| A | B |
|---|
| Amenorrhea | Absence of menstual flow. |
| Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome | AIDS |
| Acromegaly | Excessive enlargement of the limbs due to thickening of bones and soft tissues. Caused by hypersecretion of growth hormone from the pituitary gland |
| Addison's Disease | hypofunctioning of the addrenal cortex; decreased secretion of aldosterone and cortisole |
| Albino | Individual lacking normal body pigment (Melanin) |
| Allergy | Abnormal hypersensitivity acquired by exposure to an antigen (allergen). |
| Alopecia | Baldness |
| Alzheimer disease; Right Ear | AD |
| Alzheimer's | Brain disorder marked by progressive; gradual mental deterioration (dementia) along with personality changes and impairment of daily functioning. |
| Amniocentesis | Surgical puncture to remove fluid from the amnion sac surrounding the embryo and fetus. |
| Amnion | Innermost membranous sac surrounding the developing fetus. |
| Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (lou Gehrig disease | ALS |
| Anaphylaxis | Exaggerated or unusual hypersensitivity to foreign protein or other substance. |
| Anatomic | Pertaining to anatomy and the division of various body spaces; systems; and organs. |
| Anemia | Blood condition of reduced oxygen delivery to tissues because of low hemoglobin concentration or deficiency of red blood cells. |
| Aneurysm | Weakening of an arterial wall; which may lead to hemorrhage and cerebrovascular accident (stroke). |
| Angiography | Process of recording blood vessels using contrast and x-rays. |
| Angiostenosis | Narrowing of a blood vessel |
| Ankylosis spondylitis | Chronic inflammatory joint disease involving the backbones; marked by stiffeness and eventual fusion (ankylosis) of involved joints. |
| Anorexia | Lack of appetite. (Anorexia Nervosa- Eating disorder of excessive dieting and refusal to maintain a normal body weight). |
| Antigen | Substance (protein) that stimulates the production of antibodies. |
| Aortic stenosis | Narrowing of the aorta. |
| Arrhythmias | Without rhythm; irregular beats of the heart. |
| Arteriorrhexis | Rupture of an artery. |
| Arteriosclerosis | Hardening of an artery by thickening and loss of elasticity of the arterial walls. |
| Arthritis | Inflammation of a joint. |
| Aspirate | Withdrawal of fluid from a cavity or sac with and instrument using suction. |
| Asthma | Chronic inflammation disorder; characterized by airway obstruction and caused by broncial edema; bronchoconstriction; and increased mucus production. |
| Astigmatism | Abnormal curvature of the eyeball so that rays of light are not focused on a single point on the retina. |
| Asymmetry; border; color; diameterDescription of skin cancer lesions | ABCD |
| Atherosclerosis | Form of arteriosclerosis in which fatty plaque deposits in the interior lining of an artery. |
| Atrial Fibrillation | AF/A-Fib |
| Auscultation | Use of a stethoscope to listen for sounds emanating from the heart or other organs. |
| Automatic External Difibrillator | AED |
| barium Enema | BE |
| Basal cell carcinoma | BCC |
| Benign | Non-cancerous. |
| Benign prostatic hyperplasia(Hepertrophy) | BPH |
| Biopsy | Removal of living tissue and examination under a microscope |
| Blepharitis | Inflammation of an eyelid. |
| Blood Glucose Monitor | BGM |
| Blood Pressure | BP |
| Blood Sugar | BS |
| Blood Types | ABO |
| blood urea nitrogen | BUN |
| Both ears | AU |
| both eyes | OU |
| Bowel Movement | BM |
| Breast self exam | BSE |
| Bronchitis | Inflammation of bronchial tubes. |
| Calcium | Ca |
| Carbon Dioxide | CO2 |
| Carcinogenic | Pertaining to producing cancer. |
| Carcinoma | Cancerous or malignant tumor. |
| Cardiomegaly | Enlargement of the heart. |
| Cardiomyopathy | Disease of heart muscle. |
| Cardiopulmonary resuscitation | CPR |
| carpal tunnel syndrome | CTS |
| Castration | Removal of sex glands (gonads); ovaries or testes. |
| Cataract | Clouding or loss of transparency of the lens of the eye. |
| Catheterization | Insertion of a tube for injecting or removing fluids. |
| Cauterization | Destruction of tissue by burning. |
| Cellulitis | Diffuse; acute inflammatory infection of the skin marked by local heat; redness; pain; and swelling. |
| Centeral nervous System | CNS |
| Cerebral | Pertaining to the cerebrum (largest part of the brain). |
| cerebrocascular accident | CVA |
| Cerebrovascular Accident | CA |
| Cerumen | Waxy substance secreted by the ear; ear wax. |
| Cervical | Pertaining to the neck of the body or lower neck-line portion of the uterus. |
| Cesarean section | Surgical incision of the abdominal wall and uterus to deliver a fetus. |
| Chlamydia | Bacterial infection causing pelvic inflammation in the reproductive tract of women and men. A sexually transmitted disease. |
| Chlorine (Chloride) | Cl |
| Cholelithiasis | Abnormal condition of forming gallstones. |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease | COPD |
| Cirrhosis | Chronic; degenerative disease of the liver. |
| Colitis | Inflammation of the colon. |
| Colpalgia | Vaginal Pain |
| Complete Blood Count | CBC |
| Computed tomography scan (X-ray immaging in axial plane and other planes) | CT |
| Concussion | injury to the brain or spinal cord due to jarring from a blow; fall; or the like. |
| Congestive heart Failure | CHF |
| Conjunctivitis | Inflammation of th conjunctiva.(pinkeye) |
| Constipation | Difficultly in passing (eliminating) feces (stool). |
| Coranary Artery Disease | CAD |
| Corticosteroids | Hormone secreted by the adrenal cortex; cortisol and aldosterone are examples. |
| Cryosurgery | Use of subfreezing temperature to destroy tissue. |
| Cryptorchism | One or both testes fail to descend from the abdomen in the scrotal sac near the time of birth. |
| culture and sesitivity (testing) | C & S |
| Cyctic Fibrosis | CF |
| Cystitis | Inflammation of the urinary bladder. |
| Cystocele | Hernia of the urinary bladder. |
| Cystolith | A hard mass of mineral salts in the urinary tract; urinary calculus; bladder stone. |
| Cystometrography | Measurement of bladder function, as by a cystometer. |
| Cystoscope | Tool used to visually examine the urinary bladder. |
| Cystoscopy | Process of visual examination of the urinary bladder. |
| Cytology | Study of cells. |
| Diabetes mellitis | DM |
| Diagnosis | DX |
| Diarrhea | Diarrhea is the frequent passage of watery; loose stools. |
| Diastole | Relaxation phase of the heartbeat |
| Digital rectal Exam | DRE |
| dilation and curettage | D & C |
| Diplopia | Double vision. |
| Dysphagia | Difficulty in swallowing. |
| echocardiography | ECHO |
| Ectopic | Pertianing to a pregnancy that is not in the normal location (uterus); a fallopian tube is the most common ectopic site. |
| Eczema | Chronic dermatitis of unknown etiology; marked by redness; scales; and scabs. |
| electrocardiogram | EKG/ECG |
| electroencephalogram; electroencephalography | EEG |
| Embolism | The event of a clot or other substance that travels to a distant location and suddenly blocks a blood vessel. |
| emergency department; erectile dysfuntion | ED |
| Emphysema | Hyperinflation of air sacs with destruction of alveolar walls. |
| encephalitis | Inflammation of the brain |
| Endometriosis | Endometrial tissue located outside of the uterus. |
| Endoscopy | Process of visual examination within the body. |
| Epilepsy | Brain disorder marked by recurrent attacks (seizures) of abnormal nervous impulses. |
| Epistaxis | Nosebleed. |
| estrogen replacement therapy | ERT |
| eyes; ears; nose; throat | EENT |
| Fasting Blood Sugar | FBS |
| Fibroids | Benign tumors of fibrous and muscular tissue in the uterus; leiomyomas. |
| fistula | An abnormal duct or passage resulting from injury; disease; or a congenital disorder that connects an abscess; cavity; or hollow organ to the body surface or to another hollow organ. |
| Fracture | breaking of hard tissue such as bone; cartilage; or the like. |
| Gastroespophageal reflux disease | GERD |
| gastrointestinal | GI |
| Gingivitis | Inflammation of gums. |
| Glaucoma | Fluid accumulation in the anterior and posterior chambers of the eye causing increased pressure and damage to the retina. |
| Gonorrhea | Sexually transmitted infection involving inflammation of the genital tract mucous membranes and caused by gonococci (berry-shaped bacteria). |
| Gout | Inflammation of joints caused by excessive uric acid in the blood and uric acid crystals deposited in joints. |
| hematocrit | HCT |
| Hematocrit | Percentage of red blood cells in a given volume of blood. |
| Hematoma | Mass of blood |
| Hematuria | Blood in the urine. |
| Hemoccult | A test for hidden blood in the stool |
| hemoglobin | HGB |
| Hemophylia | Hereditary disease of blood clotting failure with abnormal bleeding. Affected individuals are lacking a blood clotting factor (factor VIII or factor IX). |
| Hemorrhoids | Swollen; twisted varicose veins in the rectal region. |
| Hemothorax | Blood in the chest (pleural cavity) surrounding the lungs. |
| Hernia | The protrusion of an organ or other bodily structure through the wall that normally contains it; a rupture. |
| Herpes Genitalis | Sexually transmitted infection of the skin and mucosa of the genitals caused by the herpes simplex virus and marked by blisters. |
| Herpes Zoster | Viral infection affecting peripheral nerves. |
| high Density lipoprotein | HDL |
| Homeostasis | Tendency in an organism to return to a state of constancy and stability. |
| hormone replacement therapy | HRT |
| Human immunodeficiency virus | HIV |
| human paploma virus | HPV |
| Hydrocele | Hernia (sac of clear; watery fluid) within the scrotum. |
| Hydrocephalus | Accumulation of fluid in the spaces of the brain; in infants; the condition causes enlargement of the head. |
| Hyperopia | Farsightedness; light rays are focused beyond; instead of directly on the retina. |
| Hypertension | High blood pressure. |
| hypertension | HTN |
| Hypo/hyperthyroidism | Secretion by thyroid gland of a less than / greater than normal amount of thyroxine (thyroid hormone T4). |
| Hypochondriac | An upper abdominal area on either side of the epigastric (middle) region beneath the cartilage of the lower ribs. |
| Idiopathic | Pertaining to unknown cause of disease. |
| intramuscular | IM |
| intravenous | IV |
| irritable bowel syndrome | IBS |
| Jaundice | A symptom of illness marked by yellow-orange discoloration of the skin and whiteness of the eyes resulting from excess bilirubin in the blood. |
| Kidneys; ureturs; bladder | KUB |
| Labryithitis | Inflammation of the Maze-like series of canals of the inner ear; cochlea; vestibule; and semicircular canals. |
| Laproscopy | Process of visually examining the contents of the abdomen (using an endoscope). |
| laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis | LASIK |
| Left ear | AS |
| left eye | OS |
| Leukemia | Disease of high numbers of malignant (cancerous) white blood cells. |
| Lipoma | Benign tumor of fatty tissue. |
| Lithotripsy | Process of using high-energy sound waves to crush stone within the kidney or ureter. |
| Low density lipoprotein | LDL |
| lower respiratory infection | LRI |
| Lumbar | One of two middle lateral regions on either side of the umbilical region (near the naval). |
| magnetic resonance angiography | MRA |
| magnetic resonance imaging | MRI |
| Malignant | Cancerous; harmful. |
| Mammography | X-ray recording of the breast. |
| Mastalgia | Pain in the breast. |
| Mastitis | Inflammation of a breast. |
| Mastoptosis | Sagging of the breasts. |
| Meningitis | Inflammation of the meninges; the layers of tissue surrounding the brain. |
| Metastasis | Spread of a malignant tumor from its original location to a new or distant organ. |
| Mononucleosis | Infectious disease marked by increased numbers of leukocytes and enlarged cervical lymph nodes. |
| multiple sclerosis | MS |
| Murmur | Extra sound heard between normal beats during auscultation of the heart. |
| Muscular dystrophy | Group of inherited disorders marked by progressive weakness and degeneration of muscle fibers. |
| myocardial infarction (heart attack) | MI |
| Myoma | Tumor of muscle. |
| Myopia | Nearsightedness; vision for near objects is better than far. |
| nasogastric tube | NG Tube |
| Nephrolithiasis | Abnormal condition of kidney stones. |
| nephroma | a tumor of the kidney or of kidney tissue |
| Neuroblast | Malignant childhood tumor originating in cells of the nervous system. |
| Neuroma | Benign tumor arising from a nerve. |
| nitroglycerine | NTG |
| Nocturia | Urinary frequency at night. |
| non-steroidal antiinflammtory drugs | NSAIDs |
| nothing by mouth | NPO |
| obstectrics and gynecology | OB/GYN |
| Occlusion | Blockage or obstruction. |
| Onychocryptosis | ingrowen nail |
| Onychophagia | biting of the nails |
| Orchitis | Inflammation of the testes. |
| orthopedics | Ortho |
| Ossicles | Small bones; malleus; incus; or stapes of the middle ear. |
| osteoarthritis | OA |
| Osteomalacia | Softening of the bones. |
| Osteoporosis | Abnormal condtion of increased loss of bony tissue. Bones become thin; weak; brittle; and break easily. |
| ottitis externa | OE |
| ottitis media | OM |
| oxygen | O2 |
| Pachyderma | Thickening of the skin (usually unilateral on an extemity) caused by congenital enlargement of lymph vessel and lymph vessel obstruction; nevoid elephantiasis. |
| Palliative | Relieving symptoms; but not curative. |
| Parkinson's | Degeneration of nerve cells that produce the neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain; leads to tremors; weakness of muscles; and slowness of movement. |
| Pathogenic | Pertaining to producing disease. |
| Pathological | Pertaining to the study of disease; disease. |
| pelvic inflammatory disease | PID |
| Peptic Ulcer | Open sore or lesion of the mucous membrane of the stomach and duodenum. |
| Percussion | Tapping on the surface to determine the underlying structure. |
| Pernicious Anemia | Lack of mature erythrocytes caused by inability to absorb vitamin B12 into the body. |
| Pertussis | Whooping cough; bacterial infection of the throat; larynx and trachea. |
| Petechia | Small; pinpoint hemorrhages in the skin. |
| Phagocytosis | Engulfing of a cell by another cell or foreign organism which destroys it. |
| physical therapy; patient; pharmacy technician | PT |
| Physiologic | of or consistent with an organism's normal functioning |
| Pilosebaceous | Pertaining to hair follicles and sebaceous glands. |
| Placenta | Vascular organ that developes in the uterine wall during pregnancy. |
| Pleural effusion | Collection of fluid in the pleural cavity. |
| Pleuralgia | Pain in the chest caused by inflammation of the muscles between the ribs |
| Pneumonia | Condition of the lungs; fluid and foreign organisms collect in the lungs. |
| Pneumothorax | Collection of air or gas in the pleural cavity between the pleura and surrounding the lungs. |
| Polyuria | Excessive urination. |
| positron emission tomography | PET Scan |
| potassium | K |
| Premenstral syndrome | PMS |
| Pruritis | Itching. |
| Psoriasis | Chronic; recurrent dermatosis characterized by scaly; dull red or pink patches covered by silvery gray scales. |
| pulmonary artery; physicians assistant; posterior Anterior | PA |
| purified protein derivative test (for TB) | PPD |
| red blood cell count | RBC |
| rheumatoid arthritis | RA |
| right eye | OD |
| Right upper quadrent | RUQ |
| Sacral | Pertaining to the sacrum. |
| Sarcoma | Tumor (malignant) of flesh tissue such as bone; muscle; fat; and cartilage. |
| Scabies | Contagious; parasitic infection of the skin with intense pruritus (itching). |
| Seborrhea | Condition marked by excessive secretion from sebaceous glands. |
| sexually transmitted disease | STD |
| sexually transmitted infection | STI |
| shortness of breath | SOB |
| Sickle Cell Anemia | Hereditary condition marked by abnormal sickle shape of erythrocytes and by hemolysis. |
| signs and symptoms | S/S |
| sodium | Na |
| Spina bifida | Congenital defect in the lumbar spinal column caused by the imperfect union of vertebral parts; spinal cord an meninges may herniate through the vertebral gap. |
| Sputum | Material expelled from the chest by coughing or by clearing the throat; phlegm. |
| Steatorrhea | Discharge of fat in the feces due to improper digestion and malabsorption of fat. |
| subcutanous | SC |
| Sympathomimetic | Pertaining to mimicking or copying the effect of the sympathetic nervous system; adrenaline and norepinephrine are sympathomimetic hormones. |
| systemic lupus erythematosus | SLE |
| Systole | Contraction phase of the heartbeat. |
| Tenia | A ribbonlike band of tissue or muscle. Also: A flatworm of the genus Taenia; which includes many tapeworms. |
| Thoracalgia | pain in the chest. |
| Thoracic | The space in the chest surrounded by the ribs; spinal column; breastbone; diaphragm; and chest wall muscles. |
| Thrombi | Enzymes necessary for blood clotting (converts fibrinogen to fibrin in the clotting process). |
| Thrombosis | Abnormal condtion of clot formation in a blood vessel. |
| Tinnitus | Ringing; buzzing; or roaring sound in the ear. |
| total parental nutrition | TPN |
| Transient ischemic attach | TIA |
| transurethral resection of prostate | TURP |
| treatment | Tx |
| Trichomycosis | Fungal infection of hair; especially in the area under the arm (axilla). |
| tuberculosis | TB |
| Ultrasonography | The prefix ultra- means beyond or excessive; sonography is the process of recording sound waves. Ultrasonography is the use of high frequency sound waves that are beyond the range of normal hearing to produce a record or picture of and organ or tissue. |
| upper respiratory infection | URI |
| Uremia | Excessive amount of urea and other nitrogenous wastes in the blood. |
| Urinalysis | Series of tests to evaluate the composition of urine. It includes tests to determine color; appearance; sugar; bacteria; and protein in blood. |
| urinary tract infection | UTI |
| Urticaria | Acute allergic reaction in which red; round; elevated swollen areas called wheals appear on the skin. Pruritus (itching) may be intense. |
| Varicella | Chickenpox. |
| Varices | A permanent abnormal dilation and lengthening of a vein; usually accompanied by some tortuosity; varicose veins. |
| Vasectomy | Removing a piece of each vas deferens and tying off each end. |
| ventricular fibrilation | VF/V-Fib |
| Vertigo | Abnormal sensation of moving in space or having objects move about you in space. |
| Visual acuity test | Measurement of clearness of vision; assessed by reading letters of decreasing size on an eye chart. |
| water | H2O |
| white blood cell count | WBC |
| Xeroderma | Dry skin. |
