Glossary

Author: Glossary

  • Dial

    A graduated circular face, similar to a clock face, on which some measurement is indicated by a pointer that moves as the entity being measured (pressure, temperature, or heat) changes.  

  • In vitro diagnostic

    Any device, reagent, material, or system designed for use in the laboratory diagnosis of disease or health status. The term also refers to a general category of entities that are highly and specifically regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and other regulatory bodies.  

  • Radiographic diagnosis

    Identification of an illness by the interpretation of radiographic findings.  

  • Preimplantation genetic diagnosis

    In assisted reproduction, the testing of a fertilized egg for heritable illnesses before the ovum is inserted into the female.  

  • Physical therapist diagnosis

    The clinical classification by a physical therapist of a patient’s impairments, functional limitations, and disabilities.  

  • Physical diagnosis

    Identification of an illness or abnormality by looking at, listening to, percussing, or palpating the patient. In contemporary health care, amid much controversy diagnostic imaging (e.g., ultrasound, nuclear medicine, CT and MRI scans) has replaced many traditional physical diagnostic skills. Diagnosis reached through methods such as palpation, percussion, or auscultation during examination.  

  • Pathological diagnosis

    Determining the cause(s) of an illness or disease by examining fluids and tissues from the patient before or after death. The examination may be performed on blood, plasma, microscopic tissue samples, or gross specimens. A diagnostic approach involving the identification of diseases by scrutinizing cells, tissues, or bodily fluids. Additionally, a clinical diagnosis is pursued,…

  • Oral diagnosis

    The procedure or special area of dentistry devoted to the compilation and study of the patient’s dental history, and a detailed clinical examination of the oral tissues and radiographs to assess the level of oral health, with the object of developing a treatment plan to restore tooth structure and proper occlusion and to promote healing…

  • Medical diagnosis

    The identification of the cause of the patient’s illness or discomfort.  

  • Diagnosis by exclusion

    Identification of a disease by eliminating other implausible diagnoses.