Glossary

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Term Definition
Abscess

Tender mass generally full of pus and debris surrounded by a colored area from pink to deep red.

Amputation

The removal of all or a portion of an arm, leg, hand, foot, toe, or finger.

Anemia

A decrease in the number of healthy red blood cells (RBCs) or less than the normal quantity of hemoglobin in the blood.

Anxiety

Uncomfortable feeling of fear or concern.

Aortic valve regurgitation

A condition in which the valve between the left ventricle of the heart and the aorta does not open and close properly, making it difficult for the heart to pump blood to the body.

Aortic Valve Stenosisÿ(AS)

A narrowing of the valve between the left ventricle of the heart and the aorta, which is the largest artery in the body and carries the entire output of blood.

Aphasia

A communication disorder that impairs a person's ability to speak or understand others.

Aplastic Anemia

A blood disorder in which the body's bone marrow doesn't make enough new blood cells, resulting in lower counts of all three blood cell types: red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, termed pancytopenia.

Arrhythmia

Abnormal heart rhythm.

Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM)

A tangle of blood vessels that bypasses normal tissue and directly diverts blood from the arteries to the veins.

Arthritis

Joint disorder that involves inflammation of one or more joints.

Ascites

The accumulation of fluid in the abdominal (peritoneal) cavity.

Asthma

Respiratory disorder, often of allergic origin, characterized by difficulty breathing, wheezing, and a sense of constriction in the chest.

Atrial Septal Defectÿ(ASD)

Opening between the upper chambers of the heart allowing blood to bypass the normal circulatory route.

Atrioventricular Septal Defectÿ(or AV Canal Defect)

Opening between the four chambers of the heart allowing blood to bypass the normal circulatory route.

Augmentative/Alternative Communication (AAC)

Communication method using a representation system or symbols, including gestures, hand signals, photographs, pictures, line drawings, words and letters, which can be used alone or in combination

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Developmental disabilities appearing in the first 3 years of life including marked difficulties in socialization, communication, restricted and repetitive interests, and sensory sensitivities.

Bacterial Endocarditis

Disease characterized by inflammation or infection of the inner surface of the heart (the endocardium).

Barium swallow radiograph

Medical imaging procedure used to examine the upper GI (gastrointestinal) tract, which includes the esophagus, the stomach, and upper part of the small intestine.

Biopsy

Medical test that involves removal of tissue in order to examine it for disease.

BiPAP (Bi-level Positive Airway Pressure)

Breathing apparatus that helps people get more air into their lungs; uses air pressure to keep the airways open.

Bone Graft

Surgical procedure that replaces missing bone in order to repair bone fractures.

Bone Scan

Nuclear scanning test that identifies new areas of bone growth or breakdown.

Bradycardia

Condition in which the heart beats less than 60 beats per minute.

Bronchitis

Inflammation of the mucous membranes of the bronchi, the airways that carry airflow from the trachea into the lungs. 90% o cases are due to viral infections.

Brow Bone

Bony ridge located above the eye sockets.

Caf‚ au Lait

Hyperpigmented lesions that may vary in color from light brown to dark brown; the name of the condition means 'coffee with milk.' The borders may be smooth or irregular.

Capillary Hemangioma (strawberry)

Most common variant of hemangioma; appears as a raised, red, lumpy area of flesh anywhere on the body, though 83% occur on the head or neck area.

Cellulitis

Infection of the deeper layers of the skin, usually caused by the group A streptococcus bacteria.

Cheek Bone

Forms part of the eye socket,both protecting the eyeball and supporting it from below.

Chiari Malformation

Congenital condition in which the base of the skull and the upper spinal area are not formed properly or part of the back of the brain shifts downward through the bottom of the skull area.

Chromosome analysis (karyotype)

Test to examine chromosomes in a sample of cells, which can help identify genetic problems as the cause of a disorder or disease.

Coagulation Disorder (hemophilia and Von Willebrand disease)

Blood condition in which the blood does not clot properly.

Coarctation of the Aorta

Narrowing of the aorta that makes if difficult for blood flow to reach the rest of the body.

Collar bone

Bone located between the rib cage (sternum) and the shoulder blade (scapula); connects the arm to the body.

Colonoscopy

A procedure used to see inside the colon and rectum; can detect inflamed tissue, ulcers, and abnormal growths; used to look for early signs of colorectal cancer and can help doctors diagnose unexplained changes in bowel habits, abdominal pain, bleeding fr

Congenital heart defect

A problem with the structure of the heart that are present at birth; the most common type of major birth defect.

CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure)

Therapy that uses a machine to help a person who has obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) breathe more easily during sleep; increases air pressure in your throat so that your airway does not collapse when you breathe in.

CT (Computed Tomography) Scan

A medical imaging method employing tomography created by computer processing; a three dimentional image of the inside of an object is generated from a large series of two-dimensional X-ray images taken around a single axis of rotation.

Cyanosis

Bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes caused by a lack of oxygen in the blood.

Dehydration

Occurs when you lose more fluid than you take in, and your body doesn't have enough water and other fluids to carry out its normal functions.

Dilated cardiomyopathy

Condition in which the heart becomes weakened and enlarged and cannot pump blood efficiently. The decreased heart function can affect the lungs, liver, and other body systems.

Dizziness or vertigo

Feeling that you are about to faint or 'pass out' or feeling that you or your surroundings are moving when there is no actual movement.

Down Syndrome

Genetic condition that causes delays in physical and intellectual development. Down syndrome occurs when an individual has a full or partial extra copy of chromosome 21. A few of the common physical traits of Down syndrome are low muscle tone, small statu

Ebstein's Anomaly

Heart defect in which parts of the tricuspid valve are abnormal. The tricuspid valve separates the right lower heart chamber (right ventricle) from the right upper heart chamber (right atrium). The defect usually causes the valve to work poorly, and blood

Echocardiogram

Medical test that uses sound waves (ultrasound) to create a moving picture of the heart to look at its structure and function.

Eclampsia

This is when tonic-clonic seizures appear in a pregnant woman with high blood pressure and proteinuria.

Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)

Medical test that checks for problems with the electrical activity of your heart.

Electronic Communication Aids

Software of hardware that allows people to communicate who either cannot speak or have limited or no use of their hands.

Embolization

Minimally invasive, image guided treatment that involves injecting a special material or a device into a blood vessel in order to block or close it. It can be used to stop or prevent serious bleeding, cut off the flow of blood to a tumor, or reduce blood

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