Word | Definition |
Acute | descriptive of a disease with a short, relatively severe course. |
Chronic | descriptive of a disease that exists over a long period of time. showing little change or slow progression. |
Diagnosis | Identification of a disease or condition by scientific evaluation. |
Prognosis | Predicted (probable) outcome of a disease. |
Sign | definitive evidence of a disease. Blood pressure reading, rash. |
Symptom | subjective evidence perceived by a patient such as itching. |
Pulse | The rhythmic expansion of an artery that occurs as the heart beats. |
Respiration rate | Counting the #'s of breaths per minute. |
Tympanic thermometer | an electronic instrumnet that measures body temperature by placing the probe at the opening of the eternal ear. |
Systolic pressure | Blood pressure is represented as a fraction. Represents the higher #. |
Palpation | Application of the fingers with pressure to the surface of the body during a physical examination. |
Percussion | tapping the body with the fingertips or fist during a physical examination |
Ausculation | Listening for sounds within the body using a stethoscope. |
Electrocardiograph | Instrument used to measure the electrical impulses of the heart. |
Electrocardiography | Recording the electrical impulses of the heart. |
Electrocardiogram | The record produced in electrocardiography. |
cephalometry | Measurement of the dimensions of the head. |
Opthalmoscope | Instrument used to examine the eye. |
Opthalmoscopy | examination of the eye with an opthamoscope. |
Microscope | instrument used for viewing microscopic objects. |
otoscopy | Visual examination of the ear. |
endoscopy | visual inspection of the body using an endoscope. |
catheterization | The process of inserting a catheter into the body. |
catheterize | the introduction of a catheter into the body, to introduce a catheter into the body. |
cannula | a hollow flexible tube; catheter |
sonography | imaging of internal structures by measuring and recording sound waves. |
nuclear medicine | placing radioactive materials into the body organs and using computerized scanners. |
computer tomography | producing detailed images of cross sections of tissue as though cuts had been made. Similar to what one would see if organ were actually cut into sections. |
contrast imaging | using radiopaque materials to make internal organs or vessels visible. |
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) | visualizing internal structures based ont he magnetic properties of chemical elements. |
symptom | patient says he has a sore throat. |
sign | patient has a fever |
sign | patient's blood pressure is elevated. |
sign | patient has an abnormal lab result |
inspection | using the eyes to observe the patient |
vital signs | pulse rate, respiration rate, body temp. |
radiation oncology | Same as radiation therapy |
opposite of chronic | acute |
another name for sonogram | echogram |
opposite of benign | malignant |
therapeutic | pertaining to therapy |
cytotoxic | destructive of damaging to cells |
term that often preceeds tomography | computed |
diagnosis | identification of disease by signs, symptoms, and history |
Stethoscope | instrument often used in auscultation |
electrocardiogram | heart racing |
Term that often preceeds resonance | magnetic |
narcotic | drug that produces insensibility or stupor. |
analgesic | drug that relieves pain |
chemotherapy | treatment of disease by chemical agents. |
radioluscent | permitting passage of x-rays. |
radiopaque | not allowing passage of x-rays. |
ambulant | describes a person who is able to walk. |
distal | away from the origin or point of attachment |
prone | describes a person who is lying face down. |
proximal | nearer to the origin or point of attachment |
recumbant | lying down |
supine | describes a person who is lying on back. |
acrocyanosis | cyanosis of the extremities |
laparoscopy | examination of the interior of the abdomen. |
peritonitis | inflamation of the peritoneum |
abdominothoracic | pertaining to the abdomen and chest |
acral | pertaining to the arms and legs. |
blepharoplasty | plastic surgery of the eyelid |
omphalorrhexis | rupture of the umbilicus (naval) |
shortened term for thoracocentesis | thoracentesis |
Thoracotomy | surgical incision of the chest wall |
thrombocytes | blood platelets, important function in blood clotting |
erythrocytes | red blood cells, often decreased in anemia |
leukocytes | white blood cells, often increased in leukemia |
Plasma | fluid portion of blood |
hematoma | term for localized collection of blood in an organ, tissue, or space. |
hemolysis | destruction of erythrocytes with the liberation of hemoglobin |
hemodialysis | process of diffusing blood through a semi permeable membrane to remove toxic materials. |
coagulation | another term for clotting of blood when it's remobed from the body. |
anticoagulation | a substance that prevents blood from clotting when it's removed from the body |
thrombosis | term for formation of internal blood clots |
shortened term for thrombocytopenia | thrombopenia |
anemia | condition in which both erythrocytes, hemoglobin, or both are decreased. |
phagocytes | cells that can digest and destroy particular matter. |
hematopoiesis | formation and development of blood cells |
shortened term for leukocytopenia | leukopenia |
term that has the opposite meaning of erythrocytopenia | erythrocytosis |
specific-resistance | antigen-antibody reaction that destroys microorganisms. |
nonspecific- resistance | digestive acids destroy many swallowed microorganisms |
nonspecific- resistance | sneezing expels foreign matter |
specific resistance | the immune reaction attacks foreign substances |
nonspecific resistance | urine aids in eliminating microorganisms |
active immunity | having a disease, receiving an vaccination |
passive immunity | receiving antibodies from a host, receiving antibodies through the placenta |