Descriptionary

autopsy an examination of a corpse to determine the exact cause of death.

barium a whitish contrast medium given orally or through an enema to highlight the gastrointestinal tract under an X-ray.

b.d. in prescription writing, an abbreviation for the Latin bis in diem, meaning twice daily. Also written as b.i.d.

Bence Jones protein test a urine test given to detect the presence of a bone tumor.

Benedict test a test for detecting sugar in the urine.

bimanual a two-handed examination of a body area.

biopsy the removal and study of tissue to determine a diagnosis, especially of tumors.

blood count an analysis or calculation of the con­centration of various components, such as white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets, in a sample of blood. Also known as a complete blood count.

blood liver enzymes test a test employed to detect the presence of certain liver enzymes in blood, a hall­mark of liver damage.

blood transfusion a transfer of blood from a donor to a patient.

bone-density scan a screening test that employs two X-ray beams to measure bone thickness and deter­mine if osteoporosis is present.

bone graft a transplant of part of a bone from one place in the body to another.

bronchoscopy an examination of the trachea and bronchi through the insertion of a bronchoscope.

bruit a murmur heard through the stethoscope over the heart or an artery; an abnormal sound.

caduceus a serpent coiled around a staff, the official insignia of medicine.

cancer antigen 125 (CA 125) a test of a blood sample or fluid from the chest to detect the presence of CA 125, a protein found in high amounts in tumor cells.

cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) a method of reviving someone whose heart and breathing have stopped, by means of compressing the chest and blow­ing air into the lungs via the victim's mouth.

CAT scan see computerized axial tomography.

CEA carcinoembryonic antigen; a protein molecule used as a marker in blood for the presence of a tumor somewhere in the body.

certifiable disease any disease that is contagious and therefore must be reported to the board of health.

Cheyne-Stokes breathing in patients suffering from congestive heart failure, breathing characterized by long periods of apnea (no breathing) ending with sev­eral deep breaths.

chronic of long duration, as some diseases.

colonoscopy an internal examination for polyps or tumors in the colon through means of an inserted viewing instrument.

complete blood count see blood count.

computerized axial tomography (CAT scan, CT scan) an X-ray scanning of a body part that, unified with a computer, produces a cross-sectional view or three-dimensional image.

contusion a bruise.

coronary angioplasty a procedure in which a bal­loon-tipped catheter is inserted through an artery in the groin or arm and thread to a coronary artery that has narrowed through disease; the balloon is then inflated, expanding the size of the artery.

CPR see cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

CT scan see computerized axial tomography.

culture laboratory-grown germs for the purpose of identification and testing.

dialysis a treatment procedure that with the aid of various technologies mimics the duties of the kidneys in filtering waste from the blood and removing excess water, employed in patients with kidney damage.

diaphanography passing a light through the breast to examine shadows, which may reveal signs of disease.

diathermy the application of heat.

diuretic an agent prescribed to increase the amount of urine passed.

DOA abbreviation for dead on arrival, a term used by ambulance paramedics, police, and emergency room staff.

dosimetry the science of determining the exact dos­age of medication.

DPT child's immunization against diphtheria, per­tussis, and tetanus.

echocardiography an ultrasound method of reveal­ing the workings of the heart.

emetic an agent that stimulates vomiting.

enteral nutrition feeding through a tube passed through the nose and into the stomach.

epidemic a disease affecting a large group of people at the same time in the same community.

epidemiology the study of the occurrence and spread of a disease.

eponym the name of an illness, disorder, or medical tool as named after the person who first described it or invented it.

euthanasia the mercy killing of someone who is terminally ill.

expectorant a medicine that promotes the expul­sion of mucus from the lungs.

extremis on the point of dying.

forensic medicine medical technology used to help solve crimes.