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CPC 2012 Terminology
Medical Terminology for CPC Certification Exam
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| ablation | removal or destruction by cutting, chemicals, or electrocautery. |
| abortion | termination of pregnancy |
| absence | without |
| actinotherapy | treatment of acne using ultraviolet rays |
| adenoidectomy | removal of adenoids |
| adipose | fatty |
| adrenals | glands, located at the top of the kidneys, that produce steroid hormones |
| albinism | lack of color pigment |
| allograft | homograft, same species graft |
| alopecia | condition in which hair falls out |
| amniocentesis | percutaneous aspiration of amniotic fluid |
| amniotic sac | sac containing the fetus and amniotic fluid |
| A-mode | one-dimensional ultrasonic display reflecting the time it takes a sound wave to reach a structure and reflect back; maps the structure's outline |
| anastomosis | surgical connection of two tubular structures, such as two pieces of the intestine |
| aneurysm | abnormal dilation of vessels, usually an artery |
| angina | sudden pain |
| angiography | radiography of the blood vessels |
| angioplasty | procedure in a vessel to dilate the vessel opening |
| anhidrosis | deficiency of sweat |
| anomaloscope | instrument used to test color vision |
| anoscopy | procedure that uses a scope to examine the anus |
| antepartum | before birth |
| anterior (ventral) | in front of |
| anterior segment | those parts of the eye in the front of and including the lens, orbit, extraocular muscles, and eyelid |
| anteroposterior | from front to back |
| antigen | a substance that produces a specific response |
| aortography | radiographic recording of the aorta |
| apex cardiography | recording the movement of the chest wall over the end of the heart |
| aphakia | absence of the lens of the eye |
| apicectomy | excision of a portion of the temporal bone |
| apnea | cessation of breathing |
| arthrocentesis | injection and/or aspiration of joint |
| arthrodisis | surgical immobilization of joint |
| arthrography | radiography of joint |
| arthroplasty | reshaping or reconstruction of joint |
| arthroscopy | use of scope to view inside joint |
| arthrotomy | incision into a joint |
| articular | pertains to joint |
| asphyxia | lack of oxygen |
| aspiration | use of a needle and a syringe to withdraw fluid |
| assignment | Medicare's payment for the service, which participating physicians agree to accept as payment in full |
| asthma | shortage of breath caused by contraction of the bronchi |
| astigmatism | condition in which the refractive surfaces of the eye are unequal |
| atelectasis | incomplete expansion of lung, collapse |
| atherectomy | removal of plaque by percutaneous method |
| atrophy | wasting away; no development; lack of nourishment |
| audiometry | hearing test |
| aural atresia | congenital absence of the external auditory canal |
| auscultation | listening to sounds within the body |
| autograft | from patient's own body |
| avulsion | ripping or tearing away of part either surgically or accidentally |
| axillary nodes | lymph nodes located in the armpit |
| bacilli | plural of bacillus, a rod-shaped bacterium |
| barium enemia | radiographic contrast medium |
| beneficiary | person who benefits from health or life insurance |
| bifocal | two focuses in eyeglasses, one usually for close work and the other for improvement of distance vision |
| bilaminate skin | skin substitute usually made of silicone-covered nylon mesh |
| bilateral | occurring on two sides |
| biliary | refers to gallbladder,bile, or bile duct |
| bilobectomy | surgical removal of two lobes of a lung |
| biofeedback | process of giving a person self-information |
| biometry | application of a statistical measure to a biologic fact |
| biopsy | removal of a small piece of living tissue for diagnostic purposes |
| block | frozen piece of a sample |
| bracytherapy | therapy using radioactive sources that are placed inside the body |
| bronchiole | smaller division of bronchial tree |
| bronchography | radiographic recording of the lungs |
| bronchoplasty | surgical repair of the bronchi |
| bronchoscopy | inspection of the bronchial tree using a bronchoscope |
| B-scan | two-dimensional display of tissues and organs |
| bulbocavernosus | muscle that constricts the vagina in a female and the urethra in a male |
| bulbourethral | gland with duct leading to the urethra |
| bundle of His | muscular cardiac fibers that provide the heart rhythm to the ventricles; blockage of this rhythm produces heart block |
| bundled codes | one code that represents a package of services |
| bunion | halux valgus, abnormal increase in size of metatarsal head that results in displacement of the great toe |
| burr | drill used to create an entry into the cranium |
| bursa | fluid-filled sac that absorbs friction |
| bursitis | inflammation of bursa (joint sac) |
| bypass | to go around |
| calcaneal | pertaining to the heel bone |
| calculus | concretion of mineral salts, also called a stone |
| calycoplasty | surgical reconstruction of a recess of the renal pelvis |
| calyx | recess of the renal pelvis |
| cancellous | lattice-type structure, usually of bone |
| cardiopulmonary | refers to the heart and lungs |
| cardiopulmonary bypass | blood bypasses the heart through a heart-lung machine |
| cardiversion | electrical shock to the heart to restore normal rhythm |
| cardioverter-defibrillator | surgically placed device that directs an electrical shock to the heart to restore rhythm |
| carotid body | located on each side of the common carotid artery, often a site of tumor |
| cartilage | connective tissue |
| cataract | opaque covering on or in the lens |
| catheter | tube placed into the body to put fluid in or take fluid out |
| caudal | same as inferior; away from the head, or the lower part of the body; tail |
| causalgia | burning pain |
| cauterization | destruction of tissue by the use of cautery |
| cauterization | destruction of tissue by the use of cautery |
| cavernosa | connection between the cavity of the penis and a vein |
| cavernosography | radiographic recording of a cavity, e.g., the pulmonary cavity or the main part of the penis |
| cavernosometry | measurement of the pressure in a cavity, e.g., the penis |
| central nervous system | brain and spinal cord |
| cervical | pertaining to the neck or to the cervix of the uterus |
| cervix uteri | rounded, cone-shaped neck of the uterus |
| cesarean | surgical opening through abdominal wall for delivery |
| cholangiography | radiographic recording of the bile ducts |
| cholangiopancreatography | ERCP, radiographic recording of the biliary system or pancreas |
| cholecystectomy | surgical removal of the gallbladder |
| cholecystoenterostomy | creation of a connection between the gallbladder and intestine |
| cholecystography | radiographic recording of the bile duct |
| cholesteatoma | tumor that forms in middle ear |
| chondral | referring to the cartilage |
| chordee | condition resulting in the penis being bent downward |
| chorionic villus sampling | CVS, biopsy of the outermost part of the placenta |
| circumflex | a coronary artery that circles the heart |
| Cloquet's node | also called a gland; it is the highest of the deep groin lymph nodes |
| closed fracture repair | not surgically opened with/without manipulation and with/without traction |
| closed treatment | fracture site that is not surgically opened and visualized |
| coccyx | caudal extremity of vertebral column |
| collagen | protein substance of skin |
| Colles' fracture | fracture at lower end of radius that displaces the bone posteriorly |
| colonoscopy | fiberscopic examination of the entire colon that may include part of the terminal ilium |
| colostomy | artificial opening between the colon and the abdominal wall |
| component | part |
| computed axial tomography | CAT or CT, procedure by which selected planes of tissue are pinpointed through computer enhancement, and images may be reconstructed by analysis of variance in absorption of the tissue |
| conjunctiva | the lining of the eyelids and the covering of the sclera |
| contraction | drawn together |
| contralateral | opposite side |
| cordectomy | surgical removal of the vocal cord(s) |
| cordocentesis | procedure to obtain a fetal blood sample; also called a percutaneous umbilical blood sampling |
| corneosclera | cornea and sclera of the eye |
| corpectomy | removal of vertebrae |
| corpora cavernosa | the two cavities of the penis |
| corpus uteri | uterus |
| crackles | abnormal sounds when breathing (heard on auscultation) |
| craniectomy | permanent, partial removal of skull |
| craniotomy | opening of the skull |
| cranium | that part of the skeleton that encloses the brain |
| curettage | scraping of a cavity using a spoon-shaped instrument |
| curette | spoon-shaped instrument used to scrape a cavity |
| cutdown | incision into a vessel for placement of a catheter |
| cyanosis | bluish discoloration |
| cystocele | herniation of the bladder into the vagina |
| cystography | radiographic recording of the urinary bladder |
| cystolithectomy | removal of a calculus (stone) from the urinary bladder |
| cystolithotomy | cystolithectomy |
| cystometrogram | CMG, measurement of the pressures and capacity of the urinary bladder |
| cystoplasty | surgical reconstruction of the bladder |
| cystorrhaphy | suture of the bladder |
| cystoscopy | use of a scope to view the bladder |
| cystostomy | surgical creation of an opening into the bladder |
| cystotomy | incision into the bladder |
| cystourethroplasty | surgical reconstruction of the bladder and urethra |
| cystourethroscopy | use of a scope to view the bladder and urethra |
| dacryocystography | radiographic recording of the lacrimal sac or tear duct sac |
| dacryostenosis | narrowing of the lacrimal duct |
| debridement | cleansing of or removal of dead tissue from a wound |
| deductible | amount the patient is liable for before the payer begins to pay for covered services |
| delayed flap | pedicle of skin with blood supply that is separated from origin over time |
| delivery | childbirth |
| dermabrasion | planing of the skin by means of sander, brush, or sandpaper |
| dermatologist | physician who treats conditions of the skin |
| dermatoplasty | surgical repair of skin |
| dialysis | filtration of blood |
| dilation | expansion |
| discectomy | removal of a vertebral disc |
| discography | radiographic recording of an intervertebral joint |
| dislocation | placement in a location other than the original location |
| distal | farther from the point of attachment or origin |
| diverticulum | protrusion in the wall of an organ |
| Doppler | ultrasonic measure of blood movement |
| dosimetry | scientific calculation of radiation emitted from various radioactive sources |
| drainage | free flow or withdrawal of fluids from a wound or cavity |
| duodenography | radiographic recording of the duodenum or first part of the small intestine |
| dysphagia | difficulty swallowing |
| dysphonia | speech impairment |
| dyspnea | shortness of breath, difficult breathing |
| dysuria | painful urination |
| echocardiography | radiographic recording of the heart or heart walls or surrounding tissues |
| echoencephalography | ultrasound of the brain |
| echography | ultrasound procedure in which sound waves are bounced off an internal organ and the resulting image is recorded |
| ectopic | pregnancy outside the uterus (i.e., in the fallopian tube) |
| edema | swelling due to abnormal fluid collection in the tissue spaces |
| elective surgery | non-emergency procedure |
| electrocardiogram | ECG, written record of the electrical action of the heart |
| electrocautery | cauterization by means of heated instrument |
| electrocochleography | test to measure the eighth cranial nerve (hearing test) |
| electrode | lead attached to a generator that carries the electrical current from the generator to the atria or ventricles |
| electroencephalogram | EEG, written record of the electrical action of the brain |
| electromyogram | EMG, written record of the electrical activity of the skeletal muscles |
| electronic claim submission | claims prepared and submitted via a computer |
| electronic signature | identification system of a computer |
| electro-oculogram | EOG, written record of the electrical activity of the eye |
| electrophysiology | study of the electrical system of the heart, including the study of arrhythmias |
| embolectomy | removal of blockage (embolism) from vessel |
| emphysema | air accumulated in organ or tissue |
| encephalography | radiographic recording of the subarachnoid space and ventricles of the brain |
| endarterectomy | incision into an artery to remove the inner lining so as to eliminate disease or blockage |
| endomyocardial | pertaining to the inner and middle layers of the heart |
| endopyelotomy | procedure involving the bladder and ureters, including the insertion of a stent into the renal pelvis |
| endoscopy | inspection of body organs or cavities using a lighted scope that may be inserted through an existing opening or through a small incision |
| enterolysis | releasing of adhesions of intestine |
| enucleation | removal of an organ or organs from a body cavity |
| epicardial | over the heart |
| epidermolysis | loosening of the epidermis |
| epidermomycosis | superficial fungal infection |
| epididymectomy | surgical removal of the epididymis |
| epididymis | tube located at the top of the testes that stores sperm |
| epididymography | radiographic recording of the epididymis |
| epididymovasostomy | creation of a new connection between the vas deferens and epididymis |
| epiglottidectomy | excision of the covering of the larynx |
| episclera | connective covering of sclera |
| epistaxis | nose bleed |
| epithelium | surface covering of internal and external organs of the body |
| erythema | redness of skin |
| escharotomy | surgical incision into necrotic (dead) tissue |
| eventration | protrusion of the bowel through an opening in the abdomen |
| evisceration | pulling the viscera outside of the body through an incision |
| evocative | tests that are administered to evoke a predetermined response |
| exenteration | removal of an organ all in one piece |
| exophthalmos | protrusion of the eyeball |
| exostosis | bony growth |
| exstrophy | condition in which an organ is turned inside out |
| extracorporeal | occurring outside of the body |
| false aneurysm | sac of clotted blood that has completely destroyed the vessel and is being contained by the tissue that surrounds the vessel |
| fasciectomy | removal of a band of fibrous tissue |
| Federal Register | Official publication of all "Presidential Documents," "Rules & Regulations," "Proposed Rules," & "Notices"; govt-instituted national changes are published in the Federal Register |
| fee schedule | services and payment allowed for each service |
| femoral | pertaining to the bone from the pelvis to knee |
| fenestration | creation of a new opening in the inner wall of the middle ear |
| fissure | cleft or groove |
| fistula | abnormal opening from one area to another area or to the outside of the body |
| fluoroscopy | procedure for viewing the interior of the body using X-rays and projecting the image onto a television screen |
| fracture | break in a bone |
| free full-thickness graft | graft of epidermis and dermis that is completely removed from donor area |
| fulguration | use of electrical current to destroy tissue |
| fundoplasty | repair of the bottom of the bladder |
| furuncle | nodule in the skin caused by Staphylococcus entering through hair follicle |
| ganglion | knot |
| gastrointestinal | pertaining to the stomach and intestine |
| gastroplasty | operation on the stomach for repair or reconfiguration |
| gastrostomy | artificial opening between the stomach and the abdominal wall |
| gatekeeper | a physician who manages a patient's access to health care |
| glaucoma | eye diseases that are characterized by an increase of intraocular pressure |
| globe | eyeball |
| glottis | true vocal cords |
| gonioscopy | use of a scope to examine the angles of the eye |
| Group Practice Model | an organization of physicians who contract with a Health Maintenance Organization to provide services to the enrollees of the HMO |
| grouper | computer used to input the principal diagnosis and other critical information about a patient and then provide the correct DRG code |
| Health Maintenance Organization | HMO, a healthcare delivery system in which an enrollee is assigned a primary care physician who manages all the healthcare needs of the enrollee. |
| hematoma | mass of blood that forms outside the vessel |
| hemodialysis | cleansing of the blood outside of the body |
| hemolysis | breakdown of red blood cells |
| hemoptysis | bloody sputum |
| hepatography | radiographic recording of the liver |
| hernia | organ or tissue protruding through the wall or cavity that usually contains it |
| histology | study of structure of tissue and cells |
| homograft | allograft, same species graft |
| hormone | chemical substance produced by the body's endocrine glands |
| hydrocele | sac of fluid |
| hyperopia | farsightedness, eyeball is too short from front to back |
| hypogastric | lowest middle abdominal area |
| hyposensitization | decreased sensitivity |
| hypothermia | low body temperature; sometimes induced during surgical procedures |
| hypoxemia | low level of oxygen in the blood |
| hypoxia | low level of oxygen in the tissue |
| hysterectomy | surgical removal of the uterus |
| hysterorrhaphy | suturing of the uterus |
| hysterosalpingography | radiographic recording of the uterine cavity and fallopian tubes |
| hysteroscopy | visualization of the canal and cavity of the uterus using a scope placed through the vagina |
| ichthyosis | skin disorder characterized by scalingt |
| ileostomy | artificial opening between the ileum and the abdominal wall |
| ilium | portion of hip |
| imbrication | overlapping |
| immunotherapy | therapy to increase immunity |
| incarcerated | regarding hernias, a constricted, irreducible hernia that may cause obstruction of an intestine |
| incise | to cut into |
| Individual Practice Association | IPA, an organization of physicians who provide services for a set fee; Health Maintenance Organizations often contract with the IPA for services to their enrollees |
| inferior | away from the head or the lower part of the body; also known as caudalingual |
| inguinofemoral | referring to the groin and thigh |
| inofemoral | referring to the groin and thigh |
| internal/external fixation | application of pins, wires, and/or screws placed externally or internally to immobilize a body part |
| intracardiac | inside the heart |
| intramural | within the organ wall |
| intramuscular | into a muscle |
| intrauterine | inside the uterus |
| intravenous | into a vein |
| intravenous pyelography | IVP, radiographic recording of the urinary system |
| introitus | opening or entrance to the vagina from the uterus |
| intubation | insertion of a tube |
| intussusception | slipping of one part of the intestine into another part |
| invasive | entering the body, breaking skin |
| iontophoresis | introduction of ions into the body |
| ischemia | deficient blood supply due to obstruction of the circulatory system |
| island pedicle flap | contains a single artery and vein that remains attached to origin temporarily or permanently |
| isthmus | connection of two regions or structures |
| isthmus, thyroid | tissue connection between right and left thyroid lobes |
| isthmusectomy | surgical removal of the isthmus |
| jejunostomy | artificial opening between the jejunum and the abdominal wall |
| jugular nodes | lymph nodes located next to the large vein in the neck |
| keratomalacia | softening of the cornea associated with a deficiency of vitamin A |
| keratoplasty | surgical repair of the cornea |
| Kock pouch | surgical creation of a urinary bladder from a segment of the ileum |
| kyphosis | humpback |
| labyrinth | inner connecting cavities, such as the internal ear |
| labyrinthitis | inner ear inflammation |
| lacrimal | related to tears |
| lamina | flat plate |
| laminectomy | surgical excision of the lamina |
| laparoscopy | exploration of the abdomen and pelvic cavities using a scope placed through a small incision in the abdominal wall |
| laryngeal web | congenital abnormality of connective tissue between the vocal cords |
| laryngectomy | surgical removal of the larynx |
| laryngography | radiographic recording of the larynx |
| laryngoplasty | surgical repair of the larynx |
| laryngoscope | fiberoptic scope used to view the inside of the larynx |
| laryngoscopy | direct visualization and examination of the interior of larynx with a laryngoscope |
| laryngotomy | incision into the larynx |
| lateral | away from the mid-line of the body (to the side) |
| lavage | washing out |
| leukoderma | depigmentation of skin |
| leukoplakia | white patch on mucous membrane |
| ligament | fibrous band of tissue that connects cartilage or bone |
| ligation | binding or typing off, as in constricting the blood flow of a vessel or binding fallopian tubes for sterilization |
| lipocyte | fat cell |
| lipoma | fatty tumor |
| lithotomy | incision into an organ or a duct for the purpose of removing a stone |
| lithotripsy | crushing of a stone by sound waves or force |
| lobectomy | surgical excision of lobe of the lung |
| lordosis | anterior curve of the spine |
| lumbodynia | pain in the lumbar area |
| lunate | one of the wrist (carpal) bones |
| lymph node | station along the lymphatic system |
| lymphadenectomy | excision of a lymph node or nodes |
| lymphadenitis | inflammation of a lymph node |
| lymphangiography | radiographic recording of the lymphatic vessels and nodes |
| lymphangiotomy | incision into a lymphatic vessel |
| lysis | releasing, loosening, breaking down, freeing from adhesions, separation |
| magnetic resonance imaging | MRI, procedure that uses non-ionizing radiation to view the body in a cross-sectional view |
| Major Diagnostic Categories | MDC, the division of all principal diagnoses into 25 mutually exclusive principal diagnosis areas within the DRG system |
| mammography | radiographic recording of the breasts |
| Managed Care Organization | MCO, a group that is responsible for the health care services offered to an enrolled group of persons |
| manipulation | movement by hand |
| manipulation or reduction | alignment of a fracture or joint dislocation to its normal position |
| mastoidectomy | removal of the mastoid bone |
| Maximum Actual Allowable Charge | MAAC, limitation on the total amount that can be charged by physicians who are not participants in Medicare |
| meatotomy | surgical enlargement of the opening of the urinary meatus |
| medial | toward the mid-line of the body |
| Medical Volume Performance Standards | MVPS, government's estimate of how much growth is appropriate for nationwide physician expenditures paid by the Part B Medicare program |
| Medicare Economic Index | MEI, government mandated index that ties increases in the Medicare prevailing charges to economic indicators |
| Medicare Fee Schedule | MFS, schedule that listed the allowable charges for Medicare services; was replaced by the Medicare reasonable charge payment system |
| Medicare Risk HMO | a Medicare-funded alternative to the standard Medicare supplemental coverage |
| melanin | dark pigment of skin |
| melanoma | tumor of epidermis, malignant and black in color |
| Meniere's disease | condition that causes dizziness, ringing in the ears, and deafness |
| M-mode | one-dimensional display of movement of structures |
| modality | treatment method |
| Mohs surgery or Mohs micrographic surgery | removal of skin cancer in layers by a surgeon who also acts as pathologist during surgery |
| monofocal | eyeglasses with one vision correction |
| multipara | more than one pregnancy |
| muscle | organ of contraction for movement |
| muscle flap | transfer of muscle from origin to recipient site |
| myasthenia gravis | syndrome characterized by muscle weakness |
| myelography | radiographic recording of the subarachnoid space of the spine |
| myopia | nearsightedness, eyeball too long from front to back |
| myringotomy | incision into tympanic membrane |
| nasal button | synthetic circular disk used to cover a hole in the nasal septum |
| nasopharyngoscopy | use of a scope to visualize the nose and pharynx |
| National Provider Identifier | NPI, a 10-digit number assigned to a physician by Medicare |
| nephrectomy, paraperitoneal | kidney transplant |
| nephrocutaneous fistula | a channel from the kidney to the skin |
| nephrolithotomy | removal of a kidney stone through an incision made into the kidney |
| nephrorrhaphy | suturing of the kidney |
| nephrostolithotomy | creation of an artificial channel to the kidney |
| nephrostolithotomy, percutaneous | procedure to establish an artificial channel between the skin and the kidney |
| nephrostomy | creation of a channel into the renal pelvis of the kidney |
| nephrostomy, percutaneous | creation of a channel from the skin to the renal pelvis |
| nephrotomy | incision into the kidney |
| neurovascular flap | contains artery, vein, and nerve |
| noninvasive | not entering the body, not breaking skin |
| nuclear cardiology | diagnostic specialty that uses radiologic procedures to aid in diagnosis of cardiologic conditions |
| nystagmus | rapid involuntary eye movements |
| ocular adnexa | orbit, extraocular muscles, and eyelid |
| olecranon | elbow bone |
| Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1989 | OBRA, act that established new rules for Medicare reimbursement |
| oophorectomy | surgical removal of the ovary(ies) |
| opacification | area that has become opaque (milky) |
| open fracture repair | surgical opening (incision) over or remote opening as access to a fracture site |
| open treatment | fracture site that is surgically opened and visualized |
| ophthalmodynamometry | test of the blood pressure of the eye |
| ophthalmology | body of knowledge regarding the eyes |
| ophthalmoscopy | examination of the interior of the eye by means of a scope, also known as funduscopy |
| optokinetic | movement of the eyes to objects moving in the visual field |
| orchiectomy | castration, removal of the testes |
| orchiopexy | surgical procedure to release undescended testes and fixate them within the scrotum |
| order | shows subordination of one thing to another; family or class |
| orthopnea | difficulty in breathing, needing to be in erect position to breathe |
| orthoptic | corrective; in the correct place |
| osteoarthritis | degenerative condition of articular cartilage |
| osteoclast | absorbs or removes bone |
| osteotomy | cutting into bone |
| otitis media | noninfectious inflammation of the middle ear; serous otitis media produces liquid drainage (not purulent) and suppurative otitis media produces purulent (pus) matter |
| otoscope | instrument used to examine the internal and external ear |
| oviduct | fallopian tube |
| papilledema | swelling of the optic disc (papilla) |
| paraesophageal hiatus hernia | hernia that is near the esophagus |
| parathyroid | produces a hormone to mobilize calcium from the bones to the blood |
| paronychia | infection around nail |
| Part A | Medicare's Hospital Insurance; covers hospital/facility care |
| Part B | Medicare's Supplemental Medicare Insurance; covers physician services and durable medical equipment that are not paid for under Part A |
| participating provider program | Medicare providers who have agreedin advance to accept assignment on all Medicare claims, now termed Quality Improvement Organizations (QI0) |
| patella | knee cap |
| pedicle | growth attached with a stem |
| Peer Review Organizations | PROs, groups established to review hospital admission and care |
| pelviolithotomy | pyeloplasty |
| penoscrotal | referring to the penis and scrotum |
| percussion | tapping with sharp blows as a diagnostic technique |
| percutaneous | through the skin |
| percutaneous fracture repair | repair of a fracture by means of pins and wires inserted through the fracture site |
| percutaneous skeletal fixation | considered neither open nor closed; the fracture is not visualized, but fixation is placed across the fracture site under x-ray imaging |
| pericardiocentesis | procedure in which a surgeon withdraws fluid from the pericardial space by means of a needle inserted percutaneously |
| pericardium | membranous sac enclosing heart and ends of great vessels |
| perineum | area between the vulva and anus; also known as the pelvic floor |
| peripheral nerves | 12 pairs of cranial nerves,31 pairs of spinal nerves, and autonomic nervous system; connects peripheral receptors to the brain and spinal cord |
| peritoneal | within the lining of the abdominal cavity |
| peritoneoscopy | visualization of the abdomoinal cavity using one scope placed through a small incision in the abdominal wall and another scope placed in the vagina |
| pharyngolaryngectomy | surgical removal of the pharynx and larynx |
| phlebotomy | cutting into a vein |
| phonocardiogram | recording of heart sounds |
| photochemotherapy | treatment by means of drugs that react to ultraviolet radiation or sunlight |
| physics | scientific study of energy |
| pilosebaceous | pertains to hair follicles and sebaceous glands |
| placenta | a structure that connects the fetus and mother during pregnancy |
| plethysmography | determining the changes in volume of an organ part or body |
| pleura | covers the lungs and lines the thoracic cavity |
| pleurectomy | surgical excision of the pleura |
| pleuritis | inflammation of the pleura |
| pneumonocentesis | surgical puncturing of a lung to withdraw fluid |
| pneumonolysis | surgical separation of the lung from the chest wall to allow the lung to collapse |
| pneumonostomy | surgical procedure in which the chest cavity is exposed and the lung is incised |
| pneumonotomy | incision of the lung |
| pneumoplethysmography | determining the changes in the volume of the lung |
| posterior (dorsal) | in back of |
| posterior segment | those parts of the eye behind the lens |
| posteroanterior | from back to front |
| postpartum | after childbirth |
| Preferred Provider Organization | PPO, a group of providers who form a network and who have agreed to provide services to enrollees at a discounted rate |
| priapism | painful condition in which the penis is constantly erect |
| primary care physician | PCP, physician who oversees a patient's care within a managed care organization |
| primary diagnosis | chief complaint of a patient in outpatient setting |
| primipara | first pregnancy |
| prior approval | also known as a prior authorization, the payer's approval of care |
| proctosigmoidoscopy | fiberscopic examination of the sigmoid colon and rectum |
| Professional Standards Review Organization | PSRO, voluntary physicians' organization designed to monitor the necessity of hospital admissions, treatment costs, and medical records of hospitals |
| prognosis | probable outcome of an illness |
| prostatotomy | incision into the prostate |
| Provider Identification Number | PIN, assigned to physicians by payers for use in claims submission |
| pyelography | radiographic recording of the kidneys, renal pelvis, ureters, and bladder |
| qualitative | measuring the presence or absence of |
| Quality Improvement Organizations | QIO, consists of a national network of 53 entities |
| quantitative | measuring the presence or absence of and the amount of |
| rad | radiation-absorbed dose, the energy deposited in patient's tissues |
| radiation oncology | branch of medicine concerned with the application of radiation to a tumor site for treatment (destruction) of cancerous tumors |
| radiograph | film on which an image is produced through exposure to x-radiation |
| radiologist | physician who specializes in the use of radioactive materials in the diagnosis and treatment of disease and illness |
| radiology | branch of medicine concerned with the use of radioactive substances for diagnosis and therapy |
| rales | coarse sounds on inspiration, also known as crackles (heard on auscultation) |
| real time | two-dimensional display of both the structures and the motion of tissues and organs, with the length of time also recorded as part of the study |
| reduction | replacement to normal position |
| Relative Value Unit | RVU, unit value that has been assigned for each service |
| Resource-Based Relative Value Scale | RBRVS, scale designed to decrease Medicare expenditures, redistribute physician payment, and ensure quality health care at reasonable rates. |
| resource intensity | refers to the relative volume and type of diagnostic, therapeutic, and bed services used in the management of a particular illness |
| retrograde | moving backward or against the usual direction of flow |
| rhinoplasty | surgical repair of nose |
| rhinorrhea | nasal mucous discharge |
| salpingectomy | surgical removal of the uterine tube |
| salpingostomy | creation of a fistula into the uterine tube |
| scan | mapping of emissions of radioactive substances after they have been introduced into the body; the density can determine normal or abnormal conditions |
| sclera | outer covering of the eye |
| scoliosis | lateral curve of the spin |
| sebaceous gland | secretes sebum |
| seborrhea | excess sebum secretion |
| sebum | oily substance |
| section | slice of a frozen block |
| segmentectomy | surgical removal of a portion of a lung |
| septoplasty | surgical repair of the nasal septum |
| serum | blood from which the fibrinogen has been removed |
| severity of illness | refers to the levels of loss of function and mortality that may be experienced by patients with a particular disease |
| shunt | an artificial passage |
| sialography | radiographic recording of the salivary gland or duct |
| sialolithotomy | surgical removal of a stone of the salivary gland or duct |
| sinography | radiographic recording of the sinus or sinus tract |
| sinusotomomy | surgical incision into a sinus |
| skeletal traction | application of pressure to the bone by means of pins and/or wires inserted into the bone |
| skin traction | application of pressure to the bone by means of tape applied to the skin |
| skull | entire skeletal framework of the head |
| somatic nerve | sensory or motor nerve |
| specimen | sample of tissue or fluid |
| spirometry | measurement of breathing capacity |
| splenectomy | excision of the spleen |
| splenography | radiographic recording of the spleen |
| splenoportography | radiographic procedure to allow visualization of the splenic and portal veins of the spleen |
| split-thickness graft | all epidermis and some of dermis |
| spondylitis | inflammation of vertebrae |
| Staff Model | a Health Maintenance Organization that directly employs the physicians who provide services to enrollees |
| steatoma | fat mass in sebaceous gland |
| stem cell | immature blood cell |
| stereotaxis | method of identifying a specific area or point in the brain |
| strabismus | extraocular muscle deviation resulting in unequal visual axes |
| stratified | layered |
| stratum (strata) | layer |
| subcutaneous | tissue below the dermis, primarily fat cells that insulate the body |
| subluxation | partial dislocation |
| subungual | beneath the nail |
| superior | toward the head or the upper part of the body; also known as cephalic |
| supination | supine position |
| supine | lying on the back |
| Swan-Ganz catheter | a catheter that measures pressure in the heart |
| sympathetic nerve | part of the peripheral nervous system that controls automatic body function and sympathetic nerves activated under stress |
| symphysis | natural junction |
| synchondrosis | union between two bones (connected by cartilage) |
| tachypnea | quick, shallow breathing |
| tarsorrhaphy | suturing together of the eyelids |
| Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act | TEFRA, act that contains language to reward cost-conscious healthcare providers |
| tendon | attaches a muscle to a bone |
| tenodesis | suturing of a tendon to a bone |
| tenorrhaphy | suture repair of tendon |
| thermogram | written record of temperature variation |
| third-party payer | insurance company or entity that is liable for another's healthcare services |
| thoracentesis | surgical puncture of the thoracic cavity, usually using a needle, to remove fluids |
| thoracic duct | collection and distribution point for lymph, and the largest lymph vessel located in the chest |
| thoracoplasty | surgical procedure that removes rib(s) and thereby allows the collapse of a lung |
| thoracoscopy | use of a lighted endoscope to view the pleural spaces and thoracic cavity or to perform surgical procedures |
| thoracostomy | incision into the chest wall and insertion of a chest tube |
| thoracotomy | surgical incision into the chest wall |
| thromboendarterectomy | procedure to remove plaque or clot formations from a vessel by percutaneous method |
| thymectomy | surgical removal of the thymus |
| thymus | gland that produces hormones important to the immune response |
| thyroidectomy | surgical removal of the thyroid |
| tinnitus | ringing in the ears |
| titer | measure of a laboratory analysis |
| tocolysis | repression of uterine contractions |
| tomography | procedure that allows viewing of a single plane of the body by blurring out all but that particular level |
| tonography | recording of changes in intraocular pressure in response to sustained pressure on the eyeball |
| tonometry | measurement of pressure or tension |
| total pneumonectomy | surgical removal of an entire ling |
| tracheostomy | incision into the trachea |
| traction | application of pressure to maintain normal alignment |
| transcutaneous | entering by way of the skin |
| transesophageal echocardiogram | TEE, echocardiogram performed by placing a probe down the esophagus and sending out sound waves to obtain images of the heart and its movement |
| transmastoid | creates an opening in the mastoid for drainage antrostomy |
| transplantation | grafting of tissue from one source to another |
| transseptal | through the septum |
| transtracheal | across the trachea |
| transureteroureterostomy | surgical connection of one ureter to the other ureter |
| transurethral resection, prostate | procedure performed through the urethra by means of a cystoscopy to remove part or all of the prostate |
| transvenous | through a vein |
| transvesical ureterolithotomy | removal of a ureter stone (calculus) through the bladder |
| trephination | surgical removal of a disc of bone |
| trocar needle | needle with a tube on the end; used to puncture and withdraw fluid from a cavity |
| tubercle | lesion caused by infection of tuberculosis |
| tumescence | state of being swollen |
| tunica vaginalis | covering of the testes |
| tympanolysis | freeing of adhesions of the tympanic membrane |
| tympanometry | test of the inner ear using air pressure |
| tympanostomy | insertion of ventilation tube into tympanum |
| ultrasound | technique using sound waves to determine the density of the outline of tissue |
| unbundling | reporting with multiple codes that which can be reported with one code |
| unilateral | occurring on one side |
| uptake | absorption of a radioactive substance by body tissues; recorded for diagnostic purposes in conditions such as thyroid disease |
| ureterectomy | surgical removal of a ureter, either totally or partially |
| ureterocolon | pertaining to the ureter and colon |
| uterocutaneous fistula | channel from the ureter to exterior skin |
| ureteroenterostomy | creation of a connection between the intestine and the ureter |
| ureterolithotomy | removal of a stone from the ureter |
| ureterolysis | freeing of adhesions of the ureter |
| ureteroneocystostomy | surgical connection of the ureter to a new site on the bladder |
| ureteropyelography | ureter and bladder radiography |
| ureterotomy | incision into the ureter |
| urethrocystography | radiography of the bladder and urethra |
| urethromeatoplasty | surgical repair of the urethra and meatus |
| urethropexy | fixation of the urethra by means of surgery |
| urethroplasty | surgical repair of the urethra |
| urethrorrhaphy | suturing of the urethra |
| urethroscopy | use of a scope to view the urethra |
| urography | same as pyelography; radiographic recording of the kidneys, renal pelvis, ureters, and bladder |
| uveal | vascular tissue of the choroid, ciliary body, and iris |
| varices | varicose veins |
| varicocele | swelling of a scrotal vein |
| vas deferens | tube that carries sperm from the epididymis to the urethra |
| vasectomy | removal of segment of vas deferens |
| vasogram | recording of the flow in the vas deferens |
| vasotomy | incision in the vas deferens |
| vasorrhaphy | suturing of the vas deferens |
| vasovasostomy | reversal of a vasectomy |
| vectorcardiogram | VCG, continuous recording of electrical direction and magnitude of the heart |
| venography | radiographic recording of the veins and tributaries |
| vertebrectomy | removal of vertebra |
| vertigo | dizziness |
| vesicostomy | surgical creation of a connection of the viscera of the bladder to the skin |
| vesicovaginal fistula | creation of a tube between the vagina and the bladder |
| vesiculectomy | excision of the seminal vesicles |
| vesiculography | radiographic recording of the seminal vesicles |
| vesiculotomy | incision into the seminal vesicle |
| viscera | an organ in one of the large cavities of the body |
| volvulus | twisted section of the intestine |
| vomer | flat bones of the nasal septum |
| xanthoma | tumor composed of cells containing lipid material,yellow in color |
| xenograft | different species graft |
| xeroderma | dry, discolored, scaly skin |
| xeroradiography | photoelectric process of radiographs |
Created by:
Laura Duncan
Popular Health & Social Care sets