MedTerm Speak

Master the language of medicine

Talus

TAY-lus

/ˈteɪləs/

The large bone in the ankle that articulates with the tibia of the leg and the calcaneus of the foot.

Tarsals

TAR-sulz

/ˈtɑːrsəlz/

The seven bones that make up the ankle and upper foot.

Tectorial

tek-TOR-ee-ul

/tɛkˈtɔːriəl/

A membrane in the inner ear that covers the organ of Corti.

Temporal

TEM-puh-rul

/ˈtɛmpərəl/

Relating to the temples or the temporal bone of the skull.

Temporomandibular

tem-puh-ro-man-DIB-yuh-lur

/ˌtɛmpəroʊmænˈdɪbjʊlər/

The joint (TMJ) connecting the jawbone to the skull.

Tendon

TEN-dun

/ˈtɛndən/

A flexible but inelastic cord of strong fibrous collagen tissue attaching a muscle to a bone.

Tensor Fasciae Latae

TEN-sur FASH-ee-ee LAY-tee

/ˈtɛnsər ˈfæʃiiː ˈleɪtiː/

A muscle of the thigh that helps stabilize the hip and knee.

Tentorium

ten-TOR-ee-um

/tɛnˈtɔːriəm/

A fold of the dura mater forming a roof over the cerebellum.

Teres Major

TEER-eez MAY-jur

/ˈtɪəriːz ˈmeɪdʒər/

A thick, somewhat flattened muscle of the upper limb that attaches the scapula to the humerus.

Testis

TES-tis

/ˈtɛstɪs/

The male reproductive organ that produces sperm and testosterone.

Thalamus

THAL-uh-mus

/ˈθæləməs/

A large mass of gray matter in the forebrain that relays sensory signals to the cerebral cortex.

Thenar

THEE-nur

/ˈθiːnər/

The fleshy area at the base of the thumb.

Thoracic

thuh-RAS-ik

/θəˈræsɪk/

Relating to the thorax or chest.

Thorax

THOR-aks

/ˈθɔːræks/

The part of the body between the neck and the abdomen.

Thymus

THY-mus

/ˈθaɪməs/

A lymphoid organ in the neck that produces T cells for the immune system.

Thyroid

THY-royd

/ˈθaɪrɔɪd/

A large ductless gland in the neck that secretes hormones regulating growth and development.

Tibia

TIB-ee-uh

/ˈtɪbiə/

The inner and larger of the two bones in the lower leg (the shinbone).

Tongue

TUNG

/tʌŋ/

The fleshy muscular organ in the mouth used for tasting, licking, and swallowing.

Trabeculae

truh-BEK-yoo-lee

/trəˈbɛkjʊliː/

Small, often microscopic, tissue elements in the form of small beams or struts (e.g., in spongy bone).

Trachea

TRAY-kee-uh

/ˈtreɪkiə/

The windpipe; a large membranous tube reinforced by rings of cartilage.

Tragus

TRAY-gus

/ˈtreɪɡəs/

The small, cartilaginous flap in front of the external ear canal.

Transverse

trans-VURS

/trænzˈvɜːrs/

A horizontal plane dividing the body into upper and lower parts.

Trapezium

truh-PEE-zee-um

/trəˈpiːziəm/

The carpal bone at the base of the thumb.

Trapezius

truh-PEE-zee-us

/trəˈpiːziəs/

A large triangular muscle extending over the back of the neck and shoulders.

Trapezoid

TRAP-uh-zoyd

/ˈtræpɪzɔɪd/

The smallest carpal bone in the distal row of the wrist.

Triceps

TRY-seps

/ˈtraɪsɛps/

The large muscle on the back of the upper arm, responsible for extending the elbow.

Tricuspid

try-KUS-pid

/traɪˈkʌspɪd/

The heart valve between the right atrium and the right ventricle.

Trigone

TRY-gohn

/ˈtraɪɡoʊn/

A triangular region or tissue, especially the area at the base of the urinary bladder.

Trochanter

tro-KAN-tur

/troʊˈkæntər/

A large, blunt process on the femur for muscle attachment (Greater and Lesser trochanters).

Trochlea

TROK-lee-uh

/ˈtrɒkliə/

A structure resembling a pulley, such as the articular surface of the humerus.

Tuber

TOO-bur

/ˈtjuːbər/

A swelling or protuberance.

Tubercle

TOO-bur-kul

/ˈtjuːbərkəl/

A small rounded projection or protuberance on a bone.

Tuberosity

too-bur-OS-ih-tee

/ˌtjuːbəˈrɒsɪti/

A large, rounded elevation on a bone.

Tympanic

tim-PAN-ik

/tɪmˈpænɪk/

Relating to the eardrum or the middle ear.