Question | Answer |
a predicion of the course of a disease | prognosis |
a body structure located on or near the belly | ventral |
the heart and blood vessels are organs that form the | cardiovascular system |
the determination of the nature of a disease | diagnosis |
one who studies disease | pathologist |
a symptom marked by a body temperature that exceeds the normal | fever |
a cephalic symptom is a sensation | head |
an adjective that describes a disease of short duration | chronic |
the elbow is distal to the | shoulder |
the most basic form of life | cell |
the type of tissue that consists of tightly packed cells that often form a protective barrier | epithelial tissue |
the substance within the nucleus of a cell that contains roughly 30,000 genes | DNA |
anything that causes mutations that result in tumor development | carcinogenic |
a treatment intended to reduce pain during treatment without contributing | palliative |
a physician who specializes in the treatment of cancer | oncologist |
a collection of pus from a localized infection | abscess |
a loss/lack of scalp hair (baldness) | alopecia |
an injury to the skin causing discoloration and swelling without breaking the skin surface (bruise) | contusion |
a closed sac or pouch that contains fluid | cyst |
a scar | cicatrix |
swelling caused by accumulation of fluid (in tissue) | edema |
profuse (not necessarily excessive) sweating | diaphoresis |
a torn or jagged wound | laceration |
an eroded lesion of the skin or mucous membrane | ulcer |
an inflammation of skin originating from an infection of connective tissue within the dermis | cellulitis |
a skin sore caused by pressure or immobility while lying down (bedsore) | decubitus ulcer |
tissue death and decay caused by loss or reduction of blood supply | gangrene |
a chronic skin condition characterized by red lesions covered with silvery scales | psoriasis |
a form of skin cancer characterized by formation of purple or brown patches on the skin that spread by way of lymphatics; used as a sign of AIDS | Kaposi's sarcoma |
characterized by redness, blisters, scaling, and sensations of itching/burning | eczema |
a precancerous skin condition caused by exposure to sunlight; marked by overgrowths of outer epidermal layer | actinic keratosis |
a tumor that arises from epithelium of epidermis; can spread locally if not treated but seldom metastasizes | basal cell carcinoma |
abnormal deposit of uric acid crystals in the joints(usually the big toe) | gout |
abnormal enlargement of joint at base of big toe | bunion |
a break in a bone | fracture |
abnormal, sudden, involuntary muscle contractions or series of alternating muscle contractions/relaxations | spasm |
"prolonged", involuntary muscular contractions | cramps |
an artificial substitute for a missing body part | prosthesis |
sate of rigidity of muscle during which the muscle is unable to contract | rigor |
involuntary shaking of the limbs | tremor |
disorder characterized by intruisive, unwanted thoughts causing repetitive acts/rituals | obsessive-compulsive disorder |
sudden deficient supply of blood to the brain lasting a short time | transient ischemic attack |
group of diagnostic tests to determine brain function in presence of particular stimuli | evoked potential studies |
progressive muscle atrophy caused by hardening of nerve tissue on lateral spinal cord | amyotrophic lateral sclerosis |
insertion of needle into subarchnoid space usually between L3 and 4 to remove CSF | lumbar puncture |
paralysis of localized area; most common in facial muscles paralyzed on one side | palsy |
viral infection of peripheral nerves/erupts as painful skin blisters along nerve tract | shingles |
inflammation of sciatic nerve producing pain that extends from thigh to toe | sciatica |
type of cerebral vascular disease where blood vessel that supplies the brain becomes dilated due to a weakening of its wall | cerebral aneurysm |
disorder in which main symptom is seizures | epilepsy |
sudden attack with involuntary series of contractions(synonymous with convulsions) | seizures |
"chronic" degenerative disease of the CNS. symptoms include tremors/shuffling gait | Parkinson's disease |
"jarring/shaking" that results in an injury | concussion |
interruption of blood supply to the brain caused by a cerebral thrombosis, embolism, or hemorrhage | verebrovascular accident |
disease characterized by early senility,loss of recongnition of person, confusion | Alzheimer's disease |
state of profound unconsciousness | coma |
"degenerative" disease characterized by sclerotic patches along brain/spinal cord | multiple sclerosis |
fainting/sudden loss of consciousness caused by lack of blood supply to cerebrum | syncope |
Defective curvature of the refractive surface (lens) of the eye | Astigmatism |
Clouding of the lens of the eye | Cataract |
Farsightedness | Hyperopia |
Nearsightedness | Myopia |
Loss of vision resulting from increased ocular pressure which damages optic nerve | Glaucoma |
Infection of the oil gland of the eyelid (also called hordeolum) | Stye or Sty |
Dizziness (sense that one's body or enviroment is revolving) | Vertigo |
Sharpness of vision for either distance for near | Visual Acuity |
Chronic disease of inner ear characterized by dizziness/ringing of the ear/hearing loss | Meniere Disease |
Ringing in the ear | Tinnitus |
procedure for treatment of nearsightedness in which a laser used to reshape corneal surface by removing a portion of the cornea | LASIK |
surgical removal of the eye | enucleation |
ear wax | cerumen |
health professional who prescribes corrective lens | optometrist |
specialist who fills prescriptions for lenses | optician |
blood test to determine amount of glucose (sugar) in blood after fasting | fasting blood sugar |
sum total of all the chemical processes that take place in a living organism | metabolism |
nuclear medicine test that shows size, shape and position of the thyroid gland using radioactive substance | thyroid scan |
blood test that measures the amount of thyroid-stimulating hormone in the blood (hypo or hyperthyroidism) | thyroid-stimulating hormone level |
group of symptoms attributed to excessive production of cortical by adrenal cortices | Cushing's syndrome |
chronic disease involving a disorder of carbohydrate metabolism (under activity of islets of Langerhans) | diabetes mellitus |
disorder of thyroid gland characterized by presence of "hyperthyroidism", goiter, etc | Graves' Disease |
chronic syndrome resulting from a deficiency in the hormonal secretion of the adrenal cortex | Addison's Disease |
enlargement of thyroid gland | goiter |
an experience of pounding, racing, or skipping of the heartbeat. | palpitation |
bulging of an arterial wall caused by congenital defect or acquired weakness of arterial wall produced as blood is pushed against it. | aneurysm |
cessation of heart activity. | cardiac arrest |
chronic condition characterized by inability of left ventricle to pump enough blood through the body to adequately supply systemic tissue. | congestive heart failure |
generalized condition of arteries of heart, characterized by reduction of blood flow to heart wall (mostly caused by atherosclerosis). | coronary atrery disease |
abnormal presence of stationary blood clots within deep veins of leg. | deep vein thrombosis |
uncoordinated, rapid contractions of ventricles or atria resulting in circulatory collapse. | fibrillation |
acute episode during which heart fails to pump blood effectively. (HA) Also called myocardial infarction (MI) (death of portion of myocardium. | heart attack |
physical exam that consists of listening to internal sounds using a stethoscope. | auscultation |
insertion of a narrow flexible tube, or catheter, through a coronary blood vessel to withdraw blood samples, measure pressures, and inject contrast medium for imaging purposes. | cardiac catherization |
battery-powered device implanted under the skin and wired to the SA nodes; produces timed electrical pulses that replace the pacemaking function of the SA node. | cardiac pacemaker |
emergency response procedure that includes artificial ventilation and external heart massage in an effort to resuscitate (revive) the patient. | cardiopulmonary resuscitation |
surgical procedure to which a blood vessel if removed from another part of the body and inserted in the coronary circulation to bypass blood flow around an occluded (blocked) coronary artery. | coronary artery bypass |
a plastic scaffold used to anchor a surgical implantation (graft), implanted in a coronary artery to prevent closure of artery after angioplasty, etc. | coronary stent |
electrical charge to heart in effort to defibrillate (stop fibrillation) of heart. | defibrillation |
portable electrocardiograph worn by patient; monitors electrical activity of heart over 24 hr period (detect periodic/transient abnormalities). | Holter ambulatory monitor |
abnormal condition of dilated veins | varicosis |
caused by HIV, which disables the immune response | AIDS |
response to an allergen, produces a hypersensitivity reaction | allergy |
diseases that is caused by a person's own immune response attacking healthy tissues | autoimmune disorder |
poisoning caused by the ingestion of food contaminated with the toxin produced by the bacterium | botulism |
bleeding disorder that results from defective clotting proteins | hemophilia |
cancer of lymphatic tissue, elargement of lymph nodes, fatigue, immune deficiency | Hodgkin's disease |
anemia that is caused by a lack of iron, which results in smaller red blood cells containing deficient levels of hemoglobin | iron deficiency anemia |
viral disease characterized by enlaged lymph nodes, atpical lymphocytes, sore throat, fever, and fatigue | mononucleosis |
disorder that usually consists of bacterial infections contracted during a hospital stay | nosocomial infections |
anemia caused by an inadequate supply of folic acid, resulting in red blood cells that are large, varied in shape, and reduced in number | pernicious enemia |
systemic disease caused by the presence of bacteria and their toxins in the circulating blood | septicemia |
disease caused by a powerful neurotoxin released by the common bacterium Clostridium tetani | tetanus |
a chemical agent that reduces the clotting process | anticoagulant |
transfusion of blood donated by a patient for personal use | autologous transfusion |
tests on blood samples to measure the levels of particular components | blood chemistry |
a timed blood test to determine the time required for a blood clot to form | coagulation time |
a common laboratory blood test that provides diagnostic information of a patient's general health | complete blood count |
transfusion of blood that is voluntarily donated by another person | homologous transfusion |
procedure that provides immunity against a particular antigen | immunization |
any preparation used to activate an immune response | vaccine |
measures the number of white blood cells per cubic centimeter | white blood count |
a nosebleed | epistaxis |
excessive movement of air in and out of the lungs | hyperventilation |
expectorated matter, usually contains mucus and sometimes pus | sputum |
absence of respiratory ventilation; suffocation | asphyxia |
a group of disorders (emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and bronchospasm) associated w/the obstruction of bronchial airflow; usally a result of inhaling tobacco products for many years | chronic obstructive pulmonary disease |
disease of infants and young children; caused by acute obstruction of the larynx & characterized by a hoarse cough | croup |
chronic lung diseease charcterized by enlarged alveoli & damaged respiratory membrane; symptoms include apnea, a barrel chest due to labored breathing, and gradual deterioration due to chronic hypoxemia | emphysema |
collapse of the pharynx during sleep; results in airway obstruction & the absence of breathing | obstructive sleep apnea |
escape of fluid into the pleural cavity during inflammation; results in compression of the underlying part of the affected lung | pleural effusion |
blockage in the pulmonary circulation caused by a moving blood clot | pulmonary embolism |
infection of the upper respiratory tract, usually the result of a virus | upper respiratory infection |
removal of fluid with suction | aspiration |
physical examination listening to sounds within the body often with the aid of a stethoscope | auscultation |
insertion of a tube into the trachea via the nose or mouth to open the airway | endotracheal intubation |
drug that breaks up mucus & promotes coughing to remove it | expectorant |
device used to convert a liquid medication to a mist & deliver it to the lungs with the aid of a deep inhalation | nebulizer |
diagnostic tests performed to determine the cause of lung disease by evaluationg lung capacity through the use of spirometry | pulmonary function test |
artificial respiration used to restore breathing | resuscitation |
technique used by respiratory therapist to provide assisted breathing with the use of a ventilator which pushes air into the patient's airway | mechnical ventilation |
clinical test on blood to identify levels of O2/CO2 | arterial blood gases |
accumulation of fluid within peritoneal cavity | ascites |
reduced peristalsis in large intestines resulting in infrequent defecation | constipation |
frequent discharge of watery fecal material | diarrhea |
condition of gas trapped in GI tract or released through the anus | flatus |
yellowish staining of the skin, sclera, deep tissue caused by bile accumulation | jaundice |
symptomatic urge to vomit | nausea |
backward flow of material in GI tract (regurgitation) | reflux |
abnormal growth that connects two surfaces (complication to healing) | adhesions |
behavioral eating disorder/extreme aversion to food/malnutrition | anorexia nervosa |
behavioral eating disorder/repeated gorging with food/induced vomiting | bulimia nervosa |
ulcer in the wall of the duodenum | duodenal ulcer |
infolding of segment of intestine within another segment | intussusception |
chronic disease characterized by periodic disturbances of large intestinal function; abdominal pain due to accumulation of gas/muscle spasms | irritable bowel syndrome |
any abnormal mass of tissue that projects outward from a wall (usually benign) | polyp |
lab test performed to detect blood in the feces | fecal occult blood test |
cleansing procedure in which stomach is rinsed with saline solution | gastric lavage |
process of feeding a patient through tube inserted into the nose and drops into the stomach (feeding tube or nasogastric tube) | gavage |
collection of fecal (stool) sample to identity pathogenic cause of disease | stool culture and sensitivity |
abnormal narrowing... ie of ureter, etc | stricture |
acute stoppage of urine formation by the kidneys | urinary suppression |
abnormal accummulation of urine in urinary bladder; inability to void | urinary retention |
infection of urethra and bladder, symptoms include fever and dsysuria | urinary tract infection |
elevated blood pressure caused by kidney disease | renal hypertension |
involuntary discharge of urine | incontinence |
involuntary release of urine at night due to lack of bladder control (bed-wetting) | nocturnal enuresis |
clinical lab test that measures urea concentration in a sample of blood as and indicator of kidney function; elevated value indicates kidney disease | blood urea nitrogen |
protein that is a normal component of urine as a result of muscle metabolism; elevated levels in a urine sample indicated kidney disease | creatinine |
clinical lab tests performed on a urine specimen, often measuring specific gravity, creatinine, glucose, protein, and pH | urinalysis |
insertion of a catheter (cath), a flexible tube for channeling fluids into the urinary bladder to drain urine | uninary catheter |
procedure in which toxic wastes are removed from the peritoneal cavity reservoir by artificial filtration as a cleansing treatment to compensate for kidney disease | peritoneal dialysis |
surgical procedure that destroys living tissue with an electric spark; commonly used to remove tumors or polyps from interior bladder wall | fulguration |
procedure that removes nitrogenous wastes/excess ions from blood; replaces normal function of the kidneys as an intervention for kidney failure; forces patients' blood through cellophane membraines to be filtered | hemodialysis |
non-malignant excessive growth of Prostate Gland that results in constriction of the urethra | Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia |
inability to achieve/maintain an erection sufficient to perform sexual intercourse; also called impotency | Erectile Dysfunction |
induration (hardness) of erectile tissue within penis which can cause ED, can cause curvature to penis if induration is asymmetric(sides not balanced) | Peyronie's Disease |
congenital narrowing of prepuce opening that prevents it form being drawn back over glans penis...glans penis can become strangulated and produce an emergency situation | Phimosis |
procedure in which semen is introduced into the female reproductive tract using a method other than coitus | Artificial Insemination |
surgical removal of prepuce (usually after birth) to reduce risk of future infections; involves making a incision around base of prepuce | Circumcision |
physical examination involving insertion of a finger into rectum to feel the size/shape of prostate gland through wall of rectum;used to screen the patient for BPH and prostate cancer | Digital Rectal Examination |
clinical test that measure blood levels of protein; elevated levels suggest probable presence of prostate cancer and is often used to evaluate cancer treatment progress | Prostate-Specific Antigen |
placement of an ultrasound probe into rectum to form sound waves that are converted to a image of region; used to visualize, diagnose, and help treat prostate cancer | Transrectal Ultrasound |
used to treat when urethra is obstructed; involves resection of prostate tissue using a retroscope inserted through the urethra; outer covering of prostate and as much tissue as possible is left in tact | Transurethral Resection of the Prostate Gland |
Small ulcers on skin; symptom of STD syphilis | Chancres |
wart-like lesions of skin/mucous membranes (genital warts) | Papillomas |
Acquired mainly through exchange of body fluids during sex or by use of contaminated IV needles | Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome |
most common bacteria-caused; symptoms include arthritis, proctitis and inflammation of the eye's conjunctiva | Chlamydia |
caused by herpes simplex virus type 2 characterized by periodic outbreaks of ulcer-like lesions of genital and anorectal skin/mucous membranes | Genital herpes |
Bacteria-caused, produces ulcer like lesions on mucous membranes and skin of genital region; characterized by urethral discharge | Gonorrhea |
Viral; causes inflammation of the liver/transmitted through body fluid | Hepatitis B |
Caused by bacteria called a spirochete; transmitted by direct sexual contact and usually first expressed on the skin by red, painless papules that erode to form small ulcers known as chancres | Syphilis |
Caused by protozoan which infects the urethra and prostate gland | Trichomoniasis |
an abnormally persistent erection of the penis, often accompanied by pain and tenderness; usually caused by drug overdose | Priapism |
precancerous form of cervical cancer | cancer in situ |
painful or difficult sexual intercourse | dyspareunia |
abnormal passage from one hollow organ to another | fistula |
inflammation of the female organs within the pelvic cavity | pelvic inflammatory diseas |
"collection" of symptoms such as tension, irritability, mastalgia, edema, and headache that usually strike during 10 days prior to menstruation | premenstrual syndrome |
displacement of uterus that results in a downward location, often crowding the vagina; also referred to as hysteroptosis | prolapsed uterus |
infectious disease characterized by rapid onset of symptoms such as high fever, skin rash, diarrhea, vomiting, and myalgia ... followed by hypotension leading shock and, in severe cases, death ... liked to noncotton tampon use | toxic shock syndrome |
surgical repair of a protrusion of the bladder against the anterior vaginal wall and protrusion of the rectum against the posterior vaginal wall | anterior and posterior colporrhaphy |
dilation of the cervix and scraping of the endometrial in order to control bleeding; obtain a tissue sample for biopsy, or remove polyps | dilation and curettage |
a diagnostic procedure in which a sample of cells from the cervix and vagina removed/examined microscopically for abnormalities | Papanicolaou smear |
sterilization procedure by ligating (cutting and tying) the fallopian tubes | tubal ligation |
instrument for opening the vaginal orifice to permit visual examination of the vagina and beyond | vaginal speculum |
congenital abnormality in which roof of mouth fails to close during prenatal development leaving a fissure | cleft palate |
abnormal childbirth in which the buttocks,feet,or knees emerge first | breech birth |
congenital disorder caused by genetic defect in chromosome 21, resulting in degrees of mental retardation/other physical defects | Down syndrome |
pregnancy that occurs outside of the uterus | ectopic pregnancy |
abnormal development of high blood pressure that may be accompanied with proteinuria and edema, all due to toxemia during pregnancy | preeclampsia |
condition caused by alcohol ingestion during pregnancy/can cause dysfunction and growth abnormalities in the newborn | fetal alcohol syndrome |
congenital defect of vertebral column; results from an absence of the vertebral arches and often leads to severe inflammation of the spinal meninges | spina bifida |
termination of pregancy by expulsion of embryo or fetus from uterus | abortion |
premature seperation of placenta from uterine wall; results in either premature birth or fetal death | abruption placentae |
abnormally present at birth | congenital anomaly |
condition characterized by convulsions and possibly coma during pregnancy | eclampsia |
ultrasound imaging of the pregnant uterus to observe fetal development; the ultrasoun image is call a sonogram | obstetrical sonography |
surgical delivery by making an incision through the abdomen and uterus | cesarean section |
termination of pregnancy by artificially induced expulsion of the embryo or fetus by means of either surgery or drugs | therapeutic abortion |