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Medical terms glossary page 11

Medical terms explained in plain English. 2,035 words and meanings, most familiar first.

Word	Meaning
impetigo noun	A contagious bacterial skin disease forming pustules and yellow crusty sores, chiefly on the face and hands. It is common in children and infection is often through cuts or insect bites.
indagation noun	The determination of the condition of the genital parts at the termination of the puerperium preliminary to the discharge of the patient.
infarct noun	An area of dead tissue caused by a loss of blood supply; a localized necrosis.
infundibular adjective	Having to do with an infundibulum
ingrowth noun	Growth inwards.
inotropic noun	An inotropic heart drug.
internist noun	A physician who specialises in internal medicine.
interventionism noun	The medical practice of trying to prolong someone's life.
intort verb	To twist inwards.
intranasal adjective	Taken through the nose.
intrathecal adjective	Delivered into the spinal canal (intrathecal space surrounding the spinal cord), e.g. a spinal anesthesia.
intravenously adverb	In an intravenous manner; by means of intravenous injection.
intussuscept verb	To cause or undergo intussusception.
iodism noun	Iodine poisoning
iontophoresis noun	A treatment in which electrodes are put in contact with tissue and a voltage is applied in order to introduce an ionized medication
ipecacuanha noun	The root of Carapichea ipecacuanha, used as an emetic or purgative; a preparation of this root used as a drug; ipecac.
ipsilateral adjective	On the same side of the body.
ipsilaterally adverb	On the same side of the body.
iridic adjective	Of or relating to the iris of the eye.
iritis noun	An inflammation of the iris.
ischemia noun	Local disturbance in blood circulation due to mechanical obstruction of the blood supply (for example, embolism, thrombosis, or vasoconstriction).
isogeneic adjective	Having the same genetic makeup and origin.
karyology noun	The study of the nuclei of cells, especially with regard to the chromosomes which they contain.
keloid noun	A hard raised growth of scar tissue at the site of an injury.
keratoconjunctivitis noun	An inflammation of the cornea and the conjunctiva.
keratoplasty noun	Grafting or transplantation of the cornea
keratose adjective	Relating to or marked by keratosis; horny.
keratosis noun	The condition of having keratin growing on the skin.
keratotomy noun	A surgical incision in the cornea.
kwashiorkor noun	A form of malnutrition, found in children, caused by dietary insufficiency of protein in combination with a high-carbohydrate diet.
kyphosis noun	An abnormal convex curvature of the spine in the cervical or lumbar regions of the spine.
kyphotic adjective	Relating to, or exhibiting, kyphosis.
lacunar adjective	Of or pertaining to a lacuna.
laparoscopy noun	Examination of the loins or abdomen, now specifically examination or surgery on the peritoneal cavity using a laparoscope.
laparotomy noun	The surgical procedure for making an incision in the abdominal wall to gain access into the abdominal cavity. Performed either as exploratory surgery, or as the first step in an abdominal operation.
laryngectomy noun	The surgical removal of part or all of the larynx, most often performed in cases of laryngeal cancer.
lentigo noun	A brown pigmented spot on the skin.
leprotic adjective	Of or related to the disease leprosy.
leucoma noun	An opaque area or scar on the cornea of an eye
leukodystrophy noun	Any of a group of disorders characterized by progressive degeneration of the white matter of the brain, caused by imperfect growth or development of the myelin sheath that acts as an insulator around nerve fibres.
leukopenia noun	An abnormally low count of leukocytes, or white blood cells, in the blood.
leukorrhea noun	Thick, whitish vaginal discharge.
leukotomy noun	Lobotomy
lientery noun	A form of diarrhea in which food passes through the body with little or no digestion.
ligatured adjective	Ligated or tied.
limbus noun	A border of an anatomical part, such as the edge of the cornea.
lipoma noun	A nonmalignant tumor comprising fat cells.
listeriosis noun	An infectious disease of humans and animals caused by the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes and Listeria ivanovii, often through contaminated food.
lithiasis noun	The process of forming stone-like deposits or calculi formed in an internal organ, such as a gallstone in the gall bladder.
lithotripsy noun	A treatment, typically using ultrasound shock waves or crushing with a surgical instrument, by which a kidney stone or similar calculus is broken into particles small enough to be voided or washed out.
lobectomy noun	The surgical removal of a lobe from an organ such as the lung or the brain
lobulation noun	The presence of lobules (in a place where there are normally none)
lordosis noun	An excessive backwards curvature of the spine, causing a hollow in the back.
lordotic adjective	Of, relating to or afflicted with lordosis; having an abnormal backwards curvature of the spine.
lucency noun	A pale area revealed in radiography, computed tomography, or similar examination technique.
lumpectomy noun	The surgical removal of a tumour or cyst from a breast.
luxation noun	The act of luxating, or the state of being luxated; a dislocation or displacement.
lymphadenitis noun	Inflammation or swelling of lymph nodes; it is often a nonspecific sign of infection but is also often of obscure origin and benign.
lymphadenopathy noun	An abnormal enlargement of the lymph nodes; it is often a nonspecific sign of infection but is also often of obscure origin and benign.
lymphocytosis noun	An increase in the number or proportion of lymphocytes in the blood
lymphosarcoma noun	A diffuse malignant lymphoma.
macroglobulinemia noun	The presence of high levels of macroglobulins in the blood
macular adjective	Relating to the macula, the area of the retina responsible for detailed central vision
magistral adjective	Formulated extemporaneously, or for a special case; opposed to officinal, and said of prescriptions and medicines.
malarious adjective	With malaria; where people may catch malaria.
malposition noun	An abnormal position of an organ or other part of the body.
mammography noun	X-ray examination of the breasts for diagnosing and locating abnormalities, especially tumours.
marasmus noun	A condition of chronic undernourishment especially in children, caused by a diet deficient in calories or the inability to digest protein and presenting as a severe loss of body weight.
mastitis noun	Inflammation of a breast.
mastoidectomy noun	The surgical procedure to remove part or all of the mastoid process
mastoiditis noun	Inflammation of the mastoid process of the temporal bone.
meconium noun	A dark green mass, the contents of the fetal intestines during the later stages of mammalian gestation, that forms the first feces of the newborn.
melancholia noun	Depression, characterised by irrational fears, guilt and apathy
melanocyte noun	A cell in the skin that produces the pigment melanin.
meningioma noun	A common tumour of the central nervous system, occurring in the meninges, usually benign.

Word	Meaning
meningococcal adjective	Of, pertaining to, or caused by meningococci
meningoencephalitis noun	Inflammation of the brain and the meninges.
merbromin noun	A topical antiseptic that is an organomercury derivative of fluorescein
mesothelioma noun	An uncommon malignant tumour of the mesothelium, usually of the lungs after exposure to asbestos.
methemoglobinemia noun	A form of toxic anemia characterized by the presence of methemoglobin in the blood
methylphenidate noun	A stimulant used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and narcolepsy, better known by the trade name Ritalin
metritis noun	Inflammation of the uterus.
metrorrhagia noun	Abnormal uterine bleeding at irregular intervals.
microcapsule noun	A very small capsule designed to release its contents when broken (typically, after being swallowed).
midgut noun	The developed counterpart in the adult: the intermediate part of the alimentary canal, which in humans runs from the second half of the duodenum through the proximal two-thirds of the transverse colon.
misdiagnosis noun	An incorrect diagnosis.
monochromatism noun	The condition of being totally colour blind; achromatopsia
mononucleosis noun	A viral infection marked by extreme fatigue, high fever, and swollen lymph nodes.
myalgia noun	Muscular pain or tenderness.
myasthenia noun	Abnormal weakness of the muscles; but especially myasthenia gravis.
mycetoma noun	Chronic subcutaneous inflammation caused by infection with certain bacteria or fungi.
mycobacterial adjective	Of or pertaining to mycobacteria
mydriasis noun	The condition of having abnormally large and dilated pupils due to illness or narcotics, particularly stimulants such as methamphetamine, cocaine, etc.
mydriatic adjective	Pertaining to or causing mydriasis (the dilation of the pupil of the eye).
myeloma noun	A malignant tumour arising from cells of the bone marrow, specifically plasma cells.
myelomatous adjective	Relating to a myeloma
myeloproliferative adjective	Of or pertaining to the presence of an abnormal proliferation of myelopoietic cells (from bone marrow)
myiasis noun	The infestation of a living vertebrate by maggots.
myocarditis noun	Inflammation of the myocardium.
myoclonus noun	The brief, involuntary twitching of a muscle or group of muscles.
myogenic adjective	Originating in muscle tissue; specifically, pertaining to contractile activity that is produced by the muscles independent of any neural mechanism.
myologic adjective	Of or pertaining to the study of muscles or muscle tissue.
myoma noun	A tumor composed of muscle tissue, usually benign and commonly occurring in the uterus and the esophagus.
myomatous adjective	Of or pertaining to a myoma.
myopathy noun	Any of several diseases of muscle that are not caused by nerve disorders
myotome noun	In vertebrate embryonic development, a group of tissues formed from any particular one of the somites that develop into the body wall muscle. .
myxedema noun	A form of cutaneous and dermal edema that is secondary to increased deposition of connective tissue components in subcutaneous tissue.
naevoid adjective	Resembling a naevus.
nanism noun	Unusually small size, as the result of a developmental abnormality.
narcosis noun	Unconsciousness caused by a drug, anaesthetic or other chemical substance.
nauseant noun	A substance that induces nausea.
nebulize verb	To treat a patient with medicine applied using a nebulizer
necrose verb	To become necrotic.
necrotic adjective	Of or pertaining to necrosis, particularly of tissue.
neonatology noun	The branch of medicine that deals with newborn infants, especially the ill or premature newborn infant.
neoplasia noun	The formation of a neoplasm
neoplasm noun	An abnormal new growth of disorganized tissue in animals or plants.
nephrectomy noun	The surgical removal of a kidney.
nephrism noun	The symptoms of kidney disease.
nephritis noun	Inflammation of the kidney.
nephrology noun	The branch of medicine that deals with the function and diseases of the kidneys.
nephropathy noun	Damage to, disease of, or abnormality of the kidneys.
nervine adjective	Having the quality of acting upon or affecting the nerves; quieting nervous excitement.
neuralgia noun	An acute, severe, intermittent pain that radiates along a nerve.
neuralgic adjective	Pertaining to or affected by neuralgia.
neuritis noun	Inflammation of one or more nerves.
neurodegenerative adjective	Of, pertaining to, or resulting in the progressive loss of nerve cells and of neurologic function.
neuroendocrine adjective	Pertaining to the nervous system and endocrine system together
neurofibroma noun	A benign tumor composed of fibroblasts surrounding nerve cells
neuroma noun	A tumour composed of nerve cells.
neuropathological adjective	Of, pertaining to, or arising from neuropathology, the pathology of nerve tissue
neuropsychiatry noun	The branch of medicine dealing with disorders that have both neurological and psychiatric features
nondiabetic adjective	Not suffering from diabetes.
noninvasive adjective	Of a surgical or other medical procedure, not requiring an incision.
nonmalignant adjective	Of a growth in the body, not cancerous.
nonobese adjective	Not obese; free of symptoms of obesity
normotensive adjective	Having normal blood pressure.
normothermia noun	The condition of having a normal body temperature
normothermic adjective	Having a normal body temperature
nosological adjective	Of or pertaining to nosology
notifiable adjective	About which the authorities must be notified.
nuchal noun	Short for nuchal translucency scan.
nummular adjective	Characterized by lesions (especially on the cornea or skin) which are round with well-defined borders.
nyctalopia noun	The inability to see clearly in dim light; night blindness
nystagmus noun	Rapid involuntary eye movement, usually lateral
obnubilation noun	Obscuration or clouding of the mind or faculties.
obs noun	Observation(s) (blood pressure, temperature, etc).
obstetrically adverb	In terms of obstetrics
obtunded adjective	Far from alert or oriented to time and space, and exhibiting other signs of being confused, a state just short of frank delirium.
oliguria noun	A decreased production in the volume of urine.

Meanings from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0). Sources