I put this list together as a student, so you will see some things in here that are quite simple. You will also see some words with *s/l* beside them. These are sound-alikes. I put them in the list, the way it sounded to me, then in the right column I entered the word the way it should be, or entered a possible alternative. There are prefixes, suffixes, drugs, abbreviations,etc. Some words have definitions, some do not. Please let me know if you run across any errors and I will correct them.
| Word or Root | Definition | |
| L | left *L circled* | |
| L | liter | |
| L.C.D. | liquor carbonis detergens | |
| L1,2; L2,3; L5,S1 dictated | typed L1-2, L2-3, L5-S1 | |
| labia | folds of tissue on either side of the vaginal opening known as the labia majora and labia minora | |
| labia minus *s/l* | labium minus | |
| labile hypertension | fluctuating high blood pressure | |
| labinema LAB-EN-EMA *s/l* | lipedema = an accumulation of excess fat and fluid in subcutaneous tissues OR lymphedema - chronic unilateral or bilateral edema of the accumulation of interstitial fluid as a result of stasis of secondary to obstruction of lymph vessels or disorders of the lymph nodes | |
| labium minus | ||
| labral tear | ||
| labrum | ||
| labtyrinthitis | inflammation of the labyrinth | |
| labyrinth | maze; inner ear consisting of bony and membranous labyrinths | |
| Lachman test | check for knee injury | |
| lacrim- | tear | |
| lacrimal ducts | tubes that carry tears to the lacrimal sac | |
| lacrimal gland | gland located in the upper outer region above the eyeball that secretes tears | |
| lacrimal sac | structures that collect tears before emptying into masolacrimal duct | |
| lacrimation | secretion of tears | |
| lact- | milk | |
| lactiferous ducts | carry milk within the breast | |
| lacto- | milk | |
| Lactobacillus | any one of a group of nonpathogenic gram-positive rod-shaped bacteria that produce lactic acid from carbohydrates | |
| lactogenic hormone *prolactin* | stimulates breast development and milk production during pregnancy | |
| LAD | lymphadenopathy | |
| LAD | left anterior descending | |
| LAD lesion | ||
| lady’s slippler root | herbal medicine | |
| Laennec | name for which a chronic disorder of the liver characterized by inflammation of secretory cells followed by nodular regeneration and fibrosis was named | |
| LAM | Lymphangioleiomyomatosis *LAM* - rare lung disease that affects only women; abnormal muscle cells invade the lung and airways, as well as blood and lymph vessels, causing them to become obstructed.[LAM Foundation] | |
| lamb's quarters | allergen | |
| lamina | platelike structure | |
| laminae, vertebral | flattened posterior portion of the vertebral arch | |
| laminaria | ||
| laminectomy | excision of one or more laminae of the vertebrae to approach the spinal cord | |
| LAN | lymphadenopathy | |
| Lanoxicap | drug | |
| Lanoxin | drug | |
| lapar | abdomen | |
| laparoscopic cholecystectomy | excision of the gallbladder through a laparoscope | |
| laparoscopic surgery | abdominal surgery using a laparoscope | |
| laparoscopy | examination of the abdominal cavity with a laparoscope-often including interventional surgery procedures | |
| laparotomy | incision into the abdomen | |
| large intestine | larger tubular structure that receives the liquid waste products of digestion; reabsorbs water and minerals, and forms and stores feces for defecation | |
| large loop excision of the transformation zone *LLETZ* | use of electrosurgical or radio waves transformed through a loop-configured electrosurgical device to treat precancerous lesions by simultaneous excisional biopsy and treatment of affected tissue | |
| laryng- | larynx *voice box* | |
| laryngeal | laryngeal | |
| laryngeal-tracheal bronchitis | not laryngotracheal bronchitis | |
| laryngitis | inflammation of the larynx | |
| laryngopharynx | lower part of the pharynx just below the oropharynx opening into the larynx and esophagus | |
| laryngoscopy | laryngoscopy | |
| laryngospasm | spasm of laryngeal muscles causing constriction | |
| laryngotracheal | larynx and trachea | |
| laryngotracheobronchitis | laryngotracheobronchitis | |
| laryngotracheobronchitis *LTB* | inflammation of the upper airways and swelling that creates a funnel-shaped elongation of the tissue causing a distinct "seal bark" cough - also called croup | |
| larynx | voice box | |
| larynx | voice box; passageway for air moving from pharynx to trachea; contains vocal cords | |
| Laseque's test | ortho test | |
| laser-assisted uvuloplasty | LAUP | surgery using a laser in various dermatological prcedures to remove lesions, scars, tattoos, etc |
| Lasix | drug | |
| lat | side | |
| LAT | wound care *4% lidocaine, 0.1% epinephrine *adrenalin*, 0.5% tetracaine* | |
| lateral | toward the side | |
| lateral decubitus position | to lie down; on the side | |
| lateral rectus ressection | a portion of the eye muscle is excised and the severed end is reattached at the original point | |
| lateral view | ||
| lateralizing | ||
| latissimus dorsi muscle | rotates the humerus and moves the arm | |
| LAUP | laser-assisted uvuloplasty | |
| lavage | to wash | |
| lavender flower | herbal medicine | |
| laxity | ||
| lb or # | pound | |
| LDA | left descending coronary artery | |
| LDH | LDH: lactic dehydrogenase | |
| LDL | Low Density Lipoproteins | |
| lecithin | herbal medicine | |
| lecrinon bursa *s/l* | olecranon bursa | |
| LEEP | loop electrosurgical excision procedure - use of electrosurgical or radio waves transformed through a loop-configured electrosurgical device to treat precancerous lesions by simultaneous excisional biopsy and treatment of affected tissue | |
| LeFort classification | classification system for maxillary fracture | |
| left heart catheterization | x-ray of the left ventricular cavity and coronary arteries | |
| left shift | ||
| Legg-Calve-Perthes disease | avascular necrosis | |
| lei- | smooth | |
| Leiden factor | found during lab test; if patient has *Leiden* factor they have increased chance of developing thrombosis | |
| leiomyoma | smooth muscle tumor | |
| leiomyosarcoma | malignant smooth muscle tumor | |
| lemon balm | herbal medicine | |
| lens | transparent structure behind the pupil that bends and focuses light rays on the retina | |
| lens capsule | capsule that encloses the lens | |
| lensectomy | ||
| lenses | not lens' | |
| Lentinan-Ajinomoto *lentinan* | ||
| lepsy | seizure | |
| leptomeningeal | ||
| lesion | an area of pathologically altered tissue | |
| LET | wound care *4% lidocaine, 0.5% epinephrine, 0.5% tetracaine* | |
| lethargy | ||
| Leucomax *molgramostim* | ||
| leucovorin | folinic acid; active form of B complex vitamin, folate; used as an antidote to drugs that decrease levels of folic acid such as with chemotherapy | |
| leucovorin calcium | ||
| leuk | white *blood cells* | |
| Leukine *sargramostim* | ||
| leukocyte | ||
| leukocyte esterase | sounds like estrace | |
| leukopenia | abnormal reduction of white blood cells | |
| leukoplakia, oral | white patches on oral mucosa | |
| leukorrhea | abnormal white or yellow vaginal discharge | |
| levalbuterol HCI *Xopenex* | drug for bronchospasm | |
| Levbid | drug for diarrhea/cramps | |
| Levine sign | a classic sign of angina pectoris, when a patient clenches the fist and places it over the sternum to describe the sense of constriction felt in the chest | |
| levonogestrel | Brand=Plan B *to prevent pregnancy* | |
| LFTs | liver function tests | |
| LHRH | luteinizing hormone-releasing hormon | |
| license of adhesions *s/l* | Lysis of adhesions | |
| lichen simplex chronicus | a form of dermatitis characterized by a patch of pruritic confluent papules | |
| lichenification | thickening, coarsening, and pigment change of the skin | |
| licorice root | herbal medicine | |
| lidocaine patch 5% *Lidoderm* | drug for pain associated with postherpetic neuralgia* | |
| Lidoderm *lidocaine patch 5%* | drug for pain associated with postherpetic neuralgia* | |
| ligament | a flexible band of fibrous tissue that connects bone to bone | |
| ligament laxity | ||
| ligamentous | ligamentously *ex: he is ligamentously stable* | |
| ligamentum flavum | connects each vertebra to the next | |
| light touch sensation | ||
| lightheadedness | one word | |
| limbus | near the cornea | |
| linear opacities | ||
| lingu- | tongue | |
| lingu *lingua* | tongue | |
| lingual airway dysfunction | ||
| Linomide *roquinimex* | ||
| lip | fat | |
| LIP | Lymphocytic Interstitial Pneumonia *LIP* - a low grade malignant lymphoma of the lung | |
| lipids | fats | |
| lipoid | resembling fat | |
| liposclerosing | ||
| liposuction | fat, plastic surgery procedure | |
| lipping | ||
| lips | fleshy structures surrounding the mouth | |
| liquefaction | ||
| LIS | lung injury score | |
| lispro | insulin | |
| listhesis | slipping | |
| liter | L | |
| liters | abbreviate L | |
| lith- | stone | |
| lithiasis | formation or presence of stones | |
| lithotomy position | ||
| lithotripsy | crushing of stone | |
| lithotrite | stone crusher | |
| liver | organ in the upper right quandrant that peoduces bile, which is secreted into the duodenum during digestion | |
| liver tonic tea | herbal medicine | |
| lixis *s/l* | lysis | |
| LKS | could be liver, kidney, spleen | |
| LLETZ | large loop excision of the transformation zone *LLETZ* | |
| Lloyd's sign | symptom of renal calculus consisting of pain in the loin on deep percussion over the kidney | |
| LLQ | left lower quandrant | |
| lob- | lobe *a portion* | |
| lobe | a portion | |
| lobe, frontal | anterior section of each cerebral hemisphere responsible for voluntary muscle movement and personality | |
| lobe, occipital | portion of the central nervous system posterior to the parietal and temporal lobes, responsible for vision | |
| lobe, parietal | portion of the central nervous system posterior to the frontal lobe, responsible for sensations such as pain, temperature, touch | |
| lobe, temporal | portion of the central nervous system that lies below the frontal lobe, reponsible for hearing, taste, smell | |
| lobectomy | removal of a lobe of a lung | |
| lobelia | herbal medicine | |
| lobes | subdivisions of the lung, two on the left and three on the right | |
| local rigidity *s/l* | nuchal rigidity | |
| locat | place | |
| lochia rubra | ||
| locoregional | ||
| lofarin *s/l* | warfarin | |
| loin | lower back | |
| long track sign | OK - refers to pyramidal tract | |
| longated *s/l* | elongated | |
| loop colostomy | temporary diversion of the colon | |
| loop electrosurgical excision procedure *LEEP* | use of electrosurgical or radio waves transformed through a loop-configured electrosurgical device to treat precancerous lesions by simultaneous excisional biopsy and treatment of affected tissue | |
| lord- | bent | |
| lordosis | abnormal anterior curvature | |
| lordosis | abnormal inward curvature of the spine | |
| lorfarin *s/l* | Warfarin | |
| loss of circulation in the limbs | loss of circulation in the limbs | |
| Lou Gehrig disease | amyotrophic lateral sclerosis | |
| low forceps | ||
| low transverse cervical cesarean section | ||
| lower GI series | x-ray of the colon after administration of an enema containing a contrast medium | |
| lower lobe | ||
| LP | lumbar puncture | |
| LP | lyphomatous polyposis | |
| LS spine | lumbar spine | |
| lumb- | loin *lower back* | |
| lumbar puncture *LP* | test/procedure for nervous system | |
| lumbar region | middle lateral regions | |
| lumbarization | condition in which the first segment of the sacrum is not fused with the second and produces an additional articulated vertebra | |
| lumbosacral | ||
| lumpectomy | excision of a breast tumor without removing any other tissue or lymph nodes | |
| lun | moon | |
| lung | Lung - one of a a pair of breathing organs located within the chest which remove carbon dioxide from and bring oxygen to the blood. | |
| lung biopsy | removal of a small piece of lung tissue for patholigical examination | |
| lung fields | ||
| lung scan | nuclear scan of the lung to detect abnormalities of perfusion *blood flow* or ventilation *respiration* commonly called V/Q *ventilation/perfusion* scan | |
| Lung Transplant *TX or XP* | Lung Transplant *TX or XP* - surgery to replace one or both diseased lungs with healthy ones from a human donor. [Lung Transplantation] | |
| lung volume reduction surgery *LVRS* | Lung Volume Reduction Surgery *LVRS* - Reduction Pneumoplasty is performed on patients with emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease *COPD*. Varied surgical procedures allow the compressed lung to expand, thus establishing improved respiratory function. LVRS is also referred to as lung shaving, lung contouring, thoracoscopic bullectomy or simply lung reduction. [Pre/Post chest x-rays] | |
| lungs | two spongy organs, located in the thoracic cavity enclosed by the diaphragm and rib cage; responsible for respiration | |
| lungs are well expanded and clear | ||
| lunula | white, moon-shaped cresent on the actively gowing fingernail or toenail | |
| lupus | a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation of various parts of the body *lupus=wolf* | |
| Lupus | spelled lupus *small L* | |
| lupus, cutaneous | limited to the skin; evidenced by a rash especially on the face, neck & scalp | |
| lupus, systemic erythematosus | *SLE* more severe form of lupus involving the skin, joints and often vital organs *lungs, kidneys* | |
| LUQ | left upper quandrant | |
| luteinizing hormone | causes ovulation; stimulates secretion of progesterone by corpus luteum; causes secretion of testosterone in testes | |
| luteum, corpus | part of the follicle that remains behind in the ovary after the ovum ruptures | |
| luviitis *s/l* | uveitis | |
| luxation | ||
| LVRS | Lung Volume Reduction Surgery | |
| Lycopenes | re: plays part in health of prostate | |
| Lyme antigen | ||
| Lyme disease | arthritic disease from tick bite | |
| lymphadenopathy | any disorder characterized by a localized or generalized enlargement of the lymph nodes or lymph vessels | |
| lymphadenopathy *see LAP, LAD,LAN* | abnormal enlargement of the lymph nodes | |
| Lymphangioleiomyomatosis *LAM* | Lymphangioleiomyomatosis *LAM* - rare lung disease that affects only women; abnormal muscle cells invade the lung and airways, as well as blood and lymph vessels, causing them to become obstructed.[LAM Foundation] | |
| lymphasure and blue injection *s/l* | Lymphazurin dye *isosulfan blue* | |
| lymphocyte | ||
| Lymphocytic Interstitial Pneumonia *LIP* | Lymphocytic Interstitial Pneumonia *LIP* - a low grade malignant lymphoma of the lung | |
| lymphoid hyperplasia | ||
| lymphokines | ||
| lysis of adhesions |