Medical Glossary

A 2D echo is a type of echocardiogram that creates two-dimensional moving images of the heart. It shows the heart chambers, valves, walls, and major blood vessels in real time.

A 3D echocardiogram is an ultrasound test that creates three-dimensional images of the heart. It can give a more detailed view of heart structures, especially valves and chamber shape.

Abnormal means something is outside the expected or healthy range. In cardiology, this may refer to unusual heart size, rhythm, blood flow, valve movement, or heart function.

An acoustic window is a place on the body where ultrasound waves can pass clearly enough to create good heart images. Common echo acoustic windows include the chest, below the ribs, and above the breastbone.

Afterload is the pressure or resistance the heart must work against to pump blood out. High afterload can make it harder for the ventricles to eject blood.

An aneurysm is an abnormal bulging or ballooning of a blood vessel or heart wall. In the heart, it can occur when part of the heart muscle becomes weak.

The aorta is the largest artery in the body. It carries oxygen-rich blood from the left ventricle to the rest of the body.

Aortic regurgitation is leakage of the aortic valve. It happens when blood flows backward from the aorta into the left ventricle after the heart pumps.

The aortic root is the first part of the aorta as it leaves the heart. It includes the area near the aortic valve and is often measured during an echocardiogram.

Aortic stenosis is narrowing of the aortic valve. This makes it harder for blood to leave the left ventricle and enter the aorta.

The aortic valve is the valve between the left ventricle and the aorta. It opens to let blood leave the heart and closes to stop blood from flowing backward.

The apex is the pointed lower tip of the heart. It is usually formed mainly by the left ventricle.

An apical view is an echocardiogram view taken from near the apex of the heart. It is commonly used to see all four chambers and assess heart pumping.

An arrhythmia is an abnormal heart rhythm. The heart may beat too fast, too slow, or irregularly.

Atrial fibrillation is an irregular heart rhythm that starts in the atria. It can cause the upper chambers of the heart to quiver instead of contracting normally.

An atrial septal defect is a hole in the wall between the right and left atria. It is a congenital heart defect, meaning it is usually present from birth.

An atrium is one of the two upper chambers of the heart. The right atrium receives blood from the body, and the left atrium receives blood from the lungs.

The base of the heart is the upper part of the heart where the major blood vessels attach. It is opposite the apex.

Bradycardia means a slower-than-normal heart rate. In adults, it often means a heart rate below 60 beats per minute, although it can be normal in some healthy people.

A bubble study is a special echocardiogram test where tiny bubbles are injected into a vein. It helps detect abnormal openings between heart chambers, such as a PFO or ASD.

Calcification is the buildup of calcium in body tissue. In the heart, it often affects valves and can make them stiff or narrowed.

The cardiac cycle is the complete sequence of events during one heartbeat. It includes the filling phase, called diastole, and the pumping phase, called systole.

Cardiac output is the amount of blood the heart pumps in one minute. It depends on heart rate and stroke volume.

Cardiac tamponade is a dangerous condition where fluid around the heart creates pressure that prevents the heart from filling and pumping properly. It is a medical emergency.

A cardiologist is a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases of the heart and blood vessels.

Cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle. It can make the heart enlarged, thickened, stiff, or weak, affecting how well it pumps blood.

Chordae tendineae are strong, string-like structures inside the heart. They connect valve leaflets to papillary muscles and help prevent valve leaflets from flipping backward.

Color Doppler is an ultrasound technique that uses colors to show the direction and pattern of blood flow through the heart. It is often used to detect valve leakage or abnormal flow.

Congenital heart disease refers to a heart problem that is present from birth. It may affect the heart chambers, valves, blood vessels, or walls between chambers.

Continuous-wave Doppler is an echo technique that measures high-speed blood flow. It is useful for measuring severe valve narrowing or leakage.

Contractility refers to how strongly the heart muscle contracts. Reduced contractility means the heart may not pump blood effectively.

A contrast echocardiogram uses a special contrast agent to improve the visibility of heart structures. It can help doctors see the heart chambers and pumping function more clearly.

Coronary arteries are the blood vessels that supply oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle. Blockage of these arteries can cause chest pain or a heart attack.

In cardiology, a counterfactual definition refers to a hypothetical scenario that is contrary to the actual facts or events. It is a thought experiment that imagines a different outcome or course of events, often used to evaluate the potential consequences of a particular action or decision.

Diastole is the phase of the cardiac cycle when the heart muscle relaxes and the chambers fill with blood. It occurs between heartbeats.

Diastolic refers to the phase of the cardiac cycle when the heart muscle relaxes and allows the chambers to fill with blood. It is the lowest pressure in the arteries when the heart is at rest between beats.

Diagnosis is the identification of a disease or medical condition. In cardiology, a diagnosis may be based on symptoms, physical examination, ECG, echocardiogram, blood tests, or other imaging.

Dilated cardiomyopathy is a condition where the heart muscle becomes enlarged and weakened, leading to reduced pumping ability. It can result in heart failure and other complications.

Doppler ultrasound is a technique that uses sound waves to evaluate blood flow in the heart and blood vessels. It can detect valve problems, blockages, and other circulatory issues.

An echocardiogram is a diagnostic test that uses ultrasound to create images of the heart. It provides information about the structure and function of the heart, including the size, shape, and movement of the heart chambers and valves.

Echocardiography is a diagnostic test that uses ultrasound waves to create an image of the heart. It is a non-invasive procedure that provides detailed information about the structure and function of the heart, including the size, shape, and movement of the heart chambers and valves.

Echo is the short name for echocardiogram. It refers to an ultrasound scan of the heart.

End-diastolic volume, or EDV, is the amount of blood in a ventricle at the end of diastole, just before the heart contracts. It represents how much blood the ventricle has filled with before pumping.

Ejection fraction is the percentage of blood pumped out of a ventricle with each heartbeat. It is most commonly used to measure how well the left ventricle is pumping.

EF stands for ejection fraction. It is a key measurement on an echocardiogram that shows the percentage of blood the left ventricle ejects during systole.

An electrocardiogram is a test that records the electrical activity of the heart. It is used to detect rhythm problems, heart attacks, and other cardiac abnormalities.

Endocarditis is an infection of the inner lining of the heart or heart valves. It can damage valves and may appear on an echocardiogram as abnormal growths called vegetations.

The endocardium is the thin inner lining of the heart chambers and valves. It is the layer that comes into direct contact with blood inside the heart.

End-systolic volume, or ESV, is the amount of blood left in a ventricle at the end of systole, just after the heart contracts. It represents the blood remaining after the ventricle has pumped blood out.

A fetal echocardiogram is an ultrasound test used to examine the heart of an unborn baby. It can help detect congenital heart defects before birth.

A finding is an observation or result from a medical test. In an echocardiogram, findings may include valve leakage, chamber enlargement, or abnormal heart wall movement.

Fractional shortening is a measurement of how much the left ventricle narrows during contraction. It is used as one way to estimate heart pumping function.

Gel is a substance placed on the skin during an ultrasound. It helps sound waves travel between the transducer and the body, improving image quality.

Global longitudinal strain is an echocardiogram measurement of how well the heart muscle fibers shorten during contraction. It can detect subtle changes in heart function.

The heart is a muscular organ that pumps blood throughout the body. It supplies oxygen and nutrients to tissues and helps remove waste products.

Heart failure is a condition where the heart cannot pump or fill with blood well enough to meet the body’s needs. It does not mean the heart has stopped, but that it is not working effectively.

Heart rate is the number of times the heart beats per minute. It is often measured in beats per minute, or bpm.

A heartbeat is one complete contraction and relaxation of the heart. It moves blood through the heart and into the blood vessels.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a disease where the heart muscle becomes abnormally thick. This can make it harder for the heart to fill or pump blood.

An image plane is the angle or slice through which the heart is viewed during an echocardiogram. Different image planes show different heart structures.

The inferior vena cava is a large vein that carries oxygen-poor blood from the lower body back to the right atrium. Its size can help estimate pressure in the right side of the heart.

Insufficiency is another term for valve leakage or regurgitation. It means a valve does not close properly, allowing blood to flow backward.

IVC size refers to the measurement of the inferior vena cava. On an echocardiogram, it can help estimate right atrial pressure and fluid status.

A leaflet is a thin flap of tissue that forms part of a heart valve. Leaflets open and close to control blood flow through the heart.

Left atrial size refers to the measurement of the left atrium. Enlargement can be associated with conditions such as high blood pressure, mitral valve disease, or atrial fibrillation.

The left atrium is the upper left chamber of the heart. It receives oxygen-rich blood from the lungs and sends it to the left ventricle.

The left ventricle is the lower left chamber of the heart. It pumps oxygen-rich blood into the aorta and out to the body.

Left ventricular size refers to the measurement of the left ventricle. An enlarged or thickened left ventricle can suggest heart disease or increased workload on the heart.

Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is the central measure of left ventricular systolic function. LVEF is the fraction of chamber volume ejected in systole (stroke volume) in relation to the volume of the blood in the ventricle at the end of diastole (end-diastolic volume).

Mild means a small or less serious degree of abnormality. In an echo report, mild may describe slight valve leakage, narrowing, or chamber enlargement.

Mitral regurgitation is leakage of the mitral valve. It allows blood to flow backward from the left ventricle into the left atrium during contraction.

Mitral stenosis is narrowing of the mitral valve. It makes it harder for blood to flow from the left atrium into the left ventricle.

The mitral valve is the valve between the left atrium and left ventricle. It opens to allow blood into the left ventricle and closes to prevent backward flow.

Moderate means a middle level of severity. In cardiology, it describes an abnormality that is more than mild but not as serious as severe.

M-mode, or motion mode, is an echocardiogram technique that records the movement of heart structures over time. It is useful for measuring chamber size and valve motion.

The myocardium is the muscular middle layer of the heart wall. It contracts to pump blood through the heart and body.

Noninvasive means a test or procedure does not require entering the body with instruments or surgery. A standard transthoracic echocardiogram is noninvasive.

Normal means within the expected healthy range. In an echo report, normal may describe chamber size, valve function, blood flow, or pumping ability.

Palpitations are the feeling that the heart is racing, fluttering, pounding, or skipping beats. They may be caused by stress, caffeine, arrhythmias, or other conditions.

Papillary muscles are small muscles inside the ventricles. They attach to the chordae tendineae and help support the mitral and tricuspid valves.

A parasternal view is an echocardiogram view taken from the left side of the chest near the breastbone. It is commonly used to see the ventricles, valves, and aorta.

A patent foramen ovale is a small opening between the right and left atria that did not fully close after birth. It is common and often causes no symptoms.

A pericardial effusion is a buildup of fluid in the sac around the heart. If large, it can press on the heart and affect its ability to pump.

The pericardium is the thin sac that surrounds the heart. It helps protect the heart and reduce friction as it beats.

A pressure gradient is the difference in pressure between two areas of the heart or blood vessels. In echocardiography, it is often used to assess valve narrowing.

Preload is the amount of stretch in the heart muscle before it contracts. It is related to how much blood fills the ventricles before systole.

A probe is a medical device used to examine the body. In echocardiography, the probe is the transducer that sends and receives ultrasound waves.

Prolapse means that a valve leaflet bulges or moves backward farther than normal. Mitral valve prolapse is a common example.

The pulmonary artery carries oxygen-poor blood from the right ventricle to the lungs. It is the main artery involved in pulmonary circulation.

Pulmonary artery pressure is the pressure in the arteries that carry blood from the heart to the lungs. An echocardiogram can estimate this pressure using Doppler measurements.

Pulmonary circulation is the movement of blood between the heart and lungs. It allows blood to pick up oxygen and release carbon dioxide.

Pulmonary regurgitation is leakage of the pulmonary valve. It allows blood to flow backward from the pulmonary artery into the right ventricle.

The pulmonary valve is the valve between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery. It opens to let blood go to the lungs and closes to prevent backward flow.

The pulmonary veins carry oxygen-rich blood from the lungs to the left atrium. They are unusual because they are veins that carry oxygenated blood.

Pulsed-wave Doppler is an echo technique that measures blood flow speed at a specific point. It is useful for assessing flow through valves and vessels.

Regurgitant volume is the amount of blood that leaks backward through a valve. It helps measure the severity of valve regurgitation.

Regurgitation means backward leakage of blood through a heart valve. It happens when a valve does not close properly.

Restrictive cardiomyopathy is a disease where the heart muscle becomes stiff. The heart may pump normally but has trouble filling with blood.

The right atrium is the upper right chamber of the heart. It receives oxygen-poor blood from the body through the vena cava.

The right ventricle is the lower right chamber of the heart. It pumps oxygen-poor blood to the lungs through the pulmonary artery.

Right ventricular size refers to the measurement of the right ventricle. Enlargement may suggest lung disease, pulmonary hypertension, or certain heart conditions.

Screening is testing done to look for possible disease before symptoms are obvious. In cardiology, screening may include ECG, echocardiogram, or other heart tests.

Sedation is the use of medication to help a patient relax or become sleepy during a procedure. It may be used during a transesophageal echocardiogram.

In cardiology, segmentation refers to the process of dividing an image into multiple segments or regions based on certain criteria or features. It is commonly used in medical imaging to identify and analyze specific structures or areas of interest within an image, such as the heart.

The septum is the wall that separates the right and left sides of the heart. The atrial septum separates the atria, and the ventricular septum separates the ventricles.

Severe means a high or serious degree of abnormality. In an echo report, severe valve disease or heart dysfunction usually needs close medical attention.

Sinus rhythm is the normal heart rhythm that originates from the sinoatrial node. It is characterized by a regular and coordinated contraction of the heart chambers.

A sonographer is a healthcare professional who performs ultrasound examinations. In cardiology, they may conduct echocardiograms to visualize the heart and its structures.

Speckle tracking is an echocardiographic technique that analyzes the movement of speckles (small bright spots) in ultrasound images to assess myocardial function.

Stenosis is the abnormal narrowing of a heart valve or blood vessel. It can restrict blood flow and lead to various cardiovascular complications.

A stress echocardiogram is an echocardiogram performed while the patient is under physical stress, usually through exercise or medication. It helps assess how well the heart functions under increased workload.

Stroke volume is the amount of blood pumped out of the left ventricle with each heartbeat. It is calculated by multiplying the end-systolic volume by the ejection fraction.

The subcostal view is an echocardiographic perspective that allows visualization of the heart from below the rib cage. It is useful for assessing certain cardiac structures and functions.

The superior vena cava is a large vein that carries oxygen-poor blood from the upper half of the body to the right atrium of the heart.

A superpixel is a group of pixels that share similar characteristics or properties, such as color, texture, or intensity. Superpixels are used in image processing and computer vision to reduce the complexity of an image while preserving important features and structures. They are often used as building blocks for higher-level image analysis tasks, such as object detection and segmentation.

The suprasternal view is an echocardiographic perspective that provides a clear image of the heart's outflow tract and great vessels. It is obtained by placing the ultrasound transducer above the sternum.

Systemic circulation is the movement of blood from the heart to the rest of the body and back. It delivers oxygen and nutrients to tissues and removes waste products.

Systole is the phase of the cardiac cycle when the heart muscle contracts and pumps blood from the chambers into the arteries. It is the highest pressure in the arteries when the heart beats and pushes blood out into the circulatory system.

Systolic refers to the phase of the cardiac cycle when the heart muscle contracts and pumps blood from the chambers into the arteries. It is the highest pressure in the arteries when the heart beats and pushes blood out into the circulatory system.

Tachycardia is a heart condition characterized by an abnormally fast heart rate, typically defined as a rate over 100 beats per minute in adults.

A thrombus is a blood clot that forms and remains within a blood vessel or the heart. It can obstruct blood flow and lead to serious complications such as stroke or heart attack.

Tissue Doppler is an echocardiographic technique that measures the velocity of myocardial tissue motion. It is used to assess cardiac function and detect abnormalities in heart muscle contraction.

A transducer is a device used in ultrasound imaging to convert electrical energy into sound waves and vice versa. It is placed on the skin to transmit and receive ultrasound signals for image formation.

A transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) is an echocardiogram performed by inserting an ultrasound probe into the esophagus. It provides detailed images of the heart's structures and is often used when standard transthoracic echocardiography is insufficient.

A transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) is a non-invasive imaging test that uses ultrasound waves to create images of the heart's structure and function through the chest wall.

Tricuspid regurgitation is a condition where the tricuspid valve does not close properly, allowing blood to flow backward from the right ventricle to the right atrium during systole.

The tricuspid valve is located between the right atrium and the right ventricle of the heart. It prevents blood from flowing back from the ventricle to the atrium during contraction.

Ultrasound is a diagnostic imaging technique that uses high-frequency sound waves to visualize internal body structures. In cardiology, it is used to assess heart structure and function.

A valve is a structure in the heart that prevents blood from flowing backward. There are four main valves in the heart: the tricuspid valve, the pulmonary valve, the mitral valve, and the aortic valve.

Valve area is a measurement used to assess the size of a heart valve opening. It is typically measured in square centimeters and is important for evaluating valve function and determining the need for valve replacement or repair.

Vegetation refers to abnormal growths on the surface of heart valves, often caused by infection. These growths can lead to valve damage and affect heart function.

Velocity is the speed at which blood flows through the heart or blood vessels. It is an important parameter in assessing cardiac function and blood flow dynamics.

The vena cava is a large vein that carries oxygen-poor blood from the upper and lower parts of the body back to the right atrium of the heart.

A ventricle is a chamber of the heart that pumps blood out to the lungs or the rest of the body. The right ventricle pumps blood to the lungs, while the left ventricle pumps blood to the rest of the body.

A ventricular septal defect (VSD) is a hole in the wall (septum) that separates the two lower chambers (ventricles) of the heart. This allows blood to flow between the ventricles, which can lead to various complications.

Wall motion refers to the movement of the heart muscle walls during contraction and relaxation. It is an important indicator of cardiac function and is assessed during echocardiography.

Wall thickness is a measurement of the thickness of the heart muscle walls, particularly the left ventricle. It is used to assess cardiac hypertrophy and overall heart health.