Med Terms-Unit 3

psoriasis

A common, genetically determined dermatitis consisting of discrete reddish or pink lesions surmounted by characteristic silvery scales (Greek psoriasis = itching).

somat/o, som-

Greek soma, somatos= body

nystagm-

Nystagmus refers to the condition characterized by the constant recurring involuntary twitching of the eye.

pruritus

Severe itching. (from the Latin pruritus = itching)

Oligomenhorrhea

Short or infrequent menstrual periods

hyponychium

The nail bed (from the Greek hypo- = under + onyx = nail)

vertig-

Vertigo is the sensation of spinning or whirling around in space that results in loss of equilibrium.

neurofibroma

a benign encapsulated tumor caused by Schwann cell proliferation in a confused array that includes nerve fibers.

furuncle

a boil (from the Latin furunculus = a boil)

xeroderma

a chronic skin condition characterized by rough dry skin (from the Greek words xeros = dry, parched + derma = skin)

abscess

a circumscribed collection of pus accompanying an acute localized infection or a cavity formed by liquefactive necrosis (from latin, "going away")

impetigo

a contagious bacterial infection (staph or strep) of the skin characterized by superficial vesicles that rupture and leave a thick yellowish crust.(from the Latin impetere = to attack, infest, invade)

vagotomy

a cutting of (branches of) the vagus nerve, usually performed to reduce gastric acid secretion.

sebaceous cyst

a cyst filled with sebum and epithelial debris that has formed in the duct of a sebaceous gland.

carbuncle

a deep-seated pyogenic inflammation of the skin and sebaceous tissues which terminates in dead tissue (latin, "small live coal")

laceration

a jagged wound or cut in the flesh (from the Latin lacerare - to tear)

node

a knob, a circumscribed swelling or mass of tissue (from the Latin nodus = knot).

bulla

a large blister filled with fluid (latin, "bubble")

Parkinson's disease

a neurologic syndrome caused by a deficiency of the neurotransmitter dopamine.

lichen

a papule or aggregation of papules that results in a patterning similar to lichen (from the Greek leichen = a tree moss)

scabies

a skin disease with vesicular eruptions and intense pruritus caused by a mite (from the Latin verb scabo = to scratch)

vitiligo

a skin disorder characterized by depigmented patches surrounded by areas of normal pigmentation (from the Latin word vitium = blemish, defect + the suffix -igo = condition of disease

pustule

a small circumscribed elevation of the skin containing pus (from the Latin word pustula).

papilla

a small nipple-like process or protuberance.

nodule

a small node (from the Latin diminutive nodulus = little node).

vesicle

a small sac containing liquid. A small blister on the skin containing serous fluid (from the Latin diminutive word vesiculum = little bladder or bag, derived from vesica = bladder, bag).

macule

a spot or patch of discoloration on the skin (from the Latin macula = spot)

eschar

a thick crust of dead, coagulated tissue that develops subsequent to a severe burn (from the Greek eschara = a scab caused by burning)

cerumen

a waxy substance secreted by glands located throughout the external canal

pachyderma

abnormal thickening of the skin (from the Greek pachys = thick + derma = skin).

gnos-

agnosia is the impairment of the ability to comprehend auditory, visual or other sensory stimuli, not traceable to defects in the primary sensory receptors or in the general intellect, but caused by lesions in the cerebrum.

poliomyelitis

an acute inflammation of the gray matter of the spinal cord often leading to paralysis.

pemphigus

an acute or chronic disease of adults characterized by successive occurrence of bullae which appear suddenly on apparently normal skin and disappear leaving pigmented spots (from the Greek pemphix = breath, air and employed by Hippocrates and Galen in ref

seizure

an epileptic attack (usually).

pore

an opening in the skin (from the Greek word poros = passageway).

keratosis

any overgrowths of the horny layer of the epidermis as in the development of a callus or wart

-phasia

aphasia is the inability to understand speech or to express oneself through speech (from the Gr. a- = without + phasis (speech). dysphasia is the impairment of speech or comprehensible speech due to an acquired brain lesion.

tinea pedis

athlete's foot. a fungal disease of the skin and nails of the foot (from the Latin word tinea = worm + pedis = of the foot).

lentigo

benign small brown macule on the skin with an irregular border caused by a deposition of melanin pigment in the basal cell layer (from the Latin lentigo = freckle, derived from lens, lentis = lentil)

ecchymosis

buise. A purplish skin discoloration (changing to greenish brown or yellow) caused by the extravasation of blood into the skin (from the Greek ekchymosis = extravasation, derived from ekchymoun = to shed juice and thus to shed blood)

wheal

circular elevation on the skin, pale in center, reddish on the periphery, accompanied by itching, as seen in urticaria (from the Anglo-Saxon word hwele)

tax-

coordination. Ataxia refers to the lack of coordination of voluntary muscular movement.

eponychium

cuticle. The layer of epidermis that overlaps and protects the nail root (from the Greek epi- + onyx = nail)

lanugo

downy hair covering the body (from the Latin lanugo = the fine hairs of plants or the first soft down the beard, from lana = wool)

lex-

dyslexia is a term usually applied to impaired reading ability with reduced comprehension.

lal-

echolalia refers to the involuntary, parrot like repetition of words or sentences just spoken by another individual, usually seen in catatonic schizophrenia. Also termed echo speech, or echophrasia.

ceruminosis

excessive formation of ear wax

polydispia

excessive thirst

polyuria

excessive urination

adenoidectomy

excision of the adenoids

adipose

fatty; pertaining to fat (latin, adeps=fat and ose=filled with)

-esthesia

feeling, sensation. Paresthesia is an abnormal feeling (in the extremities for example) of burning, pricking, tingling.

dermatomycosis

fungal infection of the skin caused by dermatophytes, yeasts, and other fungi (greek, "skin" "fungus/mushroom" and "condition")

eczema

generic term for a skin inflammation (from the Greek ekzema, derived from ek = out + zein = to boil)

aden/o

greek aden=gland

dips/o

greek dipsa=thirst

endocrin/o

greek endon+krinein=to secrete within

glyc/o

greek glykos=sugar

gonad/o

greek gone=seed, procreation, offspring

hormon/o

greek hormon= to set in motion, to arouse

men/o

greek men, menos= month

nephr/o

greek nephros=kidney

pancreat/o

greek pan=all + kreas=flesh

troph/o

greek trophe=nourishment

urticaria

hives. a vascular skin reaction characterized by the eruption of slightly elevated patches or wheals, which are associated with severe pruritus (from the Latin word urtica = stinging nettle, and by extension a sting or itch).

sebhorrea

hyperactivity of the sebaceous glands marked by increased sebaceous secretion (from the Latin word sebum = tallow, suet, grease + the Greek word rhoia = flow).

lupus erythematosus

illness characterized by recurring reddish skin lesions that heal (from the Latin lupus = wolf. So named because the inflammation of the malar areas of the face seemed to render in its sufferers a wolf-like appearance

conjunctivitis

inflammation of the conjunctiva

blepharitis

inflammation of the glands and eyelash follicles along the margin of the eyelids

meningitis

inflammation of the meninges of the brain or spinal cord.

acne

inflammation of the sebaceous glands and hair follicles of the skin with characteristic eruptions and lesions (greek, "point of efflorescence")

dacryocystitis

inflammation of the tear (lacrimal) sac

paronychia

inflammation of the the nail fold caused by bacteria (staph and strep) or fungi (from the Greek para- = along + onyx = nail).

adren/o

latin ad+ren=to the kidneys

cortic(i/o)

latin cortex=rind, outer layer

ren/o

latin ren=kidney

syncope

loss of consciousness caused by a reduction in cerebral blood flow.

kinesi-

movement, motion. Akinesia/akinesis refers to the complete or partial loss of muscle movement.

alopecia

natural or abnormal hair loss, complete, localized, or general (greek, "fox mange" or "fox")

palsy

paralysis. Bell's palsy is paresis or paralysis of the facial muscles (usually unilateral)

paresis

paralysis. Hemiparesis refers to a form of paralysis affecting only one side of the body (syn. hemiplegia)

piebaldism

patches with the absence of pigmentation in the hair of the scalp, resulting in a streaked appearance.

meningocele

protrusion of the meninges of the brain or spinal cord through a (congenital) defect in the skull or spinal column.

papule

reddish circumscribed elevated area on the skin that may be pedunculated, sessile or filiform (from the Latin papula = pimple).

erythema

redness over the skin caused by capillary dilation (from the Greek erythema = redness of the skin, from erythainein to redden)

desquamation

shedding of the epidermis (latin, "to shed scales to peel off")

pemphigoid

similar to pemphigus (from the Greek pemphigodes = breaking out in blisters)

petechiae

small purplish hemorrhagic spots on the skin which appear in certain severe fevers. Also applied to similar spots occurring on mucous membranes or serous surfaces (Italian petecchiae = skin spots, the Italian term may be derived from the Latin petigo = sc

-plegia

stroke. Paraplegia is a paralysis of both lower extremities and also the trunk in some cases.

pediculosis

suffering from an infestation of lice (from the Latin pediculus = a louse + Greek -osis = condition).

tractotomy

the cutting of a nerve tract in the brainstem or spinal column.

perionychium

the epidermis surrounding the nail.

tomography

the making of a radiographic image of a selected plane.

exfoliation

the scaling off of dead tissues (from Latin ex- = out + folium = leaf)

dilate

to expand

ton/o

tone, tension, pressure. Dystonia refers to abnormal tonicity (especially in muscle tissue) that impairs voluntary movement.

thyrotoxicosis

toxic condition due to hyperactivity of the thyroid gland

pallor

unusual paleness in the skin (from the Latin pallor = pale color, paleness).

perspiration

watery fluid produced by the sweat (sudiferous) glands.

-asthenia

weakness, debility.Neurastheniais weakness and fatigue brought on by psychological factors.Myasthenia is muscular weakness.