Descriptionary

speculum an instrument used to enlarge a body cav­ity, especially for visual inspection.

spirometer a device for measuring the rate and vol­ume of air inhaled and exhaled by the lungs.

splint a support for an injured area or broken bone.

splint, airplane a large support that holds the arm up and to the side of the body.

splint, banjo a support and traction splint made of wire and rubber and resembling a banjo, for a broken finger.

splint, T a T-shaped support for the upper back, used in cases of broken collarbones.

sponge a surgical pad used to absorb fluids.

stent a small, slotted tube inserted into a coronary artery to help hold it open and to keep blood flowing freely. It may be treated with antirejection medicine to prevent the overgrowth of tissue around it.

stethoscope a listening instrument used to amplify internal body sounds.

suture a stitching material used to sew up tissue and wounds. Surgical thread.

suture, catgut suture made from sheep intestine; it is gradually absorbed by the body.

suture, button stitches in which the ends are passed through buttons and tied off.

suture, cobbler a suture with a needle attached to each end.

swab an absorbent material wrapped around a stick or a wire for cleaning wounds or administering medication.

syringe the device used for injecting and withdraw­ing fluids.

tenaculum tongslike instrument used to hold a body

hernias

herniology

part.

hormones and the glands

endocrinology

urethroscope a lighted instrument used for inspect-

that secrete them

ing the urethra.

immune system

immunology

internal organs

internal medicine

intestine

entrology

MEDICAL FIELDs AND

joints

arthrology,

specialties

rheumatology

kidneys

nephrology

Phenomenon Studied

Name of Specialty

liver

hepatology

aging

geriatrics, gerontology

lungs and breathing

pulmonary medicine,

allergies

allergology

pulmonology

anesthesia

anesthesiology

lymphatic system

lymphology

bacteria

bacteriology

mental disorders

psychiatry

birth

obstetrics

mental processing behind

psychology

behavior and

blood

hematology

consciousness

body function

physiology

mouth

stomatology, oralogy

body movement

kinesiology

muscles

myology, orthopedics

bones

osteology, osteopathy

nervous system

neurology,

bones, muscles, and tendons

orthopedics

neuropathology

cells

cytology

newborns

neonatology

children

pediatrics

nose

rhinology

digestive system

gastroenterology

parasites

parasitology

disease, as examined

pathology

plastic surgery

plastic surgery,

by diseased tissue

cosmetic surgery

disease causes

etiology

poison and toxins

toxicology

disease classification science

nosology

rectum and anus

proctology

disease identification

diagnostics

rheumatic disease

rheumatology

ear, nose, and throat

otolaryngology

serums

serology

ears

otology

sexually transmitted diseases

venereology

epidemic and contagious

epidemiology

skin

dermatology

disease study

skull

craniology

eyes

ophthalmology

spinal manipulation

chiropractic

eyes, visual acuteness testing

optometry

and correction

feet

podiatry, chiropody

stomach

gastrology

female reproductive organs

gynecology

symptoms

symptomology

glands

adenology

teeth

dentistry

gums

periodontics

teeth straightening

orthodontics

hearing

audiology

tissue

histology

heart

cardiology

tumors

oncology

medical terminology AND TESTS 329

helcology urology

phlebology

virology

radiology

X-rays, radiation therapy

MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY AND TESTS

acupuncture the insertion of needles into strategic locations in the skin, as a means of relieving pain either locally or throughout the body.

angina severe chest pain caused by insufficient blood flow through the heart.

angiography an X-ray examination of the blood vessels around the heart.

antinuclear antibody test a blood test used to detect the presence of antinuclear antibodies, which signal the presence of an autoimmunity problem.

arterial blood gases a blood test that measures lev­els of oxygen and carbon dioxide to determine how well the lungs move oxygen into the blood and take carbon dioxide out.

arthrocentesis a procedure in which a sterile needle and syringe are used to drain fluid from a joint.

arthroscopy a diagnostic or treatment procedure that employs a tubelike viewing instrument called an arthroscope to examine the inside of a joint.

Asclepius in Greek mythology, the god of medicine, the son of Apollo.

asymptomatic without symptoms.

auscultation listening for body sounds through a stethoscope to aid in determining normal health.

autoimmunity the process of a body's own immune system working against itself, especially in causing inflammation, as in various diseases such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.

ulcers

urinary and urogenital tract (kidney, ureter, bladder, prostate, penis, urethra)