| A | B |
|---|
| facial surface | the tooth surface nearest the lips or cheek; includes the labial and buccal surfaces. |
| fainting | partial or complete loss of consciousness caused by a temporary reduction in the supply of blood to the brain. |
| fallopian tubes | oviducts; in the female, passageway for the ova (egg) from the ovary to uterus. |
| false imprisonment | restraining an individual or restricting an individual's freedom |
| fanfold | folding in accordion pleats; done with bed linens. |
| fascia | fibrous membrane covering, supporting, and separating muscles. |
| fasting blood sugar (FBS) | blood test that measures blood serum levels of glucose (sugar) after a person has had nothing by mouth for a period of time. |
| fat | also called a "lipid"; nutrient that provides the most concentrated form of energy; highest-calorie energy nutrient; overweight. |
| fat-restricted diet | diet with limited amounts of fats, or lipids. |
| febrile | pertaining to a fever, or elevated body temperature. |
| feces | also call "stool"; waste material discharged from the bowel. |
| Federation Dentaire International System | abbreviated means of identifying the teeth that uses a two-digit code to identify the quadrant and tooth. |
| femur | thigh bone of the leg; the longest and strongest bone in the body. |
| fertilization | conception; impregnation of the ovum by the sperm. |
| fetus | unborn infant form the end of the third month of pregnancy until birth. |
| fever | elevated body temperature, usually above 101 degrees F. or 38.3 C., rectally. |
| fibula | outer and smaller bone of the lower leg. |
| filing | arranging in order. |
| fire extinguisher | a device that can be used to put out fires. |
| first aid | immediate care given to a victim of an injury or illness to minimize the effects of the injury or illness. |
| fixed expenses | those items in a budget that are set and usually do not change (e.g., rent and car payments). |
| flatus | air or gas in the intestines. |
| flexion | decreasing the angle between two parts; bending a limb. |
| fomite | any substance or object that adheres to and transmits infectious material. |
| foramina | a passage or opening; a hole in a bone through which blood vessels or nerves pass. |
| Fowler's position | the patient lies on the back with the head elevated at one of several different angles. |
| fracture | a break (usually a break in a bone or tooth). |
| frontal plane | imaginary line that separates the body into a front section and a back section. |
| frostbite | actual freezing of tissue fluid resulting in damage to the skin and underlying tissue. |
| full liquid diet | diet consisting of liquids and foods that are liquid at body temperature. |
| fungi | group of simple, plantlike animals that live on dead organic matter (e.g., yeast and molds). |
| gait | method or manner of walking. |
| gallbladder | small sac near the liver; concentrates and stores bile. |
| gastric | pertaining to the stomach. |
| generic name | chemical name of a drug; name not protected by a trademark. |
| genital | pertaining to the organs of reproduction. |
| geriatrics, gerontology | the study of the aged or old age and treatment of related diseases and conditions. |
| gingiva | the gums (tissues surrounding the teeth). |
| glaucoma | eye disease characterized by increased intraocular pressure. |
| glomerulus | microscopic cluster of capillaries in Bowman's capsule of the nephron in the kidney. |
| glucose meter | instrument used to measure blood glucose (blood-sugar) level. |
| glucose | the most common type of sugar in the body. |
| glycosuria | presence of sugar in the urine. |
| goal | desired result or purposed toward which one is working. |
| Goigi apparatus | that structure in the cytoplasm of a cell that produces, stores, and packages secretions for discharge from the cell. |
| gonads | sex glands, ovaries in the female and testes in the male. |
| Gram's stain | techniques of staining organisms to identify specific types of bacteria present. |
| graphic chart | record used to record vital signs (e.g., temperature, pulse, and respirations) and other information. |
| groin | area between the abdomen and upper inner thigh. |
| gross income | amount of pay earned before deductions are taken out. |
| gynecology | the study of diseases of women, especially those affecting the reproductive organs. |
| halitosis | bad breath |
| hard copy | computer term for a printed copy of information. |
| hard palate | bony structure that forms the roof of the mouth. |
| hardware | machine or physical components of a computer system (usually the parts of the computer and the peripherals). |
| heading | that section of a letter contains the address of the person sending the letter and the date of writing. |
| heart attack | See "myocardial infarction." |
| heat cramp | muscle pain and spasm resulting from exposure to heat and inadequate fluid and salt intake. |
| heat exhaustion | condition resulting from exposure to heat and excessive loss of fluid through sweating. |
| heat stroke | medical emergency caused by prolonged exposure to heat, resulting in high body temperature and failure of sweat glands |
| hemacytometer | specially calibrated instrument with a measured and lined area for counting blood cells. |
| hematemesis | vomiting of blood |
| hematocrit | blood test that measures the percentage of red blood cells per a given unit of blood. |
| hematology | the study of blood and blood diseases. |
| hematuria | blood in the urine. |
| hemiplegia | paralysis on one side of the body. |
| hemoglobin | the iron-containing protein of the red blood cells; serves to carry oxygen from the lungs to the tissues. |
| hemolysis | disintegration of red blood cells, causing cells to dissolve or go into solution. |
| hemoptysis | spitting up blood; blood-stained sputum. |
| hemorrhage | excessive loss of blood; bleeding. |
| hemorrhoids | varicose veins of the anal canal or anus. |
| hemostat | instrument used to compress (clamp) blood vessels to stop bleeding. |
| heparin | a substance formed in the liver to prevent the clotting of blood; an anticoagulant. |
| hepatitis | inflammation of the liver. |
| high-fiber diet | diet containing large amounts of protein-rich foods. |
| high-protein diet | diet containing large amounts of protein-rich foods. |
| high-velocity evacuator | dental handpiece used to remove particles and large amounts of liquid from the oral cavity. |
| holistic health care | care that promotes physical, emotional, social, intellectual, and spiritual well-being. |
| home health care | any type of health care provided in a patient's home environment. |
| homeostasis | a constant state of natural balance within the body. |
| honesty | truthfulness; integrity. |
| horizontal recumbent position | See "supine position." |
| hormone | chemical substance secreted by an organ or gland. |
| HOSA | Health Occupations Students of America, a national organization for students enrolled in health occupations programs. |
| hospice | program designed to provide care for the terminally ill while allowing them to die with dignity. |
| hospital | institution that provides medical or surgical care and treatment for the sick or injured. |
| humerus | long bone of the upper arm. |
| hydrocollator packs | gel-filled packs that are warmed in a water bath to provide a moist heat application. |
| hygiene | principles for health preservation and disease prevention. |
| hyperglycemia | presence of sugar in the blood; high blood sugar. |
| byperopia | farsightedness; defect in near vision. |
| hypertension | high blood pressure. |
| hyperthermia | condition that occurs when body temperature exceeds 104 degrees F., or 40 degrees C., rectally. |
| hypoglycemia | low blood sugar. |
| hypotension | low blood pressure. |
| hypothalamus | that structure in the diencephalon of the brain that regulates and controls many body functions. |
| hypothermia | condition in which body temperature is below normal, usually below 95 degrees F (35 degrees C) and often in the range of 78 degrees to 95 degrees F (26-35 degrees C. |
| hypothermia blanket | special blanket containing coils filled with a cooling solution; used to reduce high body temperature. |
