Medical terms are specialized vocabulary used by healthcare professionals to describe the human body, its functions, diseases, treatments, and procedures. These terms often derive from Latin or Greek roots, enabling precise and universal communication within the medical field. Here is a list of common medical terms along with their explanations:
A – C
Abscess: A collection of pus that has built up within the tissue of the body due to an infection.
Acute: A condition with a rapid onset and/or a short course.
Anemia: A condition in which the blood doesn’t have enough healthy red blood cells.
Antibiotic: A type of medication used to treat bacterial infections.
Antibody: A protein produced by the immune system to neutralize or destroy toxins or disease-causing organisms.
Arrhythmia: An abnormal heart rhythm.
Arthritis: Inflammation of the joints, causing pain and stiffness.
Atherosclerosis: The buildup of fats, cholesterol, and other substances in and on the artery walls.
Biopsy: A medical test involving the removal of cells or tissues for examination.
Bradycardia: Slower than normal heart rate.
Bronchitis: Inflammation of the lining of bronchial tubes, which carry air to and from the lungs.
Carcinoma: A type of cancer that starts in the cells that make up the skin or the tissue lining organs.
Cardiomyopathy: A disease of the heart muscle that makes it harder for the heart to pump blood to the rest of the body.
Chronic: A condition that persists over a long period.
Cirrhosis: Scarring of the liver caused by long-term liver damage.
D – F
Diabetes: A group of diseases that result in too much sugar in the blood (high blood glucose).
Dialysis: A procedure to remove waste products and excess fluid from the blood when the kidneys stop working properly.
Dyspnea: Difficult or labored breathing.
Edema: Swelling caused by excess fluid trapped in the body’s tissues.
Embolism: A blockage in one of the arteries, typically caused by a blood clot.
Endoscopy: A procedure in which an instrument is introduced into the body to give a view of its internal parts.
Epidemiology: The study of how diseases affect the health and illness of populations.
Fibrosis: The thickening and scarring of connective tissue, usually as a result of injury.
Fracture: A break in the bone.
G – I
Gastritis: Inflammation of the stomach lining.
Glaucoma: A group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, often caused by abnormally high pressure in the eye.
Hematology: The study of blood, blood-forming organs, and blood diseases.
Hepatitis: Inflammation of the liver.
Hypertension: High blood pressure.
Hyperthyroidism: The overproduction of a hormone by the thyroid gland.
Hypotension: Low blood pressure.
Immunodeficiency: A state in which the immune system’s ability to fight infectious disease and cancer is compromised or entirely absent.
Inflammation: The body’s response to injury or infection, causing redness, swelling, heat, and pain.
J – L
Jaundice: Yellowing of the skin and eyes due to a high level of bilirubin in the blood.
Leukemia: A type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow.
Lymphoma: A group of blood cancers that develop from lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell).
M – O
Malignant: A term used to describe cancerous tumors that are invasive and can spread to other parts of the body.
Melanoma: A type of skin cancer that develops from the pigment-producing cells known as melanocytes.
Metastasis: The spread of cancer cells from the place where they first formed to another part of the body.
Myocardial Infarction: Another term for a heart attack.
Neurology: The branch of medicine dealing with disorders of the nervous system.
Oncology: The study and treatment of tumors (cancer).
Osteoporosis: A condition in which bones become weak and brittle.
P – R
Pathology: The study of diseases, including their causes, development, and effects on the body.
Pneumonia: Infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs, which may fill with fluid.
Prognosis: The likely course of a disease or ailment.
Psychiatry: The study and treatment of mental illness, emotional disturbance, and abnormal behavior.
Radiology: The science dealing with X-rays and other high-energy radiation, used especially for diagnostic imaging.
Rheumatology: The branch of medicine dealing with the diagnosis and treatment of rheumatic diseases (diseases affecting joints, muscles, and bones).
S – U
Sepsis: A life-threatening condition caused by the body’s response to an infection.
Stenosis: The abnormal narrowing of a passage in the body.
Thrombosis: The formation of a blood clot inside a blood vessel.
Transplantation: The act of transferring cells, tissues, or organs from one site to another, either within the same person or between a donor and a recipient.
Ulcer: A sore that develops on the lining of the esophagus, stomach, or small intestine.
Urology: The branch of medicine and physiology concerned with the function and disorders of the urinary system.
V – Z
Vaccine: A substance used to stimulate the production of antibodies and provide immunity against one or several diseases.
X-ray: A form of electromagnetic radiation used to create images of the inside of the body.
Zoonosis: A disease that can be transmitted from animals to humans.
This list includes a wide range of medical terms that cover different aspects of human health and disease. Understanding these terms is crucial for medical professionals and can also be helpful for patients seeking to better understand their health conditions.