MedTerm Speak

Master the language of medicine

Palate

PAL-it

/ˈpælɪt/

The roof of the mouth, separating the oral and nasal cavities.

Palmar

PAL-mur

/ˈpɑːlmər/

Relating to the palm of the hand.

Palpebrae

pal-PEE-bree

/pælˈpiːbriː/

The anatomical term for the eyelids.

Pancreas

PAN-kree-us

/ˈpæŋkriəs/

A large gland behind the stomach that secretes digestive enzymes and insulin.

Papilla

puh-PIL-uh

/pəˈpɪlə/

A small rounded protuberance on a part of the body or organ (e.g., taste buds).

Paranasal

pair-uh-NAY-zul

/ˌpærəˈneɪzəl/

Air-filled cavities within the bones of the skull surrounding the nasal cavity.

Parasympathetic

pair-uh-sim-puh-THET-ik

/ˌpærəsɪmpəˈθɛtɪk/

The part of the autonomic nervous system that slows heart rate and increases intestinal activity.

Parathyroid

pair-uh-THY-royd

/ˌpærəˈθaɪrɔɪd/

Small endocrine glands in the neck that regulate calcium levels.

Parietal

puh-RY-ih-tul

/pəˈraɪɪtəl/

Relating to the wall of a cavity or the parietal bone of the skull.

Parotid

puh-ROT-id

/pəˈrɒtɪd/

The largest of the salivary glands, located in front of the ears.

Patella

puh-TEL-uh

/pəˈtɛlə/

The kneecap; a sesamoid bone that protects the knee joint.

Pectoral

PEK-tur-ul

/ˈpɛktərəl/

Relating to the chest or the pectoral girdle (shoulders).

Pedicle

PED-ih-kul

/ˈpɛdɪkəl/

The stub of bone that connects the lamina to the vertebral body.

Pelvis

PEL-vis

/ˈpɛlvɪs/

The bony basin-shaped structure at the base of the spine.

Penis

PEE-nis

/ˈpiːnɪs/

The male primary reproductive organ.

Pericardium

pair-ih-KAR-dee-um

/ˌpærɪˈkɑːrdiəm/

The double-walled sac containing the heart and the roots of the great vessels.

Perimysium

pair-ih-MIZ-ee-um

/ˌpærɪˈmɪziəm/

The connective tissue sheath that groups muscle fibers into bundles (fascicles).

Perineum

pair-ih-NEE-um

/ˌpærɪˈniːəm/

The area between the anus and the scrotum or vulva.

Periosteum

pair-ee-OS-tee-um

/ˌpærɪˈɒstiəm/

A dense layer of vascular connective tissue enveloping the bones.

Peritoneum

pair-ih-tuh-NEE-um

/ˌpærɪtəˈniːəm/

The serous membrane lining the cavity of the abdomen.

Phalanges

fuh-LAN-jeez

/fəˈlændʒiːz/

The bones of the fingers and toes.

Pharynx

FAIR-ingks

/ˈfærɪŋks/

The membrane-lined cavity behind the nose and mouth, connecting them to the esophagus.

Pia Mater

PEE-uh MAY-tur

/ˈpiːə ˈmeɪtər/

The delicate innermost membrane enveloping the brain and spinal cord.

Pineal

py-NEE-ul

/paɪˈniːəl/

A small endocrine gland in the brain that produces melatonin.

Pisiform

PY-sih-form

/ˈpaɪsɪfɔːrm/

A small pea-shaped carpal bone in the wrist.

Pituitary

pih-TOO-ih-tair-ee

/pɪˈtjuːɪtɛri/

The master gland of the endocrine system, located at the base of the brain.

Planta

PLAN-tuh

/ˈplæntə/

The sole of the foot.

Platysma

pluh-TIZ-muh

/pləˈtɪzmə/

A broad sheet of muscle extending from the collarbone to the angle of the jaw.

Pleura

PLOOR-uh

/ˈplʊərə/

The serous membrane lining the lungs and thoracic cavity.

Plexus

PLEK-sus

/ˈplɛksəs/

A network of nerves or vessels in the body.

Pons

PONZ

/pɒnz/

The part of the brainstem that links the medulla oblongata and the thalamus.

Popliteal

pop-lih-TEE-ul

/ˌpɒplɪˈtiːəl/

Relating to the hollow at the back of the knee.

Posterior

pos-TEER-ee-ur

/pɒˈstɪəriər/

Further back in position; of or nearer the rear or hind end.

Process

PROS-es

/ˈprɒsɛs/

A prominent projection or outgrowth of tissue from a larger body (especially on bones).

Pronation

pro-NAY-shun

/proʊˈneɪʃən/

Rotation of the hand and forearm so that the palm faces backwards or downwards.

Proprioceptor

pro-pree-o-SEP-tur

/ˌproʊprioʊˈsɛptər/

A sensory receptor which receives stimuli from within the body, especially regarding position.

Prostate

PROS-tayt

/ˈprɒsteɪt/

A gland surrounding the neck of the bladder in male mammals.

Proximal

PROK-sih-mul

/ˈprɒksɪməl/

Situated nearer to the center of the body or the point of attachment.

Psoas

SO-as

/ˈsoʊəs/

Either of two muscles of the lower back (psoas major and minor) that flex the hip.

Pubis

PYOO-bis

/ˈpjuːbɪs/

Either of a pair of bones forming the two sides of the pelvis.

Pulmonary

PUL-muh-nair-ee

/ˈpʌlmənɛri/

Relating to the lungs.

Pupil

PYOO-pul

/ˈpjuːpɪl/

The dark circular opening in the center of the iris of the eye.

Pylorus

py-LOR-us

/paɪˈlɔːrəs/

The opening from the stomach into the duodenum (small intestine).