Glossary
- abdominal
-
Pertaining to the abdomen
- abduction
-
The act of moving (taking) away from
- adenoidectomy
-
removal of a gland
- adenoiditis
-
Inflammation of the adenoids
- adenoma
-
A mass or tumour in a gland
- adrenal glands
-
Pertaining to near the kidneys; small, triangular glands located on top of the kidneys
- adrenalectomy
-
Removal of one or both adrenal glands
- adrenopathy
-
Disease of the adrenal glands
- alveolar
-
Pertaining to the alveoli
- amenorrhea
-
No menstruation or no menstrual flow
- amniocentesis
-
A surgical puncture to remove fluid from the amniotic sac
- anal
-
Pertaining to the anus
- analysis
-
To separate; for example, in a urinalysis
- anemia
-
The condition of no blood
- angina
-
Chest pain
- angiogram
-
A record of the blood vessels
- angioplasty
-
The surgical repair of a blood vessel
- antepartum
-
Before birth
- anterior
-
Pertaining to the front
- antibiotic
-
Pertaining to against life
- antigen
-
To produce against bacteria or viruses that enter the body
- aortic
-
Pertaining to the aorta
- aphakia
-
The condition of no lens of the eye
- aphasia
-
No speech
- apnea
-
No breathing
- appendectomy
-
Removal of the appendix
- appendicitis
-
Inflammation of the appendix
- arachnophobia
-
Aversion to or fear of spiders
- arrhythmia
-
Pertaining to an irregular heart rhythm
- Arteriolitis
-
Inflammation of the arterioles
- arteriosclerosis
-
The hardening of an artery
- arthralgia
-
The condition of pain in the joints
- arthritis
-
Inflammation of the joints
- arthrogram
-
A record (scan) of a joint
- asthma
-
A chronic respiratory condition characterized by narrowing and swelling of the airways
- atherosclerosis
-
Hardening (of the arteries) with plaque
- atrophy
-
No nourishment or development
- audiometer
-
An instrument used to measure hearing (sound)
- audiometry
-
The process of measuring hearing (sound)
- aural hematoma
-
A mass of blood within the ear
- autopsy
-
To view self
- axillary
-
Pertaining to the armpit
- balanitis
-
Inflammation of the penis
- bilateral
-
Pertaining to two (or both) sides
- binocular
-
Pertaining to two eyes
- biology
-
The study of life
- biopsy
-
To view life
- bradycardia
-
condition of a slow heart rate
- bronchiectasis
-
A chronic condition in which the walls of the bronchi thicken because of inflammation and infection
- bronchioles
-
pertaining to the bronchial tubes
- bronchiolitis
-
Inflammation of the bronchioles
- bronchitis
-
Inflammation of the bronchial tubes
- bronchoscopy
-
The process of visually examining the bronchial tubes
- bronchospasm
-
A spasm or contraction in the bronchial tubes
- carcinogenic
-
Producing or causing cancer
- carcinoma
-
A cancerous mass or tumour
- cardiologist
-
A specialist in the study of the heart
- cardiology
-
The study of the heart
- cardiomegaly
-
Enlargement of the heart
- cardiomyopathy
-
Disease condition of the heart muscle
- carpals
-
Pertaining to the wrists
- cephalic
-
Pertaining to the head
- cerebellitis
-
Inflammation of the cerebellum
- cerebral
-
Pertaining to the cerebrum
- cerebrovascular accident
-
Pertaining to a cerebrum blood vessel accident, which is commonly known as a stroke or abbreviated as CVA
- cervical
-
Pertaining to the cervix
- chemotherapy
-
Treatment with drugs
- cholecystectomy
-
Removal of the gallbladder
- cholecystostomy
-
An opening into the gallbladder; often done for drainage
- chondrocytes
-
Cells in cartilage; the only cells found in healthy cartilage
- chronic
-
Pertaining to time; sometimes meaning over a period of time
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
-
A chronic inflammatory condition of the lungs; often abbreviated as COPD
- coccygeal
-
Pertaining to the coccyx
- colectomy
-
Removal of part of the colon
- colitis
-
Inflammation of the colon
- colonography
-
The processing of a recording (often a CT scan) of the colon
- colonoscope
-
An instrument used to visually exam the colon
- colonoscopy
-
The process of visually examining the colon
- colostomy
-
An opening into the colon
- colpotomy
-
An incision into the vagina (usually the back wall of the vagina)
- coronary
-
Pertaining to the heart
- costectomy
-
Removal of all or part of a rib
- craniotomy
-
Cutting into the skull
- cryotherapy
-
Treatment with cold
- cutaneous
-
Pertaining to the skin
- cyanotic
-
Bluish or purplish discolouration caused by oxygen deficiency in the blood
- cystitis
-
Inflammation of the urinary bladder
- cystoscope
-
An instrument to visually examine the urinary bladder
- cytology
-
The study of cells
- dehydration
-
The condition of down (too little) water
- dermal
-
Pertaining to the skin
- dermatologist
-
A specialist in the study of the skin
- dermatology
-
The study of the skin
- diagnosis
-
A state of complete knowledge (this term is an exception to the rules; the suffix -sis means "state of")
- dialysis
-
To break down completely, as in kidney dialysis
- duodenoscope
-
An instrument used to view the duodenum
- durotomy
-
An incision into the dura mater
- dysentery
-
Condition of painful intestines
- dyspepsia
-
Painful digestion
- dysphagia
-
Difficulty eating
- dysphasia
-
Difficulty speaking
- dysplasia
-
An abnormal formation or growth
- dyspnea
-
Pain or difficulty breathing
- dysuria
-
Painful urination
- ectopic
-
Pertaining to out of place or position; often used in reference to an ectopic pregnancy, which is a pregnancy that occurs outside its normal location in the uterus
- electrocardiogram
-
A record of electricity in the heart
- electrocardiograph
-
An instrument used to record the electrical activity of the heart
- electrocardiography
-
The process of recording the electricity of the heart
- electroencephalogram
-
A record of electricity in the brain
- encephalopathy
-
A disease or disorder of the brain
- endocrine
-
To secrete within; for example, endocrine glands secrete hormones
- endometrial
-
Pertaining to within the uterus
- endoscope
-
A instrument used to visually examine within (the body)
- enteritis
-
Inflammation of the intestines
- epidermal
-
Pertaining to above the skin
- epidural
-
Pertaining to upon the dura mater
- epiglottitis
-
Inflammation of the epiglottis
- epithelial
-
Pertaining to the surface layer of the skin
- erythrocyte
-
A cell that is red; red blood cell
- esophageal
-
Pertaining to the esophagus
- esophagogastrectomy
-
Removal of part of the esophagus and stomach
- euphoria
-
A state of goodness
- excision
-
To cut out
- exocrine
-
To secrete outside; for example, exocrine glands
- extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy
-
A procedure that breaks up stones using a series of shock waves generated by a machine called a lithotripter
- extravascular
-
Pertaining to outside the vascular system
- gastralgia
-
The condition of pain in the stomach
- gastric
-
Pertaining to the stomach
- gastroenteritis
-
Inflammation of the stomach and intestines
- gastroscopy
-
The process of visually examining the stomach
- glycosuria
-
Condition of sugar in urine
- gynecology
-
The study of women
- hematemesis
-
Vomiting blood
- hematology
-
The study of blood
- hematoma
-
A mass of blood
- hematuria
-
Condition of blood in urine
- hemigastrectomy
-
Removal of half the stomach
- hemiplegia
-
Paralysis of half the body, usually caused by a cerebrovascular accident (stroke)
- hemodialysis
-
Separating or breaking down blood completely
- hemoglobin
-
A protein in the blood that carries oxygen
- hemorrhage
-
Excessive discharge of blood, often from a trauma
- hepatitis
-
Inflammation of the liver
- hepatoma
-
A mass or tumour on the liver
- hydrocele
-
Swelling in the scrotum caused by an accumulation of fluid
- hyperglycemia
-
The condition of high blood sugar
- hyperpituitarism
-
An overactive pituitary gland
- hyperplasia
-
Enlargement of an organ or tissue caused by an increase in the number of cells
- hypertension
-
Pressure that is high; high blood pressure
- hyperthyroidism
-
A condition of high thyroid
- hypertrophy
-
Excessive development
- hypophysectomy
-
Surgical removal of the pituitary gland
- hypotension
-
Pressure that is low; low blood pressure
- hypothyroidism
-
A condition of low thyroid
- hysterectomy
-
Removal of the uterus
- ileostomy
-
An opening (stoma) in the ileum
- incision
-
The process of cutting into
- inguinal
-
Pertaining to the groin
- intercellular
-
Pertaining to between cells
- intercostal
-
Pertaining to between the ribs
- intradermal
-
Pertaining to within the skin
- intrauterine
-
Pertaining to within the uterus
- intravenous
-
Pertaining to within a vein
- ischemia
-
Blood held back or to hold back blood
- jejunoileitis
-
Inflammation of the jejunum and ileum (a type of Crohn's disease)
- laparoscope
-
An instrument to visually examine the abdomen
- laparotomy
-
Cutting into the abdomen
- laryngitis
-
Inflammation of the larynx
- lateral
-
Pertaining to the side
- leukemia
-
A condition of the white blood cells; usually cancer
- leukocyte
-
A cell that is white; white blood cell
- ligamentitis
-
Inflammation of a ligament
- lumbar
-
Pertaining to the loins or waist
- lymphadenectomy
-
Removal of a lymph node
- lymphangitis
-
Inflammation of the lymph vessels or lymphatic system
- lymphocyte
-
A type of white blood cell in the immune system; the main type of cell in lymph
- macrocephalus
-
Pertaining to a large head or cranium
- macrophage
-
A type of large white blood cell that surrounds and kills microorganisms, removes dead cells, and stimulates other immune system cells
- malignant
-
Growing in an uncontrolled or invasive way; typically refers to cancer that has spread to nearby organs or tissues
- mammogram
-
A record of the breast
- mammography
-
The process of recording an X-ray of the breast
- mastectomy
-
Removal of one or both breasts
- mediastinotomy
-
An incision into the mediastinum
- medullary
-
Pertaining to the medulla oblongata
- meningitis
-
Inflammation of the meninges
- menorrhagia
-
Excessive discharge of blood during menstruation
- menorrhea
-
Discharge or flow of menses; normal menstrual flow
- metastasis
-
To change place
- microscope
-
An optical instrument used to view small particles by magnifying the particles
- multipara
-
Many births; refers to a woman who has had two or more live births
- muscular
-
Pertaining to muscle
- myalgia
-
The condition of pain in the muscles
- myectomy
-
Removal of part or all of a muscle
- myelitis
-
Inflammation of the spinal cord
- myeloma
-
A malignant tumour in the bone marrow
- myositis
-
Inflammation of muscle
- myringoplasty
-
Surgical correction of the eardrum
- nasal
-
Pertaining to the nose
- necrosis
-
An abnormal condition of death
- neonatal
-
Pertaining to new birth
- neoplasm
-
New formation or growth
- neoplastic
-
Pertaining to new growth (note that the spelling is an exception to the rules)
- nephrectomy
-
Removal of a kidney
- nephritis
-
Inflammation of the kidneys
- nephrosis
-
An abnormal condition of the kidney
- neural
-
Pertaining to the nerves
- neuralgia
-
The condition of pain in the nerves
- neurologist
-
A specialist in the study of nerves (nervous system)
- neurology
-
The study of the nerves (nervous system)
- neuropathy
-
A disease condition of the nerves
- nulliparous
-
No birth; a women who has never given birth
- ocular
-
Pertaining to the eye
- oliguria
-
Very little urine; this condition is characterized by below-normal output of urine of approximately 300 to 500 mL per day
- oncology
-
The study of tumours
- onycholysis
-
The separation or break down of a fingernail or toenail
- oocyte
-
A cell in the ovaries
- oophorectomy
-
Removal of the ovaries
- ophthalmologist
-
A specialist in the study of the eye
- ophthalmology
-
The study of the eye
- ophthalmoscopy
-
The process of visually examining the eye
- optical
-
Pertaining to the eye
- oral
-
Pertaining to the mouth
- orchidotomy
-
An incision into the testis
- orchioplasty
-
Surgical repair of the testes
- orchitis
-
Inflammation of the testis
- orthodontist
-
A dentist who specializes in straightening teeth and correcting bites
- osteoarthritis
-
Inflammation of the bones and joints
- osteomyelitis
-
Inflammation of the bone and muscle
- otalgia
-
The condition of pain in the ear
- ovarian
-
Pertaining to the ovaries
- pancreatic
-
Pertaining to the pancreas
- pancreatitis
-
Inflammation of the pancreas
- pancytopenia
-
Deficiency in all blood cells (red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets)
- paracentesis
-
Removal of fluid from the peritoneal cavity
- paraplegia
-
Paralysis of the lower half of the body
- parathyroid
-
Pertaining to beside the thyroid
- parathyroidectomy
-
Removal of the parathyroid gland
- pathology
-
The study of disease
- pelvic
-
Pertaining to the pelvis
- pericardium
-
A structure surrounding the heart
- peritoneal
-
Pertaining to the peritoneum
- pharyngectomy
-
Removal of part of the pharynx
- pharyngitis
-
Inflammation of the pharynx
- phlebitis
-
Inflammation of the vein
- phlebotomy
-
An incision into a vein
- phrenic nerve
-
The nerve that controls the diaphragm
- pilosebaceous
-
Pertaining to the hair and sebaceous glands
- pleuritis
-
Inflammation of the pleura
- pneumonia
-
Pertaining to the lungs; a serious lung infection caused by a virus or bacteria
- pneumonitis
-
Inflammation of the lungs
- pneumothorax
-
An accumulation of air in the space between the pleura
- polydactyly
-
Pertaining to many digits
- polydipsia
-
Much thirst
- polyuria
-
Much urine or producing much urine
- postmortem
-
Death after or after death
- precancerous
-
Pertaining to before cancer; many colon polyps are this type
- proctologist
-
A specialist in the study of the anus and rectum
- prognosis
-
Knowledge before or making a prediction of the outcome
- prolapse
-
To fall forward
- prostatectomy
-
Surgical removal of part or all of the prostate
- prosthesis
-
To place in front; an artificial limb
- prothrombin
-
Pertaining to before clotting
- psychiatrist
-
A specialist in the treatment of the mind
- psychiatry
-
Treatment of the mind
- psychologist
-
A specialist in the study of the mind
- psychology
-
The study of the mind
- psychosis
-
An abnormal condition of the mind
- pulmonary
-
Pertaining to the lungs
- pyeloplasty
-
Surgical correction of the renal pelvis
- quadriplegia
-
Paralysis of all four extremities
- radiotherapy
-
Treatment with X-rays
- rectal
-
Pertaining to the rectum
- relapse
-
To slide back
- remission
-
To send back
- renal
-
Pertaining to the kidneys
- resection
-
To cut back
- retinopathy
-
A disease condition of the retina
- retrohepatic
-
Pertaining to behind the liver
- retroperitoneal
-
Pertaining to behind the peritoneum
- rhinitis
-
Inflammation of the nose
- rhinorrhea
-
Discharge from the nose
- sacroiliitis
-
Inflammation of the sacrum and ileum (around the joint)
- salpingectomy
-
Removal of the fallopian tubes
- salpingitis
-
Inflammation of the fallopian tubes
- sarcoma
-
A tumour or mass in the flesh
- scrotitis
-
Inflammation of the scrotum
- septicemia
-
Infection of the blood
- sigmoidoscopy
-
The process of viewing the sigmoid colon
- spinal stenoisis
-
Narrowing of the space within the spine; can cause compression of the spinal nerves
- splenectomy
-
Removal of the spleen
- spondylosis
-
A degenerative condition of the spine cause by ongoing wear and tear
- stomatologist
-
A specialist in the study of the mouth
- subdural
-
Pertaining to under the dura mater
- subhepatic
-
Pertaining to below the liver
- subscapular
-
Pertaining to below the scapula
- suprapubic
-
Pertaining to above the pubic region
- symbiotic
-
Pertaining to together in life
- syndrome
-
A group of signs and symptoms that combine to form a syndrome
- tachycardia
-
condition of a fast heart rate
- tendinopathy
-
Disease condition of a tendon
- tenotomy
-
An incision into a tendon
- thoracic
-
Pertaining to the chest
- thrombocyte
-
A cell that clots (platelet)
- thymocyte
-
An immunity cell in the thymus gland
- thyroadenitis
-
Inflammation of the thyroid gland
- thyroidotomy
-
An incision into the thyroid gland
- tonsillectomy
-
Removal of the tonsils
- tonsillitis
-
Inflammation of the tonsils
- tracheostomy
-
An incision into the trachea
- tracheotomy
-
To cut into the windpipe (trachea)
- transdermal
-
Pertaining to across the skin
- triceps
-
An arm muscle with three attachment points (lateral, medial, and long) that joins the humerus and scapula to the ulna
- trichotillomania
-
A mental illness characterized by the compulsion to pull out one's own hair
- tympanostomy
-
A small tube inserted into the eardrum
- ultrasonogram
-
A record beyond sound
- ultrasonography
-
The process of recording beyond sound
- ungiectomy
-
The surgical removal of a fingernail or toenail
- unilateral
-
Pertaining to one side
- uremia
-
A blood condition with urea (a waste product)
- ureteroscopy
-
The process of visually examining the ureters (upper urinary tract)
- urethritis
-
Inflammation of the urethra
- urethrotomy
-
An incision into the urethra
- urologist
-
A specialist in the study of the urinary tract
- uterotomy
-
An incision into the uterus
- vaginitis
-
Inflammation of the vagina
- vascular
-
Pertaining to the blood vessels
- vasectomy
-
A surgical procedure for male sterilization
- vasoconstriction
-
Narrowing of a blood vessel
- venulectasia
-
A large, palpable type of spider vein that is usually purple
- vertebral
-
Pertaining to the vertebra
- vesicostomy
-
An incision into the urinary bladder