MedTerm Speak

Master the language of medicine

Baroreceptor

bar-o-ree-SEP-tur

/ˌbæroʊrɪˈsɛptər/

A receptor sensitive to changes in pressure.

Bartholin

BAR-tho-lin

/ˈbɑːrtəlɪn/

Glands located near the vaginal opening that secrete lubricating fluid.

Basalic

buh-SIL-ik

/bəˈsɪlɪk/

A large superficial vein of the upper limb.

Basement

BAYS-munt

/ˈbeɪsmənt/

The membrane (Basement Membrane) that anchors epithelial tissue to connective tissue.

Basihyal

bay-see-HY-ul

/ˌbeɪsiˈhaɪəl/

The body or central part of the hyoid bone.

Basilar

BAS-ih-lur

/ˈbæsɪlər/

Relating to the base of the skull or the brain's basilar artery.

Basophil

BAY-so-fil

/ˈbeɪsəfɪl/

A type of white blood cell involved in inflammatory reactions.

Basophil

BAY-zo-fil

/ˈbeɪzoʊfɪl/

White blood cell with granules that stain with basic dyes.

Beli

BEL-eye

/ˈbɛlaɪ/

Referring to the bellies of a muscle.

Benign

beh-NYN

/bɪˈnaɪn/

Not harmful in effect; specifically, not malignant.

Beta

BAY-tuh

/ˈbeɪtə/

Beta cells of the pancreas that produce insulin.

Biceps

BY-seps

/ˈbaɪsɛps/

A muscle having two heads or points of origin, especially the one in the upper arm.

Bicipital

by-SIP-ih-tul

/baɪˈsɪpɪtəl/

Relating to the biceps muscle.

Bicuspid

by-KUS-pid

/baɪˈkʌspɪd/

Having two cusps or points, such as the mitral valve or certain teeth.

Bicuspid

by-KUS-pid

/baɪˈkʌspɪd/

Valve between the left atrium and left ventricle.

Bifid

BY-fid

/ˈbaɪfɪd/

Divided into two parts or lobes (e.g., bifid uvula).

Bifurcation

by-fur-KAY-shun

/ˌbaɪfərˈkeɪʃən/

The division of something into two branches or parts, like the trachea.

Bilateral

by-LAT-ur-ul

/baɪˈlætərəl/

Relating to or affecting both sides of the body.

Bile

BY-ul

/baɪl/

A bitter greenish-brown alkaline fluid that aids digestion and is secreted by the liver.

Biliary

BIL-ee-air-ee

/ˈbɪliɛri/

Relating to bile or the bile duct.

Bilirubin

bil-ih-ROO-bin

/ˌbɪlɪˈruːbɪn/

An orange-yellow pigment formed in the liver by the breakdown of hemoglobin.

Binaural

bin-AW-rul

/bɪˈnɔːrəl/

Relating to or used with both ears.

Binocular

bin-OK-yoo-lur

/bɪˈnɒkjʊlər/

Adapted for or using both eyes.

Biopsy

BY-op-see

/ˈbaɪɒpsi/

An examination of tissue removed from a living body to discover the presence of disease.

Bipennate

by-PEN-ayt

/baɪˈpɛneɪt/

A muscle with fibers arranged on both sides of a central tendon.

Bipolar

by-PO-lur

/baɪˈpoʊlər/

A neuron with two processes extending from the cell body.

Biventer

by-VEN-tur

/baɪˈvɛntər/

Having two bellies (muscles).

Bladder

BLAD-ur

/ˈblædər/

A membranous sac in humans and other animals, in which urine is collected.

Blastocyst

BLAS-tuh-sist

/ˈblæstəˌsɪst/

A thin-walled hollow structure in early embryonic development.

Blood

BLUD

/blʌd/

The red liquid that circulates in the arteries and veins.

Body

BOD-ee

/ˈbɒdi/

The physical structure of a person; also the main part of an organ (e.g., body of the stomach).

Bone

BOHN

/boʊn/

Any of the pieces of hard, whitish connective tissue making up the skeleton.

Bowman

BOH-mun

/ˈboʊmən/

Refers to Bowman's Capsule in the kidney nephron.

Brachial

BRAY-kee-ul

/ˈbreɪkiəl/

Relating to the arm, specifically the upper arm.

Brachialis

bray-kee-AL-is

/ˌbreɪkiˈælɪs/

A muscle in the upper arm that flexes the elbow joint.

Brachiocephalic

bray-kee-o-suh-FAL-ik

/ˌbreɪkioʊsəˈfælɪk/

Relating to both the arm and the head (e.g., the brachiocephalic artery).

Brachioradialis

bray-kee-o-ray-dee-AL-is

/ˌbreɪkioʊˌreɪdiˈælɪs/

A muscle of the forearm that flexes the forearm at the elbow.

Brachium

BRAY-kee-um

/ˈbreɪkiəm/

The arm, specifically the part of the upper limb between the shoulder and elbow.

Brain

BRAYN

/breɪn/

An organ of soft nervous tissue contained in the skull of vertebrates.

Brainstem

BRAYN-stem

/ˈbreɪnstɛm/

The central trunk of the mammalian brain, consisting of the medulla oblongata, pons, and midbrain.

Breast

BREST

/brɛst/

Either of the two soft, protruding organs on the upper front of a woman's body.

Bregma

BREG-muh

/ˈbrɛɡmə/

The anatomical point on the skull at which the coronal and sagittal sutures meet.

Bridges

BRID-jez

/ˈbrɪdʒɪz/

Referring to cross-bridges in muscle contraction.

Broca

BRO-kuh

/ˈbroʊkə/

Broca's area, a region in the frontal lobe of the dominant hemisphere linked to speech production.

Bronchi

BRONG-ky

/ˈbrɒŋkaɪ/

The plural of bronchus; the main passages into the lungs.

Bronchial

BRONG-kee-ul

/ˈbrɒŋkiəl/

Relating to the bronchi.

Bronchiole

BRONG-kee-ohl

/ˈbrɒŋkioʊl/

Minute branches into which a bronchus divides.

Bronchus

BRONG-kus

/ˈbrɒŋkəs/

Any of the major air passages of the lungs which diverge from the trachea.

Buccal

BUK-ul

/ˈbʌkəl/

Relating to the cheek or the mouth cavity.

Buccinator

BUK-sin-ay-tur

/ˈbʌksɪneɪtər/

A thin, flat muscle of the cheek.

Bulbocavernosus

bul-bo-kav-ur-NO-sus

/ˌbʌlboʊˌkævərˈnoʊsəs/

A muscle of the perineum.

Bulbourethral

bul-bo-yoo-REE-thrul

/ˌbʌlboʊjʊˈriːθrəl/

Glands (Cowper's glands) located beneath the prostate.

Bulla

BUL-uh

/ˈbʊlə/

A bubble-like cavity or blister.

Bursa

BUR-suh

/ˈbɜːrsə/

A fluid-filled sac or cavity situated in tissues where friction would otherwise occur.

Bursitis

bur-SY-tis

/bɜːrˈsaɪtɪs/

Inflammation of a bursa.

Buttock

BUT-uk

/ˈbʌtək/

Either of the two fleshy protuberances at the lower end of the trunk.