Abdomen
/ˈæbdəmən/
The part of the body between the chest and the pelvis, containing the digestive organs.
Abduction
/æbˈdʌkʃən/
Movement of a limb or other part away from the midline of the body.
Ablation
/æˈbleɪʃən/
The removal or destruction of a body part or tissue or its function, often via surgery or radiofrequency.
Abrasion
/əˈbreɪʒən/
A wearing away of the upper layer of skin as a result of applied friction or trauma.
Abscess
/ˈæbsɛs/
A confined pocket of pus that collects in tissues, organs, or spaces inside the body.
Acanthosis
/ˌækænˈθoʊsɪs/
Diffuse epidermal hyperplasia (thickening of the skin).
Accommodation
/əˌkɒməˈdeɪʃən/
The process by which the eye's lens changes shape to focus on near or far objects.
Acetabular
/ˌæsɪˈtæbjʊlər/
Relating to the acetabulum, the socket of the hip bone.
Acetabulum
/ˌæsɪˈtæbjʊləm/
The cup-shaped socket of the hip bone that receives the head of the femur.
Achalasia
/ˌækəˈleɪziə/
A condition where the muscles of the lower part of the esophagus fail to relax, preventing food from passing into the stomach.
Achlorhydria
/ˌeɪklɔːrˈhaɪdriə/
A state where the production of hydrochloric acid in gastric secretions of the stomach is absent or low.
Achondroplasia
/eɪˌkɒndrəˈpleɪziə/
A genetic disorder whose primary feature is dwarfism, caused by the failure of cartilage to convert to bone.
Acidimeter
/ˌæsɪˈdɪmɪtər/
An instrument for measuring the amount of acid in a substance.
Acidosis
/ˌæsɪˈdoʊsɪs/
An overproduction of acid in the blood or an excessive loss of bicarbonate from the blood.
Acne
/ˈækni/
A skin condition that occurs when hair follicles become plugged with oil and dead skin cells.
Acromegaly
/ˌækrəˈmɛɡəli/
A hormonal disorder that develops when your pituitary gland produces too much growth hormone during adulthood.
Acromion
/əˈkroʊmiən/
The outward end of the spine of the shoulder blade (scapula) which forms the point of the shoulder.
Acrophobia
/ˌækrəˈfoʊbiə/
An extreme or irrational fear of heights.
Actinic
/ækˈtɪnɪk/
Relating to or denoting light able to cause chemical changes, as in 'actinic keratosis' caused by sun damage.
Acuity
/əˈkjuːɪti/
Sharpness or keenness of thought, vision, or hearing.
Acupuncture
/ˈækjʊˌpʌŋktʃər/
A practice of inserting fine needles through the skin at specific points to cure disease or relieve pain.
Acute
/əˈkjuːt/
Conditions or symptoms that appear suddenly and are often severe but of short duration.
Acystia
/eɪˈsɪstiə/
The congenital absence of the urinary bladder.
Adactylia
/ˌeɪdækˈtɪliə/
The congenital absence of fingers or toes.
Adduction
/əˈdʌkʃən/
Movement of a limb or other part toward the midline of the body.
Adenitis
/ˌædɪˈnaɪtɪs/
Inflammation of a gland or lymph node.
Adenocarcinoma
/ˌædɪnoʊˌkɑːrsɪˈnoʊmə/
A type of cancer that forms in glandular structures, which produce fluids or mucus.
Adenohypophysis
/ˌædɪnoʊhaɪˈpɒfɪsɪs/
The anterior lobe of the pituitary gland.
Adenoidectomy
/ˌædɪnɔɪˈdɛktəmi/
Surgical removal of the adenoids, often done to treat chronic infections or airway obstruction.
Adenoma
/ˌædɪˈnoʊmə/
A benign tumor formed from glandular structures in epithelial tissue.
Adenopathy
/ˌædɪˈnɒpəθi/
Large or swollen lymph nodes; any disease or enlargement of glandular tissue.
Adhesion
/ædˈhiːʒən/
Bands of scar-like tissue that form between two surfaces inside the body and cause them to stick together.
Adipose
/ˈædɪˌpoʊs/
Used for the storage of fat; relating to body fat.
Adiposuria
/ˌædɪpoʊˈsjʊəriə/
The presence of fat in the urine.
Adjuvant
/ˈædʒʊvənt/
A substance or therapy applied after the initial treatment to enhance its effectiveness.
Adrenal
/əˈdriːnəl/
Relating to the kidneys or the glands located above the kidneys.
Adrenalectomy
/əˌdriːnəˈlɛktəmi/
Surgical removal of one or both adrenal glands.
Adrenocorticotropic
/əˌdriːnoʊˌkɔːrtɪkoʊˈtrɒpɪk/
Relating to a hormone (ACTH) that stimulates the cortex of the adrenal glands.
Aerobe
/ˈɛəroʊb/
A microorganism which has the ability to grow and replicate in the presence of free oxygen.
Aerophagia
/ˌɛərəˈfeɪdʒə/
The excessive swallowing of air, which can cause abdominal bloating and frequent belching.
Afebrile
/eɪˈfɛbraɪl/
The state of being without a fever.
Afferent
/ˈæfərənt/
Conducting or conducted inward or toward something, such as nerves towards the central nervous system.
Afterbirth
/ˈæftərbɜːrθ/
The placenta and fetal membranes discharged from the uterus after the birth of offspring.
Agglutination
/əˌɡluːtɪˈneɪʃən/
The clumping of particles, such as bacteria or red blood cells, when exposed to a specific antibody.
Agonal
/ˈæɡənl/
Relating to the period just before death, often used to describe gasping breathing patterns.
Agoraphobia
/ˌæɡərəˈfoʊbiə/
An anxiety disorder characterized by fear of being in situations where escape might be difficult.
Agraphia
/eɪˈɡræfiə/
An acquired neurological disorder causing a loss in the ability to communicate through writing.
Akinesia
/ˌeɪkaɪˈniːziə/
Loss or impairment of the power of voluntary movement.
Albinism
/ˈælbɪˌnɪzəm/
A congenital absence of pigment in the skin and hair and the eyes.
Albumin
/ælˈbjuːmɪn/
A simple form of protein that is soluble in water and coagulable by heat, found in blood serum.
Alkalosis
/ˌælkəˈloʊsɪs/
An excessively alkaline condition of the body fluids or tissues, often caused by low CO2.
Allergen
/ˈælərdʒən/
A substance that causes an allergic reaction.
Alopecia
/ˌæləˈpiːʃə/
The partial or complete absence of hair from areas of the body where it normally grows; baldness.
Alopecia
/ˌæləˈpiːʃə/
The partial or complete absence of hair from areas of the body where it normally grows.
Alveoli
/ælˈviːəˌlaɪ/
Tiny air sacs in the lungs where the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place.
Alveolitis
/ˌælviəˈlaɪtɪs/
Inflammation of the alveoli (air sacs) in the lungs.
Amaurosis
/ˌæmɔːˈroʊsɪs/
Partial or total blindness without visible change in the eye, typically from optic nerve disease.
Amblyopia
/ˌæmbliˈoʊpiə/
Reduced vision in one eye caused by abnormal visual development early in life; lazy eye.
Ambulatory
/ˈæmbjələˌtɔːri/
Relating to or adapted for walking; able to walk and not be confined to bed.
Amenorrhea
/eɪˌmɛnəˈriːə/
The absence of menstruation, often defined as missing one or more periods.
Amnesia
/æmˈniːziə/
A partial or total loss of memory.
Amniocentesis
/ˌæmnioʊsɛnˈtiːsɪs/
A procedure used in prenatal diagnosis in which amniotic fluid is sampled for genetic testing.
Amphiarthrosis
/ˌæmfɪɑːrˈθroʊsɪs/
A type of continuous, slightly movable joint, such as the pubic symphysis.
Amputation
/ˌæmpjʊˈteɪʃən/
The action of surgically cutting off a limb or other body part.
Amyloidosis
/ˌæmɪlɔɪˈdoʊsɪs/
A rare disease that occurs when a protein called amyloid builds up in organs.
Amyotrophic
/eɪˌmaɪəˈtrɒfɪk/
Relating to muscle atrophy, as seen in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).
Anabolism
/əˈnæbəˌlɪzəm/
The synthesis of complex molecules in living organisms from simpler ones together with the storage of energy.
Anaerobe
/ˈæneɪəˌroʊb/
An organism that grows without air, or requires oxygen-free conditions to live.
Analgesic
/ˌænəlˈdʒiːzɪk/
A class of drugs specifically designed to relieve pain.
Analgezia
/ˌænəlˈdʒiːziə/
The inability to feel pain while still conscious.
Anamnestic
/ˌænæmˈnɛstɪk/
Relating to a second or subsequent immune response to an antigen; also relating to medical history.
Anaphylactoid
/ˌænəfɪˈlækˌtɔɪd/
Resembling anaphylaxis but not caused by an IgE-mediated allergic reaction.
Anaphylaxis
/ˌænəfəˈlæksɪs/
A severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction.
Anasarca
/ˌænəˈsɑːrkə/
Severe generalized edema, with widespread swelling of the skin due to effusion of fluid into the extracellular space.
Anastomosis
/əˌnæstəˈmoʊsɪs/
A surgical connection made between two structures, such as blood vessels or loops of intestine.
Anatomic
/ˌænəˈtɒmɪk/
Relating to the bodily structure of organisms and their parts.
Androgen
/ˈændrədʒən/
A male sex hormone, such as testosterone.
Andropause
/ˈændrəˌpɔːz/
A collection of symptoms, including fatigue and decreased libido, experienced by some middle-aged men.
Anemia
/əˈniːmiə/
A condition in which the blood doesn't have enough healthy red blood cells.
Anencephaly
/ˌænɛnˈsɛfəli/
A serious birth defect in which a baby is born without parts of the brain and skull.
Anesthesia
/ˌænəsˈθiːʒə/
Insensitivity to pain, especially as artificially induced by the administration of gases or the injection of drugs.
Anesthesiologist
/ˌænəˌsθiːziˈɒlədʒɪst/
A physician specializing in perioperative care, developing anesthetic plans, and the administration of anesthetics.
Aneurysm
/ˈænjəˌrɪzəm/
An excessive localized enlargement of an artery caused by a weakening of the artery wall.
Aneurysmal
/ˌænjʊˈrɪzməl/
Relating to or resembling an aneurysm (a bulging or weak spot in an artery).
Aneurysmorrhaphy
/ˌænjərɪzˈmɒrəfi/
The surgical suture of an aneurysm.
Angiectasis
/ˌændʒiˈɛktəsɪs/
Abnormal dilation or expansion of a blood vessel.
Angina
/ænˈdʒaɪnə/
A type of chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart.
Angioedema
/ˌændʒioʊɪˈdiːmə/
Swelling of the area beneath the skin, similar to urticaria (hives) but occurring in deeper layers.
Angiogenesis
/ˌændʒioʊˈdʒɛnɪsɪs/
The physiological process through which new blood vessels form from pre-existing vessels.
Angiography
/ˌændʒiˈɒɡrəfi/
Radiographic visualization of the blood vessels after injection of a radiopaque substance.
Angioma
/ænˈdʒioʊmə/
A benign tumor derived from cells of the vascular or lymphatic vessel walls.
Angioplasty
/ˈændʒioʊˌplæsti/
Surgical repair or unblocking of a blood vessel, especially a coronary artery.
Angiospasm
/ˈændʒioʊˌspæzəm/
Spasmodic contraction of the muscular lining of the blood vessels.
Anhedonia
/ˌænhiːˈdoʊniə/
The inability to feel pleasure in normally pleasurable activities.
Anhidrosis
/ˌænhɪˈdroʊsɪs/
The inability to sweat normally.
Anisocoria
/ˌænaɪsəˈkɔːriə/
A condition characterized by an unequal size of the eyes' pupils.
Anisocytosis
/ˌænaɪsoʊsaɪˈtoʊsɪs/
A medical term meaning that a patient's red blood cells are of unequal size.
Ankylosis
/ˌæŋkɪˈloʊsɪs/
Abnormal stiffening and immobility of a joint due to fusion of the bones.
Anomaly
/əˈnɒməli/
Something that deviates from what is standard, normal, or expected in a medical context.
Anorchism
/ænˈɔːrkɪzəm/
The congenital absence of one or both testes.
Anorexia
/ˌænəˈrɛksiə/
An emotional disorder characterized by an obsessive desire to lose weight by refusing to eat.
Anorexiant
/ˌænəˈrɛksiənt/
A drug or agent that tends to reduce or suppress the appetite.
Anosmia
/æˈnɒzmiə/
The loss of the sense of smell, either total or partial.
Anoxemia
/ˌænɒkˈsiːmiə/
An abnormally low concentration of oxygen in the arterial blood.
Anoxia
/æˈnɒksiə/
An absence or deficiency of oxygen reaching the tissues; severe hypoxia.
Antacid
/æntˈæsɪd/
A substance which neutralizes stomach acidity and is used to relieve heartburn or indigestion.
Antagonist
/ænˈtæɡənɪst/
A substance that stops the action or effect of another substance, such as a drug or muscle.
Anteflexion
/ˌæntiˈflɛkʃən/
The normal forward displacement or bending of an organ, especially the uterus.
Antepartum
/ˌæntiˈpɑːrtəm/
Occurring or existing before birth; the period before childbirth.
Anterior
/ænˈtɪəriər/
Nearer the front, especially situated in the front of the body or nearer to the head.
Anthelmintic
/ˌænθɛlˈmɪntɪk/
A group of antiparasitic drugs that expel parasitic worms and other internal parasites from the body.
Anthracosis
/ˌænθrəˈkoʊsɪs/
A lung disease caused by the inhalation of coal dust; also known as black lung.
Antibody
/ˈæntɪˌbɒdi/
A blood protein produced in response to and counteracting a specific antigen.
Anticholinergic
/ˌæntikoʊlɪˈnɜːrdʒɪk/
Substances that block the action of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in the central and peripheral nervous system.
Anticoagulant
/ˌæntikoʊˈæɡjʊlənt/
A substance that prevents or reduces coagulation of blood, prolonging the clotting time.
Antidiuretic
/ˌæntidaɪjʊˈrɛtɪk/
A substance that helps to control fluid balance in the body by reducing the amount of water passed out in the urine.
Antiemetic
/ˌæntiiˈmɛtɪk/
A drug that is effective against vomiting and nausea.
Antigen
/ˈæntɪdʒən/
A toxin or other foreign substance which induces an immune response in the body.
Antigenicity
/ˌæntɪdʒəˈnɪsɪti/
The capacity of a chemical structure to bind specifically with a group of certain products that have adaptive immunity.
Antineoplastic
/ˌæntiniːoʊˈplæstɪk/
Acting to prevent, inhibit or halt the development of a neoplasm (tumor).
Antipyretic
/ˌæntipaɪˈrɛtɪk/
A substance or medication used to prevent or reduce fever.
Antiseptic
/ˌæntɪˈsɛptɪk/
Substances that prevent the growth of disease-causing microorganisms.
Antitoxin
/ˌæntɪˈtɒksɪn/
An antibody that is capable of neutralizing a specific toxin.
Anuria
/æˈnjʊəriə/
Failure of the kidneys to produce urine.
Anus
/ˈeɪnəs/
The opening at the end of the alimentary canal through which solid waste matter leaves the body.
Anxiolytic
/ˌæŋzioʊˈlɪtɪk/
A medication or other intervention that inhibits anxiety.
Aorta
/eɪˈɔːrtə/
The main artery of the body, supplying oxygenated blood to the circulatory system.
Aortography
/ˌeɪɔːrˈtɒɡrəfi/
A procedure that involves the injection of contrast medium into the aorta to view it via X-ray.
Apex
/ˈeɪpɛks/
The top or highest part of something, especially one forming a point, such as the apex of the heart or lung.
Aphagia
/əˈfeɪdʒə/
The inability or refusal to swallow.
Aphakia
/əˈfeɪkiə/
The absence of the lens of the eye, due to surgical removal, a perforating wound or ulcer, or congenital defect.
Aphasia
/əˈfeɪʒə/
A language disorder that affects a person's ability to communicate.
Aphonia
/eɪˈfoʊniə/
Loss of ability to speak through disease of or damage to the larynx or mouth.
Aplasia
/əˈpleɪziə/
The failure of an organ or tissue to develop or to function normally.
Apnea
/æpˈniːə/
Temporary cessation of breathing, especially during sleep.
Apocrine
/ˈæpəkrɪn/
Relating to multicellular glands that release some of their cytoplasm in their secretions, especially sweat glands.
Aponeurosis
/ˌæpənjʊˈroʊsɪs/
A sheet of pearly-white fibrous tissue that takes the place of a tendon in sheetlike muscles having a wide area of attachment.
Apoplexy
/ˈæpəˌplɛksi/
Unconsciousness or incapacity resulting from a cerebral hemorrhage or stroke.
Apoptosis
/ˌæpəpˈtoʊsɪs/
The death of cells which occurs as a normal and controlled part of an organism's growth or development.
Appendectomy
/ˌæpənˈdɛktəmi/
A surgical operation to remove the appendix.
Appendicitis
/əˌpɛndɪˈsaɪtɪs/
A condition in which the appendix becomes inflamed and filled with pus, causing pain.
Apyretic
/ˌeɪpaɪˈrɛtɪk/
A term used to describe a person who does not have a fever.
Arachnoid
/əˈræknɔɪd/
The middle layer of the three membranes (meninges) that surround the brain and spinal cord.
Arachnoiditis
/əˌræknɔɪˈdaɪtɪs/
Inflammation of the arachnoid mater, one of the membranes that surround and protect the nerves of the spinal cord.
Areola
/əˈriːələ/
The small darkened area around the nipple of the breast.
Arrhythmia
/əˈrɪðmiə/
A condition in which the heart beats with an irregular or abnormal rhythm.
Arteriogram
/ɑːrˈtɪəriəˌɡræm/
An X-ray of an artery, injected with a radiopaque contrast medium.
Arteriole
/ɑːrˈtɪərioʊl/
A small branch of an artery leading into capillaries.
Arteriosclerosis
/ɑːrˌtɪərioʊskləˈroʊsɪs/
The thickening and hardening of the walls of the arteries.
Arteritis
/ˌɑːrtəˈraɪtɪs/
Inflammation of the walls of the arteries, usually as a result of infection or autoimmune response.
Arthralgia
/ɑːrˈθrældʒə/
Pain in a joint.
Arthritis
/ɑːrˈθraɪtɪs/
Inflammation of one or more joints, causing pain and stiffness that can worsen with age.
Arthrocentesis
/ˌɑːrθroʊsɛnˈtiːsɪs/
Surgical puncture of a joint to switch out fluid.
Arthrodesis
/ˌɑːrθroʊˈdiːsɪs/
Surgical immobilization of a joint by fusion of the adjacent bones.
Arthrogram
/ˈɑːrθroʊˌɡræm/
A series of images of a joint after injection of a contrast medium.
Arthropathy
/ɑːrˈθrɒpəθi/
Any disease of the joints.
Arthroplasty
/ˈɑːrθroʊˌplæsti/
The surgical reconstruction or replacement of a joint.
Arthroscope
/ˈɑːrθrəˌskoʊp/
An instrument through which the interior of a joint may be inspected or operated on.
Articular
/ɑːrˈtɪkjʊlər/
Relating to a joint or the joints.
Artifact
/ˈɑːrtɪˌfækt/
In radiology, a feature that appears in an image that is not present in the original object.
Ascites
/əˈsaɪtiːz/
The accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity, causing abdominal swelling.
Aspermia
/eɪˈspɜːrmiə/
The complete lack of semen with ejaculation.
Asphyxia
/æsˈfɪksiə/
A condition arising when the body is deprived of oxygen, causing unconsciousness or death.
Aspiration
/ˌæspəˈreɪʃən/
The action of drawing fluid or foreign substances into the lungs, or withdrawing fluid with a syringe.
Aspirin
/ˈæsprɪn/
A pharmaceutical drug used to reduce pain, fever, or inflammation.
Assimilation
/əˌsɪmɪˈleɪʃən/
The absorption and digestion of food or nutrients by the body or any biological system.
Asthenia
/æsˈθiːniə/
Abnormal physical weakness or lack of energy.
Astigmatism
/əˈstɪɡməˌtɪzəm/
A defect in the eye or in a lens caused by a deviation from spherical curvature, resulting in distorted images.
Astrocytoma
/ˌæstroʊsaɪˈtoʊmə/
A type of cancer that can form in the brain or spinal cord in cells called astrocytes.
Asymptomatic
/ˌeɪsɪmptəˈmætɪk/
Producing or showing no symptoms.
Asystole
/eɪˈsɪstəli/
A state of no electrical activity from the heart; a flatline.
Ataxia
/əˈtæksiə/
The loss of full control of bodily movements.
Atelectasis
/ˌætəˈlɛktəsɪs/
Partial or complete collapse of the lung.
Atherosclerosis
/ˌæθəroʊskləˈroʊsɪs/
A disease of the arteries characterized by the deposition of plaques of fatty material on their inner walls.
Atopy
/ˈætəpi/
A genetic predisposition to develop allergic diseases such as allergic rhinitis or asthma.
Atresia
/əˈtriːʒə/
A condition in which a body orifice or passage in the body is abnormally closed or absent.
Atrium
/ˈeɪtriəm/
Each of the two upper cavities of the heart from which blood is passed to the ventricles.
Atrophy
/ˈætrəfi/
Waste away, typically due to the degeneration of cells, or become vestigial during evolution.
Atropine
/ˈætrəˌpiːn/
A medication used to treat certain types of nerve agent and pesticide poisonings as well as some types of slow heart rate.
Audiogram
/ˈɔːdioʊˌɡræm/
A graph showing the results of a pure-tone hearing test.
Audiometry
/ˌɔːdiˈɒmɪtri/
The testing of a person's ability to hear various sound frequencies.
Aura
/ˈɔːrə/
A warning sensation (such as flickering lights) that often precedes a migraine or seizure.
Auricle
/ˈɔːrɪkəl/
The visible part of the ear that resides outside of the head; also known as the pinna.
Auscultation
/ˌɔːskəlˈteɪʃən/
The action of listening to sounds from the heart, lungs, or other organs, typically with a stethoscope.
Autism
/ˈɔːtɪzəm/
A neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by challenges with social interaction and repetitive behaviors.
Autograft
/ˈɔːtoʊˌɡræft/
A bone or tissue graft moved from one part of a person's body to another part of the same person's body.
Autoimmune
/ˌɔːtoʊɪˈmjuːn/
Relating to disease caused by antibodies or lymphocytes produced against substances naturally present in the body.
Autologous
/ɔːˈtɒləɡəs/
Cells or tissues obtained from the same individual who will receive them back.
Autonomic
/ˌɔːtəˈnɒmɪk/
The part of the nervous system responsible for control of the bodily functions not consciously directed, such as breathing.
Autopsy
/ˈɔːtɒpsi/
A post-mortem examination to discover the cause of death or the extent of disease.
Autosome
/ˈɔːtəˌsoʊm/
Any chromosome that is not a sex chromosome.
Avitaminosis
/eɪˌvaɪtəmɪˈnoʊsɪs/
A disease caused by a chronic or long-term vitamin deficiency.
Avulsion
/əˈvʌlʃən/
The action of pulling or tearing away a body part or tissue.
Axilla
/ækˈsɪlə/
The space below the shoulder through which vessels and nerves pass; commonly known as the armpit.
Axon
/ˈæksɒn/
The long threadlike part of a nerve cell along which impulses are conducted from the cell body to other cells.
Azoospermia
/eɪˌzoʊəˈspɜːrmiə/
A medical condition of a male not having any measurable level of sperm in his semen.
Azoospermia
/eɪˌzoʊəˈspɜːrmiə/
Medical condition where a man does not have any measurable level of sperm in his semen.
Azotemia
/ˌæzəˈtiːmiə/
An elevation of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine levels, indicating kidney dysfunction.
Azotemia
/ˌæzəˈtiːmiə/
An excess of nitrogenous substances in the blood, often due to kidney failure.
Azygos
/ˈæzɪɡəs/
An unpaired structure, such as the azygos vein which drains the thoracic wall.