| A | B |
|---|
| dangling | positioning the patient in a sitting position with his or her feet and legs over the side of the bed prior to ambulation. |
| day sheet | a daily record listing all financial transactions and/or patients seen. |
| daydreaming | defense mechanism of escape; dreamlike musing while awake. |
| deciduous teeth | also called "primary teeth"; the first set of 20 teeth. |
| decubitus ulcer | See "pressure ulcer." |
| deduction | something subtracted or taken out (e.g., monies taken out of a paycheck for various purposes. |
| defamation | slander or libel; a false statement that causes ridicule or damage to a reputation. |
| defecation | evacuation of fecal material from the bowel; a bowel movement. |
| defense mechanism | physical or psychological reaction of an organism used in self-defense or to protect self-image |
| dehydration | insufficient amounts of fluid in the tissues. |
| dementia | loss of mental ability characterized by decrease in intellectual ability, loss of memory, impaired judgment, and disorientation. |
| denial | declaring untrue; refusing to believe. |
| dental chair | special chair designed to position a patient comfortably while providing easy access to the patient's oral cavity. |
| dental hygienist | a licensed individual who works with a dentist to provide care and treatment for the teeth and gums. |
| dental light | used in dental units to illuminate the oral cavity. |
| dentin | tissue that makes up the main bulk of a tooth. |
| dentist | a doctor who specializes in diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases of the teeth and gums. |
| dentition | the number, type and arrangement of teeth in the mouth. |
| denture | an entire set of teeth; usually refers to artificial teeth designed to replace natural teeth. |
| dependable | capable of being relied on; trustworthy. |
| deposit slip | a bank record listing all cash and checks that are to be placed in an account, either checking or savings. |
| depression | psychological condition of sadness, melancholy, gloom, or despair. |
| dermis | the skin. |
| diabetes mellitus | metabolic disease caused by an insufficient secretion or utilization of insulin and leading to an increased amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood and urine. |
| diabetic coma | an unconscious condition caused by an increased level of glucose (sugar) and ketones in the bloodstream o with diabetes mellitus. |
| diagnosis | determination of the nature of a person's disease. |
| dialysis | removal of urine substances from the blood by way of passing solutes through a membrane. |
| diaphoresis | profuse or excessive perspiration, or sweating. |
| diaphysis | the shaft, or middle section, of a long bone. |
| diarrhea | frequent bowel movements with watery stool. |
| diastole | period of relaxation of the heart. |
| diastolic pressure | measurement of blood pressure taken when the heart is at rest; measurement of the constant pressure in arteries. |
| diencephalon | the section of the brain between the cerebrum and midbrain; contains the thalamus and hypothalamus. |
| dietitian | an individual who specializes in the science of diet and nutrition. |
| differential count | blood test that determines the percentage of each kind of leukocyte (white blood cell). |
| digestion | physical and chemical breakdown of food by the body in preparation for absorption. |
| digital | pertaining to fingers or toes; examination with the fingers. |
| dilate | enlarge or expand; to make bigger. |
| direct smear | a culture specimen placed on a slide for microscopic examination. |
| disability | a physical or mental handicap that interferes with normal function; incapacitated, incapable. |
| discretion | ability to use good judgment and self-restraint in speech or behavior. |
| disease | any condition that interferes with the normal function of the body. |
| disinfection | aseptic-control method that destroys pathogens but does not usually kill spores and viruses. |
| dislocation | displacement of a bone at the joint. |
| disorientation | confusion with regard to the identity of time, place, or person. |
| displacement | defense mechanism in which feelings about one person are transferred to someone else. |
| distal | most distant or farthest from the trunk; center or midline. |
| distal surface | side surface of teeth that is toward the back of the mouth, or away from the midline of the mouth. |
| diuretics | drugs that increase urinary output; "water pills." |
| doctorate | degree awarded by a college or university after completion of a prescribed course of study beyond a bachelor's or master's degree. |
| dorsal | pertaining to the back; in back of. |
| dorsal recumbent position | the patient lies on the back with the knees flexed and separated; used for vaginal and pelvic examinations. |
| douche | See vaginal irrigation. |
| dressing | covering placed over a wound or injured part. |
| dry cold | application that provides cold temperature but is dry against the skin. |
| dry heat | application that provides warm temperature but is dry against the skin. |
| duodenum | first part of the small intestine; connects the pylorus of the stomach and the jejunum. |
| dyspepsia | difficulty in digesting food; indigestion. |
| dysphagia | difficulty in swallowing. |
| dyspnea | difficult or labored breathing. |
| dystrophy | progressive weakening (atrophy) of a body part, such as a muscle. |
| dysuria | difficult or painful urination. |
| early adulthood | period of development from 20 to 40 years of age. |
| early childhood | period of development from 1 to 6 years of age. |
| echocardiography | a diagnostic test that uses ultra-high-frequency sound waves to evaluate the structure and function of the heart. |
| edema | swelling; excess amount of fluid in the tissues. |
| ejaculation | expulsion of seminal fluid from the male urethra. |
| ejaculatory duct | in the male, duct or tube from the seminal vesicle to the urethra. |
| electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) | graphic tracing of the electrical activity of the heart. |
| electroencephalogram | (EEG) graphic recording of the brain waves or electrical activity in the brain. |
| emblem | a symbol; indentifying badge, design, or device. |
| embolus | a blood clot or mass of material circulating in the blood vessels. |
| embryo | unborn infant during the first 3 months of development. |
| emesis | vomiting; expulsion of the contents of the stomach and/or intestine though the mouth and/or nose. |
| emotional | pertaining to feelings or psychological states. |
| empathy | identifying with another's feelings but being unable to change or solve the situation. |
| enamel | hardest tissue in the body; covers the outside of the crown of a tooth. |
| endocardium | serous membrane lining of the heart. |
| endocrine | ductless gland that produces an internal secretion discharged into the blood or lymph. |
| endodontics | branch of dentistry involving treatment of the pup chamber and root canals of the teeth; root canal treatment. |
| endogenous | infection or disease originating within the body. |
| endometrium | mucous membrane lining of the inner surface of the uterus. |
| endoplasmic reticulum | fine network of tubular structures in the cytoplasm of a cell; allows for the transport of materials in and out of the nucleus and aids in the synthesis and storage of protein. |
| endorsement | a written signature on the back of a check; required in order to receive payment. |
| endoscope | an instrument used to examine the inside of the body. |
| endosteum | membrane lining the medullary canal of a bone. |
| enema | an injection of fluid into the large intestine through the rectum. |
| enthusiasm | intense interest or excitement |
| entrepreneur | individual who organizes, manages, and assumes the risk of a business. |
| enunciate | to speak clearly, using correct pronunciation. |
| enzyme | a chemical substance that causes or increases the rate of a chemical reaction. |
| epidermis | the outer layer of the skin. |
| epididymis | tightly coiled tube in the scrotal sac; connects the testes with the vas or ductus deferens. |
| epigastric | pertaining to the area of the abdomen above the stomach. |
| epiglottis | leaf-shaped structure that closes over the larynx during swallowing. |
| epilepsy | a chronic disease of the nervous system characterized by motor and sensory dysfunction, sometimes accompanied by convulsions and unconsciousness. |
| epiphysis | the end or head at the extremity of a long bone. |
| epistaxis | nosebleed. |
| epithelial tissue | tissue that forms the skin and parts of the secreting glands and that lines the body cavities. |
| ergonomics | an applied science used to promote the safety and well-being of a person by adapting the environment and using techniques to prevent injuries. |
| erythema | redness of the skin. |
| erythrocyte | red blood cell (RBC). |
| erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) | blood test that determines the rate at which red blood cells settle out of the blood. |
| esophagus | tube that extends from the pharynx to the stomach. |
| essential nutrients | those elements in food required by the body for proper function. |
| esteem | place a high value on; respect |
| ethics | principles of right or good conduct. |
| ethnicity | classification of people based on national origin and/or culture. |
| ethnocentric | belief in the superiority of one's own ethnic group. |
| etiology | the study of the cause of a disease. |
| Eustachian tube | tube that connects the middle ear and the pharynx, or throat. |
| eversion | turning a body part outward. |
| exocrine | gland with a duct that produces a secretion. |
| exogenous | infection or disease originating outside of or external to the body. |
| expectorate | to spit; to expel mucus, phlegm, or sputum from the throat or respiratory passages. |
| expiration | the expulsion of air from the lungs; breathing out air. |
| extension | increasing the angle between two parts; straightening a limb. |
| external auditory canal | passageway or tube extending from the auricle of the ear to the tympanic membrane. |
