Medical Glossary
While searching for treatment possibilities or discussing with medical professionals you would most probably encounter medical terms which would be unclear to you. The following is a list of the most commonly used terms in the medical sector and their short explanation. For further information, please consult your doctor or a more comprehensive dictionary.
Acute-care:
Providing emergency services and general medical and surgical treatment for sudden severe disorders (as compared with long-term care for chronic illness).
Addiction:
Occurs when a person has no control over the use of a substance, such as drugs or alcohol. Also includes addictions to food, gambling, and sex.
Aesthetics:
A general term for medical treatments and surgical procedures undertaken to improve appearance. Such procedures include (but are not limited to) facelifts, tummy tucks, laser resurfacing of skin, Botox injection, cosmetic dentistry, and others.
Alzheimer’s disease:
A degenerative disorder of neurons in the brain that disrupts thought, perception, and behavior.
Anesthesia:
Loss of physical sensation produced by sedation. Anesthesia may be given as
(1) general, which affects the entire body and is accompanied by loss of consciousness;
(2) regional, which affects an entire area of the body; and (3) local, which affects a limited part of the body (usually superficial).
Angiography:
An x-ray procedure that uses dye injected into the coronary arteries to study circulation in the heart.
Angioplasty:
A procedure that uses a tiny balloon on the end of a catheter to widen blocked or constricted arteries in the heart.
Arthroscopy or arthroscopic surgery:
The use of a tubelike instrument utilizing fiber optics to examine, treat, or perform surgery on a joint.
Bariatric:
Pertaining to the control and treatment of obesity and allied diseases.
Birmingham hip resurfacing (BHR):
A surgically implanted metal-on-metal hip joint replacement system. It is called a resurfacing prosthesis because only the surface of the femoral head (ball) is removed to implant the femoral component.
Bone densitometry:
A method of measuring bone strength, used to diagnose osteoporosis.
Botox:
A nonsurgical, physician-administered injection treatment to temporarily reduce moderate to severe wrinkles on the face.
Cardiac:
Pertaining to the heart.
Cardiac catheterization:
The insertion of a catheter into the arteries of the heart to diagnose heart disease. See also angiography.
Cardiothoracic:
Pertaining to the heart and the chest.
Cardiovascular:
Pertaining to the heart and blood vessels that make up the circulatory system. See also vascular surgery.
Cataract:
Cloudiness of the lens in the eye, which affects vision. Cataracts, which often occur in older people, can be corrected with surgery to replace the damaged lens with an artificial plastic lens known as an intraocular lens.
Colonoscopy:
An examination of the interior of the colon, using a thin, lighted tube (a colonoscope) inserted into the rectum.
Computed tomography (CT):
Sometimes known as CAT scanning. A non-invasive diagnostic tool that uses x-rays to provide cross-sectional images of the body. Used to detect cancer, determine heart function, and provide images of body organs. May be used in conjunction with positron emission tomography (PET).
Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG):
Surgical procedure to create alternative paths for blood to flow around obstructions in the coronary arteries, most often using arteries or veins from other parts of the body.
Cosmetic surgery:
Plastic surgery undertaken to improve appearance. See also aesthetics and plastic surgery.
Craniofacial:
Pertaining to the head and face.
CyberKnife:
A tool for radiosurgery that delivers precise high-dose radiation. Can be used for tumors of the pancreas, liver, lungs, and brain.
Diabetes:
A chronic disease characterized by abnormally high levels of sugar in the blood.
Discectomy:
Removal of all or part of an intervertebral disc (a soft structure that acts as a shock absorber between two bones in the spine).
Electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG):
A diagnostic test that measures the heart’s electrical activity.
Endocrinology:
The branch of medicine that studies hormonal systems and treats disorders that arise when hormones are out balance.
Endoscope:
A slender, tubular optical instrument used as a viewing system for examining an inner part of the body and, with an attached instrument, for performing surgery or detecting tumors.
Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT):
A noninvasive treatment that involves delivery of shock waves to a painful area.
Gamma Knife:
A form of radiation therapy that focuses low-dose gamma radiation on a precise target, such as a tumor of the brain or breast.
Gastroenterology:
The branch of medicine that studies and treats disorders of the digestive system.
Genetics:
The study of inheritance.
Gynecology:
The branch of medicine that studies and treats females, especially pertaining to their reproductive system.
Hematology:
The study of the nature, function, and diseases of the blood and of blood-forming organs.
Hemopoietic or hematopoietic:
Pertaining to the formation of blood.
Hepatitis:
Inflammation of the liver caused by a virus or toxin. There are different forms of viral hepatitis. Vaccines are available for hepatitis A and B. There is no vaccine for hepatitis C.
Hepatobiliary:
Pertaining to the bile ducts.
Hepatology:
The branch of medicine that studies and treats disorders of the liver.
Holter monitor:
A wearable electronic device used to obtain a continuous recording of the heart’s electrical activity. See electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG).
Immunization:
Inoculation with a vaccine to render a person resistant to a disease.
Immunology:
The branch of medicine that studies and treats disorders of the body’s mechanisms for fighting disease, especially infectious diseases.
Implant:
In dentistry: a small metal pin placed inside the jawbone to mimic the root of a tooth. Dental implants can be used to help anchor a false tooth, a crown, or a bridge.
In fertility treatment: to place an embryo in the uterus.
Intensive Care Unit (ICU):
The hospital ward in which 24-hour specialized nursing and monitoring are provided for patients who are critically ill or have undergone major surgical procedures.
International Organization for Standardization (ISO):
An organization based in Geneva, Switzerland, that approves and accredits the facilities and administrations of hospitals and clinics but not their practices, procedures, or methods.
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI):
A type of fertility treatment in which a single sperm cell is inserted into an egg using special micromanipulation equipment.
Intrauterine insemination (IUI):
Introduction of prepared sperm (either the male partner’s or a doner’s) into the uterus to improve chances of pregnancy.
In vitro fertilization (IVF):
Known as the test-tube baby technique. Eggs are fertilized outside the body, and then embryos are introduced back into the woman’s uterus.
Joint Commission International (JCI):
The international affiliate accreditation agency of the Joint Commission. JCI inspects and accredits healthcare providers worldwide using US-based standards.
Laparoscope:
A thin, lighted tube used to examine and treat tissues and organs inside the abdomen.
LAP-BAND:
An adjustable silicone band inserted laparoscopically around the upper part of the stomach, thereby reducing the stomach’s food storage area and promoting weight loss.
LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis):
A laser procedure to reduce dependency on eyeglasses or contact lenses by permanently changing the shape of the cornea, the clear covering of the front of the eye.
Liposuction:
The surgical withdrawal of fat from under the skin, using a small incision and suctioning.
Lithotripsy:
A procedure that breaks up kidney stones or gallstones using sound waves. Also called extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL).
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI):
A noninvasive diagnostic tool that uses a large magnet, radio waves, and a computer to produce clear images of the interior of the body. Used to diagnose spine and joint problems, heart disease, and cancer.
Mammography:
X-ray imaging of the breast for detection of cancer.
Maxillofacial:
Pertaining to the jaws and face.
Microsurgical epididymal sperm aspiration (MESA):
Obtaining immature sperm cells from the epididymis (which joins the testicle to the vas deferens), in cases where obstruction in the genital tract leads to absence of sperm in the ejaculate. The recovered sperm can be used for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).
Minimal access surgery:
Also called minimally invasive surgery. Any of a variety of approaches used to reduce the trauma of surgery and to speed recovery. The approaches include “keyhole” surgery, endoscopy, arthroscopy, laparoscopy, or the use of small incisions.
Myocardial infarction (MI):
Heart attack.
Neonatology:
The branch of medicine specializing in the care and treatment of newborns.
Nephrology:
The branch of medicine that studies and treats disorders of the kidneys.
Neurology:
The branch of medicine that studies and treats disorders of the nervous system, including the brain.
Neuro-oncology:
The branch of medicine that studies and treats cancers of the nervous system.
Neuro-opthalmology:
The branch of medicine that studies and treats disorders of the nerves in the eye.
Neurosurgery:
Surgery on the brain or other parts of the nervous system.
Obstetrics:
The branch of medicine focusing on pregnancy and childbirth.
Oncology:
The branch of medicine that studies and treats cancer.
Ophthalmology:
The branch of medicine that studies and treats disorders of the eye.
Orthodontics:
The branch of dentistry focusing on the prevention and correction of irregular tooth positioning, as by means of braces.
Orthopedics:
The branch of medicine that studies and treats diseases and injuries of the bones and joints.
Osteoporosis:
Thinning of the bones and reduction in bone mass, which increases the risk of fractures and decreases mobility, especially in the elderly.
Otorhinolaryngology:
The branch of medicine that studies and treats ear, nose and throat disorders.
Pacemaker:
An electronic device surgically implanted into a patient’s chest to regulate the heartbeat.
Parkinson’s disease:
A brain disorder that produces movement difficulties, most commonly among the elderly.
Pathology:
The branch of medicine focusing on the laboratory-based study of disease in cells and tissues, as opposed to clinical examination of symptoms.
Pediatric:
Pertaining to children.
Periodontics:
The branch of dentistry focusing on the study and treatment of diseases of the bones, connective tissues, and gums surrounding and supporting the teeth.
Physiotherapy or physical therapy:
The treatment or management of physical disability, malfunction, or pain by exercise, massage, hydrotherapy, and other techniques without the use of drugs, surgery, or radiation.
Plastic surgery:
The branch of medicine focusing on corrective operations to the face, head, and body to restore function and (sometimes) to improve appearance (also called cosmetic surgery).
Polio (poliomyelitis):
A paralyzing disease caused by a virus and characterized by inflammation of the motor neurons of the brainstem and spinal cord.
Positron emission tomography (PET):
Also known as PET imaging or PET scanning. A diagnostic tool that captures images of the interior of the body by detecting positrons or tiny particles from radioactive material. Used to detect cancer and determine heart function; used most recently as an early clue to Alzheimer’s. May be used in conjunction with computed tomography (CT)
Prosthodontics:
The branch of dentistry focusing on replacing missing teeth and other oral structures with artificial devices.
Psychiatry:
The branch of medicine that studies and treats mental disorder.
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA):
The use of electrodes to generate heat and destroy abnormal tissue.
Radiology:
The branch of medicine focusing on capturing and interpreting images, such as x-rays, CT scans, and MRI scans.
Radiosurgery:
The use of ionizing radiation, either from an external source (such as x-ray machine) or an implant, to destroy cancerous or diseased tissue.
Radiotherapy:
Treatment of disease with radiation, especially by selective irradiation with x-rays or other ionizing radiation or by ingestion or implantation of radioisotopes.
Reconstructive surgery:
The branch of surgery focusing on the repair or replacement of malformed, injured, or lost organs or tissues of the body, chiefly by the transplant of living tissues.
Rehabilitation:
The process of restoring health and improving functioning.
Renal:
Pertaining to the kidneys.
Rheumatology:
The branch of medicine that studies and treats disorders characterized by pain and stiffness afflicting the extremities or back.
Stem cell:
An unspecialized or undifferentiated cell that can become specialized to perform the functions of diverse tissues in the body.
Stent:
A tube inserted into a blood vessel or duct to keep it open. Stents are sometimes inserted into narrowed coronary arteries to help keep them open after balloon angioplasty.
Tertiary-care:
Providing care of a highly specialized nature.
Testicular epididymal sperm aspiration (TESA):
A surgical procedure to obtain sperm from within the testicular tissue.
Transplant:
Organ transplant: the surgical insertion of an organ from a donor (living or deceased) into a patient to replace an organ that is diseased or malfunctioning; transplants are available for heart, liver, lungs, pancreas, kidney, cornea, and some other organs.
Stem cell transplant: a procedure in which stem cells are collected from the blood of the patient (autologous) or a matched donor (allogeneic) and then reinserted into the patient to rebuild the immune system.
Bone marrow transplant (BMT): a procedure that places healthy bone marrow from the patient (autograft) or a donor (allograft) into a patient whose bone marrow is damaged or malfunctioning.
Typhoid:
An infectious, potentially fatal intestinal disease caused by bacteria and usually transmitted in food or water.
Ultrasound:
The use of high-frequency sound waves in therapy or diagnostics, as in the deep-heat treatment of a joint or in the imaging of internal structures.
Urology:
The branch of medicine that studies and treats urinary tract infections (UTIs) and other disorders of the urinary system.
Vascular surgery:
The branch of medicine focusing on the diagnosis and surgical treatment of disorders of the blood vessels, excluding the heart, lungs, and brain.
Wellness:
An area of preventive medicine that promotes health and well-being through various means, such as diet, exercise, yoga, tai chi, social support, and more.
X-rays:
A form of electromagnetic radiation, similar to light but of shorter wavelength, which can penetrate solids; used for imaging solid structures inside the body.