Facts on File Encyclopedia of Health and Medicine

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APPENDIX III


GLOSSARY OF MEDICAL TERMS

afferent Moving inward or toward the body’s
center.
anastomosisA natural or surgically created con-
nection between two structures.
arterial blood gasesMeasurement of the levels
of oxygen (partial pressure of oxygen, PO 2 ) and
carbon dioxide (partial pressure of carbon dioxide,
PCO 2 ) in a sample of blood drawn from an artery.
Tests may also measure the level of carbon
monoxide and the blood’s acidity (pH).
benignHarmless.
biopsyRemoval of a tissue or fluid sample from
the body to conduct pathologic examination for
diagnostic purposes.
cabbagePronunciation of the acronym “CABG,”
which stands for coronary artery bypass graft.
carcinogenicCapable of causing cancer.
complete blood count (CBC)Measure of the
numbers and types (differentiation) of blood cells
present in a sample drawn from a vein.
computed tomography (CT) scanA diagnostic
imaging procedure that uses a computer to gener-
ate three-dimensional images from multiple, seg-
mental X-rays. A CT scan may include ingestion
or injection of a contrast medium to increase the
density of structures, making them more visible
via X-ray.
cystAn enclosed, saclike structure that may con-
tain liquid or solid material.
dark adaptation testA test that assesses the
ability to see in a dimly lighted environment.
deformityAn abnormality of structure. Deformi-
ties, also called defects, may be congenital (pres-
ent at birth) or acquired (result from injury or
disease).
diagnosisThe identification of a health condi-
tion, disorder, or disease.


diagnostic imagingProcedures that allow visu-
alization of internal organs, structures, or
processes to diagnose health conditions or moni-
tor the progress of treatment. Common diagnostic
imaging procedures include X-ray, ultrasound,
computed tomography (CT) scan, and magnetic
resonance imaging (MRI).
diseaseA health condition for which there are
signs (objective and observable evidence) though
the person may experience no symptoms (subjec-
tive perceptions).
donor A person who gives a structure or sub-
stance (blood, tissue, organ) to another person,
the recipient.
dorsalThe back, or spinal, surface.
efferent Moving outward or away from the
body’s center.
electrocautery The use of electrical current to
generate heat capable of fusing bleeding blood
vessels or eliminating tissue.
electromyography (EMG) A diagnostic proce-
dure that uses electrodes attached to tiny needles
inserted into selected muscles or placed on the
surface of the skin, to measure the electrical activ-
ity in muscles to assess their function.
electronystagmographyA diagnostic procedure
that measures the electrical activity of the muscles
that move the eyes.
fatigue Extended, persistent loss of physical,
mental, and emotional energies and abilities.
fissureA natural division or channel in an organ
or an abnormal split in a tissue.
fistulaAn abnormal opening between two struc-
tures.
fluoroscopy An imaging procedure that uses a
steady stream of X-rays viewed on a monitor (tel-
evision screen) to provide real-time, moving

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