Medical Word Definitions (1)

Front 1

abnormal

Back 1

Pertaining to away from the norm or rule. A condition that is considered to be not normal.

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adhesion

Back 2

Literally means a process of being stuck together. An abdominal adhesion usually involves the intestines and is caused by inflammation or trauma. This type of adhesion may cause an intestinal obstruction and require surgery.

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antipyretic

Back 3

Pertaining to an agent that is used to lower an elevated body temperature (fever).

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antiseptic

Back 4

Pertaining to an agent that works against sepsis (putrefaction); a technique or product used to prevent or limit infections.

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antitussive

Back 5

pertaining to an agent that works against coughing

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asepsis

Back 6

without decay; sterile, free from all living microorganisms.

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autonomy

Back 7

condition of being self governed; to function independently

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axillary (ax)

Back 8

pertaining to the armpit

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biopsy (Bx)

Back 9

Surgical removal of a small piece of tissue for microscopic ecaminaiton; used to determine a diagnosis of cancer or other disease processes in the body.

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cachexia

Back 10

Condition of bad health, malnutrition, and wasting. It may occur in chronic diseases such as cancer and pulmonary tuberculosis.

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centigrade

Back 11

(C)- Literally means having 100 steps or degrees; unit of temperature measurement (Celcius scale) with a boiling point at 100 degrees and a freezing point at 0 degrees. Each degree of temperature change is 0.01 (1/100) of the scale.

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centimeter (cm)

Back 12

unit of measurement in the metric system; one hundredth of a meter.

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centrifuge

Back 13

device used in a laboratory to separate solids from liquids.

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chemotherapy

Back 14

the use of chemical agents in the treatment of disease, specifically drugs used in cancer therapy.

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diagnosis (Dx)

Back 15

Determination of the cause and nature of a disease.

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diaphoresis

Back 16

To carry through sweat glands; profuse sweating.

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disinfectant

Back 17

Chemical substance that can be applied to objects to destroy pathogenic microorganisms, such as bacteria.

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epidemic

Back 18

Pertaining to among the people.; the rapid, widespread occurrence of an infectous disease that can be spread by any pathological organism transmitted by and to humans, birds, insects, ect.

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etiology

Back 19

study of the cause(s) of disease

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excision

Back 20

the process of cutting out, surgical removal

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heterogenous

Back 21

Literally means pertaining to a different formation, composed of unlike substances; the opposite of homogenous.

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incision

Back 22

process of cutting into

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kilogram (kg)

Back 23

Unit of weight in the metric system; 1000 g; a kilogram is equal to 2.2 ib

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macroscopic

Back 24

pertaining to objects large enough to be examined by the naked eye

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malformation

Back 25

literally means a process of being badly shaped, deformed. a structural defect that fails to form normal shape and therefore can affect the function. e.g., cleft lip

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malignant

Back 26

literally means formation of a bad kind; growing worse, harmful, cancerous

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maximal

Back 27

pertaining to the greatest possible quantity,number, or degree

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microgram (mcg)

Back 28

Unit of weight in the metric system; 0.001 mg

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microorganism

Back 29

small living organisms that are not visible to the naked eye

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microscope

Back 30

Scientific instrument designed to view small objects

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milligram (mg)

Back 31

unit of weight in the metric system; 0.001 g

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milliliter (mL)

Back 32

unit of volume in the metric system; 0.001 L

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minimal

Back 33

Pertaining to the least possible quantity, number or degree

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multiform

Back 34

occurring in or having many shapes; an object that has more than one defined shape

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necrosis

Back 35

abnormal condition of tissue death

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neopathy

Back 36

New disease

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oncology

Back 37

Literally means the study of tumors; the study of the etiology, the characteristics, treatments, etc., of cancer.

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palmar

Back 38

pertaining to the palm of the hand

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paracentesis

Back 39

surgical puncture of a body cavity for fluid removal

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prognosis

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literally means a state foreknowledge; prediction of the course of a disease and the recovery rate of the affected person

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prophylactic

Back 41

Pertaining to preventing or protecting against disease or pregnancy

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pyrogenic

Back 42

pertaining to the production of heat; a fever

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radiology

Back 43

study of x-rays and other imaging modalities that use x-rays

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syndrome

Back 44

a group of signs and symptoms occurring together that characterize a specific disease or pathological condition

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thermometer

Back 45

an instrument used to measure degree of heat; especially the temperature of a person

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topography

Back 46

description of a body part in relation to the anatomic region in which it is located