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Apical Pulse Pulse felt or heard over the heart’s apex.

It is measured in the fifth left intercostal space


(between the ribs) about 8 to 9 cm from the midline.
Cardiac Output The amount of blood pumped from the right or left ventricle per minute
Korotkoff Sounds Arterial sounds heard with a stethoscope during determination of blood pressure with a
cuff
Perfusion The passage of fluid such as blood through an organ or tissue
Precordium The anterior region over the heart and lower part of the thorax (adj; precordial)
Pulse Pressure The difference between systolic and diastolic pressure
Stroke Volume The amount of blood ejected by the left ventricle with each beat
Valsalva Maneuver Bearing down as in childbirth or defecation, by attempting to exhale forcefully with the
nose and throat closed. The action has an effect on the cardiovascular system
Hypotension A condition of lower-than-normal blood pressure
Palpitation A sensation of abnormally rapid or irregular heartbeat
Pitting Edema Edema that retains the impression of a finger pressed firmly into the skin
Reynaud Disease A disorder characterized by abnormal constriction of peripheral vessels in the arms and
legs on exposure to cold
Stasis Stoppage of normal flow, as blood or urine. Blood stasis may lead to dermatitis and ulcer
formation
Tetralogy of Fallot A combination of four congenital heart abnormalities; pulmonary artery stenosis,
interventricular septal defect, displacement of the aorta to the right and right ventricular
hypertrophy
Doppler An imaging method used to study the rate and pattern of blood flow
Echocardiography
Ventriculography X-ray study of the heart’s ventricles after introduction of an opaque dye by means of a
catheter
Atherectomy Removal of atheromatous plaque from the lining of as vessel. May be done by open
surgery or through the vessel’s lumen
Embolectomy Surgical removal of an embolus
Acidosis Abnormal acidity of body fluids. Respiratory acidosis is caused by abnormally high carbon
dioxide levels
Acute Respiratory Pulmonary edema that can lead rapidly to fatal respiratory failure ; causes include trauma,
Distress Syndrome aspiration into the lungs, viral pneumonia, drug reactions and shock lung
(ARDS)
Acute Rhinitis Inflammation of the nasal mucosa with sneezing, tearing and profuse secretion of watery
mucus, as seen in the common cold
Alkalosis Abnormal alkalinity of body fluids. Respiratory alkalosis is caused by abnormally low carbon
dioxide levels
Aspiration The accidental inhalation of food or other foreign material into the lungs. Also means the
withdrawal of fluid from a cavity by suction
Atelectasis Incomplete expansion of a lung or part of a lung; lung collapse. May be present at birth (as
in respiratory distress syndrome) or be caused by bronchial obstruction or compression o
lung tissue (atel/o = imperfect)
Bronchiectasis Chronic dilation of a bronchus or a bronchi
Bronchitis Inflammation of a bronchus
Chronic Obstructive Any group of chronic, progressive, and debilitating respiratory diseases, which includes
Pulmonary Disease emphysema, asthma, bronchitis and bronchiectasis
(COPD)
Cyanosis Bluish discoloration of the skin caused by lack of oxygen in the blood
Cystic Fibrosis (CF) An inherited disease that affects the pancreas, respiratory system and sweat glands.
Characterized by mucus accumulation in the bronchi causing obstruction and leading to
infection
Dyspnea Difficult or labored breathing, sometimes with pain; “air hunger”
Emphysema Enlargement and destruction of the alveoli
Empyema Accumulation of pus in the body cavity, especially the pleural space; pyothorax
Hemoptysis The spitting of blood from the mouth or respiratory tract (ptysis=spitting)
Hemothorax Presence of blood in the pleural space
Hydrothorax Presence of fluid in the pleural space
Hyperventilation Increased rate and depth of breathing; increase in the amount of air entering the alveoli
Hypoventilation Decreased rate and depth of breathing; decrease in the amount of air entering the alveoli
Pertussis Cough ending in a whooping inspiration; whooping cough
Pleural Effusion Accumulation of fluid in the pleural space; may contain blood (hemothorax) or pus
(empyema)
Pleurisy Inflammation of the pleura; pleuritis. A symptom is sharp pain on breathing
Pneumoconiosis Disease of the respiratory tract caused by inhalation of dust particles (silicosis,
anthracnosis, asbestosis)
Pneumonia Inflammation of the lungs caused by infection. May involve the bronchioles and alveoli
(bronchopneumonia) or one or more lobes of the lung (lobar pneumonia)
Pneumonitis Inflammation of the lungs caused by infection, asthma, allergy or inhalation of irritants
Pneumothorax Accumulation of air or gas in the pleural space. May result from injury or disease or may be
produced artificially to collapse a lung
Respiratory Distress A respiratory disease that affects premature infants born without enough surfactant in the
Syndrome (RDS) lungs. It is treated with respiratory support and surfactant administration
Sudden Infant Death The sudden and unexplained death of an apparently healthy infant; crib death
Syndrome (SIDS)
Tuberculosis Infectious disease caused by tubercle bacillus, Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Often involves
the lungs but may involve other parts of the body as well. Miliary tuberculosis is an acute
generalized form of the disease with formation of minute tubercles that resemble millet
seeds.
Arterial Blood Gases The concentration of gases specifically oxygen and carbon dioxide, in arterial blood.
(ABGs) Reported as the partial pressure (P) of the gas in arterial (a) blood, such as PaO2 or PaCO2.
These measurements are important in measuring acid-base balance
Bronchoscope An endoscope used to examine the tracheobronchial passageways. Also allows access for
tissue biopsy or removal of a foreign object
Thoracentesis Surgical puncture of the chest for removal of air or fluids, such as may accumulate after
surgery or as result of injury, infection, or cardiovascular problems. Also called
thoracocentesis.
Bronchospasm Narrowing of the bronchi caused by smooth muscle spasms; common in cases of asthma
and bronchitis
Epiglottitis Inflammation of the epiglottis that may lead to upper airway obstruction. Commonly seen
in croup (epiglottiditis)
Epistaxis Hemorrhage from the nose; nosebleed (staxis=dripping)
Thoracoscopy Examination of the pleural cavity through an endoscope; plueroscopy
Continuous Positive Use of mechanical respirator to maintain pressure throughout the respiratory cycle in a
Airway Pressure (CPAP) patient who is breathing spontaneously
Adenoidectomy Surgical removal of adenoids
Lobectomy Surgical removal of a lobe of the lung or of another organ
Pneumoplasty Plastic surgery of the lung. In reduction pneumoplasty, nonfunctional portions of the lung
are removed, as in cases of advanced emphysema
Tracheotomy Incision of the trachea through the neck, usually to establish an airway in cases of tracheal
obstruction
Tracheostomy Surgical creation of an opening into the trachea to form an airway or to prepare for the
insertion of tube for ventilation
Acromegaly Overgrowth of bone and soft tissue, especially in the hands, feet and face, caused by
excess growth hormone in an adult. The name comes from acro = extremity and
megal/o=enlargement

Diabetes Insipidus A disorder caused by insufficient release of ADH from posterior pituitary. It results in
excessive thirst and production of large amounts of very dilute urine. (insipidus=tasteless,
dilution of urine)
Glycosuria Excess sugar in the urine
Hyperglycemia Excess glucose in the blood
Hypoglycemia Abnormally low level of glucose in the blood
Infantile A congenital lack of thyroid secretion and marked by arrested physical and mental
Hypothyroidism development (Congenital hypothyroidism)
Ketoacidosis Acidosis (increased acidity in blood fluids) caused by excess ketone bodies as in diabetes
mellitus; diabetic acidosis
Fasting Plasma Glucose Measurement of blood glucose after a fast of at least eight hours. A reading equal to or
(FPG) greater than 126 mg/dL indicates diabetes. Also called fasting blood glucose (FBG) or
fasting blood sugar (FBS)
Oral Glucose Tolerance Measurement of glucose levels in the blood plasma after administration of a challenge
Test (OGTT) dose of glucose to a fasting patient. Used to measure patient’s ability to metabolize
glucose. A value greater than or equal to 200 mg/dL in the two-hour sample indicates
diabetes
Aneurysm A localized abnormal dilation of blood vessel that results from weakness of the vessel wall
(may eventually burst)
Aphasia Loss or defect in speech communication. In practice, the term is applied more broadly to a
range of language disorder both spoken and written. May affect ability to understand
speech (receptive aphasia) or the ability to produce speech (expressive aphasia). Both
forms are combined in global aphasia.
Cerebrovascular Sudden damage to brain resulting from reduction of cerebral blood flow; possible causes
Accident are atherosclerosis, thrombosis, or a ruptured aneurysm (stroke)
Dementia A gradual and usually irreversible loss of intellectual function
Embolism Obstruction of a blood vessel by a blood clot or other material carried in the circulation
Encephalitis Inflammation of the brain
Hemiparesis Partial paralysis or weakness of one side of the body
Hemiplegia Paralysis of one side of the body
Meningitis Inflammation of the meninges
Shingles An acute viral infection that follows nerve pathways causing small lesions on the skin.
Caused by reactivation of the virus that also causes chickenpox (varicella-zoster virus). Also
called herpes zoster.
Thrombosis Development of blood clot within a vessel
Electroencephalography Amplification, recording, and interpretation of the brain’s electric activity
(EEG)
Psychosis A mental disorder extreme enough to cause gross misperception of reality with delusions
and hallucinations
Schizophrenia A poorly understood group of severe mental disorders with features of psychosis,
delusions, hallucinations, and withdrawn or bizarre behavior (schizo = split, phren = mind)
Acetylcholine (Ach) A neurotransmitter; activity involving Ach is described as cholinergic
Corpus Callosum A large band connecting fibers between the cerebral hemispheres
Dermatome The area of the skin supplied by a spinal nerve; term also refers to an instrument used to
cut skin for grafting
Norepinephrine A neurotransmitter very similar in chemical composition and function to the hormone
epinephrine, also called noradrenaline
Amnesia Loss of memory (mneme=memory)
Apraxia Inability to move with purpose or to use objects properly
Ataxia Lack of muscle coordination; dyssynergia
Athetosis Involuntary, slow, twisting movements in the arms especially the hands and fingers
Hematoyelia Hemorrhage of blood into the spinal cord, as from an injury
Hypochondriasis Abnormal anxiety about one’s health
Tic Douloureux Episodes of extreme pain in the area supplied by the trigeminal nerve; trigeminal neuralgia
Tourette Syndrome A tic disorder with intermittent motor and vocal manifestations that begin in childhood.
There also may be obsessive and compulsive behavior, hyperactivity and distractibility
LB Lumbar Puncture
OCD Obsessive – Compulsive Disorder
ACE Angiotensin – converting enzyme
AMI Acute Myocardial Infarction
AV Atrioventricular
BP Blood Pressure
CHD Coronary Heart Disease
CHF Congestive Heart Failure
CK-MB Creatine Kinase MB
CPR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
CVA Cerebrovascular Accident
CVD Cardiovascular Disease
CVI Chronic Venous Insufficiency
DVT Deep Vein Thrombosis
ECG (EKG) Electrocardiogram, electrocardiography
HDL ; LDL High-density lipoprotein ; Low-density lipoprotein
HTN Hypertension
LV Left Ventricle
LVH Left Ventricular Hypertrophy
MI Myocardial Infarction
Mm Hg Millimeters of mercury
PAP Pulmonary Arterial Pressure
PTCA Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty
PVC Premature Ventricular Contraction
PVD Peripheral Vascular Disease
VT Ventricular Tachycardia
BCG Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (Tuberculosis Vaccine)
CPAP Continuous Positive Airway Pressure
RDS Respiratory Distress Syndrome
RV Residual Volume
SARS Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
TB Tuberculosis
URI Upper Respiratory Infection
ACTH Adrenocorticotrophic Hormone
ADH Antidiuretic Hormone
FBG Fasting Blood Glucose
FBS Fasting Blood Sugar
FPG Fasting Plasma Glucose
FSH Follicle Stimulating Hormone
LH Luteinizing Hormone
ACh Acetylcholine
ADHD Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
CNS ; PNS Central Nervous System ; Peripheral Nervous System

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