Introductory Medical Terminology
Related Medical Terms – Combined List
Related Medical Terms – Combined List
For any terms not listed below, you may wish look in a nurse’s or medical dictionary, or look at
some of the sites listed in the Resources.
Acquired immune deficiency Caused by the human immune deficiency virus (HIV), which
syndrome (AIDS)
destroys part of the body’s immune system and leaves victims
unable to defend themselves against opportunistic infections
and certain cancers.
Acquired immunity
Not present at birth but obtained during life.
Active immunity
Obtained by the development of antibodies resulting from an
attack of infectious disease. Active immunity can also be
obtained artificially after a vaccination with a weakened form
of the virus.
Acute
Disease or symptom that has rapid onset (eg chickenpox).
Afebrile
Without fever; temperature normal.
Allergy
Hypersensitive state acquired through exposure to a particular
allergen.
Anaphylactic shock
Fatal allergic reaction to a foreign protein, such as a drug,
food, chemical, insect venom, etc.
Angiocardiography
A diagnostic procedure using radiopaque dye and chest
X-rays to show dimension of heart and large blood vessels.
The resulting film is called an angiocardiogram.
Angiography
Radiographic study of the blood vessels after the introduction
of a contrast medium. The resulting film is called an
angiogram.
Arthrocentesis
Surgical puncture of joint space to remove synovial fluid.
Arthrodesis
Surgical fusion of bones.
Arthroendoscope
Instrument for visualising the joint cavity.
Arthrogram
X-ray picture of a joint.
Arthrography
X-ray of joint after injection of contrast medium.
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Introductory Medical Terminology
Related Medical Terms – Combined List
Arthrolysis
Surgical loosening of an ankylosed joint.
Arthroplasty
Operation for formation of artificial joints eg in a hip
replacement where the natural joint is replaced with a metallic
prosthesis.
Arthroscopy
(arthro = joint, scopy = to look)
Visual examination of the internal structure of joint.
Asymptomatic
Without symptoms.
Autoimmune disorders
Body’s defences (lymphocytes) attack its own tissues.
Balloon angioplasty
A process of surgical repair of the narrowed blood vessels. A
catheter containing an inflatable balloon is inserted into a
narrowed blood vessel and the balloon is inflated and moved
along the lining. Any fatty plaques are displaced and the flow
of blood through the vessel is restored.
Benign
Describes a condition that is not serious; non-cancerous.
Biopsy
Removal of living tissue so it can be examined to assist with
diagnosis.
Blood transfusion
Whole blood cells are taken from a donor. Once the blood is
tested for matching, the whole blood or cells are infused into
a patient.
Bronchoscope
A modified fibre optic endoscope used for visual examination
of the inside of the bronchi.
Capillary puncture
When a small amount of blood is needed as a specimen for a
blood test.
Cardiac catheterisation
A radiographic study in which a radiopaque dye is introduced
through a catheter into a vein or artery and is guided into the
heart to detect pressures and patterns of blood flow.
CT or CAT scan
Computer technique to construct a cross-sectional view of the
body.
Chronic
Disease or symptom that lasts for a long time.
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Introductory Medical Terminology
Related Medical Terms – Combined List
Colonoscope
(colon = colon, large intestine; scope = instrument for visual
examination)
Instrument used for examining the colon.
Defibrillator
An instrument used for giving electrical shock to the heart.
Degeneration
Deterioration in function or quality.
Diagnosis
(dia = through, gnosis = knowing)
Process of determining the cause of a disease.
Digital subtraction
A similar technique to angiography.
Echocardiography
A diagnostic procedure using ultrasound to evaluate the heart
structure.
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
A tracing, on a screen or on paper, of the electrical activity of
the heart. To make an ECG, electrodes are placed on the skin
at various sites on the chest, legs and arms.
Electromyography (EMG)
Records the strength of muscle contraction as the result of
electrical stimuli.
Endemic
Persistent presence of a disease within a population eg
common cold.
Endoscope
(endo = inside, scope = instrument for visual examination)
Instrument to view inside.
Endoscopes are fibre optic tubes that can be inserted into
body cavities or into small incisions made in the body wall.
Each is provided with illumination and a system of lenses
which enables the operator to view the inside of the body.
The inclusion of electronic chips at the end of the fibre optic
tube allows the view to be transmitted to a video screen.
Sometimes they are used for photography and then known as
photoendoscopes. Special kinds of endoscopes, used to view
various parts of the digestive system, are listed elsewhere in
this table.
Endoscopes can be used to view cavities. They can be fitted
with a variety of attachments , such as forceps and catheters
and they can be used for special applications (see ERCP).
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Introductory Medical Terminology
Related Medical Terms – Combined List
Endotracheal intubation
The passage of a tube through the mouth, pharynx and larynx
into the trachea.
Epidemic
A sudden and widespread outbreak of a disease within a
population, eg measles.
ERCP or endoscopic
retrograde
cholangiopancreatography
(chol = bile, gall; angi/o = relating to blood or lymph vessels,
pancreat/o = pancreas, graphy = process of recording a picture
or record)
A technique for making an X-ray of the pancreatic vessels and
bile duct by passing a catheter (tube) backwards (retrograde)
into them using an endoscope. Dye is injected through the
catheter to outline the vessels and ducts on the X-ray.
Etiology
(etio = cause, logy = study)
The study the cause of a disease.
Exacerbation
An increase in the severity of the symptoms of a disease.
Febrile
Relating to a fever; having a high temperature.
Fibroma
Tumour of fibrous tissue.
Gastroenteroscope
(gastr/o = stomach, enter = small intestine, scope =
instrument for visual examination)
Endoscope used for examining the stomach and intestine.
Gastroscope
(gastr/o = stomach, scope = instrument for visual
examination)
Endoscope used for examining the stomach.
-gram
Refers to an X-ray picture, paper recording or to a trace on a
screen.
-graph
Used in medicine for the name of an instrument which
carries out a recording. Occasionally it is used to mean the
recording itself.
-graphy
Technique or process of making a recording, eg an X-ray or
tracing. It can also refer to a written description.
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Introductory Medical Terminology
Related Medical Terms – Combined List
Haemocytometer
Device used to count the number of blood cells.
Haemoglobinometer
Instrument used to estimate the haemoglobin in blood.
Ileostomy
A permanent opening made when the whole of the large
intestine has been removed. This acts as an artificial anus.
The ileum opens directly on to the abdominal wall and the
liquid discharge from it is collected in a plastic ileostomy bag.
After passing through the small intestine any remaining
material passes into the large intestine or large bowel.
Immunisation
The process by which the patient acquires immunity to a
disease.
Immunity
State of being resistant or not susceptible to a disease.
Intubation
The insertion of a tube, usually for the passage of air or fluids.
Kyphosis
Hunchback, abnormal increase in outward curvature of
thoracic spine.
Laminectomy
Excision of degenerated intervertebral discs. This requires the
removal of a thin layer of bone from the vertebral arch.
Laparoscope
(lapar/o = abdomen, scope = instrument for visual
examination)
Endoscope used for examining the abdominal cavity through
the abdominal wall.
Laparotomy
A type of exploratory operation. The laparoscope is passed
through a small opening into the abdominal cavity to view
the internal organs.
Laryngoscope
A modified fibre optic endoscope used for visual examination
of the larynx (vocal cords).
Laryngoscopy
Visual examination of larynx by using a laryngoscope.
Latent
A disease not visible nor active but which still has the
potential of being active and visible.
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Related Medical Terms – Combined List
Localised
Limited in area or spread.
Lordosis
Increase in forward curvature of lumber spine.
Lumbago
Lower back pain.
Lymphadenography
Technique of making an X-ray of a lymph node.
Lymphangiography
Technique of making an X-ray of lymph vessels.
Lymphogram
X-ray picture of lymphatic system.
Lymphography
Technique of making an X-ray of lymphatic system.
Magnetic resonance imaging Imaging technique to obtain cross-sectional images of any
(MRI)
part of the body.
Malignant
Description of a tumour that is likely to become progressively
worse and result in death.
Manifestation
A set of signs or symptoms through which a condition makes
itself known, eg manifestation of a heart attack is chest pain.
Manometer
(man/o = pressure)
Instrument used to measure the pressure of liquids or gases.
Meniscectomy
Removal of crescent shaped cartilage in the knee joint.
-meter
An instrument that measures.
-metry
The technique of measuring by using a measuring
instrument.
Mortality
Death.
Myogram
Trace/recording made by a myograph.
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Introductory Medical Terminology
Related Medical Terms – Combined List
Myography
The technique of recording muscular contraction.
Myoparesis
A weakness or slight paralysis of a muscle.
Myrorrhaphy
Repair of a muscle.
Nasogastric intubation
The passage of a tube through the nose into stomach.
Opportunistic infections
Caused by normally non-pathogenic organisms in a
debilitated host whose resistance has been decreased by a
different disorder, eg candidiasis – infection caused by a
fungus.
Orthotics
Knowledge or use of orthoses.
Osteomyelitis
Inflammation of bone and bone marrow.
Osteopetrosis
Spotty calcification of bone which becomes brittle.
Osteophyte
Bony outgrowth at joint surface.
Osteotome
Instrument to cut bone.
Othrosis
Structures or appliances used to correct deformities.
Pandemic
A disease occurring world-wide eg AIDS.
Panendoscopy
This is when all the upper digestive system is being examined
at the same time. Examination of oesophagus, stomach and
duodenum at the same examination.
Paralysis
Loss of sensation and voluntary muscle movements. It may be
temporary or permanent.
Paraplegia
Paralysis of both legs and lower part of the body.
Passive immunity
Immunity passed from mother to child through the placenta
before birth, or through colostrum (first breast milk)
immediately after birth.
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Introductory Medical Terminology
Related Medical Terms – Combined List
Pathology
The study of the cause and the nature of disease.
Pharyngoscope
A modified fibre optic endoscope used for visual examination
of the pharynx.
Phlebotomy (vein puncture)
Use of a needle to puncture a vein to remove blood for
diagnostic purposes or to administer drugs for intravenous
therapy.
Plasmapheresis
The technique of removing plasma from whole blood.
Polymyositis
Inflammation of several muscles at once.
Proctoscope
(proct/o = anus, rectum; scope = instrument for visual
examination)
Endoscope used for examining the rectum.
Prognosis
Prediction of probable course and outcome of a disorder.
Progressive
Continuing development of severity of symptoms of a disease.
Pulmonary function tests
A group of tests used to measure lung volume during a
specified period.
Quadriplegia
Paralysis of all four limbs.
Recurrent
Happening repeatedly.
Remission
A partial disappearance of the symptoms of a chronic or
malignant disease.
Rhinoscope
A modified fibre optic endoscope used for visual examination
of the interior of the nose.
Scoliosis
Abnormal lateral curvature of the spine.
Sequestrectomy
Surgical removal of dead bone.
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Introductory Medical Terminology
Related Medical Terms – Combined List
Sigmoidoscope
(sigmoid/o = sigmoid colon, scope = instrument for visual
examination)
Endoscope used for examining the rectum and sigmoid colon.
Sign
Evidence of disease observed by someone (eg fever).
Speculum
An instrument used to hold the walls of a cavity apart so that
the interior can be visualised.
Sphygmodynamometer
Instrument used to measure force of the pulse.
Sphygmomanometer
(sphygmos = pulsation)
Instrument used to measure the pulse and blood pressure
which can be felt in arteries nearer to the surface of the body.
Spirograph
Instrument for recording breathing movements of the lungs.
Spirometer
Instrument which measures the capacity of the lungs.
Spirometry
The technique for using a spirometer.
Splenoportogram
X- ray picture of spleen and portal veins.
Stethoscope
(stethos = breast, skopein = to examine)
Instrument used to listen to the sounds from the chest.
Symptom
Pain observed by patient only (eg headache).
Syndrome
A set of symptoms that occur together.
Systemic
Relating to or affecting the body as a whole.
Tendinitis
Inflammation of a tendon.
Thoracoscope
A modified fibre optic endoscope used for visual examination
of the thorax.
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Introductory Medical Terminology
Related Medical Terms – Combined List
Thrombolytic therapy
Some enzymes are used to dissolve blood clots. The drug
streptokinase causes breakdown of the clot when injected into
the coronary vessels, and thereby restores the coronary
circulation.
Tongue depressor
The nose and pharynx can be examined with a tongue and
nasal speculum.
Tonsillotome
Instrument for cutting tonsils.
Torticollis
Stiffness of neck due to spasmodic contraction of
sternomastoid muscle.
Tracheostomy
Cutting an opening into the trachea and inserting a tube to
facilitate the passage of air or the removal of secretions.
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