abdomen

abortion

The part of the body between the chest and pelvis.

1. Induced abortion is a procedure done to end pregnancy. 2. Spontaneous
abortion is a naturally occurring abortion (also called miscarriage). 3.
Therapeutic abortion is an induced abortion required to save the life or health
of the mother.
abrasion
A wound caused by scraping the skin. A "skinned knee" is a common
example.
abscess
A swollen, inflamed area where pus gathers.
absorption
To take in substances through the skin or mucous membranes.
abstinence
To hold back or restrain. For example, to refrain from the use of drugs or
alcohol, or from having sexual intercourse.
acclimation
The process of getting used to a new climate or altitude.
Achilles' tendon The strong tendon at the back of the ankle that attaches the calf muscle to the
heel.
acidosis
An abnormal condition in the body in which excessive acid lowers the pH of
the blood and body tissues.
acne
A skin disorder usually found in adolescents and young adults.
acoustic
Having to do with sound and hearing.
acromegaly
A condition that occurs when the pituitary gland produces too much growth
hormone. In adults, this can cause overgrowth of bones that occurs in smaller
bones, such as those in the jaw, hands and feet. In children or teenagers, this
can cause giantism.
actinic keratoses Scaly, pink, gray or tan patches or bumps on the face or scalp, or on the back
of the hands. Occur mostly on people who have light skin that has been
damaged by the sun.
acupuncture
An ancient Chinese method to relieve pain or treat disease by inserting
needles into various parts of the body.
acute
1. Of short course. 2. Severe, but of a short duration. Not chronic.
addiction
Strong dependence or habitual use of a substance or practice, despite the
negative consequences of its use.
Addison's
An ailment characterized by underfunctioning of the adrenal glands.
disease
Characterized by anemia, weakness, low blood pressure and brownish
discoloration of the skin.
adenitis
Swelling of a gland.
adenoids
Glandular tissue in the back of the throat that may swell, especially during
childhood, obstruct breathing and speaking, and lead to ear infections.
adenoma
A noncancerous tumor of glandular tissue.
adenovirus
One of the viruses that cause the common cold.
ADH
Antidiuretic hormone. One of the hormones produced by the pituitary gland.
A shortage of this hormone causes increased loss of body fluids through the
kidneys.

adrenaline
aerobic
afterbirth
AIDS
airway
albinism
albino
albumin
aldosteronism
alimentary
allergen
allergy
alopecia

alveoli
amblyopia
ambulatory
amenorrhea
amnesia

amnion
amputation
cachexia
caffeine
calciferol
calcification
calculus

Epinephrine. One of several hormones produced by the adrenal glands.

Requiring the use of oxygen. Exercise that conditions the heart and lungs by
increasing the efficiency of oxygen intake by the body.
The placenta, which is attached to the fetus by the umbilical cord and must be
delivered after the baby.
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. A disease of the immune system
caused by the HIV virus.
The passage by which air enters and exits the lungs.
The absence of all normal body pigmentation at birth, a condition that can
occur in all races.
A person with albinism.
A water-soluble protein found in milk, egg, muscle, blood and many
vegetable tissues and fluids.
A condition resulting when the adrenal glands produce too much of the
hormone aldosterone, which regulates fluids and salt in the body.
Having to do with food or nutrition. The alimentary tract is the digestive tract.
A substance capable of producing an allergic reaction.
An exaggerated immune response to substances in the environment.
Hair loss, especially of the head.

The sacs in the lungs at the ends of the smallest airways where oxygen is
exchanged for carbon dioxide in the blood.
Impaired vision without an apparent cause.
Able to walk. Not confined to bed.
Absence of menstrual periods.
Partial or total loss of memory, usually as the result of psychological trauma
or stress, or physical damage to the brain from injury, disease, or alcohol or
other chronic drug abuse.
The membrane enclosing a developing fetus; it's filled with a protective liquid
called amniotic fluid.
The surgical removal of a limb or other appendage because of damage by
trauma or as a treatment for a variety of potentially life-threatening ailments.
A generally weakened, emaciated condition of the body.
A bitter-tasting, water-soluble compound that acts as a central nervous system
stimulant and has a mild diuretic (increasing urination) effect.
Vitamin D.
Calcium salt deposits in soft tissues.
A small, hard mass or stone formed in the body, as in a kidney or gallbladder,
or a hard coating on the surface of the teeth.

callus

1. Localized thickening of the skin. 2. A fibrous band formed around the site
of a fracture that seals the ends of the bone together and is then gradually
replaced by mature bone.

Calve-Perthes

A disease in children affecting the growth plate of the head of the thigh,
caused by interference in the blood supply.
An agent derived from a cinnamon tree that's used to relieve pain and itching.
Abnormal cells with uncontrolled cell growth.
The class of yeast that causes thrush and vaginal yeast infections.
An open sore on the lip or skin inside the mouth.
The class of plants that includes marijuana and other hemps.
A small, blood-containing vessel connecting the veins and arteries.
A group of energy-storage molecules that includes sugars and starches.
Carbohydrates contain four calories per gram.
An odorless, colorless gas produced as the end product of aerobic respiration.
An odorless, colorless, poisonous gas produced from the incomplete
combustion of carbon. Prevents the blood from carrying oxygen.
A hard, painful, pus-filled infection of the skin. Carbuncles are larger than
boils and frequently have more than one opening.
A cancer-causing substance.
A cancerous tumor.
Having to do with the heart or, less commonly, the upper portion of the
stomach.
Enlargement of the heart.
Having to do with the heart and blood vessels.
Decay of the teeth or bone.
The fat-soluble pigment in carrots, tomatoes and other vegetables, egg yolks,
milk fat and other substances that can be converted in the body to vitamin A.
The main artery in the neck.
Having to do with the wrist.
Pain, numbness and tingling of the fingers caused by compression of the
median nerve at the wrist.

camphor
cancer
Candida
canker
Cannabis
capillary
carbohydrates
carbon dioxide
carbon
monoxide
carbuncle
carcinogen
carcinoma
cardiac
cardiomegaly
cardiovascular
caries
carotene
carotid
Carpal
carpal tunnel
syndrome
cartilage

Elastic connective tissue on the joint surfaces of bone and some parts of the
skeleton, including the nose and ears.
castor oil
An oil extracted from the castor bean plant that's irritating to the intestine and
promotes bowel movements.
castration
To remove the gonads, such as the testicles, making the male unable to have
children.
cat-scratch fever A bacterial infection acquired through the scratch of a cat or other animal.
catalepsy
A condition in which the body and limbs stay in the position in which they're

cataract
catheter
caustic
cauterize

placed.
An opaque area in the lens of the eye.
A tube used to drain or inject fluids.

A chemical that can cause burns.

To purposely burn with a hot instrument or caustic substance to destroy
tissue, such as a wart.
cavity
A hollow place or hole within the body.
CBC
Complete blood cell count.
cecum
The first part of the large intestine just below the small intestine or ileum.
celiac
Having to do with the abdomen.
cell
The basic unit of organization of all living organisms.
cellulitis
Infection of the skin.
cellulose
A complex carbohydrate. Cellulose is a source of dietary fiber because it can't
be digested.
cephalalgia
Headache.
cerebellum
The part of the brain that coordinates muscular movements.
cerebrum
The main part of the brain.
cerumen
Earwax.
cervical
Having to do with the neck (cervical spine) or the cervix of the uterus.
cervix
The neck-like portion of an organ, especially the part of the uterus that
extends into the vagina.
cesarean section Delivery of a baby through an incision in the abdominal wall and uterus.
chalazion
A chronic, small swelling on the rim of the eyelid.
chancre
The painless ulcer of primary syphilis that appears on the genitals.