Encyclopedia of Health and Medicine

APPENDIX III
GLOSSARY OF MEDICAL TERMS
afferent Moving inward or toward the body’s
center.
anastomosis A natural or surgically created connection
between two structures.
arterial blood gases Measurement of the levels
of oxygen (partial pressure of oxygen, PO 2
) and
carbon dioxide (partial pressure of carbon dioxide,
PCO 2
) in a sample of blood drawn from an artery.
Tests may also measure the level of carbon
monoxide and the blood’s acidity (pH).
benign Harmless.
biopsy Removal of a tissue or fluid sample from
the body to conduct pathologic examination for
diagnostic purposes.
cabbage Pronunciation of the acronym “CABG,”
which stands for coronary artery bypass graft.
carcinogenic Capable of causing cancer.
complete blood count (CBC) Measure of the
numbers and types (differentiation) of blood cells
present in a sample drawn from a vein.
computed tomography (CT) scan A diagnostic
imaging procedure that uses a computer to generate
three-dimensional images from multiple, segmental
X-rays. A CT scan may include ingestion
or injection of a contrast medium to increase the
density of structures, making them more visible
via X-ray.
cyst An enclosed, saclike structure that may contain
liquid or solid material.
dark adaptation test A test that assesses the
ability to see in a dimly lighted environment.
deformity An abnormality of structure. Deformities,
also called defects, may be congenital (present
at birth) or acquired (result from injury or
disease).
diagnosis The identification of a health condition,
disorder, or disease.
diagnostic imaging Procedures that allow visualization
of internal organs, structures, or
processes to diagnose health conditions or monitor
the progress of treatment. Common diagnostic
imaging procedures include X-ray, ultrasound,
computed tomography (CT) scan, and magnetic
resonance imaging (MRI).
disease A health condition for which there are
signs (objective and observable evidence) though
the person may experience no symptoms (subjective
perceptions).
donor A person who gives a structure or substance
(blood, tissue, organ) to another person,
the recipient.
dorsal The back, or spinal, surface.
efferent Moving outward or away from the
body’s center.
electrocautery The use of electrical current to
generate heat capable of fusing bleeding blood
vessels or eliminating tissue.
electromyography (EMG) A diagnostic procedure
that uses electrodes attached to tiny needles
inserted into selected muscles or placed on the
surface of the skin, to measure the electrical activity
in muscles to assess their function.
electronystagmography A diagnostic procedure
that measures the electrical activity of the muscles
that move the eyes.
fatigue Extended, persistent loss of physical,
mental, and emotional energies and abilities.
fissure A natural division or channel in an organ
or an abnormal split in a tissue.
fistula An abnormal opening between two structures.
fluoroscopy An imaging procedure that uses a
steady stream of X-rays viewed on a monitor (television
screen) to provide real-time, moving
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