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Anatomical Position
To stand erect with arms at the sides and palms of the hands turned forward
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Prone
Forearm and hand turned palm side down; body lying face down
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Supine
Body lying flat with face up
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Anterior
Situated in front of or directed toward the front
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Posterior/Dorsal
Rear or back
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Superior
Upper, nearer to the crown of the head
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Inferior
Lower, farther from the crown of the head
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Frontal/Coronal
Divides body into anterior/posterior parts
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Transverse
Right angles to long axis; divides body into upper and lower parts
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Midline
Divides the body into left and right sides
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Superficial
Nearer to the surface
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Deep
Farther from the surface
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Medial
Nearer to the midline
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Lateral
Farther from the midline
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Proximal
Nearer to the limb root
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Distal
Farther from the limb root
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Palmer/Volar
Palm side of the hand or body
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Plantar
Sole side of the foot
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Abduction
Draws away from the middline
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Adduction
Draws towards the midline
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Flexion
Bending or angulations
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Depressor
Applied to muscle, that which lowers a structure
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Levator
Applied to muscle, that which raises a structure
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Supinator
Turning of the palm of the hand upwards by lateral forarm rotation
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Pronator
Turning of the palm of the hand downward by medial forearm rotation
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Adnexa
Refers to appendages of an organ. Ex. Ovaries and fallopian tubes
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Ambulatory
Able to move about; not confined to bed
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Aneurysm
A widening of a blood vessel due to pressure on weakened tissues causing formation of a sac of blood that may become clotted
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Angina
A severe, often constricting pain, usually referring to the chest that occurs when your heart does not get enough blood
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Anasarca
Extensive subcutaneous edema; an expression of a generalized edema such as occurs in congestive heart failure. There is diffuse subcutaneous swelling, which is cool to the touch and retains the imprint of a fingertip after pressure is release - hence 'pitting edema'
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Aphasia
Condition characterized by either partial or total loss of the ability to communicate verbally or using written words. A person with aphasia may have difficulty speaking, reading, writing, recognizing names of objects, or understanding what other people have said. Aphasia is caused by a brain injury, as may occur during a traumatic accident or when the brain is deprived of oxygen during a stroke
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Appendicitis
Inflammation of the appendix
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Appendectomy
Surgical removal of the appendix
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Arrhythmia
Abnormal heart rhythm
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Artery
Blood vessel carrying blood away from the heart
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Arthralgia
Severe pain in a joint
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Articulation
Connection between bones
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Ascites
Accumulation of serious fluid in the abdominal cavity
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Atelectasis
Partial or total collapse of lung tissue
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Avulsion
A forcible pulling away of a part or structure
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Bradycardia
Unusually slow heart beat/rate (<60 bpm)
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Bradypnea
Abnormally slow breathing (<12 breaths per min)
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Bronchitis
Inflammation of the bronchi, usually infectious
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Bronchiolitis
Inflammation of the bronchioloes, the smallest air passages of the lung. The term usually refers to acute viral bronchiolitis, a common disease in infancy. This is most commonly caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
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Bruit
A murmur or sound heard in auscultation
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Cachectic
State of general ill appearance and malnutrition
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Cardiomegaly
Enlargement of the heart
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Cellulitis
Inflammation of subcutaneous, loose connective tissue; skin infection
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Cervical
Pertaining to the neck or to the cerix of the uterus
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Cholecystectomy
Surgical removal of the gallbladder
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Cholecystitis
Inflammation of the gallbladder
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Cholelithiasis
Production gall stones
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Cirrhosis
Inflammation of an organ by degenerative changes, especially the liver
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Colectomy
Excision of part of the large intestine or colon
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Colostomy
Surgical procedure that provides an opening between the colon and the abdominal wall
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Complication
An infrequent and unfavorable evolution of a disease, a health condition, or a medical treatment
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Condylar, Condyle
A rounded projection on a bone, usually for articulation with another bone
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Conjunctiva
Delicate membrane lining the eyelids and covering the eyeball
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Contusion
A mechainical injury causing hemorrhages beneath unbroken skin; bruise
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Cornea
Transparent coat of the eyeball covering the iris and pupil, allowing light into the eye
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Costochondritis
Or Tietze's Syndrome is a benign inflammation of one or more of the costal cartilages
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Crepitance
A crackling or grating sound, usually of bones
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Cyanotic
Pertaining to a bluish or slatelike skin color
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Debridement
Removal of foreign matter or dead tissue from a wound
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Dehiscence
A seperation of layers usually of a surgical incision
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Dentition
The teeth in situ or in the dental arch
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Dermis
True skin, beneath the epidermis
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Diaphoresis
Excessive or profuse sweating or perspiration
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Diarrhea
An abnormal, frequent discharge of fluid fecal matter from the bowel
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Differential Diagnosis
A diagnosis of symptoms of two or more diseases by comparison
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Dorsiflexion
Backward flexion, as in bending backward either a hand or foot
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Dysmenorrhea
Painful menstruation
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Dyspareunia
Painful intercourse
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Dysphagia
Difficulty swallowing
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Dysphasia
Loss of or deficiency in the power to understand language as a result of injury or disease to the brain
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Dyspnea
Difficult and labored breathing, shortness of breath
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Dysuria
Painful urination
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Ecchymosis
Hemorrhagic, non-elevated, irregularly-formed, discolored area of skin caused by seepage of blood beneath the epidermis (A bruise!)
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Eczema
Inflammatory condition of the skin which may be acute or chronic, characterized by itching or burning, tiny papules and vesicles, oozing, crusting, and scaling
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Edema
Swelling of body tissues due to an excessive accumulation of fluid in connective tissue or a serous cavity
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Effusion
Escape of fluid into a cavity
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Emaciate
To become extremely thin or lean; wasting
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Embolism
Obstruction of a blood vessel by a clot of blood or foreign substance
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Epididymitis
Inflammation or infection of the epididymis. In this long coiled tube attached to the upper part of each testicle, spem mature and are stored before ejactulation
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Epitaxis
Hemorrhage from the nose; nose bleeding
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Erythema
Unusual redness of the skin caused by capillary congestion
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Etiology
Cause of disease and their mode of operation
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Euthymic
Pertaining to a normal mood in which the range of emotions is neither depressed nor highly elevated
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Exanthem
Widespread rash seen most in children
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Exudate
A fluid with a high content of protein and cellular debris which has escaped from blood vessels and has been deposited in tissues or on tissue surfaces, usually as a result of inflammation
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Fascia
Fibrous membrane of connective tissue supporting and separating muscles and body organs
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Febrile
Pertaining to having a fever
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Fluorescein
Red, crystalline substance used in diagnostic examination of the eye to detect corneal lesions, abrasions, and foreign bodies
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Fontanel
Any of the spaces closed by membranous structures between the uncompleted angles of the parietal bones and the neighboring bones of a fetal or young skull
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Fossa
A hollow or depressed area
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Fundus
The large, upper end of the uterus; also the bottom aperture of the internal surface of a hollow organ (e.g. eye, uterus, stomach)
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Gastroenteritis
(also known as gastro, gastric flu, and stomach flu although unrelated to influenza) refers to inflammation of the GI tract, involving both the stomach and the small intestine and resulting in acute diarrhea. The inflammation is most often caused by infection with certain viruses, less often by bacteria or their toxins, parasites, or adverse reactions to something in the diet or medication
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Gastrstomy
A surgical procedure for inserting a tube through the abdomen wall and into the stomach. The tube is used for feeding or drainage.
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Grand mal
Severe epileptic attack characterized by convulsions, stupor, and temporary loss of consciousness (more frequently referred to as tonic-clonic seirzures)
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Hallucinations
The apparent, often strong subjective perception of an object or situation even when no such stimulus or situation is present; may be visual, auditory, olfactory, gustatory, or tactile
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Hemangioma
Tumor consisting of blood vessels
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Hematemesis
Vomiting of blood
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Hematochezia
Blood in the stool
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Hematoma
Swelling of blood which occurs in an organ or tissue resulting from ruptured blood vessels
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Hematuria
Blood in the urine
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Hemoptysis
Spitting of blood; bloodstained sputum
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Hemorrhage
Excessive or profuse bleeding
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Hemostat
A hemostat or hemostatic clamp is a surgical tool, which resembles a set of scissors with a locking clamp replacing the blade. A hemostat is commonly used in emergency medicine to control bleeding, especially from a torn blood vessel, until sutures or other surgical techniques can repair the bleeding. The process of halting bleeding is called hemostasis
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Hemothorax
Blood fluid present in the pleural cavity
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Hepatosplenomegaly
Enlargement of the liver and spleen
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Hydrocele
A pathological accumulation of serious fluid in a bodily cavity
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Hyperkalemia
An abnormally high concentration of potassium ions in the blood; high potassium
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Hypernatremia
An abnormally high plasma concentration of sodium ions; high sodium (>140 mM, normal range is 136-140mM)
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Hypertension
Persistently high arterial blood pressure
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Hyponatremia
This electrolyte disturbance exists when the sodium concentration in the plasma falls below 135 mM
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Hypotension
Persistently low arterial blood pressure
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Icteric
(Jaundice) The yellowish discoloration of the skin, sclerae (white of the eyes) and mucous membranes caused by hyperbilirubinemia
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Ileus
The presense of air/fluid levels on abdominal X-rays
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Induration
Act of hardening; a specific area of hardened tissue
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Infarct
Necrotic area of tissue following cessation of the blood supply
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Infiltrate
To penetrate the interstices of a tissue or substance
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Inguinal
Pertaining to the groin area
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Intussusception
(A blockage of the intestine) a medical condition in which a part of the small intestine has ingavinated into another section of intestine, similar to the way in which the parts of a collapsible telescope slide into one another
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Ischemia
Temporary and localized anemia due to resticting circulation to a part
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Interstice
A small interval, space, or gap in a tissue, organ, or structure
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Joint
Articulation of junction between two or more bones or cartilage
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Keloid
Scar formation consisting of dense tissue
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Lacrimal
To do with tears
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Ligament
Fibrous tissue, binding bones together
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Lingual
Belonging to the tongue
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Loculations
The presence of numerous small spaces or cavities
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Lymphadenitis
Is the inflammation of a lymph node
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Lymphadenopathy
A chronic, abnormal enlargement of the lymph nodes, usually associated with disease
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Macule
Small colored spot on the skin
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Malaise
Generalized discomfort or weakness
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Malleolus
Projections on either side of the ankle joint from the lower leg bones
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Malocclusion
Imperfect closure or meeting of opposing teeth
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Mastectomy
Surgical excision of the breast
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Meningitis
Inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, known collectively as the meninges. Meningitis may develop in response to a number of causes, most commonly bacteria, viruses, and other infectious agents
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Meningismus
The triad of nuchal rigidity, photophobia, and heachache. It is a sign of irritation of the meninges
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Menorrhagia
Excessively heavy menstrual flow with cycles of normal length (hypermenorrhea)
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Mittelschmerz
Abdominal pain occurring at the time of ovulation resulting from irritation of the peritoneum by bleeding from the ovulation site
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Mottled
Marked by spots or blotches of different colors or shades
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Mycoplasma
A genus of bacteria that lack a cell wall. Because they lack a cell wall, they are unaffected by some antibiotics such as penicillin
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Neuralgia
Sharp pain along the course of a nerve or several nerves
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Nystagmus
Involuntary rapid eye movements
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Occiput
Back of the skull
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Odynophagia
Painful swallowing
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Olecranon
Large bony projection of the ulna forming the elbow joint
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Ophtalmalgia
Pain in the eye
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Os
Opening/orifice (ex. cervix, mouth)
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Palate
Roof of the mouth; the partition seperating the nasal and oral caivties
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Pallor
Paleness to the skin
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Palpable
Able to be touched or earily perceived
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Para
Woman who has given birth to one or more viable offspring; the number of viable offspring born by a woman
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Paresthesia
Abnormal tactile sensation described as creeping, burning, tingling, or numbness
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Paronychia
Inflammation of the tissue surrounding the nail
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Paroxysmal
Describes a sudden recurrence or intensification of symptoms
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Petechia
Tiny red spots occuring on the skin caused by a small amount of escaping blood
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Photophobia
Abnormal intolerance to light
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Pleurisy
Painful inflammation of the pleura
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Pneumonia
An inflammatory illness of the lung
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Pneumothorax
Presence of air or gas in the pleural space that may occur spontaneously, due to trauma, or deliberately introduced in a collapsed lung
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Popliteal fossa
The depression in the posterior region of the knee (the back of the knee)
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Post-ictal
Postictal state as manifestions of seizure induced reversible alterations in neuron function but not structure. Post seizure symptoms include exhaustion, inability to think clearly, migraine
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Psoriasis
Chronic, non-contagious disease characterized by inflamed lesions covered with silvery-white scabs of dead skin
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Purulent
Consisting of matter or pus; resembling pus
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Pyloric Stenosis
(or infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis) is a condition that causes severe vomiting in the first few months of life
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Rale
Abnormal respiratory sound heard on auscultation
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Rhinorrhea
Thin, watery discharge from the nose
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Rhonchi
A whistling or snoring sound heard on auscultation of the chest when air channels are partially obstructed; the pleural of rhoncus
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Sciatic
Pertaining to the ischium or hip
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Sclera
Dense fibrous opaque outer coat enclosing the eyeball except the part covered by the cornea
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Seizures
- 1. The sudden attack or recurrence of a disease
- 2. A single episode of epilepsy, often named for the type it represents
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Sepsis
Presence of pathological microorganisms or their toxins in the blood
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Shaft
Long, slender portion of a long bone
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Sputum
Spittle, any mixed matter with saliva that is expectorated through the mouth
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Stellate
Star-shaped; radiating from the center
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Stenosis
Narrowing of a body opening or passage
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Stool Guaiac
This test detects the presence of fecal occult blood
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Stridor
Harsh or high-pitched respiratory sound, caused by obstruction of the air passages
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Supination
Rotation of either the forearm or the foot
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Syncope
Loss of consciousness; faint
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Tachycardia
Abnormal rapid heart beat
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Tachypnea
Extremely rapid respiration
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Thoracostomy
Procedure to install a chest tube
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Thoracotomy
Surgical cutting into the chest wall
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Tinea
Any of many different superficial fungal infections of the skin
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Tinnitis
A ringing in the ears
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Tonsillectomy
Surgical excision of a tonsil
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Tosion
The twisting of a bodily organ on its own axis (e.g. ovary/fallopian tubes, testicle/vas deferens, etc.)
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Trismus
Spasm of the masticatory muscles; difficulty opening mouth
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Turgor
Condition of being distended or swollen; normal fullness
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Urticaria
Hives or wheals which are either redder or paler than the surrounding area and are often attended by itching
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Vein
Vessel carrying deoxygenated blood to the heart, exluding pulmonary veins
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Vertigo
Condition of dizziness, often described as a room spinning sensation
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Wheal
Round, localized area of edema on the skin attended by severe itching which vanishes quickly
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Wheeze
Difficult breathing with a wistling sound resulting from narrowing of the lumen of the repiratory passageways
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