MedTerm Speak

Master the language of medicine

Labia

LAY-bee-uh

/ˈleɪbiə/

The inner and outer folds of the vulva; also refers to the lips of the mouth.

Labrum

LAY-brum

/ˈleɪbrəm/

A lip-like ring of fibrocartilage that deepens a joint socket, such as in the shoulder or hip.

Labyrinth

LAB-uh-rinth

/ˈlæbərɪnθ/

A complex system of interconnecting cavities in the inner ear.

Lacrimal

LAK-rih-mul

/ˈlækrɪməl/

Relating to tears or the structures that secrete and drain tears.

Lacteal

LAK-tee-ul

/ˈlæktiəl/

The lymphatic vessels of the small intestine which absorb digested fats.

Lacuna

luh-KOO-nuh

/ləˈkuːnə/

A small cavity or depression in bone or cartilage that contains a cell.

Lambdoid

LAM-doyd

/ˈlæmdɔɪd/

The suture between the parietal and occipital bones of the skull, shaped like the Greek letter lambda.

Lamella

luh-MEL-uh

/ləˈmɛlə/

A thin layer, membrane, or plate of tissue, especially in bone.

Lamina

LAM-ih-nuh

/ˈlæmɪnə/

A thin layer or flat plate, such as the part of the vertebra that forms the back of the spinal canal.

Lanugo

luh-NOO-go

/ləˈnuːɡoʊ/

Fine, soft hair that covers the body and limbs of a human fetus or newborn.

Larynx

LAIR-ingks

/ˈlærɪŋks/

The hollow muscular organ forming an air passage to the lungs and holding the vocal cords; the voice box.

Lateral

LAT-ur-ul

/ˈlætərəl/

Towards the side of the body, away from the midline.

Latissimus Dorsi

luh-TIS-ih-mus DOR-sy

/ləˈtɪsɪməs ˈdɔːrsaɪ/

A large, flat muscle on the back that stretches to the sides, behind the arm.

Lens

LENZ

/lɛnz/

The transparent structure behind the pupil that changes shape to help focus images on the retina.

Levator

luh-VAY-tur

/ləˈveɪtər/

A muscle whose main function is to raise a part of the body.

Ligament

LIG-uh-munt

/ˈlɪɡəmənt/

A short band of tough, flexible fibrous connective tissue which connects two bones.

Limbus

LIM-bus

/ˈlɪmbəs/

A border or edge, such as the junction between the cornea and the sclera in the eye.

Linea Alba

LIN-ee-uh AL-buh

/ˈlɪniə ˈælbə/

The fibrous structure that runs down the midline of the abdomen.

Lingual

LING-gwul

/ˈlɪŋɡwəl/

Relating to, near, or on the side towards the tongue.

Lipocyte

LIP-o-syt

/ˈlɪpəsaɪt/

A fat cell; an adipocyte.

Liver

LIV-ur

/ˈlɪvər/

A large glandular organ in the abdomen involved in many metabolic processes.

Lobe

LOHB

/loʊb/

A roundish and flattish part of an organ, especially in the brain, lungs, or liver.

Lordosis

lor-DOH-sis

/lɔːrˈdoʊsɪs/

The inward curvature of the lumbar and cervical regions of the spine.

Lumbar

LUM-bar

/ˈlʌmbər/

Relating to the lower back region of the spine between the ribs and the pelvis.

Lumbosacral

lum-bo-SAY-krul

/ˌlʌmboʊˈseɪkrəl/

Relating to the lumbar vertebrae and the sacrum.

Lumen

LOO-mun

/ˈluːmən/

The central cavity or opening of a tubular structure, such as a blood vessel or intestine.

Lunate

LOO-nayt

/ˈluːneɪt/

A crescent-shaped carpal bone in the wrist.

Lung

LUNG

/lʌŋ/

One of the two primary organs of respiration.

Lunula

LOO-nyuh-luh

/ˈluːnjʊlə/

The white, crescent-shaped area of a finger or toe nail.

Lymph

LIMF

/lɪmf/

A colorless fluid containing white blood cells, which bathes the tissues.

Lymphocyte

LIM-fuh-syt

/ˈlɪmfəsaɪt/

A form of small leukocyte (white blood cell) with a single round nucleus.

Lysosome

LY-suh-sohm

/ˈlaɪsəˌsoʊm/

An organelle in the cytoplasm of cells containing degradative enzymes.