All Words Glossary

Glossary of Pathology Terms
beginning with letter A
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abasia Tweet Definition of abasia Like Definition of abasia on Facebook
noun 
  1. loss, Loss or impairment of coordination of muscles used for walking.
     
abiotrophy Tweet Definition of abiotrophy Like Definition of abiotrophy on Facebook
noun 
  1. (medicine) degeneration of cells or tissues, especially with genetic causes.
  2. (medicine) the associated hereditory disease of abiosis
     
abort Tweet Definition of abort Like Definition of abort on Facebook
noun 
  1. A miscarriage; an untimely birth; an abortion.
  2. The product of a miscarriage; an aborted offspring; an abortion.
Note: As with the more modern "abortion" this can refer either to the process or the result of the process.
  1. (computing) The function used to abort a process.
  2. (computing) An event involving the abort of a process.
We've had three aborts over the last two days.
  1. (military) An early termination of a mission.
We've had aborts on three of our last seven launches.
verb 
  1. (intransitive) To miscarry; to bring forth something prematurely.
  2. (transitive) To cause a premature termination whether of a foetus or more generally of anything that has been begun.
  3. (intransitive, biology) To become checked in normal development, so as either to remain rudimentary or shrink away wholly; to become sterile.
  4. (transitive, computing) To terminate a process prior to completion.
  5. (military) To terminate a mission for any reason other than enemy action. It may occur at any point after the beginning of the mission and prior to its completion.
  6. (rfd-redundant, included in mil sense) (aviation, military) To discontinue aircraft takeoff or missile launch.
     
abortifacient Tweet Definition of abortifacient Like Definition of abortifacient on Facebook
noun 
  1. A drug or an agent that causes premature delivery.
adjective 
  1. Producing miscarriage
     
abortion Tweet Definition of abortion Like Definition of abortion on Facebook
noun 
  1. The cessation of pregnancy or fetal development; a miscarriage.
  2. An induced abortion.
  3. The act of induce, inducing abortion.
  4. The immature product of an untimely birth.
  5. (biology) Arrest of development of any organ, so that it remains an imperfect formation or is absorbed.
  6. Any fruit or produce that does not come to maturity, or anything which in its progress, before it is matured or perfect
  7. The act of aborting a project, a mission, etc, before it is completed.
  8. Something ugly, an artistic atrocity.
     
abortive Tweet Definition of abortive Like Definition of abortive on Facebook
noun 
  1. (Obsolete): That which is born or brought forth prematurely; an abortion. - Shakespeare, Richard III, I-iii
  2. (Obsolete): A fruitless effort or issue.
  3. A medicine to which is attributed the property of causing abortion, abortifacient - Dunglison
adjective 
  1. (Rare): Produced by abortion; born prematurely; as, an child.
  2. (Obsolete): Made from the skin of a still-born animal; as, vellum.
  3. (Obsolete): Rendering fruitless or ineffectual.
    Quotations
    • Plunged in that gulf. Milton
  4. Coming to naught; failing in its effect; miscarrying; fruitless; unsuccessful; as, an attempt.
    Quotations
  5. An enterprise. - Prescott
  6. (biology): Imperfectly formed or developed; rudimentary; sterile; as, an organ, stamen, ovule, etc.
  7. (medicine): Causing abortion; as, medicines. - Parr
  8. (medicine): Cutting short; as, abortive treatment of typhoid fever.
     
abrasion Tweet Definition of abrasion Like Definition of abrasion on Facebook
noun 
  1. The act of abrading, wearing, or rubbing off; the wearing away by friction.
  2. The substance thus rubbed off.
  3. (medicine) A superficial excoriation, with loss of substance under the form of small shreds.
  4. (geology) The effect of mechanical erosion of rock, especially a river bed, by rock fragments scratching and scraping it.
     
abscess Tweet Definition of abscess Like Definition of abscess on Facebook
noun (abscess, es)
  1. (pathology) A cavity caused by tissue destruction, usually because of infection, filled with pus and surrounded by inflame, inflamed tissue.
verb (abscess, es)
  1. (intransitive) To form such a collection of pus.
     
absence seizure Tweet Definition of absence seizure Like Definition of absence seizure on Facebook
noun 
  1. (medicine) Formal term for a petit mal epilepsy, epileptic seizure. Brief seizure lasting upto 30 seconds involving vacantness and lack of awarness, possibly including twitching; not incluing spasm or unconsciousness.
     
ache Tweet Definition of ache Like Definition of ache on Facebook
noun 
  1. (obsolete) parsley, Parsley.
verb (ach, ed)
  1. (intransitive) To suffer pain; to be the source of, or be in, pain, especially continued dull pain; to be distressed.
Quotations
  • Fie, how my bones ache! - Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet, II-v
  • The sins that in your conscience . - Keble
  •      
    acholia Tweet Definition of acholia Like Definition of acholia on Facebook
    noun 
    1. (medicine) Deficiency or want of bile.
         
    achondroplasia Tweet Definition of achondroplasia Like Definition of achondroplasia on Facebook
    noun 
    1. (teratology) A genetic disorder, the most common form of short limb dwarfism.
         
    acidosis Tweet Definition of acidosis Like Definition of acidosis on Facebook
    noun (acidoses)
    1. (pathology) An abnormally increased acidity of the blood.
         
    acne Tweet Definition of acne Like Definition of acne on Facebook
    noun 
    1. (pathology) A skin condition, usually of the face, that is common in adolescents. It is characterised by red pimples, and is caused by the inflammation of sebaceous glands through bacterial infection.
    2. A pattern of blemishes in an area of skin resulting from the skin condition.
         
    acrocephaly Tweet Definition of acrocephaly Like Definition of acrocephaly on Facebook
    noun (infl, en, noun)
    1. The condition of suffering from a pointed skull.
         
    acromegaly Tweet Definition of acromegaly Like Definition of acromegaly on Facebook
    noun (acromegal, ies)
    1. (disease) A chronic disease marked by enlargement of the bones of the extremities, face, and jaw that is caused by over-activity of the pituitary gland.
         
    Addison's disease Tweet Definition of Addison Like Definition of Addison
    noun 
    1. (disease) A morbid condition causing a peculiar brownish discoloration of the skin, and thought, at one time, to be due to disease of the suprarenal capsules (two flat triangular body, bodies covering the upper part of the kidneys), but now known not to be dependent upon this causes exclusively. It is usually fatal.
         
    adenitis Tweet Definition of adenitis Like Definition of adenitis on Facebook
    noun 
    1. (context, symptom, pathology) Glandular inflammation.
         
    adenoma Tweet Definition of adenoma Like Definition of adenoma on Facebook
    noun ademona (plural: adenomas or adenomata)
    1. (pathology) A benign tumour of the epithelium arising from or resembling a gland.
         
    affect Tweet Definition of affect Like Definition of affect on Facebook
    noun 
    1. (psychology) Emotion.
    2. (colloquial, psychology) A strong emotional experience. See
      1. Usage notes, usage notes below.
      2. (psychology) external, External display of emotion or mood.
      He seemed completely devoid of .
    verb 
    1. (transitive) To influence or alter.
    The experience affected me deeply.
    The heat of the sunlight affected the speed of the chemical reaction.
    1. (transitive) To move to emotion.
    He was deeply affected by the themes in the play.
    1. (transitive) To make a false display of.
    He managed to a smile despite feeling quite miserable.
    1. (transitive) Of an illness or condition, to infect or harm (a part of the body).
    Hepatitis affects the liver.
         
    agent Tweet Definition of agent Like Definition of agent on Facebook
    noun 
    1. One who exerts power, or has the power to act; an actor.
    Heaven made us agents, free to good or ill. --Dryden.
    1. One who acts for, or in the place of, another, by authority from him; one intrusted with the business of another; a substitute; a deputy; a factor.
    2. An active power or cause; that which has the power to produce an effect; as, a physical, chemical, or medicinal agent; as, heat is a powerful agent.
    3. (computing) In the client-server model, the part of the system that performs information preparation and exchange on behalf of a client or server. Especially in the phrase “intelligent agent” it implies some kind of automatic process which can communicate with other agents to perform some collective task on behalf of one or more humans.
         
    agnail Tweet Definition of agnail Like Definition of agnail on Facebook
    noun 
    1. (Obsolete) A corn or sore on the toe or finger
    2. Torn skin near a toenail or fingernail
         
    agrammatism Tweet Definition of agrammatism Like Definition of agrammatism on Facebook
    noun 
    1. the inability to form sentences by virtue of a brain disorder
         
    ague Tweet Definition of ague Like Definition of ague on Facebook
    noun 
    1. (obsolete) An acute fever.
      • Brenning agues. "P. Plowman.
        1. (pathology) An intermittent fever, attended by alternate cold and hot fits.
        2. The cold fit or rigor of the intermittent fever; as, fever and ague.
        3. A chill, or state of shake, shaking, as with cold.
        4. A former name for malaria.
    verb (agu, ing)
    1. (transitive) To strike with an ague, or with a cold fit.
         
    ail Tweet Definition of ail Like Definition of ail on Facebook
    noun 
    1. An ailment; trouble; illness.
    verb 
    1. (transitive) To cause to suffer; to hurt; to trouble; to afflict.
    What ails him? — What's wrong with him?
    1. (intransitive) To be ill; to suffer; to be troubled.
         
    ailing Tweet Definition of ailing Like Definition of ailing on Facebook
    noun 
    1. An ailment.
    verb 
    1. Present participle of to ail.
         
    ailment Tweet Definition of ailment Like Definition of ailment on Facebook
    noun 
    1. Something which ails one; a disease; sickness.
         
    airsickness Tweet Definition of airsickness Like Definition of airsickness on Facebook
    noun 
    1. nausea brought on by turbulence during flight
    2. motion sickness occuring during travel in an aircraft
         
    albino Tweet Definition of albino Like Definition of albino on Facebook
    noun (pl=albinos, pl2=albinoes)
    1. (countable) person or animal congenitally lacking melanin pigmentation in the skin, eyes, and hair or feathers (or more rarely only in the eyes); one born with albinism
    adjective 
    1. congenitally lacking melanin pigmentation in the skin, eyes, and hair or feathers (or more rarely only in the eyes); born with albinism
         
    alcoholic Tweet Definition of alcoholic Like Definition of alcoholic on Facebook
    noun 
    1. A person addicted to alcohol.
    Don't you know you've got your daddy's eyes
    Daddy was an - w:Starsailor (band), Starsailor - Alcoholic
    1. One who abuses alcohol.
    adjective 
    1. Of or pertaining to alcohol.
    2. Having more than a trace amount of alcohol in its contents.
    beverage
    1. Of, pertaining to, or affected by alcoholism
         
    alcoholism Tweet Definition of alcoholism Like Definition of alcoholism on Facebook
    noun 
    1. (pathology) A chronic disease caused by addiction to alcohol, leading to a deterioration in health and social functioning.
    2. (pathology ) Acute alcohol poisoning.
         
    Alexia Tweet Definition of Alexia Like Definition of Alexia on Facebook
    proper noun 
    1. (given name, female, from Greek, ) .
         
    alkalosis Tweet Definition of alkalosis Like Definition of alkalosis on Facebook
    noun 
    1. An abnormally increased alkalinity in the blood.
         
    alopecia Tweet Definition of alopecia Like Definition of alopecia on Facebook
    noun 
    1. baldness, Baldness.
      1. (pathology) Deficiency of the hair, may be caused by failure to grow or loss after growth
    2. Med. Loss of hair (especially on the head) or loss of wool or feathers, which either happens naturally or is caused by disease
         
    Alzheimer's disease Tweet Definition of Alzheimer Like Definition of Alzheimer
    noun 
    1. (context, neurology, disease) A disorder of loss mental functions resulting from brain tissue changes; senile dementia of Alzheimer's type.
         
    amebic Tweet Definition of amebic Like Definition of amebic on Facebook
    adjective 
    1. Of, or pertaining to, an amoeba.
         
    Amelia Tweet Definition of Amelia Like Definition of Amelia on Facebook
    proper noun 
    1. (given name, female, from Germanic, )
         
    amenorrhea Tweet Definition of amenorrhea Like Definition of amenorrhea on Facebook
    noun 
    1. Lack of a menstrual period in a female when one should be present.
         
    amnesia Tweet Definition of amnesia Like Definition of amnesia on Facebook
    noun 
    1. (pathology) loss, Loss of memory; forgetfulness.
         
    amnesiac Tweet Definition of amnesiac Like Definition of amnesiac on Facebook
    noun , plural amnesiacs
    1. person who suffers from loss of memory (amnesia)
         
    amyotrophic lateral sclerosis Tweet Definition of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis Like Definition of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis on Facebook
    noun 
    1. (context, disease, neurology) A chronic, progressive disease characterized by degeneration of the central nervous system and the loss of voluntary muscle control.
         
    anacusis Tweet Definition of anacusis Like Definition of anacusis on Facebook
    noun 
    1. (medicine) total deafness
         
    anaemia Tweet Definition of anaemia Like Definition of anaemia on Facebook
    noun 
    1. (alternative spelling of, anemia)
         
    anaemic Tweet Definition of anaemic Like Definition of anaemic on Facebook
    adjective 
    1. (alternative spelling of, anemic)
         
    anaphylactic shock Tweet Definition of anaphylactic shock Like Definition of anaphylactic shock on Facebook
    noun 
    1. A severe and rapid systemic allergic reaction to an allergen, constricting the trachea and preventing breathing
         
    anaphylaxis Tweet Definition of anaphylaxis Like Definition of anaphylaxis on Facebook
    noun (anaphylaxes)
    1. Extreme sensitivity to a substance such as a foreign protein or drug.
    2. A severe and rapid systemic allergic reaction to an allergen, causing a constriction of the trachea, preventing breathing; anaphylactic shock.
         
    anaplastic Tweet Definition of anaplastic Like Definition of anaplastic on Facebook
    adjective 
    1. (oncology) Of, or relating to, a tumor that shows little histogenetic differentiation. It implies that a tumor is high grade and likely to behave in an aggressive fashion.
         
    anemia Tweet Definition of anemia Like Definition of anemia on Facebook
    noun 
    1. (pathology) A medical condition in which the capacity of the blood to transport oxygen to the tissues is reduced, either because of too few red blood cells, or because of too little haemoglobin, resulting in pallor and fatigue.
         
    anemic Tweet Definition of anemic Like Definition of anemic on Facebook
    adjective 
    1. Of or pertaining to anemia.
         
    anesthesia Tweet Definition of anesthesia Like Definition of anesthesia on Facebook
    noun 
    1. (medicine) A method of preventing sensation, used to eliminate pain.
    2. The loss or prevention of pain, as caused by anesthesia.
         
    aneurysm Tweet Definition of aneurysm Like Definition of aneurysm on Facebook
    noun 
    1. (alternative spelling of, aneurism)
         
    ANG Tweet Definition of ANG Like Definition of ANG on Facebook
    initialism 
    1. Air National Guard
         
    angina Tweet Definition of angina Like Definition of angina on Facebook
    noun 
    1. (context, pathology, cardiology) A chest pain or shortness of breath occurring with lesser degrees of arterial blockage.
    2. (pathology) An inflammatory infection of the throat, such as quinsy.
    3. (context, pathology, incorrect) angina pectoris, Angina pectoris.
         
    angina pectoris Tweet Definition of angina pectoris Like Definition of angina pectoris on Facebook
    noun 
    1. (context, cardiology, disease) intermittent, Intermittent chest pain caused by reversible myocardial ischemia.
         
    ankylosis Tweet Definition of ankylosis Like Definition of ankylosis on Facebook
    noun 
    1. (anatomy) the growing together of bones to form a single unit
    2. (medicine) the stiffening of a joint as the result of such abnormal fusion
         
    anomia Tweet Definition of anomia Like Definition of anomia on Facebook
    noun 
    1. (neurology) The inability to remember names.
    2. (neurology) The difficulty in finding the right word.
         
    anorectic Tweet Definition of anorectic Like Definition of anorectic on Facebook
    noun 
    1. A person suffering from anorexia nervosa; an anorexic.
    adjective 
    1. Characterised by a lack of appetite, especially as suffering from anorexia nervosa; anorexic.
      • 2005: cultural historians would trace the impact of the drug across a wide spectrum of popular culture, from the Mods of Britain to the new chic of the fashion world as exemplified by models like Twiggy. " Martin Torgoff, Can't Find My Way Home (Simon & Schuster 2005, p. 160)
        1. Causing a loss of appetite.
         
    anosmia Tweet Definition of anosmia Like Definition of anosmia on Facebook
    noun 
    1. Loss of the sense of smell.
         
    anoxia Tweet Definition of anoxia Like Definition of anoxia on Facebook
    noun 
    1. (pathology) A condition in which tissues are severely or totally deprived of oxygen, severe hypoxia.
         
    anthrax Tweet Definition of anthrax Like Definition of anthrax on Facebook
    noun 
    1. (pathology) An acute infectious bacterial disease of herbivores, especially sheep and cattle. It can occur in humans through contact with infected animals, tissue from infected animals, or high concentrations of anthrax spores, but is not usually spread between humans. Symptoms include lesions on the skin or in the lungs, and is often fatal.
         
    aphasia Tweet Definition of aphasia Like Definition of aphasia on Facebook
    noun 
    1. (pathology) A partial or total loss of language skills due to brain damage. Usually, damage to the left perisylvian region, including Broca's area and Wernike's area, causes aphasia.
         
    aphasic Tweet Definition of aphasic Like Definition of aphasic on Facebook
    noun 
    1. One who is afflicted by symptoms of aphasia.
    adjective 
    1. Affected by, or pertaining to, aphasia.
         
    aphemia Tweet Definition of aphemia Like Definition of aphemia on Facebook
    noun 
    1. aphasia
         
    apnea Tweet Definition of apnea Like Definition of apnea on Facebook
    noun 
    1. (pathology) The cessation of breathing.
         
    apoplectic Tweet Definition of apoplectic Like Definition of apoplectic on Facebook
    adjective 
    1. Of, or relating to apoplexy.
    2. Extremely angry or furious to the point of being unable to move or speak.
    3. (archaic) effuse, Effused with blood.
         
    apoplexy Tweet Definition of apoplexy Like Definition of apoplexy on Facebook
    noun (apolex, ies)
    1. (context, medicine) Sudden diminution or loss of consciousness, sensation, and voluntary motion, usually caused by pressure on the brain.
         
    appendicitis Tweet Definition of appendicitis Like Definition of appendicitis on Facebook
    noun 
    1. (pathology) inflammation of the vermiform appendix
         
    apraxia Tweet Definition of apraxia Like Definition of apraxia on Facebook
    noun 
    1. Total or partial loss of the ability to perform coordinated movements or manipulate objects in the absence of motor or sensory impairment; specifically, a disorder of motor planning.
         
    arrhythmia Tweet Definition of arrhythmia Like Definition of arrhythmia on Facebook
    noun (uncountable)
    1. An irregular heartbeat.
         
    arteriosclerosis Tweet Definition of arteriosclerosis Like Definition of arteriosclerosis on Facebook
    noun (arterioscleroses)
    1. (pathology) hardening, Hardening, narrowing or loss of elasticity in artery, arteries or blood vessels.
         
    arthralgia Tweet Definition of arthralgia Like Definition of arthralgia on Facebook
    noun 
    1. (medicine) Pain in bone joints not caused by arthritis.
         
    arthritis Tweet Definition of arthritis Like Definition of arthritis on Facebook
    noun (pl=arthritides)
    1. Inflammation of a joint or joints causing pain and/or disabliity , swelling and stiffness, and due to various causes such as infection, trauma, degenerative changes or metabolic disorders.
         
    asbestosis Tweet Definition of asbestosis Like Definition of asbestosis on Facebook
    noun (plural: asbestoses)
    1. (pathology) A chronic, inflammatory lung disease caused by long-term, heavy exposure to asbestos.
         
    asphyxia Tweet Definition of asphyxia Like Definition of asphyxia on Facebook
    noun 
    1. (pathology) A condition in which an extreme decrease in the concentration of oxygen in the body accompanied by an increase in the concentration of carbon dioxide leads to loss of consciousness or death. Asphyxia can be induced by choking, drowning, electric shock, injury, or the inhalation of non-toxic (or toxic) gases.
         
    asthenia Tweet Definition of asthenia Like Definition of asthenia on Facebook
    noun 
    1. (medicine) weakness; loss of strength
         
    asthma Tweet Definition of asthma Like Definition of asthma on Facebook
    noun 
    1. (pathology) A chronic respiratory disease, in which the airways unexpectedly and suddenly narrow, often in response to an allergen, cold air, exercise, or emotional stress. Symptoms include wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing.
         
    ataxia Tweet Definition of ataxia Like Definition of ataxia on Facebook
    noun 
    1. (pathology) Lack of coordination while performing voluntary movements, which may appear to be clumsiness, inaccuracy, or instability.
         
    atelectasis Tweet Definition of atelectasis Like Definition of atelectasis on Facebook
    noun 
    1. (medicine) The collapse of a part of or the whole lung.
         
    atheroma Tweet Definition of atheroma Like Definition of atheroma on Facebook
    noun (plural: atheromas or atheromata)
    1. (pathology) An abnormal fatty deposit which develops within the walls of artery, arteries.
         
    atherosclerosis Tweet Definition of atherosclerosis Like Definition of atherosclerosis on Facebook
    noun (pl=atheroscleroses)
    1. (pathology) The clogging or hardening of artery, arteries or blood vessels caused by plaques (accumulations of fat, fatty deposits, usually cholesterol).
         
    atonic Tweet Definition of atonic Like Definition of atonic on Facebook
    adjective 
    1. Referring to a syllable or sound that is spoken without accent or stress.
    2. (pathology) Lacking muscle tone.
         
    atopic Tweet Definition of atopic Like Definition of atopic on Facebook
    adjective 
    1. Of a hereditary predisposition towards developing hay fever and other allergic reactions.
         
    atrophy Tweet Definition of atrophy Like Definition of atrophy on Facebook
    noun (atroph, ies)
    1. (pathology) A reduction in the functionality of an organ caused by disease, injury or lack of use.
    verb (atroph, i, ed)
    1. to wither or waste away
         
    aura Tweet Definition of aura Like Definition of aura on Facebook
    noun (auras, pl2=aurae)
    1. The distinctive atmosphere or quality associated with someone or something.
    2. An invisible force surrounding a living creature.
    3. An inner or special power/energy mentioned of in graphic novels (manga) Ex: In the Manga/Anime series Yu Yu Hakusho, the amount of power someone has is measured by their Aura
    4. The perceptual disturbance experienced by some migraine sufferers before a migraine headache.
    5. The telltale sensation experienced by some people with epilepsy before a seizure.
         
    auscultate Tweet Definition of auscultate Like Definition of auscultate on Facebook
    verb (auscultat, ing)
    1. To practice auscultation; to examine by auscultation.
         
    avitaminosis Tweet Definition of avitaminosis Like Definition of avitaminosis on Facebook
    noun 
    1. Any disease which is caused by vitamin deficiency.
         
    azotemia Tweet Definition of azotemia Like Definition of azotemia on Facebook
    noun 
    1. (medicine) the accumulation in the blood of nitrogen-bearing waste products (such as urea) that are usually excreted in the urine
         

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