medical terminology
08/12/13
1. MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY
Aneurysm (AN-ū-rizm) A thin, weakened section of the wall of an artery or a vein that bulges outward, forming a balloonlike sac. Common causes are atherosclerosis, syphilis, congenital blood vessel defects, and trauma. If untreated, the aneurysm enlarges and the blood vessel wall becomes so thin that it bursts. The result is massive hemorrhage with shock, severe pain, stroke, or death. Treatment may involve surgery in which the weakened area of the blood vessel is removed and replaced with a graft of synthetic material.
Aortography (ā′-or-TOG-ra-fē) X-ray examination of the aorta and its main branches after injection of a radiopaque dye.
Carotid endarterectomy (ka-ROT-id end′-ar-ter-EK-tō-mē) The removal of atherosclerotic plaque from the carotid artery to restore greater blood flow to the brain.
Claudication (klaw′-di-KĀ-shun) Pain and lameness or limping caused by defective circulation of the blood in the vessels of the limbs.
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) The presence of a thrombus (blood clot) in a deep vein of the lower limbs. It may lead to (1) pulmonary embolism, if the thrombus dislodges and then lodges within the pulmonary arterial blood flow, and (2) postphlebitic syndrome, which consists of edema, pain, and skin changes due to destruction of venous valves.
Doppler ultrasound scanning Imaging technique commonly used to measure blood flow. A transducer is placed on the skin and an image is displayed on a monitor that provides the exact position and severity of a blockage.
Femoral angiography An imaging technique in which a contrast medium is injected into the femoral artery and spreads to other arteries in the lower limb, and then a series of radiographs are taken of one or more sites. It is used to diagnose narrowing or blockage of arteries in the lower limbs.
Hypotension (hī-pō-TEN-shun) Low blood pressure; most commonly used to describe an acute drop in blood pressure, as occurs during
1. MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY
Aneurysm (AN-ū-rizm) A thin, weakened section of the wall of an artery or a vein that bulges outward, forming a balloonlike sac. Common causes are atherosclerosis, syphilis, congenital blood vessel defects, and trauma. If untreated, the aneurysm enlarges and the blood vessel wall becomes so thin that it bursts. The result is massive hemorrhage with shock, severe pain, stroke, or death. Treatment may involve surgery in which the weakened area of the blood vessel is removed and replaced with a graft of synthetic material.
Aortography (ā′-or-TOG-ra-fē) X-ray examination of the aorta and its main branches after injection of a radiopaque dye.
Carotid endarterectomy (ka-ROT-id end′-ar-ter-EK-tō-mē) The removal of atherosclerotic plaque from the carotid artery to restore greater blood flow to the brain.
Claudication (klaw′-di-KĀ-shun) Pain and lameness or limping caused by defective circulation of the blood in the vessels of the limbs.
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) The presence of a thrombus (blood clot) in a deep vein of the lower limbs. It may lead to (1) pulmonary embolism, if the thrombus dislodges and then lodges within the pulmonary arterial blood flow, and (2) postphlebitic syndrome, which consists of edema, pain, and skin changes due to destruction of venous valves.
Doppler ultrasound scanning Imaging technique commonly used to measure blood flow. A transducer is placed on the skin and an image is displayed on a monitor that provides the exact position and severity of a blockage.
Femoral angiography An imaging technique in which a contrast medium is injected into the femoral artery and spreads to other arteries in the lower limb, and then a series of radiographs are taken of one or more sites. It is used to diagnose narrowing or blockage of arteries in the lower limbs.
Hypotension (hī-pō-TEN-shun) Low blood pressure; most commonly used to describe an acute drop in blood pressure, as occurs during