Medical Terminology - Ch. 1 Vocab

Centigrade (C)

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

Axillary (ax)

pertaining to the armpit

Milligram (mg)

unit of weight in the metric system; 0.001 g

Heterogeneous

Literally means pertaining to a different formation; composed of unlike substances; the opposite of homogeneous

Microgram (mcg)

Unit of weight in the metric system; 0.001 mg

Epidemic

pertaining to among the people; the rapid widespread occurrence of an infectious disease that can be spread by any pathological organism transmitting by and to humans, birds, insects, etc.

Antipyretic

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

Antitussive

pertaining to an agent that works against coughing

Antiseptic

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

Abnormal

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

Febrile

pertaining to fever, a sustained body temperature above 98.6F

Macroscopic

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

Prophylactic

pertaining to preventing or protecting against disease or pregnancy

Maximal

pertaining to the greatest possible quantity, number, or degree

Minimal

pertaining to the least possible quantity, number, or degree

Palmar

pertaining to the palm of the hand

Pyrogenic

pertaining to the production of heat; a fever

Chronic

pertaining to time; denotes a disease with little change or of slow progression; the opposite of acute

Incision

process of cutting into

Excision

process of cutting out, surgical removal

Rapport

relationship of understanding between two individuals, especially between the patient and the physician

Microscope

scientific instrument designed to view small objects

Microorganism

small living organisms that are not visible to the naked eye

Illness

state of being sick

Etiology

study of the cause(s) of disease

Radiology

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

Antidote

substance given to counteract poisons and their effects

Acute (ac)

sudden, sharp, severe; used to describe a disease that has a sudden onset, severe symptoms, and a short course

Paracentesis

surgical puncture of a body cavity for fluid removal

Biopsy (Bx)

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

Empathy

the ability to sense intellectually and emotionally the feelings of another person

Chemotherapy

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

Diaphoresis

to carry through sweat glands; profuse sweating

Abate

to lessen, ease, decrease, or cease. Used to note the lessening of pain or the decrease in severity of symptoms.

Centimeter (cm)

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

Milliliter (mL)

unit of volume in the metric system; 0.001 L

Liter (L)

unit of volume in the metric system; 1000 mL; a liter is equal to 33.8 fl oz or 1.0567 qt

Kilogram (kg)

unit of weight in the metric system; 1000 g; a kilogram is equal to 2.2 lb

Gram (g)

unit of weight in the metric system; a cubic centimeter or a millimeter of water is equal to the weight of a gram

Asepsis

without decay; sterile, free from all living microorganisms

Disinfectant

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

Topography

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

Diagnosis (Dx)

determination of the cause and nature of a disease

Centrifuge

device used in a laboratory to separate solids from liquids

Malformation

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

Adhesion

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.

Prognosis

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

Malignant

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

Disease

literally means lack of ease; a pathological condition of the body that presents with a series of symptoms, signs, and laboratory findings peculiar to it and sets it apart from normal or other abnormal body states; a disruption of normal functioning of the body by a process that can be congenital, infectious, or the failure of normal activity to maintain and sustain health

Oncology

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

Abscess

localized collection of pus, which may occur in any part of the body.

Neopathy

new disease

Multiform

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

Pallor

paleness, a lack of color

Malaise

a general feeling of discomfort, uneasiness; often felt by a patient who has a chronic disease

Syndrome

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

Triage

a system of prioritizing and classifying patient injuries to determine priority of need and treatment

Necrosis

abnormal condition of tissue death

Autoclave

an apparatus that sterilizes instruments and items using steam under pressure to reach a heat of 250F to 254F for a specified time, such as 30 minutes for single wrapped items

Thermometer

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

Efferent

carrying impulse away from a center

Afferent

carrying impulses toward a center

Apathy

condition in which one lacks feelings and emotions and is indifferent

Ambulartory (Amb)

condition of being able to walk, not confined to bed

Autonomy

condition of being self-governed; to function independently

Cachexia

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