Download Additional Medical Terminology

Chapter 3 –
Selected Topics:
Tri-State Business Institute
MD000 Medical Terminology 1
Micheal H. McCabe, EMT-P
Overview:
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Most of chapter 3 concerns suffixes
commonly used in medicine; regardless of
the particular body system or medical
specialty.
Chapter 3 is of great value, but is selfexplanatory and does not require much
lecture.
Students are required to read through
chapter 3 and complete the exercises
therein.
Appendices to Chapter-3:
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Appendix A: Hernia
Appendix B: Amniocentesis
Appendix C: Plurals
Appendix D: Streptococcus &
Staphylococcus
Appendix E: Blood Cells
Appendix G: Anemia
Appendix H: Ischemia
Appendices, Continued:
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Appendix
Appendix
Appendix
Appendix
Appendix
J: Acromegaly
K: Splenomegaly
L: Leukocytosis
M: Achondroplasia
O: Laparoscopy
Hernia:
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Hernia means “bulging forth.”
In medicine, a hernia is the protrusion of an
organ or muscle from the cavity that
normally contains it.
Examples:
– Hiatal Hernia: the stomach protrudes up
through the diaphragm into the mediastinum.
– Inguinal Hernia: a loop of intestine protrudes
downward into the groin through the abdominal
wall.
Hernia, Continued:
– Umbilical Hernia (omphalocele): A loop
of intestine protrudes through the
abdominal wall in the area of the
umbilicus.
– Rectocele: A portion of the rectum
protrudes through a weakened portion of
the vaginal wall.
– Cystocele: A portion of the urinary
bladder protrudes the vaginal wall.
Hernias, Continued:
Amniocentesis:
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The amnion is a sac (membrane) that
surrounds the embryo (called the fetus after
the 8th week) in the uterus.
Amniotic fluid is contained within the sac
and serves as developmental environment
for the fetus.
Amniocentesis is a procedure where fluid is
aspirated using a needle and syringe in
order to study the fluid itself and the cells of
the developing fetus.
Amniocentesis,
Continued:
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Under guidance provided by continuous
sonography, a needle is inserted through
the uterine wall and amnion into the
amniotic cavity.
Amniotic fluid, containing fetal cells is
withdrawn for analysis.
Risks include infection, spontaneous
abortion, hemorrhage, and fetal trauma.
Amniocentesis,
Continued:
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Amniocentesis is normally done in between
the 12th and 18th week of gestation.
Fetal cells are isolated and cultured for
study in the laboratory.
A karyotype is made to study the
chromosome structure of the fetal cells.
This is a diagnostic test used to detect
Down’s Syndrome and other genetic
diseases.
Chemical analysis of the amniotic fluid can
indicate potential defects in the neural tube.
Amniocentesis Diagram:
Pluralization:
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Words ending in –us commonly form
their plural by dropping the –us and
addid –i.
Thus, nucleus becomes nuclei and
coccus becomes cocci.
A guide to forming plurals can be
found in Appendix 1, Page 903.
Streptococcus:
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One of my favorite bacteria!
Streptococcus is a berry-shaped bacterium that
grows in twisted chains.
There are several types of streptococcus and many
unique strains.
One major type of streptococcus causes conditions
known as “strep” throat, tonsillitis, rheumatic fever,
and certain kidney ailments.
A second major type causes infections in teeth,
sinusitis, and sometimes in heart valves.
Staphylococcus:
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Another perennial favorite!
Staphylococci are bacteria that grow in
small clusters, like grapes.
Staphylococcal lesions may be external (skin
abscesses, boils, or styes) or internal
(abcesses in bone and kidneys.)
An abscess is a collection of pus, white
blood cells, and protein that is present at
the site of infection.
Diplococci:
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Two common types of Diplococci:
– Pneumococci
– Gonococci
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Pneuomococci is the most common
cause of bacterial pneumonia in
adults.
Gonococci invades the reproductive
organs and causes gonorrhea.
Pneumococci:
Gonococci:
Blood Cells:
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There are three basic types of blood cells.
– Erythrocytes
– Leukocytes
– Thrombocytes
Erythrocytes are red blood cells.
Leukocytes are white blood cells.
Thrombocytes (Platelets) are clotting cells.
Red Blood Cells:
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Are made in the red bone marrow.
Function is to carry oxygen from the lungs to cells
located throughout the body.
Hemoglobin is an iron-based protein in erythrocytes
that chemically binds with oxygen to form
oxyhemoglobin (known to the rest of the world as
“rust.”)
Red blood cells “retire” to the spleen where they
are stored in reserve in case of hemorrhage.
Ultimately, old erythrocytes are destroyed in the
liver – blood pigments including hemoglobin are
recycled.
Leukocytes:
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Leukocyte literally means “white cells”
Leukocytes are “soldiers” of the immune
system and play a part in the inflammatory
response.
Leukocytes are divided into two types:
– Granulocytes (cells with dark-staining granules in
their cytoplasm)
– Agranulocytes (cells with no dark-staining
granules in the cytoplasm.)
Granulocytes:
Three types of granulocytes:
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Eosinophils – stain red when using an acidic
stain. Play some role in the inflammatory
response and are elevated during allergic
conditions such as asthma.
Basphils – stain blue when using an alkali
(basic) stain. Function is not clear, but they
play some roll in inflammation.
Neutrophils – granules stain blue and red when
using a neutral stain. Neutrophils are
phagocytes – they engulf and digest bacteria.
Eosinophil:
Basophil:
Neutrophil:
Agranulocytes:
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Agranulocytes lack dark-staining granules in the
cytoplasm.
They are produced by lymph nodes and in the
spleen.
There are two main types of agranulocytes:
1.
2.
Lymphocytes – fight disease by producing antibodies.
Two types of lymphocytes are B lymphocytes that serve
as “memory cells” and T lymphocytes that directly
attack pathogens.
Monocytes – engulf and destroy cellular debris after
neutrophils have attacked foreign cells. Monocytes
leave the bloodstream and enter tissues to become
macrophages which are large phagocytes.
Lymphocyte:
Monocytes:
Thrombocytes:
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Thrombocyte means “clotting cell.”
Also known as platelets
Resemble tiny fragments of blood
cells.
Are formed in the bone marrow.
Are necessary for blood clotting.
Thrombocyte:
Anemia:
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Literal meaning of the term is “No blood.”
Normal usage indicates a reduction in the
number of normal erythrocytes or amount
of hemoglobin in circulating blood.
There are many different types of anemia,
classified on the basis of how they occur.
Aplastic anemia is a severe type in which
the bone marrow fails to produce not only
erythrocytes but leukocytes and
thrombocytes as well.
Ischemia:
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Ischemia means “to hold back blood.”
Tissue that is ischemic loses its normal flow
of blood and becomes deprived of oxygen.
Death (necrosis) can result from ischemia.
Ischemia can result from mechanical injury
to a blood vessel, by clots lodging in a blood
vessel, or from the gradual closing off
(occlusion) of a vessel owing to a collection
of fatty material.
Tonsillitis:
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Tonsils are lymphatic tissue in the throat.
They contain white blood cells
(lymphocytes) and function to filter and
fight bacteria, but they can also become
infected and inflamed.
Streptococcal infection of the throat can
cause tonsillitis, which may require
tonsillectomy.
Adenoids:
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The adenoids are lymphatic tissue is the
part of the pharynx near the nose and nasal
passages.
The literal meaning of the term is “gland
like” – but they are neither endocrine or
exocrine glands.
Enlargement of this tissue may cause
blockage of the airway from the nose to the
pharynx and adenoidectomy may be
advised.
Tonsils and Adenoids:
Acromegaly:
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Acromegaly is an example of an endocrine
disorder.
In acromegaly, the pituitary gland produces
too much growth hormone after puberty.
A person with acromegaly is of normal
height, but has abnormally large growth of
bones and tissues in the face, hands, and
feet.
Gigantism:
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Similar to acromegaly, but because the
high levels of growth hormone present
before the completion of puberty, the
long bones continue to grow as well –
producing abnormally tall stature.
Features of acromegaly may also be
present in gigantism – overly large
face, hands, and feet.
Splenomegaly:
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The spleen is an organ in the upper left quadrant of
the abdomen.
It is composed of lymph tissue and blood vessels.
Its job is to store, and ultimately dispose of, dying
red blood cells and manufacture of white blood
cells.
Splenomegaly is an abnormal enlargement of the
spleen that may necessitate splenectomy.
If splenectomy is required, other organs (including
the liver) will carry out these functions.
Leukocytosis:
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When –osis is used as a suffix with blood cells, it
means an abnormal condition where there is a
slight increase in number of normal, circulating
blood cells.
Thus, in leukocytosis, a slight elevation in the
number of normal white blood cells occurs – usually
as a response to infection by the body.
When –emia is used as a suffix with blood cells, the
condition is an abnormally high or excessive
increase in the number of abnormal or cancerous
blood cells. Leukemia is an example.
Achondroplasia:
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Achondroplasia is an inherited disorder
where the bones of the arms and legs
fail to grow to normal size owing to a
defect in cartilage and bone.
It results in a type of dwarfism
characterized by short limbs, a normal
sized head and body, and normal
intelligence.
Laparoscopy:
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Laparoscopy is the visual examination of the
abdominal cavity using a lighted instrument.
The laparoscope is inserted through an
incision in the abdominal wall near the
umbilicus.
Carbon Dioxide gas is used to “inflate” the
abdomen and prevent injury to soft tissues
where the laparoscope passes.
Use of the laparoscope may be entirely
diagnostic, or it may be used in surgical
procedures.
Laparoscopy: