Abdomen

portion of the body between the thorax and the pelvis

Abnormal

not normal

Abrasion

an area rubbed bare of skin

Abscess

localized collection of pus

Acne

Inflammatory disease of the skin

Acute

Sudden, brief, and  severe

Adhesion

two normally separate tissues join together

Advanced Directive

document that specifies that medical care you would or would not want if you are unable to communicate

Adverse Effect

A harmful result

Allergy

hypersensitivity to a particular antigen resulting in a reaction

Alopecia

Hair loss

Ambulatory

able to walk

Amenorrhea

Absence of menstrual flow

Amniocentesis

puncturing sac around a fetus to remove cells for testing

Analgesic

an agent that reduces pain

Anaphylaxis

severe allergic response to a substance

Anemia

below normal level of red blood cells in the body

Angina

chest pains

Angiogram

an x-ray of vessles after the injections of a radiopaque substance

Angioplasty

method of dilating narrowed or blocked part of the blood vessel

Anterior

in front, towards the front

Apnea

without breathing

Arrhythmia

variation from a normal rhythm

Arteriosclerosis

hardening of the arteries

Artery

carries oxygenated blood away from the heart to the other parts of the body

Arthritis

inflammation of a joint

Arthroscopy

surgical technique whereby a tube-like instrument is inserted into a join to inspect, diagnose, or repair

Asthma

a condition with recurrent attacks of breathing difficulty characterized by wheezing

Asymptomatic

without symptoms

Atrophy

wasting away

Audiology

the study of hearing

Axilla

armpit