General Medical Terminology

Anion gap

a blood test that suggests an unmeasured acid in the blood

Crepitus/crepitance

a crackling or grating sound

Avulsion

a forcible tearing away of a part or structure

Differential diagnosis

a list of possible diagnoses to explain a set of symptoms

Bruit

a murmur or sound heard in auscultation

Vertigo

a spinning sensation caused by an inner ear problem

Atrial flutter/fibrillation

a very fast arrhythmia of the heart that needs slowing or conversion

Palpable

able to be touched

Ambulatory

able to walk

Thyromegaly

abnormal enlargement of the thyroid

Arrhythmia

abnormal heart rhythm

Photophobia

abnormal intolerance to light

Pneumothorax

abnormal presence of air in the pleural space (chest cavity) and outside of the lung

Tachycardia

abnormal rapid heart beat

Rhonchi

abnormal respiratory sound heard on auscultation

Rales

abnormal respiratory sounds heard on auscultation

Paresthesia

abnormal tactile sensation often described as burning

Bradypnea

abnormally slow breathing

Bradycardia

abnormally slow heart beat

Peritonsillar abscess

abscess that forms behind the tonsil

Aneurysm

any abnormal widening of a blood vessel due to disease or weakening of the vessel's wall

Supraventricular

arising from the atria of the heart

Joint

articulation of junction between two or more bones or cartilage

Pharynx

back of the throat extending up to the nose and down to the vocal cords

Occiput

back part of the skull

Gravid

being pregnant

Melena

black tarry stool

Hemothorax

blood fluid present in the pleural cavity (outside the lung but in chest cavity)

Hematuria

blood in the urine

Creatinine

blood test measuring kidney function

Lipase

blood test measuring pancreas activity

Artery

blood vessel carrying blood away from the heart

Cyanotic

bluish skin color due to lack of oxygenation

Olecranon

bony projection of the ulna forming the point of the elbow

Ileus

bowel lacks normal contractions

Hematochezia

bright red blood in stool

Infarction

cessation of blood flow causing tissue death

Maxilla

cheek or structures near cheek

Leukocyte esterase

chemical test to detect possible infection in urine

Angina

chest pain due to lack of blood flow to heart muscle

Turgor

condition of being distended or swollen, normal fullness

Articulation

connection between bones

Purulent

consisting of pus

Hemoptysis

coughing up blood bloodstained sputum

Cerumen

earwax

Hyperlipidemia

elevation of cholesterol and or triglycerides in the blood

Hepatosplenomegaly

enlargement of liver and spleen

Adenopathy

enlargement of lymph nodes

Lymphadenopathy

enlargement of lymph nodes

Organomegaly

enlargement of the abdominal organs

Cardiomegaly

enlargement of the heart

Hemorrhage

excessive or profuse bleeding

Diaphoresis

excessive or profuse sweating or perspiration

Ligament

fibrous tissue that binds bones together

Malaise

generalized discomfort or weakness

Beta blocker

group of drugs that slow down heart rate and lower blood pressure

Induration

hardened tissue

Stridor

harsh or high-pitched respiratory sound caused by an obstruction of the upper airway passages

Myocardial infarction

heart attack (coronary artery occlusion)

Urticaria

hives or wheals which are either redder or paler than the surrounding skin and are often itchy

Malocclusion

imperfect closure or meeting of opposing teeth

Dyspepsia

indigestion

Vestibulitis

inflammation of balance mechanism in the inner ear causing dizziness

Nystagmus

involuntary rapid eye movements

Mandible

jaw bone

Urinary retention

lack of the ability to urinate

Shaft

long

Syncope

loss of consciousness fainting

Os

mouth

Myalgia

muscular pain

Stenosis

narrowing of a body opening or passage

Heme negative

no blood detected by chemical test

Nares

nostrils

Adnexa

ovaries and fallopian tubes

Arthralgia

pain in the joint

Dyspareunia

painful intercourse

Dysmenorrhea

painful menstruation

Pallor

paleness of the skin

Atelectasis

partial collapse of the small airways in the lungs

Hypertension

persistently high or arterial blood pressure

Hypotension

persistently low blood pressure

Inguinal

pertaining to groin region

Lacrimal

pertaining to tears

Cervical

pertaining to the neck or cervix of the uterus

Lingual

pertaining to the tongue

Conjunctiva

pink inside lining of eyelids

Sepsis

presence of pathological microorganisms or their toxins in the blood

Decubitus

pressure sore on skin

Malleolus

projections on either side of the ankle joint from the lower leg bones

Tachypnea

rapid respiration

Pulmonary

related to the lungs

Debridement

removal of dead or contaminated tissue from a wound

Tinnitis

ringing in the ears

Wheal

round

Keloid

scar formation consisting of dense tissue

Neuralgia

sharp pain along the course of a nerve

Macule

small colored spot on the skin

Sputum

spittle

Stellate

star-shaped radiating from a center

Intervertebral disc

structure lying between the bony vertebral bodies