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