Medical Glossary

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Below are some terms, common and uncommon, that one might use while working in the medical field.

A

* **Adrenal Gland** - In Humans, they are small, triangular-shaped glands that are located on top of both kidneys. They produce hormones that help regulate metabolism, immune system, blood pressure, response to stress and other essential functions.

* **Amputation** - The removal by surgery of a limb or other body part because of injury or disease. When done properly, it is the removal of part or all of a body part that is enclosed by skin.
Amputation can also occur at an accident site, the scene of an attack, or on a battlefield. When performing an amputation, surgeons generally cut above the diseased or injured area, so that a portion of healthy tissue remains to cushion bone.
Sometimes the location of a surgical cut may depend in part on its suitability to be fitted with an artificial limb, or prosthesis.

* **Anticoagulant** - any chemical substance that prevents or reduces coagulation of blood, therefore prolonging the clotting time.

* **Antigen** - a toxin or other foreign substance which induces an immune response in the body, especially for production of antibodies.

* **Anti-Psychotic** - a drug capable of counteracting or diminishing the symptoms of a psychotic disorder, or temporary psychosis.

* **Aphasia** - the inability to comprehend or formulate language, due to damage to specific brain regions. The major causes of this condition are stroke and head trauma. It can also result from a brain tumors, brain infections, or neurodegenerative diseases.

* **Asymptomatic** - When a patient does not show symptoms, but is still sick.

B

* **Benign** - Any growth that is considered to not be a danger to the patient.

* **Brainstem** - stalk-like part of the brain that connects the cerebrum with the spinal cord. In the Human brain, the brainstem is composed of the midbrain, the pons, and the medulla oblongata.

C

* **Capillary** - smallest blood vessels in the Human body; they move the blood between the arterioles and venules.

* **Cell** - the basic structural and functional unit of life. Every cell consists of a cytoplasm enclosed within a membrane, which contains many biomolecules such as proteins and nucleic acids.
There are two types of cells: eukaryotic, which contain a nucleus, and prokaryotic cells, which do not have a nucleus, but a nucleoid region is still present. Prokaryotes are single-celled organisms, while eukaryotes may be either single-celled or multicellular.

* **Coagulant** - Also known as clotting, this is the process by which blood changes from a liquid to a gel, forming a blood clot.

* **Communicable Disease** - any disease that is spread from one person to another, through a variety of ways. This can include contact with blood, contact with bodily fluids (sexual), breathing in an airborne virus, or by being bitten by an insect.

D

* **Degenerative** - A term used to describe a disease or illness that causes more damage over time.

* **Dopamine** - commonly known as the "feel good" neurotransmitter, this complex chemical is strongly associated with the pleasure and reward centers of the brain.
Involved in neurological and physiological functions, it is a contributing factor in motor function, mood, and even our decision making, as well as some movement and psychiatric disorders.

E

* **Endorphin** - Hormones that are secreted within the brain and nervous system, responsible for activating the body's opiate receptors, causing an analgesic effect.
 This means these hormones are the ones that inhibit the communication of pain signals, producing feelings of euphoria very similar to that produced by other opioids.

F

* **Fetus** - Also spelled "foetus," this is the terminology used to describe unborn offspring once they reach a certain "age" of gestation while in the womb.
Previously called an embryo, a *fetus* is more developed, and is refered to by this name starting from the ninth week after fertilizations (in Human and Humanoids), and continues until birth.

* **Fracture** - any break in a bone.

* **Basics:**
* **Closed Fracture:** A break in the bone does not break the skin. This is also called a "simple" fracture.
* **Open / Compound Fracture:** A break in which the bone pierces through the skin, and can be seen. It can also be a deep wound that exposes the bone through the skin.
* **Partial Fracture:** An incomplete break of the bone.
* **Complete Fracture:** A complete break of the bone, causing it to be separated into two or more pieces.
* **Stable Fracture:** When the broken ends of the bone line up, and have not moved out of place.

* **Advanced:**
* **Avulsion Fracture**
When a fragment is pulled off the bone by a tendon or ligament.
These types of bone fractures are more common in children than adults. Sometimes a child’s ligaments can pull hard enough to cause a growth plate to fracture.
* **Comminuted Fracture**
 The bone is broken into 3 or more pieces. There are also bone fragments present at the fracture site.
 These types of bone fractures occur when there is a high-impact trauma.
* **Compression Fracture**
 When bones are crushed; The broken bone will be wider and flatter in appearance than it was before the injury.
Most often occur in the spine, and can cause vertebrae to collapse.
* **Displaced Fracture**
 When there is a gap between the broken ends of the bone. Repairing a displaced fracture may require surgery.
* **Greenstick Fracture**
 A partial fracture that occurs mostly in children. The bone bends and breaks, but does not separate into two separate pieces.
 Children are most likely to experience this type of fracture because their bones are softer and more flexible.
* **Impacted Fracture**
 When the broken ends of the bone are driven together. The pieces are jammed together by the force of the injury that caused the fracture.
* **Oblique Fracture**
 When the break is diagonal across the bone. This kind of fracture occurs most often in long bones.
May be the result of a sharp blow that comes from an angle due to a fall or other trauma.
* **Segmental Fracture**
 When the same bone is fractured in two places, leaving a “floating” segment of bone between the two breaks. These fractures usually occur in long bones such as those in the legs.
This type of bone fracture may take longer to heal or cause complications.
* **Spiral Fracture**
 Fracture that spirals around the bone. Spiral fractures occur in long bones in the body, usually in the femur, tibia, or fibula in the legs. However, they can occur in the long bones of the arms.
Spiral fractures are caused by twisting injuries sustained during sports, during a physical attack, or in an accident.
* **Stress / Hairline Fracture**
 Looks like a crack in the bone, and can be difficult to diagnose. They are often caused by repetitive motions such as running.
* **Transverse Fracture**
 Breaks that are in a straight line across the bone. This type of fracture may be caused by traumatic events, like falls or accidents.

G

* **Glucagon** - In Humans, this is a peptide hormone that is produced by alpha cells of the pancreas. It raises the concentration of glucose and fatty acids in the bloodstream, and is considered to be the main catabolic hormone of the body. It can also be used as a medication in order to treat a number of health conditions. Its effect is opposite to that of insulin, which lowers extracellular glucose.

* **Glucose** - Also commonly known as "blood sugar," this is the main sugar found in a Human's blood. It is a Human body's main source of energy. In the blood stream, it is circulated to all of the body's cells in order to use for energy output.

H

* **Hemorrhage** - When blood profusely erupts from the body, especially during surgery.

* **Hermaphrodite** - a person or animal that possesses both male and female sex organs or other sexual characteristics, either abnormally or (in the case of some organisms) as the natural condition.

* **Hypoglycemia** - Condition in which a person's blood sugar (glucose) level is lower than normal.

* **Hypotension** - Also known as low blood pressure, severe symptoms include dizziness and fainting.

* **Hypothalamus** - A portion of a Human's brain that links the nervous system to the endocrine system via the pituitary gland. (In humans, it is the size of an almond.) It is responsible for regulating body temperature, hunger, attachment behaviors, thirst, fatigue, sleep, and circadian (sleep) rhythms.

I

* **Idiopathic** - Term used when the cause of a disease or illness cannot be found. This is a diagnosis, and something can be said to have an idiopathic (unknown) cause.

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M

* **Malignant** - A growth that is invasive and damaging, and will spread to other parts of the body, and cause more harm the longer it goes untreated.

* **Melanin** - a dark brown to black pigment which occurs in the hair, skin, and iris of the eye in people and animals. It is responsible for a person's natural shade of skin, as well as the tanning of skin when exposed to sunlight.

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O

P

* **Pancreas** - A Human organ located in the abdomen. It plays an essential role in converting food into fuel for the body's cells. Has two main functions: aiding with digestion, and regulation of blood sugar.

* **Psychosis** - A condition that affects the way a person's brain processes information. It can easily cause someone to lose touch with reality, and see, hear, or believe things that aren't real.
*Note: Psychosis is a symptom of something bigger, and is not an illness unto itself.*

* **Pulmonary Vein** - Veins that transfer oxygenated blood from the lungs to the heart. The largest pulmonary veins are the four main pulmonary veins, two from each lung that drain into the left atrium of the heart.
 The pulmonary veins play an essential role in respiration by receiving blood that has been oxygenated and returning it to the left atrium.

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S

* **Shock** - A critical condition brought on by the sudden drop in blood flow through the body. When a person is in shock, his or her organs aren't getting enough blood or oxygen.
May result from trauma, heatstroke, blood loss, an allergic reaction, severe infection, poisoning, severe burns or a sudden or violent mental or emotional disturbance.

* **Synapse** - Structure that permits a neuron (or nerve cell) to pass an electrical or chemical signal to another neuron or to the target effector cell.

T

* **Triglobulin** - a biogenic substance produced by the Axanar zymuth gland, and released into the blood. It was used to produce medicines and vaccines, and was used by some species used as an aphrodisiac.

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