MedTerm Speak

Master the language of medicine

Quadratus Lumborum

kwod-RAY-tus lum-BOR-um

/kwɒˈdreɪtəs lʌmˈbɔːrəm/

A muscle of the posterior abdominal wall that helps with lateral flexion of the vertebral column and stabilizes the pelvis.

Quadriceps Femoris

KWOD-rih-seps FEM-or-is

/ˌkwɒdrɪsɛps ˈfɛmərɪs/

A large muscle group on the front of the thigh, consisting of four individual muscles that extend the knee.

Qualitative Analysis

KWOL-ih-tay-tiv uh-NAL-ih-sis

/ˈkwɒlɪtətɪv əˈnælɪsɪs/

In physiology, the determination of the nature of a substance (like identifying a hormone in a sample) rather than its amount.

Quantitative Analysis

KWON-tih-tay-tiv uh-NAL-ih-sis

/ˈkwɒntɪtətɪv əˈnælɪsɪs/

The measurement of the exact amount or concentration of a physiological substance (e.g., measuring blood glucose levels in mg/dL).

Quaternary Structure

kwuh-TUR-nuh-ree STRUK-chur

/kwəˈtɜːrnəri ˈstrʌktʃər/

The most complex level of protein structure, formed by the combination of two or more polypeptide chains (e.g., the structure of hemoglobin).

Quiescent Phase

kwee-ES-unt fayz

/kwiˈɛsənt feɪz/

A period of inactivity or dormancy in a cell (often referred to as G0 phase) or an organ before a response is triggered.