Medical terms - Letter A (page 19) | MedicalVocabulary.org

Anhidrotic

Pertain to anhidrosis, too little sweating. Hidrosis meaning sweating, so an-, too little + hidrosis = too little sweating
Aniline

A chemical compound implicated, along with o-toluidine, in the causation of bladder cancer. Aniline and o-toluidine, both aromatic amines, are used in the manufacture of a variety of dyes, pharmaceuticals, pesticides…
Animal-to-human transplant

Transplant: See Xenotransplantation
Anion

A negatively charged ion. Pronounced an-I-on. An anion is as opposed to a cation, which is a positively charged ion.
Anion gap

A measurement of the interval between the sum of 'routinely measured' cations minus the sum of the 'routinely measured' anions in the blood. The anion gap = (Na+ + K+) - (Cl- + HCO3-) where Na- is sodium, K+ is…
Aniso

In hematology, short for anisocytosis
Aniso-

Unequal, unlike, or dissimilar. As in anisocoria, anisocytosis, and anisometropia. From the Greek anisos meaning unequal, from an-, not, + isos, equal. The opposite of aniso- is iso-
Anisocoria

Both pupils are usually of equal size. If they are not, that is termed anisocoria (from 'a-', not + 'iso', equal + 'kore', pupil = not equal pupils). The pupil may appear to open (dilate) and close (constrict) but it is…
Anisocytosis

Excessive inequality in the size of the red blood cells. Anisocytosis ('aniso') is apparent on a blood smear. From aniso-, meaning unequal + -cytosis, referring to cells
Anisometropia

The condition in which the two eyes have an unequal refractive power. One eye may be myopic (nearsighted) and the other hyperopic (farsighted). Anisometropia is a serious concern in newborns and young children because…
Ankle

The ankle joint is complex. It is made up of two joints: the true ankle joint and the subtalar joint: > >The true ankle joint is composed of 3 bones: the tibia which forms the medial (inside) portion of the ankle; the…
Ankle bone

The ankle bone is termed the talus. It is the bone of the foot that joins the tibia and fibula to form the ankle joint. Plural tali
Ankle joint

The ankle joint is complex. It is made up of two joints: the true ankle joint and the subtalar joint: > >The true ankle joint is composed of 3 bones: the tibia which forms the medial (inside) portion of the ankle; the…
Ankle pain

Pain in the ankle, a 'hinged' joint. Ankle pain is commonly due to a sprain or tendinitis. The severity of ankle sprains ranges from mild (which can resolve within 24 hours) to severe (which can require surgical…
Ankle sprain

A common musculoskeletal injury in which the ligaments of the ankle partially or completely tear due to sudden stretching. This typically occurs when the ankle is suddenly 'twisted' in a sports activity or by stepping…
Ankle twist

See: Ankle sprain
Ankle-foot orthosis

A brace (usually plastic) worn on the lower leg and foot to support the ankle, hold the foot and ankle in the correct position, and correct foot-drop. Abbreviated AFO. Also known as a foot-drop brace
Ankyloglossia

A minor congenital anomaly (birth defect) in which the flap of mucous membrane under the tongue (known as the frenum) is too short and limits the normal mobility of the tongue. Ankyloglossia is also called tongue tie…
Ankylose

To undergo ankylosis (stiffening or fusion of a joint)
Ankylosing

Undergoing ankylosis (stiffening or fusion of a joint)
Ankylosing spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis: A type of arthritis that causes chronic inflammation of the spine and the sacroiliac joints. Chronic inflammation in these areas causes pain and stiffness in and around the spine. Over time…
Ankylosis

Stiffness or, more often, fusion of a joint. From the Greek ankylsis, meaning stiffening of a joint
Ankyrin deficiency

Known also as hereditary spherocytosis (HS), this is a genetic disorder of the red blood cell membrane clinically characterized by anemia, jaundice (yellowing) and splenomegaly (enlargement of the spleen), due to…
Anlage

1. In biology, whatever precedes something else. 2. In embryology, a precursor or forerunner or a more mature structure. For example, the stomach anlage. 3. In psychoanalysis, a predisposition to a given trait or…
Anlagen

The plural of anlage. See: Anlage
ANLL

Acute nonlymphocytic leukemia, More commonly called acute myeloid leukemia (AML). A quickly progressive malignant disease in which there are too many immature blood-forming cells in the blood and bone marrow, the cells…
Annals of Internal Medicine

: A medical journal especially concerned with information in the field of internal medicine (adult medicine). Designed to be read largely by internists, the Annals states it is 'is the leading journal for studies in…
Annexin A1

One of the annexins, a family of proteins that share the property of binding calcium and phospholipids. The gene for annexin A1 (ANXA1) is upregulated in hairy cell leukemia. ANXA1 protein expression is specific to…
Annexin V

Annexin V is the cause of a syndrome called the antiphospholipid antibody syndrome with abnormal blood clotting. The annexins are a family of proteins first described in 1990. All of the annexin proteins share the…
Annexins

The annexins are a family of proteins first described in 1990. All of the annexin proteins share the property of binding calcium and phospholipids. The antiphospholipid antibody syndrome is due to a deficiency of…
Annotate

In genetics, to identify the locations and the coding regions of genes in a genome and determine what those genes do. To annotate (irrespective of the context) is to add a note by way of explanation or commentary. Once…
Annotation

In genetics, the process of identifying the locations and coding regions of genes in a genome and determining what those genes do. To annotate (irrespective of the context) is to add a note by way of explanation or…
Annotation, genome

The process of identifying the locations and the coding regions of genes in a genome and determining what those genes do. An annotation (irrespective of the context) is a note added by way of explanation or commentary…
Annular pancreas

An abnormal ring of pancreas that encircles the duodenum and often causes intestinal obstruction. Nausea and vomiting are the usual symptoms and reflect the intestinal obstruction. Complete obstruction is usually…
Annulus

A ringlike structure, or any body part that is shaped like a ring. Applied to many small ring-shaped structures. The base of a heart valve that supports the valve's leaflets is called the annulus. A ring-shaped pancreas…
Anogenital tract

Angiogenital tract is a term used to refer to both the anus and genital tract. The genital tract encompasses the external and internal sex organs in both men and women. The term anogenital tract is often used in the…
Anomalad, Klippel-Feil

See: Klippel-Feil sequence
Anomaly

A deviation from the usual, something different, peculiar, or abnormal. A congenital anomaly is something that is unusual and different at birth. A minor anomaly in this context is defined as an unusual anatomic feature…
Anomaly, congenital

Anomaly, congenital: A birth defect. A malformation that occurs before birth and is present at birth
Anomaly, Klippel-Feil

See: Klippel-Feil sequence
Anomia

A problem with word finding. Impaired recall of words with no impairment of comprehension or the capacity to repeat the words. In 'The Case of Anna H.' who had anomia, the neurologist/writer Oliver Sacks noted that…
Anomic aphasia

See Anomia
Anonymize

Or anonymise. To remove the name. To make nameless. 'Data for more than 60 variables were extracted from anonymised records of 745 SIDS cases and 2411 live controls.' (The Lancet 2004; 363: 185
Anonymous reporting

In public health, anonymous reporting permits the acquisition of certain data such as the proportion of persons with a positive test or with a disease
Anonymous testing

Testing in which no name is used -- there is total anonymity -- to identify the person tested. For example, the State of Florida requires that each county have a site for anonymous HIV testing
Anophthalmia

Absence of the eye, as a result of a congenital malformation (birth defect) of the globe. Anophthalmia refers, strictly speaking, to absence of the globe and ocular tissue from the orbit. However, in most cases of…
Anorectic

1. Pertaining to anorexia, lack of appetite.2. A drug or other agent that causes anorexia and so diminishes the appetite.
Anorexia

Anorexia: An eating disorder characterized by markedly reduced appetite or total aversion to food. Anorexia is a serious psychological disorder. It is a condition that goes well beyond out-of-control dieting. The person…
Anorexia nervosa

Anorexia nervosa: See Anorexia.
Anorexia, cancer

See: Cancer anorexia