Glossary

Similar in meaning to the suffix -oid, which means 'resembling'

A suffix sometimes used in names of diseases. For example, gliobastoma multiforme.

Suffix meaning 'resembling'

means much or many

An example of a chemotherapy treatment that uses a combination of drugs to treat lymphoma.

An acronym is a word made from the first letter of each word of a phrase. The acronym is used to remember the phrase and also to shorten it when using it. Example: PHIPA (Personal Health Information Protection Act).

A short form that is created by using the first letter of each word in the name of the thing.

The structures surrounding the eye (lashes, lids, muscles, brows, lacrimal system).

means okay

When the wall of an artery becomes weak and starts to balloon outwards. As blood continues to travel through the compromised vessel under high pressure, the weakened area could burst, causing a hemorrhagic stroke.

Proteins created by B lymphocytes. These antibodies bind to specific markers on the outside of cells, thus causing a clumping and ultimate destruction of these cells.

Apposition means having 2 side-by-side nouns in a sentence, both of which are referring to the same person/place/thing.

Acute renal failure. A sudden loss of kidney function. This is sometimes caused by medications and it is possible that it will resolve.

An abnormal condition of stiffening of joints in the body.

An abnormal condition of hardening of the arteries due to fatty plaques building up in their walls.

pertaining to the ear

A means of administering a substance (like an IV medication) all at once, rather than dripping it in slowly over time.

Brief forms are not formal abbreviations, rather, they are common short forms used in the medical community.

Large airways branching from the trachea.

The adjective form of bulla (blister that is larger than 1 cm in diameter).

Culture and Sensitivity=Taking a sample from a patient and growing it in a lab to determine the type of bacteria and which antibiotics will be effective

Labels given to surface proteins found on cells.

Central nervous system (includes brain and spinal cord)

These include the emergency room, intensive care unit, laboratory, etc.

A thin mucous membrane that covers the front of the eye and lines the eyelids.

Chronic renal failure. A gradual, permanent loss of kidney function. Patients will need dialysis or transplant.

A group of medications that are used to treat autoimmune diseases

A tube that is implanted into the ureter to prevent it from re-occluding. It has a pigtail-shaped curve at both ends, which help hold the stent in place.

Electrocardiogram=electrical recording of heart activity

Electroencephalogram=electrical recording of brain activity

A test for muscles and nerves

Via the ET tube

A test used by audiologists that provided information about balance and movement issues

When a place or thing is named after the person who invented or discovered it.

When a test does not provide a clear answer.

FANBOYS is a mnemonic to help recall the connecting words for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so.

Means how readily the person tires.

Something is changing randomly. Also, the rate or level of change.

A type of manual movement of the eye performed by the physician.

Essentially the pathogen's first name. Genus is a level of classification of microorganisms.

A primary brain tumour that originates from glial cells.

Autoimmune disease, causing overactive thyroid. Named after Robert Graves.

Looks similar to herpes lesions

A marker found on body cells. Cells of specific tissues have a specific marker. These markers are important when trying to match donor and recipients for tissue transplants.

A part of the small intestine.

the largest part of the pelvic bone

These infection-fighting proteins are produced by immune system cells when a pathogen is detected in the body.

Directly into the joint space.

Into the nose

Into the thecal sac, which is the meninges that surround and protect the spinal cord.

The name of the position you hold at your current employment.

The part of the retina that provides the best focus.

A type of skin lesion.

A rash, often due to a virus or a drug reaction, that features both macules (small areas of skin that have changed colour) and papules (small, hard bumps on the skin).

A part of ankle joint

One of the auditory ossicles (tiny bones in the ear that conduct vibrations)

These include radiology, pathology, cardiology, dialysis, anesthesia, surgery, ophthalmology, gerontology, pediatrics, obstetrics, orthopedics, etc.

Mixed numbers have a hyphen between the whole number and the fraction.Example: 2-2/3 (two and two thirds)

Surgical procedure named after F. Mohs.

The type of work you do for pay and could do at many different organizations/employers.

right eye (oculus dexter)

means frequently

The part of the retina where all the axons of the rods and cones come together to form the optic nerve.

pertaining to the mouth

A number that indicates the position on a list. For example, 1st, 2nd, 3rd....

Numbers that indicate a position in a list, such as 4th, 5th, 6th.

Left eye (oculus sinister)

Both eyes (Oculus uterque

Administered into a person through a non-gastrointestinal route. For example: intravenous or intramuscular.

Open or unblocked. Example: Check to see if the IV is patent.

A micro-organism that causes disease.

Blood supply to an organ.

Locations such as countries, cities, provinces, states, regions, campgrounds, trailer parks, provincial parks, towns, villages.

(when referring to x-rays) means unenhanced (no dye used) or 2-dimensional

The direction along which CT or MRI imaging slices the body/organ (sagittal, axial/transverse, coronal/frontal).

Pertaining to the serous membrane surrounding the lungs.

Pertaining to pleurisy (inflammations of pleura).

more than one

A large quantity of something.

Pertaining to pruritus (itching).

means that something has happened again

Specific instructions on how the drug is to be taken (route of administration, frequency, with or without food, and time of day).

An abnormal respiratory sound heard on auscultation.

The white of the eye.

Something that is not well made. A cheap-quality item.

An organ feels like it is filled with pellets, like shotgun pellets.

Also called office note or clinic note, this type of report details a patient's visit with their physician or a clinic.

Essentially the pathogen's last name. Species is a higher level of classification of microorganisms than genus.

Under the tongue

Insertion of a breathing tube through a surgical incision into the trachea. May be long-term or permanent.

Create an artificial opening in the trachea.

The tube that carries urine from each kidney to the bladder. There are 2 ureters.

The tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body.

United States Pharmacopeia

Visual acuity is a measure of how clearly you can see. For example, someone with 20/20 vision can see things that are 20 feet away as clearly as anyone with normal, healthy vision.

White blood cell or leukocyte.

Verb. An action or a command to carry your body's weight on a lower extremity or both lower extremities.

The action of putting weight on a lower extremity, often used as an adjective.