Glossary of medicine

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss and sleep centers

Medicine is a vast field with a rich history and an ever-evolving lexicon. This glossary serves as a comprehensive guide for students, professionals, and anyone interested in understanding medical terminology. While not exhaustive, it provides key definitions and explanations for commonly used terms in medicine.

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AANAT - an enzyme that makes melatonin
Abate - become less in amount or intensity; make less active or intense
Abatement - the act of abating; an interruption in the intensity or amount of something
Abbreviated - (of clothing) very short; cut short in duration
abbreviation - shortening something by omitting parts of it; a shortened form of a word or phrase
Abdomen - the region of the body of a vertebrate between the thorax and the pelvis; the cavity containing the major viscera; in mammals it is separated from the thorax by the diaphragm
Abdominal aorta - a branch of the descending aorta
Abdominal aortic aneurysm - an aneurysm of the abdominal aorta associated with old age and hypertension
Abdominal cavity - the cavity containing the major viscera; in mammals it is separated from the thorax by the diaphragm
Abdominal - of or relating to or near the abdomen; the muscles of the abdomen
Abdominoplasty - cosmetic surgery of the abdomen to remove wrinkles and tighten the skin over the stomach
Abducent nerve - a small motor nerve supplying the lateral rectus muscle of the eye
abducent - especially of muscles; drawing away from the midline of the body or from an adjacent part; a small motor nerve supplying the lateral rectus muscle of the eye
Abductor muscle - a muscle that draws a body part away from the median line
abductor - a muscle that draws a body part away from the median line; someone who unlawfully seizes and detains a victim (usually for ransom)
Aberration - an optical phenomenon resulting from the failure of a lens or mirror to produce a good image; a disorder in one's mental state; a state or condition markedly different from the norm
Abiotrophy - a loss of vitality and a degeneration of cells and tissues not due to any apparent injury
Ablate - remove an organ or bodily structure; wear away through erosion or vaporization
ablation - surgical removal of a body part or tissue; the erosive process that reduces the size of glaciers
Abnormal - much greater than the normal; not normal; not typical or usual or regular or conforming to a norm; departing from the normal in e.g. intelligence and development
Abortifacient - causing abortion; a drug (or other chemical agent) that causes abortion
Abortion - termination of pregnancy; failure of a plan
Abortive - failing to accomplish an intended result
Abrade - wear away; rub hard or scrub
Abrasion - erosion by friction; an abraded area where the skin is torn or worn off; the wearing down of rock particles by friction due to water or wind or ice
abruptio placentae - a disorder of pregnancy in which the placenta prematurely separates from the wall of the uterus
Abruption - an instance of sudden interruption
abscess - symptom consisting of a localized collection of pus surrounded by inflamed tissue
Abscission - the act of cutting something off; shedding of flowers and leaves and fruit following formation of scar tissue in a plant
absent - lost in thought; showing preoccupation; not in a specified place physically or mentally; verb go away or leave
Absenteeism - habitual absence from work
Absinthe - strong green liqueur flavored with wormwood and anise; aromatic herb of temperate Eurasia and North Africa having a bitter taste used in making the liqueur absinthe
Absolute threshold - the lowest level of stimulation that a person can detect
absorbed - taken in through the pores of a surface; retained without reflection; giving or marked by complete attention to
Abstemious - sparing in consumption of especially food and drink; marked by temperance in indulgence
Abstinence - act or practice of refraining from indulging an appetite; the trait of abstaining (especially from alcohol)
abutment - a masonry support that touches and directly receives thrust or pressure of an arch or bridge; point of contact between two objects or parts
Acanthocyte - an abnormal red blood cell that has thorny projections of protoplasm
Acantholysis - a breakdown of a cell layer in the epidermis (as in pemphigus)
Acanthoma - a neoplasm originating in the epidermis
Acanthosis nigricans - a skin disease characterized by dark wartlike patches in the body folds; can be benign or malignant
Acanthosis - an abnormal but benign thickening of the prickle cell layer of the skin (as in psoriasis)
Acapnia - a state in which the level of carbon dioxide in the blood is lower than normal; can result from deep or rapid breathing
Acariasis - infestation with itch mites
Acaricide - a chemical agent used to kill mites
Acathexis - (psychoanalysis) a lack of cathexis; a condition in which significant objects or memories arouse no emotion in an individual
Accessory nerve - arises from two sets of roots (cranial and spinal) that unite to form the nerve
accessory - furnishing added support; a supplementary component that improves capability; clothing that is worn or carried, but not part of your main clothing; someone who helps another person commit a crime
Accident - anything that happens by chance without an apparent cause; a mishap; especially one causing injury or death
Accoucheur - a physician specializing in obstetrics
Accoucheuse - a woman skilled in aiding the delivery of babies
Accreditation - the act of granting credit or recognition (especially with respect to educational institution that maintains suitable standards)
Acellular - not made up of or divided into cells
Acentric chromosome - a chromosome lacking a centromere
acentric - not centered or having no center; lacking a centromere
Acetabular - of the cup shaped socket that receives the head of the thigh bone
acetabulum - the cup shaped hollow in the hipbone into which the head of the femur fits to form a ball and socket joint
acetaldehyde - a colorless volatile water soluble liquid aldehyde used chiefly in manufacture of acetic acid and perfumes and drugs
acetaminophen - an analgesic for mild pain; also used as an antipyretic; (Datril, Tylenol, Panadol, Phenaphen, Tempra, and Anacin III are trademarks of brands of acetaminophen tablets)
acetate - a salt or ester of acetic acid; a fabric made from fibers of cellulose acetate
acetic acid - a colorless pungent liquid widely used in manufacturing plastics and pharmaceuticals
Acetone - the simplest ketone; a highly inflammable liquid widely used as an organic solvent and as material for making plastics
Acetyl chloride - colorless liquid acyl chloride (CH3COCl) that has a pungent odor
acetylcholine - a neurotransmitter that is a derivative of choline; released at the ends of nerve fibers in the somatic and parasympathetic nervous systems
AChE - a dull persistent (usually moderately intense) pain; verb have a desire for something or someone who is not present; be the source of pain; feel physical pain
Achilles tendon - a large tendon that runs from the heel to the calf
Achlorhydria - an abnormal deficiency or absence of free hydrochloric acid in the gastric juice; often associated with severe anemias and cancer of the stomach
Achondroplasia - an inherited skeletal disorder beginning before birth; cartilage is converted to bone resulting in dwarfism
achondroplastic - of or relating to achondroplasia
Achromycin - an antibiotic (trade name Achromycin) derived from microorganisms of the genus Streptomyces and used broadly to treat infections
Acid rain - rain containing acids that form in the atmosphere when industrial gas emissions (especially sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides) combine with water
Acidosis - abnormally high acidity (excess hydrogen ion concentration) of the blood and other body tissues
Acinus - one of the small sacs or saclike dilations in a compound gland; one of the small drupes making up an aggregate or multiple fruit like a blackberry
Acne rosacea - a skin disease of adults (more often women) in which blood vessels of the face enlarge resulting in a flushed appearance
Acne vulgaris - the most common form of acne; usually affects people from puberty to young adulthood
Acoustic aphasia - an impairment in understanding spoken language that is not attributable to hearing loss
Acoustic nerve - a composite sensory nerve supplying the hair cells of the vestibular organ and the hair cells of the cochlea
acoustic - of or relating to the science of acoustics; a remedy for hearing loss or deafness
acquired - gotten through environmental forces
acquisition - the act of contracting or assuming or acquiring possession of something; something acquired; an ability that has been acquired by training; the cognitive process of acquiring skill or knowledge
Acrocentric chromosome - a chromosome with the centromere near one end so that one chromosomal arm is short and one is long
acrocentric - having a subterminal centromere
Acrocyanosis - cyanosis of the extremities; can occur when a spasm of the blood vessels is caused by exposure to cold or by strong emotion
Acromion - the outermost point of the spine of the shoulder blade
Acrophobia - a morbid fear of great heights
Acrylamide - a white crystalline amide of propenoic acid can damage the nervous system and is carcinogenic in laboratory animals
acrylonitrile - a colorless liquid unsaturated nitrile made from propene
ACT UP - make itself felt as a recurring pain; misbehave badly; act in a silly or improper way
actin - one of the proteins into which actomyosin can be split; can exist in either a globular or a fibrous form
Actinic keratosis - an overgrowth of skin layers resulting from extended exposure to the sun
Actinic - relating to or exhibiting actinism
Actinomycosis - disease of cattle that can be transmitted to humans; results from infection with actinomycetes; characterized by hard swellings that exude pus through long sinuses
Activase - a thrombolytic agent (trade name Activase) that causes fibrinolysis at the site of a blood clot; used in treating acute myocardial infarction
Activated carbon - powdered or granular carbon used for purifying by adsorption; given orally (as a slurry) it is an antidote for some kinds of poisons
Activated charcoal - powdered or granular carbon used for purifying by adsorption; given orally (as a slurry) it is an antidote for some kinds of poisons
activating - causing motion or action or change; the activity of causing to have energy and be active
activation - making active and effective (as a bomb); stimulation of activity in an organism or chemical; the activity of causing to have energy and be active
active immunity - a form of acquired immunity in which the body produces its own antibodies against disease causing antigens
Active site - the part of an enzyme or antibody where the chemical reaction occurs
Acuity - sharpness of vision; the visual ability to resolve fine detail (usually measured by a Snellen chart); a quick and penetrating intelligence
acupressure - treatment of symptoms by applying pressure with the fingers to specific pressure points on the body
Acupuncture - treatment of pain or disease by inserting the tips of needles at specific points on the skin
Acute angle - an angle less than 90 degrees but more than 0 degrees
Acute kidney failure - renal failure associated with burns or other trauma or with acute infection or obstruction of the urinary tract
Acute leukemia - rapidly progressing leukemia
acute lymphoblastic leukemia - acute leukemia characterized by proliferation of immature lymphoblast like cells in bone marrow, lymph nodes, spleen, and blood; most common in children
acute lymphocytic leukemia - acute leukemia characterized by proliferation of immature lymphoblast like cells in bone marrow, lymph nodes, spleen, and blood; most common in children
acute myeloid leukemia - acute leukemia characterized by proliferation of granular leukocytes; most common in adolescents and young adults
Acute renal failure - renal failure associated with burns or other trauma or with acute infection or obstruction of the urinary tract
Acyclovir - an oral antiviral drug (trade name Zovirax) used to treat genital herpes; does not cure the disease but relieves the symptoms
Ad lib - with little or no preparation or forethought; said or done without having been planned or written in advance; remark made spontaneously without prior preparation; verb perform without preparation
Adam's apple - the largest cartilage of the larynx; tropical shrub having glossy foliage and fragrant nocturnal flowers with crimped or wavy corollas; northern India to Thailand
Adamantine - having the hardness of a diamond; consisting of or having the hardness of adamant; impervious to pleas, persuasion, requests, reason
adaptability - the ability to change (or be changed) to fit changed circumstances
Addison's disease - a glandular disorder caused by failure of function of the cortex of the adrenal gland and marked by anemia and prostration with brownish skin
adduction - (physiology) moving of a body part toward the central axis of the body
Adductor muscle - a muscle that draws a body part toward the median line
adductor - a muscle that draws a body part toward the median line
Adenine - (biochemistry) purine base found in DNA and RNA; pairs with thymine in DNA and with uracil in RNA
Adenine - (biochemistry) purine base found in DNA and RNA; pairs with thymine in DNA and with uracil in RNA
Adenitis - inflammation of a gland or lymph node
Adenocarcinoma - malignant tumor originating in glandular epithelium
Adenoidectomy - surgical removal of the adenoids; commonly performed along with tonsillectomy
adenoma - a benign epithelial tumor of glandular origin
Adenomyosis - the presence of endometrium elsewhere than in the lining of the uterus; causes premenstrual pain and dysmenorrhea
adenopathy - a glandular disease or enlargement of glandular tissue (especially of the lymph glands)
Adenosine deaminase - an enzyme found in mammals that can catalyze the deamination of adenosine into inosine and ammonia
Adenosine diphosphate - an ester of adenosine that is converted to ATP for energy storage
adenosine triphosphate - a nucleotide derived from adenosine that occurs in muscle tissue; the major source of energy for cellular reactions
Adenosine - (biochemistry) a nucleoside that is a structural component of nucleic acids; it is present in all living cells in a combined form as a constituent of DNA and RNA and ADP and ATP and AMP
adenovirus - any of a group of viruses including those that in humans cause upper respiratory infections or infectious pinkeye
Adherence - faithful support for a religion or cause or political party; the property of sticking together (as of glue and wood) or the joining of surfaces of different composition
Adhesive bandage - bandage consisting of a medical dressing of plain absorbent gauze held in place by a plastic or fabric tape coated with adhesive
Adhesive - tending to adhere; a substance that unites or bonds surfaces together
adipose tissue - a kind of body tissue containing stored fat that serves as a source of energy; it also cushions and insulates vital organs
Adipose - composed of animal fat
Adiposity - having the property of containing fat
Adjacent - near or close to but not necessarily touching; nearest in space or position; immediately adjoining without intervening space; having a common boundary or edge; touching
adjuvant - enhancing the action of a medical treatment; furnishing added support; an additive that enhances the effectiveness of medical treatment
Admission - the act of admitting someone to enter; an acknowledgment of the truth of something; the fee charged for admission
Adnexa - an accessory or adjoining anatomical parts or appendages (especially of the embryo)
Adrenal cortex - the cortex of the adrenal gland; secretes corticosterone and sex hormones
Adrenal gland - either of a pair of complex endocrine glands situated near the kidney
Adrenal medulla - the medulla of the adrenal gland; secretes epinephrine
adrenal - of or pertaining to the adrenal glands or their secretions; near the kidneys; either of a pair of complex endocrine glands situated near the kidney
Adrenalectomy - surgical removal of one or both adrenal glands
Adrenaline - a catecholamine secreted by the adrenal medulla in response to stress (trade name Adrenalin); stimulates autonomic nerve action
adrenocortical - of or derived from the cortex of the adrenal glands
Adult - (of animals) fully developed; any mature animal; a fully developed person from maturity onward
adulterant - making impure or corrupt by adding extraneous materials; any substance that adulterates (lessens the purity or effectiveness of a substance)
Adventitia - an enveloping or covering membrane or layer of body tissue
Adventitious - associated by chance and not an integral part
adverse - in an opposing direction; contrary to your interests or welfare
advertisement - a public promotion of some product or service
Aedes aegypti - mosquito that transmits yellow fever and dengue
Aedes albopictus - striped native of Japan thriving in southwestern and midwestern United States and spreading to the Caribbean; potential carrier of serious diseases
Aerobic exercise - exercise that increases the need for oxygen
aerobic - depending on free oxygen or air; based on or using the principles of aerobics; enhancing respiratory and circulatory efficiency
Aerophagia - swallowing air (usually followed by belching and discomfort and flatulence)
Aerosol - a dispenser that holds a substance under pressure and that can release it as a fine spray (usually by means of a propellant gas); a cloud of solid or liquid particles in a gas
aerosolize - disperse as an aerosol; become dispersed as an aerosol
aerosolized - in the form of ultramicroscopic solid or liquid particles dispersed or suspended in air or gas
Aerospace medicine - the study and treatment of disorders associated with flight (especially with space flight)
Aesculapius - son of Apollo; a hero and the Roman god of medicine and healing; his daughters were Hygeia and Panacea
aesthetician - a philosopher who specializes in the nature of beauty; a worker skilled in giving beauty treatments (manicures and facials etc.)
Aetiology - the philosophical study of causation; the cause of a disease
Afferent nerve - a nerve that passes impulses from receptors toward or to the central nervous system
Afferent - of nerves and nerve impulses; conveying sensory information from the sense organs to the CNS; a nerve that passes impulses from receptors toward or to the central nervous system
aflatoxin - a potent carcinogen from the fungus Aspergillus; can be produced and stored for use as a bioweapon
African American - pertaining to or characteristic of Americans of African ancestry; an American whose ancestors were born in Africa
African - of or relating to the nations of Africa or their peoples; a native or inhabitant of Africa
Africanized bee - a strain of bees that originated in Brazil in the 1950s as a cross between an aggressive African bee and a honeybee; retains most of the traits of the African bee; now spread as far north as Texas
after - located farther aft; behind or in the rear; happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
Afterbirth - the placenta and fetal membranes that are expelled from the uterus after the baby is born
Afterimage - an image (usually a negative image) that persists after stimulation has ceased
agammaglobulinemia - a rare immunological disorder characterized by the virtual absence of gamma globulin in the blood and consequent susceptibility to infection
Ageless - continuing forever or indefinitely
Agenesis - imperfect development; nondevelopment of a part
Agent Orange - a herbicide used in the Vietnam War to defoliate forest areas
agglutinin - an antibody that causes agglutination of a specific antigen
Aggressive - having or showing determination and energetic pursuit of your ends; characteristic of an enemy or one eager to fight; tending to spread quickly
Aging - growing old; the organic process of growing older and showing the effects of increasing age; acquiring desirable qualities by being left undisturbed for some time
Agitated depression - a state of clinical depression in which the person exhibits irritability and restlessness
agitated - troubled emotionally and usually deeply; physically disturbed or set in motion; thrown from side to side
Agnate - related on the father's side; one related on the father's side
agnosia - inability to recognize objects by use of the senses
Agoraphobia - a morbid fear of open spaces (as fear of being caught alone in some public place)
Agranulocytosis - an acute blood disorder (often caused by radiation or drug therapy) characterized by severe reduction in granulocytes
Aid station - (military) a station located near a combat area for giving first aid to the wounded
Ailurophobia - a morbid fear of cats
Air bag - a safety restraint in an automobile; the bag inflates on collision and prevents the driver or passenger from being thrown forward
Airborne - moved or conveyed by or through air
Airsickness - motion sickness experienced while traveling by air (especially during turbulence)
Akinesia - motionlessness attributable to a temporary paralysis
Alanine - a crystalline amino acid that occurs in many proteins
alarm clock - a clock that wakes sleeper at preset time
Albers - United States painter born in Germany; works characterized by simple geometrical patterns in various colors (1888 1976)
Albert Sabin - United States microbiologist (born in Poland) who developed the Sabin vaccine that is taken orally against poliomyelitis (born 1906)
Albert Schweitzer - French philosopher and physician and organist who spent most of his life as a medical missionary in Gabon (1875 1965)
Albert - prince consort of Queen Victoria of England (1819 1861)
albinism - the congenital absence of pigmentation in the eyes and skin and hair
Albino - a person with congenital albinism: white hair and milky skin; eyes are usually pink
Albuginea - whitish tunic
albumin - a simple water soluble protein found in many animal tissues and liquids
Albuminuria - the presence of excessive protein (chiefly albumin but also globulin) in the urine; usually a symptom of kidney disorder
Alcohol abuse - excessive use of alcohol and alcoholic drinks
Alcohol - a liquor or brew containing alcohol as the active agent; any of a series of volatile hydroxyl compounds that are made from hydrocarbons by distillation
Alcoholics Anonymous - an international organization that provides a support group for persons trying to overcome alcoholism
aldosterone - a corticosteroid hormone that is secreted by the cortex of the adrenal gland; regulates salt (sodium and potassium) and water balance
Aldosteronism - a condition caused by overproduction of aldosterone
Alembic - an obsolete kind of container used for distillation; two retorts connected by a tube
alendronate - a tablet (trade name Fosamax) prescribed to prevent or treat osteoporosis in women after menopause
Aletta Jacobs - Dutch physician who opened the first birth control clinic in the world in Amsterdam (1854 1929)
Aleut - the language spoken by the Aleut; a member of the people inhabiting the Aleutian Islands and western Alaska
Alexander Fleming - English bacteriologist who discovered penicillin (1881 1955)
Alexander Wilson - Scottish ornithologist in the United States (1766 1813)
Alexia - inability to perceive written words
Algophobia - a morbid fear of pain
Alice Hamilton - United States toxicologist known for her work on industrial poisons (1869 1970)
Alienist - a psychiatrist and specialist in the legal aspects of mental illness
alimentary canal - tubular passage of mucous membrane and muscle extending about 8.3 meters from mouth to anus; functions in digestion and elimination
Alimentary - of or providing nourishment
alkaline - relating to or containing an alkali; having a pH greater than 7
Alkaloid - natural bases containing nitrogen found in plants
Alkalosis - abnormally high alkalinity (low hydrogen ion concentration) of the blood and other body tissues
Alkaptonuria - a rare recessive metabolic anomaly marked by ochronosis and the presence of alkapton in the urine
Alkurma hemorrhagic fever Alkhurma hemorrhagic fever (AHF) is caused by Alkhurma hemorrhagic fever virus (AHFV), a tick-borne virus of the Flavivirus family
Alkyl group - any of a series of univalent groups of the general formula CnH2n+1 derived from aliphatic hydrocarbons
Allele - either of a pair (or series) of alternative forms of a gene that can occupy the same locus on a particular chromosome and that control the same character
Allelic - of or relating to alleles
allergen - any substance that can cause an allergy
Allergic reaction - hypersensitivity reaction to a particular allergen; symptoms can vary greatly in intensity
Allergic rhinitis - rhinitis caused by an allergic reaction
allergic - having an allergy or peculiar or excessive susceptibility (especially to a specific factor); characterized by or caused by allergy
allergist - a physician skilled in the diagnosis and treatment of allergies
Allergy - hypersensitivity reaction to a particular allergen; symptoms can vary greatly in intensity
Allis - European shad
allogeneic - denoting or relating to cells or tissues from individuals belonging to the same species but genetically dissimilar (and hence immunologically incompatible)
Allograft - tissue or organ transplanted from a donor of the same species but different genetic makeup; recipient's immune system must be suppressed to prevent rejection of the graft
Allopathic - of or relating to the practice of allopathy
Allopathy - the usual method of treating disease with remedies that produce effects differing from those produced by the disease itself
Allopurinol - a drug (trade name Zyloprim) used to treat gout and other conditions in which there is an excessive buildup of uric acid
Alopecia areata - patchy baldness
alopecia - loss of hair (especially on the head) or loss of wool or feathers; in humans it can result from heredity or hormonal imbalance or certain diseases or drugs and treatments (chemotherapy for cancer)
Alpha blocker - any of various drugs that block alpha adrenergic receptors; used in treating benign prostatic hyperplasia; relaxes the muscles of the prostate and bladder
Alpha fetoprotein - an abnormally large amount of this fetoprotein in the fetus can signal an abnormality of the neural tube (as spina bifida or anencephaly)
alpha interferon - a form of interferon that is produced endogenously and commercially for its pharmacological effects (including regulation of the immune system and antiviral and antineoplastic effects)
Alpha particle - a positively charged particle that is the nucleus of the helium atom; emitted from natural or radioactive isotopes
Alpha wave - the normal brainwave in the electroencephalogram of a person who is awake but relaxed; occurs with a frequency of 8 12 hertz
alpha - early testing stage of a software or hardware product; first in order of importance; the 1st letter of the Greek alphabet; the beginning of a series or sequence
alpha - early testing stage of a software or hardware product; first in order of importance; the 1st letter of the Greek alphabet; the beginning of a series or sequence
Alprazolam - an antianxiety agent (trade name Xanax) of the benzodiazepine class
alternating - (of a current) reversing direction; occurring by turns; first one and then the other
Alternative medicine - the practice of medicine without the use of drugs; may involve herbal medicines or self awareness or biofeedback or acupuncture
alternative - necessitating a choice between mutually exclusive possibilities; pertaining to unconventional choices; allowing a choice; one of a number of things from which only one can be chosen
Altitude sickness - effects (as nosebleed or nausea) of oxygen deficiency in the blood and tissues at high altitudes
Altruism - the quality of unselfish concern for the welfare of others
Aluminum - a silvery ductile metallic element found primarily in bauxite
Alveolar process - a ridge that forms the borders of the upper and lower jaws and contains the sockets of the teeth
Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma - form of rhabdomyosarcoma occuring mainly in adolescents and young adults
alveolar - pertaining to the tiny air sacs of the lungs; pertaining to the alveolar ridge; a consonant articulated with the tip of the tongue near the gum ridge
Alveolus - a tiny sac for holding air in the lungs; formed by the terminal dilation of tiny air passageways; a bony socket in the alveolar ridge that holds a tooth
Amanita phalloides - extremely poisonous usually white fungus with a prominent cup shaped base; differs from edible Agaricus only in its white gills
Amastia - absence of the mammary glands (either through surgery or developmental defect)
Amaurosis - partial or total loss of sight without pathology of the eye; caused by disease of optic nerve or retina or brain
Ambidextrous - marked by deliberate deceptiveness especially by pretending one set of feelings and acting under the influence of another; equally skillful with each hand
Ambient - completely enveloping
Amblyopia - visual impairment without apparent organic pathology
Ambulance - a vehicle that takes people to and from hospitals
Ambulant - able to walk about
ambulatory - relating to or adapted for walking; able to walk about; a covered walkway (as in a cloister)
Ameba - naked freshwater or marine or parasitic protozoa that form temporary pseudopods for feeding and locomotion
amebiasis - infection by a disease causing ameba
Amebic dysentery - inflammation of the intestines caused by Endamoeba histolytica; usually acquired by ingesting food or water contaminated with feces; characterized by severe diarrhea
amebic - pertaining to or resembling amoebae
Amelia - congenital absence of an arm or leg
Amelioration - the act of relieving ills and changing for the better
Amenia - absence or suppression of normal menstrual flow
Amenorrhea - absence or suppression of normal menstrual flow
American dog tick - common tick that can transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia
American Sign Language - the sign language used in the United States
Americium - a radioactive transuranic metallic element; discovered by bombarding uranium with helium atoms
Amine - a compound derived from ammonia by replacing hydrogen atoms by univalent hydrocarbon radicals
Amino acid - organic compounds containing an amino group and a carboxylic acid group
amino - pertaining to or containing any of a group of organic compounds of nitrogen derived from ammonia; the radical NH2
Aminoaciduria - abnormal presence of amino acids in the urine; usually a symptom of metabolic defects
Aminotransferase - a class of transferases that catalyze transamination (that transfer an amino group from an amino acid to another compound)
Amiodarone - an antiarrhythmic drug (trade name Cordarone) that has potentially fatal side effects and is used to control serious heart rhythm problems only when safer agents have been ineffective
Amitriptyline - a tricyclic antidepressant drug (trade name Elavil) with serious side effects; interacts with many other medications
Ammonia - a pungent gas compounded of nitrogen and hydrogen (NH3); a water solution of ammonia
amnesia - partial or total loss of memory
Amnesic aphasia - inability to name objects or to recognize written or spoken names of objects
amnesic - suffering from a partial loss of memory; of or relating to or caused by amnesia; a person suffering from amnesia
Amnestic aphasia - inability to name objects or to recognize written or spoken names of objects
amnestic - of or relating to or caused by amnesia
Amniocentesis - (pregnancy) extraction by centesis of amniotic fluid from a pregnant woman (after the 15th week of pregnancy) to aid in the diagnosis of fetal abnormalities
Amnion - thin innermost membranous sac enclosing the developing embryo of higher vertebrates (reptiles, birds and mammals)
Amniotic fluid - the serous fluid in which the embryo is suspended inside the amnion
Amniotic sac - thin innermost membranous sac enclosing the developing embryo of higher vertebrates (reptiles, birds and mammals)
amniotic - of or related to the amnion or characterized by developing an amnion
Amoeba - naked freshwater or marine or parasitic protozoa that form temporary pseudopods for feeding and locomotion
Amoebiasis - infection by a disease causing ameba
Amoxicillin - an antibiotic; a semisynthetic oral penicillin (trade names Amoxil and Larotid and Polymox and Trimox and Augmentin) used to treat bacterial infections
Amphetamine - a central nervous system stimulant that increases energy and decreases appetite; used to treat narcolepsy and some forms of depression
Amphidiploid - (genetics) an organism or cell having a diploid set of chromosomes from each parent
Ampicillin - semisynthetic penicillin (trade names Principen and Polycillin and SK Ampicillin)
ampulla - a flask that has two handles; used by Romans for wines or oils; the dilated portion of a canal or duct especially of the semicircular canals of the ear
ampullary - of or related to an ampulla
Amputation - a surgical removal of all or part of a limb; a condition of disability resulting from the loss of one or more limbs
Amuck - in a murderous frenzy as if possessed by a demon; in a murderous frenzy; wildly; without self control
Amygdaloid - shaped like an almond; volcanic rock in which rounded cavities formed by expanding gas have subsequently become filled with mineral deposits
amylase - any of a group of proteins found in saliva and pancreatic juice and parts of plants; help convert starch to sugar
Amyloidosis - a disorder characterized by deposit of amyloid in organs or tissues; often secondary to chronic rheumatoid arthritis or tuberculosis or multiple myeloma
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis - thickening of tissue in the motor tracts of the lateral columns and anterior horns of the spinal cord; results in progressive muscle atrophy that starts in the limbs
Amyotrophy - progressive wasting of muscle tissues
Anaerobic exercise - exercise that builds muscles through tension
anaerobic - living or active in the absence of free oxygen; not aerobic
Anaesthesia - loss of bodily sensation with or without loss of consciousness
anaesthetist - a specialist who administers an anesthetic to a patient before he is treated
Analbuminemia - an abnormally low level of albumin in the blood serum
Analeptic - stimulating the central nervous system; a medication used as a stimulant to the central nervous system
Analgesia - absence of the sense of pain without loss of consciousness
Analgesic - capable of relieving pain; a medicine used to relieve pain
Analog - of a circuit or device having an output that is proportional to the input; something having the property of being analogous to something else
Analogous - corresponding in function but not in evolutionary origin; similar or equivalent in some respects though otherwise dissimilar
Anaphase - the stage of meiosis or mitosis when chromosomes move toward opposite ends of the nuclear spindle
anaphylactic - related to the hypersensitivity known as anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis - hypersensitivity reaction to the ingestion or injection of a substance (a protein or drug) resulting from prior contact with a substance
Anaplasia - loss of structural differentiation within a cell or group of cells often with increased capacity for multiplication, as in a malignant tumor
Anaplasmosis - a disease of cattle that is transmitted by cattle ticks; similar to Texas fever
anaplastic - of or relating to anaplasia
Anasarca - generalized edema with accumulation of serum in subcutaneous connective tissue
Anastomosis - a natural or surgical joining of parts or branches of tubular structures so as to make or become continuous
anatomical - of or relating to the structure of the body; of or relating to the branch of morphology that studies the structure of organisms; an expression that relates to anatomy
anatomist - an expert in anatomy
Anatomy - a detailed analysis; the branch of morphology that deals with the structure of animals; alternative names for the body of a human being
androgen - male sex hormone that is produced in the testes and responsible for typical male sexual characteristics
Androgenic - of or related to the male hormone androgen
android - an automaton that resembles a human being
Androphobia - a morbid fear of men
Androsterone - an androgenic hormone that is less active than testosterone
anemia - genus of terrestrial or lithophytic ferns having pinnatifid fronds; chiefly of tropical America; a deficiency of red blood cells; a lack of vitality
Anemic - lacking vigor or energy; relating to anemia or suffering from anemia
Anencephaly - a defect in brain development resulting in small or missing brain hemispheres
anergy - inactivity and lack of energy; reduction or lack of an immune response to a specific antigen
Anesthesia - loss of bodily sensation with or without loss of consciousness
Anesthesiologist - a specialist who administers an anesthetic to a patient before he is treated
Anesthesiology - the branch of medical science that studies and applies anesthetics
Anesthetic - characterized by insensibility; a drug that causes temporary loss of bodily sensations
Anesthetist - a specialist who administers an anesthetic to a patient before he is treated
Aneuploid - having a chromosome number that is not an exact multiple of the haploid number
Aneuploidy - an abnormality involving a chromosome number that is not an exact multiple of the haploid number (one chromosome set is incomplete)
aneurysm - a cardiovascular disease characterized by a saclike widening of an artery resulting from weakening of the artery wall
Aneurysmal - relating to or affected by an aneurysm
Angiitis - inflammation of a blood vessel or lymph duct
angina pectoris - a heart condition marked by paroxysms of chest pain due to reduced oxygen to the heart
Angina - any disease of the throat or fauces marked by spasmodic attacks of intense suffocative pain; a heart condition marked by paroxysms of chest pain due to reduced oxygen to the heart
angiogenesis inhibitor - a drug that is designed to prevent the growth of blood vessels that nourish tumors
angiogenesis - the formation of new blood vessels
Angiogram - an X ray representation of blood vessels made after the injection of a radiopaque substance
Angiography - roentgenographic examination of blood vessels after injection of a radiopaque contrast medium; produces an angiogram
Angiology - the branch of medical science that studies the blood and lymph vessels and their disorders
Angiopathy - any disease of the blood vessels or lymph ducts
Angioplasty - an operation to repair a damaged blood vessel or unblock a coronary artery
Angiosarcoma - a rare malignant neoplasm arising from vascular tissue; usually occurs in the breast and skin and is believed to originate from the endothelial cells of blood vessels
Angiosperm - plants having seeds in a closed ovary
Angiotensin converting enzyme - proteolytic enzyme that converts angiotensin I into angiotensin II
angiotensin converting enzyme - proteolytic enzyme that converts angiotensin I into angiotensin II
angiotensin I - a physiologically inactive form of angiotensin that is the precursor to angiotensin II
angiotensin II - a potent vasopressor agent formed from angiotensin I
angiotensin - any of several vasoconstrictor substances (trade name Hypertensin) that cause narrowing of blood vessels
Angry - feeling or showing anger; (of the elements) as if showing violent anger; severely inflamed and painful
Anhedonia - an inability to experience pleasure
Anhidrosis - failure of the sweat glands
Aniline - oily poisonous liquid amine obtained from nitrobenzene and used to make dyes and plastics and medicines
Animal - of the nature of or characteristic of or derived from an animal or animals; marked by the appetites and passions of the body; a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
Anion - a negatively charged ion
Aniseikonia - visual defect in which the shape and size of an ocular image differ in the two eyes
Anisometropia - difference in the refractive power of the two eyes
Ankle joint - a gliding joint between the distal ends of the tibia and fibula and the proximal end of the talus
Ankle - a gliding joint between the distal ends of the tibia and fibula and the proximal end of the talus
Ankyloglossia - a congenital anomaly in which the mucous membrane under the tongue is too short limiting the mobility of the tongue
Ankylose - undergo ankylosis; produce ankylosis by surgery
ankylosing spondylitis - a chronic form of spondylitis primarily in males and marked by impaired mobility of the spine; sometimes leads to ankylosis
Ankylosis - abnormal adhesion and rigidity of the bones of a joint
Anlage - an organ in its earliest stage of development; the foundation for subsequent development
Annealing - hardening something by heat treatment
Annotate - add explanatory notes to or supply with critical comments; provide interlinear explanations for words or phrases
Annotation - the act of adding notes; a comment or instruction (usually added)
annular - shaped like a ring
annulus - (Fungi) remnant of the partial veil that in mature mushrooms surrounds the lower part of the stem; a toroidal shape
Anomaly - (astronomy) position of a planet as defined by its angular distance from its perihelion (as observed from the sun); a person who is unusual; deviation from the normal or common order or form or rule
Anomia - type genus of the family Anomiidae: saddle oysters; inability to name objects or to recognize written or spoken names of objects
Anomic aphasia - inability to name objects or to recognize written or spoken names of objects
anomic - socially disoriented
anonymous - having no known name or identity or known source; not known or lacking marked individuality
Anorectic - causing loss of appetite; suffering from anorexia nervosa; pathologically thin; a person suffering from anorexia nervosa
Anorexia nervosa - (psychiatry) a psychological disorder characterized by somatic delusions that you are too fat despite being emaciated
Anorexia - a prolonged disorder of eating due to loss of appetite
Anorexic - suffering from anorexia nervosa; pathologically thin; a person suffering from anorexia nervosa
Anorexigenic - causing loss of appetite
Anorgasmia - absence of an orgasm in sexual relations
Anosmia - absence of the sense of smell (as by damage to olfactory nasal tissue or the olfactory nerve or by obstruction of the nasal passages)
Anovulation - the absence of ovulation due to immaturity or post maturity or pregnancy or oral contraceptive pills or dysfunction of the ovary
Anoxia - severe hypoxia; absence of oxygen in inspired gases or in arterial blood or in the tissues
Anoxic - relating to or marked by a severe deficiency of oxygen in tissues or organs
antagonist - a drug that neutralizes or counteracts the effects of another drug; a muscle that relaxes while another contracts; someone who offers opposition
antenatal - occurring or existing before birth
Anterior pituitary - the anterior lobe of the pituitary body; primarily glandular in nature
Anterior - earlier in time; of or near the head end or toward the front plane of the body; a tooth situated at the front of the mouth
Anterograde amnesia - loss of memory for events immediately following a trauma; sometimes in effect for events during and for a long time following the trauma
Anterograde - of amnesia; affecting time immediately following trauma
Anthelmintic - capable of expelling or destroying parasitic worms; a medication capable of causing the evacuation of parasitic intestinal worms
anthropologist - a social scientist who specializes in anthropology
Anthropology - the social science that studies the origins and social relationships of human beings
Anthropometry - measurement and study of the human body and its parts and capacities
Anti inflammatory - a medicine intended to reduce inflammation
Antibacterial - destroying bacteria or inhibiting their growth; any drug that destroys bacteria or inhibits their growth
Antibiotic - of or relating to antibiotic drugs; a chemical substance derivable from a mold or bacterium that kills microorganisms and cures infections
antibody - any of a large variety of proteins normally present in the body or produced in response to an antigen which it neutralizes, thus producing an immune response
Anticholinergic - inhibiting or blocking the action of acetylcholine at a receptor site; a substance that opposes or blocks the action of acetylcholine
Anticipation - something expected (as on the basis of a norm); pleasurable expectation; wishing with confidence of fulfillment; the act of predicting (as by reasoning about the future)
anticipatory - in anticipation
Anticoagulant - medicine that prevents or retards the clotting of blood
Anticonvulsant - a drug used to treat or prevent convulsions (as in epilepsy)
Antidepressant - any of a class of drugs used to treat depression; often have undesirable side effects
Antidiuretic - a drug that limits the formation of urine
antidiuretic - a drug that limits the formation of urine
Antidote - a remedy that stops or controls the effects of a poison
Antidromic - conducting nerve impulses in a direction opposite to normal
Antiemetic - a drug that prevents or alleviates nausea and vomiting
Antiflatulent - any agent that reduces intestinal gas
antifreeze - a liquid added to the water in a cooling system to lower its freezing point
Antifungal agent - any agent that destroys or prevents the growth of fungi
Antifungal - capable of destroying fungi; any agent that destroys or prevents the growth of fungi
antigen - any substance (as a toxin or enzyme) that stimulates an immune response in the body (especially the production of antibodies)
antigenic - of or relating to antigens
Antihistamine - a medicine used to treat allergies and hypersensitive reactions and colds; works by counteracting the effects of histamine on a receptor site
Antihypertensive - a drug that reduces high blood pressure
Antimalarial - a medicinal drug used to prevent or treat malaria
Antimetabolite - an antineoplastic drug that inhibits the utilization of a metabolite
Antimicrobial - capable of destroying or inhibiting the growth of disease causing microorganisms; an agent (as heat or radiation or a chemical) that destroys microorganisms that might carry disease
Antimony - a metallic element having four allotropic forms; used in a wide variety of alloys; found in stibnite
antineoplastic antibiotic - an antibiotic drug used as an antineoplastic in chemotherapy
Antioxidant - substance that inhibits oxidation or inhibits reactions promoted by oxygen or peroxides
Antiparallel - (especially of vectors) parallel but oppositely directed
Antiprotozoal drug - a medicinal drug used to fight diseases (like malaria) that are caused by protozoa
Antiprotozoal - a medicinal drug used to fight diseases (like malaria) that are caused by protozoa
Antipsychotic - tranquilizer used to treat psychotic conditions when a calming effect is desired
Antipyretic - preventing or alleviating fever; any medicine that lowers body temperature to prevent or alleviate fever
antiquary - an expert or collector of antiquities
Antisepsis - the process of inhibiting the growth and multiplication of microorganisms; (of non living objects) the state of being free of pathogenic organisms
Antiserum - blood serum containing antibodies against specific antigens; provides immunity to a disease
Antispasmodic - a drug used to relieve or prevent spasms (especially of the smooth muscles)
antithyroid - having the effect of counteracting excessive thyroid activity
Antitoxin - an antibody that can neutralize a specific toxin
Antivenin - an antitoxin that counteracts the effects of venom from the bite of a snake or insect or other animal
Antiviral agent - any drug that destroys viruses
Antiviral drug - any drug that destroys viruses
Antiviral - inhibiting or stopping the growth and reproduction of viruses; any drug that destroys viruses
Anton Chekhov - Russian dramatist whose plays are concerned with the difficulty of communication between people (1860 1904)
Antrum - a natural cavity or hollow in a bone
Anvil - a heavy block of iron or steel on which hot metals are shaped by hammering; the ossicle between the malleus and the stapes
Anxiety disorder - a cover term for a variety of mental disorders in which severe anxiety is a salient symptom
Anxiety - a vague unpleasant emotion that is experienced in anticipation of some (usually ill defined) misfortune; a relatively permanent state of anxiety occurring in a variety of mental disorders
anxiolytic - anxiety relieving; a tranquilizer used to relieve anxiety and reduce tension and irritability
aorta - the large trunk artery that carries blood from the left ventricle of the heart to branch arteries
Aortal - of or relating to the aorta
Aortic aneurysm - an aneurysm of the aorta
Aortic arch - the part of the aorta that arches and turns downward
Aortic stenosis - abnormal narrowing of the aortic valve
aortic valve - a semilunar valve between the left ventricle and the aorta; prevents blood from flowing from the aorta back into the heart
Aortic - of or relating to the aorta
Aortitis - inflammation of the aorta
Aperient - mildly laxative; a purging medicine; stimulates evacuation of the bowels
Apgar score - an assessment of the physical condition of a newborn infant; involves heart rate and muscle tone and respiratory effort and color and reflex responsiveness
Aphagia - loss of the ability to swallow
Aphakia - absence of the natural lens of the eye (usually resulting from the removal of cataracts)
aphasia - inability to use or understand language (spoken or written) because of a brain lesion
Aphonia - a disorder of the vocal organs that results in the loss of voice
aphthous ulcer - a blister on the mucous membranes of the lips or mouth or gastrointestinal tract
Apical - situated at an apex
Aplasia - failure of some tissue or organ to develop
Aplastic anemia - anemia characterized by pancytopenia resulting from failure of the bone marrow; can be caused by neoplasm or by toxic exposure
apnea - transient cessation of respiration
Apneic - of or relating to apnea
apocrine gland - a large sweat gland that produces both a fluid and an apocrine secretion; in human beings located in hairy regions of the body
Apollo - (Greek mythology) Greek god of light; god of prophesy and poetry and music and healing; son of Zeus and Leto; twin brother of Artemis
Apomorphine - a morphine derivative that is not as strong as morphine; used as an emetic and in small doses as a sedative
aponeurotic - of or relating to an aponeurosis
Apoplexy - a sudden loss of consciousness resulting when the rupture or occlusion of a blood vessel leads to oxygen lack in the brain
apparatus - equipment designed to serve a specific function; (anatomy) a group of body parts that work together to perform a given function
Appendectomy - surgical removal of the vermiform appendix
Appendiceal something to do with the appendix
Appendicitis - inflammation of the vermiform appendix
appendix - a vestigial process that extends from the lower end of the cecum and that resembles a small pouch; supplementary material that is collected and appended at the back of a book
Appetite - a feeling of craving something
Apprehension - the act of apprehending (especially apprehending a criminal); painful expectation; fearful expectation or anticipation; the cognitive condition of someone who understands
apraxia - inability to make purposeful movements
Aquaphobia - a morbid fear of drowning
Aqueduct - a conduit that resembles a bridge but carries water over a valley
aqueous humor - the limpid fluid within the eyeball between the cornea and the lens
Aqueous humour - the limpid fluid within the eyeball between the cornea and the lens
aqueous - produced by the action of water; similar to or containing or dissolved in water
Arabidopsis thaliana - a small invasive self pollinating weed with small white flowers; much studied by plant geneticists; the first higher plant whose complete genome sequence was described
Arachnophobia - a morbid fear of spiders
Arch support - a support for the arch of the foot
Archaeology - the branch of anthropology that studies prehistoric people and their cultures
Archipallium - the olfactory cortex of the cerebrum
arctic - extremely cold; of or relating to the Arctic; at or near the north pole; a waterproof overshoe that protects shoes from water or snow; the regions north of the Arctic Circle centered on the North Pole
arcuate - forming or resembling an arch
Arcus senilis - an whitish deposit in the shape of an arc that is sometimes seen in the cornea
Areca nut - seed of betel palm; chewed with leaves of the betel pepper and lime as a digestive stimulant and narcotic in southeastern Asia
Areflexia - absence of a reflex; a sign of possible nerve damage
Arenaviridae - a family of arborviruses carried by arthropods
Arenavirus - animal viruses belonging to the family Arenaviridae
Areola - small circular area such as that around the human nipple or an inflamed area around a pimple or insect bite; small space in a tissue or body part such as the area between veins on a leaf or an insect's wing
Argentina - type genus of the Argentinidae: argentines; a republic in southern South America; second largest country in South America
Arginine - a bitter tasting amino acid found in proteins and necessary for nutrition; its absence from the diet leads to a reduced production of spermatozoa
argon - a colorless and odorless inert gas; one of the six inert gases; comprises approximately 1% of the earth's atmosphere
Aristotle - one of the greatest of the ancient Athenian philosophers; pupil of Plato; teacher of Alexander the Great (384 322 BC)
armed - (used of persons or the military) characterized by having or bearing arms; (used of plants and animals) furnished with bristles and thorns; having arms or arms as specified; used especially in combination
Arnica montana - herb of pasture and open woodland throughout most of Europe and western Asia having orange yellow daisylike flower heads that when dried are used as a stimulant and to treat bruises and swellings
arousal - the act of arousing; awakening from sleep; a state of heightened physiological activity; mutual sexual fondling prior to sexual intercourse
arrayed - in ceremonial attire and paraphernalia
Arrhythmia - an abnormal rate of muscle contractions in the heart
Arsenic trioxide - a white powdered poisonous trioxide of arsenic; used in manufacturing glass and as a pesticide (rat poison) and weed killer
Arsine - a poisonous colorless flammable gas used in organic synthesis and to dope transistors and as a poison gas in warfare
art exhibition - an exhibition of art objects (paintings or statues)
Arteria femoralis - the chief artery of the thigh; a continuation of the external iliac artery
Arterial blood - blood found in arteries
arterial pressure - the pressure of the circulating blood on the arteries
arterial - of or involving or contained in the arteries
arteriogram - an X ray of an artery filled with a contrast medium
arteriography - roentgenographic examination of arteries
Arteriole - one of the small thin walled arteries that end in capillaries
Arteriolosclerosis - sclerosis of the arterioles
Arteriosclerosis - sclerosis of the arterial walls
arteriosclerotic - affected by arteriosclerosis
arteriovenous - connecting an artery to a vein
Arteritis - inflammation of an artery
artery - a major thoroughfare that bears important traffic; a blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the body
Artery a blood vessel that carries oxygenated blood from the heart (except pulmonary arteries that carry deoxygenated blood)
Arthralgia - pain in a joint or joints
Arthritis - inflammation of a joint or joints
Arthrocentesis - removal of fluid from a joint by centesis
Arthrodesis - the surgical fixation of a joint which is intended to result in bone fusion
Arthrogram - an X ray of a joint after the injection of a contrast medium
Arthropathy - a pathology or abnormality of a joint
Arthroplasty - surgical reconstruction or replacement of a malformed or degenerated joint
Arthroscope - a type of endoscope that is inserted into a joint for visual examination
Arthroscopy - a minimally invasive operation to repair a damaged joint; the surgeon examines the joint with an arthroscope while making repairs through a small incision
Arthur Mitchell - United States dancer who formed the first Black classical ballet company (born in 1934)
Articular - relating to or affecting the joints of the body
Artificial heart - a pump that replaces the natural heart
Artificial insemination - the introduction of semen into the oviduct or uterus by some means other than sexual intercourse
Artificial kidney - a machine that uses dialysis to remove impurities and waste products from the bloodstream before returning the blood to the patient's body
Artificial pacemaker - an implanted electronic device that takes over the function of the natural cardiac pacemaker
Artificial skin - a synthetic covering with two layers used experimentally to treat burn victims
artificial - artificially formal; contrived by art rather than nature; not arising from natural growth or characterized by vital processes
asbestos - a fibrous amphibole; used for making fireproof articles; inhaling fibers can cause asbestosis or lung cancer
Asbestosis - lung disease caused by inhaling asbestos particles
Ascariasis - infestation of the human intestine with Ascaris roundworms
Ascaris - type genus of the family Ascaridae: roundworms with a three lipped mouth
Ascending aorta - the ascending part of the aorta as it emerges from the left ventricle
ascending - moving or going or growing upward; the act of changing location in an upward direction
ascites - accumulation of serous fluid in peritoneal cavity
Asclepius - son of Apollo; a hero and the Roman god of medicine and healing; his daughters were Hygeia and Panacea
Ascorbic acid - a vitamin found in fresh fruits (especially citrus fruits) and vegetables; prevents scurvy
Ascospore - sexually produced fungal spore formed within an ascus
Ascus - saclike structure in which ascospores are formed through sexual reproduction of ascomycetes
Aseptic - free of or using methods to keep free of pathological microorganisms
Asexual - not having or involving sex
Asian influenza - influenza caused by the Asian virus that was first isolated in 1957
Asparaginase - antineoplastic drug (trade name Elspar) sometimes used to treat lymphoblastic leukemia
Asparagine - a crystalline amino acid found in proteins and in many plants (e.g., asparagus)
Aspartame - an artificial sweetener made from aspartic acid; used as a calorie free sweetener
Aspartic acid - a crystalline amino acid found in proteins and occurring naturally in sugar beets and sugar cane
Aspergillus - genus of common molds causing food spoilage and some pathogenic to plants and animals
asphyxia - a condition in which insufficient or no oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged on a ventilatory basis; caused by choking or drowning or electric shock or poison gas
Aspirate - a consonant proced with aspiration; verb suck in (air); proce with aspiration; of stop sounds; remove as if by suction
Aspiration pneumonia - inflammation of the lungs caused by inhaling or choking on vomitus; may occur during unconsciousness (anesthesia or drunkenness or seizure or cardiac arrest)
aspiration - a will to succeed; a manner of articulation involving an audible release of breath; the act of inhaling; the drawing in of air (or other gases) as in breathing; a cherished desire
Aspirator - a pump that draws air or another gas through a liquid
Assistant - of or relating to a person who is subordinate to another; a person who contributes to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose
Assisted suicide - suicide of a terminally ill person that involves an assistant who serves to make dying as painless and dignified as possible
assisted - having help; often used as a combining form
assistive - giving assistance
associated - related to or accompanying; joined in some kind of relationship (as a colleague or ally or companion etc.)
association cortex - cortical areas that are neither motor or sensory but are thought to be involved in higher processing of information
Assortative mating - mating of individuals having more traits in common than likely in random mating
astatic - not static or stable
Astereognosis - a loss of the ability to recognize objects by handling them
asthenia - an abnormal loss of strength
Asthenic - having a slender physique; lacking strength or vigor
asthma - respiratory disorder characterized by wheezing; usually of allergic origin
Asthmatic - relating to breathing with a whistling sound; a person suffering from asthma
Astigmatic - of or relating to a defect in the eye or in a lens caused by a deviation from spherical curvature which prevents light rays from meeting at a common focus and so results in distorted images
Astraphobia - a morbid fear of thunder and lightning
astringent - tending to draw together or constrict soft organic tissue; sour or bitter in taste; a drug that causes contraction of body tissues and canals
astrocyte - comparatively large neuroglial cell
astronomer - a physicist who studies astronomy
Asymptomatic - having no symptoms of illness or disease
asystole - absence of systole; failure of the ventricles of the heart to contract (usually caused by ventricular fibrillation) with consequent absence of the heart beat leading to oxygen lack and eventually to death
Atavism - a reappearance of an earlier characteristic
ataxia - inability to coordinate voluntary muscle movements; unsteady movements and staggering gait
Atelectasis - collapse of an expanded lung (especially in infants); also failure of pulmonary alveoli to expand at birth
Ateliosis - a form of infantilism characterized by physical underdevelopment but normal intelligence
Atherogenesis - the formation of atheromas on the walls of the arteries as in atherosclerosis
atheroma - a fatty deposit in the intima (inner lining) of an artery; can obstruct blood flow
Atherosclerosis - a stage of arteriosclerosis involving fatty deposits (atheromas) inside the arterial walls
Atherosclerotic - of or relating to atherosclerosis
Athetosis - a continuous succession of slow, writhing, involuntary movements of the hands and feet and other body parts
Athlete's foot - fungal infection of the feet
athlete - a person trained to compete in sports
Athletic training - the course of practice and exercise and diet undertaken by an athlete
atlas - a figure of a man used as a supporting column; the 1st cervical vertebra; a collection of maps in book form; (Greek mythology) a Titan who was forced by Zeus to bear the sky on his shoulders
Atonia - lack of normal muscular tension or tonus
Atonic - used of syllables; characterized by a lack of tonus
Atopic dermatitis - a severe form of dermatitis characterized by atopy
atopy - an allergic reaction that becomes apparent in a sensitized person only minutes after contact
Atorvastatin - an oral drug (trade name Lipitor) that is effective in lowering triglycerides; potent in reducing LDL cholesterol because higher doses can be given
Atresia - an abnormal condition in which a normal opening or tube in the body (as the urethra) is closed or absent
atrial fibrillation - fibrillation of the muscles of the atria of the heart
Atrial septal defect - an abnormal opening between the left and right atria of the heart
Atrial - of or relating to a cavity or chamber in the body (especially one of the upper chambers of the heart)
atrial - of or relating to a cavity or chamber in the body (especially one of the upper chambers of the heart)
atrioventricular node - a node of specialized heart muscle located in the septal wall of the right atrium; receives impulses from the sinoatrial node and transmits them to atrioventricular bundle
Atrioventricular - relating to or affecting the atria and ventricles of the heart
atrioventricular - relating to or affecting the atria and ventricles of the heart
atrium - the central area in a building; open to the sky; any chamber that is connected to other chambers or passageways (especially one of the two upper chambers of the heart)
atrophic - relating to or characterized by atrophy
atrophy - any weakening or degeneration (especially through lack of use); a decrease in size of an organ caused by disease or disuse; verb undergo atrophy
Attention deficit disorder - a condition (mostly in boys) characterized by behavioral and learning disorders
attention deficit disorder - a condition (mostly in boys) characterized by behavioral and learning disorders
Attention getting - likely to attract attention; seizing the attention
Attentional - of or relating to attention
Attenuate - reduced in strength; verb become weaker, in strength, value, or magnitude; weaken the consistency of (a chemical substance)
attenuated - of an electrical signal; reduced in amplitude with little or no distortion; reduced in strength
Attenuator - an electrical device for attenuating the strength of an electrical signal
Atypical pneumonia - an acute respiratory disease marked by high fever and coughing; caused by mycoplasma; primarily affecting children and young adults
Atypical - deviating from normal expectations; somewhat odd, strange, or abnormal; not representative of a group, class, or type
atypical - deviating from normal expectations; somewhat odd, strange, or abnormal; not representative of a group, class, or type
audiogram - a graphical representation of a person's auditory sensitivity to sound
Audiology - the measurement of hearing
Audiometry - measuring sensitivity of hearing; the measurement of hearing
Auditory agnosia - inability to recognize or understand the meaning of spoken words
Auditory aphasia - an impairment in understanding spoken language that is not attributable to hearing loss
Auditory cortex - the cortical area that receives auditory information from the medial geniculate body
auditory nerve - a composite sensory nerve supplying the hair cells of the vestibular organ and the hair cells of the cochlea
Auditory perception - the perception of sound as a meaningful phenomenon
Auditory tube - either of the paired tubes connecting the middle ears to the nasopharynx; equalizes air pressure on the two sides of the eardrum
auditory - of or relating to the process of hearing
Auricle - the externally visible cartilaginous structure of the external ear; a small conical pouch projecting from the upper anterior part of each atrium of the heart
auricular - pertaining to an auricle of the heart; relating to or perceived by or shaped like the organ of hearing; of or relating to near the ear
Auscultate - examine by auscultation
Auscultation - listening to sounds within the body (usually with a stethoscope)
Autism - (psychiatry) an abnormal absorption with the self; marked by communication disorders and short attention span and inability to treat others as people
autoantibody - an antibody acting against tissues of the organism that produces it
Autochthonous - of rocks, deposits, etc.; found where they and their constituents were formed; originating where it is found
Autoclave - a device for heating substances above their boiling point; used to manufacture chemicals or to sterilize surgical instruments; verb subject to the action of an autoclave
Autogamy - self fertilization in plants
Autogenic training - training patients in self induced relaxation
autogenic - originating within the body
Autogenous - originating within the body
Autograft - tissue that is taken from one site and grafted to another site on the same person
Autoimmune disease - any of a large group of diseases characterized by abnormal functioning of the immune system that causes your immune system to produce antibodies against your own tissues
Autoimmune - of or relating to the immune response of the body against substance normally present in the body
Autoimmunity - production of antibodies against the tissues of your own body; produces autoimmune disease or hypersensitivity reactions
Autoinjector - a hypodermic syringe to use in injecting yourself with a liquid
Autologous - derived from organisms of the selfsame individual
Autolysis - lysis of plant or animal tissue by an internal process
Automatism - any reaction that occurs automatically without conscious thought or reflection (especially the undirected behavior seen in psychomotor epilepsy)
autonomic nervous system - the part of the nervous system of vertebrates that controls involuntary actions of the smooth muscles and heart and glands
autonomic - relating to or controlled by the autonomic nervous system
Autonomy - immunity from arbitrary exercise of authority: political independence; personal independence
autopsy - an examination and dissection of a dead body to determine cause of death or the changes produced by disease; verb perform an autopsy on a dead body; do a post mortem
Autoradiograph - a radiogram produced by radiation emitted by the specimen being photographed
Autoradiography - producing a radiograph by means of the radiation emitted from the specimen being photographed
Autoregulation - (physiology) processes that maintain a generally constant physiological state in a cell or organism
Autosomal - of or relating to an autosome
Autosome - any chromosome that is not a sex chromosome; appear in pairs in body cells but as single chromosomes in spermatozoa
Autotroph - plant capable of synthesizing its own food from simple organic substances
Avascular - without blood vessels
avian - pertaining to or characteristic of birds
Aviation medicine - the study and treatment of disorders associated with flight (especially with space flight)
Avulse - separate by avulsion
Avuncular - like an uncle in kindness or indulgence; being or relating to an uncle
axial - situated on or along or in the direction of an axis; of or relating to or resembling an axis of rotation; relating to or attached to the axis
axilla - the hollow under the arm where it is joined to the shoulder
axillary artery - the part of the main artery of the arm that lies in the armpit and is continuous with the subclavian artery above and the brachial artery below
axillary vein - a continuation of the basilic vein and brachial vein that becomes the subclavian vein
axillary - of or relating to the armpit; of or relating to the axil
Ayurveda - (Sanskrit) an ancient medical treatise summarizing the Hindu art of healing and prolonging life; sometimes regarded as a 5th Veda
Azathioprine - an immunosuppressive drug (trade name Imuran) used to prevent rejection of a transplanted organ
Azerbaijan - a landlocked republic in southwestern Asia; formerly an Asian soviet
Azoospermia - Absence of motile, and hence viable spermatozoa in semen.
Azotemia - accumulation in the blood of nitrogenous waste products (urea) that are usually excreted in the urine
Aztreonam - an antibiotic (trade name Azactam) used against severe infections; has minimal side effects

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Baby powder - powder used to prevent a baby's diaper from chafing
Baby walker - an enclosing framework on casters or wheels; helps babies learn to walk
bacillary - formed like a bacillus; relating to or produced by or containing bacilli
Bacillus anthracis - a species of bacillus that causes anthrax in humans and in animals (cattle and swine and sheep and rabbits and mice and guinea pigs); can be used a bioweapon
Bacillus - aerobic rod shaped spore producing bacterium; often occurring in chainlike formations; found primarily in soil
bacitracin - a polypeptide antibiotic of known chemical structure effective against several types of Gram positive organisms; usually applied locally
Back brace - a brace worn to support the back
Backcross - mate a hybrid of the first generation with one of its parents
Background radiation - radiation coming from sources other than those being observed
Bacteremia - transient presence of bacteria (or other microorganisms) in the blood
bacterial toxin - any endotoxin or exotoxin formed in or elaborated by bacterial cells
Bacterial - relating to or caused by bacteria
bactericidal - preventing infection by inhibiting the growth or action of microorganisms
bacteriologist - a biologist who studies bacteria
Bacteriology - the branch of medical science that studies bacteria in relation to disease
Bacteriophage - a virus that is parasitic in bacteria
bacteriostatic - of or relating to or causing bacteriostasis
Bagassosis - alveolitis caused by inhaling bagasse (sugarcane dust)
Baker's yeast - used as a leaven in baking and brewing
Baker - someone who bakes bread or cake; someone who bakes commercially
Balanitis - inflammation of the head of the penis
Balanoposthitis - inflammation of both the head of the penis and the foreskin
Baldness - the condition of having no hair on the top of the head
balloon - large tough nonrigid bag filled with gas or heated air; small thin inflatable rubber bag with narrow neck; verb become inflated; ride in a hot air balloon
Ballottement - a palpatory technique for feeling a floating object in the body (especially for determining the position of a fetus by feeling the rebound of the fetus after a quick digital tap on the wall of the uterus)
Bambino - a young child
Banti's syndrome - a disease characterized by congestion and enlargement of the spleen; accompanied by anemia or cirrhosis
Bar chart - a chart with bars whose lengths are proportional to quantities
Bar graph - a chart with bars whose lengths are proportional to quantities
barium enema - contrast medium is injected into the rectum and x rays are taken to search for lesions
Barium - a soft silvery metallic element of the alkali earth group; found in barite
Barker - someone who stands in front of a show (as at a carnival) and gives a loud colorful sales talk to potential customers; informal terms for dogs
Baroreceptor - a sensory receptor that responds to pressure
Basal metabolic rate - the rate at which heat is produced by an individual in a resting state
Basal temperature - body temperature in the morning before rising or moving about or eating anything
basal - of primary importance; serving as or forming a base; especially of leaves; located at the base of a plant or stem; especially arising directly from the root or rootstock or a root like stem
based - having a base of operations (often used as a combining form); having a base; having a basis; often used as combining terms; being derived from (often followed by `on' or `upon')
basilar artery - an unpaired artery; supplies the pons and cerebellum and the back part of the cerebrum and the inner ear
Basilar - of or relating to or located at the base
basketball - a game played on a court by two opposing teams of 5 players; points are scored by throwing the ball through an elevated horizontal hoop; an inflated ball used in playing basketball
basophil - a leukocyte with basophilic granules easily stained by basic stains
Basophilia - the tendency of cells to stain with basic dyes
Battle fatigue - a mental disorder caused by stress of active warfare
Bayes - English mathematician for whom Bayes' theorem is named (1702 1761)
Bed bug - bug of temperate regions that infests especially beds and feeds on human blood
Bedsore - a chronic ulcer of the skin caused by prolonged pressure on it (as in bedridden patients)
Bee sting - a sting inflicted by a bee
Behavior therapy - psychotherapy that seeks to extinguish or inhibit abnormal or maladaptive behavior by reinforcing desired behavior and extinguishing undesired behavior
Belching - the forceful expulsion of something from inside; a reflex that expels wind noisily from the stomach through the mouth
benediction - a ceremonial prayer invoking divine protection; the act of praying for divine protection
benign prostatic hyperplasia - enlarged prostate; appears to be part of the natural aging process
Benign tumor - a tumor that is not cancerous
benign - pleasant and beneficial in nature or influence; kindness of disposition or manner; not dangerous to health; not recurrent or progressive (especially of a tumor)
Benignity - the quality of being kind and gentle; a kind act
Benjamin Spock - United States pediatrician whose many books on child care influenced the upbringing of children around the world (1903 1998)
Benjamin - (Old Testament) the youngest and best loved son of Jacob and Rachel and one of the twelve forebears of the tribes of Israel; gum resin used especially in treating skin irritation
Benzene - a colorless liquid hydrocarbon; highly inflammable; carcinogenic; the simplest of the aromatic compounds
Benzocaine - a white crystalline ester used as a local anesthetic
Benzodiazepine - any of several similar lipophilic amines used as tranquilizers or sedatives or hypnotics or muscle relaxants; chronic use can lead to dependency
Benzoyl peroxide - a white crystalline peroxide used in bleaching (flour or oils or fats) and as a catalyst for free radical reactions
Benzylpenicillin - the penicillin that constitutes the principal component of many commercial antibiotics
bereavement - state of sorrow over the death or departure of a loved one
beriberi - avitaminosis caused by lack of thiamine (vitamin B1)
Bernard - French physiologist noted for research on secretions of the alimentary canal and the glycogenic function of the liver (1813 1878)
Berserk - in a murderous frenzy as if possessed by a demon; one of the ancient Norse warriors legendary for working themselves into a frenzy before a battle and fighting with reckless savagery and insane fury
Beryllium - a light strong brittle grey toxic bivalent metallic element
Berzelius - Swedish chemist who discovered three new elements and determined the atomic weights of many others (1779 1848)
Beta blocker - any of various drugs used in treating hypertension or arrhythmia; decreases force and rate of heart contractions by blocking beta adrenergic receptors of the autonomic nervous system
Beta Carotene - an isomer of carotene that is found in dark green and dark yellow fruits and vegetables
Beta cell - a cell that produces insulin in the isles of Langerhans in the pancreas
Beta Endorphin - an endorphin produced by the pituitary gland that suppresses pain
Beta particle - a high speed electron or positron emitted in the decay of a radioactive isotope
beta - preliminary or testing stage of a software or hardware product; second in order of importance; the 2nd letter of the Greek alphabet; beets
Betel nut - seed of betel palm; chewed with leaves of the betel pepper and lime as a digestive stimulant and narcotic in southeastern Asia
bibliographer - someone trained in compiling bibliographies
Bicarbonate - a salt of carbonic acid (containing the anion HCO3) in which one hydrogen atom has been replaced; an acid carbonate
Biceps - any skeletal muscle having two origins (but especially the muscle that flexes the forearm)
Bicornuate - having two horns or horn shaped parts
Bicuspid valve - valve with two cusps; situated between the left atrium and the left ventricle
Bicuspid - having two cusps or points (especially a molar tooth); a tooth having two cusps or points; located between the incisors and the molars
bicycle - a wheeled vehicle that has two wheels and is moved by foot pedals; verb ride a bicycle
Bifid - divided into two lobes
Bilateral - having two sides or parts; affecting or undertaken by two parties; having identical parts on each side of an axis
Bile acid - any of the steroid acids generated in the liver and stored with bile
bile duct - a duct formed by the hepatic and cystic ducts; opens into the duodenum
Bilharzia - an infestation with or a resulting infection caused by a parasite of the genus Schistosoma; common in the tropics and Far East; symptoms depend on the part of the body infected
Bilharziasis - an infestation with or a resulting infection caused by a parasite of the genus Schistosoma; common in the tropics and Far East; symptoms depend on the part of the body infected
biliary - relating to the bile ducts or the gallbladder; relating to or containing bile
Bilious - suffering from or suggesting a liver disorder or gastric distress; relating to or containing bile; irritable as if suffering from indigestion
Biliousness - gastric distress caused by a disorder of the liver or gall bladder; a disposition to exhibit uncontrolled anger
bilirubin - an orange yellow pigment in the bile that forms as a product of hemoglobin; excess amounts in the blood produce the yellow appearance observed in jaundice
Binaural - relating to or having or hearing with two ears
binocular vision - vision involving the use of both eyes
Binocular - relating to both eyes
Binomial theorem - a theorem giving the expansion of a binomial raised to a given power
Binucleate - having two nuclei
Biochemical - of or relating to biochemistry; involving chemical processes in living organisms
biochemist - someone with special training in biochemistry
biochemistry - the organic chemistry of compounds and processes occuring in organisms; the effort to understand biology within the context of chemistry
Bioethics - the branch of ethics that studies moral values in the biomedical sciences
Biofeedback - a training program in which a person is given information about physiological processes (heart rate or blood pressure) that is not normally available with the goal of gaining conscious control of them
biologic - pertaining to biology or to life and living things
Biological agent - any bacterium or virus or toxin that could be used in biological warfare
biological - of parents and children; related by blood; pertaining to biology or to life and living things
biologist - (biology) a scientist who studies living organisms
Biology - the science that studies living organisms; characteristic life processes and phenomena of living organisms; all the plant and animal life of a particular region
biopsy - examination of tissues or liquids from the living body to determine the existence or cause of a disease
Biosafety level - the level of safety from exposure to infectious agents; depends on work practices and safety equipment and facilities
Biosafety - safety from exposure to infectious agents
Biostatistics - a branch of biology that studies biological phenomena and observations by means of statistical analysis
Bioterrorism - terrorism using the weapons of biological warfare
Biotin - a B vitamin that aids in body growth
Bipolar disorder - a mental disorder characterized by episodes of mania and depression
bipolar - having two poles; of, pertaining to, or occurring in both polar regions; of or relating to manic depressive illness
Birmingham - a city in central England; 2nd largest English city and an important industrial and transportation center; the largest city in Alabama; located in northeastern Alabama
Birth control - limiting the number of children born
Birth defect - a defect that is present at birth
Birth rate - the ratio of live births in an area to the population of that area; expressed per 1000 population per year
Birth trauma - emotional injury inflicted on an infant by events incident to birth that is alleged to appear in symbolic form in patients with mental illness; physical injury to an infant during the birth process
birth - the event of being born; the time when something begins (especially life); the process of giving birth; the kinship relation of an offspring to the parents; verb cause_to_be_born
Birthmark - a blemish on the skin that is formed before birth
Bisexual - sexually attracted to both sexes; having an ambiguous sexual identity; a person who is sexually attracted to both sexes
Bivalent - used of homologous chromosomes associated in pairs in synapsis; having a valence of two or having two valences
Black American - an American whose ancestors were born in Africa
Black Art - the belief in magical spells that harness occult forces or evil spirits to produce unnatural effects in the world
black cohosh - North American bugbane found from Maine and Ontario to Wisconsin and south to Georgia
Black Death - the epidemic form of bubonic plague experienced during the Middle Ages when it killed nearly half the people of western Europe
Black eye - a bad reputation; an unfortunate happening that hinders or impedes; something that is thwarting or frustrating; a swollen bruise caused by a blow to the eye
Black lung disease - lung disease caused by inhaling coal dust
black lung - lung disease caused by inhaling coal dust
Black plague - the epidemic form of bubonic plague experienced during the Middle Ages when it killed nearly half the people of western Europe
black snakeroot - North American bugbane found from Maine and Ontario to Wisconsin and south to Georgia; deciduous low growing perennial of Canada and eastern and central United States
Blackhead - a black tipped plug clogging a pore of the skin
Blackpool - a resort town in Lancashire in northwestern England on the Irish Sea; famous for its tower
Blackwater fever - severe and often fatal malaria characterized by kidney damage resulting in dark urine
Bladder stone - a calculus formed in the bladder
Bladder - a bag that fills with air; a distensible membranous sac (usually containing liquid or gas)
Blastocyst - the blastula of mammals
Blastoderm - a layer of cells on the inside of the blastula
Blastoma - a tumor composed of immature undifferentiated cells
Blastomere - any cell resulting from cleavage of a fertilized egg
Blastomycosis - any of several infections of the skin or mucous membrane caused by Blastomyces
Blastopore - the opening into the archenteron
Blepharitis - inflammation of the eyelids characterized by redness and swelling and dried crusts
Blepharospasm - spasm of the eyelid muscle resulting in closure of the eye
Blind spot - the point where the optic nerve enters the retina; not sensitive to light; a subject about which you are ignorant or prejudiced and fail to exercise good judgment
Blindness - the state of being blind or lacking sight
Blister beetle - beetle that produces a secretion that blisters the skin
blister - (pathology) an elevation of the skin filled with serous fluid; verb get blistered; cause blisters to from on; subject to harsh criticism
Blistering agent - a toxic war gas with sulfide based compounds that raises blisters and attacks the eyes and lungs; there is no known antidote
Bloch - United States composer (born in Switzerland) who composed symphonies and chamber music and choral music and a piano sonata and an opera (1880 1959)
Blocker - a class of drugs that inhibit (block) some biological process; a football player whose responsibility is to block players attempting to stop an offensive play
blocking agent - a class of drugs that inhibit (block) some biological process
Blood bank - a place for storing whole blood or blood plasma
Blood blister - blister containing blood or bloody serum usually caused by an injury
Blood cell - either of two types of cells (erythrocytes and leukocytes) and sometimes including platelets
blood clot - a semisolid mass of coagulated red and white blood cells
Blood count - the act of estimating the number of red and white corpuscles in a blood sample; the number of red and white corpuscles in a blood sample
Blood dyscrasia - any abnormal condition of the blood
Blood glucose - glucose in the bloodstream
Blood group - human blood cells (usually just the red blood cells) that have the same antigens
Blood plasma - plasma that separates from blood in coagulation
Blood poisoning - invasion of the bloodstream by virulent microorganisms from a focus of infection
Blood pressure - the pressure of the circulating blood against the walls of the blood vessels; results from the systole of the left ventricle of the heart; sometimes measured for a quick evaluation of a person's health
Blood sugar - glucose in the bloodstream
Blood test - a serologic analysis of a sample of blood
Blood transfusion - the introduction of blood or blood plasma into a vein or artery
Blood type - human blood cells (usually just the red blood cells) that have the same antigens
Blood typing - determining a person's blood type by serological methods
Bloodletting - formerly used as a treatment to reduce excess blood (one of the four humors of medieval medicine); indiscriminate slaughter
Bloodmobile - a motor vehicle equipped to collect blood donations
Blue baby - an infant born with a bluish color; usually has a defective heart
Blue cohosh - tall herb of eastern North America and Asia having blue berrylike fruit and a thick knotty rootstock formerly used medicinally
Blueberry root - tall herb of eastern North America and Asia having blue berrylike fruit and a thick knotty rootstock formerly used medicinally
Blunt trauma - injury incurred when the human body hits or is hit by a large outside object (as a car)
blurred - unclear in form or expression; indistinct or hazy in outline
Body fluid - the liquid parts of the body
Body louse - a parasitic louse that infests the body of human beings
Body odor - malodorousness resulting from a failure to bathe
Body type - a category of physique
Bodywork - the work of making or repairing vehicle bodies; the exterior body of a motor vehicle
Bolus - a large pill; used especially in veterinary medicine; a small round soft mass (as of chewed food)
bone marrow - the fatty network of connective tissue that fills the cavities of bones; very tender and very nutritious tissue from marrowbones
Bones - a percussion instrument consisting of a pair of hollow pieces of wood or bone (usually held between the thumb and fingers) that are made to click together (as by Spanish dancers) in rhythm with the danc
Booster dose - an additional dose that makes sure the first dose was effective
Booster shot - an additional dose that makes sure the first dose was effective
Borage - leaves flavor sauces and punches; young leaves eaten in salads or cooked; hairy blue flowered European annual herb long used in herbal medicine and eaten raw as salad greens or cooked like spinach
borderline - of questionable or minimal quality; a line that indicates a boundary
Bornholm disease - an acute infectious disease occurring in epidemic form and featuring paroxysms of pain (usually in the chest)
Borrelia burgdorferi - cause of Lyme disease; transmitted primarily by ticks of genus Ixodes
Borrelia - cause of e.g. European and African relapsing fever
Bos taurus - domesticated bovine animals as a group regardless of sex or age
Boswellia - genus of trees of North Africa and India that yield incense
Bottled gas - hydrocarbon gases, usually propane or butane, kept under pressure
Botulinum toxin - any of several neurotoxins that are produced by the anaerobic bacterium Clostridium botulinum; causes muscle paralysis
botulinum - anaerobic bacterium producing botulin the toxin that causes botulism
botulism - food poisoning from ingesting botulin; not infectious; affects the CNS; can be fatal if not treated promptly
Boutonneuse fever - a disease (common in India and around the Mediterranean area) caused by a rickettsia that is transmitted to humans by a reddish brown tick (ixodid) that lives on dogs and other mammals
Boutonniere - a flower that is worn in a buttonhole
Bovine - dull and slow moving and stolid; like an ox; of or relating to or belonging to the genus Bos (cattle); any of various members of the genus Bos
bowel - the part of the alimentary canal between the stomach and the anus
Bowman's capsule - thin double membrane surrounding the glomerulus of a nephron
Brachial artery - the main artery of the upper arm; a continuation of the axillary artery; bifurcates into the radial and ulnar arteries at the elbow
brachial plexus - a network of nerves formed by cervical and thoracic spinal nerves and supplying the arm and parts of the shoulder
Brachial vein - two veins in either arm that accompany the brachial artery and empty into the axillary vein
brachial - of or relating to an arm
Brachycephaly - the quality of being brachycephalic
Brachydactyly - abnormal shortness of fingers and toes
Bradycardia - abnormally slow heartbeat
Brain death - death when respiration and other reflexes are absent; consciousness is gone; organs can be removed for transplantation before the heartbeat stops
Brain fever - meningitis caused by bacteria and often fatal
brain stem - the part of the brain continuous with the spinal cord and comprising the medulla oblongata and pons and midbrain and parts of the hypothalamus
Brain tumor - a tumor in the brain
Brainstem - the part of the brain continuous with the spinal cord and comprising the medulla oblongata and pons and midbrain and parts of the hypothalamus
branched - having branches; resembling a fork; divided or separated into two branches
Breadbasket - a basket for serving bread; a geographic region serving as the principal source of grain; an enlarged and muscular saclike organ of the alimentary canal; the principal organ of digestion
Breakbone fever - an infectious disease of the tropics transmitted by mosquitoes and characterized by rash and aching head and joints
Breast cancer - cancer of the breast; one of the most common malignancies in women in the US
Breast feeding - nourishing at the breast
Breast implant - an implant for cosmetic purposes to replace a breast that has been surgically removed
Breech birth - delivery of an infant whose feet or buttocks appear first
Breech - opening in the rear of the barrel of a gun where bullets can be loaded
Bright's disease - an inflammation of the kidney
Brill - European food fish
Brioschi - an antacid
British - of or relating to or characteristic of Great Britain or its people or culture; the people of Great Britain
Broca's area - the motor speech center in the left hemisphere of the brain in most people
Broken heart - devastating sorrow and despair
Bromine - a nonmetallic largely pentavalent heavy volatile corrosive dark brown liquid element belonging to the halogens; found in sea water
Bromo Seltzer - an antacid
bronchiole - any of the smallest bronchial ducts; ending in alveoli
Bronchiolitis - inflammation of the membranes lining the bronchioles
Bronchitis - inflammation of the membranes lining the bronchial tubes
bronchodilator - a drug that relaxes and dilates the bronchial passageways and improves the passages of air into the lungs
bronchoscope - a slender tubular instrument used to examine the bronchial tubes
Bronchospasm - a spasm of the bronchi that makes exhalation difficult and noisy; associated with asthma and bronchitis
bronchus - either of the two main branches of the trachea
Brooke - English lyric poet (1887 1915)
Browne - United States writer of humorous tales of an itinerant showman (1834 1867); English illustrator of several of Dickens' novels (1815 1882)
bruit - tell or spread rumors
Bruxism - involuntarily or unconsciously clenching or grinding the teeth, typically during sleep
Bubonic plague - the most common form of the plague in humans; characterized by chills, prostration, delirium and the formation of buboes in the armpits and groin; does not spread from person to person
bubonic - of or evidencing buboes
budding - beginning to develop; reproduction of some unicellular organisms (such as yeasts) by growth and specialization followed by the separation by constriction of a part of the parent
Buddy - a close friend who accompanies his buddies in their activities
Bulbar conjunctiva - the part of the conjunctiva covering the anterior face of the sclera and the surface epithelium of the cornea
Bulbar - involving the medulla oblongata
Bulbourethral gland - either of two glands that discharge a component of seminal fluid into the urethra; homologous to Bartholin's gland in the female
Bulimia - pathologically insatiable hunger (especially when caused by brain lesions); a disorder of eating seen among young women who go on eating binges and then feel guilt and depression and self condemnation
Bulla - the round leaden seal affixed to a papal bull; (pathology) an elevation of the skin filled with serous fluid
Bullying - noisily domineering; tending to browbeat others; the act of intimidating a weaker person to make them do something
Bumper - extraordinarily abundant; a mechanical device consisting of bars at either end of a vehicle to absorb shock and prevent serious damage; a glass filled to the brim (especially as a toast)
Bundle of His - a bundle of modified heart muscle that transmits the cardiac impulse from the atrioventricular node to the ventricles causing them to contract
Bundling - the act of shoving hastily; the act of binding something into a bundle; a onetime custom during courtship of unmarried couples occupying the same bed without undressing
Bunion - a painful swelling of the bursa of the first joint of the big toe
burdock - any of several erect biennial herbs of temperate Eurasia having stout taproots and producing burs
Burn center - a center where patients with severe burns can be treated
bursa - a small fluid filled sac located between movable parts of the body especially at joints; a city in northwestern Turkey
Bursal - relating to or affecting a bursa
bursitis - inflammation of a bursa; frequently in the shoulder
businessman - a person engaged in commercial or industrial business (especially an owner or executive)
Buspirone - a drug (trade name BuSpar) designed specifically for anxiety
Butterbur - small Eurasian herb having broad leaves and lilac pink rayless flowers; found in moist areas
Butyric acid - an unpleasant smelling fatty acid found especially in butter

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Cachectic - relating to or having the symptoms of cachexia
cachexia - any general reduction in vitality and strength of body and mind resulting from a debilitating chronic disease
Cadaver - the dead body of a human being
Cadmium - a soft bluish white ductile malleable toxic bivalent metallic element; occurs in association with zinc ores
Caduceus - an insignia used by the medical profession; modeled after the staff of Hermes
Caecal - of or like a cecum
Caecum - the cavity in which the large intestine begins and into which the ileum opens
Caesarean section - the delivery of a fetus by surgical incision through the abdominal wall and uterus (from the belief that Julius Caesar was born that way)
Caffeine - a bitter alkaloid found in coffee and tea that is responsible for their stimulating effects
Caffeinism - poisoning resulting from excessive intake of caffeine containing products
Calamine - a white mineral; a common ore of zinc
Calcaneus - the largest tarsal bone; forms the human heel
calcific - involving or resulting from calcification
Calcification - a process that impregnates something with calcium (or calcium salts); an inflexible and unchanging state; tissue hardened by deposition of lime salts
calcitonin - thyroid hormone that tends to lower the level of calcium in the blood plasma and inhibit resorption of bone
calcium - a white metallic element that burns with a brilliant light; the fifth most abundant element in the earth's crust; an important component of most plants and animals
Calefacient - producing the sensation of heat when applied to the body
Calf bone - the outer and thinner of the two bones of the human leg between the knee and ankle
CALLA - water arum; South African plant widely cultivated for its showy pure white spathe and yellow spadix
Callosity - an area of skin that is thick or hard from continual pressure or friction (as the sole of the foot); devoid of passion or feeling; hardheartedness
Calve - birth; release ice
Camelpox - a viral disease of camels closely related to smallpox
Camillo Golgi - Italian histologist noted for work on the structure of the nervous system and for his discovery of Golgi bodies (1844 1926)
Camisole - a short negligee; a short sleeveless undergarment for women
Campion - any plant of the genus Silene
Cancellous - having an open or latticed or porous structure
Cancer Cell - a cell that is part of a malignant tumor
Candida albicans - a parasitic fungus that can infect the mouth or the skin or the intestines or the vagina
candida - any of the yeastlike imperfect fungi of the genus Candida
candidate - someone who is considered for something (for an office or prize or honor etc.); a politician who is running for public office
Candidiasis - an infection caused by fungi of the genus Monilia or Candida (especially Candida albicans)
Canker sore - an ulceration (especially of the lips or lining of the mouth)
cannonball - a solid projectile that in former times was fired from a cannon
Cannula - a small flexible tube inserted into a body cavity for draining off fluid or introducing medication
Capitation - a tax levied on the basis of a fixed amount per person
capsaicin - colorless pungent crystalline compound derived from capsicum; source of the hotness of hot peppers of the genus Capsicum such as chili and cayenne and jalapeno
Capsid - the outer covering of protein surrounding the nucleic acid of a virus; a variety of leaf bug
captopril - a drug (trade name Capoten) that blocks the formation of angiotensin in the kidneys resulting in vasodilation; used in the treatment of hypertension and congestive heart failure
Carbolic acid - a toxic white soluble crystalline acidic derivative of benzene; used in manufacturing and as a disinfectant and antiseptic; poisonous if taken internally
Carbon dioxide - a heavy odorless colorless gas formed during respiration and by the decomposition of organic substances; absorbed from the air by plants in photosynthesis
Carbon monoxide poisoning - a toxic condition that results from inhaling and absorbing carbon monoxide gas
carbon monoxide - an odorless very poisonous gas that is a product of incomplete combustion of carbon
Carbuncle - an infection larger than a boil and with several openings for discharge of pus; deep red cabochon garnet cut without facets
Carcinogen - any substance that produces cancer
Carcinogenic - causing or tending to cause cancer
Carcinoid - a small tumor (benign or malignant) arising from the mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract; usually associated with excessive secretion of serotonin
Carcinoma in situ - a cluster of malignant cells that has not yet invaded the deeper epithelial tissue or spread to other parts of the body
Carcinoma - any malignant tumor derived from epithelial tissue; one of the four major types of cancer
Carcinosarcoma - a malignant neoplasm composed of carcinoma and sarcoma extensively intermixed
Cardiac glycoside - obtained from a number of plants and used to stimulate the heart in cases of heart failure
Cardiac insufficiency - inadequate blood flow to the heart muscles; can cause angina pectoris
Cardiac muscle - the muscle tissue of the heart; adapted to continued rhythmic contraction
Cardiac output - the amount of blood pumped out by the ventricles in a given period of time
Cardiac pacemaker - a specialized bit of heart tissue that controls the heartbeat
Cardiac tamponade - mechanical compression of the heart resulting from large amounts of fluid collecting in the pericardial space and limiting the heart's normal range of motion
cardiac - of or relating to the heart
Cardiogenic shock - shock caused by cardiac arrest
cardiologist - a specialist in cardiology; a specialist in the structure and function and disorders of the heart
Cardiology - the branch of medicine dealing with the heart and its diseases
Cardiomegaly - an abnormal enlargement of the heart
Cardiomyopathy - a disorder (usually of unknown origin) of the heart muscle (myocardium)
Cardiopathy - a disease of the heart
cardiopulmonary - of or pertaining to or affecting both the heart and the lungs and their functions
Cardiovascular disease - a disease of the heart or blood vessels
Cardiovascular system - the organs and tissues involved in circulating blood and lymph through the body
cardiovascular - of or pertaining to or involving the heart and blood vessels
Carditis - inflammation of the heart
Caregiver - a person who is responsible for attending to the needs of a child or dependent adult; a person who helps in identifying or preventing or treating illness or disability
Caries - soft decayed area in a tooth; progressive decay can lead to the death of a tooth
Carl Jung - Swiss psychologist (1875 1961)
carminative - relieving gas in the alimentary tract (colic or flatulence or griping); medication that prevents the formation of gas in the alimentary tract or eases its passing
Carotene - yellow or orange red fat soluble pigments in plants; an orange isomer of an unsaturated hydrocarbon found in many plants; is converted into vitamin A in the liver
Carotenemia - excess carotene in the blood stream; can cause the skin to turn a pale yellow or red color
carotenoid - any of a class of highly unsaturated yellow to red pigments occurring in plants and animals
carotid artery - either of two major arteries of the neck and head; branches from the aorta
Carotid body - a chemoreceptor located near the bifurcations of the carotid arteries; monitors oxygen content of the blood and helps control respiration
carotid - of or relating to either of the two major arteries supplying blood to the head and neck
Carpal bone - any of the eight small bones of the wrist of primates
carpal tunnel syndrome - a painful disorder caused by compression of a nerve in the carpal tunnel; characterized by discomfort and weakness in the hands and fingers and by sensations of tingling, burning or numbness
carpal tunnel - a passageway in the wrist through which nerves and the flexor muscles of the hands pass
carpal - of or relating to the wrist; any of the eight small bones of the wrist of primates
carpenter - a woodworker who makes or repairs wooden objects; verb work as a carpenter
Cartilage - tough elastic tissue; mostly converted to bone in adults
Cartilaginous - difficult to chew; of or relating to cartilage
Carvedilol - beta blocker that can reduce the progression of heart failure in individuals whose disease is not advanced
Casals - an outstanding Spanish cellist noted for his interpretation of Bach's cello suites (1876 1973)
Casein - a milk protein used in making e.g. plastics and adhesives; a water base paint made with a protein precipitated from milk
Caseous - of damaged or necrotic tissue; cheeselike
Caspase - any of a group of proteases that mediate apoptosis
Caspase - any of a group of proteases that mediate apoptosis
Cassette - a container that holds a magnetic tape used for recording or playing sound or video
Casualty - a decrease of military personnel or equipment; someone injured or killed in an accident; someone injured or killed or captured or missing in a military engagement; an accident that causes someone to die
CAT scan - an image produced by scanning
Cat scratch disease - a disease thought to be transmitted to humans by a scratch from a cat
Catabolism - breakdown in living organisms of more complex substances into simpler ones together with release of energy
Catalepsy - a trancelike state with loss of voluntary motion and failure to react to stimuli
Catalysis - acceleration of a chemical reaction induced the presence of material that is chemically unchanged at the end of the reaction
Catalyst - something that causes an important event to happen; (chemistry) a substance that initiates or accelerates a chemical reaction without itself being affected
Catamenia - the monthly discharge of blood from the uterus of nonpregnant women from puberty to menopause
Cataplasm - a medical dressing consisting of a soft heated mass of meal or clay that is spread on a cloth and applied to the skin to treat inflamed areas or improve circulation etc.
cataract - a large waterfall; violent rush of water over a precipice; clouding of the natural lens of the eye
Catatonic - characterized by catatonia especially either rigidity or extreme laxness of limbs
Catecholamine - any of a group of chemicals including epinephrine and norepinephrine that are produced in the medulla of the adrenal gland
Category - a general concept that marks divisions or coordinations in a conceptual scheme; a collection of things sharing a common attribute
Cathartic - strongly laxative; emotionally purging (of e.g. art); emotionally purging; a purging medicine; stimulates evacuation of the bowels
catheter - a thin flexible tube inserted into the body to permit introduction or withdrawal of fluids or to keep the passageway open
Catheterization - the operation of introducing a catheter into the body
Cathexis - (psychoanalysis) the libidinal energy invested in some idea or person or object
cation - a positively charged ion
Caudal anesthesia - regional anesthesia resulting from injection of an anesthetic into the caudal end of the spinal canal; now largely replaced by epidural anesthesia
Caudal block - regional anesthesia resulting from injection of an anesthetic into the caudal end of the spinal canal; now largely replaced by epidural anesthesia
Caudal - situated in or directed toward the part of the body from which the tail arises; resembling a tail; constituting or relating to a tail; toward the posterior end of the body
Caudate nucleus - a tail shaped basal ganglion located in a lateral ventricle of the brain
caudate - having a tail or taillike appendage; of a leaf shape; tapering gradually into a long taillike tip; amphibians that resemble lizards; a tail shaped basal ganglion located in a lateral ventricle of the brain
Cauliflower ear - an auricle deformed by injury; common among boxers
cauliflower - compact head of white undeveloped flowers; a plant having a large edible head of crowded white flower buds
Caulophyllum thalictroides - tall herb of eastern North America and Asia having blue berrylike fruit and a thick knotty rootstock formerly used medicinally
Causalgia - a burning pain in a limb along the course of a peripheral nerve; usually associated with skin changes
Cauterization - the act of coagulating blood and destroying tissue with a hot iron or caustic agent or by freezing
cauterize - burn, sear, or freeze (tissue) using a hot iron or electric current or a caustic agent; make insensitive or callous; deaden feelings or morals
Cavernous sinus - either of a pair of large venous sinuses in the cranial cavity
cavernous - being or suggesting a cavern; filled with vascular sinuses and capable of becoming distended and rigid as the result of being filled with blood
Cecal - of or like a cecum
cecum - the cavity in which the large intestine begins and into which the ileum opens
Cefoperazone - a parenteral cephalosporin (trade name Cefobid) used for severe infections
Cefotaxime - a parenteral cephalosporin (trade name Claforan) used for severe infections of the lungs or throat or ears or urinary tract
Ceftazidime - a parenteral cephalosporin (trade names Fortaz and Tazicef) used to treat moderate infections
Ceftriaxone - a parenteral cephalosporin (trade name Rocephin) used for severe infection of the lungs or throat or ears or urinary tract
Cefuroxime - a cephalosporin that can be given parenterally (trade name Zinacef) or orally by tablets (trade name Ceftin); indicated for infections of the lungs or throat or ears or urinary tract or meninges
Celecoxib - a Cox 2 inhibitor (trade name Celebrex) that relieves pain without harming the digestive tract
celiac disease - a disorder in children and adults; inability to tolerate wheat protein (gluten); symptoms include foul smelling diarrhea and emaciation; often accompanied by lactose intolerance
celiac - belonging to or prescribed for celiac disease; of or in or belonging to the cavity of the abdomen
Cell death - (physiology) the normal degeneration and death of living cells (as in various epithelial cells)
cellophane - a transparent paperlike product that is impervious to moisture and used to wrap candy or cigarettes etc.
Cellulite - lumpy deposits of body fat especially on women's thighs etc.
Cellulitis - an inflammation of body tissue (especially that below the skin) characterized by fever and swelling and redness and pain
cementum - a specialized bony substance covering the root of a tooth
Centenarian - being at least 100 years old; someone who is at least 100 years old
Centimeter - a metric unit of length equal to one hundredth of a meter
centimeter - a metric unit of length equal to one hundredth of a meter
Central nervous system - the portion of the vertebrate nervous system consisting of the brain and spinal cord
central nervous system - the portion of the vertebrate nervous system consisting of the brain and spinal cord
Central vision - vision using the fovea and parafovea
Centric - having or situated at or near a center
Centromere - a specialized condensed region of each chromosome that appears during mitosis where the chromatids are held together to form an X shape
Cephalic - of or relating to the head
Cephalohematoma - a collection of blood under the scalp of a newborn; caused by pressure during birth
cerebellar - relating to or associated with the cerebellum
cerebellum - a major division of the vertebrate brain; situated above the medulla oblongata and beneath the cerebrum in humans
cerebral aneurysm - an aneurysm of the carotid artery
cerebral cortex - the layer of unmyelinated neurons (the grey matter) forming the cortex of the cerebrum
cerebral hemisphere - either half of the cerebrum
cerebral hemorrhage - bleeding from a ruptured blood vessel in the brain
Cerebral palsy - a loss or deficiency of motor control with involuntary spasms caused by permanent brain damage present at birth
cerebral - involving intelligence rather than emotions or instinct; of or relating to the cerebrum or brain
cerebrospinal fluid - clear liquid produced in the ventricles of the brain; fills and protects cavities in the brain and spinal cord
cerebrospinal - of or relating to the brain and spinal cord
cerebrovascular accident - a sudden loss of consciousness resulting when the rupture or occlusion of a blood vessel leads to oxygen lack in the brain
cerebrovascular - of or relating to the brain and the blood vessels that supply it
cerebrum - anterior portion of the brain consisting of two hemispheres; dominant part of the brain in humans
cerumen - a soft yellow wax secreted by glands in the ear canal
Cervical cap - a contraceptive device consisting of a small thimble shaped cup that is placed over the uterine cervix to prevent the entrance of spermatozoa
cervical vertebra - one of 7 vertebrae in the human spine located in the neck region
cervical - relating to or associated with the neck; of or relating to the cervix of the uterus
Cervicitis - inflammation of the uterine cervix
cervix - necklike opening to the uterus; the part of an organism that connects the head to the rest of the body
Cesarean section - the delivery of a fetus by surgical incision through the abdominal wall and uterus (from the belief that Julius Caesar was born that way)
Cesarean - relating to abdominal delivery; the delivery of a fetus by surgical incision through the abdominal wall and uterus (from the belief that Julius Caesar was born that way)
Cesarian section - the delivery of a fetus by surgical incision through the abdominal wall and uterus (from the belief that Julius Caesar was born that way)
Cesarian - relating to abdominal delivery; the delivery of a fetus by surgical incision through the abdominal wall and uterus (from the belief that Julius Caesar was born that way)
Ceteris paribus - all other things being equal
Chalazion - a small sebaceous cyst of the eyelid resulting when a Meibomian gland is blocked
Chamomile - Eurasian plant apple scented foliage and white rayed flowers and feathery leaves used medicinally; in some classification systems placed in genus Anthemis
Chancre - a small hard painless nodule at the site of entry of a pathogen (as syphilis)
Chancroid - infectious venereal ulcer
Change of life - the time in a woman's life in which the menstrual cycle ends
Chaperone - one who accompanies and supervises a young woman or gatherings of young people; verb accompany as a chaperone
Charcot - French neurologist who tried to use hypnotism to cure hysteria (1825 1893)
Charles Darwin - English natural scientist who formulated a theory of evolution by natural selection (1809 1882)
Charley horse - a muscular cramp (especially in the thigh or calf) following vigorous exercise
Chart - a map designed to assist navigation by air or sea; a visual display of information; verb plan in detail; make a chart of; represent by means of a graph
Checkpoint - a place (as at a frontier) where travellers are stopped for inspection and clearance
Cheek - either side of the face below the eyes; impudent aggressiveness; either of the two large fleshy masses of muscular tissue that form the human rump; an impudent statement; verb speak impudently to
Cheilitis - inflammation and cracking of the skin of the lips
Chekhov - Russian dramatist whose plays are concerned with the difficulty of communication between people (1860 1904)
Chemical reaction - (chemistry) a process in which one or more substances are changed into others
Chemical terrorism - terrorism using the chemical agents of chemical warfare; can undermine the personal security of citizens
Chemical warfare - warfare using chemical agents to kill or injure or incapacitate the enemy
chemistry - the science of matter; the branch of the natural sciences dealing with the composition of substances and their properties and reactions; the way two individuals relate to each other
Chemosis - edema of the mucous membrane of the eyeball and eyelid lining
Chemotherapy - the use of chemical agents to treat or control disease (or mental illness)
Chest pain - pain in the chest
chiasma - an intersection or crossing of two tracts in the form of the letter X
Chickenpox - an acute contagious disease caused by herpes varicella zoster virus; causes a rash of vesicles on the face and body
Chilblain - inflammation of the hands and feet caused by exposure to cold and moisture
Chilblains - inflammation of the hands and feet caused by exposure to cold and moisture
Child abuse - the physical or emotional or sexual mistreatment of children
Child neglect - failure of caretakers to provide adequate emotional and physical care for a child
Child - a young person of either sex; a human offspring (son or daughter) of any age; an immature childish person; a member of a clan or tribe
Childbed fever - serious form of septicemia contracted by a woman during childbirth or abortion (usually attributable to unsanitary conditions); formerly widespread but now uncommon
Childbirth - the parturition process in human beings; having a baby; the process of giving birth to a child
Childhood - the state of a child between infancy and adolescence; the time of person's life when they are a child
Chimera - a grotesque product of the imagination; (Greek mythology) fire breathing female monster with a lion's head and a goat's body and a serpent's tail; daughter of Typhon
Chinese restaurant syndrome - headache and tingling or burning feelings and sweating caused by eating food that contains monosodium glutamate
Chiropractic - a method of treatment that manipulates body structures (especially the spine) to relieve low back pain or even headache or high blood pressure
Chiropractor - a therapist who practices chiropractic
chitin - a tough semitransparent horny substance; the principal component of the exoskeletons of arthropods and the cell walls of certain fungi
Chlamydia trachomatis - bacteria responsible for the sexually transmitted diseases chlamydia and lymphogranuloma venereum
Chlamydia - coccoid rickettsia infesting birds and mammals; cause infections of eyes and lungs and genitourinary tract; a sexually transmitted infection caused by bacteria of the genus Chlamydia
Chloral hydrate - a colorless crystalline drug used as a sedative; irritates the stomach and can be addictive
Chlorambucil - an alkalating agent (trade name Leukeran) used to treat some kinds of cancer
Chloramphenicol - an oral antibiotic (trade name Chloromycetin) used to treat serious infections (especially typhoid fever)
Chlordiazepoxide - a tranquilizer (trade names Librium and Libritabs) used in the treatment of alcoholism
Chlorhexidine - a long lasting liquid antiseptic; used by surgeons to wash their hands before performing surgery
Chloride - any salt of hydrochloric acid (containing the chloride ion); any compound containing a chlorine atom
Chloroacetophenone - a tear gas that is weaker than CS gas but lasts longer
Chlorobenzylidenemalononitrile - a tear gas that is stronger than CN gas but wears off faster; can be deployed by grenades or cluster bombs; can cause skin burns and fatal pulmonary edema
Chlorofluorocarbon - a fluorocarbon with chlorine; formerly used as a refrigerant and as a propellant in aerosol cans
Chloroform - a volatile liquid haloform (CHCl3); formerly used as an anesthetic; verb anesthetize with chloroform
Chloropicrin - a heavy colorless insoluble liquid compound that causes tears and vomiting; used as a pesticide and as tear gas
Chloroprene - derivative of butadiene used in making neoprene by polymerization
Chloroquine - an antimalarial drug used to treat malaria and amebic dysentery and systemic lupus erythematosus
Chlorosis - iron deficiency anemia in young women; characterized by weakness and menstrual disturbances and a green color to the skin
Chlorpromazine - a drug (trade name Thorazine) derived from phenothiazine that has antipsychotic effects and is used as a sedative and tranquilizer
Chlorpyrifos - a common organophosphate insecticide
chlorthalidone - a diuretic (trade names Hygroton and Thalidone) used to control hypertension and conditions that cause edema; effective in lowering blood pressure to prevent heart attacks
Chocolate - a medium brown to dark brown color; a food made from roasted ground cacao beans; a beverage made from cocoa powder and milk and sugar; usually drunk hot
Choking - the act of suffocating (someone) by constricting the windpipe; a condition caused by blocking the airways to the lungs (as with food or swelling of the larynx)
Cholangiography - roentgenographic examination of the bile ducts after a contrast medium has been injected
Cholangitis - inflammation of the bile ducts
Cholecystectomy - surgical removal of the gall bladder (usually for relief of gallstone pain)
Cholecystitis - inflammation of the gall bladder
Cholelithiasis - the presence of gallstones in the gallbladder
Cholera - an acute intestinal infection caused by ingestion of contaminated water or food
Cholestasis - a condition in which little or no bile is secreted or the flow of bile into the digestive tract is obstructed
Cholesterol - an animal sterol that is normally synthesized by the liver; the most abundant steroid in animal tissues
Cholic acid - an insoluble crystalline acid present in bile
Chondrodystrophy - an inherited skeletal disorder beginning before birth; cartilage is converted to bone resulting in dwarfism
Chondroma - a common benign tumor of cartilage cells
Chondrosarcoma - a malignant neoplasm of cartilage cells
Chorditis - inflammation of the vocal cords; inflammation of the spermatic cord
Chorea - any of several degenerative nervous disorders characterized by spasmodic movements of the body and limbs; chorea in dogs
chorioallantoic membrane - very vascular fetal membrane composed of the fused chorion and adjacent wall of the allantois
Chorion - outermost membranous sac enclosing the embryo in higher vertebrates (reptiles, birds and mammals)
Chorionic villus sampling - a prenatal test to detect birth defects at an early stage of pregnancy; tissue from the chorionic villi is assayed
Chorioretinitis - inflammation of the choroid layer behind the retina
choroid - a highly vascular membrane in the eye between the retina and the sclera
Chromaesthesia - a form of synesthesia in which nonvisual stimulation results in the experience of color sensations
Chromatin - the readily stainable substance of a cell nucleus consisting of DNA and RNA and various proteins; during mitotic division it condenses into chromosomes
Chromatography - a process used for separating mixtures by virtue of differences in absorbency
Chromesthesia - a form of synesthesia in which nonvisual stimulation results in the experience of color sensations
chromosomal - of or relating to a chromosome
Chromosome - a threadlike body in the cell nucleus that carries the genes in a linear order
Chromosome - a threadlike body in the cell nucleus that carries the genes in a linear order
Chronic bronchitis - a form of bronchitis characterized by excess production of sputum leading to a chronic cough and obstruction of air flow
Chronic gastritis - persistent gastritis can be a symptom of a gastric ulcer or pernicious anemia or stomach cancer or other disorders
Chronic kidney failure - renal failure that can result from a variety of systemic disorders
chronic leukemia - slowly progressing leukemia
chronic lymphocytic leukemia - chronic leukemia characterized by lymphoblast like cells; more common in older men
Chronic myelocytic leukemia - chronic leukemia characterized by granular leukocytes; more common in older people
Chronic renal failure - renal failure that can result from a variety of systemic disorders
Chronic wasting disease - a wildlife disease (akin to bovine spongiform encephalitis) that affects deer and elk
chronic - being long lasting and recurrent or characterized by long suffering
Chyle - a milky fluid consisting of lymph and emulsified fats; formed in the small intestine during digestion of ingested fats
Chyloderma - swelling of the scrotum resulting from chronic lymphatic obstruction
chylomicron - a microscopic particle of triglycerides produced in the intestines during digestion; in the bloodstream they release their fatty acids into the blood
chyme - a semiliquid mass of partially digested food that passes from the stomach through the pyloric sphincter into the duodenum
Cigar - a roll of tobacco for smoking
Cigarette - finely ground tobacco wrapped in paper; for smoking
ciliary body - the part of the tunic of the eye between the choroid coat and the iris
ciliary - of or relating to the human eyelash; of or relating to cilia projecting from the surface of a cell; relating to the ciliary body and associated structures of the eye
Cilium - a hairlike projection from the surface of a cell; provides locomotion in free swimming unicellular organisms; any of the short curved hairs that grow from the edges of the eyelids
Cimetidine - a drug (trade name Tagamet) used to treat peptic ulcers by decreasing the secretion of stomach acid
Cipro - an oral antibiotic (trade name Cipro) used against serious bacterial infections of the skin or respiratory tract or urinary tract or bones or joints
Ciprofloxacin - an oral antibiotic (trade name Cipro) used against serious bacterial infections of the skin or respiratory tract or urinary tract or bones or joints
Circadian rhythm - a daily cycle of activity observed in many living organisms
Circadian - of or relating to biological processes occurring at 24 hour intervals
circinate - shaped like a ring
Circle of Willis - a ring of arteries at the base of the brain
circulatory system - the organs and tissues involved in circulating blood and lymph through the body
circulatory - relating to circulatory system or to circulation of the blood; of or relating to circulation
Circumflex - a diacritical mark (^) placed above a vowel in some languages to indicate a special phonetic quality
Cirrhosis - a chronic disease interfering with the normal functioning of the liver; the major cause is chronic alcoholism
citric acid - a weak water soluble acid found in many fruits (especially citrus fruits); used as a flavoring agent
Citrulline - an amino acid that does not occur in proteins but is an intermediate in the conversion of ornithine to arginine
civil servant - a public official who is a member of the civil service
clade - a group of biological taxa or species that share features inherited from a common ancestor
classic - characteristic of the classical artistic and literary traditions; adhering to established standards and principles; a creation of the highest excellence; an artist who has created classic works
Claudication - disability of walking due to crippling of the legs or feet
Claustrophobia - a morbid fear of being closed in a confined space
Clavicle - bone linking the scapula and sternum
Clavus - a hard thickening of the skin (especially on the top or sides of the toes) caused by the pressure of ill fitting shoes
cleaning - the act of making something clean
Clearance - permission to proceed; the distance by which one thing clears another; the space between them; vertical space available to allow easy passage under something
Cleft lip - a congenital cleft in the middle of the upper lip
Cleft palate - a congenital fissure of the hard palate
cleft - having one or more incisions reaching nearly to the midrib; used of hooves; a split or indentation in something (as the palate or chin); a long narrow opening
Clerkship - the job of clerk
Climacteric - a period in a man's life corresponding to menopause; the time in a woman's life in which the menstrual cycle ends
Clinical depression - a state of depression and anhedonia so severe as to require clinical intervention
Clinical psychology - the branch of psychology concerned with the treatment of abnormal mentation and behavior
clinical - scientifically detached; unemotional; relating to a clinic or conducted in or as if in a clinic and depending on direct observation of patients
Clinician - a practitioner (of medicine or psychology) who does clinical work instead of laboratory experiments
Clinodactyly - a congenital defect in which one or more toes or fingers are abnormally positioned
Clipping - an excerpt cut from a newspaper or magazine; the act of clipping or snipping; cutting down to the desired size or shape
Clitoral - of or relating to the clitoris
Clitoridectomy - excision of the clitoris
Clitoris - a female sexual organ homologous to the penis
Cloaca - a waste pipe that carries away sewage or surface water
Clomipramine - a tricyclic antidepressant drug
clonic - of or relating to abnormal neuromuscular activity characterized by rapidly alternating muscle contraction and relaxation
Clonidine - an antihypertensive (trade name Catapres) that can be administered orally or via transdermal patches
Cloning - a general term for the research activity that creates a copy of some biological entity (a gene or organism or cell)
Clostridium botulinum - anaerobic bacterium producing botulin the toxin that causes botulism
Clostridium perfringens - anaerobic Gram positive rod bacterium that produces epsilon toxin; can be used as a bioweapon
Clostridium - spindle shaped bacterial cell especially one swollen at the center by an endospore
clot buster - a kind of pharmaceutical that can break up clots blocking the flow of blood to the heart muscle
Clotting time - the time it takes for a sample of blood to clot; used to diagnose some clotting disorders
Clozapine - an antipsychotic drug (trade name Clozaril) used as a sedative and for treatment resistant schizophrenia; know to have few side effects
Club drug - a controlled substance that is usually taken by young people at dance clubs and raves
Clubfoot - congenital deformity of the foot usually marked by a curled shape or twisted position of the ankle and heel and toes
Cluster headache - a painful recurring headache associated with the release of histamine from cells
Cluster - a grouping of a number of similar things; verb come together as in a cluster or flock; gather or cause to gather into a cluster
Co option - the act of appointing summarily (with or without the appointee's consent); the selection of a new member (usually by a vote of the existing membership)
Coagulase - an enzyme that induces coagulation
coagulate - transformed from a liquid into a soft semisolid or solid mass; verb change from a liquid to a thickened or solid state; cause to change from a liquid to a solid or thickened state
Coagulation - the process of forming semisolid lumps in a liquid
coarctation - (biology) a narrowing or constriction of a vessel or canal; especially a congenital narrowing of the aorta; tight or narrow compression
coated - having or dressed in a coat; having a coating; covered with an outer layer or film; often used in combination
Cobalamin - a B vitamin that is used to treat pernicious anemia
cobalt - a hard ferromagnetic silver white bivalent or trivalent metallic element; a trace element in plant and animal nutrition
Cocaine - a narcotic (alkaloid) extracted from coca leaves; used as a surface anesthetic or taken for pleasure; can become powerfully addictive
Cocci - any spherical or nearly spherical bacteria
Coccidioidomycosis - an infection of the lungs and skin characterized by excessive sputum and nodules
Coccidioidomycosis - an infection of the lungs and skin characterized by excessive sputum and nodules
Coccus - any spherical or nearly spherical bacteria
Coccygeal - of or relating to or near the coccyx
Coccyx - the end of the vertebral column in humans and tailless apes
cochlea - the snail shaped tube (in the inner ear coiled around the modiolus) where sound vibrations are converted into nerve impulses by the organ of Corti
cochlear - of or relating to the cochlea of the ear
Cocooning - retreating to the seclusion of your home (as for privacy or escape)
Cod liver oil - an oil obtained from the livers of cod and similar fishes; taken orally as a source of vitamins A and D
Coding DNA - sequence of a gene's DNA that transcribes into protein structures
coding - act of writing in code or cipher
Codon - a specific sequence of three adjacent bases on a strand of DNA or RNA that provides genetic code information for a particular amino acid
Coenzyme Q - any of several quinones found in living cells and that function as coenzymes that transfer electrons from one molecule to another in cell respiration
coenzyme - a small molecule (not a protein but sometimes a vitamin) essential for the activity of some enzymes
Coeval - of the same period; a person of nearly the same age as another
Coffin - box in which a corpse is buried or cremated; verb place into a coffin
Cognition - the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning
Cognitive science - the field of science concerned with cognition; includes parts of cognitive psychology and linguistics and computer science and cognitive neuroscience and philosophy of mind
Cognitive - of or being or relating to or involving cognition
cohort - a band of warriors (originally a unit of a Roman Legion); a company of companions or supporters; a group people having approximately the same age
Coinsurance - insurance issued jointly by two or more underwriters
Coitus interruptus - a method of birth control in which coitus is initiated but the penis is deliberately withdrawn before ejaculation
Coitus - the act of sexual procreation between a man and a woman; the man's penis is inserted into the woman's vagina and excited until orgasm and ejaculation occur
Cold medicine - medicine intended to relieve the symptoms of the common cold
Cold sore - caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV 1)
Cold turkey - complete and abrupt withdrawal of all addictive drugs or anything else on which you have become dependent; a blunt expression of views
colic - acute abdominal pain (especially in infants)
colitis - inflammation of the colon
collagen - a fibrous scleroprotein in bone and cartilage and tendon and other connective tissue; yields gelatin on boiling
collagenase - any enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of collagen and gelatin
Collarbone - bone linking the scapula and sternum
Collateral - descended from a common ancestor but through different lines; situated or running side by side; accompany, concomitant; serving to support or corroborate; a security pledged for the repayment of a loan
Collyrium - lotion consisting of a solution used as a cleanser for the eyes
colon cancer - a malignant tumor of the colon; early symptom is bloody stools
Colonic - of or relating to the colon; a water enema given to flush out the colon
Colonic - of or relating to the colon; a water enema given to flush out the colon
colonoscope - an elongated fiberoptic endoscope for examining the entire colon from cecum to rectum
Colonoscopy - visual examination of the colon (with a colonoscope) from the cecum to the rectum; requires sedation
Color blindness - genetic inability to distinguish differences in hue
colorectal - relating to or affecting the colon and the rectum
Colostomy - a surgical operation that creates an opening from the colon to the surface of the body to function as an anus
colostrum - milky fluid secreted for the first day or two after parturition
Combined - made or joined or united into one; involving the joint activity of two or more
combining form - a bound form used only in compounds
Comedo - a black tipped plug clogging a pore of the skin
Commensal - living in a state of commensalism; either of two different animal or plant species living in close association but not interdependent
Comminuted fracture - fracture in which the bone is splintered or crushed
Common bile duct - a duct formed by the hepatic and cystic ducts; opens into the duodenum
Common cold - a mild viral infection involving the nose and respiratory passages (but not the lungs)
communicable disease - a disease that can be communicated from one person to another
communicating - the activity of communicating; the activity of conveying information
Compartment - a partitioned section or separate room within a larger enclosed area; a small space or subdivision for storage
Competent - adequate for the purpose; properly or sufficiently qualified or capable or efficient
Complementary DNA - single stranded DNA that is complementary to messenger RNA or DNA that has been synthesized from messenger RNA by reverse transcriptase
Complementary medicine - the practice of medicine that combines traditional medicine with alternative medicine
Complementation - the grammatical relation of a word or phrase to a predicate; (linguistics) a distribution of related speech sounds or forms in such a way that they only appear in different contexts
complete blood count - counting the number of white and red blood cells and the number of platelets in 1 cubic millimeter of blood
Compliance - happy friendly agreement; the act of submitting; usually surrendering power to another; acting according to certain accepted standards; a disposition or tendency to yield to the will of others
complicated - difficult to analyze or understand
Compound fracture - bone fracture associated with lacerated soft tissue or an open wound
Compound microscope - light microscope that has two converging lens systems: the objective and the eyepiece
compounding - the act of combining things to form a new whole
Compress - a cloth pad or dressing (with or without medication) applied firmly to some part of the body (to relieve discomfort or reduce fever); verb squeeze or press together; make more compact by or as if by pressing
compression bandage - bandage that stops the flow of blood from an artery by applying pressure
compression fracture - fracture in which the bone collapses (especially in short bones such as vertebrae)
compression - applying pressure; encoding information while reducing the bandwidth or bits required; the process or result of becoming smaller or pressed together; an increase in the density of something
computed tomography - a method of examining body organs by scanning them with X rays and using a computer to construct a series of cross sectional scans along a single axis
Computer - a machine for performing calculations automatically; an expert at calculation (or at operating calculating machines)
computerized axial tomography - a method of examining body organs by scanning them with X rays and using a computer to construct a series of cross sectional scans along a single axis
computerized tomography - a method of examining body organs by scanning them with X rays and using a computer to construct a series of cross sectional scans along a single axis
computerized - stored, processed, analyzed, or generated by computer
Conan Doyle - English author who created Sherlock Holmes (1859 1930)
Concatenate - add by linking or joining so as to form a chain or series; arranged into chained list
Conceptus - an animal organism in the early stages of growth and differentiation that in higher forms merge into fetal stages but in lower forms terminate in commencement of larval life
Concordant - being of the same opinion; in keeping
Concussion - any violent blow; injury to the brain caused by a blow; usually resulting in loss of consciousness
Conditioning - a learning process in which an organism's behavior becomes dependent on the occurrence of a stimulus in its environment
Condom - contraceptive device consisting of a sheath of thin rubber or latex that is worn over the penis during intercourse
Conduction aphasia - aphasia in which the lesion is assumed to be in the association tracts connecting the various language centers in the brain; patient's have difficulty repeating a sentence just heard
conduction - the transmission of heat or electricity or sound
conductive hearing loss - hearing loss due to problems with the bones of the middle ear
condyle - a round bump on a bone where it forms a joint with another bone
condyloma acuminatum - a small benign wart on or around the genitals and anus
Confabulation - (psychiatry) a plausible but imagined memory that fills in gaps in what is remembered; an informal conversation
Confidentiality - discretion in keeping secret information; the state of being secret
Conformation - a symmetrical arrangement of the parts of a thing; acting according to certain accepted standards; any spatial attributes (especially as defined by outline)
Congenital anomaly - a defect that is present at birth
Congenital defect - a defect that is present at birth
Congenital - present at birth but not necessarily hereditary; acquired during fetal development
congestion - excessive crowding; excessive accumulation of blood or other fluid in a body part
congestive heart failure - inability to pump enough blood to avoid congestion in the tissues
Conjoined twin - one of a pair of identical twins born with their bodies joined at some point
conjunctiva - a transparent membrane covering the eyeball and under surface of the eyelid
Conjunctival - of or relating to the conjunctiva
Conjunctivitis - inflammation of the conjunctiva of the eye
connective tissue - tissue of mesodermal origin consisting of e.g. collagen fibroblasts and fatty cells; supports organs and fills spaces between them and forms tendons and ligaments
connective - connecting or tending to connect; an instrumentality that connects; an uninflected function word that serves to conjoin words or phrases or clauses or sentences
Consanguineous - related by blood
Consanguinity - (anthropology) related by blood
Consciousness - an alert cognitive state in which you are aware of yourself and your situation; having knowledge of
conserved - protected from harm or loss
consolidation - the act of combining into an integral whole; combining into a solid mass; something that has consolidated into a compact mass
Constipation - irregular and infrequent or difficult evacuation of the bowels; can be a symptom of intestinal obstruction or diverticulitis; the act of making something futile and useless (as by routine)
constitutive - constitutional in the structure of something (especially your physical makeup)
constrictor - any of various large nonvenomous snakes that kill their prey by crushing it in its coils
Consultant - an expert who gives advice
Contact dermatitis - a delayed type of allergic reaction of the skin resulting from skin contact with a specific allergen (such as poison ivy)
Contact lens - a thin curved glass or plastic lens designed to fit over the cornea in order to correct vision or to deliver medication
contagious - easily diffused or spread as from one person to another; (of disease) capable of being transmitted by infection
Contents - a list of divisions (chapters or articles) and the pages on which they start
Contraception - birth control by the use of devices (diaphragm or intrauterine device or condom) or drugs or surgery
Contraceptive - capable of preventing conception or impregnation; an agent or device intended to prevent conception
Contracture - an abnormal and usually permanent contraction of a muscle
Contraindicate - make a treatment inadvisable
Contraindication - (medicine) a reason that makes it inadvisable to prescribe a particular drug or employ a particular procedure or treatment
contralateral - on or relating to the opposite side (of the body)
contrast medium - a substance that is opaque to x rays; when administered it allows a radiologist to examine the organ or tissue it fills
controlled - restrained or managed or kept within certain bounds; curbed or regulated
contusion - the action of bruising; an injury that doesn't break the skin but results in some discoloration
Convalescence - gradual healing (through rest) after sickness or injury
conversion factor - factor by which a quantity that is expressed in one set of units must be multiplied in order to convert it into another set of units
Convulsion - a physical disturbance such as an earthquake or upheaval; a violent disturbance; violent uncontrollable contractions of muscles; a sudden uncontrollable attack
Coprolalia - an uncontrollable use of obscene language; often accompanied by mental disorders
Coprolith - a hard mass of fecal matter
Coprophagia - eating feces; in human a symptom of some kinds of insanity
Cor pulmonale - enlargement of the right ventricle of the heart due to disease of the lungs or of the pulmonary blood vessels
Cordial - sincerely or intensely felt; showing warm and heartfelt friendliness; diffusing warmth and friendliness; strong highly flavored sweet liquor usually drunk after a meal
cornea - transparent anterior portion of the outer covering of the eye; it covers the lens and iris and is continuous with the sclera
Corneal transplant - a surgical procedure in which part or all of a damaged or diseased cornea is replaced by healthy corneal tissue from a donor
Corneal - of or related to the cornea
Coronal - flower arrangement consisting of a circular band of foliage or flowers for ornamental purposes
coronary artery disease - a stage of arteriosclerosis involving fatty deposits (atheromas) inside the arterial walls
coronary artery - the artery that branches from the aorta to supply blood to the heart
Coronary care unit - a hospital unit specially staffed and equipped to treat patients with serious cardiac problems
Coronary insufficiency - inadequate blood flow to the heart muscles; can cause angina pectoris
Coronary occlusion - occlusion of a coronary artery caused either by progressive atherosclerosis or by a blood clot
coronary - surrounding like a crown (especially of the blood vessels surrounding the heart); obstruction of blood flow in a coronary artery by a blood clot (thrombus)
Corporeal - having material or physical form or substance; affecting or characteristic of the body as opposed to the mind or spirit
Corpse - the dead body of a human being
corpus callosum - a broad transverse nerve tract connecting the two cerebral hemispheres
corpus luteum - yellow endocrine tissue that forms in a ruptured Graafian follicle following the release of an ovum
corpus - the main part of an organ or other bodily structure; a collection of writings; capital as contrasted with the income derived from it
correlated - mutually related
cortex - the tissue forming the outer layer of an organ or structure in plant or animal; the layer of unmyelinated neurons (the grey matter) forming the cortex of the cerebrum
Cortical - of or relating to a cortex
Corticosteroid - a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal cortex or synthesized; administered as drugs they reduce swelling and decrease the body's immune response
Corticotropin - a hormone produced by the anterior pituitary gland that stimulates the adrenal cortex
cortisol - an adrenal cortex hormone (trade names Hydrocortone or Cortef) that is active in carbohydrate and protein metabolism
Cortisone - a corticosteroid hormone (trade name Cortone Acetate) normally produced by the adrenal cortex; is converted to hydrocortisone
Coryza - an inflammation of the mucous membrane lining the nose (usually associated with nasal discharge)
cosmetology - the practice of beautifying the face and hair and skin
Costochondritis - inflammation at the junction of a rib and its cartilage
Cotton rat - destructive long haired burrowing rat of southern North America and Central America
coughing - the act of exhaling air suddenly with a noise; sudden expulsion of air from the lungs that clears the air passages; a common symptom of upper respiratory infection or bronchitis or pneumonia or tuberculosis
Coumadin - an anticoagulant (trade name Coumadin) use to prevent and treat a thrombus or embolus
Counseling - something that provides direction or advice as to a decision or course of action
Counselor - someone who gives advice about problems; someone who has supervisory duties at a summer camp; a lawyer who pleads cases in court
Courier - a person who carries a message
cousin - the child of your aunt or uncle
Covariance - (statistics) the mean value of the product of the deviations of two variates from their respective means
Cowper's gland - either of two glands that discharge a component of seminal fluid into the urethra; homologous to Bartholin's gland in the female
Cowpox - a viral disease of cattle causing a mild skin disease affecting the udder; formerly used to inoculate humans against smallpox
Coxsackie virus - enterovirus causing a disease resembling poliomyelitis but without paralysis
Coxsackievirus - enterovirus causing a disease resembling poliomyelitis but without paralysis
Crab louse - infests the pubic region of the human body
Crabs - infestation of the pubic hair by crab lice
cracked - informal or slang terms for mentally irregular; of paint or varnish; having the appearance of alligator hide; used of skin roughened as a result of cold or exposure
Cradle cap - a dermatitis of the scalp that is common in infants
Cranial nerve - any of the 12 paired nerves that originate in the brain stem
cranial - of or relating to the cranium which encloses the brain
Craniology - the scientific study of the skulls of various human races
Craniotomy - a surgical opening through the skull
Cranium - the part of the skull that encloses the brain
Crapulence - the act of drinking alcoholic beverages to excess
Crapulent - suffering from excessive eating or drinking
Craving - an intense desire for some particular thing
creatine - an amino acid that does not occur in proteins but is found in the muscle tissue of vertebrates both in the free form and as phosphocreatine; supplies energy for muscle contraction
Cretinism - severe hypothyroidism resulting in physical and mental stunting
Crib death - sudden and unexpected death of an apparently healthy infant during sleep
Cripple - someone who is unable to walk normally because of an injury or disability to the legs or back; verb deprive of the use of a limb, especially a leg; deprive of strength or efficiency; make useless or worthless
Crippled - disabled in the feet or legs
Crisis - a crucial stage or turning point in the course of something; an unstable situation of extreme danger or difficulty
Critical appraisal - an appraisal based on careful analytical evaluation
Crohn's disease - a serious chronic and progressive inflammation of the ileum producing frequent bouts of diarrhea with abdominal pain and nausea and fever and weight loss
Crohn - United States physician who specialized in diseases of the intestines; he was the first to describe regional ileitis which is now known as Crohn's disease (1884 1983)
crossed - placed crosswise; (of a check) marked for deposit only as indicated by having two lines drawn across it; produced by crossbreeding
Crossing over - the interchange of sections between pairing homologous chromosomes during the prophase of meiosis
Crotch - the angle formed by the inner sides of the legs where they join the human trunk; external sex organ; the region of the angle formed by the junction of two branches
Croup - a disease of infants and young children; harsh coughing and hoarseness and fever and difficult breathing; the part of a quadruped that corresponds to the human buttocks
cruciate - shaped like a cross
crusted - having a hardened crust as a covering
Crutch - anything that serves as an expedient; a wooden or metal staff that fits under the armpit and reaches to the ground; used by disabled person while walking
Cryonics - the freezing of a seriously ill or recently deceased person to stop tissues from decomposing; the body is preserved until new medical cures are developed that might bring the person back to life
Cryophobia - a morbid fear of freezing
Cryostat - a thermostat that operates at very low temperatures
Cryosurgery - the use of extreme cold (usually liquid nitrogen) to destroy unwanted tissue (warts or cataracts or skin cancers)
Crypt - a cellar or vault or underground burial chamber (especially beneath a church)
Cryptic coloration - coloring that conceals or disguises an animal's shape
Cryptic - having a puzzling terseness; of an obscure nature; having a secret or hidden meaning
Cryptococcosis - a fungal infection characterized by nodular lesions first in the lungs and spreading to the nervous system
Cryptography - act of writing in code or cipher; the science of analyzing and deciphering codes and ciphers and cryptograms
Cryptorchidism - failure of one or both testes to move into the scrotum as the male fetus develops
crystalline lens - biconvex transparent body situated behind the iris in the eye; it focuses light waves on the retina
Cubic centimetre - a metric unit of volume equal to one thousandth of a liter
Cubital - of or relating to the elbow
Cubitus - the arm from the elbow to the fingertips; hinge joint between the forearm and upper arm and the corresponding joint in the forelimb of a quadruped
Cuboid bone - the cube shaped bone on the outer side of the tarsus
cuboid - shaped like a cube; a rectangular parallelepiped
Culdoscope - a specialized endoscope for visually examining a woman's pelvic organs
Culdoscopy - endoscopic examination of a woman's pelvic organs by the insertion of a culdoscope through the vagina
cuneate - of a leaf shape; narrowly triangular, wider at the apex and tapering toward the base
cuneiform - of or relating to the tarsal bones (or other wedge shaped bones); shaped like a wedge; an ancient wedge shaped script used in Mesopotamia and Persia
Cunningham - United States dancer and choreographer (born in 1922)
cupping - a treatment in which evacuated cups are applied to the skin to draw blood through the surface
Curable - curing or healing is possible; capable of being hardened by some additive or other agent
Curare - a toxic alkaloid found in certain tropical South American trees that is a powerful relaxant for striated muscles
Curettage - surgery to remove tissue or growths from a bodily cavity (as the uterus) by scraping with a curette
Curette - a surgical instrument shaped like a scoop to remove tissue from a bodily cavity
Curettement - surgery to remove tissue or growths from a bodily cavity (as the uterus) by scraping with a curette
curvature - the property possessed by the curving of a line or surface; the rate of change (at a point) of the angle between a curve and a tangent to the curve; (medicine) a curving or bending; often abnormal
Cushing's disease - a glandular disorder caused by excessive ACTH resulting in greater than normal functioning of the adrenal gland; characterized by obesity
Cushing's syndrome - a glandular disorder caused by excessive cortisol
Cushing - United States neurologist noted for his study of the brain and pituitary gland and who identified Cushing's syndrome (1869 1939)
cutaneous - relating to or existing on or affecting the skin
Cutis - a natural protective body covering and site of the sense of touch
Cyanide poisoning - poisoning due to ingesting or inhaling cyanide; common in smoke from fires and in industrial chemicals
Cyanide - an extremely poisonous salt of hydrocyanic acid; any of a class of organic compounds containing the cyano radical CN
Cyanocobalamin - a B vitamin that is used to treat pernicious anemia
Cyanosis - a bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes; a sign that oxygen in the blood is dangerously diminished (as in carbon monoxide poisoning)
Cyclic neutropenia - neutropenia that occurs periodically
Cyclobenzaprine - muscle relaxant (trade name Flexeril) used for muscle spasms or acute injury
cyclooxygenase - either of two related enzymes that control the production of prostaglandins and are blocked by aspirin
Cyclopia - a developmental abnormality in which there is only one eye
Cyclothymia - a mild bipolar disorder that persists over a long time
Cynophobia - a morbid fear of dogs
Cyproheptadine - an antihistamine (trade name Periactin) used to treat some allergic reactions
Cysteine - an amino acid containing sulfur that is found in most proteins; oxidizes on exposure to air to form cystine
Cystic fibrosis - the most common congenital disease; the child's lungs and intestines and pancreas become clogged with thick mucus; caused by defect in a single gene; there is no cure
cystic - of or relating to or resembling a cyst; of or relating to a normal cyst (as the gallbladder or urinary bladder)
Cystine - a crystalline amino acid found in proteins (especially keratin); discovered in bladder stones
Cystitis - inflammation of the urinary bladder and ureters
Cystocele - hernia in which the urinary bladder protrudes through the wall of the vagina; sometimes occurs after childbirth
Cytidine - a nucleoside component of DNA; composed of cytosine and deoxyribose
Cytoarchitectonics - the cellular composition of a bodily structure
Cytochrome - (biochemistry) a class of hemoprotein whose principle biological function is electron transfer (especially in cellular respiration)
cytogenetic - of or relating to cytogenetics
Cytogenetics - the branch of biology that studies the cellular aspects of heredity (especially the chromosomes)
Cytokine - any of various proteins secreted by cells of the immune system that serve to regulate the immune system
Cytokinesis - organic process consisting of the division of the cytoplasm of a cell following karyokinesis bringing about the separation into two daughter cells
Cytology - the branch of biology that studies the structure and function of cells
Cytomegalovirus - any of a group of herpes viruses that enlarge epithelial cells and can cause birth defects; can affect humans with impaired immunological systems
Cytomegalovirus - any of a group of herpes viruses that enlarge epithelial cells and can cause birth defects; can affect humans with impaired immunological systems
Cytopenia - a deficiency of some cellular element of the blood
cytoplasm - the protoplasm of a cell excluding the nucleus; is full of proteins that control cell metabolism
Cytosine - a base found in DNA and RNA and derived from pyrimidine; pairs with guanine
Cytosine - a base found in DNA and RNA and derived from pyrimidine; pairs with guanine
Cytoskeleton - a microscopic network of actin filaments and microtubules in the cytoplasm of many living cells that gives the cell shape and coherence
Cytosol - the aqueous part of the cytoplasm within which various particles and organelles are suspended
cytotoxic T cell - T cell with CD8 receptor that recognizes antigens on the surface of a virus infected cell and binds to the infected cell and kill it
cytotoxic - of or relating to substances that are toxic to cells
Cytotoxicity - the degree to which something is toxic to living cells

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Da Vinci - Italian painter and sculptor and engineer and scientist and architect; the most versatile genius of the Italian Renaissance (1452 1519)
Dacryocyst - either of the two dilated ends of the lacrimal ducts at the nasal ends of the eyes that fill with tears secreted by the lacrimal glands
Dacryocystitis - inflammation of the lacrimal sac causing obstruction of the tube draining tears into the nose
Dactyl - a metrical unit with stressed unstressed unstressed syllables; a finger or toe in human beings or corresponding body part in other vertebrates
Daily - occurring or done each day; measured by the day or happening every day; without missing a day; gradually and progressively; a newspaper that is published every day
Daltonism - dichromacy characterized by a lowered sensitivity to green light resulting in an inability to distinguish green and purplish red
Dander - a feeling of anger and animosity; small scales from animal skins or hair or bird feathers that can cause allergic reactions in some people
Dandruff - loose scales shed from the scalp; a condition in which white scales of dead skin are shed by the scalp
Dandy fever - an infectious disease of the tropics transmitted by mosquitoes and characterized by rash and aching head and joints
dandy - very good; a man who is much concerned with his dress and appearance; a sailing vessel with two masts; a small mizzen is aft of the rudderpost
Darier's disease - a rare hereditary condition marked by dark crusted patches (sometimes containing pus)
Darwin - provincial capital of the Northern Territory of Australia; English natural scientist who formulated a theory of evolution by natural selection (1809 1882)
database - an organized body of related information
Date rape - rape in which the rapist is known to the victim (as when they are on a date together)
Daughter - a female human offspring
David Bruce - Australian physician and bacteriologist who described the bacterium that causes undulant fever or brucellosis (1855 1931)
de novo - from the beginning
Deafness - partial or complete loss of hearing
death cap - extremely poisonous usually white fungus with a prominent cup shaped base; differs from edible Agaricus only in its white gills
Death rate - the ratio of deaths in an area to the population of that area; expressed per 1000 per year
Debilitate - make weak
Debility - the state of being weak in health or body (especially from old age)
Debridement - surgical removal of foreign material and dead tissue from a wound in order to prevent infection and promote healing
Decease - the event of dying or departure from life; verb pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
decibel - a logarithmic unit of sound intensity; 10 times the logarithm of the ratio of the sound intensity to some reference intensity
decoction - (pharmacology) the extraction by boiling of water soluble drug substances
Decompress - restore to its uncompressed form; become less tense, rest, or take one's ease; decrease the pressure of
Decompression - relieving pressure; restoring compressed information to its normal form for use or display
Decongestant - a drug that decreases pulmonary congestion
Decortication - removal of the outer covering of an organ or part
Decubitus ulcer - a chronic ulcer of the skin caused by prolonged pressure on it (as in bedridden patients)
Decubitus - a reclining position (as in a bed)
Deer mouse - brownish New World mouse; most widely distributed member of the genus
defecation - the elimination of fecal waste through the anus
Defibrillation - treatment by stopping fibrillation of heart muscles (usually by electric shock delivered by a defibrillator)
defibrillator - an electronic device that administers an electric shock of preset voltage to the heart through the chest wall in an attempt to restore the normal rhythm of the heart during ventricular fibrillation
Deficiency disease - any disease caused by a lack of an essential nutrient (as a vitamin or mineral)
Deficiency - lack of an adequate quantity or number; the state of needing something that is absent or unavailable
Deformation - alteration in the shape or dimensions of an object as a result of the application of stress to it; the act of twisting or deforming the shape of something (e.g., yourself); a change for the worse
Deformity - an affliction in which some part of the body is misshapen or malformed; an appearance that has been spoiled or is misshapen
Degenerative arthritis - chronic breakdown of cartilage in the joints; the most common form of arthritis occurring usually after middle age
degenerative joint disease - chronic breakdown of cartilage in the joints; the most common form of arthritis occurring usually after middle age
degenerative - (of illness) marked by gradual deterioration of organs and cells along with loss of function
Deglutition - the act of swallowing
Dehisce - burst or split open
Dehydration - the process of extracting moisture; depletion of bodily fluids; dryness resulting from the removal of water
Deja vu - the experience of thinking that a new situation had occurred before
Delirium tremens - acute delirium caused by alcohol poisoning
Delirium - a usually brief state of excitement and mental confusion often accompanied by hallucinations; state of violent mental agitation
Delta wave - the normal brainwave in the encephalogram of a person in deep dreamless sleep; occurs with high voltage and low frequency (1 to 4 hertz)
Delta - the 4th letter of the Greek alphabet; a low triangular area where a river divides before entering a larger body of water
delta - the 4th letter of the Greek alphabet; a low triangular area where a river divides before entering a larger body of water
Deltoid - of a leaf shape; suggesting a capital delta, with a point at the apex; a large triangular muscle covering the shoulder joint and serving to abduct and flex and extend and rotate the arm
Delusion - the act of deluding; deception by creating illusory ideas; a mistaken or unfounded opinion or idea; (psychology) an erroneous belief that is held in the face of evidence to the contrary
delusional - suffering from or characterized by delusions
Demarcation - a conceptual separation or distinction; the boundary of a specific area
Dementia praecox - any of several psychotic disorders characterized by distortions of reality and disturbances of thought and language and withdrawal from social contact
Dementia - mental deterioration of organic or functional origin
demineralization - the removal of minerals and mineral salts from a liquid (especially from water); abnormal loss of mineral salts (especially from bone)
Demulcent - having a softening or soothing effect especially to the skin; a medication (in the form of an oil or salve etc.) that soothes inflamed or injured skin
demyelination - loss of the myelin covering of some nerve fibers resulting in their impaired function
Denatured alcohol - ethyl alcohol that is unfit for drinking but is still useful for other purposes
dendrite - short fiber that conducts toward the cell body of the neuron
Dendritic - (neuroscience) of or relating to or resembling a dendrite
Dengue fever - an infectious disease of the tropics transmitted by mosquitoes and characterized by rash and aching head and joints
Dengue - an infectious disease of the tropics transmitted by mosquitoes and characterized by rash and aching head and joints
density - the amount per unit size; the spatial property of being crowded together
Dental assistant - an assistant to a dentist
Dental hygienist - someone trained to provide preventive dental service (cleaning teeth or taking x rays)
Dental implant - an implant that replaces a natural tooth
dental - of or relating to the teeth; of or relating to dentistry; a consonant articulated with the tip of the tongue near the gum ridge
dentin - bone (calcified tissue) surrounding the pulp cavity of a tooth; a calcareous material harder and denser than bone that comprises the bulk of a tooth
Dentistry - the branch of medicine dealing with the anatomy and development and diseases of the teeth
Denture - a dental appliance that artificially replaces missing teeth
Deodorant - a toiletry applied to the skin in order to mask unpleasant odors
deoxycytidine - a nucleoside component of DNA; composed of cytosine and deoxyribose
deoxyribonucleic acid - (biochemistry) a long linear polymer found in the nucleus of a cell and formed from nucleotides and shaped like a double helix; associated with the transmission of genetic information
Deoxyribose - a sugar that is a constituent of nucleic acids
Department of Energy - the federal department responsible for maintaining a national energy policy of the United States; created in 1977
Depigmentation - absence or loss of pigmentation (or less than normal pigmentation) in the skin or hair
depressive - causing or suggestive of sorrow or gloom; someone suffering psychological depression
derived - formed or developed from something else; not original
Dermabrasion - removal of scars or tattoos by anesthetizing the skin surface and then sanding or scraping off some of the outer skin layer
Dermal - of or relating to or located in the dermis; relating to or existing on or affecting the skin; of or relating to a cuticle or cuticula
Dermatitis - inflammation of the skin; skin becomes itchy and may develop blisters
Dermatoglyphic - the lines that form patterns on the skin (especially on the fingertips and the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet)
Dermatoglyphics - the study of the whorls and loops and arches in the fingertips and on the palms of the hand and the soles of the feet
Dermatologic - of or relating to or practicing dermatology
dermatologist - a doctor who specializes in the physiology and pathology of the skin
Dermatology - the branch of medicine dealing with the skin and its diseases
Dermatome - a surgical instrument used to cut very thin slices of skin
Dermatomycosis - fungal infection of the skin (especially of moist parts covered by clothing)
Dermatophytosis - fungal infection of the skin (especially of moist parts covered by clothing)
Dermatosis - disorder involving lesions or eruptions of the skin (in which there is usually no inflammation)
dermis - the deep vascular inner layer of the skin
Dermoid cyst - a cystic tumor (usually benign) with a wall lined with epithelium and a cavity containing other material
Descending aorta - the descending part of the aorta that branches into the thoracic and abdominal aortae
descending - coming down or downward
Desensitization - the process of reducing sensitivity
Desiccate - lacking vitality or spirit; lifeless; verb lose water or moisture; remove water from; preserve by removing all water and liquids from
Designer drug - a psychoactive drug deliberately synthesized to avoid anti drug laws; mimics the effects of a banned drug; law was revised in 1986 to ban designer drugs
Desquamate - peel off in scales
Desquamation - loss of bits of outer skin by peeling or shedding or coming off in scales
detached - used of buildings; standing apart from others; no longer connected or joined; not fixed in position; being or feeling set or kept apart from others; showing lack of emotional involvement
determining - having the power or quality of deciding
Deterministic - an inevitable consequence of antecedent sufficient causes
Detox - the hospital ward or clinic in which patients are detoxified; verb treat for alcohol or drug dependence
Detoxify - remove poison from; treat for alcohol or drug dependence
detumescence - diminution of swelling; the subsidence of anything swollen
Deuteranopia - dichromacy characterized by a lowered sensitivity to green light resulting in an inability to distinguish green and purplish red
Deuterium - an isotope of hydrogen which has one neutron (as opposed to zero neutrons in hydrogen)
developmental - of or relating to or constituting development
Deviated septum - abnormal displacement of any wall that separates two chambers (usually in the nasal cavity)
Dexamethasone - a corticosteroid drug (trade names Decadron or Dexamethasone Intensol or Dexone or Hexadrol or Oradexon) used to treat allergies or inflammation
Dextrocardia - abnormal condition where the heart is located toward the right side of the chest
Dextrose - an isomer of glucose that is found in honey and sweet fruits
Diabetes mellitus - diabetes caused by a relative or absolute deficiency of insulin and characterized by polyuria
Diabetes - any of several metabolic disorders marked by excessive urination and persistent thirst
Diabetic coma - coma that can develop in inadequately treated cases of diabetes mellitus
Diabetic diet - a diet designed to help control the symptoms of diabetes
diabetic - suffering from diabetes; of or relating to or causing diabetes; someone who has diabetes
Diachronic - used of the study of a phenomenon (especially language) as it changes through time
diagnosis - identifying the nature or cause of some phenomenon
Diagnostic test - an assay conducted for diagnostic purposes
Diakinesis - the final stage of the prophase of meiosis
Dialysis machine - a medical instrument for separating substances in solution by unequal diffusion through semipermeable membranes
Dialysis - separation of substances in solution by means of their unequal diffusion through semipermeable membranes
Diaper rash - dermatitis of the thighs and buttocks of infants; supposedly caused by ammonia in the urine in the child's diapers
Diaphragmatic hernia - hernia resulting from the protrusion of part of the stomach through the diaphragm
Diaphysis - the main (mid) section of a long bone
Diarrhea - frequent and watery bowel movements; can be a symptom of infection or food poisoning or colitis or a gastrointestinal tumor
Diastasis - separation of an epiphysis from the long bone to which it is normally attached without fracture of the bone
Diastole - the widening of the chambers of the heart between two contractions when the chambers fill with blood
Diastolic - of or relating to a diastole or happening during a diastole
Diathermy - a method of physical therapy that involves generating local heat in body tissues by high frequency electromagnetic currents
Diathesis - constitutional predisposition to a particular disease or abnormality
Diazoxide - vasodilator (trade name Hyperstat) used to treat severe hypertension
Dichloromethane - a nonflammable liquid used as a solvent and paint remover and refrigerant
Dicoumarol - an anticoagulant drug that has now been largely replaced by warfarin
Dietetics - the scientific study of food preparation and intake
Diethyl ether - a colorless volatile highly inflammable liquid formerly used as an inhalation anesthetic
Diethylstilbestrol - a potent estrogen used in medicine and in feed for livestock and poultry
Dieting - the act of restricting your food intake (or your intake of particular foods)
Dietitian - a specialist in the study of nutrition
Differential diagnosis - a systematic method of diagnosing a disorder (e.g., headache) that lacks unique symptoms or signs
Diffuse - spread out; not concentrated in one place; lacking conciseness; (of light) transmitted from a broad light source or reflected; verb move outward; cause to become widely known; spread or diffuse through
Diflunisal - nonsteroidal anti inflammatory (trade name Dolobid) used to treat arthritis and other inflammatory conditions
Digestive system - the system that makes food absorbable into the body
Digestive tract - tubular passage of mucous membrane and muscle extending about 8.3 meters from mouth to anus; functions in digestion and elimination
digit - a finger or toe in human beings or corresponding body part in other vertebrates; one of the elements that collectively form a system of numeration; the length of breadth of a finger used as a linear measure
digital photography - a photographic method that stores the image digitally for later reproduction
digital - of a circuit or device that represents magnitudes in digits; relating to or performed with the fingers; displaying numbers rather than scale positions
digitalis - a powerful cardiac stimulant obtained from foxglove; any of several plants of the genus Digitalis
Dihybrid cross - hybridization using two traits with two alleles each
Dihybrid - a hybrid produced by parents that differ only at two gene loci that have two alleles each
Dilatation - the state of being stretched beyond normal dimensions; the act of expanding an aperture
dilate - become wider; add details, as to an account or idea; clarify the meaning of and discourse in a learned way, usually in writing
dilated - made wider or larger in all dimensions
Dilation - the act of expanding an aperture; a lengthy discussion (spoken or written) on a particular topic
dilator - a surgical instrument that is used to dilate or distend an opening or an organ; a drug that causes dilation; a muscle or nerve that dilates or widens a body part
Diltiazem - a calcium blocker (trade name Cardizem) used in treating hypertension or angina or heart failure
dimer - a compound whose molecules are composed of two identical monomers
Dioxin - any of several toxic or carcinogenic hydrocarbons that occur as impurities in herbicides
Diphenhydramine - antihistamine (trade name Benadryl) used to treat allergic reactions involving the nasal passages (hay fever) and also to treat motion sickness
Diphtheria - acute contagious infection caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae; marked by the formation of a false membrane in the throat and other air passages causing difficulty in breathing
Diplegia - paralysis of corresponding parts on both sides of the body
Diploid - of a cell or organism having two sets of chromosomes or twice the haploid number; (genetics) an organism or cell having two sets of chromosomes or twice the haploid number
Diplopia - visual impairment in which an object is seen as two objects
Dipsomania - an intense persistent desire to drink alcoholic beverages to excess
direct transmission - a transmission mechanism in which the infectious agent is transferred directly into the body via touching or biting or kissing or sexual intercourse or by droplets entering the eye or nose or mouth
Directionality - the property of being directional or maintaining a direction; the property of a microphone or antenna of being more sensitive in one direction than in another
Directive - showing the way by conducting or leading; imposing direction on; a procement encouraging or banning some activity
Disability - the condition of being unable to perform as a consequence of physical or mental unfitness
Disaccharidase - an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of disaccharides into monosaccharides
disaster - an act that has disastrous consequences; an event resulting in great loss and misfortune; a state of extreme (usually irremediable) ruin and misfortune
discoid lupus erythematosus - a chronic skin disease occurring primarily in women between the ages of 20 and 40; characterized by an eruption of red lesions over the cheeks and bridge of the nose
Discoid - having a flat circular shape
Discordance - a harsh mixture of sounds; strife resulting from a lack of agreement
Discordant - not in agreement or harmony; lacking in harmony
disease - an impairment of health or a condition of abnormal functioning
Disequilibrium - loss of equilibrium attributable to an unstable situation in which some forces outweigh others
Disfigurement - an appearance that has been spoiled or is misshapen; the act of damaging the appearance or surface of something
Disinfectant - preventing infection by inhibiting the growth or action of microorganisms; an agent (as heat or radiation or a chemical) that destroys microorganisms that might carry disease
Dislocated - separated at the joint
Dissect - cut open or cut apart; make a mathematical, chemical, or grammatical analysis of; break down into components or essential features
Dissection - cutting so as to separate into pieces; detailed critical analysis or examination one part at a time (as of a literary work); a minute and critical analysis
Disseminated sclerosis - a chronic progressive nervous disorder involving loss of myelin sheath around certain nerve fibers
dissemination - the property of being diffused or dispersed; the opening of a subject to widespread discussion and debate; the act of dispersing or diffusing something
dissolving - causing to dissolve; the process of going into solution
Distal - situated farthest from point of attachment or origin, as of a limb or bone; directed away from the midline or mesial plane of the body
Distention - the act of expanding by pressure from within; the state of being stretched beyond normal dimensions
Distributive shock - shock caused by poor distribution of the blood flow
Disulfiram - a drug (trade name Antabuse) used in the treatment of alcoholism; causes nausea and vomiting if alcohol is ingested
Diuresis - increased secretion of urine; if not due to increased liquid intake or to the action of a diuretic drug it can be a symptom of diabetes mellitus
Diuretic - any substance that tends to increase the flow of urine
Diurnal - having a daily cycle or occurring every day; belonging to or active during the day
Diverticulitis - inflammation of a diverticulum in the digestive tract (especially the colon); characterized by painful abdominal cramping and fever and constipation
Diverticulosis - presence of multiple diverticula in the walls of the colon
Diverticulum - a herniation through the muscular wall of a tubular organ (especially the colon)
Dizygotic twin - either of two twins who developed from two separate fertilized eggs
Dizziness - a reeling sensation; a feeling that you are about to fall
DNA fingerprint - biometric identification obtained by examining a person's unique sequence of DNA base pairs; often used for evidence in criminal law cases
Docosahexaenoic acid - an omega 3 fatty acid with 22 carbon atoms; found in fish (especially tuna and bluefish)
Doctor of Medicine - a doctor's degree in medicine
Dog bite - a bite inflicted by a dog
Dolichocephaly - the quality of being dolichocephalic
Dolor - (poetry) painful grief
Domestic violence - violence or physical abuse directed toward your spouse or domestic partner; usually violence by men against women
Dominant allele - an allele that produces the same phenotype whether its paired allele is identical or different
Domoic acid - a neurotoxin that is deadly for humans; found in various marine algae
Donor - person who makes a gift of property; (medicine) someone who gives blood or tissue or an organ to be used in another person (the host)
Dopamine - a monoamine neurotransmitter found in the brain and essential for the normal functioning of the central nervous system; as a drug (trade names Dopastat and Intropin) it is used to treat shock and hypotension
Doppler - Austrian physicist famous for his discovery of the Doppler effect (1803 1853)
dormant - inactive but capable of becoming active; of e.g. volcanos; not erupting and not extinct; in a condition of biological rest or suspended animation
Dorothy Hodgkin - English chemist (born in Egypt) who used crystallography to study the structure of organic compounds (1910 1994)
dorsal - belonging to or on or near the back or upper surface of an animal or organ or part; facing away from the axis of an organ or organism
dose rate - the quantity of radiation absorbed per unit time
Dosimetry - measuring the dose of radiation emitted by a radioactive source
Double helix - a pair of parallel helices intertwined about a common axis
Double pneumonia - lobar pneumonia involving both lungs
Douglas - United States politician who proposed that individual territories be allowed to decide whether they would have slavery; he engaged in a famous series of debates with Abraham Lincoln (1813 1861)
Dover's powder - a medicinal powder made essentially of ipecac and opium; formerly used to relieve pain and induce perspiration
dowager's hump - abnormal spinal curvature that results when osteoporosis causes the spine to collapse; seen most often in elderly women
dowager - a widow holding property received from her deceased husband
Down syndrome - a congenital disorder caused by having an extra 21st chromosome; results in a flat face and short stature and mental retardation
Downstream - in the direction of a stream's current; away from the source or with the current
Doxorubicin - an antibiotic used as an anticancer drug
Doxycycline - an antibiotic derived from tetracycline that is effective against many infections
DPT vaccine - abbreviation for combination vaccine against diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough) and tetanus toxoids; usually given in a series of injections in early childhood
Drawer - a boxlike container in a piece of furniture; made so as to slide in and out; the person who writes a check or draft instructing the drawee to pay someone else; an artist skilled at drawing
Dressed to Kill - dressed in fancy or formal clothing
dronabinol - psychoactive substance present in marijuana; used therapeutically to control nausea associated with cancer therapy
Dropsy - swelling from excessive accumulation of serous fluid in tissue
Drosophila - small fruit fly used by Thomas Hunt Morgan in studying basic mechanisms of inheritance
Drug abuse - excessive use of drugs
Drug withdrawal - the termination of drug taking
Dry mouth - abnormal dryness of the mouth resulting from decreased secretion of saliva
Dryness - the condition of not containing or being covered by a liquid (especially water); objectivity and detachment; moderation in or abstinence from alcohol or other drugs
Ductus arteriosus - a blood vessel in a fetus that bypasses pulmonary circulation by connecting the pulmonary artery directly to the ascending aorta; normally closes at birth
Due date - the date on which a financial obligation must be repaid
Dumdum fever - leishmaniasis of the viscera
dumdum - a soft nosed small arms bullet that expands when it hits a target and causes a gaping wound
dumping - selling goods abroad at a price below that charged in the domestic market
Duodenal ulcer - a peptic ulcer of the duodenum
duodenal - in or relating to the duodenum
duodenum - the part of the small intestine between the stomach and the jejunum
Duplication - the act of copying or making a duplicate (or duplicates) of something; a copy that corresponds to an original exactly
dura mater - the outermost (and toughest) of the 3 meninges
durable - existing for a long time; very long lasting; serviceable for a long time
Dural - of or relating to the dura mater
Dutch - of or relating to the Netherlands or its people or culture; the West Germanic language of the Netherlands; the people of the Netherlands
Dwarf - a person who is markedly small; a legendary creature resembling a tiny old man; lives in the depths of the earth and guards buried treasure; verb check the growth of; make appear small by comparison
Dwarfism - a genetic abnormality resulting in short stature
Dysarthria - impaired articulatory ability resulting from defects in the peripheral motor nerves or in the speech musculature
Dyscalculia - impaired ability to learn grade appropriate mathematics
Dyscrasia - an abnormal or physiologically unbalanced state of the body
Dysentery - an infection of the intestines marked by severe diarrhea
Dysfunction - (medicine) any disturbance in the function of an organ or body part
Dysgraphia - impaired ability to learn to write
Dyskinesia - abnormality in performing voluntary muscle movements
Dyslexia - impaired ability to learn to read
Dysmenorrhea - painful menstruation
Dysosmia - a disorder in the sense of smell
dyspepsia - a disorder of digestive function characterized by discomfort or heartburn or nausea
Dyspeptic - suffering from dyspepsia; irritable as if suffering from indigestion; a person suffering from indigestion
Dysphagia - condition in which swallowing is difficult or painful
Dysphasia - an impairment of language (especially speech production) that is usually due to brain damage
Dysphonia - speech disorder attributable to a disorder of phonation
Dysphoria - abnormal depression and discontent
Dysplasia - abnormal development (of organs or cells) or an abnormal structure resulting from such growth
dyspnea - difficult or labored respiration
Dyspnoea - difficult or labored respiration
Dysthymia - mild chronic depression
dystrophy - any degenerative disorder resulting from inadequate or faulty nutrition; any of several hereditary diseases of the muscular system characterized by weakness and wasting of skeletal muscles
Dysuria - painful or difficult urination

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E[edit | edit source]

ear canal - either of the passages in the outer ear from the auricle to the tympanic membrane
Earache - an ache localized in the middle or inner ear
eardrum - the membrane in the ear that vibrates to sound
earwax - a soft yellow wax secreted by glands in the ear canal
Eating disorder - a disorder of the normal eating routine
Ebola virus - a filovirus that causes Ebola hemorrhagic fever; carried by animals; can be used as a bioweapon
Eburnation - a change that occurs in degenerative joint disease in which bone is converted into a dense smooth substance resembling ivory
Ecchymosis - the escape of blood from ruptured blood vessels into the surrounding tissue to form a purple or black and blue spot on the skin; the purple or black and blue area resulting from a bruise
Echinacea - small genus of North American coarse perennial herbs
Echinococcosis - infestation with larval echinococci (tapeworms)
Echinococcus - tapeworms whose larvae are parasitic in humans and domestic animals
Echocardiography - a noninvasive diagnostic procedure that uses ultrasound to study to structure and motions of the heart
Echolalia - (psychiatry) mechanical and meaningless repetition of the words of another person (as in schizophrenia); an infant's repetition of sounds uttered by others
Echovirus - any of a group of viruses associated with various diseases including viral meningitis and mild respiratory disorders and diarrhea in newborn infants
Eclampsia - a toxic condition characterized by convulsions and possibly coma during or immediately after pregnancy
Economics - the branch of social science that deals with the production and distribution and consumption of goods and services and their management
Ecstasy - a state of being carried away by overwhelming emotion; a state of elated bliss; street names for methylenedioxymethamphetamine
Ecstatic - feeling great rapture or delight
Ectoderm - the outer germ layer that develops into skin and nervous tissue
Ectodermal - of or relating to the ectoderm
Ectoparasite - any external parasitic organism (as fleas)
Ectopia - abnormal position of a part or organ (especially at the time of birth)
Ectopic pregnancy - pregnancy resulting from gestation elsewhere than in the uterus
Ectopic - exhibiting ectopia
Ectrodactyly - congenital abnormality involving the absence of some fingers or toes
Eczema herpeticum - eczema characterized by a feverish condition and widespread eruption of vesicles; most common in children
Eczema vaccinatum - a now rare complication of vaccinia superimposed on atopic dermatitis with high fever and generalized vesicles and papulovesicles
eczema - generic term for inflammatory conditions of the skin; particularly with vesiculation in the acute stages
edema - swelling from excessive accumulation of serous fluid in tissue
Edentulous - having lost teeth
Edmund Wilson - United States literary critic (1895 1972)
Edward Jenner - English physician who pioneered vaccination; Jenner inoculated people with small amounts of cowpox to prevent them from getting smallpox (1749 1823)
Edwards - American theologian whose sermons and writings stimulated a period of renewed interest in religion in America (1703 1758)
Effacement - withdrawing into the background; making yourself inconspicuous; shortening of the uterine cervix and thinning of its walls as it is dilated during labor
Effects - property of a personal character that is portable but not used in business
Efferent nerve - a nerve that conveys impulses toward or to muscles or glands
Efferent - of nerves and nerve impulses; conveying information away from the CNS; a nerve that conveys impulses toward or to muscles or glands
efficacy - capacity or power to produce a desired effect
Efficiency - skillfulness in avoiding wasted time and effort; the ratio of the output to the input of any system
Effleurage - a rhythmic stroking
effusion - flow under pressure; an unrestrained expression of emotion
Ehrlich - German bacteriologist who found a `magic bullet' to cure syphilis and was a pioneer in the study of immunology (1854 1915)
Eicosapentaenoic acid - an omega 3 fatty acid with 20 carbon atoms; found in fish (especially tuna and bluefish)
Eidetic - of visual imagery of almost photographic accuracy
Eight - being one more than seven; the cardinal number that is the sum of seven and one; a group of United States painters founded in 1907 and noted for their realistic depictions of sordid aspects of city life
eighth cranial nerve - a composite sensory nerve supplying the hair cells of the vestibular organ and the hair cells of the cochlea
eighth - coming next after the seventh and just before the ninth in position; position eight in a countable series of things; one part in eight equal parts
Ejaculate - the thick white fluid containing spermatozoa that is ejaculated by the male genital tract; verb eject semen; utter impulsively
ejaculation - an abrupt emphatic exclamation expressing emotion; the discharge of semen in males
Ejaculatory duct - a part of the seminal duct formed by the duct from the seminal vesicle and the vas deferens; passes through the prostate gland
ejection - the act of forcing out someone or something; the act of expelling or projecting or ejecting
Elastase - a pancreatic enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of elastin
Elastase - a pancreatic enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of elastin
Elastic bandage - a bandage containing stretchable material that can apply local pressure
elastin - a fibrous scleroprotein found in elastic tissues such as the walls of arteries
Elavil - a tricyclic antidepressant drug (trade name Elavil) with serious side effects; interacts with many other medications
Elbow joint - hinge joint between the forearm and upper arm and the corresponding joint in the forelimb of a quadruped
Elective - subject to popular election; not compulsory; a course that the student can select from among alternatives
electrocardiogram - a graphical recording of the cardiac cycle produced by an electrocardiograph
Electroconvulsive therapy - the administration of a strong electric current that passes through the brain to induce convulsions and coma
Electrocution - killing by electric shock; execution by electricity
electroencephalogram - a graphical record of electrical activity of the brain; produced by an electroencephalograph
Electrolyte - a solution that conducts electricity
Electromyogram - a graphical record of electric currents associated with muscle contractions
Electromyography - diagnosis of neuromuscular disorders with the use of an electromyograph
electron beam - a group of nearly parallel lines of electromagnetic radiation
Electron microscope - a microscope that is similar in purpose to a light microscope but achieves much greater resolving power by using a parallel beam of electrons to illuminate the object instead of a beam of light
Electron microscopy - microscopy with the use of electron microscopes
electron - an elementary particle with negative charge
Electrophoresis - the motion of charged particles in a colloid under the influence of an electric field; particles with a positive charge go to the cathode and negative to the anode
Electrophoretic - of or relating to electrophoresis
Electroretinogram - a graphical recording of the electrical activity of the retina that results when light is flashed into the eye
Electroshock therapy - the administration of a strong electric current that passes through the brain to induce convulsions and coma
electroshock - the administration of a strong electric current that passes through the brain to induce convulsions and coma
Electrosurgery - surgery performed with electrical devices (as in electrocautery)
Electrotherapy - the therapeutic application of electricity to the body (as in the treatment of various forms of paralysis)
Elephantiasis - hypertrophy of certain body parts (usually legs and scrotum); the end state of the disease filariasis
elevated - raised above the ground; raised above ground level; on elevated rails; a railway that is powered by electricity and that runs on a track that is raised above the street level
Eleventh cranial nerve - arises from two sets of roots (cranial and spinal) that unite to form the nerve
eleventh - coming next after the tenth and just before the twelfth in position; position 11 in a countable series of things
ELISA - an assay that relies on an enzymatic conversion reaction and is used to detect the presence of specific substances (such as enzymes or viruses or antibodies or bacteria)
Ellison - United States novelist who wrote about a young Black man and his struggles in American society (1914 1994)
Emaciation - extreme leanness (usually caused by starvation or disease)
Embolectomy - surgical removal of an embolus (usually from an artery)
Embolism - occlusion of a blood vessel by an embolus (a loose clot or air bubble or other particle); an insertion into a calendar
embolus - an abnormal particle (e.g. an air bubble or part of a clot) circulating in the blood
Embryology - the branch of biology that studies the formation and early development of living organisms
Embryonal carcinoma - malignant neoplasm of the testis
embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma - form of rhabdomyosarcoma occurring mainly in infants and children
embryonic - in an early stage of development; of an organism prior to birth or hatching
Emergency medicine - the branch of medicine concerned with the prompt diagnosis and treatment of injuries or trauma or sudden illness
Emergency - a sudden unforeseen crisis (usually involving danger) that requires immediate action; a state in which martial law applies; a brake operated by hand; usually operates by mechanical linkage
Emesis - the reflex act of ejecting the contents of the stomach through the mouth
emetic - a medicine that induces nausea and vomiting
emmenagogue - any agent that promotes menstrual discharge
Emmetropia - (ophthalmology) the normal refractive condition of the eye in which there is clear focus of light on the retina
emotional - of more than usual emotion; determined or actuated by emotion rather than reason; of or pertaining to emotion; (of persons) excessively affected by emotion; extravagantly demonstrative
Emphysema - an abnormal condition of the lungs marked by decreased respiratory function; associated with smoking or chronic bronchitis or old age
empirical - derived from experiment and observation rather than theory; relying on medical quackery
Empyema - a collection of pus in a body cavity (especially in the lung cavity)
Enalapril - an ACE inhibitor (trade name Vasotec) that blocks the formation of angiotensin in the kidney and so results in vasodilation; administered after heart attacks
Enanthem - eruption on a mucous membrane (as the inside of the mouth) occurring as a symptom of a disease
Enate - related on the mother's side; one related on the mother's side
Encephalitis - inflammation of the brain usually caused by a virus; symptoms include headache and neck pain and drowsiness and nausea and fever (`phrenitis' is no longer in scientific use)
Encephalocele - protrusion of brain tissue through a congenital fissure in the skull
Encephalomyelitis - inflammation of the brain and spinal cord
Encephalopathy - any disorder or disease of the brain
Enchondroma - benign slow growing tumor of cartilaginous cells at the ends of tubular bones (especially in the hands and feet)
encoding - the activity of converting from plain text into code
Encopresis - involuntary defecation not attributable to physical defects or illness
Endarterectomy - surgical removal of the inner lining of an artery that is clogged with atherosclerosis
Endemic typhus - acute infection caused by rickettsia and transmitted by the bite of an infected flea; characterized by fever and chills and muscle aches and a rash
Endocarditis - inflammation of the endocardium and heart valves
endocardium - the membrane that lines the cavities of the heart and forms part of the heart valves
Endocrine gland - any of the glands of the endocrine system that secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream
endocrinologist - physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting the endocrine system
Endocrinology - the branch of medicine dealing with the endocrine glands and their secretions
Endoderm - the inner germ layer that develops into the lining of the digestive and respiratory systems
endogenous - derived or originating internally; of or resembling an endogen
Endometrial cancer - cancer of the uterine lining
endometrial - of or relating to the endometrium
Endometriosis - the presence of endometrium elsewhere than in the lining of the uterus; causes premenstrual pain and dysmenorrhea
Endometritis - inflammation of the lining of the uterus (of the endometrium)
Endonuclease - a nuclease that cleaves nucleic acids at interior bonds and so produces fragments of various sizes
Endorphin - a neurochemical occurring naturally in the brain and having analgesic properties
Endoscope - a long slender medical instrument for examining the interior of a bodily organ or performing minor surgery
endoscopic - of or relating to endoscopy
Endoscopy - visual examination of the interior of a hollow body organ by use of an endoscope
Endosperm - nutritive tissue surrounding the embryo within seeds of flowering plants
Endosteum - vascular membrane that lines the inner surface of long bones
Endothelial - of or relating to or located in the endothelium
Endothelium - an epithelium of mesoblastic origin; a thin layer of flattened cells that lines the inside of some body cavities
endotoxin - a toxin that is confined inside the microorganisms and is released only when the microorganisms are broken down or die
endpoint - a place where something ends or is complete
Enema - injection of a liquid through the anus to stimulate evacuation; sometimes used for diagnostic purposes
Enervate - weaken mentally or morally; disturb the composure of
Enervation - lack of vitality; serious weakening and loss of energy
Enfeeble - make weak
engineer - a person who uses scientific knowledge to solve practical problems; the operator of a railway locomotive; verb design as an engineer; plan and direct (a complex undertaking)
Engram - a postulated biochemical change (presumably in neural tissue) that represents a memory
Enhanced - increased or intensified in value or beauty or quality
enhancement - an improvement that makes something more agreeable
Enhancer - anything that serves by contrast to call attention to another thing's good qualities
enkephalin - an endorphin having opiate qualities that occurs in the brain and spinal cord and elsewhere
Enlarged heart - an abnormal enlargement of the heart
Enteral - of or relating to or inside the intestines; of or relating to the enteron
enteric - of or relating to the enteron; of or relating to or inside the intestines
Enteritis - inflammation of the intestine (especially the small intestine); usually characterized by diarrhea
Enterobiasis - an infestation with or a resulting infection caused by the pinworm Enterobius vermicularis; occurs especially in children
Enterolith - a calculus occurring in the intestines
Enteropathy - a disease of the intestinal tract
Enterostomy - surgical operation that creates a permanent opening through the abdominal wall into the intestine
Enterotomy - surgical operation that creates a permanent opening through the abdominal wall into the intestine
Enterotoxemia - a disease of cattle and sheep that is attributed to toxins absorbed from the intestines
Enterovirus - any of a group of picornaviruses that infect the gastrointestinal tract and can spread to other areas (especially the nervous system)
Entomology - the branch of zoology that studies insects
Entomophobia - a morbid fear of insects
entrepreneur - someone who organizes a business venture and assumes the risk for it
Enucleation - surgical removal of something without cutting into it
Enuresis - inability to control the flow of urine and involuntary urination
Environment - the area in which something exists or lives; the totality of surrounding conditions
Environmental Protection Agency - an independent federal agency established to coordinate programs aimed at reducing pollution and protecting the environment
environmental - concerned with the ecological effects of altering the environment; of or relating to the external conditions or surroundings
Enzootic - of a disease that is constantly present in an animal community but only occurs in a small number of cases
Enzyme - any of several complex proteins that are produced by cells and act as catalysts in specific biochemical reactions
Eosinopenia - a decrease in the number of eosinophils in the blood
eosinophil - a leukocyte readily stained with eosin
Eosinophilia - a symptom of allergic states; increased eosinophils in the blood
eosinophilic - of or relating to eosinophil
Ephedra - jointed and nearly leafless desert shrub having reduced scalelike leaves and reddish fleshy seeds
Ephedrine - white odorless powdered or crystalline alkaloid from plants of the genus Ephedra (especially Ephedra sinica) or made synthetically; used as a bronchodilator to treat bronchitis and asthma
epicardium - the innermost of the two layers of the pericardium
epicondylitis - painful inflammation of the muscles and soft tissues around an epicondyle
Epidemic myalgia - an acute infectious disease occurring in epidemic form and featuring paroxysms of pain (usually in the chest)
epidemiologist - a medical scientist who studies the transmission and control of epidemic diseases
Epidemiology - the branch of medical science dealing with the transmission and control of disease
Epidermal - of or relating to a cuticle or cuticula
epidermis - the outer layer of the skin covering the exterior body surface of vertebrates
Epididymis - a convoluted tubule in each testis; carries sperm to vas deferens
Epididymitis - painful inflammation of the epididymis
epigastric - lying on or over the stomach; of or relating to the anterior walls of the abdomen
Epigastrium - the region lying on or over the stomach (just below the sternum)
epiglottis - a flap of cartilage that covers the windpipe while swallowing
Epiglottitis - inflammation of the epiglottis; characterized by fever and a severe sore throat and difficulty in swallowing
Epikeratophakia - using a piece of donated corneal tissue to repair the eye of someone who has had a cataract removed
Epilation - loss of hair; the result of removing hair; the act of removing hair (as from an animal skin)
Epilepsy - a disorder of the central nervous system characterized by loss of consciousness and convulsions
Epileptic seizure - convulsions accompanied by impaired consciousness
Epinephrine - a catecholamine secreted by the adrenal medulla in response to stress (trade name Adrenalin); stimulates autonomic nerve action
Epiphenomenon - a secondary phenomenon that is a by product of another phenomenon
Epiphora - repetition of the ends of two or more successive sentences, verses, etc.
epiphyseal - relating to the epiphysis of a bone
Episcleritis - inflammation of the sclera of the eye
Episiotomy - surgical incision of the perineum to enlarge the vagina and so facilitate delivery during childbirth
Episodic memory - memory for episodes in your own life
Epispadias - a congenital abnormality in males in which the urethra is on the upper surface of the penis
Epistasis - the suppression of a gene by the effect of an unrelated gene
Epistaxis - bleeding from the nose
Epistemic - of or relating to epistemology
Epithelial - of or belonging to the epithelium
Epithelioma - a malignant tumor of the epithelial tissue
epithelium - membranous tissue covering internal organs and other internal surfaces of the body
epitope - the site on the surface of an antigen molecule to which an antibody attaches itself
Epizootic - (of animals) epidemic among animals of a single kind within a particular region
Eponym - the name derived from a person (real or imaginary); the person for whom something is named
Epstein - British sculptor (born in the United States) noted for busts and large controversial works (1880 1959)
Erb's palsy - paralysis of the arm resulting from injury to the brachial plexus (usually during childbirth)
erectile dysfunction - impotence resulting from a man's inability to have or maintain an erection of his penis
erectile - filled with vascular sinuses and capable of becoming distended and rigid as the result of being filled with blood; capable of being raised to an upright position
Erection - a structure that has been erected; an erect penis; the act of building or putting up
Erethism - an abnormally high degree of irritability or sensitivity to stimulation of an organ or body part
Ergocalciferol - a fat soluble vitamin that prevents rickets
ergonomics - the branch of engineering science in which biological science is used to study the relation between workers and their environments
Ergosterol - a plant sterol that is converted into vitamin D by ultraviolet radiation
Erlenmeyer - German chemist (1825 1909)
eructation - a reflex that expels wind noisily from the stomach through the mouth; (of volcanos) pouring out fumes of lava (or a deposit so formed)
eruptive - actively spewing out lava; "a geyser is an intermittently eruptive hot spring"; producing or characterized by eruptions; produced by the action of fire or intense heat
Erysipelas - an acute streptococcal infection characterized by deep red inflammation of the skin and mucous membranes
erythema multiforme - a red rash caused by hypersensitivity to a drug or disease or other allergen
Erythema nodosum - skin condition characterized by tender red nodules on the shins and legs
Erythema - abnormal redness of the skin resulting from dilation of blood vessels (as in sunburn or inflammation)
erythrocyte sedimentation rate - the rate at which red blood cells settle out in a tube of blood under standardized conditions; a high rate usually indicates the presence of inflammation
erythrocyte - a mature blood cell that contains hemoglobin to carry oxygen to the bodily tissues; a biconcave disc that has no nucleus
Erythroderma - any skin disorder involving abnormal redness
Erythropoiesis - the process of producing red blood cells by the stem cells in the bone marrow
Erythropoietin - a glycoprotein secreted by the kidneys that stimulates the production of red blood cells
Erythropoietin - a glycoprotein secreted by the kidneys that stimulates the production of red blood cells
Eschar - a dry scab formed on the skin following a burn or cauterization of the skin
Escherichia coli - a species of bacterium normally present in intestinal tract of humans and other animals; sometimes pathogenic; can be a threat to food safety
Esophageal reflux - reflux of stomach contents into the esophagus
esophageal - relating to the esophagus
Esophagitis - inflammation of the esophagus; often caused by gastroesophageal reflux
esophagus - the passage between the pharynx and the stomach
Esotropia - strabismus in which one or both eyes turn inward toward the nose
essential hypertension - persistent and pathological high blood pressure for which no specific cause can be found
Essential oil - an oil having the odor or flavor of the plant from which it comes; used in perfume and flavorings
Essential tremor - tremor of unknown cause (usually of the hands and head) that develops in older people; often mistaken for Parkinsonism but is not life threatening and can usually be kept under control
Essex - a county in southeastern England on the North Sea and the Thames estuary
esthetician - a philosopher who specializes in the nature of beauty; a worker skilled in giving beauty treatments (manicures and facials etc.)
Estradiol - the most powerful female hormone that occurs naturally; synthesized and used to treat estrogen deficiency and breast cancer
Estriol - a naturally occurring estrogenic hormone; a synthetic form is used to treat estrogen deficiency
Estrogen - a general term for female steroid sex hormones that are secreted by the ovary and responsible for typical female sexual characteristics
estrogenic - relating to or caused by estrogen
Estrone - a naturally occurring weak estrogenic hormone secreted by the mammalian ovary; synthesized (trade name Estronol) and used to treat estrogen deficiency
Etanercept - a genetically engineered anti TNF compound (trade name Enbrel) consisting of receptors that bind TNF; it is injected twice a week in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis
Ethics committee - a committee appointed to consider ethical issues
Ethics - the philosophical study of moral values and rules; motivation based on ideas of right and wrong
Ethmoid bone - one of the eight bones of the cranium; a small bone filled with air spaces that forms part of the eye sockets and the nasal cavity
Ethmoid sinus - a sinus of the meatuses of the nasal cavity (behind the bridge of the nose)
ethmoid - one of the eight bones of the cranium; a small bone filled with air spaces that forms part of the eye sockets and the nasal cavity
Ethnography - the branch of anthropology that provides scientific description of individual human societies
Ethosuximide - an anticonvulsant drug (trade names Emeside and Zarontin) used to treat petit mal epilepsy
ethylene glycol - a sweet but poisonous syrupy liquid used as an antifreeze and solvent
Etiology - the philosophical study of causation; the cause of a disease
Etodolac - a nonsteroidal anti inflammatory drug (trade name Lodine)
Etymology - the study of the sources and development of words; a history of a word
Eugenics - the study of methods of improving genetic qualities by selective breeding (especially as applied to human mating)
Eukaryote - an organism with cells characteristic of all life forms except primitive microorganisms such as bacteria; i.e. an organism with `good' or membrane bound nuclei in its cells
Eukaryotic - having cells with `good' or membrane bound nuclei
Euphorbiaceae - a family of plants of order Geraniales
Euphoria - a feeling of great (usually exaggerated) elation
European - of or relating to or characteristic of Europe or the people of Europe; a native or inhabitant of Europe
eustachian tube - either of the paired tubes connecting the middle ears to the nasopharynx; equalizes air pressure on the two sides of the eardrum
Euthanasia - the act of killing someone painlessly (especially someone suffering from an incurable illness)
Evaluation - act of ascertaining or fixing the value or worth of; an appraisal of the value of something
Evanescent - tending to vanish like vapor
Evert - United States tennis player who won women's singles titles in the United States and at Wimbledon (born in 1954); verb turn inside out; turn the inner surface of outward
Evocative - serving to bring to mind
Evoked potential - the electrical response of the central nervous system produced by an external stimulus
Ewing's sarcoma - malignant tumor in bone marrow (usually in the pelvis or in long bones)
Exacerbate - exasperate or irritate; make worse
Exacerbation - violent and bitter exasperation; action that makes a problem or a disease (or its symptoms) worse
Exanthem - eruption on the skin occurring as a symptom of a disease
Excavation - the act of digging; a hole in the ground made by excavating; the act of extracting ores or coal etc from the earth; the site of an archeological exploration
Excise - a tax that is measured by the amount of business done (not on property or income from real estate); verb remove by cutting; levy an excise tax on; remove by erasing or crossing out or as if by drawing a line
exclamation point - a punctuation mark (!) used after an exclamation
Excoriate - express strong disapproval of; tear or wear off the skin or make sore by abrading
Excrescence - (pathology) an abnormal outgrowth or enlargement of some part of the body; something that bulges out or is protuberant or projects from its surroundings
Excretion - the bodily process of discharging waste matter; waste matter (as urine or sweat but especially feces) discharged from the body
Exfoliate - grow by producing or unfolding leaves; come off in a very thin piece; remove the surface, in scales or laminae; cast off in scales, laminae, or splinters; spread by opening the leaves of
Exfoliation - the peeling off in flakes or scales of bark or dead skin; a thin flake of dead epidermis shed from the surface of the skin
Exhalation - the act of expelling air from the lungs; exhaled breath
Exhaustion - the act of exhausting something entirely; extreme fatigue; serious weakening and loss of energy
Exhibitionism - the perverse act of exposing and attracting attention to your own genitals; extravagant and conspicuous behavior intended to attract attention to yourself
Exocrine gland - a gland that secretes externally through a duct
Exocrine - of or relating to exocrine glands or their secretions; a gland that secretes externally through a duct
exogenous - derived or originating externally
Exonuclease - a nuclease that releases one nucleotide at a time (serially) beginning at one of a nucleic acid
Exophthalmos - protrusion of the eyeball from the socket
Exostosis - a benign outgrowth from a bone (usually covered with cartilage)
exotoxin - a toxin that is secreted by microorganisms into the surrounding medium
Exotropia - strabismus in which one or both eyes are directed outward
Expectorant - a medicine promoting expectoration
Expectoration - the process of coughing up and spitting out; the act of spitting (forcefully expelling saliva)
expiration - the act of expelling air from the lungs; euphemistic expressions for death; a coming to an end of a contract period
explicit - precisely and clearly expressed or readily observable; leaving nothing to implication; in accordance with fact or the primary meaning of a term
Exposure therapy - a form of behavior therapy in which a survivor confronts feelings or phobias or anxieties about a traumatic event and relives it in the therapy situation
Expulsion - the act of expelling or projecting or ejecting; the act of forcing out someone or something; squeezing out by applying pressure
Extended family - a family consisting of the nuclear family and their blood relatives
extensor - a skeletal muscle whose contraction extends or stretches a body part
External carotid artery - the branch of the carotid artery that supplies blood to the face and tongue and external parts of the head
External ear - the part of the ear visible externally
External iliac artery - the outer branch of the common iliac artery on either side of the body; becomes the femoral artery
External iliac vein - a continuation of the femoral vein; unites with the internal iliac vein to form the common iliac vein
External jugular vein - formed by the junction of the posterior auricular and the retromandibular veins; empties into the subclavian vein
External - happening or arising or located outside or beyond some limits or especially surface; purely outward or superficial; from or between other countries; coming from the outside; outward features
Extracellular - located or occurring outside a cell or cells
extradural - on or outside the dura mater
Extrasystole - a premature systole resulting in a momentary cardiac arrhythmia
Extrauterine pregnancy - pregnancy resulting from gestation elsewhere than in the uterus
Extravasate - geology: cause molten material, such as lava, to pour forth; force out or cause to escape from a proper vessel or channel; become active and spew forth lava and rocks
Extrinsic - not forming an essential part of a thing or arising or originating from the outside
Exudate - a substance that oozes out from plant pores; verb release (a liquid) in drops or small quantities
Eye bank - a place for storing and preserving corneas that are obtained from human corpses immediately after death; used for corneal transplantation to patients with corneal defects
Eye chart - a chart that is read from a fixed distance; used as a test of vision
Eye drop - a drop from an eye dropper
Eye movement - the movement of the eyes
eyedrop - a drop from an eye dropper
Eyelash - any of the short curved hairs that grow from the edges of the eyelids
Eyelid - either of two folds of skin that can be moved to cover or open the eye
Eyepatch - a protective cloth covering for an injured eye
Eyetooth - one of the four pointed conical teeth (two in each jaw) located between the incisors and the premolars

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F[edit | edit source]

Facial muscle - any of the skeletal muscles of the face
Facial nerve - cranial nerve that supplies facial muscles
Factor IX - coagulation factor whose absence is associated with hemophilia B
Factor V - a coagulation factor
Factor VIII - a coagulation factor (trade name Hemofil) whose absence is associated with hemophilia A
Factor X - coagulation factor that is converted to an enzyme that converts prothrombin to thrombin in a reaction that depends on calcium ions and other coagulation factors
Factor XI - coagulation factor whose deficiency results in a hemorrhagic tendency
Factorial - of or relating to factorials; the product of all the integers up to and including a given integer
Facultative - not compulsory; granting a privilege or permission or power to do or not do something; able to exist under more than one set of conditions; of or relating to the mental faculties
Fad diet - a reducing diet that enjoys temporary popularity
Fahrenheit - German physicist who invented the mercury thermometer and developed the scale of temperature that bears his name (1686 1736)
Fairbanks - United States film actor noted for his swashbuckling roles (1883 1939); United States film actor; son of Douglas Elton Fairbanks, (1909 2000)
Faith healing - care provided through prayer and faith in God
Falling out - a personal or social separation (as between opposing factions)
Falling - becoming lower or less in degree or value; decreasing in amount or degree; coming down freely under the influence of gravity
Fallopian tube - either of a pair of tubes conducting the egg from the ovary to the uterus
False labor - painless contractions of the muscles of the uterus that continue throughout pregnancy with increasing frequency
False pregnancy - physiological state in which a woman exhibits symptoms of pregnancy but is not pregnant
False vocal cord - either of the upper two vocal cords that are not involved in vocalization
False vocal fold - either of the upper two vocal cords that are not involved in vocalization
familial hypercholesterolemia - congenital disorder characterized by high levels of cholesterol and early development of atherosclerosis
Familial - tending to occur among members of a family usually by heredity; relating to or having the characteristics of a family
Family history - part of a patient's medical history in which questions are asked in an attempt to find out whether the patient has hereditary tendencies toward particular diseases
Family medicine - medical practice that provides health care regardless of age or sex while placing emphasis on the family unit
Family planning - limiting the number of children born
Family Practice - medical practice that provides health care regardless of age or sex while placing emphasis on the family unit
Family therapy - any of several therapeutic approaches in which a family is treated as a whole
Famine - a severe shortage of food (as through crop failure) resulting in violent hunger and starvation and death; an acute insufficiency
Famotidine - a histamine blocker (trade name Pepcid) used to treat peptic ulcers and gastritis and esophageal reflux
Farmer's lung - alveolitis caused by an allergic reaction to fungal spores in the dust that is inhaled from moldy hay
Farsightedness - seeing ahead; knowing in advance; foreseeing; abnormal condition in which vision for distant objects is better than for near objects
Fascia - a sheet or band of fibrous connective tissue separating or binding together muscles and organs etc
Fasciculation - muscular twitching of contiguous groups of muscle fibers
Fasciola hepatica - flatworm parasitic in liver and bile ducts of domestic animals and humans
Fascioliasis - infestation with the liver fluke Fasciola hepatica; liver damage sometimes occurs; related to liver rot
Fasciolopsiasis - infestation with the large intestinal fluke Fasciolopsis buski; common in eastern Asia
Fasciolopsis buski - fluke that is parasitic on humans and swine; common in eastern Asia
Fasciolopsis - a genus of Fasciolidae
Fast food - inexpensive food (hamburgers or chicken or milkshakes) prepared and served quickly
Fasting - abstaining from food
Fat cell - cells composed of fat
Fat embolism - serious condition in which fat blocks an artery; fat can enter the blood stream after a long bone is fractured or if adipose tissue is injured or as a result of a fatty liver
fatty - containing or composed of fat; a rotund individual
Fauces - the passage between the back of the mouth and the pharynx
Fava bean - shell beans cooked as lima beans; seed of the broad bean plant
Favism - anemia resulting from eating fava beans; victims have an inherited blood abnormality and enzyme deficiency
febrile - of or relating to or characterized by fever
Fecal impaction - accumulation of hardened feces in the rectum or lower colon which the person cannot move
Fecal - foul with waste matter; of or relating to feces
Fecalith - a hard mass of fecal matter
Feces - solid excretory product evacuated from the bowels
Fecund - capable of producing offspring or vegetation; intellectually productive
Fecundity - the intellectual productivity of a creative imagination; the quality of something that causes or assists healthy growth; the state of being fertile; capable of producing offspring
Feedback - response to an inquiry or experiment; the process in which part of the output of a system is returned to its input in order to regulate its further output
Feeding - the act of supplying food and nourishment; the act of consuming food
Fellowship - money granted (by a university or foundation or other agency) for advanced study or research; an association of people who share common beliefs or activities; the state of being with someone
Fellowship - money granted (by a university or foundation or other agency) for advanced study or research; an association of people who share common beliefs or activities; the state of being with someone
Female genitalia - external female sex organs
Female reproductive system - the reproductive system of females
Feminization - the process of becoming feminized; the development of female characteristics (loss of facial hair or breast enlargement) in a male because of hormonal disorders or castration
Femoral artery - the chief artery of the thigh; a continuation of the external iliac artery
Femoral nerve - one of a pair of nerves that originate from lumbar nerves and supply the muscles and skin of the anterior part of the thigh
Femoral vein - a vein that accompanies the femoral artery in the same sheath; a continuation of the popliteal vein; becomes the external iliac vein
Femoral - of or relating to or near the femur or thigh
femoris - the longest and thickest bone of the human skeleton; extends from the pelvis to the knee
femur - the longest and thickest bone of the human skeleton; extends from the pelvis to the knee
Fenestration - surgical procedure that creates a new fenestra to the cochlea in order to restore hearing lost because of osteosclerosis; the arrangement of windows in a building
Fenoprofen - a nonsteroidal anti inflammatory drug (trade name Nalfon) used in the treatment of arthritis and other painful inflammatory disorders
Ferritin - a protein containing 20% iron that is found in the intestines and liver and spleen; it is one of the chief forms in which iron is stored in the body
Fertile - capable of reproducing; marked by great fruitfulness; bearing in abundance especially offspring; intellectually productive
Fertilization - making fertile as by applying fertilizer or manure; creation by the physical union of male and female gametes; of sperm and ova in an animal or pollen and ovule in a plant
Fetal alcohol syndrome - a medical condition in which body deformation or facial development or mental ability of a fetus is impaired because the mother drank alcohol while pregnant
Fetal circulation - the system of blood vessels and structures through which blood moves in a fetus
Fetal distress - an abnormal condition of a fetus; usually discovered during pregnancy and characterized by an abnormal heart rhythm
Fetal movement - motion of a fetus within the uterus (usually detected by the 16th week of pregnancy)
fetal - of or relating to a fetus
Fetishism - sexual arousal or gratification resulting from handling a fetish (or a specific part of the body other than the sexual organs); a belief in the magical power of fetishes (or the worship of a fetish)
fetoprotein - any of several antigens that occur naturally in the fetus and sometimes in adults with cancer
fetoprotein - any of several antigens that occur naturally in the fetus and sometimes in adults with cancer
Fetoscope - a stethoscope placed on the pregnant woman's abdomen to listen for the fetal heartbeat
Fetoscopy - prenatal diagnosis that allows direct observation of a fetus in the uterus and the withdrawal of fetal blood
Fetus - an unborn or unhatched vertebrate in the later stages of development showing the main recognizable features of the mature animal
Fever blister - caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV 1)
Fever - intense nervous anticipation; a rise in the temperature of the body; frequently a symptom of infection
Feverfew - bushy aromatic European perennial herb having clusters of buttonlike white rayed flower heads; valued traditionally for medicinal uses; sometimes placed in genus Chrysanthemum
Fiberscope - a flexible medical instrument involving fiber optics that is used to examine internal organs
Fibril - a very slender natural or synthetic fiber
Fibrillation - act or process of forming fibrils; muscular twitching involving individual muscle fibers acting without coordination
fibrin - a white insoluble fibrous protein formed by the action of thrombin on fibrinogen when blood clots; it forms a network that traps red cells and platelets
Fibrinogen - a protein present in blood plasma; converts to fibrin when blood clots
Fibrinolysis - a normal ongoing process that dissolves fibrin and results in the removal of small blood clots
Fibroadenoma - benign and movable and firm and not tender tumor of the breast; common in young women and caused by high levels of estrogen
fibroblast - a cell from which connective tissue develops
Fibrocartilage - cartilage that is largely composed of fibers like those in ordinary connective tissue
fibroid - benign tumor containing fibrous tissue (especially in the uterus)
fibroma - nonmalignant tumor of connective tissue
Fibrosis - development of excess fibrous connective tissue in an organ
Fibrositis - inflammation of white fibrous tissues (especially muscle sheaths)
Fibrous joint - an immovable joint (especially between the bones of the skull)
Fibrous - (of meat) full of sinews; especially impossible to chew; having or resembling fibers especially fibers used in making cordage such as those of jute
fibula - the outer and thinner of the two bones of the human leg between the knee and ankle
Field hospital - a temporary military hospital near the battle lines
Field of view - the area that is visible (as through an optical instrument)
fifth cranial nerve - the main sensory nerve of the face and motor nerve for the muscles of mastication
figurative - (used of the meanings of words or text) not literal; using figures of speech; consisting of or forming human or animal figures
Filariasis - a disease caused by nematodes in the blood or tissues of the body causing blockage of lymphatic vessels
Filial - relating to or characteristic of or befitting an offspring; designating the generation or the sequence of generations following the parental generation
Filoviridae - a family of threadlike RNA viruses that cause diseases in humans and nonhuman primates (monkeys and chimpanzees)
Filovirus - animal viruses belonging to the family Filoviridae
Final Exam - an examination administered at the end of an academic term
Fingernail - the nail at the end of a finger
Fingerprinting - the procedure of taking inked impressions of a person's fingerprints for the purpose of identification
First aid - emergency care given before regular medical aid can be obtained
First cranial nerve - a collective term for numerous olfactory filaments in the nasal mucosa
first degree - a degree of one
fish bowl - a transparent bowl in which small fish are kept; a state of affairs in which you have no privacy
Fish oil - a fatty oil obtained from the livers of various fish
Fissure - (anatomy) a long narrow slit or groove that divides an organ into lobes; a long narrow opening; a long narrow depression in a surface; verb break into fissures or fine cracks
Fistula - an abnormal passage leading from a suppurating cavity to the body surface; a chronic inflammation of the withers of a horse
Fitness - the condition of being suitable; the quality of being qualified; good physical condition; being in shape or in condition; fitness to traverse the seas
Fixative - a varnish dissolved in alcohol and sprayed over pictures to prevent smudging; a compound (such as ethanol or formaldehyde) that fixes tissues and cells for microscopic study
Flaccid paralysis - weakness or loss of muscle tone resulting from injury or disease of the nerves innervating the muscles
flaccid - drooping without elasticity; wanting in stiffness; lacking in strength or firmness or resilience; out of condition; not strong or robust; incapable of exertion or endurance
Flagging - weak from exhaustion; a walk of flagstones; flagstones collectively
Flashing - emitting light in sudden short or intermittent bursts; sheet metal shaped and attached to a roof for strength and weatherproofing; a short vivid experience
flask - bottle that has a narrow neck; the quantity a flask will hold
Flat bone - part of the sirloin next to the wedge bone
Flatfoot - a foot afflicted with a fallen arch; abnormally flattened and spread out; a policeman who patrols a given region
Flatulence - a state of excessive gas in the alimentary canal; pompously embellished language
Flatulent - generating excessive gas in the alimentary canal; suffering from excessive gas in the alimentary canal
flatus - a reflex that expels intestinal gas through the anus
Flaviviridae - a family of arboviruses carried by arthropods
Flavivirus - animal viruses belonging to the family Flaviviridae
Flecainide - oral antiarrhythmic medication (trade name Tambocor) used as a last resort in treating arrhythmias; increases the risk of sudden death in heart attack patients
Fletcher - prolific English dramatist who collaborated with Francis Beaumont and many other dramatists (1579 1625)
flexibility - the quality of being adaptable or variable; the property of being flexible; easily bent or shaped; the trait of being easily persuaded
flexible - bending and snapping back readily without breaking; able to flex; able to bend easily; capable of being changed; making or willing to make concessions; able to adjust readily to different conditions
Flexion - act of bending a joint; especially a joint between the bones of a limb so that the angle between them is decreased; deviation from a straight or normal course; the state of being flexed (as of a joint)
Flight surgeon - a medical officer specializing in aviation medicine
Flora - a living organism lacking the power of locomotion; all the plant life in a particular region or period
floxuridine - antineoplastic drug used to treat some cancers; can cause loss of hair
fluctuating - having unpredictable ups and downs
fluorescent - emitting light during exposure to radiation from an external source; brilliantly colored and apparently giving off light; a lighting fixture that uses a fluorescent lamp
Fluoridation - the addition of a fluoride to the water supply (to prevent dental decay)
Fluoride - a salt of hydrofluoric acid
fluoroscope - an X ray machine that combines an X ray source and a fluorescent screen to enable direct observation
Fluoroscopy - examination of body structures using a fluoroscope
fluorosis - a pathological condition resulting for an excessive intake of fluorine (usually from drinking water)
Fluorouracil - an antimetabolite used to treat certain cancers
Fluoxetine - a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor commonly prescribed as an antidepressant (trade name Prozac)
Fluphenazine - tranquilizer used to treat psychotic disorders
Flurazepam - tranquilizer (trade name Dalmane) used to treat insomnia
Flurbiprofen - a nonsteroidal anti inflammatory drug (trade name Ansaid) that is administered only orally
Focal seizure - transitory disturbance in motor or sensory function resulting from abnormal cortical activity
Focal - having or localized centrally at a focus; of or relating to a focus
folate - a B vitamin that is essential for cell growth and reproduction
folic acid - a B vitamin that is essential for cell growth and reproduction
follicle - any small spherical group of cells containing a cavity
follicular - of or relating to or constituting a follicle
Folliculitis - inflammation of a hair follicle
Fomentation - deliberate and intentional triggering (of trouble or discord); application of warm wet coverings to a part of the body to relieve pain and inflammation
Fontanel - any membranous gap between the bones of the cranium in an infant or fetus
Fontanelle - any membranous gap between the bones of the cranium in an infant or fetus
Food additive - an additive to food intended to improve its flavor or appearance or shelf life
Food allergy - allergic reaction to a substance ingested in food
Food and Drug Administration - a federal agency in the Department of Health and Human Services established to regulate the release of new foods and health related products
Food poisoning - illness caused by poisonous or contaminated food
Food pyramid - (ecology) a hierarchy of food chains with the principal predator at the top; each level preys on the level below
Foot rot - contagious degenerative infection of the feet of hoofed animals (especially cattle and sheep); plant disease in which the stem or trunk rots at the base
footed - having feet
footling - (informal) small and of little importance
Foramen magnum - the large opening at the base of the cranium through which the spinal cord passe
foramen - a natural opening or perforation through a bone or a membranous structure
Forceps - an extractor consisting of a pair of pincers used in medical treatment (especially for the delivery of babies)
Forearm - the part of the superior limb between the elbow and the wrist; verb arm in advance of a confrontation
Forebrain - the anterior portion of the brain; the part of the brain that develops from the anterior part of the neural tube
Foreclosure - the legal proceedings initiated by a creditor to repossess the collateral for loan that is in default
Forehead - the large cranial bone forming the front part of the cranium: includes the upper part of the orbits; the part of the face above the eyes
Forensic medicine - the branch of medical science that uses medical knowledge for legal purposes
Forensic pathology - the branch of medical science that uses medical knowledge for legal purposes
Forensic - of, relating to, or used in courts of law or public debate or argument
Foreskin - a fold of skin covering the tip of the penis; a fold of skin covering the tip of the clitoris
formaldehyde - a colorless poisonous gas; made by the oxidation of methanol
Formalin - a 10% solution of formaldehyde in water; used as a disinfectant or to preserve biological specimens
Formication - hallucinated sensation that insects or snakes are crawling over the skin; a common side effect of extensive use of cocaine or amphetamines
Formulary - of or relating to or of the nature of a formula; (pharmacology) a book containing a compilation of pharmaceutical products with their formulas and methods of preparation
Fornication - voluntary sexual intercourse between persons not married to each other; extramarital sex that willfully and maliciously interferes with marriage relations
Fourth cranial nerve - either of the two cranial nerves on either side that control the superior oblique muscles of the eyes
Fourth ventricle - an irregular ventricle between the third ventricle and the central canal of the spinal cord
Fovea centralis - area consisting of a small depression in the retina containing cones and where vision is most acute
fovea - area consisting of a small depression in the retina containing cones and where vision is most acute
Fraction - a small part or item forming a piece of a whole; the quotient of two rational numbers; a component of a mixture that has been separated by a fractional process; verb perform a division
fractionation - separation into portions; a process that uses heat to separate a substance into its components
Frambesia - an infectious tropical disease resembling syphilis in its early stages; marked by red skin eruptions and ulcerating lesions
Francis Crick - English biochemist who (with Watson in 1953) helped discover the helical structure of DNA (1916 2004)
Fraternal twin - either of two twins who developed from two separate fertilized eggs
Freckle - a small brownish spot (of the pigment melanin) on the skin; verb mark with freckles; become freckled
frequency response - (electronics) a response depicting the output to input ratio of a transducer as a function of frequency
Freudian - of or relating to Sigmund Freud or his psychoanalytic ideas; a person who follows the basic theories or practices of Sigmund Freud
Friedman - United States economist noted as a proponent of monetarism and for his opposition to government intervention in the economy (born 1912)
Friedreich's ataxia - sclerosis of the posterior and lateral columns of the spinal cord; characterized by muscular weakness and abnormal gait; occurs in children
Frigidity - sexual unresponsiveness (especially of women) and inability to achieve orgasm during intercourse; a lack of affection or enthusiasm; the absence of heat
Frontal bone - the large cranial bone forming the front part of the cranium: includes the upper part of the orbits
frontal lobe - that part of the cerebral cortex in either hemisphere of the brain lying directly behind the forehead
Frostbite - destruction of tissue by freezing and characterized by tingling, blistering and possibly gangrene
fructose - a simple sugar found in honey and in many ripe fruits
Fruit fly - any of numerous small insects whose larvae feed on fruits
Fruiting body - an organ specialized for producing spores
Fulminant - sudden and severe
Functional genomics - the branch of genomics that determines the biological function of the genes and their products
fundus - (anatomy) the base of a hollow organ or that part of the organ farthest from its opening
Fungal - of or relating to fungi
Fungi - (pun) the one who buys the drinks; the taxonomic kingdom of lower plants
Fungicidal - capable of destroying fungi
Fungicide - any agent that destroys or prevents the growth of fungi
fungus - a parasitic plant lacking chlorophyll and leaves and true stems and roots and reproducing by spores
Funny bone - a point on the elbow where the ulnar nerve passes near the surface; a sharp tingling sensation results when the nerve is knocked against the bone
Furosemide - commonly used diuretic (trade name Lasix) used to treat hypertension and edema
Furuncle - a painful sore with a hard core filled with pus
Fusiform - tapering at each end

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G[edit | edit source]

Galactagogue - agent that induces milk secretion
Galactocele - a cystic tumor containing milk or a milky substance (especially in the mammary glands)
Galactose - a simple sugar found in lactose
Galactosemia - a genetic disease (autosomal recessive) in which an enzyme needed to metabolize galactose is deficient or absent; typically develops shortly after birth
Galen - Greek anatomist whose theories formed the basis of European medicine until the Renaissance (circa 130 200)
Gallbladder - a muscular sac attached to the liver that secretes bile and stores it until needed for digestion
Gallium - a rare silvery (usually trivalent) metallic element; brittle at low temperatures but liquid above room temperature; occurs in trace amounts in bauxite and zinc ores
Gallop rhythm - cardiac rhythm characterized by the presence of an extra sound; can indicate a heart abnormality
Gallstone - a calculus formed in the gall bladder or its ducts
Gallus gallus - a jungle fowl of southeastern Asia that is considered ancestral to the domestic fowl; a domestic fowl bred for flesh or eggs; believed to have been developed from the red jungle fowl
Gamete - a mature sexual reproductive cell having a single set of unpaired chromosomes
Gametogenesis - the development and maturation of sex cells through meiosis
Gametophyte - the gamete bearing individual or phase in the life cycle of a plant having alternation of generations
gamma aminobutyric acid - an amino acid that is found in the central nervous system; acts as an inhibitory neurotransmitter
Gamma globulin - a plasma protein containing the immunoglobulins that are responsible for immune responses
Gamma hydroxybutyrate - a club drug available in liquid or powder form is taken orally (frequently combined with alcohol); used to incapacitate individuals for the commission of sexual assault and rape
gamma interferon - a form of interferon that is produced by T cells and macrophages; involved in the activation of phagocytes
gamma ray - electromagnetic radiation emitted during radioactive decay and having an extremely short wavelength
ganglion - an encapsulated neural structure consisting of a collection of cell bodies or neurons
Gangrene - necrotic tissue; a mortified or gangrenous part or mass; the localized death of living cells (as from infection or the interruption of blood supply); verb undergo necrosis
Garden - a plot of ground where plants are cultivated; a yard or lawn adjoining a house; the flowers or vegetables or fruits or herbs that are cultivated in a garden; verb work in the garden
Gargoylism - hereditary disease (autosomal recessive) consisting of an error is mucopolysaccharide metabolism; characterized by severe abnormalities in development of skeletal cartilage and bone and mental retardation
Garlic - aromatic bulb used as seasoning; bulbous herb of southern Europe widely naturalized; bulb breaks up into separate strong flavored cloves
Gas gangrene - (pathology) a deadly form of gangrene usually caused by clostridium bacteria that produce toxins that cause tissue death; can be used as a bioweapon
Gastrectomy - surgical removal of all or part of the stomach
Gastric lavage - washing out the stomach with sterile water or a saltwater solution; removes blood or poisons
Gastric ulcer - a peptic ulcer of the stomach
gastric - relating to or involving the stomach
Gastritis - inflammation of the lining of the stomach; nausea and loss of appetite and discomfort after eating
Gastrocnemius muscle - the muscle in the back part of the leg that forms the greater part of the calf; responsible for the plantar flexion of the foot
Gastroenteritis - inflammation of the stomach and intestines; can be caused by Salmonella enteritidis
gastroenterologist - a physician who specializes in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract
Gastroenterology - the branch of medicine that studies the gastrointestinal tract and its diseases
Gastroenterostomy - surgical creation of an opening between the stomach wall and the small intestines; performed when the normal opening has been eliminated
Gastroesophageal reflux - reflux of stomach contents into the esophagus
Gastroesophageal - of or relating to or involving the stomach and esophagus
gastrointestinal tract - tubular passage of mucous membrane and muscle extending about 8.3 meters from mouth to anus; functions in digestion and elimination
gastrointestinal - of or relating to the stomach and intestines
gastroscope - a type of endoscope for visually examining the stomach
gastroscopy - visual examination of the stomach by means of a gastroscope inserted through the esophagus
Gastrostomy - surgical creation of an opening through the abdominal wall into the stomach (as for gastrogavage)
Gastrulation - the process in which a gastrula develops from a blastula by the inward migration of cells
Gaucher's disease - a rare chronic disorder of lipid metabolism of genetic origin
Geiger counter - counter tube that detects ionizing radiations
Geiger - German physicist who developed the Geiger counter (1882 1945)
gelatinous - thick like gelatin
Gemfibrozil - medication (trade name Lopid) used to lower the levels of triglyceride in the blood
Gene expression - conversion of the information encoded in a gene first into messenger RNA and then to a protein
Gene mutation - a mutation due to an intramolecular reorganization of a gene
genealogist - an expert in genealogy
General anesthesia - a state of total unconsciousness resulting from anesthetic drugs (as for a major surgical operation)
generalized - spread throughout a body or system; not biologically differentiated or adapted to a specific function or environment
Generic drug - when the patent protection for a brand name drug expires generic versions of the drug can be offered for sale if the FDA agrees
Genetic code - the ordering of nucleotides in DNA molecules that carries the genetic information in living cells
genetic counseling - guidance for prospective parents on the likelihood of genetic disorders in their future children
Genetic disease - a disease or disorder that is inherited genetically
Genetic disorder - a disease or disorder that is inherited genetically
Genetic engineering - the technology of preparing recombinant DNA in vitro by cutting up DNA molecules and splicing together fragments from more than one organism
Genetic map - graphical representation of the arrangement of genes on a chromosome
Genetic marker - a specific gene that produces a recognizable trait and can be used in family or population studies
Genetic screening - analyzing a group of people to determine genetic susceptibility to a particular disease
genetic - of or relating to the science of genetics; pertaining to or referring to origin; tending to occur among members of a family usually by heredity; of or relating to or produced by or being a gene
Geneticist - a biologist who specializes in genetics
Genetics - the branch of biology that studies heredity and variation in organisms
geniculate - bent at a sharp angle
Genital wart - a small benign wart on or around the genitals and anus
Genital - of or relating to the external sex organs
Genitalia - external sex organ
genitourinary system - the system that includes all organs involved in reproduction and in the formation and voidance of urine
Genitourinary - of or related to the genital and urinary organs or their functions
genome - the ordering of genes in a haploid set of chromosomes of a particular organism; the full DNA sequence of an organism
Genomics - the branch of genetics that studies organisms in terms of their genomes (their full DNA sequences)
Genotype - the particular alleles at specified loci present in an organism; a group of organisms sharing a specific genetic constitution
Gentamicin - an antibiotic (trade name Garamycin) that is derived from an actinomycete; used in treating infections of the urinary tract
Genu valgum - an inward slant of the thigh
Genu varum - a leg bowed outward at the knee (or below the knee)
Geography - study of the earth's surface; includes people's responses to topography and climate and soil and vegetation
Geophagia - eating earth or clay or chalk; occurs in some primitive tribes or sometimes in cases of nutritional deficiency
Geriatric - of or relating to or practicing geriatrics; of or relating to the aged
geriatrician - a specialist in gerontology
Geriatrics - the branch of medical science that deals with diseases and problems specific to old people
germ cell - a spermatozoon or an ovum
German measles - a contagious viral disease that is a milder form of measles lasting three or four days; can be damaging to a fetus during the first trimester
Germanium - a brittle grey crystalline element that is a semiconducting metalloid (resembling silicon) used in transistors; occurs in germanite and argyrodite
Gerontology - the branch of medical science that deals with diseases and problems specific to old people
Gestation period - the period during which an embryo develops (about 266 days in humans)
Gestational age - the age of an embryo counting from the time of fertilization
gestational - of or relating to gestation
GI tract - tubular passage of mucous membrane and muscle extending about 8.3 meters from mouth to anus; functions in digestion and elimination
Giardia - a suspected cause of diarrhea in humans
Giardiasis - infection of the intestines with protozoa found in contaminated food and water; characterized by diarrhea and nausea and flatulence and abdominal discomfort
Gibbon - smallest and most perfectly anthropoid arboreal ape having long arms and no tail; of southern Asia and East Indies; English historian best known for his history of the Roman Empire (1737 1794)
Gigantism - excessive largeness of stature; excessive size; usually caused by excessive secretion of growth hormone from the pituitary gland
gingiva - the tissue (covered by mucous membrane) of the jaws that surrounds the bases of the teeth
Gingivitis - inflammation of the gums
Ginkgo biloba - deciduous dioecious Chinese tree having fan shaped leaves and fleshy yellow seeds; exists almost exclusively in cultivation especially as an ornamental street tree
Ginseng - Chinese herb with palmately compound leaves and small greenish flowers and forked aromatic roots believed to have medicinal powers; aromatic root of ginseng plants
Glabella - a smooth prominence of the frontal bone between and above the eyebrows; the most forward projecting point of the forehead in the midline at the level of the supraorbital ridges
gland - any of various organs that synthesize substances needed by the body and release it through ducts or directly into the bloodstream
Glanders - a destructive and contagious bacterial disease of horses that can be transmitted to humans
glans penis - the conical mass of erectile tissue that forms the head of the penis
Glans - a small rounded structure; especially that at the end of the penis or clitoris
Glass eye - prosthesis consisting of an artificial eye made of glass
Glaucoma - increased pressure in the eyeball due to obstruction of the outflow of aqueous humor; damages the optic disc and impairs vision (sometimes progressing to blindness)
Glenn - made the first orbital rocket powered flight by a United States astronaut in 1962; later in United States Senate (1921 )
glial cell - a cell of the neuroglia
Glioblastoma - a fast growing malignant brain tumor composed of spongioblasts; nearly always fatal
glioma - a tumor of the brain consisting of neuroglia
Global aphasia - loss of all ability to communicate
Global warming - an increase in the average temperature of the earth's atmosphere (especially a sustained increase that causes climatic changes)
Globe - a sphere on which a map (especially of the earth) is represented; the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on; an object with a spherical shape
Globus pallidus - the inner pale yellow part of the lenticular nucleus
Glomerular - of or relating to glomeruli
Glomerulus - a small intertwined group of capillaries in the malpighian body; it filters the blood during urine formation
Glossitis - inflammation of the tongue
Glossolalia - repetitive nonmeaningful speech (especially that associated with a trance state or religious fervor)
Glossopharyngeal nerve - sensory nerve to the pharynx and back of the tongue; motor fibers innervate muscles that elevate the pharynx and larynx; includes parasympathetic fibers to the otic ganglion
glossopharyngeal - pertaining to the tongue and throat
Glossoptosis - abnormal downward or back placement of the tongue
Glottis - the vocal apparatus of the larynx; the true vocal folds and the space between them where the voice tone is generated
Glucagon - a hormone secreted by the pancreas; stimulates increases in blood sugar levels in the blood (thus opposing the action of insulin)
glucocorticoid - a steroid hormone that is produced by the adrenal cortex of animals; affects functioning of gonads and has anti inflammatory activity
Glucose tolerance test - test of the body's ability to metabolize carbohydrates; used in the diagnosis of hypoglycemia and diabetes mellitus
Glucose - a monosaccharide sugar that has several forms; an important source of physiological energy
glutamate - a salt or ester of glutamic acid
Glutamic acid - an amino acid occurring in proteins; important in the nitrogen metabolism of plants; used in monosodium glutamate to enhance the flavor of meats
Glutamine - a crystalline amino acid occurring in proteins; important in protein metabolism
gluteal - of or relating to or near the gluteus muscles
Gluten - a protein substance that remains when starch is removed from cereal grains; gives cohesiveness to dough
Gluteus maximus - the outermost of the three gluteal muscles
Glycine - genus of Asiatic erect or sprawling herbs: soya bean; the simplest amino acid found in proteins and the principal amino acid in sugar cane
Glycogen - one form in which body fuel is stored; stored primarily in the liver and broken down into glucose when needed by the body
glycolysis - a metabolic process that breaks down carbohydrates and sugars through a series of reactions to either pyruvic acid or lactic acid and release energy for the body in the form of ATP
Glycoprotein - a conjugated protein having a carbohydrate component
Glycoside - a group of compounds derived from monosaccharides
Glycosuria - the presence of abnormally high levels of sugar in the urine
goiter - abnormally enlarged thyroid gland; can result from underproduction or overproduction of hormone or from a deficiency of iodine in the diet
Goitrogen - any substance (such as thiouracil) that induces the formation of a goiter
Gold standard - a paragon of excellence; a monetary standard under which the basic unit of currency is defined by a stated quantity of gold
Goldberg - United States cartoonist who drew intricate diagrams of very complicated and impractical contraptions that accomplished little or nothing (1883 1970)
Golden Gate - a strait in western California that connects the San Francisco Bay with the Pacific Ocean; discovered in 1579 by Sir Francis Drake
Gonad - a gland in which gametes (sex cells) are produced
Gonadotropin - hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary gland and placenta; stimulates the gonads and controls reproductive activity
Gonorrhea - a common venereal disease caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae; symptoms are painful urination and pain around the urethra
Good Samaritan - a person who voluntarily offers help or sympathy in times of trouble
Goodman - United States clarinetist who in 1934 formed a big band (including Black as well as White musicians) and introduced a kind of jazz known as swing (1909 1986)
Goose bump - reflex erection of hairs of the skin in response to cold or emotional stress or skin irritation
Gooseflesh - reflex erection of hairs of the skin in response to cold or emotional stress or skin irritation
Gouty arthritis - a painful inflammation of the big toe and foot caused by defects in uric acid metabolism resulting in deposits of the acid and its salts in the blood and joints
governor - a control that maintains a steady speed in a machine (as by controlling the supply of fuel); the head of a state government
Gradient - the property possessed by a line or surface that departs from the horizontal; a graded change in the magnitude of some physical quantity or dimension
Grading - changing the ground level to a smooth horizontal or gently sloping surface; evaluation of performance by assigning a grade or score; the act of arranging in a graduated series
grafting - the act of grafting something onto something else
Gram calorie - unit of heat defined as the quantity of heat required to raise the temperature of 1 gram of water by 1 degree centigrade at atmospheric pressure
Gram calorie - unit of heat defined as the quantity of heat required to raise the temperature of 1 gram of water by 1 degree centigrade at atmospheric pressure
Gram - Danish physician and bacteriologist who developed a method of staining bacteria to distinguish among them (1853 1938); a metric unit of weight equal to one thousandth of a kilogram
Grand mal epilepsy - epilepsy in which the attack involves loss of consciousness and tonic spasms of the musculature followed by generalized jerking
Grand mal - a seizure (or a type of epilepsy characterized by such seizures) during which the patient becomes unconscious and has convulsions over the entire body
Granny - an old woman; a reef knot crossed the wrong way and therefore insecure; the mother of your father or mother
granular - having a granular structure like that of chondrites; composed of or covered with particles resembling meal in texture or consistency
Granulation - the act of forming something into granules or grains; new connective tissue and tiny blood vessels that form on the surfaces of a wound during the healing process
granulocyte - a leukocyte that has granules in its cytoplasm
granulocytopenia - an acute blood disorder (often caused by radiation or drug therapy) characterized by severe reduction in granulocytes
Granuloma - a tumor composed of granulation tissue resulting from injury or inflammation or infection
Granulomatous - relating to or characterized by granulomas
Grapefruit - large yellow fruit with somewhat acid juicy pulp; usual serving consists of a half; citrus tree bearing large round edible fruit having a thick yellow rind and juicy somewhat acid pulp
Grapheme - a written symbol that is used to represent speech
Graves' disease - exophthalmos occurring in association with goiter; hyperthyroidism with protrusion of the eyeballs
Graves - English writer known for his interest in mythology and in the classics (1895 1985)
Gravid - in an advanced stage of pregnancy
Gray matter - greyish nervous tissue containing cell bodies as well as fibers; forms the cerebral cortex consisting of unmyelinated neurons
Great saphenous vein - the longest vein in the body; runs from foot to the groin where it joins the femoral vein
greenstick fracture - a partial fracture of a bone (usually in children); the bone is bent but broken on only one side
Gregarious - instinctively or temperamentally seeking and enjoying the company of others; (of animals) tending to form a group with others of the same species; (of plants) growing in groups that are close together
grief - something that causes great unhappiness; intense sorrow caused by loss of a loved one (especially by death)
Grim Reaper - Death personified as an old man or a skeleton with a scythe
Griseofulvin - a kind of penicillin (a fungicidal antibiotic with the trade name Fulvicin) produced by molds of the genus Penicillium
Gross anatomy - the study of the structure of the body and its parts without the use of a microscope
Ground state - (physics) the lowest energy state of an atom or other particle
group A - the blood group whose red cells carry the A antigen
group B - the blood group whose red cells carry the B antigen
Group therapy - psychotherapy in which a small group of individuals meet with a therapist; interactions among the members are considered to be therapeutic
growth factor - a protein that is involved in cell differentiation and growth
Growth hormone - a hormone produced by the anterior pituitary gland; promotes growth in humans
Guanine - a purine base found in DNA and RNA; pairs with cytosine
Guanosine - a nucleoside component of DNA; composed of guanine and deoxyribose
guardianship - the responsibility of a guardian or keeper; attention and management implying responsibility for safety
gullet - the passage between the pharynx and the stomach
gustatory - of or relating to gustation
gynaecologist - a specialist in gynecology
Gynaecology - the branch of medicine that deals with the diseases and hygiene of women
Gynandromorph - one having both male and female sexual characteristics and organs; at birth an unambiguous assignment of male or female cannot be made
Gynecologic - of or relating to or practicing gynecology
Gynecologist - a specialist in gynecology
Gynecology - the branch of medicine that deals with the diseases and hygiene of women
Gynecomastia - excessive development of the breasts in males; usually the result of hormonal imbalance or treatment with certain drugs (including some antihypertensives)
gyrus - a convex fold or elevation in the surface of the brain

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HAART - a combination of protease inhibitors taken with reverse transcriptase inhibitors; used in treating AIDS and HIV
Habitual abortion - repeated spontaneous abortion (often for no known reason)
habitual - made a norm or custom or habit; having a habit of long standing; commonly used or practiced; usual
Habitus - person's predisposition to be affected by something (as a disease); constitution of the human body
Haematology - the branch of medicine that deals with diseases of the blood and blood forming organs
Haemoglobin - a hemoprotein composed of globin and heme that gives red blood cells their characteristic color; function primarily to transport oxygen from the lungs to the body tissues
Haemophilia A - hemophilia caused by a congenital deficiency of factor VIII; occurs almost exclusively in men
Haemophilia B - a clotting disorder similar to hemophilia A but caused by a congenital deficiency of factor IX
Haemophilia - congenital tendency to uncontrolled bleeding; usually affects males and is transmitted from mother to son
Hair follicle - a small tubular cavity containing the root of a hair; small muscles and sebaceous glands are associated with them
Hair of the dog - an alcoholic drink supposed to cure a hangover
Hairball - a compact mass of hair that forms in the alimentary canal (especially in the stomach of animals as a result of licking fur)
Hairy - hazardous and frightening; having or covered with hair
half life - the time required for something to fall to half its initial value (in particular, the time for half the atoms in a radioactive substance to disintegrate)
Halitosis - offensive breath
Hallucination - an object perceived during a hallucinatory episode; illusory perception; a common symptom of severe mental disorder; a mistaken or unfounded opinion or idea
Hallucinogen - a psychoactive drug that induces hallucinations or altered sensory experiences
Hallucinogenic - capable of producing hallucinations
Hallucinosis - a mental state in which the person has continual hallucinations
Hallux - the first largest innermost toe
Haloalkane - organic compound in which halogen atoms have been substituted for hydrogen atoms in an alkane
Halocarbon - one of various compounds of carbon and any of the halogens
Haloperidol - tranquilizer (trade name Haldol) used to treat some psychotic disorders and Tourette's syndrome
Halothane - a nonflammable inhalation anesthetic that produces general anesthesia; used along with analgesics and muscle relaxants for many types of surgical procedures
Hamartia - the character flaw or error of a tragic hero that leads to his downfall
Hamartoma - a focal growth that resembles a neoplasm but results from faulty development in an organ
hammertoe - a deformed toe which is bent in a clawlike arch
hamstring - one of the tendons at the back of the knee; verb cripple by cutting the hamstring; make ineffective or powerless
handed - having or involving the use of hands
Handedness - the property of using one hand more than the other
handwriting - the activity of writing by hand; something written by hand
Hangnail - a loose narrow strip of skin near the base of a fingernail; tearing it produces a painful sore that is easily infected
Hangover - something that has survived from the past; disagreeable aftereffects from the use of drugs (especially alcohol); an official who remains in office after his term
Haploid - of a cell or organism having a single set of chromosomes; (genetics) an organism or cell having only one complete set of chromosomes
happiness - emotions experienced when in a state of well being; state of well being characterized by emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy
Hard palate - the bony part of the roof of the mouth
Harvey Cushing - United States neurologist noted for his study of the brain and pituitary gland and who identified Cushing's syndrome (1869 1939)
Harvey - English physician and scientist who described the circulation of the blood; he later proposed that all animals originate from an ovum produced by the female of the species (1578 1657)
Haverhill fever - the form of ratbite fever occurring in the United States
Hawkins - United States jazz saxophonist (1904 1969); English privateer involved in the slave trade; later helped build the fleet that in 1588 defeated the Spanish Armada (1532 1595)
hay fever - a seasonal rhinitis resulting from an allergic reaction to pollen
HDL cholesterol - the cholesterol in high density lipoproteins; the `good' cholesterol; a high level in the blood is thought to lower the risk of coronary artery disease
Head lice - infestation of the scalp with lice
Headache - pain in the head caused by dilation of cerebral arteries or muscle contractions or a reaction to drugs; something or someone that causes anxiety; a source of unhappiness
Healer - a person skilled in a particular type of therapy
healing - tending to cure or restore to health; the natural process by which the body repairs itself
Health and Human Services - the United States federal department that administers all federal programs dealing with health and welfare; created in 1979
Health care delivery - the provision of health care
Health care - social insurance for the ill and injured; the preservation of mental and physical health by preventing or treating illness through services offered by the health profession
Health Check - a thorough physical examination; includes a variety of tests depending on the age and sex and health of the person
Health club - a place of business with equipment and facilities for exercising and improving physical fitness
Health facility - building where medicine is practiced
Health insurance - insurance against loss due to ill health
Health profession - the body of individuals whose work helps to maintain the health of their clients
Health - the general condition of body and mind; a healthy state of wellbeing free from disease
HealthCare - the preservation of mental and physical health by preventing or treating illness through services offered by the health profession
Hearing aid - a conical acoustic device formerly used to direct sound to the ear of a hearing impaired person; an electronic device that amplifies sound and is worn to compensate for poor hearing
Hearing loss - partial or complete loss of hearing
heart attack - a sudden severe instance of abnormal heart function
Heart block - recurrent sudden attacks of unconsciousness caused by impaired conduction of the impulse that regulates the heartbeat
Heart disease - a disease of the heart
Heart failure - inability of the heart to pump enough blood to sustain normal bodily functions
Heart murmur - an abnormal sound of the heart; sometimes a sign of abnormal function of the heart valves
Heart muscle - the muscle tissue of the heart; adapted to continued rhythmic contraction
Heart rate - the rate at which the heart beats; usually measured to obtain a quick evaluation of a person's health
Heart ventricle - a chamber of the heart that receives blood from an atrium and pumps it to the arteries
Heartburn - a painful burning sensation in the chest caused by gastroesophageal reflux (backflow from the stomach irritating the esophagus); symptomatic of an ulcer or a diaphragmatic hernia or other disorder
Heat exhaustion - a condition marked by dizziness and nausea and weakness caused by depletion of body fluids and electrolytes
Heat prostration - a condition marked by dizziness and nausea and weakness caused by depletion of body fluids and electrolytes
Heat rash - obstruction of the sweat ducts during high heat and humidity
heated - made warm or hot (`het' is a dialectal variant of `heated'); marked by emotional heat; vehement
Heating pad - heater consisting of electrical heating elements contained in a flexible pad
Hecht - United States writer of stories and plays (1894 1946)
hedonic - devoted to pleasure
Heights - a high place
Heimlich maneuver - an emergency procedure to help someone who is choking because food is lodged in the trachea
helical - in the shape of a coil
Heliport - an airport for helicopters
Helix - type genus of the family Helicidae; a curve that lies on the surface of a cylinder or cone and cuts the element at a constant angle; a structure consisting of something wound in a continuous series of loops
Helmet - a protective headgear made of hard material to resist blows; armor plate that protects the head
Helminth - worm that is parasitic on the intestines of vertebrates especially roundworms and tapeworms and flukes
Helminthiasis - infestation of the body with parasitic worms
helper - a person who helps people or institutions (especially with financial help); a person who contributes to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose
Hemagglutination - agglutination of red blood cells
Hemangioma - benign angioma consisting of a mass of blood vessels; some appear as birthmarks
Hematemesis - vomiting blood
Hematemesis - vomiting blood
Hematinic - a medicine that increases the hemoglobin content of the blood; used to treat iron deficiency anemia
Hematocele - swelling caused by blood collecting in a body cavity (especially a swelling of the membrane covering the testis)
Hematochezia - passage of stools containing blood (as from diverticulosis or colon cancer or peptic ulcer)
Hematocolpos - accumulation of menstrual blood in the vagina (usually due to an imperforate hymen)
hematologist - a doctor who specializes in diseases of the blood and blood forming organs
Hematology - the branch of medicine that deals with diseases of the blood and blood forming organs
Hematoma - a localized swelling filled with blood
Hematoma - a localized swelling filled with blood
hematopoiesis - the formation of blood cells in the living body (especially in the bone marrow)
hematopoietic - pertaining to the formation of blood or blood cells
Hematuria - the presence of blood in the urine; often a symptom of urinary tract disease
Hematuria - the presence of blood in the urine; often a symptom of urinary tract disease
Hemeralopia - inability to see clearly in bright light
hemianopia - blindness in one half of the visual field of one or both eyes
Hemiplegia - paralysis of one side of the body
Hemiplegic - a person who has hemiplegia (is paralyzed on one side of the body)
hemochromatosis - pathology in which iron accumulates in the tissues; characterized by bronzed skin and enlarged liver and diabetes mellitus and abnormalities of the pancreas and the joints
Hemodialysis - dialysis of the blood to remove toxic substances or metabolic wastes from the bloodstream; used in the case of kidney failure
Hemodialysis - dialysis of the blood to remove toxic substances or metabolic wastes from the bloodstream; used in the case of kidney failure
Hemodynamics - the branch of physiology that studies the circulation of the blood and the forces involved
hemoglobin - a hemoprotein composed of globin and heme that gives red blood cells their characteristic color; function primarily to transport oxygen from the lungs to the body tissues
Hemoglobinemia - presence of excessive hemoglobin in the blood plasma
Hemoglobinopathy - a blood disease characterized by the presence of abnormal hemoglobins in the blood
Hemoglobinuria - presence of hemoglobin in the urine
Hemolysis - lysis of erythrocytes with the release of hemoglobin
Hemolysis - lysis of erythrocytes with the release of hemoglobin
Hemolytic anemia - anemia resulting from destruction of erythrocytes
Hemolytic - relating to or involving or causing hemolysis
Hemophilia A - hemophilia caused by a congenital deficiency of factor VIII; occurs almost exclusively in men
Hemophilia B - a clotting disorder similar to hemophilia A but caused by a congenital deficiency of factor IX
Hemophilia - congenital tendency to uncontrolled bleeding; usually affects males and is transmitted from mother to son
Hemophilia - congenital tendency to uncontrolled bleeding; usually affects males and is transmitted from mother to son
Hemopoietic - pertaining to the formation of blood or blood cells
Hemoptysis - coughing up blood from the respiratory tract; usually indicates a severe infection of the bronchi or lungs
Hemoptysis - coughing up blood from the respiratory tract; usually indicates a severe infection of the bronchi or lungs
hemorrhage - flow of blood from a ruptured blood vessels; verb lose blood from one's body
Hemorrhagic cyst - a cyst containing blood
Hemorrhagic fever - a group of illnesses caused by a viral infection (usually restricted to a specific geographic area); fever and gastrointestinal symptoms are followed by capillary hemorrhage
hemorrhagic stroke - stroke caused by the rupture of a blood vessel in the brain
Hemorrhagic - of or relating to a hemorrhage
Hemorrhoid - pain caused by venous swelling at or inside the anal sphincter
Hemorrhoid - pain caused by venous swelling at or inside the anal sphincter
Hemorrhoidectomy - surgical procedure for tying hemorrhoids and excising them
Hemosiderin - a granular brown substance composed of ferric oxide; left from the breakdown of hemoglobin; can be a sign of disturbed iron metabolism
Hemostasis - surgical procedure of stopping the flow of blood (as with a hemostat)
Hemostat - a surgical instrument that stops bleeding by clamping the blood vessel
Hemothorax - accumulation of blood in the pleural cavity (the space between the lungs and the walls of the chest)
Henna - a reddish brown dye used especially on hair; verb apply henna to one's hair
hepatic artery - arteries that supply the liver
Hepatic duct - the duct that drains bile from the liver
hepatic portal vein - a short vein that carries blood into the liver
Hepatic vein - a vein that drains the liver; empties into the vena cava
hepatic - pertaining to or affecting the liver; any of numerous small green nonvascular plants of the class Hepaticopsida growing in wet places and resembling green seaweeds or leafy mosses
Hepatitis A - an acute but benign form of viral hepatitis caused by an RNA virus that does not persist in the blood serum and is usually transmitted by ingesting food or drink that is contaminated with fecal matter
Hepatitis - inflammation of the liver caused by a virus or a toxin
Hepatocarcinoma - carcinoma of the liver
hepatocellular carcinoma - carcinoma of the liver
hepatoma - carcinoma of the liver
Hepatomegaly - abnormal enlargement of the liver
Hepatotoxic - toxic to the liver
Hepatotoxin - any toxin that affects the liver
Herbal medicine - the use of medicinal herbs to prevent or treat disease or promote health; a medicine made from plants and used to prevent or treat disease or promote health
Herbal - of or relating to herbs; tea like drink made of leaves of various herbs
Herbalist - a therapist who heals by the use of herbs
Herbert - United States musician and composer and conductor noted for his comic operas (1859 1924)
Herbicide - a chemical agent that destroys plants or inhibits their growth
hereditary - inherited or inheritable by established rules (usually legal rules) of descent; tending to occur among members of a family usually by heredity
hereditary - inherited or inheritable by established rules (usually legal rules) of descent; tending to occur among members of a family usually by heredity
Heredity - the total of inherited attributes; the biological process whereby genetic factors are transmitted from one generation to the next
Hereford - hardy English breed of dairy cattle raised extensively in United States
Heritable - that can be inherited
Hermaphrodite - of animal or plant; having both male female reproductive organs; one having both male and female sexual characteristics and organs; at birth an unambiguous assignment of male or female cannot be made
Hernia - rupture in smooth muscle tissue through which a bodily structure protrudes
Herniated disc - a painful rupture of the fibrocartilage of the disc between spinal vertebrae; occurs most often in the lumbar region
Herniation - rupture in smooth muscle tissue through which a bodily structure protrudes
Herodotus - the ancient Greek known as the father of history; his accounts of the wars between the Greeks and Persians are the first known examples of historical writing (485 425 BC)
Heroin addiction - an addiction to heroin
Heroin - a narcotic that is considered a hard drug; a highly addictive morphine derivative; intravenous injection provides the fastest and most intense rush
Herpes labialis - caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV 1)
herpes simplex virus - a herpes virus that affects the skin and nervous system
herpes varicella zoster virus - a herpes virus that causes chickenpox and shingles
herpes zoster - a herpes virus that causes shingles; eruptions along a nerve path often accompanied by severe neuralgia
Herpes - any of the animal viruses that cause painful blisters on the skin; viral diseases causing eruptions of the skin or mucous membrane
Hershey - an industrial town east of Harrisburg; United States confectioner and philanthropist who created the model industrial town of Hershey, Pennsylvania; founded an industrial school for orphan boys (1857 1945)
Heteroecious - of parasites; passing through different stages of the life cycle on different host species
Heterologous - derived from organisms of a different but related species; not corresponding in structure or evolutionary origin
Heteroploid - (genetics) an organism or cell having a chromosome number that is not an even multiple of the haploid chromosome number for that species
Heterosexual - sexually attracted to members of the opposite sex; a heterosexual person; someone having a sexual orientation to persons of the opposite sex
Heterosexuality - a sexual attraction to (or sexual relations with) persons of the opposite sex
Heterotaxy - any abnormal position of the organs of the body
Heterotroph - an organism that depends on complex organic substances for nutrition
Heterozygosity - the state of being heterozygous; having two different alleles of the same gene
Heterozygous - having dissimilar alleles at corresponding chromosomal loci
Hexamita - flagellates free living or parasitic in intestines of birds
Hexane - a colorless flammable liquid alkane derived from petroleum and used as a solvent
hexose - a monosaccharide that contains six carbon atoms per molecule
Hiatal hernia - hernia resulting from the protrusion of part of the stomach through the diaphragm
Hiatus hernia - hernia resulting from the protrusion of part of the stomach through the diaphragm
Hiatus - a missing piece (as a gap in a manuscript); a natural opening or perforation through a bone or a membranous structure; an interruption in the intensity or amount of something
Hideyo Noguchi - United States bacteriologist (born in Japan) who discovered the cause of yellow fever and syphilis (1876 1928)
Hidrosis - the process of the sweat glands of the skin secreting a salty fluid
Hidrotic - of or relating to sweat
High altitude - occurring at or from a relative high altitude
high blood pressure - a common disorder in which blood pressure remains abnormally high (a reading of 140/90 mm Hg or greater)
hilar - of or relating to or located near a hilum
Hindbrain - the posterior portion of the brain including cerebellum and brainstem
Hippocrates - medical practitioner who is regarded as the father of medicine; author of the Hippocratic oath (circa 460 377 BC)
Hippocratic Oath - an oath taken by physicians to observe medical ethics deriving from Hippocrates
Hirschsprung - Danish pediatrician (1830 1916)
Hirsutism - excessive hairiness
histamine - amine formed from histidine that stimulates gastric secretions and dilates blood vessels; released by the human immune system during allergic reactions
Histidine - an essential amino acid found in proteins that is important for the growth and repair of tissue
Histiocyte - a macrophage that is found in connective tissue
Histiocytosis - a blood disease characterized by an abnormal multiplication of macrophages
histocompatibility - condition in which the cells of one tissue can survive in the presence of cells of another tissue
Histology - the branch of biology that studies the microscopic structure of animal or plant tissues
histone - a simple protein containing mainly basic amino acids; present in cell nuclei in association with nucleic acids
Historian - a person who is an authority on history and who studies it and writes about it
hives - an itchy skin eruption characterized by weals with pale interiors and well defined red margins; usually the result of an allergic response to insect bites or food or drugs
Hoarding - large outdoor signboard
Hoarseness - a throaty harshness
Hobbit - an imaginary being similar to a person but smaller and with hairy feet; invented by J.R.R. Tolkien
Hodgkin's disease - a malignant disorder in which there is progressive (but painless) enlargement of lymph tissue followed by enlargement of the spleen and liver
Hoffa - United States labor leader who was president of the Teamsters Union; he was jailed for trying to bribe a judge and later disappeared and is assumed to have been murdered (1913 1975)
Hogweed - tall coarse plant having thick stems and cluster of white to purple flowers
holistic medicine - medical care of the whole person considered as subject to personal and social as well as organic factors
Holland - a constitutional monarchy in western Europe on the North Sea; half the country lies below sea level
Holstein - a breed of dairy cattle from northern Holland
Homeobox gene - one of various similar homeotic genes that are involved in bodily segmentation during embryonic development
Homeobox - one of various similar homeotic genes that are involved in bodily segmentation during embryonic development
Homeopath - a practitioner of homeopathy
Homeopathic - of or relating to the practice of homeopathy
Homeopathy - a method of treating disease with small amounts of remedies that, in large amounts in healthy people, produce symptoms similar to those being treated
Homeostasis - (physiology) metabolic equilibrium actively maintained by several complex biological mechanisms that operate via the autonomic nervous system to offset disrupting changes
Homeotherm - an animal that has a body temperature that is relatively constant and independent of the environmental temperature
Homicide - the killing of a human being by another human being
Homo erectus - extinct species of primitive hominid with upright stature but small brain
Homo sapiens - the only surviving hominid; species to which modern man belongs; bipedal primate having language and ability to make and use complex tools; brain volume at least 1400 cc
Homograft - tissue or organ transplanted from a donor of the same species but different genetic makeup; recipient's immune system must be suppressed to prevent rejection of the graft
Homologous - corresponding or similar in position or structure or function or characteristics; especially derived from an organism of the same species; having the same evolutionary origin but serving different functions
Homology - the quality of being similar or corresponding in position or value or structure or function
Homosexual - sexually attracted to members of your own sex; someone who practices homosexuality; having a sexual attraction to persons of the same sex
Homosexuality - a sexual attraction to (or sexual relations with) persons of the same sex
Homosexuality - a sexual attraction to (or sexual relations with) persons of the same sex
Homozygosity - the state of being homozygous; having two identical alleles of the same gene
Homozygous - having identical alleles at corresponding chromosomal loci
Hong Kong - formerly a Crown Colony on the coast of southern China in Guangdong province; leased by China to Britain in 1842 and returned in 1997; one of the world's leading commercial centers
Horizontal - parallel to or in the plane of the horizon or a base line; something that is oriented horizontally
hormone replacement therapy - hormones (estrogen and progestin) are given to postmenopausal women; believed to protect them from heart disease and osteoporosis
Hormone - the secretion of an endocrine gland that is transmitted by the blood to the tissue on which it has a specific effect
Horner's syndrome - a pattern of symptoms occurring as a result of damage to nerves in the cervical region of the spine (drooping eyelids and constricted pupils and absence of facial sweating)
Horripilation - reflex erection of hairs of the skin in response to cold or emotional stress or skin irritation
Hospice - a program of medical and emotional care for the terminally ill; a lodging for travelers (especially one kept by a monastic order)
Hospital bed - a single bed with a frame in three sections so the head or middle or foot can be raised as required
Hospital - a health facility where patients receive treatment; a medical institution where sick or injured people are given medical or surgical care
Hot flash - sudden brief sensation of heat (associated with menopause and some mental disorders)
Hot spot - a lively entertainment spot; a point of relatively intense heat or radiation; a place of political unrest and potential violence
Hotel - a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services
housekeeping - the work of cleaning and running a house
Housemaid's knee - swelling of the bursa in the knee (due to trauma or excessive kneeling)
Human body - alternative names for the body of a human being
Human chorionic gonadotropin - hormone produced early in pregnancy by the placenta; detection in the urine and serum is the basis for one kind of pregnancy test
Human Genome Project - an international study of the entire human genetic material
human growth hormone - a hormone produced by the anterior pituitary gland; promotes growth in humans
Human head - the head of a human being
human immunodeficiency virus - the virus that causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS); it replicates in and kills the helper T cells
human papilloma virus - any of a group of papovaviruses associated with genital or oral carcinomas or a group associated with benign genital tumors
Human reproductive cloning - the reproductive cloning of a sentient human being; generally considered ethically unacceptable
humectant - any substance that is added to another substance to keep it moist
Humerus - bone extending from the shoulder to the elbow
Humoral - of or relating to bodily fluids
Huntington's disease - hereditary disease; develops in adulthood and ends in dementia
Hurler - (baseball) the person who does the pitching
Hurricane - a severe tropical cyclone usually with heavy rains and winds moving a 73 136 knots (12 on the Beaufort scale)
Hyaline - resembling glass in transparency or translucency; a glassy translucent material that occurs in hyaline cartilage or in certain skin conditions
Hyaluronic acid - a viscous mucopolysaccharide found in the connective tissue space and the synovial fluid of movable joints and the humors of the eye; a cementing and protective substance
hyaluronidase - an enzyme (trade name Hyazyme) that splits hyaluronic acid and so lowers its viscosity and increases the permeability of connective tissue and the absorption of fluids
Hybridization - (genetics) the act of mixing different species or varieties of animals or plants and thus to produce hybrids
Hybridoma - a hybrid cell resulting from the fusion of a lymphocyte and a tumor cell; used to culture a specific monoclonal antibody
Hydatid disease - infestation with larval echinococci (tapeworms)
Hydatidiform mole - an abnormality during pregnancy; chorionic villi around the fetus degenerate and form clusters of fluid filled sacs; usually associated with the death of the fetus
Hydralazine - an antihypertensive drug (trade name Apresoline) that dilates blood vessels; used (often with a diuretic) to treat hypertension and congestive heart failure
Hydrazine - a colorless fuming corrosive liquid; a powerful reducing agent; used chiefly in rocket fuels
Hydrazoic acid - a colorless explosive liquid that is volatile and poisonous and foul smelling
Hydrocarbon - an organic compound containing only carbon and hydrogen
Hydrocele - disorder in which serous fluid accumulates in a body sac (especially in the scrotum)
hydrochloride - a complex consisting of an organic base in association with hydrogen chloride
Hydrocortisone - an adrenal cortex hormone (trade names Hydrocortone or Cortef) that is active in carbohydrate and protein metabolism
Hydrofluoric acid - a weak poisonous liquid acid; formed by solution of hydrogen fluoride in water
Hydrogen bond - a chemical bond consisting of a hydrogen atom between two electronegative atoms (e.g., oxygen or nitrogen) with one side be a covalent bond and the other being an ionic bond
Hydrogen fluoride - a colorless poisonous corrosive liquid made by the action of sulphuric acid on calcium fluoride; solutions in water are hydrofluoric acid
Hydrogen - a nonmetallic univalent element that is normally a colorless and odorless highly flammable diatomic gas; the simplest and lightest and most abundant element in the universe
hydrogenation - a chemical process that adds hydrogen atoms to an unsaturated oil
Hydromorphone - a narcotic analgesic (trade name Dilaudid) used to treat moderate to severe pain
Hydronephrosis - accumulation of urine in the kidney because of an obstruction in the ureter
hydrostatic - relating to fluids at rest or to the pressures they exert or transmit
Hydrothorax - accumulation of fluid in the pleural cavity (the space between the lungs and the walls of the chest) often resulting from disease of the heart or kidneys
Hydroxy - being or containing a hydroxyl group
hydroxychloroquine - anti inflammatory drug (trade name Plaquenil) used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and malaria and lupus erythematosus
Hydroxyl radical - the monovalent group OH in such compounds as bases and some acids and alcohols
Hydroxyzine - a drug (trade names Atarax and Vistaril) used as a tranquilizer to treat anxiety and motion sickness
Hygiene - the science concerned with the prevention of illness and maintenance of health; a condition promoting sanitary practices
hygienist - a medical specialist in hygiene
Hymen - a fold of tissue that partly covers the entrance to the vagina of a virgin; (Greek mythology) the god of marriage
Hyoscine - an alkaloid with anticholinergic effects that is used as a sedative and to treat nausea and to dilate the pupils in ophthalmic procedures
Hyperactivity - a condition characterized by excessive restlessness and movement
Hyperacusis - abnormal acuteness of hearing due to increased irritability of the sensory neural mechanism; characterized by intolerance for ordinary sound levels
Hyperadrenocorticism - a glandular disorder caused by excessive cortisol
Hyperaemia - increased blood in an organ or other body part
hyperaldosteronism - a condition caused by overproduction of aldosterone
Hyperbaric chamber - a large chamber in which the oxygen pressure is above normal for the atmosphere; used in treating breathing disorders or carbon monoxide poisoning
Hyperbilirubinemia - abnormally high amounts of bile pigment (bilirubin) in the blood
Hypercalcaemia - the presence of abnormally high levels of calcium in the blood; usually the result of excessive bone resorption in hyperparathyroidism or Paget's disease
hypercalcemia - the presence of abnormally high levels of calcium in the blood; usually the result of excessive bone resorption in hyperparathyroidism or Paget's disease
Hypercalciuria - the presence of abnormally high levels of calcium in the urine; usually the result of excessive bone resorption in hyperparathyroidism or osteoporosis
Hypercapnia - the presence of an abnormally high level of carbon dioxide in the circulating blood
Hypercarbia - the presence of an abnormally high level of carbon dioxide in the circulating blood
hypercholesterolemia - the presence of an abnormal amount of cholesterol in the cells and plasma of the blood; associated with the risk of atherosclerosis
Hyperemesis gravidarum - hyperemesis during pregnancy; if severe it can result in damage to the brain and liver and kidney
Hyperglycemia - abnormally high blood sugar usually associated with diabetes
Hyperhidrosis - excessive and profuse perspiration
hypericum perforatum - yellow flowered perennial common in fields and waste places but a weed in rangelands
Hyperkalemia - higher than normal levels of potassium in the circulating blood; associated with kidney failure or sometimes with the use of diuretic drugs
Hyperkalemia - higher than normal levels of potassium in the circulating blood; associated with kidney failure or sometimes with the use of diuretic drugs
Hyperlipidemia - presence of excess lipids in the blood
Hypernatremia - excessive amounts of sodium in the blood; possibly indicating diabetes insipidus
hyperopia - abnormal condition in which vision for distant objects is better than for near objects
hyperparathyroidism - excessive secretion of parathyroid hormone resulting in abnormally high levels of calcium in the blood; can affect many systems of the body (especially causing bone resorption and osteoporosis)
Hyperpigmentation - unusual darkening of the skin
Hyperpituitarism - excessive activity of the pituitary gland (especially overactivity of the anterior lobe which leads to excess secretion of growth hormone)
Hyperplasia - abnormal increase in number of cells
Hyperpnea - energetic (deep and rapid) respiration that occurs normally after exercise or abnormally with fever or various disorders
Hypersensitivity - extreme sensitivity; pathological sensitivity
Hypertension - a common disorder in which blood pressure remains abnormally high (a reading of 140/90 mm Hg or greater)
Hypertensive - having abnormally high blood pressure; a person who has abnormally high blood pressure
Hyperthermia - abnormally high body temperature; sometimes induced (as in treating some forms of cancer)
Hyperthyroidism - an overactive thyroid gland; pathologically excessive production of thyroid hormones or the condition resulting from excessive production of thyroid hormones
Hypertonia - (of muscular tissue) the state of being hypertonic
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy - a disorder in which the heart muscle is so strong that it does not relax enough to fill with the heart with blood and so has reduced pumping ability
Hypertrophy - abnormal enlargement of a body part or organ; verb undergo hypertrophy
Hyperventilation - an increased depth and rate of breathing greater than demanded by the body needs; can cause dizziness and tingling of the fingers and toes and chest pain if continued
Hypervitaminosis - an abnormal condition resulting from taking vitamins excessively; can be serious for vitamins A or D or K
Hypervolemia - a blood disorder consisting of an increase in the volume of circulating blood
Hypnagogic - sleep inducing
Hypnos - (Greek mythology) the Greek god of sleep; the son of Nyx
Hypnosis - a state that resembles sleep but that is induced by suggestion
Hypnotic - attracting and holding interest as if by a spell; of or relating to hypnosis; a drug that induces sleep
Hypocalcaemia - abnormally low level of calcium in the blood; associated with hypoparathyroidism or kidney malfunction or vitamin D deficiency
Hypocalcemia - abnormally low level of calcium in the blood; associated with hypoparathyroidism or kidney malfunction or vitamin D deficiency
Hypocapnia - a state in which the level of carbon dioxide in the blood is lower than normal; can result from deep or rapid breathing
Hypochondria - chronic and abnormal anxiety about imaginary symptoms and ailments
Hypochondriac - suffering from hypochondria; a patient with imaginary symptoms and ailments
hypochondriacal - suffering from hypochondria
Hypochondriasis - chronic and abnormal anxiety about imaginary symptoms and ailments
Hypochondrium - the upper region of the abdomen just below the lowest ribs on either side of the epigastrium
Hypodermic needle - a hollow needle
Hypoesthesia - impairment of tactile sensitivity; decrease of sensitivity
Hypoglossal nerve - supplies intrinsic muscles of the tongue and other tongue muscles
hypoglossal - supplies intrinsic muscles of the tongue and other tongue muscles
Hypoglycemia - abnormally low blood sugar usually resulting from excessive insulin or a poor diet
Hypoglycemic - of or relating to hypoglycemia
Hypokalemia - abnormally low level of potassium in the circulating blood leading to weakness and heart abnormalities; associated with adrenal tumors or starvation or taking diuretics
Hyponatremia - abnormally low level of sodium in the blood; associated with dehydration
Hypoparathyroidism - inadequate secretion of parathyroid hormone resulting in abnormally low levels of calcium in the blood
Hypophysectomy - surgical removal of the pituitary gland
Hypopigmentation - unusual lack of skin color
Hypoplasia - underdevelopment of an organ because of a decrease in the number of cells
Hypopnea - slow or shallow breathing
Hypoproteinemia - abnormally low level of protein in the blood; can indicate inadequate diet or intestinal or renal disorders
Hyposmia - lessened sensitivity to odors
Hypospadias - an abnormal condition in males in which the urethra opens on the under surface of the penis
Hypotension - abnormally low blood pressure
Hypotensive - having abnormally low blood pressure; a person who has abnormally low blood pressure
Hypothalamic - of or relating to the hypothalamus
hypothalamus - a basal part of the diencephalon governing autonomic nervous system
Hypothermia - subnormal body temperature
Hypothyroidism - an underactive thyroid gland; a glandular disorder resulting from insufficient production of thyroid hormones
Hypotonia - (of muscular tissue) the state of being hypotonic
Hypovitaminosis - any of several diseases caused by deficiency of one or more vitamins
Hypovolemia - a blood disorder consisting of a decrease in the volume of circulating blood
Hypovolemic shock - shock caused by severe blood or fluid loss
Hypovolemic - of or relating to a decrease in the volume of circulating blood
Hypoxia - a very strong drive resulting from a deficiency of available oxygen in the blood and bodily tissues (short of anoxia)
Hypoxic hypoxia - hypoxia resulting from defective oxygenation of the blood in the lungs
Hysterectomy - surgical removal of the uterus
Hysterosalpingogram - X ray of the uterus and Fallopian tubes; usually done in diagnosing infertility (to see if there any blockages)
Hysteroscopy - visual examination of the uterus and uterine lining using an endoscope inserted through the vagina
Hysterotomy - surgical incision into the uterus (as in cesarean section)

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iatrogenic - induced by a physician's words or therapy (used especially of a complication resulting from treatment)
Ibuprofen - a nonsteroidal anti inflammatory medicine (trade names Advil and Motrin and Nuprin) used to relieve the pain of arthritis and as an analgesic and antipyretic
Ice pack - a waterproof bag filled with ice: applied to the body (especially the head) to cool or reduce swelling; a large expanse of floating ice
Ichthyosis - any of several congenital diseases in which the skin is fishlike (dry and scaly)
Icterus - type genus of the Icteridae; yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes caused by an accumulation of bile pigment (bilirubin) in the blood; can be a symptom of gallstones or liver infection or anemia
Identical twin - either of two twins developed from the same fertilized ovum (having the same genetic material)
Idiocy - extreme mental retardation
idiopathic - (of diseases) arising from an unknown cause
Idiopathy - any disease arising from internal dysfunctions of unknown cause
Idiosyncrasy - a behavioral attribute that is distinctive and peculiar to an individual
Idiot savant - person who is mentally retarded in general but who displays remarkable aptitude in some limited field (usually involving memory)
Ileitis - inflammation of the ileum
Ileostomy - surgical procedure that creates an opening from the ileum through the abdominal wall to function as an anus; performed in cases of cancer of the colon or ulcerative colitis
ileum - the part of the small intestine between the jejunum and the cecum
Ileus - blockage of the intestine (especially the ileum) that prevents the contents of the intestine from passing to the lower bowel
Iliac artery - one of the large arteries supplying blood to the pelvis and legs
Iliac vein - one of three veins draining the pelvic area
iliac - of or relating to the ilium
Ilium - the upper and widest of the three bones making up the hipbone; an ancient city in Asia Minor that was the site of the Trojan War
Illness - impairment of normal physiological function affecting part or all of an organism
Illusion - something many people believe that is false; an erroneous mental representation; an illusory feat; considered magical by naive observers; the act of deluding; deception by creating illusory ideas
Imagery - the ability to form mental images of things or events
Imago - an adult insect produced after metamorphosis; (psychoanalysis) an idealized image of someone (usually a parent) formed in childhood
Imbibe - receive into the mind and retain; take in liquids; take in, also metaphorically; take (gas, light or heat) into a solution
Imbibition - (chemistry) the absorption of a liquid by a solid or gel; the act of consuming liquids
Imbricate - used especially of leaves or bracts; overlapping or layered as scales or shingles; verb overlap; place so as to overlap
Imipramine - a tricyclic antidepressant (trade names Imavate and Tofranil) used to treat clinical depression
Immortality - the quality or state of being immortal; perpetual life after death
immune globulin - a class of proteins produced in lymph tissue in vertebrates and that function as antibodies in the immune response
immune response - a bodily defense reaction that recognizes an invading substance (an antigen: such as a virus or fungus or bacteria or transplanted organ) and produces antibodies specific against that antigen
immune system - a system (including the thymus and bone marrow and lymphoid tissues) that protects the body from foreign substances and pathogenic organisms by producing the immune response
Immunity - the quality of being unaffected by something; (medicine) the condition in which an organism can resist disease; an act exempting someone; the state of not being susceptible
Immunization - the act of making immune (especially by inoculation)
Immunoassay - identification of a substance (especially a protein) by its action as an antigen
Immunocompetence - the ability to develop an immune response following exposure to an antigen
immunocompetent - capable of developing an immune response following exposure to an antigen
immunocompromised - unable to develop a normal immune response usually because of malnutrition or immunodeficiency or immunosuppressive therapy
Immunodeficiency - immunological disorder in which some part of the body's immune system is inadequate and resistance to infectious diseases is reduced
Immunodeficient - incapable of developing an immune response following exposure to an antigen
immunogen - any substance or organism that provokes an immune response (produces immunity) when introduced into the body
Immunogenicity - the property of eliciting an immune response
Immunoglobulin A - one of the most common of the five major classes of immunoglobulins; the chief antibody in the membranes of the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts
immunoglobulin D - one of the five major classes of immunoglobulins; present in blood serum in small amounts
immunoglobulin E - one of the five major classes of immunoglobulins; present primarily in the skin and mucous membranes
Immunoglobulin G - one of the five major classes of immunoglobulins; the main antibody defense against bacteria
Immunoglobulin M - one of the five major classes of immunoglobulins; involved in fighting blood infections and in triggering production of immunoglobulin G
immunoglobulin - a class of proteins produced in lymph tissue in vertebrates and that function as antibodies in the immune response
Immunohistochemistry - an assay that shows specific antigens in tissues by the use of markers that are either fluorescent dyes or enzymes (such as horseradish peroxidase)
immunologist - a medical scientist who specializes in immunology
immunology - the branch of medical science that studies the body's immune system
Immunopathology - the branch of immunology that deals with pathologies of the immune system
Immunosuppressant - a drug that lowers the body's normal immune response
immunosuppressive - of or relating to a substance that lowers the body's normal immune response and induces immunosuppression; a drug that lowers the body's normal immune response
Immunotherapy - therapy designed to produce immunity to a disease or to enhance resistance by the immune system
impacted - wedged or packed in together
impaired - diminished in strength, quality, or utility; mentally or physically unfit
Impedance - a material's opposition to the flow of electric current; measured in ohms
Imperforate anus - a congenital defect of the anus; there is partial or complete obstruction of the anal opening
imperforate - not perforated; having no opening
Impetigo - a very contagious infection of the skin; common in children; localized redness develops into small blisters that gradually crust and erode
impingement - a sharp collision produced by striking or dashing against something; influencing strongly
Implant - a prosthesis placed permanently in tissue; verb become attached to and embedded in the uterus; fix or set securely or deeply; put firmly in the mind
implicit - being without doubt or reserve; implied though not directly expressed; inherent in the nature of something
impotence - an inability (usually of the male animal) to copulate; the quality of lacking strength or power; being weak and feeble
Imprinting - a learning process in early life whereby species specific patterns of behavior are established
In situ - being in the original position; not having been moved
In vitro - in an artificial environment outside the living organism; in an artificial environment outside the living organism
In vivo - within a living organism; in the living organism
Inactivation - the process of rendering inactive; breaking up a military unit (by transfers or discharges)
inappropriate - not suitable for a particular occasion etc; not in keeping with what is correct or proper
Inborn error of metabolism - any of a number of diseases in which an inherited defect (usually a missing or inadequate enzyme) results in an abnormality of metabolism
inborn - normally existing at birth; present at birth but not necessarily hereditary; acquired during fetal development
Inbreeding - the act of mating closely related individuals
Incase - enclose in, or as if in, a case
Incest - sexual intercourse between persons too closely related to marry (as between a parent and a child)
Incestuous - relating to or involving incest; resembling incest as by excessive intimacy
Incidence - the striking of a light beam on a surface; the relative frequency of occurrence of something
incision - the cutting of or into body tissues or organs (especially by a surgeon as part of an operation); a depression scratched or carved into a surface
Incompetent cervix - (obstetrics) uterine cervix that becomes dilated before term and without labor often resulting in miscarriage or premature birth
incompetent - not qualified or suited for a purpose; not doing a good job; not meeting requirements; showing lack of skill or aptitude; someone who is not competent to take effective action
incontinence - involuntary urination or defecation; indiscipline with regard to sensuous pleasures
Incontinent - not having control over urination and defecation
Incubation period - the period between infection and the appearance of symptoms of the disease
Incubator - apparatus consisting of a box designed to maintain a constant temperature by the use of a thermostat; used for chicks or premature infants
Incurable - unalterable in disposition or habits; incapable of being cured; a person whose disease is incurable
Incus - the ossicle between the malleus and the stapes
Indapamide - diuretic (trade name Lozal) used in the treatment of hypertension
Index case - the earliest documented case of a disease that is included in an epidemiological study
Index finger - the finger next to the thumb
Indigestion - a disorder of digestive function characterized by discomfort or heartburn or nausea
Indinavir - a protease inhibitor (trade name Crixivan) used for treating HIV
indolent - (of tumors e.g) slow to heal or develop and usually painless; disinclined to work or exertion
Induced abortion - a deliberate termination of pregnancy
induced - brought about or caused; not spontaneous
Inducer - an agent capable of activating specific genes; someone who tries to persuade or induce or lead on
Induration - any pathological hardening or thickening of tissue
industrial - suitable to stand up to hard wear; having highly developed industries; employed in industry; of or relating to or resulting from industry; employed in industry
indwelling - existing or residing as an inner activating spirit or force or principle
Infant mortality rate - the death rate during the first year of life
Infant mortality - the death rate during the first year of life
Infant - a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk
Infanticide - murdering an infant; a person who murders an infant
Infantile paralysis - an acute viral disease marked by inflammation of nerve cells of the brain stem and spinal cord
Infantile - being or befitting or characteristic of an infant; of or relating to infants or infancy; indicating a lack of maturity
infantile - being or befitting or characteristic of an infant; of or relating to infants or infancy; indicating a lack of maturity
Infantilism - infantile behavior in mature persons; an abnormal condition in which an older child or adult retains infantile characteristics
infarct - localized necrosis resulting from obstruction of the blood supply
Infarction - localized necrosis resulting from obstruction of the blood supply
Infectious - easily spread; caused by infection or capable of causing infection; of or relating to infection
infective - able to cause disease; caused by infection or capable of causing infection
inferior vena cava - receives blood from lower limbs and abdominal organs and empties into the posterior part of the right atrium of the heart; formed from the union of the two iliac veins
Infertile - incapable of reproducing
Infertility - the state of being unable to produce offspring; in a woman it is an inability to conceive; in a man it is an inability to impregnate
Infestation - a swarm of insects that attack plants; the state of being invaded or overrun by parasites
Infiltration - a process in which individuals (or small groups) penetrate an area (especially the military penetration of enemy positions without detection); the slow passage of a liquid through a filtering medium
inflammatory bowel disease - inflammation of the colon
inflammatory - characterized or caused by inflammation; arousing to action or rebellion
Influenza - an acute febrile highly contagious viral disease
Informatics - the sciences concerned with gathering, manipulating, storing, retrieving, and classifying recorded information
Informed consent - consent by a patient to undergo a medical or surgical treatment or to participate in an experiment after the patient understands the risks involved
Ingestion - the process of taking food into the body through the mouth (as by eating)
Ingrown hair - a hair that does not emerge from the follicle but remains embedded in the skin (usually causing inflammation)
ingrown toenail - toenail having its free tip or edges embedded in the surrounding flesh
ingrown - growing abnormally into the flesh
Inguinal hernia - hernia in which a loop of intestine enters the inguinal canal; the most common type of hernia in males
inguinal - of or relating to or near the groin
Inhalant - inhaling or serving for inhalation; a medication to be taken by inhaling it; something that is inhaled
Inhalation - the act of inhaling; the drawing in of air (or other gases) as in breathing; a medication to be taken by inhaling it
Inhaler - a dispenser that produces a chemical vapor to be inhaled in order to relieve nasal congestion
Inherit - obtain from someone after their death; receive by genetic transmission; receive from a predecessor
Inherited - tending to occur among members of a family usually by heredity
inhibitor - a substance that retards or stops an activity
inhibitory - restrictive of action
initiative - serving to set in motion; the first of a series of actions; readiness to embark on bold new ventures
Injection - the forceful insertion of a substance under pressure; the act of putting a liquid into the body by means of a syringe; any solution that is injected (as into the skin)
Injure - cause injuries or bodily harm to; cause damage or affect negatively; hurt the feelings of
Inkblot test - a projective tests using bilaterally symmetrical inkblots; subjects state what they see in the inkblot
inkblot - a blot made with ink
innate immunity - immunity to disease that occurs as part of an individual's natural biologic makeup
innate - present at birth but not necessarily hereditary; acquired during fetal development; being talented through inherited qualities; not established by conditioning or learning
inner ear - a complex system of interconnecting cavities; concerned with hearing and equilibrium
Innervate - stimulate to action; supply nerves to (some organ or body part)
Innervation - the distribution of nerve fibers to an organ or body region; the neural or electrical arousal of an organ or muscle or gland
Inoculation - taking a vaccine as a precaution against contracting a disease
inoperable - not suitable for surgery; not able to perform its normal function
Inosine - a nucleoside that is formed by the deamination of adenosine; used in kidney transplantation to provide a temporary source of sugar
inositol - an optically inactive alcohol that is a component of the vitamin B complex
Inpatient - a patient who is residing in the hospital where he is being treated
Insanity - relatively permanent disorder of the mind
Insect repellent - a chemical substance that repels insects
insect - small air breathing arthropod; a person who has a nasty or unethical character undeserving of respect
Insecticidal - of or relating to insecticide
Insecticide - a chemical used to kill insects
insecure - lacking self confidence or assurance; lacking in security or safety; not firm or firmly fixed; likely to fail or give way; not safe from attack
Insemination - the introduction of semen into the genital tract of a female; the act of sowing (of seeds in the ground or, figuratively, of germs in the body or ideas in the mind, etc.)
Insertion - the act of putting one thing into another; a message (spoken or written) that is introduced or inserted
Insinuate - introduce or insert (oneself) in a subtle manner; give to understand
Insomnia - an inability to sleep; chronic sleeplessness
Inspection - a formal or official examination
Inspection - a formal or official examination
Inspissate - become thick or thicker; make thick or thicker; make viscous or dense
Inspissation - the process of thickening by dehydration; the act of thickening
instillation - the introduction of a liquid (by pouring or injection) drop by drop; a liquid that is instilled drop by drop
Institute - an association organized to promote art or science or education; verb advance or set forth in court; set up or lay the groundwork for
Insufficiency - lack of an adequate quantity or number; (pathology) inability of a bodily part or organ to function normally; a lack of competence
Insulin - hormone secreted by the isles of Langerhans in the pancreas; regulates storage of glycogen in the liver and accelerates oxidation of sugar in cells
Integumentary system - the skin and its appendages
Intelligence quotient - a measure of a person's intelligence as indicated by an intelligence test; the ratio of a person's mental age to their chronological age (multiplied by 100)
Intelligence test - a psychometric test of intelligence
intensive care unit - a hospital unit staffed and equipped to provide intensive care
Intensive care - close monitoring and constant medical care of patients with life threatening conditions
interaction - a mutual or reciprocal action; interacting; (physics) the transfer of energy between elementary particles or between an elementary particle and a field or between fields; mediated by gauge bosons
Intercellular - located between cells
Intercostal muscle - muscles between the ribs; they contract during inspiration
Interferon - an antiviral protein produced by cells that have been invaded by a virus; inhibits replication of the virus
Interleukin - any of several lymphokines that promote macrophages and killer T cells and B cells and other components of the immune system
intermittent claudication - lameness due to pain in leg muscles because the blood supply is inadequate; pain subsides with rest
intermittent - stopping and starting at irregular intervals; stopping and starting at regular intervals
Intern - an advanced student or graduate in medicine gaining supervised practical experience (`houseman' is a British term); verb work as an intern; deprive of freedom
Internal carotid artery - the branch of the carotid artery that supplies blood to the brain and eyes and internal parts of the head
Internal ear - a complex system of interconnecting cavities; concerned with hearing and equilibrium
Internal iliac vein - a vein that unites with the external iliac vein to form the common iliac vein
Internal jugular vein - a continuation of the sigmoid sinus of the dura mater; joins the subclavian vein to form the brachiocephalic vein
Internal medicine - the branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis and (nonsurgical) treatment of diseases of the internal organs (especially in adults)
Internal - happening or arising or located within some limits or especially surface; occurring within an institution or community; located inward; inside the country; innermost or essential
international - concerning or belonging to all or at least two or more nations; from or between other countries; any of several international socialist organizations
Internist - a specialist in internal medicine
Internship - the position of a medical intern
Internship - the position of a medical intern
interpersonal - occurring among or involving several people
Intersex - one having both male and female sexual characteristics and organs; at birth an unambiguous assignment of male or female cannot be made
intersexual - having sexual characteristics intermediate between those of male and female; existing or occurring between the sexes
Interstice - small opening between things; a small structural space between tissues or parts of an organ
Interstitial - of or relating to interstices
interstitial - of or relating to interstices
Intertrigo - chafing between two skin surfaces that are in contact (as in the armpit or under the breasts or between the thighs)
intervening - standing between or separating two objects or areas; occurring or falling between events or points in time
Interventricular foramen - the small opening (on both the right and left sides) that connects the third ventricle in the diencephalon with the lateral ventricle in the cerebral hemisphere
intervertebral disk - a fibrocartilaginous disc serving as a cushion between all of the vertebrae of the spinal column (except between the first two)
Intervertebral - pertaining to the space between two vertebrae
Intestinal bypass - surgical operation that shortens the small intestine; used in treating obesity
Intestinal obstruction - blockage of the intestine (especially the ileum) that prevents the contents of the intestine from passing to the lower bowel
intestinal - of or relating to or inside the intestines
Intestine - the part of the alimentary canal between the stomach and the anus
intolerance - impatience with annoyances; unwillingness to recognize and respect differences in opinions or beliefs
intracellular - located or occurring within a cell or cells
intracerebral - within the brain
Intracranial - within the skull
Intractable - not tractable; difficult to manage or mold
intradermal - relating to areas between the layers of the skin
Intramuscular injection - an injection into a muscle
Intramuscular - within a muscle
intramuscular - within a muscle
Intraocular lens - an artificial lens that is implanted into the eye of someone to replace a damaged natural lens or someone who has had a cataract removed
Intraocular pressure - pressure inside the eyeball; regulated by resistance to the outward flow of aqueous humor
Intrauterine - within the womb
Intravasation - entry of foreign matter into a blood vessel
Intravenous feeding - administration of nutrients through a vein
intravenous pyelogram - X ray picture of the kidneys and ureters after injection of a radiopaque dye
intravenous pyelography - performing pyelography with intravenous injection of a contrast medium
Intravenous - within or by means of a vein
intravenous - within or by means of a vein
Intraventricular - within the system of ventricles in the brain
Intrinsic factor - a substance produced by the mucosa of the stomach and intestines that is essential for the absorption of vitamin B12
Intrinsic - situated within or belonging solely to the organ or body part on which it acts; belonging to a thing by its very nature
Introitus - entrance or opening to a hollow organ or tube (especially the vaginal opening)
intron - sequence of a eukaryotic gene's DNA that is not translated into a protein
Intubate - introduce a cannula or tube into
Intubation - the insertion of a cannula or tube into a hollow body organ
Intussusception - (biology) growth in the surface area of a cell by the deposit of new particles between existing particles in the cell wall; the folding in of an outer layer so as to form a pocket in the surface
inventor - someone who is the first to think of or make something
inverse - reversed (turned backward) in order or nature or effect; opposite in nature or effect or relation to another quantity; something inverted in sequence or character or effect
Invert - make an inversion (in a musical composition); turn inside out or upside down
Invest - make an investment; provide with power and authority; furnish with power or authority; of kings or emperors; place ceremoniously or formally in an office or position; give qualities or abilities to
Involuntary - not subject to the control of the will; controlled by the autonomic nervous system; without conscious control
Involute - (of some shells) closely coiled so that the axis is obscured; especially of petals or leaves in bud; having margins rolled inward
Iodide - a salt or ester of hydriodic acid
Ionizing radiation - high energy radiation capable of producing ionization in substances through which it passes
Iontophoresis - therapy that uses a local electric current to introduce the ions of a medicine into the tissues
Ipecac - a medicinal drug used to evoke vomiting (especially in cases of drug overdose or poisoning)
Ipsilateral - on or relating to the same side (of the body)
Iridectomy - surgical removal of part of the iris of the eye
Iridocyclitis - inflammation of the iris and ciliary body of the eye
Iritis - inflammation of the iris
Iron deficiency anemia - a form of anemia due to lack of iron in the diet or to iron loss as a result of chronic bleeding
Iron lung - respirator that produces alternations in air pressure in a chamber surrounding a patient's chest to force air into and out of the lungs thus providing artificial respiration
Iron overload - pathology in which iron accumulates in the tissues; characterized by bronzed skin and enlarged liver and diabetes mellitus and abnormalities of the pancreas and the joints
Irrigate - supply with a constant flow or sprinkling of some liquid, for the purpose of cooling, cleansing, or disinfecting; supply with water, as with channels or ditches or streams
Irritability - an irritable petulant feeling; a disposition to exhibit uncontrolled anger; excessive sensitivity of an organ or body part
Irritable bowel syndrome - recurrent abdominal pain and diarrhea (often alternating with periods of constipation); often associated with emotional stress
irritable bowel syndrome - recurrent abdominal pain and diarrhea (often alternating with periods of constipation); often associated with emotional stress
Ischemia - local anemia in a given body part sometimes resulting from vasoconstriction or thrombosis or embolism
ischemic stroke - the most common kind of stroke; caused by an interruption in the flow of blood to the brain (as from a clot blocking a blood vessel)
Ischium - one of the three sections of the hipbone; situated below the ilium
islets of Langerhans - cell clusters in the pancreas that form the endocrine part of that organ; secrete insulin and other hormones
Isoflurane - a widely used inhalation anesthetic
Isolate - place or set apart; obtain in pure form; separate (experiences) from the emotions relating to them; set apart from others
Isoleucine - an essential amino acid found in proteins; isomeric with leucine
isomerase - an enzyme that catalyzes its substrate to an isomeric form
Isometropia - equality of refractive power in the two eyes
Isoniazid - antibacterial drug (trade name Nydrazid) used to treat tuberculosis
Isothiocyanate - a family of compounds derived from horseradish and radishes and onions and mustards; source of the hotness of those plants and preparations
Isotonic exercise - exercise in which opposing muscles contract and there is controlled movement (tension is constant while the lengths of the muscles change)
Isotonic solution - a solution having the same osmotic pressure as blood
Isotope - one of two or more atoms with the same atomic number but with different numbers of neutrons
Isotopic - of or relating to or having the relation of an isotope
Itching - an irritating cutaneous sensation that produces a desire to scratch
itraconazole - an oral antifungal drug (trade name Sporanox) taken for cases of fungal nail disease
Ivory Coast - a republic in western Africa on the Gulf of Guinea; one of the most prosperous and politically stable countries in Africa

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J-K-L[edit | edit source]

Jacksonian epilepsy - focal epilepsy in which the attack usually moves from distal to proximal limb muscles on the same side of the body
Jacksonian - of or pertaining to Andrew Jackson or his presidency or his concepts of popular democracy; a follower of Andrew Jackson or his ideas
Jamais vu - the experience of being unfamiliar with a person or situation that is actually very familiar; associated with certain types of epilepsy
James Murray - Scottish philologist and the lexicographer who shaped the Oxford English Dictionary (1837 1915)
James Parkinson - English surgeon (1755 1824)
James Watson - United States geneticist who (with Crick in 1953) helped discover the helical structure of DNA (born in 1928)
James Wilson - American Revolutionary leader who was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence (1742 1798)
Jawbone - the jaw in vertebrates that is hinged to open the mouth; verb talk idly or casually and in a friendly way
Jealousy - zealous vigilance; a feeling of jealous envy (especially of a rival)
Jefferson - 3rd President of the United States; chief drafter of the Declaration of Independence; made the Louisiana Purchase in 1803 and sent out the Lewis and Clark Expedition to explore it (1743 1826)
Jejunostomy - surgical creation of an opening between the jejunum and the anterior abdominal wall; will allow artificial feeding
Jejunum - the part of the small intestine between the duodenum and the ileum
Jensen - modernistic Danish writer (1873 1950)
jet lag - fatigue and sleep disturbance resulting from disruption of the body's normal circadian rhythm as a result of jet travel
Jock itch - fungal infection of the groin (most common in men)
John Rock - United States gynecologist and devout Catholic who conducted the first clinical trials of the oral contraceptive pill (1890 1984)
John Webster - English playwright (1580 1625)
Johnny - `Johnny' was applied as a nickname for Confederate soldiers by the Federal soldiers in the American Civil War; `greyback' derived from their grey Confederate uniforms
jointed - having joints or jointed segments
Jonas Salk - United States virologist who developed the Salk vaccine that is injected against poliomyelitis (born 1914)
Joseph Lister - English surgeon who was the first to use antiseptics (1827 1912)
Jugular vein - veins in the neck that return blood from the head
jugular - relating to or located in the region of the neck or throat; a vital part that is vulnerable to attack; veins in the neck that return blood from the head
julienne - a clear soup garnished with julienne vegetables; a vegetable cut into thin strips (usually used as a garnish); verb cut into long thin strips
Juncture - an event that occurs at a critical time; a crisis situation or point in time when a critical decision must be made; the shape or manner in which things come together and a connection is made
Junk DNA - stretches of DNA that do not code for genes
Jurisprudence - the branch of philosophy concerned with the law and the principles that lead courts to make the decisions they do; the collection of rules imposed by authority
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis - a form of rheumatoid arthritis that affects children; large joints become inflamed and bone growth may be retarded
Juvenile - of or relating to or characteristic of or appropriate for children or young people; displaying or suggesting a lack of maturity; a youthful person
Juxtaposition - the act of positioning close together (or side by side); a side by side position
Kalemia - the presence of excess potassium in the circulating blood
Kaliuresis - the presence of excess potassium in the urine
Kaposi's sarcoma - a sarcoma that starts with purplish spots on the feet and legs and spreads from the skin to lymph nodes and internal organs; a common manifestation of AIDS
Karl Jaspers - German psychiatrist (1883 1969)
Karl Marx - founder of modern communism; wrote the Communist Manifesto with Engels in 1848; wrote Das Kapital in 1867 (1818 1883)
Karyokinesis - organic process consisting of the division of the nucleus of a cell during mitosis or meiosis
Karyolysis - disintegration and dissolution of a cell nucleus when a cell dies
Karyotype - the appearance of the chromosomal makeup of a somatic cell in an individual or species (including the number and arrangement and size and structure of the chromosomes)
Kaufman - United States playwright who collaborated with many other writers including Moss Hart (1889 1961)
Kawasaki disease - an acute disease of young children characterized by a rash and swollen lymph nodes and fever; of unknown cause
Kegel exercises - exercises for women designed to improve the ability to hold urine
Kelly - United States dancer who performed in many musical films (1912 1996); United States film actress who retired when she married into the royal family of Monaco (1928 1982); United States circus clown (1898 1979)
keloid - raised pinkish scar tissue at the site of an injury; results from excessive tissue repair
Kennedy - a large airport on Long Island east of New York City; 35th President of the United States; established the Peace Corps; assassinated in Dallas (1917 1963)
Keratin - a fibrous scleroprotein that occurs in the outer layer of the skin and in horny tissues such as hair feathers nails and hooves
Keratitis - inflammation of the cornea causing watery painful eyes and blurred vision
Keratoacanthoma - skin tumor that grows rapidly (especially in older people) and resembles a carcinoma but does not spread; it usually disappears spontaneously, often leaving a scar
Keratoconjunctivitis - inflammation of the cornea and conjunctiva
Keratoconus - abnormal cone shaped protrusion of the cornea of the eye; can be treated by epikeratophakia
keratoderma blennorrhagica - skin disease characterized by a scaly rash on the palms and soles; associated with Reiter's syndrome
Keratoderma - any skin disorder consisting of a growth that appears horny
Keratomalacia - softening and drying and ulceration of the cornea resulting from vitamin A deficiency; symptom of cystic fibrosis or sprue
Keratoplasty - a surgical procedure in which part or all of a damaged or diseased cornea is replaced by healthy corneal tissue from a donor
Keratoscope - medical instrument to examine the cornea in order to detect irregularities in its anterior surface
Keratosis follicularis - a rare hereditary condition marked by dark crusted patches (sometimes containing pus)
Keratosis pilaris - keratosis characterized by hard conical elevations in the openings of sebaceous glands (especially of arms and thighs)
Keratosis - a skin condition marked by an overgrowth of layers of horny skin
Keratotomy - surgical incision into the cornea
Kernicterus - an abnormal accumulation of bile pigment in the brain and other nerve tissue; causes yellow staining and tissue damage
Ketoacidosis - acidosis with an accumulation of ketone bodies; occurs primarily in diabetes mellitus
Ketone - any of a class of organic compounds having a carbonyl group linked to a carbon atom in each of two hydrocarbon radicals
Ketonuria - excessive amounts of ketone bodies in the urine as in diabetes mellitus or starvation
Ketoprofen - nonsteroidal anti inflammatory drug (trade names Orudis or Orudis KT or Oruvail)
Ketorolac - nonsteroidal anti inflammatory (trade name Torodal) that is given only orally
Ketosis - an abnormal increase of ketone bodies in the blood as in diabetes mellitus
Kidney disease - a disease affecting the kidneys
Kidney failure - inability of the kidneys to excrete wastes and to help maintain the electrolyte balance
Kidney stone - a calculus formed in the kidney
Kidney - either of two bean shaped excretory organs that filter wastes (especially urea) from the blood and excrete them and water in urine
killer cell - T cell with CD8 receptor that recognizes antigens on the surface of a virus infected cell and binds to the infected cell and kill it
Kindling - material for starting a fire; the act of setting something on fire
Kindred - related by blood or marriage; similar or related in quality or character; group of people related by blood or marriage
Kinesiology - the branch of physiology that studies the mechanics and anatomy in relation to human movement
Kinetic - characterized by motion; relating to the motion of material bodies and the forces associated therewith; supplying motive force
Kinetics - the branch of mechanics concerned with the forces that cause motions of bodies
Kinetochore - a specialized condensed region of each chromosome that appears during mitosis where the chromatids are held together to form an X shape
King's evil - a form of tuberculosis characterized by swellings of the lymphatic glands
Kinship - (anthropology) relatedness or connection by blood or marriage or adoption; a close connection marked by community of interests or similarity in nature or character
Kissing bug - large bloodsucking bug
kissing - affectionate play (or foreplay without contact with the genital organs)
Klebsiella - a genus of nonmotile rod shaped Gram negative enterobacteria; some cause respiratory and other infections
Klinefelter - United States physician who first described the XXY syndrome (born in 1912)
Knee jerk - a reflex extension of the leg resulting from a sharp tap on the patellar tendon
Knee joint - hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella
Kneecap - a small flat triangular bone in front of the knee that protects the knee joint; verb shoot in the kneecap, often done by terrorist groups as a warning
Knockout - very strong or vigorous; a blow that renders the opponent unconscious; a very attractive or seductive looking woman
Knuckle - a joint of a finger when the fist is closed; verb shoot a marble while keeping one's knuckles on the ground; press or rub with the knuckles
Koplik's spots - small red spots with white centers found on the mucous membranes of the mouth and tongue; symptom of measles that appears one or two days before the measles rash appears
Kraurosis vulvae - kraurosis of the vulva; often a precancerous lesion
Kwashiorkor - severe malnutrition in children resulting from a diet excessively high in carbohydrates and low in protein
Kyphosis - an abnormal backward curve to the vertebral column
Kyrgyzstan - a landlocked republic in west central Asia bordering on northwestern China; formerly an Asian soviet but became independent in 1991
Labetalol - antihypertensive drug (trade names Trandate and Normodyne) that blocks alpha and beta adrenergic receptors of the sympathetic nervous system (leading to a decrease in blood pressure)
Labia majora - the two outer folds of the vulva
Labia minora - the two inner folds of the vulva
Labial - relating to or near the female labium; of or relating to the lips of the mouth; a consonant whose articulation involves movement of the lips
Labile - open to change; liable to change; (chemistry, physics, biology) readily undergoing change or breakdown
Labium - any of the four lip shaped folds of the female vulva
Laboratory - a workplace for the conduct of scientific research; a region resembling a laboratory inasmuch as it offers opportunities for observation and practice and experimentation
Labrocyte - a large connective tissue cell that contains histamine and heparin and serotonin which are released in allergic reactions or in response to injury or inflammation
labyrinth - complex system of paths or tunnels in which it is easy to get lost; a complex system of interconnecting cavities; concerned with hearing and equilibrium
Labyrinthitis - inflammation of the inner ear; can cause vertigo and vomiting
laceration - the act of lacerating; a torn ragged wound
lacrimal gland - any of the glands in the eyes that secrete tears
Lacrimal sac - either of the two dilated ends of the lacrimal ducts at the nasal ends of the eyes that fill with tears secreted by the lacrimal glands
Lacrimal - relating to or located near the organ that produces tears; of or relating to tears
Lacrimation - shedding tears
LaCrosse - a game invented by American Indians; now played by two teams who use long handled rackets to catch and carry and throw the ball toward the opponents' goal
Lactase deficiency - congenital disorder consisting of an inability to digest milk and milk products; absence or deficiency of lactase results in an inability to hydrolyze lactose
lactase - any of a group of enzymes (trade name Lactaid) that hydrolyze lactose to glucose and galactose
Lactation - the production and secretion of milk by the mammary glands; the period following birth during which milk is secreted; feeding an infant by giving suck at the breast
Lactobacillus - Gram positive rod shaped bacteria that produce lactic acid especially in milk
lactose intolerance - congenital disorder consisting of an inability to digest milk and milk products; absence or deficiency of lactase results in an inability to hydrolyze lactose
lactose - a sugar comprising one glucose molecule linked to a galactose molecule; occurs only in milk
Lacuna - a blank gap or missing part; an ornamental sunken panel in a ceiling or dome
Lagophthalmos - abnormal condition in which an eye cannot close completely
Lamarckism - a theory of organic evolution claiming that acquired characteristics are transmitted to offspring
Lamella - thin plate; a thin membrane that is one of the calcified layers that form bones; any of the radiating leaflike spore producing structures on the underside of the cap of a mushroom or similar fungus
lamina - a thin plate or layer (especially of bone or mineral)
Laminaria - type genus of the family Laminariaceae: perennial brown kelps
Laminectomy - surgical removal of the bony arches on one or more vertebrae
Lamivudine - a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor that is very effective in combination with zidovudine in treating AIDS and HIV
Lancet - a surgical knife with a pointed double edged blade; used for punctures and small incisions; an acutely pointed Gothic arch, like a lance
Landau - a four wheel covered carriage with a roof divided into two parts (front and back) that can be let down separately; Soviet physicist who worked on low temperature physics (1908 1968)
Lansoprazole - antacid (trade name Prevacid) that suppresses acid secretion in the stomach
lanugo - the fine downy hair covering a human fetus; normally shed during the ninth month of gestation
laparoscope - a slender endoscope inserted through an incision in the abdominal wall in order to examine the abdominal organs or to perform minor surgery
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy - removal of the gall bladder through small punctures in the abdomen to permit the insertion of a laparoscope and surgical instruments
Laparoscopy - laparotomy performed with a laparoscope that makes a small incision to examine the abdominal cavity (especially the ovaries and Fallopian tubes)
Laparotomy - surgical incision into the abdominal wall; often done to examine abdominal organs
Large intestine - beginning with the cecum and ending with the rectum; includes the cecum and the colon and the rectum; extracts moisture from food residues which are later excreted as feces
laryngeal - of or relating to or situated in the larynx
Laryngectomy - surgical removal of part or all of the larynx (usually to treat cancer of the larynx)
Laryngitis - inflammation of the mucous membrane of the larynx; characterized by hoarseness or loss of voice and coughing
Laryngoscope - a medical instrument for examining the larynx
Laryngospasm - a closure of the larynx that blocks the passage of air to the lungs
Larynx - a cartilaginous structure at the top of the trachea; contains elastic vocal cords that are the source of the vocal tone in speech
laser - an acronym for light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation; an optical device that produces an intense monochromatic beam of coherent light
Lassa fever - an acute contagious viral disease of central western Africa; characterized by fever and inflammation and muscular pains and difficulty swallowing; can be used as a bioweapon
Lassa virus - the RNA virus that causes Lassa fever
Lassa - the sacred city of Lamaism; known as the Forbidden City for its former inaccessibility and hostility to strangers
Lassitude - weakness characterized by a lack of vitality or energy; a feeling of lack of interest or energy; a state of comatose torpor (as found in sleeping sickness)
Latent - not presently active; potentially existing but not presently evident or realized
Lateral epicondylitis - painful inflammation of the tendon at the outer border of the elbow resulting from overuse of lower arm muscles (as in twisting of the hand)
Lateral ventricle - either of two horseshoe shaped ventricles one in each cerebral hemisphere; they communicate with the third ventricle via the foramen of Monro
lateral - lying away from the median and sagittal plane of a body; situated at or extending to the side; a pass to a receiver upfield from the passer
Laudanum - narcotic consisting of an alcohol solution of opium or any preparation in which opium is the main ingredient
Laughing gas - inhalation anesthetic used as an anesthetic in dentistry and surgery
laughing - showing or feeling mirth or pleasure or happiness
Lavage - washing out a hollow organ (especially the stomach) by flushing with water
Laxative - stimulating evacuation of feces; a mild cathartic
laxity - the quality of being lax and neglectful; the condition of being physiologically lax
Laying on of hands - laying hands on a person's head to invoke spiritual blessing in Christian ordination; the application of a faith healer's hands to the patient's body
Lazaretto - hospital for persons with infectious diseases (especially leprosy); a small locker at the stern of a boat or between decks of a ship
LDL cholesterol - the cholesterol in low density lipoproteins; the `bad' cholesterol; a high level in the blood is thought to be related to various pathogenic conditions
Lead poisoning - toxic condition produced by the absorption of excessive lead into the system
Leaded gasoline - gasoline treated with a lead compound to reduce motor knocks
Leaded - (of panes of glass) fixed in place by means of thin strips of lead; treated or mixed with lead; having thin strips of lead between the lines of type
Learning disability - a disorder found in children of normal intelligence who have difficulties in learning specific skills
learning - the cognitive process of acquiring skill or knowledge; profound scholarly knowledge
Lecithin - a yellow phospholipid essential for the metabolism of fats; found in egg yolk and in many plant and animal cells; used commercially as an emulsifier
lectin - any of several plant glycoproteins that act like specific antibodies but are not antibodies in that they are not evoked by an antigenic stimulus
Leech - carnivorous or bloodsucking aquatic or terrestrial worms typically having a sucker at each end; a follower who hangs around a host (without benefit to the host) in hope of gain or advantage; verb draw blood
Leflunomide - an anti TNF compound (trade name Arava) that is given orally; can slow the progression of rheumatoid arthritis by slowing the proliferation of white blood cells which reduces inflammation in the synovium
left atrium - the left upper chamber of the heart that receives blood from the pulmonary veins
left ventricle - the chamber on the left side of the heart that receives arterial blood from the left atrium and pumps it into the aorta
Legionella - the motile aerobic rod shaped Gram negative bacterium that thrives in central heating and air conditioning systems and can cause Legionnaires' disease
Legionnaire - a soldier who is a member of a legion (especially the French Foreign Legion); a member of the American Legion
Leiomyoma - benign tumor of smooth muscle (usually in the uterus or digestive tract)
Leiomyosarcoma - sarcoma of smooth muscle; occurs most often digestive tract or uterus or bladder or prostate
Leishmania - flagellate protozoan that causes leishmaniasis
Leishmaniasis - sores resulting from a tropical infection by protozoa of the genus Leishmania which are spread by sandflies
lemniscus - a bundle of sensory nerve fibers going to the thalamus
lengthening - the act of prolonging something
Lenin - Russian founder of the Bolsheviks and leader of the Russian Revolution and first head of the USSR (1870 1924)
Lente insulin - trade names for forms of insulin that are used to treat diabetes mellitus
Lentiform nucleus - a basal ganglion shaped like a lens and including the outer reddish putamen and the inner pale yellow pallidum
lentiginous - relating to or covered with or resembling freckles
Lentigo - a small brownish spot (of the pigment melanin) on the skin
Leonardo da Vinci - Italian painter and sculptor and engineer and scientist and architect; the most versatile genius of the Italian Renaissance (1452 1519)
Leonardo - Italian painter and sculptor and engineer and scientist and architect; the most versatile genius of the Italian Renaissance (1452 1519)
Leonidas - king of Sparta and hero of the battle of Thermopylae where he was killed by the Persians (died in 480 BC)
Leper - a pariah who is avoided by others; a person afflicted with leprosy
Leptomeninges - the two innermost layers of the meninges; cerebrospinal fluid circulates between these innermost layers
Leptospirosis - an infectious disease cause by leptospira and transmitted to humans from domestic animals; characterized by jaundice and fever
Lesbian - of female homosexuality; a resident of Lesbos; a female homosexual
Lesbianism - female homosexuality
lesion - any visible abnormal structural change in a bodily part; any break in the skin or an organ caused by violence or surgical incision
let down - fail to meet the hopes or expectations of; move something or somebody to a lower position
Lethal dose - the size dose that will cause death
Lethal gene - any gene that has an effect that causes the death of the organism at any stage of life
Lethal - of an instrument of certain death
Lethargy - a state of comatose torpor (as found in sleeping sickness); inactivity; showing an unusual lack of energy; weakness characterized by a lack of vitality or energy
Letterer - a painter of letters
Leucine - a white crystalline amino acid occurring in proteins that is essential for nutrition; obtained by the hydrolysis of most dietary proteins
Leukemia - malignant neoplasm of blood forming tissues; characterized by abnormal proliferation of leukocytes; one of the four major types of cancer
leukocyte - blood cells that engulf and digest bacteria and fungi; an important part of the body's defense system
Leukocytosis - an abnormal increase in the number of white blood cells in the blood as a result of infection (as in leukemia)
Leukoderma - a congenital skin condition characterized by spots or bands of unpigmented skin
Leukopenia - an abnormal lowering of the white blood cell count
Leukorrhea - discharge of white mucous material from the vagina; often an indication of infection
Levite - a member of the Hebrew tribe of Levi (especially the branch that provided male assistants to the temple priests)
levodopa - the levorotatory form of dopa (trade names Bendopa and Brocadopa and Larodopa); as a drug it is used to treat Parkinson's disease
libido - (psychoanalysis) a Freudian term for sexual urge or desire
librarian - a professional person trained in library science and engaged in library services
licensed - given official approval to act
Lichen planus - an eruption of shiny flat topped purplish (usually itchy) papules on the wrist and forearms and thighs
Lidocaine - a local anesthetic (trade names Lidocaine and Xylocaine) used topically on the skin and mucous membranes
Life expectancy - an expected time to live as calculated on the basis of statistical probabilities
Life support - of or pertaining to equipment or methods used to sustain life
Lifeguard - an attendant employed at a beach or pool to protect swimmers from accidents
ligament - any connection or unifying bond; a sheet or band of tough fibrous tissue connecting bones or cartilages or supporting muscles or organs
ligand - an atom or molecule or radical or ion that forms a complex around a central atom
Ligate - bind with a bandage or ligature; bind chemically; join letters in a ligature when writing
ligation - (surgery) tying a duct or blood vessel with a ligature (as to prevent bleeding during surgery)
Lightening - descent of the uterus into the pelvic cavity that occurs late in pregnancy; the fetus is said to have dropped; changing to a lighter color
Lightheadedness - a frivolous lack of prudence; a reeling sensation; a feeling that you are about to fall
Lightwood - tall Australian acacia yielding highly valued black timber
limbic system - a system of functionally related neural structures in the brain that are involved in emotional behavior
limbus - a border or edge of any of various body parts distinguished by color or structure
linac - ions are accelerated along a linear path by voltage differences on electrodes along the path
Lincolnshire - an agricultural county of eastern England on the North Sea
Lindane - a white crystalline powder used as an agricultural insecticide
lingual - pertaining to or resembling or lying near the tongue; consisting of or related to language; a consonant that is produced with the tongue and other speech organs
linguist - a person who speaks more than one language; a specialist in linguistics
Liniment - a medicinal liquid that is rubbed into the skin to relieve muscular stiffness and pain
Linkage group - any pair of genes that tend to be transmitted together
linked - connected by a link, as railway cars or trailer trucks
linolenic acid - a liquid polyunsaturated fatty acid that occurs in some plant oils; an essential fatty acid
Linus Pauling - United States chemist who studied the nature of chemical bonding (1901 1994)
Liothyronine - thyroid hormone similar to thyroxine but with one less iodine atom per molecule and produced in smaller quantity; exerts the same biological effects as thyroxine but is more potent and briefer
Lipaemia - presence of excess lipids in the blood
lipase - an enzyme secreted in the digestive tract that catalyzes the breakdown of fats into individual fatty acids that can be absorbed into the bloodstream
Lipectomy - plastic surgery involving the breakdown and suction of fatty tissue
lipid - an oily organic compound insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents; essential structural component of living cells (along with proteins and carbohydrates)
Lipitor - an oral drug (trade name Lipitor) that is effective in lowering triglycerides; potent in reducing LDL cholesterol because higher doses can be given
lipoid - an oily organic compound insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents; essential structural component of living cells (along with proteins and carbohydrates)
lipoma - a tumor consisting of fatty tissue
Lipomatosis - pathology in which fat accumulates in lipomas in the body
lipophilic - having an affinity for lipids
Lipoprotein - a conjugated protein having a lipid component; the principal means for transporting lipids in the blood
Liposarcoma - sarcoma of fat cells
Liposome - an artificially made microscopic vesicle into which nucleic acids can be packaged; used in molecular biology as a transducing vector
Liquid diet - a diet of foods that can be served in liquid or strained form (plus custards or puddings); prescribed after certain kinds of surgery
Liquid nitrogen - nitrogen in a liquid state
Lisinopril - an ACE inhibiting drug (trade names Prinival or Zestril) administered as an antihypertensive and after heart attacks
Listeria - any species of the genus Listeria
Liter - a metric unit of capacity equal to the volume of 1 kilogram of pure water at 4 degrees centigrade and 760 mm of mercury (or approximately 1.76 pints)
Lithium - a soft silver white univalent element of the alkali metal group; the lightest metal known; occurs in several minerals
Lithotomy position - a position lying on your back with knees bent and thighs apart; assumed for vaginal or rectal examination
Lithotomy - surgical removal of a stone (calculus)
Litmus test - a test that relies on a single indicator; a coloring material (obtained from lichens) that turns red in acid solutions and blue in alkaline solutions; used as a very rough acid base indicator
Litmus - a coloring material (obtained from lichens) that turns red in acid solutions and blue in alkaline solutions; used as a very rough acid base indicator
Little finger - the finger farthest from the thumb
Liver cancer - malignant neoplastic disease of the liver usually occurring as a metastasis from another cancer; symptoms include loss of appetite and weakness and bloating and jaundice and upper abdominal discomfort
Liver disease - a disease affecting the liver
Liver fluke - flatworm parasitic in liver and bile ducts of domestic animals and humans
Liver spot - a type of skin disease that causes brown spots on the skin
Livid - furiously angry; (of a light) imparting a deathlike luminosity; anemic looking from illness or emotion; discolored by coagulation of blood beneath the skin
living will - a document written by someone still legally capable requesting that they should be allowed to die if subsequently severely disabled or suffering terminal illness
Livingston - American Revolutionary leader who served in the Continental Congress and as minister to France (1746 1813)
Lobar pneumonia - pneumonia affecting one or more lobes of the lung; commonly due to streptococcal infection
Lobar - of or relating to or affecting a lobe
Lobectomy - surgical removal of a lobe from any organ of the body (as the lung or brain)
Lobotomy - surgical interruption of nerve tracts to and from the frontal lobe of the brain; often results in marked cognitive and personality changes
lobule - a small lobe or subdivision of a lobe
Local anesthesia - loss of sensation in a small area of the body (as when a local anesthetic is injected for a tooth extraction)
Local anesthetic - anesthetic that numbs a particular area of the body
localized - made local or oriented locally; confined or restricted to a particular location
Lochia - substance discharged from the vagina (cellular debris and mucus and blood) that gradually decreases in amount during the weeks following childbirth
Locked - firmly fastened or secured against opening
locking - the act of locking something up to protect it
Lockjaw - an acute and serious infection of the central nervous system caused by bacterial infection of open wounds; spasms of the jaw and laryngeal muscles may occur during the late stages
Locomotion - self propelled movement; the power or ability to move
locomotive - of or relating to locomotion; a wheeled vehicle consisting of a self propelled engine that is used to draw trains along railway tracks
Locomotor ataxia - syphilis of the spinal cord characterized by degeneration of sensory neurons and stabbing pains in the trunk and legs and unsteady gait and incontinence and impotence
Logorrhea - pathologically excessive (and often incoherent) talking
Logrolling - act of exchanging favors for mutual gain; especially trading of influence or votes among legislators to gain passage of certain projects; rotating a log rapidly in the water (as a competitive sport)
lomustine - an antineoplastic drug often used to treat brain tumors or Hodgkin's disease
Loneliness - the state of being alone in solitary isolation; a disposition toward being alone; sadness resulting from being forsaken or abandoned
Long bone - in limbs of vertebrate animals: a long cylindrical bone that contains marrow
Long chain - of molecules having relatively long chains of atoms in a molecule
Longevity - the property of being long lived; duration of service
longitudinal - over an extended time; running lengthwise; of or relating to lines of longitude
Lorazepam - tranquilizer (trade name Ativan) used to treat anxiety and tension and insomnia
Lordosis - an abnormal inward (forward) curvature of the vertebral column
Lou Gehrig - baseball player who died of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (1903 1941)
Louis Pasteur - French chemist and biologist whose discovery that fermentation is caused by microorganisms resulted in the process of pasteurization (1822 1895)
Louis - United States prizefighter who was world heavyweight campion for 12 years (1914 1981)
Lovastatin - an oral drug (trade name Mevacor) to reduce blood cholesterol levels; used when dietary changes have proved inadequate
low tension - subjected to or capable of operating under relative low voltage
lower - the lower of two berths; verb set lower; cause to drop or sink; move something or somebody to a lower position; look angry or sullen, wrinkle one's forehead, as if to signal disapproval; make lower or quieter
Lowry - English novelist (1909 1957); English painter (1887 1976)
Loxapine - a tranquilizer (trade name Loxitane) used to treat schizophrenia
lubricant - a substance capable of reducing friction by making surfaces smooth or slippery
Lumbar puncture - removal by centesis of fluid from the subarachnoid space of the lumbar region of the spinal cord for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes
lumbar - of or relating to or near the part of the back between the ribs and the hipbones
Lumpectomy - surgical removal of a tumor without removing much of the surrounding tissue or lymph nodes; performed in some cases of breast cancer
Lung Cancer - carcinoma of the lungs; one of the commonest forms of cancer
Lunula - a crescent shaped metal ornament of the Bronze Age; the crescent shaped area at the base of the human fingernail
Lunule - the crescent shaped area at the base of the human fingernail
Lupus erythematosus - a chronic inflammatory collagen disease affecting connective tissue (skin or joints)
Lupus vulgaris - tuberculosis of the skin; appears first on the face and heals slowly leaving deep scars
Lupus - a constellation in the southern hemisphere near Centaurus; any of several forms of ulcerative skin disease
lutein - yellow carotenoid pigments in plants and animal fats and egg yolks
luteinizing hormone - a gonadotropic hormone that is secreted by the anterior pituitary; stimulates ovulation in female mammals and stimulates androgen release in male mammals
Luxation - displacement or misalignment of a joint or organ
Lycanthropy - (folklore) the magical ability of a person to assume the characteristics of a wolf
lycopene - carotenoid that makes tomatoes red; may lower the risk of prostate cancer
Lyme disease - an acute inflammatory disease characterized by a rash with joint swelling and fever; caused by bacteria carried by the bite of a deer tick
lymph gland - the source of lymph and lymphocytes
lymph node - the source of lymph and lymphocytes
lymph vessel - a vascular duct that carries lymph which is eventually added to the venous blood circulation
lymph - a thin coagulable fluid (similar to plasma but) containing white blood cells (lymphocytes) and chyle; is conveyed to the blood stream by lymphatic vessels
Lymphadenitis - inflammation of lymph nodes
Lymphadenopathy - chronic abnormal enlargement of the lymph nodes (usually associated with disease)
Lymphangiectasia - dilatation of a lymph vessel
lymphangiogram - an angiogram of the lymph nodes and lymph vessels made after the injection of a radiopaque substance
lymphangiography - roentgenographic examination of lymph nodes and lymph vessels after injection of a radiopaque contrast medium; produces a lymphangiogram
Lymphangioma - benign angioma consisting of a mass of lymphatic vessels
Lymphangitis - inflammation of a lymph vessel
lymphatic system - the interconnected system of spaces and vessels between body tissues and organs by which lymph circulates throughout the body
Lymphatic tissue - tissue making up the lymphatic system
lymphatic vessel - a vascular duct that carries lymph which is eventually added to the venous blood circulation
Lymphatic - of or relating to or produced by lymph
Lymphedema - swelling (usually in the legs) caused by lymph accumulating in the tissues
Lymphoblast - an immature lymphocyte
lymphocyte - an agranulocytic leukocyte that normally makes up a quarter of the white blood cell count but increases in the presence of infection
lymphocytic leukemia - leukemia characterized by enlargement of lymphoid tissues and lymphocytic cells in the circulating blood
lymphocytic - of or relating to lymphocytes
lymphocytopenia - an abnormally small number of lymphocytes in the circulating blood
Lymphocytosis - an abnormal increase in the number of lymphocytes in the circulating blood
Lymphogranuloma venereum - infectious disease caused by a species of chlamydia bacterium; transmitted by sexual contact; characterized by genital lesions and swelling of lymph nodes in the groin
lymphography - roentgenographic examination of lymph nodes and lymph vessels after injection of a radiopaque contrast medium; produces a lymphangiogram
lymphoid tissue - tissue making up the lymphatic system
lymphoid - resembling lymph or lymphatic tissues
Lymphokine - a cytokine secreted by helper T cells in response to stimulation by antigens and that acts on other cells of the immune system (as by activating macrophages)
Lymphoma - a neoplasm of lymph tissue that is usually malignant; one of the four major types of cancer
lymphopenia - an abnormally small number of lymphocytes in the circulating blood
Lymphopoiesis - the formation of lymphocytes in the bone marrow and lymph nodes and thymus and spleen
Lyophilization - a method of drying food or blood plasma or pharmaceuticals or tissue without destroying their physical structure; material is frozen and then warmed in a vacuum so that the ice sublimes
Lyophilize - to dry (blood, serum, or tissue) by freezing in a high vacuum
Lysergic acid diethylamide - a powerful hallucinogenic drug manufactured from lysergic acid
Lysine - an essential amino acid found in proteins; occurs especially in gelatin and casein
lysis - (biochemistry) dissolution or destruction of cells such as blood cells or bacteria; recuperation in which the symptoms of an acute disease gradually subside
Lysogenic - capable of producing or undergoing lysis; of or relating to lysogeny
lysosome - an organelle found in the cytoplasm of most cells (especially in leukocytes and liver and kidney cells)

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Machupo virus - the RNA virus that causes Bolivian hemorrhagic fever; carried by rats and mice
Macrencephaly - an abnormally large braincase
Macro - very large in scale or scope or capability; a single computer instruction that results in a series of instructions in machine language
Macrobiotic diet - a diet consisting chiefly of beans and whole grains
Macrobiotic - of or relating to the theory or practice of macrobiotics
Macrocephaly - an abnormally large head; differs from hydrocephalus because there is no increased intracranial pressure and the overgrowth is symmetrical
Macrocytic anemia - anemia in which the average size of erythrocytes is larger than normal
Macrocytosis - the presence of macrocytes in the blood
Macroglossia - a congenital disorder characterized by an abnormally large tongue; often seen in cases of Down's syndrome
Macromolecule - any very large complex molecule; found only in plants and animals
macrophage - a large phagocyte; some are fixed and other circulate in the blood stream
Macroscopic - large enough to be visible to the naked eye
macular degeneration - degeneration of the cells of the macula lutea which results in blurred vision and can cause blindness; usually age related
Macule - a patch of skin that is discolored but not usually elevated; caused by various diseases
Madhouse - pejorative terms for an insane asylum
Maggot - the larva of the housefly and blowfly commonly found in decaying organic matter
Magic bullet - a remedy (drug or therapy or preventive) that cures or prevents a disease
Magnesia - a white solid mineral that occurs naturally as periclase; a source of magnesium
Magnesium sulfate - a salt of magnesium
magnetic resonance imaging - the use of nuclear magnetic resonance of protons to produce proton density images
Maimonides - Spanish philosopher considered the greatest Jewish scholar of the Middle Ages who codified Jewish law in the Talmud (1135 1204)
Makeup - cosmetics applied to the face to improve or change your appearance; an event that is substituted for a previously cancelled event; the way in which someone or something is composed
malabsorption syndrome - a pattern of symptoms including loss of appetite and bloating and weight loss and muscle pain and steatorrhea; associated with celiac disease and sprue and cystic fibrosis
Malabsorption - abnormal absorption of nutrients from the digestive tract
Malacia - a state of abnormal softening of tissue
Malady - any unwholesome or desperate condition; impairment of normal physiological function affecting part or all of an organism
malaise - physical discomfort (as mild sickness or depression)
Malar - the arch of bone beneath the eye that forms the prominence of the cheek
Malaria - an infective disease caused by sporozoan parasites that are transmitted through the bite of an infected Anopheles mosquito; marked by paroxysms of chills and fever
Malathion - a yellow insecticide used as a dust or spray to control garden pests and house flies and mites
Male genitalia - external male sex organs
Male reproductive system - the reproductive system of males
Malformation - something abnormal or anomalous; an affliction in which some part of the body is misshapen or malformed
Malignancy - (medicine) a malignant state; progressive and resistant to treatment and tending to cause death; quality of being disposed to evil; intense ill will
malignant hypertension - severe hypertension that runs a rapid course and damages the inner linings of the blood vessels and the heart and spleen and kidneys and brain
Malignant hyperthermia - hereditary condition in which certain anesthetics (e.g., halothane) cause high body temperatures and muscle rigidity
Malignant melanoma - any of several malignant neoplasms (usually of the skin) consisting of melanocytes
malignant - dangerous to health; characterized by progressive and uncontrolled growth (especially of a tumor)
Malingering - evading duty or work by pretending to be incapacitated
Malleability - the property of being physically malleable; the property of something that can be worked or hammered or shaped without breaking
Malleus - the ossicle attached to the eardrum
Malnutrition - a state of poor nutrition; can result from insufficient or excessive or unbalanced diet or from inability to absorb foods
Malpighian layer - the innermost layer of the epidermis
Maltreatment - cruel or inhumane treatment
Mammary gland - milk secreting organ of female mammals
mammary - of or relating to the milk giving gland of the female
mammogram - X ray film of the soft tissue of the breast
Mammography - a diagnostic procedure to detect breast tumors by the use of X rays
Management - the act of managing something; those in charge of running a business
Mandalay - a city in central Myanmar north of Rangoon
Mandible - the jaw in vertebrates that is hinged to open the mouth
Mania - an irrational but irresistible motive for a belief or action; a mood disorder; an affective disorder in which the victim tends to respond excessively and sometimes violently
Manic - affected with or marked by frenzy or mania uncontrolled by reason
Mannitol - a diuretic (trade name Osmitrol) used to promote the excretion of urine
Mansfield - a town in north central Ohio; New Zealand writer of short stories (1888 1923)
Mantoux test - tuberculin (a derivative of tubercle bacillus) is injected intradermally; a red area appearing 1 3 days later signifies an exposure (past or present) to tubercle bacilli and the need for further testing
Maple syrup urine disease - an inherited disorder of metabolism in which the urine has a odor characteristic of maple syrup; if untreated it can lead to mental retardation and death in early childhood
Mapping - (genetics) the process of locating genes on a chromosome; a function such that for every element of one set there is a unique element of another set
Marasmus - extreme malnutrition and emaciation (especially in children); can result from inadequate intake of food or from malabsorption or metabolic disorders
Marburg disease - a viral disease of green monkeys caused by the Marburg virus; when transmitted to humans it causes serious or fatal illness
Marburg virus - a filovirus that causes Marburg disease; carried by animals; can be used as a bioweapon
Marcello Malpighi - Italian anatomist who was the first to use a microscope to study anatomy and was among the first to recognize cells in animals (1628 1694)
Margaret Mead - United States anthropologist noted for her claims about adolescence and sexual behavior in Polynesian cultures (1901 1978)
Marie Curie - French chemist (born in Poland) who won two Nobel prizes; one (with her husband and Henri Becquerel) for research on radioactivity and another for her discovery of radium and polonium (1867 1934)
Mark of Cain - the mark that God set upon Cain now refers to a person's sinful nature
Marker - some conspicuous object used to distinguish or mark something; a writing implement for making a mark; a distinguishing symbol
Marmoreal - of or relating to or characteristic of marble
Marriage - the act of marrying; the nuptial ceremony; two people who are married to each other; the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce); a close and intimate union
Mary Mallon - United States cook who was an immune carrier of typhoid fever and who infected dozens of people (1870 1938)
Mary Martin - United States actress (1913 1990)
Mask of pregnancy - a tan discoloration of a woman's face that is associated with pregnancy or with the use of oral contraceptives
masked - having its true character concealed with the intent of misleading
Masochism - sexual pleasure obtained from receiving punishment (physical or psychological)
Massage - kneading and rubbing parts of the body to increase circulation and promote relaxation; verb give a massage to; manually manipulate (someone's body), usually for medicinal or relaxation purposes
Masseter - a large muscle that raises the lower jaw and is used in chewing
mast cell - a large connective tissue cell that contains histamine and heparin and serotonin which are released in allergic reactions or in response to injury or inflammation
Mastalgia - pain in the breast
Mastectomy - surgical removal of a breast to remove a malignant tumor
Masticate - grind and knead; chew (food)
Mastitis - inflammation of a breast (or udder)
Mastocyte - a large connective tissue cell that contains histamine and heparin and serotonin which are released in allergic reactions or in response to injury or inflammation
mastoid bone - process of the temporal bone behind the ear at the base of the skull
Mastoid - relating to or resembling a nipple; of or relating to or in the region of the mastoid process; process of the temporal bone behind the ear at the base of the skull
Mastoidectomy - surgical removal of some or all of the mastoid process
Mastoiditis - inflammation of the mastoid
Mastopexy - plastic surgery to lift or reshape the breasts
masturbation - manual stimulation of the genital organs (of yourself or another) for sexual pleasure
Materfamilias - a female head of a family or tribe
Materia medica - the science or study of drugs: their preparation and properties and uses and effects
Maternal - characteristic of a mother; relating to or derived from one's mother; relating to or characteristic of or befitting a parent; related on the mother's side
mathematics - a science (or group of related sciences) dealing with the logic of quantity and shape and arrangement
Maxilla - the jaw in vertebrates that is fused to the cranium
McArdle's disease - an inherited disease in which abnormal amounts of glycogen accumulate in skeletal muscle; results in weakness and cramping
McBurney's point - a point one third of the way along a line drawn from the hip to the umbilicus; the point of maximum sensitivity in acute appendicitis
meal plan - a plan and a room rate for providing meals to guests at a hotel
Measles - an acute and highly contagious viral disease marked by distinct red spots followed by a rash; occurs primarily in children
Measly - contemptibly small in amount
Meatus - a natural body passageway
Mebendazole - an anthelmintic used to treat hookworm and pinworm and roundworm infestations
mechanical - using (or as if using) mechanisms or tools or devices; relating to or governed by or in accordance with mechanics; relating to or concerned with machinery or tools
Meckel's diverticulum - a congenital diverticulum in the ileum resulting from incomplete closure of the yolk sac
Meclizine - an antihistamine (trade name Antivert) used to treat or prevent motion sickness
Meconium - thick dark green mucoid material that is the first feces of a newborn child
medial - dividing an animal into right and left halves; relating to or situated in or extending toward the middle
mediastinum - the part of the thoracic cavity between the lungs that contains the heart and aorta and esophagus and trachea and thymus
mediated - acting or brought about through an intervening agency
Medicaid - health care for the needy; a federally and state funded program
Medical assistant - a person trained to assist medical professionals
Medical diagnosis - identification a disease from its symptoms
Medical history - the case history of a medical patient as recalled by the patient
Medical practice - the practice of medicine
Medical profession - the body of individuals who are qualified to practice medicine
Medical record - the case history of a medical patient as recalled by the patient
Medical school - a graduate school offering study leading to a medical degree
medical scientist - a scientist who studies disease processes
Medical specialty - the branches of medical science that deal with nonsurgical techniques
medical student - a student in medical school
Medicare - health care for the aged; a federally administered system of health insurance available to persons aged 65 and over
Medication - the act of treating with medicines or remedies; (medicine) something that treats or prevents or alleviates the symptoms of disease
Medicine ball - heavy ball used in physical training
Medicine chest - cabinet that holds medicines and toiletries
Medicine man - a Native American shaman
Mediterranean anemia - an inherited form of anemia caused by faulty synthesis of hemoglobin
Mediterranean Fever - infectious bacterial disease of human beings transmitted by contact with infected animals or infected meat or milk products; characterized by fever and headache
Mediterranean - of or relating to or characteristic of or located near the Mediterranean Sea; the largest inland sea; between Europe and Africa and Asia
MEDLARS - relational database of the United States National Library of Medicine for the storage and retrieval of bibliographical information concerning the biomedical literature
MEDLINE - the computer based telephone system of the United States National Library of Medicine that provides rapid linkage to MEDLARS
medroxyprogesterone - a progestin compound (trade name Provera) used to treat menstrual disorders
Medulla oblongata - lower or hindmost part of the brain; continuous with spinal cord; (`bulb' is an old term for medulla oblongata)
Medullary - of or relating to the medulla of any body part; of or relating to the medulla oblongata; containing or consisting of or resembling bone marrow
Mefenamic acid - a nonsteroidal anti inflammatory and analgesic drug (trade name Ponstel) used to treat mild pain (especially menstrual cramps)
Mefloquine - an antimalarial drug (trade name Larium and Mephaquine) that is effective in cases that do not respond to chloroquine; said to produce harmful neuropsychiatric effects on some people
Megacolon - an abnormal enlargement of the colon; can be congenital (as in Hirschsprung's disease) or acquired (as when children refuse to defecate)
Megakaryocyte - a large bone marrow cell; regarded as the source of blood platelets
megaloblastic anemia - anemia characterized by many large immature and dysfunctional red blood cells (megaloblasts) in the bone marrow; associated with pernicious anemia
Megavitamin therapy - therapy based on a theory that taking very large doses of vitamins will prevent or cure physical or psychological disorders
Megestrol acetate - a synthetic progestational compound used to treat endometrial carcinoma
Megrim - a severe recurring vascular headache; occurs more frequently in women than men
Meibomian cyst - a small sebaceous cyst of the eyelid resulting when a Meibomian gland is blocked
Meibomian gland - a long sebaceous gland that lubricates the eyelids
Meiotic - of or relating to meiosis
Melancholia - extreme depression characterized by tearful sadness and irrational fears
melanin - insoluble pigments that account for the color of e.g. skin and scales and feathers
Melanocyte - a cell in the basal layer of the epidermis that produces melanin under the control of the melanocyte stimulating hormone
Melanoderma - abnormally dark skin caused by increased deposits of melatonin
Melanoma - any of several malignant neoplasms (usually of the skin) consisting of melanocytes
Melanosis - a condition characterized by abnormal deposits of melanin (especially in the skin)
Melasma - a tan discoloration of a woman's face that is associated with pregnancy or with the use of oral contraceptives
Melatonin - hormone secreted by the pineal gland
Melena - abnormally dark tarry feces containing blood (usually from gastrointestinal bleeding)
Melphalan - antineoplastic drug (trade name Alkeran) used to treat multiple myeloma and some other malignancies
Meltdown - a disaster comparable to a nuclear meltdown; severe overheating of the core of a nuclear reactor resulting in the core melting and radiation escaping
membrane - a thin pliable sheet of material; a pliable sheet of tissue that covers or lines or connects organs or cells of animals
Membranous - characterized by formation of a membrane (or something resembling a membrane); relating to or made of or similar to a membrane
Menarche - the first occurrence of menstruation in a woman
Mendel - Augustinian monk and botanist whose experiments in breeding garden peas led to his eventual recognition as founder of the science of genetics (1822 1884)
Mendelian - of or relating to Gregor Mendel or in accord with Mendel's laws; a follower of Mendelism
Mendelism - the theory of inheritance based on Mendel's laws
Meniere - French otologist who first described a form of vertigo now known as Meniere's disease and identified the semicircular canals as the site of the lesion (1799 1862)
meningeal - relating to the meninges
meninges - a membrane (one of 3) that envelops the brain and spinal cord
Meningioma - a tumor arising in the meninges which surround the brain and spinal cord; usually slow growing and sometimes malignant
Meningism - symptoms that mimic those of meningitis but without inflammation of the meninges
Meningocele - a congenital anomaly of the central nervous system in which a sac protruding from the brain or the spinal meninges contains cerebrospinal fluid (but no nerve tissue)
Meningoencephalitis - inflammation of the brain and spinal cord and their meninges
menopausal - of or relating to the menopause
Menopause - the time in a woman's life in which the menstrual cycle ends
Menorrhagia - abnormally heavy or prolonged menstruation; can be a symptom of uterine tumors and can lead to anemia if prolonged
Menstrual cycle - a recurring cycle (beginning at menarche and ending at menopause) in which the endometrial lining of the uterus prepares for pregnancy; if pregnancy does not occur the lining is shed at menstruation
Menstrual - of or relating to menstruation or the menses
Menstruation - the monthly discharge of blood from the uterus of nonpregnant women from puberty to menopause
Mental disorder - (psychiatry) a psychological disorder of thought or emotion; a more neutral term than mental illness
Mental Health - the psychological state of someone who is functioning at a satisfactory level of emotional and behavioral adjustment
Mental hygiene - the branch of psychiatry concerned with psychological methods
Mental retardation - lack of normal development of intellectual capacities
Mental state - (psychology) a mental condition in which the qualities of a state are relatively constant even though the state itself may be dynamic
Mentum - a projection below the mouth of certain mollusks that resembles a chin; a projection like a chin formed by the sepals and base of the column in some orchids; the protruding part of the lower jaw
Mercaptopurine - a drug (trade name Purinethol) that interferes with the metabolism of purine and is used to treat acute lymphocytic leukemia
Mercury poisoning - a toxic condition caused by ingesting or inhaling mercury; acute mercury poisoning causes a metallic taste and vomiting and diarrhea and kidney problems that may lead to death
Meromelia - congenital absence of part of an arm or leg
Mesenteric artery - one of two branches of the aorta that pass between the two layers of the mesentery to the intestines
Mesenteric vein - a tributary of the portal vein passing from the intestine between the two layers of mesentery
mesenteric - of or relating to or located in a mesentery
Mesentery - a double layer of peritoneum that attaches to the back wall of the abdominal cavity and supports the small intestines
Mesial - being in or directed toward the midline or mesial plane of the body
Mesmerism - the act of inducing hypnosis
Mesoderm - the middle germ layer that develops into muscle and bone and cartilage and blood and connective tissue
Mesodermal - relating to or derived from the mesoderm
Mesothelioma - a rare form of carcinoma of the mesothelium lining lungs or abdomen or heart; usually associated with exposure to asbestos dust
Messenger RNA - the template for protein synthesis; the form of RNA that carries information from DNA in the nucleus to the ribosome sites of protein synthesis in the cell
messenger - a person who carries a message
Mestranol - a synthetic form of estrogen used in combination with a progestin in oral contraceptives
Metabolic rate - rate of metabolism; the amount of energy expended in a give period
Metabolic - undergoing metamorphosis; of or relating to metabolism
Metabolism - the organic processes (in a cell or organism) that are necessary for life; the marked and rapid transformation of a larva into an adult that occurs in some animals
Metacentric chromosome - a chromosome having two equal arms because the centromere is in median position
Metamere - one of a series of similar body segments into which some animals are divided longitudinally
Metamorphopsia - a defect of vision in which objects appear to be distorted; usually due to a defect in the retina
Metaphase - the second stage of mitosis; the second stage of meiosis
Metaphase - the second stage of mitosis; the second stage of meiosis
Metaphysis - the growing part of a long bone between the diaphysis and the epiphysis
Metastasis - the spreading of a disease to another part of the body; the organic processes (in a cell or organism) that are necessary for life
metastasize - spread throughout the body
metastatic - relating to or affected by metastasis
Metatarsal - of or relating to the metatarsus; any bone of the foot between the ankle and the toes
Metatarsus - the skeleton of the human foot between the toes and the tarsus; the corresponding part of the foot in birds or of the hind foot in quadrupeds
metformin - an antidiabetic drug (trade name Glucophage) prescribed to treat type II diabetes
Methadone - synthetic narcotic drug similar to morphine but less habit forming; used in narcotic detoxification and maintenance of heroin addiction
Methamphetamine - an amphetamine derivative (trade name Methedrine) used in the form of a crystalline hydrochloride; used as a stimulant to the nervous system and as an appetite suppressant
Metharbital - anticonvulsant drug (trade name Gemonil) used in the treatment of epilepsy
Methicillin - antibiotic drug of the penicillin family used in the treatment of certain staphylococcal infections
Methionine - a crystalline amino acid containing sulfur; found in most proteins and essential for nutrition
Methocarbamol - muscle relaxant for skeletal muscles (trade name Robaxin) used to treat spasms
Methotrexate - toxic antimetabolite that limits cellular reproduction by acting as an antagonist to folic acid; used to treat certain cancers and psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis
Methyl bromide - a poisonous gas or liquid (CH3Br) used to fumigate rodents, worms, etc.
methyl - the univalent radical CH3 derived from methane
Methyldopa - antihypertensive drug (trade name Aldomet) used in the treatment of high blood pressure
Methylene blue - a dark green dye used as a stain, an antiseptic, a chemical indicator, and an antidote in cyanide poisoning
Methylphenidate - central nervous system stimulant (trade name Ritalin) used in the treatment of narcolepsy in adults and attention deficit disorder in children
Metronidazole - antiprotozoal medication (trade name Flagyl) used to treat trichomoniasis and giardiasis
Metropolis - people living in a large densely populated municipality; a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
Metrorrhagia - bleeding from the uterus that is not due to menstruation; usually indicative of disease (as cervical cancer)
Meuse - an American operation in World War I (1918); American troops under Pershing drove back the German armies which were saved only by the armistice on November 11; a European river; flows into the North Sea
Mexiletine - antiarrhythmic drug (trade name Mexitil) used to treat ventricular arrhythmias
Miasma - unhealthy vapors rising from the ground or other sources; an unwholesome atmosphere
Miasmic - of noxious stench from atmospheric pollution; filled with vapor
Miconazole - an antifungal agent usually administered in the form of a nitrate (trade name Monistat)
Micro - extremely small in scale or scope or capability
microbe - a minute life form (especially a disease causing bacterium); the term is not in technical use
microbiologist - a specialist in microbiology
Microbiology - the branch of biology that studies microorganisms and their effects on humans
Microcephaly - an abnormally small head and underdeveloped brain
Microcytic anemia - anemia in which the average size of erythrocytes is smaller than normal
Microcytosis - a blood disorder characterized by the presence of microcytes (abnormally small red blood cells) in the blood; often associated with anemia
microgram - one millionth (1/1,000,000) gram
Micronutrient - a substance needed only in small amounts for normal body function (e.g., vitamins or minerals)
Microorganism - any organism of microscopic size
Micropenis - an abnormally small penis
Microphallus - an abnormally small penis
Microscope - magnifier of the image of small objects
Microscopic anatomy - the study of microscopic structures of tissues and organs
Microscopic - too small to be seen except under a microscope; extremely precise with great attention to details; of or relating to or used in microscopy; infinitely or immeasurably small
Microscopy - research with the use of microscopes
Microsurgery - surgery using operating microscopes and miniaturized precision instruments to perform intricate procedures on very small structures
Micturate - eliminate urine
micturition - the discharge of urine
Midazolam - an injectable form of benzodiazepine (trade name Versed) useful for sedation and for reducing pain during uncomfortable medical procedures
middle ear - the main cavity of the ear; between the eardrum and the inner ear
Middle finger - the second finger; between the index finger and the ring finger
Midget - very small; a person who is markedly small
Midwife - a woman skilled in aiding the delivery of babies
Midwifery - assisting women at childbirth; the branch of medicine dealing with childbirth and care of the mother
Mifepristone - an abortion inducing drug (trade name RU_486) developed in France; when taken during the first five weeks of pregnancy it blocks the action of progesterone so that the uterus sloughs off the embryo
Migraine - a severe recurring vascular headache; occurs more frequently in women than men
Milch - giving milk; bred or suitable primarily for milk production
Miliaria - obstruction of the sweat ducts during high heat and humidity
Miliary fever - epidemic in the 15th and 16th centuries and characterized by profuse sweating and high mortality
Miliary tuberculosis - acute tuberculosis characterized by the appearance of tiny tubercles on one or more organs of the body (presumably resulting from tubercle bacilli being spread in the bloodstream)
Military hospital - hospital for soldiers and other military personnel
Milk sickness - caused by consuming milk from cattle suffering from trembles; disease of livestock and especially cattle poisoned by eating certain kinds of snakeroot
milligram - one thousandth (1/1,000) gram
Milwaukee - largest city of Wisconsin; located in southeastern Wisconsin on the western shore of Lake Michigan; a flourishing agricultural center known for its breweries
Mimesis - the imitative representation of nature and human behavior in art and literature; the representation of another person's words in a speech; any disease that shows symptoms characteristic of another disease
Mimetic - exhibiting mimicry; characterized by or of the nature of or using mimesis
Mimicry - the resemblance of an animal species to another species or to natural objects; provides concealment and protection from predators; the act of mimicking; imitative behavior
Minamata disease - a form of mercury poisoning among people who ate fish from mercury contaminated waters of Minamata Bay off Japan in the 1950s; characterized by severe neurological degeneration
mindfulness - the trait of staying aware of (paying close attention to) your responsibilities
mindlessness - the trait of acting rashly and without prudence; total lack of meaning or ideas
mineralocorticoid - hormone that is one of the steroids of the adrenal cortex that influences the metabolism of sodium and potassium
Minimisation - the act of reducing something to the least possible amount or degree or position
Minocycline - tetracycline antibiotic (trade name Minocin) used to treat a variety of bacterial and rickettsial infections
Minoxidil - a vasodilator (trade name Loniten) used to treat severe hypertension; one side effect is hirsutism so it is also sold (trade name Rogaine) as a treatment for male patterned baldness
miotic - of or relating to or causing constriction of the pupil of the eye; a drug that causes miosis (constriction of the pupil of the eye)
Mirror - polished surface that forms images by reflecting light; a faithful depiction or reflection; verb reflect or resemble; reflect as if in a mirror
Miscarriage - failure of a plan; a natural loss of the products of conception
mismatch - a bad or unsuitable match; verb match badly; match two objects or people that do not go together
Mitochondrion - an organelle containing enzymes responsible for producing energy
mitomycin - a complex of antibiotic substances obtained from a streptomyces bacterium; one form (trade name Mutamycin) shows promise as an anticancer drug
mitosis - cell division in which the nucleus divides into nuclei containing the same number of chromosomes
Mitotic - of or relating to or undergoing mitosis
mitral valve prolapse - cardiopathy resulting from the mitral valve not regulating the flow of blood between the left atrium and left ventricle of the heart
mitral valve stenosis - obstruction or narrowing of the mitral valve (as by scarring from rheumatic fever)
mitral valve - valve with two cusps; situated between the left atrium and the left ventricle
mitral - of or relating to or located in or near the mitral valve; relating to or resembling the miter worn by some clerics
Mittelschmerz - pain in the area of the ovary that is felt at the time of ovulation (usually midway through the menstrual cycle)
mixed - consisting of a haphazard assortment of different kinds (even to the point of incongruity); involving or composed of different races; caused to combine or unite
mobility - the quality of moving freely
Modeling - a preliminary sculpture in wax or clay from which a finished work can be copied; the act of representing something (usually on a smaller scale); sculpture produced by molding
Modelling - the act of representing something (usually on a smaller scale); a preliminary sculpture in wax or clay from which a finished work can be copied
modified radical mastectomy - removal of a breast and the pectoralis minor and some lymph nodes in the adjacent armpit
Modifier gene - a gene that modifies the effect produced by another gene
Moisturize - make (more) humid
Molar pregnancy - an abnormality during pregnancy; chorionic villi around the fetus degenerate and form clusters of fluid filled sacs; usually associated with the death of the fetus
Molecular biology - the branch of biology that studies the structure and activity of macromolecules essential to life (and especially with their genetic role)
Molecular genetics - the branch of genetics concerned with the structure and activity of genetic material at the molecular level
molecular - relating to simple or elementary organization; relating to or produced by or consisting of molecules
Molecule - (physics and chemistry) the simplest structural unit of an element or compound; (nontechnical usage) a tiny piece of anything
molluscum contagiosum - a virus disease of the skin marked by round white swellings; transmitted from person to person (most often in children or in adults with impaired immune function)
Momism - excessive protection
Monaural - relating to or having or hearing with only one ear
Mongolism - a congenital disorder caused by having an extra 21st chromosome; results in a flat face and short stature and mental retardation
Monilia - any of the yeastlike imperfect fungi of the genus Monilia
Moniliasis - an infection caused by fungi of the genus Monilia or Candida (especially Candida albicans)
Monoamine oxidase inhibitor - any of a group of antidepressant drugs that inhibit the action of monoamine oxidase in the brain and so allow monoamines to accumulate
Monochromacy - complete color blindness; colors can be differentiated only on the basis of brightness
Monochromat - a person who is completely color blind
Monochromatism - complete color blindness; colors can be differentiated only on the basis of brightness
monoclonal antibody - any of a class of antibodies produced in the laboratory by identical offspring of a hybridoma; very specific for a particular location in the body
Monoclonal - forming or derived from a single clone; any of a class of antibodies produced in the laboratory by identical offspring of a hybridoma; very specific for a particular location in the body
Monocular vision - vision with only one eye
Monocyte - a type of granular leukocyte that functions in the ingestion of bacteria
Monocytosis - increase in the number of monocytes in the blood; symptom of monocytic leukemia
Monogenic disorder - an inherited disease controlled by a single pair of genes
Monogenic - of or relating to an inheritable character that is controlled by a single pair of genes
Monohybrid cross - hybridization using a single trait with two alleles (as in Mendel's experiments with garden peas)
Monohybrid - a hybrid produced by crossing parents that are homozygous except for a single gene locus that has two alleles (as in Mendel's experiments with garden peas)
Mononeuropathy - any neuropathy of a single nerve trunk
Monoplegia - paralysis of a single limb
Monoploid - of a cell or organism having a single set of chromosomes
Monorchism - failure of one testes to descend into the scrotum
Monosodium glutamate - white crystalline compound used as a food additive to enhance flavor; often used in Chinese cooking
Monosomy - chromosomal abnormality consisting of the absence of one chromosome from the normal diploid number
Moonflower - pantropical climber having white fragrant nocturnal flowers
morbid - suggesting an unhealthy mental state; caused by or altered by or manifesting disease or pathology; suggesting the horror of death and decay
morbidity - an abnormally gloomy or unhealthy state of mind; the relative incidence of a particular disease; the quality of being unhealthful and generally bad for you
Morbilli - an acute and highly contagious viral disease marked by distinct red spots followed by a rash; occurs primarily in children
Morbilliform - of a rash that resembles that of measles
Morgue - a building (or room) where dead bodies are kept before burial or cremation
Morning sickness - nausea early in the day; a characteristic symptom in the early months of pregnancy
morning - the time period between dawn and noon; a conventional expression of greeting or farewell; the earliest period; the first light of day
Moro reflex - a normal reflex of young infants; a sudden loud noise causes the child to stretch out the arms and flex the legs
Morphea - localized scleroderma
Morpheus - the Roman god of sleep and dreams
Morphia - an alkaloid narcotic drug extracted from opium; a powerful, habit forming narcotic used to relieve pain
Morphine - an alkaloid narcotic drug extracted from opium; a powerful, habit forming narcotic used to relieve pain
Morphogenesis - differentiation and growth of the structure of an organism (or a part of an organism)
Mortality rate - the ratio of deaths in an area to the population of that area; expressed per 1000 per year
Mortality - the quality or state of being mortal; the ratio of deaths in an area to the population of that area; expressed per 1000 per year
Mosaicism - the condition in which an organism has two or more cell populations that differ in genetic makeup
Mosquito net - a fine net or screen (especially around beds) to protect against mosquitos
Motherese - an adult's imitation of the speech of a young child
motility - ability to move spontaneously and independently; a change of position that does not entail a change of location
Motion sickness - the state of being dizzy or nauseated because of the motions that occur while traveling in or on a moving vehicle
Motoneuron - a neuron conducting impulses outwards from the brain or spinal cord
Motor control - control of muscles
motor neuron - a neuron conducting impulses outwards from the brain or spinal cord
Motor pool - a fleet of military vehicles controlled by a single agency and available for use as needed
Mountain sickness - nausea and shortness of breath experienced by mountain climbers above ten thousand feet
mountain - a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill; a large number or amount
Mourning - sorrowful through loss or deprivation; state of sorrow over the death or departure of a loved one; the passionate and demonstrative activity of expressing grief
Mouthwash - a medicated solution used for gargling and rinsing the mouth
mower - garden tool for mowing grass on lawns
mucocutaneous - of or relating to the mucous membranes and skin
Mucopolysaccharidosis - any of a group of genetic disorders involving a defect in the metabolism of mucopolysaccharides resulting in greater than normal levels of mucopolysaccharides in tissues
mucosa - mucus secreting membrane lining all body cavities or passages that communicate with the exterior
mucous membrane - mucus secreting membrane lining all body cavities or passages that communicate with the exterior
Mucous - of or secreting or covered with or resembling mucus
Mucoviscidosis - the most common congenital disease; the child's lungs and intestines and pancreas become clogged with thick mucus; caused by defect in a single gene; there is no cure
Mulligan - Irish version of burgoo
Multicellular - consisting of many cells
Multifactorial - involving or depending on several factors or causes (especially pertaining to a condition or disease resulting from the interaction of many genes)
Multiparous - producing more than one offspring at a time
Multiple myeloma - myeloma that develops in several places at the same time
multiple sclerosis - a chronic progressive nervous disorder involving loss of myelin sheath around certain nerve fibers
Multiple - having or involving or consisting of more than one part or entity or individual; the product of a quantity by an integer
multiplicity - the property of being multiple; a large number
Multivitamin - a pill or tablet containing several vitamins
Mumps - an acute contagious viral disease characterized by fever and by swelling of the parotid glands
Munchausen syndrome - syndrome consisting of feigning acute and dramatic illness for which no clinical evidence is ever found
Munchhausen - German raconteur who told preposterous stories about his adventures as a soldier and hunter; his name is now associated with any telling of exaggerated stories or winning lies (1720 1797)
Murine typhus - acute infection caused by rickettsia and transmitted by the bite of an infected flea; characterized by fever and chills and muscle aches and a rash
Murine - of or relating to or transmitted by a member of the family Muridae (rats and mice); a rodent that is a member of the family Muridae
Mus musculus - brownish grey Old World mouse now a common household pest worldwide
Muscle relaxant - a drug that reduces muscle contractility by blocking the transmission of nerve impulses or by decreasing the excitability of the motor end plate or by other actions
Muscle tone - normal tonicity of the muscles
Muscular dystrophy - any of several hereditary diseases of the muscular system characterized by weakness and wasting of skeletal muscles
Musculoskeletal system - the system of muscles and tendons and ligaments and bones and joints and associated tissues that move the body and maintain its form
Musculoskeletal - relating to muscles and skeleton
Musculus - one of the contractile organs of the body
Mustard gas - a toxic war gas with sulfide based compounds that raises blisters and attacks the eyes and lungs; there is no known antidote
Mustard plaster - a plaster containing powdered black mustard; applied to the skin as a counterirritant or rubefacient
Mutability - the quality of being capable of mutation
Mutagen - any agent (physical or environmental) that can induce a genetic mutation or can increase the rate of mutation
Mutagenesis - an event capable of causing a mutation
Mutant - tending to undergo or resulting from mutation; an animal that has undergone mutation; (biology) an organism that has characteristics resulting from chromosomal alteration
Muteness - a refusal to speak when expected; the condition of being unable or unwilling to speak
Mutism - the condition of being unable or unwilling to speak
Muton - the smallest unit of DNA where a mutation can occur
myalgia - pain in a muscle or group of muscles
Myasthenia gravis - a chronic progressive disease characterized by chronic fatigue and muscular weakness (especially in the face and neck); caused by a deficiency of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junctions
Mycelium - the vegetative part of a fungus consisting of a mass of branching threadlike hyphae
Mycobacteria - rod shaped bacteria some saprophytic or causing diseases
Mycobacterium leprae - cause of leprosy
Mycobacterium tuberculosis - cause of tuberculosis
mycobacterium - rod shaped bacteria some saprophytic or causing diseases
Mycoplasma - any of a group of small parasitic bacteria that lack a cell walls and can survive without oxygen; can cause pneumonia and urinary tract infection
mycosis - an inflammatory condition caused by a fungus
mycostatin - an antifungal and antibiotic (trade names Mycostatin and Nystan) discovered in New York State; derived from soil fungi actinomycetes
Mycotoxin - a toxin produced by a fungus
Mydriasis - reflex pupillary dilation as a muscle pulls the iris outward; occurs in response to a decrease in light or certain drugs
mydriatic - a drug that causes the pupil of the eye to dilate; used to aid eye examinations
myelin - a white fatty substance that forms a medullary sheath around the axis cylinder of some nerve fibers
Myelinization - the development of a myelin sheath around a nerve fiber
Myelitis - inflammation of the spinal cord
myelofibrosis - fibrosis of the bone marrow
myelogram - X ray film of the spinal cord and spinal nerve roots and subarachnoid space
Myelography - roentgenography of the spinal cord to detect possible lesions (usually after injection of a contrast medium into the subarachnoid space)
Myeloid leukemia - chronic leukemia characterized by granular leukocytes; more common in older people
myeloid - of or relating to bone marrow; of or relating to the spinal cord
myeloma - a tumor of the bone marrow (usually malignant) composed of cells normally found in bone marrow
myocardial infarction - destruction of heart tissue resulting from obstruction of the blood supply to the heart muscle
myocardial - of or relating to the myocardium
Myocarditis - inflammation of the myocardium (the muscular tissue of the heart)
myocardium - the middle muscular layer of the heart wall
Myoclonus - a clonic spasm of a muscle or muscle group
Myoglobin - a hemoprotein that receives oxygen from hemoglobin and stores it in the tissues until needed
Myoglobinuria - the presence of myoglobin in the urine
Myoma - a benign tumor composed of muscle tissue
myometrium - the smooth muscle forming the wall of the uterus
Myonecrosis - localized death of muscle cell fibers
myopathic - of or relating to any disease of the muscles that is not caused by nerve dysfunction
Myopathy - any pathology of the muscles that is not attributable to nerve dysfunction
myopia - (ophthalmology) eyesight abnormality resulting from the eye's faulty refractive ability; distant objects appear blurred
Myosarcoma - sarcoma of muscle tissue
myosin - the commonest protein in muscle; a globulin that combines with actin to form actomyosin
Myositis - inflammation of muscle tissue
Myotonia - abnormally long muscular contractions; slow relaxation of a muscle after a contraction
myotonic - of or relating to or caused by myotonia
Myriad - too numerous to be counted; a large indefinite number
Myringotomy - surgical incision into the eardrum (to relieve pressure or release pus from the middle ear)
Myrmecia - bulldog ants
Mysophobia - a morbid fear of dirt or contamination
Myxedema - hypothyroidism marked by dry skin and swellings around lips and nose as well as mental deterioration
Myxoma - a benign tumor of connective tissue containing jellylike material
Nabothian cyst - a cyst that forms in the nabothian glands of the uterine cervix
Nabumetone - a nonsteroidal anti inflammatory drug (trade name Relafen)
Nadir - the point below the observer that is directly opposite the zenith on the imaginary sphere against which celestial bodies appear to be projected; an extreme state of adversity; the lowest point of anything
Naegele's rule - rule for calculating an expected delivery date; subtract three months from the first day of the last menstrual period and add seven days to that date
Nail biting - (of a situation) characterized by or causing suspense
Naloxone - a potent narcotic antagonist (trade name Narcan) especially effective with morphine
Naltrexone - an oral antagonist against the action of opiates
named - bearing the author's name; given or having a specified name
Nandrolone - an androgen (trade names Durabolin or Kabolin) that is used to treat testosterone deficiency or breast cancer or osteoporosis
Nanism - a genetic abnormality resulting in short stature
Nanny - female goat; a woman who is the custodian of children
Nanotechnology - the branch of engineering that deals with things smaller than 100 nanometers (especially with the manipulation of individual molecules)
Naphazoline - vasoconstrictor (trade names Privine and Sudafed) used in nasal sprays to treat symptoms of nasal congestion and in eyedrops to treat eye irritation
Naphthalene - a white crystalline strong smelling hydrocarbon made from coal tar or petroleum and used in organic synthesis and as a fumigant in mothballs
naproxen sodium - a nonsteroidal anti inflammatory drug (trademarks Aleve and Anaprox and Aflaxen)
Naproxen - a nonsteroidal anti inflammatory drug (trade name Naprosyn) used in the treatment of arthritis and musculoskeletal inflammation and moderate pain
Narcan - a potent narcotic antagonist (trade name Narcan) especially effective with morphine
Narcolepsy - a sleep disorder characterized by sudden and uncontrollable episodes of deep sleep
Naris - any of the openings to the nasal cavities that allow air to flow through the cavities to the pharynx
Nasal cavity - either of the two cavities lying between the floor of the cranium and the roof of the mouth and extending from the face to the pharynx
Nasal decongestant - a decongestant that provides temporary relief of nasal symptoms of the common cold and rhinitis and upper respiratory infections
Nasal septum - a partition of bone and cartilage between the nasal cavities
nasal - sounding as if the nose were pinched; of or in or relating to the nose; an elongated rectangular bone that forms the bridge of the nose; a consonant produced through the nose with the mouth closed
Nasopharynx - cavity forming the upper part of the pharynx
National Academy of Sciences - an honorary American society of scientists created by President Lincoln during the American Civil War
National Library of Medicine - the world's largest medical library
Natriuresis - the presence of abnormally large amounts of sodium in the urine
Natriuretic - of or relating to natriuresis
Natural family planning - any of several methods of family planning that do not involve sterilization or contraceptive devices or drugs; coitus is avoided during the fertile time of a woman's menstrual cycle
Natural immunity - immunity to disease that occurs as part of an individual's natural biologic makeup
Natural selection - a natural process resulting in the evolution of organisms best adapted to the environment
naturalist - a biologist knowledgeable about natural history (especially botany and zoology); an advocate of the doctrine that the world can be understood in scientific terms
Naturopath - a therapist who practices naturopathy
Naturopathy - a method of treating disease using food and exercise and heat to assist the natural healing process
Nausea - disgust so strong it makes you feel sick; the state that precedes vomiting
Navel - scar where the umbilical cord was attached; the center point or middle of something
Neanderthal - relating to or belonging to or resembling Neanderthal man; ill mannered and coarse and contemptible in behavior or appearance; extinct robust human of Middle Paleolithic in Europe and western Asia
Nearsightedness - (ophthalmology) eyesight abnormality resulting from the eye's faulty refractive ability; distant objects appear blurred
Nebulizer - a dispenser that turns a liquid (such as perfume) into a fine mist
Necrobiosis lipoidica - skin disease marked by thin shiny patches (especially on the legs); often associated with diabetes mellitus
Necrobiosis - (physiology) the normal degeneration and death of living cells (as in various epithelial cells)
Necropsy - an examination and dissection of a dead body to determine cause of death or the changes produced by disease
Necrosis - the localized death of living cells (as from infection or the interruption of blood supply)
Necrotic - relating to or affected by necrosis
needle biopsy - biopsy of deep tissue that is obtained through a hollow needle
Nefazodone - an antidepressant drug (trade name Serzone)
nematode - unsegmented worms with elongated rounded body pointed at both ends; mostly free living but some are parasitic
Neo darwinism - a modern Darwinian theory that explains new species in terms of genetic mutations
Neocortex - the cortical part of the neencephalon
Neomycin - an antibiotic obtained from an actinomycete and used (as a sulphate under the trade name Neobiotic) as an intestinal antiseptic in surgery
Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia - a common disorder that is usually due to immaturity of the liver; usually subsides spontaneously
Neonatal intensive care unit - an intensive care unit designed with special equipment to care for premature or seriously ill newborn
Neonatal mortality rate - the death rate during the first 28 days of life
neonatal mortality - the death rate during the first 28 days of life
neonatal - relating to or affecting the infant during the first month after birth
Neonate - a baby from birth to four weeks
Neonatology - that branch of pediatric medicine concerned with the newborn; the diagnosis and treatment of neonates
Neopallium - the cortical part of the neencephalon
Neophobia - a morbid fear of novelty
neoplasia - the pathological process that results in the formation and growth of a tumor
Neoplasm - an abnormal new mass of tissue that serves no purpose
Neoplastic - of or related to or having the properties of a neoplasm
Neostigmine - a cholinergic drug (trade name Prostigmin) used to treat some ophthalmic conditions and to treat myasthenia gravis
Nephrectomy - surgical removal of a kidney
Nephritis - an inflammation of the kidney
Nephroblastoma - malignant renal tumor of young children characterized by hypertension and blood in the urine and the presence of a palpable mass
Nephrocalcinosis - renal lithiasis in which calcium deposits form in the renal parenchyma and result in reduced kidney function and blood in the urine
Nephrolith - a calculus formed in the kidney
Nephrolithiasis - the presence of kidney stones (calculi) in the kidney
Nephrology - the branch of medicine concerned with the kidney its development and anatomy and physiology and disorders
Nephron - any of the small tubules that are the excretory units of the vertebrate kidney
nephropathy - a disease affecting the kidneys
Nephroptosis - prolapse of the kidney
Nephrosclerosis - kidney disease that is usually associated with hypertension; sclerosis of the renal arterioles reduces blood flow that can lead to kidney failure and heart failure
Nephrotomy - incision into a kidney (usually to remove a kidney stone)
nephrotoxic - toxic to the kidney
nerve agent - a toxic gas that is inhaled or absorbed through the skin and has harmful effects on the nervous and respiratory system
Nerve cell - a cell that is specialized to conduct nerve impulses
Nerve compression - harmful pressure on a nerve (especially in nerves that pass over rigid prominences); causes nerve damage and muscle weakness
nerve growth factor - a protein that is involved in the growth of peripheral nerve cells
Nerve plexus - a network of intersecting nerves
nerve - any bundle of nerve fibers running to various organs and tissues of the body; impudent aggressiveness; the courage to carry on; verb get ready for something difficult or unpleasant
Nerves - control of your emotions; an uneasy psychological state
Nervous system - the sensory and control apparatus consisting of a network of nerve cells
nervous - easily agitated; of or relating to the nervous system; unpredictably excitable (especially of horses); excited in anticipation; causing or fraught with or showing anxiety
Nervus ulnaris - a nerve running along the inner side of the arm and passing near the elbow; supplies intrinsic muscles of the hand and the skin of the medial side of the hand
Neural tube - a tube of ectodermal tissue in the embryo from which the brain and spinal cord develop
Neural - of or relating to neurons; of or relating to the nervous system
Neuralgia - acute spasmodic pain along the course of one or more nerves
Neurasthenia - nervous breakdown (not in technical use)
Neurectomy - surgical removal of all or part of a nerve
Neurilemma - thin membranous sheath around a nerve fiber
Neurinoma - tumor (usually benign) of the sheath surrounding a nerve
Neuritis - inflammation of a nerve accompanied by pain and sometimes loss of function
neuroanatomy - the anatomy of the nervous system
neurobiology - the branch of biology that deals with the anatomy and physiology and pathology of the nervous system
Neuroblast - a cell from which a nerve cell develops
Neuroblastoma - malignant tumor containing embryonic nerve cells; usually metastasizes quickly
Neurodermatitis - dermatitis in which localized areas (especially the forearms or back of the neck or outer part of the ankle) itch persistently; cause is unknown
neuroendocrine - of or relating to the nervous and endocrine systems (especially as they function together)
Neuroethics - the study of ethical implications of treatments for neurological diseases
Neurofibroma - tumor of the fibrous covering of a peripheral nerve
Neurofibromatosis - autosomal dominant disease characterized by numerous neurofibromas and by spots on the skin and often by developmental abnormalities
Neurogenesis - the development of nerve tissues
Neurogenic - arising in or stimulated by nerve tissues
Neurohormone - a hormone that is released by nerve impulses (e.g., norepinephrine or vasopressin)
Neuroleptic - tranquilizer used to treat psychotic conditions when a calming effect is desired
Neurological - of or relating to or used in or practicing neurology
neurologist - a medical specialist in the nervous system and the disorders affecting it
Neurology - (neurology) the branch of medicine that deals with the nervous system and its disorders; the branch of medical science that deals with the nervous system
neuroma - any tumor derived from cells of the nervous system
neuromuscular junction - the junction between a nerve fiber and the muscle it supplies
Neuromuscular - affecting or characteristic of both neural and muscular tissue
neuron - a cell that is specialized to conduct nerve impulses
Neuropathy - any pathology of the peripheral nerves
Neurophysiology - the branch of neuroscience that studies the physiology of the nervous system
Neuropsychiatry - the branch of medicine dealing with mental disorders attributable to diseases of the nervous system
Neuropsychology - the branch of psychology that is concerned with the physiological bases of psychological processes
Neuroscience - the scientific study of the nervous system
neuroscientist - a neurobiologist who specializes in the study of the brain
Neurosis - a mental or personality disturbance not attributable to any known neurological or organic dysfunction
Neurospora - genus of fungi with black perithecia used extensively in genetic research; includes some forms with orange spore masses that cause severe damage in bakeries
neurosurgeon - someone who does surgery on the nervous system (especially the brain)
Neurosurgery - any surgery that involves the nervous system (brain or spinal cord or peripheral nerves)
Neurosyphilis - syphilis of the central nervous system
Neurotoxic - poisonous to nerves or nerve cells
Neurotoxin - any toxin that affects neural tissues
Neurotransmitter - transmits nerve impulses across a synapse
neurotropism - an affinity for neural tissues
Neutropenia - leukopenia in which the decrease is primarily in number of neutrophils (the chief phagocytic leukocyte)
neutrophil - the chief phagocytic leukocyte; stains with either basic or acid dyes
Nevirapine - a non nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (trade name Viramune) used to treat AIDS and HIV
nevus - a blemish on the skin that is formed before birth
newborn - having just or recently arisen or come into existence; recently borne; a baby from birth to four weeks
Newcastle - a port city in northeastern England on the River Tyne; a center for coal exports (giving rise to the expression `carry coals to Newcastle' meaning to do something unnecessary)
Nexus - a connected series or group; the means of connection between things linked in series
Niacin - a B vitamin essential for the normal function of the nervous system and the gastrointestinal tract
Nicotiana tabacum - tall erect South American herb with large ovate leaves and terminal clusters of tubular white or pink flowers; cultivated for its leaves
Nicotine - an alkaloid poison that occurs in tobacco; used in medicine and as an insecticide
Nicotinic acid - a B vitamin essential for the normal function of the nervous system and the gastrointestinal tract
Nictitate - briefly shut the eyes
Nidus - a nest in which spiders or insects deposit their eggs; a central point or locus of an infection in an organism
Nifedipine - calcium blocker (trade name Procardia); appears to increase the risk of recurrent heart attacks
Night blindness - inability to see clearly in dim light; due to a deficiency of vitamin A or to a retinal disorder
Night terror - an emotional episode (usually in young children) in which the person awakens in terror with feelings of anxiety and fear but is unable to remember any incident that might have provoked those feelings
Nightmare - a terrifying or deeply upsetting dream; a situation resembling a terrifying dream
Ninth cranial nerve - sensory nerve to the pharynx and back of the tongue; motor fibers innervate muscles that elevate the pharynx and larynx; includes parasympathetic fibers to the otic ganglion
ninth - coming next after the eighth and just before the tenth in position; position nine in a countable series of things; one part in nine equal parts
Nipple shield - a rubber or plastic shield to protect the nipples of nursing women
Nipple - a flexible cap on a baby's feeding bottle or pacifier; the small projection of a mammary gland
Nitpicking - quibbling over insignificant details
Nitric oxide - a poisonous red brown gas (NO)
Nitrobenzene - a poisonous oily water soluble liquid used as a solvent and in the manufacture of aniline
Nitrogen mustard - a toxic compound resembling mustard gas in structure; important in cancer treatment
Nitrogen narcosis - confused or stuporous state caused by high levels of dissolved nitrogen in the blood
Nitrogen - a common nonmetallic element that is normally a colorless odorless tasteless inert diatomic gas; constitutes 78 percent of the atmosphere by volume; a constituent of all living tissues
Nitroglycerin - a heavy yellow poisonous oily explosive liquid obtained by nitrating glycerol; used in making explosives and medically as a vasodilator (trade names Nitrospan and Nitrostat)
Nitrous oxide - inhalation anesthetic used as an anesthetic in dentistry and surgery
Nitrous oxide - inhalation anesthetic used as an anesthetic in dentistry and surgery
NNRTI - an antiviral drug used against HIV; binds directly to reverse transcriptase and prevents RNA conversion to DNA; often used in combination with other drugs
No show - someone who shirks duty; a guest who fails to notify a hotel or restaurant when canceling a reservation
Nocturia - excessive urination at night; especially common in older men
nocturnal - belonging to or active during the night; of or relating to or occurring in the night
Nodular - having nodules or occurring in the form of nodules; relating to or characterized by or having nodules
nodule - a small node; (mineralogy) a small rounded lump of mineral substance (usually harder than the surrounding rock or sediment); small rounded wartlike protuberance on a plant
Noise pollution - annoying and potentially harmful environmental noise
Noisome - offensively malodorous; causing or able to cause nausea
Nomenclature - a system of words used to name things in a particular discipline
Nominal aphasia - inability to name objects or to recognize written or spoken names of objects
nomogram - a graphic representation of numerical relations
Nonagenarian - being from 90 to 99 years old; someone whose age is in the nineties
Noncompliance - the failure to obey
Nondisjunction - meiosis in which there is a failure of paired homologous chromosomes to separate; results in an abnormal number of chromosomes in the daughter cells
nonessential - not of prime or central importance; anything that is not essential
nonmalignant - not threatening to life or health; not malignant
nonprescription - purchasable without a doctor's prescription
Nonrandom - not random
nonsense - having no intelligible meaning; a message that seems to convey no meaning; ornamental objects of no great value
Nonsteroidal - not steroidal or not having the effects of steroid hormones; an organic compound that does no contain a steroid
nonstructural - not structural
Nonunion - not belonging to or not allowing affiliation with a trade union
noradrenaline - a catecholamine precursor of epinephrine that is secreted by the adrenal medulla and also released at synapses
norepinephrine - a catecholamine precursor of epinephrine that is secreted by the adrenal medulla and also released at synapses
Norethandrolone - a synthetic progestational hormone (trade name Norlutin) used in oral contraceptives and to treat endometriosis
Norgestrel - synthetic progestin used in oral contraceptives
Normal distribution - a theoretical distribution with finite mean and variance
Normotensive - having normal blood pressure
Northern Ireland - a division of the United Kingdom located on the northern part of the island of Ireland
Northumberland - the northernmost county of England; has many Roman remains (including Hadrian's Wall)
Nortriptyline - a tricyclic antidepressant drug (trade name Pamelor) used along with psychotherapy to treat dysthymic depression; may interact dangerously if taken with other drugs
Nose job - cosmetic surgery to improve the appearance of your nose
Nosebleed - bleeding from the nose
Nosocomial - taking place or originating in a hospital
Nosology - the branch of medical science dealing with the classification of disease
Nostradamus - French astrologer who wrote cryptic predictions whose interpretations are still being debated (1503 1566)
Nostril - either one of the two external openings to the nasal cavity in the nose
Nostrum - patent medicine whose efficacy is questionable; hypothetical remedy for all ills or diseases; once sought by the alchemists
novelist - one who writes novels
novobiocin - an antibiotic obtained from an actinomycete and used to treat infections by Gram positive bacteria
Noxiptiline - a tricyclic antidepressant drug
NREM sleep - a recurring sleep state during which rapid eye movements do not occur and dreaming does not occur; accounts for about 75% of normal sleep time
NSAID - an anti inflammatory drug that does not contain steroids
Nuclear family - a family consisting of parents and their children and grandparents of a marital partner
Nuclear medicine - the branch of medicine that uses radioactive materials either to image a patient's body or to destroy diseased cells
Nuclease - general term for enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of nucleic acid by cleaving chains of nucleotides into smaller units
Nucleic acid - (biochemistry) any of various macromolecules composed of nucleotide chains that are vital constituents of all living cells
Nucleolar organizer - the particular part of a chromosome that is associated with a nucleolus after nuclear division
Nucleolus - a small round body of protein in a cell nucleus; such organelles contain RNA and are involved in protein synthesis
Nucleoprotein - any of several substances found in the nuclei of all living cells; consists of a protein bound to a nucleic acid
Nucleoside - a glycoside formed by partial hydrolysis of a nucleic acid
Nucleotide - a phosphoric ester of a nucleoside; the basic structural unit of nucleic acids (DNA or RNA)
Nude mouse - a mouse with a genetic defect that prevents them from growing hair and also prevents them from immunologically rejecting human cells and tissues; widely used in preclinical trials
Nullipara - (obstetrics) a woman who has never give birth to a child
Numbness - partial or total lack of sensation in a part of the body; a symptom of nerve damage or dysfunction; the trait of lacking enthusiasm for or interest in things generally
Nurse practitioner - a registered nurse who has received special training and can perform many of the duties of a physician
Nursing home - an institution where people are cared for
Nursing school - a school for training nurses
Nursing - the work of caring for the sick or injured or infirm; nourishing at the breast; the profession of a nurse
Nutrient - of or providing nourishment; any substance that can be metabolized by an organism to give energy and build tissue
Nutritionist - a specialist in the study of nutrition
Nyctalopia - inability to see clearly in dim light; due to a deficiency of vitamin A or to a retinal disorder
Nyctophobia - a morbid fear of night or darkness
Nymph - a larva of an insect with incomplete metamorphosis (as the dragonfly or mayfly); (classical mythology) a minor nature goddess usually depicted as a beautiful maiden; a voluptuously beautiful young woman
Nystagmus - involuntary movements of the eyeballs; its presence or absence is used to diagnose a variety of neurological and visual disorders
Nystatin - an antifungal and antibiotic (trade names Mycostatin and Nystan) discovered in New York State; derived from soil fungi actinomycetes
Obese - excessively fat
Obesity - more than average fatness
observer - an expert who observes and comments on something; a person who becomes aware (of things or events) through the senses
Obsessive - characterized by or constituting an obsession; a person who has obsessions
obstetrical - of or relating to or used in or practicing obstetrics
obstetrician - a physician specializing in obstetrics
Obstetrics - the branch of medicine dealing with childbirth and care of the mother
Obstructive shock - shock caused by obstruction of blood flow
obstructive - preventing movement
Obtund - reduce the edge or violence of
Obverse - the side of a coin or medal bearing the principal stamp or design; the more conspicuous of two alternatives or cases or sides
Occam's razor - the principle that entities should not be multiplied needlessly; the simplest of two competing theories is to be preferred
Occipital bone - a saucer shaped membrane bone that forms the back of the skull
occipital lobe - that part of the cerebral cortex in either hemisphere of the brain lying in the back of the head
occipital - of or relating to the occiput
Occiput - back part of the head or skull
Occlude - block passage through
Occupational disease - disease or disability resulting from conditions of employment (usually from long exposure to a noxious substance or from continuous repetition of certain acts)
Occupational therapy - physical therapy involving the therapeutic use of crafts and hobbies for the rehabilitation of handicapped or convalescing patients (especially for emotionally disturbed patients)
occupational - of or relating to the activity or business for which you are trained
ocean - a large body of water constituting a principal part of the hydrosphere; anything apparently limitless in quantity or volume
Ochronosis - an accumulation of dark pigment in cartilage and other connective tissue; usually a symptom of alkaptonuria or phenol poisoning
Octogenarian - being from 80 to 89 years old; someone whose age is in the eighties
Ocular - able to be seen; relating to or using sight; of or relating to or resembling the eye; combination of lenses at the viewing end of optical instruments
Oculomotor nerve - supplies extrinsic muscles of the eye
oculomotor - supplies extrinsic muscles of the eye
Odynophagia - severe pain on swallowing due to a disorder of the esophagus
Oesophagus - the passage between the pharynx and the stomach
Offspring - something that comes into existence as a result; the immediate descendants of a person; any immature animal
Old age - a late time of life
Olecranon - process of the ulna that forms the outer bump of the elbow and fits into the fossa of the humerus when the arm is extended
Olfaction - the faculty that enables us to distinguish scents
Olfactory bulb - one of two enlargements at the terminus of the olfactory nerve at the base of the brain just above the nasal cavities
Olfactory nerve - a collective term for numerous olfactory filaments in the nasal mucosa
olfactory - of or relating to olfaction
Oligodactyly - congenital condition in which some fingers or toes are missing
Oligodendrocyte - a cell of the oligodendroglia
Oligomenorrhea - abnormally light or infrequent menstruation
Oligospermia - insufficient spermatozoa in the semen
Oliver Wendell Holmes - United States writer of humorous essays (1809 1894)
omega - the last (24th) letter of the Greek alphabet; the ending of a series or sequence
omentum - a fold of peritoneum supporting the viscera
Omeprazole - antacid (trade name Prilosec) that suppresses acid secretion in the stomach
Omniscience - the state of being omniscient; having infinite knowledge
Omphalocele - protrusion of the intestine and omentum through a hernia in the abdominal wall near the navel; usually self correcting after birth
Omphalos - scar where the umbilical cord was attached
Onchocerciasis - infestation with slender threadlike roundworms (filaria) deposited under the skin by the bite of black fleas; when the eyes are involved it can result in blindness; common in Africa and tropical America
Oncogene - a gene that causes normal cells to change into cancerous tumor cells
oncologist - a specialist in oncology
Oncology - the branch of medicine concerned with the study and treatment of tumors
Oneiric - of or relating to or suggestive of dreams
Onset - the beginning or early stages; (military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)
Onycholysis - separation of a nail from its normal attachment to the nail bed
Oocyte - a female gametocyte that develops into an ovum after two meiotic divisions
Oogenesis - development of ova
Oophorectomy - surgical removal of one of both ovaries
Oophoritis - inflammation of one or both ovaries
Open fracture - bone fracture associated with lacerated soft tissue or an open wound
Operating room - a room in a hospital equipped for the performance of surgical operations
Operating table - table on which the patient lies during a surgical operation
Operating theater - a room in a hospital equipped for the performance of surgical operations
Operon - a segment of DNA containing adjacent genes including structural genes and an operator gene and a regulatory gene
Ophthalmia - severe conjunctivitis
Ophthalmic artery - a branch of the internal carotid artery that supplies the eye and neighboring structures
ophthalmic - of or relating to ophthalmology; of or relating to the eye
Ophthalmitis - severe conjunctivitis
ophthalmologist - a medical doctor specializing in the treatment of diseases of the eye
Ophthalmology - the branch of medicine concerned with the eye and its diseases
Ophthalmoplegia - paralysis of the motor nerves of the eye
Ophthalmoscope - medical instrument for examining the retina of the eye
Ophthalmoscopy - examination of the interior of an eye using an ophthalmoscope
opiate - a narcotic drug that contains opium or an opium derivative
Opisthotonos - severe spasm in which the back arches and the head bends back and heels flex toward the back
Opium - an addictive narcotic extracted from seed capsules of the opium poppy
opportunistic - taking immediate advantage, often unethically, of any circumstance of possible benefit
Optic cup - (embryology) a two walled cuplike depression that develops into the pigmented and sensory layers of the retina
Optic disc - the point where the optic nerve enters the retina; not sensitive to light
optic disk - the point where the optic nerve enters the retina; not sensitive to light
optic nerve - the cranial nerve that serves the retina
Optic - relating to or using sight; of or relating to or resembling the eye; the organ of sight
Optical - of or relating to or involving light or optics; relating to or using sight; of or relating to or resembling the eye
Optician - a worker who makes glasses for remedying defects of vision
optimism - a general disposition to expect the best in all things; the optimistic feeling that all is going to turn out well
optometrist - a person skilled in testing for defects of vision in order to prescribe corrective glasses
Optometry - the practice of an optometrist
Oral cancer - malignant neoplasm of the lips of mouth; most common in men over the age of 60
Oral contraceptive - a contraceptive in the form of a pill containing estrogen and progestin to inhibit ovulation and so prevent conception
orbital - of or relating to the eye socket; of or relating to an orbit
orchidectomy - surgical removal of one or both testicles
Orchiectomy - surgical removal of one or both testicles
Orchiopexy - operation to bring an undescended testicle into the scrotum
Orchitis - inflammation of one or both testes; characterized by pain and swelling
Organ of hearing - the part of the ear that is responsible for sensations of sound
Organ transplant - an operation moving an organ from one organism (the donor) to another (the recipient)
Organelle - a specialized part of a cell; analogous to an organ
Organic brain syndrome - mental abnormality resulting from disturbance of the structure or function of the brain
Organism - a living thing that has (or can develop) the ability to act or function independently; a system considered analogous in structure or function to a living body
Organophosphate - an insecticide that interferes with an insect's nervous system
orgasm - the moment of most intense pleasure in sexual intercourse
Orifice - an aperture or hole that opens into a bodily cavity
Ornithine - an amino acid that does not occur in proteins but is important in the formation of urea
oropharyngeal - of or relating to or located near the oropharynx
oropharynx - cavity formed by the pharynx at the back of the mouth
Orphenadrine - a skeletal muscle relaxant (trade name Norflex) used to treat severe muscle strain and Parkinsonism
Orthodontics - the branch of dentistry dealing with the prevention or correction of irregularities of the teeth
Orthopaedic - of or relating to or employed in orthopedics
Orthopaedics - the branch of medical science concerned with disorders or deformities of the spine and joints
Orthopaedist - a specialist in correcting deformities of the skeletal system (especially in children)
Orthopedic - of or relating to or employed in orthopedics
orthopedics - the branch of medical science concerned with disorders or deformities of the spine and joints
orthopedist - a specialist in correcting deformities of the skeletal system (especially in children)
Orthopnea - form of dyspnea in which the person can breathe comfortably only when standing or sitting erect; associated with asthma and emphysema and angina pectoris
Orthoptics - treatment of defects of binocular vision (such as strabismus and amblyopia) by nonsurgical measures (especially by exercises to strengthen the eye muscles)
orthostatic hypotension - low blood pressure occurring in some people when they stand up
orthostatic - pertaining to an upright standing posture
Oryzomys palustris - hardy agile rat of grassy marshes of Mexico and the southeastern United States
Osseous - composed of or containing bone
Ossicle - a small bone; especially one in the middle ear
Ossify - become bony; cause to become hard and bony; make rigid and set into a conventional pattern
osteitis deformans - a disease of bone occurring in the middle aged and elderly; excessive bone destruction sometimes leading to bone pain and fractures and skeletal deformities
Osteitis - inflammation of a bone as a consequence of infection or trauma or degeneration
Osteoarthritis - chronic breakdown of cartilage in the joints; the most common form of arthritis occurring usually after middle age
Osteoblast - a cell from which bone develops
Osteoblastoma - benign tumor of bone and fibrous tissue; occurs in the vertebrae or femur or tibia or arm bones (especially in young adults)
Osteochondroma - benign tumor containing both bone and cartilage; usually occurs near the end of a long bone
Osteoclasis - treatment of a skeletal deformity by intentionally fracturing a bone
Osteoclast - cell that functions in the breakdown and resorption of bone tissue
Osteocyte - mature bone cell
Osteodystrophy - defective bone development; usually attributable to renal disease or to disturbances in calcium and phosphorus metabolism
Osteogenesis imperfecta - autosomal dominant disorder of connective tissue characterized by brittle bones that fracture easily
osteogenic sarcoma - malignant bone tumor; most common in children and young adults where it tends to affect the femur
Osteology - the branch of anatomy that studies the bones of the vertebrate skeleton
Osteolysis - lysis of bone caused by disease or infection or inadequate blood supply
osteoma - a slow growing benign tumor of consisting of bone tissue; usually on the skull or mandible
Osteomalacia - abnormal softening of bones caused by deficiencies of phosphorus or calcium or vitamin D
Osteomyelitis - an inflammation of bone and bone marrow (usually caused by bacterial infection)
osteopath - a therapist who manipulates the skeleton and muscles
Osteopathy - therapy based on the assumption that restoring health is best accomplished by manipulating the skeleton and muscles
Osteopetrosis - an inherited disorder characterized by an increase in bone density; in severe forms the bone marrow cavity may be obliterated
Osteophyte - small abnormal bony outgrowth
Osteoporosis - abnormal loss of bony tissue resulting in fragile porous bones attributable to a lack of calcium; most common in postmenopausal women
Osteosarcoma - malignant bone tumor; most common in children and young adults where it tends to affect the femur
Osteosclerosis - abnormal hardening or eburnation of bone
Osteotomy - surgical sectioning of bone
ostomy - surgical procedure that creates an artificial opening for the elimination of bodily wastes
Otalgia - an ache localized in the middle or inner ear
Othello - the hero of William Shakespeare's tragedy who would not trust his wife
Otitis externa - inflammation of the external ear (including auricle and ear canal)
Otitis interna - inflammation of the inner ear; can cause vertigo and vomiting
Otitis media - inflammation of the middle ear; common in children
Otitis - inflammation of the ear
Otolaryngologist - a specialist in the disorders of the ear or nose or throat
Otolaryngology - the medical specialty that deals with diseases of the ear, nose and throat
Otology - the branch of medicine concerned with the ear
Otoplasty - reconstructive surgery of the auricle of the external ear
Otorhinolaryngology - the medical specialty that deals with diseases of the ear, nose and throat
Otosclerosis - hereditary disorder in which ossification of the labyrinth of the inner ear causes tinnitus and eventual deafness
Otoscope - medical instrument consisting of a magnifying lens and light; used for examining the external ear (the auditory meatus and especially the tympanic membrane)
outbreak - a sudden violent spontaneous occurrence (usually of some undesirable condition)
outer ear - the part of the ear visible externally
outer - being on or toward the outside of the body; being on the outside or further from a center; located outside
outpatient - a patient who does not reside in the hospital where he is being treated
Ovarian cyst - a cystic tumor (usually benign) of the ovary
Ovarian pregnancy - ectopic pregnancy in the ovary
Ovarian - of or involving the ovaries
ovariectomy - surgical removal of one of both ovaries
Ovary - (vertebrates) one of usually two organs that produce ova and secrete estrogen and progesterone; the organ that bears the ovules of a flower
overactive - more active than normal
Overbite - (dentistry) malocclusion in which the upper teeth extend abnormally far over the lower teeth
Overeating - eating to excess (personified as one of the deadly sins)
Overgrowth - a profusion of growth on or over something else; excessive size; usually caused by excessive secretion of growth hormone from the pituitary gland
Overload - an excessive burden; an electrical load that exceeds the available electrical power; verb place too much a load on; become overloaded; fill to excess so that function is impaired
Overweight - usually describes a large person who is fat but has a large frame to carry it; the property of excessive fatness
ovulation - the expulsion of an ovum from the ovary (usually midway in the menstrual cycle)
Oxaprozin - a nonsteroidal anti inflammatory drug (trade name Daypro)
Oxazepam - a tranquilizing drug (trade name Serax) used to treat anxiety and insomnia and alcohol withdrawal
oxidant - a substance that oxidizes another substance
oxidation - the process of oxidizing; the addition of oxygen to a compound with a loss of electrons; always occurs accompanied by reduction
oxide - any compound of oxygen with another element or a radical
oxide - any compound of oxygen with another element or a radical
Oxycephaly - a congenital abnormality of the skull; the top of the skull assumes a cone shape
Oxygen mask - a breathing device that is placed over the mouth and nose; supplies oxygen from an attached storage tank
Oxygen - a nonmetallic bivalent element that is normally a colorless odorless tasteless nonflammable diatomic gas; constitutes 21 percent of the atmosphere by volume; the most abundant element in the earth's crust
Oxygenate - impregnate, combine, or supply with oxygen
Oxygenation - the process of providing or combining or treating with oxygen
Oxyhemoglobin - the bright red hemoglobin that is a combination of hemoglobin and oxygen from the lungs
Oxytetracycline - a yellow crystalline antibiotic (trademark Terramycin) obtained from a soil actinomycete; used to treat various bacterial and rickettsial infections
Oxytocin - hormone secreted by the posterior pituitary gland (trade name Pitocin); stimulates contractions of the uterus and ejection of milk

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Pachyderma - thickening of the skin (usually unilateral on an extremity) caused by congenital enlargement of lymph vessel and lymph vessel obstruction
Pachydermatous - of or relating to or characteristic of pachyderms; emotionally hardened
Pacifier - device used for an infant to suck or bite on; someone who tries to bring peace
Pacing - walking with slow regular strides; (music) the speed at which a composition is to be played
paediatrician - a specialist in the care of babies
Paediatrics - the branch of medicine concerned with the treatment of infants and children
Paget - English pathologist who discovered the cause of trichinosis (1814 1899)
Pain unit - a unit measuring the intensity of pain
painful - causing physical or psychological pain; causing physical discomfort; exceptionally bad or displeasing; causing misery or pain or distress
Pains - an effortful attempt to attain a goal
painting - the occupation of a house painter; the act of applying paint to a surface; creating a picture with paints; graphic art consisting of an artistic composition made by applying paints to a surface
Pakistan - a Muslim republic that occupies the heartland of ancient south Asian civilization in the Indus River valley; formerly part of India; achieved independence from the United Kingdom in 1947
palate - the upper surface of the mouth that separates the oral and nasal cavities
Palatine bone - either of two irregularly shaped bones that form the back of the hard palate and helps to form the nasal cavity and the floor of the orbits
Palatine tonsil - either of two masses of lymphatic tissue one on each side of the oral pharynx
Paleopathology - the study of disease of former times (as inferred from fossil evidence)
Paleostriatum - the inner pale yellow part of the lenticular nucleus
Palilalia - a pathological condition in which a word is rapidly and involuntarily repeated
Palindrome - a word or phrase that reads the same backward as forward
Palliate - provide physical relief, as from pain; lessen or to try to lessen the seriousness or extent of
Palliation - easing the severity of a pain or a disease without removing the cause; to act in such a way as to cause an offense to seem less serious
palliative - moderating pain or sorrow by making it easier to bear; remedy that alleviates pain without curing
Pallidum - the inner pale yellow part of the lenticular nucleus
Palmar - relating to the palm of the hand or the sole of the foot
Palpable - capable of being perceived by the senses or the mind; especially capable of being handled or touched or felt; can be felt by palpation
palpate - examine (a body part) by palpation
Palpation - a method of examination in which the examiner feels the size or shape or firmness or location of something (of body parts when the examiner is a health professional)
Palpebra - either of two folds of skin that can be moved to cover or open the eye
palpitation - a rapid and irregular heart beat; a shaky motion
palsy - a condition marked by uncontrollable tremor; loss of the ability to move a body part; verb affect with palsy
Panacea - hypothetical remedy for all ills or diseases; once sought by the alchemists; (Greek mythology) the goddess of healing; daughter of Aesculapius and sister of Hygeia
pancreas - a large elongated exocrine gland located behind the stomach; secretes pancreatic juice and insulin
Pancreatectomy - surgical removal of part or all of the pancreas
pancreatic cancer - cancer of the pancreas
pancreatic duct - a duct connecting the pancreas with the intestine
pancreatic juice - a fluid secreted into the duodenum by the pancreas; important for breaking down starches and proteins and fats
pancreatic - of or involving the pancreas
Pancreatitis - inflammation of the pancreas; usually marked by abdominal pain
Pancytopenia - an abnormal deficiency in all blood cells (red blood cells and white blood cells and platelets); usually associated with bone marrow tumor or with aplastic anemia
Pandemic - existing everywhere; epidemic over a wide geographical area; an epidemic that is geographically widespread; occurring throughout a region or even throughout the world
Pandiculation - yawning and stretching (as when first waking up)
Panic attack - a sudden attack of fear
Panic disorder - an anxiety disorder characterized by unpredictable panic attacks; the attacks are usually severe but brief
Panic - an overwhelming feeling of fear and anxiety; sudden mass fear and anxiety over anticipated events; verb cause sudden fear in or fill with sudden panic; be overcome by a sudden fear
Pantothenic acid - a vitamin of the vitamin B complex that performs an important role in the oxidation of fats and carbohydrates and certain amino acids; occurs in many foods
Pap smear - a sample of secretions and superficial cells of the uterine cervix and uterus; examined with a microscope to detect any abnormal cells
Pap test - a method of examining stained cells in a cervical smear for early diagnosis of uterine cancer
Papilla - a small projection of tissue at the base of a hair or tooth or feather; a small nipple shaped protuberance concerned with taste, touch, or smell; (botany) a tiny outgrowth on the surface of a petal or leaf
Papillary muscle - any of several muscles associated with the atrioventricular valves
Papillary tumor - a benign epithelial tumor forming a rounded mass
papillary - of or relating to or resembling papilla
Papilledema - swelling of the optic disc (where the optic nerve enters the eyeball); usually associated with an increase in intraocular pressure
Papilloma - a benign epithelial tumor forming a rounded mass
Papillon - small slender toy spaniel with erect ears and a black spotted brown to white coat
PAPPA - an informal term for a father; probably derived from baby talk
Pappataci fever - a mild viral disease transmitted by the bite of the sand fly Phlebotomus papatasii
Paprika - a mild powdered seasoning made from dried pimientos; plant bearing large mild thick walled usually bell shaped fruits; the principal salad peppers
Papule - a small inflamed elevation of skin that is nonsuppurative (as in chicken pox)
Paracentesis - centesis of the belly to remove fluid for diagnosis
paradoxical - seemingly contradictory but nonetheless possibly true
Paraesthesia - abnormal skin sensations (as tingling or tickling or itching or burning) usually associated with peripheral nerve damage
paraffin - (British usage) kerosine; from crude petroleum; used for candles and for preservative or waterproof coatings; a series of non aromatic saturated hydrocarbons with the general formula CnH(2n+2)
Paralysis - loss of the ability to move a body part
paralytic - affected or subject to with paralysis; relating to or of the nature of paralysis; a person suffering from paralysis
Paramedic - a person trained to assist medical professionals and to give emergency medical treatment
Parametritis - inflammation of connective tissue adjacent to the uterus
paramyxovirus - a group of viruses including those causing mumps and measles
Paranoia - a psychological disorder characterized by delusions of persecution or grandeur
Paraparesis - a slight paralysis or weakness of both legs
Paraphilia - abnormal sexual activity
Paraplegia - paralysis of the lower half of the body (most often as a result of trauma)
Paraplegic - suffering complete paralysis of the lower half of the body usually resulting from damage to the spinal cord; a person who has paraplegia (is paralyzed from the waist down)
Paraquat - a poisonous yellow solid used in solution as a herbicide
Parasitemia - a condition in which parasites are present in the blood
Parasitic worm - worm that is parasitic on the intestines of vertebrates especially roundworms and tapeworms and flukes
Parasitic - of plants or persons; having the nature or habits of a parasite or leech; living off another; relating to or caused by parasites; of or pertaining to epenthesis
Parasitism - the relation between two different kinds of organisms in which one receives benefits from the other by causing damage to it (usually not fatal damage)
Parathion - a colorless and odorless toxic oil used as an insecticide
Parathormone - hormone synthesized and released into the blood stream by the parathyroid glands; regulates phosphorus and calcium in the body and functions in neuromuscular excitation and blood clotting
parathyroid gland - any one of four endocrine glands situated above or within the thyroid gland
parathyroid hormone - hormone synthesized and released into the blood stream by the parathyroid glands; regulates phosphorus and calcium in the body and functions in neuromuscular excitation and blood clotting
parathyroid - any one of four endocrine glands situated above or within the thyroid gland
Paratyphoid fever - any of a variety of infectious intestinal diseases resembling typhoid fever
Parental - relating to or characteristic of or befitting a parent; designating the generation of organisms from which hybrid offspring are produced
parenteral - located outside the alimentary tract; administered by means other than through the alimentary tract (as by intramuscular or intravenous injection)
Paresis - a slight or partial paralysis
Paresthesia - abnormal skin sensations (as tingling or tickling or itching or burning) usually associated with peripheral nerve damage
Parietal bone - either of two skull bones between the frontal and occipital bones and forming the top and sides of the cranium
parietal lobe - that part of the cerebral cortex in either hemisphere of the brain lying below the crown of the head
parietal pericardium - the tough outermost layer of the pericardium that is attached to the diaphragm and the sternum
Parietal - of or relating to or associated with the parietal bones in the cranium
Parkinson's disease - a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system characterized by tremor and impaired muscular coordination
Parkinson - British historian noted for ridicule of bureaucracies (1909 1993); English surgeon (1755 1824)
Parkinsonism - a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system characterized by tremor and impaired muscular coordination
Paronychia - low growing annual or perennial herbs or woody plants; whitlowworts; infection in the tissues adjacent to a nail on a finger or toe
Parotid gland - a large salivary gland that produces 50% of daytime saliva; in human beings it is located in front of and below each ear
Parotitis - inflammation of one or both parotid glands
paroxysm - a sudden uncontrollable attack
paroxysmal - accompanied by or of the nature of paroxysms
Parrot fever - an atypical pneumonia caused by a rickettsia microorganism and transmitted to humans from infected birds
parrot fever - an atypical pneumonia caused by a rickettsia microorganism and transmitted to humans from infected birds
Parsonage - an official residence provided by a church for its parson or vicar or rector
Parthenogenesis - process in which an unfertilized egg develops into a new individual; common among insects and some other arthropods; human conception without fertilization by a man
Participant - someone who takes part in an activity; a person who participates in or is skilled at some game
Particle - a function word that can be used in English to form phrasal verbs; a body having finite mass and internal structure but negligible dimensions; (nontechnical usage) a tiny piece of anything
parts - the local environment
Parturition - the process of giving birth
Passive immunity - an impermanent form of acquired immunity in which antibodies against a disease are acquired naturally (as through the placenta to an unborn child) or artificially (as by injection of antiserum)
Pasteur - French chemist and biologist whose discovery that fermentation is caused by microorganisms resulted in the process of pasteurization (1822 1895)
Pasteurellosis - an acute infectious disease characterized by pneumonia and blood infection
Pasteurization - partial sterilization of foods at a temperature that destroys harmful microorganisms without major changes in the chemistry of the food
Patch test - a test to determine allergic sensitivity by applying small pads soaked with allergen to the unbroken skin
patchy - irregular or uneven in quality, texture, etc.
patella - type genus of the family Patellidae: common European limpets; a small flat triangular bone in front of the knee that protects the knee joint
Patellar reflex - a reflex extension of the leg resulting from a sharp tap on the patellar tendon
patellar - near or relating to the patella or kneecap
Patent ductus arteriosus - a ductus arteriosus that failed to close at birth; may require surgical correction
Paterfamilias - the male head of family or tribe
Paternal - characteristic of a father; belonging to or inherited from one's father; relating to or characteristic of or befitting a parent; related on the father's side
Paterson - a city of northeastern New Jersey; American Revolutionary leader (born in Ireland) who was a member of the Constitutional Convention (1745 1806)
Pathogen - any disease producing agent (especially a virus or bacterium or other microorganism)
Pathogenesis - the origination and development of a disease
Pathogenic - able to cause disease
Pathologic - caused by or altered by or manifesting disease or pathology; of or relating to the practice of pathology
pathological - caused by or evidencing a mentally disturbed condition; of or relating to the practice of pathology; caused by or altered by or manifesting disease or pathology
pathologist - a doctor who specializes in medical diagnosis
Pathology - the branch of medical science that studies the causes and nature and effects of diseases; any deviation from a healthy or normal condition
Paul Ehrlich - German bacteriologist who found a `magic bullet' to cure syphilis and was a pioneer in the study of immunology (1854 1915)
Pauling - United States chemist who studied the nature of chemical bonding (1901 1994)
Pavlov - Russian physiologist who observed conditioned salivary responses in dogs (1849 1936)
Pavlovian - of or relating to Ivan Pavlov or his experiments
payment - the act of paying money; a sum of money paid
Peccant - liable to sin
Pectus - the part of the human torso between the neck and the diaphragm or the corresponding part in other vertebrates
Pediatric - of or relating to the medical care of children
pediatrician - a specialist in the care of babies
Pediatrics - the branch of medicine concerned with the treatment of infants and children
pedicle - a small stalk bearing a single flower of an inflorescence; an ultimate division of a common peduncle
Pediculicide - a chemical agent that kills lice
Pediculosis pubis - infestation of the pubic hair by crab lice
Pediculosis - infestation with lice (Pediculus humanus) resulting in severe itching
Pedigree - having a list of ancestors as proof of being a purebred animal; ancestry of a purebred animal; line of descent of a purebred animal; the descendants of one individual
Pedophilia - a sexual attraction to children
Peeping tom - a viewer who enjoys seeing the sex acts or sex organs of others
Peer review - evaluate professionally a colleague's work
Pelvic - of or relating to the pelvis
Pelvimetry - measurement of the dimensions of the bony birth canal (to determine whether vaginal birth is possible)
Pemphigus - a skin disease characterized by large thin walled blisters (bullae) arising from normal skin or mucous membrane
Penetrating - tending to penetrate; having the power of entering or piercing; having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
Penicillamine - a drug (trade name Cuprimine) used to treat heavy metal poisoning and Wilson's disease and severe arthritis
Penicillin - any of various antibiotics obtained from Penicillium molds (or produced synthetically) and used in the treatment of various infections and diseases
Penile - of or relating to the penis
Penis - the male organ of copulation (`member' is a euphemism)
Pentobarbital - a barbiturate (trade name Nembutal) used as a sedative and hypnotic and antispasmodic
Pentoxifylline - a drug (trade name Trental) used to treat claudication; believed to increase the flexibility of red blood cells so they can flow through the blood vessels to the legs and feet
Pentylenetetrazol - a drug used as a circulatory and respiratory stimulant; larger doses cause convulsions in shock therapy; Metrazol is a trademark
Penumbra - a fringe region of partial shadow around an umbra
pepsin - an enzyme produced in the stomach that splits proteins into peptones
peptic ulcer - an ulcer of the mucous membrane lining of the alimentary tract
peptic - relating to or promoting digestion
Peptidase - any enzyme that catalyzes the splitting of proteins into smaller peptide fractions and amino acids by a process known as proteolysis
Peptide bond - the primary linkage of all protein structures; the chemical bond between the carboxyl groups and amino groups that unites a peptide
peptide - amide combining the amino group of one amino acid with the carboxyl group of another; usually obtained by partial hydrolysis of protein
Percentile - (statistics) any of the 99 numbered points that divide an ordered set of scores into 100 parts each of which contains one hundredth of the total
Perchlorate - a salt of perchloric acid
Perchloric acid - a powerful oxidizing agent; forms perchlorates
Percussion - the act of exploding a percussion cap; the act of playing a percussion instrument; tapping a part of the body for diagnostic purposes; the section of a band or orchestra that plays percussion instruments
Percussion - the act of exploding a percussion cap; the act of playing a percussion instrument; tapping a part of the body for diagnostic purposes; the section of a band or orchestra that plays percussion instruments
Percutaneous - through the unbroken skin; refers to medications applied directly to the skin (creams or ointments) or in time release forms (skin patches)
perennial - recurring again and again; lasting three seasons or more; lasting an indefinitely long time; suggesting self renewal; a plant lasting for three seasons or more
Perfect pitch - the ability to identify the pitch of a tone
Perforated eardrum - an eardrum with a hole or tear in it; can interfere with normal hearing and cause other ear problems
perforated - having a number or series of holes; having a hole cut through
perforation - the act of punching a hole (especially a row of holes as for ease of separation); a line of small holes for tearing at a particular place; a hole made in something
Perfusion - pumping a liquid into an organ or tissue (especially by way of blood vessels)
perianal - around the anus
Pericardial sac - the membrane surrounding the heart
pericardial - located around the heart or relating to or affecting the pericardium
Pericarditis - inflammation of the pericardium
pericardium - a serous membrane with two layers that surrounds the heart
perinatal - occurring during the period around birth (5 months before and 1 month after)
Perinatologist - an obstetrician specializing in perinatology
Perineal - of or relating to the perineum
perineum - the general region between the anus and the genital organs
Perineurium - the sheath of connective tissue that covers a bundle of nerve fibers
Periodic breathing - abnormal respiration in which periods of shallow and deep breathing alternate
periodic - recurring or reappearing from time to time; happening or recurring at regular intervals; recurring at regular intervals
periodontal disease - a disease that attacks the gum and bone and around the teeth
Periodontal - of or relating to or involving or practicing periodontics
Periodontics - the branch of dentistry dealing with diseases of the gums and other structures around the teeth
periodontitis - a disease that attacks the gum and bone and around the teeth
Periosteum - a dense fibrous membrane covering the surface of bones (except at their extremities) and serving as an attachment for tendons and muscles; contains nerves and blood vessels that nourish the enclosed bone
peripheral nervous system - the section of the nervous system lying outside the brain and spinal cord
peripheral vision - vision using only the periphery of the retina
Periphery - the outside boundary or surface of something
peristalsis - the process of wavelike muscle contractions of the alimentary tract that moves food along
Peritoneal - of or relating to or affecting the peritoneum
Peritoneum - a transparent membrane that lines the abdominal cavity in mammals and covers most of the viscera
Peritonitis - inflammation of the peritoneum
Peritonsillar abscess - a painful pus filled inflammation of the tonsils and surrounding tissues; usually a complication of tonsillitis
pernicious anemia - a chronic progressive anemia of older adults; thought to result from a lack of intrinsic factor (a substance secreted by the stomach that is responsible for the absorption of vitamin B12)
pernicious - working or spreading in a hidden and usually injurious way; exceedingly harmful
Peromyscus leucopus - American woodland mouse with white feet and underparts
Peromyscus maniculatus - brownish New World mouse; most widely distributed member of the genus
Perseveration - the tendency for a memory or idea to persist or recur without any apparent stimulus for it; the act of persisting or persevering; continuing or repeating behavior
Personality disorder - inflexible and maladaptive patterns of behavior
Perspiration - salty fluid secreted by sweat glands; the process of the sweat glands of the skin secreting a salty fluid
Pertussis - a disease of the respiratory mucous membrane
Pes cavus - a deformity of the foot characterized by an abnormally high arch and hyperextension of the toes which gives the foot the appearance of a claw
pessary - a contraceptive device consisting of a flexible dome shaped cup made of rubber or plastic; it is filled with spermicide and fitted over the uterine cervix
pessimism - a general disposition to look on the dark side and to expect the worst in all things; the feeling that things will turn out badly
Pesthouse - hospital for persons with infectious diseases (especially leprosy)
Pesticide - a chemical used to kill pests (as rodents or insects)
Pestis - a serious (sometimes fatal) infection of rodents caused by Yersinia pestis and accidentally transmitted to humans by the bite of a flea that has bitten an infected animal
Petasites hybridus - small Eurasian herb having broad leaves and lilac pink rayless flowers; found in moist areas
Petasites vulgaris - small Eurasian herb having broad leaves and lilac pink rayless flowers; found in moist areas
Petechia - a minute red or purple spot on the surface of the skin as the result of tiny hemorrhages of blood vessels in the skin (as in typhoid fever)
Peter Cooper - United States industrialist who built the first American locomotive; founded Cooper Union in New York City to offer free courses in the arts and sciences (1791 1883)
Peter Medawar - British immunologist (born in Brazil) who studied tissue transplants and discovered that the rejection of grafts was an immune response (1915 1987)
Peter Pan - the main character in a play by J. M. Barrie; a boy who won't grow up; a boyish or immature man; after the boy in Barrie's play who never grows up
Peter - disciple of Jesus and leader of the apostles; regarded by Catholics as the vicar of Christ on earth and first Pope; obscene terms for penis
Petit mal - a seizure (or a type of epilepsy characterized by such seizures) of short duration characterized by momentary unconsciousness and local muscle spasms or twitching
Phage - a virus that is parasitic in bacteria
phagocyte - a cell that engulfs and digests debris and invading microorganisms
phagocytosis - process in which phagocytes engulf and digest microorganisms and cellular debris; an important defense against infection
Phalangeal - of or relating to the bones of the fingers or toes
Phalanx - any of the bones of the fingers or toes; a body of troops in close array; any closely ranked crowd of people
Phalloplasty - reconstructive surgery on the penis to repair congenital abnormality or injury
Phantom limb syndrome - syndrome consisting of discomfort or pain in a limb that has been amputated
Phantom limb - the illusion that a limb still exists after it has been amputated
pharmacist - a health professional trained in the art of preparing and dispensing drugs
Pharmacogenetics - the branch of genetics that studies the genetically determined variations in responses to drugs in humans or laboratory organisms
pharmacokinetics - the study of the action of drugs in the body: method and rate of excretion; duration of effect; etc.
pharmacologic - of or relating to pharmacology
pharmacologist - someone trained in the science of drugs (their composition and uses and effects)
Pharmacology - the science or study of drugs: their preparation and properties and uses and effects
Pharmacopeia - (pharmacology) a book containing a compilation of pharmaceutical products with their formulas and methods of preparation
Pharmacopoeia - a collection or stock of drugs
Pharmacy - the art and science of preparing and dispensing drugs and medicines,; a retail shop where medicine and other articles are sold
Pharyngeal reflex - normal reflex consisting of retching; may be produced by touching the soft palate in the back of the mouth
pharyngeal - of or relating to the throat; a consonant articulated in the back of the mouth or throat
Pharyngitis - inflammation of the fauces and pharynx
Pharynx - the passage to the stomach and lungs; in the front part of the neck below the chin and above the collarbone
phase I - a clinical trial on a few persons to determine the safety of a new drug or invasive medical device; for drugs, dosage or toxicity limits should be obtained
phase II - a clinical trial on more persons than in phase I; intended to evaluate the efficacy of a treatment for the condition it is intended to treat; possible side effects are monitored
Phenazopyridine - analgesic (trade name Pyridium) used to treat urinary tract infections
Phencyclidine - a drug used as an anesthetic by veterinarians; illicitly taken (originally in the form of powder or `dust') for its effects as a hallucinogen
Phenelzine - monoamine oxidase inhibitor (trade name Nardil) used to treat clinical depression
pheniramine - an antihistamine used in preparations to treat allergies and respiratory infections; used to treat rhinitis and skin rashes and pruritus
Phenobarbital - a long acting barbiturate used as a sedative
Phenomenon - any state or process known through the senses rather than by intuition or reasoning; a remarkable development
Phenothiazine - a compound used primarily in veterinary medicine to rid farm animals of internal parasites
Phenotype - what an organism looks like as a consequence of the interaction of its genotype and the environment
Phensuximide - anticonvulsant (trade name Milontin) used to treat petit mal
Phentolamine - a virility drug (trade name Vasomax) to treat erectile dysfunction in men
Phenylbutazone - anti inflammatory drug (trade name Butazolidin)
Phenylephrine - a powerful vasoconstrictor used to dilate the pupils and relieve nasal congestion
phenylpropanolamine - an adrenergic drug used in many preparations to relieve allergic reactions or respiratory infections
Phenytoin - an anticonvulsant drug (trade name Dilantin) used to treat epilepsy and that is not a sedative
Pheochromocytoma - a vascular tumor of the adrenal gland; hypersecretion of epinephrine results in intermittent or sustained hypertension
pheresis - a procedure in which blood is drawn and separated into its components by dialysis; some are retained and the rest are returned to the donor by transfusion
Pheromone - a chemical substance secreted externally by some animals (especially insects) that influences the physiology or behavior of other animals of the same species
philosopher - a specialist in philosophy; a wise person who is calm and rational; someone who lives a life of reason with equanimity
Phimosis - an abnormal tightness of the foreskin preventing retraction over the glans
Phlebitis - inflammation of a vein (usually in the legs)
Phlebothrombosis - thrombosis of a vein without prior inflammation of the vein; associated with sluggish blood flow (as in prolonged bedrest or pregnancy or surgery) or with rapid coagulation of the blood
Phlebotomist - someone who practices phlebotomy
Phlebotomy - surgical incision into a vein; used to treat hemochromatosis
Phobia - an anxiety disorder characterized by extreme and irrational fear of simple things or social situations
phonophobia - a morbid fear of sounds including your own voice
Phosgene - a colorless poisonous gas that smells like new mown hay; used in chemical warfare
Phosphatase - any of a group of enzymes that act as a catalyst in the hydrolysis of organic phosphates
phosphate - carbonated drink with fruit syrup and a little phosphoric acid; a salt of phosphoric acid
Phosphine - a colorless gas with a strong fishy smell; used as a pesticide
photocoagulation - surgical procedure that uses an intense laser beam to destroy diseased retinal tissue or to make a scar that will hold the retina in cases of detached retina
photography - the occupation of taking and printing photographs or making movies; the act of taking and printing photographs; the process of producing images of objects on photosensitive surfaces
Photophobia - a morbid fear of light; pain in the eye resulting from exposure to bright light (often associated with albinism)
Photopic vision - normal vision in daylight; vision with sufficient illumination that the cones are active and hue is perceived
Photosensitivity - sensitivity to the action of radiant energy
Phototherapy - the use of strong light to treat acne or hyperbilirubinemia of the newborn
Phrenology - a now abandoned study of the shape of skull as indicative of the strengths of different faculties
Phthisis - involving the lungs with progressive wasting of the body
Phycomycosis - any fungal infection caused by fungi of the Phycomycetes group
Physical education - training in the development of and care for the human body; stresses athletics; includes hygiene
Physical exercise - the activity of exerting your muscles in various ways to keep fit
Physical fitness - good physical condition; being in shape or in condition
Physical therapist - therapist who treats injury or dysfunction with exercises and other physical treatments of the disorder
Physical therapy - therapy that uses physical agents: exercise and massage and other modalities
Physician - a licensed medical practitioner
physician - a licensed medical practitioner
physicist - a scientist trained in physics
Physics - the science of matter and energy and their interactions
physiologic - of or consistent with an organism's normal functioning
physiologist - a biologist specializing in physiology
Physiology - processes and functions of an organism; the branch of the biological sciences dealing with the functioning of organisms
physiotherapist - therapist who treats injury or dysfunction with exercises and other physical treatments of the disorder
Phytotoxin - any substance produced by plants that is similar in its properties to extracellular bacterial toxin
Pia mater - the highly vascular innermost of the 3 meninges
Piebald - having sections or patches colored differently and usually brightly
Pigeon breast - abnormal protrusion of the breastbone caused by rickets
Pigeon - wild and domesticated birds having a heavy body and short legs
Pigment - dry coloring matter (especially a powder to be mixed with a liquid to produce paint etc); verb color or dye with a pigment; acquire pigment; become colored or imbued
Pigmentation - coloration of living tissues by pigment; the deposition of pigment in animals or plants or human beings
Piles - a large number or amount; pain caused by venous swelling at or inside the anal sphincter
Pilocarpine - cholinergic alkaloid used in eyedrops to treat glaucoma
Pilus - hairlike structure especially on the surface of a cell or microorganism; any of the cylindrical filaments characteristically growing from the epidermis of a mammal
Pimple - a small inflamed elevation of the skin; a pustule or papule; common symptom in acne
Pimply - (of complexion) blemished by imperfections of the skin
Pince nez - spectacles clipped to the nose by a spring
pinched - as if squeezed uncomfortably tight; very thin especially from disease or hunger or cold; sounding as if the nose were pinched; not having enough money to pay for necessities
Pindolol - an oral beta blocker (trade name Visken) used in treating hypertension
pineal gland - a small endocrine gland in the brain; situated beneath the back part of the corpus callosum; secretes melatonin
Pinealoma - tumor of the pineal gland
Pinguecula - a slightly elevated elastic tissue deposit in the conjunctiva that may extend to the cornea but does not cover it
Pinguicula - butterworts: a large genus of almost stemless carnivorous bog plants; Europe and America to Antarctica
Pink lady - a cocktail made of gin and brandy with lemon juice and grenadine shaken with an egg white and ice
Pinkeye - inflammation of the conjunctiva of the eye
Pinna - division of a usually pinnately divided leaf; the externally visible cartilaginous structure of the external ear
Pinnate - of a leaf shape; featherlike; having leaflets on each side of a common axis
Pinocytosis - process by which certain cells can engulf and incorporate droplets of fluid
Pinworm - small threadlike worm infesting human intestines and rectum especially in children
Piperacillin - a synthetic type of penicillin antibiotic (trade name Pipracil) used for moderate to severe infections
Piperine - derived from pepper (especially black pepper); source of the hotness of black and white pepper
Piroxicam - a nonsteroidal anti inflammatory drug (trade name Feldene) used to treat arthritis and other inflammatory conditions
Pistol - a firearm that is held and fired with one hand
pituitary gland - the master gland of the endocrine system; located at the base of the brain
pituitary - of or relating to the pituitary gland; having abnormal size with overgrown extremities resulting from abnormal pituitary secretion; the master gland of the endocrine system; located at the base of the brain
Pityriasis alba - common form of pityriasis (usually in children or young adults) characterized by round patches of depigmentation
Pityriasis rosea - pityriasis in which an itchy rash develops over the trunk and extremities
Pityriasis - any of several skin disorders characterized by shedding dry flakes of skin
Pivot joint - a freely moving joint in which movement is limited to rotation
Pivot - the act of turning on (or as if on) a pivot; axis consisting of a short shaft that supports something that turns; the person in a rank around whom the others wheel and maneuver; verb turn on a pivot
placebo - (Roman Catholic Church) vespers of the office for the dead; an innocuous or inert medication; given as a pacifier or to the control group in experiments on the efficacy of a drug
Placenta previa - pregnancy in which the placenta is implanted in the lower part of the uterus (instead of the upper part); can cause bleeding late in pregnancy; delivery by cesarean section may be necessary
Placenta - the vascular structure in the uterus of most mammals providing oxygen and nutrients for and transferring wastes from the developing fetus; that part of the ovary of a flowering plant where the ovules form
Placental - pertaining to or having or occurring by means of a placenta; mammals having a placenta; all mammals except monotremes and marsupials
Plagiocephaly - congenital malformation of the skull in which the main axis of the skull is oblique
planar - involving two dimensions
Plano - a city in northeastern Texas (suburb of Dallas)
Plantar wart - a wart occurring on the sole of the foot
plantar - relating to or occurring on the undersurface of the foot
plaque - (pathology) a small abnormal patch on or inside the body; a memorial made of brass
Plasma cell - a cell that develops from a B lymphocyte in reaction to a specific antigen; found in bone marrow and sometimes in the blood
Plasmacytoma - neoplasm of plasma cells (usually in bone marrow)
Plasmapheresis - plasma is separated from whole blood and the rest is returned to the donor
Plasmid - a small cellular inclusion consisting of a ring of DNA that is not in a chromosome but is capable of autonomous replication
plasmin - an enzyme that dissolves the fibrin of blood clots
Plasmodiidae - malaria parasites
Plasmodium vivax - parasitic protozoan of the genus Plasmodium that causes malaria in humans
Plasmodium - parasitic protozoan of the genus Plasmodium that causes malaria in humans; multinucleate sheet of cytoplasm characteristic of some stages of such organisms as slime molds
Plastic surgeon - a surgeon who beautifies the body (especially the face)
Plastic Surgery - surgery concerned with therapeutic or cosmetic reformation of tissue
Plasticity - the property of being physically malleable; the property of something that can be worked or hammered or shaped without breaking
Plastid - any of various small particles in the cytoplasm of the cells of plants and some animals containing pigments or starch or oil or protein
plateau - a relatively flat highland
platelet - tiny bits of protoplasm found in vertebrate blood; essential for blood clotting
Plateletpheresis - platelets are separated from whole blood and the rest is returned to the donor
pleomorphic - relating to or characterized by pleomorphism
Pleomorphism - (biology) the appearance of two or more distinctly different forms in the life cycle of some organisms; (chemistry) the existence of different kinds of crystal of the same chemical compound
Pleonasm - using more words than necessary
Plethoric - excessively abundant
Plethysmograph - a measuring instrument for measuring changes in volume of a part or organ or whole body (usually resulting from fluctuations in the amount of blood it contains)
Pleura - the thin serous membrane around the lungs and inner walls of the chest
Pleural space - the small potential space between the parietal and visceral layers of the pleura
Pleural - of or relating to the pleura or the walls of the thorax
Pleurisy - inflammation of the pleura of the lungs (especially the parietal layer)
Pleurodynia - pain in the chest caused by inflammation of the muscles between the ribs
Pleuropneumonia - pleurisy and pneumonia
Pleximeter - a small thin metal plate held against the body and struck with a plexor in percussive examinations
Plexus - a network of intersecting blood vessels or intersecting nerves or intersecting lymph vessels
Plumbism - toxic condition produced by the absorption of excessive lead into the system
pneumatic - of or relating to or using air (or a similar gas)
pneumococcal - of or derived from or caused by bacteria of the genus pneumococcus
Pneumoconiosis - chronic respiratory disease caused by inhaling metallic or mineral particles
Pneumocystis pneumonia - pneumonia occurring in infants or in persons with impaired immune systems (as AIDS victims)
Pneumonectomy - surgical removal of a lung (usually to treat lung cancer)
Pneumonia - respiratory disease characterized by inflammation of the lung parenchyma (excluding the bronchi) with congestion caused by viruses or bacteria or irritants
Pneumonic plague - a rapidly progressive and frequently fatal form of the plague that can spread through the air from person to person; characterized by lung involvement with chill, bloody expectoration and high fever
Pneumonitis - inflammation of the lungs; caused by a virus or an allergic reaction
Pneumothorax - abnormal presence of air in the pleural cavity resulting in the collapse of the lung; may be spontaneous (due to injury to the chest) or induced (as a treatment for tuberculosis)
Podiatrist - a specialist in care for the feet
Podiatry - the branch of medicine concerned with the feet
Poikilotherm - an animal whose body temperature varies with the temperature of its surroundings; any animal except birds and mammals
Point mutation - a mutation due to an intramolecular reorganization of a gene
Poison - anything that harms or destroys; any substance that causes injury or illness or death of a living organism; verb administer poison to; add poison to; kill with poison; kill by its poison; spoil as if by poison
Poisoning - the act of giving poison to a person or animal with the intent to kill; the physiological state produced by a poison or other toxic substance
Poisson distribution - a theoretical distribution that is a good approximation to the binomial distribution when the probability is small and the number of trials is large
Poland - a republic in central Europe; the invasion of Poland by Germany in 1939 started World War II
Polar body - a small cell containing little cytoplasm that is produced along with the oocyte and later discarded
Polarity - having an indicated pole (as the distinction between positive and negative electric charges); a relation between two opposite attributes or tendencies
Policy - a plan of action adopted by an individual or social group; written contract or certificate of insurance; a line of argument rationalizing the course of action of a government
Polio - an acute viral disease marked by inflammation of nerve cells of the brain stem and spinal cord
polio - an acute viral disease marked by inflammation of nerve cells of the brain stem and spinal cord
Poliomyelitis - an acute viral disease marked by inflammation of nerve cells of the brain stem and spinal cord
Poliosis - loss of color from the hair
Poliovirus - the virus causing poliomyelitis
politician - a person active in party politics; a leader engaged in civil administration; a schemer who tries to gain advantage in an organization in sly or underhanded ways
Pollen count - the number of pollen grains (usually ragweed) in a standard volume of air over a twenty four hour period and a specified time and place
Pollen - the fine spores that contain male gametes and that are borne by an anther in a flowering plant
Pollex - the thick short innermost digit of the forelimb
Pollinosis - a seasonal rhinitis resulting from an allergic reaction to pollen
Pollutant - waste matter that contaminates the water or air or soil
Polony - another name for Bologna sausage
Polyarteritis nodosa - a progressive disease of connective tissue that is characterized by nodules along arteries; nodules may block the artery and result in inadequate circulation to the particular area
Polycystic kidney disease - kidney disease characterized by enlarged kidneys containing many cysts; often leads to kidney failure
Polycythemia - a disorder characterized by an abnormal increase in the number of red blood cells in the blood
Polydactyly - birth defect characterized by the presence of more than the normal number of fingers or toes
Polydactyly - birth defect characterized by the presence of more than the normal number of fingers or toes
Polydipsia - excessive thirst (as in cases of diabetes or kidney dysfunction)
Polygene - a gene that by itself has little effect on the phenotype but which can act together with others to produce observable variations
Polygenic disease - an inherited disease controlled by several genes at once
Polygenic disorder - an inherited disease controlled by several genes at once
Polygenic - of or relating to an inheritable character that is controlled by several genes at once; of or related to or determined by polygenes
Polymerase - an enzyme that catalyzes the formation of new DNA and RNA from an existing strand of DNA or RNA
Polymerize - undergo polymerization; cause (a compound) to polymerize
Polymox - an antibiotic; a semisynthetic oral penicillin (trade names Amoxil and Larotid and Polymox and Trimox and Augmentin) used to treat bacterial infections
Polymyositis - myositis characterized by weakness of limb and neck muscles and much muscle pain and swelling; progression and severity vary among individuals
polyneuritis - inflammation of many or all of the peripheral nerves (as in leprosy)
Polyostotic fibrous dysplasia - fibrous dysplasia of bone affecting multiple bones
polypectomy - surgical removal of a polyp
Polypeptide - a peptide containing 10 to more than 100 amino acids
Polyploid - of a cell or organism having more than twice the haploid number of chromosomes; (genetics) an organism or cell having more than twice the haploid number of chromosomes
Polyploidy - the condition of being polyploid
Polysaccharide - any of a class of carbohydrates whose molecules contain chains of monosaccharide molecules
Polysomy - congenital defect of having one or more extra chromosomes in somatic cells
polyunsaturated fat - a class of fats having long carbon chains with many double bonds unsaturated with hydrogen atoms; used in some margarines; supposedly associated with low blood cholesterol
Polyuria - renal disorder characterized by the production of large volumes of pale dilute urine; often associated with diabetes
Pontiac - famous chief of the Ottawa who led an unsuccessful rebellion against the British (1715 1769)
popcorn - small kernels of corn exploded by heat; corn having small ears and kernels that burst when exposed to dry heat
Popliteal - of or relating to the area behind the knee joint
Porcine - relating to or suggesting swine; resembling swine; coarsely gluttonous or greedy; repellently fat
Porphyria - a genetic abnormality of metabolism causing abdominal pains and mental confusion
Portacaval shunt - shunt that is created surgically between the portal vein and the inferior vena cava so that blood from the abdominal organs can bypass the liver
Portal vein - a short vein that carries blood into the liver
portal - a grand and imposing entrance (often extended metaphorically); a short vein that carries blood into the liver; a site that the owner positions as an entrance to other sites on the internet
Position effect - (genetics) the effect on the expression of a gene that is produced by changing its location in a chromosome
positron emission tomography - using a computerized radiographic technique to examine the metabolic activity in various tissues (especially in the brain)
Poster child - a child afflicted by some disease or deformity whose picture is used on posters to raise money for charitable purposes
Posterior pituitary - the posterior lobe of the pituitary body; primarily glandular in nature
posterior - at or near the hind end in quadrupeds or toward the spine in primates; a tooth situated at the back of the mouth; the fleshy part of the human body that you sit on
Postgraduate - of or relating to studies beyond a bachelor's degree; a student who continues studies after graduation
Posthitis - inflammation of the foreskin of the penis; usually caused by bacterial infection
Postmature infant - infant born after 42 weeks of gestation; usually shows signs of placental insufficiency
Postmenopausal - subsequent to menopause
Postmortem examination - an examination and dissection of a dead body to determine cause of death or the changes produced by disease
Postoperative - happening or done after a surgical operation
postpartum - occurring immediately after birth
Postprandial - following a meal (especially dinner)
Postural hypotension - low blood pressure occurring in some people when they stand up
Postural - of or relating to or involving posture
Potassium bromide - a white crystalline salt (KBr) used as a sedative and in photography
Potassium iodide - a crystalline salt in organic synthesis and in making photographic emulsions and in iodized table salt
Potomania - an intense persistent desire to drink alcoholic beverages to excess
Pott's disease - TB of the spine with destruction of vertebrae resulting in curvature of the spine
Power of attorney - a legal instrument authorizing someone to act as the grantor's agent
Prandial - of or relating to a meal
Pravastatin - an oral drug (trade name Pravachol) administered to reduce blood cholesterol levels; recommended after nonfatal heart attacks
Prazosin - antihypertensive drug (trade name Minipress)
Pre eclampsia - abnormal state of pregnancy characterized by hypertension and fluid retention and albuminuria; can lead to eclampsia if untreated
precancerous - of or relating to a growth that is not malignant but is likely to become so if not treated
Preceptor - teacher at a university or college (especially at Cambridge or Oxford)
Precipitin - an antibody that causes precipitation when it unites with its antigen
preclinical - of or relating to the early phases of a disease when accurate diagnosis is not possible because symptoms of the disease have not yet appeared
Precocious - appearing or developing early; characterized by or characteristic of exceptionally early development or maturity (especially in mental aptitude)
precursor - a person who goes before or ances the coming of another; a substance from which another substance is formed (especially by a metabolic reaction); an indication of the approach of something or someone
PREDICT - make a prediction about; tell in advance; indicate by signs
Predispose - make susceptible
Predisposition - a disposition in advance to react in a particular way; an inclination beforehand to interpret statements in a particular way; susceptibility to a pathogen
Prednisolone - a glucocorticoid (trade names Pediapred or Prelone) used to treat inflammatory conditions
Prednisone - a dehydrogenated analogue of cortisol (trade names Orasone or Deltasone or Liquid Pred or Meticorten); used as an anti inflammatory drug in the treatment of arthritis and as an immunosuppressant
preeclampsia - abnormal state of pregnancy characterized by hypertension and fluid retention and albuminuria; can lead to eclampsia if untreated
Preemie - an infant that is born prior to 37 weeks of gestation
prefix - an affix that is added in front of the word; verb attach a prefix to
Pregnancy test - a physiological test to determine whether a person is pregnant
Pregnancy - the state of being pregnant; the period from conception to birth when a woman carries a developing fetus in her uterus
Pregnant - carrying developing offspring within the body or being about to produce new life; filled with or attended with; rich in significance or implication
Premature baby - an infant that is born prior to 37 weeks of gestation
premature ejaculation - ejaculation during the early stages of sexual excitement or soon after the insertion of the penis into the vagina
premature ventricular contraction - irregularity of cardiac rhythm; recurrent occurrences can be a precursor of ventricular fibrillation
premature - uncommonly early or before the expected time; born after a gestation period of less than the normal time; too soon or too hasty
Prematurity - the state of being premature
Premenstrual syndrome - a syndrome that occurs in many women from 2 to 14 days before the onset of menstruation
Premenstrual - of or relating to or occurring during the period just before menstruation
Premie - an infant that is born prior to 37 weeks of gestation
Premolar - a tooth having two cusps or points; located between the incisors and the molars
Prenatal diagnosis - any of the diagnostic procedures used to determine whether a fetus has a genetic abnormality
Prenatal - occurring or existing before birth
Preoperative - happening or done before and in preparation for a surgical operation
Prepubertal - (especially of human beings) at the age immediately before puberty; often marked by accelerated growth
Prepuce - a fold of skin covering the tip of the penis; a fold of skin covering the tip of the clitoris
Presbyopia - farsightedness resulting from a reduced ability to focus caused by loss of elasticity of the crystalline lens with age
Prescription drug - a drug that is available only with written instructions from a doctor or dentist to a pharmacist
Pressure sore - a chronic ulcer of the skin caused by prolonged pressure on it (as in bedridden patients)
Prevention - the act of preventing
Preventive medicine - the branch of medicine concerned with preventing disease
Priapism - condition in which the penis is continually erect; usually painful and seldom with sexual arousal
Primaquine - synthetic antimalarial drug
Primary amenorrhea - delay of menarche beyond age 18
Primary care - the medical care received on first contact with the medical system (before being referred elsewhere)
Primary dentition - dentition of deciduous teeth
Primary health care - health care that is provided by a health care professional in the first contact of a patient with the health care system
Primer - an introductory textbook; the first or preliminary coat of paint or size applied to a surface; any igniter that is used to initiate the burning of a propellant
Primidone - an anticonvulsant (trade name Mysoline) used to treat grand mal seizures and essential tremor
Priming - the act of making something ready; the first or preliminary coat of paint or size applied to a surface; any igniter that is used to initiate the burning of a propellant
Primordium - an organ in its earliest stage of development; the foundation for subsequent development
Principal investigator - the scientist in charge of an experiment or research project
Prion - (microbiology) an infectious protein particle similar to a virus but lacking nucleic acid; thought to be the agent responsible for scrapie and other degenerative diseases of the nervous system
Privacy - the quality of being secluded from the presence or view of others; the condition of being concealed or hidden
Privacy - the quality of being secluded from the presence or view of others; the condition of being concealed or hidden
private - concerning things deeply private and personal; confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy; not expressed; concerning one person exclusively; an enlisted man of the lowest rank
Pro re nata - according to need (physicians use PRN in writing prescriptions)
Probability theory - the branch of applied mathematics that deals with probabilities
probenecid - a uricosuric drug that reduces the level of uric acid in the blood; used to treat gout
Procaine - a white crystalline powder (trade name Ethocaine) administered near nerves as a local anesthetic in dentistry and medicine
Procarbazine - an antineoplastic drug used to treat Hodgkin's disease
Prochlorperazine - antipsychotic and antiemetic drug used to treat schizophrenia and to combat nausea and vomiting
Proclivity - a natural inclination
Proctitis - inflammation of the rectum; marked by bloody stools and a frequent urge to defecate; frequently associated with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis
Proctocele - protrusion or herniation of the rectum into the vagina; can occur if pelvic muscles are weakened by childbirth
Proctology - the branch of medicine dealing with the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the colon or rectum or anus
proctoscopy - visual examination of the rectum and the end of the colon by means of a proctoscope
Prodrome - an early symptom that a disease is developing or that an attack is about to occur
professor - someone who is a member of the faculty at a college or university
Progeny - the immediate descendants of a person
Progeria - a rare abnormality marked by premature aging (grey hair and wrinkled skin and stooped posture) in a child
Progesterone - a steroid hormone (trade name Lipo Lutin) produced in the ovary; prepares and maintains the uterus for pregnancy
progestin - any of a group of steroid hormones that have the effect of progesterone
Progestogen - any of a group of steroid hormones that have the effect of progesterone
Prognathism - the condition of being prognathous; the condition of having a projecting jaw
Prognosis - a prediction of the course of a disease; a prediction about how something (as the weather) will develop
Prognostic - of or relating to prediction; having value for making predictions; a sign of something about to happen
Progressive vaccinia - a severe or even fatal form of vaccinia that occurs mainly in persons with an immunological deficiency; characterized by progressive enlargement of the initial lesion
Proinflammatory - tending to cause inflammation
Prokaryote - a unicellular organism having cells lacking membrane bound nuclei; bacteria are the prime example but also included are blue green algae and actinomycetes and mycoplasma
Prokaryotic - having cells that lack membrane bound nuclei
Prolactin - gonadotropic hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary; in females it stimulates growth of the mammary glands and lactation after parturition
Prolapse - the slipping or falling out of place of an organ (as the uterus); verb slip or fall out of place, as of body parts
Proline - an amino acid that is found in many proteins (especially collagen)
Promethazine - antihistamine (trade name Phenergan) used to treat allergies; also an antiemetic used to treat motion sickness
prominent - conspicuous in position or importance; having a quality that thrusts itself into attention
Promoter - someone who is an active supporter and advocate; a sponsor who books and stages public entertainments
Pronation - rotation of the hands and forearms so that the palms face downward
Prone - lying face downward; having a tendency (to); often used in combination
Pronucleus - the nucleus of the ovum or sperm after fertilization but before they fuse to form the nucleus of the zygote
Proofread - read for errors
Prophase - the first stage of mitosis; the first stage of meiosis
Prophylaxis - the prevention of disease
Proportional counter - counter tube whose output pulse is proportional to number of ions produced
Propositus - the person immediately affected by or concerned with an action
proprioception - the ability to sense the position and location and orientation and movement of the body and its parts
Propylthiouracil - a crystalline compound used as an antithyroid drug in the treatment of goiter
Propylthiouracil - a crystalline compound used as an antithyroid drug in the treatment of goiter
Prospective - anticipated for the near future; concerned with or related to the future
Prostate cancer - cancer of the prostate gland
prostate gland - a firm partly muscular chestnut sized gland in males at the neck of the urethra; produces a viscid secretion that is the fluid part of semen
Prostate - relating to the prostate gland; a firm partly muscular chestnut sized gland in males at the neck of the urethra; produces a viscid secretion that is the fluid part of semen
Prostatectomy - surgical removal of part or all of the prostate gland
prostatic - relating to the prostate gland
Prostatitis - inflammation of the prostate gland characterized by perineal pain and irregular urination and (if severe) chills and fever
Prosthesis - corrective consisting of a replacement for a part of the body
Prosthetic - relating to or serving as a prosthesis; of or relating to prosthetics
Prosthetics - the branch of medicine dealing with the production and use of artificial body parts
Prosthetist - an expert in prosthetics
Prosthodontist - a dentist who is expert in prosthodontics
Protamine - a simple protein found in fish sperm; rich in arginine; simpler in composition than globulin or albumin; counteracts the anticoagulant effect of heparin
Protean - taking on different forms
protease inhibitor - an antiviral drug used against HIV; interrupts HIV replication by binding and blocking HIV protease; often used in combination with other drugs
Protease - any enzyme that catalyzes the splitting of proteins into smaller peptide fractions and amino acids by a process known as proteolysis
Proteinuria - the presence of excessive protein (chiefly albumin but also globulin) in the urine; usually a symptom of kidney disorder
Proteome - the full complement of proteins produced by a particular genome
proteomics - the branch of genetics that studies the full set of proteins encoded by a genome
Proteus - type genus of the Proteidae; (Greek mythology) a prophetic god who served Poseidon; was capable of changing his shape at will
Prothrombin - a protein in blood plasma that is the inactive precursor of thrombin
Prothrombin - a protein in blood plasma that is the inactive precursor of thrombin
Prothrombinase - coagulation factor that is converted to an enzyme that converts prothrombin to thrombin in a reaction that depends on calcium ions and other coagulation factors
Proto oncogene - a normal gene that has the potential to become an oncogene
Proto - indicating the first or earliest or original
protocol - code of correct conduct; forms of ceremony and etiquette observed by diplomats and heads of state; (computer science) rules determining the format and transmission of data
proton - a stable particle with positive charge equal to the negative charge of an electron
Protoplast - a biological unit consisting of a nucleus and the body of cytoplasm with which it interacts
Protozoa - in some classifications considered a superphylum or a subkingdom; comprises flagellates; ciliates; sporozoans; amoebas; foraminifers
Protriptyline - tricyclic antidepressant used to treat clinical depression
Proximal - situated nearest to point of attachment or origin
Proximate - very close in space or time; closest in degree or order (space or time) especially in a chain of causes and effects
Proximo - in or of the next month after the present
Proxy - a power of attorney document given by shareholders of a corporation authorizing a specific vote on their behalf at a corporate meeting; a person authorized to act for another
Pruritus ani - chronic itching of the skin around the anus
Pruritus vulvae - persistent itching of the external female genitalia
pruritus - an intense itching sensation that can have various causes (as by allergies or infection or lymphoma or jaundice etc.)
Pseudo - (often used in combination) not genuine but having the appearance of; a person who makes deceitful pretenses
Pseudoephedrine - poisonous crystalline alkaloid occurring with ephedrine and isomorphic with it
Pseudorubella - a viral disease of infants and young children; characterized by abrupt high fever and mild sore throat; a few days later there is a faint pinkish rash that lasts for a few hours to a few days
Psittacosis - an atypical pneumonia caused by a rickettsia microorganism and transmitted to humans from infected birds; infectious disease of birds
Psittacosis - an atypical pneumonia caused by a rickettsia microorganism and transmitted to humans from infected birds; infectious disease of birds
Psoas - either of two muscles of the abdomen and pelvis that flex the trunk and rotate the thigh
Psoriasis - a chronic skin disease characterized by dry red patches covered with scales; occurs especially on the scalp and ears and genitalia and the skin over bony prominences
Psoriatic arthritis - a form of rheumatoid arthritis usually affecting fingers and toes and associated with psoriasis
Psychedelia - the subculture of users of psychedelic drugs
Psychiatric - relating to or used in or engaged in the practice of psychiatry
psychiatrist - a physician who specializes in psychiatry
Psychiatry - the branch of medicine dealing with the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders
Psycho - a person afflicted with psychosis
Psychoactive drug - a drug that can produce mood changes and distorted perceptions
Psychoanalysis - a set of techniques for exploring underlying motives and a method of treating various mental disorders; based on the theories of Sigmund Freud
psychoanalyst - a licensed practitioner of psychoanalysis
psychogenic - mental or emotional rather than physiological in origin; of or relating to the psychological cause of a disorder
psychological - mental or emotional as opposed to physical in nature; of or relating to or determined by psychology
Psychologist - a scientist trained in psychology
psychology - the science of mental life
Psychopathology - the branch of medicine dealing with the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders; the branch of psychology concerned with abnormal behavior
Psychopathy - any disease of the mind; the psychological state of someone who has emotional or behavioral problems serious enough to require psychiatric intervention
Psychosis - any severe mental disorder in which contact with reality is lost or highly distorted
psychosomatic - used of illness or symptoms resulting from neurosis
Psychosurgery - brain surgery on human patients intended to relieve severe and otherwise intractable mental or behavioral problems
Psychotherapy - the treatment of mental or emotional problems by psychological means; the branch of psychiatry concerned with psychological methods
Pterygium - either of two thickened triangular layers of conjunctiva extending from the nasal edge of the eye to the cornea; it arises from irritation of the pinguecula
ptosis - drooping of the upper eyelid caused by muscle paralysis and weakness
Puberty - the time of life when sex glands become functional
pubic - relating or near the pubis
Pubis - one of the three sections of the hipbone; together these two bones form the front of the pelvis
Public security - the general security of public places
public - affecting the people or community as a whole; not private; open to or concerning the people as a whole; a body of people sharing some common interest; people in general considered as a whole
Pucker - an irregular fold in an otherwise even surface (as in cloth); verb to gather something into small wrinkles or folds; become wrinkled or drawn together; draw fabric together and sew it tightly
Pudendum - human external genital organs collectively especially of a female
Puerperal fever - serious form of septicemia contracted by a woman during childbirth or abortion (usually attributable to unsanitary conditions); formerly widespread but now uncommon
puerperal - relating to or connected with or occurring at the time of childbirth or shortly following, or to the woman who has just given birth
Puerperium - time period following childbirth when the mother's uterus shrinks and the other functional and anatomic changes of pregnancy are resolved
Pulled - drawn toward the source of the force
Pulmonary artery - one of two arteries (branches of the pulmonary trunk) that carry venous blood from the heart to the lungs
Pulmonary circulation - circulation of blood between the heart and the lungs
pulmonary embolism - blockage of the pulmonary artery by foreign matter or by a blood clot
Pulmonary stenosis - abnormal narrowing of the opening into the pulmonary artery from the right ventricle
Pulmonary trunk - the artery that carries venous blood from the right ventricle of the heart and divides into the right and left pulmonary arteries
Pulmonary tuberculosis - involving the lungs with progressive wasting of the body
Pulmonary valve - a semilunar valve between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery; prevents blood from flowing from the artery back into the heart
Pulmonary vein - any of four veins that carry arterial blood from the lungs to the left atrium of the heart
pulmonary - relating to or affecting the lungs
Pulseless disease - disorder characterized by the absence of a pulse in both arms and in the carotid arteries
pulseless - appearing dead; not breathing or having no perceptible pulse
pupil - contractile aperture in the iris of the eye; a young person attending school (up through senior high school); a learner who is enrolled in an educational institution
pupil - contractile aperture in the iris of the eye; a young person attending school (up through senior high school); a learner who is enrolled in an educational institution
Purine - a colorless crystalline organic base containing nitrogen; the parent compound of various biologically important substances; any of several bases that are derivatives of purine
Purpura - any of several blood diseases causing subcutaneous bleeding
purulent - "a purulent wound"
Pustule - a small inflamed elevation of skin containing pus; a blister filled with pus
Putamen - the outer reddish part of the lenticular nucleus
Pycnodysostosis - a form of dwarfism accompanied by fragile bones and bad teeth
Pyelogram - an X ray of the kidneys and ureters
Pyelonephritis - inflammation of the kidney and its pelvis caused by bacterial infection
Pyknosis - a degenerative state of the cell nucleus
pyloric sphincter - the sphincter muscle of the pylorus that separates the stomach from the duodenum
Pyloric stenosis - narrowing of the pyloric sphincter that blocks the passage of food from the stomach into the duodenum
Pylorus - a small circular opening between the stomach and the duodenum
Pyogenic - producing pus
pyramidal - resembling a pyramid
pyrene - the small hard nutlet of a drupe or drupelet; the seed and the hard endocarp that surrounds it; a pale yellow crystalline hydrocarbon C16H10 extracted from coal tar
Pyridoxine - a B vitamin that is essential for metabolism of amino acids and starch
Pyrimidine - a heterocyclic organic compound with a penetrating odor; any of several basic compounds derived from pyrimidine
Pyromania - an uncontrollable desire to set fire to things
pyrophosphate - a salt or ester of pyrophosphoric acid
Pyrosis - a painful burning sensation in the chest caused by gastroesophageal reflux (backflow from the stomach irritating the esophagus); symptomatic of an ulcer or a diaphragmatic hernia or other disorder
Pythagoras - Greek philosopher and mathematician who proved the Pythagorean theorem; considered to be the first true mathematician (circa 580 500 BC)
Pyuria - presence of white blood cells in the urine; symptom of urinary tract infection
Q fever - an acute disease resembling influenza
Quack - medically unqualified; the harsh sound of a duck; an untrained person who pretends to be a physician and who dispenses medical advice; verb act as a medical quack or a charlatan; utter quacking noises
Quackery - medical practice and advice based on observation and experience in ignorance of scientific findings; the dishonesty of a charlatan
quadrangular - of or relating to or shaped like a quadrangle
Quadrantanopia - blindness in one fourth of the visual field
Quadriceps - a muscle of the thigh that extends the leg
quadriplegia - paralysis of both arms and both legs
Quadriplegic - a person who is paralyzed in both arms and both legs
Qualitative - involving distinctions based on qualities; relating to or involving comparisons based on qualities
Quality of Life - your personal satisfaction (or dissatisfaction) with the cultural or intellectual conditions under which you live (as distinct from material comfort)
Qualm - uneasiness about the fitness of an action; a mild state of nausea
Quantitative - expressible as a quantity or relating to or susceptible of measurement; (of verse) having a metric system based on relative duration of syllables; relating to the measurement of quantity
Quasi - having some resemblance
Queasy - causing or fraught with or showing anxiety; feeling nausea; feeling about to vomit; causing or able to cause nausea
Queensland - a state in northeastern Australia
Quickening - the process of showing signs of life; the stage of pregnancy at which the mother first feels the movements of the fetus; the act of accelerating; increasing the speed
Quiescence - quiet and inactive restfulness; a state of quiet (but possibly temporary) inaction
Quiescent - causing no symptoms; being quiet or still or inactive; not active or activated; marked by a state of tranquil repose
Quinacrine - a drug (trade name Atabrine) used to treat certain worm infestations and once used to treat malaria
Quinidine - cardiac drug (trade names Quinidex and Quinora) used to treat certain heart arrhythmias
Quinine - a bitter alkaloid extracted from chinchona bark; used in malaria therapy
Quinsy - a painful pus filled inflammation of the tonsils and surrounding tissues; usually a complication of tonsillitis
Quotidian - found in the ordinary course of events
Quotient - the number obtained by division; the ratio of two quantities to be divided

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Rabbit fever - a highly infectious disease of rodents (especially rabbits and squirrels) and sometimes transmitted to humans by ticks or flies or by handling infected animals
Rabbit test - pregnancy test that involves injecting some of the woman's urine into an unmated female rabbit and later examining the ovaries of the rabbit; presence of corpora lutea indicates that the woman is pregnant
Rabies - an acute viral disease of the nervous system of warm blooded animals (usually transmitted by the bite of a rabid animal); rabies is fatal if the virus reaches the brain
Racemose - having stalked flowers along an elongated stem that continue to open in succession from below as the stem continues to grow
Rachischisis - a not uncommon congenital defect in which a vertebra is malformed; unless several vertebrae are affected or there is myelomeningocele there are few symptoms; can be diagnosed by amniocentesis
Radial artery - branch of the brachial artery beginning below the elbow and extending down the forearm around the wrist and into the palm
Radial keratotomy - radial pattern of incisions in the cornea that cause the cornea to bulge; performed to correct myopia
Radiation therapy - (medicine) the treatment of disease (especially cancer) by exposure to a radioactive substance
radical mastectomy - removal of a breast and the underlying muscles (pectoralis major and pectoralis minor) and lymph nodes in the adjacent armpit
Radioactive - exhibiting or caused by radioactivity
Radiobiology - the branch of biology that studies the effects of radiation on living organisms
Radiochemistry - the chemistry of radioactive substances
radiograph - a photographic image produced on a radiosensitive surface by radiation other than visible light (especially by X rays or gamma rays)
Radiographer - a person who makes radiographs
Radiography - photography that uses other kinds of radiation than visible light; the process of making a radiograph; producing an image on a radiosensitive surface by radiation other than visible light
Radioimmunoassay - immunoassay of a substance that has been radioactively labeled
radioisotope - a radioactive isotope of an element; produced either naturally or artificially
radiologist - a medical specialist who uses radioactive substances and X rays in the treatment of disease
Radiolucent - almost complete transparent to X rays or other forms of radiation
Radiopaque - not transparent to X rays or other forms of radiation
radiopharmaceutical - pharmaceutical consisting of a radioactive compound used in radiation therapy
Radiosensitive - sensitive to radiation
Radiosensitivity - sensitivity to the action of radiant energy
radiotherapy - (medicine) the treatment of disease (especially cancer) by exposure to a radioactive substance
Radium - an intensely radioactive metallic element that occurs in minute amounts in uranium ores
Radon - a radioactive gaseous element formed by the disintegration of radium; the heaviest of the inert gasses; occurs naturally (especially in areas over granite) and is considered a hazard to health
raised - increased especially to abnormal levels; above the surround or above the normal position; embellished with a raised pattern created by pressure or embroidery
Ramsay Hunt syndrome - syndrome resulting from infection by the herpes varicella zoster virus; characterized by vertigo and pain in the ears and facial nerve paralysis and sometimes hearing loss
Ramus - the posterior part of the mandible that is more or less vertical
Random sample - a sample grabbed at random; a sample in which every element in the population has an equal chance of being selected
Random - lacking any definite plan or order or purpose; governed by or depending on chance; taken haphazardly
Randomization - a deliberately haphazard arrangement of observations so as to simulate chance
Randomize - arrange in random order
randomized - set up or distributed in a deliberately random way
Randomly - in a random manner
Ranitidine - a histamine blocker and antacid (trade name Zantac) used to treat peptic ulcers and gastritis and esophageal reflux
rapid eye movement sleep - a recurring sleep state during which dreaming occurs; a state of rapidly shifting eye movements during sleep
rapid eye movement - a recurring sleep state during which dreaming occurs; a state of rapidly shifting eye movements during sleep
rapid - done or occurring in a brief period of time; characterized by speed; moving with or capable of moving with high speed; a part of a river where the current is very fast
Rasmussen - Danish ethnologist and arctic explorer; led expeditions into the Arctic to find support for his theory that Eskimos and North American Indians originally migrated from Asia (1879 1933)
rattlesnake root - a plant of the genus Nabalus; herb of central and southern Europe having purple florets
Reabsorption - the organic process in which the substance of some differentiated structure that has been produced by the body undergoes lysis and assimilation
Reactant - a chemical substance that is present at the start of a chemical reaction
reactive - participating readily in reactions; tending to react to a stimulus
Reagent - a chemical agent for use in chemical reactions
Recalcitrant - marked by stubborn resistance to authority; stubbornly resistant to authority or control
recent - near to or not long before the present; being new in a time not long past; of the immediate past or just previous to the present time; approximately the last 10,000 years
Receptive aphasia - aphasia characterized by fluent but meaningless speech and severe impairment of the ability understand spoken or written words
Recessive allele - an allele that produces its characteristic phenotype only when its paired allele is identical
Recessive gene - gene that produces its characteristic phenotype only when its allele is identical
Recipient - a person who gets something; the semantic role of the animate entity that is passively involved in the happening denoted by the verb in the clause
Reciprocal cross - hybridization involving a pair of crosses that reverse the sexes associated with each genotype
recombinant DNA technology - the technology of preparing recombinant DNA in vitro by cutting up DNA molecules and splicing together fragments from more than one organism
Recombinant DNA - genetically engineered DNA made by recombining fragments of DNA from different organisms
reconstructive surgery - surgery concerned with therapeutic or cosmetic reformation of tissue
recovery - the act of regaining or saving something lost (or in danger of becoming lost); return to an original state; gradual healing (through rest) after sickness or injury
Recrudescence - a return of something after a period of abatement
Rectal - of or involving the rectum
rectal - of or involving the rectum
Rectocele - protrusion or herniation of the rectum into the vagina; can occur if pelvic muscles are weakened by childbirth
rectum - the terminal section of the alimentary canal; from the sigmoid flexure to the anus
rectus - any of various straight muscles
Recuperate - get over an illness or shock; restore to good health or strength; regain a former condition after a financial loss; regain or make up for
Recur - happen or occur again; return in thought or speech to something; have recourse to
Recurrence - happening again (especially at regular intervals)
Recurrent - recurring again and again
Red blood cell - a mature blood cell that contains hemoglobin to carry oxygen to the bodily tissues; a biconcave disc that has no nucleus
Red eye - travel on an overnight flight
Red jungle fowl - a jungle fowl of southeastern Asia that is considered ancestral to the domestic fowl
Red Raspberry - any of several raspberries bearing red fruit
reduviid - a true bug: long legged predacious bug living mostly on other insects; a few suck blood of mammals
Referral - the act of referring (as forwarding an applicant for employment or referring a matter to an appropriate agency); a recommendation to consult the (professional) person referred to
Referred pain - pain that is felt at a place in the body different from the injured or diseased part where the pain would be expected
Reflex - without volition or conscious control; an automatic instinctive unlearned reaction to a stimulus
reflux - an abnormal backward flow of body fluids; the outward flow of the tide
reflux - an abnormal backward flow of body fluids; the outward flow of the tide
Refract - determine the refracting power of (a lens); subject to refraction
refraction - the change in direction of a propagating wave (light or sound) when passing from one medium to another; the amount by which a propagating wave is bent
Refractory anemia - any of various anemic conditions that are not successfully treated by any means other than blood transfusions (and that are not associated with another primary disease)
Regimen - (medicine) a systematic plan for therapy (often including diet)
regional enteritis - a serious chronic and progressive inflammation of the ileum producing frequent bouts of diarrhea with abdominal pain and nausea and fever and weight loss
regional - related or limited to a particular region; characteristic of a region
registry - an official written record of names or events or transactions
Regulator gene - a gene that produces a repressor substance that inhibits an operator gene
Regulatory gene - a gene that produces a repressor substance that inhibits an operator gene
regulatory - restricting according to rules or principles
Regurgitation - recall after rote memorization; backflow of blood through a defective heart valve; the reflex act of ejecting the contents of the stomach through the mouth
Reiter - German bacteriologist who described a disease now known as Reiter's syndrome and who identified the spirochete that causes syphilis in humans (1881 1969)
rejection - the act of rejecting something; the speech act of rejecting; (medicine) an immunological response that refuses to accept substances or organisms that are recognized as foreign; the state of being rejected
Rejuvenation - the act of restoring to a more youthful condition; the phenomenon of vitality and freshness being restored
relapse - a failure to maintain a higher state; verb go back to bad behavior; deteriorate in health
relapsing - a failure to maintain a higher state
Relaxant - tending to relax or relieve muscular or nervous tension; a drug that relaxes and relieves tension
Relaxin - hormone secreted by the corpus luteum during the last days of pregnancy; relaxes the pelvic ligaments and prepares the uterus for labor
Reliability - the quality of being dependable or reliable
REM sleep - a recurring sleep state during which dreaming occurs; a state of rapidly shifting eye movements during sleep
Remedy - a medicine or therapy that cures disease or relieve pain; act of correcting an error or a fault or an evil; verb provide relief for; set straight or right
remittent - (of a disease) characterized by periods of diminished severity
Renal artery - an artery originating from the abdominal aorta and supplying the kidneys and adrenal glands and ureters
Renal colic - sharp pain in the lower back that radiates into the groin; associated with the passage of a renal calculus through the ureter
Renal pelvis - a structure shaped like a funnel in the outlet of the kidney into which urine is discharged before passing into the ureter
Renal vein - veins that accompany renal arteries; open into the vena cava at the level of the 2nd lumbar vertebra
renal - of or relating to the kidneys
renin - a proteolytic enzyme secreted by the kidneys; catalyzes the formation of angiotensin and thus affects blood pressure
Repeat - an event that repeats; verb to say again or imitate; to say, state, or perform again; do over; happen or occur again; repeat an earlier theme of a composition; make or do or perform again
repetitive - characterized by repetition; persistently continual
Reporting - the news as presented by reporters for newspapers or radio or television
Repressor - an agent that represses
Reproductive system - organs and tissues involved in the production and maturation of gametes and in their union and subsequent development as offspring
reproductive - producing new life or offspring
Repulsion - the act of repulsing or repelling an attack; a successful defensive stand; the force by which bodies repel one another; intense aversion
Research - systematic investigation to establish facts; a search for knowledge; verb inquire into; attempt to find out in a systematically and scientific manner
researcher - a scientist who devotes himself to doing research
Resect - surgically remove a part of a structure or an organ
resection - surgical removal of part of a structure or organ
Residency - the position of physician who is receiving special training in a hospital (usually after completing an internship); the act of dwelling in a place
Residency - the position of physician who is receiving special training in a hospital (usually after completing an internship); the act of dwelling in a place
resilience - the physical property of a material that can return to its original shape or position after deformation that does not exceed its elastic limit; an occurrence of rebounding or springing back
Resin - any of a class of solid or semisolid viscous substances obtained either as exudations from certain plants or prepared by polymerization of simple molecules
Resorb - undergo resorption
resorption - the organic process in which the substance of some differentiated structure that has been produced by the body undergoes lysis and assimilation
Respirator - a breathing device for administering long term artificial respiration; a protective mask with a filter; protects the face and lungs against poisonous gases
Respiratory disease - a disease affecting the respiratory system
Respiratory rate - the rate at which a person inhales and exhales; usually measured to obtain a quick evaluation of a person's health
Respiratory syncytial virus - a paramyxovirus that forms syncytia in tissue culture and that is responsible for severe respiratory diseases such as bronchiolitis and bronchial pneumonia (especially in children)
Respiratory system - the system for taking in oxygen and giving off carbon dioxide; in terrestrial animals this is accomplished by breathing
Respiratory - pertaining to respiration
Restitution - getting something back again; the act of restoring something to its original state; a sum of money paid in compensation for loss or injury
restless legs syndrome - feeling of uneasiness and restlessness in the legs after going to bed (sometimes causing insomnia); may be relieved temporarily by walking or moving the legs
Restless legs - feeling of uneasiness and restlessness in the legs after going to bed (sometimes causing insomnia); may be relieved temporarily by walking or moving the legs
Restriction site - the specific sites at which a restriction enzyme will cleave DNA
restriction - the act of keeping something within specified bounds (by force if necessary); a principle that limits the extent of something; an act of limiting or restricting (as by regulation)
Resuscitate - cause to regain consciousness; return to consciousness
Resuscitation - the act of reviving a person and returning them to consciousness
Resuscitator - a breathing apparatus used for resuscitation by forcing oxygen into the lungs of a person who has undergone asphyxia or arrest of respiration
reticular - resembling or forming a network
Reticulocyte - an immature red blood cell containing a network of filaments or granules
retina - the light sensitive membrane covering the back wall of the eyeball; it is continuous with the optic nerve
retinal detachment - visual impairment resulting from the retina becoming separated from the choroid in the back of the eye; treated by photocoagulation
retinal - in or relating to the retina of the eye; either of two yellow to red retinal pigments formed from rhodopsin by the action of light
Retinitis - inflammation of the retina
Retinoblastoma - malignant ocular tumor of retinal cells; usually occurs before the third year of life; composed of primitive small round retinal cells
retinol - an unsaturated alcohol that occurs in marine fish liver oils and is synthesized biologically from carotene
Retractor - surgical instrument that holds back the edges of a surgical incision
Retrograde amnesia - loss of memory for events immediately preceding a trauma
Retrospective - concerned with or related to the past; an exhibition of a representative selection of an artist's life work
retrovirus - any of a group of viruses that contain two single strand linear RNA molecules per virion and reverse transcriptase (RNA to DNA)
Reuptake - a process of using up or consuming again
reverse transcriptase - a polymerase that catalyzes the formation of DNA using RNA as a template; found especially in retroviruses
Review article - an essay or article that gives a critical evaluation (as of a book or play)
Revised - improved or brought up to date; altered or revised by rephrasing or by adding or deleting material
Rh factor - a blood group antigen possessed by Rh positive people; if an Rh negative person receives a blood transfusion from an Rh positive person it can result in hemolysis and anemia
Rh incompatibility - incompatibility of Rh blood types; a transfusion of Rh positive blood given to a Rh negative person (or vice versa) can result in hemolysis and anemia
Rhabdomyoma - benign rumor of striated muscle
Rhabdomyosarcoma - a highly malignant neoplasm derived from striated muscle
Rhagades - cracks or fissures in the skin (especially around the mouth or anus)
Rheumatic fever - a severe disease chiefly of children and characterized by painful inflammation of the joints and frequently damage to the heart valves
Rheumatic heart disease - heart disease caused by recurrent episodes of rheumatic fever; characterized by changes in the myocardium or scarring of the heart valves that reduce the power of the heart to pump blood
rheumatic - of or pertaining to arthritis; a person suffering with rheumatism
Rheumatoid factor - autoantibody that is usually present in the serum of people with rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid spondylitis - a chronic form of spondylitis primarily in males and marked by impaired mobility of the spine; sometimes leads to ankylosis
rheumatoid - of or pertaining to arthritis
rheumatologist - a physician specializing in rheumatic diseases
Rheumatology - the branch of medicine dealing with the study and treatment of pathologies of the muscles or tendons or joints
Rhinitis - an inflammation of the mucous membrane lining the nose (usually associated with nasal discharge)
Rhinophyma - enlargement of the nose with dilation of follicles and redness and prominent vascularity of the skin; often associated with excessive consumption of alcohol
Rhinoplasty - cosmetic surgery to improve the appearance of your nose
Rhinorrhea - persistent watery mucus discharge from the nose (as in the common cold)
Rhinoscope - medical instrument consisting of a mirror mounted at an angle on a rod; used to examine the nasal passages (through the nasopharynx)
Rhinosporidiosis - fungal infection of the nose; often acquired while swimming
Rhinovirus - any of a group of picornaviruses that are responsible for many upper respiratory infections
Rhizotomy - surgical procedure in which spinal nerve roots are cut; done (anterior roots) to relieve intractable pain or (posterior roots) to stop severe muscle spasms
Rhythm method - natural family planning in which ovulation is assumed to occur 14 days before the onset of a period (the fertile period would be assumed to extend from day 10 through day 18 of her cycle)
Rhytidectomy - plastic surgery to remove wrinkles and other signs of aging from your face; an incision is made near the hair line and skin is pulled back and excess tissue is excised
Rib cage - the bony enclosing wall of the chest
Ribavirin - an inhaled antiviral agent (trade name Virazole) that may be used to treat serious virus infections
Riboflavin - a B vitamin that prevents skin lesions and weight loss
Ribose - a pentose sugar important as a component of ribonucleic acid
Rice rat - hardy agile rat of grassy marshes of Mexico and the southeastern United States
Ricin - a toxic protein extracted from castor beans; used as a chemical reagent; can be used as a bioweapon
Rickets - childhood disease caused by deficiency of vitamin D and sunlight associated with impaired metabolism of calcium and phosphorus
Rickettsia - any of a group of very small rod shaped bacteria that live in biting arthropods (as ticks and mites) and cause disease in vertebrate hosts; they cause typhus and other febrile diseases in human beings
rickettsial - relating to or caused by rickettsias
Rickettsiosis - infectious disease caused by ticks or mites or body lice infected with rickettsial bacteria
rifampin - an antibacterial drug (trade names Rifadin and Rimactane) used to treat tuberculosis
Rift Valley fever - an infection common in Africa caused by a bunyavirus; transmitted by mosquitoes or by handling infected animals
Rift Valley - a valley with steep sides; formed by a rift in the earth's crust
Riggs' disease - chronic periodontitis; purulent inflammation of the teeth sockets
right atrium - the right upper chamber of the heart that receives blood from the venae cavae and coronary sinus
right coronary artery - arises from the right aortic sinus; supplies the right side of the heart
right ventricle - the chamber on the right side of the heart that receives venous blood from the right atrium and pumps it into the pulmonary trunk
Rigor mortis - muscular stiffening that begins 2 to 4 hours after death and last for about 4 days; temporary stiffness of joints and muscular rigidity occurring after death
Rigor - excessive sternness; something hard to endure; the quality of being logically valid
Rigour - excessive sternness; something hard to endure; the quality of being logically valid
Riley - United States poet (1849 1916)
Ring finger - the third finger (especially of the left hand)
Ring vaccination - administering vaccine only to people in close contact with an isolated infected patient; prevents the spread of a highly infectious disease by surrounding the patient with a ring of immunization
Ringworm - infections of the skin or nails caused by fungi and appearing as itching circular patches
ringworm - infections of the skin or nails caused by fungi and appearing as itching circular patches
Ritonavir - a protease inhibitor (trade name Norvir) used in treating HIV
Robert Koch - German bacteriologist who isolated the anthrax bacillus and the tubercle bacillus and the cholera bacillus (1843 1910)
Robust - rough and crude; physically strong; strong enough to withstand or overcome intellectual challenges or adversity; marked by richness and fullness of flavor
Roentgen ray - electromagnetic radiation of short wavelength produced when high speed electrons strike a solid target
rofecoxib - a Cox 2 inhibitor (trade name Vioxx) that relieves pain without harming the digestive tract; voluntarily withdrawn from the market in 2004
Rohypnol - a depressant and tranquilizer (trade name Rohypnol) often used in the commission of sexual assault; legally available in Europe and Mexico and Colombia
root canal - the passage in the root of a tooth through which its nerve and blood vessels enter the pulp cavity
Rooting reflex - reflex consisting of head turning and sucking movements elicited in a normal infant by gently stroking the side of the mouth or cheek
Rorschach test - a projective tests using bilaterally symmetrical inkblots; subjects state what they see in the inkblot
Rorschach - a projective tests using bilaterally symmetrical inkblots; subjects state what they see in the inkblot
rosacea - a skin disease of adults (more often women) in which blood vessels of the face enlarge resulting in a flushed appearance
Roseola infantilis - a viral disease of infants and young children; characterized by abrupt high fever and mild sore throat; a few days later there is a faint pinkish rash that lasts for a few hours to a few days
Roseola infantum - a viral disease of infants and young children; characterized by abrupt high fever and mild sore throat; a few days later there is a faint pinkish rash that lasts for a few hours to a few days
Roseola - any red eruption of the skin
rotator cuff - a supporting structure of the shoulder consisting of the muscles and tendons that attach the arm to the shoulder joint and enable the arm to move
Rotavirus - the reovirus causing infant enteritis
roughage - coarse food high in fiber but low in nutrients; its bulk stimulates peristalsis
Round window - fenestra leading into the cochlea
Roundup - the systematic gathering up of suspects by the police; the activity of gathering livestock together so that they can be counted or branded or sold; a summary list; as in e.g. "a news roundup"
Roundworm - unsegmented worms with elongated rounded body pointed at both ends; mostly free living but some are parasitic; infections of the skin or nails caused by fungi and appearing as itching circular patches
Royal Society - an honorary English society (formalized in 1660 and given a royal charter by Charles II in 1662) through which the British government has supported science
Rubbing alcohol - lotion consisting of a poisonous solution of isopropyl alcohol or denatured ethanol alcohol for external use
rubella - a contagious viral disease that is a milder form of measles lasting three or four days; can be damaging to a fetus during the first trimester
Rubeola - an acute and highly contagious viral disease marked by distinct red spots followed by a rash; occurs primarily in children
Rubidium - a soft silvery metallic element of the alkali metal group; burns in air and reacts violently in water; occurs in carnallite and lepidolite and pollucite
Rubinstein - Russian composer and pianist (1829 1894); United States pianist (born in Poland) known for his interpretations of the music of Chopin (1886 1982)
Rubor - a response of body tissues to injury or irritation; characterized by pain and swelling and redness and heat
Rudolf Virchow - German pathologist who recognized that all cells come from cells by binary fission and who emphasized cellular abnormalities in disease (1821 1902)
Rule out - dismiss from consideration or a contest; include or exclude by determining judicially or in agreement with rules; make impossible, especially beforehand
Rumination - regurgitation of small amounts of food; seen in some infants after feeding; (of ruminants) chewing (the cud); a calm lengthy intent consideration
runny - characteristic of a fluid; capable of flowing and easily changing shape
rupture - the act of making a sudden noisy break; a personal or social separation (as between opposing factions); state of being torn or burst open; verb separate or cause to separate abruptly
ruptured - suddenly and violently broken open especially from internal pressure (`busted' is an informal term for `burst')

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SA node - a specialized bit of heart tissue that controls the heartbeat
Saami - the language of nomadic Lapps in northern Scandinavia and the Kola Peninsula; a member of an indigenous nomadic people living in northern Scandinavia and herding reindeer
Sabin vaccine - an oral vaccine (containing live but weakened poliovirus) that is given to provide immunity to poliomyelitis
Saccade - a rapid, jerky movement of the eyes between positions of rest; an abrupt spasmodic movement
saccadic - of or related to the rapid movement of the eyes between points of fixation
Saccharin - a crystalline substance 500 times sweeter than sugar; used as a calorie free sweetener
Saccharomyces cerevisiae - used as a leaven in baking and brewing
Sachs disease - a hereditary disorder of lipid metabolism occuring most frequently in individuals of Jewish descent in eastern Europe; accumulation of lipids in nervous tissue results in death in early childhood
sacral - of or relating to sacred rites; of or relating to or near the sacrum
sacrum - wedge shaped bone consisting of five fused vertebrae forming the posterior part of the pelvis; its base connects with the lowest lumbar vertebra and its tip with the coccyx
Saddle sore - (of a rider) sore after riding a horse
Sadomasochism - sadism and masochism combined in one person
Safe sex - sexual activity (especially sexual intercourse) with the use of measures (such as latex condoms) to avoid the transmission of disease (especially AIDS)
Saffron - dried pungent stigmas of the Old World saffron crocus; Old World crocus having purple or white flowers with aromatic pungent orange stigmas used in flavoring food; a shade of yellow tinged with orange
sagittal - located in a plane that is parallel to the central plane of the sagittal suture
Salaam - a deep bow; a Muslim form of salutation; verb greet with a salaam
Salicylic acid - a white crystalline substance with a bitter aftertaste; used as a fungicide or in making aspirin or dyes or perfumes
Salient - (of angles) pointing outward at an angle of less than 180 degrees; having a quality that thrusts itself into attention; (military) the part of the line of battle that projects closest to the enemy
saline - containing salt; an isotonic solution of sodium chloride and distilled water
Saliva - a clear liquid secreted into the mouth by the salivary glands and mucous glands of the mouth; moistens the mouth and starts the digestion of starches
salivary gland - any of three pairs of glands in the mouth and digestive system that secrete saliva for digestion
salivary - of or relating to saliva
Salk vaccine - a poliovirus vaccine consisting of inactivated polio virus that is injected subcutaneously to provide immunity to poliomyelitis
Salmonella - rod shaped Gram negative enterobacteria; cause typhoid fever and food poisoning; can be used as a bioweapon
Salmonellosis - a kind of food poisoning caused by eating foods contaminated with Salmonella typhimurium
Salpingectomy - surgical removal of one or both Fallopian tubes
Salpingitis - inflammation of a Fallopian tube (usually the result of infection spreading from the vagina or uterus) or of a Eustachian tube
Salter - someone who makes or deals in salt; someone who uses salt to preserve meat or fish or other foods
Salubrious - favorable to health of mind or body; promoting health; healthful
Salutary - tending to promote physical well being; beneficial to health
Samaritan - a member of the people inhabiting Samaria in biblical times
samarium - a grey lustrous metallic element of the rare earth group; is used in special alloys; occurs in monazite and bastnasite
Samuel - (Old Testament) Hebrew prophet and judge who anointed Saul as king
San Francisco - a port in western California near the Golden Gate that is one of the major industrial and transportation centers; it has one of the world's finest harbors; site of the Golden Gate Bridge
Sanatorium - a hospital for recuperation or for the treatment of chronic diseases; pejorative terms for an insane asylum
Sandfly fever - a mild viral disease transmitted by the bite of the sand fly Phlebotomus papatasii
Sanguine - confidently optimistic and cheerful; inclined to a healthy reddish color often associated with outdoor life; a blood red color
Sanitary napkin - a disposable absorbent pad (trade name Kotex); worn to absorb menstrual flow
Sanitation - making something sanitary (free of germs) as by sterilizing; the state of being clean and conducive to health
Saphenous nerve - a branch of the femoral nerve that supplies cutaneous branches to the inner aspect of the leg and foot
saphenous vein - either of two chief superficial veins of the leg that drain blood from the foot
sapiens - of or relating to or characteristic of Homo sapiens
Saponification - a chemical reaction in which an ester is heated with an alkali (especially the alkaline hydrolysis of a fat or oil to make soap)
saponin - any of various plant glucosides that form soapy lathers when mixed and agitated with water; used in detergents and foaming agents and emulsifiers
Sapphism - female homosexuality
Sapporo - a commercial city in northern Japan on western Hokkaido
Saquinavir - a weak protease inhibitor (trade name Invirase) used in treating HIV
Sarcoidosis - a chronic disease of unknown cause marked by the formation of nodules in the lungs and liver and lymph glands and salivary glands
sarcolemma - an extensible membrane enclosing the contractile substance of a muscle fiber
Sarcoma - a usually malignant tumor arising from connective tissue (bone or muscle etc.); one of the four major types of cancer
Sartorius muscle - a muscle in the thigh that helps to rotate the leg into the sitting position assumed by a tailor; the longest muscle in the human body
Sawbones - a physician who specializes in surgery
Saxitoxin - a powerful neurotoxin produced by certain dinoflagellates found in red tides; it can accumulate in mollusks that feed on the dinoflagellates and cause food poisoning to humans
Scabicide - a drug that destroys the itch mite that causes scabies
Scabies - a contagious skin infection caused by the itch mite; characterized by persistent itching and skin irritation
Scaffold - a temporary arrangement erected around a building for convenience of workers; a platform from which criminals are executed (hanged or beheaded); verb provide with a scaffold for support
Scalding - marked by harshly abusive criticism
Scaling - ascent by or as if by a ladder; act of measuring or arranging or adjusting according to a scale; the act of arranging in a graduated series
Scalp - the skin that covers the top of the head; verb remove the scalp of; sell illegally, as on the black market
Scaphocephaly - congenital malformation of the skull which is long and narrow; frequently accompanied by mental retardation
Scaphoid - shaped like a boat
scapula - either of two flat triangular bones one on each side of the shoulder in human beings
Scarlatina - an acute communicable disease (usually in children) characterized by fever and a red rash
Scarlet fever - an acute communicable disease (usually in children) characterized by fever and a red rash
scarlet - of a color at the end of the color spectrum (next to orange); resembling the color of blood or cherries or tomatoes or rubies; a variable color that is vivid red but sometimes with an orange tinge
Scatology - (medicine) the chemical analysis of excrement (for medical diagnosis or for paleontological purposes); a preoccupation with obscenity (especially that dealing with excrement or excretory functions)
Schadenfreude - delight in another person's misfortune
Schick test - a skin test for immunity to diphtheria
Schiller - German romantic writer (1759 1805)
Schistosoma - type genus of the family Schistosomatidae: blood flukes
Schistosome - flatworms parasitic in the blood vessels of mammals
Schistosomiasis - an infestation with or a resulting infection caused by a parasite of the genus Schistosoma; common in the tropics and Far East; symptoms depend on the part of the body infected
Schizoid - marked by withdrawal and inability to form close relationships; of or relating to or characteristic of schizophrenia; characterized by symptoms similar to but less severe than schizophrenia
Schizophrenia - any of several psychotic disorders characterized by distortions of reality and disturbances of thought and language and withdrawal from social contact
Schlemm's canal - a circular canal in the eye that drains aqueous humor from the anterior chamber of the eye into the anterior ciliary veins
Schonberg - United States composer and musical theorist (born in Austria) who developed atonal composition (1874 1951)
Schwann cell - any cell that covers the nerve fibers in the peripheral nervous system and forms the myelin sheath
Sciatic nerve - arises from the sacral plexus and passes about halfway down the thigh where it divides into the common peroneal and tibial nerves
sciatic - of or relating to the ischium (or the part of the hipbone containing it); relating to or caused by or afflicted with sciatica
Sciatica - neuralgia along the sciatic nerve
Science - a particular branch of scientific knowledge; ability to produce solutions in some problem domain
Science - a particular branch of scientific knowledge; ability to produce solutions in some problem domain
Scientific method - a method of investigation involving observation and theory to test scientific hypotheses
scientist - a person with advanced knowledge of one or more sciences
sclera - whitish fibrous membrane (albuginea) that with the cornea forms the outer covering of the eyeball
Scleredema - a skin disease marked by hard edema of the tissue usually beginning in the face
Scleritis - inflammation of the sclera
Scleroderma - genus of poisonous fungi having hard skinned fruiting bodies: false truffles; an autoimmune disease that affects the blood vessels and connective tissue; fibrous connective tissue is deposited in the skin
Sclerosis - any pathological hardening or thickening of tissue
Scoliosis - an abnormal lateral curve to the vertebral column
Scopolamine - an alkaloid with anticholinergic effects that is used as a sedative and to treat nausea and to dilate the pupils in ophthalmic procedures
Scorbutic - of or relating to or having or resembling scurvy
Scorbutus - a condition caused by deficiency of ascorbic acid (vitamin C)
Scotland - one of the four countries that make up the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; located on the northern part of the island of Great Britain; famous for bagpipes and plaids and kilts
scotoma - an isolated area of diminished vision within the visual field
Scotopic vision - the ability to see in reduced illumination (as in moonlight)
Script - a particular orthography or writing system; a written version of a play or other dramatic composition; used in preparing for a performance; something written by hand; verb write a script for
Scrofula - a form of tuberculosis characterized by swellings of the lymphatic glands
Scrofulous - having a diseased appearance resembling scrofula; morally contaminated; afflicted with scrofula
Scrotum - the external pouch that contains the testes
Scrub typhus - transmitted by larval mites and widespread in Asia
Scrub up - wash thoroughly
Scrubs - protective garment worn by surgeons during operations
scurvy - of the most contemptible kind; a condition caused by deficiency of ascorbic acid (vitamin C)
Scutellaria - an asterid dicot genus that includes the skullcaps
seasonal - occurring at or dependent on a particular season; a worker who finds employment only in certain seasons
Seat belt - a safety belt used in a car or plane to hold you in your seat in case of an accident
Sebaceous cyst - a common cyst of the skin; filled with fatty matter (sebum) that is secreted by a sebaceous gland that has been blocked
sebaceous gland - a cutaneous gland that secretes sebum (usually into a hair follicle) for lubricating hair and skin
sebaceous - containing an unusual amount of grease or oil
Seborrhea - a condition in which overactivity of the sebaceous glands causes the skin to become oily
seborrheic dermatitis - a chronic skin disease associated with seborrhea and greasy scales on the scalp or eyelids or other parts of the skin
Seborrheic eczema - a chronic skin disease associated with seborrhea and greasy scales on the scalp or eyelids or other parts of the skin
Seborrheic keratosis - a skin condition characterized by circumscribed wartlike lesions that can be itchy and covered with a greasy crust
Sebum - the oily secretion of the sebaceous glands; with perspiration it moistens and protects the skin
Seclusion - the act of secluding yourself from others; the quality of being secluded from the presence or view of others
Second cranial nerve - the cranial nerve that serves the retina
Secondary amenorrhea - cessation of menstruation in a woman who had previously menstruated
secondary hypertension - hypertension that is secondary to another disease
Secretin - peptic hormone produced by the mucous lining of the small intestine; can stimulate secretion by the pancreas and liver
secretion - a functionally specialized substance (especially one that is not a waste) released from a gland or cell; the organic process of synthesizing and releasing some substance
sed rate - the rate at which red blood cells settle out in a tube of blood under standardized conditions; a high rate usually indicates the presence of inflammation
Sedation - the administration of a sedative agent or drug; a state of reduced excitement or anxiety that is induced by the administrative of a sedative agent
Sedative - tending to soothe or tranquilize; a drug that reduces excitability and calms a person
Sedimentation rate - the rate at which red blood cells settle out in a tube of blood under standardized conditions; a high rate usually indicates the presence of inflammation
Sedimentation - the phenomenon of sediment or gravel accumulating
Segment - one of the parts into which something naturally divides; one of several parts or pieces that fit with others to constitute a whole object; verb divide or split up; divide into segments
Segmentation - the act of dividing or partitioning; separation by the creation of a boundary that divides or keeps apart; (embryology) the repeated division of a fertilised ovum
Seidel - a glass for beer
Seizure - the taking possession of something by legal process; a sudden occurrence (or recurrence) of a disease; the act of forcibly dispossessing an owner of property; the act of taking of a person by force
Self fertilization - fertilization by the union of male and female gametes from the same individual
Self hatred - shame resulting from strong dislike of yourself or your actions
Semen - the thick white fluid containing spermatozoa that is ejaculated by the male genital tract
semicircular - curved into a half circle
Seminal vesicle - either of a pair of glands located on either side of the male urinary bladder that open into the vas deferens and that secrete many components of semen during ejaculation
seminal - pertaining to or containing or consisting of semen; containing seeds of later development
Seminoma - malignant tumor of the testis; usually occurring in older men
semiparasitic - of or relating to plants that are semiparasites
senescence - the property characteristic of old age; the organic process of growing older and showing the effects of increasing age
senile dementia - dementia of the aged; results from degeneration of the brain in the absence of cerebrovascular disease
Senile - mentally or physically infirm with age
Senility - the state of being senile; mental infirmity as a consequence of old age; sometimes shown by foolish infatuations
Sense of balance - a sensory system located in structures of the inner ear that registers the orientation of the head
Sense of smell - the faculty that enables us to distinguish scents
sensorineural hearing loss - hearing loss due to failure of the auditory nerve
Sensorium - the areas of the brain that process and register incoming sensory information and make possible the conscious awareness of the world
Sensory nerve - a nerve that passes impulses from receptors toward or to the central nervous system
Sensory neuron - a neuron conducting impulses inwards to the brain or spinal cord
sensory - involving or derived from the senses; of a nerve fiber or impulse originating outside and passing toward the central nervous system; relating to or concerned in sensation
Sentinel - a person employed to watch for something to happen
Separated - spaced apart; no longer connected or joined; separated at the joint; being or feeling set or kept apart from others; not living together as man and wife
sepsis - the presence of pus forming bacteria or their toxins in the blood or tissues
Septal defect - a congenital abnormality in the septum between the left and right sides of the heart
septal - of or relating to a septum
Septate - of or relating to a septum
Septic - containing or resulting from disease causing organisms; of or relating to or caused by putrefaction
septicemia - invasion of the bloodstream by virulent microorganisms from a focus of infection
Septicemic plague - an especially dangerous and generally fatal form of the plague in which infecting organisms invade the bloodstream; does not spread from person to person
Septuagenarian - someone whose age is in the seventies
septum - (anatomy) a dividing partition between two tissues or cavities; a partition or wall especially in an ovary
Sequela - any abnormality following or resulting from a disease or injury or treatment
Serendipity - good luck in making unexpected and fortunate discoveries
Serine - a sweetish crystalline amino acid involved in the synthesis by the body of cysteine
Serology - the branch of medical science that deals with serums; especially with blood serums and disease
Serotonin - a neurotransmitter involved in e.g. sleep and depression and memory
Serrated - notched like a saw with teeth pointing toward the apex
Serration - a single notch in a row of notches; a row of notches; the condition of being serrated
Serratus anterior - muscles that rotate the scapula and elevate the rib cage
Serratus magnus - muscles that rotate the scapula and elevate the rib cage
Serratus posterior inferior - a thin quadrilateral muscle at the junction of the thoracic and lumbar regions; acts to counteract the pull of the diaphragm on the ribs to which it is attached
Serratus posterior superior - a thin quadrilateral muscle of the upper and dorsal part of the thorax; acts to elevate the upper ribs
Serratus - any of several muscles of the trunk
Sertoli cell - elongated cells found in the seminiferous tubules of the testis; apparently they nourish the spermatids
Sertraline - a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor commonly prescribed as an antidepressant (trade name Zoloft)
serum albumin - albumin occurring in blood serum; serves to maintain the somatic pressure of the blood
Serum sickness - a delayed allergic reaction to the injection of an antiserum caused by an antibody reaction to an antigen in the donor serum
serum - watery fluid of the blood that resembles plasma but contains fibrinogen
Services - performance of duties or provision of space and equipment helpful to others
Sesamoid bone - any of several small round bones formed in a tendon where it passes over a joint
Sesamoid - any of several small round bones formed in a tendon where it passes over a joint
Sesquipedalian - given to the overuse of long words; (of words) long and ponderous; having many syllables; a very long word (a foot and a half long)
Seven - being one more than six; the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one
Seventh cranial nerve - cranial nerve that supplies facial muscles
Sever - set or keep apart; cut off from a whole
Severity - excessive sternness; extreme plainness; something hard to endure; used of the degree of something undesirable e.g. pain or weather
Sex chromosome - (genetics) a chromosome that determines the sex of an individual
Sex linkage - an association between genes in sex chromosomes that makes some characteristics appear more frequently in one sex than in the other
Sex linked - concerning characteristics that are determined by genes carried on the sex chromosomes (on the X chromosome in particular)
Sexagenarian - being from 60 to 69 years old; someone whose age is in the sixties
Sexploitation - the commercial exploitation of sex or sexuality or explicit sexual material
sexual - having or involving sex; of or relating to or characterized by sexuality; involved in a sexual relationship
sexually transmitted disease - a communicable infection transmitted by sexual intercourse or genital contact
Shell shock - a mental disorder caused by stress of active warfare
Sherlock - someone who can be employed as a detective to collect information
Shigella - rod shaped Gram negative enterobacteria; some are pathogenic for warm blooded animals; can be used as a bioweapon
Shigellosis - an acute infection of the intestine by shigella bacteria; characterized by diarrhea and fever and abdominal pains
shin bone - a cut of meat from the lower part of the leg
Shin splints - painful inflammation of the muscles around the shins; frequent among runners
Shinbone - the inner and thicker of the two bones of the human leg between the knee and ankle
Shingles - eruptions along a nerve path often accompanied by severe neuralgia
Shivering - vibrating slightly and irregularly; as e.g. with fear or cold or like the leaves of an aspen in a breeze; a sensation of cold that often marks the start of an infection and the development of a fever
Shopaholic - a compulsive shopper
Shortness of breath - a dyspneic condition
Shoulder blade - either of two flat triangular bones one on each side of the shoulder in human beings
Shoulder joint - a ball and socket joint between the head of the humerus and a cavity of the scapula
shoveler - freshwater duck of the northern hemisphere having a broad flat bill; a worker who shovels
Sialadenitis - inflammation of the salivary glands
Siamese twin - one of a pair of identical twins born with their bodies joined at some point
Sibling - a person's brother or sister
sickle cell - an abnormal red blood cell that has a crescent shape and an abnormal form of hemoglobin
Sickness - defectiveness or unsoundness; impairment of normal physiological function affecting part or all of an organism; the state that precedes vomiting
Side effect - any adverse and unwanted secondary effect; a secondary and usually adverse effect of a drug or therapy
Siderosis - fibrosis of the lung caused by iron dust; occurs among welders and other metal workers
Sidney - English poet (1554 1586)
Sierra Leone - a republic in West Africa; achieved independence from the United Kingdom in 1961
Sigmodon hispidus - destructive long haired burrowing rat of southern North America and Central America
sigmoid colon - the s shaped curve between the descending colon and the rectum
Sigmoid - of or relating to the sigmoid flexure in the large intestine; curved in two directions (like the letter S)
sigmoidoscope - an endoscope (a flexible fiberoptic probe) for examining the sigmoid colon
Sigmoidoscopy - visual examination (with a sigmoidoscope) of the lower third of the colon in a search for polyps
Sigmund Freud - Austrian neurologist who originated psychoanalysis (1856 1939)
Sign language - used of the language of the deaf
sildenafil citrate - virility drug (trade name Viagra) used to treat erectile dysfunction in men
Sildenafil - virility drug (trade name Viagra) used to treat erectile dysfunction in men
Silica - a white or colorless vitreous insoluble solid (SiO2); various forms occur widely in the earth's crust as quartz or cristobalite or tridymite or lechartelierite
Silicosis - a lung disease caused by inhaling particles of silica or quartz or slate
Silver bullet - a simple guaranteed solution for a difficult problem
Silver Star - a United States military decoration for gallantry in action
Silybum marianum - tall Old World biennial thistle with large clasping white blotched leaves and purple flower heads; naturalized in California and South America
simple mastectomy - removal of a breast leaving the underlying muscles and the lymph nodes intact
Simvastatin - an oral lipid lowering medicine (trade name Zocor) administered to reduce blood cholesterol levels; recommended after heart attacks
Singultus - (usually plural) the state of having reflex spasms of the diaphragm accompanied by a rapid closure of the glottis producing an audible sound; sometimes a symptom of indigestion
sinoatrial node - a specialized bit of heart tissue that controls the heartbeat
Sinuous - curved or curving in and out
Sinus headache - a headache resulting from congestion or infection in the paranasal sinuses
Sinusitis - inflammation of one of the paranasal sinuses
Sitz bath - a bathtub in which your buttocks and hips are immersed as if you were sitting in a chair and you bathe in a sitting position
Sixth cranial nerve - a small motor nerve supplying the lateral rectus muscle of the eye
Skeletal muscle - a muscle that is connected at either or both ends to a bone and so move parts of the skeleton; a muscle that is characterized by transverse stripes
skeletal - of or relating to or forming or attached to a skeleton; very thin especially from disease or hunger or cold
Skin cancer - a malignant neoplasm of the skin
Skin color - the coloring of a person's face
Skin condition - texture and appearance of the skin of the face; a disease affecting the skin
Skin graft - a piece of skin taken from a donor area and surgically grafted at the site of an injury or burn
Skittles - a bowling game that is played by rolling a bowling ball down a bowling alley at a target of nine wooden pins
skull - the bony skeleton of the head of vertebrates
Skullcap - rounded brimless cap fitting the crown of the head; a herbaceous plant of the genus Scutellaria which has a calyx that, when inverted, resembles a helmet with its visor raised; the dome of the skull
Slake - make less active or intense; cause to heat and crumble by treatment with water; satisfy (thirst)
slanted - having an oblique or slanted direction; favoring one person or side over another
Sleep apnea - apnea that occurs during sleep
Sleep deprivation - a form of psychological torture inflicted by depriving the victim of sleep
Sleep disorder - a disturbance of the normal sleep pattern
Sleep talking - uttering speech while asleep
Sleeping sickness - an encephalitis that was epidemic between 1915 and 1926; symptoms include paralysis of the extrinsic eye muscle and extreme muscular weakness
sleeping - lying with head on paws as if sleeping; the suspension of consciousness and decrease in metabolic rate; the state of being asleep; quiet and inactive restfulness
Sleeplessness - a temporary state in which you are unable (or unwilling) to sleep
Sleepwalking - walking by a person who is asleep
Sleeve - the part of a garment that is attached at the armhole and that provides a cloth covering for the arm; small case into which an object fits
Slipped disc - a painful rupture of the fibrocartilage of the disc between spinal vertebrae; occurs most often in the lumbar region
Slow virus - a virus that remains dormant in the body for a long time before symptoms appear
Sludge - the precipitate produced by sewage treatment; any thick messy substance
Small calorie - unit of heat defined as the quantity of heat required to raise the temperature of 1 gram of water by 1 degree centigrade at atmospheric pressure
Small calorie - unit of heat defined as the quantity of heat required to raise the temperature of 1 gram of water by 1 degree centigrade at atmospheric pressure
small intestine - the longest part of the alimentary canal; where digestion is completed
Smallpox - a highly contagious viral disease characterized by fever and weakness and skin eruption with pustules that form scabs that slough off leaving scars
Smelling salts - a pungent preparation of ammonium carbonate and perfume; sniffed as a stimulant to relieve faintness
Smoking - emitting smoke in great volume; the act of smoking tobacco or other substances; a hot vapor containing fine particles of carbon being produced by combustion
smoldering - showing scarcely suppressed anger
Snake venom - venom secreted by certain snakes
Snakebite - a bite inflicted by a (venomous) snake
Sneeze - a symptom consisting of the involuntary expulsion of air from the nose; verb exhale spasmodically, as when an irritant entered one's nose
Snellen chart - display consisting of a printed card with letters and numbers in lines of decreasing size; used to test visual acuity
Snoring - breathing during sleep with harsh noises caused by vibration of the uvula or soft palate; the act of snoring or producing a snoring sound
Snowblindness - temporary blindness caused by exposure to sunlight reflected from snow or ice
Snuffbox - a small ornamental box for carrying snuff in your pocket
Social insurance - government provision for unemployed or injured or aged; financed by contributions from employers and employees as well as by government revenue
Social phobia - any phobia (other than agoraphobia) associated with situations in which you are subject to criticism by others (as fear of eating in public or public speaking etc)
Social psychology - the branch of psychology that studies persons and their relationships with others and with groups and with society as a whole
Social Science - the branch of science that studies society and the relationships of individual within a society
Social work - any of various services designed to aid the poor and aged and to increase the welfare of children
Social worker - someone employed to provide social services (especially to the disadvantaged)
Sociobiology - the branch of biology that conducts comparative studies of the social organization of animals (including human beings) with regard to its evolutionary history
sociologist - a social scientist who studies the institutions and development of human society
Sociopath - someone with a sociopathic personality; a person with an antisocial personality disorder (`psychopath' was once widely used but has now been superseded by `sociopath')
socket - a receptacle into which an electric device can be inserted; receptacle where something (a pipe or probe or end of a bone) is inserted; a bony hollow into which a structure fits
SOCRATES - ancient Athenian philosopher; teacher of Plato and Xenophon (470 399 BC)
Sodium fluoride - a colorless crystalline salt of sodium (NaF) used in fluoridation of water and to prevent tooth decay
sodium salicylate - a crystalline salt used as an analgesic and antipyretic
Sodium thiopental - a long acting barbiturate used as a sedative
sodium thiosulfate - a compound used as a fixing agent in photographic developing
Soft diet - a diet that does not require chewing; advised for those with intestinal disorders
Soft palate - a muscular flap that closes off the nasopharynx during swallowing or speaking
software - (computer science) written programs or procedures or rules and associated documentation pertaining to the operation of a computer system and that are stored in read/write memory
solar - relating to or derived from the sun or utilizing the energies of the sun
Soleus muscle - a broad flat muscle in the calf of the leg under the gastrocnemius muscle
Solipsism - (philosophy) the philosophical theory that the self is all that you know to exist
Solitude - a solitary place; a state of social isolation; a disposition toward being alone
Somatic cell nuclear transfer - moving a cell nucleus and its genetic material from one cell to another
somatic cell - any of the cells of a plant or animal except the reproductive cells; a cell that does not participate in the production of gametes
Somatic - affecting or characteristic of the body as opposed to the mind or spirit
Somatotropin - a hormone produced by the anterior pituitary gland; promotes growth in humans
somnambulism - walking by a person who is asleep
Somnambulist - someone who walks about in their sleep
somniloquy - uttering speech while asleep
Somnolence - a very sleepy state
Somnolent - inclined to or marked by drowsiness
sonogram - an image of a structure that is produced by ultrasonography (reflections of high frequency sound waves); used to observe fetal growth or to study bodily organs
Soothing - affording physical relief; freeing from fear and anxiety
Sopor - a torpid state resembling deep sleep
Soporific - sleep inducing; inducing mental lethargy; a drug that induces sleep
Sore throat - inflammation of the fauces and pharynx
Souffle - light fluffy dish of egg yolks and stiffly beaten egg whites mixed with e.g. cheese or fish or fruit
South Korea - a republic in the southern half of the Korean Peninsula; established in 1948
Soybean oil - oil from soya beans
Space medicine - the branch of medicine concerned with the effects of space flight on human beings
Spanish - of or relating to or characteristic of Spain or the people of Spain; the Romance language spoken in most of Spain and the countries colonized by Spain; the people of Spain
spasm - (pathology) sudden constriction of a hollow organ (as a blood vessel); a painful and involuntary muscular contraction
spasmodic - occurring in spells and often abruptly; affected by involuntary jerky muscular contractions; resembling a spasm
Spastic colon - recurrent abdominal pain and diarrhea (often alternating with periods of constipation); often associated with emotional stress
spastic - suffering from spastic paralysis; relating to or characterized by spasm; affected by involuntary jerky muscular contractions; resembling a spasm; a person suffering from spastic paralysis
Spasticity - the quality of moving or acting in spasms
Spatial - pertaining to or involving or having the nature of space
Specialty - the special line of work you have adopted as your career; a distinguishing trait; an asset of special worth or utility
Specialty - the special line of work you have adopted as your career; a distinguishing trait; an asset of special worth or utility
Speciation - the evolution of a biological species
Species - a specific kind of something; (biology) taxonomic group whose members can interbreed
Specificity - the quality of being specific rather than general; the quality of being specific to a particular organism
speckled - having a pattern of dots
Spectinomycin - an antibiotic used to treat gonorrhea
spectral - of or relating to a spectrum; resembling or characteristic of a phantom
Spectrophotometer - a photometer for comparing two light radiations wavelength by wavelength
Speculum - a medical instrument for dilating a bodily passage or cavity in order to examine the interior; a mirror (especially one made of polished metal) for use in an optical instrument
Speech disorder - a disorder of oral speech
Speech therapist - a therapist who treats speech defects and disorders
Speech therapy - any therapy intended to correct a disorder of speech
Sperm bank - a depository for storing sperm
Sperm - the male reproductive cell; the male gamete
Spermatic cord - a structure resembling a cord that suspends the testis within the scrotum and contains the vas deferens and other vessels and nerves
Spermatid - an immature gamete produced by a spermatocyte; develops into a spermatozoon
Spermatocele - a swelling on the epididymis or the testis; usually contains spermatozoa
Spermatocide - a contraceptive agent that kills spermatozoa
Spermatocyte - a male gametocyte that develops into four spermatids
Spermatogenesis - development of spermatozoa
Spermatozoon - the male reproductive cell; the male gamete
Spermicide - a contraceptive agent that kills spermatozoa
Sphenoid bone - butterfly shaped bone at the base of the skull
Sphenoid - butterfly shaped bone at the base of the skull
sphincter - a ring of muscle that contracts to close an opening
Sphygmomanometer - a pressure gauge for measuring blood pressure
spica - the brightest star in Virgo
spicule - small pointed structure serving as a skeletal element in various marine and freshwater invertebrates e.g. sponges and corals
Spider angioma - a dilation of superficial capillaries with a central red dot from which blood vessels radiate
Spillover - (economics) any indirect effect of public expenditure
Spin doctor - a public relations person who tries to forestall negative publicity by publicizing a favorable interpretation of the words or actions of a company or political party or famous person
Spina bifida - a not uncommon congenital defect in which a vertebra is malformed; unless several vertebrae are affected or there is myelomeningocele there are few symptoms; can be diagnosed by amniocentesis
Spinal fusion - correction of an unstable part of the spine by joining two or more vertebrae; usually done surgically but sometimes done by traction or immobilization
Spinal nerve - any of the 31 pairs of nerves emerging from each side of the spinal cord (each attached to the cord by two roots: ventral and dorsal)
spinal tap - removal by centesis of fluid from the subarachnoid space of the lumbar region of the spinal cord for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes
Spinnbarkeit - the capacity of a viscous liquid (especially the cervical mucus) to be drawn out into a strand or blown up into a bubble
Spirillum - any flagellated aerobic bacteria having a spirally twisted rodlike form; spirally twisted elongate rodlike bacteria usually living in stagnant water
Spirochete - parasitic or free living bacteria; many pathogenic to humans and other animals
Spirometer - a measuring instrument for measuring the vital capacity of the lungs
Spirometry - the use of a spirometer to measure vital capacity
Spironolactone - a synthetic corticosteroid (trade name Aldactone) used to treat hypertension
Spitz - any of various stocky heavy coated breeds of dogs native to northern regions having pointed muzzles and erect ears with a curled furry tail
spleen - a large dark red oval organ on the left side of the body between the stomach and the diaphragm; produces cells involved in immune responses; a feeling of resentful anger
Splenectomy - surgical removal of the spleen
Splenic artery - an artery that originates from the celiac trunk and supplies blood to the spleen
Splenic fever - a highly infectious animal disease (especially cattle and sheep); it can be transmitted to people
Splenic vein - a vein formed by several small veins on the surface of the spleen; joins the superior mesenteric to form the portal vein
splenic - of or relating to the spleen
Splenomegaly - an abnormal enlargement of the spleen
Splicing - a junction where two things (as paper or film or magnetic tape) have been joined together
splint - an orthopedic mechanical device used to immobilize and protect a part of the body (as a broken leg); a thin sliver of wood; verb support with a splint
Splinter - a small thin sharp bit or wood or glass or metal; verb break up into splinters or slivers; divide into slivers or splinters; withdraw from an organization or communion
Split personality - a relatively rare dissociative disorder in which the usual integrity of the personality breaks down and two or more independent personalities emerge
Spock - United States pediatrician whose many books on child care influenced the upbringing of children around the world (1903 1998)
Spondylitis - inflammation of a spinal joint; characterized by pain and stiffness
Spondylolisthesis - a forward dislocation of one vertebra over the one beneath it producing pressure on spinal nerves
Spontaneous abortion - a natural loss of the products of conception
spontaneous - happening or arising without apparent external cause; said or done without having been planned or written in advance
Sporadic - recurring in scattered and irregular or unpredictable instances
Sporophyte - the spore producing individual or phase in the life cycle of a plant having alternation of generations
Sporotrichosis - a chronic fungal infection of the skin and lymph nodes
Sports medicine - the branch of medicine concerned with the treatment of injuries or illness resulting from athletic activities
Spots - spots before the eyes caused by opaque cell fragments in the vitreous humor and lens
Spotted fever - any of several severe febrile diseases characterized by skin rashes or spots on the skin
spotted - especially of reputation; having spots or patches (small areas of contrasting color or texture)
sprain - a painful injury to a joint caused by a sudden wrenching of its ligaments; verb twist suddenly so as to sprain
Sprue - a chronic disorder that occurs in tropical and non tropical forms and in both children and adults; nutrients are not absorbed; symptoms include foul smelling diarrhea and emaciation
sputum - expectorated matter; saliva mixed with discharges from the respiratory passages; in ancient and medieval physiology it was believed to cause sluggishness
squamous cell carcinoma - the most common form of skin cancer
squamous cell - an epithelial cell that is flat like a plate and form a single layer of epithelial tissue
Squawroot - tall herb of eastern North America and Asia having blue berrylike fruit and a thick knotty rootstock formerly used medicinally
St John's wort - any of numerous plants of the genus Hypericum having yellow flowers and transparently dotted leaves; traditionally gathered on St John's eve to ward off evil
Stabbing - causing physical or especially psychological injury; as physically painful as if caused by a sharp instrument
Stabilization - the act of stabilizing something or making it more stable; the act of making something (as a vessel or aircraft) less likely to overturn
staging - getting rid of a stage of a multistage rocket; travel by stagecoach; a system of scaffolds; the production of a drama on the stage
Staining - (histology) the use of a dye to color specimens for microscopic study; the act of spotting or staining something
Standard deviation - the square root of the variance
Stapedectomy - surgical removal of the stapes of the middle ear
Stapes - the stirrup shaped ossicle that transmits sound from the incus to the cochlea
Staph - spherical Gram positive parasitic bacteria that tend to form irregular colonies; some cause boils or septicemia or infections
Staphylococcal infection - an infection with staphylococcus bacteria; usually marked by abscess formation
staphylococcus - spherical Gram positive parasitic bacteria that tend to form irregular colonies; some cause boils or septicemia or infections
Startle reflex - a normal reflex of young infants; a sudden loud noise causes the child to stretch out the arms and flex the legs
startle - a sudden involuntary movement; verb to stimulate to action; move or jump suddenly, as if in surprise or alarm
Starvation - the act of depriving of food or subjecting to famine; a state of extreme hunger resulting from lack of essential nutrients over a prolonged period
Stasis - inactivity resulting from a static balance between opposing forces; an abnormal state in which the normal flow of a liquid (such as blood) is slowed or stopped
statin - a medicine that lowers blood cholesterol levels by inhibiting HMG CoA reductase
Statistic - a datum that can be represented numerically
Statistics - a branch of applied mathematics concerned with the collection and interpretation of quantitative data and the use of probability theory to estimate population parameters
Status epilepticus - a condition in which there are continuing attacks of epilepsy without intervals of consciousness; can lead to brain damage and death
Statutory rape - sexual intercourse with a person (girl or boy) who has not reached the age of consent (even if both parties participate willingly)
Steatorrhea - the presence of greater than normal amounts of fat in the feces which are frothy and foul smelling and floating; a symptom of disorders of fat metabolism and malabsorption syndrome
Stein - experimental expatriate United States writer (1874 1946); a mug intended for serving beer
Steinman - United States civil engineer noted for designing suspension bridges (including the George Washington Bridge) (1886 1960)
stellate - arranged like rays or radii; radiating from a common center
Stem cell - an undifferentiated cell whose daughter cells may differentiate into other cell types (such as blood cells)
Stenosis - abnormal narrowing of a bodily canal or passageway
Stenotic - abnormally constricted body canal or passage
stent - a slender tube inserted inside a tubular body part (as a blood vessel) to provide support during and after surgical anastomosis
Stepfather - the husband of your mother by a subsequent marriage
Stepmother - the wife of your father by a subsequent marriage
Stercolith - a hard mass of fecal matter
Sterilization - the procedure of making some object free of live bacteria or other microorganisms (usually by heat or chemical means); the act of making an organism barren or infertile (unable to reproduce)
Sternal - of or relating to or near the sternum
Sternum - the flat bone that articulates with the clavicles and the first seven pairs of ribs
Sternutation - a symptom consisting of the involuntary expulsion of air from the nose
Sternutator - a chemical substance that causes sneezing and coughing and crying
steroid - any of several fat soluble organic compounds having as a basis 17 carbon atoms in four rings; many have important physiological effects; any hormone affecting the development and growth of sex organs
Stethoscope - a medical instrument for listening to the sounds generated inside the body
Stevens - United States filmmaker (1905 1975); United States poet (1879 1955); United States psychologist and psychophysicist who proposed Stevens' power law to replace Fechner's law (1906 1973)
Stewart - Scottish philosopher and follower of Thomas Reid (1753 1828); United States film actor who portrayed incorruptible but modest heros (1908 1997)
Stickler - someone who insists on something
Still's Disease - a form of rheumatoid arthritis that affects children; large joints become inflamed and bone growth may be retarded
Stillbirth - a natural loss of the products of conception
stimulant - that stimulates; a drug that temporarily quickens some vital process; any stimulating information or event; acts to arouse action
stimulating - rousing or quickening activity or the senses; making lively and cheerful; that stimulates
Stirrup - support consisting of metal loops into which rider's feet go; the stirrup shaped ossicle that transmits sound from the incus to the cochlea
Stochastic - being or having a random variable
Stomach flu - inflammation of the stomach and intestines; can be caused by Salmonella enteritidis
Stomatitis - inflammation of the mucous membrane of the mouth
Stool test - a test performed at home in which you collect specimens of your stool that are tested for traces of blood; used to detect colorectal cancers
Strabismus - abnormal alignment of one or both eyes
Straightjacket - a garment similar to a jacket that is used to bind the arms tightly against the body as a means of restraining a violent person
Strait - strict and severe; a narrow channel of the sea joining two larger bodies of water; a bad or difficult situation or state of affairs
Straitjacket - a garment similar to a jacket that is used to bind the arms tightly against the body as a means of restraining a violent person; anything immaterial that severely hinders or confines
Stratum basale - the innermost layer of the epidermis
Stratum corneum - the outermost layer of the epidermis consisting of dead cells that slough off
Stratum lucidum - the layer of epidermis immediately under the stratum corneum in the skin of the palms and soles
Strep throat - an infection of the oral pharynx and tonsils by streptococcus
Strep - of or relating to or caused by streptococci; spherical Gram positive bacteria occurring in pairs or chains; cause e.g. scarlet fever and tonsillitis
Streptococcus - spherical Gram positive bacteria occurring in pairs or chains; cause e.g. scarlet fever and tonsillitis
Streptokinase - an enzyme produced by some strains of streptococcus that can liquefy blood clots by converting plasminogen to plasmin; used medicinally in some cases of myocardial infarction and pulmonary embolism
Streptomycin - an antibiotic produced by the actinomycete Streptomyces griseus and used to treat tuberculosis
Stress fracture - fracture resulting from excessive activity rather than a specific injury
stress test - a test measuring how a system functions when subjected to controlled amounts of stress
Stretch reflex - reflex contraction of a muscle when an attached tendon is pulled; important in maintaining erect posture
Stretching - act of expanding by lengthening or widening; exercise designed to extend the limbs and muscles to their full extent
stria - any of a number of tiny parallel grooves such as: the scratches left by a glacier on rocks or the streaks or ridges in muscle tissue; a stripe or stripes of contrasting color
striate - marked with stria or striations; verb mark with striae or striations
Striated muscle tissue - muscle tissue characterized by transverse stripes
Striatum - a striped mass of white and grey matter located in front of the thalamus in each cerebral hemisphere; consists of the caudate nucleus and the lenticular nucleus
stricture - severe criticism; abnormal narrowing of a bodily canal or passageway
Stripping - the removal of covering
Stroboscope - scientific instrument that provides a flashing light synchronized with the periodic movement of an object; can make moving object appear stationary
Stroma - the supporting tissue of an organ (as opposed to parenchyma); the dense colorless framework of a chloroplast; a mass of fungal tissue that has spore bearing structures embedded in it or on it
Strontium - a soft silver white or yellowish metallic element of the alkali metal group; turns yellow in air; occurs in celestite and strontianite
Structural gene - a gene that controls the production of a specific protein or peptide
Structural genomics - the branch of genomics that determines the three dimensional structures of proteins
Strychnine - an alkaloid plant toxin extracted chiefly from nux vomica; formerly used as a stimulant
stupor - marginal consciousness; the feeling of distress and disbelief that you have when something bad happens accidentally
subacute - less than acute; relating to a disease present in a person with no symptoms of it
subarachnoid space - a space in the meninges beneath the arachnoid membrane and above the pia mater that contains the cerebrospinal fluid
Subclavian artery - either of two arteries that supply blood to the neck and arms
Subclavian - situated beneath the clavicle
subclinical - relating to the stage in the development of a disease before the symptoms are observed
subcutaneous - relating to or located below the epidermis
Subdural - below the dura mater but above the arachnoid membrane of the meninges
Subjacent - lying nearby but lower
Sublingual gland - a small salivary gland that produces mucin (the viscous component of saliva); in human beings it is located on either side of the mouth under the tongue
Sublingual - beneath the tongue
Subluxation - partial displacement of a joint or organ
Submandibular gland - a salivary gland inside the lower jaw on either side that produces most of the nocturnal saliva; discharges saliva into the mouth under the tongue
Submaxillary gland - a salivary gland inside the lower jaw on either side that produces most of the nocturnal saliva; discharges saliva into the mouth under the tongue
Substance abuse - excessive use of drugs
Substitution - the act of putting one thing or person in the place of another: "he sent Smith in for Jones but the substitution came too late to help"; an event in which one thing is substituted for another
subtotal - the sum of part of a group of numbers
Succumb - be fatally overwhelmed; consent reluctantly
Sucking louse - wingless usually flattened bloodsucking insect parasitic on warm blooded animals
Sucralfate - medicine consisting of a tablet (trade name Carafate) used to treat peptic ulcers; said to bind to the ulcer site and coat it
Suction - a force over an area produced by a pressure difference; the act of sucking; verb empty or clean (a body cavity) by the force of suction; remove or draw away by the force of suction
Sudoriferous gland - any of the glands in the skin that secrete perspiration
Suicidal - dangerous to yourself or your interests
Suicide - the act of killing yourself; a person who kills himself intentionally
sulcus - (anatomy) any of the narrow grooves in an organ or tissue especially those that mark the convolutions on the surface of the brain
sulfa drug - antibacterial consisting of any of several synthetic organic compounds capable of inhibiting the growth of bacteria that require PABA
sulfa - antibacterial consisting of any of several synthetic organic compounds capable of inhibiting the growth of bacteria that require PABA
Sulfadiazine - a sulfa drug used in treating meningitis and pneumonia and other infections
sulfamethoxazole - a sulfonamide (trade name Gantanol) used to treat infections (especially infections of the urinary tract)
Sulfonamide - antibacterial consisting of any of several synthetic organic compounds capable of inhibiting the growth of bacteria that require PABA
Sulfonylurea - antidiabetic consisting of any of several drugs that reduce the level of glucose in the blood; used to treat diabetes mellitus
sulfuric acid - (H2SO4) a highly corrosive acid made from sulfur dioxide; widely used in the chemical industry
Sulindac - a nonsteroidal anti inflammatory drug (trade name Clinoril)
summer - the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox; verb spend the summer
Sun protection factor - the degree to which a sunscreen protects the skin from the direct rays of the sun
Sunburn - redness of the skin caused by exposure to the rays of the sun; a browning of the skin resulting from exposure to the rays of the sun; verb get a sunburn by overexposure to the sun
Sunscreen - a cream spread on the skin; contains a chemical (as PABA) to filter out ultraviolet light and so protect from sunburn
Super - including more than a specified category; extremely large; of the highest quality; to an extreme degree; a caretaker for an apartment house; represents the owner as janitor and rent collector
Superbug - a strain accidentally imported into Florida from the Middle East then spread to California where it is a very serious pest feeding on almost all vegetable crops and poinsettias
Supercilious - expressive of contempt; having or showing arrogant superiority to and disdain of those one views as unworthy
Superfecundation - fertilization of two or more ova released during the same menstrual cycle by sperm from separate acts of coitus (especially by different males)
Superfetation - fertilization of a second ovum after a pregnancy has begun; results in two fetuses of different ages in the uterus at the same time
superficial - being or affecting or concerned with a surface; not deep or penetrating emotionally or intellectually; of little substance or significance; relating to a surface; involving a surface only
Superfluous - more than is needed, desired, or required; serving no useful purpose; having no excuse for being
Superinfection - infection that occurs while you are being treated for another infection
superior vena cava - receives blood from the head and arms and chest and empties into the right atrium of the heart; formed from the azygos and both brachiocephalic veins
Superjacent - lying immediately above or on something else
Supernumerary - more than is needed, desired, or required; a minor actor in crowd scenes; a person serving no apparent function
Supination - rotation of the hands and forearms so that the palms face upward
Supine - lying face upward; offering no resistance
suppository - a small plug of medication designed for insertion into the rectum or vagina where it melts
Suppressant - a drug that suppresses appetite
Suppressor gene - a gene that suppresses the phenotypic expression of another gene (especially of a mutant gene)
Suppurate - cause to ripen and discharge pus; ripen and generate pus
Suprarenal gland - either of a pair of complex endocrine glands situated near the kidney
Surfactant - a substance capable of reducing the surface tension of a liquid in which it is dissolved
Surgeon General - the senior medical officer in an army or navy; the head of the United States Public Health Service
Surgeon - a physician who specializes in surgery
Surgical incision - the cutting of or into body tissues or organs (especially by a surgeon as part of an operation)
surgical - performed with great precision; relating to or requiring or amenable to treatment by surgery especially as opposed to medicine; of or relating to or involving or used in surgery
Surrogate mother - a woman who bears a child for a couple where the wife is unable to do so
Surveillance of disease - the ongoing systematic collection and analysis of data about an infectious disease that can lead to action being taken to control or prevent the disease
Surveillance - close observation of a person or group (usually by the police)
susceptible - (often followed by `of' or `to') yielding readily to or capable of; easily impressed emotionally
suture - thread of catgut or silk or wire used by surgeons to stitch tissues together; a seam used in surgery; an immovable joint (especially between the bones of the skull); verb join with a suture
Swanson - United States actress in many silent films (1899 1983)
Sweat gland - any of the glands in the skin that secrete perspiration
Sweating sickness - epidemic in the 15th and 16th centuries and characterized by profuse sweating and high mortality; a disease of cattle (especially calves)
Sweating - being wet with perspiration; the process of the sweat glands of the skin secreting a salty fluid
Sweats - garment consisting of sweat pants and a sweatshirt
Sweet wormwood - wormwood of southeastern Europe to Iran
Swimmer's itch - a sensitization reaction to repeated invasion of the skin by cercariae of schistosomes
swimming pool - pool that provides a facility for swimming
Swine flu - an acute and highly contagious respiratory disease of swine caused by the orthomyxovirus thought to be the same virus that caused the 1918 influenza pandemic
Swine influenza - an acute and highly contagious respiratory disease of swine caused by the orthomyxovirus thought to be the same virus that caused the 1918 influenza pandemic
Sydenham's chorea - chorea occurring chiefly in children and associated with rheumatic fever
Sydenham - English physician (1624 1689)
symbiosis - the relation between two different species of organisms that are interdependent; each gains benefits from the other
symbol - something visible that by association or convention represents something else that is invisible; an arbitrary sign (written or printed) that has acquired a conventional significance
Sympathectomy - surgical interruption of a nerve pathway in the sympathetic nervous system
sympathetic nervous system - originates in the thoracic regions of the spinal cord; opposes physiological effects of the parasympathetic: reduces digestive secretions; speeds the heart; contracts blood vessels
Symphysis - a growing together of parts or structures; an abnormal adhesion of two or more structures
Symptomatic - relating to or according to or affecting a symptom or symptoms; characteristic or indicative of e.g. a disease
Synaesthesia - a sensation that normally occurs in one sense modality occurs when another modality is stimulated
synapse - the junction between two neurons (axon to dendrite) or between a neuron and a muscle
Synapsis - the side by side pairing of homologous maternal and paternal chromosomes at the start of meiosis
Syncope - (phonology) the loss of sounds in the interior of a word (as in `fo'c'sle' for `forecastle'); a spontaneous loss of consciousness caused by insufficient blood to the brain
syncytium - a mass of cytoplasm containing several nuclei and enclosed in a membrane but no internal cell boundaries (as in muscle fibers)
syndactylism - birth defect in which there is partial or total webbing connecting two or more fingers or toes
Syndactyly - birth defect in which there is partial or total webbing connecting two or more fingers or toes
syndrome - a complex of concurrent things; a pattern of symptoms indicative of some disease
Synechia - adhesions between the iris and the lens or cornea resulting from trauma or eye surgery of as a complication of glaucoma or cataract; can lead to blindness
synergy - the working together of two things (muscles or drugs for example) to produce an effect greater than the sum of their individual effects
Synesthesia - a sensation that normally occurs in one sense modality occurs when another modality is stimulated
Synovia - viscid lubricating fluid secreted by the membrane lining joints and tendon sheaths etc.
synovial fluid - viscid lubricating fluid secreted by the membrane lining joints and tendon sheaths etc.
synovial joint - a joint so articulated as to move freely
synovial membrane - a thin membrane in synovial (freely moving) joints that lines the joint capsule and secretes synovial fluid
Synovial - relating to or secreting synovia
Synovitis - inflammation of the synovial membrane that lines a synovial joint; results in pain and swelling
synovium - a thin membrane in synovial (freely moving) joints that lines the joint capsule and secretes synovial fluid
Syphilis - a common venereal disease caused by the treponema pallidum spirochete; symptoms change through progressive stages; can be congenital (transmitted through the placenta)
syphilis - a common venereal disease caused by the treponema pallidum spirochete; symptoms change through progressive stages; can be congenital (transmitted through the placenta)
Syphilitic - of or relating to or infected with syphilis; a person suffering from syphilis
Syringe - a medical instrument used to inject or withdraw fluids; verb spray or irrigate (a body part) with a syringe
Syrinx - the vocal organ of a bird; a primitive wind instrument consisting of several parallel pipes bound together
systemic lupus erythematosus - an inflammatory disease of connective tissue with variable features including fever and weakness and fatigability and joint pains and skin lesions on the face or neck or arms
systemic - affecting an entire system
Systole - the contraction of the chambers of the heart (especially the ventricles) to drive blood into the aorta and pulmonary artery
Systolic - of or relating to a systole or happing during a systole

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T-Z[edit | edit source]

T cell - a small lymphocyte developed in the thymus; it orchestrates the immune system's response to infected or malignant cells
T lymphocyte - a small lymphocyte developed in the thymus; it orchestrates the immune system's response to infected or malignant cells
Tabes dorsalis - syphilis of the spinal cord characterized by degeneration of sensory neurons and stabbing pains in the trunk and legs and unsteady gait and incontinence and impotence
tabes - wasting of the body during a chronic disease
Tablespoon - a spoon larger than a dessert spoon; used for serving; as much as a tablespoon will hold
Tabun - the first known nerve agent, synthesized by German chemists in 1936; a highly toxic combustible liquid that is soluble in organic solvents and is used as a nerve gas in chemical warfare
Tacamahac - poplar of northeastern North America with broad heart shaped leaves
Tachycardia - abnormally rapid heartbeat (over 100 beats per minute)
Tactile - producing a sensation of touch; of or relating to or proceeding from the sense of touch
Tadalafil - virility drug (trade name Cialis) used to treat erectile dysfunction in men
Taenia - tapeworms parasitic in humans which uses the pig as its intermediate host; a narrow headband or strip of ribbon worn as a headband
Taint - the state of being contaminated; verb contaminate with a disease or microorganism; place under suspicion or cast doubt upon
Talipes - congenital deformity of the foot usually marked by a curled shape or twisted position of the ankle and heel and toes
Talus - a sloping mass of loose rocks at the base of a cliff; the bone in the ankle that articulates with the leg bones to form the ankle joint
Tamoxifen - an antagonist for estrogen that is used in the treatment of breast cancer
Tamoxifen - an antagonist for estrogen that is used in the treatment of breast cancer
Tampon - plug of cotton or other absorbent material; inserted into wound or body cavity to absorb exuded fluids (especially blood); verb plug with a tampon
Tamponade - blockage or closure (as of a wound or body cavity) by (or as if by) a tampon (especially to stop bleeding)
Tapeworm infection - intestinal infection by a species of parasitic tapeworm; usually the result of eating inadequately cooked meat or fish
Tapeworm - ribbonlike flatworms that are parasitic in the intestines of humans and other vertebrates
Taphephobia - a morbid fear of being buried alive
Tapotement - massage in which the body is tapped rhythmically with the fingers or with short rapid movements of the sides of the hand; used to loosen mucus on the chest walls of patients with bronchitis
Tarantism - a nervous disorder characterized by an uncontrollable impulse to dance; popularly attributed to bite of the southern European tarantula or wolf spider
tardive dyskinesia - involuntary rolling of the tongue and twitching of the face or trunk or limbs; often occurs in patients with Parkinsonism who are treated with phenothiazine
Tarsal gland - a long sebaceous gland that lubricates the eyelids
tarsal - of or relating to or near the tarsus of the foot; any bone of the tarsus
Tarsus - the part of the foot of a vertebrate between the metatarsus and the leg; in human beings the bones of the ankle and heel collectively
Taste bud - an oval sensory end organ on the surface of the tongue
Tear gas - a gas that makes the eyes fill with tears but does not damage them; used in dispersing crowds
Tear gland - any of the glands in the eyes that secrete tears
teardrop - anything shaped like a falling drop (as a pendant gem on an earring); a drop of the clear salty saline solution secreted by the lacrimal glands
Teaspoon - a small spoon used for stirring tea or coffee; holds about one fluid dram; as much as a teaspoon will hold
Technetium - a crystalline metallic element not found in nature; occurs as one of the fission products of uranium
technique - a practical method or art applied to some particular task; skillfulness in the command of fundamentals deriving from practice and familiarity
Technology - the practical application of science to commerce or industry; the discipline dealing with the art or science of applying scientific knowledge to practical problems
Teeth - the kind and number and arrangement of teeth (collectively) in a person or animal
Teething - the eruption through the gums of baby teeth
Telencephalon - the anterior division of the forebrain; the cerebrum and related parts of the hypothalamus
Teleological - of or relating to teleology
Teleology - (philosophy) a doctrine explaining phenomena by their ends or purposes
Telomerase - an enzyme in eukaryotic cells that can add telomeres to the ends of chromosomes after they divide
Telomere - either (free) end of a eukaryotic chromosome
Telophase - the final stage of mitosis; the final stage of meiosis when the chromosomes move toward opposite ends of the nuclear spindle
Temazepam - a frequently prescribed benzodiazepine (trade name Restoril); takes effect slowly and lasts long enough to help those people who wake up frequently during the night
Temperature - the degree of hotness or coldness of a body or environment (corresponding to its molecular activity); the somatic sensation of cold or heat
template - a model or standard for making comparisons
tempo - (music) the speed at which a composition is to be played; the rate of some repeating event
temporal arteritis - inflammation of the temporal arteries; characterized by headaches and difficulty chewing and (sometimes) visual impairment
Temporal artery - any of the three arteries on either side of the brain supplying the cortex of the temporal lobe
Temporal bone - a thick bone forming the side of the human cranium and encasing the inner ear
Temporal lobe epilepsy - epilepsy characterized clinically by impairment of consciousness and amnesia for the episode; often involves purposeful movements of the arms and legs and sometimes hallucinations
temporal lobe - that part of the cerebral cortex in either hemisphere of the brain lying inside the temples of the head
Temporal muscle - muscle extending from the temporal fossa to the coronoid process of the mandible; acts to raise the mandible and close the jaws
temporary - lacking continuity or regularity; not permanent; not lasting; a worker (especially in an office) hired on a temporary basis
Temporomandibular joint - the joint between the head of the lower jawbone and the temporal bone
tendinitis - inflammation of a tendon
Tendon - a cord or band of inelastic tissue connecting a muscle with its bony attachment
tendonitis - inflammation of a tendon
Tenesmus - painful spasm of the anal sphincter along with an urgent desire to defecate without the significant production of feces; associated with irritable bowel syndrome
Tenia - a narrow headband or strip of ribbon worn as a headband
Tennessee - a state in east central United States; a river formed by the confluence of two other rivers near Knoxville; it follows a U shaped course to become a tributary of the Ohio River in western Kentucky
Tennis elbow - painful inflammation of the tendon at the outer border of the elbow resulting from overuse of lower arm muscles (as in twisting of the hand)
tennis - a game played with rackets by two or four players who hit a ball back and forth over a net that divides the court
Tenonitis - inflammation of a tendon
Tenormin - an oral beta blocker (trade name Tenormin) used in treating hypertension and angina; has adverse side effects (depression and exacerbation of congestive heart failure etc.)
Tenosynovitis - inflammation of a tendon and its enveloping sheath
Tension headache - a headache located at the back of the head; usually caused by body tension resulting from overwork or psychological stress
Tenth cranial nerve - a mixed nerve that supplies the pharynx and larynx and lungs and heart and esophagus and stomach and most of the abdominal viscera
tenth - coming next after the ninth and just before the eleventh in position; position ten in a countable series of things; a tenth part; one part in ten equal parts
Teratogen - any agent that interferes with normal embryonic development: alcohol or thalidomide or X rays or rubella are examples
Teratogenic - of or relating to substances or agents that can interfere with normal embryonic development
Teratology - the branch of biology concerned with the development of malformations or serious deviations from the normal type of organism
Teratoma - a tumor consisting of a mixture of tissues not normally found at that site
Terazosin - antihypertensive drug (trade name Hytrin) used to treat high blood pressure
Terbinafine - an oral antifungal drug (trade name Lamisil) used to treat cases of fungal nail disease
Teres minor muscle - teres muscle that adducts the arm and rotates it laterally
teres minor - teres muscle that adducts the arm and rotates it laterally
term infant - infant born at a gestational age between 37 and 42 completed weeks
terms - the amount of money needed to purchase something; status with respect to the relations between people or groups
tertiary - coming next after the second and just before the fourth in position; from 63 million to 2 million years ago
Test cross - a cross between an organism whose genotype for a certain trait is unknown and an organism that is homozygous recessive for that trait so the unknown genotype can be determined from that of the offspring
Testicle - one of the two male reproductive glands that produce spermatozoa and secrete androgens
Testicular cancer - malignant tumor of the testis; usually occurring in older men
testicular - of or involving the testes
Testis - one of the two male reproductive glands that produce spermatozoa and secrete androgens
Testosterone - a potent androgenic hormone produced chiefly by the testes; responsible for the development of male secondary sex characteristics
Tetany - clinical neurological syndrome characterized by muscular twitching and cramps and (when severe) seizures; associated with calcium deficiency (hypoparathyroidism) or vitamin D deficiency or alkalosis
Tetracaine - a crystalline compound used in the form of a hydrochloride as a local anesthetic
Tetracycline - an antibiotic (trade name Achromycin) derived from microorganisms of the genus Streptomyces and used broadly to treat infections
Tetraethyl lead - a clear oily poisonous liquid added to gasoline to prevent knocking
Tetrafluoroethylene - a flammable gaseous fluorocarbon used in making plastics (polytetrafluoroethylene resins)
Tetrodotoxin - a powerful neurotoxin found in the ovaries of pufferfish
thalamus - large egg shaped structures of grey matter that form the dorsal subdivision of the diencephalon
Thalassemia major - a fatal form of homozygous thalassemia (inherited from both parents) in which there is no hemoglobin; skeletal deformations; heart and spleen and liver enlarged
Thalassemia - an inherited form of anemia caused by faulty synthesis of hemoglobin
Thalidomide - a sedative and hypnotic drug; withdrawn from sale after discovered to cause severe birth defects because it inhibits angiogenesis
Thallium - a soft grey malleable metallic element that resembles tin but discolors on exposure to air; it is highly toxic and is used in rodent and insect poisons; occurs in zinc blende and some iron ores
Thanatology - the branch of science that studies death (especially its social and psychological aspects)
Thanatophobia - a morbid fear of death
Thelarche - the start of breast development in a woman at the beginning of puberty
theophylline - a colorless crystalline alkaloid derived from tea leaves or made synthetically; used in medicine as a bronchial dilator
Theorem - an idea accepted as a demonstrable truth; a proposition deducible from basic postulates
Therapeutic abortion - a legally induced abortion for medical reasons (as when the mother's life is threatened)
Therapeutic cloning - nuclear transplantation of a patient's own cells to make an oocyte from which immune compatible cells (especially stem cells) can be derived for transplant
Therapeutic - relating to or involved in therapy; tending to cure or restore to health; a medicine or therapy that cures disease or relieve pain
Therapeutics - branch of medicine concerned with the treatment of disease
therapy - (medicine) the act of caring for someone (as by medication or remedial training etc.)
thermography - diagnostic technique using a thermograph to record the heat produced by different parts of the body; used to study blood flow and to detect tumors
Thermometer - measuring instrument for measuring temperature
Thermoreceptor - a sensory receptor that responds to heat and cold
Thermostat - a regulator for automatically regulating temperature by starting or stopping the supply of heat; verb control the temperature with a thermostat
Thiamine - a B vitamin that prevents beriberi; maintains appetite and growth
thickness - resistance to flow; the dimension through an object as opposed to its length or width; used of a line or mark; indistinct articulation
Thigh - the part of the leg between the hip and the knee; the upper joint of the leg of a fowl
Thimerosal - a light colored crystalline powder (trade name Merthiolate) used as a surgical antiseptic
thinner - a diluting agent
Thiotepa - an antineoplastic drug used to treat certain malignancies
Third cranial nerve - supplies extrinsic muscles of the eye
third degree - interrogation often accompanied by torture to extort information or a confession
Third ventricle - a narrow ventricle in the midplane below the corpus callosum; communicates with the fourth ventricle via the Sylvian aqueduct
Thomas Sydenham - English physician (1624 1689)
Thoracentesis - removal of fluid from the chest by centesis for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes
Thoracic aorta - a branch of the descending aorta; divides into the iliac arteries
Thoracic duct - the major duct of the lymphatic system
Thoracic outlet syndrome - tingling sensations in the fingers; caused by compression on a nerve supplying the arm
thoracic - of or relating to the chest or thorax
Thoracotomy - surgical incision into the chest walls opening up the pleural cavity
Thorn - a Germanic character of runic origin; something that causes irritation and annoyance; a small sharp pointed tip resembling a spike on a stem or leaf
Three - being one more than two; the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
Threonine - a colorless crystalline amino acid found in protein; occurs in the hydrolysates of certain proteins; an essential component of human nutrition
Thrive - gain in wealth; grow stronger
Throat - a passage resembling a throat in shape or function; an opening in the vamp of a shoe at the instep; the passage to the stomach and lungs; in the front part of the neck below the chin and above the collarbone
Thrombectomy - surgical removal of a blood clot (thrombus) from a blood vessel
Thrombin - an enzyme that acts on fibrinogen in blood causing it to clot
thrombocyte - tiny bits of protoplasm found in vertebrate blood; essential for blood clotting
Thrombocytopenia - a blood disease characterized by an abnormally small number of platelets in the blood
Thrombocytopenic purpura - purpura associated with a reduction in circulating blood platelets which can result from a variety of factors
Thrombocytosis - increase in the number of platelets in the blood which tends to cause clots to form; associated with many neoplasms and chronic infections and other diseases
Thromboembolism - occlusion of a blood vessel by an embolus that has broken away from a thrombus
Thrombolysis - the process of breaking up and dissolving blood clots
Thrombolytic agent - a kind of pharmaceutical that can break up clots blocking the flow of blood to the heart muscle
Thrombophlebitis - phlebitis in conjunction with the formation of a blood clot (thrombus)
Thrombosis - the formation or presence of a thrombus (a clot of coagulated blood attached at the site of its formation) in a blood vessel
Thrombus - a blood clot formed within a blood vessel and remaining attached to its place of origin
thrush - songbirds characteristically having brownish upper plumage with a spotted breast; a woman who sings popular songs; candidiasis of the oral cavity; seen mostly in infants or debilitated adults
thunderclap - a single sharp crash of thunder; a shocking surprise
thymidine - a nucleoside component of DNA; composed of thymine and deoxyribose
Thymine - a base found in DNA (but not in RNA) and derived from pyrimidine; pairs with adenine
Thymine - a base found in DNA (but not in RNA) and derived from pyrimidine; pairs with adenine
thymosin - hormone secreted by the thymus; stimulates immunological activity of lymphoid tissue
Thymus gland - a ductless glandular organ at the base of the neck that produces lymphocytes and aids in producing immunity; atrophies with age
thymus - large genus of Old World mints: thyme; a ductless glandular organ at the base of the neck that produces lymphocytes and aids in producing immunity; atrophies with age
Thyrocalcitonin - thyroid hormone that tends to lower the level of calcium in the blood plasma and inhibit resorption of bone
Thyroglobulin - an iodine containing protein that is obtained from the thyroid gland and exhibits the general properties of the globulins
Thyroid cartilage - the largest cartilage of the larynx
thyroid gland - located near the base of the neck
thyroid hormone - any of several closely related compounds that are produced by the thyroid gland and are active metabolically
thyroid - suggestive of a thyroid disorder; of or relating to the thyroid gland; located near the base of the neck
Thyroidectomy - surgical removal of the thyroid gland
Thyroiditis - inflammation of the thyroid gland
thyrotoxicosis - an overactive thyroid gland; pathologically excessive production of thyroid hormones or the condition resulting from excessive production of thyroid hormones
Thyrotropin - anterior pituitary hormone that stimulates the function of the thyroid gland
thyroxine - hormone produced by the thyroid glands to regulate metabolism by controlling the rate of oxidation in cells
Tibia vara - a leg bowed outward at the knee (or below the knee)
Tibia - the inner and thicker of the two bones of the human leg between the knee and ankle
Tibial - relating to or located near a tibia
tic douloureux - intense paroxysmal neuralgia along the trigeminal nerve
Tick fever - caused by rickettsial bacteria and transmitted by wood ticks
Timothy - a grass grown for hay; a disciple of Saint Paul who became the leader of the Christian community at Ephesus; grass with long cylindrical spikes frown in northern United States and Europe for hay
Tinea barbae - fungal infection of the face and neck
Tinea capitis - fungal infection of the scalp characterized by bald patches
Tinea corporis - fungal infection of nonhairy parts of the skin
Tinea cruris - fungal infection of the groin (most common in men)
tinea pedis - fungal infection of the feet
Tinea unguium - fungal infection of the nails (especially toenails)
tinea - type genus of the Tineidae: clothes moths; infections of the skin or nails caused by fungi and appearing as itching circular patches
Tinnitus - a ringing or booming sensation in one or both ears; a symptom of an ear infection or Meniere's disease
tipped - having a tip; or having a tip as specified (used in combination); departing or being caused to depart from the true vertical or horizontal
Tired - depleted of strength or energy; repeated too often; overfamiliar through overuse
Tiredness - temporary loss of strength and energy resulting from hard physical or mental work
tissue plasminogen activator - a thrombolytic agent (trade name Activase) that causes fibrinolysis at the site of a blood clot; used in treating acute myocardial infarction
Tissue typing - a series of diagnostic tests before an organ transplant to determine whether the tissues of a donor and recipient are compatible
titer - the concentration of a solution as determined by titration
Titre - the concentration of a solution as determined by titration
Tobacco - leaves of the tobacco plant dried and prepared for smoking or ingestion; aromatic annual or perennial herbs and shrubs
Tobramycin - an antibiotic (trade name Nebcin) that is especially effective against Gram negative bacteria
Tocopherol - a fat soluble vitamin that is essential for normal reproduction; an important antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals in the body
Toddler - a young child
Toenail - the nail at the end of a toe; verb drive obliquely
Toilet - the act of dressing and preparing yourself; a room or building equipped with one or more toilets; a plumbing fixture for defecation and urination; misfortune resulting in lost effort or money
Tomograph - X ray machine in which a computer builds a detailed image of a particular plane through an object from multiple X ray measurements
Tomography - (medicine) obtaining pictures of the interior of the body
Tone deafness - an inability to distinguish differences in pitch
Tongue depressor - a thin depressor used to press the tongue down during an examination of the mouth and throat
Tongue tie - deprive of speech
tonsil - either of two masses of lymphatic tissue one on each side of the oral pharynx
Tonsillectomy - surgical removal of the palatine tonsils; commonly performed along with adenoidectomy
Tonsillitis - inflammation of the tonsils (especially the palatine tonsils)
tooth and nail - with force and ferocity
Tooth decay - soft decayed area in a tooth; progressive decay can lead to the death of a tooth
Tooth root - the part of a tooth that is embedded in the jaw and serves as support
Toothache - an ache localized in or around a tooth
Tophus - a deposit of urates around a joint or in the external ear; diagnostic of advanced or chronic gout; an incrustation that forms on the teeth and gums
topical - of interest at the present time; pertaining to the surface of a body part; of or relating to or arranged by topics
Torpor - a state of motor and mental inactivity with a partial suspension of sensibility; inactivity resulting from lethargy and lack of vigor or energy
torsion - a twisting force; a tortuous and twisted shape or position
Torticollis - an unnatural condition in which the head leans to one side because the neck muscles on that side are contracted
torus - commonly the lowest molding at the base of a column; a ring shaped surface generated by rotating a circle around an axis that does not intersect the circle
Total hysterectomy - surgical removal of the uterus and cervix
total parenteral nutrition - administration of a nutritionally adequate solution through a catheter into the vena cava; used in cases of long term coma or severe burns or severe gastrointestinal syndromes
Totipotency - the ability of a cell to give rise to unlike cells and so to develop a new organism or part
Totipotent - having the ability to give rise to unlike cells
Tourette - French neurologist (1857 1904)
Tourniquet - bandage that stops the flow of blood from an artery by applying pressure
Toxemia - blood poisoning caused by bacterial toxic substances in the blood; an abnormal condition of pregnancy characterized by hypertension and edema and protein in the urine
Toxic waste - poisonous waste materials; can cause injury (especially by chemical means)
toxic - of or relating to or caused by a toxin or poison
Toxicant - having the qualities or effects of a poison; any substance that causes injury or illness or death of a living organism
Toxicity - the degree to which something is poisonous; grave harmfulness or deadliness
Toxicodendron - in some classifications: comprising those members of the genus Rhus having foliage that is poisonous to the touch; of North America and northern South America
toxicologist - one who studies the nature and effects of poisons and their treatment
Toxicology - the branch of pharmacology that deals with the nature and effects and treatments of poisons
Toxin - a poisonous substance produced during the metabolism and growth of certain microorganisms and some higher plant and animal species
Toxoplasmosis - infection caused by parasites transmitted to humans from infected cats; if contracted by a pregnant woman it can result in serious damage to the fetus
Toxoplasmosis - infection caused by parasites transmitted to humans from infected cats; if contracted by a pregnant woman it can result in serious damage to the fetus
Trabecula - rod shaped structures of fibrous tissue that divide an organ into parts (as in the penis) or stabilize the structure of an organ (as in the spleen)
Trachea - membranous tube with cartilaginous rings that conveys inhaled air from the larynx to the bronchi; one of the tubules forming the respiratory system of most insects and many arachnids
Tracheitis - inflammation of the trachea
tracheostomy - a surgical operation that creates an opening into the trachea with a tube inserted to provide a passage for air; performed when the pharynx is obstructed by edema or cancer or other causes
Tracheotomy - a surgical operation that creates an opening into the trachea with a tube inserted to provide a passage for air; performed when the pharynx is obstructed by edema or cancer or other causes
Trachoma - a chronic contagious viral disease marked by inflammation of the conjunctiva and cornea of the eye and the formation of scar tissue
traditional - consisting of or derived from tradition; pertaining to time honored orthodox doctrines
Training - activity leading to skilled behavior; the result of good upbringing (especially knowledge of correct social behavior)
Trait - a distinguishing feature of your personal nature
Tranquilizer - a drug used to reduce stress or tension without reducing mental clarity
Transaminase - a class of transferases that catalyze transamination (that transfer an amino group from an amino acid to another compound)
Transdermal patch - a medicated adhesive pad placed on the skin for absorption of a time released dose of medication into the bloodstream
transdermal - through the unbroken skin; refers to medications applied directly to the skin (creams or ointments) or in time release forms (skin patches)
Transducer - an electrical device that converts one form of energy into another
Transferase - any of various enzymes that move a chemical group from one compound to another compound
transferrin - a globulin in blood plasma that carries iron
Transformer - an electrical device by which alternating current of one voltage is changed to another voltage
transfusion - the action of pouring a liquid from one vessel to another; the introduction of blood or blood plasma into a vein or artery
Transgender - involving a partial or full reversal of gender
transient ischemic attack - brief episode in which the brain gets insufficient blood supply; symptoms depend on the site of the blockage
Translocation - (genetics) an exchange of chromosome parts; the transport of dissolved material within a plant
transplacental - occurring through or by way of the placenta
transplantation - the act of removing something from one location and introducing it in another location; an operation moving an organ from one organism (the donor) to another (the recipient)
transporter - a crane for moving material with dispatch as in loading and unloading ships; a long truck for carrying motor vehicles; a moving belt that transports objects (as in a factory)
Transposon - a segment of DNA that can become integrated at many different sites along a chromosome (especially a segment of bacterial DNA that can be translocated as a whole)
Transsexualism - condition in which a person assumes the identity and permanently acts the part of the gender opposite to his or her biological sex
Transudate - a substance that transudes
Transverse - extending or lying across; in a crosswise direction; at right angles to the long axis
Transvestism - the practice of adopting the clothes or the manner or the sexual role of the opposite sex
Transvestite - receiving sexual gratification from wearing clothing of the opposite sex; someone who adopts the dress or manner or sexual role of the opposite sex
Transvestitism - the practice of adopting the clothes or the manner or the sexual role of the opposite sex
Tranylcypromine - an antidepressant drug that is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor; administered as a sulfate
Trapezius muscle - either of two flat triangular muscles of the shoulder and upper back that are involved in moving the shoulders and arms
trauma - an emotional wound or shock often having long lasting effects; any physical damage to the body caused by violence or accident or fracture etc.
traumatic - psychologically painful; "few experiences are more traumatic than losing a child"; of or relating to a physical injury or wound to the body
Traumatology - the branch of medicine that deals with the surgical repair of injuries and wounds arising from accidents
Trazodone - oral antidepressant (trade name Desyrel) that is a nontricyclic drug used as a sedative
Treacle - an expression that is excessively sweet and sentimental; a pale cane syrup
Treadmill test - a stress test in which the patient walks on a moving treadmill while the heart and breathing rates are monitored
tremor - an involuntary vibration (as if from illness or fear); a small earthquake; shaking or trembling (usually resulting from weakness or stress or disease); verb shake with seismic vibrations
Trench fever - marked by pain in muscles and joints and transmitted by lice
Trench foot - resembling frostbite but without freezing; resulting from exposure to cold and wet
Trench mouth - an acute communicable infection of the respiratory tract and mouth marked by ulceration of the mucous membrane
Trephine - a surgical instrument used to remove sections of bone from the skull; verb operate on with a trephine
Treponema - spirochete that causes disease in humans (e.g. syphilis and yaws)
triad - a three note major or minor chord; a note and its third and fifth tones; three people considered as a unit; a set of three similar things considered as a unit
Triage - sorting and allocating aid on the basis of need for or likely benefit from medical treatment or food
Triamcinolone - a synthetic corticosteroid (trade names Aristocort or Aristopak or Kenalog) used as an anti inflammatory agent
Triazolam - a form of benzodiazepine (trade name Halcion) frequently prescribed as a sleeping pill; usually given to people who have trouble falling asleep
tributyrin - a bitter oily triglyceride of butyric acid; a form of butyrin
Triceps - any skeletal muscle having three origins (but especially the triceps brachii)
Trichinella spiralis - parasitic nematode occurring in the intestines of pigs and rats and human beings and producing larvae that form cysts in skeletal muscles
Trichinosis - infestation by trichina larvae that are transmitted by eating inadequately cooked meat (especially pork); larvae migrate from the intestinal tract to the muscles where they become encysted
Trichloroethylene - a heavy colorless highly toxic liquid used as a solvent to clean electronic components and for dry cleaning and as a fumigant; causes cancer and liver and lung damage
Trichobezoar - a compact mass of hair that forms in the alimentary canal (especially in the stomach of animals as a result of licking fur)
Trichomoniasis - infection of the vagina
Trichophyton - a genus of fungus of the family Moniliaceae; causes ringworm and favus
Trichotillomania - an irresistible urge to pull out your own hair
Trichuriasis - infestation by a roundworm; common in tropical areas with poor sanitation
tricuspid valve - valve with three cusps; situated between the right atrium and the right ventricle; allows blood to pass from atrium to ventricle and closes to prevent backflow when the ventricle contracts
Tricuspid - having three cusps or points (especially a molar tooth)
tricyclic antidepressant - an antidepressant drug that acts by blocking the reuptake of norepinephrine and serotonin and thus making more of those substances available to act on receptors in the brain
tricyclic - an antidepressant drug that acts by blocking the reuptake of norepinephrine and serotonin and thus making more of those substances available to act on receptors in the brain
Trigeminal nerve - the main sensory nerve of the face and motor nerve for the muscles of mastication
trigeminal neuralgia - intense paroxysmal neuralgia along the trigeminal nerve
trigeminal - the main sensory nerve of the face and motor nerve for the muscles of mastication
triiodothyronine - thyroid hormone similar to thyroxine but with one less iodine atom per molecule and produced in smaller quantity; exerts the same biological effects as thyroxine but is more potent and briefer
Trimester - one of three divisions of an academic year; a period of three months; especially one of the three three month periods into which human pregnancy is divided
Trimipramine - tricyclic antidepressant drug (trade name Surmontil) used to treat depression and anxiety and (sometimes) insomnia
Trimox - an antibiotic; a semisynthetic oral penicillin (trade names Amoxil and Larotid and Polymox and Trimox and Augmentin) used to treat bacterial infections
Triplet code - the normal version of the genetic code in which a sequence of three nucleotides codes for the synthesis of a specific amino acid
Triplet - one of three offspring born at the same time from the same pregnancy; a set of three similar things considered as a unit
Triploid - of a cell or organism having three complete sets of chromosomes
Triskaidekaphobia - a morbid fear of the number 13
Trismus - prolonged spasm of the jaw muscles
Trisomy - chrosomal abnormality in which there is one more than the normal number of chromosomes in a cell
Trisomy - chrosomal abnormality in which there is one more than the normal number of chromosomes in a cell
Tritium - a radioactive isotope of hydrogen; atoms of tritium have three times the mass of ordinary hydrogen atoms
Trochanter - one of the bony prominences developed near the upper extremity of the femur to which muscles are attached
Troche - a medicated lozenge used to soothe the throat
Trochlear nerve - either of the two cranial nerves on either side that control the superior oblique muscles of the eyes
trochlear - either of the two cranial nerves on either side that control the superior oblique muscles of the eyes
Trophoblast - the membrane that forms the wall of the blastocyst in early development; aids implantation in the uterine wall
Tropical medicine - the branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases that are found most often in tropical regions
Tropical sprue - a chronic disorder that occurs in tropical and non tropical forms and in both children and adults; nutrients are not absorbed; symptoms include foul smelling diarrhea and emaciation
True rib - one of the first seven ribs in a human being which attach to the sternum
Truncate - terminating abruptly by having or as if having an end or point cut off; verb make shorter as if by cutting off; approximate by ignoring all terms beyond a chosen one; replace a corner by a plane
trypsin - an enzyme of pancreatic origin; catalyzes the hydrolysis of proteins to smaller polypeptide units
Tryptophan - an amino acid that occurs in proteins; is essential for growth and normal metabolism; a precursor of niacin
Tsutsugamushi disease - transmitted by larval mites and widespread in Asia
Tubal ligation - a sterilization procedure with women; both Fallopian tubes are tied in two places and the tubes removed in between the ligations
Tubal pregnancy - ectopic pregnancy in a Fallopian tube
tubal - of or relating to occurring in a tube such as e.g. the Fallopian tube or Eustachian tube
tuber - type genus of the Tuberaceae: fungi whose fruiting bodies are typically truffles; a fleshy underground stem or root serving for reproductive and food storage
tubercle - a swelling that is the characteristic lesion of tuberculosis; a protuberance on a bone especially for attachment of a muscle or ligament; small rounded wartlike protuberance on a plant
tuberculin skin test - a skin test to determine past or present infection with the tuberculosis bacterium; based on hypersensitivity of the skin to tuberculin
Tuberculin - a sterile liquid containing a purified protein derivative of the tuberculosis bacterium; used in the diagnosis of tuberculosis
Tuberculosis - infection transmitted by inhalation or ingestion of tubercle bacilli and manifested in fever and small lesions (usually in the lungs but in various other parts of the body in acute stages)
Tuberculous - constituting or afflicted with or caused by tuberculosis or the tubercle bacillus
tubular - constituting a tube; having hollow tubes (as for the passage of fluids)
Tubule - a small tube
Tularemia - a highly infectious disease of rodents (especially rabbits and squirrels) and sometimes transmitted to humans by ticks or flies or by handling infected animals
Tumescence - tumidity resulting from the presence of blood or other fluid in the tissues
Tumescent - abnormally distended especially by fluids or gas
Tummy - an enlarged and muscular saclike organ of the alimentary canal; the principal organ of digestion; slang for a paunch
tumor necrosis factor - a proinflammatory cytokine that is produced by white blood cells (monocytes and macrophages); has an antineoplastic effect but causes inflammation (as in rheumatoid arthritis)
tumor - an abnormal new mass of tissue that serves no purpose
Tumour - an abnormal new mass of tissue that serves no purpose
Tunga penetrans - small tropical flea; the fertile female burrows under the skin of the host including humans
Tunnel vision - visual impairment involving a loss of peripheral vision
tunnel - a passageway through or under something, usually underground (especially one for trains or cars); a hole in the ground made by an animal for shelter; verb force a way through; move through by or as by digging
Turbinate - of or relating to the scroll shaped turbinate bones in the nasal passages; in the shape of a coil; any of the scrolled spongy bones of the nasal passages in man and other vertebrates
Turgor - (biology) the normal rigid state of fullness of a cell or blood vessel or capillary resulting from pressure of the contents against the wall or membrane
Turkmenistan - a republic in Asia east of the Caspian Sea and south of Kazakhstan and north of Iran; an Asian soviet from 1925 to 1991
Turmeric - ground dried rhizome of the turmeric plant used as seasoning; widely cultivated tropical plant of India having yellow flowers and a large aromatic deep yellow rhizome; source of a condiment and a yellow dye
Twelfth cranial nerve - supplies intrinsic muscles of the tongue and other tongue muscles
twelfth - coming next after the eleventh and just before the thirteenth in position; position 12 in a countable series of things; one part in twelve equal parts
Twenty - denoting a quantity consisting of 20 items or units; the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one; a United States bill worth 20 dollars
Twilight sleep - a state of general anesthesia in which the person retains a slight degree of consciousness; can be induced by injection of scopolamine or morphine
Twitching - a sudden muscle spasm; especially one caused by a nervous condition
Tylenol - an analgesic for mild pain; also used as an antipyretic; (Datril, Tylenol, Panadol, Phenaphen, Tempra, and Anacin III are trademarks of brands of acetaminophen tablets)
tympani - a large hemispherical brass or copper percussion instrument with a drumhead that can be tuned by adjusting the tension on it
Tympanic cavity - the main cavity of the ear; between the eardrum and the inner ear
tympanic membrane - the membrane in the ear that vibrates to sound
Tympanic - associated with the eardrum; resembling a drum
Tympanites - distension of the abdomen that is caused by the accumulation of gas in the intestines or the peritoneal cavity
Tympanoplasty - surgical correction or repair of defects or injuries in the eardrum or the bones of the middle ear
Typhoid fever - serious infection marked by intestinal inflammation and ulceration; caused by Salmonella typhosa ingested with food or water
Typhoid Mary - United States cook who was an immune carrier of typhoid fever and who infected dozens of people (1870 1938)
Typhoid - serious infection marked by intestinal inflammation and ulceration; caused by Salmonella typhosa ingested with food or water
Typhoon - a tropical cyclone occurring in the western Pacific or Indian oceans
Typhus fever - rickettsial disease transmitted by body lice and characterized by skin rash and high fever
Typhus - rickettsial disease transmitted by body lice and characterized by skin rash and high fever
Tyramine - amino acid derived from tyrosine; has a sympathomimetic action; found in chocolate and cola drinks and ripe cheese and beer
tyrosine kinase inhibitor - a drug used in cases of chronic myeloid leukemia
tyrosine - an amino acid found in most proteins; a precursor of several hormones
Tyrosinemia - autosomal recessive defect in tyrosine metabolism resulting in liver and kidney disturbances and mental retardation
ubiquinone - any of several quinones found in living cells and that function as coenzymes that transfer electrons from one molecule to another in cell respiration
Ubiquitous - being present everywhere at once
ulcer - a circumscribed inflammatory and often suppurating lesion on the skin or an internal mucous surface resulting in necrosis of tissue
Ulceration - the process of ulcer formation; the process of becoming ulcerated; a circumscribed inflammatory and often suppurating lesion on the skin or an internal mucous surface resulting in necrosis of tissue
Ulcerative colitis - a serious chronic inflammatory disease of the large intestine and rectum characterized by recurrent episodes of abdominal pain and fever and chills and profuse diarrhea
ulcerative - of or relating to or characterized by ulceration
Ulnar artery - large artery that branches from the brachial artery to supply the muscles of the forearm and wrist and hand
Ulnar nerve - a nerve running along the inner side of the arm and passing near the elbow; supplies intrinsic muscles of the hand and the skin of the medial side of the hand
Ulnar - relating to or near the ulna
Ultrasonic - having frequencies above those of audible sound
ultrasonography - using the reflections of high frequency sound waves to construct an image of a body organ (a sonogram); commonly used to observe fetal growth or study bodily organs
Ultraviolet radiation - radiation lying in the ultraviolet range; wave lengths shorter than light but longer than X rays
Umbilical cord - membranous duct connecting the fetus with the placenta
Umbilical hernia - protrusion of the intestine and omentum through a hernia in the abdominal wall near the navel; usually self correcting after birth
umbilical - relating to or resembling the umbilicus; membranous duct connecting the fetus with the placenta
Umbilicus - scar where the umbilical cord was attached
Uncertainty - being unsettled or in doubt or dependent on chance; the state of being unsure of something
Unconsciousness - a state lacking normal awareness of the self or environment
Under the weather - somewhat ill or prone to illness
undergarment - a garment worn under other garments
Undergraduate - a university student who has not yet received a first degree
underwater - growing or remaining under water; beneath the surface of the water
undifferentiated - not differentiated
Undulant fever - infectious bacterial disease of human beings transmitted by contact with infected animals or infected meat or milk products; characterized by fever and headache
undulant - resembling waves in form or outline or motion
UNESCO - an agency of the United Nations that promotes education and communication and the arts
Unhappy - experiencing or marked by or causing sadness or sorrow or discontent; causing discomfort; generalized feeling of distress; marked by or producing unhappiness
Unicellular - having or consisting of a single cell
Unicuspid - having a single cusp or point
Unilateral - involving only one part or side; tracing descent from either the paternal or the maternal line only
Uniparous - producing only one offspring at a time
United Kingdom - a monarchy in northwestern Europe occupying most of the British Isles; divided into England and Scotland and Wales and Northern Ireland
Universal donor - a person whose type O Rh negative blood may be safely transfused into persons with other blood types
unresolved - characterized by musical dissonance; harmonically unresolved; not brought to a conclusion; subject to further thought; not solved
Unsteadiness - the quality of being unsteady varying and unpredictable; the quality of not being steady or securely fixed in place
Unwell - somewhat ill or prone to illness
Upper respiratory infection - infection of the upper respiratory tract
uptake - a process of taking up or using up or consuming; the process of taking food into the body through the mouth (as by eating)
Uracil - a base containing nitrogen that is found in RNA (but not in DNA) and derived from pyrimidine; pairs with adenine
uracil - a base containing nitrogen that is found in RNA (but not in DNA) and derived from pyrimidine; pairs with adenine
Uranium - a heavy toxic silvery white radioactive metallic element; occurs in many isotopes; used for nuclear fuels and nuclear weapons
Urate - a salt of uric acid
urban - located in or characteristic of a city or city life; relating to or concerned with a city or densely populated area
Uremia - accumulation in the blood of nitrogenous waste products (urea) that are usually excreted in the urine
ureter - either of a pair of thick walled tubes that carry urine from the kidney to the urinary bladder
Ureteritis - inflammation of the ureter
Ureterocele - prolapse of the end of the ureter into the bladder; may obstruct urine flow
urethra - duct through which urine is discharged in most mammals and which serves as the male genital duct
Urethral sphincter - a striated sphincter muscle that constricts the urethra
Urethritis - inflammation of the urethra; results in painful urination
Urethrocele - prolapse of the urethra into the vagina
urgency - pressing importance requiring speedy action; an urgent situation calling for prompt action; the state of being urgent; an earnest and insistent necessity; insistent solicitation and entreaty
Uric acid - a white tasteless odorless crystalline product of protein metabolism; found in the blood and urine
Uricaciduria - presence of abnormal amounts of uric acid in the urine; symptom of gout
Urinalysis - (medicine) the chemical analysis of urine (for medical diagnosis)
Urinary bladder - a membranous sac for temporary retention of urine
Urinary calculus - a calculus formed in the kidney
urinary incontinence - inability to control the flow of urine and involuntary urination
Urinary retention - holding urine in the urinary bladder
Urinary system - the system that includes all organs involved in reproduction and in the formation and voidance of urine
Urinary tract infection - any infection of any of the organs of the urinary tract
urinary tract - the organs and tubes involved in the production and excretion of urine
urinary tract - the organs and tubes involved in the production and excretion of urine
urinary - of or relating to the function or production or secretion of urine; of or relating to the urinary system of the body
Urination - the discharge of urine
Urine - liquid excretory product
Urobilinogen - a chromogen formed in the intestine from the breakdown of bilirubin; yields urobilins on oxidation; some is excreted in the feces and some is resorbed and excreted in bile or urine
Urogenital - of or relating to the urinary and reproductive systems
urokinase - protease produced in the kidney that converts plasminogen to plasmin and so initiates fibrinolysis
urologist - a specialist in urology
Urology - the branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the urinary tract or urogenital system
urticaria - an itchy skin eruption characterized by weals with pale interiors and well defined red margins; usually the result of an allergic response to insect bites or food or drugs
Uterine contraction - a rhythmic tightening in labor of the upper uterine musculature that contracts the size of the uterus and pushes the fetus toward the birth canal
Uterine tube - either of a pair of tubes conducting the egg from the ovary to the uterus
uterine - of or involving the uterus
Uterus - a hollow muscular organ in the pelvic cavity of females; contains the developing fetus
uveal - of or relating to the uvea of the eye
uveitis - inflammation of the uvea of the eye
uvula - a small pendant fleshy lobe at the back of the soft palate
Uvulitis - inflammation of the uvula
uvulopalatopharyngoplasty - surgical resection of unnecessary palatal and oropharyngeal tissue to open the airway; intended to cure extreme cases of snoring (with or without sleep apnea)
Vaccination - the scar left following inoculation with a vaccine; taking a vaccine as a precaution against contracting a disease
Vaccine - immunogen consisting of a suspension of weakened or dead pathogenic cells injected in order to stimulate the production of antibodies
Vaccinia gangrenosa - a severe or even fatal form of vaccinia that occurs mainly in persons with an immunological deficiency; characterized by progressive enlargement of the initial lesion
Vacuolization - the state of having become filled with vacuoles
Vacuum aspiration - a method of induced abortion; prior to the 14th week of gestation the embryo and placenta are removed by applying suction to the dilated cervix
Vagina - the lower part of the female reproductive tract; a moist canal in female mammals extending from the labia minora to the uterus
Vaginal discharge - discharge of secretions from the cervical glands of the vagina; normally clear or white
vaginal - of or relating to the vagina
Vaginismus - muscular contraction that causes the vagina to close; usually an anxiety reaction before coitus or pelvic examination
Vaginitis - inflammation of the vagina (usually associated with candidiasis)
Vagus nerve - a mixed nerve that supplies the pharynx and larynx and lungs and heart and esophagus and stomach and most of the abdominal viscera
vagus - a mixed nerve that supplies the pharynx and larynx and lungs and heart and esophagus and stomach and most of the abdominal viscera
valerian - a plant of the genus Valeriana having lobed or dissected leaves and cymose white or ink flowers
Valeriana officinalis - tall rhizomatous plant having very fragrant flowers and rhizomes used medicinally
Valetudinarian - of or relating to or characteristic of a person who is a valetudinarian; weak or sickly person especially one morbidly concerned with his or her health
Valine - an essential amino acid found in proteins; important for growth in children and nitrogen balance in adults
Vallecula - (anatomy) any furrow or channel on a bodily structure or part
valley fever - an infection of the lungs and skin characterized by excessive sputum and nodules
valley - a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river
valproic acid - anticonvulsant (trade name Depokene) used to prevent some kinds of seizures
Valvulotomy - incision into a stenosed cardiac valve to relieve the obstruction
Vancomycin - an antibiotic (trade name Vancocin) effective against some bacterial infections
vanishing - quickly going away and passing out of sight; suddenly disappearing from sight; a sudden or mysterious disappearance
Vapours - a state of depression
Vardenafil - virility drug (trade name Levitra) used to treat erectile dysfunction in men
Variate - a variable quantity that is random
varicella zoster virus - the member of the herpes virus family that is responsible for chickenpox
Varicella - an acute contagious disease caused by herpes varicella zoster virus; causes a rash of vesicles on the face and body
varicella - an acute contagious disease caused by herpes varicella zoster virus; causes a rash of vesicles on the face and body
Varicocele - dilatation of the veins associated with the spermatic cord in the testes
varicose vein - a vein that is permanently dilated; most common in the legs
varicose - abnormally swollen or knotty
Varicosity - varix or varicose condition in which a vein is swollen and tortuous
Variegation - variability in coloration; the act of introducing variety (especially in investments or in the variety of goods and services offered)
Variola - a highly contagious viral disease characterized by fever and weakness and skin eruption with pustules that form scabs that slough off leaving scars
Variolation - the obsolete process of inoculating a susceptible person with material taken from a vesicle of a person who has smallpox
Varix - abnormally enlarged or twisted blood vessel or lymphatic vessel
Vas deferens - a duct that carries spermatozoa from the epididymis to the ejaculatory duct
vascular - of or relating to or having vessels that conduct and circulate fluids
Vasculitis - inflammation of a blood vessel
Vasectomy - surgical procedure that removes all or part of the vas deferens (usually as a means of sterilization); is sometimes reversible
Vasoconstriction - decrease in the diameter of blood vessels
Vasodilation - dilation of blood vessels (especially the arteries)
vasodilator - a drug that causes dilation of blood vessels
Vasomotor - relating to the nerves and muscles that cause the blood vessels to constrict or dilate
Vasovasostomy - a surgical procedure that attempts to restore the function of the vas deferens after a vasectomy
Vegetarianism - a diet excluding all meat and fish
velvet - resembling velvet in having a smooth soft surface; smooth and soft to sight or hearing or touch or taste; a silky densely piled fabric with a plain back
Vena cava - either of two large veins that return oxygen depleted blood to the right atrium of the heart
Venereal disease - a communicable infection transmitted by sexual intercourse or genital contact
Venereal wart - a small benign wart on or around the genitals and anus
Venereal - of or relating to the external sex organs
Venipuncture - (medicine) puncture of a vein through the skin in order to withdraw blood for analysis or to start an intravenous drip or to inject medication or a radiopaque dye
Venography - roentgenographic examination of veins
Venom - toxin secreted by animals; secreted by certain snakes and poisonous insects (e.g., spiders and scorpions); feeling a need to see others suffer
Venomous - marked by deep ill will; deliberately harmful; harsh or corrosive in tone; extremely poisonous or injurious; producing venom
Venous blood - blood found in the veins
Venous thrombosis - thrombosis of a vein without prior inflammation of the vein; associated with sluggish blood flow (as in prolonged bedrest or pregnancy or surgery) or with rapid coagulation of the blood
venous - of or contained in or performing the function of the veins
Ventilator - a device (such as a fan) that introduces fresh air or expels foul air; a device that facilitates breathing in cases of respiratory failure
Ventral - toward or on or near the belly (front of a primate or lower surface of a lower animal); nearest to or facing toward the axis of an organ or organism
ventricular fibrillation - fibrillation of heart muscles resulting in interference with rhythmic contractions of the ventricles and possibly leading to cardiac arrest
Ventricular - of or relating to a ventricle (of the heart or brain)
ventricular - of or relating to a ventricle (of the heart or brain)
Venule - a minute vein continuous with a capillary
Verapamil - a drug (trade names Calan and Isoptin) used as an oral or parenteral calcium blocker in cases of hypertension or congestive heart failure or angina or migraine
Vernix caseosa - a white cheeselike protective material that covers the skin of a fetus
Vernix - a white cheeselike protective material that covers the skin of a fetus
Verruca - (pathology) a firm abnormal elevated blemish on the skin; caused by a virus
vertebra - one of the bony segments of the spinal column
Vertebral arch - a structure arising dorsally from a vertebral centrum and enclosing the spinal cord
vertebral artery - the first branch of the subclavian artery; divided into four parts
Vertebral column - the series of vertebrae forming the axis of the skeleton and protecting the spinal cord
Vertebral - of or relating to or constituting vertebrae
Vertex - the point of intersection of lines or the point opposite the base of a figure; the highest point (of something)
vertigo - a reeling sensation; a feeling that you are about to fall
Vesical - of or relating to a bladder (especially the urinary bladder)
Vesicant - causing blisters; a chemical agent that causes blistering (especially mustard gas)
Vesicate - get blistered
Vesicatory - causing blisters; a chemical agent that causes blistering (especially mustard gas)
vesicle - a small anatomically normal sac or bladderlike structure (especially one containing fluid)
Vesicular - of or relating to or involving vesicles
Vesiculitis - inflammation of a seminal vesicle (usually in conjunction with prostatitis)
Vessel - a craft designed for water transportation; an object used as a container (especially for liquids); a tube in which a body fluid circulates
Vestibular apparatus - organs mediating the labyrinthine sense; concerned with equilibrium
vestibular system - organs mediating the labyrinthine sense; concerned with equilibrium
vestibular - relating to the sense of equilibrium
Vestibule of the ear - the central cavity of the bony labyrinth of the ear
Vestibule - any of various bodily cavities leading to another cavity (as of the ear or vagina); a large entrance or reception room or area
Vestibulocochlear nerve - a composite sensory nerve supplying the hair cells of the vestibular organ and the hair cells of the cochlea
Vestigial - not fully developed in mature animals
Veterinarian - a doctor who practices veterinary medicine
Veterinary medicine - the branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and injuries of animals (especially domestic animals)
Viability - (of living things) capable of normal growth and development; capable of being done in a practical and useful way
Viable - capable of life or normal growth and development; capable of being done with means at hand and circumstances as they are
Vibramycin - an antibiotic derived from tetracycline that is effective against many infections
Vibrio - curved rodlike motile bacterium
Video game - a game played against a computer
villus - a minute hairlike projection on mucous membrane
Vinblastine - periwinkle plant derivative used as an antineoplastic drug (trade name Velban) that disrupts cell division
vinca - periwinkles: low creeping evergreen perennials
Vincristine - periwinkle plant derivative used as an antineoplastic drug (trade name Oncovin); used to treat cancer of the lymphatic system
Violence - an act of aggression (as one against a person who resists); a turbulent state resulting in injuries and destruction etc.; the property of being wild or turbulent
Viral hemorrhagic fever - a group of illnesses caused by a viral infection (usually restricted to a specific geographic area); fever and gastrointestinal symptoms are followed by capillary hemorrhage
Viral hepatitis - hepatitis caused by a virus
Viral infection - infection by a virus that is pathogenic to humans
Viral pneumonia - pneumonia caused by a virus
viral - relating to or caused by a virus
viremia - the presence of a virus in the blood stream
Virginal membrane - a fold of tissue that partly covers the entrance to the vagina of a virgin
viricide - an agent (physical or chemical) that inactivates or destroys viruses
Virilization - the abnormal development of male sexual characteristics in a female (usually as the result of hormone therapies or adrenal malfunction)
Virilize - produce virilism in or cause to assume masculine characteristics, as through a hormonal imbalance or hormone therapy
Virion - (virology) a complete viral particle; nucleic acid and capsid (and a lipid envelope in some viruses)
Viroid - the smallest of viruses; a plant virus with its RNA arranged in a circular chromosome without a protein coat
virologist - a specialist in virology
virology - the branch of medical science that studies viruses and viral diseases
virtual - existing in essence or effect though not in actual fact; being actually such in almost every respect
Virulence - extreme hostility; extreme harmfulness (as the capacity of a microorganism to cause disease)
virulent - infectious; having the ability to cause disease; harsh or corrosive in tone; extremely poisonous or injurious; producing venom
viscera - internal organs collectively (especially those in the abdominal cavity)
Visceral leishmaniasis - leishmaniasis of the viscera
Visceral pericardium - the innermost of the two layers of the pericardium
visceral - relating to or affecting the viscera; obtained through intuition rather than from reasoning or observation
Viscus - a main organ that is situated inside the body
Visual acuity - sharpness of vision; the visual ability to resolve fine detail (usually measured by a Snellen chart)
Visual agnosia - inability to recognize or interpret objects in the visual field
visual cortex - the cortical area that receives information from the lateral geniculate body of the thalamus
Visual field - all of the points of the physical environment that can be perceived by a stable eye at a given moment
Visual impairment - impairment of the sense of sight
Visual perception - perception by means of the eyes
visual system - the sensory system for vision
visual - able to be seen; relating to or using sight
Vital capacity - the maximum amount of air that can be exhaled after a maximum inhalation (usually tested with a spirometer); used to determine the condition of lung tissue
Vital Statistics - data relating to births and deaths and health and diseases and marriages
Vital - manifesting or characteristic of life; performing an essential function in the living body; full of spirit; urgently needed; absolutely necessary
Vitalism - (philosophy) a doctrine that life is a vital principle distinct from physics and chemistry
Vitamin A - any of several fat soluble vitamins essential for normal vision; prevents night blindness or inflammation or dryness of the eyes
Vitamin B - originally thought to be a single vitamin but now separated into several B vitamins
Vitamin B - originally thought to be a single vitamin but now separated into several B vitamins
Vitamin C - a vitamin found in fresh fruits (especially citrus fruits) and vegetables; prevents scurvy
Vitamin D - a fat soluble vitamin that prevents rickets
Vitamin E - a fat soluble vitamin that is essential for normal reproduction; an important antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals in the body
Vitamin K - a fat soluble vitamin that helps in the clotting of blood
Vitamin P - a vitamin that maintains the resistance of cell and capillary walls to permeation
Vitamin - any of a group of organic substances essential in small quantities to normal metabolism
Vitiligo - an acquired skin disease characterized by patches of unpigmented skin (often surrounded by a heavily pigmented border)
Vitreous body - the clear colorless transparent jelly that fills the posterior chamber of the eyeball
vitreous humor - the clear colorless transparent jelly that fills the posterior chamber of the eyeball
Vivisection - the act of operating on living animals (especially in scientific research)
Vocal cord - either of two pairs of folds of mucous membrane projecting into the larynx
Voice box - a cartilaginous structure at the top of the trachea; contains elastic vocal cords that are the source of the vocal tone in speech
Volar - relating to the palm of the hand or the sole of the foot
Volvulus - abnormal twisting of the intestines (usually in the are of the ileum or sigmoid colon) resulting in intestinal obstruction
Vomer - thin trapezoidal bone of the skull forming the posterior and inferior parts of the nasal septum
Vomit - the reflex act of ejecting the contents of the stomach through the mouth; the matter ejected in vomiting; a medicine that induces nausea and vomiting; verb eject the contents of the stomach through the mouth
Vomiting - the reflex act of ejecting the contents of the stomach through the mouth
Vomitus - the matter ejected in vomiting
Voyeurism - a perversion in which a person receives sexual gratification from seeing the genitalia of others or witnessing others' sexual behavior
Vulva - external parts of the female genitalia
Vulvar - of or relating to the vulva
Vulvectomy - surgical removal of part or all of the vulva
Vulvitis - inflammation of the vulva
Waist - the narrowing of the body between the ribs and hips; the narrow part of the shoe connecting the heel and the wide part of the sole
Walleye - pike like freshwater perches; strabismus in which one or both eyes are directed outward
Walleyed - having divergent strabismus
Walter Reed - United States physician who proved that yellow fever is transmitted by mosquitoes (1851 1902)
Wamble - move unsteadily or with a weaving or rolling motion
Wandering - of a path e.g.; having no fixed course; (of groups of people) tending to travel and change settlements frequently; travelling about without any clear destination
Warfarin - an anticoagulant (trade name Coumadin) use to prevent and treat a thrombus or embolus
Wasting - a decrease in size of an organ caused by disease or disuse; any general reduction in vitality and strength of body and mind resulting from a debilitating chronic disease
Water blister - blister containing a nonpurulent clear watery content
water hammer - the banging sound of steam in pipes
Water pore - a pore that exudes water on the surface or margin of a leaf of higher plants
Watermelon - large oblong or roundish melon with a hard green rind and sweet watery red or occasionally yellowish pulp; an African melon
Weaver - finch like African and Asian colonial birds noted for their elaborately woven nests; a craftsman who weaves cloth
Webbed - (of the feet of some animals) having the digits connected by a thin fold of skin; having open interstices or resembling a web
Weighing - careful consideration
Weinberg - United States theoretical physicist (born in 1933)
Wellness - a healthy state of wellbeing free from disease
Wernicke's area - the auditory word center; located in the posterior part of the superior temporal convolution in most people
Wernicke - German neurologist best known for his studies of aphasia (1848 1905)
West Nile encephalitis - encephalitis caused by the West Nile virus; can be fatal in humans and horses and birds
West Nile virus - the flavivirus that causes West Nile encephalitis
Wheal - a raised mark on the skin (as produced by the blow of a whip); characteristic of many allergic reactions
Wheat - grains of common wheat; sometimes cooked whole or cracked as cereal; usually ground into flour; annual or biennial grass having erect flower spikes and light brown grains
Wheelchair - a movable chair mounted on large wheels; for invalids or those who cannot walk; frequently propelled by the occupant
Wheezing - relating to breathing with a whistling sound
Whiplash injury - an injury to the neck (the cervical vertebrae) resulting from rapid acceleration or deceleration (as in an automobile accident)
Whiplash - an injury to the neck (the cervical vertebrae) resulting from rapid acceleration or deceleration (as in an automobile accident); a quick blow delivered with a whip or whiplike object
white blood cell - blood cells that engulf and digest bacteria and fungi; an important part of the body's defense system
white matter - whitish nervous tissue of the CNS consisting of neurons and their myelin sheaths
Whitehead - a small whitish lump in the skin due to a clogged sebaceous gland; English philosopher and mathematician who collaborated with Bertrand Russell (1861 1947)
Whole blood - blood that has not been modified except for the addition of an anticoagulant
Whooping cough - a disease of the respiratory mucous membrane
Widal test - a test for detecting typhoid fever and other salmonella infections
Wilkins - English biochemist who helped discover the structure of DNA (born in 1916); Australian who was the first to explore the Arctic by airplane (1888 1958); United States civil rights leader (1901 1981)
Willebrand - Finnish physician who first described vascular hemophilia (1870 1949)
Willem Einthoven - Dutch physiologist who devised the first electrocardiograph (1860 1927)
William Cowper - English poet who wrote hymns and poetry about nature (1731 1800); English surgeon who discovered Cowper's gland (1666 1709)
William Harvey - English physician and scientist who described the circulation of the blood; he later proposed that all animals originate from an ovum produced by the female of the species (1578 1657)
Willis - English physician who was a pioneer in the study of the brain (1621 1675)
Wilms' tumor - malignant renal tumor of young children characterized by hypertension and blood in the urine and the presence of a palpable mass
Wilson's disease - a rare inherited disorder of copper metabolism; copper accumulates in the liver and then in the red blood cells and brain
Windburn - redness and irritation of the skin caused by exposure to high velocity wind
Windpipe - membranous tube with cartilaginous rings that conveys inhaled air from the larynx to the bronchi
Winged - very fast; as if with wings; having wings or as if having wings of a specified kind
winter - the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox; verb spend the winter
wiring - the work of installing the wires for an electrical system or device; a circuit of wires for the distribution of electricity
Wisdom Tooth - any of the last 4 teeth on each side of the upper and lower jaw; the last of the permanent teeth to erupt (between ages 16 and 21)
Witch doctor - someone who is believed to heal through magical powers
Wobble - an unsteady rocking motion; verb move unsteadily; tremble or shake; move sideways or in an unsteady way
Wolff - German anatomist (1733 1794)
Wolfram - a heavy grey white metallic element; the pure form is used mainly in electrical applications; it is found in several ores including wolframite and scheelite
Word blindness - inability to perceive written words
Word deafness - an impairment in understanding spoken language that is not attributable to hearing loss
Word salad - jumble of incoherent speech as sometimes heard in schizophrenia
Working memory - memory for intermediate results that must be held during thinking
Workload - work that a person is expected to do in a specified time
World Health Organization - a United Nations agency to coordinate international health activities and to help governments improve health services
Wormwood - any of several low composite herbs of the genera Artemisia or Seriphidium
wrapping - the covering (usually paper or cellophane) in which something is wrapped; an enveloping bandage
Wrist - a joint between the distal end of the radius and the proximal row of carpal bones
Writer's cramp - muscular spasms of thumb and forefinger while writing with a pen or pencil
X chromosome - the sex chromosome that is present in both sexes: singly in males and doubly in females
X linked - relating to genes or characteristics or conditions carried on the X chromosome
Xanax - an antianxiety agent (trade name Xanax) of the benzodiazepine class
Xanthelasma - xanthoma of the eyelids; occurs chiefly in the elderly
Xanthelasma - xanthoma of the eyelids; occurs chiefly in the elderly
Xanthine - crystalline oxidation product of the metabolism of nucleoproteins; precursor of uric acid; found in many organs and in urine
Xanthoma - a skin problem marked by the development (on the eyelids and neck and back) of irregular yellow nodules; sometimes attributable to disturbances of cholesterol metabolism
Xanthomatosis - widespread xanthomas (especially on elbows and knees); often associated with a disorder of lipid metabolism
Xanthopsia - visual defect in which objects appear to have a yellowish hue; sometimes occurs in cases of jaundice
Xanthosis - an abnormal yellow discoloration of the skin
xenograft - tissue from an animal of one species used as a temporary graft (as in cases of severe burns) on an individual of another species
Xenotransplantation - a surgical procedure in which tissue or whole organs are transfered from one species to another species
Xeric - being deficient in moisture
Xeroderma - a mild form of ichthyosis characterized by abnormal dryness and roughness of the skin
Xerophthalmia - abnormal dryness of the conjunctiva and cornea of the eyes; may be due to a systemic deficiency of vitamin A
Xeroradiography - radiography using X rays and xerographic (rather than roentgenographic) techniques
Xerostomia - abnormal dryness of the mouth resulting from decreased secretion of saliva
xiphoid process - smallest of the three parts of the breastbone; articulates with the corpus sternum and the seventh rib
Y chromosome - the sex chromosome that is carried by men
Yellow fever - caused by a flavivirus transmitted by a mosquito
Yellow jack - fish of western Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico; yellow flag hoist on a ship in quarantine; caused by a flavivirus transmitted by a mosquito
yellow jacket - small yellow marked social wasp commonly nesting in the ground; a barbiturate (trade name Nembutal) used as a sedative and hypnotic and antispasmodic
Yersinia pestis - a bacillus bacterium that causes the plague; aerosolized bacteria can be used as a bioweapon
Yogurt - a custard like food made from curdled milk
Yttrium - a silvery metallic element that is common in rare earth minerals; used in magnesium and aluminum alloys
Zebra - any of several fleet black and white striped African equines
Zidovudine - an antiviral drug (trade name Retrovir) used in the treatment of AIDS; adverse side effects include liver damage and suppression of the bone marrow
Zimbabwe - a landlocked republic in south central Africa formerly called Rhodesia; achieved independence from the United Kingdom in 1980
Zinc deficiency - a deficiency caused by inadequate zinc in the diet or by liver disease or cystic fibrosis or other diseases
Zinc ointment - an ointment containing zinc that is used to treat certain skin diseases
Zinc oxide - oxide of zinc; a white powder used as a pigment or in cosmetics or glass or inks and in zinc ointment
Zinc sulfate - a colorless water soluble powder; used as a mordant or to preserve wood or for the electrodeposition of zinc
Zinsser - United States bacteriologist who helped develop immunization against typhus fever (1878 1940)
ZIP code - a code of letters and digits added to a postal address to aid in the sorting of mail
Zoloft - a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor commonly prescribed as an antidepressant (trade name Zoloft)
Zona pellucida - thick membrane around the mammalian ovum; can be penetrated by one sperm in the fertilization process; usually remains around the fertilized egg until it is implanted in the wall of the uterus
Zoonosis - an animal disease that can be transmitted to humans
zoonotic disease - an animal disease that can be transmitted to humans
Zoonotic - of or relating to or constituting zoonosis
Zoophilia - a sexual attraction to animals
Zoophobia - a morbid fear of animals
Zovirax - an oral antiviral drug (trade name Zovirax) used to treat genital herpes; does not cure the disease but relieves the symptoms
Zygoma - the slender arch formed by the temporal process of the cheekbone that bridges to the zygomatic process of the temporal bone
Zygomatic arch - the slender arch formed by the temporal process of the cheekbone that bridges to the zygomatic process of the temporal bone
Zygomatic bone - the arch of bone beneath the eye that forms the prominence of the cheek
zygomatic - of or relating to the cheek region of the face; the arch of bone beneath the eye that forms the prominence of the cheek
Zygote - the cell resulting from the union of an ovum and a spermatozoon (including the organism that develops from that cell)

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