Comprehensive Medical Terminology Glossary

A condition with a rapid onset and a short, severe course.

An immune system reaction to a foreign substance (allergen) that’s not typically harmful to the body.

A condition where there is a deficiency of red cells or hemoglobin in the blood, leading to fatigue and weakness.

A state of controlled, temporary loss of sensation or awareness, induced for medical purposes

A type of medicine used to treat bacterial infections by killing or inhibiting the growth of bacteria.

A drug that helps prevent blood clotting.

Substances that can prevent or slow damage to cells caused by free radicals, often found in fruits and vegetables.

A medical test involving the extraction of sample cells or tissues for examination to determine the presence or extent of a disease.

The force of blood against the walls of the arteries. High blood pressure (hypertension) can lead to heart disease.

A measure of body fat based on height and weight that applies to adult men and women.

Abnormally slow heart action, usually defined as a heart rate of fewer than 60 beats per minute in adults

Inflammation of the lining of the bronchial tubes, which carry air to and from the lungs.

A procedure that allows doctors to examine the inside of the lungs, including the bronchi.

A unit of energy that measures the amount of energy food provides to the body.

A disease of the heart muscle that makes it harder for the heart to pump blood to the rest of the body.

A general term for conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels, including coronary artery disease and hypertension.

Also known as a stroke, it is the sudden death of brain cells due to lack of oxygen, caused by blockage or rupture of an artery to the brain.

A type of cancer treatment that uses drugs to kill cancer cells.

A type of fat found in your blood. High levels can increase the risk of heart disease.

The branch of medicine dealing with the skin, nails, hair, and their diseases.

A chronic disease that affects how your body turns food into energy, characterized by high blood sugar levels.

The process of determining which disease or condition explains a person's symptoms and signs.

Plant-based nutrients that are not digested by gastrointestinal enzymes but still aid digestion and prevent constipation.

A substance that promotes the production of urine, used to treat high blood pressure, heart failure, and certain kinds of kidney disease.

Difficulty or discomfort in swallowing.

Swelling caused by excess fluid trapped in the body's tissues

A test that measures the electrical activity of the heartbeat.

Minerals in your blood and other body fluids that carry an electric charge and are essential for muscle function and other processes.

A procedure where the inside of the body is examined using an endoscope, a flexible tube with a light and camera attached to it.

A widespread occurrence of an infectious disease in a community at a particular time.

The study of people's efficiency in their working environment, often applied to create tools and devices that fit the human body and its cognitive ab ...

Extreme tiredness resulting from mental or physical exertion or illness.

A type of carbohydrate that the body cannot digest, found in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, which helps regulate the body’s use of sugars.

Immediate care given to a person who has been injured or suddenly taken ill.

A break in the bone or cartilage.

A group of spore-producing organisms feeding on organic matter, including molds, yeast, mushrooms, and toadstools.

A diuretic drug used to treat fluid retention (edema) and swelling caused by various medical conditions.

The branch of medicine focused on the digestive system and its disorders.

The study of heredity and the variation of inherited characteristics.

A condition that causes damage to the eye's optic nerve and gets worse over time, often associated with a buildup of pressure inside the eye.

A simple sugar that is an important energy source in living organisms and a component of many carbohydrates.

The presence of glucose in the blood.

A form of arthritis characterized by severe pain, redness, and tenderness in joints, caused by excess uric acid in the bloodstream.

A medical emergency where the blood supply to the heart is suddenly blocked, usually by a blood clot.

The study of the physiology of the blood.

A condition in which the force of the blood against the artery walls is too high, commonly known as high blood pressure.

Abnormally low blood sugar levels. An excess of glucose in the bloodstream, often associated with diabetes mellitus.

The body’s defense against infectious organisms and other invaders, composed of a network of cells, tissues, and organs.

A drug that suppresses the immune response of an individual.

A localized physical condition in which part of the body becomes reddened, swollen, hot, and often painful, especially as a reaction to injury or inf ...

A viral infection that attacks the respiratory system, commonly known as the flu.

A hormone produced by the pancreas that regulates the amount of glucose in the blood.

An inadequate blood supply to an organ or part of the body, especially the heart muscles.

A medical condition with yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, arising from excess bilirubin.

A structure in the human or animal body at which two parts of the skeleton are fitted together.

The presence of increased intra-articular fluid.

Veins in the neck that return blood from the head to the heart

A serious diabetes complication where the body produces excess blood acids (ketones).

A metabolic state in which the body uses ketone bodies for energy instead of glucose, often achieved through a low-carb diet.

A procedure to remove waste products and excess fluid from the blood when the kidneys stop working properly.

Hard deposits made of minerals and salts that form inside your kidneys and can cause severe pain when passing through the urinary tract.

An excessive outward curvature of the spine, causing hunching of the back.

The inability to fully digest lactose, a sugar found in milk and dairy products, causing digestive problems.

A surgical procedure in which a fiber-optic instrument is inserted through the abdominal wall to view the organs in the abdomen or permit a surgical ...

A type of cancer found in your blood and bone marrow caused by the rapid production of abnormal white blood cells.

A group of naturally occurring molecules that include fats, waxes, sterols, fat-soluble vitamins, and others, which are important in storing energy a ...

A group of blood cancers that develop in the lymphatic system.

A medical imaging technique used to form pictures of the anatomy and the physiological processes of the body.

Term used to describe a severe and progressively worsening disease, especially cancer.

The chemical processes that occur within a living organism to maintain life, including breaking down food to produce energy.

A type of headache characterized by severe pain, often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound.

Muscle pain.

Another term for a heart attack.

The branch of medicine that deals with the physiology and diseases of the kidneys.

Intense, typically intermittent pain along the course of a nerve, especially in the head or face.

The branch of medicine or biology that deals with the anatomy, functions, and organic disorders of nerves and the nervous system.

A substance that provides nourishment essential for the growth and maintenance of life.

A condition that occurs when the body doesn't get enough of a nutrient, which can lead to various health problems.

A condition characterized by excessive body fat that increases the risk of health problems.

The study and treatment of tumors and cancer.

The branch of medicine and surgery which deals with the diagnosis and treatment of eye disorders.

A type of arthritis that occurs when flexible tissue at the ends of bones wears down.

A medical condition in which the bones become brittle and fragile from loss of tissue, typically as a result of hormonal changes or deficiency of cal ...

An imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in the body, which can lead to cell and tissue damage.

The study of the causes and effects of disease or injury.

The branch of medicine dealing with children and their diseases.

Live bacteria and yeasts that are good for your health, especially your digestive system.

A macronutrient that is essential to building muscle mass, found in food such as meat, dairy products, nuts, and beans.

The branch of medicine dealing with diseases involving the respiratory tract.

Paralysis of all four limbs

A strict isolation imposed to prevent the spread of disease.

A flavonoid found in many fruits, vegetables, leaves, and grains, known for its antioxidant properties.

A medication used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

The science dealing with X-rays and other high-energy radiation, especially for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases.

Radiotherapy uses controlled radiation to target and destroy cancer cells, treating tumors and related symptoms.

The process of helping a person achieve the highest level of function, independence, and quality of life possible after illness or injury.

Reproductive health encompasses the physical, mental, and social well-being related to the reproductive system and its functions throughout all stages ...

The system in the body responsible for taking in oxygen and expelling carbon dioxide.

A chronic inflammatory disorder affecting many joints, including those in the hands and feet.

The branch of medicine dealing with the diagnosis and treatment of rheumatic diseases.

A contagious viral infection preventable by vaccine and best known by its distinctive red rash.

Sclerosis refers to the abnormal hardening or stiffening of tissues or organs, typically resulting from the excessive formation of fibrous connective ...

A lateral (sideways) curvature of the spine.

A type of lifestyle with little or no physical activity, which can increase the risk of health problems.

A life-threatening condition caused by the body's response to an infection.

A potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts.

A medical emergency that occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is interrupted or reduced, preventing brain tissue from getting oxygen and ...

Temporary loss of consciousness caused by a fall in blood pressure.

An abnormally rapid heart rate.

Inflammation or irritation of a tendon, often causing pain and tenderness around a joint.

Treatment intended to relieve or heal a disorder, which can include physical, psychological, or medical interventions.

The formation of a blood clot inside a blood vessel, obstructing the flow of blood.

A gland in the neck that produces hormones regulating growth and development through the rate of metabolism.

The perception of noise or ringing in the ears when no external sound is present.

A type of fat (lipid) found in your blood that the body uses for energy.

A potentially serious infectious bacterial disease that mainly affects the lungs.

A sore that develops on the lining of the esophagus, stomach, or small intestine.

An infection in any part of the urinary system, the kidneys, bladder, or urethra, often caused by bacteria.

The branch of medicine and physiology concerned with the function and disorders of the urinary system.

Also known as hives, a kind of skin rash with red, raised, itchy bumps.

A biological preparation that provides active acquired immunity to a particular infectious disease.

Gnarled, enlarged veins, most commonly appearing in the legs and feet.

A sensation of spinning or dizziness.

An infection caused by a virus, such as the flu or the common cold.

Any of a group of organic compounds that are essential for normal growth and nutrition and are required in small quantities in the diet because they ...

The process of adopting long-term lifestyle modification to maintain a healthy body weight based on a person's age, sex, and height.

The state of being in good health, especially as an actively pursued goal.

A high-pitched whistling sound made while breathing.

A neck injury due to forceful, rapid back-and-forth movement of the neck, like the cracking of a whip.

A type of blood cell that is made in the bone marrow and found in the blood and lymph tissue, playing a role in the body's immune response.

An injury to living tissue caused by a cut, blow, or other impact, typically one in which the skin is cut or broken.

A form of electromagnetic radiation that can pass through most objects, including the body, used in medicine to create images of the inside of the bo ...

A condition in which fatty growths develop underneath the skin, often a sign of lipid metabolism disorders.

A transplant of tissue from one species to another.

A condition characterized by extremely dry skin.

Also known as dry mouth, a condition in which the salivary glands in your mouth don't make enough saliva to keep your mouth wet.

An infection caused by a type of fungus called yeast, commonly affecting the mouth and genitals.

A viral infection spread by a particular species of mosquito, most common in areas of Africa and South America.

A genus of bacteria, some of which can cause diseases in humans, including plague.

A group of physical, mental, and spiritual practices or disciplines which originated in ancient India, often practiced for health and relaxation.

A mineral essential for human health, involved in numerous aspects of cellular metabolism and required for the catalytic activity of approximately 10 ...

A disease that can be transmitted to humans from animals.

Another term for shingles, a reactivation of the chickenpox virus in the body, causing a painful rash.

A fertilized ovum (egg).