a (barred): Abbreviation  meaning before.

a: a prefix that means not or without.

abdomen: area below diaphragm containing stomach, liver, and bowel etc.

abdominal: Pertaining to the abdomen.

abduct: To draw away from.

abduction: Move away from.

abnormality: Being abnormal or malformed.

abortion: The premature expulsion of the embryo or fetus.

    spontaneous abortion: a miscarriage.

    criminal abortion: An illegal abortion.

    Incomplete abortion: Some products of conception remain in utero.

    inevitable abortion: No possibility pregnancy will go term.

    missed abortion: Fetus died at less than 20 weeks and is retained in the uterus.

    therapeutic abortion: Abortion induced in medical setting.

    threatened abortion: Pregnancy may abort, or go full term.

abrasion: Scraping off of some of the epidermis.

abruptio placenta: Premature separation of placenta from uterine wall, with massive hemorrhage, usually during the third trimester. A small degree of abruption without bleeding occurs in most pregnancies.

abscess: A collection of pus, usually in a sac.

absolute refractory period: Phase of cardiac repolarization, wherein the heart muscle cannot be stimulated to depolarize. There are two main periods: atrial and ventricular.

absorption: Passage of a substance thru a membrane into blood.

AC: Abbreviation for alternating current.

ac: Abbreviation meaning "before meals."

acetabulum: Boney pelvic cavity in which head of femur rotates.

acetone breath: Sweet breath odor found in starvation or diabetic ketoacidosis.

acetylcholine: Chemical mediator of the parasympathetic nervous system. abbreviated ACH

acid: A solution with a pH less than 7.0, a solution with more hydrogen ions than hydroxyl ions.

acidosis: Acid-base imbalance of the body characterized by a pH less than 7.35.

acquired immunodeficency syndrome (AIDS): A blood bourne viral illness (HIV) characterized by severe impairment of the body's immune defense system.

activated charcoal: A substance used to absorb ingested poisons. Does not work with oils, metals (iron, lithium, lead, copper, mercury) or alcohols (ethyl, methyl, isopropal).

acute: Having rapid onset, severe symptoms, and usually, short duration.

acute abdomen: Irritation of the peritoneal lining. Often a surgical emergency.

acute myocardial infarction (AMI): Death (necrosis) of myocardial tissue caused by coronary artery occlusion.

acute respiratory insufficiency: Any condition in which breathing is inadequate to supply oxygen to or remove carbon dioxide from body tissues. Lab: PaO2 < 80 tor. and or PaCO2 > 50 tor.

addiction: compulsive, physical dependence fo subtance.

adduction: Movement toward the median line of the body.

ad lib: An abbreviation meaning "as desired".

Adrenalin: A trade name for epinephrine. A medication used in cardiac arrest, allergic reactions, and occasionally for asthma in the young.

adrenal gland: Small pair of glands situated on the kidneys. They produce steroid hormones such as aldosterone, androgens, glucocorticoids, progestins, estrogens. They also produce catecholamines such as epinephrine, and norepinephrine.

adrenergic: Referring to the sympathetic nervous system. It derives from the word Adrenalin (by the kidney).

adsorption: Adherence of a substance onto the surface of another.

afebrile: Without fever.

afterbirth: Placenta.

agglutination: Clumping together of red blood cells. Usually due to antibodies cross-linking RBCs together. See hemolytic reaction. (it is not clotting!)

agonal: Pertaining to the period of dying. Generally slow and inadequate breaths or heart beats.

agonist: To activate or stimulate. To bind and activate a receptor site.

air embolism: An air or gas bubble introduced into the blood circulation. If large (>250cc) can kill an adult.

air hunger: Another term for dyspnea, esp. more severe.

alcoholic: Pertaining to or containing alcohol; one addicted to alcohol.

alimentary tract: The digestive tract as a whole.

alkaline: In chemistry having a pH greater than 7.0; in human physiology, having a pH greater than 7.45.

alkalosis: An abnormal condition of acid-base balance where the body is too alkaine.

allergen: Substance that produces allergic responses in patients.

allergy: Susceptibility to substance that causes adverse symptoms.

alopecia: Baldness.

alpha particle: Positively-charged subatomic particle.

alpha receptor: A site located in the walls of small arteries and veins that, when stimulated by alpha (sympathetic) drugs,causes the vessels to constrict.

alpha stimulator: Drug or hormone that activates alpha receptors, e.g., norepinephrine.

ALS: An abbreviation for advanced life support. It is generally more advanced skills and medications.

alternating current (AC): House and street electrical systems. An electric current sine wave whose direction reverses. Usually 60 times a second in the US.

alveoli: The saccular units at the end of the bronchioles responsible for O2, Nitrogen and CO2 gas exchange with the blood stream..

amenorrhea: Absence of menstruation.

AMI: An abbreviation for acute myocardial infarction.

aminophylline: Drug used to relax smooth muscle in air passages. Class is: Methylxanthine. Is rarely used for asthma today.

amnesia: Loss of memory.

amniotic fluid: Clear watery fluid surrounding the fetus in the uterus.

amniotic sac: Sac that holds the fetus suspended in amniotic fluid. Bag of waters.

amobarbital: A barbiturate sedative hypnotic drug.

amplitude: Height, usually of an ECG wave or complex or any signal.

ampule: A sealed glass container of sterile medication.

amputation: Severing of a part of the body.

analgesic: An agent that relieves pain.

anaphylactic shock: An exaggerated allergic reaction with severe bronchospasm and/or vascular collapse. Death is likely without treatment.

anasarca: Severe, generalized body edema often caused by right heart failure.

anastomosis: Joining together of two tubelike structures, such as intestines or blood vessels so that flow through is maintained.

anatomic: Pertaining to anatomy or the structure of an organism.

anatomy: The study of body structure.

anemia: State where the red blood cells or hemoglobin are deficient.

anesthesia: Loss of sensation abolishment of pain.

aneurysm: A sac or bulge resulting from the weakening of the walls of a blood vessel or ventricle.

angina: Any disease marked by attacks of choking or suffocation.

angina pectoris: Sudden pain in the chest from myocardial ischemia.

    stable angina: Angina pectoris characterized by periodic pain with a predictable pattern.

    unstable angina: (preinfarction angina) Angina pectoris characterized by a changing, unpredictable pattern of pain, which often signals an impending acute myocardial infarction.

Angiocath: A teflon catheter inserted over a needle.

angiogram: Radiographic depiction of blood vessels often using radiopaque dyes.

angioneurotic edema: Allergy caused hives or swelling of various tissues. Usually involves the upper lip.

angle of Louis: Prominence on the sternum that lies opposite the second intercostal space.

anion: A negatively charged ion.

anisocoria: Inequality of the size of the pupils.

anomaly: Any feature that departs significantly from the normal.

anorexia: Lack of appetite or lack of eating.

anoxia: Lack of oxygen in the tissues.

antagonism: Opposition between the effects of medications, chemicals, or biological agonists.

antagonist: To block the action. To block a receptor site.

ante-: A prefix meaning "before".

antecubital: Situated in front of the elbow, the crease side on the forearm.

antegrade: Movement or flow in a foreward direction. Movement in a normal direction.

antenatal: Prior to birth.

antepartum: Prior to delivery.

anterior: Situated in front of or in the forward part of.

antiarrhythmic drugs: Drugs given to prevent or terminate cardiac dysrhythmias.

antibiotic: Agent that kills or inhibits the growth of bacteria.

antibody: Protein that destroys or inactivates the antigen.

anticoagulant: Substance that prevents the coagulation of blood. Examples are heparin, coumadin, Levonox (LMWH). The public calls these "blood thinners" which is a misnomer as they do not affect blood viscosity.

antidote: Any agent or chemical used to counteract the injurious effects of a drug or a poison.

antigen: Agent that stimulates the formation of specific protective proteins called antibodies.

antihypertensive agents: Drugs used to lower and normalize blood pressure.

antipyretic: A drug that reduces fever.

antiseptic: A preparation that prevents the growth of bacteria.

antiserum: A serum that contains antibodies against a specific disease-producing agent.

anus: The circular ring of muscle at the outlet of the rectum.

anxiety: A feeling of apprehension, uncertainty, and fear.

aorta: Largest artery in the body, originating from the left ventricle.

aortic arch: Portion of the aorta that curves and begins to descend.

apathy: Lack of feeling or interest.

apex of the heart: The caudal end of the ventricles. The bottom most pointy part of the heart.

Apgar score: A method of assessing the newborn. 10 is the best, 0 is very bad.

aphasia: Defect in speaking or comprehending in normal fashion.

    motor aphasia: Loss of speech or some component thereof.

    expressive aphasia: Patient has normal word thought but is unable to form words..

    sensory aphasia: The loss of comprehension.

aphonia: Loss of voice.

apical: Pertaining to or located at the apex of the heart.

apical pulse: Pulse obtained by auscultating or palpating over the apical portion of the heart.

apnea: Absence of breathing, respiratory arrest.

apothecary system: A pre-metric system of weights and liquid measures utilizing pounds, pints, quarts, fluid ounces, fluidrams, minims,ounces, drams, and grains.

appendicitis: Inflammation of the appendix.

appendix: Wormlike structure attached to the cecum, in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen. Rarely, can be located on the patients left.

aqueous humor: The thin, clear, fluid in the anterior chamber of the eye.

arachnoid: Middle meningeal membrane that is highly vascularized and looks like a web of blood vessels.

arrest: A stoppage, usually referring to pulse or respiration.

arrhythmia: A disturbance in the normal rhythm of the heart.

arterial blood: Oxygenated blood.

arteriole: A smaller artery that carries oxygenated blood.

arteriosclerosis: Pathological condition in which the arterial walls become thickened and inelastic.

artery: Blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart usually under higher pressure thus it has three layers. The tunica adventitia, t. media, t. intima.

arthalgia: Pain in one or more joints.

arthritis: An inflammatory process of the joints.

articulation: A place where two bones meet to form a joint.

artifact: An artificial product; noise or interference in an ECG. Not coming from or produced by the heart.

ascending aorta: Portion of the aorta that rises out of heart.

ascites: Accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity. Often due to liver disfunction.

asepsis: Technique of preventing bacterial contamination of a wound or instrument.

asphyxia: Suffocation; a condition characterized by hypercarbia and hypoxemia.

aspirate: To inhale foreign material into the lungs; to remove by suction.

asthma: A condition characterized by dyspnea, bronchoconstriction, mucus plugs, and wheezing.

asymptomatic: Showing no symptoms.

asystole: Absent ventricular contractions; "straight-line ECG".

ataxia: Inability to coordinate the muscles; staggering gait.

atelectasis: A collapse of the alveolar air spaces of the lungs. Seen in pneumonia, pulmonary edema, and aspiration states.

atherosclerosis: A common type of arteriosclerosis affecting the arteries by plaque build up and hardening.

atlas: The first cervical vertebra.

atria: Two thin walled chambers above the ventricles that power pack the ventricles before V. Systole. They provide 20 % of cardiac output.

atrial arrhythmia: Arrhythmia arising in the atrial tissue.

atrial depolarization: Electric process causing atrial contraction, represented on the ECG by the P wave.

atrial fibrillation: A dysrhythmia characterized by discharge of multiple atrial ectopic foci at 300-500 impulses a minute, and an irregularly irregular ventricular rhythm.

atrial flutter: A dysrhythmia characterized by the rapid discharge of an atrial ectopic focus usually at 300 impulses per minute, with varying degrees of AV blocking.

atrial repolarization: The electric process of resetting depolarized atrial muscle. The wave is called the "P's T wave" and is inverted and hidden in the QRS complex.

atrial systole: Atrial contraction precedeing ventricular contraction.

atrioventricular block (AV block): Condition where passage of impulses from the atrium through the AV junction is hindered or prevented altogether.

atrioventricular dissociation: (AV dissociation) Condition where atria and ventricles contract independently. May be caused by complete heart block or interference dissociation.

atrioventricular junction: (AV junction) Portion of electric conduction system of the heart located in the top most interventricular septum that contains the Bundle of His. This region has many backup pacemakers in the event of SA failure.

atrioventricular node (AV node): Structure located in the floor of the R. atria, that slows conduction through the AV junction.

atrium: Single form for atria. A thin-walled, upper chamber of the heart. Usually refered as right or left atrium.

atrophy: A wasting away of tissue.

atropine: A parasympathetic blocking agent, increases heart rate. Can act as an antidote for certain nerve agents.

auditory nerve: The eighth cranial nerve, which mediates hearing and body balance.

aura: A sensation of impending illness. Term used in connection with epileptic attack.

auricle: An old term formerly used for atrium.

auscultation: The technique of listening for and interpreting sounds that occur within the body, usually with a stethoscope.

automaticity: The spontaneous initiation of depolarizing electric impulses by pacemaker sites within the electric conduction system of the heart.

autonomic nervous system: Nervous system that controls involuntary body functions. The sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.

autotransfusion: Redirecting the patient's own blood from one part of the body to another.

AV: An abbreviation for atrioventricular.

avulsion: Injury that leaves a piece of tissue either partially or completely torn away from the body.

axilla: Armpit area.