Term | Definition |
myocardium | the heart muscle, which includes nerves and blood vessels |
pericardial | adjective form of pericardium |
pericardial cavity | the subcavity of the thoracic cavity in which the heart is enclosed |
pericardial sac | another lining of the pericardium closes to the heart |
pericardium | serous membrane lining the pericardial cavity |
pulmonary semilunar valve | valve connecting the right ventricle and the lungs |
right atrioventricular valve | valve connecting the right atrium to the right ventricle |
septa | tin wall that separates cavities or masses; in the heart, septa separate the right atrium from the left atrium and the right ventricle from the left ventricle |
troponin | a protein that is release into the bloodstream when a heart attack occurs |
ventricle | two of the four heart chambers, composed of the right ventricle and left ventricle |
arrhythmia | abnormal rhythm; irregular heartbeat |
atriomegaly | enlargement of an atrium |
bradycardia | abnormally slow heartbeat |
cardiac arrest | cessation of heart activity |
cardiodynia | heart pain |
cardiomalacia | softening of the heart |
cardiomegaly | enlargement of the heart |
cardiomyopathy | disease of the heart muscle |
cardiopathy | any heart disease |
cardiorrhexis | rupture in the wall of the heart |
carditis | inflammation of the heart |
endocarditis | inflammation of the endocardium |
myocardial infarction | heart attack |
myocarditis | inflammation of the heart muscle |
pericarditis | inflammation of the pericardium |
tachycardia | abnormally rapid heartbeat |
vavulitis | inflammation of a heart valve |
cardiogram | a graphic trace of heart functions |
myocardiograph | a machine to electrically measure heart functions |
ventriculoscopy | looking at heart ventricles with an endoscope |
cardiologist | heart specialist |
cardiology | medical specialty dealing with the heart |
atrioseptoplasty | surgical repair of an atrial septum |
cardiomyoplasty | surgical procedure that involves engaging the latissimus dorsi muscle to stimulate the heart |
cardiorrhaphy | suturing of the wall of the heart |
cardiotomy | incision into the HEART or incision into the cardia of the STOMACH |
pericardiorrhaphy | suturing of the pericardium |
pericardiotomy | incision into the pericardium |
vavoplasty | surgical repair of a heart valve |
valvotomy | surgical removal of a blocked heart valve (stenosis of a heart valve) by cutting into it |
ventriculoplasty | surgical repair of a heart ventricle |
atrial | adjectival form of atrium |
cardiac | relating to the heart |
cardiogenic | adjective describing something originating in the heart |
ventricular | adjectival form of ventricle |
albumins | one of the three main blood plasma proteins; globulins and fibrinogens are the other two |
antibodies | also called immunoglobulins; a common blood protein |
aorta | the main trunk of the systemic arterial system |
arteries | the largest of the blood vessels |
arterioles | the smallest arteries that connect with the capillaries |
azygos vein | a vein that connects the brachiocephalic veins with the superior vena cava |
brachiocephalic trunk | one of three major conducting arteries branching from the aortic arch |
brachiocephalic veins | vein connecting the azygos vein to veins of the head, neck, shoulder, and arms |
capillaries | the smallest of the blood vessels |
cholesterol | a fat-soluble steroid alcohol found in animal tissues and in food; consists of both HDL and LDL varieties |
conducting arteries | the largest of the arteries and nearest the heart |
digital veins | veins in the fingers and toes |
elastic arteries | another term for conducting arteries |
erythrocytes | red blood cells; abbreviated RBC |
femoral veins | veins in the legs |
fibrinogens | one of the three main blood plasma proteins; globulins and albumins are the other two. |
formed elements | phrase used to refer collectively to the red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets in the blood |
globulins | one of the three main blood plasma proteins; albumins and fibrinogens are the other two |
gonadal veins | veins in the reproductive system |
great cerebral vein | vein of the cranium |
hemoglobin | the protein that gives blood its red color; abbreviated Hb |
hepatic veins | veins that drain the liver |
immunoglobulins | also called antibodies; a common blood protein |
inferior vena cava | large vein that collects blood from the smaller veins of the lower body |
internal jugular vein | a vein in the neck that runs alongside the common carotid artery |
left common carotid artery | one of three major conducting arteries branching from the aortic arch |
left subclavian artery | one of three major conducting arteries branching from the arotic arch |
leukocytes | white blood cells; abbreviated WBC |
lipoproteins | a common blood protein |
lumbar veins | veins in the lower back |
muscular arteries | medium-size arteries that connect the conducting arteries and teh arterioles |
plasma | as differentiated from its non-medical context, the yellow fluid that makes up a bit more than half of whole blood by volume |
platelets | smallest of the formed elements; important in the coagulation process |
renal veins | veins in the kidneys |
right common carotid artery | one of two conducting arteries attached to the brachiocephalic trunk |
right subclavian artery | one of two conducting arteries attached to the brachiocephalic trunk |
superior vena cava | large vein that collects blood from the smaller veins of the upper body |
tibial veins | veins in the legs |
venae cavae | the superior vena cava and the inferior vena cava, taken together |
veins | the blood vessels that return blood from the tissues to the heart |
vertebral veins | veins flowing from the upper spinal area into the brachiocephalic veins |
aneurysm | a localized dilation of an artery, cardiac chamber, or other vessel |
angiitis | inflammation of a vessel |
angiopathy | any disease of blood vessels |
angiospasm | spasm in blood vessels |
angiostenosis | narrowing of a blood vessel |
arteriolitis | inflammation of an arteriole |
arteriopathy | any disease of the arteries |
arteriorrhexis | rupture of an artery |
arteriosclerosis | hardening of the arteries |
arteriospasm | spasm of an artery |
arteriostenosis | narrowing of an artery |
arteritis | inflammation of an artery or arteries |
hemolysis | change or destruction of red blood cells |
hemopathy | any disease of the blood |
hemophilia | congenital disorder affecting the coagulation process |
hemorrhage | discharge of blood |
hemorrhagic fever | category of diseases that include a number of viral diseases, one of which is Ebola fever. |
vasculitis | inflammation of a vessel |
vasculopathy | any disease of blood vessles |
vasocontriction | narrowing of the arteries |
vasodilation | the widening of the arteries |
vasoparalysis | paralysis of blood vessels |
vasoparesis | similar to but less severe than vasoparalysis |
vasospasm | spasm in blood vessels |
angiogram | printed record obtained through angiography |
angiography | radiography of a blood vessel after injection of a contrast medium |
angioplasty | surgical repair of a blood vessel |
angiorrhaphy | suturing of a vessel |
angiotomy | incision of a blood vessel |
arterioplasty | surgical repair of an artery |
arteriorrhaphy | suturing of an artery |
arteriotomy | incision of an artery |
angiogenic | originating in a blood vessel |
angioid | resembling blood vessels |
angina pectoris | pain in the chest |
arteriovenous | adjectival form of "arteries and veins" |
atherosclerosis | the most common form of arteriosclerosis |
basophil | a white blood cell with granules that stain with basic dyes |
eosinophil | a white blood cell that stains with certain dyes |
hemolytic | adjective form of hemolysis |
lymphocyte | a white blood cell formed in lymphatic tissue |
monocyte | a relatively large white blood cell |
neutrophil | a mature white blood cell normally constituting more than half of the total number of leukocytes |
phagocyte | a white blood cell capable of ingesting bacteria and other foreign matter |
vascular | adjectival form of vessel |
venous | adjectival form of vein |
alveoli | small cavities in which oxygen is removed from the air delivered by the bronchioles |
apex | word used to describe the upper tip of each lung |
base | word used to describe the bottom of each lung |
bronchi | tubes branching off from the trachea and into the lungs |
bronchiole | very small branches of bronchi that extend into the lungs |
diaphragm | muscular partition at the base of the thoracic cavity |
epiglottis | a mucous membrane-covered, leaf-shaped piece of cartilage at the root of the tongue |
larynx | vocal cords, voice box |
nasal | adjective referring to the nose |
pharynx | passageway just below the nasal cavity and mouth |
phrenic | adjective referring to the diaphragm; synonymous with diaphragmatic |
pulmonary | adjective frequently used to modify another term in or associated with the lungs |
trachea | windpipe |
apnea | absence of breathing |
asthma | a lung disease characterized by reversible inflammation and constriction |
bronchial pneumonia | inflammation of the smaller bronchial tubes |
bronchioloites | inflammation of the bronchioles |
bronchiostenosis | narrowing of the bronchial tubes |
bronchitis | inflammation of the mucous membrane of the bronchial tubes |
bronchiomalacia | degeneration or softening of the bronchi |
bronchopneumonia | inflammation of the smaller bronchial tubes |
bronchorrhea | excessive mucus production by a bonchus |
bronchospasm | abnormal contraction of bronchi |
bronchostenosis | chronic narrowing of a bronchus |
dyspna | difficult breathing |
emphysema | condition in which the alveoli are inefficient because of distension |
laryngitis | inflammation of the larynx |
laryngospasm | involuntary contraction of the larynx |
laryngostenosis | a narrowing of the larynx |
pharyngitis | inflammation of the pharynx |
pharyngocele | a hernia or diverticulum in the pharynx |
pharyngoplegia | paralysis of pharynx |
pharynogospasm | involuntary contraction of the pharynx |
pharyngostenosis | narrowing of the pharynx |
phrenalgia | pain in the diaphragm |
pneumolith | calculus in a lung |
pneumonia | inflammation of a lung caused by infection, chemical inhalation, or trauma |
rhinalgia | pain in the nose |
rhinitis | inflammation of the inner lining of the nasal cavity |
rhinalgia | pain in the nose |
rhinitis | inflammation of te inner lining of the nasal cavity |
rhinodynia | rhinalgia; pain in the nose |
rhinopathy | any disease of the nose |
rhinorrhea | discharge from the rhinal mucous membrane |
rhinostenosis | narrowing or obstruction occurring in the nasal passages |
sinusitis | inflammation of the respiratory sinuses |
tracheitis | inflammation of the trachea |
tracheomalacia | softening of tracheal tissue |
tracheomegaly | abnormal dilation of the trachea |
tracheorrhagia | hemorrhage of the trachea |
tracheostenosis | abnormal narrowing of the trachea |
angiogram | printed record obtained through angiography |
bronchoscope | a device for visually inspecting the interior of a bronchus |
bronchoscopy | inspection using a bronchoscope |
laryngoscope | instrument with a light at the tip to aid in visual inspection of the larynx |
laryngoscopy | visual inspection of the larynx with the aid of laryngoscope |
pharyngoscope | instrument with a light at the tip to aid in the visual inspection of the pharynx |
pharyngoscopy | visual inspection of the pharynx with aid of pharyngoscope |
rhinoscope | a small mirror with a thin handle; used in rhinoscopy |
rhinoscopy | visual inspection of the nasal areas |
bronchoplasty | surgical repair of a bronchus |
bronchorrhaphy | suturing of a bronchus |
bronchotomy | incision into a bronchus |
laryngectomy | excision of the larynx |
laryngoplasty | surgical repair of the larynx |
laryngotomy | incision into the larynx |
pharyngoplasty | surgical repair of the pharynx |
pharyngotomy | surgical incision into the pharynx |
pneumonectomy | removal of pulmonary lobes from a lung |
pneumonopexy | surgical fixation of a lung |
pneumonorrhaphy | suturing of a lung |
pneumonotomy | incision into a lung |
rhinoplasty | surgery performed on the nose |
rhinotomy | surgical incision into the nose |
sinusotomy | incision into the sinus |
tracheoplasty | surgical repair of the trachea |
tracheotomy | incision into the trachea for the purpose of restoring airflow to the lungs |
laryngology | branch of medical study concerned with the larynx and diagnosis and treatment of its diseases |
rhinologist | one who specializes in the study, diagnosis, and treatment of abnormal conditions of the nose |
rhinology | branch of medical study concerned with the nose and diagnosis and treatment of its diseases |
atelectasis | reduction or absence of air in part or all of a lung, resulting in loss of lung volume |
pertussis | an acute infectious inflammation of the larnyx, trachea, and bronchi caused by Bordetella pertussis |
tuberculosis | disease caused by presence of Mycobacterium turberculosis, most commonly affecting the lungs |
antibody | a molecule generated in specific opposition to an antigen |
antigen | substance that induces sensitivity or an immune response in teh form of antibodies |
autoimmunity | literally, immune to oneself |
B cell | lymphocytes that work with T cells to fight off infection |
leukocyte | white blood cell |
lymph | fluid that flows through the lymphatic system; adjective synonymous with lymphatic |
lymph duct | another term for lymph vessel |
lymph gland | a large lymph node |
lymph node | structures of variable size that contain macrophages that filter out disease-causing antigens and other debris as the lymph flows through |
lymph vessel | vessel (or duct)within the lymphatic system |
lymphatic system | collectively, the vessels, nodes, and capillaries that carry the lymph and its disease-fighting cells to the areas in which they are needed |
lymphocyte | white blood cell in the lymphatic system |
macrophage | large phagocyte |
microphage | small phagocyte |
NK cell | type of lymphocyte; natural killer |
perforin | protein that NK cells use to kill invading cells |
phagocyte | white blood cells that clear away pathogens and debris |
right lymphatic duct | large lymph vessel |
spleen | immune system organ that gets rid of damaged red blood cells and reclaims and stores iron |
T cell | cells that make up about 80% of lymphocytes; the T denotes their work with the thymus |
thoracic duct | large lymph vessel located in the chest area |
thymosin | hormone secreted by the thymus that helps create T cells |
thyum | immune system gland located behind the sternum |
tonsil | collection of lymph tissue; in common understanding, the lingual, pharyngeal, and (especially) the palatine tonsils |
immunodeficiency | impairment of the immune system |
lymphadenopathy | chronic or excessively swollen lymph nodes; any disease of the lymph nodes |
lymphadenitis | inflammation of a lymph node or nodes |
lymphangitis | inflammation of lymph vessels |
lymphatitis | inflammation of the lymph vessels or nodes |
lymphoma | tumor of lymph tissue |
lymphopathy | disease f the lymph vessels or nodes |
splenitis | inflammation of the spleen |
splenomalacia | softening of the spleen |
splenomegaly | enlargement of the spleen |
splenopathy | any disease of the spleen |
splenorrhagia | hemorrhage from a ruptured spleen |
thymitis | infalmmation of the thymus |
tonsillitis | inflammation of a tonsil |
lymphangiography | radiography of the lymph vessels |
immunologist | a medical practitioner specializing in the immune system |
immunology | the medical specialty dealing with the immune system |
lymphadenectomy | excision of lymph nodes |
lymphgiectomy | excision of a lymph vessel |
lymphangioplasty | surgical repair of lymph vessels |
lymphangiotomy | incision of lymph vessels |
splenectomy | excision of the spleen |
splenorrhaphy | suture of a ruptured spleen |
splenotomy | incision of the spleen |
thymectomy | excision of the thymus |
tonsillectomy | excision of a tonsil |
tonsillotomy | incision of a tonsil |
allergen | an allergy-producing substance |
immunosuppressant | something that interferes with the immune system |
inflammation | redness and irritation caused by injury or abnormal stimulation by a physical, chemical, or biologic agent |
pathogen | substance that produces disease |
phagocytosis | process of white blood cells clearing away pathogens and debris |
reaction | an action of an antibody on a specific antigen; also, in reference to immune responses, an abnormal or unwanted reaction |
toxin | a poisonous substance |