Glossary of Medical Terms

      A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P R S T U V W X Z

A

abortifacient

a drug or chemical agent that induces abortion

absorption

uptake of a substance into the body or a tissue through skin or mucous membrane

accommodation disturbance

disturbance in the ability of the eye to focus

acetylcholinesterase

nuerotransmitter enzyme that hydrolyzes acetylcholine, affecting functioning of the parasympathetic nervous system

acetylcholinesterase inhibitor

agent that counteracts hydrolysis of acetylcholine to acetate and choline

acid

a solution having a pH of less than seven

acinus

small sac-like dilatation

acne

a chronic skin disorder due to inflammation of hair follicles and sebaceous glands (secretion glands in the skin)

actino-

in botany, rayed, starlike

active transport

movement of particles across cell membranes requiring the expenditure of energy

acute

an illness or symptom of sudden onset, which generally has a short duration

addiction

habitual dependence on a substance

Addison's disease

characterized by the chronic destruction of the adrenal cortex, which leads to an increased loss of sodium and water in the urine, muscle weakness and low blood pressure. The bronze color of the skin is due to the increased production of the skin pigment, melanin.

additive

the substance being added to another to obtain the desired product (e.g., food colors and food processing).

adenoma

an ordinarily benign growth of epithelial tissue in which the tumor cells form glands or gland-like structures that tend to exhibit glandular function

adjuvant

a substance added to a drug that affects the action of the active ingredient in a predictable way

adnexitis

inflammation of organ appendages, typically referring to the fallopian tube

adrenoceptors

sites on nerve cells or fibers which react to epinephrine or norepinephrine

adsorbent

a solid substance which binds other substances to its surface but does not interact chemically with them

adsorption

the property of a solid substance to attract and hold other molecules to its surface

aegyptiacus

in botany, of Egypt

aglycone

non-carbohydrate portion of a glycoside

agranulocytosis

condition characterized by a marked decrease in the number of white blood cells called granulocytes

AIDS

acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, a syndrome of the immune system caused by the HIV virus which weakens the immune system by destroying T4 helper/inducer lymphocytes

akathisia

condition of motor restlessness that can range from a sense of inner disquiet to inability to sleep, seen in toxic reaction to neuroleptic and antipsychotic medication

albuminuria

presence of albumin in the urine

alcoholic solution

in the case of herb preparations, mixture of water and ethanol used to dissolve an herb or its constituents

-alis

in botany, pertaining to, e.g. digitalis, pertaining to a finger

alkaline

a solution having a pH greater than seven

allergic keratitis

inflammation of the cornea due to allergic response

allergy

hypersensitivity caused by exposure to a particular antigen (allergen), resulting in an increased reactivity to that antigen on subsequent exposure, sometimes with harmful immunologic consequences

alopecia

loss of hair

alpinus

in botany, of high mountains

alterative

a term used in botanical medicine referring to a substance that restores health gradually, similar to a tonic

alveolar

pertaining to a small hollow space, as in the lung, e.g. pulmonary alveolus

amantadine (amantadine hydrochloride)

antiviral agent used to prevent or treat influenza; also used to treat Parkinson's disease

amarum

bitter vegetable drug

ammi

in botany, from an umbelliferous plant

analeptic

central nervous system stimulant

analgesic

agent which relieves pain without causing loss of consciousness

anancastic

pertaining to any form of repetitious stereotyped behavior that causes anxiety if prevented

anaphylactic

intense allergic reaction to a foreign substance

anaphylactic shock

life-threatening allergic response characterized by decreased blood pressure and impaired respiration

ancyclostoma

parasitic hookworm in the human duodenum

anemia

low amounts of red blood cells with clinical symptoms such as shortness of breath, lethargy and heart palpitations

anemo-

in botany, pertaining to wind

anesthesia

loss of sensation caused by neurological dysfunction or a pharmacological depression of nerve function

anesthetic

agent causing loss of sensation by neurological dysfunction or a pharmacological depression of nerve function

aneurysm

localized enlargement of an artery

angina

severe, restricting pain, usually referring to the pectoris

angina pectoris

severe chest pain

angioedema

recurring attacks of transient, subcutaneous edema, often due to an allergic reaction

angioneuropathy

any neuropathy affecting primarily blood vessels as angiospasm, angioparalysis, or vasomotor paralysis

angioneurosis

vasomotor (causing dilation or constriction of the blood vessels) nervous disease for which there is no detectable damage to nerve tissue

angusti-

in botany, narrow

anhydrous

water deficient

aniso-

in botany, uneven, unequal

anorectic

agent that decreases appetite

anterior

in the front or forward part of the organ or toward the head of the body

anthelmintic

agent that expels or destroys intestinal worms

antiandrogenic

substance capable of preventing full expression of the biological effects of androgenic hormones on responsive tissues, either by producing an antagonistic effect, as in the case of estrogen, or by competing for receptor sites on the cell surface

antiarrhythmic

combating an irregular heart beat

antibacterial

destroying or inhibiting the growth of bacteria

antibody

immunoglobulin molecule evoked as a response to an antigen which then interacts with the antigen

anti-chemotactic

preventing the movement of cells or organisms in response to chemicals

anticholinergic

antagonistic to the cholinergic nerve fibers

anticoagulant

preventing clotting

antiedamatous

preventing swelling

antiemetic

preventing vomiting

anti-exudative

preventing oozing

antifungal

destroying or combating fungi

antigonadotropic

agent preventing growth or function of the testes or ovary

antihistamine

drugs, used to treat allergy symptoms, which block the action of histamine

antiinflammatory

reducing inflammation by acting on body mechanisms, without directly acting on the cause of inflammation, e.g., glucocorticoids, aspirin

antimicrobial

tending to destroy microbes, hinder their multiplication or growth

antimuscarinic

inhibiting the toxic effect of muscarine or muscarine-like substances

antimycotic

fungicidal

antiparasitic

destructive to parasites

antiphlogistic

preventing inflammation

antiseptic

inhibiting growth of infectious organisms

antisialagogue

counteracts formation of saliva

antispasmodic

preventing spasms

antithyrotropic

inhibiting thyroid hormones

antitussive

cough suppressant

anuria

inability to urinate

-anus

in botany, belonging to, e.g., virginianus, of Virginia

anxiety

apprehension of danger, or dread, accompanied by nervous restlessness, tension, increased heart rate, and shortness of breath unrelated to a clearly identifiable stimulus

aortic stenosis

narrowing of the aortic valve of the heart

aphrodisiac

substance increasing or arousing sexual desire

aplasia

absence of tissue or defective organ development

aplastic anemia

anemia caused by failure of red blood cells to regenerate

apnea

cessation of breathing

apoplexy

sudden neurologic impairment due to a cerebrovascular disorder, e.g., cerebral stroke

aqueous extract

water extract

argyro-

in botany, silvery

-arium

in botany, place where something is done, e.g., herbarium, collection of dried plants

armoracia

in botany, designation for horseradish

aroma corrigent

substance that reduces, neutralizes or enhances an odor

aromatic bitter

bitter used as a flavoring due to its volatile oils

arrhythmia

any deviation from the normal rhythm of the heart

arrythmogenic

causing a change in the normal rhythm of the heart

arteriosclerosis

arterial hardening

arthralgia

joint pain

arthritis

joint inflammation

arthrosis

joint disease

arthrosis deformans

noninfectious degeneration of a joint characterized by pain, cracking, and loss of bone

ascarid

large, heavy-bodied roundworms parasitic in the human intestine

-ascens

in botany, process of becoming, e.g., violascens, becoming violet

ascites

accumulation of serous fluid in the abdominal cavity

aspiration

inhalation, or removal of fluids or gases from a cavity using suction

asthenia

diminishing strength and energy

astringent

agent causing contraction, especially after topical application

ataxia

failed muscular coordination, irregular muscular action

ataxic

relating to or suffering from ataxia

atelectasis

incomplete lung expansion or lung collapse and airlessness

atherosclerosis

common form of arteriosclerosis with deposits of yellow plaques containing cholesterol, lipids, and lipophages within the intima and inner media of arteries

-aticus

in botany, place of growth, e.g., aquaticus, growing in water

atony

in botany, lack of muscle tone of the supportive musculature of the bladder sphincter, resulting in incontinence

atopic

genetically predisposed toward developing immediate hypersensitivity reactions to common environmental allergens

atopic allergy

genetically determined state of hypersensitivity to environmental allergens

atropine-like effect

anticholinergic effect, resulting in tachycardia, mydriasis, constipation, retention of urine, limited perspiration attributable to the blockade of acetylcholine at muscarinic type cholinergic receptors in the nervous system

-atus

in botany, likeness of possession, rostratus, having a beak

Auerbach's myenteric plexus

network of nerves in the muscular layer of the wall of the digestive tract

autoimmune disease

immune response directed against tissues within one's own body

autumnalis

in botany, of the fall season

axon

an extended process of a neuron that conducts impulses traveling away from the cell body

 

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