MedTerm Speak

Master the language of medicine

Dartos

DAR-tohs

/ˈdɑːrtoʊs/

A layer of smooth muscle fibers in the subcutaneous tissue of the scrotum.

Deciduous

deh-SID-yoo-us

/dɪˈsɪdʒuəs/

Relating to teeth that shed at a certain stage of development (baby teeth).

Deferens

DEF-ur-enz

/ˈdɛfərənz/

Refers to the Vas Deferens, the duct that conveys sperm from the testicle to the urethra.

Deglutition

dee-gloo-TISH-un

/ˌdiːɡluːˈtɪʃən/

The action or process of swallowing.

Deltoid

DEL-toyd

/ˈdɛltɔɪd/

A large, triangular muscle covering the shoulder joint.

Dendrite

DEN-dryt

/ˈdɛndraɪt/

A short branched extension of a nerve cell, along which impulses are received.

Dens

DENZ

/dɛnz/

A tooth-like projection, especially the odontoid process of the second cervical vertebra.

Dentine

DEN-teen

/ˈdɛntiːn/

Hard dense bony tissue forming the bulk of a tooth beneath the enamel.

Depressor

dee-PRES-ur

/dɪˈprɛsər/

A muscle whose contraction pulls down the part of the body to which it is attached.

Dermis

DUR-mis

/ˈdɜːrmɪs/

The thick layer of living tissue below the epidermis which forms the true skin.

Descending

dee-SEND-ing

/dɪˈsɛndɪŋ/

Moving downward, such as the descending colon or the descending aorta.

Detrusor

dee-TROO-zur

/dɪˈtruːzər/

The smooth muscle of the urinary bladder wall.

Diaphragm

DY-uh-fram

/ˈdaɪəfræm/

A dome-shaped muscular partition separating the thorax from the abdomen.

Diaphysis

dy-AF-ih-sis

/daɪˈæfɪsɪs/

The shaft or central part of a long bone.

Diarthrosis

dy-ar-THRO-sis

/ˌdaɪɑːrˈθroʊsɪs/

A type of joint that is freely movable, such as the shoulder or knee.

Diastole

dy-AS-tuh-lee

/daɪˈæstəli/

The phase of the heartbeat when the heart muscle relaxes and chambers fill with blood.

Diencephalon

dy-en-SEF-uh-lon

/ˌdaɪɛnˈsɛfəlɒn/

The caudal part of the forebrain, containing the thalamus and hypothalamus.

Digastric

dy-GAS-trik

/daɪˈɡæstrɪk/

A muscle with two bellies, specifically one under the jaw.

Digit

DIJ-it

/ˈdɪdʒɪt/

A finger or toe.

Digitus

DIJ-ih-tus

/ˈdɪdʒɪtəs/

The anatomical term for a single finger or toe.

Dilator

dy-LAY-tur

/daɪˈleɪtər/

A muscle that opens or widens an orifice or canal.

Distal

DIS-tul

/ˈdɪstəl/

Situated away from the center of the body or from the point of attachment.

Diverticula

dy-vur-TIK-yuh-luh

/ˌdaɪvərˈtɪkjʊlə/

Small pouches or sacs opening out of a hollow organ, like the colon.

Dorsum

DOR-sum

/ˈdɔːrsəm/

The back or upper surface of an organ or part (e.g., the back of the hand).

Duct

DUKT

/dʌkt/

A tube or vessel of the body through which fluids pass.

Ductule

DUKT-yool

/ˈdʌktjuːl/

A very small duct.

Duodenum

doo-o-DEE-num

/ˌdjuːəˈdiːnəm/

The first part of the small intestine immediately beyond the stomach.

Dura Mater

DOOR-uh MAY-tur

/ˈdjʊərə ˈmeɪtər/

The tough outermost membrane enveloping the brain and spinal cord.