Med. Terms A

Front 1

Abdomen

Back 1

Space below the chest that contains organs such as the stomach, liver, intestines, and gallbladder. The abdomen lies between the diaphragm and the pelvis.

Front 2

Abdominal cavity

Back 2

See Abdomen.

Front 3

Abnormal

Back 3

Pertaining to being away from the norm; irregular.

Front 4

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

Back 4

Or AIDS: Suppression or deficiency of the immune response caused by exposure to the HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS (HIV).

Front 5

Acromegaly

Back 5

Enlargement of extremities as a result of thickening of the bones and soft tissues; it is caused by excessive secretion of growth hormone from the pituitary gland (after completion of puberty).

Front 6

Acute

Back 6

Sharp, sudden, and intense for a short period of time

Front 7

Acute myocardial ischemia

Back 7

Sudden decreases in blood flow to heart muscle.

Front 8

Adenectomy

Back 8

The removal of a gland.

Front 9

Adenitis

Back 9

Inflammation of a gland.

Front 10

Adenocarcinoma

Back 10

Cancerous tumor derived from glandular cells.

Front 11

Adenoidectomy

Back 11

Removal of the adenoids.

Front 12

Adenoids

Back 12

Enlarged lymphatic tissue in the upper part of the throat near the nasal passageways.

Front 13

Adenoma

Back 13

Benign tumor of glandular cells.

Front 14

Adenopathy

Back 14

Disease of glands. Often this refers to enlargement of lymph nodes (which are not true glands, but collections of lymphatic tissue).

Front 15

Adrenal cortex

Back 15

Outermost part of the adrenal gland

Front 16

Adrenal glands

Back 16

Two endocrine glands, each above a kidney. The adrenal glands produce hormones such as adrenalin (epinephrine0 and hydrocortisone (cortisol).

Front 17

Adrenalectomy

Back 17

Removal (excision) of adrenal glands.

Front 18

Adrenaline

Back 18

Hormone secreted by the adrenal glands. It is released into the bloodstream in response to stress, such from fear or physical injury. Also called EPINEPHRINE.

Front 19

Adrenocorticotropic hormone

Back 19

Hormone secreted by the pituitary gland. It Stimulates The adrenal gland (Cortes or outer region) to secrete the hormone cortisone. Also called ACTH.

Front 20

Air sacs

Back 20

Thin-walled sacs within the lung. Inhaled oxygen passes into the blood from the sacs, and carbon dioxide passes out from the blood into the sacs to be exhaled.

Front 21

Albuminuria

Back 21

Albumin (protein) in the urine; it indicates a malfunction of the kidney.

Front 22

Alkaline phosphatase

Back 22

An enzyme present in blood and body tissue, such as bone and liver. Elevated in diseases such as those of bone and liver. Also called alk phos.

Front 23

Allergist

Back 23

Medical doctor specializing in identifying and treating abnormal sensitivity to substances such as pollen, dust, foods, and drugs.

Front 24

Alopecia

Back 24

Loss of hair; baldness.

Front 25

ALT

Back 25

Alanine transferase, an enzyme normally found in blood and tissues, especially the liver. ALT is elevated in liver disease. (Formerly called SGPT.)

Front 26

Alveolar

Back 26

Pertaining to air sacs (alveoli) within the lungs.

Front 27

Alveolus

Back 27

An air sac within the lung (plural: alveoli).

Front 28

Alzheimer disease

Back 28

Deterioration of mental capacity (irreversible dementia) marked by intellectual deterioration, disorganization of personality, and difficulties in carrying out tasks of daily living.

Front 29

Amenorrhea

Back 29

Absence of menstrual periods.

Front 30

Amniocentesis

Back 30

Surgical puncture to remove fluid from the amnion (sac surrounding the developing fetus).

Front 31

Anal

Back 31

Pertaining to the anus (opening of the rectum to the outside of the body).

Front 32

Analgesic

Back 32

Medication that reduces or eliminates pain.

Front 33

Analysis

Back 33

Separating a substance into its component parts.

Front 34

Anastomosis

Back 34

New surgical connection between two previously unconnected bowel parts, vessels, or ducts.

Front 35

Androgen

Back 35

Hormone the controls the development of masculine characteristics. An example is TESTOSTERONE.

Front 36

Anemia

Back 36

Deficiency of hemoglobin and/or in number of red blood cells, in blood (-EMIA).

Front 37

Anesthesiologist

Back 37

Medical doctor specializing in administering agents capable of bringing about loss of sensation and consciousness.

Front 38

Anesthesiology

Back 38

Study of how to administer agents capable of bringing about loss of sensation and consciousness.

Front 39

Aneurysm

Back 39

Localized widening of the wall of an artery, of a vein, or of the heart. From the Greek aneurysma meaning “widening.”

Front 40

Angina

Back 40

Sharp pain in the chest resulting from a decrease in blood supply to heart muscle. Also called angina pectoris (PECT/O means chest).

Front 41

Angiography

Back 41

X-ray recording of blood vessels after contrast is injected.

Front 42

Angioplasty

Back 42

Surgical repair of a blood vessel. A tube (catheter) is placed in a clogged artery and a balloon at the end of the tube is inflated to flatten the clogged material against the wall of the artery. This enlarges the opening of the artery so that more blood can pass through. Also called balloon angioplasty.

Front 43

Angiotensin

Back 43

Hormone that is a powerful vasoconstrictor and raises blood pressure.

Front 44

Ankylosing spondylitis

Back 44

Chronic inflammation of the vertebrae (backbones) with stiffening of spinal joints so the movement becomes increasingly painful.

Front 45

Ankylosis

Back 45

Stiffening and immobility of a joint caused by injury, disease, or a surgical procedure.

Front 46

Anomaly

Back 46

Irregularity; deviation from the normal. A congenital anomaly (irregularity) is present at birth.

Front 47

Antenatal

Back 47

Before birth.

Front 48

Antepartum

Back 48

Before birth.

Front 49

Anterior

Back 49

Located in the front (of the body or of a structure).

Front 50

Antiandrogen

Back 50

Substance that inhibits the effect of androgens (male hormones).

Front 51

Antiarrhythmic

Back 51

Pertaining to a drug that works against or prevents abnormal heartbeats (arrhythmias).

Front 52

Antibiotic

Back 52

Pertaining to a drug that works against germ or bacterial life.

Front 53

Antibody

Back 53

A substance that works against (ANTI-) germs (“bodies” of infection). Antibodies are produced by white blood cells when germs (antigens) enter the bloodstream.

Front 54

Anticoagulant

Back 54

Drug that prevents clotting (coagulation). Anticoagulants are given when there is danger of clot formation in blood vessels, as may happen after a heart attack.

Front 55

Anticonvulsant

Back 55

Drug that prevents or relieves convulsions (involuntary muscular contractions).

Front 56

Antidepressant

Back 56

Drug used to prevent or treat depression.

Front 57

Antidiabetic

Back 57

Drug that prevents or relieves symptoms of diabetes.

Front 58

Antifungal

Back 58

Drug that destroys or inhibits the growth of fungi (organisms such as yeast, molds, and mushrooms).

Front 59

Antigen

Back 59

Foreign protein (such as on a bacterium or virus) that stimulates white blood cells to make antibodies. Antigens are then destroyed by the antibodies.

Front 60

Antihistamine

Back 60

Drug used to counteract the effects of histamine production in allergic reaction and colds.

Front 61

Antihypertensive

Back 61

Drug that reduces high blood pressure.

Front 62

Antitubercular

Back 62

Agent or drug used to treat tuberculosis.

Front 63

Antiviral

Back 63

Agent that inhibits and prevents the growth and reproduction of viruses.

Front 64

Anuria

Back 64

Lack of urine formation by the kidney.

Front 65

Anus

Back 65

Opening of the rectum to the surface of the body; solid wastes (feces) leave the body through the anus.

Front 66

Aorta

Back 66

Largest artery, which leads from the lower left chamber of the heart to arteries all over the body.

Front 67

Aortic stenosis

Back 67

Narrowing of the aorta.

Front 68

Apex

Back 68

Pointed end of an organ (plural: apices).

Front 69

Aphasia

Back 69

Absence or impairment of communication through speech.

Front 70

Apnea

Back 70

Not able to breathe; temporary stoppage of breathing. In sleep apnea, during sleep, a person is momentarily unable to contract respiratory muscles and maintain air flow through the nose and mouth.

Front 71

Appendectomy

Back 71

Removal of the appendix.

Front 72

Appendicitis

Back 72

Inflammation of the appendix.

Front 73

Appendix

Back 73

Small sac that hangs from the juncture of the small and large intestines in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen. Its function is unknown.

Front 74

Areola

Back 74

Dark, pigmented area around the nipple of the breast.

Front 75

Arrhythmia

Back 75

Abnormal heart rhythm.

Front 76

Arteriography

Back 76

Process of recording (x-ray) of arteries after injecting contrast material.

Front 77

Arteriole

Back 77

Small artery.

Front 78

Arteriolitis

Back 78

Inflammation of small arteries (arterioles).

Front 79

Arteriosclerosis

Back 79

Hardening of arteries. The most common form is atherosclerosis, which is hardening of arteries caused by collection of fatty, cholesterol-like deposits (plaque) in arteries.

Front 80

Arteriovenous fistula

Back 80

An abnormal communication between an artery and a vein. It can also be created surgically to provide access for hemodialysis.

Front 81

Artery

Back 81

Largest blood vessel. Arteries carry blood away from the heart.

Front 82

Arthralgia

Back 82

Pain in a joint.

Front 83

Arthritis

Back 83

Inflammation of a joint.

Front 84

Arthrocentesis

Back 84

Surgical puncture to remove fluid from a joint.

Front 85

Arthrogram

Back 85

X-ray record of a joint.

Front 86

Arthropathy

Back 86

Disease of joints.

Front 87

Arthroplasty

Back 87

Surgical repair of a joint, especially to restore mobility in osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis.

Front 88

Arthroscope

Back 88

Instrument used to examine the inside of a joint.

Front 89

Arthroscopy

Back 89

Process of visual examination of a joint.

Front 90

Arthrosis

Back 90

Abnormal condition of a joint.

Front 91

Ascites

Back 91

Abnormal collection of fluid in the abdomen.

Front 92

Asphyxia

Back 92

Deficiency of oxygen in the blood and increase in carbon dioxide in blood and tissues. Major symptom is complete absence of breathing.

Front 93

AST

Back 93

Aspartate transferase, an enzyme normally present in blood and tissues such as heart and liver.

Front 94

Asthma

Back 94

Difficult breathing caused by a spasm of the bronchial tubes or a swelling of their mucous membrane lining.

Front 95

Atelectasis

Back 95

Collapsed lung (ATEL-, meaning incomplete; -ECTASIS, meaning widening or dilation).

Front 96

Atherosclerosis

Back 96

See arteriosclerosis.

Front 97

Atrium

Back 97

Upper chamber of the heart (plural: atria).

Front 98

Atrophy

Back 98

Decrease in size of cells within an organ.

Front 99

Auditory canal

Back 99

Passageway leading into the ear from the outside of the body.

Front 100

Auditory nerve

Back 100

Nerve the carries messages from the inner ear to the brain, making hearing possible.

Front 101

Aura

Back 101

A strange sensation coming before more definite symptoms of illness. An aura often precedes a migraine headache, warning the patient that an attack is beginning.

Front 102

Autopsy

Back 102

Examination of a dead body to determine the cause of death. Also called a postmortem exam or necropsy. Literally, it means “to see” (-OPSY) with “one’s own” (AUT-) eyes.

Front 103

Axial

Back 103

Pertaining to an axis (an imaginary line through the center of a body or about which a structure revolves). Axial (transverse plane) views are seen in CT and MRI scans.

Front 104

Axillary

Back 104

Pertaining to the armpit or underarm.