MedTerm Speak

Master the language of medicine

Karyotype

KAR-ee-oh-typ

/ˈkærioʊˌtaɪp/

The number and visual appearance of the chromosomes in the cell nuclei of an organism.

Keratin

KER-uh-tin

/ˈkɛrətɪn/

A fibrous protein forming the main structural constituent of hair, feathers, hoofs, claws, and horns.

Keratinocyte

keh-RAT-ih-noh-syt

/kəˈrætɪnoʊˌsaɪt/

An epidermal cell that produces keratin.

Ketone Bodies

KEE-tohn BOD-eez

/ˈkiːtoʊn ˈbɒdiz/

Chemicals that the body makes when it burns fat for energy, often produced during starvation or diabetes.

Ketosis

kee-TOH-sis

/kiːˈtoʊsɪs/

A metabolic state characterized by raised levels of ketone bodies in the body tissues.

Kidney

KID-nee

/ˈkɪdni/

One of a pair of organs in the abdominal cavity that excrete urine and regulate water and salt balance.

Kilocalorie

KIL-uh-kal-uh-ree

/ˈkɪləˌkæləri/

A unit of energy of 1,000 calories (often used to express the energy value of food).

Kinase

KY-nays

/ˈkaɪneɪs/

An enzyme that catalyzes the transfer of a phosphate group from ATP to a specified molecule.

Kupffer Cells

KOOP-fur selz

/ˈkʊpfər sɛlz/

Specialized macrophages located in the liver that line the walls of the sinusoids.

Kyphosis

ky-FOH-sis

/kaɪˈfoʊsɪs/

Excessive outward curvature of the spine, causing hunching of the back.