MedTerm Speak

/kəˈkɛksiə/

Weakness and wasting of the body due to severe chronic illness, often seen in advanced cancer or AIDS.

/ˌkælsɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/

The accumulation of calcium salts in a body tissue, normally occurring in bone but potentially pathological in soft tissues.

/ˈkælkjʊləs/

A stone or concentration of mineral salts, typically formed within an organ like the kidney or gallbladder.

/ˈkæləs/

A thickened and hardened part of the skin or soft tissue, especially in an area that has been subjected to friction.

/kəˌpæsɪˈteɪʃən/

The penultimate step in the maturation of mammalian sperm, required to render them competent to fertilize an oocyte.

/ˈkæpɪˌlɛri/

Any of the fine branching blood vessels that form a network between the arterioles and venules.

/kəˈpɪtʃʊləm/

A small head or rounded articular extremity of a bone, such as that of the humerus.

/ˈkæpsuːl/

A tough sheath or membrane that encloses an organ or other structure in the body.

/kɑːrˌbɒksiˌhiːməˈɡloʊbɪn/

A stable complex of carbon monoxide and hemoglobin that forms in red blood cells when carbon monoxide is inhaled.

/ˈkɑːrbʌŋkəl/

A severe abscess or multiple cluster of boils in the skin, typically infected with staphylococcus bacteria.

/kɑːrˈsɪnədʒən/

Any substance, radionuclide, or radiation that promotes carcinogenesis, the formation of cancer.

/ˌkɑːrsɪˈnoʊmə/

A type of cancer that starts in cells that make up the skin or the tissue lining organs.

/ˈkɑːrdiæk/

Relating to the heart.

/ˈkɑːrdiæk ˌtæmpəˈneɪd/

Compression of the heart by an accumulation of fluid in the pericardial sac.

/ˌkɑːrdioʊˈmɛɡəli/

Abnormal enlargement of the heart.

/ˌkɑːrdioʊmaɪˈɒpəθi/

A chronic disease of the heart muscle (myocardium), in which the muscle is abnormally enlarged, thickened, or stiffened.

/ˌkɑːrdioʊˈpʌlməˌnɛri/

Relating to the heart and the lungs.

/ˌkɑːrdioʊˈvæskjʊlər/

Relating to the heart and blood vessels.

/ˈkɛəriːz/

Decay and crumbling of a bone or tooth, most commonly used in reference to dental cavities.

/ˈkærəˌtiːn/

An orange or red plant pigment found in carrots and many other plant structures; a precursor of vitamin A.

/kəˈrɒtɪd/

Relating to the two main arteries that carry blood to the head and neck.

/ˈkɑːrpəl/

Relating to the bones forming the human wrist.

/ˌkɑːrpəˈpiːdəl/

Relating to the hands and feet; specifically used to describe spasms seen in tetany.

/ˈkæriər/

A person or animal that transmits a disease-causing organism to others without suffering from it themselves.

/ˈkɑːrtɪlɪdʒ/

Firm, whitish, flexible connective tissue found in various forms in the larynx, respiratory tract, and joints.

/ˌkeɪsiˈeɪʃən/

A form of necrosis in which the tissue is soft, dry, and resembles cheese; typical of tuberculosis.

/kæst/

A rigid casing made of fiberglass or plaster that is used to immobilize a broken bone; also, cylindrical structures found in urine.

/kæˈstreɪʃən/

The removal of the testes in a male or the ovaries in a female.

/kəˈtæbəˌlɪzəm/

The breakdown of complex molecules in living organisms to form simpler ones, together with the release of energy.

/ˈkætəlɪst/

A substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without itself undergoing any permanent chemical change.

/ˈkætəˌrækt/

A medical condition in which the lens of the eye becomes progressively opaque, resulting in blurred vision.

/ˌkætəˈtoʊniə/

A state of neurogenic motor immobility and behavioral abnormality manifested by stupor.

/ˌkætɪˈkoʊləmiːnz/

Naturally occurring amines, such as epinephrine and dopamine, that function as neurotransmitters and hormones.

/ˈkæθɪtər/

A flexible tube inserted through a narrow opening into a body cavity, particularly the bladder, for removing or injecting fluid.

/ˈkɔːdə ɪˈkwaɪnə/

A bundle of spinal nerves and spinal nerve rootlets consisting of the second through fifth lumbar nerve pairs.

/ˈkɔːdəl/

Relating to the tail or the posterior part of the body.

/kɔːl/

The amniotic membrane enclosing a fetus which sometimes envelopes the head of the child at birth.

/kɔːˈzældʒə/

Severe burning pain in a limb caused by injury to a peripheral nerve.

/ˌkɔːtəraɪˈzeɪʃən/

The burning of a part of the body to remove or close off a part of it, often to stop bleeding.

/ˈkævərnəs/

Containing caverns or hollow spaces; used to describe structures like the cavernous sinus in the brain.

/ˌkævɪˈteɪʃən/

The formation of empty spaces or cavities in a solid object or tissue, often seen in lung tuberculosis.

/siːˈkɒstəmi/

A surgical procedure to create an opening into the cecum, usually to allow for irrigation or decompression.

/ˈsiːkəm/

A pouch connected to the junction of the small and large intestines.

/ˈsiːliæk/

Relating to the abdomen; specifically a disease caused by an immune reaction to eating gluten.

/ˌsiːliˈɒtəmi/

A surgical incision into the abdominal cavity; also known as a laparotomy.

/ˌsɛljʊˈlaɪtɪs/

A common and potentially serious bacterial skin infection.

/ˈsɛljʊloʊs/

An insoluble substance which is the main constituent of plant cell walls; acts as dietary fiber in humans.

/sɪˈmɛntəm/

A specialized bony substance covering the root of a tooth.

/ˈsɛntrɪˌfjuːdʒ/

A machine with a rapidly rotating container that applies centrifugal force to its contents, typically to separate fluids.

/ˈsɛntrəˌmɪər/

The region of a chromosome to which the microtubules of the spindle attach during cell division.

/ˌsɛfəˈlældʒə/

The medical term for a headache.

/ˌsɛfəlhiːməˈtoʊmə/

A collection of blood between a newborn's scalp and the skull.

/səˈfælɪk/

Relating to the head or the head end of the body.

/sɛrˈklɑːʒ/

A procedure in which a stitch is used to close the cervix during pregnancy to prevent premature birth.

/ˌsɛrɪˈbɛlər/

Relating to the cerebellum.

/ˌsɛrɪˈbɛləm/

The part of the brain at the back of the skull that coordinates and regulates muscular activity.

/ˌsɛrɪˈbreɪʃən/

The working of the brain; thinking.

/səˌriːbroʊˈspaɪnəl/

Relating to the brain and the spine.

/səˌriːbroʊˈspaɪnəl ˈfluːɪd/

Clear watery fluid that fills the space between the arachnoid membrane and the pia mater.

/səˌriːbroʊˈvæskjʊlər/

Relating to the blood vessels of the brain.

/səˈriːbrəm/

The principal and most anterior part of the brain in vertebrates, located in the front area of the skull.

/səˈruːmən/

Technical term for earwax.

/səˈruːmɪnəs/

Relating to cerumen (earwax) or the glands that secrete it.

/ˈsɜːrvɪkəl/

Relating to the neck, or to the cervix of the uterus.

/ˈsɜːrvɪks/

The narrow necklike passage forming the lower end of the uterus.

/kəˈleɪziɒn/

A slow-growing, inflammatory lump in the oil gland of the eyelid.

/ˈʃæŋkər/

A painless ulcer, particularly one developing on the genitals as a result of primary syphilis.

/kaɪˈlaɪtɪs/

Inflammation of the lips.

/kəˈlɪsərə/

In medical entomology, one of a pair of appendages used for piercing skin by certain arachnids.

/ˌkiːmoʊˌnuːklioʊˈlɪsɪs/

The dissolution of a herniated nucleus pulposus by the injection of an enzyme (like chymopapain).

/ˌkiːmoʊrɪˈsɛptər/

A sensory organ or cell responsive to chemical stimuli, such as those in the carotid body.

/ˌkiːmoʊˈtæksɪs/

Movement of a motile cell or organism, or part of one, in a direction corresponding to a gradient of increasing or decreasing concentration of a particular substance.

/ˌkiːmoʊˈθɛrəpi/

The treatment of disease by the use of chemical substances, especially the treatment of cancer by cytotoxic drugs.

/ˌtʃeɪn ˈstoʊks/

An abnormal pattern of breathing characterized by progressively deeper, and sometimes faster, breathing followed by a gradual decrease that results in temporary apnea.

/ˌtʃeɪn ˈstoʊks ˌrɛspəˈreɪʃən/

A periodic pattern of breathing involving cycles of apnea and hyperventilation, often associated with heart failure or brain injury.

/ˈkaɪæzəm/

A crossing of two tracts or structures, such as the optic nerves.

/kaɪˈæzmə/

A point at which paired chromosomes remain in contact during the first metaphase of meiosis, and at which crossing over and exchange of genetic material occur.

/ˌkaɪərəˈpræktɪk/

A system of complementary medicine based on the diagnosis and manipulative treatment of misalignments of the joints.

/kləˈmɪdiə/

A very common sexually transmitted infection caused by bacteria.

/kloʊˈæzmə/

A temporary condition, typically caused by hormonal changes during pregnancy, in which large brown patches form on the skin, mainly on the face.

/kloʊˈroʊmə/

A rare malignant tumor composed of granulocyte precursor cells, having a greenish color.

/ˈkɒləɡɒɡ/

An agent that promotes the discharge of bile from the system, purging it downward.

/koʊˌlændʒiˈɒɡrəfi/

Radiographic examination of the bile ducts after injection of a contrast medium.

/ˌkoʊlænˈdʒaɪtɪs/

Inflammation of the bile duct system.

/ˌkoʊlikælˈsɪfərɒl/

A form of vitamin D, also known as vitamin D3, synthesized in the skin when exposed to sunlight.

/ˌkoʊləsɪˈstɛktəmi/

Surgical removal of the gallbladder.

/ˌkoʊləsɪˈstaɪtɪs/

Inflammation of the gallbladder, often caused by gallstones.

/koʊˌlɛdəkoʊˌɛntəˈrɒstəmi/

Surgical creation of a communication between the common bile duct and the intestine.

/koʊˈlɛdəkəs/

The common bile duct.

/ˌkoʊləlɪˈθaɪəsɪs/

The formation or presence of gallstones in the gallbladder.

/ˈkɒlərə/

An infectious and often fatal bacterial disease of the small intestine, typically contracted from infected water supplies.

/ˌkoʊləˈsteɪsɪs/

A condition where bile cannot flow from the liver to the duodenum.

/kəˈlɛstərɒl/

A compound of the sterol type found in most body tissues; important for membrane fluidity but associated with atherosclerosis at high levels.

/ˈkɒndroʊblæst/

A cell that actively produces the components of the extracellular matrix in cartilage.

/ˌkɒndroʊˈkɒstəl/

Relating to the costal cartilages and the ribs.

/ˈkɒndrəˌsaɪt/

A cell which has secreted the matrix of cartilage and become embedded in it.

/kɒnˈdroʊmə/

A benign tumor of cartilage cells.

/ˌkɒndroʊməˈleɪʃə/

Softening of the cartilage, most commonly affecting the underside of the kneecap (patella).

/ˌkɒndroʊsɑːrˈkoʊmə/

A type of malignant bone tumor that primarily affects the cartilage cells.

/ˈkɔːrdiː tɛnˈdɪniːiː/

Small, string-like structures in the heart that connect the papillary muscles to the heart valves; often called heart strings.

/kɔːˈriːə/

A neurological disorder characterized by jerky involuntary movements affecting especially the shoulders, hips, and face.

/ˌkɔːrioʊˌkɑːrsɪˈnoʊmə/

A fast-growing form of cancer that develops in the uterus, originating from placental cells.

/ˈkɔːriɒn/

The outermost membrane surrounding an embryo, contributing to the formation of the placenta.

/ˌkɔːrioʊˌrɛtɪˈnaɪtɪs/

Inflammation of the choroid and retina of the eye.

/ˈkɔːrɔɪd/

The pigmented vascular layer of the eyeball between the retina and the sclera.

/ˈkɔːrɔɪd ˈplɛksəs/

A network of blood vessels in each ventricle of the brain, derived from the pia mater and producing cerebrospinal fluid.

/ˈkroʊməfɪn sɛlz/

Cells in the adrenal medulla that secrete epinephrine and norepinephrine.

/ˈkroʊmətɪd/

Each of the two threadlike strands into which a chromosome divides longitudinally during cell division.

/ˌkroʊməˈtɒɡrəfi/

A laboratory technique for the separation of a mixture into its individual components.

/ˈkroʊməˌsoʊm/

A threadlike structure of nucleic acids and protein found in the nucleus, carrying genetic information in the form of genes.

/ˈkrɒnɪk/

Persisting for a long time or constantly recurring, typically applied to diseases lasting more than three months.

/kaɪl/

A milky fluid consisting of fat droplets and lymph, drained from the small intestine into the lymphatic system during digestion.

/ˌkaɪloʊˈmaɪkrɒn/

A droplet of fat present in the blood or lymph after absorption from the small intestine.

/kaɪˈlʊəriə/

A condition in which chyle is present in the urine, giving it a milky appearance.

/kaɪm/

The pulpy acidic fluid which passes from the stomach to the small intestine, consisting of gastric juices and partly digested food.

/ˌkaɪmoʊpəˈpeɪɪn/

A proteolytic enzyme used medically to dissolve herniated intervertebral discs.

/ˌsɪkətrɪˈzeɪʃən/

The process of scar formation at the site of a healing wound.

/ˈsɪliə/

Short, microscopic hairlike vibrating structures found in large numbers on the surface of certain cells, used for movement or moving fluid.

/ˈsɪliˌɛri ˈbɒdi/

The part of the eye that connects the iris to the choroid and controls the shape of the lens.

/sɜːrˈkeɪdiən/

Relating to biological processes that occur regularly in a cycle of approximately 24 hours.

/ˌsɜːrkəmˈsɪʒən/

The surgical removal of the foreskin (prepuce) from the human penis.

/sɪˈroʊsɪs/

A chronic disease of the liver marked by degeneration of cells, inflammation, and fibrous thickening of tissue.

/sɪˈstɜːrnə/

A fluid-filled sac or reservoir, such as the cisterna magna in the brain.

/klæst/

A cell that breaks down or absorbs something, such as an osteoclast (bone-absorbing cell).

/ˌklɔːdɪˈkeɪʃən/

Cramping pain in the leg is induced by exercise, typically caused by obstruction of the arteries.

/ˈklævɪkəl/

Technical term for the collarbone.

/klaɪˈmæktərɪk/

A period of life characterized by a decrease in reproductive capacity; menopause in women.

/ˈklaɪmæks/

The peak or culmination of a physiological process, such as an orgasm.

/ˈklɪnɪkəl/

Relating to the observation and treatment of actual patients rather than theoretical or laboratory studies.

/ˈklɪtərɪs/

A small sensitive and erectile part of the female genitals at the anterior end of the vulva.

/kloʊn/

A group of genetically identical cells or organisms derived from a single ancestor.

/ˈkloʊnəs/

Muscular spasm involving repeated, often rhythmic, rapid contractions and relaxations.

/klɒˈstrɪdiəm/

A genus of anaerobic, spore-forming bacteria, including those that cause tetanus and botulism.

/ˈklɒtɪŋ ˈfæktərz/

Proteins in the blood that act in a sequence to stop bleeding by forming a clot.

/koʊˌæɡjuˈleɪʃən/

The process by which blood changes from a liquid to a gel, forming a blood clot.

/ˌkoʊɑːrkˈteɪʃən/

Congenital narrowing of a short section of the aorta.

/ˈkɒkəs/

Any spherical or roughly spherical bacterium.

/ˈkɒksɪks/

A small, triangular bone at the base of the spinal column; the tailbone.

/ˈkɒkliə/

The spiral cavity of the inner ear containing the organ of Corti, which produces nerve impulses in response to sound vibrations.

/kɒɡˈnɪʃən/

The mental action or process of acquiring knowledge and understanding through thought, experience, and the senses.

/ˈkoʊɪtəs/

Sexual intercourse between a male and a female.

/ˈkɒlɪk/

Severe, often fluctuating pain in the abdomen caused by intestinal gas or obstruction.

/koʊˈlaɪtɪs/

Inflammation of the lining of the colon.

/ˈkɒlədʒən/

The main structural protein found in skin and other connective tissues.

/ˈkɒliːz ˈfræktʃər/

A fracture of the lower end of the radius in the wrist with characteristic backward displacement of the hand.

/ˈkɒlɔɪd/

A homogeneous, non-crystalline substance consisting of large molecules or ultramicroscopic particles of one substance dispersed through a second substance.

/ˌkoʊləˈnɒskəpi/

A procedure in which a flexible fiber-optic instrument is inserted through the anus in order to examine the colon.

/kəˈlɒstəmi/

A surgical operation in which a piece of the colon is diverted to an artificial opening in the abdominal wall so as to bypass a damaged part of the colon.

/kəˈlɒstrəm/

The first form of milk produced by the mammary glands of mammals immediately following delivery of the newborn.

/ˈkoʊmə/

A state of deep unconsciousness that lasts for a prolonged or indefinite period, caused especially by severe injury or illness.

/ˈkɒmɪdoʊ/

A clogged hair follicle (pore) in the skin; the primary lesion of acne.

/kəmˈpjuːtɪd təˈmɒɡrəfi/

A medical imaging technique (CT scan) that uses computer-processed combinations of multiple X-ray measurements taken from different angles.

/kənˈkʌʃən/

A temporary unconsciousness or confusion caused by a blow on the head.

/kənˈdʒɛnɪtəl/

Refers to a condition present from birth.

/kənˈdʒɛstɪv hɑːrt ˈfeɪljər/

A chronic progressive condition that affects the pumping power of your heart muscles.

/ˌkɒndʒʌŋkˈtaɪvə/

The mucous membrane that covers the front of the eye and lines the inside of the eyelids.

/kənˌdʒʌŋktɪˈvaɪtɪs/

Inflammation of the conjunctiva of the eye, commonly known as pink eye.

/kəˈnɛktɪv ˈtɪʃuː/

Tissue that connects, supports, binds, or separates other tissues or organs.

/kənˈteɪdʒəs/

Spread from one person or organism to another by direct or indirect contact.

/ˌkɒntrəˈsɛpʃən/

The deliberate use of artificial methods or other techniques to prevent pregnancy.

/kənˈtræktʃər/

A condition of shortening and hardening of muscles, tendons, or other tissue, often leading to deformity and rigidity of joints.

/ˌkɒntrəˌɪndɪˈkeɪʃən/

A specific situation in which a drug, procedure, or surgery should not be used because it may be harmful to the person.

/kənˈtjuːʒən/

A region of injured tissue or skin in which blood capillaries have been ruptured; a bruise.

/ˌkɒnvəˈlɛsəns/

Time spent recovering from an illness or medical treatment; recuperation.

/kənˈvʌlʃən/

A sudden, violent, irregular movement of a limb or of the body, caused by involuntary contraction of muscles.

/ˌkɔːr ˌpʌlməˈneɪli/

Abnormal enlargement of the right side of the heart as a result of disease of the lungs or the pulmonary blood vessels.

/ˈkɔːrniə/

The transparent layer forming the front of the eye.

/kəˈroʊnl pleɪn/

An anatomical plane that divides the body into dorsal and ventral (back and front) sections.

/ˈkɒrənəri ˈɑːrtəriz/

Arteries supplying blood to the heart muscle.

/ˈkɔːrpəs kəˈloʊsəm/

A broad band of nerve fibers joining the two hemispheres of the brain.

/ˈkɔːrpəs ˈluːtiəm/

A hormone-secreting structure that develops in an ovary after an ovum has been discharged.

/ˈkɔːrtɛks/

The outer layer of an organ or structure, such as the cerebral cortex or adrenal cortex.

/ˌkɔːrtɪkoʊˈstɪərɔɪd/

Any of a group of steroid hormones produced in the adrenal cortex or made synthetically.

/kəˈraɪzə/

Catarrhal inflammation of the mucous membrane in the nose, caused especially by a cold or by hay fever.

/ˈkɒstəl/

Relating to the ribs.

/ˈkreɪniəm/

The skull, especially the part enclosing the brain.

/kriˈætɪniːn/

A compound which is produced by metabolism of creatine and excreted in the urine; high levels often indicate kidney dysfunction.

/ˈkrɛpɪtəs/

A grating sound or sensation produced by friction between bone and cartilage or the fractured parts of a bone.

/ˈkriːtɪnɪzəm/

A condition of severely stunted physical and mental growth due to untreated congenital deficiency of thyroid hormones.

/ˈkraɪkɔɪd/

The ring-shaped cartilage of the larynx.

/kroʊnz dɪˈziːz/

A chronic inflammatory disease of the intestines, especially the colon and ileum, associated with ulcers and fistulae.

/kruːp/

Inflammation of the larynx and trachea in children, associated with infection and causing a barking cough.

/ˌkraɪoʊˈsɜːrdʒəri/

Surgery using the local application of intense cold to destroy unwanted tissue.

/krɪpˈtɔːrkɪdɪzəm/

A condition in which one or both of the testes fail to descend from the abdomen into the scrotum.

/ˈkjuːbɪtəl/

Relating to the elbow or the forearm.

/ˈkʌltʃər/

The cultivation of bacteria, tissue cells, or other living symbols in a prepared medium.

/kjuːˈniːəfɔːrm/

Wedge-shaped; applied to three bones in the foot and one in the wrist.

/ˌkjʊərɪˈtɑːʒ/

The use of a curette, typically to remove tissue from the wall of a body cavity, such as the uterus.

/ˈkʊʃɪŋz ˈsɪndroʊm/

A metabolic disorder caused by overproduction of corticosteroid hormones by the adrenal cortex.

/kjuːˈteɪniəs/

Relating to or affecting the skin.

/ˌsaɪəˈnoʊsɪs/

A bluish discoloration of the skin resulting from poor circulation or inadequate oxygenation of the blood.

/ˌsaɪkloʊˈpliːdʒə/

Paralysis of the ciliary muscle of the eye, resulting in a loss of accommodation.

/sɪst/

An abnormal, membranous sac or cavity of the body containing fluid or semi-solid material.

/ˈsɪstɪk faɪˈbroʊsɪs/

A hereditary disorder affecting the exocrine glands, causing the production of abnormally thick mucus.

/sɪˈstaɪtɪs/

Inflammation of the urinary bladder.

/ˈsɪstəˌsiːl/

A condition in which the wall between a woman's bladder and her vagina weakens and allows the bladder to droop into the vagina.

/sɪˈstɒskəpi/

A procedure that allows a doctor to examine the lining of the bladder and the tube that carries urine out of the body (urethra).

/saɪˈtɒlədʒi/

The branch of biology and medicine concerned with the structure and function of plant and animal cells.

/ˈsaɪtəˌplæzəm/

The material or protoplasm within a living cell, excluding the nucleus.

/ˌsaɪtəˈtɒksɪk/

Toxic to living cells; often used to describe drugs used in chemotherapy to kill cancer cells.