types:
probable cause
(law) evidence sufficient to warrant an arrest or search and seizure
symptom
(medicine) any sensation or change in bodily function that is experienced by a patient and is associated with a particular disease
sign
(medicine) any objective evidence of the presence of a disorder or disease
reductio,
reductio ad absurdum
(reduction to the absurd) a disproof by showing that the consequences of the proposition are absurd; or a proof of a proposition by showing that its negation leads to a contradiction
crepitation rale
the crackling sound heard on auscultation when patients with respiratory diseases inhale; associated with tuberculosis and pneumonia and congestive heart failure
hypermenorrhea,
menorrhagia
abnormally heavy or prolonged menstruation; can be a symptom of uterine tumors and can lead to anemia if prolonged
alkalinuria,
alkaluria
a condition in which the urine (which is normally slightly acidic) is alkaline
eosinopenia
a decrease in the number of eosinophils in the blood
haemoptysis,
hemoptysis
coughing up blood from the respiratory tract; usually indicates a severe infection of the bronchi or lungs
hyperlipaemia,
hyperlipemia,
hyperlipidaemia,
hyperlipidemia,
hyperlipoidaemia,
hyperlipoidemia,
lipaemia,
lipemia,
lipidaemia,
lipidemia,
lipoidaemia,
lipoidemia
presence of excess lipids in the blood
albuminuria,
proteinuria
the presence of excessive protein (chiefly albumin but also globulin) in the urine; usually a symptom of kidney disorder
aminoaciduria
abnormal presence of amino acids in the urine; usually a symptom of metabolic defects
Jacquemier's sign
a purplish discoloration of the mucous membrane of the vagina that occurs early in pregnancy
Kayser-Fleischer ring
a pigmented ring at the outer edge of the cornea of the eye; a symptom of Wilson's disease
keratomalacia
softening and drying and ulceration of the cornea resulting from vitamin A deficiency; symptom of cystic fibrosis or sprue
Kernig's sign
symptom of meningitis; patient cannot extend the leg at the knee when the thigh is flexed because of stiffness in the hamstrings
Koplik's spots
small red spots with white centers found on the mucous membranes of the mouth and tongue; symptom of measles that appears one or two days before the measles rash appears
glycosuria
the presence of abnormally high levels of sugar in the urine
monocytosis
increase in the number of monocytes in the blood; symptom of monocytic leukemia
thrombocytosis
increase in the number of platelets in the blood which tends to cause clots to form; associated with many neoplasms and chronic infections and other diseases
ochronosis
an accumulation of dark pigment in cartilage and other connective tissue; usually a symptom of alkaptonuria or phenol poisoning
hypercalcaemia,
hypercalcemia
the presence of abnormally high levels of calcium in the blood; usually the result of excessive bone resorption in hyperparathyroidism or Paget's disease
hypocalcaemia,
hypocalcemia
abnormally low level of calcium in the blood; associated with hypoparathyroidism or kidney malfunction or vitamin D deficiency
hypercalcinuria,
hypercalciuria
the presence of abnormally high levels of calcium in the urine; usually the result of excessive bone resorption in hyperparathyroidism or osteoporosis
hyperkalemia
higher than normal levels of potassium in the circulating blood; associated with kidney failure or sometimes with the use of diuretic drugs
hypokalemia
abnormally low level of potassium in the circulating blood leading to weakness and heart abnormalities; associated with adrenal tumors or starvation or taking diuretics
natriuresis
the presence of abnormally large amounts of sodium in the urine
hypoproteinemia
abnormally low level of protein in the blood; can indicate inadequate diet or intestinal or renal disorders
hypernatremia
excessive amounts of sodium in the blood; possibly indicating diabetes insipidus
hyponatremia
abnormally low level of sodium in the blood; associated with dehydration
hypersplenism
enlarged spleen and a decrease in one or more types of blood cells; associated with many disorders
vital sign
sign of life; usually an indicator of a person's general physical condition
aura
a sensation (as of a cold breeze or bright light) that precedes the onset of certain disorders such as a migraine attack or epileptic seizure
clubbing
a condition in which the ends of toes and fingers become wide and thick; a symptom of heart or lung disease
cyanosis
a bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes; a sign that oxygen in the blood is dangerously diminished (as in carbon monoxide poisoning)
diuresis
increased secretion of urine; if not due to increased liquid intake or to the action of a diuretic drug it can be a symptom of diabetes mellitus
prodroma,
prodrome
an early symptom that a disease is developing or that an attack is about to occur
syndrome
a pattern of symptoms indicative of some disease
effect
a symptom caused by an illness or a medication
abscess
symptom consisting of a localized collection of pus surrounded by inflamed tissue
festination
involuntary shortening of stride and quickening of gait that occurs in some diseases (e.g., Parkinson's disease)
furring
a furlike coating of matter as on the tongue
haematuria,
hematuria
the presence of blood in the urine; often a symptom of urinary tract disease
nebula
cloudiness of the urine
bubo
a lymph node that is inflamed and swollen because of plague or gonorrhea or tuberculosis
palsy
a condition marked by uncontrollable tremor
pyuria
presence of white blood cells in the urine; symptom of urinary tract infection
icterus,
jaundice
yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes caused by an accumulation of bile pigment (bilirubin) in the blood; can be a symptom of gallstones or liver infection or anemia
congestion
excessive accumulation of blood or other fluid in a body part
eruption
symptom consisting of a breaking out and becoming visible
numbness
partial or total lack of sensation in a part of the body; a symptom of nerve damage or dysfunction
hurting,
pain
a symptom of some physical hurt or disorder
paraesthesia,
paresthesia
abnormal skin sensations (as tingling or tickling or itching or burning) usually associated with peripheral nerve damage
postnasal drip
chronic secretion of mucus from the rear of the nasal cavity into the nasopharynx
heartburn,
pyrosis
a painful burning sensation in the chest caused by gastroesophageal reflux (backflow from the stomach irritating the esophagus); symptomatic of an ulcer or a diaphragmatic hernia or other disorder
flush,
hot flash
sudden brief sensation of heat (associated with menopause and some mental disorders)
inflammation,
redness,
rubor
a response of body tissues to injury or irritation; characterized by pain and swelling and redness and heat
chill,
shivering
a sensation of cold that often marks the start of an infection and the development of a fever
cough,
coughing
a sudden noisy expulsion of air from the lungs that clears the air passages; a common symptom of upper respiratory infection or bronchitis or pneumonia or tuberculosis
hiccough,
hiccup,
singultus
(usually plural) the state of having reflex spasms of the diaphragm accompanied by a rapid closure of the glottis producing an audible sound; sometimes a symptom of indigestion
meningism
symptoms that mimic those of meningitis but without inflammation of the meninges
hardening
abnormal hardening or thickening of tissue
apnea
transient cessation of respiration
constipation,
irregularity
irregular and infrequent or difficult evacuation of the bowels; can be a symptom of intestinal obstruction or diverticulitis
wheeziness
presence of abnormal high-pitched sound heard with a stethoscope when an airway is blocked (as in asthma or chronic bronchitis)
withdrawal symptom
any physical or psychological disturbance (as sweating or depression) experienced by a drug addict when deprived of the drug
hydrophobia
a symptom of rabies in humans consisting of an aversion to swallowing liquids
areflexia
absence of a reflex; a sign of possible nerve damage
oliguria
abnormally small production of urine; can be a symptom of kidney disease or obstruction of the urinary tract or edema or an imbalance of fluids and electrolytes in the body
eosinophilia
a symptom of allergic states; increased eosinophils in the blood
rhinorrhea
persistent watery mucus discharge from the nose (as in the common cold)
steatorrhea
the presence of greater than normal amounts of fat in the feces which are frothy and foul smelling and floating; a symptom of disorders of fat metabolism and malabsorption syndrome
stridor
a whistling sound when breathing (usually heard on inspiration); indicates obstruction of the trachea or larynx
tinnitus
a ringing or booming sensation in one or both ears; a symptom of an ear infection or Meniere's disease
uratemia
presence of abnormal amounts of uric acid salts in the blood; symptom of gout
uraturia
presence of abnormally large amounts of uric acid in the urine; symptom of gout
uricaciduria
presence of abnormal amounts of uric acid in the urine; symptom of gout