Medical Terminology Chapter 6

Osteoarthritis

(OA) Inflammation of the bone and joint; the most common type of arthritis in the US and in people over 55 years of age. Women are more likely to suffer from this condition.

Rheumatoid arthritis

(RA) Chronic autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation of the joints, stiffness, pain, and swelling, which results in crippling deformities.

Carpal tunnel syndrome

Abnormal condition caused by compression of the median nerve by the carpal ligament due to injury or trauma to the area, including repetitive movement of the wrists; symptoms: soreness, tenderness, weakness, pain, tingling, and numbness at the wrist.

Osteoporosis

Abnormal condition characterized by a decrease in the density of bones, decreasing their strength and causing fragile bones, which can result in fractures. Estrogen is important in maintaining bone density in women. When estrogen levels drop after menopause, loss of bone density accelerates. Accelerated bone loss after menopause is a major cause of osteoporosis in women. It is most common in women after menopause.

Lordosis

An abnormal anterior curvature of the lumbar spine. This condition can be referred to as swayback because the abdomen and buttocks protrude due to an exaggerated lumbar curvature.

Scoliosis

An abnormal lateral curvature of the spine. The characteristic signs include asymmetry of the trunk, uneven shoulders and hips, a one-sided rib hump, and a prominent scapula.

Dorsiflexion

Bending a body part backward.

Flexion

Bending a limb.

Kyphosis

Condition in which the normal thoracic curvature becomes exaggerated, producing a "humpback" appearance. It can be caused by a congenital defect, a disease process such as tuberculosis and/or syphilis, malignancy, compression fracture, faulty posture, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, rickets, osteoporosis, or other conditions.

Rotation

Moving a body part around a central axis.

Abduction

Moving a body part away from the middle.

Retraction

Moving a body part backward.

Protraction

Moving a body part forward.

Circumduction

Moving a body part in a circular motion.

Adduction

Moving a body part toward the middle.

Extension

Straightening a flexed limb.

Arthrocentesis

Surgical procedure to remove joint fluid; may be used as a diagnostic tool or as part of a treatment regimen.

Inversion

Turning inward.

Eversion

Turning outward.

Gout

Hereditary metabolic disease that is a form of acute arthritis, which is marked by joint inflammation, It is caused by hyperuricemia, excessive amounts of uric acid in the blood, and deposits of urates of sodium (uric acid crystals) in and around the joints. It usually affects the great toe first, but can be seen in the finger, knee, or foot joints.

Arthritis

Inflammation of a joint that can result from various disease processes, such as injury to a joint (including fracture), an attack on the joints by the body itself (an autoimmune disease), or general wear and tear on joints.

Arthralgia

Joint pain.

Pronation

Lying prone (face downward); also turning the palm downward.

Supination

Lying supine (face upward); also turning the palm or foot upward.