Medical terminology

Adenitis

Inflammation of a gland.

Adenoma

A benign tumor formed from glandular structures within epithelial tissues.

Adenopathy

Enlargement or swelling of the lymph nodes.

Anemia

A condition where the body doesn’t have enough red blood cells.

Arthralgia

Joint pain.

Arthritis

A disease causing painful inflammation and stiffness of the joints.

Autopsy

An after-death examination used to determine the cause of death.

Biopsy

An examination of tissue removed from the body.

Carcinogenic

Having the potential to cause cancer.

Carcinoma

A type of cancer occurring in the epithelial tissue of skin or internal organs.

Cardiac

Related to diseases and conditions of the heart.

Cardiology

A branch of medicine specializing in heart diseases.

Cephalic

Related to the head.

Cerebral

Occurring within the brain.

Cystitis

Inflammation of the bladder.

Cystoscopy

A procedure to look at the bladder lining.

Cytology

The study of cells.

Dermatitis

A condition of the skin where it becomes swollen, red, and sore.

Dermatology

The study of skin disorders.

Diagnosis

Identification of a disease based on symptoms.

Electrocardiogram

A record of a person’s heartbeat.

Electroencephalogram

A record of brain activity.

Endocrine glands

Glands secrete hormones into the body.

Endoscopy

A procedure using an endoscope to view internal organs.

Enteritis

Inflammation of the intestine.

Epidermis

The surface epithelium of the skin.

Epigastric

Describing the area above the stomach.

Erythrocyte

A red blood cell without a nucleus.

Excision

To surgically remove.

Exocrine glands

Glands that secrete oils, sweat, and other substances.

Gastrectomy

Surgical removal of part or all of the stomach.

Gastric

Pertaining to the stomach.

Gastroenterology

A branch of medicine dealing with stomach disorders.

Gastrotomy

A surgical opening into the stomach.

Gynecologist

A specialist in female reproductive health.

Gynecology

The study of female reproductive systems.

Hematology

The study of blood physiology.

Hematoma

Swelling of clotted blood within the body.

Hemoglobin

A red protein that transports oxygen through the blood.

Hepatitis

Inflammation of the liver.

Hepatoma

Cancer of liver cells.

Hyperglycemia

Excess sugar (glucose) in the bloodstream.

Hyperthyroidism

Overactivity of the thyroid gland.

Hypodermic

Refer to the region immediately under the skin.

Hypogastric

The part of the abdomen below the stomach.

Hypoglycemia

Low blood sugar/glucose levels.

Iatrogenic

An illness caused by medical examination or treatment.

Incision

A surgical cut made on the skin.

Leukemia

Cancer forming in the blood cells.

Leukocyte

A white blood cell.

Leukocytosis

An increase in white blood cells.

Nephrectomy

Surgical removal of one or both kidneys.

Nephritis

Inflammation of the kidneys.

Nephrology

The study of kidney diseases.

Nephrosis

A kidney disease.

Neural

Related to a nerve or the nervous system.

Neuralgia

Intense pain from a nerve.

Neurology

The study of nervous disorders.

Oncologist

A specialist who diagnoses and treats tumors.

Oncology

The study of tumors.

Ophthalmologist

A person who specializes in eye diseases.

Ophthalmoscope

An instrument for examining the retina and other eye parts.

Osteitis

Inflammation of a substance within bone.

Osteoarthritis

Degeneration of bone and cartilage.

Osteotomy

A surgical cut to remove a piece of bone for study.

Pathogenic

Something that causes disease.

Pathologist

A specialist who studies diseases.

Pathology

The study of diseases on body tissue.

Pediatric

Referring to the medical care of children.

Pericardium

Membrane around the heart.

Prognosis

The likelihood of a disease or ailment.

Prostate gland

A gland that helps secrete hormones for the male reproductive system.

Psychiatrist

A specialist in mental illnesses.

Psychology

The study of the human mind.

Radiology

The study of x-rays and other radiations.

Renal

Connected to the kidneys.

Resection

The process of cutting out tissue or parts of an organ.

Retrocardiac

Located behind the heart.

Rhinitis

Inflammation of the mucous membrane within the nose.

Sarcoma

A tumor that occurs in tissue or bone.

Subhepatic

Under the liver.

Thrombocyte

A platelet.

Transhepatic

Procedure that goes through an injection into bile ducts.

Urology

The study of the urinary system.

Abdomen

Part of the body known to contain the stomach and intestines.

Adipose tissue

Used to store fat within the belly.

Anabolism

Synthesis of complex molecules from simpler ones.

Anterior

Towards the front.

Cartilage

Flexible connective tissue found in the larynx.

Catabolism

Breaks down larger molecules into smaller molecules.

Caudal

Inferior or away from the head.

Cell membrane

Membrane surrounding the cytoplasm of a cell.

Cephalic

Of, in or relating to the head.

Cervical

Refers to the neck.

Chondroma

Benign tumors made of cartilage.

Chondrosarcoma

A bone cancer that develops within cartilage.

Chromosome

A threadlike structure of nucleic acids and protein.

Coccygeal

Refers to the coccyx.

Cranial cavity

Space in the skull that holds the brain.

Craniotomy

Surgical procedure where the doctor opens the skull.