MedTerm Speak

Master the language of medicine

Radialis

ray-dee-AL-is

/ˌreɪdiˈælɪs/

Relating to the radius bone or the radial side of the forearm.

Radius

RAY-dee-us

/ˈreɪdiəs/

The shorter of the two bones of the forearm, on the thumb side.

Ramus

RAY-mus

/ˈreɪməs/

A branch of a nerve, artery, or bone (e.g., the ramus of the mandible).

Raphe

RAY-fee

/ˈreɪfi/

A groove, ridge, or seam in an organ or tissue marking the line of junction of two halves.

Receptor

ree-SEP-tur

/rɪˈsɛptər/

An organ or cell able to respond to light, heat, or other external stimulus and transmit a signal to a sensory nerve.

Rectum

REK-tum

/ˈrɛktəm/

The final section of the large intestine, terminating at the anus.

Rectus Abdominis

REK-tus ab-DOM-ih-nis

/ˈrɛktəs æbˈdɒmɪnɪs/

The 'six-pack' muscle; a long muscle extending the length of the front of the abdomen.

Rectus Femoris

REK-tus FEM-or-is

/ˈrɛktəs ˈfɛmərɪs/

One of the four quadriceps muscles, situated in the middle of the front of the thigh.

Recurrent

ree-KUR-unt

/rɪˈkʌrənt/

Running back in the opposite direction (e.g., recurrent laryngeal nerve).

Renal

REE-nul

/ˈriːnəl/

Relating to the kidneys.

Respiration

res-pih-RAY-shun

/ˌrɛspɪˈreɪʃən/

The action of breathing; the exchange of gases between an organism and its environment.

Rete

REE-tee

/ˈriːti/

An elaborate network of blood vessels or nerve fibers.

Reticulocyte

reh-TIK-yoo-lo-syt

/rɪˈtɪkjʊloʊsaɪt/

An immature red blood cell without a nucleus.

Retina

RET-ih-nuh

/ˈrɛtɪnə/

A layer at the back of the eyeball containing cells that are sensitive to light.

Retinaculum

ret-ih-NAK-yoo-lum

/ˌrɛtɪˈnækjʊləm/

A band of thickened deep fascia which holds tendons in place (e.g., at the wrist or ankle).

Retraction

ree-TRAK-shun

/rɪˈtrækʃən/

Moving a body part backward, such as pulling the scapulae toward the spine.

Retroperitoneal

reh-tro-pair-ih-tuh-NEE-ul

/ˌrɛtroʊˌpærɪtəˈniːəl/

Situated or occurring behind the peritoneum (e.g., the kidneys).

Rhomboid

ROM-boyd

/ˈrɒmbɔɪd/

Diamond-shaped muscles (Major and Minor) that act to retract the scapula.

Rib

RIB

/rɪb/

One of the series of curved bones articulated with the spine and protecting the thorax.

Risorius

rih-ZOR-ee-us

/rɪˈzɔːriəs/

A narrow facial muscle that pulls the corner of the mouth laterally (the smiling muscle).

Rotation

ro-TAY-shun

/roʊˈteɪʃən/

The action of rotating around an axis or center (e.g., turning the head).

Rotator Cuff

RO-tay-tur KUF

/ˈroʊteɪtər kʌf/

A capsule of four tendons and muscles that stabilize the shoulder joint.

Rugae

ROO-gee

/ˈruːɡiː/

Ridges or folds in the lining of an organ, such as the stomach or vagina.