A removal or excision, usually carried out surgically.
abnormal
Outside the expected norm, or uncharacteristic of a particular patient.
anemia
A reduction in the hemoglobin of red blood cells with consequent deficiency of oxygen in the blood, leading to weakness and pallor.
aneurysm
A localized, pathological, blood-filled dilatation of a blood vessel caused by a disease or weakening of the vessel’s wall.
ankle
The joint connecting the leg and the foot.
antiseptic
Something that discourages the growth microorganisms. By contrast, aseptic refers to the absence of microorganisms.
aorta
The great arterial trunk that carries blood from the heart to be distributed by branch arteries through the body.
appointment
An arrangement to meet a person or be at a place at a certain time.
arm
The appendage that extends from the shoulder to the hand.
arrhythmia
An abnormal heart rhythm.
atrium
A chamber of the heart that receives blood from the veins and forces it into a ventricle, and is also called an auricle.
back
The posterior part of the human body, extending from the neck to the pelvis.
beat
To throb rhythmically; pulsate.
bedpan
A shallow vessel used by a bedridden person for urination or defecation .
belt
A flexible band, as of leather or cloth, worn around the waist to support clothing, secure tools or weapons, or serve as decoration.
blanket
A large piece of woven material used as a covering for warmth, especially on a bed.
bleed
To emit or lose blood.
bleeding
The flow of blood from a ruptured blood vessel.
blind
Sightless; having less than 1⁄10 of normal vision in the more efficient eye when refractive defects are fully corrected by lenses .
blindness
A lack or impairment of vision in which maximal visual acuity after correction by refractive lenses is one-tenth normal vision or less in the better eye.
blood clot
A semisolid gelatinous mass of coagulated blood that consists of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets entrapped in a fibrin network.
blood pressure
The pressure exerted by the blood on the inner walls of the arteries, being relative to the elasticity and diameter of the vessels and the force of the heartbeat.
blood test
An analysis of a sample of blood, especially for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.
blood
The fluid that circulates in the heart, arteries, capillaries, and veins of a vertebrate animal carrying nourishment and oxygen to and bringing away waste products from all parts of the body.
bone
The dense, semirigid, porous, calcified connective tissue forming the major portion of the skeleton of most vertebrates.
bra
A woman’s undergarment for supporting the breasts.
bracelet
An ornamental band or chain encircling the wrist or arm.
brain
The portion of the vertebrate central nervous system that is enclosed within the cranium, continuous with the spinal cord, and composed of gray matter and white matter.
breast
Either of two milk-secreting, glandular organs on the chest of a woman; the human mammary gland.
breathe
To inhale and exhale air, especially when naturally and freely.
breathlessness
Breathing with difficulty; gasping.
cane
A stick used as an aid in walking or carried as an accessory.
cardiac arrest
A temporary or permanent cessation of the heartbeat .
cardiology
The study of the heart and its functions in health and disease.
catheter
A thin, flexible tube.
cerebrovascular accident (CVA) (stroke)
A sudden interruption of the blood supply to the brain caused by rupture of an artery in the brain (cerebral haemorrhage) or the blocking of a blood vessel, as by a clot of blood.
chest
The area of the body located between the neck and the abdomen, containing the lungs, the heart, and part of the aorta. The walls are supported by the dorsal vertebrae, the ribs, and the sternum. Also known as the thorax.
chew
To bite and grind with the teeth; masticate.
chills
A disagreeable sensation of cold accompanied by shivering .
cold
A viral infection characterized by inflammation of the mucous membranes lining the upper respiratory passages and usually accompanied by malaise, fever, chills, coughing, and sneezing.
coma
A state of unconsciousness from which a person cannot be aroused.
concussion
A jarring of the brain, caused by a blow or a fall, usually resulting in loss of consciousness.
conscious
Having an awareness of one’s environment and one’s own existence, sensations, and thoughts.
consciousness
The state of being conscious; awareness.
convulsion
A violent involuntary contraction of a muscle or muscles.
cough
To expel air from the lungs suddenly and noisily, often to keep the respiratory passages free of irritating material.
cramp
A sudden, involuntary, spasmodic muscular contraction causing severe pain, often occurring in the leg or shoulder as the result of strain or chill.
crutch
A staff or support used by the physically injured or disabled as an aid in walking, usually designed to fit under the armpit and often used in pairs.
data
Numerical or other information represented in a form suitable for processing by computer.
date of birth
The date on which a person was born.
deaf
Partially or completely lacking in the sense of hearing.
deafness
The lack or severe impairment of the ability to hear.
deep
Extending far inward from an outer surface.
diabetes
A polygenic disease characterized by abnormally high glucose levels in the blood; any of several metabolic disorders marked by excessive urination and persistent thirst.
diabetic (n)
A person who has diabetes ; of, relating to, or having diabetes.
diarrhea
Abnormally frequent and watery bowel movements .
dizziness
A sensation of whirling and a tendency to fall; giddy; vertiginous.
dizziness
A whirling sensation in the head with a tendency to fall .
dizzy
Having a whirling sensation in the head with a tendency to fall .
doctor
A person licensed to practise medicine.
duration
The length of time that something lasts or continues.
elbow
The joint between the upper arm and the forearm, formed by the junction of the radius and ulna with the humerus.
electricity
Any phenomenon associated with stationary or moving electrons, ions, or other charged particles.
electrocardiogram
A tracing of the electric currents that initiate the heartbeat, used to diagnose possible heart disorders.
electrocardiogram
A tracing of the electric currents that initiate the heartbeat, used to diagnose possible heart disorders.
electrode
A conductor, not necessarily metallic, through which a current enters or leaves a nonmetallic medium.
electrode
A solid electric conductor through which an electric current enters or leaves an electrolytic cell or other medium.
Electroencephalography
A graphic record produced by an electroencephalograph.
electromyography
A device for recording electric currents from an active muscle to produce an electromyogram.
electronystagmography
A study of the recorded changes in corneoretinal potential caused by movements of the eye, used to assess nystagmus.
Electrophysiology
The branch of physiology dealing with the electric phenomena associated with the body and its functions.
epilepsy
A disorder of the nervous system, characterized either by seizures.
exam
Physical inspection of a patient or parts of his body, in order to verify health or diagnose disease.
exhale
To breathe out.
faint
To fall into a usually brief state of unconsciousness.
fainting spell
An instance of a loss of consciousness caused by a temporary lack of oxygen to the brain.
family history
Part of a patient’s medical history in which questions are asked in an attempt to find out whether the patient has hereditary tendencies toward particular diseases.
feel
To perceive as a physical sensation.
fever
A rise of body temperature above the normal .
finger
One of the five digits of the hand, especially one other than the thumb.
follow-up exam
An examination that is scheduled to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment, assess healing after a surgical procedure, or monitor the progression of a disease.
forearm
The part of the arm from the elbow to the wrist.
forehead
The part of the face between the eyebrows, the normal hairline, and the temples.
gown
A robe or smock worn in operating rooms and other parts of hospitals as a guard against contamination.
groin
The area where the thigh meets the hip.
haemorrhage
Profuse bleeding from ruptured blood vessels.
hair
A growth of filaments, as that forming the coat of an animal or covering the scalp of a human.
head
The uppermost or forwardmost part of the body of a vertebrate, containing the brain and the eyes, ears, nose, mouth, and jaws.
headache
A pain in the head.
health
The overall condition of an organism at a given time.
healthy
Possessing good health.
hear
To perceive (sound) by the ear.
hearing
The sense by which sound is perceived; the capacity to hear.
heart attack
Sudden interruption or insufficiency of the supply of blood to the heart; also called myocardial infarction.
heart disease
An abnormal organic condition of the heart or of the heart and circulation .
heart
A hollow muscular organ of vertebrates that expands and contracts to move blood through the arteries, veins, and capillaries.
heartbeat
A single complete pulsation of the heart.
hip
The part of the body that curves outward below the waist on each side and is formed by the side part of the pelvis and the upper part of the thigh .
hold your breath
To keep the air that you inhaled in your lungs.
hospital
An institution that provides medical, surgical, or psychiatric care and treatment for the sick or the injured.
hurt
To have or produce a feeling of physical pain or discomfort.
hypertension
Arterial disease in which chronic high blood pressure is the primary symptom.
hyperventilate
To breathe in an abnormally deep, long, and rapid manner, sometimes resulting in cramp and dizziness.
ill
Not healthy; sick.
illness
Poor health resulting from disease of body or mind; sickness.
inflammation
The reaction of living tissue to injury or infection, characterized by heat, redness, swelling, and pain.
inhale
To draw (air or smoke, for example) into the lungs by breathing; inspire.
injure
To cause physical harm to; hurt.
injury
Damage or harm done to or suffered by a person or thing.
insomnia
Chronic inability to fall asleep or remain asleep for an adequate length of time.
itch
An irritating skin sensation causing a desire to scratch.
keep
To remain in a state or condition.
laboratory
A building, part of a building, or other place equipped to conduct scientific experiments, tests, and investigations.
left-handed
Using the left hand more skillfully or easily than the right.
leg
One of the lower or hind limbs in humans and primates.
length
The amount of time between specified moments; the duration.
lie down
To be or place oneself at rest in a flat, horizontal, or recumbent position; recline.
lift
To direct or carry from a lower to a higher position; raise.
limb
An arm or leg.
lose your balance
To fail to keep or maintain your ability to stand up.
lung
One of the usually paired organs forming the special breathing structure of vertebrates that breathe air .
medication
A substance used for medical treatment, especially a medicine or drug.
muscle
A tissue composed of fibers capable of contracting to move the body.
muscular disorder
A disturbance of the regular or normal functions of muscles.
muscular
Of, relating to, or consisting of muscle; having well-developed muscles.
myopathy
Any abnormality or disease of muscle tissue.
mytonia
Tonic muscle spasm or muscular rigidity.
nausea
The sensation that precedes vomiting.
nauseous
Affected with or causing nausea.
neck
The part of the body joining the head to the shoulders.
nerve
Any of the cordlike bundles of fibres that conduct sensory or motor impulses between the brain or spinal cord and another part of the body.
nervous system
The system of cells, tissues, and organs that regulates the body’s responses to internal and external stimuli.
neurological
Of or relating to the nervous system or neurology.
neurologist
A physician specializing in neurology.
neurology
The science of the nerves and the nervous system, especially of the diseases affecting them.
neuropathology
The branch of medicine concerned with diseases of the nervous system.
numb
A loss of the sensation of feeling in an area of the body, resulting from damage, the cold or from an anesthetic.
nurse
A person formally educated and trained in the care of the sick or infirm at a hospital.
nystagmus
A congenital or acquired persistent, rapid, involuntary, and oscillatory movement of the eyeball, usually from side to side.
pacemaker
A system that sends electrical impulses to the heart in order to set the heart rhythm.
pain
Physical suffering associated with disease, injury, or other bodily disorder.
painful
Affected with, causing, or characterized by pain.
painless
Free from complication or pain.
palpitation
Irregular, rapid beating or pulsation of the heart.
paralysis
Loss or impairment of the ability to move a body part, usually as a result of damage to its nerve supply.
pathophysiology
The disordered physiological processes associated with disease or injury.
patient
A person who is receiving medical care.
physician
A person legally qualified to practise medicine, esp one specializing in areas of treatment other than surgery; doctor of medicine.
pillow
A cloth case stuffed with something soft used to cushion the head during sleep.
pneumonia
A disease of the lungs marked by inflammation, congestion, fever, cough, and difficulty in breathing and caused especially by infection .
prescribe
To order the use of (a medicine or other treatment).
prescription
A written order by a physician for the preparation and administration of a medicine or other treatment.
pulse
The rhythmical throbbing of arteries produced by the regular contractions of the heart, especially as palpated at the wrist or in the neck.
raise
To move to a higher position; elevate.
relax
To make or become lax or loose.
remove
To take off; to take away.
rest
To be, become, or remain temporarily still, quiet, or inactive.
rheumatic fever
An acute inflammatory disease occurring during recovery from infection with a strain of streptococcus bacteria, having an onset marked by fever and joint pain and frequently resulting in scarring of the heart valves.
rib
One of a series of long curved bones occurring in 12 pairs in humans and extending from the spine to or toward the sternum.
right
Of, belonging to, located on, or being the side of the body to the south when the subject is facing east.
right-handed
Using the right hand more skillfully or easily than the left.
risk
The possibility of suffering harm or loss; danger; a factor, thing, element, or course involving uncertain danger; a hazard.
roll up your sleeve
Fold the sleeve of your shirt in on itself to expose the arm.
scalp
The skin covering the top of the human head.
scar
A mark left on the skin after injured tissue has healed.
see double
See things as if they were there twice.
seizure
A sudden attack, spasm, or convulsion, as in epilepsy or another disorder.
shave
To remove the beard or other body hair from, with a razor or shaver.
short of breath
A subjective experience of breathing discomfort that consists of qualitatively distinct sensations that vary in intensity; also called dyspnea.
shoulder
The joint connecting the arm with the torso.
side effect
A peripheral or secondary effect, especially an undesirable secondary effect of a drug or therapy.
sleep disorders
Problems with sleeping, including trouble falling or staying asleep, falling asleep at the wrong times, too much sleep or abnormal behaviors during sleep.
smoke
To draw in and exhale smoke from a cigarette, cigar, or pipe.
stand up
To rise to an upright position on the feet.
sternum
A flat narrow piece of bone or cartilage in the chest that connects the ribs in most vertebrates other than fishes — called also breastbone.
stretcher
A device for carrying a sick, injured, or dead person.
strobe light
A flash lamp that produces high-intensity short-duration light pulses by electric discharge in a gas.
stroke
Sudden weakening or loss of consciousness or the power to feel or move caused by the breaking or blocking (as by a clot) of a blood vessel in the brain — called also apoplexy.
suffer
To feel pain or distress; sustain loss, injury, harm, or punishment; to undergo or sustain something painful, injurious, or unpleasant.
swallow
To take through the mouth and esophagus into the stomach .
swell
To grow or cause to grow in size, esp as a result of internal pressure.
swelling
Becoming abnormally enlarged or puffed up .
symptom
A sign or an indication of disorder or disease, especially when experienced by an individual as a change from normal function, sensation, or appearance.
take a deep breath
To inhale air deeply and slowly and then release it.
technologist
A specialist in technology.
temple
The flat region on either side of the forehead.
therapy
The treatment of disease or disorders, as by some remedial, rehabilitative, or curative process.
thigh
The part of the leg that extends from the hip to the knee .
thyroid gland
A large endocrine gland at the base of the neck of most vertebrates that produces iodine-containing hormones (as thyroxine) that affect growth, development, and metabolism.
tingling
A prickling, stinging sensation.
treat
To give medical aid to counteract a disease or condition.
treatment
Administration or application of remedies to a patient or for a disease or injury; medicinal or surgical management; therapy.
vein
A blood vessel that carries blood that is low in oxygen content from the body back to the heart. The de-oxygenated form of hemoglobin in venous blood makes it appear dark.
ventricle
A chamber of the heart, having thick muscular walls, that receives blood from the atrium and pumps it to the arteries.
vision
The faculty of sight; eyesight.
vomit
To eject the contents of the stomach through the mouth as the result of involuntary muscular spasms of the stomach and oesophagus.
weak
Lacking physical strength, energy, or vigor; feeble.
