med terms 2

• Abscess- Localized collection of pus in a cavity formed by tissue degeneration
• Absorption - to soak up; as a sponge
• Acapnia- reduced carbon dioxide tension in the blood; results from increased pulmonary ventilation
• Acarbia- reduced level of carbon dioxide in the blood with a proportional reduction in the alkaline bicarbonate
• Acid-base balance- the human body cannot survive if the bloodstream becomes either markedly acid or alkaline; it must remain in a very narrow range of balance between acidity and alkalinity. Normal Range is a pH of 7.35 to 7.45, nuetral is apH of 7.
• Acidosis- a condition characterized by the presence of excessive quantities of acids in the blood; used mostly to indicate a decrease in the alkaline reserve below normal levels.
• Acute- sharp, severe, occuring suddenly
• Adhesive force- the clinging of the walls of the bronchioles of a diseased ling that has sticky secretions as a result of the disease. This tendency of the bronchioles to stick together on expiration results in air trapping inside the lung.
• Adrenaline (epinephrine)- medication used as a vasoconstrcitor and cardiac stimulant in acute circulatory failure; also used as a local vasoconstrictor to relieve hemorrhage and local congestion and to relax the bronchi in asthmatic paroxysms.
• Aerosol- liquid droplets suspnded in a stream of gas
• Air trapping- Abnormal condition in which air cannot be expelled from the alveoli during exhalation as a result of collapse of bronchioles or blockage by tenacious mucus.
• Airway- the path air travels from atmosphere to from the alveoli. In anesthesia or resuscitation, a mechanical device used to keep the passages of the upper respiratory tract open for the passage of air.
• Alcohol- a colorless flammable liquid made from the fermentation of carbohydrates by yeast, used primarily for disinfection. Used to break up bubbles in pulmonary edema by lowering the surface tension of the bubbles.
• alkalosis- a condition in which the alkaline content in the blood increases above normal limits. A term used most often to indicate an increase in alkaline reserve above normal levels.
• Allergy- a hypersensitive state acquired through exposure to a particular allergen
• Alveolar- pertaining to the alveoli
• Ambient- pressure equal to the atmosphere around an organisms
• Amelioraton- improvement
• Anaphylaxis- a rapid, exaggerated; allergic reaction
• Anemia- a condition in which blood is deficient in volume or quality of red blood cells
• Aneurysm- A weakness in the wall of the artery causing a dilation in that area
• Angina- A severe constricting pain; usually related to a heart condition
• Anoxia- A term that literally means without oxygen. This term is used generally to indicate lack of oxygen in the blood and tissues of the body
• Antibiotic- inhibits the growth of microorganisms and fights infection
• Antiseptic- an agent that inhibits the growth of microorganisms
• Antitussive- cough stopping
• Aortic- Pertaining to the aorta
• apnea- complete cessation of respiration from any cause
• Apneic- not breathing
• Apneusis- abnormal respiration characterized by a prolonged inspiration
• Aqueous- watery
• Arrested- as this pertains to disease, it means that the course of the disease has been stopped, that the diseases is staying in its present condition and not getting worse; the disease is not progressing
• Dysrythmia (arythmia)- variation from the normal rhythm, especially of the heart
• Arterial- pertaining to the arteries
• Articulate- to unite by joints; to join
• Aseptic, Sterile- free from septic or poisonous material
• Asphyxia- a condition characterized by interference with oxygenation and carbon dioxide elimination; usually associated with the environment
• Aspirate- inhalation of any foreign matter, such as food, saliva, or stomach contents into the airway
• Asthma- A disease state characterized with difficult respiration and wheezing on expiration. Wheezes are caused as exhaled air flows past narrowed air passages caused by spasms of circular muscles around bronchi and bronchioles; usually complicated by secretions inside the airway that increase the difficulty in breathing and lead to infection.
• Atelectasis- An airless area of the lung in which the bronchiole is blocked with secretions and the alveoli have had all residual air absorbed from them by the blood