Medical Terminology Peggy C. Leonard (Chapter two, vocabulary)

Acute

Having severe symptoms and lasting for a short time.

Anatomic pathologist

A physician specializing in the study of effects of disease on the structure of the body.

Anatomic pathology

The study of effects of disease on the structure of the body.

Anatomy

The science of the structure of living organisms.

Anesthesiologist

A physician who specializes in administeration of anesthetics before or during surgery.

Anesthesiology

The branch of medicine that studies anesthesia and anesthetics.

Anesthetic

Pertaining to or producing anesthesia; an agent that produces anesthesia.

Anesthetist

A nurse or technician trained to administer anesthetics.

Benign

Not malignant; not recurrent; favorable for recovery.

Biohazard

A potentially dangerous infectious agent such as may be found in a clinical microbiology laboratory or used in experimental studies on genetic recombination.

Carcinoma

A malignant tumor; cancerous tumor.

Cardiac

Pertaining to the heart.

Cardiologist

A physician who is specially trained in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of heart disease.

Cardiology

The study of the heart and its functions.

Chronic

Showing little change or slow progression over a long period.

Clinical pathologist

A physician specialized in the branch of pathology that is applied to the solution of clinical problems, especially the use of laboratory methods in clinical diagnosis.

Clinical pathology

The study of disease by the use of laboratory tests and methods.

Clinical psychologist

A psychologist who uses psychological knowledge and techniques in the treatment of people who have emotional difficulties.

Clinical psychology

The use of psychologic knowledge and techniques in the treatment of emotional difficulties.

Dentistry

Branch of health care involved with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of conditions involving the teeth, jaw, and mouth. Dentistry is practiced by a dentist or oral surgeon.

Dermal

Pertaining to the skin. (Greek: Derma)

Dermatologic

Pertaining to the skin and dermatology; of or affecting the skin.

Dermatological

Pertaining to the skin and dermatology; of or affecting the skin. (Relates to dermatologic)

Dermatologist

A specialist in skin diseases.

Dermatology

The study of skin and skin diseases.

Diagnosis

The art of distinguishing one disease from another;determination of the nature of the casue of disease.

Diagnostic

Pertaining to diagnosis.

Emergency medicine

Medical specialty that deals with acutely ill or injured patients who require immediate medical treatment.

Endocrine

Secreting internally; applied to organs that secrete hormones into the bloodstream.

Endocrinologist

A physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting the endocrine system; a physician who treats disease arising from disordered internal secretions.

Endocrinology

The science that studies the endocrine glands and the hormones they produce.

Epidemic

Occurring suddenly in numbers clearly in excess of normal expectancy.

Epidemiologist

1) A medical scientist who studies the transmission and control of epidemic diseases.
2) A specialist in the study of outbreaks of disease within a population group.

Epidemiology

1) Branch of medical science concerned with the incidence, distribution, and control of diseases that affect large numbers of people.
2) The branch of medicine that studies the causes, spread, and control of disease in populations

Family practice

The medical specialty concerned with the planning and provision of the comprehensive primary health care of all family members, regardless of age or sex, on a continuing basis.

Forensic medicine

A branch of medicine that deals with the application of medical knowledge to the purposes of law.

Gastric

Pertaining to the stomach.

Gastroenterologist

A physician who specializes in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. (Stomach and intestines.)

Gastroenterology

The branch of medicine that studies the gastrointestinal tract (stomach and intestines)and its diseases.

Geriatrician

A physician who specializes in the care of older people.

Geriatrics

The branch of medical science that deals with diseases and problems specific to old people

Gerontology

The branch of science that deals with the problems of aging and all its aspects.

Gland

An aggregation of cells that are specialized to secrete or excrete materials not related to their ordinary needs.

Gynecologist

A physician who specializes in the female reproductive system and its diseases.

Gynecology

The branch of medicine that treats female diseases, especially those of the genital and urinary systems.

Holistic

Considering a person as a functioning whole. Holistic Health: the viewpoint recognizes the integrated aspects of a person's physical, emotional, intellectual, social, and spiritual needs.

Immunologist

A medical scientist or other person who specializes in and studies immunology.

Immunology

The branch of medical science concerned with the response of the organism to antigenic challenge, recognition of self from non-self, and all the aspects of immune phenomena.

Internal medicine

Branch of medicine involving the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and conditions of internal organs such as the respiratory system. The physician is an internist.

Internist

A specialist in internal medicine

Larynx

The organ of voice; the air passage between the lower pharynx and the trachea.

Licensed practical nurse (LPN)

One who is a graduate of a school of practical nursing and who performs certain services to the sick under the supervision of a registered nurse. (RN)

Licensed vocational nurse (LVN)

A graduate of school of practical nursing who has been legally authorized to practice.

Malignant

Tending to grow worse and threatening to result in death.

Medical technician

One who had received formal training in laboratory techniques in a 2-year associate program.

Medical technologist (MT)

One who is skilled in the performance of clinical laboratory procedures used in the diagnosis of disease and evaluation of patient progress. In general, the technologist has completed 4 years of specialized education in medical technology.

Neonatologist

Physician who specializes in the care of newborns.

Neonatology

The branch of pediatric medicine concerned with the newborn infants.

Neurologist

A medical specialist in the nervous system and the disorders or diseases affecting it.

Neurology

The branch of medicine that deals with the nervous system and its disorders.

Neuron

Any of the conducting cells of the nervous system.

Neurosurgeon

A physician who specializes in surgery of the nervous system.

Neurosurgery

Surgery of nervous system.

Nurse midwife

An individual educated in two disciplines of nursing and midwifery.

Obstetric

Pertaining obstetrics.

Obstetrical

Pertaining obstetrics.

Obstetrician

A physician who specializes in treatment of pregnancy, labor, and delivery.

Obstetrics

A branch of medicine concerned with pregnancy and childbirth.

Occupational therapist

An allied health professional who is nationally certified to practice occupational therapy.

Oncologist

A physician who studies and treats tumors.

Oncology

The study of tumors.

Ophthalmic

Pertaining to the eye.

Ophthalmologic

Pertaining to ophthalmology.

Ophthalmological

Pertaining to ophthalmology.

Ophthalmologist

A physician who specialized in the diagnosis and treatment of eye disease.

Ophthalmology

The study of the eye and its diseases.

Optical

Pertaining to vision.

Optician

A person qualified to make and supply eyeglasses and contact lenses for correction of vision.

Optometrist

A person skilled in testing for defects of vision in order to prescribe corrective glasses; specializes in optometry.

Optomerty

The professional practice of primary eye and vision care for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of associated disorders and for the improvement of vision by the prescription of spectacles and by use of other functional, optical, and pharmaceutical m

Oral

Pertaining to the oral cavity of the mouth.

Oral surgeon

A physician who specializes in oral surgery.

Orthopedic surgeon

A surgeon who specializes in orthopedics.

Orthopedics

The branch of surgery specially concerned with the preservation and restoration of the function of the skeletal system, its articulations and related structures.

Orthopedist

Physician who specializes in orthopedics.

Otic

Pertaining to the ear.

Otolaryngologist

A physician who specializes in the disorders of the ear or nose or throat or otolaryngology.

Otolaryngology

The branch of medicine concerned with the medical and surgical treatment of the head and neck, including the ears, nose, and throat.

Otologist

A physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of the ear and its diseases.

Otology

The branch of medicine concerned with the ear and its diseases.

Pathologic

Indicating or caused by some morbid process.

Pathological

Indicating or caused by some morbid process.

Pathology

The branch of medical science that studies the causes and nature and effects of diseases on the structure of the body.

Pediatric

Of or relating to the medical care of children or pertaining to pediatrics.

Pediatrician

A physician specializing in the treatment of children's diseases.

Pediatrics

Branch of medicine dealing with children and their diseases.

Pharmacist

One who is licensed to prepare, sell, or dispense drugs and compounds and to make up prescriptions.

Pharmacology

The study of drugs and their origin, properties, and effects on living systems.

Pharmacy

A retail shop where medicine drugs and compounds are sold.

Physical therapist

A therapist who treats injury or dysfunction with exercises and other physical treatments of the disorder

Physical therapy

Treatment to prevent disability and restore function through the use of heat, exercise, and massage to improve circulation, strength, flexibility, and muscle strength

Physician assistant (PA)

A physician who provides direct care services under the supervision of license physician.

Plastic surgery

Surgery that is concerned with restoration, reconstruction, correction, or improvement in the shape and appearance of body structures.

Preventive medicine

The branch of medicine concerned with preventing disease and promoting health.

Primary health care provider

A physician who usually is the first physician to examine a patient and who recommends secondary care physicians with expertise in the patient's specific health problem, if further treatment is needed.

Psychiatrist

A physician who specializes in psychiatry.

Psychiatry

The branch of medicine that deals with the recognition and treatment of mental disorders.

Radiation oncology

The medical specialty that treats cancer with ionizing radiation.

Radiologic

Having to do with radiology; having to do with radiant energy.

Radiologic Technologist

One who specializes in Use x-rays, radiation, nuclear medicine, ultrasound, and magnetic resonance to diagnose and treat disease; work under the supervision of a Radiologist.

Radiological

Pertaining to radiology.

Radiologist

A physician who uses roentgen rays, radium, and other forms of radiant energy in the diagnosis and treatment of disease.

Radiology

The science concerned with the use of various forms of radiant energy in the diagnosis and treatment of disease.

Radiolucent

Permitting the passage of x-rays, and other forms of radiant energy.

Radiopaque

Impervious to x-rays or other forms of radiation.

Radiotherapy

The treatment of disease (especially cancer) by exposure to ionizing radiation from a radioactive substance.

Registered Nurse (RN)

A nurse who has completed a 2-,3-, or 4-year nursing program and has passed a licensing test.

Rehabilitation Medicine

A branch of medicine that deals with restoring a person's ability to live and work as normally possible after a disabling injury or illness.

Remission

A diminution or abatement of the symptoms of a disease; also the period during which such diminution occurs.

Respiratory Therapist (RT)

Allied health professional whose duties include conducting pulmonary function tests, monitoring oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the blood, and administering breathing treatments.

Respiratory Therapy

Allied health specialty that assists patients with respiratory and cardipulmonary disorder. Duties of a respiratory therapist include conducting pulmonary function tests, monitoring oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the blood, administering breathing tr

Rheumatism

Any variety of disorders marked by inflammation, degeneration, or metabolic derangement of the connective tissue structures of the body, especially the joints and related structures.

Rheumatologist

A physician specializing in rheumatic diseases.

Rheumatology

The branch of medicine dealing with the study and treatment of pathologies of the muscles or tendons or joints. (Rheumatic disorders)

Rhinologist

Specialist in the study of the nose and its diseases.

Rhinology

The medical specialty that deals with the nose and its diseases.

Roentgenology

The branch of radiology that deals with x-rays.

Surgery

The branch of medicine that treats diseases, injuries, deformities by manual or operative methods; the place in a hospital where surgery is performed.

Therapeutic

Relating to or involved in therapy.

Therapy

Treatment of disease.

Triage

The sorting and prioritizing of patients for treatment.

Urinary

Pertaining to the urine.

Urologic

Pertaining to the urinary system.

Urological

Pertaining to the urinary system.

Urologist

A physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases and disorders of the urinary system of females and the genitourinary system of males.

Urology

The branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the urinary tract or urogenital system.