Article Contents
Glossary
abdomen – The section of the body between the pelvis and the chest.
abscess – A collection of pus in a cavity within tissue. Often related to infections.
acute – Severe, but not lasting long.
adenitis – The swelling of a gland.
adenoma – A noncancerous tumor of gland tissue. They can grow malignant over time.
adrenal glands – Sits on top of the kidneys and regulates stress response. Creates adrenaline.
aorta – The largest artery. Carries blood out of the heart to the rest of the body.
ascorbic acid – Vitamin C.
autoimmune disease – A condition where a person’s antibodies begin to attack their own body.
bile – Aids in digestion, produced in the liver, secreted by the gallbladder.
calciferol – Vitamin D.
canker – An open sore in the mouth.
carcinogen – Substance that has been proven to cause cancer.
carotid – The main artery in the neck, supplies blood to the brain.
cerumen – Ear wax.
cirrhosis – Inflammation of the liver that results in scarring and shrinkage of the liver.
dilation – Expanding, dilating a person’s pupils would enlarge them.
ECG (EKG) – Electrocardiogram.
epilepsy – A central nervous system disorder causing seizures.
epistaxis – A nosebleed.
fever – Abnormally high body temperature.
fructose – Sugar found in fruit.
gastric – Having to do with the stomach.
gland – An organ that releases a chemical.
gout – Arthritis caused by uric acid in the joints.
hemophilia – A genetic disorder that causes blood to not clot properly.
hypochondriac – The belief that one is constantly sick. An abnormal obsession about health.
inoculation – Injecting a mild form of a disease to form an immunity to it.
larynx – The voice box.
lacrimation – The release of tears from the eyes.
lymph – A clear yellowish fluid. Carried from the skin to the blood.
mania – A mental disorder consisting of extreme energy.
meningitis – Inflammation of the meninges caused by an infection. An infection of the brain, very serious.
murmur – An extra sound caused by the heart.
necrosis – Death of tissue.
nevus – A mole or discolored spot on the skin.
oncology – The study of tumors and cancers.
osteoporosis – A bone disorder which results in a lowered bone density. Mostly found in older women.
palpate – To feel with fingers.
phobia – An unreasonable, abnormal fear.
platelet – The smallest component of blood, used in blood clotting.
prognosis – The likely outcome of a disease.
reflux – A flow in the opposite direction, such as in acid reflux.
relapse – The return of a disease after it’s disappearance.
salve – An ointment or cream.
sepsis – An infection that has spread into the bloodstream. A very serious condition.
sternum – The breast bone.
tendon – A fibrous tissue connecting muscle to bone.
thrush – An infection of yeast into the mouth.
triage – The process of prioritizing patient care based on severity of injury and chance of survival.
wart – A small abnormal growth of skin caused by a virus.
More Medical Resources:
- MCC Paramedic Glossary List
- Glossary of Medical/Anesthesia Terms (PDF)
- NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms
- Online Nursing Programs