Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
Glossary
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apothecary system a system of measurement
used by early pharmacists, or apothecaries, that is
sometimes still used for herbal medicines
appendicular skeleton term that describes the bones
of the arms and legs, including the shoulder and
hip bones where they are attached
apps applications; software that is accessed through
the Internet and runs on a computer, smartphone,
tablet, or other mobile device
aptitude natural inclination
aqueous humor a clear fl uid in the front of the eye
that maintains pressure and nourishes the cornea
and lens
artery a major blood vessel that moves blood from
the heart out to the body tissues
aseptic techniques practices used by healthcare
professionals to maintain a pathogen-free
environment and prevent the transmission of
disease
aspiration the inhalation of a liquid into the lungs
assault any words or actions that lead an individual
to fear that another person intends to harm him or
her
assay analysis done to determine the presence and
amount of a substance or to determine the potency
of a drug
assertive communication a communication style
characterized by confi dence and consideration for
others
assess to evaluate
assessment evaluation
assignment of benefi ts the process in which adult
patients sign a claim form, granting permission to
release their medical information to the insurance
company; the person carrying the insurance also
signs the form, allowing payments to be made
directly to the medical offi ce
assimilation the process by which members of a new
cultural group adopt all the beliefs and customs of
the majority group
atrium a chamber at the top of the heart that receives
blood from the veins
audiologist a professional who diagnoses hearing
and balance problems and plans treatment
audiometer a machine that makes sounds at
different frequencies to test hearing
auditory learner a person who uses sounds, rhythm,
and music to store and recall information
auscultation the use of a stethoscope to listen to
sounds made by a patient’s internal organs to make
a diagnosis
authenticate to give legal authority to
autoclaves chambers for sterilizing items with steam
under pressure
automated analyzer a piece of equipment that can
automatically sort and prepare samples for analysis
automated external defi brillator (AED) a device that
delivers an electric shock to the heart to restore its
normal rhythm
axial skeleton term that applies to the skull, spine,
and rib cage, which rotate around an imaginary
center line of the body
axon a long, tail-like projection on a neuron, which takes
information from the cell body out to the muscles
B
Background Information Disclosure (BID) form an
application that collects a prospective employee’s
past history
bacteria one-celled microorganisms that are so small
they can only be seen under a microscope
ball-and-socket joint a joint that consists of the
rounded head of a bone that fi ts into the cup-shaped
cavity of another bone
bar code scanner a device that captures a printed
series of numbered black bars and spaces, translates
them into numbers and letters, and sends the data
to a computer to access information about a patient
or product
bar graph a chart that shows comparisons between
categories of data
barred prevented
base rates measures that help researchers see the
signifi cance of a change that is given in percentages
battery the act of touching a person without his or
her consent
benchmark a performance standard
benefi ts advantages or profi ts
bias a systematic error that produces a research
fi nding that deviates from a valid fi nding
bile substance that helps mix fat with digestive
enzymes so that it breaks down in the intestines
bioassay analysis done to determine the potency of a
substance by measuring its effect on living tissues
bioethics the study of ethical practices in medical
research and the use of advanced technology to
treat patients
biohazard term that describes a biological agent,
infectious organism, or insecure laboratory procedure
that constitutes a danger to humans or the environment
bioinformatics a scientifi c discipline that combines
the tools and techniques of mathematics, computer
science, and biology to understand the biological
signifi cance of data
bioinformatics scientists researchers who use their
computer skills to organize the expanding overload
of data created by improved DNA sequencing
technologies
biological safety cabinet (BSC) an enclosed
laboratory workspace that fi lters and controls
airfl ow to prevent chemical and biological material
from being released into the air
biomedical engineer a person who applies his or her
combined knowledge of biology and engineering
to the design and development of products such
as artifi cial organs, prostheses, and machines for
diagnosing medical problems