Medical terminology, before day one

without, lacking, absence of

Anemia — lacking (enough) red blood cells

against, opposing

Antibiotic — works against bacteria

slow

Bradycardia — slow heart rate

difficult, painful, abnormal

Dyspnea — difficult breathing

within, inside

Endocrine — secreting within (the body)

upon, over, above

Epidermis — the outer layer upon the skin

excessive, above normal

Hypertension — high blood pressure

deficient, below normal

Hypotension — low blood pressure

between

Intercostal — between the ribs

within, inside

Intravenous — within a vein

around, surrounding

Pericarditis — inflammation around the heart

many, excessive

Polyuria — excessive urination

under, beneath

Subcutaneous — under the skin

fast, rapid

Tachycardia — rapid heart rate

blood vessel

Angiogram — an image of a vessel

artery

Arteriosclerosis — hardening of the arteries

heart

Cardiomegaly — enlarged heart

blood

Hematology — the study of blood

vein

Phlebotomy — incision into a vein (to draw blood)

clot

Thrombosis — formation of a clot

bronchus, airway

Bronchitis — inflammation of the airways

larynx, voice box

Laryngitis — inflammation of the larynx

lung, air

Pneumonia — infection of the lung

nose

Rhinoplasty — surgical repair of the nose

gallbladder

Cholecystectomy — removal of the gallbladder

colon, large intestine

Colonoscopy — visual exam of the colon

intestines (usually small)

Gastroenteritis — inflammation of the stomach and intestines

stomach

Gastritis — inflammation of the stomach

liver

Hepatitis — inflammation of the liver

brain

Encephalitis — inflammation of the brain

spinal cord, bone marrow

Myelogram — an image of the spinal cord

nerve

Neuropathy — disease of the nerves

joint

Arthritis — inflammation of a joint

cartilage

Chondromalacia — softening of cartilage

skin

Dermatitis — inflammation of the skin

muscle

Myopathy — disease of the muscle

bone

Osteoarthritis — inflammation of bone and joint

bladder (or sac)

Cystoscopy — visual exam of the bladder

kidney

Nephrology — the study of the kidneys

urine, urinary tract

Urology — the study of the urinary tract

pain

Neuralgia — nerve pain

hernia, protrusion

Hydrocele — a fluid-filled protrusion

surgical puncture to remove fluid

Amniocentesis — puncture to withdraw amniotic fluid

surgical removal, excision

Appendectomy — removal of the appendix

blood condition

Anemia — a low-red-blood-cell condition

inflammation

Bronchitis — inflammation of the airways

study of

Pathology — the study of disease

breakdown, destruction, separation

Hemolysis — breakdown of red blood cells

enlargement

Cardiomegaly — enlargement of the heart

tumor, mass

Carcinoma — a cancerous tumor

abnormal condition

Cyanosis — an abnormal bluish discoloration

disease, disorder

Cardiomyopathy — disease of the heart muscle

surgical repair, reconstruction

Rhinoplasty — surgical repair of the nose

visual examination

Endoscopy — visual exam of the inside of the body

creation of a new opening

Colostomy — a new opening into the colon

cutting, incision

Tracheotomy — an incision into the trachea

twice a day

three times a day

four times a day

as needed

by mouth (orally)

nothing by mouth

immediately

diagnosis

history

treatment

prescription, treatment plan

with (a line over the c)

without (a line over the s)

away from

Abduction — moving a limb away from the body's midline

toward, to

Adduction — moving a limb toward the body's midline

out, outside, outer

Ectopic — out of the normal place (e.g. a pregnancy outside the uterus)

behind, backward

Retroperitoneal — located behind the peritoneum

across, through

Transdermal — through or across the skin

beside, near; abnormal

Paranasal — beside or near the nose (the paranasal sinuses)

same (same side)

Ipsilateral — on the same side of the body

against, opposite (opposite side)

Contralateral — on the opposite side of the body

two, twice, both

Bilateral — affecting or having two sides

three

Tricuspid — having three cusps (the tricuspid heart valve)

many, much

Multigravida — a woman who has been pregnant more than once

none, not one

Nulliparous — having never given birth

first

Primigravida — a woman pregnant for the first time

large, long

Macrocytic — characterized by abnormally large cells (macrocytic anemia)

small

Microcephaly — an abnormally small head

large, enlarged, oversized

Megacolon — an abnormally enlarged or dilated colon

few, scanty, deficient

Oliguria — scanty (decreased) urine output

all, entire

Pancytopenia — a deficiency of all blood cell types (red cells, white cells, platelets)

bad, poor, abnormal

Malabsorption — poor or inadequate absorption of nutrients

false

Pseudogout — a false, gout-like arthritis (from calcium pyrophosphate crystals)

new

Neoplasm — a new, abnormal growth (tumor)

up, apart, again

Anabolism — the building-up (constructive) phase of metabolism

down

Catabolism — the breaking-down phase of metabolism

together, joined, with

Syndactyly — fused or joined fingers or toes

blue

Cyanosis — bluish discoloration of the skin from low oxygen

red

Erythrocyte — a red blood cell

white

Leukocyte — a white blood cell

black, dark

Melanoma — a malignant tumor of pigment (melanin) cells

yellow

Xanthoma — a yellowish cholesterol (lipid) deposit in the skin

gray (gray matter)

Poliomyelitis — inflammation of the spinal cord's gray matter (poli- = gray, not poly- = many)

before, in front of

Antepartum — before childbirth (ante- = before, vs. anti- = against)

after, behind

Postpartum — after childbirth

before, in front of

Preeclampsia — a pregnancy hypertension disorder that can precede eclampsia

back, again

Relapse — the return of a disease after apparent recovery

atrium (an upper heart chamber)

Atrioventricular — pertaining to the atrium and ventricle

ventricle (a lower heart chamber; also a brain cavity)

Ventriculography — imaging of a ventricle

valve (a heart valve)

Valvuloplasty — surgical repair of a valve

aorta (the body's main artery)

Aortography — X-ray imaging of the aorta

crown; the coronary (heart) vessels that encircle it

Coronary — pertaining to the vessels that encircle the heart

pulse

Sphygmomanometer — a blood-pressure cuff (measures the pulse pressure)

fatty plaque, gruel

Atherosclerosis — hardening of arteries from fatty plaque

chest

Stethoscope — instrument to listen to the chest

septum, a dividing wall

Septal defect — a hole in the wall between heart chambers

swollen, twisted vein

Varicose — pertaining to swollen, twisted veins

pleura (the lung lining)

Pleuritis — inflammation of the pleura

alveolus (an air sac of the lung)

Alveolar — pertaining to the air sacs

chest, thorax

Thoracentesis — surgical puncture of the chest to withdraw fluid

breathing

Spirometry — measurement of breathing (lung function)

oxygen

Hypoxemia — low oxygen in the blood

diaphragm

Phrenic nerve — the nerve that drives the diaphragm

trachea, windpipe

Tracheostomy — a surgical opening into the trachea

carbon dioxide (CO2)

Hypercapnia — excess carbon dioxide in the blood

incomplete

Atelectasis — incomplete expansion (collapse) of a lung

mouth

Oral — pertaining to the mouth

tongue

Glossitis — inflammation of the tongue

gums

Gingivitis — inflammation of the gums

esophagus

Esophagitis — inflammation of the esophagus

duodenum (first part of the small intestine)

Duodenitis — inflammation of the duodenum

jejunum (middle part of the small intestine)

Jejunostomy — a new opening into the jejunum

ileum (last part of the small intestine)

Ileostomy — a new opening into the ileum

rectum, anus

Proctitis — inflammation of the rectum and anus

pancreas

Pancreatitis — inflammation of the pancreas

bile, gall

Cholelithiasis — gallstones (bile stones)

bile duct

Cholangitis — inflammation of the bile ducts

saliva, salivary gland

Sialadenitis — inflammation of a salivary gland

abdomen, abdominal wall

Laparoscopy — visual exam inside the abdomen through a scope

abdomen

Abdominocentesis — puncture of the abdomen to withdraw fluid

pylorus (stomach-to-duodenum outlet)

Pyloric stenosis — narrowing of the pylorus

appendix

Appendicitis — inflammation of the appendix

peritoneum (the abdominal-cavity lining)

Peritonitis — inflammation of the peritoneum

renal pelvis (the kidney's urine-collecting basin)

Pyelonephritis — infection of the renal pelvis and kidney

glomerulus (the kidney's filtering tuft)

Glomerulonephritis — inflammation of the glomeruli

ureter (kidney-to-bladder tube)

Ureterolithiasis — a stone lodged in the ureter

cortex, outer layer

Corticomedullary — pertaining to the cortex and medulla (e.g., of the kidney)

medulla, inner region

Medullary — pertaining to the inner region (e.g., of the kidney)

calyx (a cup that collects urine in the kidney)

Caliectasis — dilation of a renal calyx

nitrogen (of urea and nitrogen wastes)

Azotemia — excess nitrogen wastes (urea) in the blood

stone, calculus

Nephrolithiasis — kidney stones

urethra (bladder-to-outside tube)

Urethritis — inflammation of the urethra

bladder (or a blister/sac)

Vesicoureteral reflux — backflow of urine from the bladder up the ureter

testis (testicle)

Orchiectomy — surgical removal of a testis

prostate gland

Prostatitis — inflammation of the prostate

glans penis

Balanitis — inflammation of the glans penis

epididymis (sperm-storage duct atop the testis)

Epididymitis — inflammation of the epididymis

sperm, spermatozoa

Spermatogenesis — the production of sperm

testis (testicle)

Testicular torsion — twisting of the testis on its cord

lymph, lymphocyte

Lymphoma — a cancer of lymphocytes

clotting

Coagulopathy — a blood-clotting disorder

spleen

Splenomegaly — enlargement of the spleen

granule

Granulocyte — a granule-containing white blood cell

iron

Sideropenia — iron deficiency

network (fine mesh)

Reticulocyte — an immature red blood cell

meninges (the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord)

meningitis — inflammation of the meninges

glue; neuroglia (the supportive cells of nervous tissue)

glioma — a tumor arising from glial (neuroglial) cells

thalamus (the brain's sensory relay center)

thalamotomy — surgical incision into the thalamus

cerebellum (the hindbrain center for balance and coordination)

cerebellitis — inflammation of the cerebellum

speech

aphasia — loss of the ability to speak or understand language

tone, tension, pressure

dystonia — abnormal sustained muscle tone causing twisting postures

ganglion (a knot-like cluster of nerve cell bodies)

ganglionectomy — surgical removal of a ganglion

nerve root (of a spinal nerve)

radiculopathy — disease of a spinal nerve root (a pinched nerve)

head

cephalalgia — head pain (a headache)

sensation, feeling

paresthesia — an abnormal sensation such as tingling or 'pins and needles'

dura mater (the tough outermost membrane over the brain and cord)

epidural — situated upon or outside the dura mater

tendon

tendinitis — inflammation of a tendon

ligament (fibrous band connecting bone to bone)

ligamentous — pertaining to or consisting of a ligament

bursa (fluid-filled sac that cushions a joint)

bursitis — inflammation of a bursa

synovial membrane or fluid (the lining of a joint)

synovitis — inflammation of the synovial membrane

rib

costochondritis — inflammation of the cartilage joining a rib to the sternum

vertebra, spine

spondylosis — age-related degeneration of the vertebrae

vertebra, backbone

vertebroplasty — surgical repair of a fractured vertebra with bone cement

skull, cranium

craniotomy — surgical incision into the skull

hump; abnormal outward (backward) curve of the spine

kyphosis — exaggerated outward curve of the upper spine (hunchback)

bent backward; abnormal inward (forward) curve of the spine

lordosis — exaggerated inward curve of the lower spine (swayback)

crooked, bent; abnormal sideways curve of the spine

scoliosis — abnormal lateral (sideways) curvature of the spine

fascia (a sheet of connective tissue enclosing muscle)

fasciotomy — incision into fascia to relieve pressure (as in compartment syndrome)

skin

subcutaneous — beneath the skin

nail

onychomycosis — a fungal infection of the nail

hair

trichotillomania — a compulsion to pull out one's own hair

sebum (the oily secretion of a sebaceous gland)

seborrhea — excessive discharge of sebum (oily skin)

sweat

hyperhidrosis — excessive sweating

horny tissue, hardened skin (also means cornea in the eye)

hyperkeratosis — thickening of the horny outer layer of the skin

dry

xeroderma — abnormally dry skin

scale, scale-like

squamous — scale-like (as in squamous cell carcinoma)

dry and scaly; fish-like

ichthyosis — a condition of dry, fish-scale-like skin

wrinkle

rhytidectomy — surgical removal of wrinkles (a facelift)

gland

adenopathy — any disease or enlargement of a gland

thyroid gland

hypothyroidism — an underactive thyroid gland

adrenal gland

adrenalectomy — surgical removal of an adrenal gland

sugar, glucose

hyperglycemia — an abnormally high blood-sugar level

calcium

hypercalcemia — an abnormally high blood-calcium level

sodium

hyponatremia — an abnormally low blood-sodium level

potassium

hyperkalemia — an abnormally high blood-potassium level

to secrete

endocrine — secreting hormones internally, into the bloodstream

thirst

polydipsia — excessive thirst (a classic sign of diabetes)

gonad, sex gland (ovary or testis)

gonadotropin — a pituitary hormone that stimulates the gonads

woman, female

gynecology — the study of the female reproductive system

uterus, womb

hysterectomy — surgical removal of the uterus

ovary

oophorectomy — surgical removal of an ovary

fallopian (uterine) tube

salpingitis — inflammation of a fallopian tube

vagina

colposcopy — visual examination of the vagina and cervix with a scope

breast

mammography — X-ray imaging of the breast

cervix (neck of the uterus); also means neck

cervicitis — inflammation of the cervix

menstruation, menses

menorrhagia — abnormally heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding

vulva

episiotomy — a surgical incision of the vulva/perineum to ease childbirth

egg, ovum

oocyte — an immature egg cell

eye

ophthalmology — the medical study of the eye

eyelid

blepharitis — inflammation of the eyelid

retina

retinopathy — any disease of the retina (e.g., diabetic retinopathy)

ear

otitis — inflammation of the ear (as in otitis media)

eardrum (tympanic membrane)

tympanostomy — surgical creation of an opening in the eardrum (ear tubes)

hearing

audiometry — measurement of hearing acuity

nose

nasogastric — pertaining to the nose and stomach (as in an NG tube)

pharynx, throat

pharyngitis — inflammation of the throat (a sore throat)

sinus (an air-filled cavity)

sinusitis — inflammation of the paranasal sinuses

pupil (of the eye)

pupillometry — measurement of the size and reactivity of the pupil

tear, tear duct

dacryocystitis — inflammation of the tear (lacrimal) sac

iris (of the eye)

iridectomy — surgical removal of part of the iris

bacteria

bacteriuria — the presence of bacteria in the urine

rod-shaped bacterium

bacillus — a rod-shaped bacterium (e.g., acid-fast bacilli in TB)

berry-shaped (round) bacterium

gonococcus — the round bacterium that causes gonorrhea

cluster (grape-like); staphylococci

staphylococcus — a bacterium that grows in grape-like clusters (staph)

twisted chain; streptococci

streptococcus — a bacterium that grows in twisted chains (strep)

fungus

mycosis — any disease caused by a fungus

virus

viremia — the presence of virus in the bloodstream

disease

pathogen — a disease-causing microorganism

pus

pyuria — the presence of pus (white cells) in the urine

fever, fire/heat

antipyretic — a drug that reduces fever

poison, toxin

toxicology — the study of poisons and their effects

mind

psychosis — a severe mental disorder with loss of contact with reality

split, divided

schizophrenia — a psychotic disorder whose name literally means 'split mind'

mind

dementia — a progressive decline of mind and cognition

mind, mood, emotion (also means thymus gland)

dysthymia — a chronic, low-grade depressed mood

body

psychosomatic — involving both the mind and the body

sleep

hypnotic — a drug that induces sleep (a sedative)

numbness, stupor

narcotic — a drug that dulls the senses and induces stupor or sleep

to steal

kleptomania — an impulse-control disorder of compulsive stealing

pertaining to, relating to

Cardiac — pertaining to the heart

condition, state (usually abnormal)

Pneumonia — condition (infection) of the lung

condition, process, or state

Hyperthyroidism — condition of an overactive thyroid

abnormal condition; presence or formation of

Nephrolithiasis — condition of kidney stones

drooping, downward displacement, prolapse

Blepharoptosis — drooping of the upper eyelid

flow, discharge

Rhinorrhea — discharge (runny) from the nose

bursting forth, excessive flow (usually of blood)

Menorrhagia — excessive menstrual bleeding

rupture

Amniorrhexis — rupture of the amniotic sac (membranes)

sudden, involuntary muscle contraction

Bronchospasm — sudden constriction of the airways

abnormal hardening

Atherosclerosis — hardening of arteries from fatty plaque

narrowing, stricture

Aortic stenosis — narrowing of the aortic valve

cell

Leukocyte — a white blood cell

immature or developing cell; germ cell

Osteoblast — an immature bone-forming cell

deficiency, abnormal decrease

Thrombocytopenia — deficiency of platelets

abnormal increase in cells (often blood cells)

Leukocytosis — increased white blood cell count

attraction to, affinity for

Eosinophil — a cell with an affinity for (stains with) eosin dye

urine or urination condition

Hematuria — blood in the urine

breathing

Apnea — absence of breathing

eating, swallowing

Dysphagia — difficulty swallowing

paralysis

Hemiplegia — paralysis of one side of the body

partial or slight paralysis; muscle weakness

Hemiparesis — weakness of one side of the body

speech

Aphasia — loss of the ability to speak

abnormal fear or aversion

Photophobia — abnormal sensitivity/aversion to light

development, growth, nourishment

Hypertrophy — increased development/enlargement (e.g., of muscle)

formation, development, growth of cells/tissue

Hyperplasia — increase in the number of cells

softening

Osteomalacia — softening of bone

porous condition; decreased density

Osteoporosis — porous, thinned bones

record, image, or tracing (the result)

Electrocardiogram — the record of the heart's electrical activity

process of recording or imaging

Angiography — the process of imaging blood vessels

instrument that measures

Pulse oximeter — a device that measures blood oxygen saturation

surgical suturing, repair

Herniorrhaphy — surgical suture (repair) of a hernia

surgical crushing

Lithotripsy — crushing of a stone (e.g., a kidney stone)

specialist; one who practices

Cardiologist — a heart specialist

medical treatment; physician specialty

Psychiatry — medical treatment of the mind/mental disorders

Complete Blood Count — the panel of red cells, white cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and platelets.

CBC w/ diff — complete blood count with the white-cell differential broken out

Basic Metabolic Panel — 8 tests: glucose, calcium, electrolytes (Na, K, Cl, CO2), plus BUN and creatinine.

Chem-7 — an older name for essentially the same basic panel

Comprehensive Metabolic Panel — the BMP's 8 tests plus 6 liver tests (albumin, total protein, ALP, ALT, AST, bilirubin); 14 total.

Liver Function Tests — the enzymes/proteins (AST, ALT, ALP, bilirubin, albumin) that gauge liver health.

check LFTs — order liver function tests

Urinalysis — dipstick plus microscopic exam of urine; screens for infection, blood, protein, and glucose.

UA with C&S — urinalysis with culture and sensitivity

Arterial Blood Gas — pH, oxygen, and CO2 drawn from an artery to assess oxygenation and acid-base status.

Blood Urea Nitrogen — a waste product reflecting kidney function and hydration.

BUN/Cr ratio — the ratio used to gauge kidney vs. dehydration causes

Creatinine — a muscle waste product filtered by the kidneys; the key marker of kidney function.

Cr 1.0 — a normal creatinine level

Hemoglobin A1c — average blood sugar over ~3 months; used to diagnose and track diabetes.

A1c 7% — a hemoglobin A1c reading of 7 percent

Blood Pressure — the systolic-over-diastolic reading.

BP 120/80 — a normal blood pressure

Heart Rate — beats per minute.

HR 72 — a heart rate of 72 beats per minute

Respiratory Rate — breaths per minute.

RR 16 — a normal adult respiratory rate

Oxygen saturation — the percent of hemoglobin carrying oxygen, read by pulse oximeter.

SpO2 98% on RA — 98 percent oxygen saturation on room air

Body Mass Index — a weight-for-height number screening for under- or overweight.

Pupils Equal, Round, Reactive to Light and Accommodation — the normal-pupil eye-exam finding.

Pupils PERRLA — the pupils are normal on exam

History of Present Illness — the story of the current problem: onset, location, duration, character, and course.

Review of Systems — a head-to-toe checklist of symptoms by body system.

ROS negative — no positive symptoms on the systems review

Past Medical History — the patient's prior diagnoses and conditions. (Also written PMHx.)

PMH: HTN, DM — a past history of hypertension and diabetes

No Known Drug Allergies.

Allergies: NKDA — the patient has no known drug allergies

Within Normal Limits — the finding is normal.

Exam WNL — the physical exam is within normal limits

Alert and Oriented — awake and knows person, place, time, and situation; graded A&Ox3 or A&Ox4.

A&Ox4 — alert and oriented to person, place, time, and situation

Shortness of Breath (dyspnea).

c/o SOB — the patient complains of shortness of breath

After meals (from Latin post cibum) — a dosing time on prescriptions.

1 tab pc — take one tablet after meals

Myocardial Infarction — a heart attack; death of heart muscle from blocked blood flow.

r/o MI — rule out a myocardial infarction

Coronary Artery Disease — atherosclerotic narrowing of the heart's own arteries.

Congestive Heart Failure — the heart can't pump enough, so fluid backs up into the lungs and legs.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease — long-term airflow obstruction (emphysema plus chronic bronchitis).

Hypertension — high blood pressure.

Diabetes Mellitus — chronic high blood sugar; type 2 is often written DM2 or T2DM.

T2DM — type 2 diabetes mellitus

Cerebrovascular Accident — a stroke; sudden loss of brain function from a blocked or burst vessel. (In a renal exam, CVA can mean costovertebral angle — context tells them apart.)

Urinary Tract Infection.