Medical Vocabulary #20

Measurements that indicate how well the body is functioning, including pulse rate, respiration (breathing rate), temperature, and blood pressure.

A condition in which an organ or other body part drops from its normal position.

The smallest known infectious agent; unlike a virus or bacterium it is made entirely of protein and contains no nucleic acid or chromosomes.

A general feeling of illness that can be a sign of disease.

Acting without full attention to one's surroundings, behavior, or internal experience.

A serious medical condition in which too little blood flows to the outer portions of the body, resulting in cold, sweaty skin; a weak pulse; irregular breathing; and dilated pupils. It can be caused by a loss of blood, severe heart problems, severe infections, allergic reactions, or drug overdoses.

A condition in which the smallest blood vessels in the walls of the heart are narrowed or inelastic.

The innermost layer of the eye, which converts light energy to electrical energy and sends visual images to the brain via the optic nerve.

A practice with its roots in Buddhism that encourages people to be more fully aware of the present moment. Often achieved through meditation.

Excessive urination.

A sensation of sparks or flashes of light across the visual field.

Gradual loss of body functions caused by the biological aging process, which increases risk of disease, disability, and death.

A female steroid hormone produced by the ovaries that prepares the uterine lining for pregnancy.

A colorless, disk-shaped cell in the blood that is necessary for clotting.

High blood pressure that does not respond to drug therapy and lifestyle changes.

Excessive thirst.

An interrelated set of brain regions that are all involved in recognizing, experiencing, and remembering pleasurable events.

Itching.

Inflammation of the heart muscle.

A stretched or torn ligament.

A prolonged reaction to a traumatic event, which can cause crippling anxiety and lead to other problems, such as sleep disturbances, depression, and substance abuse.

A temporary pause in breathing during sleep, lasting at least 10 seconds and associated with a fall in blood oxygen or arousal from sleep.

Damage to the long nerves radiating from the spine to the arms and legs.

A group of tendons and muscles used to raise the arm from the side and rotate the shoulder.