Medical Terminology Exam 1 Full Word Definitions Only

Front 1

abduction

Back 1

movement away from the midsagittal (median) plane of the body or one of its parts

abduct = to take away

Front 2

adduction

Back 2

movement toward the midsagittal (median) plane of the body

add = bring together

Front 3

medial

Back 3

pertaining to the midline of the body or structure

Front 4

lateral

Back 4

pertaining to a side

Front 5

superior (cephalad)

Back 5

toward the head or upper portion of a structure

Front 6

inferior (cuadal)

Back 6

away from the head, or toward the tail or lower part of a structure

Front 7

proximal

Back 7

nearer to the center (trunk of the body) or to the point of attachment to the body

Front 8

distal

Back 8

further from the center (trunk of the body) or from the point of attachment to the body

Front 9

anterior

Back 9

front of the body

Front 10

ventral

Back 10

front of the body

Front 11

dorsal

Back 11

back of the body

Front 12

posterior

Back 12

back of the body

Front 13

parietal

Back 13

pertaining to the outer wall of the body cavity

Front 14

visceral

Back 14

pertaining to the viscera, or internal organs, especially the abdominal organs

Front 15

prone

Back 15

lying on the abdomen face down

Front 16

supine

Back 16

lying horizontally on the back, face up

Front 17

inversion

Back 17

turning inward or inside out

Front 18

eversion

Back 18

turning outward

Front 19

palmar

Back 19

pertaining to the palm of the hand

Front 20

plantar

Back 20

pertaining to the sole of the foot

Front 21

superficial

Back 21

toward the surface of the body (external)

Front 22

deep

Back 22

away from the surface of the body (internal)

Front 23

symptom (Sx)

Back 23

a subjective indicator of disease

Front 24

etiology

Back 24

the study of the cause or origin of a disease or disorder

Front 25

diagnosis (Dx)

Back 25

the cause and nature of a disease

Front 26

prognosis

Back 26

the prediction of the course of a disease and its probable outcome

Front 27

idiopathic

Back 27

any disease whose cause is unkown

Front 28

sequelae

Back 28

complications that arise directly from disease, injury, or tx (i.e. paralysis may be the sequela of a head injury)

Front 29

adhesion

Back 29

abnormally fibrous band that holds or binds together tissues that are normally separated

Front 30

ascites

Back 30

abnormal accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity

Front 31

edema

Back 31

abnormal accumulation of fluid within tissue spaces (swelling)

Front 32

febrile

Back 32

pertaining to a fever

Front 33

gangrene

Back 33

death and decay of soft tissue, usually caused by circulatory obstruction, trauma, or infection

Front 34

hernia

Back 34

protrusion of any organ through the structure that normally contains it

Front 35

inflammation

Back 35

body defense against injury, infection, or allergy marked by redness, swelling, heat, pain, and sometimes, loss of function

Front 36

mycosis

Back 36

any fungal infection in or on the body

Front 37

perforation

Back 37

hole that completely penetrates a structure

Front 38

peritonitis

Back 38

inflammation of the peritoneum, the serous membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity and covers its organs

Front 39

rupture

Back 39

sudden breaking or bursting of a structure or organ

Front 40

sepsis

Back 40

pathological state, usually febrile, resulting from the presence of microorganisms or their products in the blood stream

Front 41

suppuration

Back 41

producing or associated with the generation of pus

Front 42

infusion therapy

Back 42

delivery of fluids directly into the blood stream via a vein for treating various disorders; also called IV therapy

Front 43

ablation

Back 43

removal of a part, pathway, or function by surgery, chemical destruction, electrocautery, freezing, or radio frequency (RF)

Front 44

anastomosis

Back 44

surgical joining of two ducts, vessels, or bowel segments to allow flow from one to another

Front 45

cauterize

Back 45

destruction of tissue by electricity, freezing, heat, or corrosive chemicals

Front 46

curettage

Back 46

scraping of a body cavity with a spoon–shaped instrument called a curette

Front 47

incision and drainage (I&D)

Back 47

incision made to allow the free flow or withdrawal of fluids from a wound or cavity

Front 48

laser surgery

Back 48

use of a high intensity laser light beam to remove diseased tissues, stop bleeding blood vessels, or for cosmetic purposes

Front 49

resection

Back 49

removal of part or all of a structure, organ, or tissue

Front 50

revision

Back 50

surgical procedure used to replace or compensate for a previously implanted device or correct an undesirable result or effect of a previous surgery

Front 51

assessment techniques

Back 51

sequence of procedures designed to evaluate the health status of a patient

Front 52

inspection

Back 52

general observation of the patient as a whole, progressing to specific body areas

Front 53

palpation

Back 53

Gentle application of the hands to a specific structure or body area to determine size, consistency, texture, symmetry, and tenderness of underlying structures.

Front 54

percussion

Back 54

tapping a structure with the hand or fingers to assess consistency and the presence or absence of fluids within the underlying structure

Front 55

auscultation

Back 55

listening to the heart, bowel, and lungs with or without a stethoscope to assess the presence and quality of sound

Front 56

endoscopy

Back 56

visual examination of a body cavity or canal using a specialized lighted instrument called and endoscope

Front 57

blood chemistry analysis

Back 57

laboratory test, usually performed on serum, to evaluate various substances to determine whether they fall within a normal range

Front 58

complete blood count (CBC)

Back 58

panel of blood tests used as a broad screening for anemias, infections, and other diseases

Front 59

organ–disease panels

Back 59

series of blood tests used to evaluate a specific organ (liver panel) or disease (anemia panel)

Front 60

computed tomography (CT)

Back 60

imaging technique in which an x–ray emitter rotates around the area to be scanned and a computer measures the intensity of transmitted x–rays from different angles; formerly called computerized axial tomogrpahy

Front 61

fluroscopy

Back 61

technique in which x–rays are directed through the body to a fluorescent screen that displays internal structures on continuous motion

Front 62

magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Back 62

Technique that uses radio waves and a strong magnetic field rather than and x–ray beam, to produce highly detailed, multiplanar, cross–sectional views of soft tissues

Front 63

nuclear scan

Back 63

technique in which a radioactive material (radiopharmaceutical) called a tracer is introduced into the body (inhaled, ingested, or injected) and a specialized camera (gamma camera) is used to produce images of organs and structures

Front 64

position emission tomography (PET)

Back 64

computed tomography records the positrons (positively charged particles) emitted from a radiopharmaceutical to produce a cross–sectional image of metabolic activity of body tissues to determine the presence of disease

Front 65

radiography

Back 65

technique in which x–rays are passed through the body or area and captured on film to generate an image (also called x–ray)

Front 66

single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)

Back 66

Radiological technique that integrates CT and a radioactive material (tracer) injected into the bloodstream to visualize the blood flow to tissues and organs

Front 67

ultrasonography (US)

Back 67

high–frequency sound waves (ultrasound) are directed at soft tissue and reflected as "echoes" to produce an image on the monitor of an internal body structure; also called ultrasound, sonography, and echo

Front 68

biopsy

Back 68

removal of a representative tissue sample from a body site for microscopic examination, usually to establish a diagnosis

Front 69

excisional biopsy

Back 69

biopsy in which the entire lesion is removed

Front 70

incisional biopsy

Back 70

biopsy in which only a small sample of the lesion is removed

Front 71

integumentary system

Back 71

the skin makes up this system

Front 72

androgen

Back 72

generic term for an agent (usually a hormone, such as testosterone and androsterone) that stimulates development of male characteristics

Front 73

ductule

Back 73

very small duct

Front 74

homeostasis

Back 74

state in which the regulatory mechanisms of the body maintain an internal environment within tolerable levels, despite changes in the external environment

Front 75

synthesize

Back 75

forming a complex substance by the union of similar compounds or elements

Front 76

epidermis

Back 76

the relatively thin outer layer of skin which is thickest on the hands and soles of feet

Front 77

strata

Back 77

layers

Front 78

stratum corneum

Back 78

The outermost layer of the epidermis which is composed of dead, flat cells that lack a blood supply and sensory receptors.

Front 79

basal layer (of epidermis)

Back 79

Deepest layer of epidermis. It is the only layer of the epidermis which contains living cells where new cells are formed. These cells contain melanocytes which produce melanin. These cells die and become filled with keratin as they move outward to the stratum corneum.

Front 80

keratin

Back 80

a hard protein material which is relatively waterproof. It is in the epidermis where it prevents body fluids from evaporating and moisture from entering the body.

Front 81

melanocytes

Back 81

specialized cells which produce melanin in the basal layer of the epidermis.

Front 82

melanin

Back 82

a black pigment in epidermis which provides protection from UV radiation. Differences in skin color are attributed to the amount of this pigment in each cell.

Front 83

albino

Back 83

an individual who cannot produce melanin. Deficient of pigment in eyes, hair, and skin

Front 84

dermis

Back 84

the second layer of skin just below the epidermis. It is composed of living tissue and contains numerous capillaries, lymphatic vessels, and nerve endings. Also contains hair follicles, sebaceous (oil) glands, and sudoiferous (sweat) glands.

Front 85

cornium

Back 85

AKA dermis

Front 86

sebaceous gland

Back 86

oil gland

Front 87

sudoriferous gland

Back 87

sweat gland

Front 88

subcutaneous layer

Back 88

the most deep layer of the skin below the dermis. It is composed primarily of loose connective tissue and fat tissue interlaced with blood vessels.

Front 89

hypodermis

Back 89

AKA subcutaneous layer

Front 90

exocrine glands

Back 90

glands which secrete substances through ducts to an outer surface of the body rather than directly into blood stream

Front 91

sebum

Back 91

an oily secretion

Front 92

hair shaft

Back 92

the visible part of the hair

Front 93

hair root

Back 93

the part of the hair that is embedded in the dermis

Front 94

hair follicle

Back 94

the hair root, together with its coverings

Front 95

papilla

Back 95

the bottom of the hair follicle. It is a loop of capillaries enclosed in a covering.

Front 96

nail root

Back 96

where the nail is formed. It is composed of keratinized, stratified, squamous epithelial cells producing a very tough covering

Front 97

nail bed

Back 97

the layer of epithelium below the nail which the nail is attached to

Front 98

lunula

Back 98

the region where new growth of a nail occurs. it is the white half-moon-shaped portion of the nail. Its appearance is because the vascular tissue underneath does not show through.

Front 99

dermatology

Back 99

medical specialty concerned with diseases that directly affect the skin and systemic diseases that manifest their effects on the skin.

Front 100

dermatologist

Back 100

the physician who specializes in diagnosis and treatment of skin diseases

Front 101

lesions

Back 101

areas of tissue that have been pathologically altered by injury, wound or infection

they may over an area of definite size of throughout the body

Front 102

neoplasms

Back 102

abnormal growths of new tissue that are classified as benign or malignant.

Front 103

Benign neoplasms

Back 103

noncancerous growths composed of the same type of cells as the tissue in which they are growing. They harm the individual only insofar as they place pressure on surrounding structures.

Front 104

malignant neoplasms

Back 104

AKA cancer. cells that tend to become invasive and spread to remote regions of the body.

Front 105

immunotherapy

Back 105

AKA biotherapy. a newer treatment for cancer that stimulates the body's own immune defenses to fight tumor cells.

Front 106

Pathologists

Back 106

physicians who grade and stage tumors to help in diagnosis and treatment planning, provide a possible prognosis, and aid comparison of treatment results when different treatment methods are used.

Front 107

Tumor grading

Back 107

cells from the tumor site are evaluated to determine the degree of loss of cellular differentiation and function.

Front 108

Tumor Node Metastasis (TNM)

Back 108

system used for staging tumors that allows comparison of statistics among cancer centers internationally.

Front 109

Basil cell carcinoma

Back 109

the most common type of skin cancer which is malignancy of the basal layer of the epidermis. It is commonly caused by overexposure to sunlight.

Front 110

papule

Back 110

solid, elevated lesion less than 1 cm in diameter that may be the same color as the skin or pigmented.

examples: wart, pimple, ringworm, psoriasis, eczema

Front 111

nodule

Back 111

palpable, circumscribed lesion; larger and deeper than a papule. Extends into the dermal area.

examples: intradermal nevus, tumor

Front 112

tumor

Back 112

solid, elevated lesion larger than 2 cm in diameter that extends into the dermal and subcutaneous layers

examples: lipoma, steatoma, dermatofibroma, hemangioma.

Front 113

wheal

Back 113

elevated, firm rounded lesion with localized skin edema (swelling) that varies in size, shape, and color. paler in the center than its surrounding edges; accompanied by itching

examples: hives, insect bites, urticaria

Front 114

macule

Back 114

flat, pigmented, circumscribed area less than 1 cm in diameter

examples: freckle, flat mole, or rash.

Front 115

vesicle

Back 115

elevated, circumscribed, fluid-filled lesion less than 0.5cm in diameter.

Examples: chickenpox, poison ivy, shingles

Front 116

pustule

Back 116

small, raised, circumscribed lesion that contains pus; usually less than 1 cm in diameter.

Examples: acne, furuncle, pustular psoriasis, scabies

Front 117

bulla

Back 117

a vesicle or blister larger than 1cm in diameter

examples: second-degree burns, poison ivy, severe poison oak

Front 118

excoriation

Back 118

linear scratch marks or traumatized abrasions of the epidermis.

Examples: scratches, abrasions, chemical or thermal burns

Front 119

fissure

Back 119

small slit or crack-like sore that extends into the dermal layer. could be caused by continuous inflammation and drying

Front 120

ulcer

Back 120

an open sore or lesion that extends to the dermis and usually heals with scarring

Examples: pressure sore, basal cell carcinoma

Front 121

squamous cell carcinoma

Back 121

an invasive tumor with potential for metastasis and occurs most commonly in fair-skinned white men over age 60. It arises from skin that undergoes pathological hardening of epidermal cells.

Front 122

malignant melanoma

Back 122

malignant growth of melanocytes. The most lethal of the skin cancers.

Front 123

abscess

Back 123

localized collection of pus at the site of an infection (characteristically a staphylococcal infection)

Front 124

acne

Back 124

inflammatory disease of the sebaceous glands and hair follicles of the skin with characteristic lesions that include blackheads (comedos), inflammatory papules, pustules, nodules, and cysts.

Front 125

alopecia

Back 125

partial or complete loss of hair resulting from normal aging, an endocrine disorder, a drug reaction, anticancer medication, or a skin disease.

(baldness)

Front 126

Bowen disease

Back 126

form of intraepidermal carcinoma (squamous cell) characterized by red-brown scaly or crusted lesions that resemble a parch of psoriasis or dermatitis

Front 127

cellulitis

Back 127

diffuse (widespread), acute infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissue.

Front 128

chloasma

Back 128

pigmentary skin discoloration usually occurring in yellowish brown patches or spots

Front 129

comedo

Back 129

typical small skin lesion of acne vulgaris caused by accumulation of keratin, bacteria, and dried sebum plugging an excretory duct of the skin

(black head or whitehead)

Front 130

dermatomycosis

Back 130

infection of the skin caused by fungi

Front 131

ecchymosis

Back 131

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 132

eczema

Back 132

chronic inflammatory skin condition that is characterized by erythema, papules, vesicles, pustules, scales, crusts, and scabs and accompanied by intense itching

Front 133

erythema

Back 133

redness of the skin caused by swelling of the capillaries

Front 134

eschar

Back 134

dead matter that is sloughed off from the surface of the skin, especially after a burn

Front 135

impetigo

Back 135

bacterial skin infection characterized by isolated pustules that become crusted and rupture

Front 136

keratosis

Back 136

thickened area of the epidermis or any horny growth on the skin (such as a callus or wart)

Front 137

lentigo

Back 137

small brown macules, especially on the face and arms, brought on by sun exposure, usually in middle aged or older person

Front 138

pallor

Back 138

unnatural paleness or absence of color in the skin

Front 139

pediculosis

Back 139

infestation with lice, transmitted by personal contact or common use of brushes, combs, or headgear

Front 140

petechia

Back 140

minute, pinpoint hemorrhage under the skin

Front 141

pressure ulcer

Back 141

inflammation, sore or skin deterioration caused by prolonged pressure from lying in one position that prevents blood flow to the tissues, usually in elderly and bedridden persons

Front 142

pruritus

Back 142

intense itching

Front 143

psoriasis

Back 143

chronic skin disease characterized by circumscribed red patches covered by thick, dry silvery, adherent scales and caused by excessive development of the basal layer of the epidermis

Front 144

purpura

Back 144

any of several bleeding disorders characterized by hemorrhage into the tissues, particularly beneath the skin or mucous membranes, producing ecchymoses or petechiae

Front 145

scabies

Back 145

contagious skin disease transmitted by the itch mite, commonly through sexual contact

Front 146

tinea

Back 146

fungal skin infection whose name commonly indicates the body part affected

(AKA ringworm)

Front 147

urticaria

Back 147

allergic reaction of the skin characterized by the eruption of pale red elevated patches called wheals or hives.

Front 148

verruca

Back 148

epidermal growth caused by a virus; AKA warts

Front 149

vitiligo

Back 149

localized loss of skin pigmentation characterized by milk-white patches

Front 150

chemical peel

Back 150

chemical removal of the outer layer of skin to treat acne scarring and general keratoses

Front 151

cryosurgery

Back 151

use of subfreezing temperature (commonly liquid nitrogen) to destroy or eliminate abnormal tissue, such as tumors, warts and unwanted, cancerous, or infected tissue

Front 152

debridement

Back 152

removal of necrotized tissue from a wound by surgical excision, enzymes, or chemical agents

Front 153

dermabrasion

Back 153

rubbing (abrasion) using wire brushes or sandpaper to mechanically scrape away (abrade) the epidermis

Front 154

fulguration

Back 154

tissue destruction by means of high-frequency electric current; also called electrodesiccation

Front 155

photodynamic therapy (PDT)

Back 155

procedure in which cells selectively treated with an agent called photo-sensitizer are exposed to light to produce a reaction that destroys the cells

Front 156

biopsy

Back 156

Representative tissue sample removed from a body site for microscopic examination

Front 157

frozen section (FS) biopsy

Back 157

Ultrathin slice of tissue from a frozen specimen for immediate pathological examination

Front 158

needle biopsy

Back 158

removal of a small tissue sample for examination using a hollow needle, usually attached to a syringe

Front 159

punch biopsy

Back 159

removal of a small core of tissue using a hollow punch

Front 160

shave biopsy

Back 160

removal of an elevated lesion using a surgical blade.

Front 161

Mohs

Back 161

Layers of cancer-containing skin are progressively removed and examined until only cancer-free tissue remains

Front 162

skin graft

Back 162

transplantation of healthy tissue to an injured site

Front 163

allograft

Back 163

transplantation of healthy tissue from one person to another person; also called homograft

Front 164

autograft

Back 164

transplantation of healthy tissue from one sire to another site in the same individual.

Front 165

synthetic skin graft

Back 165

transplantation of artificial skin produced from collagen fibers arranged in a lattice pattern

Front 166

xenograft

Back 166

transplantation (dermis only) from a foreign donor (usually a pig) and transferred to a human; also called heterograft.

Front 167

allergy skin test

Back 167

any test in which a suspected allergen or sensitizer is applied to or injected into the skin to determine a patient's sensitivity to it

Front 168

intradermal allergy skin test

Back 168

skin test that identifies suspected allergens by subcutaneously injecting small amounts of extracts of the suspected reaction

Front 169

patch allergy skin test

Back 169

skin test that identifies allergic contact dermatitis by applying a suspected allergen to a patch which is then taped on the skin, usually the forearm, and observing the area 24 hours later for an allergic response.

Front 170

scratch allergy skin test

Back 170

puncture or prick test

Front 171

culture and sensitivity

Back 171

laboratory test that grows a colony of bacteria removed from an infected area in order to identify the specific infecting bacterium and then determine its sensitivity to antibiotic drugs