The language of medicine-Saunders 2021(A of mini-dictionary)

Abdomen (AB-do-men): Space in the body below the chest containing organs such as the liver, stomach, gallbladder and intestines; abdominal cavity.

Abdominal cavity (ab-DOM-i-nal KAV-ih-te): Space in the body below the chest containing organs such as the liver, stomach, gallbladder and intestines; abdomen.

Abdominal ultrasonography (ab-DOM-in-al ul-trah-so-NOG- rah-fe): Sound waves are beamed into the abdomen and

produce an image of abdominal organs.

Abdominocentesis (ab-dom-in-o-sen-TE-sis): Puncture to remove fluid from the abdomen.

Abdominoplasty (ab-DOM-in-o-plas-te): Surgical repair of the abdomen.

Abduction (ab-DUK-shun): Movement away from the midline of the body.

Abductor (ab-DUK-tor): Muscle that draws a limb away from the body.

Abnormal (ab-NOR-mal): Pertaining to away from the rule or order.

Abortion (ah-BOR-shun): Termination of pregnancy before the embryo or fetus can exist on its own.

Abruptio placentae (ah-BRUP-se-o plah-SEN-te): Premature separation of the normally implanted placenta.

Abscess (AB-ses): Cavity containing pus surrounded by inflamed tissue; usually the result of localized infection.

Absence seizure (AB-sens SE-zhur): Minor form of seizure, consisting of momentary clouding of consciousness and loss of awareness.

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Absorption (ab-SORP-shun): Passage of materials through the walls of the small intestine into the bloodstream.

Accommodation (ah-kom-o-DA-shun): Normal adjustment of the eye to focus on objects from far to near.

ACE inhibitor (ACE in-HIB-ih-tor): Drug that lowers blood pressure by dilating blood vessels (antihypertensive).

Acetabular (ah-seh-TAB-u-lar): Pertaining to the acetabulum. Acetabulum (ah-seh-TAB-u-lum): Rounded depression, or

socket, in the pelvis that joins the femur, forming the hip joint.

Acetone (AS-eh-tohn): A type of ketone body formed when fay acids are broken down in the liver.

Acetylcholine (a-se-til-KO-leen): Neurotransmier chemical released at the ends of nerve cells.

Achalasia (ak-ah-LA-jah): Failure of the lower esophageal sphincter muscle (LES) to relax.

Achlorhydria (a-chlor-HI-dre-ah): Absence of hydrochloric acid from the gastric juice.

Achondroplasia (a-kon-dro-PLA-ze-ah): Inherited disorder in which the bones of the arms and legs fail to grow to normal size; achondroplastic dwarfism.

Acne (AK-ne): Chronic papular and pustular eruption of the skin with increased production of sebum.

Acoustic (ah-KOOS-tik): Pertaining to hearing.

Acoustic neuroma (ah-KOOS-tik nu-RO-mah): Benign tumor

arising from the acoustic nerve.

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (ah-KWI-erd im-u-no-

deh-FIH-shen-se SIN-drohm): Depression or suppression of the immune system after exposure to the human

immunodeficiency virus (HIV); marked by opportunistic infections, secondary neoplasms, and neurologic problems.

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Acromegaly (ak-ro-MEG-ah-le): Enlargement of extremities due to increased secretion of growth hormone from the pituitary gland after puberty.

Acromion (ak-RO-me-on): Outward extension of the shoulder blade forming the point of the shoulder.

Acrophobia (ak-ro-FO-be-ah): Fear of heights.

Acute (uh-KYOOT): Characterized by severe symptoms and a

short course of illness.

Acute coronary syndromes (uh-KYOOT KOR-o-nair-e SIN- drohms): Consequences of plaque rupture in coronary arteries;

unstable angina and myocardial infarction (heart aack).

Acute lymphoid leukemia (uh-KYOOT LIMF-oyd lu-KE-me- ah): Malignant, immature lymphocytes (lymphoblasts)

multiply in the blood, bone marrow, and lymphatic system.

Acute myeloid leukemia (uh-KYOOT MI-eh-loyd lu-KE-me- ah): Malignant, immature granulocytes (myeloblasts) multiply

in the bone marrow and bloodstream.

Adaptive immunity (ah-DAP-tiv ih-MU-nih-te): The ability to recognize and remember specific antigens and mount an aack on them.

Addiction (ah-DIK-shun): Physical and psychological dependence on and craving for a drug.

Addison disease (AD-ih-son dih-ZEEZ): Hypofunctioning of the adrenal cortex; decreased secretion of aldosterone and cortisol.

Additive action (AD-it-ive AK-shun): Drug action in which the combination of two similar drugs is equal to the sum of the effects of each.

Adduction (ah-DUK-shun): Movement toward the midline of the body.

Adductor (ah-DUK-tor): Muscle that draws a limb toward the body.

Adenitis (ah-deh-NI-tis): Inflammation of a gland. 1519

Adenocarcinoma (ah-deh-no-kar-sih-NO-mah): Cancerous tumor of glandular tissue.

Adenohypophysis (ah-den-o-hi-POF-ih-sis): Anterior lobe of the pituitary gland.

Adenoid hypertrophy (AH-den-oyd hi-PER-tro-fe): Increased development of adenoids.

Adenoidectomy (ah-den-oyd-EK-to-me): Removal of the adenoids.

Adenoids (AH-deh-noydz): Small masses of lymphatic tissue in the throat, close to the nasal (nose) passageway.

Adenoma (ah-deh-NO-mah): Tumor of a gland; benign tumor.

Adenopathy (ah-deh-NOP-ah-the): Disease condition of a “gland”, actually refers to disease of lymph nodes; lymphadenopathy.

Adipocyte (AH-dih-po-site): Fat cell. Adipose (AH-dih-pohz): Pertaining to fat.

Adjuvant chemotherapy (AD-ju-vant ke-mo-THER-ah-

pe): Treatment of disease with drugs to assist or enhance after

primary treatment.

Adnexa uteri (ad-NEK-sah U-ter-i): Accessory structures associated with the uterus; fallopian tubes and ovaries.

Adrenal cortex (ah-DRE-nal KOR-teks): Outer section (cortex) of each adrenal gland; secretes cortisol, aldosterone, and sex hormones.

Adrenal glands (ah-DRE-nal glanz): Endocrine glands above the kidney.

Adrenal medulla (ah-DRE-nal me-DU-lah): Inner section (medulla) of each adrenal gland; secretes epinephrine and norepinephrine.

Adrenal virilism (ah-DRE-nal VIR-il-izm): Excessive secretion of adrenal androgens.

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Adrenalectomy (ah-dre-nal-EK-to-me): Removal of an adrenal gland.

Adrenaline (ah-DREH-nah-lin): Hormone secreted by the adrenal medulla; increases heart rate and blood pressure. Also called epinephrine.

Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ah-dre-no-kor-tih-ko-TROP-ik HOR-mone): Secretion from the anterior lobe of the pituitary

gland; stimulates the adrenal cortex; ACTH.

Adrenocorticotropin (ah-dre-no-kor-tih-ko-TRO- pin): Adrenocorticotropic hormone; ACTH.

Aerosol (AIR-o-sol): Particles of drug suspended in air and inhaled.

Affect (AF-ekt): External expression of emotion; emotional response.

Afferent nerves (AF-er-ent nervz): Carry nervous impulses toward the brain and spinal cord; sensory nerves.

Agoraphobia (ah-gor-ah-FO-be-ah): Fear of open spaces; an anxiety disorder.

Akinetic (a-kih-NET-ik): Pertaining to loss or absence of voluntary movement.

Albinism (AL-bih-niz-im): Condition of skin deficient in pigment (melanin).

Albumin (al-BU-min): Major protein found in blood.

Albuminuria (al-bu-min-U-re-ah): Protein in the urine.

Aldosterone (al-DOS-teh-rone): Hormone secreted by the adrenal cortex; regulates salt and water balance.

Alkylating agents (AL-kih-la-ting A-jents): Synthetic chemicals used in treatment of cancer. They interfere with DNA synthesis

and cell division to prevent cancer cells from increasing in number.

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Allergen (AL-er-jen): Substance capable of causing a specific hypersensitivity reaction; a type of antigen.

Allergy (AL-er-je): Abnormal hypersensitivity acquired by exposure to an antigen (allergen).

Alopecia (al-o-PE-she-ah): Partial or complete lack of hair. Alopecia areata (al-o-PE-she-ah ar-e-AT-ah): Autoimmune

disease in which hair falls out in round patches.

Alveolar (al-ve-O-lar): Pertaining to an alveolus.

Alveolus; pl. alveoli (al-VE-o-lus; al-VE-o-li): Individualized section of an air sac in the lung.

Alzheimer disease (ALZ-hi-mer dih-ZEEZ): Brain disorder marked by gradual and progressive mental deterioration

(dementia), personality changes, and impairment of daily functioning.

Amblyopia (am-ble-O-pe-ah): Decreased visual acuity often in a single eye and appearing in children; lazy eye.

Amenorrhea (a-men-o-RE-ah): Absence of menstrual flow. Amino acids (ah-ME-no AS-idz): Small building blocks of

proteins, released when proteins are digested.

Amnesia (am-NE-ze-ah): Loss of memory.

Amniocentesis (am-ne-o-sen-TE-sis): Puncture with a needle to withdraw fluid from within the amniotic sac.

Amnion (AM-ne-on): Innermost membrane surrounding the embryo and fetus.

Amniotic fluid (am-ne-OT-ik FLU-id): Fluid contained within the amniotic sac surrounding the embryo and fetus.

Amphetamine (am-FET-ah-meen): Central nervous system stimulant.

Amylase (AM-ih-layz): Enzyme that digests (breaks down): starches into simpler substances (such as sugars).

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Amylase and lipase tests (am-ih-LAYZ and LI-pays tests): Tests for the levels of amylase and lipase enzymes in the blood.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (a-mi-o-TRO-fik LA-ter-al skleh-

RO-sis): Degenerative disorder of motor neurons in the spinal cord and brainstem leading to progressive muscular paralysis; Lou Gehrig disease.

Anabolism (ah-NAB-o-liz-im): Process of building up proteins in cells.

Anal fistula (A-nal FIS-tu-la): Abnormal tube-like passageway near the anus.

Analgesia (an-al-JE-ze-ah): Absence of sensitivity to pain.

Analgesic (an-al-JE-sik): Drug that relieves pain.

Analysis (ah-NAL-ih-sis): Separation of a substance into various parts.

Anaphylaxis (an-ah-fih-LAK-sis): Exaggerated hypersensitivity reaction to a previously encountered drug or foreign protein.

Anaplasia (an-ah-PLA-ze-ah): Loss of differentiation of cells and reversion to a more primitive, unspecialized cell type.

Anastomosis (ah-nas-to-MO-sis): Surgical procedure that creates a new opening between two previously unconnected tubular structures in the body.

Androgen (AN-dro-jen): Male hormone secreted by the testes; responsible for developing and maintaining male secondary sex characteristics. Testosterone is an example.

Anemia (ah-NE-me-ah): Condition marked by reduction in the number of erythrocytes or in the amount of hemoglobin in blood.

Anencephaly (an-en-SEF-ah-le): Congenital condition of partial or complete absence of brain maer.

Anesthesia (an-es-THE-ze-ah): Absence of nervous feeling or sensation.

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Anesthetic (an-es-THET-ik): Drug that reduces or eliminates nervous sensation; general and local.

Aneurysm (AN-yoo-rih-zim): Weakening of an arterial wall, which may lead to hemorrhage and cerebrovascular accident (stroke).

Angina (an-JI-nah): Chest pain associated with myocardial ischemia (poor blood supply).

Angiogenesis (an-je-o-JEN-ih-sis): Formation of blood vessels.

Angiogram (AN-je-o-gram): X-ray record of blood vessels.

Angiography (an-je-OG-rah-fe): X-ray imaging of blood vessels after injection of contrast material.

Angioplasty (AN-je-o-plas-te): Surgical repair of a blood vessel. Angiotensin II receptor blocker (an-je-o-TEN-sin 2 re-CEP-tor

BLOK-er): Drug that lowers blood pressure by preventing angiotensin from acting on receptors in blood vessels.

Anhidrosis (an-hi-DRO-sis): Absence of sweating.

Anisocoria (an-i-so-KO-re-ah): Inequality in the size of pupils.

Anisocytosis (an-i-so-si-TO-sis): Inequality in the size of red blood cells.

Ankylosing spondylitis (ang-kih-LO-sing spon-dih-LI-

tis): Chronic, progressive arthritis with stiffening of joints,

primarily of the spine.

Ankylosis (ang-kih-LO-sis): Immobility (fusion) of a joint due to disease, injury, or surgical procedure.

Anorexia (an-or-EK-se-ah): Lack of appetite.

Anorexia nervosa (an-o-REK-se-ah ner-VO-sah): Eating disorder of excessive dieting and refusal to maintain a normal body weight.

Anosmia (an-OZ-me-ah): Loss of the sense of smell.

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Anovulatory (an-OV-u-lat-or-e): Pertaining to the absence of ovulation.

Anoxia (ah-NOK-se-ah): Without oxygen.

Antacid (ant-AS-id): Drug that neutralizes acid in the stomach.

Antagonistic action (an-tag-on-NIS-tik AK-shun): Combination of two drugs gives less than the sum of the effects of each together.

Ante cibum (AN-te SE-bum): Before meals; (a.c.).

Anteflexion (an-te-FLEK-shun): Bending forward.

Antepartum (an-te-PAR-tum): Before birth.

Anterior (an-TE-re-or): Pertaining to the front portion of the body; ventral

Anterior chamber (an-TE-re-or CHAYM-ber): Area of the eye behind the cornea and in front of the lens and iris. It contains aqueous humor.

Anteroposterior (an-ter-o-pos-TE-re-or): In this AP x-ray view, x- rays travel from an anteriorly placed source to a posteriorly

placed detector (x-ray beam passes from the front to the back of the body).

Anthracosis (an-thrah-KO-sis): Abnormal condition of coal dust in the lungs; black lung disease.

Antiandrogen (an-te-AN-dro-jen): Drug that blocks the formation of androgens or interferes with their effect in tissues.

Antiarrhythmic (an-te-a-RITH-mik): Drug that treats abnormal heart rhythms.

Antibiotic (an-tih-bi-OT-ik): Chemical substance that has the ability to inhibit or destroy foreign organisms in the body.

Antibody (AN-tih-bod-e): Protein made by white blood cells in response to foreign substances (antigens) in the blood.

Anticoagulant (an-tih-ko-AG-ul-lant): Substance that prevents blood cloing.

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Anticonvulsant (an-tih-kon-VUL-sant): Drug that prevents convulsions and seizures.

Antidepressant (an-tih-de-PRES-ant): Drug that relieves symptoms of depression.

Antidiabetic (an-tih-di-ah-BET-ik): Drug given to prevent or treat diabetes mellitus.

Antidiarrheal (an-tih-di-ah-RE-al): Drug that prevents diarrhea. Antidiuretic hormone (an-tih-di-u-RET-ik HOR-

mone): Pituitary gland hormone that stimulates the kidney to decrease production of urine, preventing excess loss of water. Also called vasopressin.

Antidote (AN-tih-dote): Agent given to counteract an unwanted effect of a drug.

Antiemetic (an-te-eh-MET-ik): Drug that prevents nausea and vomiting.

Antigen (AN-tih-jen): Foreign substance or toxin (poison) that stimulates the production of an antibody; evokes an immune response.

Antiglobulin test (an-tih-GLOB-u-lin test): Test for the presence of antibodies that coat and damage erythrocytes; Coombs test.

Antihistamine (an-tih-HIS-tah-meen): Drug that blocks the action of histamine and helps prevent symptoms of allergy.

Antimetabolites (an-tih-meh-TAB-o-lites): Chemicals that prevent cell division by inhibiting formation of substances necessary to make DNA; used in cancer treatment.

Antimicrobial (an-tih-mi-KRO-be-al): Agent that kills microorganisms or stops their growth.

Antimitotics (an-tih-mi-TOT-iks): Drugs that block mitosis (cell division); used to treat cancer.

Antinauseant (an-tih-NAW-ze-ant): Drug that relieves nausea and vomiting; antiemetic.

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Antinuclear antibody test (an-te-NU-kle-ar AN-tih-bod-e test): Detects an antibody present in serum of patients with

systemic lupus erythematosus and other autoimmune diseases.

Antiplatelet (an-tih-PLAYT-let): Drug that reduces the tendency of platelets to stick together and form a clot.

Antipruritic (an-tih-pru-RIT-ik): Drug that acts against itching (pruritus).

Antipyretic (an-tih-pih-RET-ik): Drug that lowers fever. Antisepsis (an-tih-SEP-sus): Destruction of microorganisms to

prevent infection.

Antisocial personality (an-te-SO-shal per-son-AL-ih-

te): Characterized by lack of loyalty or concern for others and

lack of moral standards.

Antitoxin (an-tih-TOX-in): Substance produced against a toxin (poison); an antibody.

Antiulcer (an-te-UL-ser): Drug that inhibits the secretion of acid by cells lining the stomach.

Antiviral (an-te-VI-ral): Drug that acts against viruses such as the herpes virus and HIV.

Anuria (an-U-re-ah): Suppression of urine formation.

Anus (A-nus): Opening of the rectum to the outside of the body.

Anxiety disorders (ang-ZI-et-e dis-OR-derz): Characterized by unpleasant tensions, distress, and avoidance behavior;

examples are phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic distress disorder.

Anxiolytic (ang-zi-o-LIT-ik): Drug that relieves anxiety and produces a relaxing effect.

Aorta (a-OR-tah): Largest artery in the body

Aortic stenosis (a-OR-tik steh-NO-sis): Narrowing of the aorta.

Apathy (AH-pah-the): Absence of emotions; lack of interest or emotional involvement.

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Apex of the heart (A-pex of the hart): Lower tip of the heart. Apex of the lung (A-pex of the lung): Uppermost portion of the

lung.

Apgar score (AP-gar score): System of scoring an infant's physical condition at 1 and 5 minutes after birth; assesses heart rate, respiration, color, muscle tone and response to stimuli.

Aphakia (ah-FA-ke-ah): Absence of the lens of the eye. Aphasia (ah-FA-ze-ah): Inability to speak; language function is

impaired due to injury to the cerebral cortex.

Apheresis (ah-feh-RE-sis): Withdrawal and separation of blood elements.

Aphthous stomatitis (AF-thus sto-mah-TI-tis): Inflammation of the mouth with small ulcers; canker sores.

Apical (A-pih-kal): Pertaining to the tip of an organ.

Aplastic anemia (a-PLAS-tik ah-NE-me-ah): Failure of blood cell

production in the bone marrow. Apnea (AP-ne-ah): Without breathing.

Apocrine sweat gland (AP-o-krin swet gland): One of the large dermal exocrine glands located in the axilla and genital areas.

It secretes sweat that, in action with bacteria, is responsible for human body odor.

Apoptosis (a-pop-TO-sis): Programmed cell death. Appendectomy (ap-en-DEK-to-me): Removal or excision of the

appendix.

Appendicitis (ap-en-dih-SI-tis): Inflammation of the appendix.

Appendix (ap-EN-diks): Small, tube-like organ connected to beginning of the large intestine (cecum). It is located in the right lower quadrant (RLQ) of the abdomen.

Apraxia (a-PRAK-se-ah): Inability to perform purposeful acts or manipulate objects.

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Aqueous humor (AH-kwe-us HU-mor): Fluid produced by the ciliary body and found in the anterior chamber of the eye.

Arachnoid membrane (ah-RAK-noyd MEM-brayn): Middle layer of the meninges that surrounds the brain and spinal cord.

Areola (air-e-O-lah): Dark, pigmented area surrounding the breast nipple.

Aromatase inhibitor (ah-RO-mah-tace in-HIB-it-or): Drug that reduces estrogen in the blood by blocking the enzyme, aromatase.

Arrhythmia (a-RITH-me-ah): Irregular or abnormal heartbeat; literally without rhythm.

Arterial anastomosis (ar-TE-re-al ah-nas-to-MO-sis): New surgical connection between two arteries.

Arteriography (ar-TE-re-OG-rah-fe): X-ray recording of arteries; contrast is injected.

Arteriole (ar-TE-re-ohl): Small artery.

Arteriosclerosis (ar-te-re-o-skleh-RO-sis): Hardening of an artery

with collection of fay plaque.

Artery (AR-teh-re): Largest type of blood vessel.

Arthralgia (ar-THRAL-jah): Joint pain.

Arthritis (ar-THRI-tis): Inflammation of a joint.

Arthrocentesis (ar-thro-sen-TE-sis): Surgical puncture to remove fluid from the joint space.

Arthrodesis (ar-thro-DE-sis): Surgical fusion of a joint to eliminate movement.

Arthrography (ar-THROG-rah-fe): X-ray imaging of a joint after injection of contrast material.

Arthroplasty (ar-thro-PLAS-te): Surgical repair of a joint; total hip replacement and total knee replacement are examples.

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Arthroscopy (ar-THROS-ko-pe): Visual examination of the inside of joint with an endoscope.

Arthrotomy (ar-THROT-o-me): Incision of a joint.

Articular cartilage (ar-TIK-u-lar KAR-tih-laj): Smooth white tissue that covers the ends of bones where they come together at a joint.

Articulation (ar-tik-u-LA-shun): Any type of joint.

Asbestosis (as-bes-TO-sis): Abnormal condition of asbestos fiber

particles in the lungs.

Ascites (ah-SI-teez): Abnormal accumulation of fluid in the abdomen.

Aspermia (a-SPERM-e-ah): Failure to produce semen.

Asphyxia (as-FIX-se-ah): Deficient oxygen and increased carbon dioxide in the bloodstream leading to unconsciousness or death.

Asplenia (a-SPLEN-e-ah): Absence of a spleen.

Asthma (AZ-mah): Chronic inflammatory disorder, with airway obstruction due to bronchiolar edema, constriction, and increased mucus production.

Astigmatism (ah-STIG-mah-tiz-im): Defective curvature of the cornea or lens of the eye.

Astrocyte (AS-tro-site): Glial (neuroglial) cell that transports salts and water from capillaries in the central nervous system.

Astrocytoma (as-tro-si-TO-mah): Malignant brain tumor composed of astrocytes (glial cells).

Ataxia (a-TAK-se-ah): Without coordination.

Atelectasis (at-eh-LEK-tah-sis): Collapsed lung.

Atherectomy (ath-eh-REK-to-me): Removal of plaque (lipids and clots) that accumulate in the lining of an artery.

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Atheroma (ath-er-O-mah): Mass of fay plaque that collects in an artery.

Atherosclerosis (ath-er-o-skleh-RO-sis): Fay plaque deposits in the interior lining of an artery; a form of arteriosclerosis.

Atopic dermatitis (a-TOP-ik der-mah-TI-tis): Inflammation of skin (rash and intense itching) that tends to occur in patients with a family history of allergic reactions.

Atopy (AT-o-pe): Intense allergic reaction (such as asthma) influenced by hereditary tendency or predisposition.

Atresia (a-TRE-ze-ah): Absence of a normal opening.

Atrial (A-tre-al): Pertaining to an atrium (upper chamber of the

heart).

Atrial fibrillation (A-tre-al fib-rih-LA-shun): Electrical impulses move randomly throughout the atria, causing the atria to quiver instead of contracting with a normal rhythm.

Atrioventricular block (a-tre-o-ven-TRIK-u-lar blok): Failure of proper conduction of impulses from the SA node through the AV node to the atrioventricular bundle (bundle of His).

Atrioventricular bundle (a-tre-o-ven-TRIK-u-lar BUN-

dil): Specialized muscle fibers connecting the atria with the ventricles and transmiing impulses between them; bundle of His.

Atrioventricular node (a-tre-o-ven-TRIK-u-lar node): Specialized tissue in the wall between the atria. Electrical impulses pass

from the sino-atrial node (pacemaker) through the atrioventricular node and atrioventricular bundle (bundle of His) toward the ventricles.

Atrium; pl. atria (A-tre-um; A-tre-ah): Upper chamber of the heart.

Atrophy (AT-ro-fe): Decrease in size of normally developed organ or tissue of the body; wasting away.

Atypical antipsychotics (a-TIP-ik-al an-tih-si-KOT-iks): Drugs used to treat schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and other serious

1531

mental illnesses (psychoses).

Audiogram (AW-de-o-gram): Record of hearing using an audiometer.

Audiologist (aw-de-OL-o-jist): Healthcare professional specializing in the evaluation and rehabilitation of people with hearing loss.

Audiometer (aw-de-OM-eh-ter): Instrument to measure or test hearing.

Audiometry (aw-de-OM-eh-tre): Testing the sense of hearing. Auditory canal (AW-dih-to-re kah-NAL): Channel that leads from

the pinna to the eardrum.

Auditory meatus (AW-dih-to-re me-A-tus): Auditory canal.

Auditory nerve fibers (AW-dih-to-re nerv FI-berz): Carry impulses from the inner ear to the brain (cerebral cortex).

Auditory tube (AW-dih-to-re toob): Channel between the middle ear and the nasopharynx; eustachian tube.

Aura (AW-rah): Peculiar sensation appearing before more definite symptoms.

Aural (AW-ral): Pertaining to the ear.

Auricle (AW-rih-kl): Protruding part of the external ear; pinna.

Auscultation (aw-skul-TA-shun): Listening for sounds in the chest and abdomen using a stethoscope.

Autism (AW-tizm): Neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by inhibited social interaction and communication and by restricted, repetitive behavior.

Autoimmune disease (aw-to-ih-MEWN dih-ZEEZ): Condition in which the immune system (antibodies) aacks nomal, healthy cells producing chronic, disabling diseases.

Autologous transfusion (aw-TOL-o-gus trans-FU-

zhun): Removal and then reinfusion of a patient's own blood

or blood components.

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Autonomic nervous system (aw-to-NOM-ik NER-vus SIS- tem): Nerves that control involuntary body functions of

muscles, glands, and internal organs.

Autopsy (AW-top-se): Examination of a body after death (postmortem) to determine the cause of death.

Avoidant personality (ah-VOY-dant per-son-AL-ih-

te): Personality disorder marked by a paern of social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy, and hypersensitivity to negative evaluation.

Axillary (AK-sil-ar-e): Pertaining to the under arm or armpit.

Axillary nodes (AKS-il-ar-e nodes): Lymph nodes under the arm.

Axon (AKS-on): Microscopic fiber that carries a nervous impulse along a nerve cell.

Azoospermia (a-zo-o-SPERM-e-ah): Lack of sperm in the semen.

Azotemia (az-o-TE-me-ah): Excess nitrogenous waste products in the blood; uremia.