Diagnostic Terminology

Front 1

Angina

Back 1

A condition like a severe sore throat, in which spasmodic attacks of suffocating pain occurs.

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Angiography

Back 2

X-ray examination of blood vessels or lymphatics following the injection of a radiopaque substance.

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Arthrocentesis

Back 3

Removal of fluid by the action of puncturing the joint with a hallow needle to draw out fluid.

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Ascites

Back 4

An abnormal accumulation of serous fluid in the abdominal cavity.

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Auscultation

Back 5

The action of hearing for sounds made by internal organs to assist in a diagnosis of particular disorders. For example lungs and the heart.

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Biopsy

Back 6

The examination and removal of a sample of tissues for the objective of diagnosis.

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Incisional Biopsy

Back 7

The act of removing tissue from a section of a lesion for diagnostic purposes.

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Excisional Biopsy

Back 8

The removal of tissue by surgical cutting.

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Blood Gases

Back 9

The content of dissolved carbon dioxide and oxygen in the plasma.

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Capno-

Back 10

Carbon Dioxide

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Capnography

Back 11

The recording of the concentration of carbon dioxide in exhaled and inhaled air.

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-centesis

Back 12

Surgical puncture to remove fluid

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Cardiac Catheterization

Back 13

Permits the examination of heart function, visualization of the coronary arteries and heart chambers, and measures the pressure within the chambers.

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Cholangiography

Back 14

X-ray examination of the common bile duct after the administration of radiopaque contrast medium.

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Computed Axial Tomography (CAT Scan)

Back 15

A cross sectional view of internal body parts at different angles in 3D.

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Contraindication

Back 16

A reason why a specific procedure or drug may be undesirable or improper in a particular situation.

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Contrast Media

Back 17

Solution injected into the arteries, veins, or ducts during a radiopaque exam and stands out in contrast to the surrounding tissue.

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Culture & Sensitivity (C & S)

Back 18

A set of tests performed on a clinical specimen, where isolation of a potential pathogenic bacterium by antibiotic susceptibility testing.

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Doppler

Back 19

Ultrasonic device used to identify and asses vascular status of the peripheral arteries and veins by magnifying the sound of blood moving through the vessels.

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Echocardiography

Back 20

Noninvasive test that uses ultrasound to visualize cardiac structures.

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-ectomy

Back 21

Surgical removal or cutting out

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-emia

Back 22

Conditions of the blood

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-gram

Back 23

A record or picture

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-graph

Back 24

Instrument for recording

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-graphy

Back 25

Process of recording

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Hemat/o

Back 26

Blood

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Lapar/o

Back 27

Abdominal wall or abdomen

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-oscopy

Back 28

Process of viewing with a scope

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-otomy

Back 29

Process of cutting; process of making an incision.

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Phleb/o

Back 30

Vein

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Radi/o

Back 31

Radiant Energy

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-scope

Back 32

Instrument used for visually examining.

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-scopy

Back 33

Visually examination

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Son/o

Back 34

Sound

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Sphygmo-

Back 35

Pulse

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Steth/o

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Chest

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-uria

Back 37

Urination

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Electrocardiography

Back 38

Noninvasive procedure which records the electrical changes in the heart.

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Electroencephalography

Back 39

Neurological test that displays and records the electrical activity of the brain by measuring the changes in electrical potentials.

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Electromyography

Back 40

An electrical recording of muscle activity that helps diagnose neuromuscular diseases.

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Endoscope

Back 41

Describes the various types of flexible or rigid scopes used to view the body’s internal structures.

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Fluoroscopy

Back 42

X-ray procedure that produces immediate images and motion on the screen.

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Hematocrit

Back 43

Measures how much space in the blood is occupied by red blood cells.

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Hematuria

Back 44

The discharge of blood in the urine.

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Hyperthermia

Back 45

Elevation of body temperature.

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Hypothermia

Back 46

Excessively low core body temperature. Less than 95 degrees (35 Celsius).

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Indication

Back 47

A reason to perform a specific procedure or prescribe a certain drug.

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Interventional Radiology

Back 48

An application of radiology that enables minimally invasive surgery to be performed with the help of simultaneous radiological imaging of the field of operation within the body.

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Ionizing Radiation

Back 49

Process by which energy either directly or indirectly induced ionization of radiation absorbing material or tissue. (X-rays)

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Laparoscopy

Back 50

A surgical procedure where a laparoscope is inserted into the patient’s abdomen for viewing purposes.

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Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

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Provide 3D images of the brain showing areas of increased blood flow that correlate with specific brain functions.

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Mammography

Back 52

Radiological examination of the breast, used to screen for or evaluate tumors and other abnormalities.

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Myelography

Back 53

An x-ray of the spinal cord after the injection of air or a radiopaque substance into the space under the delicate membrane enclosing the spinal cord and brain (subarachnoid).

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Needle Biopsy

Back 54

Biopsy of deep tissue that is obtained through hallow needle.

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Ophthalmoscope

Back 55

An instrument used to examine the interior structure of the eye.

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Otoscope

Back 56

An instrument used to examine the interior structures of the ear.

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Palliative

Back 57

Alleviating the symptoms of a disease or disorder.

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Percussion

Back 58

Striking the body surface (usually with the fingers or a small hammer) to determine the position, size, and density of underlying structures.

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Pericardiocentesis

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A procedure where fluid of the pericardium is removed with a needle.

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Phlebography

Back 60

X-ray examination of the veins following the injection of radiopaque substances.

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Phlebotomy

Back 61

The act of removing blood from the circulatory system through an incision or puncture in order to obtain a sample for diagnosis.

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Plethysmography

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An instrument used to measure the amount of blood present in an extremity or passing through it.

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Positron Emission Tomography (PET Scan)

Back 63

Combination of CT and radioisotope scanning. Used together to identify metastases in patients with cancer.

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Pulse oximetry

Back 64

Noninvasive method of indicating the arterial oxygen saturation of functional hemoglobin.

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Radiography

Back 65

The process of making film records of internal structures of the body by exposure of film specially sensitized to x-rays or gamma rays.

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Radioisotope Imaging

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A diagnostic method of examining an internal organ by injecting a radioactive isotope and following its progress in the patient’s body.

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Radiolucent

Back 67

The material that allows the x-rays to penetrate or pass through.

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Radiopaque

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Not allowing the passage of x-rays or other radiation.

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Scintigraphy

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Nuclear medicine diagnostic test where radioisotopes attached to drugs travel to a specific organ and the emitted radiation produces 2D images taken by gamma cameras.

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Signs

Back 70

Indication of a disease or condition perceived by the examiner.

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Single Photon Emission Tomophary

Back 71

Imaging of metabolic and physiologic functions in the tissues.

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Speculum

Back 72

An instrument for opening or distending a body opening or cavity to permit visual inspection.

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Sphygmomanometer

Back 73

An instrument used to measure arterial blood pressure.

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Spirometry

Back 74

The measurement of the air exhaled and the air inhaled (breathing capacity).

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Stethoscope

Back 75

An instrument used to amplify and hear the sounds produced by the heart, lungs, and other internal organs.

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Symptoms

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Indication of a disease or condition perceived by the patient.

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Transesophageal Echocardiography

Back 77

A diagnostic test using an ultrasound device that is passed into the esophagus of the patient to crest a clear image of the heart muscle and other parts of the heart.

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Ultrasonography

Back 78

A radiologic technique in which deep structures of the body are visualized by recording the reflections of the ultrasonic waves direct to the tissues.

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Urinalysis

Back 79

A diagnostic examination of a urine sample. This examination can be physical, chemical, and microscopic.

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Urography

Back 80

Radiography of any part of the urinary tract.

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Retrograde Urography

Back 81

An imaging test that uses x-rays to look at your bladder, uterus, and kidneys. This test uses a contrast media that is injected into the bladder through the urethra.

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Vital Signs

Back 82

Measurements of bodily functions essential to life. Includes temperature, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure.

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Visualization

Back 83

The process of making an internal organ visible by using a radiopaque substance into the body and taking x-ray of the desired area.

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Antegrade Urography

Back 84

Radiography following percutaneous injection of contrast media with a needle or catheter into the renal calyces or pelvis.

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History and Physical (H&P)

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Medical record to determine whether there is anything specific of the patient’s overall condition that would affect treatments.