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A Short Course

Glossary of Medical Terms

Question	Answer
Abdomen	Space below the chest that contains organs such as the stomach, liver, intestines, and gallbladder. The abdomen lies between the diaphragm & the pelvis.
Abdominal )	Pertaining to the abdomen.
Abdominal cavity	Pertaining to the abdomen.
abnormal	Pertaining to being away (AB-) from the norm; irregular.
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome or AIDS	Suppression or deficiency of the immune response caused by exposure to the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
Acromegaly	Enlargement of extremities as a result of thickening of the bones and soft tissues; it is caused by excessive secretion of growth hormone from the pituitary gland (after completion of puberty).
Acute	Sharp, sudden, and intense for a short period of time.
Acute myocardial ischemia	Sudden decrease in blood flow to heart muscle.
Adenectomy	The removal of a gland.
Adenitis	Inflammation of a gland
Adenocarcinoma	Cancerous tumor derived from glandular cells.
Adenoidectomy	Removal of the adenoids.
Adenoids	Enlarged lymphatic tissue in the upper part of the throat near the nasal passageways.
Adenoma	Benign tumor of glandular cells.
Adenopathy	Disease of glands. Often this term refers to enlargement of lymph nodes (which are not true glands, but collections of lymphatic tissue).
Adnexa uteri	Accessory structures of the uterus (ovaries and fallopian tubes).
Adrenal cortex	Outermost part of the adrenal gland. The adrenal cortex secretes steroid hormones such as Glucocorticoids (cortisone).
Adrenal glands	Two endocrine glands,each above a kidney. The adrenal glands produce hormones such as adrenalin (epinephrine) and hydrocortisone (cortisol).
Adrenalectomy	Removal (excision) of adrenal glands.
Adrenaline	Hormone secreted by the adrenal glands. It is released into the bloodstream in response to stress, such as from fear or physical injury. Also called epinephrine.
Adrenocorticotropic hormone	Hormone secreted by the pituitary gland. It stimulates the adrenal gland (cortex or outer region) to secrete the hormone cortisone. Also called ACTH.
Adrenopathy	Disease of Adrenal Glands.
AIDS	Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
Air sacs	Thin-walled sacs within the lung. Inhaled oxygen passes into the blood from the sacs, and carbon dioxide passes out from the blood into the sacs to be exhaled.
Albuminuria	Albumin (protein) in the urine; it indicates a malfunction of the kidneys.
Alkaline phosphatase.	An enzyme present in blood and body tissues, such as bone and liver. Elevated in diseases such as those of bone and liver. Also called alk phos.
Allergist	Medical doctor specializing in identifying and treating abnormal sensitivity to substances such as pollen, dust, foods, and drugs.
Alopecia	Loss of hair; baldness.
ALT	Alanine transferase, an enzyme normally found in blood and tissues, especially the liver. ALT is elevated in liver disease. (Formerly called SGPT)
Alveolar	Pertaining to air sac within the lung (plural: alveoli)
Alveolus	An air sac within the lung (pleural: alveoli).
Alzheimer disease	Deterioration of mental capacity (irreversible dementia) marked by intellectual deterioration, disorganization of personality, and difficulties in carrying out tasks of daily living.
Amenorrhea	Absence of menstrual periods.
Amniocentesis	Surgical puncture to remove fluid from the amnion (sac surrounding the developing fetus).
Anal	Pertaining to the anus (opening of the rectum to the outside of the body).
Analgesic	Medication that reduces or eliminates pain.
Analysis	Separating a substance into its component parts.
Anastomosis	New surgical connection between two previously unconnected bowel parts, vessels, or ducts.
Androgen	Hormone that controls the development of masculine characteristics. An example is Testosterone.
Anemia	Deficiency of hemoglobin and/or in number of red blood cells, which results in reduced oxygen to body cells. Literally, anemia means lacking (AN-) in blood (-EMIA).
Anemic	Pertaining to anemia.
Anesthesiologist	Medical doctor specializing in administering agents capable of bringing about loss of sensation and consciousness.
Anesthesiology	Study of how to administer agents capable of bringing about loss of sensation and consciousness.
Aneurysm	Localized widening of the wall of an artery, of a vein, or of the heart. From the Greek aneurysma meaning "widening."
Angina	Sharp pain in the chest resulting from a decrease in blood supply to heart muscle. Also called angina pectoris (PECT/O means chest).
Angiography	X-ray recording of blood vessels after contrast is injected.
Angioplasty	Surgical repair of a blood vessel. A catheter is placed in a clogged artery and a balloon at the end is inflated to flatten the clogged material against the wall allowing more blood flow. Also called balloon angioplasty.
Angiotensin	Hormone that is a powerful vasoconstrictor and raises blood pressure.
Ankylosing spondylitis	Chronic inflammation of the vertebrae (backbones) with stiffening of spinal joints so that movement becomes increasingly painful.
Ankylosis	Stiffening and immobility of a joint caused by injury, disease, or a surgical procedure.
Anomaly	Irregularity; a deviation from the normal. A congenital anomaly (irregularity) is present at birth.
Antenatal	Before birth.
Antepartum	Before birth.
Anterior	Located in the front (of the body or of a structure).
Antiandrogen	Substance that inhibits the effects of androgens (male hormones).
Antiarrhythmic	Pertaining to a drug that works against or prevents abnormal heartbeats (arrhythmias).
Antibiotic	Pertaining to a substance that works against germ or bacterial life.
Antibody	A substance that works against (ANTI-) germs ("bodies" of infection). Antibodies are produced by white blood cells when germs (antigens) enter the bloodstream.
Anticoagulant	Drug that prevents clotting (coagulation). Anticoagulants are given when there is danger of clot formation in blood vessels, as may happen after a heart attack.
Anticonvulsant	Drug that prevents or relieves convulsions (involuntary muscular contractions).
Antidepressant	Drug used to prevent or treat depression.
Antidiabetic	Drug that prevents or relieves symptoms of diabetes.
Antiestrogen	Substance that inhibits the effects of estrogens (female hormones).
Antifungal	Drug that destroys or inhibits the growth of fungi (organisms such as yeasts, molds, and mushrooms).
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.
Antihistamine	Drug used to counteract the effects of histamine production in allergic reactions and colds.
Antihypertensive	Drug that reduces high blood pressure.
Antitubercular	Agent or drug used to treat tuberculosis.
Antiviral	Agent that inhibits and prevents the growth and reproduction of viruses.
Anuria	Lack of urine formation by the kidneys.
Anus	Opening of the rectum to the surface of the body; solid wastes (feces) leave the body through the anus.
Aorta	Largest artery, which leads from the lower left chamber of the heart to arteries all over the body.
Aortic stenosis	Narrowing of the aorta.
Apex	Pointed end of an organ.
Aphakia	Absence of the lens of the eye.
Aphasia.	Absence or impairment of communication through speech.
Apnea	Not (A-) able to breath (-PNEA); temporary stoppage of breathing. In sleep apnea, during sleep, a person is momentarily unable to contract respiratory muscles & maintain air flow through the nose & mouth.
Appendectomy	Removal of the appendix.
Appendicitis	Inflammation of the appendix.
Appendix	Small sac that hangs from the juncture of the small and large intestines in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen. Its function is unknown.
Areola	Dark, pigmented area around the nipple of the breast.
Arrhythmia	Abnormal heart rhythm.
Arteriography	Process of recording (x-ray)of arteries after injecting contrast material.
Arteriole	Small artery.
Arteriolitis	Inflammation of small arteries (arterioles).
Arteriosclerosis	Hardening of arteries. The most common form is atherosclerosis, which is hardening of arteries caused by collection of fatty, cholesterol-like deposits (plaque) in arteries.
Arteriovenous fistula	An abnormal communication between an artery and a vein. It can also be created surgically to provide access for hemodialysis.
Artery	Largest blood vessel. Arteries carry blood away from the heart.
Arthralgia	Pain in a joint.
Arthritis	Inflammation of a joint.
Arthrocentesis	Surgical puncture to remove fluid from a joint.
Arthrogram	X-ray record of a joint.
Arthropathy	Disease of joints.
Arthroplasty	Surgical repair of a joint, especially to restore mobility in osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis.
Arthroscope	Instrument used to examine the inside of a joint.
Arthroscopy	Process of visual examination of a joint.
Arthrosis	Abnormal condition of a joint.
Ascites	Abnormal collection of fluid in the abdomen.
Asphyxia	Deficiency of oxygen in the blood and increase in carbon dioxide in blood and tissues. Major symptom is a complete absence of breathing.
AST

Created by: Laura Duncan

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