Essential Medical and Dental Terminology
Clinical and Dental Terminology
- Biopsy: Removal and examination of a tissue sample from a living body for diagnostic purposes.
- Bruising: A blue coloring of the skin caused by injury.
- Carcinoma: An invasive malignant tumor that tends to metastasize to other areas of the body.
- CVS: Abbreviation for the cardiovascular system.
- Debris: Unwanted waste material.
- Degenerative disease: A disorder in which the patient's condition slowly worsens and deteriorates.
- Derangement: An abnormality in the usual arrangement.
- Erupted: Visible (specifically regarding teeth).
- Erythematous: Reddening of the skin caused by the dilation and congestion of capillaries.
- Excision biopsy: The complete removal of a lesion for microscopic examination.
- External auditive meatus: The canal that leads from the external ear to the eardrum.
- Exudate: Fluid, especially lymph or blood, that escapes from a wound or lesion.
- Febrile: Characterized by fever.
- Floss: To clean between the teeth with a thread.
- Gauze pad: An absorbent piece of cotton.
- Gingiva: The gums.
- Gingival recession: The receding or shrinking of the gums.
- Gingivitis: Inflammation of the gums.
- Ice pack: A cloth bag containing ice placed against a wound to reduce swelling.
- Jaw: The bone to which the lower teeth are attached.
- Ligament: A sheet or band of tough fibrous tissue connecting bones or cartilages.
- Lymph node: A small gland which is part of the lymphatic system.
- Lymphadenopathy: A chronic, abnormal enlargement of the lymph nodes.
- Mandible: The lower jaw.
- Mastication: The act of chewing.
- Meatus: A body opening or passage.
- Mucosa: The lining of the internal surfaces in the body.
- NSAIDs: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Occlusion: The meeting of the upper and lower teeth.
- Otalgia: Earache.
- Palpate: To feel or examine by touch.
- Papilla: The piece of gum between the teeth.
- Pericoronal: Located around the crown of a tooth.
- Periodontal ligament: The fibers that connect the teeth to the bone.
- Periodontitis: Inflammation of the fibers that connect the teeth to the jaws.
- Pocket: An abnormal recess between the gums and the tooth.
- Puff: A short, forceful exhalation of breath.
- Radiolucency: Allowing the passage of X-rays or other radiation.
- Side effect: An additional, sometimes unwanted, effect of an action or medication.
- Sinusitis: Inflammation of the nasal sinuses.
- Socket: The hole left in the jaw after a tooth has been extracted.
- Spatula: A flat instrument used for holding down the tongue.
- Temporomandibular joint (TMJ): The jaw joint; the joint between the mandible and the cranium.
- Tenderness: Sensitivity to pain.
- Third molar: Wisdom teeth; the last molar teeth to erupt.
- Tinnitus: A hissing or ringing sound in the ear.
- Unevenness: A lack of uniformity or consistency.
- Wisdom tooth: The last molar.
- Withdrawal symptoms: The unpleasant feelings a person experiences when stopping an addictive drug.
Human Anatomy and the Skeletal System
- Cranium: Skull
- Mandible: Jaw bone
- Clavicle: Collar bone
- Sternum: Breast bone
- Humerus: Upper arm bone
- Radius and Ulna: Forearm bones
- Pelvic girdle: Hip bone
- Femur: Thigh bone
- Patella: Knee cap
- Tibia and Fibula: Shinbones
- Cervical spine: Neck bones
- Scapula: Shoulder blade
- Rib cage: Ribs
- Spine: Back bone