Medical Vocabulary #10

The large vein that carries blood from the lower half of the body to the heart.

A serious condition related to high blood pressure that can threaten the life of a pregnant woman and her fetus.

A noncancerous enlargement of the prostate gland that obstructs the flow of urine.

Sudden paralysis of some or all muscles brought on by laughter, anger, fright or strong emotions.

The eye's ability to see sharply, usually measured in comparison to what a normal eye would see from 20 feet.

A hole created through the front of the neck and into the windpipe, providing an air passage when the usual route for breathing is obstructed, such as after a traumatic injury to the face or neck, or when long-term use of a breathing machine (ventilator) is needed.

A protein made by the liver. Abnormal levels may indicate liver or kidney disease.

Sudden, severe confusion that occurs because of a mental or physical illness.

A group of cells that form a small sac.

An extra or unusual sound heard during the heartbeat.

A curved, bowl-shaped depression in the outer part of the hipbone. The ball-shaped portion at the top of the thighbone fits into this space to form the hip joint.

A device used to check the prescription of eyeglasses.

An abnormal lateral (sideways) curvature of the spine.

Any drug or other substance used to cause vomiting.

Rapid and uncoordinated contractions of heart muscle fibers resulting in the inability of the heart to contract and to pump blood.

A condition in which the thyroid gland makes too much thyroid hormone.

Any drug that constricts the pupil of the eye; used to treat glaucoma.

The bony socket that holds the eyeball.

A burning or stabbing pain that follows the path of a nerve.

A medical doctor trained to diagnose and treat disorders involving inflammation of the joints and other parts of the musculoskeletal system.

The part of plant foods the body can’t digest or absorb. Roughage.

Any substance that can cause cancer.

A condition in which food and acid flow back into the esophagus from the stomach, causing heartburn.

1. A soft mass of chewed food.