|
A |
B |
C |
D |
E |
F |
G |
H |
I |
J |
K |
L |
M |
N |
O |
P |
Q |
R |
S |
T |
U |
V |
W |
X |
Y |
Z
|
|
|
E
|
| echocardiogram
record produced by echocardiography |
| echocardiography
noninvasive cardiac imaging procedure used to diagnose heart disease, valve disorders (valvular heart disease), weakened heart muscle, fluid around the heart (pericarditis), and other abnormalities or defects by reflecting sound waves off the heart |
| eczema
disorder of the skin characterized by inflammation, itching, blisters, and scales |
| edema
swelling as a result of fluid retention |
EEG
(electroencephalogram)
test used to study brain wave activity, often used to evaluate seizure disorders |
| ejaculation
ejection of semen during male orgasm |
| ejection fraction
percentage of blood that is ejected out of the left ventricle into the aorta with each heart beat |
electrocardiography/
electrocardiogram
(ECG, EKG)
graphical recording of the electrical currents that pass through the heart muscle during each heartbeat; commonly called an EKG because the procedure was developed in the Netherlands, where it was spelled "electrokardiogram" |
electrohydraulic
lithotripsy (EHL)
technique that uses small shock waves to break up small kidney stones |
| electron-beam radiation
radiation therapy in which the beams penetrate the skin only, thus limiting internal side effects |
EMG/NCV
(electromyography/
nerve conduction study)
test to study the nerves and muscles for diagnosis of disorder, with electrical conduction studied in the NCV |
| encephalitis
inflammation or infection of the brain |
| [Back to top] |
| endocarditis
inflammation and infection of a heart valve or the lining of the heart's chambers |
| endothelium
layer of epithelial cells that lines the cavities of the heart, blood vessels, and the serous cavities of the body |
| enterocele
herniation of the small bowel into the vagina |
| epidermis
top layer of skin, composed mainly of squamous cells, as well as basal cells, melanocytes, and other types of cells |
epididymis
(pl., epididymes)
coiled tube that extends the length of each testis and connects with the vas deferens |
| epilepsy
episodic disorder resulting from temporary brain dysfunction which produces convulsive or nonconvulsive seizures |
| erosion
moist, slightly depressed area of skin where the top layer (epidermis) has been removed |
| erythema
redness and warming of the skin, typically due to inflammation caused by trauma or infection |
| [Back to top] |
| erythroderma
diffuse reddening of the skin, caused by one of many disorders including psoriasis, eczema, drug sensitivities, and lymphoma |
| esophagus
muscular tube that begins at the back of the throat, passes through the neck and chest, and enters the stomach at the gastroesophageal junction just below the diaphragm |
esphagogastric-
duodenoscopy (EGD)
test to observe the esophagus, stomach, and portion of the small intestine |
| estrogen
hormone produced by the ovaries that is responsible for the development of female sex characteristics |
| eversion
motion of a body part as it tilts away from the midline |
| evoked potentials
series of electrophysiological tests to evaluate the function of specific nervous system elements associated with multiple sclerosis |
| exacerbation
worsening of symptoms |
| excise
to cut out |
| excisional biopsy
surgical removal of tissue for pathological analysis |
| exfoliation
shedding of the top layers of the epidermis |
external-beam
radiation therapy
treatment that utilizes external-beam radiation |
| extraocular muscles
six muscles that attach to each eyeball and perform eye movements and rotation |
| extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy(ESWL)
highly focused electrical impulses that are projected from outside the body to pulverize kidney stones |
| extrinsic asthma
asthma triggered by an allergic reaction, usually something that is inhaled |
| eyelashes
small hairs that grow at the edge of each eyelid |
| eyelids
moveable folds of skin that protect the surface of the eyeballs |
| [Back to top] |
|
|
F
|
| fasciculation
twitching of the muscles that is seen in diseases of the peripheral nervous system |
| fibrillation
uncontrolled rapid contraction of the fibers in the heart that occurs in the atrial, or upper, chambers (atrial fibrillation) and in the ventricular, or lower, chambers (ventricular fibrillation) |
| fibrosis
formation of fibrous (scar) tissue after an injury |
fine needle aspirate
(FNA)
insertion of small gauge needle into an area of abnormality with an attempt to suck out small amounts of tumor for review by a pathologist |
first metatarsal
phalangeal joint
(1st MTJ)
where the big toe connects to the foot; common site for the development of osteoarthritis |
| fissure
linear split or crack, usually in areas of chronic inflammation and skin thickening such as calluses on hands and feet |
| flexible sigmoidoscopy
insertion of a small-sized tube into the rectum to visualize the rectum and a portion of the colon |
| follicle (hair follicle)
tiny tubular structure in the skin, contiguous with the top skin layer, or epidermis, that includes the canal, the hair shaft, the sebaceous (oil) gland, and the muscle anchored to the follicle's side wall |
| folliculitis
inflammation with or without infection of the hair follicle |
| fovea
small, shallow depression in the center of the macula that provides the sharpest vision and contains the highest concentration of cone cells |
| fungus (p., fungi)
member of a group of simple plantlike organisms that do not have leaves or flowers and that live off organic matter such as hair, skin, and nail cells of humans, animals, and plants |
| furuncle
deep inflammation and infection of the hair follicle |
| [Back to top] |
|
|
G
|
| gadolinium
contrast agent that is given intravenously during MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) to increase visualization of specific abnormalities |
| gait
manner of walking |
| gallium scan
nuclear medicine study used to monitor gallium-avid lymphomas |
gamma-knife
radiation
radiosurgery used most often to treat brain tumors and vascular lesions |
| gantry
the doughnut- or bagel-shaped device used for CT or MRI |
gastroesophageal
(GE) junction
important junction between the esophagus and the stomach that normally permits one-way ingestion to the stomach |
| GI
gastrointestinal |
| gout
systemic disease caused by the buildup of uric acid crystals in the joints of the body, causing inflammation, swelling, and pain |
| grade
system used to classify the aggressiveness of a tumor |
| granulocytes
infection-fighting white blood cells (also called polymorphonuclear cells, PMNs, or polys) |
Guillain-Barré
syndrome
inflammatory disorder of the peripheral nerves characterized by rapid onset of weakness and often paralysis of the legs, arms, breathing muscles, and face.; acute idiopathic polyneuritis |
| [Back to top] |
|
|
H
|
| habit training
behavioral modification technique that establishes scheduled toileting at regular intervals |
| hallux
proximal phalanx (end bone) of the first, big toe; site of many muscle attachments that, when imbalanced, contribute to the formation of a bunion |
| hammertoes
common deformity caused by a muscle imbalance in the foot |
| hay fever
See rhinitis. |
| heart attack
See myocardial infarction. |
| heart failure
See congestive heart failure. |
| heart murmur
whooshing sound caused by the turbulent flow of blood from the left ventricle across the mitral valve and back into the left atrium |
| heart transplant
See cardiac transplantation. |
| heel spur
condition in which a small piece of bone is pulled away from the calcaneus |
| [Back to top] |
| hematemesis
act of vomiting blood |
| hematuria
blood in the urine, visible or microscopic |
| hemiparesis
weakness that affects one side of the body |
| hemoptysis
act of coughing up blood |
| hemorrhage
bleeding |
| heparin
drug that inhibits blood clotting |
| hepatitis
inflammation of the liver; viral disease spread through contaminated food, water, feces, blood, and bodily fluid; associated with alcoholism and intravenous drug use |
| [Back to top] |
| her2-neu
protein that indicates aggressive cancer, which is found in 30% of breast cancer patients |
| histamine
chemical present in cells throughout the body, which is released during an allergic reaction |
HIV (human
immunodeficiency virus)
virus that affects the immune system and causes the disease known as AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency disorder) |
| homograft valve
aortic valve that has been taken from a human organ donor and used to replace a diseased heart valve |
| hormonal therapy
systemic therapy to block the action of specific hormones; use of antiandrogens to deprive cancer cells of the testosterone they need for growth |
| hospice
home-based health care and support for terminally ill patients and their families |
| hydrocele
painless swelling of the scrotum caused by a collection of fluid around the testicle; common in middle-aged men |
hypercholesterolemia,
or high cholesterol
excessive or disproportionate amounts of lipids (fats) in the circulating blood, including low-density lipoproteins (LDL), high-density lipoproteins (HDL), and tryglicerides |
| hypermobility
inability of the pelvic floor muscles to provide the necessary support for the urethra and bladder neck, causing the bladder neck to drop when any downward pressure is applied, and leading to involuntary leakage |
| hyperpigmented
accentuation or increase of pigment |
| hyperplasia
excessive growth of normal cells of an organ |
| hypertension, or high blood pressure
increased resistance to blood flow through small blood vessels (arterioles), which forces the heart to work harder |
| hypopigmented
lessening or lightening of pigment |
| [Back to top] |
|
|
I
|
| idiopathic
without a known cause |
| idiopathic pericarditis
inflammation of the tissues of the pericardium, with no known or detectable cause |
| immune cells
cells produced in our bodies that protect us from disease-causing agents by producing antibodies |
| immune system
collection of cells, proteins, and lymphatic tissues that help protect the body from potentially harmful, infectious microorganisms |
| immunity
insusceptibility that usually results from previous exposure to an infectious agent, either naturally or by vaccination |
| immunoglobulins
proteins found in blood and in tissue fluids that are produced by B-lymphocyte cells in the immune system and which bind to foreign substances in the body in order to destroy them; antibodies |
| immunotherapy
preventive, incrementally progressive, anti-inflammatory treatment for allergies to substances such as pollens, dust mites, fungi, and insect venom; allergy shots |
| incisional biopsy
surgical removal of tumor tissue through a small incision |
| inflammation
redness, swelling, heat, and pain in a tissue caused by injury, infection, or hypersensitivity to an allergen |
| [Back to top] |
| insemination
deposition of semen into the uterus, cervix, or vagina |
| in-situ
confined to the top layer or epidermis; cancer that has not spread to deeper tissues and has minimal propensity to metastasize |
| interstim continence control therapy
therapy used to treat urge incontinence |
| interstitial laser
laser probe used to destroy prostatic tissue and to allow easier urination |
| intrinsic asthma
asthma that has no apparent external cause |
| intrinsic sphincter deficiency (ISD)
weakening of the urethra sphincter muscles |
| intussusception
when one section of intestine slips over the next, like a sheath |
| invasive procedure
medical examination that invades the body either by incision or by insertion of an instrument through the skin |
| inversion
motion of a body part as it tilts toward the midline |
| iris
colored part of the eye that contains the muscles that adjust the size of the pupil to control the amount of light entering the eye |
| irritable bladder
involuntary contractions of muscles in the bladder that cause uncontrolled urination |
| irritant contact dermatitis
dermatitis caused by irritating chemicals that come into contact with the skin |
| ischemia
lack of blood flow to a part, often caused by constriction or obstruction of a blood vessel |
| isolated systolic hypertension
condition usually found in the elderly in which only the systolic blood pressure is elevated |
| [Back to top] |
|
|
J
|
|
|
K
|
| Kegel exercises
exercises to strengthen the muscles of the pelvic floor in order to control urination and prevent leakage |
| keratoacanthoma
mostly benign, rapidly growing skin tumor that regresses spontaneously |
| kidney
one of a pair of organs located at the back of the abdominal cavity that makes urine through blood filtration |
| kidney stone
hard mass composed of urine elements that form in the kidneys |
| KOH
potassium hydroxide |
| KUB
kidney, ureter, bladder |
| [Back to top] |
|
|
L
|
| lacrimal gland
gland located just above the outer corner of the eye that produces tears |
| lacunar
subtype of stroke that affects the deeper parts of the brain and involves the tiny perforating arteries |
| laparoscopic lymph node dissection (LLND)
procedure using a laparoscope to obtain a tissue sample of a lymph node(s) |
| laparoscopy
generally less invasive surgery that uses a laparoscope to visualize internal organs through a small incision |
| large bowel
three-foot section of the gastrointestinal tract beginning in the lower right side of the abdomen; the colon |
| [Back to top] |
| laser
light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation; device that produces light in a coherent, intense beam |
| lateral
describes the plane or movement that inclines away from the center or midline; opposite of medial |
| lateral collateral ligaments
complex of three ligaments that helps support the lateral side of the ankle joint; consisting of the anterior talofibular, calcaneofibular, and the posterior talofibular ligaments |
| left ventricular assist device (LVAD)
complex pump that is implanted in the body to assist the left ventricle in pumping blood |
| lens, or crystalline lens
transparent double convex-shaped (outward curve on both sides) structure suspended between the posterior chamber and vitreous body |
| ligament
substance made of fibrous tissue that helps connect and stabilize joints, strengthening the gap between two or more bones, cartilage, and/or muscles |
| liquid nitrogen
liquid form of nitrogen gas (-195 degrees Celsius) that is used to treat various skin lesions in cryosurgery |
| lithotripsy
procedure that uses ultrasonic shock waves to break up stones in the urinary tract so their fragments can be passed |
| [Back to top] |
| lumbar puncture (spinal tap)
removal and analysis of some of the cerebrospinal fluid from the base of the spine, used to diagnose meningitis or nervous system syphilis |
| lung
organ (pair) of the thorax whose contractions and expansions during respiration deliver oxygen to the blood |
| Lyme disease
disease that affects the joints, nervous system, and heart that is transmitted by the deer tick and is caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi |
| lymph node
small, bean-shaped structures that store special cells, which can trap cancer cells or bacteria traveling through the body. |
| lymphatic system
tissues and organs that produce, store, and carry cells that fight infection and disease. This system includes the bone marrow, spleen, thymus, and lymph nodes |
| [Back to top] |
|
|
M
|
| macula
small, highly sensitive located in the center of the retina responsible for near and fine detail vision |
| macule
small area of skin different in color to the majority of the body, but flush with the surrounding skin |
| malignant
cancerous tumor or other disease state that has a debilitating, unremitting course |
| [Back to top] |
| medial
inclining toward the center or midline of the body; opposite of lateral |
| mediastinoscopy
insertion of a tube into the chest, to view the organs in the mediastinum, or the area between the lungs (including the heart and its veins and arteries, the trachea, the esophagus, the bronchi, and lymph nodes). An incision is made at the base of the neck above the breastbone to insert the tube. |
| melanocytes
cells intermingled with the basal cells in the bottom layer of the epidermis that produce pigment globules known as melanin |
| melanoma
skin cancer that originates in a melanocyte |
| melena
blood in the stool, typically loosely formed or liquid |
| meninges
the three laminated ultrathin membranes surrounding the brain |
| meningitis
inflammation or infection of the meninges |
| menopause
period that marks the permanent cessation of menstrual activity, usually occurring between the ages of 40 and 58 |
| [Back to top] |
| metastasis
spread of disease from one organ or part to another |
| metastasize
to spread from one part of the body to another, as in cancer |
| metastatic
pertaining to metastasis; cancer that has spread to either the lymph nodes (regionally metastatic) or organs, e.g., lung, liver, adrenal glands, bone, or brain (distant metastasis) |
| metatarsals
five bones that run from the center of the foot to the beginning of the toes |
| metered-dose inhaler (MDI)
most common device for administering quick-relief asthma medications, consisting of a tube-shaped mouthpiece connected to a canister that projects a measured amount of medication when actuated by the user |
| mg
milligram |
| midline
invisible reference line that runs longitudinally and divides any body or object in half |
| migraine
headache characterized by throbbing, one-sided pain, that may be associated with nausea, vomiting, and aura (sensory disturbances) |
| mitral valve
one-way valve that allows blood to pass from the left atrium into the left ventricle and normally prohibits its reentry |
| mixed incontinence
stress and urge incontinence occurring simultaneously |
| mL
milliliter |
| [Back to top] |
| motor neuron cells
cells located in the spinal cord that give rise to nerves that supply the muscles |
| MRA (magnetic resonance angiography)
test in which an MRI scanner is used to focus on structures within which blood flows, such as the arteries in the neck, brain, and lungs |
| MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
diagnostic test that uses electromagnetic energy to produce soft-tissue images of the central nervous and musculoskeletal systems |
| multi-infarct dementia
dementia that is caused by the cumulative affect of multiple strokes |
| multiple sclerosis (MS)
chronic neurological disorder that affects the central nervous system, i.e., the brain and spinal cord |
| muscular dystrophy
congenital (hereditary) disorder resulting in muscular weakness and dysfunction |
| myasthenia gravis
disorder affecting the space between the nerve and the muscle (neuromuscular junction) that results in transient motor weakness of the face and limbs |
| myelin
outer lipid (fatty) layer that covers nerves and nervous system pathways in the brain and spinal cord |
| myelosuppressive
therapy that diminishes white blood cell count |
| myocardial infarction
medical emergency that occurs when a blood clot forms suddenly in a coronary artery and blocks blood flow to an area of the heart; heart attack |
| myopathy
disease of muscular dysfunction, usually causing weakness and atrophy |
| [Back to top] |
|
|
N
|
| nadir
lowest white blood cell count measured between chemotherapy treatments |
| narcolepsy
sleep disorder characterized by sudden and repeated attacks of sleep, usually accompanied by cataplexy, hypnogogic hallucination, and sleep paralysis |
| nasolacrimal duct
passageway that carries tears to the nose |
| nebulizer
device used to deliver inhaled medications, in which an air compressor is used to blow an atomized medication through a mouthpiece or face mask |
| needle localization biopsy
needle marker is inserted to define abnormal area prior to biopsy |
| nephrectomy
removal of the kidney |
| nephrotomography
conventional tomograms of the kidneys, especially in small sections of the kidneys |
| neurofibromatosis
genetic disorder which causes skin lesions, cutaneous and subcutaneous tumors, and tumors on internal organs |
| neurons
nerve cells of the brain responsible for neurological function |
| [Back to top] |
| neuropathy
condition resulting from damage to the peripheral nerves that results in weakness or sensory loss and pain in the arms, hand, legs, and feet |
| neutropenia
low level of neutrophils in the blood |
| neutropenic fevers
fever associated with low white blood cell count and low granulocyte count |
| neutrophil
most abundant type of white blood cell, or leukocyte, that is active in immune responses and inflammatory reactions |
| nevus (pl., nevi)
congenital skin lesion, e.g., mole, birthmark, etc. |
| nodule
elevated, solid mass or lump (up to 2 cm in diameter) that can be located in the epidermis, dermis, or the subcutaneous fat |
| noninvasive procedure
medical examination that does not penetrate the skin or invade the body, except for minor needle sticks |
| nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
drugs that act against inflammation, reduce fever, relieve muscle pain, and prevent blood clots (Due to potentially severe gastrointestinal and cardiovascular side effects, NSAIDs should only be used as instructed.) |
| normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH)
increase in pressure within the ventricles of the brain, causing dementia, gait difficulties, and urinary incontinence |
| nystagmus
jerking movement of the eyes associated with neurological disorder |
| [Back to top] |
|
|
O
|
| occlusion
closure; in sleep apnea, closing of the airway at the back of the mouth or top of the throat |
| oncologist
physician specializing in cancer treatment |
| onychomycosis
fungal infection of the fingernails or toenails that causes thickened, discolored, and often brittle nails |
| open nephrolithotomy
surgical excision of kidney stones via the back or abdomen in which the kidney may be opened |
| optic disc/optic nerve head
area where the optic nerve connects to the retina |
| optic nerve
cranial nerve II; transmits visual information from the retina to the brain |
| orchiectomy
surgical removal of one or both of the testicles |
| orchitis
inflammation of the testicle |
| osteoarthritis
deterioration of cartilage in the joints |
| osteomyelitis
infection in a bone |
| overactive bladder
condition characterized by involuntary, uncontrollable bladder muscle contractions during the bladder filling phase |
| overall survival
percentage of disease survivors, with disease and free of disease, after a specified period of time |
| overflow UI
leakage of small amounts of urine from a bladder that is always full |
| [Back to top] |
