Descriptionary

gavage feeding through a tube leading directly into the stomach through a hole created surgically in the abdominal wall.

gene therapy the substitution of abnormal genes with healthy ones as a treatment for a genetic disor­der or disease.

GOMER slang term for a whining, complaining patient; an acronym for "Get out of my emergency room."

guaiac test a test for blood in the stool.

Heimlich maneuver an emergency procedure used to dislodge an object or piece of food caught in some­one's throat, by means of applying sharp, sudden pressure to the abdomen below the rib cage.

hematocrit test a blood test to determine the ratio of blood cells to plasma, used to diagnose anemia.

hemoglobin a blood test to determine whether hemo­globin is too high or too low. A low level may indicate anemia, and a high level, the presence of tumors.

Hippocrates Greek physician known as the father of medicine, who lived before Christ's time and is the author of the Hippocratic oath.

Hippocratic oath an oath all physicians take promising to follow a code of ethical, professional conduct.

hydrogen breath test a test to measure the amount of hydrogen in one's breath, which can point to prob­lems in digesting carbohydrates, such as lactose intol­erance.

hyperbaric oxygenation therapy the use of high- pressure oxygen to treat carbon monoxide poisoning and burns.

hypochondriac a person excessively concerned about his health.

immunization vaccination with various antigens to active the immune system to produce antibodies as a protection against future infections.

incipient in the early stages.

informed consent a patient's legal consent to perform a treatment, procedure, or test after being informed of the risks involved.

inoculation the injection of a vaccine into the body.

intravenous within or via a vein.

intubation insertion of a tube through any part of the body for diagnostic or treatment purposes.

LASIK laser in-situ keratomileusis; a procedure to correct nearsightedness through the cutting away of corneal tissue by means of a special knife and a laser.

lavage washing out of an organ.

lesion collective term for damage to tissue, includ­ing abscesses, herpes, ulcers, tumors, and injuries.

liver blood test a blood test to measure liver enzymes to detect possible damage to the liver.

locum tenens Latin term for the temporary taking over of a practice of one doctor by another.

MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY AND TESTS 331

lower G.I. series lower gastrointestinal series; an X-ray exam using barium as a contrast medium to reveal detail in the colon. Also called a barium enema.

lumbar puncture the insertion of a needle into the spinal canal at the lower back to withdraw fluid for diagnostic purposes or to administer antibiotics or cancer drugs. Also known as a spinal tap.

magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) the use of an

imaging technique employing magnetic properties instead of X-rays to reveal the interior of the body.

mammography the X-ray imaging of breast tissue.

mammogram an X-ray image of breast tissue, used to detect cancer.

Mantoux test a skin test for tuberculosis.

Mazzini test a test for syphilis.

methylene blue test an injection of dye that should appear in the urine within 30 minutes if the kidneys are functioning normally.

MRI see magnetic resonance imaging.

myringotomy an incision made in the eardrum to remove fluid and for the insertion and long-term placement of a ventilating tube, as a treatment for chronic ear infections.

nosocomial referring to the hospital, especially a disease or infection acquired while in the hospital.

nostrum a quack medicine.

occult hidden or concealed, as in blood in the stool.

organotherapy the use of hormones and tissue extracts from animals to treat human diseases.

oximetry the measurement of the concentration of oxygen in the blood, through sensors (oximeters) attached to the ear and finger.

palliative a medicine that soothes symptoms but does not cure the underlying disease.

palpation feeling with the hands the contours of a body part to help make a diagnosis.

panacea a cure-all; a universal remedy.

pandemic an epidemic that has spread across an entire state or country.

Pap test a test used to detect cancer in the cervix or uterus. Also known as Pap smear.

paracentesis drawing off fluids from a body cavity.

patch test a technique in which skin is scratched and exposed to various allergens, such as cat dander or nut protein, to test for allergic reactions. Also referred to as a scratch test.