Medicine Vocabulary

abnormal
adjective deviating from what is normal.

acupuncture
noun a system of complementary medicine in which fine needles are inserted in the skin
at specific points along supposed lines of energy.

allergy
noun (plural allergies) a damaging immune response by the body to a substance to
which it has become hypersensitive.

ambulance
noun a vehicle equipped for taking sick or injured people to and from hospital.

amputation
noun It is the removal of a body extremity by trauma or surgery

anaemia (United States anemia)

noun a condition in which there is a deficiency of red cells or haemoglobin in the blood,
resulting in pallor and weariness.

anaesthesia (United States anesthesia)

noun insensitivity to pain, especially as artificially induced by the administration of gases
or drugs before a surgical operation.

antibiotic
noun a medicine that inhibits the growth of or destroys microorganisms.

antidepressant
adjective used to alleviate depression.

appointment
noun an arrangement to meet at a particular time and place.

arthritis
noun a disease causing painful inflammation and stiffness of the joints.

asthma
noun a respiratory condition marked by attacks of spasm in the bronchi of the lungs,
causing difficulty in breathing and usually associated with allergic reaction.

bacterium
noun (plural bacteria ) a member of a large group of unicellular microorganisms
(prokaryotes) which have cell walls but lack an organized nucleus and other structures, and
include numerous disease-causing forms.

bedsore
noun a sore that develops as a result of lying in bed in one position for a prolonged period.

biopsy
noun (plural biopsies) an examination of tissue taken from the body, to discover the
presence, cause, or extent of a disease.

brace
noun a device supporting a weak or injured part of the body. a wire device fitted in the
mouth to straighten the teeth. a strengthening piece of iron or timber in building or
carpentry.
bruise
noun an injury appearing as an area of discoloured skin on the body, caused by a blow
or impact rupturing underlying blood vessels.

Caesarean section
noun a surgical operation for delivering a child by cutting through the wall of the
mother's abdomen.

chemotherapy
noun the treatment of disease, especially cancer, by the use of chemical substances.

chickenpox
noun an infectious disease causing a mild fever and a rash of itchy inflamed pimples,
caused by the varicella zoster virus; varicella.

coroner
noun an official who holds inquests into violent, sudden, or suspicious deaths.

crutch
noun a long stick with a crosspiece at the top, used as a support by a lame person.

deficiency disease
noun a disease caused by the lack of some essential element in the diet, usually a particular
vitamin or mineral.

dehydrated
adjective It is defined as excessive loss of body fluid.

dementia
noun Medicine a chronic or persistent mental disorder marked by memory failures,
personality changes, and impaired reasoning.

diabetes
noun a disorder of the metabolism causing excessive thirst and the production of large
amounts of urine.

diagnosis
noun the identification of the nature of an illness or other problem by examination of the
symptoms.

discomfort
noun slight pain, slight anxiety or embarrassment.

disease
noun a disorder of structure or function in a human, animal, or plant, especially one that
produces specific symptoms or that affects a specific part.

dislocated
adjective this refersto when a bone is temporarily separated from its joint.

emergency
noun a serious, unexpected, and potentially dangerous situation requiring immediate action.

gastroenterology
noun the branch of medicine which deals with disorders of the stomach and intestines.

gynaecology (United States gynecology)

noun the branch of physiology and medicine concerned with the functions and diseases
specific to women and girls, especially those affecting the reproductive system.
hydropathy
noun the treatment of illness through the use of water, either internally or externally.

hyperthermia
noun Medicine the condition of having a body temperature greatly above normal.

injury
noun an instance of being injured. The fact of being injured; harm or damage.

mammography
noun Medicine a technique using X-rays to diagnose and locate tumours of the breasts.

neurology
noun the branch of medicine and biology concerned with the nervous system.

paediatrics (United States pediatrics)

plural noun [treated as singular] the branch of medicine concerned with children and their
diseases.

psychiatry
noun the branch of medicine concerned with the study and treatment of mental illness,
emotional disturbance, and abnormal behaviour.

rhinoplasty
noun plastic surgery performed on the nose.

salmonella
noun a bacterium that occurs mainly in the gut and can cause food poisoning.

syringe
noun a tube with a nozzle and piston or bulb for sucking in and ejecting liquid in a thin
stream, often one fitted with a hollow needle for injecting or withdrawing fluids into or from
the body.

thrombosis
noun local coagulation or clotting of the blood in a part of the circulatory system.

urology
noun the branch of medicine concerned with the urinary system.

valetudinarian
noun a person who is unduly anxious about their health.

vasectomy
noun the surgical cutting and sealing of part of each vas deferens, especially as a means of
sterilization.

venereology
noun the branch of medicine concerned with venereal diseases.