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C - D - E - F
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Q - R - S - T
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X - Y - Z A very useful source is Medline
Plus' Medical Dictionary on-line. abscess - a localized collection of pus in a
cavity formed by disintegration of tissues.
achalasia - failure to relax; especially referring to smooth muscle
fibers at any junction of the gastrointestinal tract (e.g. openings such as
the pylorus, cardia or other sphincter muscles); especially failure of the esophageal
sphincter to relax with swallowing.
acinus (acini = pl.) - a small sac-like dilatation, e.g.
in the lung the basic unit of gas exchange, each acinus is supplied by a
single terminal bronchiole; in the liver, the smallest functional unit.
acute - a disease with sudden onset of signs and a short course.
adenocarcinoma - a malignant tumour originating in glandular tissue.
adenoma - a benign tumor made up of glandular elements.
adenosis - a disease of a gland, often marked by the abnormal formation
or enlargement of glandular tissue.
adhesion - in close proximity; joining of parts to one another which
may occur abnormally as in a fibrous band of scar tissue that binds together
normally separate anatomical structures.
adnexal - appendages or accessory structures of an organ, e.g. of the
uterus, including the uterine tubes and ligaments and ovaries.
afferent - toward the centre, e.g. afferent nerves carry impulses toward
the central nervous system.
agenesis - absence or failure of formation of any part or organ.
agglutination - clumping together of cells or particles.
aggregation - a total or coming together of separate parts.
akinesia (akinetic = adj.) - absence or loss of movement.
amenorrhea - the absence of menstrual bleeding.
amino acid(s) - the basic building block of protein; there
are 20 common amino acid types and their sequence will determine the
properties and function of each protein.
amine - a chemical substance in the body whose structure is similar
to ammonia; a family of hormones (adrenal medulla - epinephrine & norepinephrine)
or neurotransmitters in brain (dopamine, norepinephrine, epinephrine, serotonin).
amyloid - the extracellular protein substance deposited in amyloidosis.
It is a waxy, amorphous, eosinophilic, hyalinelike material that exhibits red-green
birefringence under polarized light when stained with Congo red.
amyloidosis - a group of conditions of diverse etiologies characterized by the accumulation of insoluble fibrillar proteins (amyloid)
in various organs and tissues of the body - eventually organ function
is compromised. The associated disease states may be inflammatory,
hereditary or neoplastic and the deposition may be local or generalized
or systemic.
analgesia (analgesic) - the absence of pain; removing pain.
anaphylaxis - the immediate immunologic (allergic) reaction initiated
by the combination of antigen (allergen) with mast cell cytophilic antobody
(chiefly IgE). anaphylactic (adj) - as in anaphylactic shock - life threatening
respiratory distress, vascular collapse and shock; manifesting extremely great
sensitivity to foreign protein or other material.
anaplasia - loss of differentiation of cells and of their orientation
to one another and to their framework and blood vessels.
anastomosis - a connection between two blood vessels or tubes.
anencephaly - markedly defective development of the brain, cerebral
hemispheres absent or reduced to small masses, together with absence of the
bones of the cranium.
aneurysm - a ballooning out of the wall of a blood vessel or a heart
chamber due to a weakening of the wall by disease or injury.
angina - spasmodic, choking or suffocating pain. a. pectoris,
paroxysmal pain in the chest often radiating to the arms; usually due
to interference with the supply of oxygen to the heart muscle; often
precipitated by excitement or effort.
angiogenesis - the formation of new blood vessels.
anomaly - an irregularity or deviation from normal; an abnormal structure.
antibody - an immunoglobulin molecule that reacts with a specific antigen
that induced its synthesis. Synthesized by B lymphocytes that have been activated
by the binding of a antigen to a cell surface receptor.
antigen - any substance, almost always a protein, not normally present
in the body which when introduced to the body stimulates a specific immune response
and the production of antibodies.
aphasia - partial or complete loss of the ability to speak, write or
understand spoken or written language, resulting from damage to the brain by
injury or disease.
apnea - lack of breathing.
apocrine - a form of secretion in which a portion of the cytoplasm leaves
the cell together with the product of secretion.
apoptosis - programmed cell death (carefully orchestrated by
genes and gene products that turn the pathway to cell death on or off);
fragmentation of the cell into membrane-bound particles that are
eliminated by phagocytosis; from the Greek for "falling off".
arrhythmia(s) - irregular heart beat.
ascites - accumulation of serous fluid in the abdominal cavity.
asymptomatic - producing or showing no symptoms.
ataxia - failure of muscle coordination; unable to coordinate muscle
movement resulting in jerkiness and incoordination.
ATP - adenosine triphosphate. A chemical very important in energy metabolism
in the cell.
atrophy - a wasting away; a decrease in the size and function of a cell, tissue, organ or part.
atypical - unusual, not characteristic.
auscultation - listening for sounds within the body; it may be performed with the unaided ear or with a stethoscope.
bacteremia - the presence of bacteria in the blood.
benign - not malignant; not recurrent; favourable for recovery.
bifurcation - the split of a tube or vessel into two branches or channels.
birefringent - birefringence; the quality of transmitting light
unequally in different directions.
biopsy - removal and examination, usually microscopic, of tissue from the living body, performed to establish a precise diagnosis
bradycardia - abnormally slow heart action.
bronchiectasis - chronic dilatation of the bronchi. It may affect the
tube uniformly or occur in irregular pockets.
bronchus - one of the large passages conveying air to and within the lungs.
bronchoscope - an instrument used for inspecting the interior of
the windpipe and bronchial tree to carry out diagnostic (taking
specimens for culture and biopsy) or therapeutic (removing a foreign
object) maneuvers.
bronchoscopy - examination of the bronchi through a bronchoscope.
BUN - blood urea nitrogen: the urea concentration of serum or plasma,
specified in terms of nitrogen content; an important indicator of renal function.
(urea is the chief nitrogenous end-product of protein
metabolism, formed in the liver from amino acids and from ammonia compounds).
cachexia - extreme loss of weight and body wasting associated with serious
illness.
calculus - a stone developing in the body, e.g. kidney or bile (not
the branch of mathematics!)
carbuncle - deep-seated pus-producing infection of the skin and subcutaneous
tissues.
carcinogen - a substance that causes cancer.
cardi(o) - of the heart.
cardiomegaly - hypertrophy (enlargement) of the heart.
caries - destruction of bone or teeth.
caseous - "cheesy" or "cheese-like". As in caseous
necrosis - cell death characteristic of certain inflammations (e.g. tuberculosis)
where the affected tissue shows the crumbly consistency and dull, opaque quality
of cheese. Based on casein - the principal protein of milk, the basis
of curds and cheese.
catarrh - inflammation of a mucuos membrane with increased flow of mucous.
catarrhal (adj.)
caudal - situated toward or pertaining to the taill; toward the inferior
or posterior end of the body.
cellulitis - inflammation of the soft or connective tissue in which
a thin, watery exudate spreads through the tissue spaces.
cephalic - pertaining to the head , or to the head end of the body.
chemotaxis - movement of cells or organisms in response to chemical
stimulation. chemotactic (adj.).
cholangitis - inflammation of a bile duct or the entire biliary tree.
cholecyst - the gallbladder.
cholelithiasis - presence of concretions ("gall stones") in
the gallbladder or bile ducts.
chronic - a condition with slow onset, mild but continuous manifestations
and long-lasting, often progressive effects.
ciliated - cilia are small hair-like structures which help to transport
secretions along the surface of a cell.
CIN - cervical intraepithelial neoplasia; one of the terminologies in
use to describe precancerous or dysplastic changes in the cervical epithelial
cells..
CIS - carcinoma in situ; a neoplasm where the tumor cells are still
confined to the epithelium of origin without invasion of the basement membrane
(likelihood of subsequent invasive growth is presumed to be high)..
clubbing - proliferation of soft tissue about the ends (terminal phalanges)
of fingers and toes.
CMV - cytomegalovirus.
coagulate - to cause to clot or become clotted; to convert a fluid or
substance in solution into a solid or a gel. coagulative (adj.) as in
coagulative necrosis - a type of necrosis in which affected cells or
tissue are converted into a dry, dull, homogeneous eosinophilic
mass without nuclei as a result of the coagulation of protein.
collateral (blood supply) - new vessels which develop following chronic
interruption of blood supply.
colposcope - a speculum for examining the vagina and cervix with a
magnifying lens. (colposcopy is the procedure).
congestion - abnormal accumulation of blood or fluid in a part (e.g.
of blood - passive congestion - obstruction of the escape of blood from
a part (as in liver); pulmonary congestion - engorgement of pulmonary
vessels, with transudation of fluid into alveolar and interstitial spaces).
columnar (cells) - refers to a shape of cells which often line ducts
or glands within the body.
coma - a state of profound unconsciousness from which one cannot be
roused. Congo red - specific stain for detection of amyloid fibrils. Proteins
with a beta-pleated sheet structure will display red-green birefringence under
polarized light.
contralateral - the opposite side of the body. creatine - an amino acid; found in muscle. Phosphorylated creatine is
an important storage form of high-energy phosphate = creatine phosphate or phosphocreatine.
Energy source for muscle contraction.
creatine kinase - an enzyme that catalyzes the phosphorylation of creatine
by ATP to form phosphocreatine. It occurs as three isozymes (specific to brain,
cardiac and skeletal muscle, respectively). Each isozyme has two components
composed of muscle (M) and brain (B) subunits - CK1 (BB) is found primarily
in brain, CK2 (MB) in cardiac muscle and CK3 (MM) primarily in skeletal muscle.
Differential determination of isozymes is used in clinical diagnosis.
cribiform - perforated, sieve-like pattern.
cruciate - shaped like a cross.
cryptorchid - a person with undescended testes.
cryptorchism (cryptorchidism) - failure of one or both testes to descend
into the scrotum.
CT (computerized tomograph) - sophisticated radiologic technique yielding
a detailed image of internal body structures. Also CAT - computerized
axial tomography.
cyanosis - a bluish discoloration of skin, lips, nail beds or mucous
membranes due to excessive concentrations of reduced hemoglobin in blood and
hence deficient oxygenation of blood. cyanotic (adj.).
cyst - any closed epithelium-lined cavity or sac, normal or abnormal,
usually containing liquid or semisolid material; a bladder.
cystectomy - removal of a cyst; removal or resection of the bladder.
cytology - the study of cells, their origin, structure, function and
pathology; the microscopic examination of cells as a means of detecting malignancy
and microbiologic changes. Cells can be obtained by aspiration, washing, smear
or scraping.
cytotoxin - (cytotoxic = adj.), a toxin or antibody having a
specific toxic action upon the cells of special organs.
DES - diethylystilbestrol; a synthetic nonsteroidal estrogen; females
exposed to it in utero are subject to increased risk of vaginal and cervical
carcinoma..
degenerative - progressive and often irreversible deterioration.
dialysis - a procedure by which a machine is used to replace kidney
functions in patients with diseased kidneys.
diapedesis - the passage of leukocytes (white blood cells) through capillary
walls to site of inflammation.
diaphoresis - perspiration, especially profuse perspiration.
differentiation - the distinguishing of one thing from another; the
act or process of acquiring completely individual characters; increase in morphological
or chemical heterogeneity.
dilation - the act of dilating or stretching.
dilatation - the condition of being stretched beyond normal dimensions,
usually in a tubular sructure or an opening.
diuresis - excessive amount of urine; diuretic - produces an
increase in amount of urine. duct - a passage with well-defined walls, especially a tubular structure
for the passage of excretions or secretions.
dysmenorrhea - painful menstruation.
dysphagia - painful or difficulty swallowing.
dysplasia - abnormality of development; in pathology, alteration in
size, shape, and organization of adult cells.
dyspnea - labored or difficult breathing.
dysrhythmia - defective heart rhythm; also see arrythmia.
ecchymosis - a small hemorrhagic spot in the skin or mucous membrane,
larger than a petechia, forming a nonelevated, rounded,
or irregular blue or purplish patch. ecchymoses, pl.
ectasia - dilatation, expansion or distention. e.g. duct ectasia = dilatation
of duct plugged with secretion, accompanied by periductal and interstitial inflammatory
infiltrate.
ectopic - out of place; an object or organ situated in an unusual place
away from its normal position.
edema - the accumulation of excess fluid in the intercellular or interstitial
tissue spaces or body cavities.
efferent - moving away from the centre, e.g. efferent nerve fibres carry
motor impulses to muscles.
effusion(s) - the escape of a fluid into a part; the effused material
(see exudate).
electrolyte - a compound when dissolved in water separates into charged
particles. Electrolytes play an essential role in the workings of cells maintaining
fluid balance and acid-base balance.
embolus (emboli, pl.) - a detached intravascular solid, liquid
or gaseous mass that is carried by the blood to a site distant from its point
of origin, thus obstructing the flow of blood. Most (99%) arise from thrombi
(thromboembolus). embolism - the sudden obstruction or blocking of a
vessel by an embolus.
emesis - the act of vomiting.
empyema - accumulation of pus in a body cavity.
encephalitis - inflammation of the brain.
endocarditis - inflammation of the endocardium.
endocardium - the innermost tunic of the heart (includes endothelial
and subendothelial connective tissue).
endogenous - originating from within the body. enzyme - a substance, usually a protein, that initiates and accelerates
a chemical reaction.
eosin - any of a class of rose-colored stains or dyes; bromine derivatives
of fluorescein; used in histology as a stain
epicanthus (epicanthal, adj.) - a vertical fold on either side
of the nose; a normal characteristic in persons of certain races, but absent
in others.
epidemiology - the study of the relationships of various factors determining
the frequency and distribution of diseases in the human community; also the
field of medicine dealing with the determination of specific causes of localized
outbreaks of infection, poisoning or other disease of recognized etiology.
epigastrium - the upper and middle region of the abdomen, located within
the sternal angle. epigastric is the adjective.
erythema - diffuse or patchy redness of skin, blanching on pressure,
due to congestion of cutaneous capillaries.
erythrocyte(s) - red blood cell(s).
etiology - (etiologic, etiological = adj.) the science dealing
with the causes of disease.
excise - to cut out; excision - the act of cutting out.
exogenous - originating from outside of the body.
exudate - a fluid with a high concentration of protein and cellular
debris which has escaped from blood vessels and has been deposited in tissues,
or on tissue surfaces, usually as a result of inflammation.
facies - the face; or the expression or appearance of the face.
fibrillation - a small, local, involuntary muscular contraction, due
to spontaneous activation of single muscle cells or muscle fibers whose nerve
supply has been damaged or cut off. Also see ventricular fibrillation.
fibrin - an insoluble protein essential to the clotting of blood, derived
from fibrinogen; a component of thrombi, vegetations, and acute inflammatory
exudates.
fibrinogen - a coagulation factor.
fibrinoid - resembling fibrin; an eosinophilic, homogeneous, proteinacious
material that is frequently formed on the walls of blood vessels and connective
tissue in some patients (e.g with disseminated lupus erythematosus, scleroderma,
etc.). fibrinoid necrosis - results in acidophilic (eosinophilic) deposits
with staining reactions that resemble fibrin in connective tissue, blood vessel
walls and other sites.
fibrosis - formation of fibrous tissue usually in repair or replacement
of cellular elements. fibrotic (adj).
fistula (fistulas, fistulae, pl.) - an abnormal passage or communication
from one organ to another or from an internal organ to the body surface; may
be caused by disease or injury or created surgically.
friable - easily crumbled.
gangrene - necrosis due to obstruction, loss or diminution of blood
supply.
glomerulonephritis - nephritis with inflammation
of the capillary loops in the renal glomeruli.
granuloma - a term applied to any small nodular aggregation of mononuclear
inflammatory cells or such a collection of modified macrophages resembling epithelial
cells, giant cells and other macrophages (usually surrounded by a rim of lymphocytes).
gyrus - (gyri = pl.), one of the convolutions on the surface
of the brain caused by infolding of the cortex.
hamartoma - a benign tumour-like nodule composed of an overgrowth of
mature cells and tissues normally present in the affected part, but with disorganization
and often with one element predominating.
hematemesis - the vomiting of blood.
hematochezia - presence of red blood in the stool.
hematoma - a localized mass of blood, usually clotted, trapped in an
organ, space, or tissue, resulting from a break in the wall of a blood vessel.
hematoxylin - an acid-coloring matter from the heartwood; used as a
histological stain - stains nuclei .
H & E - hematoxylin & eosin - a mixture of hematoxylin in distilled
water and an aqueous eosin solution; a stain used routinely for examination
of tissues.
hematuria - the presence of blood in the urine.
hemianopia - loss of vision or blindness in half the visual field of
one or both eyes.
hemiparesis - weakness on one side of the body.
hemiplegia - paralysis of one side of the body.
hemoglobin - the oxygen carrying pigment of the red blood cells (erythrocytes).
It is a conjugated protein containing four heme groups and globin. A molecule
of hemoglobin contains 4 globin polypeptide chains - designated alpha, beta,
gamma and delta. In the adult, Hemoglobin A predominates (alpha2, beta2).
hemolysis - the liberation of hemoglobin, consisting of separation of
the hemoglobin from the red cells and its appearanc in plasma.
hemoptysis - the spitting of blood or blood-stained sputum.
hemorrhage - to bleed; an escape of blood from the blood vessels. hemorrhagic
(adj.)
hemosiderin - a product of the decomposition of hemoglobin, found mainly
intercellularly in areas of old hemorrhage.
hemostasis - the arrest of bleeding by the physiological properties
of vasoconstriction and coagulation or by surgical means; interruption of blood
flow through any vessel or to any anatomical area.
hepatomegaly - enlargement of the liver.
hernia - the protrusion of a portion of an organ or tissue through an
abnormal opening.
hilum or hilus (hila = pl.) - the part of an organ where
blood vessels and nerves enter and leave.
HIV - human immunodeficiency virus; the biological agent causing AIDS
(acquired immune deficiency syndrome).
HPV - human papilloma virus; subtypes have been associated with the
development of cervical cancer.
hydrocephalus - a congenital or acquired condition marked by dilatation
of the cerebral ventricles, usually occurring secondarily to obstruction of
the cerebrospinal fluid (csf) pathways, and accompanied by an accumulation of
csf within the skull; h. ex vacuo, compensatory replacement by cerebrospinal
fluid of the volume of tissue lost in atrophy of the
brain.
hydrosalpinx - the accumulation of serous fluid in the fallopian tube.
hyperemia - an excess of blood in a part.
hyperplasia - a controlled increase in the number of normal cells in
normal arrangement in an organ or tissue, causing a corresponding increase in
tissue mass.
hypersensitivity - a state of altered reactivity in which the body reacts
with an exaggerated immune response to a foreign agent.
hypertension - high arterial blood pressure. Various criteria
for its threshold have been suggested, ranging from 140 mm Hg systolic
and 90 mm Hg diastolic to as high as 200 mm Hg systolic and 110 mm Hg
diastolic.
hypertrophy - an increase in individual cell size, which in turn leads
to an increase in tissue mass/organ size.
hypoechoic - in ultrasonography, giving off few echoes or weaker echoes
than normal tissue or than in surrounding regions.
hypoplasia - incomplete development or underdevelopment of a tissue,
usually due to a decrease in number of cells.
hypotension - low blood pressure. hypovolemia - decreased blood volume.
hypoxia - reduced supply of oxygen to tissues (below physiologic levels)
despite normal blood perfusion.
hysterectomy - surgical removal of the uterus.
iatrogenic - resulting from the activity of physicians; usually used
for any adverse condition in a patient resulting from treatment by a physician
or surgeon. Derived from iatr(o) (Gr) - medicine, physician. iatric -
pertaining to medicine or a physician.
idiopathic - occurring without known cause.
ileum - the distal portion of the small intestine, extending from the
jejunum to the cecum.
ileus - an intestinal obstruction.
indurated - hardened, firm.
infarct - a localized area of ischemic necrosis produced by blockage
of the arterial supply or venous drainage of the part.
infarction - the formation of an infarct; acute myocardial infarction
(AMI) - circulation to a region of the heart is obstructed and necrosis
of tissue is occurring.
in situ - means "in its original place"; may be used descriptively
of a cancer (e.g. carcinoma in situ) or to refer to experiments conducted in
place (e.g in situ hybridization).
inspissation - drying-out; in histologic sections inspissated secretions
appear as dense, amorphous, deeply staining material within the lumen of ducts
or glands.
intussusception - when a segment of one part of the intestine becomes
telescoped into an immediately adjacent part.
ipsilateral - same side of the body.
ischemia - (ischemic = adj.), deficiency of blood in a part, usually due to functional constriction or actual obstruction or blockage of a blood vessel.
jaundice - yellowness of the skin, sclera, mucous membranes and excretions
due to increased bilirubin in the blood and deposition of bile pigments.
karyolysis - the dissolution of the nucleus - the nucleus swells and gradually loses its chromatin.
karyorrhexis - rupture of the cell nucleus in which the chromatin disintegrates
into formless granules that are extruded from the cell.
karyotype (karyotyping) - the chromosomal constitution of the
cell nucleus; the photographic representation of the chromosomes for analysis.
keratoconjunctivitis - inflammation of the cornea and conjunctiva.
kyphosis - abnormally increased convexity in the curvature of the thoracic
spine as viewed from the side.
lacuna (lacunae = pl) - a small space or depression; e.g. in
bone, the lacunae are cavities in the bone tissue in which bone-forming cells
are found. leptomeninges - the two delicate membranes of the meninges,
the arachnoid and pia mater. leukocyte(s) - white blood cell(s). leukocytosis - a transient increase in the number of white blood cells
(leukocytes); due to various causes. leukoplakia - a white patch of oral mucous membrane which cannot be
wiped off. liquefaction - conversion into a liquid form. liqefactive necrosis - a type of necrosis characterized by dull, opaque,
partly or completely fluid remains of tissue, observed in abscesses and frequently
in infarcts of brain. lumen - opening, e.g. of a blood vessel through which blood flows, or
in a gland or organ. Lyme disease - a multisystem disease which can affect the skin, joints
and nervous system. Caused by a bacteria carried by certain kinds of ticks (most
commonly found in areas of northeastern U.S.). lymphadenopathy - disease of the lymph nodes. malignant - of tumours, having the properties of anaplasia, invasiveness
and metastasis.
mastectomy - removal of the breast.
melena - black blood in the stool; the source of blood is typically
from the stomach or duodenum and is thus acted upon by digestive enzymes that
break down the blood and create its black appearance.
menarche - the first menstrual period, usually occurring during puberty.
meninges - plural of meninx; any membrane, but specifically the three
membranous coverings of the brain and spinal cord (dura mater, arachnoid and
pia mater).
meningitis - inflammation of the meninges.
menorrhagia - hypermenorrhea or profuse menstruation.
menorrhea - the normal discharge of the menses.
menses - the monthly flow of blood from the genital tract of a woman.
metaplasia - the change in the type of adult cells in a tissue to a form abnormal for that tissue
metastasis - (metastases = pl.; metastatic = adj), transfer
of disease from one organ or part of the body to another not directly connected
with it, due either to transfer of pathogenic organisms or to transfer of cells;
all malignant tumours are capable of metastasizing. A growth of pathogenic microorganisms
or of abnormal cells distant from the site primarily involved by the morbid
process.
metrorrhagia - continuous or non-cyclical uterine bleeding.
morbidity - the condition of being diseased or sick; the 'sick' rate,
i.e. the ratio of sick to well persons in a community.
mortality - the quality of being mortal or alive; the 'death' rate,
i.e. the number of people dying in a given population.
myocyte(s) - (a) muscle cell(s).
myoepithelium - flattened to stellate cells, believed to be contractile,
which lie in many forms of externally secreting glands between the secreting
cells and the basement membrane on which they lie.
myomectomy - surgical removal of a myoma (a benign tumor of muscle
elements).
myxoma (myxomatous = adj.) - a benign neoplasm derived from connective
tissue; occurs in bone, skin and muscle; in cardiac muscle may encroach on the
cavity of an atrium.
nares - the nostrils; the external openings of the nasal cavity.
necrosis - the morphological changes indicative of cell death caused by progressive enzymatic degradation.
neoplasia - the formation of a neoplasm.
neoplasm - tumour; any new or abnormal growth, specifically one in
which cell multiplication is uncontrolled. Neoplasms may be benign
or malignant.
neutropenia - diminished number of neutrophils in the blood.
neutrophil - a granular leukocyte having a nucleus with 3 to 5
lobes connected by threads of chromatin and cytoplasm containg very fine
granules; any cell, structure or element readily stainable with
neutral dyes.
nitroglycerin - when compounded in tablets used in the treatment and
prevention of angina pectoris. Used sublingually (under the tongue). A vasodilator.
NMR ( nuclear magnetic resonance) scan - or more commonly now as MRI
(magnetic resonance imaging) - a sophisticated radiologic technique yielding
a detailed image of internal body structures.
nocturia - excessive urination at night.
nosocomial - pertaining to or originating in a hospital.
obtund - to dull or blunt (especially to blunt sensation or dull pain),
or to reduce alertness; obtundation - clouding of consciousness.
occlusion - closing or shutting off, e.g. shutting off a blood vessel
by a blockage of the opening.
occult - not visible to the naked eye or hidden from view.
Oil-red-O - (Solvent red 27; M.W. 409) - A member of the azo
dye family used to identify neutral lipids and fatty acids in smears and tissues.
The chromophore is the azo group (-N=N-) which connects two aromatic rings.
This coloured non-polar substance dissolves in lipids and renders them visible
under the microscope. Fresh smears or cryostat sections of tissue are necessa
ry because fixatives containing alcohols, or routine tissue processing with
clearing, will remove lipids. oligohydramnios - too little amniotic fluid.
oliguria - diminished urine output in relation to fluid intake.
oncogene(s) - giving rise to tumours or causing tumour formation; genes
that contribute to the formation of tumours.
organelles - minute, intracellular structures serving a specific function
in the life processes of the cell.
orthotopic - occurring at the normal place.
osteoarthritis - degenerative disease of joint cartilage.
osteoporosis - a common disease of the formation of bone leading to
fragile bones and fractures.
palsy - paralysis; e.g. cerebral palsy = persisting motor disorders
in young children resulting from brain damage caused by birth trauma or intrauterine
pathology.
Pap (Papanicolaou) smear - a specimen for microscopic examination of
cells for detection of variuos conditions of the female genital tract (e.g.
malignant and premalignant conditions), prepared by spreading the material across
a slide.
paraparesis - weakness affecting the lower extremities.
paraplegia - paralysis of the lower limbs.
parenchyma (parenchymal = adj.) - the essential (working) tissue of
an organ as distinguished from the supporting connective tissue, vessels, nerves,
etc.
paresis - slight or partial paralysis.
paresthesia - any abnormal sensation, such as burning, tingling, or
a "pins and needles" feeling, often in the absence of external stimuli.
paroxysmal - recurring "sudden attacks" of symptoms.
pathology - the branch of medicine that deals with the essential nature
of disease and the changes in body tissues and organs which cause or are caused
by disease; the structural and functional manifestations of disease.
pathogen - a disease-causing microorganism or agent.
pathogenesis - the development of disease; specifically the cellular
events and reactions and mechanisms occurring in the development of disease.
pathognomonic - characteristic or indicative of a disease; denoting
symptoms or findings specific for a given disease and not found in any other
condition.
peptide - a protein with a small number of amino acids.
perfusion - transport of blood through blood vessels from heart to internal
organs, tissues, etc.
pericarditis - inflammation of the pericardium - the sac enclosing
the heart and the roots of the great vessels.
perikaryon (perikarya = pl) - the cell body; applied particularly
to neurons.
periorbita - periosteum of the bones of the orbit or eye socket. periorbital,
adj.
periosteum - a specialized connective tissue covering all bones and
having bone-forming potential.
peristalsis - a wave of contractions and relaxations of the digestive
tract propelling its contents towards the anus.
peritoneum - the membrane lining the walls of the abdominal and pelvic
cavities and surrounding the contained organs; the two layers create a potential
space - the peritoneal cavity.
peritonitis - inflammation of the peritoneum due to chemical or bacterial
irritation.
petechia(e) - a minute red spot(s) due to escape of a small amount of
blood. petechial, adj.
PID - pelvic inflammatory disease.
pleura (pleural = adj.) - the serous membrane covering the lungs and
lining the walls of the thoracic cavity; the two layers thus enclose a potential
space - the pleural cavity.
pleural effusion - increased amounts of fluid within the pleural cavity,
usually due to inflammation.
pleuritis - inflammation of pleura.
PMN - polymorphonuclear leukocyte; neutrophil.
polyarteritis - inflammation involving several arteries at the same
time.
polymorphonuclear - having a nucleus so deeply lobed or so divided
as to appear multiple.
polyp - a general term for any mass of tissue that projects outwards
from a normally smooth surface.
primipara - a woman who has born her first child.
prognosis - a forecast of the course and probable outcome of a disorder.
proteinuria - an excess of serum proteins in the urine.
prophylaxis - to prevent disease; preventive treatment.
proteolysis - the breaking up of proteins.
pruritis - intense itching.
pseudohermaphroditism - a condition in which a person has the internal
sexual organs (testes or ovaries) of one sex but, due to endocrine abnormalities,
their external appearance is that of the opposite sex. Contrast with true hermaphroditism
where both types of internal sexual organs are present.
psychogenic - having an emotional or psychologic origin.
puerperal - relating to childbirth; the interval including the time
of labor and recent post-delivery period.
purpura - a small hemorrhage in the skin, mucous membrane or serosal
surface; a group of disorders characterized by the presence of purpuric lesions,
ecchymoses, and a tendency to bruise easily. purpuric, adj.
pus - a protein rich liquid inflammation product made up of cells (white
blood cells or leukocytes), a thin fluid, and cellular debris.
pyknosis - a thickening, especially degeneration of a cell in which
the nucleus shrinks in size and the chromatin condenses to a solid, structureless
mass.
pyogenic - producing pus.
pyothorax - an accumulation of pus in the thorax. See also empyema.
pyrexia - a fever or febrile condition.
pyrogen - a fever-producing substance. pyrogenic (adj.).
quadriplegia - being paralysed in all four limbs; unable to use arms
and legs.
regurgitation - flow in the opposite direction than normal, e.g. throwing
up of undigested food; backflow of blood through a defective heart valve. relapse - a return to a previous poor or ill condition. reperfusion - the flooding of tissue with blood after it has suffered
ischemia or a loss of blood supply. rheumatoid arthritis - a common chronic inflammatory disease primarily
causing pain in the joints. rhinitis - inflammation of the nasal mucous membrane. sangineous - bloody; relating to blood.
sclerosis - abnormal hardening of tissue.
scurvy - a disease caused by insufficient intake of vitamin C.
sedimentation rate (ESR/ZSR) - non-specific test that measures settling
of red blood cells per unit time in a column of fresh blood - a rough measure
of increased amounts of fibrinogen and globulin which may occur in certain pathologic
or physiologic states (e.g. heart attacks, cancer, pregnancy). ESR = erythrocyte
sedimentation rate.
seizure - an attack; the sudden onset or recurrence of a disease or
of certain symptoms, e.g. an epileptic attack, convulsion.
sepsis - the presence of bacteria (pathogenic organisms) or their toxins
in the blood or tissues.
sequela(e) - the consequence(s) following a disease.
shock - a sudden disturbance of mental equilibrium; a profound hemodynamic
and metabolic disturbance characterized by failure of the circulatory system
to maintain adequate perfusion of vital organs.
sign - an objective indication or evidence of disease discovered on
examination of a patient. Contrast with symptom.
SIL - squamous intraepithelial lesion; one of the terminologies in use
to describe precancerous or dysplastic changes in the cervical epithelial cells.
spasm - a sudden, violent, involuntary muscle contraction; a sudden
tightening of a passage or canal. spastic - characterized by spasms or
other uncontrolled contractions of the skeletal muscles; muscles are stiff and
the movements awkward. spasticity - the condition characterized by spasms.
splenomegaly - enlargement of the spleen.
squamous (cells) - cell type often seen in areas exposed to significant
irritation or trauma - e.g. skin.
staging - the determination of distinct phases or periods in the course
of a disease, the life history of an organism, or any biological process; the
classification of neoplasms according to the extent of the tumour (e.g. TMN
staging - staging of tumours according to three basic components: primary tumour
(T), regional nodes (N), and metastasis (M) - from 0 (undetectable) to 4).
steatosis - fatty degeneration.
stenosis - narrowing or contraction of a duct or canal. stenoses,
pl.
steroid - a class of hormone with a particular chemical structure consisting
of four interlocking carbon rings.
stricture - an abnormal narrowing of a duct or passage.
stridor - a harsh, high-pitched respiratory sound.
stroma - the connective tissue framework of an organ or other structure,
as distinguished from the tissues performing the special function of the organ.
subcutaneous (s.c. or SQ) - beneath the skin.
sulcus - (sulci = pl.), a groove, trench or furrow; in neuroanatomy,
for instance, a depression or groove on the brain surface separating the gyri.
suppuration (suppurative = adj.) - formation or discharge of
pus.
symptom - subjective evidence of disease as perecived and reported by
a patient.
syncope - fainting; temporary loss of consciousness due to reduced oxygen
delivery to the brain.
synovia - the transparent, viscid fluid secreted by the synovial membrane
and found in joint cavities, bursae, and tendon sheaths.
synovitis - inflammation of a synovial membrane, usually painful, particularly
on motion, and characterized by fluctuating swelling (due to effusion
in a synovial sac).
systole - the contraction of the heart during which blood is pumped
into the heart; systolic, the blood pressure in the arteries when the
heart pumps blood through the body. Also see diastolic.
tachycardia - abnormally fast heart beat.
teratogen - a substance or condition that impairs normal development
of the embryo or fetus in utero causing a congenital abnormality.
thrombocytopenia - an abnormally small number or decrease of circulating
platelets in the blood.
thrombus - (pl. thrombi), a solid mass formed from the constituents
of blood within the blood vessels or the heart. Thrombi that form within the
rapidly moving arterial circulation are composed largely of fibrin and platelets
with only a few trapped red and white cells.
thrombosis - the inappropriate or pathological formation of a solid
mass (from the constiutents of blood) within a blood vessel or organ.
toxin - a poison produced by a living organism.
transient - of short duration, momentary.
troponin - a protein of muscle that together with tropomyosin forms
a regulatory protein complex controlling the interaction of actin and myosin
and that when combined with calcium ions permits muscular contraction; when
cardiac muscle cells are damaged, troponin is released into the blood stream
and provides a useful indicator of cardiac cell death and evidence of myocardial
infarction.
ulcer - a local defect or excavation of the surface of an organ or tissue
produced by the sloughing of necrotic inflammatory tissue. urea - the chief nitrogenous end-product of protein metabolism, formed
in the liver from amino acids and from ammonia compounds; found in urine, blood,
and lymph. Also see BUN - blood urea nitrogen. uremia - an excess of the nitrogen-containing end products of protein
and amino acid metabolism in the blood; the entire constellation of signs and
symptoms of chronic renal failure. vasculitis - inflammation of a vessel
vasodilator - an agent that causes dilatation of the blood vessels.
ventricular fibrillation - rapid, irregular twitching of heart muscle
which prevents coordinated contraction of heart.
vertigo - a sensation of spinning or whirling motion.
virulence - the degree of pathogenecity of a microorganism as indicated
by the severity of disease produced and the ability to invade the tissues of
the host. virulent (adj.)
volvulus - a twisting of a loop of intestine causing an obstruction,
may impair blood supply resulting in infarction.
Glossary of Medical Terms
A
Amyloid deposits are composed of straight, non-branching fibrils with a diameter
of 7.5 to 10 nm and indefinite length. Each fibril is composed of identical
polypeptide chains arranged in stacked antiparallel beta-pleated sheets (this
is what impar ts the characteristic birefringence under polarized light).
There are several precursor proteins which are then deposited in the tissue
as amyloid; e.g. amyloid light chain (AL) - a component of immunoglobulin,
occurs in mulitple myeloma; amyloid associated protein (AA) - derived from liver protein, occurs in reactive
systemic amyloidosis; amyloid familial (AF) - abnormal transthyretin.
B
C
congenital - present at birth; cause may be genetic or non-genetic (infectious,
chemical, physical).
contusion - a bruise; an injury of a part without a break in the skin,
characterized by swelling, discoloration, and pain.
cor pulmonale - right-sided heart failure which occurs as a result of
long-standing lung disease.
D
diverticulum (diverticula = pl) - a pouch or sac occurring normally or
created by the bulging of a membrane through a defect in the muscular coat of
a tubular organ, such as the intestine.
diverticulosis - the presence of diverticula.
diverticulitis - an inflammation of a diverticulum, especially those
in the wall of the colon which fill with fecal matter and become inflamed. May
cause bleeding or obstruction or may burst.
E
endometriosis - presence of benign glands and uterine stroma (connective
tissue elements) outside of the uterus.
endoscope - an instrument to visually examine the interior of a hollow
organ such as the colon, intestine or bladder; endoscopy is the procedure.
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
A more useful agent for coloring all types of lipid is Sudan black B.
P
Q
S
T
V
W
X
Y
Z
