MedTerm Speak

Master the language of medicine

Haustra

HAWS-truh

/ˈhɔːstrə/

Small pouches in the colon caused by sacculation, which give the colon its segmented appearance.

Haversian Canal

huh-VUR-shun kuh-NAL

/həˈvɜːrʒən kəˈnæl/

Minute tubes in the outermost region of bone which allow blood vessels and nerves to pass through.

Hematocrit

hee-MAT-oh-krit

/hɪˈmætəkrɪt/

The ratio of the volume of red blood cells to the total volume of blood.

Hematopoiesis

hee-ma-toh-poy-EE-sis

/ˌhiːmətəpɔɪˈiːsɪs/

The production of all types of blood cells including formation, development, and differentiation.

Hemoglobin

HEE-muh-gloh-bin

/ˈhiːməˌɡloʊbɪn/

A red protein responsible for transporting oxygen in the blood of vertebrates.

Hemolysis

hee-MOL-ih-sis

/hiːˈmɒlɪsɪs/

The rupture or destruction of red blood cells.

Hemostasis

hee-moh-STAY-sis

/ˌhiːməˈsteɪsɪs/

The stopping of a flow of blood.

Hepatic

heh-PAT-ik

/hɪˈpætɪk/

Relating to the liver.

Hepatocyte

heh-PAT-oh-syt

/hɪˈpætoʊˌsaɪt/

A liver cell, responsible for protein synthesis and detoxification.

Hiatus

hy-AY-tus

/haɪˈeɪtəs/

A natural opening or perforation through a structure (e.g., the esophageal hiatus in the diaphragm).

Hippocampus

hip-oh-KAM-pus

/ˌhɪpəˈkæmpəs/

A complex brain structure embedded deep into temporal lobe; it has a major role in learning and memory.

Histamine

HIS-tuh-meen

/ˈhɪstəmiːn/

A compound released by cells in response to injury and in allergic and inflammatory reactions.

Homeostasis

hoh-mee-oh-STAY-sis

/ˌhoʊmioʊˈsteɪsɪs/

The tendency toward a relatively stable equilibrium between interdependent physiological processes.

Hormone

HOR-mohn

/ˈhɔːrmoʊn/

A regulatory substance produced in an organism and transported in tissue fluids such as blood to stimulate specific cells into action.

Hyaline Cartilage

HY-uh-lin KAR-tih-lij

/ˈhaɪəlɪn ˈkɑːrtɪlɪdʒ/

A translucent bluish-white type of cartilage present in the joints, the respiratory tract, and the immature skeleton.

Hydrostatic Pressure

hy-druh-STAT-ik PRESH-ur

/ˌhaɪdrəˈstætɪk ˈprɛʃər/

The pressure exerted by a fluid at equilibrium at a given point within the fluid, due to the force of gravity.

Hypercapnia

hy-pur-KAP-nee-uh

/ˌhaɪpərˈkæpniə/

Excessive carbon dioxide in the bloodstream, typically caused by inadequate respiration.

Hyperplasia

hy-pur-PLAY-zhuh

/ˌhaɪpərˈpleɪʒə/

The enlargement of an organ or tissue caused by an increase in the reproduction rate of its cells.

Hypertonic

hy-pur-TON-ik

/ˌhaɪpərˈtɒnɪk/

Having a higher osmotic pressure than a particular fluid, typically a body fluid or intracellular fluid.

Hypertrophy

hy-PUR-truh-fee

/haɪˈpɜːrtrəfi/

The enlargement of an organ or tissue from the increase in size of its cells.

Hypothalamus

hy-poh-THAL-uh-mus

/ˌhaɪpəˈθæləməs/

A region of the forebrain below the thalamus which coordinates both the autonomic nervous system and the activity of the pituitary.

Hypoxia

hy-POK-see-uh

/haɪˈpɒksiə/

Deficiency in the amount of oxygen reaching the tissues.