MedTerm Speak

/ˈdʌbəljuː ˈplæsti/

A surgical technique used to revise scars by creating a series of small, interlocking triangular flaps to break up linear tension.

/ˈvɑːrdənbɜːrɡ/

A genetic condition that can cause hearing loss and changes in coloring (pigmentation) of the hair, skin, and eyes.

/weɪst tuː hɪp ˈreɪʃioʊ/

A measurement used to assess abdominal obesity and predict the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

/ˈwɔːkər/

A tool for disabled or elderly people who need additional support to maintain balance or stability while walking.

/ˈwɔːkər ˈwɔːrbɜːrɡ/

A rare multisystem genetic disorder characterized by muscle, brain, and eye abnormalities.

/ˈwɔːkɪŋ njuːˈmoʊniə/

A non-medical term for a mild case of pneumonia, often caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae.

/wɔːl æbˈdɒmɪnəl/

The layers of muscle and fascia that enclose the abdominal cavity.

/wɔːl sɛl/

A rigid layer of polysaccharides lying outside the plasma membrane of the cells of plants, fungi, and bacteria.

/ˈwɔːlaɪ/

Exotropia; a form of strabismus where one or both eyes turn outward.

/vɑːˈlɪəriən/

The process that results when a nerve fiber is cut or crushed and the part of the axon distal to the injury degenerates.

/ˈwɔːlstɛnt/

A brand name for a self-expanding metal stent used in vascular or biliary procedures.

/ˈwɔːlstɛnt ˌɛndoʊprɒsˈθiːsɪs/

A self-expanding medical device used to maintain the patency of narrowed blood vessels or ducts.

/ˈvɑːltər dʌkts/

The minor sublingual ducts that drain saliva from the sublingual glands into the floor of the mouth.

/ˈvɑːltər ˈplɛksəs/

An autonomic nerve plexus found in the pharyngeal region.

/ˈwɒndərɪŋ spliːn/

A rare condition where the spleen is not in its normal position due to laxity of the supporting ligaments.

/ˈwæŋənstiːn tjuːb/

A type of nasogastric tube used for gastric decompression.

/ˈvɑːrbɜːrɡ ɪˈfɛkt/

The observation that cancer cells preferentially use glycolysis for energy even in the presence of oxygen.

/wɔːrd/

A room or division in a hospital for the care of a particular group of patients.

/ˈwɔːrdraʊnd/

A visit by a doctor to hospital patients in their beds to review their progress.

/ˈwɔːrfərɪn/

An anticoagulant medication used to prevent blood clots; commonly known by the brand name Coumadin.

/wɔːrm ˈæntɪˌbɒdi/

An immunoglobulin (usually IgG) that reacts optimally with its antigen at body temperature (37°C).

/ˈwɔːrnɪŋ saɪn/

A symptom or physiological change that suggests the presence of an underlying medical emergency (e.g., chest pain for MI).

/ˈwɔːrən ʃʌnt/

A distal splenorenal shunt used to treat portal hypertension.

/wɔːrt/

A small, hard, benign growth on the skin, caused by a virus (HPV).

/ˈplæntər wɔːrt/

A wart caused by HPV that develops on the soles of the feet.

/vəˈnɪəriəl wɔːrt/

Condyloma acuminatum; a genital wart caused by HPV.

/vəˈruːkə/

A common wart usually found on the hands or fingers.

/wɒʃt rɛd blʌd sɛlz/

Red blood cells that have been rinsed with saline to remove plasma proteins, used to prevent allergic reactions in transfusions.

/ˈwɑːsərmən tɛst/

An antibody test for syphilis, based on complement fixation.

/ˈweɪstɪŋ/

The process by which a debilitating disease causes the muscle and fat tissue to 'waste' away.

/ˈweɪstɪŋ ˈsɪndroʊm/

Cachexia; a condition involving extreme weight loss and muscle atrophy, common in AIDS and advanced cancer.

/ˈweɪstɪŋ ˈmʌsəl/

Atrophy; the loss of muscle mass caused by lack of use, malnutrition, or disease.

/ˈwɔːtər ɪnˌtɒksɪˈkeɪʃən/

Hyponatremia; a potentially fatal disturbance in brain functions that results when the normal balance of electrolytes is pushed out of limits by overhydration.

/ˈwɔːtər ɒn ðə breɪn/

A colloquial term for hydrocephalus, an accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain.

/ˈwɔːtərbɔːrn/

Diseases caused by microorganisms that are transmitted through contaminated water (e.g., cholera).

/ˈwɔːtər klɪər sɛl/

A specialized cell found in the parathyroid gland, often seen in cases of parathyroid hyperplasia.

/ˈwɔːtər ˈhæmər pʌls/

Corrigan's pulse; a jerky pulse that is full and then suddenly collapses, characteristic of aortic regurgitation.

/ˈwɔːtər ˈsɒljʊbəl/

Able to be dissolved in water.

/ˈwɔːtərtræp/

A device used in respiratory circuits to collect condensed water and prevent it from reaching the patient.

/ˈwɔːtərˌbræʃ/

A sudden flow of excessive saliva in the mouth, often associated with acid reflux.

/ˈwɔːtərhaʊs tɛst/

A test used to detect small amounts of mercury in a substance.

/ˈwɔːtərhaʊs ˈfrɪdrɪksən/

Adrenal gland failure due to bleeding into the adrenal glands, commonly caused by severe bacterial infection.

/ˈwɔːtərz vjuː/

A radiographic view used to image the paranasal sinuses, especially the maxillary sinuses.

/ˈwɔːtərʃɛd ɪnˈfɑːrkt/

An area of brain tissue death that occurs between two major arterial territories during periods of systemic hypotension.

/ˈwɒtsən krɪk/

The double-helix structure of the DNA molecule.

/ˈwɒtəl/

In anatomy, sometimes used to describe a fleshy excrescence or appendage of the skin.

/ˈweɪvˌlɛŋkθ/

In medicine, used to define different types of radiation and laser treatments.

/ˈælfə weɪvz/

Rhythmic EEG activity (8-13 Hz) associated with a state of relaxed wakefulness.

/ˈbeɪtə weɪvz/

EEG activity (14-30 Hz) associated with active thinking and alertness.

/ˈdɛltə weɪvz/

Slow EEG activity (0.5-4 Hz) associated with deep sleep.

/ˈθeɪtə weɪvz/

EEG activity (4-7 Hz) associated with drowsiness or light sleep.

/boʊn wæks/

A sterile mixture of beeswax and paraffin used to stop bleeding from bone surfaces during surgery.

/ɪər wæks/

Cerumen; a waxy substance secreted in the ear canal.

/ˈwæksi dɪˌdʒɛnəˈreɪʃən/

Amyloidosis; the accumulation of waxy amyloid proteins in tissues.

/ˈwæksi ˌflɛksəˈbɪləti/

A psychomotor symptom of catatonia where a person remains in a specific position for long periods.

/wiːn/

To accustom an infant to food other than its mother's milk; or to gradually withdraw a patient from a dependency (like a ventilator).

/ˈwiːvərz ˈbɒtəm/

Ischial bursitis; inflammation of the bursa over the 'sit bones' due to prolonged sitting on hard surfaces.

/ˈwɛbɪŋ/

The presence of a fold of skin between fingers or toes (syndactyly) or at the side of the neck.

/ˈveɪbər tɛst/

A quick screening test for hearing that can detect one-sided conductive hearing loss and one-sided sensorineural hearing loss.

/ˈwiːpɪŋ/

The oozing or exuding of fluid, such as from a raw or inflamed skin surface.

/ˈvɛɡənərz ˌɡrænjʊloʊməˈtoʊsɪs/

Now called Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (GPA); an uncommon inflammation of the blood vessels.

/ˈweɪtˌbɛərɪŋ/

The ability of a patient to put weight on a limb during movement or standing.

/weɪt ˈbɛərɪŋ ˈpɑːrʃəl/

A rehabilitation status where a patient is allowed to put only a specified percentage of their body weight on an injured limb.

/vaɪlz dɪˈziːz/

A severe form of leptospirosis, characterized by jaundice, kidney failure, and bleeding.

/vaɪl əˈbɑːloʊs/

A form of uveitis associated with fever and headache.

/vaɪl ˈfeɪlɪks riˈækʃən/

A diagnostic agglutination test used to identify Rickettsial diseases like typhus.

/vaɪl ˈfeɪlɪks tɛst/

An agglutination test for the diagnosis of rickettsial infections.

/ˈwiːlændər/

A rare genetic muscular dystrophy that primarily affects the small muscles of the hands and feet.

/ˈwɛltʃɪz bəˈsɪləs/

An older name for Clostridium perfringens, the cause of gas gangrene.

/wɛl ˌdɪfəˈrɛnʃieɪtɪd/

Tumor cells that look and behave much like normal cells in the tissue of origin; usually less aggressive.

/wɛl ˈpeɪʃənt/

An individual who undergoes a medical examination for preventative care rather than for an active illness.

/ˈwɛlnəs/

The state of being in good health, especially as an actively pursued goal.

/wɛlz kraɪˈtɪəriə/

A clinical prediction rule used to estimate the probability of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE).

/wɛn/

A sebaceous cyst.

/ˈwɛŋkɪbɑːk/

A type of second-degree heart block (Mobitz Type I) where the PR interval progressively lengthens until a beat is dropped.

/ˈvɜːrdnɪɡ ˈhɒfmən/

Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Type 1; a severe hereditary muscle-wasting disease of infants.

/ˈvɜːrmərz/

Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1 (MEN1).

/ˈvɜːrnərz ˈsɪndroʊm/

A rare, progressive genetic disorder that causes premature aging (progeria) beginning in adolescence.

/ˈvɛərnɪkiːz əˈfeɪʒə/

A type of aphasia in which an individual is unable to understand sensory information, resulting in fluent but nonsensical speech.

/ˈvɛərnɪkiːz ˈɛəriə/

An area of the cerebral cortex in the left temporal lobe important for the comprehension of speech.

/ˈvɛərnɪkiːz ɛnˌsɛfəˈlɒpəθi/

A neurological disorder caused by thiamine deficiency, characterized by visual disturbances and ataxia.

/ˈvɜːrthaɪmz/

A radical hysterectomy performed to treat cervical cancer.

/wɛst naɪl ˈvaɪrəs/

A mosquito-borne virus that can cause neurological disease in humans.

/wɛsts ˈsɪndroʊm/

A triad of infantile spasms, a particular EEG pattern (hypsarrhythmia), and intellectual disability.

/ˈwɛstərn blɒt/

A laboratory method used to detect specific protein molecules from among a mixture of proteins.

/ˈwɛstfɑːlz saɪn/

The clinical absence of the patellar reflex (knee-jerk reflex).

/wɛt lʌŋ/

A colloquial term for pulmonary edema or respiratory distress syndrome where fluid fills the alveoli.

/wɛt prɛp/

A gynecological test where a sample of vaginal discharge is observed under a microscope to look for bacteria, yeast, or parasites.

/wɛt tuː draɪ/

A type of wound dressing used to debride a wound by allowing a wet gauze to dry and stick to dead tissue.

/ˈhwɔːrtənz dʌkt/

The submandibular duct that drains saliva into the mouth.

/ˈhwɔːrtənz ˈdʒɛli/

A gelatinous substance within the umbilical cord that protects the blood vessels.

/ˈhwɔːrtənz ˈtuːmər/

Also known as Warthin's tumor; a benign cystic tumor of the salivary glands, most often the parotid gland.

/wiːl/

A suddenly formed, itchy elevation of the skin (hives or a welt).

/ˈhwiːltʃɛər/

A chair fitted with wheels for use as a means of transport by a person who is unable to walk.

/wiːz/

A high-pitched whistling sound made while breathing.

/ˈhwiːzɪŋ ɪnˈspaɪərətɔːri/

A whistling sound heard when a patient breathes in, typically indicating an upper airway obstruction.

/hwɪp snæp ɪˈfɛkt/

In trauma, the rapid acceleration and deceleration of the head causing brain injury (coup-contrecoup).

/ˈhwɪpwɜːrm ɪnˈfɛkʃən/

Trichuriasis; an intestinal infection caused by the parasitic nematode Trichuris trichiura.

/ˈwɪplæʃ/

Injury caused by a severe jerk to the head, typically in a motor-vehicle accident.

/ˈwɪpəl prəˈsiːdʒər/

A complex operation used to treat tumors and other disorders of the pancreas, intestine, and bile duct.

/ˈhwɪpəlz dɪˈziːz/

A rare bacterial infection caused by Tropheryma whipplei that interferes with normal digestion by impairing the breakdown of foods.

/ˈhwɪpwɜːrm/

Trichuris trichiura; a parasitic roundworm of the large intestine.

/ˈhwɪspərd ˌpɛktəˈrɪləkwi/

A clinical sign where a patient's whispered words are heard clearly through a stethoscope, indicating lung consolidation.

/ˈhwɪsəlˌbloʊɪŋ/

In medicine, the act of reporting misconduct or safety concerns within a healthcare organization.

/waɪt ˈætrəfi/

Atrophie blanche; white, star-shaped scars on the legs associated with chronic venous insufficiency.

/waɪt blʌd sɛl/

Leukocyte; a cellular component of the blood that lacks hemoglobin, has a nucleus, and helps the body fight infection.

/waɪt blʌd sɛl kaʊnt/

A test that measures the number of white blood cells in the body; a high count often indicates infection.

/waɪt klɒt/

A complication of heparin therapy characterized by arterial thrombosis.

/waɪt koʊt ˌhaɪpərˈtɛnʃən/

A phenomenon where a patient's blood pressure is high in a clinical setting but normal at home.

/waɪt lɛɡ/

Phlegmasia alba dolens; swelling and paleness of the leg due to deep vein thrombosis, often seen after childbirth.

/waɪt ˈliːʒən/

A general term for any abnormal pale area on the skin or mucous membranes, such as leukoplakia.

/waɪt ˈmætər/

The paler tissue of the brain and spinal cord, consisting mainly of nerve fibers with their myelin sheaths.

/waɪt ˈsʌbstəns əv ʃvɑːn/

An older term for myelin, the fatty insulation around nerve fibers.

/ˈwaɪthɛdz/

Closed comedones; a type of acne where pores are clogged with sebum and skin cells.

/ˈwɪtloʊ/

A painful abscess in the fingertip (herpetic whitlow).

/ˈhwɪtləʊ hɜːˈpɛtɪk/

An infection of the finger caused by the herpes simplex virus.

/ˈhwɪtloʊ ˌmɛləˈnɒtɪk/

A rare form of melanoma that begins under or around the fingernail or toenail.

/ˌdʌbljuː eɪtʃ ˈoʊ/

World Health Organization; the international agency of the UN for health.

/hoʊl blʌd/

Blood as it is drawn from the body, with no components removed.

/hoʊl ˈbɒdi skæn/

A nuclear medicine or radiological procedure that images the entire body to detect cancer or infection.

/huːp/

The noisy, gasping breath following a paroxysm of coughing in pertussis.

/ˈhuːpɪŋ kɔːf/

Pertussis; a highly contagious respiratory tract infection marked by a severe hacking cough followed by a high-pitched intake of breath.

/hwɜːrl/

A spiral or vortex pattern, such as in fingerprints or hair growth.

/wɪk/

A strip of gauze or other material used to maintain an opening in a wound for drainage.

/viːˈdɑːl tɛst/

A test for typhoid and paratyphoid fever.

/waɪd ˈkɒmplɛks ˌtækiˈkɑːrdiə/

A rapid heart rhythm with a QRS duration greater than 0.12 seconds, often indicating ventricular origin.

/ˈwaɪldtaɪp/

The version of a gene or organism that is most common in nature.

/ˈwɪlkiz ˈsɪndroʊm/

Superior Mesenteric Artery (SMA) syndrome; compression of the duodenum leading to intestinal obstruction.

/ˈwɪljəmz ˈsɪndroʊm/

A developmental disorder that affects many parts of the body, characterized by mild to moderate intellectual disability and a 'pixie-like' facial appearance.

/ˈwɪlɪs ˈsɜːrkəl/

A circulatory anastomosis of arteries at the base of the brain that provides collateral blood flow.

/vɪlmz ˈtuːmər/

Nephroblastoma; a type of kidney cancer that occurs in children.

/ˈwɪlsənz dɪˈziːz/

A rare inherited disorder that causes copper to accumulate in the liver, brain, and other vital organs.

/ˈwɪlsənz ˈmʌsəl/

A name sometimes used for the sphincter urethrae muscle.

/ˈwɪndˌtʃɪl/

In medicine, used to assess the risk of frostbite and hypothermia.

/ˈwaɪndʌp/

A process in the spinal cord where repeated painful stimuli lead to an increase in pain perception.

/ˈwɪndoʊ ˈoʊvəl/

Fenestra vestibuli; the membrane-covered opening that leads from the middle ear to the vestibule of the inner ear.

/ˈwɪndoʊ raʊnd/

Fenestra cochleae; one of the two openings from the middle ear into the inner ear, allowing for fluid displacement.

/ˈwɪndˌpaɪp/

The common name for the trachea.

/ˈwɪndsɒk dɪˈfɔːrmɪti/

An intraluminal duodenal web that has been stretched over time, potentially causing obstruction.

/wɪŋd ˈskæpjʊlə/

A condition in which the shoulder blade sticks out from the back, typically due to damage to the long thoracic nerve.

/ˈwɪŋɪŋ əv ðə ˈskæpjʊlə/

A condition where the medial border of the scapula protrudes, usually due to serratus anterior muscle weakness.

/ˈwɪnzloʊ fəˈreɪmən/

The epiploic foramen; the passage of communication between the greater sac and the lesser sac of the abdomen.

/ˈwɪntər ɪtʃ/

Pruritus hiemalis; itching of the skin caused by dry, cold weather.

/ˈwɪntərz ˈfɔːrmjʊlə/

A calculation used to determine if a patient’s respiratory compensation for metabolic acidosis is appropriate.

/ˈvɪrsʊŋ dʌkt/

The main pancreatic duct.

/ˈvɪrsʊŋ ˈsfɪŋktər/

A ring of smooth muscle surrounding the end of the main pancreatic duct.

/ˈwɪzdəm tuːθ/

The third molar, which usually appears between the ages of 17 and 25.

/ˈwɪskɒt ˈɔːldrɪtʃ ˈproʊtiːn/

WASp; a protein involved in the regulation of the actin cytoskeleton in blood cells.

/ˈwɪskɒt ˈɔːldrɪtʃ/

A rare X-linked recessive disease characterized by eczema, low platelet count, and immune deficiency.

/wɪðˈdrɔːəl/

The biological and psychological process of detoxifying from a substance; or the removal of a medical intervention.

/wɪðˈdrɔːəl ˈsɪmptəmz/

Physical and mental symptoms that occur after stopping or reducing the intake of a drug.

/wʊlf ˈhɜːrʃhɔːrn/

A genetic disorder caused by a deletion of material on the fourth chromosome, leading to distinct facial features and developmental delays.

/wʊlf ˈtʃaɪkɒf/

A reduction in thyroid hormone levels caused by the ingestion of a large amount of iodine.

/wʊlf ˈtʃaɪkɒf ɪˈfɛkt/

A physiological reduction in thyroid hormone levels following the administration of a large amount of iodine.

/wʊlf ˈpɑːrkɪnsən waɪt/

A heart condition in which there is an extra electrical pathway in the heart that causes a rapid heartbeat.

/ˈwʊlfiən sɪst/

A cyst arising from the remnants of the Wolffian duct, usually in the broad ligament of the uterus.

/ˈwʊlfiən dʌkt/

The embryonic duct that, in the male, develops into the epididymis, vas deferens, and seminal vesicles.

/wʊdz læmp/

A diagnostic tool that uses ultraviolet light to look at the skin; used to detect fungal infections and pigment disorders.

/wʊdz laɪt ɪɡˌzæmɪˈneɪʃən/

The use of UV light to identify specific skin infections (like erythrasma) which fluoresce under the light.

/ˈwʊli hɛər ˈniːvəs/

A rare skin condition characterized by a patch of hair that is tightly coiled and different in texture from the rest of the scalp.

/ˈwʊlˌsɔːrtərz dɪˈziːz/

The inhalation form of anthrax, historically contracted by workers handling infected wool.

/wɜːrd ˈblaɪndnəs/

Alexia; the inability to understand written words, usually due to brain injury.

/wɜːrd ˈfluːənsi/

A cognitive function tested in neurological exams by asking patients to name as many words as possible starting with a certain letter.

/wɜːrd ˈsæləd/

A jumble of extremely incoherent speech as sometimes observed in schizophrenia.

/ˈwɜːrkʌp/

A comprehensive medical study of a patient, including history, physical exam, and laboratory tests to reach a diagnosis.

/ˈwɜːrkɪŋ ˌdaɪəɡˈnoʊsɪs/

The diagnosis that is considered most likely and is used to guide initial treatment while further tests are pending.

/ˈwɜːrkɪŋ ˈmɛməri/

The part of short-term memory that is concerned with immediate conscious perceptual and linguistic processing.

/ˈpɪnwɜːrm/

Enterobius vermicularis; a small parasitic worm that causes intense itching around the anus.

/ˈwɜːrmiən boʊnz/

Small, irregular bones found in the sutures between the bones of the skull.

/wuːnd/

An injury to living tissue caused by a cut, blow, or other impact, typically one in which the skin is cut or broken.

/wuːnd bɛd/

The base of a wound; assessment of the wound bed is crucial for choosing the correct healing treatment.

/wuːnd dɪˈhɪsəns/

A surgical complication in which a wound ruptures along a surgical incision.

/ˈwoʊvən boʊn/

Immature bone characterized by random collagen fiber orientation; found during embryonic development or fracture repair.

/raɪts steɪn/

A hematologic stain that facilitates the differentiation of blood cell types.

/rɪst/

The joint connecting the hand with the forearm; the carpus.

/drɒprɪst/

Paralysis of the extensor muscles of the wrist and fingers; often a sign of radial nerve injury.

/ˈrɪstdrɒp/

A condition in which the hand hangs limply at the wrist, caused by paralysis of the extensor muscles (radial nerve palsy).

/ˈraɪnɛk/

Another name for torticollis; a twisted neck position.

/ˌwuːkəˈrɪəriə/

A genus of parasitic nematodes that live in the lymphatic system and cause elephantiasis.

/ˌwuːkəˈrɪəriə bænˈkrɒfti/

A parasitic roundworm that is the major cause of lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis).