Medical Terminology Review - Spring 2025

Digestive System

  • Volvulus: Twisting of the intestine, causing obstruction.
  • GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease): Stomach acid frequently flows back into the esophagus.
  • Melena: Black, tarry stool due to upper gastrointestinal bleeding.
  • Bruxism: Grinding or clenching teeth, often during sleep.
  • Xerostomia: Dry mouth due to reduced saliva production.
  • Colonoscopy: Examination of the colon using a flexible endoscope.
  • Jaundice: Yellowing of the skin and eyes due to high bilirubin levels.
  • Pyloric Sphincter: A ring of muscle at the stomach's end that controls the passage of food into the small intestine.
  • Hematemesis: Vomiting blood.
  • Cholangiography: X-ray imaging of the bile ducts.
  • Aerophagia: Excessive swallowing of air.
  • Antiemetic: Medication to prevent or stop vomiting.
  • Hiatal Hernia: Protrusion of the stomach through the diaphragm.
  • Regurgitation: Backward flow of stomach contents into the mouth.
  • Gingivitis: Inflammation of the gums.
  • Bulimia Nervosa: Eating disorder characterized by binge eating followed by purging.
  • Deglutition: The act of swallowing.
  • Aphthous Ulcers: Small, painful sores in the mouth (canker sores).
  • Pyrosis: Heartburn.
  • Edentulous: Without teeth.
  • Malocclusion: Imperfect positioning of the teeth when jaws are closed.
  • Stomatitis: Inflammation of the mouth.
  • Gastrorrhea: Excessive secretion of gastric juices.
  • Dyspepsia: Indigestion.
  • Celiac Disease: Autoimmune disorder triggered by gluten, leading to small intestine damage.

Urinary System

  • Hydronephrosis: Swelling of a kidney due to a buildup of urine.
  • Enuresis: Involuntary urination, especially at night (bedwetting).
  • Ureter: Tube that carries urine from the kidney to the bladder.
  • Nephrolysis: Separation of a kidney from surrounding adhesions.
  • Nephrolithiasis: Kidney stones.
  • Suprapubic Catheterization: Insertion of a catheter into the bladder through the abdominal wall.
  • Extracorporeal Shockwave Lithotripsy: Using shock waves to break kidney stones.
  • Anuria: Absence of urine production.
  • Hypospadias: Birth defect where the opening of the urethra is on the underside of the penis.
  • Urethrotomy: Incision of the urethra to relieve a stricture.
  • Nephroptosis: Drooping kidney.
  • Nephropexy: Surgical fixation of a floating kidney.
  • ESRD (End-Stage Renal Disease): Final stage of chronic kidney disease requiring dialysis or transplant.
  • Dysuria: Painful or difficult urination.
  • Hemodialysis: Removing waste from the blood using a machine when the kidneys fail.
  • Kegel Exercises: Exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles.
  • Diuretic: Medication that increases urine production.
  • Hyperproteinuria: Excess protein in the urine.
  • Uremia: High levels of urea and other waste products in the blood.
  • Renal Colic: Severe pain caused by kidney stones.
  • Cystolith: Bladder stone.
  • Vesicovaginal Fistula: Abnormal opening between the bladder and vagina.
  • Urethrorrhea: Abnormal discharge from the urethra.
  • Diuresis: Increased production of urine.
  • Incontinence: Inability to control urination.

Nervous System

  • Bipolar Disorder: Mental disorder with alternating periods of mania and depression.
  • Myelosis: Abnormal proliferation of bone marrow cells in the spinal cord.
  • Hypnotic: Drug used to induce sleep.
  • Conversion Disorder: Mental condition where psychological stress causes physical symptoms.
  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS): Progressive neurodegenerative disease affecting motor neurons.
  • Syncope: Fainting or sudden loss of consciousness.
  • Insomnia: Difficulty falling or staying asleep.
  • Electroencephalography (EEG): Recording electrical activity of the brain.
  • Schizophrenia: Chronic brain disorder affecting a person's ability to think, feel, and behave clearly.
  • Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA): Brief interruption of blood flow to the brain, causing stroke-like symptoms.
  • Aphasia: Loss of ability to understand or express speech.
  • Delirium Tremens: Severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms including hallucinations and tremors.
  • Epidural: Injection of anesthetic into the epidural space of the spinal cord.
  • Thalamotomy: Surgical destruction of a small part of the thalamus to treat tremors.
  • Delusion: False belief held despite evidence to the contrary.
  • Concussion: Traumatic brain injury causing temporary loss of brain function.
  • Narcolepsy: Chronic sleep disorder causing overwhelming daytime drowsiness.
  • Hemorrhagic Stroke: Stroke caused by bleeding in the brain.
  • Shaken Baby Syndrome: Brain injury caused by shaking a baby.
  • Stupor: State of near-unconsciousness.
  • Cephalalgia: Headache.
  • Parkinson’s Disease: Progressive disorder of the nervous system affecting movement.
  • Amnesia: Loss of memory.
  • Meningocele: Protrusion of the meninges through a defect in the skull or spine.
  • Hydrocephalus: Buildup of fluid in the brain.

Respiratory System

  • Asthma: Chronic inflammatory disease of the airways causing difficulty breathing.
  • Influenza: Viral infection of the respiratory system (flu).
  • Pharyngitis: Inflammation of the pharynx (sore throat).
  • URI (Upper Respiratory Infection): Infection of the nose, throat, or sinuses.
  • Pleurodynia: Pain in the intercostal muscles.
  • Bronchospasm: Constriction of the airways in the lungs.
  • Empyema: Pus in the pleural cavity.
  • Pertussis: Highly contagious respiratory infection (whooping cough).
  • Laryngospasm: Spasm of the vocal cords causing difficulty breathing.
  • Chronic Bronchitis: Long-term inflammation of the bronchi.
  • Pneumothorax: Air in the pleural cavity, causing lung collapse.
  • Dysphonia: Difficulty speaking.
  • Diphtheria: Serious bacterial infection affecting the mucous membranes of the throat and nose.
  • Atelectasis: Complete or partial collapse of a lung.
  • Bronchiectasis: Chronic widening of the bronchi.
  • Rhinorrhea: Runny nose.
  • Epistaxis: Nosebleed.
  • Tuberculosis: Infectious disease caused by bacteria, usually affecting the lungs.
  • Emphysema: Lung condition causing shortness of breath.
  • Pleurisy: Inflammation of the pleura (lining of the lungs).
  • Croup: Viral infection causing inflammation of the larynx and trachea, common in children.
  • Pyothorax: Pus in the chest cavity.
  • Sinusitis: Inflammation of the sinuses.
  • COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease): Progressive lung disease that blocks airflow.
  • Anthracosis: Accumulation of carbon deposits in the lungs.

Dean Vaughn L9

  • Dyspepsia: Indigestion or impaired digestion.
  • Gangliocytoma: A tumor composed of ganglion cells and neurons.
  • Labial: Pertaining to the lip.
  • Mammoplasty: Surgical repair or reconstruction of the breast.
  • Calcemia: The presence of calcium in the blood.
  • Bradykinesia: Slowness of movement.
  • Geminus: Paired or twinned.
  • Microcephaly: Abnormally small head.

Dean Vaughn L10

  • Hyperdynamia: Excessive force or energy.
  • Neuropathy: Disease or dysfunction of one or more peripheral nerves.
  • Maxillectomy: Surgical removal of the maxilla (upper jaw bone).
  • Posterolateral: Situated behind and to the side.
  • Semilunar: Half-moon shaped.
  • Amebic: Relating to or caused by amebas.
  • Adynamia: Lack of strength or energy; weakness.
  • Metritis: Inflammation of the uterus.
  • Dysneuria: Painful or difficult nerve function.
  • Phacocele: Herniation of the lens of the eye into the anterior chamber.

Dean Vaughn L11

  • Antepartum: Before childbirth (referring to the mother).
  • Infracostal: Below the ribs.
  • Lienal: Pertaining to the spleen.
  • Puerpera: A woman who has just given birth.
  • Cryotherapy: Therapeutic use of cold.
  • Interosseous: Located between bones.
  • Lalopathy: Any disorder of speech.
  • Somnolence: Sleepiness or drowsiness.

Dean Vaughn L12

  • Birhinia: Having two noses or nasal cavities.
  • Colopexy: Surgical fixation of the colon.
  • Ileocystoplasty: Surgical enlargement of the bladder using a portion of the ileum.
  • Ovariocentesis: Puncture and aspiration of an ovary.
  • Bronchial: Pertaining to the bronchi.
  • Esophagoptosis: Prolapse or downward displacement of the esophagus.
  • Pelviotomy: Division of the pelvic bone.
  • Tripod: Having three feet or supports.

Dean Vaughn L13

  • Capitopedal: Pertaining to the head and foot.
  • Osteoclasis: Surgical fracture or refracture of a bone.
  • Eucholia: Normal bile.
  • Inferolateral: Situated below and to the side.
  • Brachymetropia: Nearsightedness (myopia).
  • Olfactory: Pertaining to the sense of smell.
  • Pachydermia: Abnormal thickening of the skin.
  • Schizophrenia: A severe mental disorder characterized by disturbances in thought, perception, emotion, and behavior.

Dean Vaughn L14

  • Angioblastoma: Tumor arising from blood vessels.
  • Leptodactyly: Abnormally slender digits (fingers or toes).
  • Mesonasal: Situated in the middle of the nose.
  • Necrosis: Death of cells or tissues.
  • Eurycephalous: Having a broad head.
  • Metaplasia: Transformation of one cell type to another.
  • Percutaneous: Performed through the skin.
  • Xerocheilia: Dryness of the lips.