MedTerm Speak

Master the language of medicine

Gallbladder

GAWL-blad-er

/ˈɡɔːlbˌlædər/

A small hollow organ where bile is stored and concentrated before it is released into the small intestine.

Gamete

GAM-eet

/ˈɡæmiːt/

A mature haploid male or female germ cell which is able to unite with another of the opposite sex in sexual reproduction.

Ganglion

GANG-glee-on

/ˈɡæŋɡliən/

A structure containing a number of nerve cell bodies, typically linked by synapses.

Gastrin

GAS-trin

/ˈɡæstrɪn/

A hormone which stimulates secretion of gastric juice and is secreted into the blood by the stomach wall.

Gene

jeen

/dʒiːn/

A unit of heredity which is transferred from a parent to offspring and is held to determine some characteristic of the offspring.

Gestation

jes-TAY-shun

/dʒɛˈsteɪʃən/

The process or period of being carried in the womb between conception and birth.

Glomerular Filtration Rate

glom-ER-yoo-lur fil-TRAY-shun rayt

/ɡləˈmɛrjʊlər fɪlˈtreɪʃən reɪt/

A test used to check how well the kidneys are working by estimating how much blood passes through the glomeruli each minute.

Glomerulus

glom-ER-yoo-lus

/ɡləˈmɛrjʊləs/

A cluster of capillaries around the end of a kidney tubule, where waste products are filtered from the blood.

Glossopharyngeal Nerve

gloss-oh-fuh-RIN-jee-ul nurv

/ˌɡlɒsoʊfəˈrɪndʒiəl nɜːrv/

The ninth cranial nerve, which supplies the tongue and pharynx.

Glucagon

GLOO-kuh-gon

/ˈɡluːkəˌɡɒn/

A hormone formed in the pancreas which promotes the breakdown of glycogen to glucose in the liver.

Glucocorticoid

gloo-koh-KOR-tih-koyd

/ˌɡluːkoʊˈkɔːrtɪkɔɪd/

Any of a group of corticosteroids which are involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.

Gluconeogenesis

gloo-koh-nee-oh-JEN-ih-sis

/ˌɡluːkoʊˌniːoʊˈdʒɛnɪsɪs/

The formation of glucose from non-carbohydrate sources, such as amino acids or glycerol.

Glucose

GLOO-kohs

/ˈɡluːkoʊs/

A simple sugar which is an important energy source in living organisms and is a component of many carbohydrates.

Glycogen

GLY-kuh-jen

/ˈɡlaɪkədʒən/

A substance deposited in bodily tissues as a store of carbohydrates; it is a polysaccharide which forms glucose on hydrolysis.

Glycogenesis

gly-koh-JEN-ih-sis

/ˌɡlaɪkoʊˈdʒɛnɪsɪs/

The formation of glycogen from glucose.

Glycolysis

gly-KOL-ih-sis

/ɡlaɪˈkɒlɪsɪs/

The breakdown of glucose by enzymes, releasing energy and pyruvic acid.

Goblet Cell

GOB-let sel

/ˈɡɒblɪt sɛl/

A column-shaped cell found in the respiratory and intestinal tracts, which secretes the main component of mucus.

Gonadotropin

go-nad-oh-TROH-pin

/ɡoʊˌnædəˈtroʊpɪn/

Any of a group of hormones secreted by the pituitary which stimulate the activity of the gonads.

Gustatory

GUS-tuh-tor-ee

/ˈɡʌstəˌtɔːri/

Relating to the sense of tasting.