Mellonis pocket medical dictionary illustrated (mellonis illustrated medical dictionary)

Melloni’s POCKET MEDICAL DICTIONARY
Illustrated


Melloni’s POCKET MEDICAL
DICTIONARY
Illustrated

June L.Melloni, PhD
Ida G.Dox, PhD
B.John Melloni, PhD
Gilbert M.Eisner, MD

A CRC PRESS COMPANY
BOCA RATON LONDON NEW YORK WASHINGTON,
D.C.


Published in the USA by
The Parthenon Publishing Group
345 Park Avenue South
10th Floor
New York, NY 10010
USA
This edition published in the Taylor & Francis e-Library, 2006.
“To purchase your own copy of this or any of Taylor & Francis or Routledge’s collection of
thousands of eBooks please go to www.eBookstore.tandf.co.uk.”
Published in the UK by
The Parthenon Publishing Group
23–25 Blades Court

Deodar Road
London SW15 2NU
UK
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Melloni’s pocket medical dictionary: illustrated/June L.Melloni…[et al.].
p.; cm.
Includes bibliographic references and index.
ISBN 1-84214-0515 (alk. paper)
1. Medicine—Dictionaries. I. Title: Pocket medical dictionary. II. Melloni, June L.
[DNLM: 1. Medicine—Dictionary—English. W13 M5272 2003]
R12LM54 2003
610`.3–dc22
2003056535
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
Melloni, June L.
Melloni’s pocket medical dictionary: illustrated
1. Medicine—Dictionaries
I. Title II. Pocket medical dictionary
610.3
ISBN 0-203-50273-6 Master e-book ISBN

ISBN 0-203-59614-5 (Adobe eReader Format)
ISBN 1842140515 (Print Edition)
Copyright © 2004 Biagio John Melloni,
9308 Renshaw Drive, Bethesda, MD 20817, USA
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission from the
copyright holders, except for the quotation of brief passages for the purpose of review.


Contents

vi
vii
1

Preface
Guide to Dictionary use
A–Z vocabulary

Plates

Arteries of the body
Blood-air barrier and blood-testis barrier
Breast
Spinal cord
Cardiac cycle
Menstrual cycle
Deglutition
Foramina at base of cranium and structures transmitted through them
Heart
Hypophysis
Selected conditions that cause infertility
Selected joints
Ligaments of the atlas, axis and skull
Ligaments of the ankle and surrounding area
Ligaments of the elbo elbow joint
Ligaments of the hand and wrist
Ligaments of the knee
Ligaments of the ribs
Ligaments of the pelvis

Ligaments of the shoulder
Ligaments of the spine
Heimlich maneuver
Musculoskeletal system
Central and peripheral nervous systems

178
231
281
488
534
534
581
898
1045
1174
1229
1303
1397
1398
1400
1401
1402, 1403
1404
1406
1407
1488
1638
1702
1775

Common sites of coronary occlusion
Sinuses
Skeleton
Tendons and ligaments of the hand and wrist
Process of producing DNA typing
Valves
Major veins of the human body

2392
2399
2577
2722
2783
2874
2799

Tables

Amino acids
Diabetes mellitus
Equivalent measures and weights
Exotoxins produced by some bacteria pathogenic to man
Classification of hyperlipoproteinemia
Classification of overweight and obesity by body mass index
Selected differential features of infectious mononucleosis
Incubation period of various diseases
International system of units (SI)

18, 18
611
780
817
1148
1217
1614
1946
2548

Appendices (anatomic tables)

Appendix I:
Appendix II:
Appendix III:
Appendix IV:

Table of arteries
Table of bones
Table of muscles
Table of nerves

2895
2924
2933
2963


Preface
The fields of medicine and their related allied health professions require an abundance of

knowledge and extensive vocabulary. Medical and scientific information continues to
grow with the advent of new technologies, advanced medical procedures, and progressive
research. Melloni’s Pocket Medical Dictionary, Illustrated, aims to facilitate the use of
up-to-date and expanded medical terminology. It provides clear and concise definitions of
terms in their current usage, including a myriad of new terms.
The Pocket Dictionary follows the format of the 4th edition of Melloni’s Illustrated
Medical Dictionary, which is now in its 25th year of uninterrupted publication and has
received widespread acclaim as a comprehensive and accurate medical reference.
Although more portable with its smaller dimensions, this dictionary is composed of
nearly 17,000 definitions. It contains a large number of definitions that include the fields
of anatomy, genetics, neurology, cardiology immunology, oncology, gynecology,
obstetrics and radiology. The inclusion of biological and chemical terms relevant to
warfare contributes to the usefulness and currency of the book. This edition also contains
many illustrations, since accurately rendered medical illustrations are a hallmark of the
Melloni’s dictionaries. Many of the single-concept illustrations contain color highlights
to enhance comprehension of the definitions and solidify retention of their meaning.
Illustrated tables of arteries, bones, muscles, and nerves provide easy-to-find information
about body structures, thereby adding to the usefulness of the book.
Melloni’s Pocket Medical Dictionary, Illustrated, takes the most important qualities of
the 4th edition, reduces its size without sacrificing accuracy and clarity, and adds the
most current information to serve the needs of dedicated individuals interested in
providing the best health care. The vocabulary coupled with detailed visuals, furnishes a
wealth of information that we hope will benefit its users.


GUIDE TO DICTIONARY USE


a
α

Alpha. For terms beginning with α, see under specific term.

abandonment
(ă-ban′don-ment) Termination of the physician-patient relationship unilaterally by the
physician under circumstances that require continuing medical care, without giving the
patient reasonable time to secure the services of another physician or when alternative
sources for medical care are unavailable.

abarticular
(ab-ar-tik′u-lar) Not affecting, or far from, a joint.

abasia
(ă-ba′zhă) Inability to walk due to impaired motor coordination.

abdomen


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2

(ab′dŏ-men, ab-do′men) The part of the body between the thorax and pelvis; contains the
viscera. Also called belly.
acute a. An incapacitating condition characterized by intense abdominal pain, which
may or may not be associated with fever, nausea, vomiting, and shock.
burst a. See evisceration (2).

abdominal
(ab-dom′ĭ-nal) Pertaining to the abdomen.

abdominoplasty
(ab-dom′ĭ-no-plas-tē) Removal of loose skin and subcutaneous tissue from the abdominal
wall.

abdominoposterior
(ab-dom-ĭ-no-pos-te′re-or) Denoting a position of the fetus in the uterus in which its
abdomen is turned toward the mother’s back.

abdominoscopy
(ab-dom-ĭ-nos′ko-pe) See laparoscopy.

abdominovaginal
(ab-dom-ĭ-no-vag′ ĭ-nal) Relating to the abdomen and vagina.


A-Z vocabulary

3

abdominovesical
(ab-dom-ĭ-no-ves′ĭ-kl) Relating to the abdomen and urinary bladder.

abducens
(ab-du′senz) Denoting the sixth cranial nerve.

abducent
(ab-du′sent) Denoting structures that serve to abduct a part.

abduct
(ab-dukt′) To draw away from the median line of the body or from an adjacent part or

limb.

abduction
(ab-duk′shun) Movement of a part away from the middle line; act of turning outward.

abductor
(ab-duk′tor) A structure, such as a muscle, that draws a part away from an axis of the


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4

body; opposite of adductor.

aberrant
(ab-er′ant) Deviating from the normal or expected course, as a duct taking an unusual
direction.

aberration
(ab-er-a′shun) 1. A deviation from the normal. 2. Unequal refraction of light rays passing
through a lens, resulting in the formation of an imperfect image.
chromosome a. A departure from the normal number of chromosomes or chromosome
structure; e.g., in Down syndrome there are 47 chromosomes, in Turner syndrome there
are 45.

abetalipoproteinemia
(a-ba-tă-lip-o-pro-te-ne′me-ă) An autosomal recessive inherited disorder marked by
pigmentary degeneration of the retina, presence of large numbers of acanthocytes in the
blood, and absence of low-density lipoproteins (LDLs) in the plasma; may be associated

with excessive fat in the feces and progressive neurologic disease.

ability
(ă-bil′ĭ-te) The physical or mental competence to function.
impaired urinary concentrating a. Inability to concentrate solutes in the urine;
characteristic of diseases affecting the inner portion of the kidney (e.g., pyelonephritis,
polycystic kidney disease, sickle cell disease).


A-Z vocabulary

5

abiotrophy
(ab-e-ot′ro-fe) General term denoting degenerative changes of tissues due to genetic
causes.

abirritant
(ab-ir′rĭ-tant) 1. Relieving irritation. 2. A substance having this property.

ablate
(ab-lāt′) To remove.

ablation
(ab-la′shun) 1. Detachment. 2. Removal or eradication by surgery or freezing.

ablepharia, ablepharon
(ă-blef-ă′re-ă, ă-blef′ă-ron) Congenital absence of the eyelids, partial or total.

abluent

(ab′loo-ent) A substance that has cleansing properties.


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6

ablution
(ab-loo′shun) The act of cleansing.

ablutomania
(ab-loo-to-ma′ne-ă) Abnormal concern with cleanliness.

abnormal
(ab-nor′mal) Not normal; departing from the usual position, structure, or condition.

ABO blood group
International classification of human blood types according to their compatibility in
transfusion; typed as A, B, AB, or O.

aboral
(ab-o′ral) Distant from or opposite to the mouth.

abort
(ă-bort′) 1. To expel or to remove the products of conception before the fetus reaches the


A-Z vocabulary

7

age of viability. 2. To arrest the usual course of a disease. 3. To cause cessation of
development.

abortient
(ă-bor′shent) An abortifacient.

abortifacient
(ă-bor-tĭ-fa′shent) Anything that produces abortion.

abortion
(ă-bor′shun) 1. Expulsion or extraction of all or any part of the products of conception
(placenta, membranes, and embryo or fetus) before the end of 20 complete weeks (139
days) of gestation calculated from the first day of the last normal menstrual period, or a
fetal weight of less than 500 g. 2. The arrest of any process.
complete a. Expulsion of fetus (or embryo), placenta, and membranes, ending with
cessation of both pain and copious bleeding.
elective a. Induced abortion performed at the request of the pregnant woman, but not
due to impaired maternal health or fetal disease and before fetal viability is reached.
eugenic a. See therapeutic abortion.
habitual a. A sequence of three or more spontaneous abortions occurring
consecutively before 20 weeks of gestation, with the fetus weighing less than 500 g; may
be due to fetal or maternal factors (e.g., genetic error, hormonal abnormalities, anatomic
anomalies of reproductive tract, infection, systemic disease, immunologic factors).
Sometimes causes are unknown.
incomplete a. Abortion in which some of the products of conception (usually a portion
of the placenta) remain within the uterus, causing profuse uterine bleeding.
induced a. Intentionally caused abortion; may be therapeutic or nontherapeutic.

Pocket medical dictionary

8


A-Z vocabulary

9

inevitable a. Bleeding of intrauterine origin before 20 completed weeks of gestation with
continuous and progressive dilatation of the cervix.
missed a. Death of an embryo or fetus before completion of the 20th week of gestation
with retention of all the products of conception for several weeks; manifested by absence
of fetal heartbeat, regression of breast changes, decrease of uterine size, and weight loss.
partial-birth a. (PBA) Common term for termination of a late pregnancy with a
breech presentation. Labor is induced by conventional methods; the cervix is widely
dilated and delivery is expedited by evacuating the cranial contents with a suction
catheter, then compressing the cranium. See also dilatation and evacuation (D&E).
recidive a. The occurrence of two consecutive spontaneous abortions before 20 weeks
of gestation, with the fetus weighing less than 500 g.
septic a. Infected abortion accompanied by life-threatening dissemination of
microorganisms and toxic substances throughout the maternal blood circulation; marked
by a malodorous discharge, pelvic and abdominal pain, suprapubic tenderness, and
peritonitis.
spontaneous a. Abortion resulting from natural causes, without deliberate mechanical
or medicinal interference, and occurring before the fetus can survive outside the uterus.
Also called miscarriage.
therapeutic a. Abortion performed before the time of fetal viability for medical or
psychiatric reasons.
threatened a. Slight or heavier bloody vaginal discharge, occurring during the first 20

weeks of pregnancy, with or without cramplike pain and low backache, without expulsion
of the products of conception, and without dilatation of the cervix.

abortive
(ă-bor′tiv) 1. Causing abortion. 2. Cutting short, arresting; said of a disease. 3. Failing to
reach completion; partially developed.

abrachia
(ă-bra′ke-ă) Absence of arms.

abrade


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10

(ă-brād′) To rub or wear away the external layer by friction, as to scrape away the
epidermis from a part; to excoriate.

abrasion
(ă-bra′zhun) 1. A superficial injury, in which the skin or mucous membrane is scraped
away. 2. The process of wearing down of a tooth by friction; usually applied to excessive
wear such as that caused by the use of an abrasive dentifrice.

abreaction
(ab-re-ak′shun) A form of psychotherapy, called catharsis by Freud, in which emotional
release is attained by recalling a forgotten (repressed), painful experience.

abruptio placentae

(ab-rup′she-o plă-sen′tē) Premature separation of the normally implanted placenta from
its uterine attachment after the 20th week of gestation. Also called placental abruption;
accidental hemorrhage.

abruption
(ab-rup′shun) A tearing away; detachment.
placental a. See abruptio placentae.

abscess
(ab′ses) Localized accumulation of pus.


A-Z vocabulary

11

alveolar a. Abscess in a tooth socket usually caused by bacteria spreading from dental
caries; causes severe throbbing pain and swelling.
amebic a. One occurring as a complication of amebic dysentery, usually in the liver,
and containing a brown pasty fluid.
breast a. See mammary abscess.
canalicular a. Abscess connected to a milk (lactiferous) duct within a breast, causing a
purulent discharge from the nipple.
chronic a. A long-standing collection of pus without inflammation.
extradural a. Abscess situated between the skull and the outer covering of the brain
(dura mater).
gingival a. A localized, painful, inflammatory lesion of the gingiva, usually arising
from a periodontal pocket.
gummatous a. Abscess formed subsequent to the softening and breaking down of a
gumma, the characteristic tumor of tertiary syphilis.

mammary a. Single or multiple abscesses of the breast substance, affecting usually
one breast; most commonly caused by Staphylococcus aureus, or occasionally by
streptococci. Organisms gain entry through cracks on the nipple, most frequently during
lactation, or in skin conditions such as eczema. Destroyed breast tissue may be replaced
by fibrous tissue with resulting nipple retraction, which may be mistaken for a tumor.
metastatic a. Secondary abscess caused by organisms carried in the bloodstream from
a primary abscess.
pelvic a. An abscess located in the pelvic cavity, usually in the rectouterine pouch,
often occurring as a complication of abdominal or pelvic inflammatory disease.

periapical a. An abscess occurring in the alveolus near the apex of a tooth root, usually
due to death of the tooth pulp.
peritonsillar a. Acute suppurative inflammation of the tonsils and surrounding tissues.
psoas a. One occurring in the sheath of the psoas muscle secondary to tuberculosis of
the lower spine or to regional enteritis. Also called iliac abscess.
pulp a. One within the pulp cavity of a tooth.
stitch a. An abscess around a suture.
subdiaphragmatic a. An abscess between the diaphragm and the liver or between the
diaphragm and the spleen and stomach. Also called subphrenic abscess.
subphrenic a. See subdiaphragmatic abscess.
tubo-ovarian a. Abscess involving a fallopian (uterine) tube and its corresponding


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12

ovary, usually associated with inflammation of the tube; often seen in patients with a
history of pelvic infection; symptoms include a tender pelvic mass, pelvic and abdominal
pain, and fever.

abscissa
(ab-sis′ă) The horizontal coordinate which, together with a vertical one (ordinate), forms
a frame of reference for the plotting of data.

absence
(ab′sens) A brief loss of consciousness.

absoulte
(ab′so-lūt) Complete; unrestricted; unadulterated.

absorb
(ab-sorb′) 1. To take in as through pores or interstices. 2. To incorporate or take up gases,
liquid, light rays, or heat. 3. To neutralize an acid.

absorbable
(ab-sorb′ă-bl) Capable of being absorbed.


A-Z vocabulary

13

absorbent
(ab-sor′bent) Anything that can incorporate a substance into itself.

absorptiometer
(ab-sorp-she-om′ĕ-ter) 1. Instrument for measuring the solubility of gas in a liquid. 2.
Device for measuring the layer of absorbed liquid between two glass plates; used as a
hematoscope in blood analysis.

absorptiometry
(ab-sorp-she-om′ĕ-tre) 1. Any procedure for measuring absorption of waves or particles.
2. In radiology, the measurement of the amount of radiation emitted by a radioisotope
that is completely dispersed throughout a tissue.
dual-photon a. A method of quantitating bone mineral content by comparing the
transmission of two photoelectric energy peaks emitted by gandolinium 153 through bone
and soft tissues; used to measure bone density of the spine and hip for diagnosis of
osteoporosis and in following therapy response.

absorption
(ab-sorp′shun) 1. The taking up of substances by the skin or other tissues. 2. The taking
up of part or all of the energy of incident radiation by the medium through which
radiation passes, resulting in reduction of radiation intensity.

abstract


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14

(ab′strakt) 1. A preparation containing the soluble elements of a drug mixed with lactose.
2. A summary of a book or literary article.

abulia
(ă-bu′le-ă) Pronounced diminution of will power; inability to make decisions.

abuse
(ă-bus′) 1. Improper use, particularly excessive use of anything. 2. Maltreatment.

child a. An act or omission, which is not accidental, committed by a parent, caregiver, or
other adult or significantly older child that harms, or threatens to harm, a child’s physical
or mental health or welfare.
drug a., substance a. The excessive and persistent use of drugs or alcohol for the
purpose of altering mood or consciousness, without due regard for accepted medical
practice.
physical child a. Abuse that results in physical injury, usually perpetrated in the name
of discipline.
sexual child a. Any sexual activity perpetrated by an adult or older child with or upon
a child, or the sexual exploitation of a child for the gratification or profit of the other.

acalculia
(ă-kal-ku′le-ă) A form of aphasia characterized by inability to do simple arithmetic.

acantha
(ă-kan′thă) A spinous process.


A-Z vocabulary

15

acanthesthesia
(ă-kan-thes-the′ză) Condition in which there is a sensation of pressure with a sharp point.

acanthion
(ă-kan′the-on) A projection on the anterior nasal spine.

Acanthocephala
(ă-kan-tho-sef′ă-lă) A phylum of parasitic worms having a proboscis with hooked spines

for attachment to the digestive tract of host.

acanthocyte
(ă-kan′tho-sīt) An abnormal red blood cell having several protoplasmic projections that
give it a thorny appearance.

acanthocytosis
(ă-kan-tho-si-to′sis) Familial condition marked by the presence in the blood of large
numbers of acanthocytes.

acantholysis


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16

(ak-an-thol′ĭ-sis) Disintegration of the epidermis.

acanthoma
(ak-an-tho′mă) Carcinoma of the epidermis.

acanthosis
(ak-an-tho′sis) Thickening of the prickle-cell layer of the skin.
a. nigricans A benign hyperpigmented skin lesion associated with a variety of
disorders of the endocrine system, such as Cushing’s syndrome, pituitary tumors, and
polycystic ovary syndrome. Often there is an underlying insulin resistance.

acariasis
(ak-ă-ri′ă-sis) 1. Any disease caused by mites. 2. Infestation with mites.

sarcoptic a. See scabies.

acaricide
(ă-kar′ĭ-sīd) Any agent that destroys mites.

acarid
(ak′ă-rid) A mite or tick; any member of the order Acarina.


A-Z vocabulary

17

Acarina
(ak-ă-rī′nă) An order of the class Arachnida, which includes mites and ticks.

acarodermatitis
(ak-ă-ro-der-mă-ti′tis) A skin rash caused by mites.

acarus
(ak′ă-rus), pl. ac′ari A mite or tick.

acatalasia
(a-kat-ă-la′ză) Genetic disorder marked by deficiency of the enzyme catalase;
manifestations range from mild (ulcers of tooth sockets) to severe (recession of tooth
sockets and gangrene of the gums). Two principal types have been identified: a Japanese
type, in which the small amount of residual catalase is physiochemically normal,
suggesting a mutation of a regulator (controller) gene; and a Swiss type, in which the
catalase is abnormal, suggesting a structural gene mutation.

acataphasia
(a-kat-ă-fa′ză) Loss of the power to formulate one’s thoughts correctly.