medterm exam i

- -centesis – A surgical procedure to remove fluid or gas from a body cavity.

- -poiesis – The process of formation or production, often related to blood cells.

- Acute – A condition with a sudden onset and short duration.

- Adhesion – The abnormal sticking together of tissues or organs, often after surgery.

- Antipyretic – A medication that reduces fever.

- Antitussive – A medication that suppresses coughing.

- Arthritis – Inflammation of the joints.

- Bx (biopsy) – The removal of a small piece of tissue for examination.

- Cachexia – Severe weight loss and muscle wasting, often due to chronic illness.

- Diaphoresis – Excessive sweating, usually related to illness or stress.

- Etiology – The cause or origin of a disease.

- Heterogeneous – Composed of different elements or parts.

- Maximal – The greatest possible degree or extent.

- Objective Information – Measurable data collected through observation and tests.

- PA (Physician Assistant) – A healthcare professional licensed to practice medicine under a physician.

- Pneumonia – Inflammation or infection of the lungs.

- Prophylactic – A measure taken to prevent disease.

- Rapport – A positive and trusting relationship, often between patient and provider.

- Syndrome – A collection of symptoms and signs associated with a specific condition.


- -asthenia – Weakness or lack of strength.

- -betes – Related to a metabolic disorder, as in diabetes.

- -blast – An immature or precursor cell.

- -cyst – A sac-like structure containing fluid or other material.

- -cyte – A cell.

- -dynia – Pain.

- -ectasis – Dilation or expansion of a structure.

- -emesis – Vomiting.

- -kinesis – Movement.

- -lepsy – A seizure or convulsion.

- -lysis – The breakdown or destruction of cells.

- -malacia – Softening of tissue.

- -mnesia – Related to memory.

- -penia – A deficiency or low count.

- -phasia – Speech impairment or disorder.

- -plasia – Formation or growth.

- -plegia – Paralysis.

- -ptosis – Drooping or sagging of an organ or part.

- -rrhea – Excessive flow or discharge.

- -rrhexis – Rupture.

- -staxis – Dripping or oozing (often used for nosebleeds).

- -tripsy – Crushing, as in lithotripsy (breaking down kidney stones).

- -trophy – Growth or development.

- An- – Without or lack of.

- Android – Resembling a male; also refers to the Android operating system.

- Dentalgia – Tooth pain.

- Endo- – Inside or within.

- Ex- – Out or away.

- Hemiplegia – Paralysis of one side of the body.

- Oligo- – Few or scanty.

- Retro- – Backward or behind.


- Ambilateral – Affecting both sides.

- Apex – The pointed end of an organ, such as the heart or lung.

- Brand Name – The trade name of a medication given by a manufacturer.

- Chemical Name – The scientific name describing the molecular structure of a drug.

- Defenestrate – To throw out of a window (rare in medical terminology).

- Ectomorph – A body type characterized by a lean and slender build.

- Endomorph – A body type with a rounder and softer physique.

- Generic Name – The official, non-brand name of a medication.

- Karyogenesis – The formation of a cell nucleus.

- Mesomorph – A muscular and athletic body type.

- Midsagittal – Dividing the body into equal right and left halves.

- Pathology – The study of disease.

- Prophylactic – A measure taken to prevent disease.

- Trade Name – Another term for a brand-name drug.

- Transverse – A horizontal plane dividing the body into upper and lower parts.

- Unilateral – Occurring on one side.

- Vertex – The topmost part of the head or an organ.


- Alopecia – Hair loss.

- Antipruritic – A medication that relieves itching.

- Antiviral – A medication that fights viral infections.

- Autograft – A skin graft taken from the patient's own body.

- Avulsion – The tearing away of a body part or tissue.

- Boil – A painful pus-filled bump caused by infected hair follicles.

- Bulla – A large fluid-filled blister.

- Cicatrix – A scar.

- Comedo – A clogged hair follicle (blackhead or whitehead).

- Corneum – The outermost layer of the skin.

- Cryosurgery – The use of extreme cold to destroy abnormal tissue.

- Debridement – The removal of dead or damaged tissue.

- Decubitus – A pressure ulcer or bed sore.

- Dehiscence – The reopening of a surgical wound.

- Dermomycosis – A fungal infection of the skin.

- Ecchymosis – A bruise caused by bleeding under the skin.

- Erythema – Redness of the skin.

- Erythroderma – Widespread redness and scaling of the skin.

- Eschar – A thick, dry scab that forms over a wound.

- Excoriation – Skin damage caused by scratching or rubbing.

- Exudate – Fluid that leaks from wounds or infections.

- Gangrene – Tissue death due to lack of blood supply.

- Hidradenitis – Inflammation of the sweat glands.

- Hives – Raised, itchy welts on the skin (urticaria).

- Impetigo – A contagious bacterial skin infection.

- Keloid – A raised, thickened scar.

- Lentigo – A small brown skin spot (age spot).

- Leukoderma – Loss of skin pigmentation.

- Leukoplakia – White patches on mucous membranes, often in the mouth.

- Lupus – An autoimmune disease that affects the skin and organs.

- Macule – A small, flat discolored skin patch.

- Miliaria – Heat rash caused by blocked sweat glands.

- Nevus – A mole or birthmark.

- Onychia – Inflammation of the nail bed.

- Onychomycosis – A fungal infection of the nails.

- Papule – A small raised skin lesion.

- Petechiae – Small red or purple spots due to minor bleeding.

- Pruritus – Itching.

- Psoriasis – A chronic skin condition causing red, scaly patches.

- Purpura – Purple skin discoloration due to bleeding under the skin.

- Pustule – A pus-filled blister.

- Rhytidoplasty – Surgical repair of wrinkles (facelift).

- Seborrheic Keratosis – A benign, wart-like skin growth.

- Tinea – A fungal infection of the skin (ringworm).

- Varicella – Chickenpox.

- Vitiligo – A condition causing loss of skin pigment in patches.

- Xanthoderma – Yellowish skin discoloration.