Medical Terminology for Malingerers Quiz

Answer: a bruise

An ecchymosis is a bruise. This medical term comes from two Greek words "ek" (meaning out) and "chymos" (meaning juice). The "juice" being referred to is the blood which is "out" of the blood vessel and causing discolouration of the skin. In Australian terminology, a "bludger" is someone who is lazy, imposes on others and avoids work wherever possible. According to Monty Python, Bruce is a very popular first name in Australia ("Mind if we call you Bruce, just to keep it clear").

Answer: "tummy rumbles"

Borborygmi are "tummy rumbles" or the audible gurgling sounds made in the abdomen by the passage of gas through the liquid contents of the intestine. They are quite normal. This medical term comes from the Greek word "borborygmos" which means "growling bowels".

Answer: hair loss

Alopecia comes from the Greek word "alopekia" which means "fox mange", because mangy foxes lose their fur, leaving bald patches.

Answer: ear wax

Cerumen comes from the Latin "cera" and the Greek "keros", both meaning wax. Ear wax is secreted by glands located at the outer third of the ear canal.

Answer: chicken pox

Varicella is another name for chickenpox. It is Latin for "tiny spot". You don't catch chickenpox from chickens (although you do catch cowpox from cows). This relatively mild disease was given the name chickenpox in the 18th century to distinguish it from the more serious disease smallpox. "Chicken" was meant to imply weak or petty (such as in expressions like chicken out, chicken-hearted or chicken-feed).

Answer: a scar

The medical term "cicatrix" is Latin for scar. The English word "scar" is derived from the Greek "eskhara" meaning "scab".

Answer: a headache

Cephalalgia is a headache, as in "not tonight dear, I have cephalalgia". It is derived from two Greek words "kephale" (meaning head) and "algos" (meaning pain).

Answer: yawning and stretching

Pandiculation is yawning and the associated stretching of the limbs upon waking from sleep. It comes from the Latin "pandiculari" meaning "to stretch oneself".

Answer: intoxication

Yes, there really is such a word! Crapulent means suffering from the effects of excessive drinking and is related to intoxication. From the Latin "crapula" meaning excessive drinking. It is a socially acceptable medical term. (I'll bet you can't wait to drop this word into a conversation!)

Answer: all of these choices are correct

All of the above statements are true. The medical term "hypochondria" does literally translate as "condition under the cartilage", referring to the rib cartilage. The ancient Greeks believed that this was where your "sense of wellbeing" was located. So if you were the type of person who was abnormally concerned about your health or if you believed you were sick, despite medical evidence to the contrary, they reasoned that there was something wrong with you "under the rib cartilage". Bruce isn't a hypochondriac - just a bludger!