Medical vocabulary

abnormal
adj- Not normal for the human body
This amount of weight loss is abnormal for women your age.

ache
noun/verb- Pain that won't go away
I can't sleep because my knees ache in the night.

acute
adj- Quick to become severe/bad
We knew the baby was coming right away because the woman's labour pains were acute.

allergy
noun
allergic
adj- A body's abnormal reaction to certain foods or environmental substances (eg causes a rash)
Your son is extremely allergic to peanuts.



ambulance
noun- Emergency vehicle that rushes people to a hospital
We called the ambulance when Josh stopped breathing.

amnesia
noun- A condition that causes people to lose their memory
I can't remember the accident because I had amnesia.

amputation
noun
amputate
verb- Permanent removal of a limb
We had to amputate his leg because the infection spread so quickly.

anaemia
noun
anaemic
adj- Occurs when the body doesn't have enough red blood cells
I have low energy because I am anaemic.

antibiotics
noun- Medication that kills bacteria and cures infections
My throat infection went away after I started the antibiotics.

anti-depressant
noun- Medication that helps relieve anxiety and sadness
The anti-depressants helped me get on with life after Lucy died.

appointment
noun- A scheduled meeting with a medical professional
I've made you an appointment with a specialist in three week's time.

arthritis
noun- A disease that causes the joints to become swollen and crippled
My grandmother can't knit anymore because the arthritis in her hands is so bad.

asthma (attack)
noun- A condition that causes a blockage of the airway and makes it difficult for a person to breathe
I carry an inhaler when I run because I have asthma.

bacteria
noun- A disease-causing organism
To prevent the spread of bacteria it is important that nurses wash their hands often.

bedsore
noun- Wounds that develop on a patient's body from lying in one place for too long
If you don't get up and take a walk, you will develop painful bedsores.

benign
adj- Not harmful (not cancerous)
We're hoping that the tests will show that the lump in your breast is benign.

biopsy
noun- Removal of human tissue in order to conduct certain medical tests
The biopsy ruled out a number of illnesses.

blood count
noun- The amount of red and white blood cells a person has
You will be happy to know that your blood count is almost back to normal.

blood donor
noun- A person who gives blood to a blood bank or other person
Blood donors have to answer questions about their medical history.

blood pressure
noun- The rate at which blood flows through the body (high/low)
High blood pressure puts you at risk of having a heart attack.

brace
noun- A device that holds injured body parts in place
You will probably always have to wear a brace on your ankle when you jog.

breech
adj- Position of an unborn baby in which the feet are down and the head is up
We thought it was going to be a breech birth, but the baby turned himself around.

broken
adj- A bone that is divided in two or more pieces as a result of an injury We thought it was just a sprain, but it turned out his leg was broken.

bruise
noun
bruised
adj- Injured body tissue that is visible underneath the skin
The woman was badly bruised when she came into the emergency room.

Caesarean section, C-section
noun- Procedure that involves removing a baby from its mother through an incision in the woman's lower abdomen
The baby was so large that we had to perform a Caesarean section.

cancer
noun- Disease caused by the uncontrollable growth of cells
There are many different options when it comes to treating cancer.

cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
noun- Restoring a person's breath and circulation
You saved your brother's life by performing CPR.

cast
noun- A hard bandage that is wrapped around a broken bone to keep it in place
My leg was in a cast for graduation.

chapel, chapeline
noun- A place where loved ones can go to pray for a patient's recovery;
a priest who visits patients in the hospital
If you want a place to pray, the chapel is on the third floor.

chemotherapy
noun- Type of treatment used on cancer patients
My mother has already had three rounds of chemotherapy.

chickenpox
noun- A virus commonly contracted by children, characterized by itchy spots all over the body
It is best to get chickenpox as a child so that you don't get it worse as an adult.

coroner
noun- A person who determines the cause of death after a person dies We only call the coroner if we think a death is suspicious.

critical condition
noun- Requiring immediate and constant medical attention
You can't see her right now; she's in critical condition.

crutches
noun- Objects that people with injured legs or feet use to help them walk I'd rather hop on one foot than use crutches.

cyst
noun- A sac in the body-tissue filled with fluid (sometimes diseased) We're going to remove the cysts just to be on the safe side.

deaf
adj- Unable to hear
The accident left the patient both deaf and blind.

deficiency
noun- A lack of something necessary for one's health
The tests show that you have an iron deficiency.

dehydrated
adj- In need of water
It is easy for the elderly to become dehydrated in this heat.

dementia
noun- Loss of mental capacity
It is hard to watch a loved one suffering with dementia.

diabetes
noun- Type of disease typically involving insulin deficiency
People with diabetes have to constantly check their blood sugar levels.

diagnosis
noun- Medical explanation of an illness or condition
The doctor would prefer to share the diagnosis with the patient himself.

discomfort
noun- Experiencing pain
This pain medication should relieve some of your discomfort.

disease
noun- A medical disorder that is harmful to a person's health
I understand that this disease runs in your family.

dislocated
adj- When a bone is temporarily separated from its joint
You will have to wear a sling because of your dislocated shoulder.

emergency
noun- A medical problem that needs immediate attention
It is important that children know which number to dial in case of an emergency.



ER (emergency room)
noun- The hospital room used for treating patients with immediate and life-threatening injuries
The child was rushed into the ER after he had a severe allergic reaction to a bee sting.

external
adj- On the outside
This cream is for external use only. Do not get it near your ears, eyes, or mouth.

false negative
noun/adj- A test that incorrectly comes back negative
We had two false negative pregnancy tests, so we didn't know we were having a baby.

family history
noun- Medical background of a person's family members
The doctor was concerned about my family history of skin cancer.

fatal
adj- Causing death
The doctor made a fatal error when he wrote the wrong prescription.

fever
noun
feverish
adj- Higher than normal body temperature
He is very feverish, and his temperature is near danger point.

flu (influenza)
noun- Many types of respiratory or intestinal infections passed on through a virus
People who have the flu should not visit hospital patients.

fracture
noun
fractured
adj- Broken or cracked bone
Your wrist is fractured and needs a cast.
to make sure it wasn't broken.

germ
noun- A micro-organism, especially one that causes disease
Flowers are not allowed in the ward to avoid the risk of germs being brought in.

genetic
adj- A medical condition or physical feature that is passed on in the family The disease is part genetic and part environmental.

growth
noun- A ball of tissue that grows bigger than normal, either on or under the skin
That growth on your shoulder is starting to worry me.

heart attack
noun- Instance in which blood stops pumping through the heart
People who smoke are at greater risk of having a heart attack.

HIV
noun- The virus that infects the human T-cells and leads to AIDS
HIV can be passed down from the mother to her fetus.

hives
noun- Bumps that appear on the surface of the skin during an allergic reaction
I broke out in hives after I ate that potato casserole.

illness
noun
ill
adj- General term for any condition that makes a person feel sick for a certain period of time
Her illness went away when she started eating better.

immune system
noun- The parts of the body that fight diseases, infections, and viruses You can't have visitors because your immune system is low.

immunization
noun
immunize
verb- An injection that protects against a specific disease
Babies are immunized three times in their first year.

incision
noun- Cut in the body made during surgery
I had to have stitches to close the incision.

inconclusive
adj- Unclear
We have to do more x-rays because the first ones were inconclusive.

infant
noun- Young baby
The nurse will demonstrate how to bathe an infant.

infection
noun
infected
adj- Diseased area of the body (viral or bacterial)
The wound should be covered when you swim to prevent it from becoming infected.

inflamed
adj- Appearance (red and swollen) of an injured body part
My right ankle was so inflamed it was twice the size of my left one.

injury
noun- Damage to the body
Her injuries were minor; just a few cuts and bruises.

intensive care unit (ICU)
noun- Section of the hospital where patients get constant attention and doctors rely on specialized equipment
She will remain in the ICU until she can breathe on her own.

internal
adj- Under the skin, inside the organs
The doctors will be monitoring her for any internal bleeding.

itchy
adj- Feeling discomfort on the skin's surface
If you are allergic to this medication your skin will get red and itchy.

IV
noun- A tube that pumps liquids and medication into a patient's body
The toddler was so dehydrated that the doctor decided to get him on an IV.

lab results
noun- Tests that come back from a laboratory and help doctors make a diagnosis
The lab results have come in and you are free to go home.

lab (laboratory)
noun- Place where samples of blood/urine etc. are taken for testing
I'll take these samples down to the lab on my way out.

life support
noun- A machine that keeps patients alive by helping them breathe
The woman has severe brain damage and is currently on life support.

life-threatening
adj- When injuries and conditions are extremely serious
The victim was shot in two places but the bullet wounds are not life-threatening.

light-headed
adj- Feeling of dizziness and being off-balance, caused by lack of oxygen in the brain
If you are feeling light-headed again, lie down and call me.

malignant
adj- Expected to grow and get much worse (especially related to cancerous cells)
I'm afraid at least one of the tumours is malignant.

medical school (med. school)
noun- Place where someone trains to be a doctor
After eight years of medical school I can finally practice medicine.



newborn
noun- An infant that is less than three months old
You have to support her neck because she is still a newborn.

numb
adj- No feeling in a certain body part
The needle will make your lower body feel numb.

OR (operating room)
noun- The place where major surgeries and operations take place
You must wear a face mask and gloves while you are in the OR.

operation
noun
operate on
verb- A medical procedure that involves going inside a person's body in an attempt to fix a problem
The operation lasted seven hours, but it was successful.

pain
noun- Strong discomfort in certain areas of the body
We gave your husband some medicine to relieve some of the pain.

pain killer, pain reliever
noun- Type of medicine that takes away some or all of the discomfort of an illness or injury
You can take two pain killers every four hours.

paralyzed
adj- unable to move certain areas of the body
We thought her legs were paralyzed for life, but she is learning how to walk.

patient
noun- A person staying in a hospital or medical facility
The patients in Room 4 are not getting along.

pharmacist
noun- A person who fills a doctor's prescription and gives people advice about medication
Ask the pharmacist if there is a generic brand of this medication.

pharmacy, drugstore
noun- A place where people go to buy medication and other medical supplies
You should be able to buy a bandage at the pharmacy.

physician
noun- Doctor
Ask your family physician to refer you to a specialist.

poison
noun
poisonous
adj- A substance that is very dangerous if it enters the human body
The child was bitten by a poisonous snake.

prenatal
adj- Of the time period leading up to giving birth
The woman was well prepared for labour because she took the prenatal classes.

prescription
noun
prescribe
verb- The correct amount and type of medication needed to cure an illness or relieve symptoms
You will need to visit your doctor to get another prescription.

privacy
noun
private
adj- Being alone; personal (eg test results)
You will have to pay for a private hospital room if you don't want a room-mate.

radiation
noun- High energy X-rays that destroy cancer cells
If the radiation doesn't kill all of the abnormal cells, the cancer will come back.

residency
resident
noun- Part of a doctor's training that takes place in the hospital;
a student working under a doctor
John is a resident under Dr Brown.

routine check-up
noun- A doctor's appointment to check a person's general health
I'd like to see you a year from now for a routine check-up.



scrubs
noun- plain uniform (usually green, white, or blue) worn by medical professionals
I have some extra scrubs in my locker.

scrub up
verb- Carefully wash hands before and after seeing a patient
I have to scrub up and get ready for surgery.

second opinion
noun- Input from a second doctor about an illness or symptom
I went to another doctor to get a second opinion about these headaches.

seizure
noun- Sudden violent movements or unconsciousness caused by electrical signal malfunction in the brain
People who suffer from epilepsy are prone to seizures.

shock
noun- Body not getting enough blood flow
The woman was in shock after being pulled from the river.

side effects
noun- Other symptoms that might occur as a result of a certain medication or procedure
One of the side effects of antidepressants is a loss of appetite.

sore
adj- Painful
I have a sore throat and a runny nose.

spasm
noun- The uncontrollable tightening of a muscle
Ever since I injured my leg I've been having muscle spasms in my upper thigh.

specialist
noun- A doctor that is an expert in a certain kind of medicine
My family doctor is sending me to a specialist.

sprain
noun/verb- An injury (less serious than a break) to a joint (ankle, wrist, knee etc)
I sprained my knee playing soccer.

stable condition
noun- A patient is stable if their medical condition is no longer changing rapidly
You can see your husband now; he is in a stable condition.

sting
noun/verb- Sharp, temporary pain
It may sting when I insert the needle.

stress
noun
stressed
adj- Worry that causes muscles to tighten and blood pressure to rise
You need to take some time off work and relieve some of your stress.

swelling
noun
swollen
adj- Ligaments (parts that hold the joints together) growing bigger and rounder after an injury to a joint
I knew my ankle was sprained because it was so swollen.

symptoms
noun- Pain or physical changes that occur because of an illness or disease You have all of the symptoms of a diabetic.

temperature
noun- Amount of heat measured in a body; higher than normal temperature
We brought Jesse to emergency because he was running a (high) temperature.

tender
adj- Painful when touched or used
The incision was tender after the surgery.

test results
noun- Medical information that helps doctors understand a patient's condition or body
The test results came back negative. You aren't pregnant.

therapy
noun- Treatment aimed at improving a person's mental or physical condition
I was able to go back to work a few weeks after starting the therapy.

transplant
noun- Moving of an organ from one human to another
The heart transplant saved your life.

ultrasound
noun- A test that examines the body's internal organs and processes using sound waves (often used during pregnancies)
The ultrasound shows that we are expecting a baby boy.

umbilical cord
noun- The lifeline from the mother to the fetus (when cut at birth this forms the belly button)
I had an emergency C-section because the umbilical cord was wrapped around the baby's neck.

unconscious
adj- Alive, but appearing to be asleep and unaware of the surroundings
I hit my head on the steering wheel and was still unconscious when the ambulance arrived.

urine sample
noun- A small amount of the body's liquid waste that is tested for different medical reasons
The urine sample tells us how much alcohol is in your blood.

vein
noun- The thin tubes that transport blood around the body and back to the heart
I'm just looking for the best vein in which to insert the needle.

virus
noun- A dangerous organism that causes the spread of minor and major diseases
The virus is contractable through the exchange of bodily fluids.

visiting hours
noun- Time of day when friends and family are allowed to visit patients in hospital
I'm afraid you'll have to come back during visiting hours.

vomit
noun/verb- Discharge of a person stomach contents through the mouth The pregnant woman can't stop vomiting.

ward
noun- A section of a hospital or health facility where patients stay
I should warn you that we're entering the mental health ward.

wheelchair
noun- A chair on wheels used for transporting patients from place to place If you get in the wheelchair I'll take you down to see the garden.

wound
noun
wounded
adj- Injury to body ("flesh wound" means not deep)
The wounded soldiers are being airlifted to the hospital.

x-ray
noun/verb- A photograph of a person's bones and organs
The technician took x-rays of my shoulder