Medical Terminology Chapter 11

Medical Terminology Study Notes

• Angiogram: X-ray test for visualizing blood flow in arteries or veins; 'angi' means vessel and 'gram' refers to a recording.

• Angioplasty: Procedure where a tube or balloon opens up an artery; combines 'angi' for vessel and 'plasty' meaning plastic surgery.

• Anoxia: State of being without oxygen; derived from 'a' indicating absence and 'ox' representing oxygen.

• Aorta: The largest artery in the human body, crucial for blood circulation.

• Aortic Stenosis: Condition characterized by the narrowing of the aortic valve; 'aortic' relates to the aorta and 'stenosis' means narrowing.

• Apex of the Heart: Refers to the lower tip of the heart, significant in cardiac anatomy.

• Arrhythmia: Irregular heartbeat; 'arrhythmic' indicates the absence of a normal rhythm.

• Arterial Anastomosis: Surgical procedure creating a connection between two arteries; 'anastomoien' means providing a communication opening.

• Arteriography: An X-ray diagnostic procedure specifically for imaging arteries.

• Arteriole: A small type of artery, important in the vascular system.

• Arteriosclerosis: A condition involving thickening and hardening of arterial walls; linked to loss of elasticity.

• Artery: The primary blood vessels that transport blood away from the heart.

• Atherectomy: Surgical removal of plaque from a blood vessel; 'ather' pertains to fatty substances and 'ectomy' means to cut out.

• Atheroma: Fatty lumps that form within arteries' inner lining; 'oma' indicates a tumor-like growth.

• Atherosclerosis: Hardening and narrowing of arteries due to plaque buildup, impacting blood flow.

• Atrial: Pertaining to the atria, the upper chambers of the heart.

• Atrioventricular Node: Component of the heart's electrical control system coordinating its upper section.

• Atrium; Atria: The two upper chambers of the heart that receive blood.

• Brachial Artery: Artery branching from the aorta supplying blood to the arm.

• Bradycardia: Condition indicating a slow heartbeat, typically fewer than 60 beats per minute.

• Bundle of His: Atrioventricular bundle of fibers located within the heart's septum, vital for electrical conduction.

• Capillary: The smallest type of blood vessel; facilitates material exchange between blood and tissue.

• Carbon Dioxide (CO2): Waste gas produced by body cells, transported to the lungs for exhalation.

• Cardiogenic Shock: A condition where the heart fails to pump adequate blood, leading to poor oxygen and nutrient delivery to tissues.

• Cardiomegaly: Enlargement of the heart, often indicative of underlying conditions.

• Cardiomyopathy: Disease impacting heart muscle function, categorized into various types.

• Coronary Arteries: Blood vessels branching from the aorta, supplying oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle.

• Cyanosis: Bluish skin discoloration, indicating low oxygen levels in the blood.

• Deoxygenated Blood: Blood that is poor in oxygen, returned to the heart from the body.

• Diastole: Phase of heart relaxation, allowing chambers to fill with blood.

• Electrocardiogram: Diagnostic test recording the heart’s electrical activity, denoted as 'ECG'.

• Endocardium: The inner lining of the heart, important for cardiac function.

• Endothelium: The innermost layer of blood vessel walls, crucial for vascular health.

• Hypercholesterolemia: Condition involving elevated cholesterol levels in the blood.

• Hypoxia: Decreased oxygen availability in inhaled air, often experienced at high altitudes.

• Interventricular Septum: Wall dividing the ventricles of the heart, critical for chamber function.

Test your knowledge with these flashcards from Medical Terminology Chapter 11. This chapter covers essential terms related to vascular procedures, including angiograms and angioplasties. Understanding these terms is crucial for anyone studying healthcare or medicine.