MedTerm Speak

/ˌviː ˈwaɪ ˈplæsti/

A surgical tissue flap procedure used to lengthen a body part or close a defect.

/ˌvæksɪˈneɪʃən/

Treatment with a vaccine to produce immunity against a disease.

/vækˈsiːn/

A substance used to stimulate the production of antibodies and provide immunity against diseases.

/ˌvæksɪnoʊˈfoʊbiə/

An irrational or morbid fear of vaccines or vaccinations.

/vəˈdʒaɪnə/

The muscular tube leading from the external genitals to the cervix of the uterus in women.

/ˌvædʒɪˈnaɪtɪs/

Inflammation of the vagina.

/veɪˈɡɒtəmi/

A surgical operation in which one or more branches of the vagus nerve are cut, typically to reduce gastric acid secretion.

/ˈveɪɡəs nɜːrv/

The tenth cranial nerve (CN X), which interface with the parasympathetic control of the heart, lungs, and digestive tract.

/ˈveɪləns/

The combining power of an element, especially as measured by the number of hydrogen atoms it can displace or combine with.

/ˈvælɡəs/

A deformity involving outward angulation of the distal segment of a bone or joint (e.g., knock-knees).

/vælˌproʊɪk ˈæsɪd/

A synthetic crystalline compound used as an anticonvulsant and to treat bipolar disorder.

/vælˈsælvə məˈnuːvər/

A breathing technique used to equalize ear pressure or slow a fast heart rate by exhaling forcefully against a closed airway.

/vælv/

A device or anatomical structure that controls the flow of a fluid by opening, closing, or obstructing a port or passage.

/ˌvælvjʊliː ˌkɒnɪˈvɛntiːz/

The large folds of mucous membrane that project into the lumen of the small intestine; also called circular folds.

/ˈvælvjʊlər/

Relating to or affecting a valve, especially one in the heart.

/ˈvælvjʊlər ˌɪnsəˈfɪʃənsi/

Failure of a heart valve to close tightly, allowing blood to leak backward.

/ˌvælvjʊˈlaɪtɪs/

Inflammation of a valve, specifically a heart valve.

/ˈvælvjʊloʊˌplæsti/

Surgical repair of a stenosed (narrowed) heart valve.

/ˈvæmpaɪər bæt ˈreɪbiːz/

A variant of rabies transmitted by the bite of vampire bats, prevalent in parts of Central and South America.

/ˌveɪpəraɪˈzeɪʃən/

The process of turning a solid or liquid into a gas, often used in laser surgery to remove tissue.

/ˈveɪpəraɪzər/

A device used to turn liquid anesthetic or medication into a gas for inhalation.

/ˈvɛəriənt/

A form of a gene, virus, or organism that differs from others of its kind.

/ˌværɪˈkeɪʃən/

The formation of a varix or varicose vein.

/ˌværɪˈsɛlə/

The medical term for chickenpox.

/ˈværɪsiːz/

Abnormally dilated or swollen veins, especially in the esophagus or stomach.

/ˈværɪkəsiːl/

An enlargement of the veins within the loose bag of skin that holds the testicles (scrotum).

/ˈværɪkoʊs veɪnz/

Gnarled, enlarged veins, most commonly appearing in the legs.

/ˌværɪˈkɒtəmi/

Surgical excision of a varicose vein.

/vəˈraɪələ/

The medical term for smallpox.

/ˈvɛrioʊlɔɪd/

A mild form of smallpox occurring in people who have been previously vaccinated.

/ˈvɛərɪks/

A single dilated or tortuous vein.

/ˌvæs ˈdɛfərɛnz/

The duct which conveys sperm from the testicle to the urethra.

/væs/

A prefix relating to a vessel or duct.

/væˈsældʒə/

Pain in a blood vessel.

/ˈvæskjʊlər/

Relating to, affecting, or consisting of a vessel or vessels, especially those which carry blood.

/ˌvæskjʊlərəˈzeɪʃən/

The formation of new blood vessels in a tissue.

/ˌvæskjʊˈlaɪtɪs/

Inflammation of the blood vessels.

/ˌvæskjʊloʊˈdʒɛnəsɪs/

The process of blood vessel formation in an embryo.

/væˈsɛktəmi/

The surgical cutting and sealing of part of each vas deferens, typically as a means of sterilization.

/ˈvæsɪfɔːrm/

Resembling a vessel or duct.

/ˌveɪzoʊkənˈstrɪkʃən/

The constriction of blood vessels, which increases blood pressure.

/ˌveɪzoʊdaɪˈleɪʃən/

The widening of blood vessels, which decreases blood pressure.

/ˌveɪzoʊdaɪˈleɪtər/

A drug or chemical that causes the widening of blood vessels.

/væˈsɒɡrəfi/

Radiographic visualization of the vas deferens.

/ˌveɪzoʊɪnˈhɪbɪtɔːri/

Relating to the reduction or inhibition of vasomotor activity.

/ˌveɪzoʊˈmoʊtər/

Relating to the nerves or centers that provide for the constriction and dilation of blood vessels.

/ˌveɪzoʊnjʊˈroʊsɪs/

A disorder of the vascular system caused by a nervous condition (e.g., Raynaud's disease).

/ˌveɪzoʊpəˈriːsɪs/

Partial paralysis or weakness of the vasomotor nerves.

/ˌveɪzoʊˈprɛsənt/

An agent that causes narrowing of the blood vessels and an increase in blood pressure.

/ˌveɪzoʊˈprɛsɪn/

Antidiuretic hormone (ADH); a hormone that helps the kidneys manage the amount of water in the body.

/ˈveɪzoʊˌpʌŋktʃər/

Puncture of a vessel, specifically the vas deferens.

/ˌveɪzoʊˈriːflɛks/

A reflex that affects the caliber (width) of blood vessels.

/ˈveɪzoʊˌsɛkʃən/

Surgical cutting of the vas deferens; another term for vasectomy.

/ˈveɪzoʊspæzəm/

Sudden constriction of a blood vessel, reducing blood flow.

/ˌveɪzoʊˈtoʊniə/

The tone or tension of the blood vessels.

/ˈveɪzoʊˌtrɪpsi/

The surgical crushing of a blood vessel to stop bleeding.

/ˌveɪzoʊˈveɪɡəl ˈsɪŋkəpi/

A sudden drop in heart rate and blood pressure that leads to fainting, often in reaction to a stressful trigger.

/ˈvæstəs ˌlætəˈreɪlɪs/

The largest and most powerful part of the quadriceps muscle, located on the side of the thigh.

/vɔːlt/

An anatomical structure with an arched roof (e.g., the cranial vault or vaginal vault).

/ˌvɛktoʊˌkɑːrdiˈɒɡrəfi/

A method of recording the magnitude and direction of the electrical forces of the heart.

/ˈvɛktər/

An organism (typically an insect) that transmits a disease or parasite from one animal or plant to another.

/ˈvɛdʒɪteɪtɪv steɪt/

A chronic condition in which a brain-damaged patient shows wakefulness but no evidence of awareness or higher mental activity.

/ˌveɪjəˈnɛlə/

A genus of anaerobic bacteria commonly found in the human mouth and respiratory tract.

/veɪn/

Any of the tubes forming part of the blood circulation system of the body, carrying in most cases oxygen-depleted blood toward the heart.

/ˈvɛlɪkeɪt/

To twitch or cause to twitch; used of muscle fasciculations.

/ˈvɛləs hɛər/

The short, fine, pale hair that grows over most of the body during childhood.

/ˈviːləm/

A membrane or structure resembling a veil or curtain, such as the soft palate (velum palatinum).

/ˈviːnə ˈkeɪvə/

A large vein carrying deoxygenated blood into the heart (superior and inferior).

/viːˈneɪʃən/

The arrangement of veins in a part of the body.

/viːˈneɪʃən/

The system or arrangement of veins in an organ or part.

/vəˈnɪər/

In dentistry, a thin layer of restorative material placed over a tooth surface.

/vəˈnɪəriəl/

Relating to sexual desire or sexual intercourse; historically used to describe sexually transmitted infections.

/ˈvɛnɪplɛks/

A network of veins.

/ˈvɛnɪˌpʌŋktʃər/

The puncture of a vein as part of a medical procedure, typically to withdraw a blood sample or for an intravenous injection.

/ˌviːnoʊkənˈstrɪkʃən/

The contraction of veins, which helps return blood to the heart.

/ˈviːnoʊˌɡræm/

An X-ray of the veins, taken after a special dye has been injected.

/ˈvɛnəm/

A poisonous substance secreted by animals such as snakes, spiders, and scorpions and typically injected into prey or aggressors by biting or stinging.

/ˌviːnoʊˈmoʊtər/

Relating to the nerves that control the contraction and dilation of veins.

/ˈvɛnəməs/

Capable of secreting venom; poisonous.

/ˌviːnoʊˈsteɪsɪs/

The slowing or stopping of the flow of blood in the veins.

/viːˈnɒtəmi/

The surgical opening of a vein; phlebotomy.

/ˈviːnəs/

Relating to a vein or the veins.

/ˈviːnəs ˌɪnsəˈfɪʃənsi/

A condition where the veins have problems sending blood from the limbs back to the heart.

/ˌvɛntɪˈleɪʃən/

The provision of fresh air to a room or building; in medicine, the exchange of air between the lungs and the atmosphere.

/mɪˈkænɪkəl ˌvɛntɪˈleɪʃən/

The use of a machine (ventilator) to assist or replace spontaneous breathing.

/ˌvɛntɪˈleɪʃən pərˈfjuːʒən ˈreɪʃioʊ/

The ratio of the amount of air reaching the alveoli to the amount of blood reaching the alveoli ($V/Q$ ratio).

/ˌvɛntɪˈleɪʃən pərˈfjuːʒən skæn/

A V/Q scan; a medical test used to evaluate the circulation of air and blood within a patient's lungs.

/vɛnˈtuːz/

A vacuum extractor used to assist in the delivery of a baby.

/ˈvɛntræd/

Toward the ventral or abdominal side of the body.

/ˈvɛntrəl/

Relating to the underside of an animal or plant; abdominal. Opposite of dorsal.

/ˈvɛntrəl ruːt/

The motor root of a spinal nerve.

/ˈvɛntrɪkəl/

A hollow part or cavity in an organ, in particular one of the two main chambers of the heart, or the four cavities in the brain.

/vɛnˈtrɪkjʊlər ˌfɪbrɪˈleɪʃən/

A life-threatening heart rhythm that results in a rapid, inadequate heartbeat.

/vɛnˈtrɪkjʊlər ˈɡæləp/

An extra heart sound (S3) that occurs early in diastole; often associated with heart failure.

/vɛnˈtrɪkjʊlər ˈsɛptəl ˈdiːfɛkt/

VSD; a hole in the wall (septum) separating the two lower chambers of the heart.

/vɛnˌtrɪkjʊˈlaɪtɪs/

Inflammation of the ventricles of the brain.

/vɛnˌtrɪkjʊˈlɒɡrəfi/

A diagnostic test used to view the heart's ventricles or the brain's ventricles after injecting a contrast dye.

/vɛnˌtrɪkjʊloʊˌpɛrɪtəˈniːəl ʃʌnt/

VP shunt; a medical device used to drain excess cerebrospinal fluid from the brain into the abdomen.

/vɛnˌtrɪkjʊˈlɒstəmi/

A surgical procedure that creates a hole in a cerebral ventricle to drain cerebrospinal fluid.

/ˌvɛntroʊˈlætərəl/

Involving both the front and the side of a structure.

/ˌvɛntroʊˈmiːdiəl/

Involving both the front and the middle of a structure.

/ˈvɛnjʊlər/

Pertaining to a venule (a small vein).

/ˈvɛnjuːl/

A very small vein, especially one collecting blood from the capillaries.

/ˈvɜːrmɪsaɪd/

A substance used to kill parasitic worms.

/ˈvɜːrmɪfɔːrm əˈpɛndɪks/

The full name for the appendix; 'vermiform' meaning worm-like.

/ˈvɜːrmɪfjuːdʒ/

A medicine used to expel parasitic worms from the body.

/ˈvɜːrmɪs/

The narrow central part of the cerebellum between the two hemispheres.

/ˈvɜːrnɪks/

Shortened term for vernix caseosa; the waxy substance on newborns.

/ˈvɜːrnɪks ˌkæsiˈoʊsə/

A greasy white substance which coats the skin of newborn babies.

/vəˈruːkə/

The medical term for a wart.

/vəˈruːkə plænˈtɛərɪs/

The medical term for a plantar wart, occurring on the sole of the foot.

/vəˈruːsɪfɔːrm/

Resembling a wart.

/vəˈruːkəs/

Covered with warts or having a wart-like surface.

/ˈvɜːrsɪˌkʌlər/

Of various colors; often used in 'Tinea versicolor,' a common fungal skin infection.

/ˈvɜːrtɪbrə/

Each of the series of small bones forming the backbone.

/ˈvɜːrtɪbrəl ˈkɒləm/

The spine; the sequence of vertebrae from the skull to the coccyx.

/ˈvɜːrtɪbreɪtɪd/

Having a backbone or spinal column.

/ˌvɜːrtɪbroʊˈbæsɪlər/

Relating to the vertebral and basilar arteries, which supply blood to the back of the brain.

/ˈvɜːrtɪbroʊˌplæsti/

A surgical procedure to treat painful compression fractures in the spine by injecting bone cement.

/ˈvɜːrtɛks/

The highest point; the top of the head.

/vərˈtɪsɪleɪt/

Arranged in a whorl or circular pattern.

/ˈvɜːrtɪɡoʊ/

A sensation of whirling and loss of balance, associated particularly with looking down from a great height, or caused by disease affecting the inner ear.

/ˈvɛsɪkəl/

Relating to the urinary bladder.

/ˈvɛsɪkənt/

An agent that causes blistering (e.g., certain chemical weapons or chemotherapy drugs).

/ˈvɛsɪkəl/

A small fluid-filled bladder, sac, or vacuole within the body; often used to describe small blisters on the skin.

/ˌvɛsɪkoʊfɪkˈseɪʃən/

The surgical fixation of the urinary bladder to the abdominal wall.

/ˌvɛsɪkoʊjʊˈriːtərəl/

VUR; the backward flow of urine from the bladder into the kidneys.

/ˌvɛsɪkoʊˈjuːtərɪn paʊtʃ/

A fold of peritoneum between the urinary bladder and the uterus.

/ˌvɛsɪkoʊˈvædʒɪnəl ˈfɪstjʊlə/

An abnormal opening between the urinary bladder and the vagina.

/vəˈsɪkjʊlər/

The normal sound of air moving in and out of the lungs when heard through a stethoscope.

/ˈvɛsəl/

A tube or canal (such as an artery or vein) in which a body fluid (such as blood or lymph) is contained and circulated.

/vɛˈstɪbjʊlər/

Relating to a vestibule, particularly that of the inner ear, or more generally to the sense of balance.

/vɛˈstɪbjʊlər ˌnjʊərəˈnaɪtɪs/

Inflammation of the vestibular nerve, causing sudden, severe vertigo.

/ˈvɛstɪbjuːl/

A chamber or channel communicating with or opening into another; in the ear, the central part of the bony labyrinth.

/vɛˌstɪbjʊloʊˈkɒkliər/

The eighth cranial nerve (CN VIII), responsible for hearing and balance.

/vɛˈstɪbjʊloʊˌplæsti/

A surgical procedure to increase the height of the alveolar ridge for better denture fitting.

/vɛˌstɪbjʊloʊˈspaɪnəl trækt/

A neural pathway in the spinal cord that helps maintain equilibrium and posture.

/vɛˈstɪdʒiəl/

Forming a very small remnant of something that was once greater or more noticeable (e.g., the appendix).

/vɛkˈsɪləm/

The fringe of hair on the legs of certain insects; in anatomy, rarely used to describe specific hair-like structures.

/ˈvaɪəbəl/

Capable of surviving or living successfully, especially of a fetus capable of living outside the uterus.

/ˈvaɪəl/

A small container, typically made of glass, used especially for holding liquid medicines.

/vaɪˈbreɪʃən/

An instance of vibrating; used in physical exams to test nerve function (vibratory sense).

/ˈvɪbrioʊ/

A waterborne bacterium of a group that includes those causing cholera.

/ˈvɪlaɪ ˌkɔːriˈɒnɪk/

Tiny projections of placental tissue that share the same genetic makeup as the fetus.

/ˌvɪloʊˈnɒdjʊlər ˌsaɪnoʊˈvaɪtɪs/

A joint disease characterized by inflammation and overgrowth of the joint lining.

/ˈvɪləs/

Small, finger-like projections that extend into the small intestine to increase surface area for absorption; plural: villi.

/ˈvɪnsənts ænˈdʒaɪnə/

Also known as Trench Mouth; a painful bacterial infection and ulceration of the gums.

/ˈvɪŋkjʊlə/

Small bands of connective tissue that anchor tendons to bones.

/ˈvaɪrəl ɛɡˈzænθəm/

A skin rash caused by a viral infection (e.g., measles or rubella).

/ˈvaɪrəl loʊd/

A measurement of the amount of a virus in an organism, typically in the bloodstream.

/vaɪˈriːmiə/

The presence of viruses in the blood.

/ˌvɪrɪlaɪˈzeɪʃən/

The development of male physical characteristics in a female or precociously in a boy.

/vaɪˈrɒlədʒi/

The branch of science that deals with the study of viruses.

/ˈvɪrjʊləns/

The severity or harmfulness of a disease or poison.

/ˈvaɪrəs/

An infective agent that typically consists of a nucleic acid molecule in a protein coat and is able to multiply only within the living cells of a host.

/ˈvɪsərə/

The internal organs in the main cavities of the body, especially those in the abdomen (e.g., intestines).

/ˈvɪsərəl/

Relating to the viscera.

/ˌvɪsərɒpˈtoʊsɪs/

The downward displacement or sagging of the internal organs.

/ˌvɪsəroʊrɪˈsɛptər/

A sensory receptor located in the internal organs that responds to stimuli within the body.

/ˌvɪskɒˈsɪmɪtər/

An instrument used to measure the viscosity of fluids like blood or joint fluid.

/vɪˈskɒsəti/

The state of being thick, sticky, and semi-fluid in consistency, due to internal friction.

/ˈvɪskəs/

Thick and sticky; having a high resistance to flow.

/ˈvɪʒən/

The faculty or state of being able to see.

/ˈvɪʒuəl əˈkjuːəti/

Sharpness of vision, measured by the ability to discern letters or numbers at a given distance.

/ˈvɪʒuəl fiːld/

The entire area that a person can see when their eyes are fixed in one position.

/ˈvaɪtəl kəˈpæsɪti/

The greatest volume of air that can be expelled from the lungs after taking the deepest possible breath.

/ˈvaɪtəl saɪnz/

Clinical measurements, specifically pulse rate, temperature, respiration rate, and blood pressure, that indicate the state of a patient's essential body functions.

/vaɪˈtæləti/

The state of being strong and active; energy.

/ˈvaɪtəlz/

The body's most important internal organs (heart, lungs, etc.).

/ˈvaɪtəmɪn/

Any of a group of organic compounds which are essential for normal growth and nutrition and are required in small quantities in the diet.

/ˈvaɪtəmɪnz/

Vitamins A, D, E, and K, which are absorbed along with fats in the diet and stored in the body's fatty tissue.

/ˈvaɪtəmɪnz/

Vitamins B and C, which are not stored in the body and must be replaced daily.

/ˌvɪtɪˈlaɪɡoʊ/

A condition in which the pigment is lost from areas of the skin, causing whitish patches.

/vɪˈtrɛktəmi/

Surgical removal of all or part of the vitreous humor from the eye.

/ˌvɪtrioʊˈrɛtɪnəl/

Relating to both the vitreous humor and the retina of the eye.

/ˈvɪtriəs dɪˈtætʃmənt/

A condition where the vitreous gel pulls away from the retina.

/ˈvɪtriəs ˈhjuːmər/

The transparent jelly-like tissue filling the eyeball behind the lens.

/ˌvɪvɪˈsɛkʃən/

The practice of performing operations on live animals for the purpose of experimentation or scientific research.

/ˈvoʊkəl kɔːrdz/

Folds of membranous tissue which project inward from the sides of the larynx to form a slit across the glottis in the throat, and whose edges vibrate in the airstream to produce the voice.

/voʊˈkeɪʃənəl ˌriːhəˌbɪlɪˈteɪʃən/

A process which enables persons with disabilities to overcome barriers to accessing or maintaining employment.

/vɔɪs bɒks/

The common name for the larynx.

/ˈvɔɪdɪŋ/

The medical term for urinating.

/ˈvɔɪdɪŋ ˌsɪstoʊjʊˈriːθrəɡræm/

VCUG; an X-ray study of the bladder and urethra done while the patient is urinating.

/ˈvoʊlər/

Relating to the palm of the hand or the sole of the foot.

/ˈvɒlhɑːrdz tɛst/

A kidney function test used to determine the ability of the kidneys to concentrate or dilute urine.

/ˈvɒlkmænz kənˈtræktʃər/

A permanent shortening of forearm muscles, usually resulting from injury, that gives rise to a claw-like deformity of the hand.

/ˈvoʊltɪdʒ ˈɡeɪtɪd ˈtʃænəl/

A type of ion channel that opens or closes in response to changes in the electrical potential across the cell membrane.

/ˌvɒljʊˈmɛtrɪk/

Relating to the measurement of volume.

/ˈvɒləntɛri ˈmʌsəl/

Muscle whose action is normally controlled by an individual's will; skeletal muscle.

/ˈvɒlvjʊləs/

An obstruction caused by twisting of the stomach or intestine.

/ˈvoʊmər/

The small, thin bone separating the left and right nasal cavities.

/ˈvɒmɪtɪŋ/

Emesis; the forceful expulsion of the contents of one's stomach through the mouth.

/ˈvɒmɪtəs/

Matter that has been vomited.

/vɒn ˈvɪləbrænd dɪˈziːz/

A common inherited bleeding disorder caused by a deficiency or defect in von Willebrand factor.

/vwɑːˈjɜːrɪzəm/

A psychiatric condition characterized by the urge to observe unsuspecting people while they are undressing or engaging in sexual activities.

/ˈvʌlpaɪn/

Relating to or resembling a fox; in medicine, sometimes used to describe a specific facial appearance in certain disorders.

/vʌlˈsɛləm/

A pair of surgical forceps with hooks at the end of each blade, used for grasping tissues like the cervix.

/ˈvʌlvə/

The female external genitals.

/vʌlˈvaɪtɪs/

Inflammation of the vulva.

/ˌvʌlvoʊˌvædʒɪˈnaɪtɪs/

Inflammation of both the vulva and the vagina.