Glossaries › Medical terms glossary

Medical terms glossary page 12

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

Word	Meaning
onchocerciasis noun	A disease caused by a worm of the genus Onchocerca, especially as transmitted to humans by flies and often causing blindness; common in tropical Africa.
oncogenesis noun	The formation and development of tumors.
onsetter noun	One who undergoes the onset of a condition.
oophorectomy noun	Surgical removal of one or both ovaries.
operably adverb	Such that it allows an operation to take place.
ophthalmology noun	The anatomy, functions, pathology, and treatment of the eye.
orchitis noun	A painful inflammation of one or both testes.
orificial adjective	Of or relating to the orifices of the body.
orthodontics noun	A specialty of dentistry concerned with correcting misalignment of teeth.
orthopedics noun	The branch of medicine that deals with the prevention or correction of disorders of the bones and associated muscles and joints
orthosis noun	A type of brace which either prevents or assists movement of a limb or the spine.
orthotics noun	The design, manufacture and installation of orthopedic appliances to support, straighten or improve the function of a body part
osteitis noun	Inflammation of bone
osteoclast noun	An instrument for performing osteoclasis.
osteoclastic adjective	Of or pertaining to an osteoclast
osteoma noun	A benign bony tumour that typically grows on the skull.
osteomalacia noun	A softening of adult bones due to inadequate mineralization; the adult equivalent of rickets
osteomyelitis noun	An infection of the bone
osteoplastic adjective	Of, or relating to osteoplasty.
osteoplasty noun	Surgery to repair, modify or graft bone or bony structures.
ostomy noun	A surgical procedure to provide an exit point for the waste of an organism.
otalgia noun	Earache
otalgic adjective	Of or pertaining to otalgia.
otitic adjective	Relating to otitis, or inflammation of the ear.
otitis noun	Inflammation of the ear.
otolaryngology noun	The study of diseases of the ear, nose and throat.
otology noun	The branch of medicine that deals with the ear, its structure, function and pathology.
otorhinolaryngologist noun	A doctor specializing in otorhinolaryngology, the study of the ear, nose, and throat.
otorhinolaryngology noun	Otolaryngology.
otosclerosis noun	Sclerosis of the tissues of the labyrinth and middle ear.
otoscope noun	An instrument used for examining the eardrum and interior of the outer ear.
otoscopy noun	The visual examination of the inner ear using an otoscope
ovariectomy noun	Surgical removal of one or both ovaries.
ovariotomy noun	A surgical removal of an ovary.
ovaritis noun	Inflammation of the ovary
overdeveloped adjective	Overgrown.
overtreatment noun	Excessive treatment, often specifically medical treatment
overwintering noun	The survival of an infectious agent or its vector through the winter, during which time it does not infect a host
palliator noun	A medical professional who provides palliative care.
palpation noun	The act of feeling or pushing on various parts of a patient’s body to determine medical condition such as the normality of organs or the presence or absence of tumors, swelling, muscle tension, etc.
pancreatectomy noun	The procedure to remove part or all of the pancreas.
papula noun	A pimple; a small, usually conical, elevation of the cuticle, produced by congestion, accumulated secretion, or hypertrophy of tissue; a papule.
parabiosis noun	An alien form of life within an organism, commonly invasive, such as a growing cancer.
paraplegia noun	A condition where the lower half of a patient's body is paralyzed and cannot move.
parasitosis noun	Infestation with parasites.
parathyroidectomy noun	The procedure to remove one or more of the parathyroid glands
parenchymatous adjective	Affecting the parenchyma.
parenteral adjective	Administered by some means that avoids the gastrointestinal tract, particularly intravenously or by injection.
parotitis noun	Inflammation of one or both parotid glands.
pathobiology noun	Pathology (in any of its senses: study of disease, instance of disease, mechanism of disease).
pathognomonic adjective	Specifically characteristic or indicative of a particular disease or condition.
pathophysiologic adjective	Pertaining to pathophysiology.
pathophysiological adjective	Pertaining to pathophysiology.
pathophysiology noun	The physiological processes associated with disease or injury.
pediculosis noun	Infestation with head lice.
pemphigus noun	A severe autoimmune skin disease characterized by pustules and painful blisters, and which can be fatal.
pentavalent adjective	Having a vaccine valence of 5.
perfusion noun	The introduction of a drug or nutrients through the bloodstream in order to reach an internal organ or tissues.
pericarditis noun	Inflammation of the pericardium, the membrane that surrounds the heart.
peristalsis noun	The rhythmic, wave-like contraction and relaxation of muscles so as to propagate motion, as of food in the digestive tract.
peritonitis noun	Inflammation of the peritoneum, especially when caused by an infectious organism introduced into the abdominal cavity
peroral adjective	By way of the mouth.
perorally adverb	By way of the mouth.
pertussis noun	Whooping cough.
pessary noun	A vaginal suppository.
petechia noun	A small spot, especially on an organ, caused by bleeding underneath the skin.
pharmacodynamic adjective	Of or pertaining to pharmacodynamics.
pharmacodynamics noun	The branch of pharmacology that studies the effects and modes of action of drugs upon the body.
pharmacokinetic adjective	Of or relating to pharmacokinetics.
pharmacokinetics noun	A branch of pharmacology concerned with the rate at which drugs are absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and eliminated by the body.
pharmacologically adverb	In a pharmacological manner; with regard to pharmacology.
pharmacopeial adjective	Of or pertaining to pharmacopeia.
pharmacopoeia noun	An official book describing medicines or other pharmacological substances, especially their use, preparation, and regulation.
pharmacopoeial adjective	Of or pertaining to pharmacopoeia.
pharmacotherapy noun	The use of pharmaceuticals to treat disease

Word	Meaning
phenothiazine noun	Any of a family of pharmaceuticals, derived from this compound, used to treat schizophrenia etc.
phenylephrine noun	An α-adrenergic receptor agonist related to adrenaline, used as a vasoconstrictor and nasal decongestant; 3-(1-hydroxy-2-methylamino-ethyl)phenol, with the formula C9H13NO2.
phenylketonuria noun	A metabolic disorder in which individuals lack the liver enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) which is needed to metabolize the amino acid phenylalanine.
pheochromocytoma noun	A neuroendocrine tumour of the medulla of the adrenal glands.
phlebitis noun	Inflammation of a vein, usually in the legs.
phlebology noun	The study of veins and their diseases etc
phlogistic adjective	Inflammatory; pertaining to inflammations and fevers.
phonocardiogram noun	An image produced by a phonocardiograph.
phonocardiograph noun	A device that records and displays the sounds made by the heart.
phosphaturia noun	The presence of phosphate in the urine.
photocoagulation noun	A surgical procedure in which a tumour, or diseased retinal tissue, is destroyed by using a laser.
photofluorography noun	The photographic recording of fluoroscope images
photophobia noun	Excessive sensitivity to light and the aversion to bright light; abnormal fear of light.
photophore noun	A form of endoscope using an electric light.
phrenology noun	The science or now discredited pseudo-science, which studies the relationships between a person's character and the morphology (structure) of the skull.
phthisic noun	A wasting illness of the lungs, such as asthma or tuberculosis; consumption; phthisis.
phylaxis noun	Protection against infectious disease.
physiatrist noun	A physician specializing in physical rehabilitation.
phytoalexin noun	Any of several classes of antibiotics produced by plants in response to microorganisms
pinealectomy noun	Surgical removal of the pineal gland.
pinheaded adjective	Having a head that is unusually tapered or small.
pinheadedness noun	Having a head that is unusually tapered or small.
pityriasis noun	Any of several varieties of skin diseases characterized by the shedding of flakes or scales, such as dandruff.
planography noun	Medical tomography.
plasmapheresis noun	A procedure in which whole blood is removed from a donor or patient and centrifuged to isolate blood cells that are resuspended in a compatible solution and re-injected into the donor or patient.
pledget noun	A small flat absorbent pad of cotton or wool, used to medicate, drain, or protect a wound or sore.
pleiotropy noun	The existence of drug effects other than the one for which the drug was designed; usually implies additional beneficial effects.
plethysmograph noun	An instrument for measuring changes in volume within an organ or whole body (usually via fluctuations in the amount of fluid it contains).
plethysmography noun	The diagnostic use of a plethysmograph.
pleurisy noun	Inflammation of lung pleura.
pleuropneumonia noun	Inflammation of the pleura and lungs; a combination of pleurisy and pneumonia, especially a kind of contagious and fatal lung disease of cattle and pigs, caused by infection by Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae
plexiform adjective	Having the form of a plexus
plexor noun	A hammer (or other instrument) used to test a person's reflexes.
plumbism noun	A diseased condition, produced by the absorption of lead, common among workers in this metal or in its compounds, as among painters, typesetters, etc. Symptoms include lead colic, lead line, and wrist drop.
pneumonitis noun	Inflammation of the tissue of the lungs.
podagra noun	Gout in the big toe
podiatry noun	Chiropody
policlinic noun	An outpatient clinic, especially of a hospital.
poliomyelitis noun	Acute infection by the poliovirus, especially of the motor neurons in the spinal cord and brainstem, leading to muscle weakness, paralysis and sometimes deformity.
polycystic adjective	Having many cysts.
polypnea noun	Deep and rapid breathing; panting
polypus noun	A cardiac thrombus usually found post-mortem.
polyuria noun	The production of an abnormally large amount of urine; one symptom of diabetes
porphyria noun	Any of several usually hereditary abnormalities of porphyrin metabolism characterized by excretion of excess porphyrins in the urine.
posology noun	The study of the dosages of drugs, especially the determination of appropriate dosages.
postencephalitic adjective	Of or relating to postencephalitis.
potentiator noun	A drug that enhances the response to another.
precursory noun	A precursor; a sign of the onset of something.
premune adjective	Immune to a disease through having had it before.
premunition noun	Immunization due to having had the disease before.
presbyope noun	One who has presbyopia: a farsighted person
presbyopia noun	Inability of the eye, due to ageing, to focus on nearby objects.
presymptomatic adjective	Relating to the early stages of a disease, before all symptoms have developed and therefore accurate diagnosis is not possible
proband noun	An individual who presents with a genetic disorder or other specific characteristic, when this leads to the investigation of the individual's family
proctology noun	Colorectal surgery as a specialty inside proctology.
prodrome noun	An early sign or symptom (or set of signs and symptoms) warning of the onset of a disease.
progeria noun	An extremely rare genetic condition wherein symptoms resembling aspects of aging are manifested at an early age.
prognose verb	To make a prognosis.
prophylaxis noun	Prevention of, or protective treatment for, disease.
prostatectomy noun	The surgical removal of part or all of the prostate gland.
prostatism noun	Any of various minor disorders of the prostate gland, typically causing obstructed urination; also called lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).
prostatitis noun	Inflammation of the prostate.
proteinuria noun	The presence of protein in the urine.
proximally adverb	In the proximal direction: reverse of distally
prurigo noun	A papular disease of the skin, with intense itching as the main symptom.
pruritic adjective	Intensely itchy.
pruritus noun	Severe itching, especially of undamaged skin; caused by allergy, infection, lymphoma etc
pseud noun	Pseudomonas bacteria.
pseudotuberculosis noun	Any of several diseases that have the appearance of tuberculosis, but are caused by organisms other than Yersinia pseudotuberculosis.
psoriatic adjective	Of, pertaining to or suffering from psoriasis.
psychopharmacology noun	The branch of pharmacology which pertains to the psychoactive aspects of drugs.
psychosomatics noun	Psychosomatic medicine (science)
psychosurgery noun	Surgery of the brain to treat or alleviate mental illness.
pterygium noun	An abnormal mass of tissue in the corner of the eye that obstructs vision
ptosis noun	The prolapse of a bodily organ, especially drooping of the eyelid or the breasts.

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