GLOSSARY OF MEDICAL TERMS

abscess

localized collection of pus produced by pyrogenic (heat, or fever, producing) organisms

acute transverse myelitis

syndrome transecting, or cutting across, both internal and external areas of the spinal cord

alveolar hemorrhage

bleeding of the airsacs in the lung

aneurysm

a segment of weakened blood vessel (usually an artery) which has filled with blood and ballooned outward

arrhythmia

deviation of normal rhythm, e.g. of the heart

ascending aorta

the largest ascending (rising) blood vessel of the arterial system, stemming from the main artery leaving the heart

aspiration pneumonia

pathological consequence of abnormal entry of fluids, particulate matter, or secretions into lower airways; e.g. inhalation of vomitus

atelectasis

airlessness of the lung's alveoli; "solid lung"

brachial and lumbar plexus

the part of the central nervous system (spinal cord) innervating the limbs

barotrauma

injury due to a change of air or water pressure, e.g. ruptured eardrum

bronchospasm

sudden constriction of bronchial tubes (windpipe)

Brown-Sequard syndrome

spinal cord damage hallmarked by spasms and decreased sense of posture, heat, cold, and pain

candida

a fungus (also known as yeast or thrush) of the human mouth, throat, vagina, gut and skin which can spread or overgrow, producing infection and disease

carotid and subclavian arteries

arteries bringing blood to the head, neck and upper trunk

carbonaceous sputum

black, tarry sputum (chest mucus)

cellulitis

inflammation of connective tissue, frequently loose subcutaneous tissue

COPD

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (also called chronic obstructive lung disease); generalized small airway obstruction associated with chronic bronchitis, asthma and emphysema

disease

a particular destructive process, with characteristic symptoms, and a specific cause

dissection

separation of tissues (by cutting); arterial dissection = longitudinal cleavage of the blood vessel

dyspnea

difficulty in, or labored, breathing

edema

abnormal accumulation of fluid in body tissues

embolism

an air bubble or solid particle (ex: blood clot, fat globule, tumor cells, insoluble contaminants of inoculum) impacted in, and causing obstruction of, a blood vessel encephalopathy

general term describing any disease of the brain

endocarditis

inflammation of the membrane which lines the heart and covers the heart valves

endophthalmitis

infection of internal eyeball

fibrosis

formation of excessive fibrous tissue in a body structure

gangrene

death of a portion of body tissue, due to inadequate blood supply, direct traumatic injury or infection

gastrointestinal tract

digestive tract: stomach and intestines

granuloma

a tumor, caused by an outgrowth of new capillaries and connective tissue cells from the surface of an open wound

granulomatous rhinitis

inflammation and granuloma formation of the nasal mucosa, sometimes causing destruction of soft tissue, cartilage and bone

hemopneumothorax

blood and air in the pleural (chest) cavity causing compression of lung tissue

hypothermia

below normal body temperature, undercooling

idiopathic

of unknown origin

laryngeal edema

excess fluid in the larynx (voicebox)

leukoencephalopathy

rare, rapidly progressive, viral central nervous system disorder, destructive to nerve fiber and occurring typically in those with immune system disorders (for example: leukemia, lymphoma, or HIV disease)

myelitis

inflammation of the spinal cord

myocardial infarction

a "heart attack" caused by occlusion (closure, blockage) of the coronary arteries

necrosis

localized death of body tissue

optic neuropathy

inflammation of part of the optic nerve causing partial or total visual loss

pericardium

the doublemembrane sac containing the heart

pneumonia

inflammation of the lung in which fluid and cells from the inflamed tissues fill the air spaces, making breathing difficult

pneumothorax

air or gas in pleural (chest) cavity compressing and sometimes collapsing the lung(s)

pneumomediastinum

free air in the central space of chest (the space between lungs)

pneumopericardium

air or gas between the layers of the membrane encasing the heart

pseudoaneurysm

a bloodclotlined cavity in an arterial wall, caused by rupture of the blood vessel

pulmonary edema

leakage of extravascular fluid into lung tissue and air vesicles (alveoli); waterlogged lungs

pulmonary embolism

obstruction of the lung vessel(s) by solid or gaseous matter, for example: a blood clot or air bubble

pulmonary talcosis

talc granulomatosis causing pulmonary fibrosis; accumulations of connective tissue in the alveoli, reducing (and potentially blocking) oxygen uptake from inhaled air

reactive airway disease

diffuse, intermittent, reversible airway obstruction caused by the inhalation of irritant or allergenic particles or vapors

renal failure

general term for the derangement and insufficiency of renal excretory and regulatory function; kidney failure

retinal embolus

emboli blocking one of the tiny blood vessels in the retina (the lightsensitive internal coat of the eyeball)

rhabdomyolysis

a type of acute renal failure (seen in "crush" syndrome and paroxysmal idiopathic myoglobinuria) causing extensive trauma to, or destruction of, muscle tissue

rhinitis

inflammation of the nasal mucous membrane characterized by vasodilation, edema, nasal discharge and obstruction

septic arthritis

inflammation of a joint secondary to infection with any pathogenic bacteria, fungus, virus or parasite

sinusitis

inflammation of the paranasal sinuses (the cavities near the nose)

syndrome

a group of coinciding symptoms which produce a pattern typical of a particular condition or disease

thrombocytopenic purpura

a syndrome characterized by low blood platelet count, intermittent mucosal bleeding, and purple patches (purpura) on skin

thrombophlebitis

inflammation of a vein wall caused by a blood clot in the vein

toxic amblyopia

damage to the optic nerve and reduced ability to see caused by reaction to a poisonous substance

Valsalva maneuver

1) forcible inflation of the middle ear by strong expiratory effort made with a closed mouth and pinched nostrils (what airplane passengers do during landing) or 2) forcible exhalation against closed glottis (closed "throat"); the increased chest pressure which develops causes increased heart rate and blood pressure

wound botulism

neuromuscular poisoning resulting from infection with (C. botulinum) an anaerobic bacteria

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