Transcript lec_562201_GCTopic2_2007

Medical Terminology
Acharaporn Sripusanapan, RN, PhD
Faculty of Nursing, CMU
June 15, 2007
Objective:

correctly describe meaning of
terminology in relation to disease,
symptom, diagnosis, treatment, and
nursing
Groups of Terminology
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medical and health professions,
equipment,
pharmacology,
numbers, positions, and directions,
body systems
I. Medical and Health
Profession
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scientific studies,
medical specialties,
other health professions
Medical and Health Profession:
Scientific Studies
Root
Example
Meaning
audi/o
audiology
the science concerned with the sense of hearing
cardio
cardiology
study of the heart and its functions
dermato
dermatology
the medical specialty concerned with the
diagnosis and treatment of skin diseases
gastro/entero
gastroenterology the study of the stomach and intestine and their
diseases
hemato
hematology
the science dealing with the morphology of
blood and blood – forming tissues and with
their physiology and pathology
uro
urology
the branch of medicine dealing with the urinary
system in the female and the genitourinary
system in male
Medical and Health Profession:
Medical Specialties
Root
Example
Meaning
physic
physician
an authorized practitioner of medicine
gyneco
gynecologist
a physician who specializes in the diseases of the genital
tract in women
ophthalmo
ophthalmologist
a physician who specializes in diagnosing and prescribing
treatment for defects, injuries, and diseases of the eye
psych
psychiatrist
a physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment
of mental disorders
radio
radiologist
a physician who specializes in the interpretation of x – rays
and other radioactive substances used for diagnostic
purposes
obstetric
obstetrician
a physician who specializes in pregnancy, labor, and the
postpartum
pediatric
pediatrician
a physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment
of children’s diseases
Medical and Health Profession:
Other Health Profession
Specialty
Title
Meaning
Chiropractic
Chiropractor
a person trained in the manipulation of the
vertebral column
Dentistry
Dentist
a physician who is concerned with the teeth
and associated structures
Medical
Technology
Medical
a person who performs tests in a laboratory to
Technician
discover and control disease
II. Equipment
Suffix
Meaning
Example
Definition
-oscope
instrument for visual
inspection
cystoscope
instrument to examine the bladder
-oscopy
the procedure of visual
inspection using an
instrument
colonoscopy
examination of the upper part of
the colon
-ograph
Instrument or machine that
records
electroencephalograph
electrocardiograph
instrument used to record
electrical activity of the brain
device that records the electrical
impulses of the heart muscle
-ography
the procedure of using a
machine, device, or
instrument that records
tomography
process of cutting across and
producing images of single
layers of tissue
-ogram
record of the results of
procedures
angiogram
x – ray recording of the blood
vessels using radiopaque
contrast medium
III. Pharmacology:
Drug Actions
Term
Meaning
synergistic
combined effects of certain drugs are greater than the sum total of
individual drugs
additive
the effects of two drugs are equal to the sum of the effects of each
cumulative the concentration of the drug increases in the body with each
successive dose
tolerance
the drug dose must be increased to produce the same effect
toxicity
potentially harmful side effects resulting from use of the drug
III. Pharmacology:
Root words used in drug terms
Term
anti- (prefix):
- arrhythmic
- biotic
- coagulant
- diarrheal
Meaning
against:
irregular heart beat
growth of microorganisms
blood clotting
rapid flow (feces) through the intestines
analgesic
medication to relieve pain
anesthesia
without feeling (pain)
laxative
medication to relieve constipation
diuretic
medication to increase urine excretion
IV. Numbers, Positions, &
Directions
Prefix
Meaning
Example
Definition
tri
three
tricuspid
having three points, as a valve of the heart
quadri
four
quadriplegic
paralysis of all four limbs
semi
half (partially) semicircular
shaped like a half circle
ecto-,
exo-
outside
exogenous
originating outside or caused by factors
outside the organism
endo
within
endogenous
produced within or caused by factors within
the organism
epi
upon, over
epigastric
the upper and middle region of the abdomen
sub
under, near
subcutaneous under the skin
trans-
across,
through
transverse
transvaginal
positioned across
through the vagina
Numbers, Positions, &
Directions
Term
Definition
anterior
situated at or directed toward the front; opposite of posterior
posterior
directed toward or situated at the back; opposite of anterior
cephalic
pertaining to the head, or the head end of the body
caudal
situated toward the tail
internal
situated or occurring within or on the inside
external
situated or occurring on the outside
peripheral
an outward structure or surface; the portion of a system outside the
central region
sims
the patient lies on his or her side and chest
supine
lying with the face upward, or on the dorsal surface
prone
lying face downward; or on the ventral surface
V. Body Systems
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Integumentary system
Gastrointestinal system
Respiratory system
Cardiovascular system
Nervous system
Genitourinary system
Musculoskeletal system
Endocrine system
Body System: Integumentary
Term
Meaning
subcutaneous beneath the skin
biopsy
removal of tissue from body for examination
debridement
removal of contaminated or devitalized tissue from a traumatic or
infected lesion
graft
a tissue or organ for implantation or transplantation; a piece of
skin transplanted to replace a lost portion of the skin
carcinoma
a malignant new growth made up of epithelial cells tending to
infiltrate surrounding tissues and to give rise to metastases
cellulitis
Inflammation of the skin and subcutaneous tissue
Body System: Integumentary
Term
Meaning
eczema
Inflammation of the skin with redness, lesions, and itching
alopecia
baldness; hereditary or caused by chemotherapy
fissure
a narrow slit on the skin surface, e.g., anal fissure
gangrene
necrotic or dead tissue
lesion
any pathologic or traumatic discontinuity of tissue
pruritis
itching
urticaria
hives; transient elevated patches
Body System: Integumentary
Term
Meaning
vesicle
a small blister containing liquid
fissure
a narrow slit on the skin surface, e.g., anal fissure
gangrene
necrotic or dead tissue
lesion
any pathologic or traumatic discontinuity of tissue
pruritis
itching
urticaria
hives; transient elevated patches
vesicle
a small blister containing liquid
Body System: Gastrointestinal
Term
Meaning
adhesions
union of two surfaces normally separate
appendicitis
inflammation of the appendix, which may rupture
cirrhosis
chronic liver disease with degeneration of liver tissue
esophageal
varices
enlarged, incompetent veins in the distal esophagus caused by
portal hypertension in liver cirrhosis
hepatitis
inflammation of the liver; may be type A or type B
hernia
protrusion of a portion of an organ or tissue through an abnormal
opining
nausea
an unpleasant sensation in the upper abdomen that often precedes
vomiting
Body System: Gastrointestinal
Term
Meaning
ulcer
a local defect of the surface of an organ or tissue, produced by
sloughing of dead inflammatory tissue
appendectomy
excision of the appendix
cholecystectomy excision of the gallbladder
colostomy
surgical creation of an opening (stoma) between the colon and
the body surface
herniorrhaphy
surgical repair of a hernia, with suturing
laparotomy
incision through any part of the abdominal wall
Body System: Gastrointestinal
Term
Meaning
cholangiography
X – ray examination of the bile ducts, using a radiopaque dye
as a contrast medium
ascites
abnormal accumulation of fluid within the peritoneal cavity
gavage
forced feeding, especially through a tube passed into the
stomach; common for premature infants
lavage
washing out an organ, e.g., the stomach or bowel
Body System: Respiratory
Term
Meaning
atelectasis
incomplete expansion of the lungs at birth, or collapse of the
adult lung
empyema
pus in a body cavity
hemothorax
blood in the pleural thoracic cavity
laryngitis
inflammation of the larynx, trachea, and bronchi
anoxia
without oxygen
cyanosis
a bluish discoloration of skin and mucous membranes caused
by insufficient oxygen in the blood
Body System: Respiratory
Term
Meaning
dyspnea
labored or difficult breathing
expectorant
an agent that promotes expectoration (to loosen secretion)
hemoptysis
the spitting of blood or of blood – stained sputum (from the
lungs)
hyperventilation
increased rate and / or depth of respiration, e.g., from anxiety
hypoxia
insufficient oxygen
lobectomy
excision of a lobe of the lung
Body System: Respiratory
Term
Meaning
orthopnea
difficult breathing except in the upright position
percussion and
auscultation
(P&A)
striking the body (e.g., chest) with short, sharp blows of the
fingers, and listening for the sounds produced through a
stethoscope
pneumothorax
air or gas in the pleural space; from trauma or from deliberate
introduction
sputum
matter ejected from the trachea, bronchi, and lungs, through the
mouth
tachypnea
very rapid respiration
Body System: Respiratory
Term
Meaning
thoracentesis
surgical puncture of the chest wall into the parietal cavity to
remove fluid
tracheostomy
creation of an opening into the trachea through the neck, e.g.,
insertion of a tube to facilitate ventilation
x-ray
examination
visual record made using x – rays, for diagnostic examination of
the chest; may be AP (anteroposterior) and LAT (side) views
Body System: Cardiovascular
Term
Meaning
artery
a vessel in which blood flows away from the heart, carrying
oxygenated blood
veins
a vessel in which blood flows toward the heart, carrying blood
with little oxygen
thrombocyte
blood platelet
plasma
the fluid portion of the blood or lymph, without the cells; amber
– clotting cells settle in the bottom; the clear plasma is on top
platelet
a disk-shaped structure in the blood, for blood coagulation; also
called thrombocyte
systolic pressure the contraction, or period of contraction, of the heart, especially
of the ventricles. The top number in a blood pressure reading
Body System: Cardiovascular
Term
Meaning
diastolic
pressure
the dilatation, or the period of dilatation of the heart, especially
of the ventricles. The bottom number in a blood pressure reading
anemia
reduction below normal of red blood cells, hemoglobin, or the
volume of packed red cells in the blood; a symptom of various
disorders
aneurysm
a sac formed by localized dilatation of an artery or vein
angina pectoris
pain in the chest, caused by decreased supply of oxygen to the
heart muscle
arteriosclerosis
thickening and loss of elasticity of the arterial walls, slowing the
flow of blood
Body System: Cardiovascular
Term
Meaning
cardiac arrest
cessation of heart function
embolism
the sudden blocking of an artery by an embolus
ischemia
deficiency of blood in a part; due to spasm of blood vessel,
temporarily reducing blood flow
stroke (cerebro- a sudden and acute vascular lesion of the brain caused by
vascular accident) hemorrhage, embolism, thrombosis or rupturing blood vessels
thrombophlebitis inflammation of a vein associated with thrombus formation
angioplasty
surgical or percutaneous reconstruction of blood vessels
venipuncture
puncture of a vein with a needle to withdraw blood or infuse
fluid
Body System: Nervous
Term
Meaning
meninges
the three membranes covering the brain and spinal cord: dura
matter, arachnoid, and pia mater
cerebrospinal
fluid
fluid within the ventricles of the brain, the subarachnoid space,
and the central canal of the spinal cord
anencephaly
congenital absence of the brain
concussion
a violent blow to the head
hydrocephalus
“water in the brain” a congenital or acquired condition marked
by dilatation of the cerebral ventricles accompanied by an
accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid within the skull.
shunt
to bypass, e.g., using a catheter to drain fluid from brain cavities
to the spinal cord
Body System: Nervous
Term
craniotomy
Meaning
any operation on the cranium, e.g., puncture of the skull and
removal of its contents to decrease the size of the head of a dead
fetus and aid in delivery
lumbar puncture spinal tap
amnesia
loss of memory
delusion
a false personal belief or opinion
depression
in psychiatry, a morbid sadness, or melancholy
hallucination
hearing or seeing things not really present
melancholia
worry, anxiety, and insomnia
Body System: Nervous
Term
Meaning
malingering
make believe, e.g., pretending to be ill
neurosis
an emotional disorder caused by unresolved conflicts, anxiety
being its chief characteristic; a person is still in touch with reality
paranoid
a person who is overly suspicious
flaccid
weak, soft, flabby; poor muscle tone
paralysis
inability to use muscles because of damage to the nervous system
spastic
uncontrollable and forced contractions
syncope
a faint; temporary loss of consciousness
Body System: Genitourinary
Term
Meaning
dialysis
the process of using an artificial kidney to filter waste
materials from the body
hydronephrosis
distention of the renal pelvis with urine, caused by
obstruction of the ureter
uremia
retaining toxic body waste in blood
ureterostomy
creation of a new outlet for a ureter
albuminuria
abnormal presence of serum albumin (protein) in the urine
anuria
no urine
blood urea nitrogen the urea (in terms of nitrogen) concentration of serum or
(BUN)
plasma; an important indicator of renal function
Body System: Genitourinary
Term
Meaning
dysuria
painful or difficult urination
hematuria
the presence of blood in the urine
intravenous
pyelogram
(IVP)
a technique in radiology for examining the structures and
evaluating the function of the urinary system
pyuria
pus in the urine
urinalysis
analysis of the urine, e.g., acidity, sugar level
void
to empty the bladder
prostatectomy excision of all or part of the prostate
vasectomy
male sterilization by cutting or tying the vas deferens
Body System: Genitourinary
Term
Meaning
abortion
expulsion from the uterus of the products of conception before
the fetus is viable
oophorectomy
excision of one or both ovaries; female castration
amniocentesis
taking a sample of amniotic fluid during pregnancy for various
reasons
gestation
period from conception to birth
induction
labor is initiated artificially, e.g., by a drug
postpartum
six – week period following childbirth
prenatal
before birth
Body System: Musculoskeletal
Term
Meaning
arthritis
inflammation of a joint; inflammation of a bursa
contracture
permanent contraction of a muscle
muscle atrophy
wasting away of muscle from disuse
paralysis
loss of muscular contraction because of nerve damage
fracture
the breaking of a bone
osteoporosis
porous condition of bones; occurs primarily in
postmenopausal women
sarcoma
a malignant tumor of bone
amputation
removal of a limb or other appendage of the body
Body System: Endocrine
Term
adenoma
Meaning
a neoplasm of a gland
diabetes mellitus A disorder of glucose metabolism caused by deficiency of
insulin production or failure of the tissues to respond to
insulin. Type I is juvenile or insulin-dependent diabetes
mellitus (IDDM); type II is adult-onset or non-insulindependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM).
exophthalmos
protrusion of the eyeballs as seen in Graves’ disease
glycosuria
excess sugar in urine
hyperglycemia
excess sugar in the blood
tetany
irritability an spasms of muscles; may be caused by low blood
calcium and other factors
References
Cohen, B. J. (1998). Medical terminology: An illustrated
guide (3rd ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott-Raven.
Frenay, A. C. (1989). Understanding medical terminology
(8th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Catholic Hospital Association.
Radcliff, R. K., & Ogden, S. J. (1977). Nursing and medical
terminology: A workbook. Saint Louse, Mosby.
Smeltzer, S. C., & Bare, B. G. (Eds.) (1996). Brunner and
Suddaarth’s textbook of medical-surgical nursing.
Philadelphia : J.B. Lippincott.
Stanfield, P. S., & Hui, Y. H. (1989). Medical terminology:
Principles and practices with self-instructional modules.
Boston, MA: Jones and Bartlett.