Glossary of Lay Terminology (PDF:786KB) A terminology guide for researchers to be used when requested to write a non-technical summary (NTS) using lay terms (non-technical language) Glossary of Lay Terminology Example - Letter A Abdomen - belly Abdominal - having to do with the belly Abdominal - cavity space in the belly where the stomach, intestines, kidney, liver, gall bladder, pancreas, spleen, and ureters are found Abdominocentesis - use of needle or tube to drain fluid from the belly Abdominoperineal - resection surgery to remove the middle and end of the large intestine Abdominoplasty - surgery to fix the stomach Abduction - movement away from the middle of the body Abortion - the premature end of a pregnancy Abrasion - area where skin or other tissue is scraped away Abruptio - placentae premature separation of the placenta from the mother Abscess - swelling filled with pus Absorb - take up fluids, take in Absorption - the way a drug or other substance enters the body Abstinence - not having sexual intercourse Acapnia - decreased carbon dioxide in the blood Acceptable - good; decent; capable Acetabulum - pocket in the hip bone that holds the top of the upper leg bone Acidosis - increase of acid in the blood Acne - pimples Acoumeter - tool used to measure hearing Acoustic neuroma - growth in the ear canal Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) - illness that results in decreased ability of the body to protect itself from other illnesses; development of the disease or conditions associated with the disease results from Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Acromegaly - a disease of adults in which the body makes too much growth hormone Actinic keratosis - skin disease (bumps) caused by too much exposure to the sun Activated partial thromboplastin time - a test of blood clotting time used to measure the ability of the blood to clot Acuity - clearness, keenness Acute - a quick and severe form of illness in its early stage Addison's disease - serious disorder in which there is decreased cortisol and aldosterone in the body, resulting in weakness, low blood pressure, and other serious problems Adduction - movement toward the middle of the body Adenohypophysis - gland in the brain that makes many hormones that control body functions Adenoidectomy - surgery to take out the adenoids Adenoiditis - pain and swelling of the adenoids Adenoids - infection-fighting glands in the back of the throat Adenomyosis - a growth of muscle in the uterus Adenopathy - swollen lymph nodes (glands) Adenotome - tool used to remove adenoids Adequate - Reasonably good Adhesion - tissue stuck together Adipose - having to do with fat Adjuvant - helpful, assisting, aiding Adjuvant Treatment - added treatment Administer - give (to) Administration (of) - giving (of) Adrenal gland - a gland found over each kidney Adrenalectomy surgery - to remove an adrenal gland Adrenaline - hormone made by the adrenal glands that speeds up body organs and helps the body deal with stress Adrenalitis - inflammation of one or both adrenal glands Adrenocortical Hormone - any of the hormones made by the outer layer of the adrenal glands Adrenocorticohyperplasia - increased growth of one or both adrenal glands Adrenocorticotropic Hormone - hormone made by the brain that activates the adrenal glands Adrenomegaly - increase in size of one or both adrenal glands Adrenopathy - disease of one or both adrenal glands Adverse Effect/Event/Reaction - harmful, bad side effect Aerosol - drug or substance made as a mist to be breathed in Afferent - going toward the center area Afterbirth - material that provides nutrition for the unborn baby and comes out after the baby is born Airway - tube through which air passes to enter and leave the lungs Akathisia - feeling of restlessness Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) - substance in blood that is measured to check for liver disease Albino - white; lacking color Albuminuria - protein in the urine Alcohol - drug found in whisky, wine, and beer that slows down the central nervous system Aldosterone - hormone made by the adrenal glands that controls the amount of mineral salts in the body Allergic Reaction - rash, trouble breathing Allergy - over sensitivity to a substance Alopecia - hair loss Alpha-Fetoprotein - substance in blood that is measured to check for liver cancer, testicular cancer, and spina bifida Alzheimer's Disease - disorder that causes mental confusion Ambulate/Ambulation/Ambulatory - walk, able to walk Amenorrhea - when a woman has no menstrual period Amniocentesis - removal of some of the waters from around an unborn baby for laboratory testing Amniochorial - having to do with the tissues that surround the unborn baby Amniography - x-ray of the uterus (womb) and unborn baby taken after putting a dye into the bag of waters Amnion - tissue that covers the unborn baby Amnionitis - inflammation of the amnion Amniorrhea - leaking of waters from around the unborn baby Amniorrhexis - breaking of the amnion Amnioscope - tool passed through the cervix to look at the amniotic fluid and the unborn baby Amniotic Fluid - waters around the unborn baby Amniotic Sac - bag of tissue that surrounds the unborn baby Amniotomy - rupture of the membranes (breaking of the tissues around the unborn baby)- done to start labor Amphetamines - drugs that speed up metabolism and decrease appetite ("speed") Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) - a disease of the nerves and muscles that causes weakness Anal - having to do with the anus Analgesic - drug used to control pain Anaphylactic - shock serious allergic reaction to a substance (e.g., food, drug) Anaphylaxis - serious, potentially life threatening allergic reaction Androgen - male sex hormone Anemia - decreased number of red blood cells Anesthesia - loss of sensation or feeling Anesthetic - drug that is used to produce loss of pain sensation Anesthetic (General) - medication used to stop pain by putting you to sleep Anesthetic (Local) - medication used to decrease pain by numbing an area of your body Anesthetic (Regional) - medication used to block pain from the muscle and the skin Aneurysm - area where an artery is swollen like a sack because the wall of the artery is weak Aneurysmectomy - surgery to take out an aneurysm Angina/Angina Pectoris - chest pain due to decreased oxygen being supplied to the heart Angiocarditis - inflammation of the heart and the blood vessels entering the heart Angioma - growth made up of blood vessels or lymph vessels Angioplasm - cramp in the blood vessels Angioplasty - surgery to open up a narrow blood vessel Angiorrhaphy - stitching a blood vessel Angiostenosis - narrowing of the inside of a blood vessel Ankylosing Spondylitis - inflammation of the spine causing pain and stiffness Ankylosis - joint stiffness Anoplasty - surgery to fix the anus Anorexia - condition in which person will not eat; lack of appetite Anorexia Nervosa - mental disorder in which fear of getting fat results in starvation and weight loss Anoxia - no oxygen Antacid - drug used to decrease acid in the stomach (e.g., Tums, Rolaids) Antecubital - in front of the elbow Antepartum - before childbirth Anterior - having to do with the front of the body Anterior And Posterior Colporrhaphy - surgery to fix weak muscles in the pelvic area Anterior Lobe - front part of an organ Anterior Lobe Of The Pituitary - part of the pituitary gland that discharges many hormones Antianginal - drug used to relieve chest pain Antiarrhythmic - drug used to restore the natural rhythm of the heart Antibiotic - drug used to stop or slow down the growth of germs Antibody - type of protein that helps protect the body against foreign matter, such as bacteria and viruses Anticoagulant - drug used to thin blood Anticonvulsant - drug used to stop seizures Anticubital - area inside the elbow Antidiarrheal - drug used to stop diarrhea Antidiuretic Hormone - hormone made by the pituitary gland that helps the kidneys keep water in the body by decreasing urine formation Antidote - substance used to treat allergic reactions Antiemetic - drug used to stop vomiting Antihistamine - drug used to treat allergic reaction Antilipidemic - a drug that decreases the level of fat(s) in the blood Antimicrobial - drug that kills bacteria and other germs Antinauseant - drug used to stop nausea and vomiting Antipruitic - drug used to stop itching Antiretroviral - drug that inhibits certain viruses Antiseptic - substance used to stop or slow down the growth of germs Antitussive - a drug used to relieve coughing Antrectomy - surgery to remove the lower part of the stomach Antrum - lower part of the stomach Anuria - no urine being made Anus - ring of muscle that keeps the opening at the end of the digestive tract closed Aorta - biggest artery in the body Aortic Stenosis - narrowing of the aorta where it comes out of the heart Aortogram - x-ray of the aorta Apepsia - without digestion Aphagia - not able to swallow Aphasia - not able to speak or write and not able to understand spoken or written words Apnea - stopping of breathing Aponeurorrhaphy - stitching of an aponeurosis Aponeurosis - strong tissue that joins muscle to bone Appendectomy - surgery to remove the appendix Appendicitis - inflammation of the appendix Appendix - nearly, about Appropriate - (the) right; correct Approximately - nearly, about Aqueous Humor - liquid found in the front of the cavity of the eye Arachnoid - middle layer of the meninges Areola - dark-colored skin around the breast nipple Arrhythmia - uneven heart beat Arteriogram - x-ray using a dye to outline an artery Arterioles - small branches of arteries Arteriorrhexis - breaking of an artery Arteriorsclerosis - hardening of the artery Artery - the type of blood vessel that carries blood and oxygen from the heart to the rest of the body Arthralgia - pain in a joint Arthritis - joint pain Arthrocentesis - use of a needle to remove fluid from a joint Arthroclasia - surgery to free up a joint that it is stiff so it cannot move Arthrodesia - surgery to fasten a joint so it cannot move Arthrogram - x-ray of a joint Arthroplasty - surgery to fix a joint Arthrosclerosis - stiffening of the joints Arthroscope - tool used to look into a joint Arthrotomy - surgery to cut into a joint Articular Cartilage - smooth tissue that covers the bones inside a joint Artificial Insemination - use of a tool to put sperm into the vagina for the purpose of beginning pregnancy Ascites - fluid in the belly Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) - substance in blood that is measured to detect liver disease Aspermia - no sperm Asphyxia - suffocation Aspirate - removing a substance using suction Aspiration - fluid entering lungs Assay - lab test Assess - to learn about (the health/wellness of) Assigned - placed in (into a group) Associated (with) - having to do (with) Asthma - breathing disorder in which there is a wheezing and difficulty breathing Astigmatism - flaw in the curve of the eye Asymptomatic - having no symptoms or problems At Risk - having a possibility that something negative may happen Ataxia - uncontrolled muscle movement Atelectasis - collapse of a lung Atherosclerosis - hardening of the arteries Atraumatic - not damaging to tissue Atrioventricular Defect - hole in the heart present at birth Atrophy - wasting away, or decrease in size, of a body organ Audiogram - report of a hearing test Audiologist - doctor who studies hearing Audiology - the study of hearing Audiometer - tool used to measure hearing Audiometry - measurement of hearing Audiotape - a cassette tape that is listened to Aural - having to do with the ear Auricle - outside flap of the ear Auscultation - use of a stethoscope to listen to sounds inside the body Autism - condition causing abnormal perceptions and relationships Autoimmune Disease - disorder in which a person's immune system attacks parts of his or her own body Axilla - armpit