| A | B |
|---|
| radiography | use of x-rays passed through the body to make a visual record of internal structures on specially sensitized film |
| fluoroscopy | use of x-rays to examine deep structures by observing the shadows cast by x-rays passed through the body on a fluorescent screen |
| cineradiography | making of a motion picture of successive images appearing on a fluoroscopic screen |
| computed tomography | use of a computer to generate an image from a large number of x-rays passed at different angles throught the body. a 3D picture of a cross-section of the body is obtained |
| ultrasonography | generation of a visual image from the echoes of high frequency sound waves traveling back from different tissues (AKA: sonography and echography) |
| scintigraphy | production of an image of the distribution of radioactivity in tissues after internal administration of a radioactive substance (radionuclide), it usually specifies the part examined or the isotope used for the test, ie; bone scan |
| magnetic resonance imaging | production of images through the use of a magnetic field and radiowaves eliminating the need x-rays and contrast media (AKA: MRI) |
| positron emission | production of sectional body images by administration of a natural substance (like glucose) labeled with a positron-emitting isotope, a computer interprets the rays emitted to show the internal distribution of the substance. can be used to measure metabolic activity within an organ, or blood flow, etc. (AKA: PET) |
| single photon emission computed tomography | scintigraphic technique which permits visualization of the cross-sectional distribution of a radioisotope (AKA: SPECT) |
| auscultation | listening for sounds within the body, usually within the chest or abdomen |
| biopsy | removal of a small amount of tissue for microscopic examination |
| chemotherapy | the use of chemicals to treat disease |
| diagnosis | the process of determining the cause and nature of an illnes |
| endoscope | an instrument for examining the inside of an organ or cavity through a body opening or small incision |
| excision | removal by cutting |
| incision | a cut, as for surgery or the act of cutting |
| inspection | visual examination of the body |
| ophthalmoscope | an instrument for examining the interior of the eye |
| palpation | examining by placing the hands or fingers on the surface of the body |
| percussion | tapping the body lightly but sharply in order to assess the condition of the underlying part by the sounds obtained |
| prognosis | prediction of the course and outcome of a disease |
| radionuclide | a substance that gives off radiation, used for diagnosis and treatment |
| sign | objective evidence of disease that can be observed or tested, such as fever, rash, hypertension |
| staging | the process of classifying malignant tumors for diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis |
| stethoscope | an instrument used for listening to sounds produced within the body |
| suture | to unite parts by stitching them together, can also mean the thread used for suturing or the seam formed by the surgical stitching |
| symptom | any evidence of disease, such as fainting, pain, weakness, etc |
| syndrome | a group of signs and symptons that together characterize a disease condition |
| therapy | treatment or intervention |
| clubbing | enlargement of the ends of the fingers and toes due to growth of the soft tissue around the nails, especially seen in heart and lung diseases |
| colic | acute abdominal pain associated with smooth muscle spasms |
| cyanosis | bluish discoloration of the skin due to lack of oxygen |
| diaphoresis | profuse sweating |
| malaise | a feeling of discomfort or uneasiness, often indicative of infection |
| nocturnal | pertaining to or occuring at night |
| pallor | paleness, lack of color |
| prodrome | a symptom indicating an approaching disease |
| sequela | a lasting effect of a disease |
| syncope | a temporary loss of consciousness due to inadequate blood flow to the brain (fainting) |
| alpha-fetoprotein | a fetal protein that appears in the blood of adults with certain types of cancer |
| bruit | a sound (usually abnormal) heard in auscultation |
| facies | the expression or appearance of the face |
| febrile | pertaining to fever |
| nuclear medicine | the branch of medicine concerned with the use of radioactive substances for diagnosis, therapy, and research |
| speculum | an instrument for examining a canal |
| catheter | a thin tube that can be passed into the body; used to remove or introduce fluids into a body cavity |
| clysis | the intoduction of fluid into the body by means other than orally, such as into the rectum or abdominal cavity; also refers to the solution thus used |
| lavage | the washing out (irrigation) of a cavity |
| paracentesis | puncture of a cavity for fluid removal |
| palliative treatment | treatment designed to relieve pain and distress, but doesn't attempt a cure |
| prophylaxis | prevention of disease |
| cautery | destruction of tissue by means of a caustic substance such as heat, electricity, or other agent |
| drain | device for allowing matter to escape from a wound or cavity. types include Penrose, T-tube, Jackson-Pratt, and Hemovac |
| laser | a device that transforms light into a beam of intense heat and power, used for surgery and diagnosis |
| ligature | a tie or bandage; the process of binding or tying (also called ligation) |
| resection | partial excision of a structure |
| stapling | in surgery, the joining of tissue by using wire staples that are pushed through the tissue and then bent |
| bougie | slender, flexible instrument for exploring and dilating tubes |
| cannula | tube enclosing a trocar that allows escape of fluid or air after removal of the trocar |
| clamp | instrument used to compress tissue |
| curette | spoon-shaped instrument for removing material from the wall of a cavity or other surface |
| elevator | instrument for lifting tissue or bone |
| forceps | instrument for holding or extracting |
| Gigli's saw | flexible wire saw |
| hemostat | small clamp for stopping blood flow from a vessel |
| rasp | surgical file |
| retractor | instrument used to maintain exposure by separating a wound and holding back organs or tissues |
| scalpel | surgical knife with a sharp blade |
| sound | instrument for exploring a cavity or canal |
| trocar | sharp pointed instrument contained in a cannula used to puncture a cavity |
