EMT Exam: Anatomy and Physiology - Medical Terminology

abdomen: The area between the rib margin and the pelvis.

abrasion: An injury to the epidermis or dermis from a shearing force. Abrasions are commonly called scrapes. The patient suffered abrasions to his face and neck.

accessory muscle: The additional muscles used to support breathing when a person is in respiratory distress.

airway: The structures of the respiratory system through which air passes.

allergen: Any substance that causes an allergic reaction. Common allergens include certain types of foods and pollen from plants.

allergic reaction: An exaggerated reaction of the immune system to an allergen.

altered mental status: A state of mind that is not normal for the patient. Usually, the patient is unaware of the current situation. An altered mental status may signify the use of drugs or alcohol. It may also be the result of an underlying medical emergency, such as hypothermia.

amputation: The removal of an appendage from the body. The patient’s finger was amputated.

anaphylaxis: A severe allergic reaction.

aneurysm: An abnormal blood-filled bulge in a blood vessel.

angina: A pain in the chest experienced when the heart does not receive enough oxygen, often felt after exertion.

aorta: The largest blood vessel in the body, which branches into several smaller arteries.

apneic: A term that refers to a patient who is not breathing.

arrest: A term that means to stop. The patient is suffering from respiratory arrest.

artery: A blood vessel that carries oxygenated blood.

asphyxia: A term that means to suffocate. The patient was asphyxiated.

asthma: A chronic lung condition marked by recurring episodes of airway obstruction.

atrium: An upper chamber of the heart.

avulsion: An injury that occurs when a section of skin or soft tissue is torn partially or fully away from the body.

bases of the lungs: The bottoms of the lungs, located near the sixth rib.

behavioral emergency: A situation in which a person exhibits an altered mental state.

birth canal: The lower part of the uterus and the vagina.

bladder: An organ that serves as a receptacle for urine prior to excretion.

blisters: Bubbles on the skin caused by injury.

blood pressure: The pressure of circulating blood against the walls of the arteries.

bowel: Term used to describe the lower intestine.

brain: The control center of the nervous system.

bruise: See contusion.

burn: Damage to the soft tissue caused by heat.

carotid: An artery that branches off the aorta and supplies blood to the brain.

cavity: An anatomical space where organs and other tissues are located.

cervical: A term used to describe a division of the spinal column.

closed injury: An injury in which the skin does not break. These types of injuries can include contusions (bruises), hematomas, and closed crush injuries.

clotting: To coagulate. Blood clots in the lungs are extremely dangerous.

constriction: The act or product of tightening. The constriction of the airway caused the patient to wheeze and cough.

contraindication: A situation in which medication should not be used.

contusion: A closed injury characterized by damaged skin cells and torn blood vessels in the dermis, commonly called a bruise.

crepitation: A crackling noise and tactile sensation produced when bone ends rub together or when there is air trapped inside the tissue.

crowning: The stage of labor in which the head of a baby is seen at the vaginal opening.

crush injury: An open or closed injury to the soft tissue that results from blunt force trauma.

cyanosis: A blue or purplish discoloration of the skin due to a lack of oxygen.

delirium: An acute and reversible mental disturbance often characterized by confusion. Delirium may be the result of fever, a serious medical condition, an imbalance of electrolytes or other fluids, or the use of prescription medication.

dementia: An irreversible and steady decline in mental status, usually affecting memory, concentration, and the ability to perform tasks. This condition is commonly associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

diabetes: A condition that prevents insulin from being produced and/or used properly. Without insulin, the body cannot break down sugar into usable forms of energy. A diabetic emergency can cause a change in mental status.

diaphragm: A dome-shaped muscle that separates the chest and abdominal cavity. The diaphragm assists in breathing.

diastolic blood pressure: The measurement of pressure in the arteries when the ventricles are at rest.

dosage: The amount or rate of administration of a medication. The EMT-Basic administered a dose of oral glucose.

drowning: Death from suffocation within 24 hours of being submerged in water.

drug: Any substance that alters the body’s normal functions.

dyspnea: Difficulty breathing.

edema: An abnormal collection of fluid that causes swelling.

embolism: A particle such as a piece of fat or bone. Embolisms may break free, causing a stroke or pulmonary artery blockage.

emphysema: A chronic, obstructive pulmonary disease, characterized by decreased lung compliance.

epiglottis: A flaplike piece of elastic cartilage that prevents food and liquid from entering the airway.

epilepsy: A neurological condition that causes recurrent seizures.

epistaxis: Bleeding from the nose.

evisceration: An open wound in the abdomen with protruding organs.

extremities: Limbs. A term usually used to refer to the arms or legs.

febrile: To have a fever.

femur: Long thigh bone.

fetus: An unborn, developing baby.

fracture: A break in a bone. The patient’s femur was fractured.

frostbite: Also called a local cold injury, frostbite occurs when the skin and underlying tissues freeze due to exposure to extreme cold. These injuries are usually confined to the extremities.

full-thickness burn: A burn that affects the epidermis, dermis, and the underlying tissues. These burns may also involve bones and organs.

gag reflex: A reflex that occurs when the back of the throat is stimulated. This response helps patients protect their airways.

geriatric: An elderly patient. The geriatric patient suffered from dementia.

glottic opening: Anatomical space between the vocal cords, which leads to the trachea.

glottis: Passageway to the trachea.

hematoma: A closed soft tissue injury resulting from an accumulation of blood underneath the skin.

hemorrhage: Bleeding. The patient who was involved in the car crash was hemorrhaging.

hemorrhagic shock: Hypoperfusion that results from blood loss.

hyperthermia: A condition in which the body’s core temperature rises above 98.6°F or 37°C.

hyperventilation: Quick breathing. The stress of the accident caused the patient to hyperventilate.

hypoglycemia: Low blood sugar.

hypoperfusion: A condition in which the body’s cells or organs do not get enough oxygen and there is inadequate removal of wastes. Shock may set in when this condition starts to affect the body’s organs.

hypothermia: A condition in which the body’s core temperature falls below 98.6°F or 37°C.

hypovolemic shock: Hypoperfusion that results from low blood volume.

infant: A child under 1 year of age.

infarction: Tissue death due to lack of oxygen.

inflammation: Swelling. The patient experienced inflammation of the airway.

insulin: A hormone that regulates glucose in the body.

intercostal muscles: Located between the ribs, intercostal muscles help move the chest cavity outward during inhalation and inward during exhalation.

intravenous: Access to the circulatory system through a vein. The medication was administered intravenously.

ischemia: A decrease in the blood supply to an organ or tissue due to constriction or obstruction of the blood vessels.

joint: A point where two or more bones are connected.

jugular veins: Veins that bring deoxygenated blood from the head back to the heart.

jugular vein distension: Swelling of the neck veins.

kidney: Organ of the urinary system where blood is filtered and urine is produced.

labor: Childbirth. There are three stages of labor. Labor begins with uterine contractions, followed by the fetus entering the birth canal, and ending when the baby is born and the placenta is delivered.

laceration: A break of the skin caused by a sharp and/or penetrating object.

larynx: The voice box or vocal cords.

ligament: Connective tissue that joins bone to bone.

liver: Organ in the digestive system that is responsible for several vital functions, including detoxification.

meconium: Fetal stool that may be present in the amniotic fluid that protects a fetus.

miscarriage: The spontaneous delivery of a fetus before it is able to live on its own.

myocardial: Term that refers to the heart muscle. The patient suffered from a myocardial infarction.

nasal flaring: A symptom that is observed when an infant in distress attempts to increase the size of the airway by expanding the nostrils.

nasopharynx: Part of the pharynx behind the nose.

nature of illness: The description of the patient’s major complaint.

near-drowning: An incident in which a person survives beyond 24 hours after being submerged in water.

open injury: An injury that breaks the skin.

oropharynx: Part of the pharynx behind the mouth.

overdose: A situation in which too much medication is taken or administered.

paradoxical motion: Abnormal movement of the chest wall during inhalation and exhalation.

partial-thickness burn: A burn that affects both the epidermis and the dermis, characterized by severe pain and blistering.

penetration or puncture: An open soft-tissue injury caused by an object being pushed into the skin.

perfusion: The process of the circulatory system delivering oxygen to tissues and organs via the blood.

peripheral pulses: Pulse points in the extremities.

petechiae: Pinpoint, non-blanchable round red spots that may indicate bleeding under a patient’s skin.

pharynx: Part of the airway behind the nose and mouth. The pharynx is divided into two sections: the nasopharynx and the oropharynx.

placenta: Organ through which a fetus receives oxygen and nutrients and excretes wastes. The placenta is attached to the fetus by the umbilical cord.

psychotic: An altered mental status in which the patient has lost touch with reality.

pulse: A palpable beat felt when the left ventricle of the heart contracts.

pulse oximetry: A process in which the EMT-Basic measures the amount of oxygen in a patient’s blood.

radius: One of the two bones in the forearm.

respiratory distress: A condition in which a child or infant begins to increase the rate of breathing.

respiratory failure: A condition in which the patient’s rate of breathing increases and his or her condition begins to deteriorate.

resuscitate: To revive, or intervene, to prevent a patient’s condition from worsening.

retractions: The use of accessory muscles to increase the work of breathing.

ruptured: Broken. A term usually used to refer to the condition of an organ. The patient’s appendix was ruptured.

sacral: A spinal column division consisting of five fused vertebrae.

seizure: A condition in which there is a rapid discharge of nerve cells in the brain. This causes rapid muscle contractions that create erratic movements of the body. Altered mental status is often observed in patients who suffer from seizures.

sensation: Feeling or sense. EMT-Basics will often check for sensation in a patient’s extremities to rule out a spinal injury.

sepsis: A toxic condition that results from the spread of bacteria throughout the body.

shock: Hypoperfusion of the organs.

stress: Tension in the mind or body caused by physical, emotional, or mental factors.

stridor: A harsh sound during breathing that may indicate an upper airway obstruction.

stroke: A condition caused by an interruption in blood supply to the brain. If the supply is not restored quickly, brain cells begin to die.

subcutaneous: Beneath or under all the other layers of skin.

sublingual: Administration of medication under the tongue.

superficial burn: A burn that affects only the epidermis and results in redness and minor pain. Sunburns are examples of superficial burns.

systolic blood pressure: The measurement of pressure in the arteries when the heart contracts, or beats, to pump blood.

tachycardia: A condition in which a patient exhibits a rapid pulse.

tachypnea: A condition in which a patient exhibits rapid breathing.

tendons: Fibrous connective tissue that joins a muscle to another body part, usually a bone.

thoracic: Referring to the chest cavity.

thorax: Structure made up of the 12 pairs of ribs and the sternum.

tibia: Bone of the lower leg.

trachea: The windpipe.

twisting injury: An injury that is caused by turning a body part in the opposite direction.

umbilical cord: Connecting cord between the fetus and the placenta.

uterus: Female reproductive organ where a fetus grows and develops.

vagina: A canal that leads from the uterus to the vaginal opening in females.

vein: A structure of the vascular system that carries blood to the heart.

vertebrae: Spinal bone.

vomit: The act of disgorging the stomach’s contents.

wound: An injury