Medical Vocabulary #10

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

An extra or unusual sound heard during the heartbeat.

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

Any substance that can cause cancer.

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

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.

The underlying abnormalities that contribute to or are characteristic of a disease.

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

A device used to check the prescription of eyeglasses.

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

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

The bony socket that holds the eyeball.

1. A soft mass of chewed food.

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

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

Any drug or other substance used to cause vomiting.

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

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

A group of cells that form a small sac.

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

An abnormal lateral (sideways) curvature of the spine.

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