GLOSSARY OF COMMON MEDICAL TERMS

This list contains some of the more common terms used by medical professionals.  If you don’t understand something that your doctor or therapist is telling you, do not be ashamed to ASK! You are the one who needs to make decisions about your child’s health and well being!

 

A

 

ADENOIDS: pads of immune tissue located behind the nose and nasal cavity.

 

ALVEOLUS:  gums of the mouth.

 

AMNIOCENTESIS:   a method of checking a pregnancy to see if the fetus has some problems such as chromosomal disorders, biochemical disorders, and gene abnormalities.  A needle is inserted into the mother’s abdomen to remove a small amount of amniotic fluid for testing.  The cells that contain the chromosomes are grown in the laboratory and then examined under a microscope.

 

AMNIOTIC FLUID:  the liquid surrounding the fetus before birth.

 

APNEA:  a pause in breathing for longer than 10-20 seconds.

 

ASD:  atrial septal defect—a hole or defect in the wall between the two upper chambers of the heart.

 

ASPHYXIA:  lack of sufficient oxygen and circulation of the blood resulting in possible brain damage and loss of consciousness.

 

ASPIRATION:  when liquids or solids are mistakenly inhaled into the lungs.

 

ASYMMETRICAL:  when one side of the body differs from the other.

 

ATAXIA:  inability to coordinate voluntary muscle movements due to brain damage.

 

ATAXIC:  having unbalanced, jerky movements.

 

ATHETOID:  having involuntary or uncontrolled writhing movements.

 

ATRIA:  the two upper chambers of the heart.

 

ATROPHY:  deterioration of muscle tissue.

 

AUDITORY:  related to the ability to hear.

 

AXON:  one of the two parts of the nerve;  the ‘wire’ that relays impulses from the nerve cell body to other nerves, muscles, and other receptors.

 

 

B

 

B CELLS:  cells in the body that create immunoglobulins in order to kill germs such as viruses, fungi, and bacteria.

 

BILATERAL:  affecting both sides of the body.

 

BIRTH DEFECT:  an imperfection, malformation, dysfunction, or absence present at birth.

 

BRAIN STEM:  portion of the brain between the cerebellum and spinal cord.

 

 

C

 

CARDIAC:  having to do with the heart.

 

CARDIOLOGIST:  a specialist who diagnoses and treats heart problems.

 

CELL:  the smallest thing that can be seen under a microscope;  cells contain chromosomes in the nucleus.

 

CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM:  brain and spinal cord,  the part of the nervous system primarily responsible for thinking, learning, speech, and movement.

 

CEREBRAL:  related to the two hemispheres of the human brain.

 

CEREBROSPINAL FLUID:  a clear liquid that constantly bathes the spinal cord through the ventricles of the brain, nourishing and protecting the central nervous system.

 

CHROMOSOMES:  entities in the body’s cells that contain the genes which  determine everything about our physical makeup.  They are rodlike bodies which can only be seen under a microscope.

 

CLEFT:  opening

 

CLEFT LIP:  open lip caused by the failure of the lift to close during development.

 

CLEFT PALATE:  opening in the roof of the mouth.

 

CLINICAL GENETICIST:  a doctor who specializes in hereditary (genetic) disorders.

 

CLONUS:  rapid, rhythmic alternating movements of muscle relaxation and contractions.

 

COGNITION:  the process of perceiving, thinking, reasoning, and analyzing.

 

COMMUNICATION SKILLS:  the ability to use language (receptive) and express (expressive) information.

 

CONGENITAL:  a problem that arises at birth.

 

CONTRACTION:  momentary tightening or shortening of a muscle.

 

CONTRACTURE:  chronic shortening of muscle fibers resulting in a decrease of joint mobility.

 

CONVULSION: involuntary contractions of the muscle due to abnormal electrical activity of the brain;  a seizure.

 

CRANIOFACIAL:  pertaining to the skull and bones of the face.

 

CRANIOSYNOSTOSIS:  premature closure of the soft spots (fontanels) of the skull.

 

CT:  computed tomography;  an imaging technique that uses x rays and a computer to create images of the body’s tissues and structure.

 

CVS:  chronic villius sampling;  a method of checking a pregnancy to see if the fetus has birth problems such as chromosomal disorders and gene abnormalitites.  A sample of tissue (chorionic villi) is withdrawn by catheter from the placenta through the mother’s abdomen or cervix. The cells that contain the chromosomes are grown in a laboratory and examined under a microscope.

 

CYANOSIS:  bluish skin coloring caused by low oxygen levels in the blood.

 

 

D

 

DEVELOPMENT:  the process of growth and learning during which a child acquires skills and abilities

 

DEVELOPMENTAL DELAY:  when learning and social skills are slower than normal.

 

DNA:  deoxyribonucleic acid;  the molecule that carries hereditary traits (genes)

 

DYSARTHRIA:  impaired articulation due to problems in muscle control.

 

DYSPHAGIA:  feeding difficulties

 

 

E

 

EAR TUBES:  myringotomy tubes;  small tubes placed in the eardrum to allow fluid to drain from the middle ear.

 

ECG:  electrocardiogram;  a cardiac test that measures the heart’s electrical impulses.

 

EEG:  electroencephalogram; a test producing a record of brain electrical activity.

 

ECHOCARDIOGRAM:  ultrasound of the heart.

 

ELECTROMYOGRAM:  a record of activity in muscles, used in diagnosing nerve and muscle disorders.

 

ENDOCRINOLOGIST:  a specialist that treats patients with glandular and hormone problems such as issues with growth hormones and diabetes.

 

EFFERENT:  originating from the central nervous system;  a nerve impulse which travels to a nerve or muscle.

 

ENT:  otolarygologist;  a specialist treating ear, nose, and throat.

 

EPIGLOTTIS:  structure that folds over the opening of the trachea (windpipe) to direct food down the esophagus and not into the lungs.

 

ESOPHAGUS:  the ‘food pipe’ that connects the mouth with the stomach.

 

EXPRESSIVE LANGUAGE:  the ability to use words, gestures, and written symbols to communicate.

 

 

F

 

FINE MOTOR:  movements involving the small muscles of the body, such as fingers, hands, feet, and toes.

 

FISH:  fluorescence in situ hybridization;  the lab test used to identify extra or missing pieces of chromosomal material that can be too small to detect under the microscope.

 

FONTANELS:  the soft spots of the skull in babies.

 

FUNDOPLICATION:  nissen procedure; a surgical procedure performed to prevent food in the stomach from coming back up into the esophagus or mouth.

 

 

G

 

G TUBE:  gastromomy tube;  a tube that is inserted through an incision in the abdomen directly into the stomach, and is used to feed the individual liquids, pureed food, and medications.

 

GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX: a condition in which the contents of the stomach are forced back up into the esophagus and sometimes into the mouth.

 

GENES:  part of the chromosomes that determine everything about our physical makeup.

 

GENETIC:  a problem caused by a gene which can be present in a number of relatives.  May also be caused by a ‘new mutation’ in an individual baby.

 

GENOTYPE:  the genetic makeup of an individual;  the genes that are actually present in a person.

 

GI SYSTEM:  gastrointestinal system involved in digestion.  It includes the esophagus, stomach, and intestines.

 

GRAND MAL SEIZURE:  tonic-clonic seizure; a type of seizure which causes a general loss of consciousness followed by a generalized convulsion in which the extremities become stiff and then jerk rhythmically.

 

GROSS MOTOR:  movements involving the large muscles of the body.

 

 

H

 

HEMIPLEGIA:  a type of impairment in which only one side of the body is affected.

 

HEREDITARY:  a genetic problem that runs in a family.

 

HYDROCEPHALUS: excess pressure in the brain caused by increased fluid within the cranial cavity.  The pressure is relieved by surgically inserting a tube (shunt) to drain excess fluid.

 

HYPERNASAL:  too nasal;  too much air escaping through the nose.

 

HYPERTHYROIDISM:  decreased production of thyroid hormone by the thyroid gland.

 

HYPERTONIA:  high muscle tone

 

HYPOTONIA:  low muscle tone.

 

 

I

 

IEP:  individualized education program

 

IMMUNOLOGIST:  specialist that cares for children with problems involving the body’s immune system.

 

INFANT STIMULATION:  early intervention for young children.

 

INTERVENTION:  providing specialized programs of education and therapy to help children reach their fullest potential as quickly as possible.

 

IQ:  intelligence quotient; a numerical measure of a person’s intelligence or cognitive ability determined by standardized tests.

 

 

J

 

JAUNDICE: an abnormal amount of bile pigments found in the bloodstream.

 

JRA:  juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

 

 

K

 

KARYOTYPE:  a picture of the chromosomes.

 

KYPHOSIS:  rounded back; a deformity of the upper spine.

 

 

L

 

LANGUAGE:  the expression and understanding of human communication.

 

 

M

 

MACROCEPHALY: an abnormaly large head.

 

MAINSTREAM:  involving children with disabilities in regular school and preschool environments.

 

MICROCEPHALY:  small head size.

 

MRI:  magnetic resonance imaging; an imaging technique using radio waves, magnetic field, and computer analysis to create a picture of body tissue and structures.

 

 

N

 

NG TUBE:  nasogastric tube; a feeding tube that is inserted down the nose, through the esophagus, and into the stomach.

 

 

O

 

ORAL MOTOR:  use of the muscles in and around the face.

 

ORAL TRANSPORT:  phase in which food is pushed backward by the tongue through the pharynx.

 

OPHTAMOLOGIST:  specialist caring for the eyes.

 

OT:  occupational therapist;  a medical professional who works to facilitate independence and wellness through functional activities.

 

ORTHOPEDIC:  related to the bones and joints.

 

OTITIS MEDIA:  fluid in the middle ear behind the eardrum.

 

OTOLARYNGOLOGIST:  (ENT) specialist treating the ear, nose, and throat.

 

 

P

 

P ARM:  the short arm of the chromosome.  ‘P’ stands for ‘petite’.

 

PALSY:  problems in the control of voluntary movement.

 

PET SCAN:  a brain imaging method which produces pictures of brain metabolic activities.

 

PHARYNGEAL TRANSFER:  phase in which the food is moved past the airway to the esophagus.

 

PHARYNX:  the throat.

 

PHENOTYPE:  the visible expression of a gene.

 

PLATELET:  thrombocyte;  blood cells which assist in blood clotting.

 

PNEUMONIA:  lung inflammation as a result of infection.

 

PPF:  posterior pharyngeal flap;  a surgical procedure to correct VPI (velopharyngeal incompetence).

 

PP:  physical therapist; a medical professional specializing in improving the development of gross motor skills and overcoming physical problems, such as high or low muscle tone.

 

 

Q

 

Q ARM:  the long arm of the chromosome.

 

QUADRIPLEGIA:  paralysis of the four limbs and the body trunk.

 

 

R

 

RECEPTIVE LANGUAGE: the ability to understand gestures, spoken or written communication.

 

REFLEX:  an involuntary movement in response to stimulation such as touch, pressure, or joint movement.

 

RENAL:  pertaining to the kidneys.

 

RESPIRATION:  breathing.

 

 

S

 

SCOLIOSIS:  curvature of the spine.

 

SEIZURE:  convulsions and/or sudden loss of consciousness resulting from abnormal activity in the brain.

 

SEPSIS:  infection.

 

SEPTUM:  the wall of cardiac tissue between the chambers of the heart.

 

SOCIAL SKILLS:  the ability to interact with other people and function in groups.

 

SPASTIC:  having increased muscle ton (stiff muscles)  resulting in difficult movements.

 

SPECIAL EDUCATION:  the education of children with disabilities.

 

SPINA BIFIDA:  birth defect resulting in an opening in the spine.  The spinal chord often protrudes out of the vertebrae, resulting in spinal cord injury.

 

STANDARDIZED TEST:  a test in which a child’s performance is compared to that of other children the same age.

 

SYNDROME:  a collection of symptoms that is common to a certain group of patients.

 

SUBLUXATION:  partial dislocation.

 

 

T

 

T CELLS:  cells in the body that help protect against infection.  They contain helper and suppressor cells.

 

THROMBOCYTOPENIA:  persistent decrease in blood platelets, which affects clotting.

 

THYMUS:  a gland in the chest which is part of the immune system.

 

TONE:  the amount of muscle contraction when it is at rest.  If it is too high, it is called spasticity.  If it is too low, it is called hypotonia.

 

TRACHEA:  the ‘windpipe’ which connects the upper airway to the lungs.

 

 

U

 

ULTRASOUND:  the use of sound waves to produce an image of an organ inside the body.

 

UVULA:  tissue that hangs in back of the mouth.

 

 

V

 

VELUM:  soft palate;  the rear portion of the roof of the mouth.

 

VENTRICLES:  the lower chamber of the heart.  Small spaces in the brain which contain cerebrospinal fluid.

 

VERTEBRAE:  the bones of the spinal column.

 

VPI:  velopharyngeal incompetence;  a condition in which the back of the palate and the throat fail to close the space connecting the mouth and nose during speech.  This can allow fluids or solids to come up and out through the nose (nasal regurgitation).

 

VSD:  ventricular septal defect; a hole separating the two lower chambers of the heart.