Medical Terminology List - A

 Medical Terms

 A

1. Abdominal muscles: Flat sheet of muscles between the ribcage and the pelvis, on the front of the abdomen.

 

2. Abrasion: An abrasion is a type of open wound by skin scraping or rubbing or rough surface.

 

3. Abscess: Pus that collects build up in the tissue of the body in a pocket of swollen, red tissue. often occurs on the surface of the skin and feels fluid-filled when pressed.

 

4. Acetaminophen(Paracetamol): Paracetamol, also known as acetaminophen. This drug used to reduce fever and relieve mild to moderate pain. It is a mild pain killer (analgaesic), but it also acts to reduce fevers (antipyretic).

 

5. Acetylcholine (ACh): ACh is a neurotransmitter (a chemical messenger that sends signals between brain cells) that found between the nerve synapses, or between nerve cells. 

 

6. Achilles' tendon (calcaneal tendon): A band of fibrous connective tissue that connects the calf muscle to the heel bone (calcaneus).

7. Achlorhydria: Achlorhydria is a condition in which the stomach produces little or no HCl acid. Achlorhydria occurs when an absence of hydrochloic (HCl) acids in the stomach. It's a more severe form of a hypochlorhydria (low level of stomach acid), a deficiency of stomach acids. Achlorhydria conditions can affect digestion, cause stomach pain, and keep the body from absorbing vitamins and nutrients.

8. Acne (acne vulgaris): An inflammatory disease resulting from excess sebum production, follicle plugging, and increased bacterial production. Oils glands of the skin become clogged, forming spots, pimples, and cysts are known as Acne.  Ane is also known as acne vulgaris, is a long-term skin disease that occurs when dead skin cells and oil from the skin clog hair follicles.

9. AIDS:  AIDS full form is acquired immunodeficiency, is an advanced stage of infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), can severely weaken the immune system. People with acquired immunodeficiency (AIDS)  get many infections.

10. AIDS dementia(HIV-associated dementia):  is an infection that spreads throughout the brain that causes loss of brain function that occurs rapidly in infected with HIV and AIDS patients. it causes dementia; marked by forgetfulness, difficulty thinking, and trouble focusing.

 

12. Acromioclavicular joint or AC joint: AC joint is a shoulder joint that connects the clavicle to the scapula.  AC joint is the junction between the acromion (part of the scapula) and the clavicle.

13. Acupressure: Using the thumb or fingers to apply manual the pressure to particular spots, or pressure points, on the body in order to promote healing and relieve pain.

 

14. Acupuncture:  Form of treatment that involves very thin needles are inserting into a person's skin at specific points on the body, to various depths. acupuncture therapy is used to treat pain and various health problems and to reduce stress.

15. Acute: A condition that comes on suddenly, short duration, rapidly progressive,  often with severe, but short-lived symptoms and in need of urgent care.

16. Acute pain: Acute pain is of short duration often with Severe pain that occurs suddenly and usually lasts a short-lived.

17. Acute urinary retention: Acute urinary retention (AUR) is the inability to voluntarily pass urine. A sudden inability to empty the bladder causes an enlarged prostate gland (in men) or bladder muscle problems.

18. Adenocarcinoma: A type of cancer that forms in the glands, grows in mucus-producing glandular cells, a layer of tissue known as the epithelium. This tissue lines internal organs and structures in the body, protecting or enclosing them. Common types of cancer include breast cancer, colorectal cancer, lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, and prostate cancer.

19. Adenoma: Non-cancerous tumor or benign growth found in the layer of cells that lines certain organs (epithelial cells) like Polyps(Abnormal tissue growth on a mucous membrane). An adenoma is a benign tumor (non-cancerous tumor) starting in the epithelial tissue of a gland.

20. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP): ATP is an energy-storing molecule that carries energy within cells and found in all human cells. ATP is also known as  Adenosine triphosphate, a source of energy for use, and storage at the cellular level.

21. Adipose tissue or Fat: Adipose tissue is a loose connective tissue composed of adipocytes. Its store's energy in the form of fat. Adipose tissue is located beneath the skin and found around internal organs that fat-filled tissue that provides cushions and insulates the body.

22. Adjuvant therapy: Extra therapy that is given after a primary (initial treatment, to increase the effectiveness of the primary treatment. For example, using chemotherapy after surgery or radiation treatment for cancer, to lessen the chance of your cancer coming back.

23. Adrenal glands or suprarenal glands: Glands that sit on top of each kidney and secrete stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline.

24. Adrenaline: Adrenaline, also known as epinephrine, a Stress hormone that puts the body on high alert and powerful effects on the body. Changes include a faster heartbeat, more rapid breathing, greater energy, and higher blood pressure.

25. Aerophagia: When air enters the esophagus, goes into the belly, and causes bloating (belly feels swollen after eating).  Aerophagia can be caused by eating, drinking, or even talking too fast, Excessive swallowing of air.

 

26. Agnosia: Inability to process sensory information. In this disease, a person can't recognize or lose of ability to recognized objects, shapes, or people. It is due to a brain or neurological condition.

27. Agoraphobia: Agoraphobia is an anxiety disorder, a condition that makes people very fearful of certain places and situations. That causes fear and avoidance of public places and open spaces.

 

28. Albinism: A group of inherited disorder conditions that typically appear as a complete or partial reduction or absence of melanin pigments in the skin, hair, and eyes.

 

29. Albumin: A protein made by the liver. Abnormal levels of albumin substance may indicate liver or kidney disease. An albumin test measures the blood level to help evaluate overall health. Albumin substance helps keep fluid in the bloodstream, so it doesn't leak into other tissues.

30. Albuminuria:  Albuminuria is a sign of kidney disease, has too much albumin in the urine. Albumin is a protein and found in the blood. 

High amounts of albumin (a protein made by the liver) in the urine, possibly indicating dysfunction of the kidney, also called Proteinuria. Having too much protein in the urine results from damage within the kidneys, this causes the level of albumin to rise in the urine. 

A healthy kidney doesn't pass the albumin from the blood into the urine but a damaged kidney passes some albumin into the urine.

31. Aldosterone: Aldosterone is known as a steroid hormone, secreted by the adrenal glands. It helps to regulate blood pressure by controlling sodium and potassium levels in the body. The aldosterone hormone's main role is to regulate salt and water in the body, thus having an effect on blood pressure. Renin enzyme controls Aldosterone production by the adrenal cortex of adrenal glands. Renin enzyme secreted by the juxtaglomerular cells of the kidney.

32. Alendronate: Alendronate drug used to treat and prevent osteoporosis (bones become weak and brittle) that occur due to slowing bone loss. Alendronate drug is also used to treat Paget's disease of bone (a Paget's disease, in which the bones are soft and weak, maybe deformed and painful, easily broken). This drug increasing bone density (thickness) and preventing bone breakdown. 

33. Alimentary Canal:  Alimentary Canal:  Gastrointestinal Tract or Digestive Tract:  is a muscular tube, extends from the mouth to the anus. The alimentary canal consists of including mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and anus. It composed of all the organs of the digestive system.

34. Allergen: allergen is any foreign substance (antigen), most often eaten or inhaled, that is recognized by the immune system and causes an allergic reaction. like Dust, fur, pollen and pet dander, some food like egg are all common allergens, that produces an allergic reaction.

35. Allergic: The substances that cause allergic reactions are allergens. An allergen-causing allergic reaction occurs when our cells in the immune system interpret a foreign substance or allergen as harmful. It results in having sensitivity to one or more normally harmless substances.

36. Allergic Rhinitis: Allergic rhinitis or hay fever. It is the most common type of allergy, caused by an (Immunoglobulin E) IgE-mediated immune response to inhaled airborne allergens. It is an allergic response to specific allergens by signs and symptoms. An allergic condition marked by inflammation in the nasal membrane, sneezing, runny nose, congestion, itchy, and watery eyes, and swelling around the eyes.

37. Allergy: An allergy is an immune system response to a foreign substance that is normally harmless to the body. These foreign substances are called allergens. They can include certain foods, pollen, fragrance, or pet dander.

38. Alopecia Totalis: It is a complete loss of hair on the scalp or complete hair loss entire scalp. Alopecia totalis is an advanced form of alopecia areata, it is a condition that causes round patches of hair loss on the scalp.

39. Alopecia Universalis or Alopecia Areata Universalis: a condition characterized by hair loss that involves the entire scalp and body including eyebrows, eyelashes, armpit hair, chest hair, and pubic hair. It is the most severe and advanced form of alopecia areata.

40. Alpha Blockers or Alpha-Adrenergic Antagonists, Alpha-Adrenergic Blocking agents, Alpha-Adrenergic Blockers: 

Alpha-blockers are medicines that are mainly used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension – 140/90 mm Hg). These drugs that lower blood pressure by blocking on cell alpha receptors, effects of adrenaline or adrenaline.

These medications cause vasodilation of blood vessels. it relaxes the smooth muscle or blood vessels, muscle of the prostate and bladder, which allows urine to flow more easily. 

Examples of alpha blockers used to Treat High Blood Pressure include:

1. Doxazosin

2. Prazosin

3. Terazosin

41. Alpha cells:  α-cells are endocrine cells in the pancreatic islets of the pancreas. These cells secreting the hormone glucagon, which raises the glucose levels in the blood.

42. Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitor: Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors (AGIs) are oral anti-diabetic drugs (pills) used for diabetes mellitus type 2. It works by preventing the digestion of carbohydrates (such as starch and table sugar, glucose) from the small intestine.

Examples of Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitors include: anti-diabetic drug:

1. Acarbose

2. Miglitol

3. Voglibose

These drugs are used to treat Type 2 diabetes.

43. Alveolar bone:  It is also called alveolar process. The alveolar bone is a part of the jaw that holds the teeth means support the root of the teeth and keep them in place. It is part of the jawbone that supports the teeth.

Alveolar bone has two parts:

a. Alveolar bone proper and

b. Supporting alveolar bone

44. Alveoli: tiny air sacs in the lung located at the end of bronchial tubes. Alveoli are where the lung, oxygen enters and carbon dioxide leaves the bloodstream. There are about 480 million alveoli, located at the end of bronchial tubes.

45. Alzheimer's disease: Alzheimer's disease is a progressive disorder of  brain disease that causes memory loss, impaired thinking, and personality changes. Alzheimer's disease is a progressive and irreversible neurological condition  in which the death of brain cells causes memory loss and cognitive decline that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills. 

46. Amylase: Amylase enzyme is digestive enzyme, present in the saliva. This enzyme catalyze the hydrolysis of starch into sugars (smaller carbohydrate molecules such as maltose). Amylase enzyme  enzyme secreted by the pancreas that breaks starch into sugar. 

47. Amyloid:  it is abnormal fibrous and protein, called amyloid builds up in tissues and organs (such as heart, kidney, liver or other organs). Amyloid is an abnormal protein, it is  usually produced in the bone marrow and can be deposited in any tissue or organ. These abnormal protein that collects in tissues when certain diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, are present. 

48. Analgesia: means “absence of pain”, medication that acts to relieve pain. Analgesic is a drug or other substance such as aspirin, acetaminophen, or morphine, medicine that are used to relieve pain. These medication are also known as painkillers or pain relievers.

50. Anaphylaxis: A severe allergic reaction, causing symptoms from itching and swelling to trouble breathing, convulsions, shock, and coma, is called anaphylactic shock. It is a severe allergic reaction to venom, food, or medication. It potentially life-threatening hypersensitivity reaction.

51. Acute -  Sudden, appearing rapidly to a short period of time. An acute condition may turn into a chronic condition.

Example- Acute inflammation, acute pain may turn into chronic inflammation, chronic pain.

52. Adenocarcinoma-  Adenocarcinoma is a type of cancer that starts in mucus-producing glandular cells or secretory epithelium of your body.

Adenocarcinoma is the malignant neoplasm (tumor), may occur almost anywhere in the body, starting in glandular that line the insides of the organs.

For example, cancer that forms in the glandular cells or secretory epithelium of the esophagus is known as adenocarcinoma, this is the most common type of esophageal cancer.

53. Adenoma- “Adeno” meaning 'related to a gland'. An adenoma is a benign tumor of epithelial tissue with glandular origin or related to glandular characteristics. If adenomas become cancerous, they are will turn into adenocarcinomas.

 Adenoma can grow from epithelial tissue of many glandular organs, including the pituitary gland, adrenal glands, prostate, thyroid and others.

A tumor can be cancerous (malignant) or benign (non-cancerous). A cancerous tumor is malignant, it can grow and invade nearby tissues and spread to other parts of the body. A benign tumor can grow but will not spread to other parts of the body.

Metastasis is the spread of cancer cells to new areas of the body from where it started. 

54. Aetiology/Etiology - Cause of disease, finding causes and origins of disease. 

55. Agenesis- Refers to failure of tissue or organ to form during embryogenesis (embryonic development).

The cause due to the absence of primordial tissue (stage of development),  failure of an organ to develop during embryonic growth and development.

 

56. Agonal- terminal event, occurring just before death or immediately prior to death.

57. Allele- An allele is a variant of one of two or more forms of the same gene. Alleles contribute to the organism's phenotype and determine the organism’s outward appearance.

Humans are diploid organisms because they have two alleles at each genetic locus (particular location of a specific gene on a chromosome ),  with one allele inherited from each parent.

 

58. Alkalosis- Overabundance of bicarbonate in the blood or a loss of acid from the blood (metabolic alkalosis). Excess alkalinity of blood resulting, in an increase in blood PH.

Or by a low level of carbon dioxide in the blood (respiratory alkalosis).

(contrast with acidosis)

 

59. Allograft- Cells, tissue, or organs are transplanted between two individuals of the same species with a different genotype.

60. Amyloid – It is insoluble abnormal fibrous, extracellular material of variable composition deposits found in organs and tissue. Amyloid is aggregates of proteins or accumulates of proteins mainly in the tissue space between cells.

 

61. Anamnestic (response) –Renewed rapid production of an antibody on encounter with the same antigen. Enhanced in Immunological reaction to an antigen, which is by previous exposure to the same agent.

 

62. Anaphylaxis- Anaphylaxis is a serious, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction, it is the most severe form of an allergic reaction. The reaction can occur within seconds or minutes of exposure to an allergen such as - to venom, food, or medication.

Anaphylaxis causes a series of symptoms, including a skin rash, low pulse, difficulty breathing, and shock. It is an excessive type 1 immunological reaction; hypersensitivity.

63. Anaplasia  - Used to describe cells that have lost the unique characteristics that define them as a certain tissue type.  Lack of differentiated features, usually in a tumour, that is characteristic of malignancy in tumors. for example, anaplastic tumors.

Neoplasia is the formation of new abnormal mass of tissue, uncontrolled growth of cells.

 

64. Anaemia - A condition in which a decrease in the total amount of red blood cells (RBCs) or hemoglobin in the blood or blood doesn't have enough healthy red blood cells (erythrocytes).

The hematocrit blood test is often used to check for anemia. A hematocrit (hct) test measures the ratio of RBCs in your blood.

65. Aneuploid- Presence of an abnormal number (one or more extra or missing) of chromosomes in a cell, that leading to an unbalanced chromosome.

For example, if a human cell has 45 or 47 chromosomes instead of the bearing usual 46 chromosomes.

 

66. Aneurym- Weakening of an artery wall creates a bulge, or pocketing or, distention of the wall or lining of a vessel of the artery.  It leads to abnormal permanent dilatation of a blood vessel.

The most common culprits of aneurysm are atherosclerosis and high blood pressure.

Deep wounds and infections can also progress to an aneurysm. It can rupture, leading to life-threatening hemorrhage (internal bleeding).

67. Angiitis - This term used for Inflammation of blood vessels”, also known as vasculitis.

An inflammation walls of the blood vessels that causes changes in the blood vessel walls.

 

68. Anisocytosis - Abnormal variation in size of red blood cells (RBCs) in blood means that are unequal in size.

Poikilocytosis  is the medical term for having abnormally shaped red blood cells (RBCs) in blood means red blood cells having varying of shapes.

69. Ankylosis - Stiffness of a joint due to abnormal adhesion or fusion of a joint and rigidity of the bones of the joint, which may be cause of injury or disease. It’s resulting in its impaired mobility.

70. Annular- Encircling the circumference of a hollow tube like ring-shaped.  For example, annular carcinoma of the colon; thickening the wall of bowel and narrowing of the lumen.

71. Anoxia- lack of oxygen, it is an condition, extreme form of hypoxia. Anoxia occurs when the body does not get oxygen supply.

 

72. Antibody (Ab)  - Also called immunoglobulin (Ig). It is Y-shaped protein used by the immune system in response to the presence of a foreign substance such as pathogenic bacteria and viruses to identify and neutralize them. 

 

73. Antiodote- Agent that countering the harmful effect of a poisoning. For example- Activated charcoal.

74.  Antigen (Ag) - A substance or  molecule that causes immune system to produce antibodies against it..

Examples of Antigen-  blood group antigens, HLA, allergens, toxins

T –cell antigen receptor found on the surface of T cells, or T lymphocytes, responsible for recognizing fragments of antigen.

 

75. Antiserum- Antiserum is a serum that contains immunoglobulins (Ig) obtained from blood serum of human or animals. Antiserum contains specific antibodies against an infective organism or poisonous substance.

Serum also blood serum is the clear pale- yellowish fluid obtained from separating whole blood.

 

76. Antitoxin- An antitoxin is an antibody, it have the ability to neutralize a specific toxin, effects of toxins or venoms.

 

For example, Antibody is capable of neutralising a bacterial toxin.

 

77. Aplasia- failure of development of a tissue or organ. For example, aplastic anaemia; a condition in which body fails to producing blood cells in sufficient numbers.

 

78. Apoptosis – “Programmed cell death”

It is used to eliminate unwanted cells that damaged, do not repair or self-destruct due to biochemical events. It rid the body of cells during early development.

79. Arteriosclerosis - Hardening of the arteries, the blood vessel become thick and narrow, it happens when plaque collects and causes the arteries to narrow and harden, affecting blood flow to organs and tissues in the body.  

A disease the condition occurs when the endothelium layer becomes damaged, due to factors such as hypertension, or high levels of glucose, lipid, and cholesterol in the blood. This damage allows a collection of plaque, fat, and cholesterol, or other substance to build up or clog in the artery wall. It lead to narrowing of blood vess el and reducing the flow of blood.

80. Arteritis - Inflammation of arteries, inflammation primarily within the wall of arteries and reduces blood flow.

81. Ascites  - Abnormal accumulation or build-up of fluid in the peritoneal cavity.

82. Aseptic-  Free from contamination, Performed using sterile instruments or techniques free from bacteria, viruses, or other microorganisms.

 

83. Asphyxia- Caused by injury to or obstruction of breathing passageways causing suffocation or unconsciousness due to impaired respiration.

84. Atelectasis - Atelectasis effect on the lungs in which complete or partial collapse of the area (lobe) of the lung or the entire lung. It occurs when the alveoli sacs (tiny air sacs) within the lung become deflated and failure to expand or may be filled with alveolar fluid. It is the most common airway respiratory complication after surgery.

85. Atheroma or Atheromatous Plaque or Plaque –Abnormal accumulation of material in the inner layer of artery.  It causes thickening of wall of arteries due to deposition in their wall.

Material consists of cholesterol, plaque (fatty deposits), lipids or debris, calcium and fibrous connective tissue and other substances found in the blood.

 

86. Atherosclerosis- Atheroma or plaque causing hardening of arteries in which plaque builds up inside  wall of arteries.

 

87. Atopy- Atopy is produce an exaggerated IgE-mediated immune response. All type of atopic disease  are type I hypersensitivity disorders. It  condition characterised by predisposition toward developing certain allergic hypersensitivity reactions.

88. Atresia -  Condition in which an orifice or passage in the body is (failure to development, usually abnormally) closed or absent or failure to development of a normally hollow organ.

 For examples of atresia include, Tricuspid atresia; heart defect present at birth (congenital) in which a tricuspid valve of the heart's chambers isn't formed.

Aural atresia, is a deformity where the ear canal is underdeveloped or absence that may be acquired or congenital. Acquired aural atresia is most often due to trauma or otologic surgery.

 

Biliary atresia - A disease condition of the liver in which bile ducts are abnormally blocked or absent from moving from the liver to the small intestine. It can be congenital (birth) or acquired.

89. Atrophy - Reduction in size of cell, organ or tissue or organ shrinkage due to pathological or physiological causes.

90. Atypia - Atypia is structural abnormality in a cell such as abnormal growth of cells, usually a  feature of cancer.

It is used to describe atypical cells (cells or body tissues that look unusual or abnormal  under a microscope). 

 

91. Auto- antibody - An auto-antibody is an antibody (immune protein) produced by the immune system that work against the individual's own body’s  tissues or proteins or constituents.

One or more auto-antibodies may be make by a person's immune system and react with a person's own tissues or organs. It happens when body system fails to distinguish between "self" and "non-self."

92. Autocrine - The ability of cells to produce and responding to their own chemical factors or cytokines or autocrine secretion. A autocrine hormone produced by a cell that acts on itself or its immediate neighborhood cells.

93. Autograft - Tissue transplanted in same individual from one part of the body to another part  of the body known as Autograft or Autotransplant. Means tissue of a patient for use in grafting procedures in their own body.

 

94. Autoimmunity -  Autoimmunity is abnormal state in which body’s  immune system responses of an organism react against its own healthy cells, tissues and other body constituents.

95. Autologous – In transplantation or transfusion procedure,  in which the donor and recipient are the same person.

For example, In autologous stem cell transplantation procedure, uses the patient's own stem cells for the transplant means donor and recipient are the same person.

96. Autolysis - It refers to self-digestion or self destruction.

Destruction or digestion of a cell or tissue through the action of its own enzymes means enzymes contained within it.

97. Autopsy - Same as post-mortem examination.

An autopsy is a surgical procedure involving the examination of a dead body to discover the cause of death or the extent of disease and to observe the effects of the disease.

 

Necropsy term used for the examination of an animal body after death. The purpose of a necropsy is to determine the cause of death, extent of disease and effects of disease.

98. Anoxia - Anoxia is an extreme condition of hypoxia.

Anoxia is usually a result of hypoxia in which there is a complete absence of oxygen supply to the body.