Teen Health and Wellness

Glossary

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20/20 vision Term used to describe individuals with normal vision who can, without eyestrain, clearly see at the prescribed distance of twenty feet (six meters).
à la carte Sold separately. Basing your school lunchroom fare on à la carte menu items such as french fries and desserts can contribute to weight gain.
abdomen Area of the body below the stomach.
abdominal breathing Method of deep breathing that expands the abdomen (stomach) and aids in relaxation.
ablation Treating tissue with a chemical or heat so that it does not grow back.
abnormal Unusual or unexpected, especially in a way that causes alarm or anxiety.
abolitionist In the 1800s, a person who fought to end slavery.
aborigine Person native to a region.
abortion Termination of pregnancy.
abrasion Scraped area of the skin that has been damaged by rubbing or scratching.
abscess Swollen, inflamed area of the body in which pus gathers.
absentee father A father who is not present to help care for his child.
absorption The way nutrients move from the small intestine into the cells of the body.
abstinence Not having sex; a birth control method.
abstinent Not sexually active.
abuse An act of mental, physical, or emotional mistreatment.
abuser Someone who inflicts harm on you.
abusive environment A place, situation, or relationship in which harmful acts toward others are common.
abusive relationship Relationship in which one or both people abuse the other physically, sexually, or emotionally.
ACA Amputee Coalition of America.
academic anxiety Worries, nervousness, or fears that occur from school pressures.
accelerate To increase speed.
acceptance The state of being accepted or admitted as a student to a college or training school.
accessible Easy to get a hold of; easily available.
accomplice Person who helps someone to plan or commit a crime.
accomplish To achieve or make happen.
accomplishment The completion of a task; an achievement.
accurate Correct or true.
accusation Statement that somebody has done something wrong.
acetaminophen Nonaspirin medication that reduces fever and that can be taken to relieve symptoms of chickenpox.
Achilles tendon The body’s largest tendon, located in the back of the heel.
acidic Describes a lower pH (less than 7 on a scale of 1 to 14); classically perceived as sour.
acknowledgement of paternity A form that establishes the father of a child.
acne A skin disease that affects the follicles, or pores, that cover your face and body.
acquaintance rape When someone you know forces you to have sex against your will.
acquired cerebral palsy When cerebral palsy affects a person after birth.
acquired immunity Immunity that develops as a reaction to a foreign antigen.
acquitted Released from a debt or accusation.
acronym A word formed by using the first letter of the words used to create it. (For example, RICE stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation.)
acrosome Structure found in the head of sperm that contains chemicals that eat through an egg’s protective layers.
actin A protein that, along with another protein, myosin, is responsible for muscle contraction.
acting out Responding to unresolved stress or inner conflict by behaving in harmful, destructive, or uncharacteristic ways.
action toys Group of toys that includes guns and other weapons, usually marketed to boys.
active A phase of a disease in which there are symptoms or infectious activity.
active listening A method of listening in which the listeners show they are paying close attention by making eye contact and restating what other people said.
active tuberculosis Form of tuberculosis in which the patient has symptoms and can easily pass the disease to other people.
activist Someone who tries to bring attention or awareness to a cause or an issue.
acupuncture An ancient Chinese therapy that uses thin needles to stimulate pressure points around the body.
acute Short-term but severe. Applies to diseases in which a patient is sick for a short time.
acute leukemia A type of leukemia that progresses quickly if left untreated.
acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) A type of leukemia that is fast developing and affects the lymphocytes. It is the most common form of childhood leukemia.
acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) A type of leukemia that is fast developing and affects the monocytes or granulocytes. It is the second most common form in children.
acyclovir Antiviral medication used to treat chickenpox and shingles.
addict A person who is mentally or physically dependent on something.
addiction A physical or psychological dependence upon a drug.
addictive Describes something that is capable of making a person mentally or physically dependent on it.
additive A chemical added to something to change or improve it in some way. Companies may add additives to help foods stay fresh longer or to change the color, flavor, texture, or scent.
additives Substances added to improve food, such as its flavor, appearance, or shelf-life.
adenocarcinoma A cancer that develops in the cells lining glandular internal organs, including the lungs, breasts, ovaries, colon, prostate, and pancreas.
adjective A word that describes nouns or pronouns.
adjusted balance The method of calculating interest in which the interest is figured and the balance adjusted once in a billing cycle.
adjuvant therapy The treatment offered after primary cancer treatment in order to prevent the spread or recurrence of cancer.
ADLs Activities of daily living.
administer To give somebody something, such as medication or medical treatment.
admission The act of being allowed into a program of study at a college or training school. A college’s admissions department handles and reviews all college applications.
adolescence Preteen and teen years of a person’s life when a person is changing from a child into an adult.
adoptee The person who has been adopted.
adoption Taking as one’s own the child of other parents.
adoption agency Public or private organization that arranges an adoption.
adoption lawyer Lawyer specializing in adoption law. In cases of independent adoption, he or she will match the adoptive parents and birth parents, and arrange an adoption.
adoption registry A database that records the names of adoptees, adoptive parents, and birth parents who wish to make contact with each other.
adoptive parents The couple that adopts an infant or child. They are given legal parental rights and responsibilities for the welfare of the adopted child.
adrenal Related to the adrenal glands, part of the endocrine system.
adrenal gland One of two glands in the body, located above the kidneys, that produces the hormone adrenaline (epinephrine).
adrenal glands Endocrine glands that release aldosterone, cortisol, testosterone, epinephrine, and norepinephrine.
adrenaline A hormone secreted by the adrenal glands in times of excitement or stress; also called epinephrine.
adulteration Adding impure ingredients to food.
adverb A word that describes verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs.
advertising industry The companies that make advertisements, which typically appear on the Internet, radio, and television; and in movies, video games, and public areas like bus stops.
advice Opinion; guidance.
advocacy The act of supporting a cause through one’s spoken words, actions, or writing.
aerator A device for mixing air into something.
aerial Reaching far into the air.
aerobic Having to do with activity that works the heart and the lungs.
aerobic exercise Exercise that builds endurance, or the body’s ability to work for long periods of time.
aerosol Gas that is used to propel other substances out of a pressurized can.
affect To act on, change.
affiliation Formal association with a religious group or congregation.
affirmation Positive phrase.
aflatoxin A type of mold that grows on peanuts, nuts, corn, and grain.
aftershock Minor quake following the shock of a main earthquake.
age of consent Age at which young people may marry without parental permission; also age at which a young person can legally agree to have sexual intercourse.
age of majority The age at which someone can legally enter into a binding contract as an adult.
agent A chemically, physically, or biologically active substance or organism.
aggression Forceful action intended to dominate or hurt.
aggressive Forceful; pursuing what one wants with little regard for anything or anyone else.
aggressor A person who attacks or acts hostilely toward another person.
aging out The common term used to refer to young people reaching the age of leaving foster care.
agitated State of being easily excited or upset.
agoraphobia A fear of open, public places and situations.
agricultural inspectors Government employees who inspect food production facilities and farms, and test and sample food products to ensure they are safe.
agriculture The raising of plants or animals, particularly those intended for use as food.
agrofuel Fuel made from an agricultural product, such as grain, plant products, or wood waste from logging.
ahimsa Nonviolence; absolute compassion.
Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) The largest program of the federal welfare system. The program ended in 1996.
AIDS Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome; a terminal sexually transmitted disease that weakens the immune system to the point that the body can no longer fight off infection.
AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) Illness caused by infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
Al Qaeda Arabic phrase meaning “the base”; the name of the terrorist organization of Osama bin Laden.
Al-Anon Group of partners of alcoholics who meet to discuss alcoholism and how to help their partners.
Alateen Group of teenage children of alcoholics who meet to learn about the disease of alcoholism and how to help themselves and their families.
alcohol poisoning A condition in which a person has consumed more alcohol than his or her body can process.
alcoholic A person who has lost the ability to control his or her drinking.
alcoholic beverage Any drink that is at least 2 percent alcohol.
Alcoholics Anonymous Worldwide organization that helps people who want to stop drinking alcoholic beverages.
alcoholism Addiction to alcohol.
algorithm A step-by-step process for solving a problem or finishing a task.
alienate To make unfriendly or indifferent where affection formerly existed.
alienation A withdrawing of one’s affections from someone or something to which one was previously strongly attached.
allergen An allergy-causing substance.
allergens Substances, usually proteins, which cause an allergic response such as hives, swelling, stomachaches, hyperactivity, rashes, or breathing problems.
allergic threshold The level of sensitivity to an allergen.
allergist A physician who specializes in the treatment of allergies.
allergy An adverse response by the body’s immune system to otherwise harmless substances, such as pollen, mold, animal dander, dust, or food.
alleviate To lessen pain.
allies People, organizations, or other entities that join forces for a common purpose. The word “ally” is often used to describe a heterosexual individual who supports the GLBT community.
allocate To set something aside for a special purpose.
allocation Process of distributing organs based on a system of policies and guidelines.
allowance A sum of money granted for a specific purpose, such as personal or living expenses.
allure Attraction or temptation.
alpha-fetoprotein A protein derived from the liver that, when elevated, can be suggestive of liver cancer.
alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) Natural acids found in fruit, sugarcane, and milk that help to get rid of dead skin cells.
altar A raised structure upon which religious sacrifices can be offered to gods, saints, and other divinities.
alter ego A second personality.
alternative A different option.
alveoli Small sacs in the lungs that exchange carbon dioxide for oxygen.
Alzheimer’s disease A disease of the brain that leads to memory loss and confusion.
ambition The drive to succeed.
amblyopia A condition that can result from strabismus, in which one eye is weaker than the other and needs to be forced to work correctly; also called lazy eye.
ambulatory Able to walk.
amended birth certificate Birth certificate listing the names of the adoptive parents as the baby’s parents in place of the birth mother and birth father.
amends Compensation for a loss, injury, or other damage.
amenity Desirable feature of an apartment or an apartment complex, such as a fireplace, swimming pool, etc.
amenorrhea The absence of menstrual bleeding, usually in young women.
amensia Loss of memory.
American Legion American veterans’ organization founded in 1919.
amicably In a peaceful or friendly manner.
amino acid A molecule that makes up protein. There are twenty amino acids, and their sequence in a protein is determined by the genetic code in DNA.
amino acids Basic components of proteins.
ammunition Projectiles, such as bullets, that are fired from a gun.
amniocentesis Technique used to sample amniotic fluid and cells between the fifteenth and twentieth weeks of pregnancy. It is usually reserved for monitoring at-risk pregnancies when specific medical problems are suspected.
amniotic fluid Fluid present in a mother’s uterus as a fetus develops.
amniotic sac Sac, or thin membrane, inside the mother’s womb that encloses the fetus and the amniotic fluid.
amoeba Any protozoan without permanent organs (organelles) or other supporting structures, mostly found in fresh and salt water and moist terrestrial environments.
amortization program A computer program that calculates details of a loan.
amphetamine Drug that acts to stimulate the mind and body.
amplitude Height of vibrations within an object making sound.
amputation The full or partial loss of a limb.
amputee A person with an amputation.
amygdala Part of the brain involved in processing memory and emotion.
amylase Enzyme present in saliva that breaks down food into sugar and starches.
anabolic steroids Steroids that build muscle mass.
anaerobic Not requiring oxygen; “anaerobic endurance” is your muscles’ ability to continue working despite having a limited oxygen supply, a condition that may occur during intense exercise.
anal sex Sexual interaction in which the penis enters the anus.
analeptic A stimulant drug. Caffeine is in this category of drugs.
analgesic Pain-relieving medicine.
analog Something that is similar in function to something else, but has a different origin.
analogue Something that is similar to a naturally occurring element in the body.
analysis The breaking down of information into its parts to see how those parts work together.
anaphylaxis A medical emergency that involves an acute systemic allergic reaction (one that affects the entire body).
anarchist bomber A politically motivated bomber that emerged in the nineteenth century in Europe.
anarchy A political movement of the late nineteenth century in Europe and the United States. Anarchists believed any type of government was bad.
anatomical Having to do with anatomy, or the way the body is built.
anatomy Study of the structure of the body and all of its parts. An anatomist is a specialist in anatomy.
ancestor A person from whom one is descended; a distant relative.
ancestors The people or group from which you are descended.
androgen A male sex hormone produced by the body, present in both males and females.
androgenic steroids Steroids that deepen the voice and cause the growth of facial and body hair. Male-pattern baldness can result as an unfortunate side effect of repeated use.
androsterone Male hormone.
anecdote A short, entertaining account of an event.
anemia A condition of low hemoglobin (the oxygen-carrying protein within red blood cells).
anesthesia Medicine that relieves pain. Anesthesia is often used to prevent a patient from feeling pain during surgery.
anesthetic A medication that relieves pain.
anesthetize To make insensitive to pain.
aneurysm A widening of the walls of a blood vessel that may rupture.
anger Strong feelings of displeasure and hostility.
angle The viewpoint of a writing piece.
anguish Extreme distress or anxiety.
annual percentage rate (APR) Interest rate charged on a credit card balance in a one-year period. Actual interest charged each month is the APR divided by twelve.
anonymity The absence of identifying information.
anonymous When a name is withheld.
anonymous HIV testing A type of HIV testing in which the person tested is assigned a unique code that is used for identification instead of his or her name; the test results are completely confidential.
anopheles A genus of the striped-winged mosquito that is capable of carrying malaria transmissible to humans.
anorexia An eating disorder in which a person seriously restricts his or her intake of food.
anorexia nervosa A condition that involves strictly limiting food intake, extreme weight loss, and a distorted self-image. People with this condition might follow rigid rules regarding what and when to eat.
anoxia Condition in which no oxygen reaches the brain, even though blood is flowing.
anthology A collection of poems, essays, lyrics, and stories.
anthrax An infectious, often fatal disease that affects animals and humans.
anthropology The scientific study of the origin and the physical, social, and cultural development and behavior of humans.
anti-inflammatory Counteracting inflammation.
anti-Semite A person who is against people of the Jewish faith.
anti-Semitism Hostility toward or prejudice against Jews or Judaism; discrimination against Jews.
antianxiety medication Medications used to treat PTSD victims. They control a person’s physical reactions when facing similar stress repeatedly.
antibiotic Substance that is able to kill bacteria.
antibiotic-resistant No longer responding to a specific antibiotic.
antibiotics Medicines that inhibit or kill microorganisms that can cause illness in people and animals.
antibodies Elements of the immune system that attach to foreign invaders so that immune system cells will seek out and destroy them.
antibody Protein made by the body’s immune system to fight viruses.
antibrowning agent A chemical used to preserve food and prevent it from becoming brown.
anticipatory anxiety Anxiety that is brought on by anticipating a panic attack, usually because of an associated place or situation.
antidepressant A medication prescribed to treat depression and, sometimes, other health conditions.
antidiarrheal A medication that stops diarrhea.
antigen Substance that causes an immune system reaction.
antigenic drift Small, permanent, ongoing changes in the genetic material of a virus strain that are considered normal.
antigenic shift Sudden, major changes in a virus’s genetic makeup; this is often the cause of flu epidemics.
antihistamine Drug used to treat allergies.
antimalarial Drug or herb that helps stave off malaria. These are taken strictly as preventive measures, and as of now, are the best ways available to ward off the disease.
antimicrobial agent A substance added to food to prevent the growth of potentially harmful microorganisms.
antioxidant A substance that prevents or slows the oxidation of food ingredients, a process that eventually makes food go bad. Antioxidants protect against cancer-causing free radicals.
antioxidants Substances in plants and animals that help protect human cells from damage.
antiseptic Relating to a substance that prevents infection by killing germs.
antiserum A treatment for meningitis developed by injecting horses with heat-killed bacteria and then developing a serum from the horses’ blood.
antisocial Resistant to the society of other people; unsociable; hostile or harmful behavior.
antispyware Software that protects from spyware, which secretly gathers user information through a user’s Internet connection, usually for advertising purposes.
antiviral Destroying or inhibiting the growth and reproduction of viruses.
antivirus software Software that has been designed to protect a computer from viruses and other threats.
anus The distal opening of the rectum at the skin.
anxiety A feeling of worry, dread, or uneasiness.
anxiety disorder A condition in which a person experiences more anxiety than what is appropriate for a situation.
anxious Feeling worried or distressed about things that are uncertain.
aortic stenosis Narrowing of the valve between the left ventricle of the heart and the aorta.
apartment locator A business that charges a fee to give lists of apartments that meet given criteria; also called a rental referral agency.
apothecary An early name for a pharmacy.
appendicular Relating to an appendage of the body, especially one of the limbs.
appetite suppressant A drug that is supposed to control hunger.
APPLA (another planned permanent living arrangement) The goal for a young person who is aging out of foster care and plans to live on his or her own. APPLA is also referred to as a goal of independent living.
appliance A device, usually mechanical, that is very efficient in doing a particular job.
applicant Person applying for a job.
application A program or set of instructions that a computer follows to carry out certain activities.
appoint To assign officially.
appraise To estimate the quality of something.
apprenticeship An arrangement whereby a person learns a job or trade while working for someone already skilled in the area.
approachable Being easy to meet or talk with.
approval Acceptance of a person or situation.
aptitude A special ability to build skills very fast in a particular subject area.
aquaculture Raising fish and shellfish on controlled fish farms.
aqueous humor Fluid located between the cornea and lens that nourishes and protects the eye. It also helps to maintain proper pressure within the eyeball.
arcade A gallery or space filled with games, both conventional and video.
archdiocese A diocese under the jurisdiction of an archbishop.
archive To store a collection of material; or, the location in which a collection is stored.
archwire Wire attached to braces to exert force on the teeth and move them.
areola Area around the nipple that appears darker than the rest of the breast.
arranged marriage When parents find a spouse for their child in a way that’s kind of like a business agreement.
arrhythmia Irregularity in the normal rhythm or force of the heartbeat.
arsenal A collection or supply of weapons.
artemisinins A family of plants that includes the Quinghaosu, which has been used to fight malarial fevers in China for more than 2,000 years.
arteries Vessels that carry blood from the heart to the rest of the body.
arteriole Small artery.
arteriosclerosis A disease that results from the accumulation of fatty deposits in the arteries. The fat stiffens and thickens the arterial walls, restricting the flow of blood through the arteries.
artery A muscular blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to another part of the body.
arthritis Inflammation of the joints.
arthroscope An instrument surgically inserted in an incision near a joint, such as the knee, which allows a doctor to see the inside of the joint.
article A complete piece of writing as in a newspaper or magazine.
articular disc Tissue separating the jawbone from the condyle.
artificial insemination The laboratory process of sperm being introduced into a woman’s uterus for purposes of conception.
artificial selection The deliberate breeding of selected plants so that desirable characteristics will be passed on to their offspring.
asana Posture or seat; the third of the sutras of Patanjali.
ascites Abnormal amounts of fluid building up in the abdomen.
ashtanga Eight-limbed path of yoga developed by Patanjali.
ask The price that someone is offering to sell a stock at.
Asperger’s syndrome A disorder most often noted during the school years, characterized by impairments in social interaction and repetitive behavior patterns.
asphyxia Loss of consciousness from lack of oxygen and excess of carbon dioxide in the blood.
asphyxiation Unconsciousness or death caused by lack of oxygen or excess of carbon dioxide—usually caused by interruption of breathing.
aspiration Desire or ambition to achieve something.
assassinate To murder by sudden or secret attack, usually for political reasons.
assault A violent physical attack.
assertive Confident, self-assured.
assessment An evaluation, usually performed by a physician, of a person’s mental, emotional, and social capabilities.
asset An item, ability, or quality that has value. A person’s talents, skills, education, and experience can be assets to an employer.
assimilation The process by which a minority group adopts the customs and attitudes of the majority culture.
assistant movers Muscles that help to make a specific movement, like when you bend your knee and rotate it inward.
assistive device Any number of different tools meant for helping people with motion disabilities to get around.
associate To relate one thing to another.
associate’s degree A degree given by a community college after one completes two years of full-time study or a longer period of part-time study.
assumption An idea or statement that is taken for granted to be true.
asthma A disease of the respiratory system that causes coughing, difficulty breathing, and tightness in the chest.
astigmatism A problem caused by an uneven cornea surface.
astringent Substance used to remove excess oil and close skin pores after cleansing.
asylum Refuge, protection.
asymmetric Having a shape that is not the same on all sides.
asymmetry The lack of symmetry.
asymptomatic The presence of an illness without any symptoms.
ataxic The least common form of cerebral palsy in which the most prominent signs are imbalance and trouble with coordination.
athetoid The form of cerebral palsy in which the most prominent sign is writhing of the hands.
athlete’s foot An itchy foot fungus that affects the feet and toes.
ATM card A card that is used at an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) to make deposits or withdrawals to a bank account.
atmosphere The layer of gases surrounding a planet or other large heavenly body.
atom Smallest building block of an element, such as hydrogen.
atopic dermatitis The most common type of eczema, often caused by an allergic reaction.
atopy A genetic tendency to develop an allergic reaction such as asthma, hay fever, or eczema.
atrium Upper chamber found on each side of the heart.
atrophy Shrinking or wasting.
attention deficit disorder (ADD) A disorder caused by chemical imbalances in the brain that interfere with attention span and concentration.
attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) A condition characterized by disorganization, an inability to concentrate, being easily distracted, impulsiveness, and hyperactivity.
attenuated Weakened.
attitude A way of thinking, behaving, or feeling.
attorney Lawyer; someone who represents you in court.
attribute A quality or characteristic.
attributes A person’s characteristics or traits.
audiogram Type of hearing that uses pure tones (different frequencies and intensities) and speech (words and groups of words)
audiologist A healthcare professional who specializes in hearing loss and related disorders.
auditory Having to do with hearing.
aura Sensory experiences, such as sparkling lights, that appear for some people thirty to sixty minutes before a migraine headache begins.
auricle Entire outer ear, visible to the naked eye.
authoritarian Expecting or imposing complete obedience.
authoritative Highly reliable and accurate, based on evidence.
authority A person with the right or power to make things happen.
authority figure A person with the right or power to make things happen.
author’s voice The distinct style and personality that every writer brings to his or her work.
autism A complex neurological disorder that causes problems with verbal and nonverbal communication and social interaction.
autistic savant An autistic individual with an extraordinary talent.
autoantibodies Antibodies that attack the “self,” that is, your body’s own tissues and organs.
autobiographical A way of writing or speaking that deals with one’s life experience.
autocide A suicide disguised as an automobile accident.
autoclave A machine that uses steam at a high temperature to sterilize surgical instruments and tools.
autoimmune Disorder of your body’s immune system.
autoimmune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) Immune system disease caused by infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
autoimmune disease A condition in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissues.
autoimmune response When the immune system, the system that normally defends the body, attacks the body’s own tissue.
autonomic nervous system Nerves that carry out various automatic functions, such as breathing.
autonomy Independence; the ability to make your own decisions.
autopsy A surgical examination performed on a body to determine the cause of death.
autoradiogram A type of photograph that is created when film is exposed to radiation, such as X-rays.
autosomal dominant A trait that needs to be inherited on only one chromosome of a pair in order for a person to be affected.
autosomal recessive A trait that needs to be inherited on both chromosomes of a pair in order for a person to be affected.
autosome Any chromosome of the first twenty-two pairs (not the X or Y chromosome).
autosomes All the chromosomes except for the pair that determine sex.
avalanche Large mass of material, usually snow, moving swiftly down a mountainside or over a cliff.
avant-garde Of or belonging to the arts; a term often used to describe a person, especially an artist, who is ahead of his or her time.
avatar A changeable image that is used in computer gaming and computer applications to represent a person in the real world.
average daily balance Method of calculating interest on the average of each day’s balances in a billing cycle.
aviation The operation of aircraft.
avolition Psychological state characterized by lack of motivation.
AWOL (absent without leave) The term used for foster youth who leave placement without permission from the agency.
axial Relating to or having the characteristics of an axis.
axon A long, stringlike structure in the neurons of the brain that carries messages in the form of electrical impulses from cell bodies to other parts of the brain.

All information on Teen Health & Wellness is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.

® The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc. 2010.