Common Medical Vocabulary Copy

Afebrile	Without fever.
Ambulatory	Able to walk.
Aneurysm	Widening of a blood vessel due to pressure on the weakened wall of a blood vessel causing the formation of a sac of blood that may become clotted.
Angina	Severe, often constricting pain, usually referring to the chest that occurs when the heart does not get enough blood.
Aphasia	Loss of ability to communicate verbally.
Appendicitis	Inflammation of the appendix.
Appendectomy	Surgical removal of the appendix.
Arrhythmia	Abnormal heart rhythm.
Arthralgia	Joint pain.
Ascites	Accumulation of serous fluid in the abdominal cavity.
Atelectasis	Partial or total collapse of the lung.
Auscultation	Listening to sounds arising within organs (such as the lungs).
Avulsion	Forcible pulling away of a part or structure.
Axilla	Armpit.
Bilateral	Relating to two sides; affecting both sides.
Bradycardia	Slow heart rate.
Bronchitis	Inflammation of the bronchi.
Bruit	Murmur heard in auscultation of an artery.
Cachectic	Ill appearance and malnutrition.
Cardiomegaly	Enlarged heart.
Cellulitis	Inflammation of the skin secondary to infection.
Cerumen	Ear wax.
Cervical	Pertaining to the neck or to the cervix of the uterus.
Cholecystectomy	Surgical removal of the gallbladder.
Cholecystitis	Inflammation of the gallbladder.
Cholelithiasis.	Gallstones.
Conjunctiva	Membrane lining the eyelids and covering the eyeball.
Contusion	Injury causing hemorrhage beneath unbroken skin (bruise).
Convulsion	Abnormal violent and involuntary contraction or series of contractions of the muscles.
Cornea	Transparent coat of the eyeball covering the iris and pupil allowing light into the eye.
Costochondritis	Inflammation of the costal cartilages of the chest.
Crepitus	Crackling or grating sound, usually of the bones.
Cyanosis	Dark blue or purple discoloration of the skin.
Debridement	Removal of foreign matter or dead tissue from a wound.
Diaphoresis	Excessive sweating.
Diverticulitis	Inflammation of the diverticulum, especially the small pockets in the wall of the colon.
Dysmenorrhea	Painful menstruation.
Dyspepsia	Upset stomach or “indigestion” characterized by epigastric pain, burning, and nausea.
Dysphagia	Difficulty swallowing.
Dysphasia	Slurred speech, difficulty speaking or understanding words.
Dyspnea	Difficult breathing or shortness of breath.
Dysuria	Painful urination.
Ecchymosis	Non-elevated bruise.
Eczema	Inflammatory condition of the skin – itching or burning, tiny papules and vesicles, oozing crusting, and scaling.
Edema	Swelling of body tissues.
Edentulous	Without teeth.
Effusion	Escape of fluid into a cavity.
Emanate	Originate from.
Embolism	Obstruction of a blood vessel by a clot of blood or foreign substance.
Emesis	Vomiting.
Epistaxis	Nose bleed.
Erythema	Redness of the skin.
Etiology	Cause of disease.
Exacerbation	Aggravate.
Excoriation	A scratch mark; a linear break in the skin surface, usually covered with blood or serous crusts.
Exudate	Fluid, such as pus or clear fluid, that leaks out of blood vessels into nearby tissues.
Febrile	Fever.
Fluorescein	Substance used in the diagnostic exam of the eye to detect corneal abrasions, lesions, or foreign bodies.
Gastroenteritis	Inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract involving both the stomach and the small intestine.
Gingiva	Gums.
Gravid	Pregnant.
Hematemesis	Blood in vomit.
Hematochezia	Bright red blood in stools.
Hematoma	Swelling of clotted blood that forms in a tissue, organ, or body space.
Hematuria	Blood in the urine.
Hemoptysis	Coughing up blood.
Hemorrhage	Excessive bleeding.
Hemothorax	Blood fluid present in the pleural cavity.
Hepatosplenomegaly	Enlarged liver and spleen.
Hyperkalemia	High potassium.
Hypertension	High blood pressure.
Hypertrophy	Enlargement of an organ or tissue.
Hyponatremia	Low sodium.
Hypotension	Low blood pressure.
Hypotrophic	Loss of vitality of certain tissues or organs leading to loss of function.
Ileus	Loss of normal bowel peristalsis.
Induration	The process of becoming hard; called also hardening and sclerosis.
Infarct	Localized area of tissue, as in the heart or kidney, that is dying or dead, having been deprived of its blood supply
Infiltrate	To pass into or through.
Inguinal	Groin region.
Ischemia	Inadequate blood supply to a local area due to blockage of blood vessels leading to that area.
Lacrimal	Relating to tears or glands that produce tears.
Lingual	Relating to the tongue.
Loculations	Numerous small spaces or cavities.
Lymphadenopathy	Chronic enlargement of lymph nodes.
Malaise	Generalized discomfort or weakness.
Malleolus	Bony prominence on either side of the ankle joint.
Melena	Black, tarry stools
Meningitis	Inflammation of the meninges.
Mottled	Spots or blotches of different colors and shades.
Myalgia	Muscular pain.
Nares	Nostrils.
Normocephalic	Normal shape of the head.
Neuralgia	Nerve pain.
Nystagmus	Involuntary rapid eye movement.
Occiput	Back of the head.
Odynophagia	Painful swallowing.
Olecranon	Head or point of the elbow.
Pallor	Pale.
Palpable	Able to be touched.
Palpation	To touch.
Paresthesia	Abnormal sensation – burning, tingling, or numbness.
Paronychia	Inflammation of tissue surrounding a nail.
Petechiae	Tiny non-blanchable red spots on the skin caused by a small amount of escaping blood.
Pharyngitis	Inflammation of the pharynx.
Photophobia	Intolerance to light.
Plantar fascia	Thick connective tissue which supports the arch on the bottom of the foot (plantar side).
Pleura	Serous membranes lining the thorax.
Pleural cavity	Closed space (like the inside of a balloon) within which the lung has grown.
Pleurisy	Painful inflammation of the pleura.
Pneumothorax	Collapsed lung – when air or gas leaks into the space between the lungs and chest wall.
Postictal	Following a seizure.
Psoriasis	Chronic skin disease characterized by inflamed lesions covered with silvery white scabs.
Psychosis	A mental disorder characterized by symptoms, such as delusions or hallucinations, that indicate impaired contact with reality.
Purulent	Discharge containing pus.
Rales	Rattling sounds in the lungs.
Rhinorrhea	Thin, watery discharge from the nose.
Rhonchi	Whistling or snoring sounds in the lungs.
Sciatic	Pertaining to the hip or situated by.
Sclerosis	Abnormal hardening of body tissue.
Seizure	Abnormal electrical discharge in the brain resulting in loss of consciousness, convulsions, or sensory loss.
Sepsis	A systemic response typically to a serious usually localized bacterial infection.
Serous	Various bodily fluids that are pale yellow and transparent that fill the inside of body cavities.
Sputum	Saliva (secretions in the mouth produced by salivary glands).
Stenosis	Narrowing.
Stridor	Harsh vibrating noise when breathing caused by obstruction of the windpipe or larynx.
Syncope	Loss of consciousness; to faint.
Systemic	Spread throughout the body.
Symptomatic	Exhibiting symptoms.
Tachycardia	Abnormal rapid heartbeat.
Tachypnea	Increased rate of respiration (breathing).
Thoracostomy	Procedure to install a chest tube.
Tinea	Superficial fungal infections of the skin.
Tinnitus	Ringing in the ears.
Torsion	Twisting of a body organ.
Trismus	Difficulty opening mouth.
Turgor	A condition of normal tension or fullness. Skin turgor – skin elasticity,
Urticaria	Hives or wheals. Hives – an allergic disorder marked by raised edematous (swollen) red patches of skin or mucous membrane. Wheals – sudden elevation of the skin surface. Often itchy.
Vertigo	Dizziness; room spinning sensation.
Wheeze	Difficult breathing with a whistling sound.

Module 1: How to Navigate This Course

Module 2: Medical Scribe Profession

Module 3: Grammar and Punctuation

Module 4: Medical Terminology

Module 5: Common Vocabulary

Module 6: Positioning Terms

Module 7: Medical Abbreviations

Module 8: Medical Basics

Module 9: Medical Records

Module 10: Introduction to Charting

Module 11: HPI Practice

Module 12: HPI Practice Quizzes

Module 13: Review of Systems

Module 14: Mock Patients

Midterm Exam

Module 15: HENT (Head, Ears, Nose, Throat)

Module 16: Ophthalmology

Module 17: Cardiovascular System

Module 18: Respiratory System

Module 19: Gastrointestinal System

Module 20: Genitourinary System

Module 21: Musculoskeletal System

Module 22: Integumentary System

Module 23: Nervous System

Module 24: Procedures and Labs

Module 25: Pharmacology

Written Final Exam

Multiple Choice Final Exam

Fox Valley Medical Scribe Course

Module 1: How to Navigate This Course

Module 2: Medical Scribe Profession

Module 3: Grammar and Punctuation

Module 4: Medical Terminology

Module 5: Common Vocabulary

Module 6: Positioning Terms

Module 7: Medical Abbreviations

Module 8: Medical Basics

Module 9: Medical Records

Module 10: Introduction to Charting

Module 11: HPI Practice

Module 12: HPI Practice Quizzes

Module 13: Review of Systems

Module 14: Mock Patients

Midterm Exam

Module 15: HENT (Head, Ears, Nose, Throat)

Module 16: Ophthalmology

Module 17: Cardiovascular System

Module 18: Respiratory System

Module 19: Gastrointestinal System

Module 20: Genitourinary System

Module 21: Musculoskeletal System

Module 22: Integumentary System

Module 23: Nervous System

Module 24: Procedures and Labs

Module 25: Pharmacology

Written Final Exam

Multiple Choice Final Exam

Common Medical Vocabulary Copy

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