Atopic dermatitis: a condition which makes skin red and itchy
Alopecia: hair loss from some areas of the body, usually the scalp
Atrophy: wasting away/degeneration of cells
Adrenal glands: small glands located on top of each kidney; hormone producing e.g. cortisol (stress)
Amenorrhea: absence of menstruation (one or more menstrual periods) Anuria: failure of kidneys to produce urine
Alveoli: tiny air sacs of the lungs
Apnea: cessation of respiration
Cilia: slender protuberances (tiny hairs) that project from a larger cell body; common in the lung
Costal cartilage: elastic tissue connecting the sternum to the ribs
Cataract: tissue clouding the lens of the eye causing decrease in vision
Cones in retina: photoreceptor cells in retina which respond to light
Cerumen: ear wax which protects skin of the ear canal
Dermatology: the branch of medicine which deals with skin
Dentition: condition of teeth of an individual
Distension: enlargement/ballooning typically in the abdomen (not an illness per se)
Degenerative disc disease: age related deterioration of discs between vertebral spaces
Eczema: patches of inflamed, itchy, red, cracked skin (affects 31.6% of U.S. population)
Glaucoma: a group of eye conditions which damage the optic nerve (increased pressure),(a leading cause of blindness in persons over 80 years of age)
Hypertension: high blood pressure
Hypotension: low blood pressure (less than 90/60)
Hyperthyroidism: overactive thyroid; thyroid gland produces too much thyroxine hormone, affects metabolism, can cause weight loss and irregular rapid heart rate
Hypothyroidism: underactive thyroid, doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormone
Hypotonia: low/decreased muscle tone often with decreased muscle strength
Impetigo: a highly contagious skin infection marked by red sores on face
Inguinal hernia: a protrusion of intestine through a weak area in the abdominal muscle
Kyphosis: a spinal disorder marked by outward curvature of the spine; a rounding of the upper back, often called ‘Round Back’
Lacrimal Secretion: serous glands in each eye known as lacrimal fluid; intended for lubrication of the surface of the eye; becomes tears when produced in excess
Macular degeneration: a medical condition which may result in blurred or no vision in the centre of the visual field, (loss of central vision)
Neurotransmitters: chemicals that act as messengers. They pass nerve signals from nerve to nerve or from a nerve to a body organ
Nocturia: night waking due to a need to urinate
Neurology: the branch of medicine which deals with disorders of the nervous system
Otitis: inflammation of the ear; (external/outer), (media/middle), (interna /inner)
Plaque: yellow, insoluble, intracellular particles from dead cells (i.e. as seen in Alzheimer disease)
Psoriasis: a skin condition that speeds up the life cycle of skin cells, (form scales, red patches)
Parathyroid: four (4) tiny glands in the neck which control the body’s calcium level, (parathyroid hormone)
Pancreas: a gland with both an endocrine and digestive function; insulin producing and digestive enzyme Polydipsia: excessive thirst
Polyuria: abnormally high production or passage of urine
Polyphagia: excessive hunger, not resolved with food intake
Presbycusis: the most common sensorineural hearing loss caused by aging of the auditory system
Retinal: a thin tissue layer on the inside back wall of the eye
Retinal detachment: is the presence of fluid under the retina, (the fluid passes through a tear)
Synaptic transmission: nerve to nerve transmission
Seborrhea: (i.e. dermatitis), a common skin problem, red/itchy patches with white scales like dandruff, can affect face, nose, ears, eyelids
Scoliosis: sideways curvature of the spine
Spinal stenosis: narrowing of the spaces within the spine
Sebaceous: a gland in the skin which secretes oily or waxy matter (sebum); lubricates hair & skin
Thyroid gland: a small gland in the neck which secretes hormones that regulates energy level, metabolism, growth and body temperature
Thyroid Stimulating hormone: (TSH) a pituitary hormone that stimulates the thyroid gland to produce thyroxine which stimulates metabolism in almost every tissue in the body.
Tinnitus: the perception of noise or ringing in the ears; affects 10-20% of the population; can be a symptom of age-related hearing loss
Ureteral reflux: urine that flows backward from the bladder to the ureter(s) and sometimes to the kidneys
Vertigo: a sensation of spinning or swaying; a dizziness