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Medical Terminology
Chapter 1: Learning Medical Terminology
CHAPTER OBJECTIVES
This chapter covers the history of the language of medicine, the formation of words, common medical combining forms, and the spelling, pronunciation, and pluralizing of terms. Upon completion of this chapter, you will be able to:
• Explain how medical terms are developed
• Describe the process of pluralizing terms
• Define common medical combining forms
• Define the four word parts used to build medical terms
• Define common medical prefixes and suffixes
• Describe how word parts are put together to form words
• List the basic components of a medical record
• List the different types of surgeries
When reading this chapter please note that you are not required to memorize all of the medical terms that are listed. You are however, required to memorize all of the terms covered in the lesson presentation and will be tested on those terms on the lesson 1 quiz.
Medical terminology is language that is used to accurately describe the human body and associated components, conditions, processes and procedures in a science-based manner. It is the standardized means of communication within the healthcare industry.
The study of the origin of words is called etymology. Etymologists study the history of words, their origins, and how their form and meaning have changed over time. General language terms tend to change dramatically, however, the change in medical terms has, in general, been less dramatic.
Greek Word Modern Word Root
Kardia (heart) Cardi
Gaster (stomach) Gastr
Hepar (liver) Hepat
Nephros (kidney) Nephr
Osteon (bone) Oste
INTRODUCTION
Although medical terms have been drawn from many languages, the majority of terms originate from Greek and Latin. Medical terminology originates as early as the first century B.C by Greek physician Hippocrates, the father of western medicine. Hippocrates described human illness and body parts and many of the Greek words he used are still in practice today, see examples to the right.
Link to Learning: Please read The Language of Medicine, from the
US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health.
Latin terms were added by the Romans when they expanded the world’s knowledge of human anatomy, physiology, and pathology. More recently, medical language has grown to include French, Italian and English words. Even with the significant growth in medical science by the end of the 1800s, medical scholars made the decision to continue using Greek and Latin terms when naming new medical discoveries in order to maintain consistency. Because of this decision, medical terminology is uniform throughout the world.
BASIC COMPONENTS OF MEDICAL TERMS
To learn medical terminology, it is not necessary to learn Latin and Greek. Rather, one must learn the meanings of a few hundred terms—word parts—that describe various body systems and medical conditions.
Most medical terms consist of four basic components: root word (the base of the term), prefixes (letter groups in front of the root word), combining form (a root word + a combining vowel) and suffixes (letter groups at the end of the root word). When placed together, these components define a particular medical term.
A word root is the foundation of a medical term and the main meaning of the word. It is the element from which other words are formed. Most medical terms have at least one word root.
Word roots often give the body
system or part:
Heart = cardi
Bone = oste
Nerves = neur
Skin = derm
Muscle = myo
Or, an action
Cis = to cut
As most word roots are derived from the Greek or Latin language, two different root words may have the same meaning.
Examples:
Skin
▪ Greek: dermatos
▪ Latin = cutane
WORD ROOTS
Kidneys
▪ Greek = nephros
▪ Latin = renes
COMBINING FORMS
A combining form is a word root to which a vowel has been added. A combining vowel (a, e, i, o, or u) helps
combine the word root with a suffix or another word root. The combining vowel does not have a meaning of
its own and can be found at the beginning of the word or within the word. The vowel o is used more often
than any other to make combining forms. A combining form is not always used to make a medical term.
Common Combining Forms:
aden/o gland gastr/o stomach neur/o nerve
carcin/o cancer gynec/o female noct/i/o night
cardi/o heart hemat/o blood ophthalm/o eye
chem/o chemical hydr/o water ot/o ear
cis/o to cut immun/o immune path/o disease
cyt/o cell laryng/o voice box pulmon/o lung
dermat/o skin morph/o shape rhin/o nose
enter/o small intestine nephr/o kidney ur/o urine, urinary system
Example: Stethoscope
• Steth = the word root meaning chest
• O = the combining vowel
• Combining form = steth + o = “stetho”
• Scope = the suffix meaning instrument used for examining or recording
COMBINING VOWEL RULES
1) Between a word root and a suffix:
These are important
rules to remember when
spelling medical terms.
b) If the suffix begins with a consonant, USE
a combining vowel.
▪ Example: Hepatocyte = Liver cell
oCombining form = Hepat/o
oSuffix = cyte
a) If the suffix begins with a vowel, do NOT use a
combining vowel.
▪ Example: Hepatitis = inflammation of the liver
oWord root = hepat
oSuffix = itis
2) Between two word roots. A combining vowel is typically kept between two word roots. Even if the
second root begins with a vowel.
Example: Osteoarthritis = Inflammation of bone and joint.
• Combining form = osteo (word root = oste, combining vowel = o)
• Word root = arthr
• Suffix = itis
Image source: Mediline Plus, Medical Words: Slide 27: https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/medicalwords/,
public domain.
Image source: Mediline Plus, Medical Words: Slide 29: https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/medicalwords/,
public domain.
Image source: Mediline Plus, Medical Words: Slide 28: https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/medicalwords/,
public domain.
Image source: Mediline Plus, Medical Words: Slide 33: https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/medicalwords/,
public domain.
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGEIdentify the medical terms, whose roots have been underlined. When you are finished, click the image to check your answers.
1. urinalysis
2. histology
3. carcinoma
4. neoplasm
5. pathology
6. lipoma
Answer:1. urinalysis4. neoplasm5. pathology6. lipoma
The root of a term may appear anywhere within the term:
• at the beginning — e.g., urinalysis and lipoma• in the middle — e.g., prognosis and anesthesia• at the end — e.g., neoplasm and antitoxin
PREFIXES
Attached to the beginning of a word, the term prefix means to fix before or to fix to the beginning of a word. Adding or changing a prefix alters or modifies the meaning of the word. Not all medical terms have a prefix.
Location of organ sub- = belowNumber of parts mono- = oneTime (frequency) post- = after
A prefix usually indicates a number, time, position, direction or negation. When they are written by themselves, they are followed by a hyphen.
Prefixes: Colors
Chloro- = green
Leuk- = white
Eryth- = red
Cyan- = blue
Example:
• lateral = pertaining to the side
• bi = prefix that mean two
• bilateral = pertaining to two sides.
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGEIdentify the medical terms, whose prefixes have been underlined. When you are done, click the image to check your answers.
1. antitoxin
2. cytology
3. intravenous
4. gingivitis
5. prognosis
6. bilateral
Answer:1. antitoxin3. intravenous5. prognosis6. bilateral
The other two terms are composed of a root followed by a suffix.
1. The prefix anti- means "against."2. The word root cyt(o) means "cells."3. The prefix intra- means "within."4. The word root gingiv(o) means "gums."5. The prefix pro- means "before" or "in front of."6. The prefix bi- means "two," not "life" as in bi(o)
bi- two poly- many
hemi- half quad- four
mono- one semi- partial, half
multi- many tri- three
nulli- none uni- one
Number Prefixes
endo- within, inside endoscopy (to inspect the inside of an organ or a space with a lighted instrument
peri - around perianal (around the anus)
circum - around circumcise (cut around)
retro - behind retrosternal (behind the breastbone)
epi - upon, on top epidermis (the top or outermost layer of skin)
trans- through transurethral (through the urinary exit duct)
intra- within intravenous (inside the veins, e.g. IV fluids)
sub- below subclavian (below the clavicle = collar bone)
Directional Prefixes
a- without eu- normal, good para- beside, beyond, near
ab- away from ex- away from, out of per- through
ac- needle hetero- different, opposite peri- around
ad- towards (in direction to) homo- same post- after
ambi- both, around hyper- over, above pre- before, in front of
an- without hypo- under, below pro- before, in front of
ante- before, in front of infra- under, beneath, below pseudo- false
anti- against inter- among, between re- again, backward
auto- self intra- within, inside retro- backward, behind
brady- slow iso- equal sub- below, under
cata- down macro- large super- above, excess
contra- against mal- ill, inadequate supra- above
dys- abnormal, difficult meta- after tachy- fast
echo- using ultrasonic waves micro- small trans- through, across
electro- using electricity multi- many ultra- beyond, excess
endo- within, inner neo- new un- not
epi- upon, over pan- all
Common Prefixes
Placed at the end of the term, suffix means to fasten on, beneath, or under. The suffix has its own meaning and therefore changes or alters the meaning of the medical term. When you break down a word to understand it you usually begin with the meaning of the suffix.
Tonsill/itis
• ITIS is the suffix and means inflammation of (condition)
Tonsill/ectomy
• ECTOMY is the suffix and means removal (procedure)
SUFFIXES
In medical terms, a suffix, usually describes a
pathology (disease or abnormality), symptoms,
surgical or diagnostic procedures, or part of speech.
▪Condition –algia = pain
▪Disease –itits = inflammation
▪Procedure –ectomy = surgical removal
All medical terms must have a suffix. It is the only mandatory word part. When it is written by itself, precede with a hyphen.
• -logy
• -sclerosis
• -cyte
Common Suffixes
-algia pain -malacia abnormal softening
-cele hernia, protrusion -megaly enlargement, large
-cise cut -oma tumor, mass
-cyte cell -osis abnormal condition
-dynia pain -pathy disease
-ectasis dilation -plasia development, growth
-gen that which produces -plasm formation, development
-genesis produces, generates -ptosis drooping
-genic producing -rrhage excessive, abnormal flow
-ia state, condition -rrhea discharge, flow
-iasis abnormal condition -rrhexis rupture
-logy study of -sclerosis hardening
-ism state of -stenosis narrowing
-itis inflammation -therapy treatment
-logist one who studies -trophy nourishment, development
-lysis destruction
Image source: Mediline Plus, Medical Words: Slide 47:
https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/medicalwords/, public domain.
Image source: Mediline Plus, Medical Words: Slide 46:
https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/medicalwords/, public domain.
-centesis puncture to withdraw fluid
-ectomy removal of
-ostomy surgically create an opening
-pexy surgical fixation
-plasty surgical repair
-rrhaphy suture
-stomy create an opening
-tomy making a cut in
Surgical SuffixesProcedural Suffixes
-gram a picture
-graph instrument for recording
-graphy process of recording
-meter measuring device
-metry process of measuring
-scope instrument for viewing
-scopy process of visually examining
Adjective Suffixes
Example:
cardi: heart
ac = pertaining to
cardi+ ac = pertaining to the heart-ac -ar -iac -ile -ose
-al -ary -ic -ior -ouse
-an -eal -ical -ory -tic
The following is a list of suffixes that translate to pertaining to.
Image source: Mediline Plus, Medical Words: Slide 53:
https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/medicalwords/, public domain.
Image source: Mediline Plus, Medical Words: Slide 54:
https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/medicalwords/, public domain
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGEIdentify the medical terms, whose suffixes have been underlined. When you are finished, click the image to check your answers.
1. prognosis
2. dysentery
3. leukemia
4. cervical
5. hypodermic
6. poliomyelitis
Answer:1. prognosis3. leukemia4. cervical6. poliomyelitis
The root -emia (blood) in the word "leukemia" is actually composed of a root plus a suffix: (h)emia=blood + ia=condition. Since it will invariably appear in this format (emia), we will not subdivide it into various components in this learning module.
The prefix is underlined in hypodermic, and the root word is underlined in dysentery.
• Step 1: Define the suffix.
oExample: gastrointestinal
▪Suffix = al = pertaining to
• Step 2: Define the first part of the word (this may
be a word root, combining form or prefix)
oExample: Gastrointestinal
▪Gastr/o = stomach
• Step 3: Define the middle part of the word.
oExample: Gastrointestinal
▪Intestin = intestines
So the whole meaning to the medical term is
Pertaining to the stomach and intestines.
Link to Learning: Please complete the
following introductory lesson presentation, Understanding Medical Words, created by MedilinePlus. Also, review Appendix A: Word Parts and What They Mean.
Signs vs. Symptoms – What is the Difference?
A symptom is something you observe and complain about to the physician. “Doctor, I have a fever”.
A sign is something the physician observes and/or can measure. “Mrs. Smith, you are running a temp of 102″.
STEPS TO DEFINING MEDICAL WORDS
Many medical terms apply basic English rules for forming plurals, however, medical terms derived from ancient Greek and Latin often use the regular plural forms from those languages.
Some general guidelines are listed:
2. Words ending in “oma”: “Change “oma” to “omata”
Ex. Singular Plural
Adenoma Adenomata
Carcinoma Carcinomata
Fibroma Fibromata
3. Words ending in
“a”:
“Change a” to “ae”
Ex. Singular Plural
Axilla Axillae
Conjunctiva Conjunctivae
Scapula Scapulae
By adding e to the plural,
the “aah” sound ending
pronunciation becomes
“eh.”
1. Add “s” to words ending in any vowel or
consonant except s,x,z, or y.
Ex. Singular Plural
Joint Joints
Face Faces
Cancer Cancers
PLURALIZING MEDICAL TERMS
4. Words ending in “um”: “Change “um” to “a”
Ex. Singular Plural
Acetabulum Acetabula
Antrum Antra
Atrium Atria
The “a” the end is pronounced
“aah.”
5. Words ending in “is”: “Change is” to “es”
Ex. Singular Plural
Analysis Analyses
Diagnosis Diagnoses
Exostosis Exostoses
Metastasis Metastases
Prognosis Prognoses
Testis Testes
The es is
pronounced
“eez”
Link to Learning: Please read How to Derive a
Plural in Medical Terminology for further
information on how to pluralize medical terms. Also
review Quizlet, Pluralizing Medical Terms. Click the
speaker icon beside each image to hear how to
pronounce each of the listed terms.
7. Words ending in “x”: “Change “x” to “ces”
Ex. Singular Plural
Appendix Appendices
Calyx Calyces
Calix Calices
Thorax Thoraces
The “i” at the
end is
pronounced
“eye.”
6. Words ending in “us”: “Change us” to “i”
Ex. Singular Plural
Alveolus Alveoli
Bronchus Bronchi
Coccus Cocci
Embolus Emboli
Fungus Fungi
Medical words of Greek origin are often difficult to spell because many of them begin with a silent letter or have a silent letter within the word. Spelling of all medical words is important because the addition or omission of a single letter may change the meaning of the word. See below examples.
Abduction = moving away
Adduction = moving towards
Ileum = small intestine
Ilium = hip bone
Arteritis = Inflammation of an artery
Arthritis = inflammation of a joint
Hyperglycemia = high blood sugar
Hypoglycemia = low blood sugar
Just as correct spelling is important, so is ensuring the correct pronunciation of similar sounding words in order to convey the correct meaning. One mispronounced syllable can change the meaning of a medical word.
Tips to pronounce medical terms correctly:
▪ Write the term down
▪ Break the term into syllables
▪ Spell it out phonetically
SPELLING AND PRONUNCIATION OF MEDICAL TERMS
Examples of words that begin with and contain silent letters.
Silent Letter Pronunciation Example Hear It
kn n knuckle
mn n mnemonic
pn n pneumonia
ps s psychiatrist
pt t ptosis
gn n gnathic
rh r rhinitis
g silent phlegm
Audio Source: MedlinePlus Medical Dictionary, https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/mplusdictionary.html, public domain.
Medical terms can have the same letter representing different sounds
Word Part Pronunciation Example
ae ee Paediatrics
(Pee-de-at-riks)
aer air Aerobe
(Air-robe)
oe ee Hepatorrhoea
(Hep-ah-toh-ree-ah)
pn n Pneumonia
(New-moh-nee-ah)
ps s Psychologist
(Sy-kol-o-gist)
The British spelling of the words Paediatrics and Hepatorrhoea have been used as examples in the above table as you may still come across terms spelled in this manor throughout your studies and career.
Consonant Example Hear It
c (before e or i) = s sound cell
c (before a, u, or o) = k sound cardiac
ch = k sound chiropractic
ph = f sound pharyngitis
x (when used as first letter) = z sound xeroderma
g (before a, o, or u) = hard g sound gastritis
g (before i or e) = j sound gingivitis
Consonant Pronunciation Rules
Audio Source: MedlinePlus Medical Dictionary, https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/mplusdictionary.html, public domain.
The MedlinePlus Medical
Dictionary now includes audio
pronunciations. Search the medical
dictionary and then click on the red
speaker icon to hear the
pronunciation of the word. This
resource will aid you throughout
this course in both the spelling and
pronunciation of medical terms.
Examples of Same Sounds Spelled Differently
Psy Psychiatry
Cy Cytology
Dys Dyspepsai
Dis Dislocation
Link to Learning: Diacritical marks are
sometimes added to a letter to indicate a special
pronunciation. Please read the following, The
Free Dictionary, Diacritical Mark.
Prefix Meaning Suffix Meaning
ante- before, forward -poiesis formation
anti- against -ptosis dropping, sagging, falling down
ecto- out, outside -ptysis spitting
endo- within, inner -rrhagia to burst forth
hyper- above, beyond, excessive -rrhage to burst forth
hypo- below, under, deficient -rrhaphy suture
inter- between -rrhea flow, discharge
intra- within -rrhexis rupture
para- beside, alongside, abnormal -scope instrument for examining
peri- around -scopy visual examination
per- through -tome instrument to cut
pre before, in front of -tomy incision
pro- before -tripsy crushing
super- above, beyond -trophy nourishment, development
supra- above, beyond
Prefixes and Suffixes that are frequently misspelled
THE MEDICAL RECORD
A medical record is composed of a number of sections. The first section contains a description of the patient's complaints and symptoms, the medical history of the patient, the findings of a physical examination of the patient, and the impressions of the examining physician regarding the diagnosis of the patient's illness.
The first entry in the record is usually a description of the chief complaints (CC) of the patient, i.e. the reason the patient sought medical attention. The description of the present illness (PI) which follows includes a description of the onset of the illness and the symptoms associated with it.
The next portion of the record contains the previous medical history (PMH). This subsection contains information about previous illness, accidents, medications, and the presence or absence of allergies.
Following the previous medical history (PMH), you usually find the information about the family history (FH) and the social history (SH) of the patient. The family history describes the history of cancer and
Keep in mind that each medical record will be slightly different and the order in which information is recorded will be not always be the same.
other diseases in the patient's family. The subsection on social history should contain information about smoking, use of alcohol and drugs, birth control pills, and other possible carcinogens. Sometimes this subsection will include work history, especially if the patient has worked in an environment that might be conducive to the development of cancer.
The review of systems (ROS) comprises the next section of the record. During this review, the physician systematically questions the patient about his well-being, problems associated with head, ears, eyes, nose, throat (HEENT); heart, chest; gastraintestinal (GI) tract, and genitourinary (GU) system problems; unusual bleeding tendencies (hematopoietic problems).
The next portion of the record contains the physical examination (PE) of the patient. It begins with a general description of the patient's condition together with a recording of vital signs. The physical examination begins with the head, eyes, ears, nose, and throat (HEENT) and moves downward, covering such areas as the neck, chest, heart (cardiac), vascular system, lungs, abdomen, genitals, rectum, extremities, and lymph nodes. A general check is then made of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems.
The medical history and physical examination section of a medical record often end with the physician's impression of the diagnosis.
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGEList two sources within a medical record where the information about present or recent illnesses is most likely to be found.
1. Lab reports
2. Physical examination
3. Medical history
4. Physician’s order
Click the image to compare your answers.
Answer:
Medical history and physical examination sections
The medical history and physical examination sections of the medical record should contain information about present illnesses. Other possible sources of information are patient referral letters, the discharge summary, and the operative report.
TYPES OF SURGERIES
As a general rule, a procedure is considered surgical when it involves cutting of a patient's tissues or closure of a previously sustained wound.
• Cauterization: is the process of destroying tissue by using chemical corrosion, electricity, or heat. Electrocautery is done using a small probe, which has an electric current running through it, to cauterize (burn or destroy) the tissue.
• Curative surgery: conducted to remove or destroy cancerous tissue. Unlike diagnostic surgeries which may remove a small amount of tissue to confirm the existence and the stage of the disease, curative surgeries take a much more radical surgical approach, typically resulting in partial or total removal of the organ of origin.
• Cryosurgery (also called cryotherapy): is the use of extreme cold to destroy tissue such as cancer cells.
• Diagnostic Surgery: involves physically removing a sample of tissue and examining this material under a microscope so that a definite diagnosis can be made. This procedure is called biopsy.
• Palliative surgery: used to treat complications of advanced diseases. It is performed to make the patient's life as comfortable as possible or to prolong the patient's life when the disease is not responsive to any type of curative treatment.
• Preventive surgery: done to prevent future disease. For example a surgeon removes tissue that does not yet contain cancer cells, but has the probability of becoming cancerous in the future.
• Reconstructive surgery: performed on patients with physical deformities and abnormalities caused by traumatic injuries, birth defects, developmental abnormalities, or disease with the attempt to improve on or return the part of the body back to original function.
A surgical instrument is a specially designed tool or device for performing specific actions of carrying out desired effects during a surgery or operation, such as modifying biological tissue, or to provide access for viewing it. Over time, many different kinds of surgical instruments and tools have been invented. Some surgical instruments are designed for general use in surgery, while others are designed for a specific procedure or surgery.
An abbreviation is a process of shortening a word or phrase into appropriate letters. They are
commonly used in an effort to reduce time. They can however, be confusing as an abbreviation can
have more than one meaning.
Example: CBC = Complete Blood Count
Link to Learning: The Institute for Same Medication Practice (ISMP) and The Joint
Commission (TJC) developed a list of abbreviations considered to be dangerous because of the
potential misinterpretation. Please review these lists by clicking on the links above.
An acronym is a special type of abbreviation that
can be pronounced as a word.
Example: HIPAA is an acronym for Health
Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
(of 1996).
An eponym is a disease, structure, operation, or
procedure named for the person who discovered
or described it first.
Example: Bell’s palsy
ABBREVIATIONS
Examples of Abbreviations with More Than One Meaning
Abbreviation Meaning 1 Meaning 2
cc chief complaint Cubin centimeter
CPR Computerize pt record Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
PA Physician assistant posteroanterior
PCP Primary care physician phencyclidine
BS Bowel sounds Breath sounds
Ca Calcium Cancer
RA Rheumatoid arthritis Right atrium
ROM Range of motion Rupture of membranes
Link to Learning: Please review the following list of Common Medical Abbreviations.
The following document has been created for your convenience to aid you throughout this course.
Glossary of Medical Prefixes, Suffixes and Combining Forms
Your may wish to save this document to your computer for future use.
PRONUNCIATIONPractice pronouncing each term, then click the audio icon to hear it.
Acanthoid(a-KAN-thoyd)
Shaped like a spine.
Acrophobia (ack-roh-FO-bee-ah)
Fear of heights.
Amenorrhea(ah-men-oh-REE-ah)
Abnormal absence or suppression of menstruation.
Aphakia(ah-FAY-kee-ah)
Absence of the crystalline lens of the eye.
Blepharitis(blef-ah-RYE-tis)
Inflammation of the eyelids and especially of their margins.
Brachytherapy(brack-ee-THER-ah-pee)
Radiotherapy in which the source of radiation is placed (as by implantation) in or close to the area being treated.
Catheterization(kath-eh-ter-eye-ZAY-shun)
The use of or insertion of a catheter (as in or into the bladder, trachea, or heart).
Cervicitis(ser-vee-SIGH-tis)
Inflammation of the uterine cervix.
Audio and Definition Source: MedlinePlus Medical Dictionary, https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/mplusdictionary.html, public domain.
Cicatrix (sick-AY-tricks)
The scar of a healed wound.
Dementia (dee-MEN-she-ah)
A usually progressive condition marked by the development of multiple cognitive deficits (as memory impairment, aphasia, and inability to plan and initiate complex behavior).
Dermatosis (der-mah-TOH-sis)
A disease of the skin.
Encephalitis(en-sef-ah-LYE-tis)
Inflammation of the brain.
Enuresis (en-you-REE-sis)
An involuntary discharge of urine.
Fenestration(fen-es-TRAY-shun)
A natural or surgically created opening in a surface.
Gangrene (GANG-green)
Local death of soft tissues due to loss of blood supply.
Hematoma(hem-ah-TOH-mah)
A mass of usually clotted blood that forms in a tissue, organ, or body space as a result of a broken blood vessel.
Audio and Definition Source: MedlinePlus Medical Dictionary, https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/mplusdictionary.html, public domain.
Hirsutism (HIR-soot-izm)
Excessive growth of hair of normal or abnormal distribution.
Hyperesthesia(high-per-es-THEE-zee-ah)
Unusual or pathological sensitivity of the skin or of a particular sense to stimulation.
Iritis(eye-RYE-tis)
Inflammation of the iris of the eye.
Kleptomania(klep-toh-MAY-nee-ah)
A persistent neurotic impulse to steal especially without economic motive.
Laceration(lass-er-AY-shun)
A torn and ragged wound.
Liposuction (LIP-oh-suck-shun)
Surgical removal of local fat deposits (as in the thighs) especially for cosmetic purposes by applying suction through a small tube inserted into the body—also called suction lipectomy.
Mastitis (mas-TYE-tis)
Inflammation of the mammary gland or udder usually caused by infection.
Menarche (meh-NAR-key)
The first menstrual period of an individual.
Audio and Definition Source: MedlinePlus Medical Dictionary, https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/mplusdictionary.html, public domain.
Onychia(oh-NICK-ee-ah)
Inflammation of the matrix of a nail often leading to suppuration and loss of the nail.
Plexus (PLEX-us)
A network of anastomosing or interlacing blood vessels or nerves.
Radiculitis (rah-dick-you-LYE-tis)
Inflammation of a nerve root.
Sinusitis(sigh-nuh-SIGH-tis)
Inflammation of a sinus of the skull.
Sciatica(sigh-AT-ih-kah)
Pain along the course of a sciatic nerve especially in the back of the thigh caused by compression, inflammation, or reflex mechanisms; broadly : pain in the lower back, buttocks, hips, or adjacent parts.
Urinalysis(you-rih-NAL-ih-sis)
Chemical analysis of urine.
Audio and Definition Source: MedlinePlus Medical Dictionary, https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/mplusdictionary.html, public domain.
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