Common Terms-Notes

A region of the body between the chest and the pelvis; the belly

The insertion of a needle into the abdominal cavity to remove fluids.

A localized accumulation of pus; usually associated with infection

Having a sudden and generally severe onset

Bacteria which only live in an environments in which there is no or little oxygen.

Pain relief

A rare, life-threatening, immediate allergic reaction to something ingested or injected.

A condition in which the number of red blood cells present in the blood is lower than normal.

Loss of sensation or feeling. Induced artificially with drugs to permit painful procedures such as surgery.

A condition in which the pupils of the eyes are not of equal size.

Loss of appetite

Usually refers to drugs administered to kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria. (NOT effective against viral infections)

Stopping the blood clotting process

Withdraw fluid or cells through the use of suction (usually the suction produced by pulling back on the plunger of a syringe attached to a needle which is inserted into the area to be sampled)

An agent that decreases or stops vomiting

A term used to describe a condition in which no symptoms are present

A lack of muscle coordination, usually causing an abnormal or staggered gait.

An abnormal decrease in size of an organ or tissue

To listen for sounds produced within the body, usually with the aid of a stethoscope

Bacterium–microscopic organisms that lack nuclei and other organelles. Pathogenic species cause disease.

Kills or stops the growth of bacteria. • Bacteriolcidle: an agent that kills bacteria • Bacteriostatic: an agent that stoops the growth (reproduction) of bacteria but does NOT kill them

The surgical removal of a small amount of abnormal tissue, usually tumors, for diagnosis

Short for, ‘blood urea nitrogen,’ a blood test that estimates kidney function.

Extreme weight loss