| echocardiogram | record produced by echocardiography |
| echocardiography | noninvasive cardiac imaging procedure used to diagnose heart disease, valve disorders (valvular heart disease), weakened heart muscle, fluid around the heart (pericarditis), and other abnormalities or defects by reflecting sound waves off the heart |
| eczema | disorder of the skin characterized by inflammation, itching, blisters, and scales |
| edema | swelling as a result of fluid retention |
| EEG (electroencephalogram) |
test used to study brain wave activity, often used to evaluate seizure disorders |
| ejaculation | ejection of semen during male orgasm |
| ejection fraction | percentage of blood that is ejected out of the left ventricle into the aorta with each heart beat |
| electrocardiography/ electrocardiogram (ECG, EKG) |
graphical recording of the electrical currents that pass through the heart muscle during each heartbeat; commonly called an EKG because the procedure was developed in the Netherlands, where it was spelled "electrokardiogram" |
| electrohydraulic lithotripsy (EHL) |
technique that uses small shock waves to break up small kidney stones |
| electron-beam radiation | radiation therapy in which the beams penetrate the skin only, thus limiting internal side effects |
| EMG/NCV (electromyography/ nerve conduction study) |
test to study the nerves and muscles for diagnosis of disorder, with electrical conduction studied in the NCV |
| encephalitis | inflammation or infection of the brain |
| endocarditis | inflammation and infection of a heart valve or the lining of the heart's chambers |
| endothelium | layer of epithelial cells that lines the cavities of the heart, blood vessels, and the serous cavities of the body |
| enterocele | herniation of the small bowel into the vagina |
| epidermis | top layer of skin, composed mainly of squamous cells, as well as basal cells, melanocytes, and other types of cells |
| epididymis (pl., epididymes) |
coiled tube that extends the length of each testis and connects with the vas deferens |
| epilepsy | episodic disorder resulting from temporary brain dysfunction which produces convulsive or nonconvulsive seizures |
| erosion | moist, slightly depressed area of skin where the top layer (epidermis) has been removed |
| erythema | redness and warming of the skin, typically due to inflammation caused by trauma or infection |
| erythroderma | diffuse reddening of the skin, caused by one of many disorders including psoriasis, eczema, drug sensitivities, and lymphoma |
| esophagus | muscular tube that begins at the back of the throat, passes through the neck and chest, and enters the stomach at the gastroesophageal junction just below the diaphragm |
| esphagogastric- duodenoscopy (EGD) |
test to observe the esophagus, stomach, and portion of the small intestine |
| estrogen | hormone produced by the ovaries that is responsible for the development of female sex characteristics |
| eversion | motion of a body part as it tilts away from the midline |
| evoked potentials | series of electrophysiological tests to evaluate the function of specific nervous system elements associated with multiple sclerosis |
| exacerbation | worsening of symptoms |
| excise | to cut out |
| excisional biopsy | surgical removal of tissue for pathological analysis |
| exfoliation | shedding of the top layers of the epidermis |
| external-beam radiation therapy |
treatment that utilizes external-beam radiation |
| extraocular muscles | six muscles that attach to each eyeball and perform eye movements and rotation |
| extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy(ESWL) | highly focused electrical impulses that are projected from outside the body to pulverize kidney stones |
| extrinsic asthma | asthma triggered by an allergic reaction, usually something that is inhaled |
| eyelashes | small hairs that grow at the edge of each eyelid |
| eyelids | moveable folds of skin that protect the surface of the eyeballs |
| fasciculation | twitching of the muscles that is seen in diseases of the peripheral nervous system |
| fibrillation | uncontrolled rapid contraction of the fibers in the heart that occurs in the atrial, or upper, chambers (atrial fibrillation) and in the ventricular, or lower, chambers (ventricular fibrillation) |
| fibrosis | formation of fibrous (scar) tissue after an injury |
| fine needle aspirate (FNA) |
insertion of small gauge needle into an area of abnormality with an attempt to suck out small amounts of tumor for review by a pathologist |
| first metatarsal phalangeal joint (1st MTJ) |
where the big toe connects to the foot; common site for the development of osteoarthritis |
| fissure | linear split or crack, usually in areas of chronic inflammation and skin thickening such as calluses on hands and feet |
| flexible sigmoidoscopy | insertion of a small-sized tube into the rectum to visualize the rectum and a portion of the colon |
| follicle (hair follicle) | tiny tubular structure in the skin, contiguous with the top skin layer, or epidermis, that includes the canal, the hair shaft, the sebaceous (oil) gland, and the muscle anchored to the follicle's side wall |
| folliculitis | inflammation with or without infection of the hair follicle |
| fovea | small, shallow depression in the center of the macula that provides the sharpest vision and contains the highest concentration of cone cells |
| fungus (p., fungi) | member of a group of simple plantlike organisms that do not have leaves or flowers and that live off organic matter such as hair, skin, and nail cells of humans, animals, and plants |
| furuncle | deep inflammation and infection of the hair follicle |
| gadolinium | contrast agent that is given intravenously during MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) to increase visualization of specific abnormalities |
| gait | manner of walking |
| gallium scan | nuclear medicine study used to monitor gallium-avid lymphomas |
| gamma-knife radiation |
radiosurgery used most often to treat brain tumors and vascular lesions |
| gantry | the doughnut- or bagel-shaped device used for CT or MRI |
| gastroesophageal (GE) junction |
important junction between the esophagus and the stomach that normally permits one-way ingestion to the stomach |
| GI | gastrointestinal |
| gout | systemic disease caused by the buildup of uric acid crystals in the joints of the body, causing inflammation, swelling, and pain |
| grade | system used to classify the aggressiveness of a tumor |
| granulocytes | infection-fighting white blood cells (also called polymorphonuclear cells, PMNs, or polys) |
| Guillain-Barré syndrome |
inflammatory disorder of the peripheral nerves characterized by rapid onset of weakness and often paralysis of the legs, arms, breathing muscles, and face.; acute idiopathic polyneuritis |
| habit training | behavioral modification technique that establishes scheduled toileting at regular intervals |
| hallux | proximal phalanx (end bone) of the first, big toe; site of many muscle attachments that, when imbalanced, contribute to the formation of a bunion |
| hammertoes | common deformity caused by a muscle imbalance in the foot |
| hay fever | See rhinitis. |
| heart attack | See myocardial infarction. |
| heart failure | See congestive heart failure. |
| heart murmur | whooshing sound caused by the turbulent flow of blood from the left ventricle across the mitral valve and back into the left atrium |
| heart transplant | See cardiac transplantation. |
| heel spur | condition in which a small piece of bone is pulled away from the calcaneus |
| hematemesis | act of vomiting blood |
| hematuria | blood in the urine, visible or microscopic |
| hemiparesis | weakness that affects one side of the body |
| hemoptysis | act of coughing up blood |
| hemorrhage | bleeding |
| heparin | drug that inhibits blood clotting |
| hepatitis | inflammation of the liver; viral disease spread through contaminated food, water, feces, blood, and bodily fluid; associated with alcoholism and intravenous drug use |
| her2-neu | protein that indicates aggressive cancer, which is found in 30% of breast cancer patients |
| histamine | chemical present in cells throughout the body, which is released during an allergic reaction |
| HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) |
virus that affects the immune system and causes the disease known as AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency disorder) |
| homograft valve | aortic valve that has been taken from a human organ donor and used to replace a diseased heart valve |
| hormonal therapy | systemic therapy to block the action of specific hormones; use of antiandrogens to deprive cancer cells of the testosterone they need for growth |
| hospice | home-based health care and support for terminally ill patients and their families |
| hydrocele | painless swelling of the scrotum caused by a collection of fluid around the testicle; common in middle-aged men |
| hypercholesterolemia, or high cholesterol |
excessive or disproportionate amounts of lipids (fats) in the circulating blood, including low-density lipoproteins (LDL), high-density lipoproteins (HDL), and tryglicerides |
| hypermobility | inability of the pelvic floor muscles to provide the necessary support for the urethra and bladder neck, causing the bladder neck to drop when any downward pressure is applied, and leading to involuntary leakage |
| hyperpigmented | accentuation or increase of pigment |
| hyperplasia | excessive growth of normal cells of an organ |
| hypertension, or high blood pressure | increased resistance to blood flow through small blood vessels (arterioles), which forces the heart to work harder |
| hypopigmented | lessening or lightening of pigment |
| idiopathic | without a known cause |
| idiopathic pericarditis | inflammation of the tissues of the pericardium, with no known or detectable cause |
| immune cells | cells produced in our bodies that protect us from disease-causing agents by producing antibodies |
| immune system | collection of cells, proteins, and lymphatic tissues that help protect the body from potentially harmful, infectious microorganisms |
| immunity | insusceptibility that usually results from previous exposure to an infectious agent, either naturally or by vaccination |
| immunoglobulins | proteins found in blood and in tissue fluids that are produced by B-lymphocyte cells in the immune system and which bind to foreign substances in the body in order to destroy them; antibodies |
| immunotherapy | preventive, incrementally progressive, anti-inflammatory treatment for allergies to substances such as pollens, dust mites, fungi, and insect venom; allergy shots |
| incisional biopsy | surgical removal of tumor tissue through a small incision |
| inflammation | redness, swelling, heat, and pain in a tissue caused by injury, infection, or hypersensitivity to an allergen |
| insemination | deposition of semen into the uterus, cervix, or vagina |
| in-situ | confined to the top layer or epidermis; cancer that has not spread to deeper tissues and has minimal propensity to metastasize |
| interstim continence control therapy | therapy used to treat urge incontinence |
| interstitial laser | laser probe used to destroy prostatic tissue and to allow easier urination |
| intrinsic asthma | asthma that has no apparent external cause |
| intrinsic sphincter deficiency (ISD) | weakening of the urethra sphincter muscles |
| intussusception | when one section of intestine slips over the next, like a sheath |
| invasive procedure | medical examination that invades the body either by incision or by insertion of an instrument through the skin |
| inversion | motion of a body part as it tilts toward the midline |
| iris | colored part of the eye that contains the muscles that adjust the size of the pupil to control the amount of light entering the eye |
| irritable bladder | involuntary contractions of muscles in the bladder that cause uncontrolled urination |
| irritant contact dermatitis | dermatitis caused by irritating chemicals that come into contact with the skin |
| ischemia | lack of blood flow to a part, often caused by constriction or obstruction of a blood vessel |
| isolated systolic hypertension | condition usually found in the elderly in which only the systolic blood pressure is elevated |
| Kegel exercises | exercises to strengthen the muscles of the pelvic floor in order to control urination and prevent leakage |
| keratoacanthoma | mostly benign, rapidly growing skin tumor that regresses spontaneously |
| kidney | one of a pair of organs located at the back of the abdominal cavity that makes urine through blood filtration |
| kidney stone | hard mass composed of urine elements that form in the kidneys |
| KOH | potassium hydroxide |
| KUB | kidney, ureter, bladder |
| labia vagina(pl.) | two sets of vaginal lips made of skin and adipose tissue that form the border of the vulva and surround the vaginal opening; labia majora and labia minora |
| lacrimal gland | gland located just above the outer corner of the eye that produces tears |
| lacunar | subtype of stroke that affects the deeper parts of the brain and involves the tiny perforating arteries |
| laparoscopic lymph node dissection (LLND) | procedure using a laparoscope to obtain a tissue sample of a lymph node(s) |
| laparoscopy | generally less invasive surgery that uses a laparoscope to visualize internal organs through a small incision |
| large bowel | three-foot section of the gastrointestinal tract beginning in the lower right side of the abdomen; the colon |
| laser | light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation; device that produces light in a coherent, intense beam |
| lateral | describes the plane or movement that inclines away from the center or midline; opposite of medial |
| lateral collateral ligaments | complex of three ligaments that helps support the lateral side of the ankle joint; consisting of the anterior talofibular, calcaneofibular, and the posterior talofibular ligaments |
| left ventricular assist device (LVAD) | complex pump that is implanted in the body to assist the left ventricle in pumping blood |
| lens, or crystalline lens | transparent double convex-shaped (outward curve on both sides) structure suspended between the posterior chamber and vitreous body |
| LGBT | acronym for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender; also GLBT |
| ligament | substance made of fibrous tissue that helps connect and stabilize joints, strengthening the gap between two or more bones, cartilage, and/or muscles |
| liquid nitrogen | liquid form of nitrogen gas (-195 degrees Celsius) that is used to treat various skin lesions in cryosurgery |
| lithotripsy | procedure that uses ultrasonic shock waves to break up stones in the urinary tract so their fragments can be passed |
| lumbar puncture (spinal tap) | removal and analysis of some of the cerebrospinal fluid from the base of the spine, used to diagnose meningitis or nervous system syphilis |
| lung | organ (pair) of the thorax whose contractions and expansions during respiration deliver oxygen to the blood |
| Lyme disease | disease that affects the joints, nervous system, and heart that is transmitted by the deer tick and is caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi |
| lymph node | small, bean-shaped structures that store special cells, which can trap cancer cells or bacteria traveling through the body. |
| lymphatic system | tissues and organs that produce, store, and carry cells that fight infection and disease. This system includes the bone marrow, spleen, thymus, and lymph nodes |
| macula | small, highly sensitive located in the center of the retina responsible for near and fine detail vision |
| macule | small area of skin different in color to the majority of the body, but flush with the surrounding skin |
| malignant | cancerous tumor or other disease state that has a debilitating, unremitting course |
| medial | inclining toward the center or midline of the body; opposite of lateral |
| mediastinoscopy | insertion of a tube into the chest, to view the organs in the mediastinum, or the area between the lungs (including the heart and its veins and arteries, the trachea, the esophagus, the bronchi, and lymph nodes). An incision is made at the base of the neck above the breastbone to insert the tube. |
| melanocytes | cells intermingled with the basal cells in the bottom layer of the epidermis that produce pigment globules known as melanin |
| melanoma | skin cancer that originates in a melanocyte |
| melena | blood in the stool, typically loosely formed or liquid |
| meninges | the three laminated ultrathin membranes surrounding the brain |
| meningitis | inflammation or infection of the meninges |
| menopause | period that marks the permanent cessation of menstrual activity, usually occurring between the ages of 40 and 58 |
| metastasis | spread of disease from one organ or part to another |
| metastasize | to spread from one part of the body to another, as in cancer |
| metastatic | pertaining to metastasis; cancer that has spread to either the lymph nodes (regionally metastatic) or organs, e.g., lung, liver, adrenal glands, bone, or brain (distant metastasis) |
| metatarsals | five bones that run from the center of the foot to the beginning of the toes |
| metered-dose inhaler (MDI) | most common device for administering quick-relief asthma medications, consisting of a tube-shaped mouthpiece connected to a canister that projects a measured amount of medication when actuated by the user |
| mg | milligram |
| midline | invisible reference line that runs longitudinally and divides any body or object in half |
| migraine | headache characterized by throbbing, one-sided pain, that may be associated with nausea, vomiting, and aura (sensory disturbances) |
| mitral valve | one-way valve that allows blood to pass from the left atrium into the left ventricle and normally prohibits its reentry |
| mixed incontinence | stress and urge incontinence occurring simultaneously |
| mL | milliliter |
| motor neuron cells | cells located in the spinal cord that give rise to nerves that supply the muscles |
| MRA (magnetic resonance angiography) | test in which an MRI scanner is used to focus on structures within which blood flows, such as the arteries in the neck, brain, and lungs |
| MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) | diagnostic test that uses electromagnetic energy to produce soft-tissue images of the central nervous and musculoskeletal systems |
| multi-infarct dementia | dementia that is caused by the cumulative affect of multiple strokes |
| multiple sclerosis (MS) | chronic neurological disorder that affects the central nervous system, i.e., the brain and spinal cord |
| muscular dystrophy | congenital (hereditary) disorder resulting in muscular weakness and dysfunction |
| myasthenia gravis | disorder affecting the space between the nerve and the muscle (neuromuscular junction) that results in transient motor weakness of the face and limbs |
| myelin | outer lipid (fatty) layer that covers nerves and nervous system pathways in the brain and spinal cord |
| myelosuppressive | therapy that diminishes white blood cell count |
| myocardial infarction | medical emergency that occurs when a blood clot forms suddenly in a coronary artery and blocks blood flow to an area of the heart; heart attack |
| myopathy | disease of muscular dysfunction, usually causing weakness and atrophy |
| nadir | lowest white blood cell count measured between chemotherapy treatments |
| narcolepsy | sleep disorder characterized by sudden and repeated attacks of sleep, usually accompanied by cataplexy, hypnogogic hallucination, and sleep paralysis |
| nasolacrimal duct | passageway that carries tears to the nose |
| nebulizer | device used to deliver inhaled medications, in which an air compressor is used to blow an atomized medication through a mouthpiece or face mask |
| needle localization biopsy | needle marker is inserted to define abnormal area prior to biopsy |
| nephrectomy | removal of the kidney |
| nephrotomography | conventional tomograms of the kidneys, especially in small sections of the kidneys |
| neurofibromatosis | genetic disorder which causes skin lesions, cutaneous and subcutaneous tumors, and tumors on internal organs |
| neurons | nerve cells of the brain responsible for neurological function |
| neuropathy | condition resulting from damage to the peripheral nerves that results in weakness or sensory loss and pain in the arms, hand, legs, and feet |
| neutropenia | low level of neutrophils in the blood |
| neutropenic fevers | fever associated with low white blood cell count and low granulocyte count |
| neutrophil | most abundant type of white blood cell, or leukocyte, that is active in immune responses and inflammatory reactions |
| nevus (pl., nevi) | congenital skin lesion, e.g., mole, birthmark, etc. |
| nodule | elevated, solid mass or lump (up to 2 cm in diameter) that can be located in the epidermis, dermis, or the subcutaneous fat |
| noninvasive procedure | medical examination that does not penetrate the skin or invade the body, except for minor needle sticks |
| nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) | drugs that act against inflammation, reduce fever, relieve muscle pain, and prevent blood clots (Due to potentially severe gastrointestinal and cardiovascular side effects, NSAIDs should only be used as instructed.) |
| normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) | increase in pressure within the ventricles of the brain, causing dementia, gait difficulties, and urinary incontinence |
| nystagmus | jerking movement of the eyes associated with neurological disorder |
| occlusion | closure; in sleep apnea, closing of the airway at the back of the mouth or top of the throat |
| oncologist | physician specializing in cancer treatment |
| onychomycosis | fungal infection of the fingernails or toenails that causes thickened, discolored, and often brittle nails |
| open nephrolithotomy | surgical excision of kidney stones via the back or abdomen in which the kidney may be opened |
| optic disc/optic nerve head | area where the optic nerve connects to the retina |
| optic nerve | cranial nerve II; transmits visual information from the retina to the brain |
| orchiectomy | surgical removal of one or both of the testicles |
| orchitis | inflammation of the testicle |
| osteoarthritis | deterioration of cartilage in the joints |
| osteomyelitis | infection in a bone |
| overactive bladder | condition characterized by involuntary, uncontrollable bladder muscle contractions during the bladder filling phase |
| overall survival | percentage of disease survivors, with disease and free of disease, after a specified period of time |
| overflow UI | leakage of small amounts of urine from a bladder that is always full |
