Medical terms starting with P

122 entries

• -paresisPartial paralysis or weakness.
• -pathyDisease.
• -peniaDeficiency or too few.
• -pexySurgical fixation.
• -phagiaEating or swallowing.
• -phasiaSpeech.
• -phobiaFear.
• -plasiaFormation or growth.
• -plasmFormation or growth; formed material.
• -plastySurgical repair or reconstruction.
• -plegiaParalysis.
• -pneaBreathing.
• -poiesisProduction or formation.
• -praxiaAction or purposeful movement.
• -ptosisDrooping or sagging.
• -ptysisSpitting or coughing up.
• P waveThe first wave of the EKG cycle, showing atrial depolarization.
• PACPremature atrial contraction: an early beat starting in the atria.
• PADPeripheral arterial disease: disease of the arteries outside the heart.
• painAn unpleasant sensation that usually signals injury or illness.
• palliative careSpecialized medical and nursing care that relieves symptoms and suffering for people with serious, life-limiting…
• palpationExamining by touch with the fingers or hands.
• pan-All or everywhere.
• pancreasAn organ behind the stomach that secretes digestive juice and hormones that regulate blood glucose, such as insulin.
• panic attackA sudden episode of intense fear with physical symptoms such as chest pain, sweating, trembling and a racing heart.
• para-Beside, near, or abnormal.
• parenteralA route that bypasses the digestive tract, such as an injection.
• passive immunityImmunity from antibodies received from another source, such as an injection of antibodies.
• path/oDisease.
• pathogenA microorganism that causes disease.
• patient portalA secure online platform that gives patients 24-hour access to their personal health information.
• patient-centered careCare in which the patient is an equal partner and their preferences and values guide decisions.
• pcAfter meals.
• PCMHPatient-centered medical home: a primary care model that coordinates comprehensive, patient-centered care.
• PCPPrimary care provider: the clinician who gives most routine care and coordinates referrals.
• PEPulmonary embolism: a blood clot, usually from a deep vein, that lodges in an artery of the lungs.
• ped/oChild; in some words, foot.
• per osBy mouth. Error-prone: os can be read as left eye. Write PO, by mouth or orally.
• per-Through.
• percussionTapping the body surface and listening to the sound produced to assess underlying structures.
• peri-Around or surrounding.
• PETPositron emission tomography: imaging that uses a radioactive tracer to show tissue activity.
• petechiaeTiny, round, pinpoint spots on the skin caused by bleeding under the skin.
• PFSHPast, family and social history: the part of the health history covering past illnesses, family conditions and…
• PFTPulmonary function tests, which measure how well the lungs work, such as spirometry.
• pharmac/oDrug or medicine.
• pharmacodynamicsWhat a drug does to the body: how it acts on receptors and organs to produce effects.
• pharmacokineticsWhat the body does to a drug: absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion.
• pharmacologyThe study of drugs and their effects on the body.
• pharyng/oPharynx (throat).
• pharynxThe throat: a muscular tube connecting the nose and mouth to the larynx and esophagus.
• PHIProtected health information: individually identifiable health information that HIPAA protects.
• phleb/o, ven/oVein.
• phlebotomyThe practice of drawing blood from a vein, usually for laboratory testing.
• phobiaAn excessive, irrational fear of a specific object or situation.
• phon/oSound or voice.
• phot/oLight.
• phren/oDiaphragm.
• physiologyThe study of how the body and its parts function.
• picaCraving and eating nonfood substances, such as clay.
• plaintiffThe person who files a lawsuit.
• plasmaThe liquid part of blood, mostly water, that carries blood cells and dissolved substances.
• plateletA cell fragment in blood that helps form clots; also called a thrombocyte.
• pleur/oPleura, the membrane around the lungs and lining the chest cavity.
• pneum/o, pneumon/oLung or air.
• pneumoniaInfection and inflammation of the lungs.
• PNSPeripheral nervous system: the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord.
• POBy mouth (orally).
• POAPower of attorney: a legal document letting one person act for another.
• POCTPoint-of-care testing: lab tests done at or near the patient, with fast results.
• pod/oFoot.
• POLSTPhysician (or provider) orders for life-sustaining treatment: a signed medical order form that states a seriously ill…
• poly-Many, much, or excessive.
• polypharmacyUse of many medications at once, which raises the risk of interactions and side effects.
• portal of entryThe route by which a pathogen enters a new host.
• portal of exitThe route by which a pathogen leaves its reservoir.
• POSPlace of service: a two-digit claim code showing where care was given. In insurance, also a point-of-service plan.
• post-After or behind.
• posteriorToward the back of the body; also called dorsal.
• PPDPurified protein derivative: the tuberculin used in the TB skin test, placed intradermally.
• PPEPersonal protective equipment: gloves, gowns, masks, eye protection and similar barriers.
• PPIProton pump inhibitor: a drug that reduces stomach acid production.
• PPOPreferred provider organization: a managed care plan that pays more for in-network care but still pays part of…
• PR intervalThe EKG measurement from the start of the P wave to the start of the QRS complex.
• pre-Before or in front of.
• preauthorizationA plan's advance decision that a service, drug or equipment is medically necessary; also called prior authorization.
• precordial leadsThe six chest leads, V1 to V6, that view the heart in the horizontal plane.
• prefixA word part placed at the beginning of a medical term that changes its meaning, often describing size, number…
• premiumThe amount paid, often monthly, to buy and keep health insurance.
• preventive careRoutine care such as screenings, checkups and counseling to prevent illness.
• primary insuranceThe plan that pays a claim first when a patient has more than one; the secondary plan then considers the remaining…
• primary preventionPrevention that stops a disease or health condition before it starts.
• primi-First.
• PRNAs needed. The medication is taken only when the symptom occurs, within the limits of the order.
• PRN orderA medication order to give a drug only as needed, within the ordered limits.
• pro-Before or forward; also favoring.
• problem-oriented medical recordA record organized around the patient's problems, often with SOAP notes.
• proct/oAnus and rectum.
• projectionA defense mechanism of attributing one's own unacceptable feelings or impulses to someone else.
• proneLying on the abdomen, face down.
• prostat/oProstate gland.
• proteinA macronutrient made of many amino acids linked together.
• protozoaSingle-celled organisms, some of which cause parasitic infections.
• proximalCloser to the point where a limb attaches to the trunk.
• pruritusItching.
• PSAProstate-specific antigen: a blood test used to check for prostate disease.
• pseudo-False.
• psych/oMind.
• PTProthrombin time: a clotting test used, with the INR, to monitor warfarin.
• PTSDPost-traumatic stress disorder: lasting distress after a traumatic event.
• PTTPartial thromboplastin time: a clotting test often used to monitor heparin.
• PUDPeptic ulcer disease: sores in the lining of the stomach or duodenum.
• pulmon/oLung.
• pulseThe rhythmic expansion of an artery with each heartbeat, used to count heart rate.
• pulse oximeterA device that measures the oxygen saturation of the blood.
• pulse pressureThe difference between the systolic and diastolic blood pressures.
• Purkinje fibersConduction fibers that spread the impulse through the ventricular walls so the ventricles contract.
• PVCPremature ventricular contraction: an early beat starting in the ventricles.
• py/oPus.
• pyel/oRenal pelvis, the funnel-shaped part of the kidney that collects urine.
• pyr/oFever or fire.
• pyrosisHeartburn: a burning feeling behind the breastbone, often from stomach acid.