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Sepsis, Septicemia, and Bacteremia, What’s the Difference?

December 8, 2020 Written by Myrna LaFleur Brooks

Sepsis, Septicemia, and Bacteremia

Recently during an Emergency Department visit with a family member, I noticed this poster on the wall of our assigned patient room. Obviously, this healthcare facility takes sepsis seriously.

Why?

Almost certainly because sepsis is a life-threatening medical emergency and the number of cases per year is on the rise. Without timely treatment, it can rapidly lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and death. Each year 1.7 million adults in America develop this condition and nearly 270,000 die as a result.

Medical Terminology Crossword for Kids: Respiratory System

August 4, 2020 Written by Myrna LaFleur Brooks

Hey Kids, let’s’ look at the respiratory system together then solve the Medical Terminology Crossword for Kids.

When we breathe, we use our respiratory system.

As we breathe in, the air carrying oxygen enters our body. As we breathe out, our body gets rid of carbon dioxide. This exchange happens when the air is in the lungs. So, how does the air travel to our lungs?

let’s’ take a look!

Try the crossword >>

Medical Terminology Quick Question

May 10, 2018 Written by Myrna LaFleur Brooks

Medical Terminology Quick Question

March 19, 2018 Written by Myrna LaFleur Brooks

A Medical Terminology Quick Question --- Carcinoma in situ

Carcinoma in situ is cancer in the early stage before invading surrounding tissue.

Pronunciation

(kar-si-NŌ-ma) (in) (SĪ-too)

Other names for carcinoma in situ are stage 0 disease, non-invasive cancer, or pre-invasive cancer.

Definition, Pronunciation and history box from: Exploring Medical Language Edition 10, Chapter 2 Body Structure, Color, and Oncology, p. 43

Medical Terminology Quick Question

January 30, 2018 Written by Myrna LaFleur Brooks

Incidentaloma is NOT a form of cancer.

According to the Exploring Medical Language textbook:

Incidentaloma refers to a mass lesion involving an organ that is discovered unexpectedly [incidentally] by the use of ultrasound, computed tomography [CT] scan, or magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] and has nothing to do with the patient’s symptoms or primary diagnosis.

Incidentaloma ends with the suffix –oma, meaning tumor, which is often seen in medical terms for cancer, such as in melanoma, a form of skin cancer.

Incidental findings of incidentalomas may lead to unnecessary testing and treatment, known as the “cascade effect.”

Homonyms in Medical Language

September 19, 2015 Written by Myrna LaFleur Brooks

Homonyms: Sound the Same But Have Different Meanings

Homonyms in Medical Language

When I was in college, I wrote a letter to my physician father that we were studying blood, including urethrocytes, in physiology class. Understanding I meant erythrocytes, he was amused and I was confused, but it resulted in no harm.

Later in my medical training, my earlier misuse of urethrocytes was put into perspective when I learned about medical homonyms – terms that sound the same but have different meanings. I also became aware of the importance of using them correctly to avoid harmful errors.

There are two major types of homonyms, homographs (homo – same; graph – writing), and homophones (homo – same; phone – same).

Homographs

Homographs are words that are spelled the same but have different meanings, such as lead (a metal), and lead (to guide or go ahead of).

Examples of Medical Homographs

cervical

pertaining to the neck, as in cervical vertebra
pertaining to the lowest segment of the uterus, the uterine cervix

dermatome

an area of the skin supplied by a specific nerve root
a surgical instrument used to cut the skin

Homophones

Homophones are words that are spelled differently but sound the same and have different meanings, such as there and their.

Examples of Medical Homophones

ileum – the last section of the small intestine, between the jejunum and the colon
ilium – part of the pelvic bone

mucus – a secretion
mucous – an adjective that means resembling mucus

peroneal – pertaining to the lateral aspect of the leg
perineal – pertaining to the pelvic floor of a male or female

vesical – pertaining to the bladder
vesicle – a small blister

Vigilance by all healthcare personnel is a must when using medical homonyms. Misuse may result in harm to the patient and extra healthcare cost. Spellcheck will not bail us out on this one!

Click here for medical terms that have the same meaning but are used differently.

Read other Spotlight on Words.

Terms definitions from Exploring Medical Language, 10th Edition