MedTerm Speak

Master the language of medicine

Nares

NAIR-eez

/ˈnɛəriːz/

The nostrils or the openings of the nasal cavity.

Nasal

NAY-zul

/ˈneɪzəl/

Relating to the nose.

Nasion

NAY-zee-on

/ˈneɪziɒn/

The point on the skull where the nasal and frontal bones meet.

Nasopharynx

nay-zo-FAIR-ingks

/ˌneɪzoʊˈfærɪŋks/

The upper part of the pharynx, connecting with the nasal cavity above the soft palate.

Navicular

nuh-VIK-yoo-lur

/nəˈvɪkjʊlər/

A boat-shaped bone in the ankle (tarsus).

Neck

NEK

/nɛk/

The part of the body connecting the head to the rest of the trunk.

Nephron

NEF-ron

/ˈnɛfrɒn/

The functional unit of the kidney, responsible for filtering blood.

Nerve

NURV

/nɜːrv/

A whitish fiber or bundle of fibers that transmits impulses of sensation to the brain or spinal cord.

Neurilemma

nyoo-rih-LEM-uh

/ˌnjʊərɪˈlɛmə/

The thin sheath around a nerve fiber (also known as the sheath of Schwann).

Neuroglia

nyoo-ROG-lee-uh

/njʊˈrɒɡliə/

Non-neuronal cells that maintain homeostasis and provide support for neurons.

Neuromuscular

nyoo-ro-MUS-kyuh-lur

/ˌnjʊəroʊˈmʌskjʊlər/

Relating to both nerves and muscles.

Neuron

NYOO-ron

/ˈnjʊərɒn/

A specialized cell transmitting nerve impulses; a nerve cell.

Neutrophil

NYOO-truh-fil

/ˈnjuːtrəfɪl/

The most common type of white blood cell, vital for fighting infections.

Nipple

NIP-ul

/ˈnɪpəl/

The small projection of a mammary gland from which, in females, milk is secreted.

Node

NOHD

/noʊd/

A small mass of distinct tissue (e.g., lymph node or the sinoatrial node in the heart).

Nodule

NOD-yool

/ˈnɒdjuːl/

A small swelling or aggregation of cells in the body.

Nucha

NYOO-kuh

/ˈnjuːkə/

The back of the neck; the nape.

Nuchal

NYOO-kul

/ˈnjuːkəl/

Relating to the nape of the neck (e.g., the nuchal ligament).

Nucleolus

nyoo-KLEE-uh-lus

/njuːˈkliːələs/

A small dense spherical structure in the nucleus of a cell during interphase.

Nucleoplasm

NYOO-klee-o-plaz-um

/ˈnjuːklioʊˌplæzəm/

The substance of a cell nucleus, also known as karyoplasm.

Nucleus

NYOO-klee-us

/ˈnjuːkliəs/

The central and most important part of an object, movement, or group.

Nutrient

NYOO-tree-unt

/ˈnjuːtriənt/

A substance that provides nourishment essential for growth and the maintenance of life.