Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
Glossary
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optometrist a professional who performs vision
testing and prescribes routine vision corrections
organ a distinct body structure made of different
tissues working together for the same purpose
organelle a part of a cell that has a specifi c task
organizational chart a diagram that shows how
departments in an organization are related to one
another
orthopedic surgeon a medical doctor who focuses on
the surgical treatment of musculoskeletal conditions
ossicles bones that transfer vibrations from the
middle ear to the inner ear, including the malleus,
incus, and stapes
ossifi cation the process of taking calcium from
any ingested food and drink and depositing it into
cartilage to form bone
osteoblast a specialized bone-forming cell that
begins the mineralization process
osteoclast a cell that breaks down bone during
exercise so it can be remodeled into new bone cells
osteoporosis a condition characterized by loss of
bone mass, which weakens the bones so they break
easily
other potentially infectious material (OPIM) term
that describes body tissues and bodily fl uids other
than blood
otolaryngologist an ear specialist
outpatient procedures surgeries that allow patients to
leave the hospital shortly after a procedure has been
completed
output the factor of a system that refers to the results
produced by the system’s functioning
outsource to contract out jobs to workers in a foreign
country
ova the female gametes, also known as eggs
ovaries the female gonads
overtime pay payment at one and a half times the
regular wage for each hour an employee works
beyond 40 hours in a week
P
pacemakers devices used to regulate heartbeats
pain scale a tool used to help patients describe and
identify their pain
palpation a medical examination that uses touch to
detect growths, changes in the size of organs, or
tissue reactions to pressure
pancreas the organ that produces enzymes to digest
carbohydrates, fats, and proteins
papillae tiny bumps on the tongue that house taste
buds
paralysis a condition that limits the ability to move
certain parts of the body
paraphrase to summarize important information in
your own words
parathyroid glands four tiny glands that are located on
the back of the thyroid and which secrete a hormone
that triggers the release of calcium from bones
parietal lobes lobes of the brain that are located
behind the frontal lobes and integrate sensory
information from the skin, internal organs, muscles,
and joints
pasteurization a process that uses heat to kill
pathogens that can cause foodborne illnesses
patents licenses that give researchers or inventors
the sole right to produce and sell a product for a set
time
pathogen a disease-causing microorganism
patient interview a structured communication
between a patient and a healthcare worker for the
purpose of collecting subjective data such as a
medical history
penis the male reproductive organ, which delivers
sperm to the female reproductive tract
percentiles measures used to indicate how close to
the average a person’s height and weight fall
percussion a medical examination that includes
tapping various body parts and using resulting
sounds to assess the condition of internal organs
peripheral devices pieces of equipment that are used
to gather information and upload it to computer
systems
peripheral nervous system (PNS) term for the
sensory and motor nerves that go out to the body’s
extremities
peristalsis muscle contractions
personal and professional development term
that describes steps taken to improve personal,
educational, and career-related performance
personal bias an unfair preference for, or dislike of,
something or someone
personal data page a document that contains
personal data and can be used to complete
job applications; contains contact information,
education, work experience, skills, and references
personal health record (PHR) a fi le that contains
information about your own health that you store
electronically for easy reference
personal identifying information information that
is used to connect a patient to the correct record
personalized medicine term for medical treatments
that are tailored to a person’s genetic makeup and
individual needs
personal leadership style an individual approach
to giving directions, implementing plans, and
motivating people
personal protective equipment (PPE) equipment such
as gloves, masks, gowns, respirators, and eyewear
worn to protect skin, clothing, and the respiratory
tract from infectious agents
personal traits an individual’s unique combination
of qualities and characteristics
pharynx the passageway between the nasal cavity
and mouth and the esophagus; also known as the
throat
phlebotomist a medical assistant who helps draw
blood and receives specimens for testing