CAT scan see computerized axial tomography.
CEA carcinoembryonic antigen; a protein molecule used as a marker in blood for the presence of a tumor somewhere in the body.
certifiable disease any disease that is contagious and therefore must be reported to the board of health.
Cheyne-Stokes breathing in patients suffering from congestive heart failure, breathing characterized by long periods of apnea (no breathing) ending with several deep breaths.
chronic of long duration, as some diseases.
colonoscopy an internal examination for polyps or tumors in the colon through means of an inserted viewing instrument.
complete blood count see blood count.
computerized axial tomography (CAT scan, CT scan) an X-ray scanning of a body part that, unified with a computer, produces a cross-sectional view or three-dimensional image.
contusion a bruise.
coronary angioplasty a procedure in which a balloon-tipped catheter is inserted through an artery in the groin or arm and thread to a coronary artery that has narrowed through disease; the balloon is then inflated, expanding the size of the artery.
CPR see cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
CT scan see computerized axial tomography.
culture laboratory-grown germs for the purpose of identification and testing.
dialysis a treatment procedure that with the aid of various technologies mimics the duties of the kidneys in filtering waste from the blood and removing excess water, employed in patients with kidney damage.
diaphanography passing a light through the breast to examine shadows, which may reveal signs of disease.
diathermy the application of heat.
diuretic an agent prescribed to increase the amount of urine passed.
DOA abbreviation for dead on arrival, a term used by ambulance paramedics, police, and emergency room staff.
dosimetry the science of determining the exact dosage of medication.
DPT child's immunization against diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus.
echocardiography an ultrasound method of revealing the workings of the heart.
emetic an agent that stimulates vomiting.
enteral nutrition feeding through a tube passed through the nose and into the stomach.
epidemic a disease affecting a large group of people at the same time in the same community.
epidemiology the study of the occurrence and spread of a disease.
eponym the name of an illness, disorder, or medical tool as named after the person who first described it or invented it.
euthanasia the mercy killing of someone who is terminally ill.
expectorant a medicine that promotes the expulsion of mucus from the lungs.
extremis on the point of dying.
forensic medicine medical technology used to help solve crimes.
gavage feeding through a tube leading directly into the stomach through a hole created surgically in the abdominal wall.
gene therapy the substitution of abnormal genes with healthy ones as a treatment for a genetic disorder or disease.
GOMER slang term for a whining, complaining patient; an acronym for "Get out of my emergency room."
guaiac test a test for blood in the stool.
Heimlich maneuver an emergency procedure used to dislodge an object or piece of food caught in someone's throat, by means of applying sharp, sudden pressure to the abdomen below the rib cage.
hematocrit test a blood test to determine the ratio of blood cells to plasma, used to diagnose anemia.
hemoglobin a blood test to determine whether hemoglobin is too high or too low. A low level may indicate anemia, and a high level, the presence of tumors.
Hippocrates Greek physician known as the father of medicine, who lived before Christ's time and is the author of the Hippocratic oath.
Hippocratic oath an oath all physicians take promising to follow a code of ethical, professional conduct.
hydrogen breath test a test to measure the amount of hydrogen in one's breath, which can point to problems in digesting carbohydrates, such as lactose intolerance.
hyperbaric oxygenation therapy the use of high- pressure oxygen to treat carbon monoxide poisoning and burns.
hypochondriac a person excessively concerned about his health.
immunization vaccination with various antigens to active the immune system to produce antibodies as a protection against future infections.
incipient in the early stages.
informed consent a patient's legal consent to perform a treatment, procedure, or test after being informed of the risks involved.
inoculation the injection of a vaccine into the body.
intravenous within or via a vein.
intubation insertion of a tube through any part of the body for diagnostic or treatment purposes.
LASIK laser in-situ keratomileusis; a procedure to correct nearsightedness through the cutting away of corneal tissue by means of a special knife and a laser.
lavage washing out of an organ.
lesion collective term for damage to tissue, including abscesses, herpes, ulcers, tumors, and injuries.
liver blood test a blood test to measure liver enzymes to detect possible damage to the liver.
locum tenens Latin term for the temporary taking over of a practice of one doctor by another.
MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY AND TESTS 331
lower G.I. series lower gastrointestinal series; an X-ray exam using barium as a contrast medium to reveal detail in the colon. Also called a barium enema.
lumbar puncture the insertion of a needle into the spinal canal at the lower back to withdraw fluid for diagnostic purposes or to administer antibiotics or cancer drugs. Also known as a spinal tap.
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) the use of an
imaging technique employing magnetic properties instead of X-rays to reveal the interior of the body.
mammography the X-ray imaging of breast tissue.
mammogram an X-ray image of breast tissue, used to detect cancer.
Mantoux test a skin test for tuberculosis.
Mazzini test a test for syphilis.
methylene blue test an injection of dye that should appear in the urine within 30 minutes if the kidneys are functioning normally.
MRI see magnetic resonance imaging.
myringotomy an incision made in the eardrum to remove fluid and for the insertion and long-term placement of a ventilating tube, as a treatment for chronic ear infections.
nosocomial referring to the hospital, especially a disease or infection acquired while in the hospital.
nostrum a quack medicine.
occult hidden or concealed, as in blood in the stool.
organotherapy the use of hormones and tissue extracts from animals to treat human diseases.
oximetry the measurement of the concentration of oxygen in the blood, through sensors (oximeters) attached to the ear and finger.