What are the most important medical terms to know. How can understanding medical terminology improve your healthcare experience. Why is it crucial to familiarize yourself with common medical abbreviations and acronyms.

Demystifying Common Medical Terms: From Abrasion to Zoonotic Disease

Medical terminology can often seem like a foreign language to those outside the healthcare profession. However, understanding these terms is crucial for everyone, as it empowers us to better comprehend our health conditions and communicate effectively with healthcare providers. Let’s explore some of the most frequently used medical terms and their meanings.

• Abrasion: A superficial wound caused by scraping or rubbing of the skin
• Abscess: A localized collection of pus surrounded by inflamed tissue
• Acute: Referring to a condition that develops suddenly and is often severe but short-lived
• Benign: Non-cancerous or non-threatening
• Biopsy: The removal of a small tissue sample for diagnostic examination

Understanding these terms can help patients better describe their symptoms and comprehend their diagnoses. For instance, knowing the difference between “acute” and “chronic” conditions can provide insight into the expected duration and severity of an illness.

Advanced Medical Terms for the Health-Conscious Individual

As we delve deeper into medical terminology, we encounter more specialized terms that are essential for a comprehensive understanding of health and disease processes.

• Edema: Swelling caused by excess fluid in body tissues
• Embolism: A blockage in a blood vessel, often caused by a blood clot
• Hypertension: Persistently elevated blood pressure
• Malignant: Cancerous or likely to become cancerous
• Prognosis: The predicted course and outcome of a disease or treatment

Familiarizing yourself with these terms can enhance your ability to engage in meaningful discussions with healthcare providers and make informed decisions about your health.

Decoding Medical Prefixes and Suffixes: The Building Blocks of Health Terminology

Medical terms often consist of prefixes and suffixes that modify root words to convey specific meanings. Understanding these components can help you decipher complex medical terms more easily.

Common Medical Prefixes

• A-, an-: Without or lacking (e.g., anemia – lack of blood)
• Dys-: Abnormal, difficult, or painful (e.g., dyspnea – difficulty breathing)
• Macro-: Large (e.g., macrocephaly – enlarged head)
• Micro-: Small (e.g., microscopic – too small to be seen without a microscope)

Frequently Used Medical Suffixes

• -itis: Inflammation (e.g., arthritis – inflammation of joints)
• -ectomy: Surgical removal (e.g., appendectomy – removal of the appendix)
• -osis: Abnormal condition or disease (e.g., osteoporosis – abnormal bone condition)
• -pathy: Disease or disorder (e.g., neuropathy – disease of the nerves)

By recognizing these prefixes and suffixes, you can often deduce the meaning of unfamiliar medical terms. This knowledge can be particularly helpful when reviewing medical documents or discussing complex health issues with your healthcare provider.

Medical Root Words: The Core of Health Terminology

Root words form the foundation of medical terms, often indicating a specific body part or system. By understanding these root words, you can quickly grasp the general meaning of many medical terms.

• Cardi/o: Related to the heart (e.g., cardiology – study of the heart)
• Derm/a/o: Pertaining to the skin (e.g., dermatitis – inflammation of the skin)
• Gastr/o: Related to the stomach (e.g., gastroenterology – study of the digestive system)
• Hemat/o: Pertaining to blood (e.g., hematoma – a localized collection of blood)
• Oste/o: Related to bone (e.g., osteoporosis – a condition of weakened bones)

Recognizing these root words can significantly enhance your medical vocabulary and help you better understand discussions about various body systems and health conditions.

Essential Medical Abbreviations and Acronyms: Streamlining Healthcare Communication

Healthcare professionals often use abbreviations and acronyms to communicate quickly and efficiently. While there are hundreds of these shorthand notations, knowing some of the most common ones can help you navigate medical documents and conversations more easily.

Vital Sign Abbreviations

• BP: Blood Pressure
• HR: Heart Rate
• RR: Respiratory Rate
• T: Temperature

Common Medical Acronyms

• BMI: Body Mass Index
• CPR: Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
• DNR: Do Not Resuscitate
• ICU: Intensive Care Unit

Understanding these abbreviations and acronyms can help you quickly interpret medical charts and communicate more effectively with healthcare providers during emergencies or routine check-ups.

The Importance of Medical Terminology in Patient Empowerment

Knowledge of medical terminology plays a crucial role in patient empowerment and improved health outcomes. By understanding the language of healthcare, patients can:

1. Communicate more effectively with healthcare providers
2. Better comprehend their diagnoses and treatment plans
3. Make more informed decisions about their health
4. Advocate for themselves in medical settings
5. Understand medical literature and research relevant to their conditions

This enhanced understanding can lead to better adherence to treatment plans, improved patient satisfaction, and ultimately, better health outcomes.

Navigating Health Information: Tips for Applying Medical Terminology

Now that we’ve covered a wide range of medical terms, abbreviations, and acronyms, let’s explore some practical ways to apply this knowledge in your daily life and healthcare interactions.

Reading Medical Documents

When reviewing medical records or test results, try to break down unfamiliar terms into their prefix, root, and suffix components. This can help you decipher their meanings. For example, if you encounter the term “myocarditis,” you can break it down as follows:

• Myo- (root): Relating to muscle
• Card- (root): Relating to the heart
• -itis (suffix): Inflammation

Therefore, myocarditis refers to inflammation of the heart muscle.

Communicating with Healthcare Providers

When speaking with your doctor or nurse, don’t hesitate to use the medical terms you’ve learned. This can lead to more precise and efficient communication. If you’re unsure about a term, ask for clarification. Healthcare providers appreciate patients who take an active interest in understanding their health.

Researching Health Conditions

When researching health conditions online or in medical literature, your knowledge of medical terminology can help you navigate and understand complex information more easily. This can be particularly useful when exploring treatment options or understanding potential side effects of medications.

Beyond the Basics: Continuing Your Medical Terminology Education

While this guide provides a solid foundation in medical terminology, the field of healthcare is vast and constantly evolving. To continue expanding your knowledge, consider the following strategies:

• Attend health education classes offered by local hospitals or community centers
• Use medical terminology apps or online quizzes to test and improve your knowledge
• Read reputable health websites and medical journals to expose yourself to more advanced terminology
• Ask your healthcare providers to explain unfamiliar terms during appointments
• Consider taking an introductory medical terminology course at a local college or online

Remember, building your medical vocabulary is an ongoing process. Each time you encounter a new term, take a moment to look it up and understand its meaning. Over time, you’ll develop a robust understanding of medical terminology that will serve you well in managing your health and communicating with healthcare professionals.

The Future of Medical Terminology: Adapting to Advances in Healthcare

As medical science continues to advance, new terms and concepts are constantly being introduced. Staying informed about these developments can help you better understand emerging treatments and technologies.

Genomics and Precision Medicine

The field of genomics is rapidly expanding, bringing with it a new lexicon of terms related to genetic testing and personalized medicine. Familiarizing yourself with terms like “biomarker,” “gene expression,” and “pharmacogenomics” can help you understand discussions about cutting-edge treatments tailored to your genetic profile.

Digital Health and Telemedicine

The rise of digital health technologies and telemedicine has introduced new terms related to remote patient monitoring, virtual consultations, and health data management. Understanding terms like “wearable devices,” “telehealth,” and “electronic health records (EHR)” can help you navigate the increasingly digital landscape of healthcare.

Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare

As artificial intelligence becomes more integrated into healthcare, new terms are emerging to describe AI-assisted diagnoses, treatment planning, and drug discovery. Familiarizing yourself with concepts like “machine learning algorithms,” “predictive analytics,” and “computer-aided detection” can help you understand how AI is shaping the future of medicine.

By staying curious and continuing to expand your medical vocabulary, you’ll be better equipped to understand and engage with the rapidly evolving world of healthcare. Remember, knowledge is power, especially when it comes to your health.

75 Must-Know Medical Terms, Abbreviations, and Acronyms

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While most of us don’t need to understand discipline-specific jargon outside of our own profession, medical terminology is a notable exception. We all need to know what’s going on with our health.

Fans of medical TV shows  might already be familiar with some common terms. Even so, rounding out your existing knowledge with some additional medical terms, abbreviations, and acronyms can help you gain an even better handle on what you hear in the health care world. This list can help you get started.

Breaking down common medical terminology 

The world of medical terminology is quite vast, so this list is organized by category to make it a little easier to digest. If you’re looking for something in particular, use the links below to jump to the relevant section. 

• Medical terms 
• Medical prefixes and suffixes 
• Medical root words 
• Medical abbreviations and acronyms 

Medical terms

The charts providers use for making notes are often filled with this kind of medical terminology. You might even know some of them by a different name.

1. Abrasion: A cut or scrape that typically isn’t serious.
2. Abscess: A tender, fluid-filled pocket that forms in tissue, usually due to infection.
3. Acute: Signifies a condition that begins abruptly and is sometimes severe, but the duration is short.
4. Benign: Not cancerous.
5. Biopsy: A small sample of tissue that’s taken for testing.
6. Chronic: Signifies a recurring, persistent condition like heart disease.
7. Contusion: A bruise.
8. Defibrillator: A medical device that uses electric shocks to restore normal heartbeat.
9. Edema: Swelling caused by fluid accumulation.
10. Embolism: An arterial blockage, often caused by a blood clot.
11. Epidermis: The outer layer of the skin.
12. Fracture: Broken bone or cartilage.
13. Gland: An organ or tissue that produces and secretes fluids that serve a specific function.
14. Hypertension: High blood pressure.
15. Inpatient: A patient who requires hospitalization.
16. Intravenous: Indicates medication or fluid that’s delivered by vein.
17. Malignant: Indicates the presence of cancerous cells.
18. Outpatient: A patient who receives care without being admitted to a hospital.
19. Prognosis: The predicated outcome of disease progression and treatment.
20. Relapse: Return of disease or symptoms after a patient has recovered.
21. Sutures: Stitches, which are used to join tissues together as they heal.
22. Transplant: The removal of an organ or tissue from one body that is implanted into another.
23. Vaccine: A substance that stimulates antibody production to provide immunity against disease.
24. Zoonotic disease: A disease that is transmissible from animals to humans.

Medical prefixes and suffixes

Medical terminology follows the same structural rules all language does, including use of prefixes and suffixes. You may be familiar with some of these from words outside the realm of medicine.

25. A-, an-: Lack of or without.
26. -ation: Indicates a process.
27. Dys-: Abnormal, difficult, or painful.
28. -ectomy: Surgical removal of something.
29. -ismus: Indicates a spasm or contraction.
30. -itis: Signifies inflammation.
31. -lysis: Decomposition, destruction, or breaking down.
32. Macro-: Large in size.
33. Melan/o-: Black or dark in color.
34. Micro-: Small in size.
35. -ology: The study of a particular concentration.
36. -osis: Indicates something that is abnormal.
37. -otomy: To cut into.
38. -pathy: Disease or disease process.
39. -plasty: Surgical repair.
40. Poly-: Many.
41. Pseudo-: False or deceptive, usually in regard to appearance.
42. Retro-: Behind or backward.

Medical root words

Some medical root words are intuitive simply based on your experiences. If you’re an athletic person, for example, you probably know cardiovascular exercise is any activity that gets your heart rate pumping.

43. Cardi/o: Related to the heart.
44. Derm/a/o, dermat/o: Pertaining to the skin.
45. Encephal/o: Related to the brain.
46. Gastr/o: Related to the stomach.
47. Hemat/o: Pertaining to blood.
48. My/o: Related to muscle.
49. Oste/o: Related to bone.
50. Pulmon/o: Refers to the lungs.
51. Rhin/o: Related to the nose.
52. Sclerosis: Hard or hardening.
53. Stasis: Slowing or stopping the flow of a bodily fluid.
54. Therm/o: Indicates heat.

Medical abbreviations and acronyms

There are many more medical acronyms and abbreviations than what’s listed below. But unless you’re planning to become a doctor or another type of provider, this condensed lineup should get you up to speed.

55. ALS: Advanced life support.
56. Bl wk: Blood work.
57. BMI: Body mass index, a measure of body fat based on height and weight.
58. BP: Blood pressure.
59. CPR: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, a life-saving technique that’s also called mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
60. C-spine: Cervical spine.
62. DNR: Do not resuscitate, a medical order indicating providers should not perform CPR.
63. ED/ER: Emergency department or emergency room.
64. EKG: Electrocardiogram, a way of monitoring the heart and testing for problems.
65. HDL-C: High-density lipoprotein cholesterol, often called “good” cholesterol.
66. HR: Heart rate, expressed as beats per minute.
67. LDL-C: Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, often called “bad” cholesterol.
68. Lytes: Electrolytes.
69. NICU: Neonatal intensive care unit, a specialized unit that cares for premature infants.
70. OR: Operating room where surgeries are performed.
71. Pre-op: Preoperative.
72. Psych: Refers to psychiatry or the psychiatric ward.
73. PT: Physical therapy, a type of treatment to help patients move and feel better.
74. Rx: Prescription, usually for medication but can also signify another treatment.
75. Stat: Immediately.

What if you don’t see the medical term you’re looking for? 

This medical terminology cheat sheet covers a lot of ground, but there will likely be times when you hear something unfamiliar. When you come across a medical term you don’t recognize, be sure to ask for clarity. Patient education is a huge part of a physician’s job. Doctors aim to foster an environment that generates dialogue.

Having thoughtful conversations with your physician is about more than just gaining knowledge. In fact, engaging with your doctor could result in a healthier life. Some evidence shows the most engaged patients tend to have better outcomes. You are your own best advocate. 

Advance your knowledge of medical terminology 

It’s clear that you can benefit from having these medical terms at your disposal, especially when it comes to speaking one-on-one with your physician. If you don’t happen to have a physician you regularly see, it’s wise to start looking so you can maintain good health.

Learn how you can find the right provider by reading our article “How to Choose a Doctor: What You Should Look for in a Primary Care Physician.” 

*This article was originally published in May 2019. It was updated in 2022 to include additional information. 

While most of us don’t need to understand discipline-specific jargon outside of our own profession, medical terminology is a notable exception. We all need to know what’s going on with our health.

Fans of medical TV shows  might already be familiar with some common terms. Even so, rounding out your existing knowledge with some additional medical terms, abbreviations, and acronyms can help you gain an even better handle on what you hear in the health care world. This list can help you get started.

Breaking down common medical terminology 

The world of medical terminology is quite vast, so this list is organized by category to make it a little easier to digest. If you’re looking for something in particular, use the links below to jump to the relevant section. 

• Medical terms 
• Medical prefixes and suffixes 
• Medical root words 
• Medical abbreviations and acronyms 

Medical terms

The charts providers use for making notes are often filled with this kind of medical terminology. You might even know some of them by a different name.

1. Abrasion: A cut or scrape that typically isn’t serious.
2. Abscess: A tender, fluid-filled pocket that forms in tissue, usually due to infection.
3. Acute: Signifies a condition that begins abruptly and is sometimes severe, but the duration is short.
4. Benign: Not cancerous.
5. Biopsy: A small sample of tissue that’s taken for testing.
6. Chronic: Signifies a recurring, persistent condition like heart disease.
7. Contusion: A bruise.
8. Defibrillator: A medical device that uses electric shocks to restore normal heartbeat.
9. Edema: Swelling caused by fluid accumulation.
10. Embolism: An arterial blockage, often caused by a blood clot.
11. Epidermis: The outer layer of the skin.
12. Fracture: Broken bone or cartilage.
13. Gland: An organ or tissue that produces and secretes fluids that serve a specific function.
14. Hypertension: High blood pressure.
15. Inpatient: A patient who requires hospitalization.
16. Intravenous: Indicates medication or fluid that’s delivered by vein.
17. Malignant: Indicates the presence of cancerous cells.
18. Outpatient: A patient who receives care without being admitted to a hospital.
19. Prognosis: The predicated outcome of disease progression and treatment.
20. Relapse: Return of disease or symptoms after a patient has recovered.
21. Sutures: Stitches, which are used to join tissues together as they heal.
22. Transplant: The removal of an organ or tissue from one body that is implanted into another.
23. Vaccine: A substance that stimulates antibody production to provide immunity against disease.
24. Zoonotic disease: A disease that is transmissible from animals to humans.

Medical prefixes and suffixes

Medical terminology follows the same structural rules all language does, including use of prefixes and suffixes. You may be familiar with some of these from words outside the realm of medicine.

25. A-, an-: Lack of or without.
26. -ation: Indicates a process.
27. Dys-: Abnormal, difficult, or painful.
28. -ectomy: Surgical removal of something.
29. -ismus: Indicates a spasm or contraction.
30. -itis: Signifies inflammation.
31. -lysis: Decomposition, destruction, or breaking down.
32. Macro-: Large in size.
33. Melan/o-: Black or dark in color.
34. Micro-: Small in size.
35. -ology: The study of a particular concentration.
36. -osis: Indicates something that is abnormal.
37. -otomy: To cut into.
38. -pathy: Disease or disease process.
39. -plasty: Surgical repair.
40. Poly-: Many.
41. Pseudo-: False or deceptive, usually in regard to appearance.
42. Retro-: Behind or backward.

Medical root words

Some medical root words are intuitive simply based on your experiences. If you’re an athletic person, for example, you probably know cardiovascular exercise is any activity that gets your heart rate pumping.

43. Cardi/o: Related to the heart.
44. Derm/a/o, dermat/o: Pertaining to the skin.
45. Encephal/o: Related to the brain.
46. Gastr/o: Related to the stomach.
47. Hemat/o: Pertaining to blood.
48. My/o: Related to muscle.
49. Oste/o: Related to bone.
50. Pulmon/o: Refers to the lungs.
51. Rhin/o: Related to the nose.
52. Sclerosis: Hard or hardening.
53. Stasis: Slowing or stopping the flow of a bodily fluid.
54. Therm/o: Indicates heat.

Medical abbreviations and acronyms

There are many more medical acronyms and abbreviations than what’s listed below. But unless you’re planning to become a doctor or another type of provider, this condensed lineup should get you up to speed.

55. ALS: Advanced life support.
56. Bl wk: Blood work.
57. BMI: Body mass index, a measure of body fat based on height and weight.
58. BP: Blood pressure.
59. CPR: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, a life-saving technique that’s also called mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
60. C-spine: Cervical spine.
62. DNR: Do not resuscitate, a medical order indicating providers should not perform CPR.
63. ED/ER: Emergency department or emergency room.
64. EKG: Electrocardiogram, a way of monitoring the heart and testing for problems.
65. HDL-C: High-density lipoprotein cholesterol, often called “good” cholesterol.
66. HR: Heart rate, expressed as beats per minute.
67. LDL-C: Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, often called “bad” cholesterol.
68. Lytes: Electrolytes.
69. NICU: Neonatal intensive care unit, a specialized unit that cares for premature infants.
70. OR: Operating room where surgeries are performed.
71. Pre-op: Preoperative.
72. Psych: Refers to psychiatry or the psychiatric ward.
73. PT: Physical therapy, a type of treatment to help patients move and feel better.
74. Rx: Prescription, usually for medication but can also signify another treatment.
75. Stat: Immediately.

What if you don’t see the medical term you’re looking for? 

This medical terminology cheat sheet covers a lot of ground, but there will likely be times when you hear something unfamiliar. When you come across a medical term you don’t recognize, be sure to ask for clarity. Patient education is a huge part of a physician’s job. Doctors aim to foster an environment that generates dialogue.

Having thoughtful conversations with your physician is about more than just gaining knowledge. In fact, engaging with your doctor could result in a healthier life. Some evidence shows the most engaged patients tend to have better outcomes. You are your own best advocate. 

Advance your knowledge of medical terminology 

It’s clear that you can benefit from having these medical terms at your disposal, especially when it comes to speaking one-on-one with your physician. If you don’t happen to have a physician you regularly see, it’s wise to start looking so you can maintain good health.

Learn how you can find the right provider by reading our article “How to Choose a Doctor: What You Should Look for in a Primary Care Physician.” 

*This article was originally published in May 2019. It was updated in 2022 to include additional information. 

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A Medical Terms List: Browse the Dictionary

• 
  
  α- … ablastemic
  
• 
  
  ablastin … abstain
  
• 
  
  abstainer … accident
  
• 
  
  accidental … acetonaemia
  
• 
  
  acetonaemic … acicular
  
• 
  
  acid . .. acoustic nerve
  
• 
  
  acoustic neuroma … actinium
  
• 
  
  actinobacilli … acuteness
  
• 
  
  acute nonlymphocytic leukemia … adenocarcinoma
  
• 
  
  adenocarcinomas … adipogenic
  
• 
  
  adiponectin … adsorbate
  
• 
  
  adsorbent … aerotherapies
  
• 
  
  aerotherapy . .. aged
  
• 
  
  ageing … AICD
  
• 
  
  aichmophobia … alcaligenes
  
• 
  
  alcapton … algological
  
• 
  
  algologies … alkylated
  
• 
  
  alkylating … allosome
  
• 
  
  allosteric … alt
  
• 
  
  ALT . .. amaxophobia
  
• 
  
  amb … amethocaine
  
• 
  
  amethopterin … amnio
  
• 
  
  amniocenteses … amphoricity
  
• 
  
  amphoteric … anabolin
  
• 
  
  anabolism … anaphylatoxin
  
• 
  
  anaphylaxes … androgyny
  
• 
  
  android . .. angiofollicular hyperplasia
  
• 
  
  angiofollicular lymph node hyperplasia … anhedonia
  
• 
  
  anhedonic … ankylosing
  
• 
  
  ankylosing spondylitis … anosphrasia
  
• 
  
  anosphresia … anterior tibial artery
  
• 
  
  anterior tibial nerve … antiantibodies
  
• 
  
  antiantibody … antiestrogen
  
• 
  
  antiestrogenic . .. antimetastatic
  
• 
  
  anti-metastatic … anti-retroviral
  
• 
  
  antiretroviral … antra
  
• 
  
  antral … aphagia
  
• 
  
  aphakia … apothecaries’ weight
  
• 
  
  apothecary … AQ
  
• 
  
  aqua … arcuate
  
• 
  
  arcuate artery . .. aromatised
  
• 
  
  aromatising … arteriosclerosis
  
• 
  
  arteriosclerosis obliterans … aryepiglottic
  
• 
  
  aryl … aspartate
  
• 
  
  aspartate aminotransferase … asthenia
  
• 
  
  asthenic … ateleiotic
  
• 
  
  atelioses … atopies
  
• 
  
  atopognoses . .. audial
  
• 
  
  audibilities … autistic savant
  
• 
  
  autistic spectrum disorder … automatograph
  
• 
  
  automixes … auxesis
  
• 
  
  auxetic … Axiron
  
• 
  
  axis … azygous
  

saturnine

See Definitions and Examples »

Dictionary of medical terms

Dictionary of medical terms

Abscess – abscess, abscess. A cavity filled with pus and delimited from the surrounding tissue.

Adaptation — the process of adaptation of an organism, system, organ to the changed conditions of existence (functioning) by changing the structure, metabolism, function.

Beta-blockers – drugs that prevent the interaction of the mediator with adrenoreceptors (propranolol and its derivatives)

Alkalosis is a violation of the acid-base state, characterized by the appearance in the blood of an absolute or relative increase in the number of bases and a decrease in the number of hydrogen ions.

Allergen is an antigen that causes an allergy.

Allergy – hypersensitivity to the effects of any substances or to components of one’s own tissues.

Angiopathy is a violation of the tone of blood vessels, caused by a disorder of nervous regulation and manifested by transient spasms and dystonia.

Anemia (anemia) – a condition characterized by a decrease in hemoglobin content per unit volume of blood, often with a simultaneous decrease in the number of red blood cells.

Anisocytosis — the presence in the blood of erythrocytes with a diameter larger (macrocytosis) than the norm (7-8 microns).

Anorexia — lack of appetite in the presence of a physiological need for nutrition, due to disturbances in the activity of the food center.

Antibiotics – substances that can selectively inhibit the development of microorganisms or cells of certain tumors.

Antigen is a substance with characteristic chemical groups (antigenic determinants) that are perceived by the body as foreign, cause a specific immune response, immune memory, and are able to specifically interact with antibodies and lymphocytes.

Anticoagulants (anticoagulants) – drugs that inhibit the blood coagulation process.

Antioxidants — substances that inhibit the processes of free radical peroxidation.

Antibodies are gamma globulins that are formed in response to the introduction of an antigen and have the ability to specifically react with this antigen.

Anuria – failure of urine to enter the bladder.

Arrhythmia (of the heart) is the general name for disturbances in the occurrence of excitatory impulses or its conduction through the myocardium. Manifested by violations of the frequency and rhythm of heart contractions.

Androgens – male sex hormones.

Anabolic drugs (anabolics) – drugs that cause an increase in protein synthesis.

Addison’s disease is an endocrine disease caused by bilateral damage to the adrenal cortex with a decrease or complete absence of hormone synthesis. It is characterized by bronze coloration of the skin, impaired water-salt metabolism, hypotension.

Anamnesis – information about the state of health obtained by questioning the patient himself or those who know him.

Ascites (hydroperitoneum) – accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity, causing an increase in the abdomen. It can develop as a result of heart failure, portable hypertension, cirrhosis of the liver, as well as in various forms of cancer (especially liver and ovarian cancer).

Autoimmune process – the formation of antibodies or activated lymphocytes against cell fragments of healthy tissues and organs of one’s own body.

Acidosis – a violation of the acid-base state, in which there is an absolute or relative accumulation of excess acids and an increase in the concentration of hydrogen ions.

Barbiturates are barbituric acid derivatives used as hypnotics, narcotics and anticonvulsants.

Biomaterial — subject of laboratory research obtained from the human body — biopsy specimens of tissues and organs, blood and bone marrow cells, feces, mucus, sputum, hair; biological fluids – serum and blood plasma, urine, lymph, cerebrospinal fluid, ejaculate, sweat, gastric and pancreatic juice, bile, exudate, transudate, synovial and lacrimal fluid, saliva.

Biopsy — intravital taking of fragments of organs and tissues for histological diagnostic examination.

B. puncture – collection of cells or tissue by puncturing the wall of an organ or cavity with a special hollow needle.

Blast cells (blasts) are the progenitor elements of all hematopoietic sprouts. Pathological blast cells in leukemia differ from normal cells in their ability to differentiate, morphological and metabolic properties.

Bradycardia – decreased heart rate.

Virilizing tumors – tumors that produce androgens and cause masculine features in women – male-type hair, deep voice, increased muscle mass, etc. includes the degree of toxicity, the ability to take root and multiply in the body.

Viruses are non-cellular life forms that have a genome (DNA or RNA), but are not capable of reproducing outside the cells of other organisms (plants or animals).

Inflammation is a protective and adaptive reaction of the whole organism to the action of a damaging factor and is characterized by an increase in body temperature, or a local area, swelling, redness, increased vascular permeability in the area of ​​inflammation.

Helminths — a group of worms, including representatives of the classes of trematodes, cestodes, acanthocephalans and nematodes — causative agents of human and animal helminthiases.

Hematology is a section of internal diseases that studies the causes (etiology), mechanism of development (pathogenesis) and clinical manifestations of diseases of the blood system and develops methods for their diagnosis, treatment and prevention.

Hematuria – the presence of red blood cells in the urine.

Hemolysis – destruction of red blood cells.

Hyperbaric oxygenation – breathing oxygen under high pressure (1-3 excess atmospheres) in special pressure chambers.

Hyperglycemia – increased concentration of glucose in the blood.

Hypercoagulation – accelerated blood clotting.

Hyperplasia – an increase in the number of cells, intercellular structures as a result of pathological tissue degeneration.

Hypertension (hypertension) – increased hydrostatic pressure in the vessels.

Hyperfunction — enhanced function of an organ, system.

Hypovitaminosis – lack of vitamins.

Hypoglycemia – reduced blood glucose concentration.

Hypocoagulation – slowing down blood clotting.

Hypoxemia – reduced oxygen content in the blood.

Hypoxia (oxygen starvation) – oxygen deficiency in cells, tissues and organs.

Hypostenuria – excretion of urine with a constantly low relative density.

Hypothalamus – part of the brain located under the thalamus and forming the bottom of the third ventricle. It secretes neurohormones and is the highest subcortical center of the autonomic nervous system.

Hypotension (hypotension) – reduced blood pressure in the vessels.

Pituitary gland (pituitary gland, cerebral appendage) is an endocrine gland located at the base of the brain (Turkish saddle). It produces a number of peptide hormones that regulate the functions of other endocrine glands.

Hypofunction — weakening of the activity of a cell, organ, system.

Glycogen (animal starch) is a polysaccharide synthesized and deposited in the liver; breaks down to form glucose.

Glycogenolysis is the formation of glucose from glycogen.

Gluconeogenesis is the formation of glucose from proteins and fat.

Risk groups – people who have a non-hereditary predisposition to certain diseases as a result of the presence of risk factors.

Humoral factors are biologically active substances that are formed in various cells, tissues and organs and dissolve in body fluids (blood, lymph, tissue fluid), due to which they are able to spread in the body and affect other cells and organs.

Desensitization – reduction of the body’s sensitivity to the allergen.

Desquamation is a physiological or pathological process of desquamation of epithelial cells.

Destruction — destruction of tissue, cellular and subcellular structures.

Detoxification – binding, breaking down and removing toxins from the body.

Dysfunction — dysfunction of a system, organ. Cells that are expressed in reactions that do not correspond to the action of the stimulus.

Cell differentiation is a change in the structure of a cell during its development and maturation. Undifferentiated (young) cells are functionally defective.

Isosthenuria – excretion of urine with a constant relative density; most often observed with a decrease in the concentration ability of the kidneys.

Immunization – development of immunity in the process of interaction with immunogenic factors.

Immunity (specific biological protection, immune protection) – the ability to protect actively or passively acquired by the human body, specifically directed against immunogenic factors – infectious agents, foreign proteins, etc.

I. congenital — immunity formed by the time of birth.

I. natural (borrowed) – passive immunity of the fetus, infant, due to maternal immunoglobulins passing through the placenta or breast milk.

I. local — provides protection for the integument and organs in direct contact with the external environment (genitourinary organs, lungs, gastrointestinal tract). Provided by mechanical barriers, lysozyme, complement, secretory immunoglobulins, macrophages, etc.

I. acquired – occurs after past infections, administration of vaccines, ready-made antibodies. Not inherited, often unstable.

I. antitumor — immune reactivity towards tumor antigens.

I. transplantation — changes in the state of the recipient’s immune system during transplantation of donor tissues or organs and aimed at their rejection.

Immune tolerance (immune paralysis) – inability to immune response; is temporary and not absolute.

Immunosuppressants (immunosuppressants) — chemicals that, in therapeutic concentrations, can suppress or weaken the immune response (corticosteroids, antimetabolites of protein synthesis, antibiotics, etc.).

Immunodeficiency (immune deficiency) is a congenital or acquired condition. Characterized by the inability to realize any links of the immune response.

Immunocorrection (immunomodulation) – correction of the defective functioning of the immune system, aimed at strengthening the weakened or inhibition of the stimulated immunity link.

I. non-drug – use to eliminate disorders in the immune system by plasmapheresis, hemosorption, ultraviolet and laser irradiation of blood, enterosorption, etc.

Immunosuppression (immunosuppression) – non-specific inhibition of immune responses.

Immune response – processes that begin after the introduction of an antigen and end with an immune response specific to this antigen.

Immune status (profile, reactivity) – characterized by the number and activity of circulating lymphoid and phagocytic cells, the state of the kit system, nonspecific resistance factors, the number and function of killer cells, the concentration of immunoglobulins, interleukins and other indicators.

The incubation period is the period of time from infection of a person to the appearance of the first clinical signs of the disease.

Intensive care is a complex of therapeutic measures (drugs, physiotherapy, etc. ) aimed at a comprehensive and rapid restoration of organ functions. systems and the body as a whole.

Interferon is a low molecular weight protein synthesized in the body and in cell cultures and inhibits the reproduction of viruses and other intracellular parasites.

Intoxication (poisoning) is a pathological condition caused by the general effect on the body of toxic substances of external or internal origin.

Injection is the introduction of liquid into the body using a syringe.

Ischemia – reduction or cessation of blood supply to a tissue area, organ, body part.

Ketonemia – an increase in the concentration of ketone bodies in the blood.

Ketonuria – an increase in the concentration of ketone bodies in the urine.

Coagulogram – a set of results of a complex laboratory condition of the blood coagulation system.

Coagulation (coagulation) – connection between platelets, erythrocytes, fibrin threads and the formation of a blood clot (thrombus).

Skin tests – a method for detecting specific hypersensitivity of the body to certain substances (allergens).

Collagen is a protein that is the main structural element of collagen fibers and connective tissue.

Collapse – acute vascular insufficiency with a drop in vascular tone and a decrease in the mass of circulating blood, a sharp decrease in blood pressure, signs of brain hopoxia and depression of vital functions.

Colpitis — inflammation of the vaginal mucosa.

Complement is a complex of plasma proteins, including about 30 proteins and proteolytic enzymes, which ensure the lysis of the membranes of viruses, bacteria, cancer cells and the preparation of their fragments for absorption by macrophages.

Conjunctiva – inflammation and secretion of milk by the mammary glands.

Laryngitis – inflammation of the larynx.

Leukogram – see Leukocyte formula.

Leukopenia – reduced concentration of leukocytes in the blood (less than 4-10 ⁹ /l).

Leukocyte formula (leukogram) – percentage of different types of leukocytes in peripheral blood. Counted in a stained blood smear.

L.F. Shift to the left – an increase in the relative or absolute number of young cells of the granulocytic series (stab and young neutrophils), in severe cases – myelocytes, promyelocytes, myeloblasts.

Leukocytosis – an increase in the total number of leukocytes (above 9 * 10 ⁹ /l).

Lethality is a static indicator representing the ratio (in%) of the number of deaths to the number of patients with a certain disease over a certain period of time: it is used to characterize the risk of illness, surgery, etc.

Lysis (decomposition, dissolution) – disintegration of microbes, cells or tissues under the action of their own (autolysis) or external enzymes.

CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) is a fluid that fills the cavities of the brain and spinal cord. The study of the composition is used to diagnose lesions of the central nervous system.

Lymph — liquid tissue of the body contained in the lymphatic vessels and nodes.

Lymphopenia – reduced concentration of lymphocytes in the blood.

Macrocytosis — the presence in the blood of formed elements (blood cells) with sizes exceeding the limits of the physiological norm.

Megaloblasts — ancestral hematopoietic cells, characteristic of pernicious (B ₁₂ -deficient) anemia and differing in structure from normoblasts.

Mediator is the general name of biologically active substances. Produced by cells and mediating intercellular and intertissue interactions.

Menopause – cessation of menstruation, cyclical changes in the production of hormones and uterine mucosa, reproductive function.

Metabolism (metabolism and energy) – a set of processes of transformation of substances and energy within a cell, tissue, organ, organism.

Myelogram – the percentage of cells of varying degrees of maturity of all hematopoietic germs in the bone marrow.

Microhematuria – the presence of erythrocytes in the urine, detected only by microscopic examination.

Microflora (bacteriological, microbial landscape) — an evolutionary set of various types of microorganisms living on body surfaces, mucous membranes, in a wound, etc.

Monoclonal antibodies are antibodies synthesized in hybridomas, a cell clone obtained by fusion (hybridization) of lymphocytes and plasmacytoma cells.

Monocytosis – an increase in the concentration of monocytes in the blood.

Heredity – the ability to transmit to offspring the signs and features of the structure and development of parents.

Neuritis – nerve damage with changes in its interstitium, myelin sheath and axial cylinders.

Neutrophilia – an increase in the concentration of neutrophilic granulocytes in the blood.

Neutrophilic leukocytosis – an increase in the concentration of leukocytes in the blood due to the population of neutrophils.

Necrosis (death) – irreversible cessation of tissue vital activity.

Nephrotic syndrome – a combination of high protein content in the urine, edema and disorders of the spectrum of lipids in the blood; seen with kidney damage.

Nocturia (nocturnal polyuria) – excretion of most of the daily amount of urine at night.

Normal value, norm – a quantitative indicator of the optimal range of substances content, function indicators, etc.

Oliguria – decrease in daily urine output.

Orchitis – inflammation of the testis.

Parasitic diseases — diseases that occur when parasites (helminths, insects, protozoa) enter the human body.

Pastyness — puffiness, pasty.

Pathogenicity – the ability of viruses, microbes, fungi, protozoa, etc. to cause disease in humans or animals.

Pathogenic bacteria – bacteria that cause infectious and inflammatory diseases.

Pathological process — deviating from the norm (caused by disease) process of vital activity of systems, organs, cells.

Pathology – deviation from the norm.

Pyuria – the presence of pus in the urine.

Blood plasma — the liquid part of the blood remaining after the removal of cells (shaped elements).

Poikilocytosis – the presence in the peripheral blood of erythrocytes that are not round, but have some shape (oval, pear-shaped, stellate, etc.)

Polyneuritis – multiple inflammation of the peripheral nerves.

Polyuria – increased daily urine output.

Polychromatophilic normoblasts are cells of the erythroid series, capable of staining with both basic and acidic dyes. Appear with pernicious

(B ₁₂ -deficient) anemia.

Prenatal period (embryonic, intrauterine period) – the period of development of the child in the mother’s body.

Proliferation – reproduction (division) of cells.

Proteinuria – the presence of protein in the urine when determined by unified methods.

Rosette test is a method for detecting different subpopulations of lymphocytes by reaction with ram or mouse erythrocytes (erythrocyte adherence to the surface of cells with the formation of a rosette).

Resuscitation (revitalization of the body) – a set of therapeutic measures aimed at restoring fading or just extinct vital functions – breathing,

cardiac activity, vascular tone, etc.

Rheumatoid factor — antibodies to the Fc fragment of immunoglobulin G. phenotypic differences.

Convalescence – recovery.

Remission — stage of the course of the disease, characterized by a temporary weakening or disappearance of its manifestations; in some diseases it can last for months or years.

Reticulocytosis – an increase in the number of reticulocytes in the peripheral blood (more than 1.5% of the number of erythrocytes). A sign of tension erythropoiesis.

Blood clot retraction – reduction and reduction of the volume of the blood clot with the release of serum.

Cellular receptor — highly specialized protein formations on the outer surface of cell membranes that have selective sensitivity to physical agents and are capable of transforming the energy of an external stimulus into a cellular response.

Relapse – reappearance of signs of the disease after remission.

Wounds – inflammation of the nasal mucosa.

Sanitation is a set of measures to identify, eliminate and prevent pathological changes.

Sepsis is a pathological condition caused by continuous or periodic entry of microorganisms from the focus of purulent inflammation.

Serous fluid is a liquid. Produced by the serous membranes.

C. sheath – sheath lining the walls of the body cavities. Covering the organs located in them – the peritoneum, pleura, pericardium, testicular membrane.

Serological reaction – antigen-antibody reaction Registered on the basis of one of the phenomena accompanied by the formation of the immune complex (precipitation, agglutination, complement fixation).

Serological testing – testing of antigens and antibodies using serological tests for the purpose of diagnosis, determination of blood groups or protein species.

Sideroblasts are immature erythroid cells containing iron granules. Detected in the bone marrow with sideroblastic anemia.

Symptom is a sign of a pathological condition or disease.

Syndrome is a set of symptoms united by a single pathogenesis.

Synovial fluid is a viscous fluid secreted by the synovial membrane into the joint cavity and lubricates and nourishes the articular cartilage.

Scarification – the application of small cuts on the surface of the skin during skin vaccination.

Hidden blood – blood. Contained in feces in quantities. Detected only by special reactions.

Medium molecular weight peptides – peptides with molecular weight from 300 to 5000 Daltons.

Staphylococcus is a genus of bacteria opportunistically pathogenic to humans.

Streptococcus is a genus of bacteria, some of which are pathogenic to humans.

Subfebrile temperature (subfebrile condition) – body temperature in the range of 37-38 ^O C.

Blood serum – blood plasma, from which fibrin is removed during the formation of a clot.

Tachycardia – increased heart rate.

Thymus is the thymus gland located between the trachea and the sternum.

Antibody titer is an indicator of the concentration of antibodies, expressed as a dilution factor of the test material (from 1:10 to 1:1000 depending on the reaction and type of antibodies).

Toxicosis is a pathological condition caused by poisoning or ingestion of toxins into the blood.

Toxins are substances of bacterial, plant or animal origin capable of causing disease or death in the human body when ingested.

Transplantation (transplantation) – replacement of tissues or organs missing or damaged by the pathological process with own tissues or organs and tissues,

taken from another organism.

Transudate (exudative, edematous fluid) – a protein-poor liquid that accumulates in tissues or body cavities in case of general or local circulatory disorders, increased sodium concentration, decreased protein concentration, etc.

Thrombocytopenia .

Uroproteinogram – spectrum of proteins contained in urine and separated by electrophoresis.

Phagocytosis is the process of active capture and absorption of microorganisms, destroyed cells, foreign particles, immune complexes.

Phagocytes — cells capable of phagocytosis — macrophages and segmented neutrophils.

Risk factors – external influences or internal disturbances (metabolism and functions) that are not the direct cause of a particular disease, but increase the likelihood of its occurrence.

Feminization — the appearance in men of secondary female sexual characteristics, due to dysfunction of the endocrine glands.

Feminizing tumors are tumors that produce estrogens and lead to feminization.

Liver cirrhosis – replacement of normal hepatic parenchyma with connective tissue with impaired liver function.

Cytostatic agents (cytostatics) – drugs that inhibit cell division. Used to stop the growth of malignant tumors.

Cytotoxicity – the ability to damage cells and cause their death.

Excretion — excretion of substances outside the body, organ, cell.

Exudate is a protein-rich liquid containing blood cells that exits small veins and capillaries into surrounding tissues and body cavities during inflammation.

Electrophoresis is a method of separation in an electric field on various carriers of amino acids, proteins, lipoproteins, enzymes, etc., bearing a surface charge.

Endogenous intoxication – intoxication (poisoning) of the body by certain metabolic products, which occurs when their excretion is insufficient or enhanced formation.

Endocervicitis — inflammation of the mucous membrane of the cervical canal.

Enterosorbents are mainly organic substances of a certain structure, capable of adsorbing other organic and inorganic substances on the surface. When ingested, the sorption process occurs in the intestine.

Encephalopathy is the general name for brain diseases characterized by its degenerative changes.

Eosinopenia – decrease in the number of eosinophils in the blood.

Epithelium – tissue. The lining surface of the body (epidermis), mucous membranes of hollow organs. Performs protective, secretory and other functions.

Eostrogens are female sex hormones.

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