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

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.

Adrenaline: Epinephrine produced by adrenal gland.

Aerophagia: Air intake that causes stomach gas.

Aetiology: Study of causes and diseases.

Agenesis: Low level.

Agnosia: Recognition disease.

Albumin: Main protein in blood.

Allergic rhinitis: Hay fever.

Allergy: Excessive sensitivity of immune system to environment or food.

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.

Angina: 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.

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.

Autism: Continuous behavior problem developed in early childhood.

Autopsy: Necropsy. Medical examination of body after death.

Bacteria: Microorganisms having single cell (parasites).

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.

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.

Deformation: Getting out of shape or size.

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.

Dialysis: Blood cleansing (especially kidneys) with the help of a special machine.

Diaphragm: Muscle separating chest and abdomen.

Diarrhea: Excessive bowel movements discharging fluid.

Dizziness: Lightheadedness.

DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid): Molecule containing genetic information.

Donor: Organ provider.

Duodenitis: Duodenum inflammation.

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.

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.

Enzyme: Catalyst protein catalyst to alter chemical reaction.

Epicardium: A part of pericardium, a thin surface layer of heart.

Epidemic: Outbreak of contagious disease.

Erythema: Skin inflammation due to sunburn.

Estrogen: Female hormone produced by ovaries.

Exfoliate: To peal off scaly skin.

Fallopian tubes: Tubes in females carrying egg to the womb, or uterus.

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.

Folate (folic acid): Genetic element in nucleic acid synthesis lack of which may result in megaloblastic anemia.

Foot fungus: Athlete's foot.

Frostbite: Freezing of tissues.

Galactose: Sugar content.

Gallstones: Tiny stones in the gallbladder.

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.

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.

Immune: Protection against infection.

Immunization: Vaccinations to strengthen immune system of the body.

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.