Medical Terms - Medical Terminology

Glossary of medical terms and their definitions

Online dictionary of medical terminology

Abdominal hysterectomy - Surgical removal of the uterus.
Aberration - Deviation, irregularity.
Abdominal aorta - Final section of largest artery.
ABO blood groups - Major blood group system.
Abortion - Premature exit of products from uterus.
ABR - Auditory Brainstem Response
Abortive medication – Drug stopping attack of severe headache.
Abscess -Local accumulation of pus.
Absorption -Uptake of food from digestive tract.
Acanthamoeba -Microscopic organism.
Acapnia - Low level of carbon dioxide in the blood.
Acellular vaccine - Vaccine containing cellular material.
Acetylsalicylic acid - Aspirin.
Achalasia - Disease of esophagus as a result of abnormal nerve functioning.
Achilles tendonitis - Achilles tendon inflammation.
Achlorhydria - Low level of hydrochloric acid in stomach.
Acid reflux - High level of acid in stomach.
Acne - Pimple. Skin inflammation caused by excessive functioning of the oil glands at hair follicles.
Acne vulgaris - Acne due to plugged, red, and inflamed oil glands.
Acoustic neuroma - Benign tumor in inner ear.
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome - AIDS.
Acrocyanosis - Blue color on the ends of hands and feet.
Acrodermatitis enteropathica - Skin inflammation and diarrhea occurring together.
Acrodynia - Pain in the extremities.
Acute - Short duration of disease as opposed to chronic.
Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) - Disease at high altitude environment.
Acute tubular necrosis - Disease related to very low blood pressure.
ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) - Behavior control problem resulting in lack of attention and concentration.
Addison's disease - Low functioning of adrenal gland.
Adduction - Shifting of limb toward the middle part of the body as opposed to abduction.
Adenocarcinoma - Cancer in the lining or inner surface of organs. Adenosine deaminase (ADA) - Enzyme related to salvaging.
Admission note – Paper prepared to admit patient to hospital.
Adrenaline - Epinephrine produced by adrenal gland.
Adverse effect – Unwanted effect of medication.
Aerophagia - Air intake that causes stomach gas.
Aetiology - Study of causes and diseases.
Agenesis - Low level.
Agnosia - Recognition disease, loss of knowledge to recognize objects and persons, without any significant memory loss.
Age of onset – Age when person start developing first symptoms of disease.
Agonist - Drug binding and altering activity of receptor.
Albumin - Main protein in blood.
Allergic rhinitis - Hay fever.
Allergy - Excessive sensitivity of immune system to environment or food.
Allopathic medicine – Opposite of homeopathy, alternative medicine (including Ayurveda).
Alternative medicine - Natural healing without surgery and medicine.
Alzheimer's disease - Dementia. Brain disease resulting in destruction of brain cells.
Amino acid - Protein enhancer.
Amputation - Surgical removal of parts of body.
Anemia - Low level of red blood cells (hemoglobin) in blood.
Anesthesia - Process that results in loss of feeling or awareness, especially before surgery.
b - Chest pain due to lack of oxygen.
Angiogram - X-ray of blood vessels.
Angioplasty - Insertion of balloon-tipped catheter to enlarge coronary artery.
Anorexia - Loss of appetite, rejection of food.
Anoxia - Lack of oxygen.
Antibiotics - Drugs used to fight infection.
Antigen - Antibody substance that triggers immune response.
Antiseptic - Substance to prevent growth microorganisms.
Apgar score – Scoring of health of newborn child in terms of Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, Respiration.
Aphonia - Not being able to speak.
Appendectomy - Surgical appendix removal.
Arteriosclerosis - Hardening of artery walls.
Arthritis - Joint inflammation.
Ascaris - Intestinal roundworms.
Asthma - Bronchospasm causing breathing problem due to narrowing of airways.
Astigmatism - Vision problem causing blurry images.
Audiology - Study related to hearing.
Auditory agnosia – Loss of ability to differentiate sounds.
Aura – Short period of time just before migraine when person feels strange light or smell.
Autism - Continuous behavior problem developed in early childhood.
Autopsy - Necropsy. Medical examination of body after death.
Bacteria - Microorganisms having single cell (parasites).
Barbotage – Injection of fluid repeatedly.
Bedside manner – Treatment of patient by medical professional.
Behcet's syndrome - Composed of mouth (apthous) ulcers, genital ulcers, and inflammation around the pupil of the eye (uveitis).
Belching - Upper abdominal discomfort having symptoms similar to heart or lung disease.
Benign - Not malignant cancer.
Benignity – Mild sickness that does not progress.
Beta blockers - Drugs blocking the action of adrenaline and relieving stress to the heart muscle.
Bilirubin - Liquid produced from red blood cells.
Biopsy - Sampling for cancer cells.
Bipolar disease - Also called manic-depression gradually shifting from one mood to another.
Blood transfusion - Transfer of blood between two persons.
Bone density - Amount of bone tissue measured by X-ray topographically.
Bone marrow - Soft substance (fat and white blood cells) that fills inside of bones.
Bronchitis - Inflammation (swelling and reddening) of the bronchi.
Bruise - Contusion. Traumatic injury of the soft tissues.
Bunion - Swelling and inflammation at the base of big toe.
Bypass - Surgery to increase blood supply to from coronary artery to heart muscle.
Caesarian section - C- Section. Surgical removal of baby from the uterus rather than through vagina.
Cardio – Relating to heart.
Case report – Report containing symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and follow up of patient.
Central venous pressure (CVP) – It shows amount of blood returning to heart and ability of heart to pump blood into arteries.
Cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) – Pressure pushing blood into brain.
Cervical conization – Biopsy of cervix by taking cone-shaped sample.
Chemoprophylaxis – Prevent spread of disease by medication.
Chronic care – Medical care of long-term sickness as opposed to acute (short-term) sickness.
Cluttering – Speech disorder resulting in fast-pace speaking.
Compliance – Regular and correct application of medical advice.
Complication – Undesired development of medical condition.
Consolidation – Hardening of soft tissue.
Contraindication – Increased level of risk due to using same drug or particular activity.
Convulsion – Shaking of body out of control, seizure.
Core temperature – Temperature of organ compared to surrounding structures.
Cosmesis – Surgical correction to preserve good appearance of body.
Cystitis – Bladder inflammation.
Deformation - Getting out of shape or size.
Degeneration - Deterioration.
Dehydration - Significant loss of body water.
Dementia - Memory loss of intellectual abilities impairing daily functions.
Depression - Dejection, apathy, anorexia, lack of emotional expression, social withdrawal and unexplained fatigue.
Dermatitis - Skin inflammation.
Dextrocardia - Location of heart on the right (instead of left) side.
Diabetes mellitus - Extremely high levels of sugar (glucose) in the blood.
Diagnosis of exclusion - Medical condition that requires more examination and testing.
Dialysis - Blood cleansing (especially kidneys) with the help of a special machine.
Diaphragm - Muscle separating chest and abdomen.
Diarrhea - Excessive bowel movements discharging fluid.
Differential diagnosis (DDx) – Systematic method of identifying unknowns by elimination process.
Disease registry – Collection of patient’s diseases, disease history.
Diverticulum – Hollow in body.
Dizziness - Lightheadedness.
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) - Molecule containing genetic information.
Donor - Organ provider.
Drug-induced fever – Medication to develop patient’s fever.
Duodenitis - Duodenum inflammation.
Dysdiadochokinesia- Not being able to move fast and alternatively.
Dyslexia - Serious disease relating to reading and understanding symbols.
Dysthymia - Depressive status affecting daily functions partially.
Dysuria - Difficulty during urination.
E. coli - Escherichia coli, a bacteria in colon bacillus.
e-Patient (Internet patient) – Collecting patient’s medical information over the Internet.
Ebullism – Producing gas bubbles in body fluids due to change in altitude.
Ectopic – Anatomically in wrong place. Opposite of entopic.
Eczema - Skin reaction such as atopic (allergic) dermatitis.
Electrocardiogram - Data relating to heart's electrical activity.
Endocardium - Interior lining of heart chambers.
Endogenous - Relating to inside.
Endoscopy - Examination of inner body with endoscope, a lighted, flexible tube.
Entopic – Anatomically in right place. Opposite of ectopic.
Enzyme - Catalyst protein catalyst to alter chemical reaction.
Epicardium - A part of pericardium, a thin surface layer of heart.
Epicardial – Outside cardiac muscle.
Epidemic - Outbreak of contagious disease.
Epiphenomenon – Phenomenon that happens parallel to primary phenomenon.
Erythema - Skin inflammation due to sunburn.
Extracorporeal – Medical procedure outside of body.
Estrogen - Female hormone produced by ovaries.
Exfoliate - To peal off scaly skin.
Fallopian tubes - Tubes in females carrying egg to the womb, or uterus.
Family history – Diseases and disorders in patient’s direct blood relatives had.
Fertile - Ability to conceive, give birth.
Fetoscopy - Examination of fetus with a device called fetoscope.
Fever - Body temperature exceeding 98.6 degrees F. (37 degrees C.).
Fiber - Contents of fruits and vegetables that body cannot digest.
Fibrositis - Fibromyalgia, painful disease related to muscles and joints.
Fistula - Abnormality in passageway.
Flu - Influenza.
Focal epilepsy – Sub category of epilepsy , isolated disturbance of cerebral function.
Folate (folic acid) - Genetic element in nucleic acid synthesis lack of which may result in megaloblastic anemia.
Fomite – Substance carrying germs or parasites spreading to other persons.
Foot fungus - Athlete's foot.
Fremitus – Vibration in certain part of body.
Frostbite - Freezing of tissues.
Fulminant – Sudden and intense occurrence of sickness.
Functional symptom – Medical symptom with no identifying cause.
Galactose - Sugar content.
Gallstones - Tiny stones in the gallbladder.
Ganglion – Tissue mass.
Gangrene - Dying of tissues as a result of loss of blood.
Gastrectomy - Partial removal of stomach.
Gastric ulcer - Damage generally in the form of a hole in stomach due to high levels of acid.
Gastritis - Stomach inflammation.
Gene therapy - Replacement or alteration of gene to treat a disease.
Genital herpes - Viral infection originating from moist mucous linings of genitals.
Gingivitis - Gum inflammation.
Glaucoma - High fluid pressure inside the eyes.
Glossitis - Tongue inflammation.
Glucose - Contents of sugar.
Gluten - Protein in grains.
Gout - Disease caused by high levels of uric acid in the blood due to inflammation in a body part.
Gum disease - Inflammation and loss of bone around teeth.
Gynecologic oncologists - Doctors specializing in treating female reproductive organ cancers.
Heartburn - Burning in the stomach due to high levels of acid.
Heart murmur - Heart sound that may or may not be a clue for heart disease.
Hematuria - Blood in urine.
Hemodialysis - Blood cleansing with machine.
Hemoglobin - Red blood cells that carry oxygen.
Hemolytic anemia - Anemia due to loss of red blood cells.
Hemophilia - Bleeding problem.
Hemorrhage - Internal accumulation of blood.
Hemorrhoids - Vein enlargement around the rectum.
Hepatitis - Liver inflammation.
Hernia - Rupture.
Hiccups - Involuntary spasmodic contractions of diaphragm.
Histamine - Drug used for allergic reactions to dilate blood vessels.
HIV - Human Immunodeficiency Virus.
Hormone - Chemical substance regulating cell activities.
Hybrid - Cross-fertilization between different parents.
Hyperthyroid - Excessive functioning of thyroid.
Hyperuricosuria – Excessive uric acid.
Hypoglycemia - Low level of sugar glucose in the blood.
Hyponatremia - Low blood sodium.
Hypothyroid - Low functioning of thyroid.
Hysterectomy - Surgical removal uterus and/or cervix.
Idiopathic – Occurring spontaneously.
Idiosyncrasy – Habit of body.
Illness – Sickness, poor health.
Immune - Protection against infection.
Immunization - Vaccinations to strengthen immune system of the body.
Indication - Valid reason of use of drug, surgery, or test.
Infiltration – Accumulation or diffusion of substances in excess amounts.
Insufflation – Inhaling substance to relive respiratory problem in sinuses or lungs.
Invasive – Penetrating skin or growth of tumor.
Joint hyper mobility syndrome - Movement of joints beyond normal ranges.
Keratin - Protein in the upper layer of the skin, hair, nails and animal horns.
Keratoplasty - Corneal transplant.
Ketoacidosis - Ketosis, accumulation of ketone bodies in the blood.
Labor - Process during which baby comes from the uterus to outside world.
Lactase - Enzyme that breaks down milk sugar.
Laryngitis - Larynx inflammation.
Laser - Surgery with the help of laser beams.
Lethal - Deadly.
Leukemia - Blood cancer.
Leukocytosis - Excessive levels of white blood cells.
Lipid - Fatty substance.
Lipoma - Benign fatty tumor.
Lithotomy - Surgical removal of a stone.
Long-term care (LTC) – Medical care of patients with chronic diseases or disabilities.
Lubricant - Oily substance for slippery movement.
Lymph - Lymphatic system fluid carrying cells to fight infection.
Macroscopic - Opposite of microscopic, can be seen without any magnifying instrument.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) - Magnet-derived computerized system to show parts of the body.
Malacia - Softening of tissue abnormally.
Malaise - Discomfort.
Malaria - Disease caused by protozoan parasite plasmodium spread by Anopheles mosquito.
Malignant - Resistant to treatment.
Mammogram - Breast x-ray.
Manic - Mood disorder
Mastectomy - Surgical removal of breast.
Maternal death – Obstetrical death after pregnancy.
Measles - Rubeola
Medical consensus – General agreement by council of physicians for best application.
Medical state – Medical condition of patient in hospital.
Medulla - Innermost part.
Melanoma - Skin cell cancer.
Membrane - Thin layer of tissue.
Menopause - Permanent termination of menstrual periods.
Menstruation - Period. Periodic blood discharge from uterus.
Metabolism - Biochemical processes in organisms.
Metastasis - Spread of cancer throughout body.
Meteoropathy – Pain or suffering due to climate.
Migraine - Periodic, severe headaches.
Miscarriage - Premature loss of fetus.
Mitral insufficiency - Malfunctioning of heart's mitral valve.
Mole - Pigment spot on the skin (nevus), mass within uterus.
Molecule - Smallest living substance.
Monotherapy – Application of single medication.
Morgue - Location to keep dead bodies.
Morphology - Study of forms or structures.
MRI - Magnetic Resonance Imaging.
Multigravida – Pregnancy more than once.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) - Disease that occurs at central nervous system endings.
Mumps immunization - MMR vaccine to prevent measles, mumps and rubella.
Muscle - Body parts empowering the body.
Mutation - Gene-change.
Myelin - Fatty substance around the nerves.
Myeloma - Bone marrow tumor.
Myocardium - The heart muscle.
Myokymia – Out of control movement of eye muscles.
Myopia - Nearsightedness.
Nasal - Relating to nose.
Nausea - Vomit causing.
Necrosis - Dying of cell or tissue.
Nephritis - Kidney inflammation.
Neural - Related to nerve cells.
Neuralgia - Nerve pain.
Neuron – Nervous cell.
Nocebo – Undesired, unexpected reaction.
Node - Tissue collection.
Nucleus - Composition of chromosomes.
Nutrition - Food science.
Obesity - Being overweight.
Obstetrics - Pregnancy, labor and after-delivery management.
Ocular prosthesis – Artificial, bionic eye.
Ocularist – Specialist in treating patients who lost their eyes.
Occult - Hidden and difficult to see, supernatural.
Oncologist - Doctor specializing in cancer treatment.
Ophthalmic - Related to eye.
Oral surgeon - A dentist authorized to conduct surgery of the mouth and jaw.
Orchitis - Testis inflammation.
Osteopetrosis - Bone thickening.
Osteoporosis - Reduction in bone mass, calcium, and bone protein resulting in bone weakening.
Outpatient - Medical treatment without hospitalization. Opposite of inpatient.
Ovarian cancer - Cancer of the ovary.
Ovulation - Egg outflow from the ovary.
Palsy – Paralysis of a body part.
Palliate - Partial treatment of disease.
Palpebra - Eyelid.
Palpitations - Irregular heartbeat.
Pancreatitis - Pancreas inflammation.
PAP test - Examination of cervix cells under microscope.
Papillary muscle - Muscles connected to heart valves.
Parasite - Organism nourished by another animal or plant.
Parathyroid - Calcium-regulating thyroid gland.
Paresthesia - Numbness, tingling, or burning.
Parkinson's disease - Disease caused by degenerated brain cells.
Parotitis - Parotid gland inflammation.
Pathognomonic – Unquestionable sign or symptom, diagnosis of disease.
Patient empowerment – Encouragement of patient to live a life of their own choice rather than accepting one imposed by others.
Patient safety – Reporting and prevention of medical errors.
Pedigree - Health history of family relationships.
Pedodontics - Children's dentistry.
Penicillin - Earliest antibiotics.
Peptic ulcer - Stomach, duodenum, or esophagus ulcer.
Pericarditis - Pericardium inflammation that results in chest pain and fluid accumulation around the heart.
Perinatal mortality (PNM) – Death of fetus during pregnancy.
Pharmacology - Study of drugs.
Phlebitis - Vein inflammation.
Phobia - Fear.
Phoniatrics – Treatment of speech organs.
Physician - Medical doctor.
Physiatrist - Doctor who specializes in physical medicine and rehabilitation.
Placebo - Dummy drug, sugar pill.
Plasma - Blood fluid.
Pneumo- - Relating to respiration.
Pneumonia - Infection resulting in accumulation of fluid and cells in the lungs.
Podiatrist - Foot specialist.
Point-of-care testing (POCT) – Diagnostic testing at patient’s location.
Polio - Poliomyelitis.
Pollen - Tiny, dry protein particles from plants.
Polydipsia - Continuous feeling of thirst.
Polyp - Accumulation of tissues inside organs.
Ponderal index – Used in measuring leanness of individual.
Postprandial – After eating.
Prognosis - Projection of patient's heal status in the future, probability of disease or recovery.
Prophylaxis - Disease prevention rather than curing or treating.
Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) - Prostate-produced protein in the blood.
Prostatectomy - Surgical removal of prostate gland.
Proteinuria - High levels of protein in the urine.
Psoriasis - Skin disease on elbows, knees, scalp, and other body regions.
Psychiatrist - Doctor specialist in treatment of mental illness.
Puberty - Adolescence.
Pulmonary - Related to lungs.
Pulse - Rhythmic dilation of artery in counting the heartbeat.
Pupil - Iris opening.
Pyogenic infection – Local infection or inflammation.
Pyogenic infection – Infection caused by dead leukocytes (pus).
Quarantine - Isolation to prevent infectious disease.
Rabies - Viral disease generally spread by animal bite.
Radio Frequency Ablation (RFA) – Treatment of tumors with the help of CT scan or ultrasound.
Radiotherapy - Ion radiation therapy.
Rash - Skin eruption.
Reagent - Substance producing chemical reaction to detect and measure other substances.
Recalcitrant - Stubborn.
Rectal cancer - Malignant large intestine tumor.
Recuperate - Recover.
Reflex - Involuntary reaction.
Reflux - Liquid build up in esophagus originating from stomach.
Refractory anemia - Low levels of red blood cells.
Regress - Return or repetition.
Rehabilitation - Recovery from injury of sickness.
Remedy - Cure.
Replication - Repetition, reproduction.
Resection - Surgical removal.
Respiration - Inhaling and exhaling air.
Rheumatism - Painful disease in muscles, tendons, joints, and bones.
Rhinitis - Nose irritation.
Schizophrenia - Psychosis, feeling of withdrawal, loss of intellectual and emotional properties.
Scoliosis - Lateral curvature of spine.
Screening – Detecting disease without symptoms.
Sedentary life style – Inactive life style lacking exercise and sitting idle.
Seizure - Epileptic convulsion.
Self-diagnosis – Identifying disease by patient reading books, relying on experience, or surfing on the Internet.
Sequela – Medical condition causing trauma or injury.
Serotonin - Brain chemical transmitting nerve impulses.
Serum - Liquid separating blood clots.
Sever's disease - Calcaneal apophysitis, heel pain.
Shock - Sudden withdrawal of blood flow in the body.
Sinus tachycardia - Fast heartbeat.
Sinusitis - Inflammation in the nasal hollow areas.
SOAP note - Subjective, Objective, Assessment, and Plan written by doctor on patient’s chart also containing admission note.
Social medicine – Study of impact of work and living on medical health.
Sociogenic illness – Medical disorder spread within a social group.
Sopor – Deep sleeping problem due to medication.
Splenectomy - Surgical removal of the spleen.
Spontaneous remission – Improvement of medical problem without any known reason.
Sputum - Lung mucus.
Stasis – Slowing or stopping flow of fluid.
Stenosis – Narrowing of tubes or vessels abnormally.
Steroids - Chemical substances.
Strep - Streptococcus bacteria.
Subluxation - Joint dislocation.
Sudomotor – Stimulation of glands to produce sweat.
Symptom - Abnormal change in appearance, sensation, or function.
Syndrome - Symptoms of disease.
Syphilis - Sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by a microscopic organism called a spirochete.
Systemic therapy - Treatment of cells throughout the body via bloodstream.
Tachycardia - Fast heartbeat exceeding 100 beats per minute.
Tachypnea - Fast breathing.
Tactile - Related to touch.
Tartar - Accumulated and hardened plaque.
Temperature - Hot or cold status of body as generally measured by thermometer.
Tendon - Soft muscle tissue connecting to bone.
Terminal illness – Disease resulting in death.
Testicular microlithiasis – Testis disease caused by accumulation of calcium.
Testosterone - Male sex hormone.
Tetanus - Disease where bacteria enters through an open cut or wound.
Thoracic - Related to chest.
Thrombectomy - Clot (thrombus) removal.
Thrombus - Blood clot.
Thyroid - Gland around trachea.
Thyroidectomy - Surgical removal of thyroid gland.
Tinnitus - Ear ringing.
Tissue - Group of cells performing specific functions.
TMJ - Tempero Mandibular Joint. Joint connecting the lower jaw (mandible) to the skull.
Topical – Application of medication to skin or mucous membrane.
Toxidrome – Serious medical problem due to excessive toxins.
Toxins - Poisons created by certain animals, plants, or bacteria.
Tumor - Abnormal tissue accumulation.
Uric acid - Sub category of purines in many foods.
Urinary - Related to kidneys, ureters, and bladder.
Uterus - Womb. Female organ in the pelvis where child develops until birth.
Vaccination - Injection of treated microbe in order to strengthen immune system against microbes.
Vaginitis - Vaginal inflammation.
Vasodilation - Widening of blood walls.
Vector - Carrier.
Vein - Blood vessel carrying blood.
Venereal - Related to sexual contact.
Vertebra - Bones composing the spine.
Virus - Microbe that can get nourishment from a living cell.
Vital - Life-related.
Vitamins - Nutrient necessary for body functions.
Vomit - Nausea.
Wart - Skin layer caused by virus.
White matter - Myelinated nerve fibers in brain.
X-ray - Radiation.
Xeroderma - Extremely dry skin.
Xerophagia - Dry diet.
Xeropthalmia - Dry eyes.
Xerostomia - Dry mouth.
Yeast - Fungi that reproduce by budding.
Y map - Genes on the Y chromosome.
Zygoma - Cheek bone.
Zygote - Cell produced by sperm (male sex cell) and an ovum (female sex cell).

Sources of Medical Terminology

National Library of Medicine by NIH
Diseases and procedures classification (international view)
Medical subject headings
Civil War and 19th century medical terminology (private collection)

Medical Terms - Medical Terminology

Online dictionary of medical terminology

Sources of Medical Terminology

Listing of medical terminology by category