Word Part | Definition |
H | hydrogen |
H+ | hydrogen ion |
h/o | history of |
habit | A recurrent, often unconscious pattern of behavior that is regularly manifested. |
hair | A threadlike specialized epidermal structure developing from a papilla sunk in the dermis. |
hair follicle | A tube-like invagination of the epidermis from which the hair shaft develops and into which the sebaceous glands open. The hair follicle is lined by a cellular inner and outer root sheath of epidermal origin and is invested with a fibrous sheath derived from the dermis. |
halit/o | breath |
halitosis | A foul breath odor resulting from poor oral hygiene, dental or oral infections, or the ingestion of certain foods. |
hallucination | Sensing things while awake that appear to be real, but instead have been created by the mind, common in delirium. |
hallux valgus | A bunion. A deformity of the joint connecting the big toe to the foot. |
hand | The distal part of the arm beyond the wrist consisting of the carpus, metacarpus, and fingers. |
hapl/o | simple, single |
HAV | hepatitis A virus |
HBP | high blood pressure |
HBV | hepatitis B virus |
HCG | human chorionic gonadotropin |
HCP | health care professional |
HCT, | hematocrit |
HCV | hepatitis C virus |
HD | hearing distance |
HDL | high-density lipoprotein |
HDV | hepatitis D |
head | The upper part of the body containing the brain, mouth, and sense organs. |
headache | Pain in the cranial region. |
hearing | The ability to perceive sounds. |
heart | The hollow, muscular organ that maintains the circulation of the blood. |
heart arrest | Cessation of heart beat. |
heart block | Impaired conduction of cardiac impulse that can occur anywhere along the conduction pathway, such as between the sinoatrial node and the right atrium (SA block) or between atria and ventricles (AV block). |
heart failure | A heterogeneous condition in which the heart is unable to pump sufficient blood to meet the metabolic need of the body. |
heart murmurs | Heart sounds caused by vibrations resulting from the flow of blood through the heart. |
heart septum | This structure includes the thin muscular atrial septum between the two heart atria, and the thick muscular ventricular septum between the two heart ventricles. |
heart sounds | The sounds heard over the cardiac region produced by the functioning of the heart. |
heart valves | Flaps of tissue that prevent regurgitation of blood from the ventricles to the atria or from the pulmonary arteries or aorta to the ventricles. |
heartburn | Substernal pain or burning sensation, usually associated with regurgitation of gastric juice into the esophagus. |
heat exhaustion | A clinical syndrome caused by heat stress, such as over-exertion in a hot environment or excessive exposure to sun. |
heat stroke | A condition caused by the failure of body to dissipate heat in an excessively hot environment or during physical exertion in a hot environment. The body temperature is dangerously high with red, hot skin accompanied by delusions; convulsions; or coma. It can be a life-threatening emergency and is most common in infants and the elderly. Also called sunstroke. |
hect- | one hundred |
hedon/o | pleasure |
heel spur | A bony outgrowth on the lower surface of the heel bone. |
helc/o | ulcer |
heli/o | sun |
hem/o | blood |
hemangioma | A birthmark that commonly appears as a bright red nodule of blood vessels in the skin. Grows during the first year of life and then recedes over time. Also called a strawberry mark. |
hemarthrosis | Bleeding into the joints. |
hemat/o | blood |
hematemesis | Vomiting blood. |
hematocolpos | An accumulation of menstrual blood in the vagina. |
hematocrit | The percentage by volume of red blood cells in a given sample. |
hematology | The medical specialty focused on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of blood diseases. |
hematoma | An abnormal collection of blood outside of a blood vessel. A bruise. |
hematometra | An accumulation of menstrual blood in the uterus. |
hematospermia | Blood in the semen. |
hematuria | Red blood cells in the urine. |
hemi- | half |
hemianopia | The loss of part of the field of view on the same side, in both eyes. A common side effect of stroke or brain injury. |
hemiparesis | Weakness or paralysis of the entire left or right side of the body. Caused by congenital conditions, trauma, stroke or tumors. |
hemiplegia | Paralysis of one side of the body. |
hemobilia | Bleeding into the biliary passages. |
hemochromatosis | A disorder of iron metabolism where the body absorbs too much iron. Treatment is required to avoid organ damage. A genetic disorder. 8% of population is a carrier. |
hemodialysis | A therapeutic procedure used with kidney failure involving removal of harmful wastes and fluids from the blood. |
hemodynamics | The forces involved in the movement of the blood through the cardiovascular system. |
hemoglobins | The oxygen-carrying proteins of erythrocytes (red blood cells). |
hemopneumothorax | Collection both blood and air in the pleural cavity. |
hemoptysis | Coughing up blood or blood-stained mucus from the respiratory tract. |
hemorrhage | Bleeding or escape of blood from a vessel. Bleeding can occur externally or internally to the body. |
hemorrhagic stroke | A stroke that occurs when a weakened blood vessel ruptures. Also called an aneurysm. |
hemorrhoids | Swollen veins in the lower part of the rectum or anus. |
hemospermia | Blood in the semen, often due to inflammation of the prostate or the seminal vesicles. |
hemostasis | The complex body process which spontaneously stops hemorrhages. This includes vessel contraction and blood adhesion, aggregation and coagulation. |
hemothorax | Hemorrhage within the pleural cavity, often from chest trauma. |
heparin | An endogenous, short-acting anticoagulant. |
hepat/o | liver |
hepatic | Pertaining to the liver. |
hepatitis | Inflammation of the liver caused by viral agents. |
hepatoblastoma | A malignant neoplasm occurring in young children, primarily in the liver, |
hepatocytes | A parenchymal liver cell. |
hepatoma | A malignant tumor of the liver |
hepatomegaly | Having an enlarged liver. |
hepta- | seven |
herbicides | Pesticides used to destroy vegetation, particularly weeds and grasses. |
heredity | The transmission of traits encoded in genes from parent to offspring. |
heredo- | heir, heredity |
hermaphroditic | A plant or animal with both male and female sex organs. |
herni/o | hernia |
hernia | Abnormal protrusion of tissue, structure, or part of an organ through the bone, muscular tissue, or the membrane by which it is normally contained. |
herniorrhaphy | Surgical repair of a hernia |
herpes | An infection caused by a herpes simplex virus. Can affect the genitals, buttocks or anal areas. Oral herpes causes cold sores on the face or mouth. |
herpes labialis | Cold sores caused by herpes simplex I. |
heter- | different, other |
heterophoria | A tendency for deviation of the eyes from parallelism, prevented by binocular vision. |
heterosexuality | The sexual attraction between members of the opposite sex. |
heterosis | Greater vigor of the first generation hybrid than is shown by either parent. |
heuristics | A set of rules or methods for solving problems other than by algorithm. The solution is not guaranteed to be optimal, but sufficient for a given set of goals. |
HEV | hepatitis E |
hex- | six |
-hexia | condition |
HF | heart failure |
HFOV | high frequency oscillatory ventilation |
Hg | mercury |
hgb | hemoglobin |
HGF | human growth factor |
HGSIL | high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion |
hiat/o | gap, opening, pause |
hiatus | An aperture, gap or opening. |
hiccup | A spasm of the diaphragm that causes a sudden inhalation followed by rapid closure of the glottis which produces a sound. Also called singultus. |
hidr/o | sweat |
hidrocystoma | A cystic form of sweat gland adenoma, created by the cystic proliferation of apocrine secretory glands. |
hidrosis | The production and excretion of sweat. |
hidrotic | Relating to or causing sweating. |
high density lipoprotein | Cholesterol known as HDL that removes harmful cholesterol, reducing risk of heart problems. |
hip | The region of the body around the joint between the top of the femur and side of the pelvis. |
HIPAA | Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act |
hippocampus | A curved elevation of gray matter extending the entire length of the floor of the temporal horn of the lateral ventricle (see also temporal lobe). It has a central role in memory processes. |
hippus | Rhythmic pupillary dilation and constriction, independent of changes in illumination or convergence. |
hirsutism | Excessive hairiness in women, usually caused by hormonal imbalance. |
hist/o | tissue |
histamine | An amine found in body tissues released in allergic inflammatory reactions. It is a vasodilator, stimulant of heart rate and gastric secretion, constrictor of bronchial smooth muscle and also a centrally acting neurotransmitter. |
histiocytes | Macrophages found in the tissues, as opposed to those found in the blood or serous cavities. |
histiocytoma | A neoplasm containing histiocytes. |
histiocytosis | Abnormal appearance of histiocytes. |
histogram | A bar chart. |
histology | The study of the structure of tissues on a microscopic level. |
hiv | Human immunodeficiency virus. |
hoarseness | An unnaturally rough quality of voice. |
hod- | pathway |
Hodgkin's lymphoma | A type of lymphoma, a cancer of tissue in the lymph nodes, spleen, liver, and bone marrow. The first sign is often an enlargement of lymph node. |
holo- | entire, complete |
holography | The recording of three-dimensional images form using a laser beams. |
holter monitor | A device that continuously records EKGs for hours or a few days, used to diagnose abnormal cardiac rhythms. |
home/o | same, not changed |
homeostasis | The process of maintaining physiological equilibrium. |
homosexuality | The sexual attraction or relationship between members of the same sex. |
hordeolum | Blockage of an eyelid gland causing a small inflamed cyst at the lid margin. Also called a stye. |
horm- | impulse, urge |
hormone | Substances having a specific regulatory effect on the activity of an organ or organs. |
hospice | A facility providing palliative and supportive care to a patient with a terminal illness and to the patient's family. |
hospice care | Care provided to a dying person. Care may be provided in the home, in the hospital or in specialized facilities. |
hospitalists | Physicians who are employed to work exclusively in hospital settings, often for managed care organizations. |
HPI | history of present illness |
HR | heart rate |
HRT | hormone replacement therapy |
HSIL | high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion |
HSV | herpes simplex virus |
HTN | hypertension |
humerus | The bone of the upper arm. It extends from the shoulder joint to the elbow joint. |
huntington disease | An inherited disorder characterized by the onset of progressive chorea (involuntary, rapid, irregular, jerky movements) and dementia in middle age. |
hx | history |
hyal/o | glass-like |
hyalin | A translucent substance occurring in pathological degeneration of tissues. |
hydr- | water |
hydr/o | water, fluid |
hydremia | An excess of water in the blood. |
hydrocele | Buildup of the normal fluid around the testicle, common in infants, self-resolving. |
hydrocephalus | The buildup of excessive cerebrospinal fluid in the brain. |
hydronephrosis | Abnormal enlargement of a kidney, sometimes caused by blockage of the ureter. |
hygiene | The science and practices that promote or preserve health |
hygr/o | moisture |
hymen | A thin fold of mucous membrane situated at the orifice of the vagina. |
hymen/o | membrane |
hyper- | excessive, above |
hyperalgesia | An abnormal increased sensation of pain, caused by damage to soft tissue containing nociceptors or injury to a peripheral nerve. |
hyperbaric | At a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure. |
hypercalcemia | Too much calcium in the blood. |
hypercalciuria | Excretion of abnormally high level of calcium in the urine. |
hypercapnia | Abnormal increase in carbon dioxide in the blood. |
hyperemesis gravidarum | Severe, intractable vomiting during early pregnancy. Often needs IV fluids and anti nausea agents. |
hyperemia | The presence of an increased amount of blood in a body part due to increase of blood flow into the area or due to obstruction of outflow of blood from the area. |
hyperesthesia | Hyperesthesia is a condition in which someone becomes highly sensitized to sensory stimuli. |
hyperglycemia | High blood sugar. A serious problem for diabetics. |
hyperhidrosis | Excessive sweating. |
hyperinsulinism | Abnormally high levels of insulin in the blood. |
hyperkalemia | Abnormally high potassium concentration in the blood, usually due to acute renal failure. |
hyperkinesia | Spontaneous involuntary movements. |
hyperkinesis | Excessive movement of muscles of the body. |
hyperlipidemia | Conditions with excess lipids (fats) in the blood. |
hypernatremia | An excess of sodium in the blood. |
hyperopia | Farsightedness. Distant objects can be seen clearly, but close ones do not come into proper focus. |
hyperostosis | Abnormal thickening or growth of bone. |
hyperoxaluria | Abnormally high amounts of oxalates in the urine. |
hyperoxia | An excess of oxygen in tissues and organs. |
hyperphagia | Overeating. |
hyperphosphatemia | Abnormally high level of phosphates in the blood. |
hyperpigmentation | Excessive pigmentation of the skin, usually as a result of increased epidermal or dermal melanin pigmentation, hypermelanosis. The condition may arise from exposure to the sun. |
hyperpituitarism | Excessive hormone production by the pituitary gland. |
hyperplasia | An abnormal increase in the number of cells in a tissue or organ without tumor formation. |
hyperpnea | Deep breathing. Can be normal during exercise or abnormal due to anemia or sepsis. |
hypersensitivity | Abnormally high response to an antigen. |
hypersomnia | Excessive sleeping |
hypersthenia | Excessive strength or tension. |
hypertension | Persistently high systemic arterial blood pressure. |
hyperthyroidism | Excessive hormone production by the thyroid. |
hyperthyroxinemia | Abnormally elevated thyroxine level in the blood. |
hypertonic | Having increased tone or tension. |
hypertrichosis | Excessive hair growth at inappropriate locations. |
hypertriglyceridemia | A condition of elevated levels of triglycerides in the blood. |
hypertrophy | General increase in volume of a tissue or organ produced entirely by enlargement of existing cells. |
hyperuricemia | An abnormally high concentration of uric acid in the blood. It is associated with gout and also hypertension. |
hyperventilation | Breathing faster or deeper than is metabolically necessary causing an excessive intake of oxygen and a reduction carbon dioxide level in arterial blood. |
hypesthesia | Absent or reduced sensitivity to cutaneous stimulation. |
hyphema | Bleeding in the anterior chamber of the eye. |
hypn/o | sleep |
hypnosis | A state of increased receptivity to suggestion and direction, initially induced by the influence of another person. |
hypo- | deficient, under |
hypocalcemia | Abnormally low levels of calcium in the blood. |
hypocapnia | Deficiency of carbon dioxide in arterial blood. |
hypochondria | Anxiety about one's own health and belief that one is likely to become ill even though there is no medical evidence of illness. |
hypochondriasis | An overwhelming fear of having a serious disease. |
hypodermic | Beneath the skin. |
hypogeusia | Diminished sense of taste. |
hypoglycemia | Abnormally low blood glucose (blood sugar) levels, usually less than 70 mg/dl. |
hypogonadism | Abnormally low functional activity of the gonads, with diminished growth and sexual development |
hypohidrosis | Abnormally low or absent perspiration. |
hypokalemia | Abnormally low potassium concentration in the blood. |
hypokinesia | Abnormally diminished movement of body musculature. |
hypomenorrhea | Extremely light menstrual blood flow. |
hyponatremia | Insufficient sodium levels in the blood. Can be caused by loss of sodium or by increased and excessive body fluids. |
hypoperfusion | Abnormally low blood flow through an organ. |
hypoplasia | Underdevelopment of a tissue or organ. |
hypopnea | Shallow or abnormally slow breathing. |
hypospadias | A birth defect due to malformation of the urethra in which the urethral opening is below its normal location. |
hypotension | Abnormally low blood pressure that can result in inadequate blood flow to the brain and other organs. |
hypothermia | Lower than normal body temperature. |
hypotonia | Poor muscle tone usually detected at birth or during infancy. It is reflected in the APGAR score. |
hypotonic | Denoting decreased tone or tension. |
hypotrichosis | Less than the normal amount of hair. |
hypoventilation | Deficient ventilation of the lungs resulting is low oxygen levels and high carbon dioxide levels in the blood. |
hypovolemia | An abnormally low volume of circulating blood. |
hypoxemia | Oxygen deficiency in arterial blood. |
hypoxia | Insufficient oxygen levels in body organs and tissues. |
hypsi- | high |
hyster/o | uterus |
hysterectomy | Surgical removal of the uterus. |
hysteria | Excessive or uncontrollable emotion, such as fear or panic. |
hysterosalpingography | Fluoroscopic examination of the uterus and fallopian tubes. |
hysteroscopy | Examination of the uterine cavity using an endoscope. |
hysterotomy | An incision in the uterus, performed through either the abdomen or the vagina. |
Hz | hertz (cycles per second) |