DICCIONARIO DE TECNOLOGIA MÉDICA “LABORATORIO CLINICO PATOLOGICO”

THAIT GERALDINE BRAVO KOKCHI

2014
Introduction

This Dictionary is a dictionary that teaches the meaning and pronunciation of

technical words used in the areas of medicine. You will find direct translations. The
dictionary becomes a very useful tool, as it offers the basic vocabulary that the
adult student of medical technology needs for practical and real communication on
the topics of interest.

The pedagogical advantages of this dictionary lie in the easy learning process
(they are arranged according to context, together with spelling, it is easier to retain
the information.

The Medical Technology Dictionary is not intended to be the only manual for
learning technical words used in the medical field, but it is an additional, efficient
tool for learning a vocabulary oriented to this topic. We must not forget that
vocabulary is the most important aspect of learning.

Thait Geraldine Bravo Kokchi

TO
• acute abdomen Abdominal pain of sudden onset, within a few hours. It is
usually associated with diseases that require surgical
resolution. Urgent medical evaluation required. Some
causes of acute abdomen are appendicitis, cholecystitis,
pancreatitis, etc.
• ablation Removal of any organ from the body.
• abortion Early interruption of pregnancy, spontaneous or induced,
followed by the expulsion of the gestational product
through the vaginal canal. It may be preceded by vaginal
bleeding.
• abscess Collection of pus, generally produced by a bacterial
infection. It can form in different regions of the body (brain,
bones, skin, muscles). It can cause fever, chills, shaking,
and redness and pain in the affected area.
• abulia Decrease or loss of interest or desire to do things.
• cerebrovascular Sudden-onset disease characterized by a lack of blood
accident (CVA) supply to a specific brain area. It may be secondary to
occlusion of an artery or bleeding, in which case it is
called hemorrhagic stroke.
• gastric acidity Normal state of the stomach contents, characterized by a
high quantity of hydrogen ions, which can be measured
using a logarithmic scale called pH. (see PH)
• acidosis Imbalance of the internal environment characterized by a
higher concentration of hydrogen ions in the liquid
considered. It can be caused by a gain of acids or a loss
of bases.
• acne Dermatological disorder characterized by the formation of
pustules, comedones and tubercles on the face, anterior
chest and back. It is usually influenced by different
hormonal changes that occur during puberty, pregnancy,
etc.
• adenocarcinoma Malignant tumor, derived from glandular epithelial tissue. It
can originate in any organ, the most frequent being
adenocarcinoma of the colon, breast, prostate and lung.
 adenoma Tumor of the glandular epithelium with benign
characteristics. . . .
• adenopathy Abnormal enlargement of the lymph nodes. It may be
accompanied by pain, increased consistency, adhesion to
deep planes, etc.
• aphasia Neurological symptom characterized by the inability to
express or interpret spoken or symbolic language. It
 usually occurs when certain areas of the cerebral cortex
suffer an injury (tumors, hemorrhages, infections, etc.). It
is usually classified as expressive aphasia or
comprehension aphasia.
• canker sore Loss of surface substance at the level of the mucosal
epithelium. Usually in the oral cavity.
• albumin Protein found in plasma, with important functions, at the
osmotic level, transport of substances, etc.
• alkalosis Imbalance of the internal environment, produced by a
decrease in the concentration of Hydrogen ions or an
increase in the concentration of organic bases in body
fluids.
• allergy Abnormal inflammatory reaction to substances (allergens)
that normally should not cause it. These substances
include environmental dust, medicines and foods.
• hallucination Visual perception of an image in its absence. It usually
occurs in certain intoxications, drugs (hallucinogens),
psychiatric illnesses, etc.
• delivery Removal of the placenta through the birth canal.
• Alzheimer Chronic degenerative disease that produces an insidious
and progressive deterioration of higher intellectual
functions. It is one of the most common causes of
dementia. It usually begins after 50 years of age and has
a similar incidence in men and women.
Absence of menstrual period. It can be primary: in women
• amenorrhea who have never menstruated, or secondary: in women
who have had menstrual periods, but stop having them.
• tonsillitis (tonsillitis) Inflammation or infection of the tonsils.
• ampoule Accumulation of clear-looking fluid between the superficial
layers of the epidermis. They are usually more than 0.5
centimeters. When they are smaller in size, they are
usually called "vesicles."
• anacusia Total loss of hearing
• anemia Decrease in the amount of hemoglobin in the blood, below
the values considered normal according to age and sex.
These values are 12 to 16 grams per liter in women and
13 to 18 in men. It can occur due to losses or defects in
bone marrow production.
• anesthesia Partial or total decrease in pain sensitivity. It can be
induced by different drugs or be part of a neurological
disease.
• aneurysm Abnormal widening of the lumen of a blood vessel. It may
 be caused by a congenital alteration in the wall of the
artery or by the effect of different diseases (hypertension,
atherosclerosis, arterial trauma, Marfan disease, etc.)
• adnexitis Inflammation of the ovaries and/or fallopian tubes, also
called adnexa.
• angina Inflammation of the lymphatic elements of the throat
(tonsils, uvula, etc.). It is also used to refer to the
oppressive sensation caused by ischemia of the heart
muscle (angina pectoris).
• angiography Diagnostic method that, through the use of a contrast
substance, allows the morphology of blood vessels to be
observed.
angioma Benign tumor arising from blood vessels (hemangioma) or
lymphatic vessels (lymphangioma). . . .
• angioplasty Invasive method by which arterial vessels affected by an
atherosclerotic or thrombotic process are dilated.
• anorexia Loss of appetite or desire to eat. Anorexia nervosa: Eating
disorder characterized by an alteration in the body
schema associated with anorexia.
• anovulation Alteration in the functioning of the ovaries, capable of
altering the production, maturation or release of eggs in a
normal manner. It is often a cause of infertility.
• anoxia Decreased oxygen concentration at the cellular level.
• anthrax contagious disease of cattle transmissible to humans,
caused by Bacillus anthracis, characterized by the
formation of a hard edema and ulcers at the inoculation
site and by general and collapsing phenomena.
• anuria Lack of urine output.
• aorta Main artery of the body. It arises directly from the left
ventricle and through its branches supplies blood to all
organs.
• appendicitis Inflammation of the cecal appendix. It manifests as an
acute abdomen (see), and requires surgical resolution. Its
most frequent complication is acute peritonitis.
• apnea Absence of respiratory cycles.
• arrhythmia Abnormality in the production or conduction of electrical
impulses generated through the specialized nervous
tissue of the heart.
• arthralgia Pain in a joint.
• arthritis Inflammation of a joint, characterized by pain, increased
 local temperature, difficulty in mobility, swelling and
redness of the affected area.
• arthroscopy An invasive procedure that allows the inside of a joint to
be viewed using a specially designed device that uses an
external light source and optical fiber to transmit the
images produced (arthroscope). Various surgical
treatments can also be performed through it.
• osteoarthritis Degenerative disease characterized by thinning or
destruction of articular cartilage and deformation of the
bone surfaces of one or more joints. It can cause pain and
limitation in the mobility of the affected areas.
• ascites Abnormal accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity. It
is usually associated with different diseases such as
cirrhosis, heart failure, ovarian cancer, etc.
• asthma Disease of the lower airways (bronchi), characterized by
an acute decrease in bronchial caliber, in response to an
environmental stimulus. This causes obstruction and
respiratory difficulty that can be reversed spontaneously or
with medical treatment.
• astigmatism Defect in the curvature of the refractive surfaces of the
eye that causes disturbances in visual acuity.
• atherosclerosis Disease of the wall of arterial vessels, caused by the
deposit of cholesterol, calcium and fibrous tissue. It
produces greater resistance to the normal flow of blood
through the affected vessel, with the consequent ischemia
of the different organs (heart, brain, etc.)
• atrophy Decrease in the volume of an organ, as a result of disuse,
inadequate circulatory supply, or pathological state.
• audiometry Method that studies hearing acuity at different sound
frequencies.

B
• bacteria Unicellular organism, capable of reproducing itself. There
are different types of bacteria, classified according to their
growth properties (aerobic or anaerobic, etc.), their ability
to stain with special dyes (Gram positive, Gram negative),
according to their shape (bacilli, cocci, spirochetes, etc.).
Some cause infections in humans that can be serious.
• bacteremia Presence of bacteria in the blood.
• bacteriuria Presence of bacteria in the urine. Normally urine is
sterile. . .
• balanoposthitis Inflammation of the penis and foreskin. It produces pain
and pus discharge.
• bartholinitis Inflammation of the Bartholin glands, accessory glands of
the female external genitalia.
• BCG Vaccine used to prevent tuberculosis. It is composed of
live, attenuated bacilli that do not cause disease in people
with normal immunity.
• bilirubin Yellow pigment produced by the degradation of
hemoglobin. When it increases above its normal values, it
can produce a yellowish coloration of the skin and mucous
membranes, called jaundice.
• bile Fluid secreted by the liver and accumulated in the
gallbladder, with abundant content of bilirubin, cholesterol
and bile pigments. It is discharged into the initial tract of
the small intestine through a duct called the hepato-bile
duct.
• biopsy Obtaining a tissue sample from a living organism for
diagnostic purposes.
• gonorrhea Sexually transmitted infection caused by a bacteria called
Neisseria gonorrheae that manifests as purulent discharge
through the male urethra.
Disorder in the conduction of electrical impulses in
• heart block specialized cardiac tissue, manifested by a variable
decrease in the frequency of heartbeats.
• goiter Enlargement of the thyroid gland, which produces a bulge
in the anterior region of the neck. It is generally associated
with hypothyroidism. (see). When the cause of this disease
is a deficiency in iodine intake, it is called regional or
endemic goiter. It can also be associated with other
glandular diseases such as tumors, infections or
inflammation.
• botulism Food poisoning caused by the ingestion of the toxic
product of a bacteria called Clostridium Botulinum, which
produces a serious condition of paralysis in some motor
nerves.
• bradycardia Decrease in heart rate below 60 beats per minute. It may
be associated with conduction disorders (see heart block),
the effect of some drugs or physiological causes (athlete
bradycardia).
• bronchopneumonia Infection of lung tissue generally caused by
microorganisms that reach the alveoli through the bronchi.
It can be a serious illness, especially in elderly patients. It
manifests as cough, fever and opacity on chest X-ray.
• bronchoscopy Diagnostic method that allows observing through the
bronchus using an optical device (fibroendoscope),
obtaining biopsies (see biopsy), and performing cultures.
• bronchospasm Contraction of bronchial smooth muscle, capable of
producing narrowing of the airways, manifested by
wheezing in the chest and shortness of breath.
• bronchus Ducts through which air is transported from the trachea to
the pulmonary alveoli. They have a cartilaginous skeleton
and smooth muscle tissue covered by a mucosa with
specialized cells.
• acute bronchitis Inflammation of the bronchi generally caused by different
respiratory viruses, which manifests as fever, cough and
mucous expectoration with cough.
• chronic bronchitis Persistent inflammation of the mucosa of the bronchi,
generally caused by smoking, characterized by a large
increase in the production of bronchial mucus that
produces cough and expectoration for at least 3
consecutive months for 2 years.
• bulimia Compulsive food intake, usually followed by induction of
vomiting or abuse of laxatives. It is a psychiatric illness,
which is part of the so-called Eating Disorders, along with
Anorexia nervosa, with which it can be associated.

C
• electric shock Involuntary, spasmodic, painful contraction of one or more
muscles.
• calculation Solid formation, product of the precipitation of different
substances dissolved in body fluids, which may vary in
composition depending on different biological conditions.
 They usually occur in the bile (gallstones) and in the
kidney (kidney stones) and are made up of cholesterol,
uric acid, calcium oxalate, bile pigments, etc.
• Calorie Universal unit of measurement used to describe the
amount of energy that is generated by different foods.
Fats contain the most calories (9 Kcalories per gram),
carbohydrates and proteins 4 Kcal per gram.
• cancer Abnormal growth of a cellular tissue, capable of invading
other organs locally or remotely (metastasis).
• candidiasis It is called the infection produced by Candida Albicans, a
fungus that affects mucous membranes, skin or deep
organs (systemic candidiasis). Deep infections tend to be
more frequent in people with immune defects (patients
with cancer, AIDS, etc.).
• Cachexia State of general involution characterized by weight loss,
asthenia and inability to carry out minimal activities. It
usually accompanies terminal stages of chronic diseases
(AIDS, heart failure, respiratory failure). This term is also
often applied to a specific organ when it is affected by a
terminally disabling disorder (cardiac cachexia).
• carcinoma Malignant tumor or cancer, derived from epithelial tissue.
• cardiomegaly This is the name given to an increase in the size of the
heart. It can be caused by high blood pressure, coronary
artery disease, heart failure, etc.
• ischemic heart Disease caused by a deficit in circulation in the coronary
disease arteries or other defects capable of affecting the blood
supply to the heart muscle. It manifests itself through
chest pain (see angina pectoris), arrhythmias, sudden
death or heart failure.
• cavities Destruction of tooth enamel caused by the proliferation of
bacteria in the oral cavity.
• carotid Arteries originating from the thoracic aorta or one of its
main branches, responsible for supplying the greatest
volume of blood to the structures of the skull. There is one
on each side of the neck (primitive carotid arteries), which
then branch into several arteries and join with the arterial
trunks derived from the posterior cerebral circuit, through
the posterior communicating branches.
• castration Cancellation of ovarian or testicular function, by removal
of these organs or by pharmacological inhibition.
• cataract Loss of transparency of the lens that distorts or prevents
vision.
• catheterization Invasive examination of arteries or tubular structures
 (urethra, ureters, etc.), using an internal device capable of
injecting contrast substances or performing corrective
procedures.
• cauterization Burning or coagulating tissues from various organs to stop
bleeding or remove abnormally growing tissue.
• headache Pain originating in the structures of the skull. Depending
on its characteristics and origin, it can be classified as
migraine, tension headache, migraine, etc.
• cell Basic functional unit of all tissue, capable of duplicating,
exchanging substrates with the internal environment, etc.
It has different substructures such as the nucleus, cell
wall, mitochondria, etc.
• cellulite Acute inflammation of the skin structures, including the
underlying adipose tissue, generally caused by an
infectious agent and manifested by pain, redness,
increased local temperature, fever and general malaise.
• cervicitis Infectious inflammation of the cervix. It may be
asymptomatic or manifest as pain in the lower abdomen,
purulent vaginal discharge, itching or pain associated with
intercourse. (dyspareunia)
• cesarean section Surgery performed via the abdominal route to allow the
birth of a viable pregnancy.
• cyanosis Bluish coloration of skin and mucous membranes. It
usually means a defect in the normal oxygenation of the
tissues.
• sciatica/sciatalgia Pain located in the posterior lumbar region, or lower back,
referred secondarily to the posterior portion of the thigh,
calf and ankle, sometimes associated with compression of
the sciatic nerve.
• cirrhosis Replacement of normal tissue of an organ (frequently the
liver) with fibrous tissue. It is due to a persistent,
infectious, toxic or metabolic aggression that produces the
progressive loss of functionally active cells.
• cystitis Inflammation or infection of the bladder. One of the most
common infections in women and manifests as burning
when urinating, dark urine or urine with traces of blood,
fever, increased urinary frequency, etc.
• cystoscopy Visualization of the urinary bladder through an optical
instrument (cystoscope), which is introduced through the
urethra.
• Menopause Set of adaptive changes that occur in women as a
consequence of the decline in ovarian function during
menopause. It consists of weight gain, frequent hot
 flashes, change in the distribution of body hair,
dyspareunia (see).
• Blood clot Solid formation resulting from the blood coagulation
process. It can occur in response to physical injury
(trauma, burn), infection, inflammation, tumor, associated
with various hematological diseases, etc.
• Cholangiography Diagnostic study of the bile ducts that uses a contrast
medium to highlight their anatomy and check for the
presence of stones (see), deformations or external
compressions.
• cholecystitis Acute inflammation of the gallbladder. The most frequent
symptoms are fever, pain in the upper abdominal region
or upper right (right hypochondrium), nausea, vomiting,
etc. Its treatment is surgical.
• Cholecystography Radiological study of the gallbladder, which through a
contrast administered orally or intravenously, allows its
anatomy to be appreciated.
• cholelithiasis Formation of stones (see), inside the gallbladder.
• cholera Acute disease caused by bacterial infection by Vibrio
cholerae, characterized by very frequent and abundant
watery diarrhea, which can lead the patient to shock due
to dehydration.
• colic Acute pain, produced by the dilation or contraction of a
hollow organ (intestine, gallbladder, ureter, etc.). It usually
has a sudden onset, with exacerbations and partial or
total improvements, during which the patient may be free
of discomfort or with mild pain.
• eye drops Liquid pharmacological preparation in which different
drugs that act on the ocular conjunctiva are dissolved.
• colitis Inflammation of the terminal portion of the colon (large
intestine). It may be due to intestinal infections (the most
frequent cause), or to various inflammatory processes
(ulcerative colitis, ischemic colitis, radiogenic colitis...).
• Colonoscopy Endoscopic study of the large intestine.
• colostomy Surgical procedure that consists of sectioning one end of
the large intestine and exposing it through an opening in
the anterior abdominal wall, through which fecal matter is
eliminated. It is used in different diseases that affect
normal intestinal transit, and can be temporary (when in a
second operation, the end of the colon is reinserted into
the rectum), or permanent.
• colposcopy Visual examination of the cervix using an optical
instrument (colposcope).
• comma Alteration of the normal state of consciousness
characterized by lack of eye opening and decreased or
absent response to external stimuli.
• condyloma Wart-shaped formation that occupies the surface of the
genital or rectal mucosa. It is usually associated with
infection by a virus called HPV (Human Papillomavirus). It
is also found in late syphilis.
• conjunctivitis Inflammation of the ocular conjunctiva. It can be caused
by allergies, viral or bacterial infections, etc. It causes
ocular redness, increased secretion and itching.
• bruise Injury associated with trauma, which produces
devitalization of deep tissues.
• seizure Acute episode characterized by the presence of sustained
and/or repetitive spasmodic muscle contractions (tonic,
clonic, or tonic-clonic). It is generally associated with loss
of consciousness and relaxation of sphincters.
• whooping cough Bacterial infection of the airway characterized by repetitive
coughing. It is also commonly called whooping cough or
pertussis, and is caused by a microorganism called
Bordetella Pertussis.
• epileptic crisis Medical emergency characterized by the presence of
convulsive episodes associated with disorders of
consciousness, alteration of behavior, sphincter
relaxation, etc., after which there is usually amnesia of
what happened.

D
• color blindness Congenital alteration in the vision of certain colors,
especially to distinguish red and green
• swallowing Passage of food from the mouth to the esophagus. It is a
partly voluntary and partly reflex mechanism that involves
the pharyngeal muscles and the upper esophageal
sphincter.
• delirium Acute alteration of consciousness or mental lucidity,
caused by an organic cause.
• delirium tremens Variety of delirium, associated with alcohol consumption
 or withdrawal.
• dementia Irreversible and chronic deterioration of a person's
intellectual functions.
• dengue Acute viral infection transmitted to humans through the
bite of the Aedes aegypti mosquito, typical of regions with
warm climates. It is characterized by fever, headache,
muscle and joint pain, and a skin rash.
• dermatitis Inflammation of the superficial layers of the skin, which
can occur in various forms (seborrheic dermatitis, contact
dermatitis, etc.), and is caused by the direct attack of
microorganisms, toxic substances or by an inappropriate
immune response (allergies, autoimmune diseases).
• dermatosis Disease that affects the skin and its appendages.
• spill Abnormal accumulation of fluid in any cavity or organ
(pleural effusion, pericardial effusion, stroke, etc.)
• Dehydration Decrease in total body water content caused by
insufficient fluid intake or increased fluid loss. It manifests
itself, depending on its severity, by dryness of the skin
and mucous membranes, tachycardia, decreased urine
production, etc.
• disinfection Elimination of microorganisms from a contaminated
surface. In general, different chemical compounds are
used (alcohol, chlorhexidine,), or washes with special
brushes,
• Disinfestation Elimination of parasites, insects or rodents. . . .
• malnutrition Deficiency state produced by insufficient intake of
calories, proteins or both. It manifests itself as
developmental disorders (in childhood), atrophy of
musculoskeletal tissues and cachexia (see).
• diabetes Name that designates a group of diseases characterized
by excessive diuresis. The most common is Diabetes
Mellitus (see), although there are other variants (diabetes
insipidus), of a disease in which the primary disorder lies
in the kidney's inability to concentrate urine.
• diabetes mellitus Metabolic disorder originating from the cellular inability to
incorporate glucose. Secondarily, the metabolism of fats
and proteins is usually affected. It is produced by an
absolute or relative deficit of insulin (see). Its main
characteristics are increased blood glucose (glycemia),
polyuria, polydipsia and polyphagia.
• dialysis Method that mimics the normal function of the kidneys,
eliminating toxic compounds produced by metabolism
from the blood, as well as various drugs and medicines. It
 uses a membrane through which these wastes diffuse
into a liquid (dialysis bath), from where they are
eliminated.
• diarrhea Increase in volume, frequency, or amount of liquid in
bowel movements. This is usually the most frequent
manifestation of an alteration in the intestinal absorption
or transport of substances, which is generally due to a
bacterial or viral infection, food toxins, etc.
• Diphtheria Infectious contagious disease that affects the upper
respiratory tract, characterized by the production of a
false membrane in the throat as a result of the action of a
bacterial toxin. This microorganism called
Corynebacterium Diphtheriae is also capable of producing
neurological and cardiac damage. Currently, there is an
effective vaccine (DPT) for this disease, which has made
it rare.
• Digestion This is the name given to the entire set of enzymatic,
motor and transport processes by which food is broken
down into simpler compounds to allow for better
absorption.
• diplopia Double vision.
• dysesthesia Disorder of superficial tactile sensitivity.
• dysphagia Conscious sensation of the passage of food through the
esophagus. It is usually associated with motor,
inflammatory or tumoral diseases of this organ.
• dysphonia Alteration in normal voice production.
• dysmenorrhea Pain associated with menstruation. In a significant
percentage of women it is a normal symptom. In some
cases it is associated with gynecological disease
(endometriosis, etc.).
• dyspnea Subjective sensation of shortness of breath.
• dyspepsia Generic name applied to different symptoms derived from
the digestive system, such as acidity, burning, pain, etc.
They usually translate a functional disorder, gastritis,
peptic ulcer, etc.
• dysplasia Abnormal development or growth of a tissue or organ.
• dysuria Difficulty urinating. It can cause burning, pain, intermittent
urination, etc. It generally corresponds to a urinary
infection.
• Diverticulitis Acute inflammation of the wall of a colonic diverticulum. It
causes pain in the affected quadrant (generally the lower
left), fever, etc. It requires intravenous antibiotic treatment
 and is rarely resolved surgically.
• Diverticulum Eventration of the colonic mucosa through a weakened
region of the intestinal wall. It is a frequent finding in the
Western population after 50 years of age. They generally
do not produce any symptoms.
DPT Triple bacterial vaccine, Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus,
used to prevent diphtheria, whooping cough and tetanus.
• drainage Discharge or extraction of liquid material (blood, pus,
serum), spontaneously or through a tube placed inside
the affected cavity.

AND
• eczema Skin disease characterized by the appearance of
widespread lesions in the form of hives, spots or blisters,
due to a local contact reaction or the action of a systemic
attack.
• Echocardiogram Non-invasive diagnostic method that allows visualization
of cardiac morphology and function through the emission
and acquisition of ultrasound.
• edema Abnormal accumulation of fluid in the intercellular spaces
of tissues or in different body cavities (peritoneum,
pleura, joints, etc.). . .
• Electrocardiogram Recording of the electrical activity produced by the heart,
by sensing and amplifying the small potentials generated
by it during the cardiac cycle.
• Recording of brain electrical activity using skin electrodes
Electroencephalogram that receive and amplify the potentials generated in each
brain region.
• Ectopic pregnancy Implantation of the product of fertilization outside the
uterine cavity.
• embolism Impaction of a solid substance (thrombus, cholesterol,
vegetation, bacterial inoculum), liquid, or gaseous (air
embolism) in a region of the arterial circuit with the
consequent obstruction of flow and ischemia (see).
• empyema Collection of pus in the pleural cavity.
• Encephalitis Inflammation of brain tissue caused by a viral, bacterial or
 fungal infection.
• Endocarditis Inflammation generally caused by a bacterial infection of
the tissue that covers the heart valves and cavities, which
may result in the rupture of cords and valvular elements.
It is a serious disease that requires prolonged antibiotic
treatment.
• Endometriosis Gynecological disease characterized by the presence of
endometrial mucosa, outside the normal uterine cavity,
with the consequent cyclical bleeding during the different
menstrual phases. It manifests itself as Dysmenorrhea
(see), and can cause infertility.
• Endoscopy Method in which the interior of body organs and cavities
are visualized by means of an illuminated optical
instrument.
• enema Introduction of liquid or semi-liquid substances through
the anal sphincter to induce defecation or administer
medications.
• Autoimmune disease Disorder in which an individual's immune system reacts
against his or her own tissues, leading to a wide variety
of diseases including rheumatoid arthritis and
scleroderma. . . .
• Alzheimer's disease See Alzheimer's.
• Chagas disease Parasitic disease transmitted to humans through the
triatoma infestans (vinchuca). It is endemic in some
South American countries and is associated with poor
housing conditions. In its chronic form, it produces
coronary damage that ends in heart failure and cardiac
rhythm disorders.
• Hodgkin's disease Neoplastic disease that affects the lymphatic tissue,
characterized by painful enlargement of the lymph nodes
in the neck, armpits, mediastinum, etc., along with
asthenia, fever, and pruritus (itching). Currently, it usually
has a cure rate of over 80%.
• Parkinson's disease Degenerative disease that affects a specific region of the
brain (basal ganglia), and is characterized by tremor at
rest, rigidity when performing movements, facial
expressionlessness, and in advanced cases, dementia.
Symptoms can be improved with appropriate medication,
although there is currently no definitive cure.
• Pelvic inflammatory Acute infection affecting the female genital tract (ovary,
disease fallopian tubes, uterus). It manifests as pain, fever and
purulent discharge from the vagina.
• Chronic obstructive Set of diseases characterized by an obstruction to the
pulmonary disease normal passage of air through the bronchi. These
(COPD) diseases often overlap. Depending on the presentation
characteristics and the alterations they produce, they are
called Chronic Bronchitis, Pulmonary Emphysema,
Chronic Persistent Asthma or Bronchiectasis.
• Venereal disease (from Venus goddess of love). Disease acquired through
sexual contact.
• emphysema Respiratory disease characterized by the destruction of
the septa that separate one alveolus from another, with
the consequent loss of normal lung retraction. It is
produced by the habit of smoking and in some people by
the deficiency of a protein called Antitrypsin.
• epilepsy Disease characterized by the repetition of convulsive
episodes, as a result of a structural lesion at the brain
level or sometimes without any previous impairment
being proven.
• epistaxis Nasal hemorrhage. . . .
• erysipelas Skin infection that affects the dermis and subcutaneous
cellular tissue, caused by a bacteria called streptococcus
and manifested by fever, increased local temperature,
pain and swelling of the affected skin,
• erythema Reddish discoloration of the skin caused by capillary
vasodilation. Pressing the affected surface with glass (a
maneuver called vitroscopy) usually makes it disappear
and reappears when the pressure is removed.
• eschar Ulcer produced in the skin areas subject to greater
pressure (bedsores).
• Multiple sclerosis Degenerative disease that affects the nervous system,
caused by alterations in myelin (see). It is characterized
by sensory and motility alterations that evolve over time,
producing progressive neurological damage.
• Scoliosis Deformity in the alignment of the spine, which produces a
curvature of the spine to the sides.
• sprain Traumatic strain of a ligament that causes it to rupture,
accompanied by pain, bruising and difficulty in moving
the affected joint.
Inflammation of the esophageal mucosa. It can be
• Esophagitis caused by reflux of acidic stomach contents (reflux
esophagitis), accidental ingestion of a toxic substance
(caustic esophagitis), etc.
• spasm Sudden, involuntary contraction of a muscle or muscle
group. This can be located in any region of the body and
produce different alterations.
• Splenomegaly Enlargement of the spleen beyond normal limits.
• Schizophrenia Mental illness of the group of Psychoses (see),
characterized by emotional, behavioral and intellectual
alterations characterized by a poor relationship with the
social environment, disorganization of thought, auditory
hallucinations, etc.
• Sterility Inability to conceive a pregnancy by natural means. Its
causes can be male, female or from the couple.
• Stomatitis Inflammation of the oral mucosa, caused by viral,
bacterial, fungal infection or autoimmune disease. It is
characterized by pain, burning and redness of the
mucosa, which may be accompanied by a whitish
membrane (leukoplakia) or blisters or vesicles.
• Strabismus Deviation in the position of one or both eyeballs,
secondary to an alteration in the system of muscles,
tendons and nerves responsible for giving them normal
movement.
• Constipation Constipation. Elimination of stools that are too hard or at
a slower rate for a given person.
• Estrogen Hormonal group produced mainly by the ovaries and
responsible for numerous actions in the female body
(induction of the first phase of the menstrual cycle,
development of mammary ducts, distribution of adipose
tissue in the female body, etc.)
• Doppler study Diagnostic method that uses a physical principle (Doppler
effect) to represent moving structures using ultrasound
(blood flow through the carotid arteries, circulation
through the heart valves, etc.)
Diffuse alteration of skin color, characterized by erythema
• Rash (see), with elevation of the most superficial layers of the
skin (papules), vesicles, etc. It can be caused by a
generally viral infection (rubella, chickenpox, measles),
by allergies to drugs, etc.
• Exudate Accumulation of secretions or liquid material from a
mucosa or deep tissue affected by an inflammatory
process.

F
• pharyngitis Inflammation of the pharyngeal mucosa, generally
caused by bacteria or viruses. It is characterized by pain,
difficulty swallowing and redness of the mucosa,
accompanied by exudates (see), or not.
• splint Orthopedic instrument, frequently used to immobilize a
fractured joint or bone. They can be made of plaster or
plastic material.
• Fibroadenoma Benign tumor derived from fibrous and glandular tissues.
• Fibroid Neoplasm derived from fibrous tissue. This is incorrectly
the name given to benign tumors of the uterine muscle,
whose correct name is uterine myoma.
• fever Elevation of body temperature above the normal value,
set at 38 degrees.
• rheumatic fever Inflammatory disease, produced as an abnormal
inflammatory effect secondary to repeated infection by a
bacteria called Group A Beta Hemolytic Streptococcus. It
is characterized by joint inflammation, fever,
inflammation of one or more cardiac tissues, neurological
disorders, and skin erythema. With more intensive
treatment of strep throat, the incidence of this disease
has been significantly reduced.
• typhoid fever Infection caused by a bacteria called Salmonella tiphy,
acquired through contaminated food and characterized
by persistent fever, enlargement of lymphatic tissues
(spleen, lymph nodes, etc.) and skin rash.
• Phimosis Narrowing of the foreskin of the penis that prevents its
movement. Usually congenital or secondary to an
infection.
• fistula Abnormal communication between two organs or two
sections of the same organ with each other or with the
surface. It has a duct with its own walls.
• fissure Continuity solution of traumatic origin, characterized by a
linear path.

• phlebitis Inflammation of the inner wall of a vein. It may or may

not be accompanied by thrombosis of the same (see)
• Phlebography Radiological study that uses a contrast medium to
visualize the path of a region of the venous system.
Obstructions, abnormal communications, etc. can be
detected.
• abscess Collection of inflammatory material (generally purulent)
 inside an organ or in its mucosa.
• Boil Infection of the hair follicle of the skin, characterized by
accumulation of pus within the follicle with elevation of
the adjacent skin surface and erythema (see)
• Photophobia Eye pain or headache caused by visual stimuli. It is a
frequent symptom in meningitis, subarachnoid
hemorrhage, migraine, etc.
• fracture Break in continuity in a bone. Generally caused by
trauma, although it can occur in the absence of trauma
(pathological fracture). Symptoms include pain,
abnormal mobility and cracking (crepitation) in the
affected region.

G
• Galactorrhea Abnormal breast secretion of milk outside the lactation
period. . . .
• lymph node Structure belonging to the lymphatic system, widely
located in different superficial and deep regions of the
body, whose function lies in the filtering of lymph (see),
maturation and activation of lymphocytes as an
important element in the immunological defense of the
individual.
• Gangrene Necrosis (death of tissue) of a tissue or organ, as a
result of insufficient blood supply. Infection may be
added and it receives different names depending on its
characteristics (wet gangrene, gas gangrene, etc.)
• gastritis Acute or chronic inflammation of the mucosa (see) of
the stomach. It manifests as pain in the upper
abdominal region, heartburn, burning, nausea, vomiting,
etc. It can be caused by infection, medication use
(aspirin), stress, etc.
• Gastroenteritis Inflammation of the stomach and small intestine
characterized by nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and
abdominal discomfort. It is produced by the ingestion of
viruses, bacteria or their toxins, or by the aggression of
different mechanisms of the intestinal mucosa.
• germ Microscopic organism (bacteria, virus, unicellular
parasite, fungus) capable of causing disease in humans
 and other animals.
• Gynecomastia Abnormal enlargement of one or both mammary glands
in men. It is associated with various diseases such as
liver cirrhosis, testicular tumors, etc. Sometimes they
occur idiopathically. (see)
• gingivitis Inflammatory process that affects the gums.
• gland Structure of the organism, specialized in the production
of substances, which can be released into the
bloodstream (endocrine glands), or towards a mucous
or cutaneous surface (exocrine glands). Saliva, sweat,
mucus, are examples of products of exocrine glands.
Thyroid hormones, insulin, estrogens, endocrine
secretion
• Glaucoma Increased intraocular pressure, which manifests itself as
headache, red eye and if left untreated, can cause long-
term vision loss.
• red blood cell Blood element (it is not a cell since it lacks a nucleus),
(erythrocyte) composed mainly of hemoglobin, a protein responsible
for transporting oxygen from the lungs to the tissues.
• Renal glomerulus Functional unit of the kidney, composed of a bouquet of
capillaries surrounded by a membrane called Bowman's
capsule, through which blood is filtered and metabolic
waste is eliminated.
• Glomerulonephritis Inflammation of the renal glomerulus, produced by
different immunological mechanisms. It can cause
irreversible damage to kidney function with chronic
kidney failure.
• glossitis Inflammation of the mucosa that lines the tongue,
caused by viral infection, radiation, nutritional
deficiencies, etc.
• Glycemia Blood glucose concentration value. Its normal values
range between 80 and 120 milligrams per 100 milliliters.
• Glycosuria Presence of glucose in the urine. Its most frequent
cause is diabetes mellitus (see). .
• gonorrhea Bacterial infection that affects the genital tract, caused
by a bacterium called Neisseria Gonorrheae. It produces
a yellowish-white discharge from the urethra along with
burning when urinating. It is a cause of male infertility.
• drop Metabolic disorder caused by an increase in the
concentration of uric acid in the blood. It manifests itself
by the formation of kidney stones, joint inflammation and
the deposition of uric acid crystals in subcutaneous
cellular tissue (tophi).
• Granuloma Formation of granulation tissue found in infectious
processes or other diseases. . . .
• flu Viral disease, acquired through human-to-human
contagion, characterized by pharyngitis, fever,
generalized pain, nausea, etc. Its approximate duration
is 5 to 7 days and has a higher incidence in the cold
months.

H
• HDL Abbreviation used to name a type of protein responsible
for transporting cholesterol in the blood, which is related
to lower cardiovascular risk. Also known as "Good
Cholesterol".
• Hematemesis Elimination of blood from the digestive tract through
vomiting.
• Hematocrit Laboratory test that expresses the concentration of red
blood cells in the blood.
• Hematuria Elimination of blood along with urine. It is always
abnormal and is related to urinary tract infection, kidney
stones, tumors or inflammatory kidney diseases.
• Hemiplegia Paralysis of half the body. It affects half of the face, arm
and legs on the same side. It is related to heart attacks,
hemorrhages or tumors of the central nervous system.
• hemophilia Hereditary disease in which there is a decreased
production of coagulation factors. As a consequence,
bleeding occurs due to minimal trauma, especially in
joints (hemarthrosis). Its severity depends on the
concentration of factors in the blood.
• Hemoglobin Protein responsible for transporting oxygen from the
lung to the tissues. It is found in high concentrations in
red blood cells.
• Hemolysis Disease in which the red blood cell membrane breaks
and its contents (mainly hemoglobin) escape into the
bloodstream. It can occur in some congenital or
acquired anemias, as a consequence of immunological
diseases, etc.
• Hemoptysis Elimination of red blood from the airway, along with
coughing. It is usually the manifestation of a lung tumor,
necrotizing bronchitis or pulmonary tuberculosis.
• Hemorrhage Loss of blood into an internal organ (the digestive tract,
the abdominal cavity), or outwards (arterial injury).
Depending on the volume and speed at which the
bleeding occurs, it can produce different manifestations
in people, from tachycardia, sweating, pale skin, to
shock.
Abnormal dilations of the superficial veins found in the
• Hemorrhoids last portion of the large intestine, the rectum, and the
perianal region. They can cause bleeding with
defecation and pain.
• hepatitis Inflammation of the liver, characterized by yellowing of
the skin and mucous membranes (jaundice), pain in the
upper right region of the abdomen, general fatigue,
enlargement of the liver, etc. It occurs due to multiple
causes such as viral infections, drug toxicity,
immunological diseases, etc.
• Hepatomegaly Abnormal enlargement of the liver.
• hernia Protrusion of part or all of an organ through a weakened
area of the wall that normally contains it.
• cold sores (oral) Infection of the oral cavity (the mouth, tongue and
mucous membranes surrounding them), caused by a
virus called Herpes Simplex. People with this infection
develop lesions in the form of small, painful blisters that
break and leave a brownish scab.
• Hydatidosis Parasitic disease caused by the ingestion of food
contaminated with dog or other animal feces. It is
characterized by the formation of cysts in the liver, lungs
and other organs.
• Hydrocephalus Disease caused by an increase in the content of
cerebrospinal fluid. In children, it manifests itself by an
increase in the size of the head, in adults, by an
increase in the internal pressure of the brain.
• Hydrocele Collection of fluid in a sac-like cavity or pouch in the
body, especially in the testicle. . . .
• Hydronephrosis Dilatation of the excretory tract of one or both kidneys. It
is generally caused by an obstruction in the ureter or
urethra, due to stones, tumors, etc.
• Hypercholesterolemia Increased blood cholesterol levels. This is associated
with an increased predisposition to the development of
atherosclerosis (see).
Hyperglycemia Blood glucose concentration higher than normal. Its
most common cause is Diabetes Mellitus.
• Hyperopia Eye disorder in which there is difficulty seeing nearby
objects. . . .
• Hyperplasia Increase in the number of cells in a tissue. It may be a
consequence of a physiological or non-physiological
hormonal stimulus, genetic abnormalities in the tissue of
origin, etc.
• High blood pressure Increase in blood pressure figures above the values
considered normal, which in adults are 140 millimeters
of mercury for systolic pressure and 85 millimeters for
diastolic pressure.
• Hyperthyroidism Disease characterized by an abnormal increase in the
activity of thyroid hormones. It can be caused by the
external administration of thyroid hormones (iatrogenic
hyperthyroidism), or by an increase in their production in
the thyroid gland. Its symptoms are tachycardia, fine
tremor, weight loss.
• Hypertrophy Increase in the size of a cell or group of cells. It is
usually accompanied by an increase in the size of the
organ of which they are a part.
• Hearing loss Decreased hearing ability. Deafness. It is caused by an
alteration in the conduction of the auditory stimulus or a
loss of function of the inner ear or the corresponding
nerves.
• Hypoglycemia Decrease in blood glucose concentration below the
normal limit. It is characterized by sweating, tachycardia
and alterations of consciousness. It must be quickly
corrected.
• arterial hypotension Decrease in blood pressure below normal values.
These are 90 millimeters of mercury of diastolic
pressure and 50 of diastolic pressure.
• hypothermia Decrease in body temperature below 35ºC. It can occur
due to shock, severe infection or in states of frostbite.
• hypothyroidism Disorder characterized by a decrease in the activity or
concentration of thyroid hormones. It manifests itself as
deepening of the voice and weight gain.
• hypovolemia Decreased blood volume, secondary to hemorrhage,
dehydration, or displacement to a third space.
• hypoxia Decreased oxygen concentration in the tissues. It may
be caused by respiratory failure or a defect in general
circulation or in certain delimited areas of the vascular
territory. Depending on the organ involved, different
 manifestations occur.
• hysterectomy Surgery in which the uterus is removed. It is usually
performed in the presence of tumors or bleeding that
cannot be controlled by other means. When removal of
the ovaries and fallopian tubes is added, it is called an
adnexohysterectomy.
• HIV Abbreviation in English for human immunodeficiency
virus. Agent causing AIDS.
• Holter Portable device, designed to continuously record
different physiological variables or electrical activity
during a pre-established period of time. The most
commonly used are the electrocardiographic Holter and
the blood pressure Holter.
• fungus Unicellular microorganism of universal distribution,
which can colonize a body surface and sometimes
cause disease in humans.
• hormone Product of secretion of an endocrine gland capable of
circulating through the bloodstream and modifying
biological processes in a remote organ. Examples of
hormones are insulin, thyroid hormones, sex hormones,
etc.

Yo
• jaundice Yellowish pigmentation of the skin and mucous
membranes due to increased concentration of bilirubin
in the blood. It may be accompanied by other symptoms
such as choluria (see), itching, etc. It is associated with
liver and gallbladder diseases or hemolysis, (see)
• impetigo Infection of the skin and mucous membranes caused by
a bacteria called Streptococcus, and characterized by
the presence of reddish lesions, with subsequent
formation of blisters containing pus and when they
break they leave a honey-colored crust.
• impotence Term frequently used to refer to male sexual impotence,
a disorder characterized by the inability to initiate or
maintain a penile erection satisfactory for sexual
intercourse.
• unconsciousness Disorder of alertness in which there is an inability to
 recognize and react to external stimuli. It usually occurs
in tumors, infections and infarcts of the central nervous
system, as well as in poisoning by endogenous or
exogenous compounds.
• incontinence Inability to control bowel movements, including bowel
movements, bladder or rectum. The result is loss of
urine or feces. People with incontinence usually have
an acquired or congenital defect in the sphincter
mechanism.
• heart attack Death of tissue due to insufficient blood supply. The
best-known example is myocardial infarction, in which
the coronary arteries become obstructed, resulting in
irreversible damage to the heart muscle.
• infection Disease caused by the invasion of a germ (bacteria,
virus, fungus, etc.) into a higher organism. As a
consequence, alterations in the structure or functioning
of the affected tissues often occur, causing fever,
general weakness, and a number of symptoms that
depend on the type of germ and the immune reaction to
it.
• Infertility Inability to carry a normal pregnancy to term. It can
occur due to failures in fertilization, implantation or
development of the product within the uterus.
• Infestation Infection caused by parasites. Examples of infestation
are scabies, pediculosis, intestinal parasite infection,
etc.
• Inflammation Set of processes that develop in a tissue, in response to
an external aggression. They include vascular
phenomena such as vasodilation, edema, development
of the immune response, activation of the coagulation
system, etc. When it occurs at the level of superficial
tissue (skin, subcutaneous cellular tissue), swelling,
increased local temperature, reddish coloration and
pain may be observed. (Tetrad of Celsus)

• Immunity The ability of an individual to defend himself against

bacterial or viral aggression, or against any abnormal
tissue (tumors, grafts, etc.).
• Immunization Process by which the ability to defend oneself against a
certain bacterial, viral or parasitic attack is acquired,
naturally or artificially. The most common example of
immunization is vaccination against various diseases
(measles, whooping cough, flu, etc.).
• Immunodeficiency Immune system disorder characterized by a congenital
 or acquired failure in one or more of the mechanisms
involved in the normal defense of an individual against
infections or cancerous diseases.
• Insufficiency Inability of an organ or system to adequately perform its
function. It manifests itself differently depending on the
organ involved. Ex. Kidney, liver, heart, respiratory
failure.
• insulin Hormone produced by the pancreas, whose most
important function is the regulation of the entry of
glucose into the cells. Its absolute or relative deficiency
determines the appearance of a metabolic disease
called Diabetes Mellitus.
• intertrigo Infection of the skin that covers different folds of the
body surface. It can be caused by fungi or bacteria and
is frequently located between the toes (athlete's foot),
the submammary fold, armpits, intergluteal fold, etc.
• ischemia Absolute or relative insufficiency of blood supply to one
or more tissues. Its manifestations depend on the
tissue involved, the most frequent being cardiac
ischemia, capable of producing heart attacks (see),
cerebral ischemia, producing cerebrovascular
accidents, etc.

J
• panting Shallow and rapid breathing, associated with
physiological processes (exercise, childbirth), or
abnormal processes such as acute respiratory failure,
shock states, etc.
• migraine Form of presentation of headache, characterized by the
concomitant appearance of nausea, nasal discharge,
visual disturbances, etc. It is more frequent in women
and can be triggered by stress, consumption of certain
foods (chocolates, alcohol), or some physiological
conditions (sexual intercourse, lack of sleep, etc.)
 K
• kernicterus A form of jaundice (see) that appears in newborns,
which is especially serious due to its tendency to
produce irreversible neurological alterations. Its
treatment is light therapy (see), which transforms
bilirubin into a more stable form, unable to penetrate
the central nervous system.
• kwashiorkor . Variety of presentation of childhood malnutrition,
characterized by an absolute or relative lack of protein
intake.

L
• cleft lip Congenital alteration in which there is a solution of
continuity in the palate, which connects the oral cavity
with the nasal cavity.
• laparoscopy Surgical procedure in which a fiber optic instrument is
introduced through a small incision in the abdominal,
thoracic or pelvic wall, allowing diagnostic procedures
and treatments to be performed.
• laparotomy Surgical incision of the abdominal wall used for
exploratory purposes.
• laryngitis Inflammation of the mucosa that covers the larynx. It is
very common during the cold months, and is caused
by a viral infection. It manifests itself through pain,
alteration in phonation (dysphonia), cough and fever.
• LDL Low-density lipoprotein, responsible for transporting
cholesterol through the blood. Due to its tendency to
deposit on arterial walls and produce atherosclerosis, it
has been called "bad cholesterol."
• leiomyoma Benign tumor of smooth muscle that can be located in
any organ formed by said tissue.
• leiomyosarcoma Uncommon malignant tumor of smooth muscle.
• leprosy Chronic infectious contagious disease, caused by a
bacterium called Hansen's bacillus or Micobacterium
Leprae, and characterized mainly by alterations of the
skin and peripheral nerves. Depending on the immune
reaction developed in the infected person, two forms
are known: lepromatous leprosy and tuberculoid
leprosy.
• leukemia Malignant disease characterized by the abnormal
proliferation of cellular elements originating in white
blood cells (leukocytes). As a result, normal tissue is
replaced by cancer cells, with decreased immune
capacity, anemia, platelet function disorders, etc.
• leukocytosis Increased leukocyte count in peripheral blood as a
response to infection, inflammation, or other external
aggression.
Term that literally means "whitish formation" and is
• Leukoplakia used to name benign or sometimes malignant lesions
that produce a whitish coloration of the mucosal
surface, generally in the oral cavity.
• leucorrhea Whitish discharge, eliminated through the vagina or
urethra. It usually indicates a gynecological or urinary
tract infection.
• lymphadenitis Inflammation of the lymph nodes, manifested by
increased size, pain and increased local temperature.
It usually occurs in response to a bacterial or viral
infection or cancer.
• lymphocyte A variety of white blood cell, related to the immune
system. There are two types of lymphocytes. One is
dedicated to the production of antibodies (B
lymphocyte) and the other is involved in cell-mediated
immunity (T lymphocyte).
• lymphoma Malignant disease characterized by the uncontrolled
proliferation of lymphocytes or their precursors. A
person with lymphoma often has enlarged lymph
nodes, the spleen, and the liver, and develops fever,
weight loss, and general weakness.
• lipoma Benign tumor derived from adipose tissue. They are
very common and appear as soft tumors under the
skin, which grow slowly over years. They are usually
removed for cosmetic reasons.
• fainting Temporary loss of consciousness caused by a sudden
deficit in cerebral circulation. In general, they are
benign conditions unless they are caused by cardiac
 arrhythmias, in which case they require specific
diagnosis and treatment.
• cerebrospinal fluid A crystalline fluid, with a low level of protein, that
circulates continuously through a system of ducts and
cavities in the central nervous system. Its
characteristics and the pressure with which it circulates
can be altered by different diseases (meningitis,
cerebral hemorrhage, hydrocephalus), which is why
punctures are performed to examine its characteristics.
• lithiasis State characterized by the formation of calculous
formations (see), in different regions of the body. Their
composition and the symptoms they produce vary
depending on their location (gallbladder, ureter, etc.)
• low back pain Pain produced in the lower posterior region of the
back. People with lumbago may have muscle
contractures, ligament sprains in the spine, herniated
discs, etc. It is a benign disorder that usually
disappears with anti-inflammatories and rest.
• dislocation Loss of location of a normal anatomical structure.
Common examples are hip dislocation, shoulder
dislocation, etc., in which one of the bones of the joint
moves outside the normal ligamentous structures.

M
• malnutrition Any eating disorder, whether due to excess or
deficiency in the same. The quality of the nutrients
must be balanced according to the physiological
requirements of each person.
• mammography Radiological study that uses a special technique to
evaluate breast tissue. It allows the diagnosis of
benign and malignant tumors.
• pacemaker Electronic device used to provide a periodic electrical
stimulus to excite the heart muscle in some heart
arrhythmias (see). It is generally implanted under the
skin of the chest.
• dizziness Fainting. Feeling of impending fainting or of movement
in the absence of it. It may be due to trivial causes or
serious cardiac disorders.
• mastectomy Surgery in which part or all of the breast is removed. It
is usually indicated as a treatment for breast cancer.
• mastitis Inflammation of the breast. It manifests as pain,
purulent discharge from the nipple, local redness and
fever. It usually occurs during the postpartum period,
during breastfeeding, due to bacterial infection.
• megacolon Abnormal widening of the large intestine, produced
congenitally or acquired (toxic megacolon,
hypothyroidism, etc.). It is associated with persistent
constipation and episodes of intestinal occlusion.
• melanoma A very common malignant neoplasm in people with fair
skin and exposed to the sun, which derives from
melanocytes (the cells responsible for producing the
main skin pigment). They can arise from previous
moles that change color or bleed with minimal trauma,
or settle on previously healthy skin.
• mane Elimination of black, tarry stools. It is related to the
presence of blood coming from the upper portion of
the digestive tract (esophagus, stomach and
duodenum). It requires urgent evaluation as it
represents a serious condition.
• menarche First menstruation. It usually appears between the
ages of 13 and 16, depending on genetic and
environmental factors.
• meninges Set of membranes that surround the central nervous
system. They perform protection, insulation and
nutrition functions. There are three of them and they
are called dura mater, pia mater and arachnoid.
• meningitis Inflammation of the meninges. Its most common cause
is viral or bacterial infection. They usually produce
serious symptoms characterized by headache, fever,
vomiting and photophobia (see).
• menopause Physiological state characterized by the culmination of
normal menstrual cycles, accompanied by hormonal
changes in women after age 45.
• menstruation Cyclic bleeding through the vagina, which occurs after
a normal ovulatory period and corresponds to the loss
of the most superficial layer of the uterine
endometrium.
• metabolism Name used in a generic way to refer to the set of
enzymatic, plastic and energy transformation
processes that occur in each of the cells of the
organism.
• metastasis Formation of tumor tissue, located in a place remote
from the site of origin. For example, a metastasis in
the brain can form from a cancer that originated in the
lung. Its severity depends on the location and the
response to the treatment established.
• meteorism Accumulation of gas in the digestive tract. It can cause
abdominal distension, persistent pain, flatulence, etc.
• metrorrhagia Uterine bleeding that occurs outside of the menstrual
period. It is usually a sign of menopause. It is
sometimes caused by the presence of a uterine or
ovarian tumor.
• myalgia Pain originating in the muscles. It is usually
accompanied by other symptoms such as weakness,
fever and headache in infectious diseases. It is also
often associated with various immunological diseases.
• myiasis Infection caused by flies or their larvae. These usually
infect skin wounds in individuals with poor hygiene and
develop small worms beneath the skin surface.
• myasthenia Loss of strength caused by inflammatory muscle
diseases. Ex. Myasthenia Gravis. Weakness may
predominate in different muscle groups depending on
the type of condition. (weakness in the extrinsic
muscles of the eye, pelvis or shoulders, etc.)
• mycosis Infection caused by fungi.
• myelitis Disease characterized by infectious or immunological
inflammation of the spinal cord, which is characterized
by the appearance of deficits in the strength or
sensitivity of different areas of the body depending on
the site of the spinal cord involved.
• myeloma A type of cancer that affects B lymphocytes, which are
responsible for producing immunoglobulins. It is
characterized by the appearance of bone pain,
frequently at the vertebral level, anemia, kidney failure,
and a state of chronic immune deficiency.
• migraine Type of headache, very common in women,
characterized by the presence of pulsating pain in one
half of the skull, accompanied or not by
neurovegetative phenomena (nasal discharge on the
side of the pain, conjunctival discharge, etc.). Its
course is usually benign and has a familial incidence.
• cardiomyopathy Term used in reference to diseases that affect the
heart muscle. Its causes are varied, the most frequent
being ischemia and hypertension. In South America,
infection with Trypanosoma cruzi, a cause of Chagas
 cardiomyopathy, is important. When no cause is found
it is called idiopathic cardiomyopathy.
• myopia Inability to clearly see objects that are far from the eye.
It originates from an alteration of the eye's refractive
means, which can be corrected with the use of special
glasses.
• molluscum contagiosum Viral skin infection, characterized by small raised
lesions with a central umbilication, without changes in
skin color, which is transmitted by interpersonal
contact.
• infectious Viral infection caused by the Epstein-Barr virus or also
mononucleosis by Cytomegalovirus, characterized by the appearance
of fever, enlargement of the lymph nodes, which
become painful, splenomegaly (see), skin rash and
sore throat with exudate. It has a benign course and
resolves without complications in 10 or 15 days.
• mucosa This is the name given to the set of tissues that form
the surface covering of the different cavities of the
body that communicate with the outside. Ex.
respiratory mucosa, oral cavity mucosa, etc.
Inflammation of a mucous membrane, caused by an
• mucositis infection or injury secondary to radiotherapy,
chemotherapy, nutritional deficiencies, etc.

N
• nausea Desire to vomit. They are part of the complex
mechanism of vomiting and are usually accompanied
by sweating, sialorrhea, dizziness, etc.
• nebulization Method used for the administration of drugs or the
fluidification of respiratory secretions. It uses a
vaporizing, ultrasonic or bubble mechanism, which
promotes the penetration of water or medication into
the bronchial atmosphere.
• necrosis Set of irreversible processes through which cellular
degeneration occurs after death.
• nephritis Term meaning "kidney inflammation" and which
groups diseases characterized by immunological or
 infectious damage to kidney tissue. Some examples
are drug-induced interstitial nephritis, post-
streptococcal glomerulonephritis, etc. They usually
manifest as high blood pressure, hematuria and lower
back pain.
• neoplasia Term used to describe a group of diseases
characterized by abnormal and uncontrolled tissue
growth. These can form tumors and sometimes invade
distant organs (see metastasis). The most frequent
neoplasms are those of the breast, prostate, colon,
skin and lung.
• pneumonia Inflammation of the lung parenchyma. Its most
common cause is bacterial infection, although it can
be caused by other microorganisms. It manifests itself
with fever, cough, expectoration and chest pain. In
elderly or immunosuppressed patients, it can be a
fatal disease.
• pneumonitis Inflammation of the lungs that mainly affects the space
that separates one alveolus from another (pulmonary
interstitium). It is usually caused by a viral infection or
injury caused by radiation or exposure to various
chemical agents.
• pneumoperitoneum Presence of gas in the peritoneal cavity. It is usually
caused by the perforation of a hollow viscus (gunshot
or knife wound, perforated appendicitis, etc.). It is
sometimes intentionally produced in order to allow
better visualization of the abdominal viscera (in
laparoscopic surgery).
• pneumothorax Presence of air in the pleural cavity (see pleura).
Because the lung maintains its shape due to the
negative pressure that exists between the chest wall
and the pleura, the presence of pneumothorax causes
lung collapse, which can lead to acute respiratory
failure. Its causes are traumatic (puncture wound to
the chest, sudden increase in pressure in the airway),
postoperative or sometimes spontaneous.
• neuralgia Acute pain caused by irritation of a nerve. It is
characterized by being very intense, burning, pulsating
or similar to an electric shock. Its causes are infection,
metabolic or toxic injury to the affected nerve.
Inflammation of a nerve. It usually manifests itself
• neuritis through neuralgia (see), sensory deficit, tingling and/or
decreased muscle strength, depending on the
characteristics of the affected nerve (sensory or
motor). <011241>
• neuropathy Disease that affects one (mononeuropathy) or several
nerves (polyneuropathy). Its symptoms depend on the
location and type of nerve involved, and may be motor
(muscle weakness) or sensory (decreased sensitivity,
pain). Its causes include certain toxins, metabolic
disorders, infections, degenerative diseases, etc.
• neurosis Psychiatric illness in which there is awareness of the
illness. It is characterized by anxiety, distress and
disorders in interpersonal relationships. It presents
different variants depending on the type of neurosis.
The most frequent types are obsessive, depressive,
manic neurosis, etc., and they may occur in
combination.
• neutropenia Decrease in the number of neutrophils in the blood
below 1000 per cubic millimeter. This is the figure
considered the minimum to maintain an adequate
immune system against the most common infectious
agents. When a neutropenic person has fever, it
constitutes an "infectious emergency."
• nevus Skin lesion characterized by a change in normal
pigmentation. They are generally benign lesions,
although they can sometimes transform into
melanomas, (see) a very aggressive skin cancer.
• nocturia Increased urine output at night. It may be a sign of
heart failure, kidney disease, or edematous disorders.
• nystagmus Involuntary movement, in repetitive jerks of the
eyeball. It is normal within certain limits due to the
change in horizontal gaze direction. However, it can
express neurological or balance system diseases.
• nodule Lesion of solid consistency, larger than 0.5 cm. in
diameter located in the hypodermis. In general, there
is no alteration of the epidermis that covers it.
• nulliparous This is the name given to a woman who has not given
birth.
• nutrition Incorporation of vitamins, minerals, proteins, lipids,
carbohydrates, trace elements, etc., essential for the
development and maintenance of a normal individual.
parenteral nutrition Administration of food using venous access. It is used
in situations where the digestive tract is seriously
damaged (severe pancreatitis, severe sepsis, etc.).
 EITHER
• obesity Excessive accumulation of body fat, accompanied by
excessive weight. This disease is becoming more and
more common and is caused by the disproportionate
intake of calories in people who do not have physical
activity that justifies this consumption.
• oligomenorrhea Menstruation occurring at prolonged intervals. They
are usually the expression of abnormalities in ovarian
function.
• oliguria Urine elimination in volumes less than 500 milliliters
per day. It is caused by dehydration, shock states
(see), severe infections, kidney failure, etc.
• onycholysis Destruction of the nail due to fungal or bacterial
infections or toxic processes.
• oophoritis Inflammation of one or both ovaries. It may or may not
be associated with infection of the fallopian tube
(salpingitis). The most common cause is bacterial
infection through sexual intercourse.
• orchitis Inflammation of one or both testicles. It frequently
occurs as a complication of a urinary or sexual tract
infection. Mumps virus infection can also cause
orchitis. People often experience pain, swelling, and
redness of the scrotum.
• stye A nodule of a few millimetres located on the free edge
of the eyelid and corresponding to the inflammation of
one of its glands.
• osteoarthritis General term used to refer to the degenerative
process of articular cartilage, manifested by pain on
movement, joint effusion, etc. It is also called
osteoarthritis (see).
• osteophyte Abnormal bone formation, very common in the vicinity
of the vertebral joints, although they may occur in
other locations.
• osteoma Benign tumor derived from bone tissue. It does not
produce metastasis and its clinical expression
consists of pain and bone deformity.
• osteomyelitis Chronic bone infection. It can affect any bone in the
 anatomy and be caused by a local entry point
(exposed fracture, soft tissue infection), or by bacteria
that circulate through the blood (brucellosis,
tuberculosis, etc.).
• osteoporosis Bone disease characterized by decreased formation
of bone matrix that predisposes a person to suffer
fractures with minimal trauma or even in the absence
of trauma.
• osteosarcoma Malignant tumor derived from bone tissue. It is more
common in people who are in the growth stage, such
as children and adolescents. They can produce
distant metastases (see).
• earache Pain located in the ear. It may be caused by
alterations in the structures of the same (otitis,
trauma, foreign body), or in surrounding structures
that produce referred pain.
• otitis Ear infection. It can be located in the outer ear, the
middle ear, or the inner ear. Its symptoms are fever,
pain, purulent discharge from the ear canal,
decreased hearing acuity, vertigo, etc.
• otorrhea Secretion produced through the external auditory
canal. Depending on its characteristics (blood, pus,
cerebrospinal fluid), it can evoke the presence of
different diseases: otitis, skull fracture, etc.

P
• palpitation Subjective perception of heartbeats. They can occur
during certain cardiac arrhythmias or even in people
with normal rhythm. In the latter case, they are benign
disorders associated with various anxiety disorders.
• malaria A serious parasitic infection, endemic in some
developing countries, transmitted by the Anopheles
 mosquito. It is characterized by an increase in the
size of the spleen, episodic fever and hemolytic
anemia (see). The infectious agent is called
Plasmodium, and several strains of it are known.
• Pancreas Endocrine secretion gland (see), for its production of
insulin, glucagon and intestinal peptides into the
bloodstream and exocrine (see), for the production of
powerful digestive enzymes into the small intestine. It
is located deep in the abdominal cavity and is
approximately 15 cm by 7 cm in size.
• pancreatitis Inflammation of the pancreas. Acute pancreatitis is
usually caused by gallstones, alcoholism, drugs, etc.
It can be a serious and fatal disease. The first
symptoms consist of abdominal pain, vomiting and
abdominal distension.
• Pap smear Staining method for tissue samples, particularly
widespread for its use in the early detection of
cervical cancer.
• mumps Infection affecting the parotid glands, caused by a
viral agent. It is characterized by the presence of
fever, increased size and pain in the posterior region
of the face on one or both sides. It is sometimes
complicated by pancreatitis (see) orchitis or oophoritis
(see).
• paralysis Total loss of muscle strength that results in the
inability to perform movements in the affected areas.
It can be caused by neurological, muscular, toxic,
metabolic disease or a combination of these.
• paraplegia Temporary or permanent loss of the ability to perform
movements due to the absence of muscle strength in
both lower limbs. The most common cause is spinal
cord injury due to trauma.
• parasite Unicellular or multicellular organism that lives at the
expense of another, called a host. The presence of
parasites in a host can cause different diseases
depending on the type of condition produced.
• paresis Decreased strength of one or more muscle groups. It
is a lesser degree of paralysis.
pericarditis Inflammation of the membrane that externally covers
the heart and the vessels that branch off from it.
Symptoms depend on the speed and degree of
involvement. They vary from chest pain, fever, to
cardiac tamponade.
• peritoneum Serous membrane that internally covers the
 abdominal cavity and most of the viscera contained
within it.
• peritonitis Inflammation of the peritoneum. It is usually caused
by the arrival of bacteria through the perforation of a
viscus (appendicitis, cholecystitis), as a complication
of abdominal surgery, due to a penetrating wound in
the abdomen or sometimes without any apparent
cause. It is a serious disease that can cause the
death of the patient.
• pyelography Radiological diagnostic method that uses a contrast
substance to visualize the internal anatomy of the
kidney's excretory tract.
• pyelonephritis Kidney infection generally caused by bacteria. The
most common form of acquisition is by the ascent of
bacteria through the ureters, as a complication of a
previous bladder infection. Its symptoms include
fever, lower back pain, chills, cloudy urine or urine
with traces of blood, etc.
• pyoderma Bacterial skin infection characterized by the presence
of pustules on the skin surface.
• platelet An element of the blood (it is not a cell because it
lacks a nucleus), produced in the bone marrow,
whose main function is to participate in blood
coagulation through the formation of conglomerates
that block the escape of blood to the outside of the
blood vessel.
• plasma Solution in which the different elements of the blood
are transported. It is mainly made up of water in
which all the organic and inorganic components of the
extracellular fluid are dissolved (albumin, hormones,
minerals, etc.)
• pleura Serous membrane that internally covers the thoracic
wall and the pulmonary surface.
• polydipsia Disproportionate increase in the sensation of thirst. It
may be due to endocrine (diabetes insipidus),
metabolic (diabetes mellitus), or psychogenic causes.
Viral disease that affects the anterior roots of the
• poliomyelitis motor nerves, causing paralysis especially in young
children and adolescents. Its incidence has
decreased greatly thanks to the discovery of a highly
effective vaccine (sabín).
• polyp Small raised tumor mass on a mucosal surface (see)
of a hollow organ. They may correspond to benign
lesions or cancer depending on the type of cell that
 forms them.
• polyuria Elimination of excessive volumes of urine. Some
common causes of polyuria are uncontrolled diabetes
mellitus, diabetes insipidus, use of diuretics, some
forms of renal failure, etc.
• presbycusis Loss of hearing acuity associated with aging.
• presbyopia Vision impairment associated with old age. In this
disorder there is increased rigidity of the lens which
causes difficulty in seeing nearby objects.
• proctitis Inflammation of the rectal mucosa caused by bacterial
or viral infections. It manifests as pain when
defecating, elimination of mucus and pus through the
anus, and rectal tenesmus.
• prolapse Displacement of an organ or part of it with respect to
its normal location. Ex. mitral valve prolapse, uterine
prolapse, etc.
• prostate Male gland responsible for producing the fluid and
proteins that accompany sperm in semen. It is
shaped like an almond and is located at the base of
the bladder, surrounding the exit of the urethra.
• prosthesis Artificial element implanted to replace the function of
an altered organ. There are hip, knee, dental, etc.
prostheses.
• itching Itching, prickling sensation. It can be caused by
obstructive jaundice, allergic reactions, liver diseases,
etc.

• psychosis Group of psychiatric illnesses characterized by an

inability to correctly evaluate reality. The psychotic
person restructures his or her conception of reality
around a delusional idea, without being aware of the
illness.
• psoriasis Immunological disease characterized by reddish
lesions with increased peeling of the skin on the
elbows, knees, scalp and torso, along with changes in
the nails ("thimble-shaped nails"). It evolves over time
with improvements and worsening and can also affect
different joints.
• ptosis It literally means "fall" and is applied in different
situations to indicate a lower location of an organ or
part of it (renal ptosis, eyelid ptosis, etc.)
• arterial pulse Propagation of the heartbeat through the rest of the
 arteries, by virtue of their elasticity. It can be obtained
by palpation of any superficial artery (radial, ulnar,
popliteal, carotid artery, etc.) From its shape, rhythm,
symmetry, intensity, etc. the presence of numerous
diseases can be deduced.
• pus Yellowish, often foul-smelling discharge produced as a
result of a bacterial infection and composed of
degenerating leukocytes, plasma, bacteria, proteins,
etc.
• pustule Lesion that affects the skin, producing the elevation of
the most superficial layers of the skin and containing
pus inside.

Chiragra
Q
F. acute gout attack occurring in the hand.
Chirapsia F. massage or friction with the hand.
Operating room m. room designed and equipped in which surgical
interventions and anesthesia and resuscitation
techniques are performed.
Chiroplasty F. hand plastic surgery.
Chiropractic or F. empirical therapeutic method, founded by Daniel
chiropractic David Palmer (1845-1913) in the United States, which
deals with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of
pathologies of the musculoskeletal system.
Chiropractic is based on manual therapy to act on
suspected joint dysfunctions and subluxations.
Chiroscope m. instrument used for the treatment of strabismus.
Chirotherapy F. therapeutic method derived from chiropractic.
Cyst m. pathological cavity, delimited by its own membrane,
and containing liquid inside.
Cystectomy F. surgical intervention consisting of the removal of a
cyst.
Chitin F. corneal carbohydrate that forms the cell walls of
fungi and the exoskeleton or framework of arthropods.
Quoad Vitam m. Latin expression meaning "as regards life" and is
used in medical survival prognosis.
 R
Frequently fatal infectious disease transmitted to
• rage humans through the bite of infected domestic animals,
which causes progressive paralysis and increased
sensitivity to minimal sound or visual stimuli.
• radiculitis Inflammation of a nerve root, generally caused by
mechanical, metabolic or immunological injury. It
manifests as pain in the distribution of the affected
nerve.
• radiotherapy Method that uses different types of ionizing radiation to
treat oncological diseases.
• rash Abnormal reddish coloration of the skin as a result of
an allergic reaction or infection.
• rectosigmoidoscopy Visual examination of the rectum and the terminal
portion of the large intestine, through a fiber optic
instrument (rectosigmoidoscope). It also allows for
obtaining biopsies of the intestinal mucosa.
• gastroesophageal reflux Presence of acidic contents from the stomach in the
esophageal lumen. Since this organ is not
physiologically adapted to withstand the acidity of
gastric juice, inflammation of its mucosa (esophagitis)
often occurs.
• regurgitation Presence of gastric contents in the oral cavity, in the
absence of the vomiting reflex. It is very common in
infants.
• artificial respiration A type of respiratory support that uses an
electromechanical instrument (artificial respirator)
capable of cyclically insufflating known volumes of air
with a high concentration of oxygen through the
bronchi.
• rheumatism Term that is generally used to refer to the set of
inflammatory and degenerative diseases that affect the
joints and neighboring structures.
• rhinitis Inflammation of the nasal mucosa, caused by a viral
 infection or allergic reaction. It manifests itself as
watery discharge and obstruction of the nasal
passages.
Acute viral infection very common in children and
• rubella characterized by rash (see), enlarged lymph nodes
and fever. It can cause serious malformations in the
fetus when it affects pregnant women. There is an
effective vaccine for its prevention.

S
• measles Acute viral disease characterized by the appearance
of a reddish-brown rash (see) located on the face,
trunk and proximal part of the extremities. The
incubation period is 7 to 15 days and may be
complicated by pneumonia or rarely by encephalitis.
• sarcoma Malignant neoplasm originating in the cells of
connective tissues. They can arise from adipose
tissue (liposarcoma), muscle (liposarcoma), bone
(osteosarcoma), etc.
• Kaposi's sarcoma Cancer originating in vascular tissue cells, frequently
associated with AIDS. It manifests as red-violet
lesions in different cutaneous and muscular areas.
• scabies Disease caused by a parasite called Sarcoptes
Scabei. It infests the skin surface producing itchy,
pearly white vesicles along with scratching lesions. It
is most frequently located in the interdigital, inguinal
and submammary folds.
• saturnism Chronic lead poisoning. It manifests as anemia,
abdominal pain without apparent cause, and
neurological disorders.
• seborrhea Dermatological disease characterized by increased
production of the sebaceous glands, along with
increased scaling of the affected area, itching and
erythema (see).
• seminoma Malignant tumor derived from germ cells of the testis.
It is capable of producing distant metastasis. Men
often complain of an enlarged testicle and a palpable
tumor therein. It can also originate outside the gonad,
in the mediastinum.
• sepsis Infection caused by a germ capable of provoking an
inflammatory response throughout the body.
Symptoms associated with sepsis are fever,
hypothermia (see), tachycardia (see), tachypnea
(see) and elevated white blood cell counts. It can
cause death.
• shock State of circulatory failure at the cellular level, caused
by severe hemorrhages, sepsis (see), severe allergic
reactions, etc. It can cause irreversible cellular
damage if hypoxia (see) persists for long enough.
• anaphylactic shock Severe allergic reaction, characterized by a decrease
in blood pressure, tachycardia and disorders in the
general circulation, accompanied or not by edema of
the glottis. Requires urgent administration of
subcutaneous adrenaline.

• AIDS Abbreviation for acquired immunodeficiency

syndrome. Infectious disease caused by the virus
(HIV) characterized by a decrease in the person's
immune capacity that puts them at risk of suffering
serious infections or neoplasias.
• syphilis Disease transmitted through sexual intercourse,
caused by a spiral-shaped bacteria called
Treponema Pallidum. It produces different symptoms
depending on the stage of the disease. An ulcer
usually appears first in the contact area with
inflammation of the regional lymph nodes. After a
period, secondary lesions appear (skin rash,
syphilitic gumma, etc.)
• vital signs Set of physiological variables that are blood
pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate and body
temperature.
• syncope Transient loss of consciousness with subsequent
complete recovery. It is caused by insufficient
cerebral irrigation and has many different causes.
When associated with severe cardiac arrhythmia, it
can pose a significant risk to a person's life.
• syndrome Set of signs and symptoms that are associated with
a known or unknown entity.
• malabsorption syndrome Disease of the digestive tract characterized by
insufficient absorption of nutrients through the
intestinal mucosa. The cardinal symptoms are weight
loss, diarrhea, malnutrition, elimination of fatty fecal
matter, etc.
• nephrotic syndrome Disease that affects the kidney. It is characterized by
the elimination of proteins through urine, with a
decrease in plasma albumin levels. People with
nephrotic syndrome have edema (see), elimination
of foamy urine, increased blood lipids, etc.
• paraneoplastic syndrome Set of manifestations of an immunological or
humoral nature that may precede or accompany a
neoplasia. Among the most frequent manifestations
are acanthosis nigricans, various arthritis, pruritus,
etc.
• sinusitis Acute or chronic infection of the paranasal sinuses.
They often complicate the normal course of a
common cold, accompanied by fever and retroocular
pain.
• heart murmur Sound produced by alteration in the turbulence of
cardiac flows, due to abnormalities in the heart
valves and septa. They can also be heard in normal
people without previous illnesses (benign murmur).
• serum Any liquid with crystalline and colorless
characteristics is called liquid.
• suppuration Pus discharge (see) . It usually means infection in
the affected tissue.

T
• Tachycardia Increased heart rate. It may be due to physiological
causes (during physical exercise or pregnancy) or
due to different diseases such as sepsis,
hyperthyroidism, and anemia. It may be
asymptomatic or cause palpitations. (see).
• tissue Set of cells with similar characteristics, organized
into complex structures to fulfill a specific function.
Example: bone tissue is made up of osteocytes
arranged in a mineral matrix to perform support
functions.
• shaking Rhythmic involuntary movement, which reflects an
alteration in the regulation of muscle tone. Small
contractions of different muscle groups occur in an
alternating and repetitive manner. It is associated
with hyperthyroidism, alcoholism, Parkinson's
 disease, etc.
• tendonitis Inflammation of a tendon. It generally occurs as a
result of trauma. There are immunological diseases
capable of producing tendinitis among other
disorders.
• tetanus Toxoinfection produced by a bacteria called
Clostridium Tetani. After infecting a skin wound, it
produces a toxin (tetanospasmin) that is highly
harmful to the nervous system and produces
spasms and paralysis of the affected nerves. It can
be fatal.
• tick Involuntary, stereotyped movement that usually
affects the muscles of the face.
• topic Referring to a specific area. Of action limited to the
same.
• torticollis A common disorder caused by a dislocation of the
vertebrae of the cervical spine, or by spasms of the
neck muscles that produce stiffness and lateral
rotation of the neck.
• whooping cough Infection caused by a bacteria called Bordetella
(pertussis, whooping cough) Pertussis. It is characterized by the appearance of
fever and dry, repetitive cough (barking cough). Rare
today due to immunization with specific vaccines
(see DPT).
• toxoplasmosis Infection caused by a unicellular parasite called
Toxoplasma Gondii. This parasite completes its first
cycle inside the digestive tract of certain domestic
animals such as cats. Infection occurs when
ingesting contaminated food and can cause serious
disorders during pregnancy and in
immunosuppressed people (see).
Introduction of blood or any of its components into
• transfusion the bloodstream. Red blood cells, platelets, plasma,
coagulation factors, etc. may be transfused.
• tracheostomy Surgical procedure in which a hole is made in the
anterior region of the neck to allow air to enter the
trachea when there is an obstruction above it.
• trauma Injury caused by the mechanical action of a blunt
object, explosion, etc. on one or more parts of the
body.
• trichinosis Parasitic disease transmitted to humans through the
ingestion of contaminated raw or undercooked meat.
Its causal agent is Trichinella Spiralis, and it
 manifests as diarrhea, muscle pain and fever.
• thrombus Clot attached to the inner wall of a vein or artery. It
can cause partial or total reduction of the lumen with
symptoms of ischemia (see).
• thromboembolism Disease caused by the impaction of a fragment of a
thrombus. It occurs when the artery breaks away
from its place of origin and is carried by the
bloodstream until it causes the occlusion of an artery
distant from the place of origin (embolus).
• thrombosis Formation of thrombi (see) inside a blood vessel. It
can be venous or arterial and produce different
symptoms depending on the affected areas.
Coronary artery thrombosis can cause a myocardial
infarction. .
• tuber A dermatological lesion of solid consistency,
circumscribed, smaller in size and more superficial
than a nodule (see). It has no spontaneous
resolution.
• tuberculosis Chronic infectious disease caused by Koch's
bacillus. It causes lung disease and can spread to
any other organ. Symptoms of pulmonary
tuberculosis include fever, cough, expectoration,
hemoptysis (see), accompanied by weight loss and
general weakness. In developing countries,
vaccination with an attenuated strain of this bacteria
(BCG) is recommended.
• tumor Term that literally means mass or tissue formation. It
is generally used to refer to a neoplastic formation
(see).

OR
• ingrown toenail Painful inflammation of the skin covering the lateral
portion of the toes, caused by the nail inserting into
the depth of the surrounding soft tissue.
• urea Product of protein metabolism. It indirectly indicates
the efficiency of kidney function. When there is renal
failure, urea levels rise, causing various disorders
(uremic pericarditis, uremic encephalopathy, etc.)
• Urethritis Inflammation of the urethra, generally due to
infection. It manifests itself as burning when
urinating and yellowish discharge.
• Urography See pyelography.
• Urticaria Allergic reaction manifested on the skin as hives or
itchy bumps, accompanied by redness. It can affect
part or all of the skin. It is generally self-limiting and
subsides quickly, and you may experience
improvements and worsening over several days.

V
• vaccine Treatment based on bacteria, live attenuated
viruses or their cellular products, which aim to
produce active immunization in the body for a
specific infection.
• Vaginitis Inflammation of the mucosa that lines the vagina. It
is usually due to a bacterial or fungal infection. It
manifests as burning, spontaneous pain or pain
during intercourse (dyspareunia), and mucous or
purulent discharge.
• Heart valve Normal structure that separates the chambers and
large vessels of the heart, ensuring that blood flow
occurs in only one direction.
• Valvulopathy Acquired or congenital disease of a heart valve. The
resulting alteration may manifest itself as a
decrease in the opening of the same (stenosis),
insufficient closure (insufficiency) or a combination
of these.
• varicose vein Abnormal dilation of a vein. They can be painful or
cause aesthetic problems when they are superficial,
such as on the legs.
• chickenpox A common viral disease in childhood, characterized
by the presence of fever and a general condition,
along with the characteristic appearance of lesions
that have different stages. First they are small
reddish spots, then small blisters form and finally
they break leaving a scab.
• varicocele Venous dilation of the spermatic cord. They are
 generally asymptomatic and manifest as an
increase in the size of the scrotal sac, although they
can be painful and cause infertility.
• vasculitis (angiitis) Inflammation of the wall of a blood vessel. They are
caused by immunological and allergic diseases. Its
symptoms depend on the affected territories.
• common wart Benign skin lesion, caused by a virus called HPB
(Human Papillomavirus), with a raised shape and
rough surface, without alterations in the normal
coloration.
• vertigo Hallucination of movement. It is caused by disease
in the balance system, reaction to drugs, etc.

Wernicke's aphasia
w
F. aphasia or involution of language function that
occurs due to a lesion in the cerebral cortex.
Westphal-Strumprell m. hepatolenticular degeneration due to a disorder
syndrome in copper metabolism. This disease is more
commonly known as Wilson's disease.
Wharton, duct of m. excretory duct of the submandibular gland.
Wilkins, disease F. disease that causes pseudohermaphroditism in
women and an increase in the size of the genitals in
young men due to an alteration of the adrenal
glands.
Wilms tumor m. common neoplasm in childhood, also known as
nephroblastoma.
Wilson's disease F. congenital autosomal recessive copper
metabolism disorder that causes a large
accumulation of copper in the body, especially in the
liver and central nervous system.
Wipple's disease F. disease that causes malabsorption syndrome,
due to an alteration that diffusely affects the
intestinal mucosa.
Wirsung, duct of m. main pancreatic duct.
Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome m. immunodeficiency due to an alteration in T cell
function.
Wormians, bones m. small bones that are sometimes located between
the bones that make up the skull.
Wrisberg, nerve of m. cranial nerve that, together with the facial nerve,
runs through the internal auditory canal and the
fallopian aqueduct.

X
• xanthoma Small benign tumors of the subcutaneous cellular
tissue, which develop near tendons and ligaments.
They are characterized by infiltration by fatty and
fibrous tissue.
• xerophthalmia Disorder characterized by excessive dryness of the
mucous membranes that line the eye. It produces the
sensation of having a foreign body or grit in the eye,
along with pain and eye irritation. It can be caused by
local diseases or diseases that also affect other
organs.
• xerostomia Dry mouth generally caused by insufficient secretion of
saliva from the salivary glands. It is caused as an
adverse effect of some drugs (anticholinergics) or by
different local or general disorders.

and
Iodoform m. triiodomethane.

Iodophthalein F. tetraiodophenylphthalein.
Iodoproteinemia F. iodine that is bound to proteins in the blood.
Iodopsin F. visual pigment found in the cones of the retina and
responsible for the ability to perceive color.
Iodide m. combination of iodine with another element, usually
a metal.
Yohimbine F. alkaloid obtained from a tree native to Africa called
yohimbe and which has been considered (although not
proven by the scientific method) as an inducer of
sexual desire.
Yugal m. having to do with the cheek or cheekbone.
Jugulation m. sudden remission of a disease after the application
of therapeutic measures.
Jugular m/f. relative or belonging to the neck.
Anvil m. bone that belongs to the chain of ossicles of the
middle ear and is located in the eardrum. It connects
with the hammer.
Juxtaposition F. adjacent or associated position with another
element.

Z
• zoonosis Set of diseases transmitted by some animals
superior to humans. Several examples can be cited,
such as rabies, toxoplasmosis, etc.
• zoster Disease caused by the same virus that causes
chickenpox (Varicella-Zoster). In people who have
already suffered from chickenpox, the virus is in a
latent form and can reactivate, producing the
characteristic reddish spots, vesicles and scabs in
the distribution area of a particular nerve. As a
sequel, it can leave neuritis (see), with significant
pain.
• ringing (tinnitus) Perception of a continuous sound, in its absence. It
may be a result of ear diseases or reactions to
drugs.