A & E Support 13/07 - Stack 113178

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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.