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103 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
Abdomen
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Space below the chest that contains organs such as the stomach, liver, intestines, and gallbladder. The abdomen lies between the diaphragm and the pelvis.
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Abdominal cavity
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See Abdomen.
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Abnormal
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Pertaining to being away from the norm; irregular.
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Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
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Or AIDS: Suppression or deficiency of the immune response caused by exposure to the HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS (HIV).
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Acromegaly
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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).
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Acute
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Sharp, sudden, and intense for a short period of time
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Acute myocardial ischemia
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Sudden decreases in blood flow to heart muscle.
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Adenectomy
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The removal of a gland.
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Adenitis
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Inflammation of a gland.
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Adenocarcinoma
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Cancerous tumor derived from glandular cells.
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Adenoidectomy
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Removal of the adenoids.
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Adenoids
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Enlarged lymphatic tissue in the upper part of the throat near the nasal passageways.
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Adenoma
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Benign tumor of glandular cells.
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Adenopathy
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Disease of glands. Often this refers to enlargement of lymph nodes (which are not true glands, but collections of lymphatic tissue).
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Adrenal cortex
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Outermost part of the adrenal gland
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Adrenal glands
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Two endocrine glands, each above a kidney. The adrenal glands produce hormones such as adrenaline (epinephrine) and hydrocortisone (cortisol).
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Adrenalectomy
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Removal (excision) of adrenal glands.
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Adrenaline
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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.
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Adrenocorticotropic hormone
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Hormone secreted by the pituitary gland. It Stimulates the adrenal gland (Cortes or outer region) to secrete the hormone cortisone. Also called ACTH.
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Air sacs
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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.
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Albuminuria
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Albumin (protein) in the urine; it indicates a malfunction of the kidney.
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Alkaline phosphatase
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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.
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Allergist
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Medical doctor specializing in identifying and treating abnormal sensitivity to substances such as pollen, dust, foods, and drugs.
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Alopecia
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Loss of hair; baldness.
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ALT
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Alanine transaminase, an enzyme normally found in blood and tissues, especially the liver. ALT is elevated in liver disease. (Formerly called SGPT.)
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Alveolar
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Pertaining to air sacs (alveoli) within the lungs.
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Alveolus
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An air sac within the lung (plural: alveoli).
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Alzheimer disease
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Deterioration of mental capacity (irreversible dementia) marked by intellectual deterioration, disorganization of personality, and difficulties in carrying out tasks of daily living.
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Amenorrhea
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Absence of menstrual periods.
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Amniocentesis
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Surgical puncture to remove fluid from the amnion (sac surrounding the developing fetus).
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Anal
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Pertaining to the anus (opening of the rectum to the outside of the body).
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Analgesic
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Medication that reduces or eliminates pain.
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Analysis
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Separating a substance into its component parts.
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Anastomosis
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New surgical connection between two previously unconnected bowel parts, vessels, or ducts.
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Androgen
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Hormone that controls the development of masculine characteristics. An example is TESTOSTERONE.
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Anemia
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Deficiency of hemoglobin and/or in number of red blood cells, in blood (-EMIA).
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Anesthesiologist
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Medical doctor specializing in administering agents capable of bringing about loss of sensation and consciousness.
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Anesthesiology
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Study of how to administer agents capable of bringing about loss of sensation and consciousness.
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Aneurysm
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Localized widening of the wall of an artery, of a vein, or of the heart. From the Greek aneurysma meaning “widening.”
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Angina
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Sharp pain in the chest resulting from a decrease in blood supply to heart muscle. Also called angina pectoris (PECT/O means chest).
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Angiography
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X-ray recording of blood vessels after contrast is injected.
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Angioplasty
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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.
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Angiotensin
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Hormone that is a powerful vasoconstrictor and raises blood pressure.
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Ankylosing spondylitis
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Chronic inflammation of the vertebrae (backbones) with stiffening of spinal joints so the movement becomes increasingly painful.
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Ankylosis
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Stiffening and immobility of a joint caused by injury, disease, or a surgical procedure.
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Anomaly
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Irregularity; deviation from the normal. A congenital anomaly (irregularity) is present at birth.
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Antenatal
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Before birth.
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Antepartum
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Before birth.
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Anterior
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Located in the front (of the body or of a structure).
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Antiandrogen
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Substance that inhibits the effect of androgens (male hormones).
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Antiarrhythmic
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Pertaining to a drug that works against or prevents abnormal heartbeats (arrhythmias).
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Antibiotic
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Pertaining to a drug that works against germ or bacterial life.
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Antibody
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A substance that works against (ANTI-) germs (“bodies” of infection). Antibodies are produced by white blood cells when germs (antigens) enter the bloodstream.
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Anticoagulant
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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.
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Anticonvulsant
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Drug that prevents or relieves convulsions (involuntary muscular contractions).
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Antidepressant
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Drug used to prevent or treat depression.
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Antidiabetic
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Drug that prevents or relieves symptoms of diabetes.
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Antifungal
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Drug that destroys or inhibits the growth of fungi (organisms such as yeast, molds, and mushrooms).
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Antigen
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Foreign protein (such as on a bacterium or virus) that stimulates white blood cells to make antibodies. Antigens are then destroyed by the antibodies.
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Antihistamine
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Drug used to counteract the effects of histamine production in allergic reaction and colds.
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Antihypertensive
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Drug that reduces high blood pressure.
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Antitubercular
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Agent or drug used to treat tuberculosis.
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Antiviral
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Agent that inhibits and prevents the growth and reproduction of viruses.
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Anuria
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Lack of urine formation by the kidney.
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Anus
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Opening of the rectum to the surface of the body; solid wastes (feces) leave the body through the anus.
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Aorta
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Largest artery, which leads from the lower left chamber of the heart to arteries all over the body.
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Aortic stenosis
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Narrowing of the aorta.
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Apex
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Pointed end of an organ (plural: apices).
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Aphasia
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Absence or impairment of communication through speech.
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Apnea
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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.
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Appendectomy
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Removal of the appendix.
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Appendicitis
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Inflammation of the appendix.
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Appendix
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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.
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Areola
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Dark, pigmented area around the nipple of the breast.
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Arrhythmia
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Abnormal heart rhythm.
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Arteriography
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Process of recording (x-ray) of arteries after injecting contrast material.
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Arteriole
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Small artery.
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Arteriolitis
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Inflammation of small arteries (arterioles).
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Arteriosclerosis
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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.
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Arteriovenous fistula
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An abnormal communication between an artery and a vein. It can also be created surgically to provide access for hemodialysis.
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Artery
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Largest blood vessel. Arteries carry blood away from the heart.
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Arthralgia
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Pain in a joint.
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Arthritis
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Inflammation of a joint.
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Inflammation of a joint.
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Surgical puncture to remove fluid from a joint.
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Arthrogram
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X-ray record of a joint.
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Arthroplasty
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Surgical repair of a joint, especially to restore mobility in osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis.
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Arthroscope
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Instrument used to examine the inside of a joint.
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Arthroscopy
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Process of visual examination of a joint.
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Arthrosis
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Abnormal condition of a joint.
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Ascites
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Abnormal collection of fluid in the abdomen.
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Asphyxia
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Deficiency of oxygen in the blood and increase in carbon dioxide in blood and tissues. Major symptom is complete absence of breathing.
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AST
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Aspartate transaminase, an enzyme normally present in blood and tissues such as heart and liver.
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Asthma
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Difficult breathing caused by a spasm of the bronchial tubes or a swelling of their mucous membrane lining.
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Atelectasis
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Collapsed lung (ATEL-, meaning incomplete; -ECTASIS, meaning widening or dilation).
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Atherosclerosis
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See arteriosclerosis.
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Atrium
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Upper chamber of the heart (plural: atria).
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Atrophy
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Decrease in size of cells within an organ.
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Auditory canal
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Passageway leading into the ear from the outside of the body.
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Auditory nerve
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Nerve that carries messages from the inner ear to the brain, making hearing possible.
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Aura
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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.
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Autopsy
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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.
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Axial
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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.
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Axillary
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Pertaining to the armpit or underarm.
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