Question | Answer |
INFECTIOUS DISEASE | diseases caused by pathogenic microorganisms |
CONTAGIOUS/COMMUNICABLE | an infectious disease transmitted from human to human |
NONCOMMUNICABLE | infectious diseases that are not transmitted directly by humans. |
PATHOGENS | microorganisms that cause disease |
CELL WALLS | a rigid layer of organic material surrounding delicate cell membranes of bacteria |
COCCI | Spherical |
BACILLI | rod-shaped bacterial cells. |
SPIRILLA | spiral-shaped bacterial cells. |
SPIROCHETES | corkscrew-shaped bacterial cells. |
VIBRIOS | comma-shaped bacterial cells. |
GRAM STAIN | the staining technique that permits the identification of bacteria |
BINARY FISSION | process in w/c bacteria reproduce by splitting in half |
ENDOSPORES | structures produced by bacteria and formed to cope with harsh environmental conditions |
ENDOTOXIN | a potent toxin from certain bacteria that causes life-threatening shock. |
CAPSID | protein coat of viruses |
LYSE | the infecting of cells by viruses |
LATENT INFECTION | a condition caused when viruses insert themselves in cells and do not reproduce. |
AMOEBOIDS | a type of protozoa that moves with pseudopodia |
FLAGELLATES | a type of protozoa that moves using whiplike appendages called flagella |
CILIATES | a type of protozoa that moves using hairlike cilia |
SPOROZOANS | a form of protozoa; a single-celled |
PSEUDOPODIA | cell membrane extensions used for locomotion of phagocytosi |
FLAGELLA | whip-like cell appendages used for locomotion |
CILIA | the hairlike projections found in the mucous membrane that lines the respiratory tract |
MYCELIA | filaments in fungi specialized for absorption of nutrients. |
SPORES | microscopic fungal reproductive structures that can induce allergies |
MYCOSES | infectious diseases caused by fungi |
INFESTATIONS | infections involving wormlike animals called helminths. |
ROUNDWORMS | a wormlike animal that is relatively round in cross-section |
FLATWORMS | a wormlike animal that has a flattened body |
VECTORS | animals that transmit pathogenic microorganisms to humans |
RESERVOIRS | the sources of a pathogen and a potential source of disease |
HORIZONTAL TRANSMISSION | the route by w/c an infectious diseas is transmitted directly from an infected human to a susceptible human |
VERTICAL TRANSMISSION | the route by w/c an infectious disease is transmitted from one generation to the next |
INCIDENCE | the number of new cases of a disease in a population |
PREVALENCE | the number of existing cases of a disease |
ENDEMIC | describes a disease in w/c endometrial tissue from the uterus becomes embedded elsewhere |
EPIDEMIC | the occurrence of a disease in unusually large numbers over a specific area |
PANDEMIC | describes an epidemic that has spread to include several large areas worldwide |
OUTBREAK | the sudden occurrence of a disease |
NOTIFIABLE DISEASES | diseases under surveillance that must be reported by physicians to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) |
ISOLATION | keeping an infected person in the hospital or staying at home in bed when suffering form a disease as a way of controlling the transmission of infectious diseases |
QUARANTINE | the separation of persons who may or may not be infected from healthy people until period of infectious risk is passed |
DISINFECTION | reduing the risk of infection or contamination |
STANDARD PRECAUTIONS | precautions such as gloves required of medical personnel when handling patiens or bodily fluids |
ANTIBIOTIC | drugs used to treat bacterial infections |
ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE | resistance arising when bacteria adapt to antibiotics and the adaptation becomes common in the bacterial population |
NUCLEIC ACID ANALOGUES | anti-viral medications |
affect | feeling |
amyloid | waxy |
autism | syndrome of extreme withdrawal and obsessive behavior |
catatonic | a state of not being able to move |
circadian | biologic clock in humans; the rhythmic repetition of certain phenomena |
cognitive | pertaining to the mental processes of thinking |
deficit | A deficiency or impairment in mental or physical functioning |
delusion | a fixed false belief that is resistant to reason or confrontation with actual fact |
endarterectomy | the surgical excision of the innermost lining of an artery to remove blockage |
hallucination | a false perception of reality; may be visual |
hypoxia | low oxygen levels in the tissues |
ischemia | holding back or obstructing the flow of blood |
mutism | a condition of being unable to speak |
narcissistic | A psychological condition characterized by self-preoccupation |
paranoid | Exhibiting or characterized by extreme and irrational fear or distrust of others |
psychotic | a person characterized by a loss of contact with reality and an inability to think rationally |
schizoid | pertaining to a personality disorder marked by dissociation |
mental retardation | wide range of conditions that interfere with the developmental processes |
learning disabilities | conditions that cause children to learn in a manner that is not normal |
stuttering | communication disorder defined as frequent repetitions or prolongations of sounds or syllables |
attention deficit hyperactivity disorder/ADHD | a condition of persistent inattention leading to hyperactivity and impulsivity |
tourette's disorder | a syndrome of multiple motor tics coupled with one or more vocal tics |
alzheimer's disease | progressive degenerative disease of the brain that produces a typical profile of loss of mental and physical functioning |
vascular dementia | general loss of intellectual ability from hypoxia and reduced nourishment to the brain cells from narrowed arteries |
alcohol abuse | disorder of physical and psychological dependence on daily or regular excessive intake of alcoholic beverages |
schizophrenia | group of disorders that may result in chronic mental dysfunction |
bipolar disorder | major affective disorder with abnormally intense mood swings from a hyperactive |
major depressive disorder | mood disorder characterized by one or more major depressive episodes |
anxiety/panic disorder | free-floating anxiety... constant worrying/sudden anxiety |
phobic disorder | excessive |
obsessive-compulsive disorder | persistent unwanted thoughts and persistent urges to carry out specific actions |
posttraumatic distress disorder | delayed response to an external traumatic event that produces signs and symptoms of extreme distress |
somatization disorder/Briquet's syndrome | multisymptomatic disorder occurring before the age of 30 |
conversion disorder | anxiety is changed to a physical or somatic symptom/hysteria |
pain disorder | manifested by pain that causes significant distress and physical and social impairment |
hypochondriasis | preoccupied fear of having a serious disease/patients mistake body-system symptoms or aches and pains without clinical basis for serious illnesses |
munchausen's syndrome | seeking medical attention without real illness for one's self or one's child |
gender identity disorder | conditions in which individuals feel powerful connections with the opposite sex and wants to be the other sex |
insomnia | difficulty falling asleep and/or staying asleep |
parasomnias | group of sleep disorders that include sleepwalking |
narcolepsy | irresistable daytime sleep episodes that may last a few seconds to a half-hour |
sleep apnea | intermittent short periods of breathing cessation during sleep |
agglutination | the clumping of antigens with antibodies or of the RBC's from one type of blood with the RBC's of another type |
aggregation | the coming together of entities such as platelets |
angioplasty | repair of a narrowed blood vessel through surgery or other angiographic procedures |
arteriosclerosis | group of diseases characterized by hardening of the arteries |
asystole | the absence of contractions of the heart/cardiac standstill |
atherosclerosis | thickening/hardening of the arteries |
bradycardia | a slow heartbeat rate |
bruit | abnormal sound heard in auscultation |
cardiomegaly | enlargement of the heart |
cardiomyopathy | defect of the heart muscle |
cellulitis | acute |
dyscrasia | pathologic condition/abnormal condition of the blood |
ecchymosis | discoloration of the skin associated with contusion |
embolism | the occlusion of a blood vessel by an embolus |
hematopoiesis | pertaining to the production and the development of blood cells or a substance that stimulates their production |
hemolytic | destruction of RBC's with the release of hemoglobin |
hypovolemia | blood disorder consisting of a decrease in the volume of circulating blood |
hypoxia | low oxygen levels in the tissues |
ischemia | holding back/obstructing blood flow |
orthopnea | condition in which breathing becomes easier in an upright standing or sitting position |
perfusion | delivery of oxygen and other nutrients to the tissue by the blood |
petechiae | a tiny spiderlike hemorrhage under the skin |
phlebotomy | sugical puncture of a vein to withdraw blood |
plaque | a deposit of hardened material lining the blood vessel |
purpura | a red-purple discoloration of the skin caused by multiple minute hemorrhages in the skin or mucous membrane |
syncope | fainting/lightheadedness |
tachycardia | rapid heartbeat/more than 100 beats per minute |
tamponade | compression of a part by pressure or a collection of fluid |
thrombus | blood clot attached to the interior wall of a blood vessel |
coronary artery disease/CAD | condition involving arteries supplying the myocardium |
angina pectoris | chest pain after exertion/result of reduced oxygen supply to the myocardium |
myocardial infarction | death of myocardial tissue caused by the development of ischemia |
cardiac arrest | sudden |
hypertensive heart disease | result of chronically elevated pressure throughout the vascular system/most prevalent cardiovascular disorder in the U.S. |
essential/primary hypertension | condition of abnormally high blood pressure in the arterial system |
malignant hypertension | severe form of hypertension/life-threatening condition |
congestive heart failure | acute or chronic inability of the heart to pump enough blood throughout the body to meet the demands of homeostasis |
cor pulmonale | results in enlargement of the right ventricle as a sequela to primary lung disease/right-sided heart disease |
pulmonary edema | condition of fluid shift into the extravascular spaces of the lungs |
cardiomyopathy | noninflammatory disease of the cardiac muscle resulting in enlargement of the myocardium and ventricular dysfunction |
pericarditis | acute/chronic inflammation of the pericardium (serosa) |
myocarditis | inflammation of the muscular walls of the heart |
endocarditis | inflammation of the lining and the valves of the heart |
rheumatic fever | systemic inflammatory and autoimune disease involving the joints and cardiac tissue |
rheumatic heart disease | cardiac manifestations that follow rheumatic fever |
valvular heart disease | acquired/congenitial disorder that can involve any of the four heart valves |
mitral stenosis | hardening of the cusps of the mitral valve that prevents complete and normal opening for the passage of blood from the left atrium into the left ventricle |
mitral insufficiency | mitral valve fails to close completely and allows blood from the left ventricle to flow back into the left atrium |
mitral valve prolapse | usually a benign condition |
arrhythmias | any deviation from the normal heartbeat or sinus rhythm/irregular heartbeat |
shock | collapse of the cardiovascular system |
cardiogenic shock | inadequate output of blood by the heart |
cardiac tamponade | compression of the heart muscle and restriction of heart movement caused by blood or fluid trapped in the pericardial sac/cardial compression |
emboli | clots of aggregated material (usually blood) that can lodge in a blood vessel and inhibit blood flow |
aneurysm | weakening and resulting local dilation of the wall of an artery |
phlebitis | inflammation of a vein |
thrombophlebitis | result of inflammation of a vein with the formation of a thrombus on the vessel wall |
varicose veins | swollen |
thromboangiitis obliterans/Buerger's disease | inflammation of the peripheral arteries and veins of the extremities with clot formation |
raynaud's disease | vasospastic condition of the fingers |
anemias | conditions in which there is a reduction in the quantity of either RBC's or hemoglobin in a measured volume of blood |
agranulocytosis/neutropenia | blood dyscrasia in which leukocyte levels become extremely low |
polycythemia | abnormal increase in the amount of hemoglobin |
acute lymphocytic leukemia/ALL | characterized by an overproduction of immature lymphoid cells (lymphoblasts) in the bone marrow and lymph nodes |
chronic lymphocytic leukemia/CLL | neoplasm that involves the lymphocytes/slowly progressive disease that results in accumulation of mature-appearing |
acute myelogenous leukemia/AML | rapidly progressive neoplasm of cells committed to the myeloid line of development. Leukemic cells accumulate in the bone marrow |
chronic myelogenous leukemia/CML | slowly progressing neoplasm that arises in a hematopoietic stem cell or early progenitor cell |
lymphedema | abnormal collection of lymph |
lymphangitis | inflammation of the lymph vessels |
lymphoma | malignant neoplasms that arise from uncontrolled proliferation of the cellular components of the lymph system |
Hodgkin's disease | cancer of the body's lymphatic system |
non-Hodgkin's lymphoma/NHL | a number of heterogeneous neoplasms of the lymphoid cells that exhibit a wide variety of clinical signs and symptoms |
transfusion incompatability reaction | results when the blood or blood products transfused has antibodies to the recipient's RBC's or the recipient has antibodies to the donor's RBC's |
classic hemophilia | hereditary bleeding disorder resulting from deficiency of clotting factors |
disseminated intravascular coagulation | condition of simultaneous hemorrhage and thrombosis |
anosmia | impairment or loss of smell |
anthracosis | the deposition of coal dust in the lungs; asymptomatic pneumoconiosis/black lung |
aphonia | inability to produce normal speech sounds/loss of voice |
asbestosis | a lung disease caused by the inhalation of asbestos dust |
aspiration | drawing in or out by suction |
circumoral cyanosis | a bluish discoloration around the mouth |
dysphonia | hoarseness/difficulty in speaking |
epistaxis | bleeding from the nose |
exsanguination | excessive loss of blood from a part |
hemoptysis | spitting up blood |
laryngectomy | surgical removal of voice organ/larynx |
lymphadenitis | inflammation of lymph nodes |
lymphadenopathy | disease of lymph nodes |
pneumoconiosis | chronic respiratory disease caused by inhaling metallic or mineral particles |
rhonchi | a wheezing or snoring sound heard upon auscultation of the chest |
silicosis | a disease of the lungs caused by the inhaling of siliceous particles |
sinusotomy | incision into the sinus |
stridor | high-pitched respiratory sound caused by obstruction of air passageway |
syncytial virus | a type of minute parasitic microorganism |
tachypnea | rapid and shallow respirations |
sinusitis | acute or chronic inflammation of the mucous membranes of the paranasal sinuses |
pharyngitis | acute or chronic inflammation or infection of the pharynx |
nasopharyngeal carcinoma | tumors that arise in the area of the pharynx that opens into the nasal cavity anteriorly and the oropharynx inferiorly. They are unique among head and neck cancers in that they are not strongly linked to tobacco use. Instead |
laryngitis | inflammation of the larynx |
deviated septum | a crooked nasal septum |
nasal polyps | benign growths that form as a consequence of distended mucous membranes protruding into the nasal cavity |
atelectasis | airless or collapsed state of the pulmonary tissue |
pulmonary embolism | occurs when a blood clot or other material lodges in and occludes an artery in the pulmonary circulation |
pneumonia | infective inflammation of the lungs |
pulmonary abscess | area of contained infectious material in the lung |
Legionellosis/Legionaires' disease | pneumonia caused by bacterium Legionella pneumophila |
respiratory syncytial virus pneumonia | inflammatory and infectious condition of the lungs |
histoplasmosis | fungal disease originating in the lungs that is caused by inhalation of dust containing Histoplasma capsulatum |
influenza | generalized |
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease/COPD | encompasses several obstructive diseases of the lungs rendering patients unable to ventilate the lungs freely |
acute/chronic bronchitis | inflammation of the mucous membrane lining the bronchi |
bronchiectasis | permanent |
asthma | A chronic respiratory disease |
pulmonary emphysema | chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder characterized by destructive changes in the alveolar walls and irreversible enlargement of alveolar air spaces |
pleurisy | inflammation of the membranes surrounding the lungs and lining the pleural cavity |
pneumothorax | collection of air or gas in the pleural cavity that results in a collapsed or partially collapsed lung |
hemothorax | accumulation of blood and fluid in the pleural cavity |
flail chest | condition of instability in the chest wall caused by multiple rib fractures; the sternum also may be fractured |
pulmonary tuberculosis | chronic |
infectious mononucleosis/Epstein-Barr virus infection | acute herpesvirus infection/also known as glandular fever |
adult respiratory distress syndrome | severe pulmonary congestion characterized by acute respiratory distress and hypoxemia |
sarcoidosis | multisystem granulomatous (small lesions of inflamed cells) disorder most comonly detected in the lungs |
aphasia | a nerve defect that results in loss of speech |
aura | a sensation or phenomenon that signals the onset of an epileptic seizure or a migraine |
autonomic | refers to the nervous system that has two divisions; sympathetic/parasympathetic |
cephalalgia | pain in the head; headache |
chorea | ceaseless occurrence of involuntary muscular movements of the limbs or facial muscles |
concussion | injury to the brain or spinal cord due to jarring from a blow |
contusion | an injury |
craniotomy | incision into the skull |
demyelination | loss of the myelin sheath of a nerve |
diplopia | double vision |
epidural | an anesthetic injected into the epidural space around the spine |
fasciculation | involuntary contraction or twitching of muscles |
hematoma | localized swelling filled with blood due to a broken blood vessel |
hemiparesis | paralysis affecting one side of the body |
hemiplegia | paralysis of one side of the body |
neurotransmitter | a chemical released by the terminal end fibers of an axon |
paraplegia | paralysis of both lower limbs due to spinal disease or injury |
parasympathetic | the division of the autonomic nervous system mediated by the release of acetylcholine |
paresis | partial paralysis |
quadriplegia | paralysis of all four limbs or of the entire body below the neck |
degenerative disk disease | deterioration/degeneration of an intervertebral disk causing pain in the area served by the spinal nerves of the involved disk space/natural part of aging |
herniated/bulging disk | rupture of the nucleus pulposus through the annular wall of the disk and into the spinal canal |
sciatic nerve injury | pathologic condition brought on by trauma |
epilepsy | chronic brain disorder |
Parkinson's disease | common |
Huntington's disease | hereditary degenerative disease of the cerebral cortex and basal ganglia; progressive atrophy of the brain occurs |
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/Lou Gehrig disease | progressive |
transient global amnesia | total loss of memory for a duration of 1 to 6 hours |
peripheral neuritis/neuropathy | degeneration of peripheral nerves |
trigeminal neuralgia/tic douloureux | pain of the area innervated by the fifth cranial nerve |
Bell's palsy | disorder of the facial nerve (7th cranial nerve) that causes a sudden onset of weakness or paralysis of facial muscles |
meningitis | inflammation of the meninges |
encephalitis | inflammation of the brain tissue |
Guillain-Barre syndrome | acute |
brain abscess | collection of pus |
poliomyelitis/post-polio syndrome | viral infection of the anterior horn cells of the gray matter of the spinal cord and causes a selective destruction of the motor neurons |
transient ischemic attack (TIA) | temporary episodes with a duration of less than 24 hours of impaired neurologic functioning caused by an inadequate flow of blood to a portion of the brain |
spinal stenosis | narrowing of the spinal canal or nerve root foramen |
avulsion | separation of a body part by tearing |
bursae | a sac containing synovia |
calcitonin | thyroid hormone that tends to lower the level of calcium in the blood plasma and inhibit resorption of bone |
crepitation | A grating or crackling sensation or sound |
fascia | a fibrous membrane that covers |
hematopoiesis | pertaining to the production and the development of blood cells |
meniscus | a disk of cartilage between the articulating ends of the bones in a joint |
metatarsophalangeal | pertaining to the metatarsus and phalanges of the toe |
ossification | development of bone |
osteogenesis | formation of bone tissue |
synovial | pertaining to a lubrication fluid around a joint |
tenorrhaphy | suture of a tendon |
fibromyalgia | chronic pain condition associated with stiffness and tenderness that affects muscles |
lordosis | exaggerated inward curvature of the spine (swayback) |
kyphosis | abnormal outward curvature of the spine (convexity backward) |
scoliosis | lateral (sideways) curvature of the spine |
osteoarthritis | arthritis that results from the breakdown and eventual loss of the cartilage of one or more joints |
lyme disease | infectious disease caused by the spirochete bacterium injected from the gut of ticks from biting human skin affecting skin |
bursitis | inflammation of a bursa (tiny fluid-filled sac that functions as a gliding surface to reduce friction between tissues of the body) |
osteomyelitis | serious infection of bone that requires aggressive antibiotic treatment |
gout | chronic disorder of uric acid metabolism that manifests as an acute |
paget's disease | chronic bone disorder that typically results in enlarged |
marfan's syndrome | group of inherited conditions featuring abnormal connetive tissue with weakness of blood vessels and excessive length of the extremities |
osteoporosis | condition characterized by the loss of the normal bone density |
osteomalacia and rickets | disease characterized by a defective mineralization of the bones |
hallux valgus (bunion) | localized area of enlargement of the inner portion of the metatarsophalangeal joint at the base of the big toe |
hallux rigidus | stiff big toe that develops as a result of degeneration of the cartilage of the first metatarsophalangeal joint |
hammer toe | toe condition in which the toe bends upward like a claw because of an abnormal flexion of the proximal interphalangeal joint/occurring in any of the four lesser toes |
fractures | broken bones caused by stress on the bone resulting from a traumatic insult to the musculoskeletal system |
strain/sprain | injured tendon |
dislocation | forcible displacement of a bone from its joint |
adhesive capsulitis | condition in which a shoulder is significantly limited in its range of motion as a result of inflammation |
severed tendon | a tendon torn completely in two and thus prevents the muscle from performing its function of moving a body part |
shin splints | painful condition involving inflammation of the periosteum |
plantar fasciitis | inflammatory response at the bottom of the heel bone. There the flat tissue that acts like a bowstring for the arch of the foot attaches to the bottom of the heel |
ganglion | benign sac-like swelling or cyst that is filled with a colorless |
torn meniscus | crack or fissure that is usually a result of wear or injury |
rotator cuff tears | tears in any of the rotator cuff tendons limiting the function of the shoulder |
amblyopia | reduced vision in an eye without a detectable organic lesion |
blepharitis | Inflammation of the eyelids |
cryotherapy | theraputic use of cold |
diplopia | double vision |
iridotomy | incision of the iris |
labyrinth | the internal ear |
macula | a small spot/colored area |
meibomian | a sebacious gland on the posterior margin of each eyelid |
myringotomy | surgical incision of the eardrum performed to release fluid or pus from the middle ear |
otoscopy | visual examination of the ear using an otoscope |
retinopathy | non-inflammatory eye disorders |
seborrhea | excessive secretion of sebum from sebacceous glands |
sensorineural | pertaining to a sensory nerve |
tinnitus | ringing or buzzing in the ears |
tonometry | measurement of intraocular pressure |
tympanoplasty | Surgical repair or reconstruction of the middle ear |
vertigo | loss of equalibrium or sensation of instability; dizziness |
hyperopia | farsightedness |
myopia | nearsightedness |
astigmatism | a refractive error of the eye in which parallel rays of light from an external source do not converge on a single focal point on the retina |
presbyopia | Inability of the eye to focus sharply on nearby objects |
nystagmus | a congenital or acquired persistent |
strabismus | cross-eyed |
hordeolum | an infection of the sebaceous gland of the eyelid |
chalazion | a small sebaceous cyst of the eyelid resulting when a Meibomian gland is blocked |
keratitis | inflammation of the cornea |
entropion | The infolding of the margin of an eyelid |
ectropion | rolling outward of the margin of an eyelid |
blepharoptosis | Drooping of the upper eyelid |
conjunctivitis | inflammation of the conjunctiva |
corneal abrasion/ulcer | painful loss of surface epethelium |
episcleritis/scleritis | inflammation of the episclera (external surface of the sclera)/inflammation of the deeper sclera |
cataract | when the natural lens of the eye becomes opacified (cloudy) |
glaucoma | damage to the optic nerve |
macular degeneration | progressive deterioration of the macula of the retina |
diabetic retinopathy | disorder of the retinal blood vessels |
retinal detachment | elevation (separation) of the retina from the choroid |
uveitis | inflammation of the uveal tract |
exophthalmos | abnormal protrusion of the eyeballs |
impacted cerumen | atypical accumulation of cerumen in the outer ear canal |
infective otitis externa | inflammation of the external ear canal |
swimmer's ear | inflammation and resulting infection of the outer canal after water has been entrapped during swimming |
otitis media | inflammation of the normally air-filled middle ear with the accumulation of fluid behind the eardrum/unitlaterally or bilaterally |
otosclerosis | formation of new bone about the stapes or cochlea |
meniere's disease | chronic disease of the inner ear that affects the labyrinth |
benign paroxysmal positional vertigo | vestibular system disorder/patient complains of his/her head spinning |
labyrinthitis | inflammation/infection of the inner ear |
ruptured tympanic membrane | any type of tear or injury to the eardrum/possibly resulting from pressure |
cholesteatoma | pocket of skin cells |
mastoiditis | acute/chronic inflammation of the mastoid bone |
sensorineural hearing loss | deafness/occupational hearing loss |
acidosis | pathological condition from an abnormal increase in the level of hydrogen ion in the body (decrease in Ph) resulting from the accumulation of acid or loss of the alkaline reserve |
corticotropin | hormone excreted by the anterior lobe of the pituitary |
epiphyseal | long end of a bone where the growth occurs |
gonadotropin | hormone that stimulates the testes and ovaries to function |
hyperglycemia | increase in the normal blood glucose level |
hyperkalemia | a greater than normal amount of potasium in the blood |
hypocalcemia | low calcium levels in the blood |
hypothalamus | a portion of the diencephalon |
panhypopituitarism | condition in which the entire pituitary gland ceases to function/is not producing any pituitary hormones |
polydipsia | excessive thirst |
polyphagia | excessive eating |
polyuria | excretion of abnormally large amounts of urine |
pruritis | itching |
radioimmunoassay | test that measures minute amounts of antibodies or antigens by the use of radioactive substances |
somatotropin | growth hormone (GH) secreted by the anterior pituitary |
thyrotoxicosis | toxic condition caused by hyperactivity of the thyroid gland |
thyrotropin | thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) |
thyroxine | the thyroid gland hormone that regulates the metabolic rate of the body |
triiodothyronine | hormone that helps regulate growth and development |
vasopressin | A hormone secreted by the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland that constricts blood vessels |
gigantism | abnormal pattern of overgrowth and stature |
acromegaly | chronic metabolic condition of adults caused by hypersecretion of growth hormone (GH) |
dwarfism | abnormal underdevelopment of the body (hypopituitarism) occurring in children |
diabetes insipidus | disturbance of water metabolism resulting in extreme thirst and excessive secretion of dilute urine |
simple goiter | any enlargement of the thyroid gland |
hashimoto's thyroiditis | chronic disease of the immune system that attacks the thyroid gland |
hyperthyroidism | overactivity of the thyroid gland |
Grave's disease | occurs when the entire thyroid gland grows excessively |
hypothyroidism | underactivity of the thyroid gland |
cretinism | hypothyroidism developing in infancy or early childhood |
myxedema | hypothyroidism developing in the older child or adult |
thyroid cancer | cancer occurring in the thyroid gland |
hyperparathyroidism | condition caused by overactivity of one or more of the four parathyroid glands and results in overproduction of parathyroid hormone (PTH) |
hypoparathyroidism | condition in which the secretion of parathyroid hormone (PTH) by the parathyroid glands is greatly reduced |
Cushing's syndrome | condition of chronic hypersecretion of the adrenal cortex |
Addison's disease | partial/complete failure of adrenocortical function |
diabetes mellitus | chronic disorder of carbohydrate |
gestational diabetes | type III diabetes/condition of damaged ability to process carbohydrates that has its onset during pregnancy |
precocious puberty in boys | onset of puberty before the age of nine (in boys) |
precocious puberty in girls | onset of puberty before the age of eight (in girls) |
hormones | chemical messengers classified as either amino acids (proteins) or steroids |
acetabulum | the cup-shaped cavity in which the ball-shaped head of the femur articulates |
acyanotic | absence of a bluish appearance of the skin and mucous membranes |
adenosarcoma | a cancerous glandlike tumor |
amniocentesis | A procedure in which a small sample of amniotic fluid is drawn out of the uterus through a needle inserted in the abdomen. |
anencephalic | congenital absence of part or all of the brain. |
ataxic | loss of coordination of the muscles |
azoospermia | an absence of spermatoza in the semen |
bicornate | having two horns or horn-shaped parts |
contracture | immobility of muscles or a joint caused by shortening or wasting of tissue or muscle fibers |
dysplasia | marked by abnormal adult cells |
dystrophy | any of a number of disorders characterized by weakening |
electromyography | an electrodiagnosis assessment of the activity of skeletal muscles |
foramen ovale | An opening in the septum between the right and left atria of the heart |
meconium | 1st stool of a newborn |
meninges | the three membranes covering the brain and spinal cord |
neonates | newborn babies |
pyelography | radiography of the pelvis |
pylorus | the narrow part of the stomach toward the duodenum |
stenosis | a narrowing or stricture of a passage or vessel |
syncope | lightheadedness |
tachypnea | rapid and shallow respirations |
trisomy | one or more than the normal number of chromosomes |
congenital anomalies | mental or physical problems present at birth/likely to occur in multiple |
infant respiratory distress syndrome | hyaline membrane disease/patient suffers acute hypoxemia caused by infiltrates within the alveoli |
necrotizing enterocolitis | acute inflammatory process caused by ischemic necrosis of the mucosal lining of the small intestine |
Down syndrome | congenital form of mild to severe mental retardation accompanied by characteristic facial features and distinctive physical abnormalities |
cerebral palsy | most common crippler of children/congenital |
muscular dystrophy | progressive degeneration and weakening of the skeletal muscles/Duchenne MD is most common type and is usually diagnosed before 5 years of age |
spina bifida | group of malformations of the spine in which the posterior portion of the bony canal containing the spinal cord is completely /partially absent |
hydrocephalus | central spinal fluid is increased greatly or the circulation of CSF is blocked |
ventricular septal defect | most common congenital cardiac disorder/abnormal opening between the right and left ventricles |
patent ductus arteriosus | ductus fails to functionally close |
coarctation of the aorta | aortic lumen is narrowed which causes partial obstruction of blood flow through the aorta |
atrial septal defect | abnormal opening between right/left atria |
tetralogy of Fallot | combination of four congenital heart defects: (1) ventricular septal defect |
transposition of the great arteries | aorta and pulmonary arteries are reversed resulting in two closed-looped circulatory systems |
clubfoot | nontraumatic deformity of the newborn foot in which the anterior half of the foot is adducted and inverted |
congenital hip dysplasia | an abnormal development of the hip joint that ranges from an unstable joint to dislocation of the femoral head from the acetabulum |
cleft lip/palate | congential birth defect consisting of one or more clefts in the upper lip. Cleft palate is a hole in the middle of the roof of the mouth |
pyloric stenosis | gastric obstruction associated with norrowing of the pyloric sphincter at the exit of the stomach |
hirschsprung's disease | impairment of intestinal motility that causes obstruction of the distal colon |
cystic fibrosis | inherited disorder/chronic dysfunction of the exocrine glands affecting multiple body systems; most common fatal genetic disease |
phenylketonuria | inborn error in the metabolism of amino acids that causes brain damage and mental retardation when not corrected |
chickenpox | highly contagious |
diphtheria | acute communicable disease that causes necrosis of the mucous membrane in the respiratory tract |
mumps | acute communicable viral disease causing inflammation and swelling of one or both parotid glands |
pertussis | whooping cough/highly contagious bacterial infection of the respiratory tract |
measles | acute |
rubella | highly contagious viral disease similar to measles clinically |
tetanus | acute |
sudden infant death syndrome | sudden |
anticholinesterase | any enzyme that counteracts the action of the choline esters |
autoimmune | an immune response resulting in the presence of self-antigens or autoantigens on the surface of certain body cells; may result in allergy or autoimune disease |
candidiasis | any of a variety of infections caused by fungi of the genus Candida |
collagen | major supporting element |
hematopoietic | pertaining to the formation of blood or blood cells |
hypogammaglobulinemia | a below normal concentration of gamma globulin in the blood associated with a decreased resistance to infection |
immunocompetent | the immune system has the ability to defend the body against disease |
immunodeficiency | the diminished ability of the immune system to react with appropriate cellular immunity response; often the result of loss of immunoglobulins or aberrance of B- or T-cell lymphocytes |
immunoelectrophoresis | a technique used to separate and allow identification of complex proteins |
immunogen | substance capable of stimulating an immune response |
immunoglobulin | a protein that can act as an antibody |
immunosuppressive | having the property of suppressing the body's immune response to antigens |
keratoconjunctivitis | dryness of the conjunctiva resulting from a decrease in lacrimal function |
lymph | a mostly clear |
lymphadenopathy | disease of the lymph nodes |
lymphocyte | one of two types (B-cells and T-cells) of leukocytes (white blood cells) found in blood |
macrophage | Any of various large white blood cells that play an essential immunologic role |
phagocyte | cell that surrounds and digests certain particles (bacteria |
phagocytosis | the process by which cells surround and digest certain particles |
allergen | antigenic substance capable of producing an allergic response in the body |
anaphylaxis | a severe systemic allergic response characterized by redness |
antigen | any substance that stimulates the immune system to produce antibodies |
asymptomatic | without symptoms |
auscultation | a diagnostic techniques of listening for sounds within the body |
cachexia | a profound and marked wasting disorder |
carcinogenic | substance that produces cancer or that causes transformation of a normal cell to a cancerous one |
chromosome | structure in the nucleus of a cell that functions in the transmission of genetic information |
genotype | genetic code |
homeostasis | a state of equilibrium within the body |
hospice | unique concept of care development to help patients and their families deal with life-threatening illness. |
ischemia | holding back or obstructing the flow of blood |
karyotype | a picture of chromosomes in the nucleus of a cell |
metastasis | spreading of a malignant disease or pathogenic microorganisms from one organ or part to another not directly connected with it |
mutation | a variation or change in genetic structure |
nociceptor | nerve that receives and transmits painful stimuli |
oncogene | a gene in a virus that can prompt a cell to turn malignant |
pathogenesis | the development of disease; pathologic mechanisms |
phagocytic | the process by which cells surround and digest certain particles |
somatoform | psychogenic symptoms without an underlying disease process |