Medical Terminology: Common Conditions

Study Notes

Abduction is movement away from the midline.
An abrasion is a typically minor cut or scrape.
An abscess is a tender, fluid-filled pocket in tissue, often due to infection.
Abstinence means to hold back or restrain from something.
Acrophobia is the fear of heights.
Acute describes a condition with abrupt onset, sometimes severe, but of short duration.
Adduction is movement toward the midline.
Adenitis is the swelling of a gland.
Agoraphobia is the fear and avoidance of public and open spaces.
An allergen is a substance causing an allergic reaction.
Alopecia is hair loss, especially on the head.
Ambulatory means able to walk and not confined to bed.
Amenorrhea is the absence of menstrual periods before or after menstruation begins.
Anorexia is a loss of appetite.
Anosmia is the loss of the sense of smell.
Anuria is the absence of urine.
Apathy is a lack of emotion.
Aphagia is the inability to swallow.
Aphasia is difficulty speaking or comprehending language.
Aphonia is the loss of voice.
Apnea is a temporary cessation of breathing.
Ataxia is the inability to control movement.
Atelectasis is lung or alveolar collapse.
Benign means not cancerous.
A biopsy is a small tissue sample taken for testing.
A blister is a fluid-filled sac in the outer layer of the skin.
Bradycardia is a slow heartbeat or rate.
Bradypnea is slow respiration.
A callus is a thickened and hardened part of the skin or soft tissue.
Chronic describes a recurring, persistent condition like heart disease.
Claustrophobia is the fear of confined spaces.
Crepitus is grating, grinding, or popping sound or feeling when a joint is moved.
Cyanosis is bluish discoloration.
Diaphoresis is excessive sweating.
Dyspareunia is painful sexual intercourse.
Dyspepsia is indigestion.
Dysphagia is painful swallowing.
Dyspnea is difficulty breathing.
Dysuria is painful urination.
Ecchymosis describes bruises.
Edema is swelling caused by fluid accumulation.
An embolism is an arterial blockage, often caused by a blood clot.
Epistaxis is nosebleeding.
Erythema is redness.
Eupnea is normal breathing.
Flatus is abdominal gas.
A fracture is a broken bone or cartilage.
A gland is an organ or tissue that produces and secretes fluids that serve a specific function.
Glucosuria is the presence of glucose in the urine.
Halitosis is bad breath.
Hematemesis is blood in vomit.
Hematochezia is blood in the stool.
Hematuria is the presence of blood in the urine.
Hemiplegia is paralysis that affects one side of the body.
Hemoptysis is expectoration (spitting) of blood from the respiratory tract.
Hydrophobia is extreme fear of water.
Hyperopia is farsightedness.
Hypertension is high blood pressure.
Hyperthermia is increased body temperature.
Hypothermia is low or decreased body temperature.