cineradiography

making of a motion picture of successive imagine appearing on a fluoroscopic screen

computed tomography (CT)

use of a computer to generate an image from a large number of x-rays passed at different angles through the body; a three-dimensional picture of a cross-section of the body is obtained; reveals more about soft tissues than does simple radiography

fluoroscopy

use of x-rays to examine deep structures; the shadows cast by x-rays passed through the body are observed on a fluorescent screen

magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

production of images through the use of a magnetic field and radio waves; the characteristics of soft tissue are revealed by differences in molecular properties;eliminates the need for x-rays and contrast media

positron emission tomography (PET) scan

production of sectional body images by administration of a natural substance, labeled with a positron-emitting isotope; the rays subsequently emitted are interpreted by computer to show the internal distribution of the substance administered; it has been used to follow blood flow through an organ and to measure metabolic activity within an organ, such as the brain, under different conditions

radiography

use of x-rays passed through the body to make a visual record of internal structures on specially sensitized film

scintigraphy

production of an image of the distribution of radioactivity in tissues after internal administration of a radioactive substance; the images are obtained with a scintillation camera

single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)

scintigraphic technique that permits visualization of the cross-sectional distribution of a radioisotope

ultrasonography

generation of a visual image from the echoes of high-frequency sound waves traveling back from different tissues

surgery

a method for treating disease or injury by manual operations

incision

cutting or puncturing tissue with a sharp instrument

anesthesia

loss of the ability to feel pain, as by administration of a drug

sutures

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

cautery

the process of using extreme heat, extreme cold, or caustic chemicals to burn or cut tissue

fixation

surgical method to correct circulatory problems and to return structures to their normal position

palliative

any therapy that provides relief but is not intended as a cure

bougie

slender, flexible instrument for exploring and dilating tubes

cannula

tube enclosing a trocar that allows escape of fluid or air after removal of the trocar

clamp

instrument used to compress tissue

curet (curette)

spoon-shaped instrument for removing material from the wall of a cavity or other surface

elevator

instrument for lifting tissue or bone

forceps

instrument for holding or extracting

Gigli saw

flexible wire saw

hemostat

small clamp for stopping blood flow from a vessel

rasp

surgical file

retractor

instrument used to maintain exposure by separating a wound and holding back organs or tissues

rongeur

gouge forceps

scalpel

surgical knife with a sharp blade

scissors

a cutting instrument with two opposing blades

sound

instrument for exploring a cavity or canal

trocar

sharp pointed instrument contained in a cannula used to puncture a cavity

Grading

a method for evaluating a tumor based on microscopic examination of the cells

chemotherapy

the use of chemicals to treat a disease

excision

removal by cutting

immunotherapy

treatment that involves stimulation or suppression of the immune system, either specifically or nonspecifically

inspection

visual examination of the body

laser

a device that transforms light into a beam of intense heat and power; used for surgery and diagnosis

ophthalmoscope

an instrument for examining the interior of the eye

palpation

examination by placing the hands or fingers on the surface of the body to determine such characteristics as texture, temperature, movement, and consistency

percussion

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

prognosis

prediction of the course and outcome of a disease

radionuclide

a substance that gives off radiation; used for diagnosis and treatment; also called radioisotope or radiopharmaceutical

remission

a lessening of the symptoms of a disease; the period during which this decrease occurs or the period when no sign of a disease exists

sign

an objective evidence of disease that can be observed or tested

staging

the process of classifying malignant tumors for diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis

stethoscope

an instrument used for listening to sounds produced within the body

symptom

any evidence of disease; sometimes limited to subjective evidence of disease, as experienced by the individual, such as pain, dizziness, or weakness

acupuncture

An ancient Chinese method of inserting thin needles into the body at specific points to relieve pain, induce anesthesia, or promote healing; similar effects can be obtained by using firm finger pressure at the surface of the body in the technique of acupressure

biofeedback

a method for learning control of involuntary physiologic responses by using electronic devices to monitor bodily changes and feeding this information back to a person

chiropractic

A science that stresses the condition of the nervous system in diagnosis and treatment of disease

homeopathy

a philosophy of treating disease by administering drugs in highly diluted form along with promoting healthy life habits and a healthy environment

naturopathy

a therapeutic philosophy of helping people heal themselves by developing healthy lifestyles

osteopathy

a system of therapy based on the theory that the body can overcome disease when it has normal structure, a favorable environment, and proper nutrition

aer/o

air, gas

bar/o

pressure

chrom/o, chromat/o

color, stain

chron/o

time

cry/o

cold

electro/o

electricity

erg/o

work

phon/o

sound, voice

phot/o

light

radi/o

radiation, x-ray

son/o

sound

therm/o

heat, temperature

-graph

instrument for recording data

-graphy

act of recording data

-gram

a record of data

-meter

instrument for measuring

metry

measurement of

-scope

instrument for viewing or examining

-scopy

examination of

-centesis

puncture, tap

-desis

binding, fusion

-ectomy

excision, surgical removal

-pexy

surgical fixation

-plasty

plastic repair, plastic surgery, reconstruction

-rhaphy

surgical repair, suture

-stromy

surgical creation of an opening

-tome

instrument for incising (cutting)

-tomy

incision, cutting

-tripsy

crushing

clubbing

enlargement of the ends of the fingers and toes because of growth of the soft tissue around the nails

colic

acute abdominal pain associated with smooth muscle spasms

cyanosis

bluish discoloration of the skin due to lack of oxygen

diaphoresis

profuse sweating

malaise

a feeling of discomfort or uneasiness, often indicative of infection

nocturnal

pertaining to occurring at night

pallor

paleness; lack of color

prodrome

a symptom indicating an approaching disease

sequela

a lasting effect of a disease

syncope

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

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)

a fetal protein that appears in the blood of adults with certain types of cancer