Medical vocabulary and terminology – Flashcards
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Adaptive immunity
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The ability to recognize and remember specific antigens and mount an attack on them. Humoral (B cells) and cell-mediated immunity (t-cells) are examples
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Adenoids
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Mass of lymphatic tissue in the nasopharynx
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Antibody
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Protein produced by b cells to destroy antigens
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Antigen
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Substance that the body recognizes as foreign; evokes an immune response. Most antigens are proteins or protein fragments found on the surface of bacteria, viruses, or organ transplant tissue cells.
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Axillary nodes
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Lymph nodes in the armpit
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B cell (lymphocyte)
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Lymphocyte that matures into a plasma cell to secrete antibodies. The B refers to the bursa of Fabricius, an organ in birds in which B cell differentiation and growth were first noted to occur.
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Cell-mediated immunity
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T cells (cytotoxic, helper, and suppressor) respond to antigens and destroy them; a type of adaptive immunity.
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Cervical nodes
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Lymph nodes in the neck region
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Complement system
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Set of proteins in the blood that help antibodies kill their targer
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Cytokines
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Proteins secreted by cytotoxic T cells to aid in antigen destruction. Examples are interferon and interleukins.
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Cytotoxic T cell
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Lymphocyte that directly kills antigens; called CD8 T cell
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Dendritic cell
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Antigen-presenting cell. Shows T and B cells what to attack
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Helper T cell
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Lymphocyte that aids B cells and stimulated T cells. Also called CD4 T cells
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Humoral immunity
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B cells produce antibodies after exposure to specific antigens; type of adaptive immunity.
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Immunity
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Body's ability to resist foreign organisms and toxin that damage tissues and organs.
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Immunoglobulins
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Antibodies such as IgA,E,G,M,D; secreted by plasma cells (mature B cells) in response to the presence of an antigen
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Immunotherapy
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Use of immune cells, antibodies, or vaccines to treat or prevent disease
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Inguinal nodes
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Lymph nodes in the groin region
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Interferons
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Proteins secreted by T cells and other cells to aid and regulate the immune system
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Interleukins
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Proteins that stimulate the growth of B and T lymphocytes
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Interstitial fluid
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Fluid in the spaces b/w cells. This fluid becomes lymph when it enters lymph capillaries
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Lymph
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Thin, watery fluid found within lymphatic vessels and collected from tissues throughout the body. Latin lympha means clear spring water.
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Lymph capillaries
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Tiniest lymphatic vessels
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Lymphoid organs
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Lymph nodes, spleen, and thymus gland
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Lymph node
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Collection of stationary solid lymphatic tissue along lymph vessels; contains cells that fight infection
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Lymph vessel
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Carrier of lymph throughout the body; lymphatic vessels empty lymph into veins in the upper part of the chest
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Macrophage
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Large phagocyte found in lymph nodes and other tissues of the body. Phago means to eat or swallow
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Mediastinal nodes
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Lymph nodes in the area b/w the lungs in the thoracic cavity.
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Mesentric nodes
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Lymph nodes in the mesentery (intestinal region
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Monoclonal antibody
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Antibody produced in a laboratory to attack antigens and to destroy cells; useful in immunotherapy
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Natural immunity
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Protection that an individual is born with to fight infection such as neutrophils, monocytes, macrophages, and NK cells. It is not antigen specific and doesn't elicit memory
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Paraaortic nodes
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Lymph nodesnear the aorta in the lumbar (waist) area of the body
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Plasma cell
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Lymphocyte that secrete antibodies. it matures from B lymphocyte.
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Right lymphatic duct
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Lymphatic vessel in the check that drains lymph from the upper right part of the body. It empties lymph into a large vein in the neck
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Spleen
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Organ in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen that destroys worn out red blood cells, activated lymphocytes and stores blood.
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Thoracic duct
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Large lymphatic vessel that drains lymph from the lower and left side of the body (head, neck, arm, and chest). It empties lymph into large veins in the neck
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Thymus gland
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Lymphoid organ in the mediastinum that conditions T cells to react to foreign cells and aids in the immune system
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Tonsils
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Masses of lymphatic tissue in the back of the oropharynx
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Vaccination
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Exposure of an individual to a foreign protein that provokes an immune response
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Vaccine
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Weakened or killed micro organisms, toxins, or other proteins given to induce immunity to infection or disease
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Immun/o
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Protection (autoimmune disease, immunoglobulin, immunosuppression)
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Lymph(o)
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Lymph (lymphopoiesis, lymphedema, lymphocytopenia, lymphocytosis, lympoid)
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Lymphaden/o
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Lymph node or gland (lymphadenopathy, lymphadenitis)
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Splen/o
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Spleen (splenomegaly, splenectomy, asplenia, hypersplenism)
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Thym/o
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Thymus gland (thymectomy)
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Tox/o
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Poison (toxic)
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Ana-
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Again, anew (anaphylaxis) phylaxis-protection
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Inter-
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Between (interstitial fluid)
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SCID
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Severe combined immunodeficiency disease
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AIDS
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Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
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Atopy
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Hypersensitive or allergic state involving an inherited predisposition
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Adjuvant chemotherapy
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Drugs are given after primary therapy. Adjuvant means to assist
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Alkylating agents
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Chemotherapeutic synthetic drugs that cause crosslinks and breaks in DNA to stop cells from dividing
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Anaplasia
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Loss of differentiation of cells; reversion to a more primitive cell type
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Antibiotics
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Chemotherapeutic drugs found in bacteria and fungi; which cause breaks in DNA strand to inhibit cell division
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Antimetabolites
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Chemotherapeutic agents that black the synthesis of DNA components and prevent cells from dividing
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Antimitotics
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Chemotherapeutic chemicals that block the function of a protein necessary for mitosis
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Apoptosis
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Programmed cell death
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Benign tumor
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No cancerous growth (neoplasm)
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Brachytherapy
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Radiotherapy that uses insertion of sealed containers into body cavities or radioactive seeds directly into the tumor
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Carcinogens
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Agents that cause cancer; chemical and drugs, radiation, and viruses
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Carcinoma
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Cancerous tumor made up of cells of epithelial origin
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Chemotherapy
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Treatment with drugs
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Combination chemotherapy
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Use of several chemotherapeutic agents together for treatment of tumors
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Dedifferentiation
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Loss of differentiation of cells; reversion to a more primitive, embryonic cell type
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DNA
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Genetic material within the nucleus of a cell, controls cell division and protein synthesis
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Differentiation
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Specialization of cells
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Electron beams
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Low-energy beams of radiation for treatment of skin or surface tumors
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Encapsulated
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Surround by a capsule, benign tumors are encapsulated
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External beam irradiation
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Radiation is applied to a tumor from a source outside the body
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Fields
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Dimensions of the area of the body undergoing irradiation
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Fractionation
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Giving radiation in small, repeated doses
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Genetic screening
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Patients and family member are tested to determine whether they have inherited a cancer-causing gene
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Grading of tumors
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Evaluating the degree of maturity of tumor cells o degree of differentiation
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Gray (Gy)
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Unit of absorbed radiation dose
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Gross description of tumors
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Visual appearance of tumors to the naked eye
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Immunotherapy
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Cancer treatment using immune cells and antibodies to kill tumor cells
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Infiltrative
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Extending beyond normal tissue boundaries into adjacent tissues
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Invasive
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Having the ability to enter and destroy surround tissue
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Irradiation
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Exposure to any form or radiant energy such as light, heat, or x-rays
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Linear accelerator
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Large electronic device that produces high-energy x-ray beams for treatment of deep-seated tumors
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Malignant tumor
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Tumor having the characteristics of continuous growth, invasiveness, and metastasis
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Mesenchymal
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Embryonic connective tissue.
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Metastasis
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Spread of a malignant tumor to a secondary site; literally, beyond control
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Microscopic description of tumors
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Appearance of tumors when viewed under a microscope
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Mitosis
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Replication of cells; a stage in a cells life cycle involving the production of two identical cells from a parent cell
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Mixed-tissue tumors
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Tumors composed of different types of tissue
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Modality
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Method of treatment, such as surgery, chemotherapy, or irradiation
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Molecularly targeted therapy
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Use of drugs to atttack specific targets that drive cancer cell growth
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Morbidity
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Condition of being unwell or deficient in normal funciton
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Mucinous
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Containing mucus
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Mutation
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Change in the genetic material of a cell
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Neoadjuvant chemotherapy
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Drugs are given before primary therapy to reduce the size of a tumor
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Neoplasm
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New growth;; benign or malignant tumor
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Nucleotide
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Unit of DNA compose of a sugar, phosphate, and base
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Oncogene
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Region of DNA in tumor cells or in viruses that cause cancer (viral oncogene). three-letter name.
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Palliative
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Relieving but not curing symptoms
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Pedunculated
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Possessing a stem or stalk; characteristic of some polypoid tumors
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Photon therapy
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Radiation therapy using energy in the form of x-rays or gamma rays
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Protocol
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Detailed plan for treatment of an illness
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Proton therapy
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Subatomic positively charged particles produced by a cyclotron deposit a dose of radiation at a rightly focused point in the body
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Radiation
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Energy carried by a stream of particles
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Radiocurable tumor
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Tumor that is completely destroyed by radiation therapy. Early hodgkin lymphoma is an example
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Radioresistant tumor
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Tumor that survives large doses or radiation
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Radiosensitive tumor
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Tymorin which radiation can cause the death of cells without serious damage to surround tissue
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Radiosensitizers
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Drugs that increase the sensitivity of tumors to x-rays
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Radiotherapy
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Treatment of tumors using doses of radiation; radiationoncology
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Relapse
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Recurrence of tumor after treatment
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Remission
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Partial or complete disappearance of symptoms of disease
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RNA
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Cellular substance that represent a copy of DNA and directs the formation of new protein inside cells
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Sarcoma
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Cancerous tumor derived from connective or flesh tissue
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Serous
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Having the appearance of a thin, watery fluid (serum)
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Sessile
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Having no stem, some polypoid tumors
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Simulation
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Study using CT scan or MRI to map the area to receive treatment before radiotherapy is given
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Solid tumor
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Tumor composed of a mass of cells
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Staging of tumors
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System of evaluation the extent of spread of tumors. TNM system
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Stereotactic radiosurgery
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Technique in which a single large dose of radiation is delivered under precise 3D guidance to destroy vascular abnormalities and small brain tumors
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Surgical procedures to treat cancer
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Methods of removing cancerous tissue
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Viral oncogene
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Pieces of DNA from viruses that infect a normal cell and cause it to become malignant
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Virus
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Infectious agent that reproduces by entering a host cell and using the host's genetic material to make copies of itself
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Alveol/o
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Small sac (alveolar)
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Cac/o
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Bad (cachexia)
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Carcin/o
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Cancer, cancerous (carcinoma
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Cauter/o
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Burn, heat (electrocauterization)
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Chem/o
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Chemical, drug (chemotherapy)
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Cry/o
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Cold (cyrosurgery)
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Cyst/o
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Sac of fluid (cystic fluid)
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Fibr/o
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Fibers (fibrosarcoma)
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Follicul/o
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Small glandular sacs (follicular)
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Fung/i
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Fungus, mushrooms (fungating tumor)
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Medull/o
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Soft, inner part (medullary tumor)
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Mucos/o
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Mucous membrane (mucositis)
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Mut/a
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Genetic change (mutation
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Mutagen/o
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Causing genetic change (mutagenic)
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Necr/o
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Death (necrotic tumor )
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Neur/o
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Nerve (neurofibromatosis)
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Onc/o
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Tumor (oncology)
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Papill/o
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Nipple-like (papillary
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Plas/o
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Formation (dysplastic)
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Ple/o
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Many, more (pleomorphic)
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Polyp/o
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Polyp (polypoid tumor)
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Prot/o
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First (protocol)
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Radi/o
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Rays (radiation
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Sarc/o
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Flesh, connective tissue (osteosarcoma)
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Scirrh/o
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Hard (scirrhous)
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Xer/o
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Dry (xerostomia)
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-blastoma
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Immature tumor (retinoblastoma, neuroblastoma)
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-genesis
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Formation (cancinogenesis)
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-oma
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Mass, tumor (adenocarcinoma)
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-plasia
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Formation, growth (hyperplasia)
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-plasm
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Growth, formation (neoplasm)
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-suppression
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To stop (myelosuppression)
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-therapy
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Treatment (radiotherapy
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Ana-
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Backward (anaplasia
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Apo-
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Off,away (apoptosis
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Brachy-
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Short (brachytherapy
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Epi
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Upon (epidermoid)
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Meta
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Beyond, change (metastasis)
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Neo-
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New (neoadjuvant)
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Tele-
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Far (teletherapy)
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Computed tomography (CT)
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Diagnostic x-ray procedure whereby a cross-sectional image of a specific body segment is produced. New create 3D images
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Contrast studies
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Radiopaque materials are injected to obtain contrast between tissues that would be indistinguishable from one another
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Gamma camera
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Machine to detect gamma rays emitted from radiopharmaceuticals during scanning for diagnostic purposes
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Half-life
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Time required for a radioactive substance to lose half its radioactivity by disintegration
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Interventional radiology
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Therapeutic or diagnostic procedures performed by a radiologist. Examples are needle biopsy
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In vitro
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Process, test, or procedure is performed, measured, or observed outside a living organism, often in a test tube
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In vivo
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Process, test, or procedure is performed, measured, or observed within a living organism.
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Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
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Magnetic field and radios waves produce Sagittarius, coronal, and axial images of the body
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Ionization
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Transformation of electrically neutral substances into electrically charged particles. X-rays cause ionization of particles within tissues
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Nuclear medicine
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Medical specialty that uses radioactive substances in the diagnosis and treatment of disease
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Positron emission tomography (PET)
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Positron-emitting radioactive substances given IV create a cross-sectional image of cellular metabolism base on local concentration of the radioactive substance.
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Radioimmunoassay
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Test combines radioactive chemicals and antibodies to detect minute quantities of substances in a patient's blood
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Radioisotope
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Radioactive form of an element substance; radionuclide.
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Riolabeled compound
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Radiopharmaceutical; used in nuclear medicine studies
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Radiology
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Medical specialty concerned with the study of x-rays and their use in the diagnosis of disease.
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Radiolucent
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Permitting the passage of x-rays. Radiolucent structure appear black on x-ray images.
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Radionuclide
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Radioactive form an element that gives off energy in the form of radiation; radioisotop
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Radiopaque
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Obstructing the passage of x-rays. Radiopaque structures appear white on the x-ray immages
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Radiopharmaceutical
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Radioactive drug that is administered safely for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes; a radiotracer.
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Scan
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Image of an area, organ or tissue of the body obtained from ultrasonography, radioactive tracer studies, computed tomography, or MRI
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Scintigraphy
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Diagnostic nuclear medicine test using radiopharmaceuticals and gamma camera to creat images
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Single photo emission computed tomography (SPECT)
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Radioactive tracer is injected IV and a computer reconstructs a 3D image based on a composite of many views
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Tagging
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Attaching a radionuclide to a chemical and following its path in the body
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Tracer studies
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Radionuclides are used as tate, or labels, attached to chemicals and followed as they travel through the body
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Ultrasonography (US, U/S)
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Diagnostic technique that projects and retrieves high-frequency sound waves as they echo off parts of the body
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Ultrasound transducer
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Handheld device that sends and receives ultrasound signals
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Uptake
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Rate of absorption of a radionuclide into an organ or tissue
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Ventilation-perfusion study (V/Q scan)
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Consists of two scans; a ventilation scan performed using an inhaled radiopharmaceutical and a perfusion scan using an IV injected radiopharmaceutical. Used for pulmonary embolism.
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Is/o
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Same (radioisotope)
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Pharmaceut/o
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Drug (radiopharmaceutical
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Radi/o
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X-rays (radiographer
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Son/o
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Sound (hysterosonogram)
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Therapeut/o
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Treatment (therapeutic
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Vitr/o
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Glass (in vitro)
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Viv/0
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Life (in vivo)
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-gram
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Record (angiogram, hysterosalpingogram, pyelogram)
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-graphy
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Process of recording (computed tomography)
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-lucent
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To shine (radiolucent)
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-opaque
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Obscure (radiopaque)
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Echo-a
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A repeated sound (echocardiography)
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Ultra-
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Beyond (ultrasonography)
