Medical Terminology Glossary: Adnexa to Anasarca

Adnexa

conjoined, subordinate, or associated anatomic parts

Anasarca

total body swelling

Anesthesia

medication designed to take away pain; there are four types

Local Anesthesia

numbs one small area of the body; you stay awake and alert

uses a mild sedative to relax you and pain medicine to relieve pain; you stay awake but may not remember the procedure

Conscious or IV sedation

blocks pain in one area of the body; ex. epidural

Regional anesthesia

affects your whole body; you go to sleep and feelremember nothing

General anesthesia

an abnormal widening or ballooning of a portion of an artery due to weakness in the wall of the blood vessel

Aneurysm

the inability to express oneself verbally through speech

Aphasia

an alteration in rhythm of the heartbeat either in time or force

Arrhythmia

joint pain

Arthralgia

the act of listening to sounds arising within organs (as the lungs or heart) as an aid to diagnosis and treatment

Auscultation

ear wax

Cerumen

Computerized Tomography Imaging Scan

CT Scan

a separation of layers, especially the parting of the sutured lips of a surgical wound

Dehiscence

tooth and decay or a cavity

Dental caries

the character of a set of teeth especially with regard to their number, kind and arrangement

Dentition

Indigestion

Dyspepsia

painful menstruation

Dysmenorrhea

an abnormal wave seen on the EKG

Ectopy

the escape of a fluid from anatomical vessels by rupture or exudation

Effusion

a type of connective tissue covering or binding together body structures

Fascia

a small involuntary twitch

Fasciculation

having or showing the symptoms of a fever

Febrile

exam in which an ophthalmoscope is used to visualize the fundi (aka the retina and optic nerve vessels of the eye)

Fundoscopy

gums

Gingiva

a copious discharge of blood from the vessels

Hemorrhage

a deficiency or increase of calcium in the blood

Hypo/Hyper-calcemia

a deficiency or increase of potassium in the blood

Hypo/Hyper-kalemia

a deficiency or increased of magnesium in the blood

Hypo/Hyper-magnesemia

a deficiency or increase in sodium in the blood

Hypo/Hyper-natremia

blockage of the intestines caused by lack of peristalsis

Ileus

pertaining to the groin area

Inguinal

a decrease in the blood supply to a bodily organ, tissue, or art caused by constriction or obstruction of the blood vessels

Ischemia

a type of connective tissue that connects bones to bones, or supporting an organ in place

Ligament

pertaining to the tongue

Lingual

crushed skin without well-defined borders

Macerated

manner in which injuries occur; actions or objects that cause trauma injury to a patient

Mechanism of injury

the membranes covering the CNS-brain and spinal cord

Meninges

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

MRI

muscle pain

Myalgia

nostrils

Nares

a devise that aerolizes medications like albuterol so that they may be inhaled by the patient (breathing machine)

Nebulizer

the condition of having renal calculi (kidney stones)

Nephrolithiasis

nerve pain

Neuralgia

devise used to deliver high concentrations of oxygen to patients in acute respiratory distress; has a reservoir bag and a one-way valve to prevent rebreathing

Nonrebreather mask

painful swallowing

Odynophagia

the part of the pharynx that is below the soft palate and above the epiglottis; continuous with the mouth

Oropharynx

to examine by touch

Palpate

a procedure to remove fluid that has accumulated in the abdominal cavity (peritoneal fluid)

Paracentesis

the area on either side of the spine, but not directly over it

Paraspinal

fluid present in the pericardium (membranous sac that covers the heart, and exerts pressure)

Pericardial tamponade

inflammation of the pleura that is typically characterized by a sudden onset of painful and difficult respiration, as well as exudation of fluid or fibrous material into the pleural cavity (pleuritis)

Pleurisy

occurring after a sudden epileptic attack or seizure

Post-ictal

inflammation of the lining of the pelvis and the parenchyma of the kidney

Pyelonephritis

Of, pertaining to, affecting, or producing a fever

Pyresis

a laceration shaped like a star; having multiple branches radiating from a central point

Stellate

of, relating to, or located near a surface

Superficial

loss of consciousness resulting from insufficient blood flow to the brain

Syncope

the general term used to describe a body state of systemic inflammation, resulting from a widespread infection; sometimes referred to as blood poisoning

Sepsis

a type of connective tissue that attaches muscles to bones

Tendon

any of several fungal diseases of the skin, especially ringworm

Tinea

ringing in the ears

Tinnitus

a sensation of motion associated with various disorders in which the individual or the individual's surroundings seem to be spinning; uncontrollable dizziness

Vertigo

an umbrella term for situations where the blood supplied to the heart muscle is suddenly blocked

Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS)

classified as a salicylate and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID); blocks a certain natural substance in your body to reduce fever, pain, and swelling

Aspirin (ASA)

instructions to withhold resuscitation efforts

Do Not Resuscitate (DNR)

a blood clot in a deep vein, usually in the legs

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

diagnostic test in which Ultrasound is used to visualize the heart

Echocardiogram (ECHO)

a contagious and antibiotic-resistant staph bacteria that leads to potentially dangerous infection

Methicillian-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)

nothing by mouth

Nil per os (NPO)

medication that dilates blood vessels and decreases the workload on the heart; often used to treat angina pectoris

Nitroglycerin (NTG)

a heart attack that is not diagnosed on the EKG but is diagnosed by an elevated troponin blood test

Non-ST Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (NSTEMI)

refers to the study that created clinical decision rules for deciding which patients with neck injury should receive x-rays for evaluation

National Emergency X-Ray Utilization Study (NEXUS)

no allergy to medications in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI)

No Known Drug Allergy (NKDA)

a group of antibiotics derived from Penicillium fungi

Penicillin (PCN)

a condition in which one or more arteries in the lungs become blocked by a blood clot

Pulmonary Embolism (PE)

how far the person's joints can be moved in different directions

Range of Motion (ROM)

a myocardial infarction diagnosed by an ST segment elevation on an EKG

ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI)

for patients with history of unstable angina (UA) and NSTEMI, the TIMI risk score is a simple prognostication scheme that categorizes a patient's risk of death and ischemic events and provides a basis for therapeutic decision making

Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI)

the rubbing or scraping of the surface layer of cells or tissue from an area of the skin or mucous membrane

Abrasion

abnormally frequent intestinal evacuations with more or less fluid stools

Diarrhea

difficulty swallowing

Dysphagia

difficult or painful discharge of urine

Dysuria

vomit

Emesis

nosebleed

Epistaxis

vomiting blood

Hematemesis

the passage of bright red blood in the feces

Hematochezia

bloody urine

Hematuria

paralysis of one half of the body

Hemiplegia

weakness on one half of the body

Hemiparesis

bloody sputum

Hemoptysis

the passage of dark tarry stools containing decomposing blood that is usually an indication of bleeding in the upper part of the alimentary canal, especially the esophagus, stomach and duodenum

Melena

a sensation of prickling, tingling or creeping on the skin having no objective cause and usually associated with injury or irritation of a sensory nerve or nerve root

Paresthesia

excessive thirst

Polydipsia

itchy

Pruritic

excessive mucous secretion from the nose; a runny nose

Rhinorrhea

any disease or enlargement involving glandular tissue; one involving lymph nodes

Adenopathy

a white, gray, or blue opaque ring in the corneal margin (peripheral corneal opacity)

Arcus senilis

abnormal accumulation of serous fluid in the spaces between tissues and organs in the cavity of the abdomen

Ascites

an inability to coordinate voluntary muscular movements that is symptomatic of some central nervous system disorders and injuries and not due to muscle weakness; aka incoordination

Ataxia

a reflex movement in which when the sole is tickled the big toe turns upward instead of downward, which is normal in infancy but indicates damage to the CNS later in life

Babinski Reflex

a discoloration behind the ear in the line of the posterior auricular artery often associated with a basilar skull fracutre

Battle's sign

the appearance of involuntary lifting of the legs when lifting a patient's head off the examining couch, with the patient lying supine

Brudzinski's sign

Having the appearance of cachexia or indicative of a loss of weight, muscle atrophy, fatigue, weakness, and significant loss of appetite in someone who is not actively trying to lose weight

Typically seen in patients with HIV, AIDS, cancer, COPD, or any degenerative or wasting disease

Cachectic

one of the two angles that outline a space over the kidneys formed by the lateral and downward curve of the lowest rib and the vertical column of the spine

CVA tenderness to percussion is a common finding in pyelonephritis and other infections of the kidney and adjacent structures

Costovertebral angle (CVA) tenderness

term to describe the grating, crackling, or popping sounds and sensations experienced under the skin and joints or a crackling sensation due to the presence of air in the subcutaneous tissue

Crepitus

the appearance of a blue or purple coloration of the skin or mucous membranes due to the tissues near the skin surface being low on oxygen

Cyanosis

an ulceration of tissue deprived of adequate blood supply by prolonged pressure; aka pressure sore

Decubitus

pespiration (sweating), especially profuse perspiration

Diaphoresis

generally refers to an enlargement or ballooning effect

Distension

to test the reflex, the physician will tap the tendon; in a healthy individual the intensity on both sides is equal and the connections between the spinal cord and the muscles are undamaged

Deep Tendon Reflexes (DTR)

bluish discoloration of an area or mucous membrane caused by the extravasation of blood into the subcutaneous tissues as a result of trauma to the underlying blood vessels or fragility of the vessel walls

Ecchymosis

an abnormal infiltration and excess accumulation of serous fluid in connective tissue or in a serous cavity

Edema

a dry, scaly, and itchy skin rash usually indicative of autoimmune skin disorders

Eczematous rash

skin condition characterized by redness or rash

Erythema

fluid, such as pus or clear fluid, which leaks out of blood vessels into nearby tissues; the fluid is made of cells, proteins and solid materials and may ooze from cuts or from areas of infection or inflammation

Exudate

paralysis of the face as often seen in CVA, or with a condition known as Bell's Palsy

Facial palsy

physical exam technique used to detect ascites whereby the physician taps the side of the abdomen and feels pressure on the opposite side of the abdomen form the movement of fluid

Fluid wave

abnormal extra heart sound on auscultation, resembling the sound of a galloping horse; sounds S3 and S4

Gallop

a neurological scale used to determine the level of consciousness of a patient

Glasglow Coma Score (GCS)

tensing of the abdominal wall muscles to guard inflamed organs within the abdomen from pain of pressure upon them; ;detected when the abdominal wall is pressed

Guarding

mass of usually clotted blood that forms in a tissue, organ, or body space as a result of a broken blood vessel

Hematoma

pain in the calf of the leg upon dorsiflexion of the food with the leg extended that is diagnostic of thrombosis in the deep veins of the area

Homan's sign

an area light in color than the surrounding skin

Hypopigmented

hardening of a normally soft tissue or organ, especially the skin, due to inflammation, infiltration of a neoplasm, or accumulation of blood

Induration

distended jugular vein the neck

Jugular Venous Distention (JVD)

symptom of meningitis; the patient cannot extend the leg at the knee when the thigh is flexed because of stiffness in the hamstrings

Kernig's sign

an indefinite feeling of debility or lack of health often indicative of or accompanying the onset of an illness

Malaise

abnormality in the coming together of teeth

Malocclusion

a constellation of signs and symptoms (e.g. headache, neck stiffness) suggestive of meningitis

Meningismus

an area of skin composed of macular lesions of varying shades or colors

Mottled

having a normal size head

Normocephalic

resistance to flexion of the neck, stiffness of the neck

Nuchal rigidity

difficulty in breathing that occurs when lying down and is relieved upon changing to an upright position (as in congestive heart failure)

Orthopnea

deficiency of color especially of the face; pale

Pallor

also known as flail chest and is usually caused by trauma to the chest in which air movement is reversed; instead of chest expansion on inhalation, you will notice the skin being sucked in

Paradoxical Movements

signifies that the Pupils are Equal, Round, React to Light, and Accommodation; indicates normal findings

PERRL(A)

rebound tenderness and guarding, which indicate peritonitis

Peritoneal signs

pinpoint, round spots that appear on the skin as a result of bleeding under the skin; red, brown, or purple

Petechiae

involuntarily turning the forearm inwards on exam when arms are outstretched in front; commonly used in evaluating possible CVA patients

Pronator drift

pus, or the condition of containing or discharging pus

Purulence

a descriptive term for bilateral periorbital accumulations of blood or other substances; aka periorbital ecchymosis

Raccoon eyes

a type of abnormal respiratory or breath sounds heard on auscultation; aka crackles

Rales

a sensation of pain felt when pressure is suddenly removed

Rebound

visible sinking of the chest wall upon inspiration

Retractions

a whistling or snoring sound heard on auscultation of the chest when air channels are partially obstructed

Rhonchi

an abdomen that dips in towards the patient when lying supine; the opposite of a distended abdomen

Scaphoid abdomen

physical exam finding that indicates yellowing of the sclera, which is typical of liver disease, especially hepatitis

Scleral icterus

a narrowing or constriction of the diameter of a bodily passage or orifice

Stenosis