Med Term Ch. 1-4 Vocabulary

Front 1

Cytometer

Back 1

instrument for counting and measuring cells within a specified amount of fluid, such as blood, urine, or cerebrospinal fluid

Front 2

Adhesion

Back 2

band of scar tissue binding anatomical surfaces that normally are separate from each other

Front 3

Inflammation

Back 3

protective response of body tissues to irritation, infection, or allergy

Front 4

Sepsis

Back 4

body's inflammatory response to infection, in which there is fever, elevated heart and respiratory rate, and low blood pressure

Front 5

Computed Tomography (CT) Scan

Back 5

radiographic technique that uses a narrow beam of x-rays, which rotates in a full arc around the patient to image the body in cross-sectional slices. A scanner and detector send the images to a computer, which consolidates all of the data it receives from the multiple x-ray views

Front 6

Endoscopy

Back 6

visual examination of the interior of organs and cavities with a specialized lighted instrument called an endoscope

Front 7

Fluoroscopy

Back 7

radiographic procedure that uses a fluorescent screen instead of a photographic plate to produce a visual image from x-rays that pass through the patient. the technique offers continuous imaging of the motion of internal structures and immediate serial images

Front 8

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Back 8

radiographic technique that uses electromagnetic energy to produce multiplanar cross-sectional images of the body

Front 9

Nuclear Scan

Back 9

diagnostic technique that produces an image by recording the concentration of a radiopharmaceutical (a radioactive substance known as a radionuclide combined with another chemical). The radiopharmaceutical is introduced into the body (ingested, inhaled, or injected) and specifically drawn to the area under study

Front 10

Positron Emission Tomography (PET)

Back 10

radiographic technique that combines CT with the use of radiopharmaceuticals. PET produces a cross-sectional (transverse) image of the dispersement of radioactivity (through emission of positrons) in a section of the body to reveal the areas where the radiopharmaceutical is being metabolized and where there is a deficiency in metabolism

Front 11

Radiography

Back 11

production of captured shadow images on photographic film through the action of ionizing radiation passing through the body from an external source

Front 12

Radiopharmaceutical

Back 12

drug that contains a radioactive substance that travels to an area or a specific organ that will be scanned

Front 13

Scan

Back 13

technique for carefully studying an are, organ, or system of the body by recording and displaying an image of the area

Front 14

Single-photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT)

Back 14

type of nuclear imaging study to scan organs after injection of a radioactive tracer. SPECT is similar to PET scans but employs a specialized gamma camera that detects emitted radiation to produce a three-dimensional image from a composite of numerous views

Front 15

Tomography

Back 15

radiographic technique that produces a film representing a detailed cross-section of tissue structure at a predetermined depth

Front 16

Ultrasonography

Back 16

imaging technique that uses high-frequency sound waves (ultrasound) that bounce off body tissues and are recorded to produce an image of an internal organ or tissue. Ultrasonic echoes are recorded and interpreted by a computer, which produces a detailed image of the organ or tissue being evaluated

Front 17

Anastomosis

Back 17

connection between two vessels; surgical joining of two ducts, blood vessels, or bowel segments to allow flow from one to the other

Front 18

Cauterize

Back 18

process of burning tissue by thermal heat, including steam, electricity, or another agent, such as laser or dry ice

Front 19

Dermatomycosis

Back 19

fungal infection of the skin

Front 20

Onychomalacia

Back 20

abnormal softening of the nails

Front 21

Pilonidal

Back 21

growth of hair in a dermoid cyst or in a sinus opening on the skin

Front 22

Trichopathy

Back 22

any disease of the hair

Front 23

Scleroderma

Back 23

chronic disease with abnormal hardening of the skin caused by formation of new collagen

Front 24

Seborrhea

Back 24

increase in the amount, and often an alteration of the quality, of the fats secreted by the sebaceous glands

Front 25

Pyoderma

Back 25

any pyogenic infection of the skin

Front 26

Diaphoresis

Back 26

condition of profuse sweating; sudoresis; hyperhidrosis

Front 27

Ichthyosis

Back 27

any of several dermatologic conditions characterized by noninflammatory dryness and scaling of the skin, often associated with other abnormalities of lipid metabolism

Front 28

Abrasion

Back 28

scraping away of a portion of skin or of a mucous membrane as a result of injury or by mechanical means, as in dermabrasion fo cosmetic purposes

Front 29

Acne

Back 29

inflammatory disease of the sebaceous follicles of the skin, marked by comedones (black-heads), papules, and pustules

Front 30

Alopecia

Back 30

absence or loss of hair, especially of the head; aka: baldness

Front 31

Carbuncle

Back 31

deep-seated pyogenic infection of the skin usually involving subcutaneous tissues

Front 32

Psoriasis

Back 32

chronic skin disease characterized by itchy red patches covered with silvery scales. The condition runs in families and may be brought on by anxiety

Front 33

Scabies

Back 33

contagious skin disease transmitted by the itch mite

Front 34

Skin Lesions

Back 34

areas of pathologically altered tissue caused by disease, injury, or a wound due to external factors or internal disease

Front 35

Primary Skin Lesions

Back 35

initial reaction to pathologically altered tissue; may be flat or elevated

Front 36

Secondary Skin Lesions

Back 36

result from the changes that take place in the primary lesion due to infection, scratching, trauma, or various stages of a disease

Front 37

Tinea

Back 37

any fungal skin disease occurring on various parts of the body. Its name indicates the body part affected; commonly called ringworm

Front 38

Urticaria

Back 38

allergic reaction of the skin characterized by eruption of pale-red elevated patches that are intensely itchy; aka: wheals (hives)

Front 39

Vitiligo

Back 39

localized loss of skin pigmentation characterized by milk-white patches

Front 40

Wart

Back 40

rounded epidermal growths caused by a virus

Front 41

Comedo

Back 41

blackhead; discolored dried sebum plugging an excretory duct of the skin

Front 42

Contusion

Back 42

injury in which the skin is not broken; aka: bruise

Front 43

Cyst

Back 43

closed sac or pouch in or under the skin, with a definite wall, that contains fluid, semifluid, or solid material

Front 44

Decubitus Ulcer

Back 44

skin ulceration caused by prolonged pressure, usually in a person who is bedridden; aka: bedsore

Front 45

Ecchymosis

Back 45

skin discoloration consisting of a large, irregularly formed hemorrhagic area with colors changing from blue-black to greenish brown or yellow; commonly called a bruise

Front 46

Eczema

Back 46

general term for an itchy red rash that initially weeps or oozes serum and may become crusted, thickened, or scaly

Front 47

Furuncle

Back 47

tender, dome-shaped lesion, typically caused by infection around a hair follicle. As furuncles mature, they form localized abscesses with pus; commonly called a boil

Front 48

Hirsutism

Back 48

condition characterized by excessive growth of hair, or presence of hair, in unusual places, especially in women

Front 49

Impetigo

Back 49

inflammatory skin disease characterized by isolated pustules that become crusted and rupture

Front 50

Petechia

Back 50

minute, pinpoint hemorrhagic spot of the skin

Front 51

Biopsy

Back 51

removal of a small piece of living tissue from an organ or other part of the body for microscopic examination to confirm or establish a diagnosis, estimate prognosis, or follow the course of a disease

Front 52

Skin Test

Back 52

method for determining induced sensitivity (allergy) by applying or inoculating a suspected allergen or sensitizer into the skin. Sensitivity (allergy) to the specific antigen is indicated by an inflammatory skin reaction to it

Front 53

Chemical Peel

Back 53

chemical removal of the outer layers of skin to treat acne scaring and general keratoses; also used for cosmetic purposes to remove fine wrinkles on the face; aka: chemabrasion

Front 54

Cryosurgery

Back 54

use of subfreezing temperature (commonly with liquid nitrogen) to destroy abnormal tissue cells, such as unwanted, cancerous, or infected tissue

Front 55

Debridement

Back 55

removal of foreign material and dead or damaged tissue, especially in a wound; used to promote healing and prevent infection

Front 56

Electrodessication

Back 56

process in which high-frequency electrical sparks are used to dehydrate and destroy diseased tissue

Front 57

Incision and Drainage (I&D)

Back 57

incision of a lesion, such as an abscess, followed by the drainage of its contents

Front 58

Bronchiectasis

Back 58

chronic dilation of a bronchus or bronchi, usually in the lower portions of the lung

Front 59

Pneumonia

Back 59

acute inflammation and infection of alveoli, which fill with pus or products of the inflammatory reaction

Front 60

Hypoxia

Back 60

inadequate oxygen at the cellular level characterized by tachycardia, hypertension, and dizziness

Front 61

Acidosis

Back 61

excessive acidity of blood due to an accumulation of acids or an excessive loss of bicarbonate

Front 62

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)

Back 62

respiratory insufficiency marked by progressive hypoxia. This syndrome is due to severe inflammatory damage causing abnormal permeability of the alveolar-capillary membrane; aka: adult respiratory distress syndrome

Front 63

Atelectasis

Back 63

collapse of lung tissue, preventing the respiratory exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide

Front 64

Coryza

Back 64

acute inflammation of the nasal passages accompanied by profuse nasal discharge; aka: a cold

Front 65

Crackle

Back 65

adventitious lung sound heard on auscultation of the chest, produced by air passing over retained airway secretions or the sudden opening of collapsed airways

Front 66

Croup

Back 66

acute respiratory syndrome that occurs primarily in children and infants and is characterized by laryngeal obstruction and spasm, barking cough, and stridor

Front 67

Cystic Fibrosis

Back 67

inherited disease of the exocrine glands with production of thick mucus that causes severe congestion within the lungs and digestive systems

Front 68

Empyema

Back 68

pus in a body cavity, especially in the pleural cavity (pyothorax)

Front 69

Epiglottitis

Back 69

in acute form, epiglottitis is a severe, life-threatening infection of the epiglottis and surrounding area; occurs most often in children between ages 2 and 12

Front 70

Epistaxis

Back 70

hemorrhage from the nose; aka: nosebleed

Front 71

Hypoxemia

Back 71

deficiency of oxygen in the blood; usually a sign of respiratory impairment; aka: anoxemia

Front 72

Hypoxia

Back 72

deficiency of oxygen in the tissues; usually a sign of respiratory impairment; aka: anoxia

Front 73

Influenza

Back 73

acute, contagious respiratory infection characterized by sudden onset of fever, chills, headache, and muscle pain

Front 74

Lung Cancer

Back 74

pulmonary malignancy commonly attributable to cigarette smoking. Survival rates are low due to rapid metastasis and late detection

Front 75

Pertussis

Back 75

acute infectious disease characterized by a "whoop"-sounding cough. Immunization of infants as part of the diphtheria and tetanus (DPT) vaccine prevents contraction; aka: whooping cough

Front 76

Pleural Effusion

Back 76

abnormal presence of fluid in the pleural cavity. The fluid may contain blood (hemothorax), serum (hydrothorax), or pus (pyothorax)

Front 77

Pneumothorax

Back 77

collection of air in the pleural cavity, causing the complete or partial collapse of a lung

Front 78

Rhonchi

Back 78

abnormal chest sounds resembling snoring, produced in airways with accumulated fluids

Front 79

Stridor

Back 79

abnormal high-pitched musical sound made on inspiration caused by an obstruction in the trachea or larynx

Front 80

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

Back 80

completely unexpected and unexplained death of an apparently well, or virtually well, infant. The most common cause of death between the second week and first year of life; aka: crib death

Front 81

Wheezes

Back 81

whistling or sighing sounds resulting from narrowing of the lumen of a respiratory passageway that is noted by use of a stethoscope

Front 82

Arterial Blood Gases

Back 82

group of tests that measure the oxygen and carbon dioxide concentration in an arterial blood sample

Front 83

Bronchoscopy

Back 83

direct visual examination of the interior bronchi using a bronchoscope (curved, flexible tube with a light

Front 84

Chest X-ray

Back 84

radiograph of the chest taken from AP, PA, or lateral projections

Front 85

CT Scan

Back 85

radiographic technique that uses a narrow beam of x-rays, which rotates in a full arc around the patient to image the body in cross-sectional slices. A scanner and detector send the images to a computer, which consolidates all of the data it receives from the multiple x-ray views

Front 86

Pulmonary Function Tests

Back 86

include any of several tests to evaluate the condition of the respiratory system. Measures of expiratory flow and lung volume capacity are obtained

Front 87

Spirometry

Back 87

measures the breathing capacity of the lungs

Front 88

Bronchodilators

Back 88

drugs used to dilate the walls of the bronchi of the lungs to increase airflow

Front 89

Corticosteroids

Back 89

hormonal agents that reduce tissue edema and inflammation associated with chronic lung disease

Front 90

Nebulized Mist Treatment (NMT)

Back 90

use of a device for producing a fine spray (nebulizer) to deliver medication directly into the lungs

Front 91

Postural Drainage

Back 91

use of body positioning to assist in the removal of secretions from specific lobes of the lung, bronchi, or lung cavities

Front 92

Thoracentesis

Back 92

surgical puncture of the chest to remove fluid

Front 93

Pneumocystis carinii

Back 93

a type of pneumonia seen in patients with AIDS and in debilitated children

Front 94

Catheter

Back 94

a hollow flexible tube that can be inserted into a vessel or cavity of the body; used to withdraw or instill fluids