Term | Definition |
anisocytosis | presence of red blood cells of unequal size |
bacteremia | presence of bacteria in the blood |
splenomegaly | abnormal enlargement of the spleen |
toxemia | presence of toxins in the bloodstream |
erythropenia | abnormally reduced number of red blood cells |
macrocytosis | abnormally large red blood cells |
poikilocytosis | irregularly shaped red blood cells |
polycythemia | abnormal increase in number of red blood cells |
hemorrhage | abnormal loss of blood from the circulation |
botulism | caused by a neurotoxin produced by CLostridium botulinum |
tetanus | disease caused by a neurotoxin released by Clostridium tetani |
immunodeficiency | condition resulting from a defective immune response |
fungemia | fungal infection that spreads throughout the body by way of the bloodstream |
diptheria | infectious disease resulting in acute inflammation with formation of a leathery membrane in the throat |
malaria | disease caused by a parasitic protozoan that infects red blood cells and the liver |
cyanosis | blue tinge in the skin and mucous membranes |
syncope | fainting |
cardiogenic | sign or symptom that originates from a condition of the heart |
cardiodynia | pain associated with the heart |
arrhythmia | "condition of without rhythm" |
tachycardia | fast heartbeat |
angina pectoris | chest pain or pressure |
palpitation | pounding, racing, or skipping of the heartbeat |
aneurysm | abnormal bulging of an arterial wall |
cardiac tamponade | caused by fluid within pericardial cavity |
cor pulmonale | "heart lung" |
heart murmur | an abnormal sound heard through auscultation |
cardiac arrest | cessation of heartbeat |
coronary artery disease | disease of the coronary vessels |
coronary occlusion | blockage in a coronary vessel |
atrial septal defect | congenital heart defect |
congestive heart failure | left ventricular failure |
heart block | block of the heart conduction system |
fibrillation | uncoordinated, rapid heartbeat |
thoracalgia | pain in the chest region |
apnea | pause in breathing |
eupnea | normal breathing |
bradypnea | slow breathing |
paroxysm | severe coughing spell (resp sys) |
hemoptysis | coughing up and spitting out blood |
sputum | expectorated (spit-out)matter that contains mucus, inhaled particulates, sometimes pus and blood |
hemothorax | blood in the pleural cavity |
hypercapnia | excessive carbon dioxide blood levels |
hypoxemia | deficient levels of oxygen in the blood |
Cheyne-Stokes respiration | pattern of repeated distressed breathing marked by a gradual increase of deep breathing, followed by shallow breathing and space |
emphysema | chronic lung disease named by a Greek work that means "to inflate" |
pertussis | also known as whooping cough |
asthma | condition of the lungs that is characterized by widespread narrowing of the bronchioles and formation of mucous plugs |
severe acute respiratory syndrome | severe viral infection resulting in respiratory distress that includes lung inflammation, alveolar damage, and atelectasis |
croup | barking cough caused by an acute obstruction in the larynx among children |
atelectasis | collapsed lung |
tracheitis | inflammation of the trachea |
tuberculosis | highly contagious bacterial disease |
coryza | clinical term for the common cold |
pyothorax | condition of pus in the pleural cavity |
bronchodilation | procedure that uses a bronchodilating agent in an inhaler to reduce bronchial constriction |
expectorant | breaks up mucus and promotes coughing |
arterial blood gases | oxygen and carbon dioxide blood levels |
pulmonary angiography | x-ray of lung blood vessels |
pulmonary function tests | use of spirometry to evaluate lung function |
nebulizer | device used to convert a liquid medication to a mist and deliver it to lungs |
ventilation-perfusion scanning | diagnostic tool that uses nuclear medicine, or the use of radioactive material. to evaluate pulmonary function |
attenuation | process in which pathogens are rendered less virulent, or infectious, prior to their incorporation into a vaccine |
vaccine | a preparation used to activate an immune response |
immunization | procedure that establishes immunity against a particular antigen |
prothrombin time | a timed test for coagulation rate |
blood chemistry | tests on a sample of plasma to measure the levels of certain chemicals |
antiretroviral therapy | drugs used to battle retroviruses |
prophylaxis | preventive treatment |
antibiotic therapy | therapy against bacterial infections |