Medical Terms

Description:	A & E Support 13/07 - Stack 113178
Category:	Paramedic/EMT
Created by:	Paul Wakefield on 2008-01-12

Questions	Answers
Abscess ?	Localised formation of PUS in a TISSUE, ORGAN or confined space.
Abortion ?	Discharge of the Foetus before it is capable of independant life.
Acidosis ?	An Acid IMBALANCE in the Body : Respiratory Acidosis - Excess of Carbon Dioxide, Metabolic Acidosis - Excess of Lactic Acid.
Acute (of Disease) ?	Severe, Rapidly Developing, or of sudden onset.
Adduction ?	Movement towards the midline of the body.
Amnesia ?	Loss of Memory.
Amputee ?	A patient who has suffered the loss of one or more limbs.
Anaemia ?	A Deficiency of Haemoglobin in the Blood.
Angina (Pectoris) ?	Condition of Gripping Pain associated with Disease of the Arteries of the Heart.
Anoxia ?	Absence of Oxygen.
Antenatal ?	Before Birth.
Antepartum Haemorrhage ?	Bleeding from the Vagina in late Pregnancy.
Anterior ?	In Front of, further forward.
Antibody ?	Substance produced in the body as a Defence against the presence of a specific foreign substance.
Antitoxin ?	Substance capable of Neutralising a given Toxin.
Aphonia ?	Loss of Voice.
Asphyxia ?	Suffocation caused not only by Smothering, but by any condition that prevents Oxygen being taken up by the Blood.
Asthma ?	Spasms of Difficult Breathing accompanied by a sence of Suffocation or Tightness of the Chest.
Asystole ?	Cessation of Cardiac Activity evidenced by a straight line ECG.
Ausculation ?	Techniques of Listening for & Interpreting Sounds that occur within the Body with a Stethoscope.
Autonomic Nervous System ?	That part of the Nervous System which Regulates the Functions of the Internal Organs independently of the will power.
Bacterium (PL Bacteria) ?	Type of Germ.
Benign ?	Not tending to Grow Worse or Recur, Non-Malignant.
Bradycardia ?	Abnormally Low Heart Rate Contractions & consequent slow Pulse below 60bpm. Absolute Bradycardia is less than 40bpm.
Breech Delivery ?	A Birth where the Infant's Buttocks appear 1st insted of the head.
Bright's Disease ?	A Disease of the Kidneys.
Bronchitis ?	Inflammation of the Bronchial Tubes.
Callus ?	A new Growth of Bony Tissue around a Fracture.
Cancer ?	A Maliignant Growth.
Carcinoma ?	Form of Cancer.
Cardiac ?	Relating to the Heart.
Cardiovascular ?	Relating to the Heart & Cirulatory System.
Central Nervous System ?	The Brain & Spinal Cord.
Cerebral ?	Relating to the Brain.
Cerebrovascular Accident ?	Stroke.
Chemotherapy ?	The Treatment of disease, usually Cancer,by drugs.
Cholecystectomy ?	The Removal of the Gall Bladder.
Cholecystitis ?	Inflammation of the Gall Bladder.
Chronic (of disease) ?	Lasting a Long Time.
Circumduction ?	Circular Movement of a Limb.
Collapse ?	Severe Sudden Prostration; Sagging of an Organ of falling together of its walls.
Colles Fracture ?	Of the Radius at the Wrist, typically produces a dinner fork defromity.
Colic ?	Severe gripping Pain.
Colitis ?	Inflammation of the Colon.
Coma ?	Compleate Unconsciousness.
Congenital ?	Present from Birth.
Contagious ?	Communicated by bodily contact.
Contrecoup Haemorrhage ?	Bleeding which occurs within the Skull on the Opposite side of the Skull.
Coronary Thrombosis ?	Blockage of one of the Arteries which supply the Heart Muscle with blood.
Cortex ?	The Outer Layer of an Organ.
Crackles ?	Coarse or fine sounds heard through a Stethoscope which would signify Alveolar Malfunction.
Cranial ?	Relating to the Skull.
Cyanosis ?	Dusky Bluish Tinge to the Skin due to Lack of Oxygen.
Cyst ?	A Hollow Swelling containing Fluid or soft material.
Cystitis ?	Inflammation of the Urinary Bladder.
Death ?	The state in which, in the opinion of a Doctor, life is extinct.
Debility ?	Weakness.
Defibrillation ?	Correction of Ventricular Fibrillation by Electric Shock.
Degenerative ?	Involving Deterioration of a Tissue or Organ.
Dermatitis ?	Inflammation of the Skin.
Dermatology ?	The Study of the Skin & its Disease.
Diabetes Mellitus ?	Disease caused by Insulin Deficiency.
Diarrhoea ?	A Persistant Lossening of the Bowels.
Diastole ?	The resting period between Heartbeats when Blood flows into the Heart.
Diptheria ?	An Infectious Disease caused by a Bacillus attacking the Mucous Membrane of the Throat.
Discharge ?	Substance leaving the body. An in-patient who is been sent home.
Disinfection ?	Destruction of Germs.
Disinfestation ?	Cleaning from Lice, Fleas, or other Parasites.
Dropsy ?	Excess Fluid in the Tissues, especially the Legs.
Dysentery ?	Inflammation of the Large Intestine resulting in frequent Bloodstained Motions.
Dysphagia ?	Interference with the act of Swallowing.
Dyspnoea ?	Difficult or Laboured Breathing.
Eclampsia ?	Fits which may occur when patient is suffering from Toxaemia of Pregnancy.
Eczema ?	An Irritating Eruption of the skin.
Electro-Cardiogram (ECG) ?	A tracing of the Heart's Action made by recording its Electrical Activity.
Electro-Convulsive Treatment (ECT) ?	Treatment of Mental Disorders by passing Electric Shocks through the Brain whilst the patient is Anaesthetised.
Electro-Encephalograph (EEG) ?	A machine recording the Rhythmical Changes of the Electric Potential of the Brain caused by the Discharges of Energy by Nerve Cells.
Embolism ?	Blockage of a Blood Vessel by a Blood Clot, an Air Bubble, Fat or a Foreign Body originating from elsewhere in the body.
Emphysema ?	The Abnormal Presence of an Air in Tissues or Cavities in the body.
Encephhalitis ?	Inflamation of the Brain.
Endemic ?	Occuring Repeatedly in a Particular Place.
Endocarditis ?	Inflammation of the Lining of the Heart.
Endocrine ?	Secreating within. Applied to those Glands whose secreations (Hormones) flow directly into the Blood.
Enteritis ?	Inflammation of the Bowels.
Entonox ?	An Analggesic mixture of Nitrous Oxide & Oxygen to give relief to patients in Severe Pain.
Epidemic ?	An Infectious Disease which Attacks a large number of people in a locality at the same time.
Epilepsy ?	Convulsive Fits caused by a Disorder of the Brain.
Epistaxis ?	Nose Bleed.
Eversion ?	Turning Outwards.
Excreta ?	The natural Discharges from the body: Feaces, Urine & Sweat.
Exhalation ?	The act of breathing out.
Extension ?	A pull applied to a fracture, dislocated or contracted limb to keep it straight.
External ?	Outer.
Exudate ?	Accumulation of Fluid in body Tissue or Cavities.
Faeces ?	The discharge from the bowels.
Fever ?	A rise in body Temperature.
Fibrillation ?	Uncoordinated Contraction of Muscle Fibres in the Heart.
Fistula ?	Abnormal passage from one Internal Cavity to another or to the Surface.
Flowmeter ?	Gauge attached to the outlet of a gas cylinder to indicate the rate of flow of the gas in litres per minute.
Foetus ?	An unbord child, after the end of the third month of pregnancy.
Fomites ?	Articles (eg clothing, bedding, books,etc) which have been used by a patient suffering from Contagious Disease & are capable of Transmitting it.
Gangrene ?	Death of Tissues due to failure of its Blood Supply.
Gas Gangrene ?	Gangrene associated with Infection by an Aerobic Gas producing Germ.
Gastric ?	Relating to the Stomach.
Gastro-Enteritis ?	Inflammation of the Stomach & Intestines.
Glandular Fever ?	An Infectious Disease charicterised by Fever & the Enlargement & Tenderness of the Lymphatic Glands.
Glaucoma ?	Disease of the Eye.
Glyceril Trinitrate ?	A Substance given to Increase the Coronary Blood flow by causing Coronary Artery Vasodilation.
Haematemesis ?	Vomiting Blood from the Stomach.
Haematology ?	The Study of Blood & Diseases of the Blood.
Haematoma ?	A Swelling filled with Blood: a Bruise.
Haematuria ?	Blood in the Urine.
Haemodialysis ?	Blood Filtering by use of Kidney machine.
Haemophillia ?	An Inherited Disease in which the Blood lacks the power to Clot.
Haemoptysis ?	Coughing up Blood.
Haemorrhage ?	Bleeding.
Haemothorax ?	Bleeding in the Chest Cavity.
Hemiplegia ?	Paralysis of one side of the body.
Hepatic ?	Relating to the Liver.
Hepatitis ?	Inflammation of the Liver.
Hereditary ?	Transmitted from on's Forebears.
Hernia ?	Rupture.
Herpes Zoster ?	Shingles.
Hodgkin's Disease ?	Malignant Disease of Lymphoid Tissue.
Hydrocephalus ?	Enlargement of the Ventricles of the Brain.
Hygiene ?	The Science of Preserving Health.
Hyperemesis ?	Excessive Vomiting.
Hyperglycaemia ?	Excessive Sugar in the Blood - a feature of Diabetes Mellitus.
Hyperpyrexia ?	Excessiely High Body Temperature (over 40'C)
Hypoglycaemia ?	Low Blood Sugar.
Hypothermia ?	Excessively Low Body Temperature (below 35'C)
Hysterectomy ?	Surgical removal of the Womb.
Ilness ?	Any condition, Mental or Physical, requiring treatment or nursing.
Immunisation ?	Introduction of a Substance into the Body in order to Prodeuce Immunity.
Immunity ?	The Ability of the Body to Resist Infection by a Specific Disease.
Impetigo ?	Acute Contagious Sptty Inflammation of the Skin.
Incontinent ?	Unable to control the passage of faeces or urine or both.
Infarct ?	An area of Dead Tissue in an Organ, caused by Obstruction of an Artery.
Infectious Disease ?	A Disease which can be Passed from person to person, directly or indirectly.
Inferior ?	Lower.
Infusion ?	The introduction of Fluid (eg Blood, Saline solution, Dextrose) into the Body Intravenously.
Ingestion ?	The process of taking food into the body through the mouth.
Inhalation ?	The act of breathing in.
Inoculation ?	Immunisation.
Insulin ?	Endocrine Secretion of the Pancreas which regulates Sugar Mtabolism.
Intubation ?	The Introduction of a Tube through the Larynx into the Trachea to maintain a clear, protected Airway.
Ischaemia ?	Deficiency of Blood in a part of the body.
Isolation ?	Separation from the other people of a person suffering from infectious disease.
Jaundice ?	Yellow Discolouration of the Skin. Disease causing this Discolouration.
Laryngectomy ?	A person who has had total or partial surgical Removal of the Larynx.
Larynx ?	Voice Box.
Lateral ?	Relating to the side;away from the Midline.
Lesion ?	An Injury, Wound or structural change in an Organ.
Leukaemia ?	A Disease of the Blood charicterised by an Increase of White Blood Cells.
Lumbage ?	Pain in the small of the Back.
Lumbar ?	Pertaing to the Loins.
Malignant ?	Reccurrent or Incurable & tending to become increasingly severe.
Medial ?	Near the Midline.
Median ?	On the Midline.
Meninges ?	The Three Membranes covering the Brain & Spinal Cord.
Meningitis ?	Inflammation ot the Meninges.
Metabolisim ?	The process of Transfoming Foodstuffs & Oxygen into Body Tissue, Energy & Waste Products.
Miscarriage ?	Abortion; the Expulsion of the Foetus before the 28th week of Pregnancy.
Monoplegia ?	Paralysis of One Limb.
Mucus Extractor ?	An Instument for Withdrawing Mucus from the Air Passages, usually in newborn babies.
Multiple Sclerosis ?	Disseminated Sclerosis.
Narcosis ?	A state of Unconsciousness produced by a Narcotic Drug.
Neoplasm ?	An Abnrmal Formation of New Tissue.
Nephritis ?	Inflammation of the Kidney.
Nephroma ?	Kidney Tumour.
Neurology ?	The Study of Diseases of the Nervous System.
Neurosurgery ?	Surgery of the Nervous System.
Nitrous Oxide (N2O) ?	Laughing gas; Analgesic Compound known better as Entonox.
Oesophagus ?	The Gullet.
Ophthalmic ?	Relating to the Eye.
Orthopaedic ?	Relating to the Prevention & Treatment of Bone illnesses.
Osteology ?	The Study of Bones.
Osteomyelitis ?	Inflammation of Bone & Marrow.
Paraplegia ?	Paralysis of the Lower Limbs.
Paratyphoid ?	An Infectious Disease resembling Typhoid Fever.
Pathogenic ?	Causing Disease.
Pathology ?	The Study of Diseases. The Examination of Tissues & Body products for evidence of Disease.
Peripheral ?	On the Outside or Outer Edges.
Peritonitis ?	Inflammation of the Lining of the Abdominal Cavity.
Phlebitis ?	Inflammation of a Vein which tends to the Formation of a Blood Clot.
Placenta ?	Afterbirth.
Pleurisy ?	Inflammation of the Covering of the Lungs.
Pneumonia ?	Inflammation of the Lungs.
Poliomyelitis ?	Infectious Disease affecting Central Nervous System, sometimes producing Paralysis.
Post-Natal ?	After the Birth.
Post-Partum ?	After Childbirth.
Posterior ?	Behind.
Prone ?	Lying with the Face Downward.
Psychosomatic ?	Pertaining to the Interaction.
Pulmonary ?	Relating to the Lungs.
Pyelitis ?	Inflammation of the Cavity of the Kidney.
Pyrexia ?	Body Temperature Higher than normal.
Quadriplegia ?	Paralysis of all Four Limbs.
Quinsy ?	An Abscess on the Tonsil.
Rales ?	Abnormal Breath Sounds that usually signal the presence of Fluid in the Lower Airways.
Recumbent ?	Lying Down.
Renal ?	Relating to the Kidney.
Repiratory System ?	The Organs of Breathing.
Retention (of Urine) ?	Inability to pass Urine.
Rhonchi ?	Rattling Respiratory Sounds Usually caused by Secreations in the Bronchial Tubes.
Ringworm ?	Contagious Skin Disease charicterised by Circular Pink Patches.
Rubella ?	German Measles.
Rupture ?	Escape of all or part of an Internal Organ through or between the structures whish contain it (eg protrusion of the Bowels through a small gap in the Abdominal Wall)
Scabies ?	A Contagious Itching Skin Disease caused by a Mite.
Scarletina ?	Scarlet Fever.
Sedation ?	Reduction of Anxiety by the use of Drugs.
Semi-Recumbent ?	In half Sitting Position.
Sepsis ?	Describes the condition of Infection of the Body by Pus-Forming Bacteria.
Shingles ?	Disease in which Small, Painful Blisters are distributed on the Skin along the area of Disturbance of a Nerve due to Infection by Herpes Zoster Virus.
Sinus ?	a Cavity connecting with the Outside of the Body.
Spondylitis ?	Inflammation of the Spine.
Spondylosis ?	Condition in which Spinal Bones Lock.
Sputum ?	Phlegm.
Stoma ?	An Artificially created Opening, such as that made by Tracheostomy.
Systole ?	The Contraction of the Heart, associated with Ejection of Blood.
Tachycardia ?	Abnormally Rapid Heart action resulting in Rapid Pulse.
Tachypnoea ?	Rapid Respirations.
Tetraplegia ?	Paralysis of all Four Limbs.
Therapy ?	Healing or Treatment.
Thrombosis ?	The Formation of a Thrombus.
Thrombus ?	A Stationary Blood Clot.
Toxaemia ?	Poisoning of the Blood by the Absorption of Toxins.
Toxic ?	Poisonous.
Toxoid ?	A Toxin that has been Deprived of some of its Harmful properties, but which remains capable pf producing Immunity.
Trauma ?	A wound or Injury.
Triage ?	Sorting of Casualties according to Priority.
Tuberculosis ?	Infectious Disease produced by the Tubercle Bacillus.
Tumour ?	Swelling.
Uraemia ?	Abnormal Accumulation in the bloo of Urea which is normally Excreted in the Urine.
Urea ?	The Nitrogenous Waste product of Protein Metabolism.
Uterus ?	The Womb.
Ventricular Fibrillation ?	An Uncoordinated Tremor of the Ventricules resulting in Ineffective Contractions & Cardiac Arrest.
Virus ?	A Germ smaller than Bacterium.
Viscera ?	The Internal Organs
Wheeze ?	High Pitched Whistling sound charicterising Obstruction or Spasm of the Lower Airways.