MEDICAL TERM
LAY TERM(S)
ABDOMINAL
Pertaining to body cavity below diaphragm which contains stomach, intestines, liver, and
other organs
ABSORB
Take up fluids, take in
ACIDOSIS
Condition when blood contains more acid than normal
ACUITY
Clearness, keenness, esp. of vision - airways
ACUTE
New, recent, sudden
ADENOPATHY
Swollen lymph nodes (glands)
ADJUVANT
Helpful, assisting, aiding
ADJUVANT
TREATMENT
Added treatment
ANTIBIOTIC
Drug that kills bacteria and other germs
ANTIMICROBIAL
Drug that kills bacteria and other germs
ANTIRETROVIRAL
Drug that inhibits certain viruses
ADVERSE EFFECT
Negative side effect
ALLERGIC REACTION
Rash, trouble breathing
AMBULATE
-ATION -ORY
Walk, able to walk
ANAPHYLAXIS
Serious, potentially life threatening allergic reaction
ANEMIA
Decreased red blood cells; low red blood cell count
ANESTHETIC
general
A drug or agent used to decrease the feeling of pain or eliminate the feeling of pain by
putting you to sleep
ANESTHETIC
local
A drug or agent used to decrease the feeling of pain or by numbing an area of your body,
without putting you to sleep
ANGINA
(ANGINA PECTORIS)
Pain resulting from insufficient blood to the heart
ANOREXIA
Condition in which person will not eat; lack of appetite
ANTECUBITAL
Area inside the elbow
ANTIBODY
Protein made in the body in response to foreign substance; attacks foreign substance and
protects against infection
ANTICONVULSANT
Drug used to prevent seizures
ANTILIPIDEMIC
A drug that decreases the level of fat(s) in the blood
ANTITUSSIVE
A drug used to relieve coughing
ARRHYTHMIA
Any change from the normal heartbeat (abnormal heartbeat)
ASPIRATION
Fluid entering lungs
ASSAY
Lab test
ASSESS
To learn about
ASTHMA
A lung disease associated with tightening of the air passages
ASYMPTOMATIC
Without symptoms
AXILLA
Armpit
BENIGN
Not malignant, usually without serious consequences, but with some exceptions e.g.
benign brain tumor may have, serious consequences
BID
Twice a day
BINDING/BOUND
Carried by, to make stick together, transported
BIOAVAILABILITY
The extent to which a drug or other substance becomes available to the body
BLOOD PROFILE
Series of blood tests
BOLUS
An amount given all at once
BONE MASS
The amount of calcium in a give amount of bone
BRADYARRHYTHMIAS
Slow irregular heart beat
BRADYCARDIA
Slow heartbeat
BRONCHOSPASM
Breathing distress caused by narrowing of the airways
CARCINOGENIC
Capable of causing cancer
CARCINOMA
Type of cancer
CARDIAC
Pertaining to the heart
CARDIOVERSION
Restoration of normal heart beat by electric shock
CATHETER
A tube for withdrawing or introducing fluids
CATHETER
indwelling epidural
A tube placed near the spinal cord used for anesthesia during an operation
CENTRAL NERVOUS
SYSTEM (CNS)
Brain and spinal cord
CEREBRAL TRAUMA
Damage to the brain
CESSATION
Stopping
CHD
Coronary heart disease
CHEMOTHERAPY
Treatment of disease, usually cancer, by chemical agents
CHRONIC
Continuing for a long time
CISPLATIN
A drug used to kill cancer cells
CLINICAL
Pertaining to medical care
CLINICALLY
SIGNIFICANT
Of major importance for treating or evaluating patients
CLINICAL TRIAL
An experiment in patients
COMA
Unconscious state
COMPLETE RESPONSE
Total disappearance of disease
CONGENITAL
Occurring prior to birth, due to parent's genetic input
CONJUNCTIVITIS
Irritation and redness of the thin membrane covering the eye
CONSOLIDATION
PHASE
Treatment phase intended to make a remission permanent, follows induction
CONTROLLED TRIAL
Study in which the experimental treatment or procedure is compared to a standard
(control) treatment or procedure
COOPERATIVE GROUP
Association of multiple institutions to perform clinical trials
CORONARY
Pertains to the blood vessels that supply the heart
CT (CAT) SCAN
Computerized (axial) tomography; computerized series of x-rays
CULTURE
Test for infection or organisms that could cause infection
CUMULATIVE
Total sum (of individual events, experiences, treatments)
CUTANEOUS
Relating to the skin
CVA
Cerebrovascular accident; Stroke
DERMATOLOGIC
Pertaining to the skin
DIASTOLIC
Lower number in blood pressure reading; pertaining to resting or relaxation phase of heart
beat
DISTAL
Toward the end, away from the center of the body
DIURETIC
'Water pill' or drug that causes increase in urination
DOPPLER
Sound waves
DOUBLE BLIND
Study in which neither investigators nor subjects know what drug the subject is receiving
DYSFUNCTION
State of improper function
DYSPLASIA
Abnormal cells
ECHOCARDIOGRAM
Sound wave test of the heart
EDEMA
Increased fluid
EEG
Electroencephalogram; electric brainwave tracing
EFFICACY
Effectiveness
ELECTROCARDIOGRAM
Electrical tracing of the heartbeat or heart rhythm (ECG or EKG)
ELECTROLYTE
IMBALANCE
Imbalance of salts or chemicals in the blood
ELEVATION OF
LIVER FUNCTION
TESTS
Evidence of liver or kidney damage
EMESIS
Vomiting
EMPIRIC
Based on experience
ENDOSCOPIC
EXAMINATION
Examination of an internal part of the body with a lighted tube; looking at a part of the
body with a lighted tube
ENTERAL
By way of the intestines
EPIDURAL
Outside the spinal cord
ERADICATING
Getting rid of (such as a disease)
EVALUATED
Assessed; examined for medical condition
EXTERNAL
Outside the body
EXTRAVASATE
To leak outside of a blood vessel
FIBRILLATION
Irregular beat of the heart or other muscle
FIBROUS
Having many fibers, such as scar tissue
FDA
U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the branch of federal government which approves
new drugs
GENERAL
ANESTHESIA
Pain prevention by induction of drugged sleep, as in surgery
GESTATIONAL
Pertaining to pregnancy
HEMATOCRIT
Amount of red blood cells in the blood
HEMATOMA
A bruise, a black and blue mark
HEMODYNAMIC
Related to blood flow
HEMOLYSIS
Breakdown in red blood cells
HEPARIN LOCK
Needle placed in the arm with blood thinner to keep the blood from clotting inside the
needle or tubing
HEPATOMA
Cancer or tumor of the liver
HERITABLE DISEASE
A disease which can be transmitted to one's offspring resulting in damage to future
children
HISTOPATHOLOGIC
Pertaining to the disease status of body tissues or cells
HOLTER MONITOR
A portable machine for recording heart beats
HYPERCALCEMIA
High blood calcium level
HYPERKALEMIA
High blood potassium level
HYPERNATREMIA
High blood sodium level
HYPERTENSION
High blood pressure
HYPOCALCEMIA
Low blood calcium level
HYPOKALEMIA
Low blood potassium level
HYPONATREMIA
Low blood sodium level
HYPOTENSION
Low blood pressure
HYPOXIA
Low oxygen level in the blood
IATROGENIC
Caused by a physician or by treatment
IDE
Investigational device exemption, the license to test an unapproved new medical device
IDIOPATHIC
Of unknown cause
IMMUNOGLOBULIN
A combination of antibodies from proteins in the blood
IMMUNOSUPPRESSIVE
Drug which suppresses the body's immune response, used in transplantation and
diseases caused by disordered immunity
IMMUNOTHERAPY
Giving of drugs to help the body's immune (protective) system; usually used to destroy
cancer cells
IMPAIRED FUNCTION
Abnormal function
IMPLANTED
Placed in the body
IND
Investigational new drug; the license to test an unapproved new drug
INDUCTION PHASE
Beginning phase or stage of a treatment
INDURATION
Hardening
INDWELLING
Remaining in a given location, such as a catheter
INFARCT
Death of tissue because of lack of blood supply
INFECTIOUS
DISEASE
Disease which is transmitted from one person to next
INFLAMMATION
Swelling which is generally painful, red, and warm
INFUSION
Introduction of a substance into the body, usually into the blood
INGESTION
Eating; taking by mouth
INTERFERON
Agent which acts against viruses; Antiviral agent
INTERMITTENT
Occurring (regularly or irregularly) between two time points; alternately ceasing and
beginning
INTERNAL
Within the body
INTERIOR
Inside of the body
INTRAMUSCULAR
Into the muscle; within the muscle
INTRAPERITONEAL
Into the abdominal cavity
INTRATHECAL
Into the spinal fluid
INTRAVENOUS (IV)
Into (within) a vein
INTRAVESICAL
In the bladder
INTUBATE
The placement of a tube into the airway
INVASIVE
PROCEDURE
Puncture, opening or cutting of the skin
INVESTIGATIONAL
NEW DRUG (IND)
A new drug which has not yet been approved by the FDA
INVESTIGATIONAL
METHOD
A treatment method which has not been proven to be beneficial or has not been accepted
as standard care
ISCHEMIA
PROCEDURE
Decreased oxygen in a tissue (usually because of decreased blood flow)
LAPORATOMY
A procedure in which an incision is made in the abdominal wall to enable a physician to
look at the organs
LETHARGY
Sleepiness
LEUKOPENIA
Low white blood cell count
LIPID
Fat
LIPID PROFILE
(panel)
Fat and cholesterol levels in the blood
LOCAL ANESTHESIA
Creation of insensitivity to pain in a small local area of the body
LOCALIZED
Restricted to one area; limited to one area (of the body)
LUMEN
Cavity of an organ or tube (e.g. inside of blood vessel)
LYMPHANGIOGRAPHY
An x-ray of the lymph nodes or tissues after injection of dye in lymph vessels (e.g. in feet)
LYMPHOCYTE
A type of white blood cell important in the body's defense against infection
LYMPHOMA
A cancer of the lymph nodes (or tissues)
MALAISE
A vague feeling of bodily discomfort, feeling bad
MALFUNCTION
Condition in which something is not functioning properly
MALIGNANCY
Cancer or other progressively enlarging and spreading tumor, fatal if not successfully
treated
MEDULLOBLASTOMA
Type of brain tumor
METRONIDAZOLE
A drug used to treat infections caused by parasites or other causes of anaerobic
infections
METABOLIZE
Process of breaking down substances in the cells
METASTASIS
Spread of cancer cells from one part of body to another
MI
Myocardial infarction, heart attack
MINIMAL
Slight
MINIMIZE
Reduce
MONITOR
Check on; keep track of; watch carefully
MOBILITY
Ease of movement; Ability to move around
MORBIDITY
Undesired result or complication; serious disease
MORTALITY
Death or death rate
MRI
Magnetic resonance imaging, body pictures created using magnetic rather than x-ray
energy
MYALGIA
Muscle aches
MUCOSA,
MUCOUS MEMBRANE
Moist lining of digestive, respiratory, reproductive, and urinary tracts
MYOCARDIAL
M. INFARCTION
Pertaining to the (muscle of the) heart
Heart attack; death of heart muscle
NASOGASTRIC TUBE
Tube from the nose to the stomach
NCI
National Cancer Institute
NECROSIS
Death of tissue
NEOPLASIA
Tumor, may be non-cancerous or cancerous
NEUROBLASTOMA
A cancer of nerve tissue
NEUROLOGICAL
Pertaining to the nervous system
NEUTROPENIA
Decrease in the main part of the white blood cells
NIH
National Institutes of Health
NON-INVASIVE
Not breaking, cutting or entering the skin
NOSOCOMIAL
PNEUMONIA
Pneumonia acquired in the hospital
OCCLUSION
Closing; obstruction
OHRP
Office of Human Research Protections, oversees IRBs and related matters
ONCOLOGY
The study of tumors or cancer
OPHTHALMIC
Pertaining to the eye
OPTIMAL
Best, most favorable or desirable
ORAL
ADMINISTRATION
Given by mouth
ORTHOPEDIC
Pertaining to the bones
OSTEOPETROSIS
Rare bone disorder characterized by dense bone
OSTEOPOROSIS
Bone disorder characterized by loss of bone leading to increased risk of fracture
OVARIES
Female sex glands; female organs which release eggs
PARENTERAL
Administration by injection
PATENCY
Condition of being open
PATHOGENESIS
The initial cause of a disease
PERCUTANEOUS
Through the skin
PERFORATION
Puncture, tear or hole
PERIPHERAL
Not central
PER OS (PO)
By mouth
PHARMACOKINETICS
Study of the way the body absorbs, distributes and gets rid of a drug
PHASE I
Initial study of a new drug in humans to determine limits of tolerance
PHASE II
Second phase of study of a new drug intended to obtain initial information
PHASE III
Large scale trial to confirm and expand information on safety and usefulness of a new
drug
PHLEBITIS
Irritation or inflammation of a vein
PLACEBO
An inactive substance which may resemble an active agent but has no medical value
PLACEBO EFFECT
Symptom or change of condition seen when a placebo is given; not attributable to an
active drug agent
PLATELETS
Small particles in the blood that help with blood clotting
POTENTIAL
Possible
POTENTIATE
Increase or multiply the effect of a drug or toxin by administration of another drug or toxin
at the same time
POTENTIATOR
An agent that helps another agent work better
PRENATAL
Before birth
PROPHYLAXIS
A drug given to prevent disease or infection
PROSTHESIS
Artifical limbs, such as arms and legs
PRN
As needed
PROGNOSIS
Outlook, probable outcomes
PRONE
Lying on the stomach
PROSPECTIVE STUDY
Study following patients forward in time
PROTOCOL
Plan of study
PROXIMAL
Closer to the center of the body, away from the end
PULMONARY
Pertaining to the lungs
QD
Every day; daily
QID
Four times a day
RADIATION THERAPY
X-ray or cobalt treatment
RANDOM
By chance
RANDOMIZATION
Assignment of treatment group by chance, similar to tossing a coin (when there are two
treatment choices)
RBC
Red blood cell
RECOMBINANT
Formation of new combinations of genes
RECONSTITUTION
Putting back together the original parts or elements
RECUR
Happen again
REFRACTORY
Not responding to treatment
REGENERATION
Regrowth of a structure or of lost tissue
REGIMEN
Pattern of administering treatment
RELAPSE
The return or reappearance of a disease
REMISSION
Disappearance of evidence of cancer or other disease
RENAL
Pertaining to the kidneys
REPLICABLE
Capable of being duplicated
RESECT
Remove or cut out (surgically)
RETROSPECTIVE
STUDY
Study looking back over past experience
SARCOMA
A type of cancer
SEDATIVE
A drug to calm or make less anxious
SEMINOMA
A type of testes cancer
SEQUENTIALLY
In a row
SOFTWARE
Computer program
SOMNOLENCE
Sleepiness
SPIROMETER
An instrument to measure the amount of air taken into and exhaled from the lungs
STANDARD OF
CARE
Treatment plan which the majority of the medical community would accept as appropriate
STAGING
A determination of the extent of the disease
STENOSIS
Narrowing of a duct, tube, or one of the heart valves
STOMATITIS
Mouth sores; inflammation of the mouth
STRATIFY
Arrange in groups for analysis of results (e.g., stratify by age, sex, etc.)
STUPOR
Stunned state in which it is difficult to get a response or the attention of the subject
SUBCLAVIAN
Under the collarbone
SUBCUTANEOUS
Under the skin
SUPINE
Lying on the back
SUPPORTIVE CARE
General medical care aimed at symptoms, not intended to improve or cure underlying
disease
SYMPTOMATIC
Having symptoms
SYNDROME
A condition characterized by a set of symptoms
SYSTOLIC
Top number in blood pressure; pertaining to contraction phase of heart beat
TERATOGENIC
Capable of causing malformations in unborn fetuses
TESTES
Male sex glands; male organs which produce sperm
THROMBOSIS
Blood clotting within blood vessels
TID
Three times a day
TITRATION
Gradual alteration of drug dose to determine desired effect or most beneficial strength of
drug
T-LYMPHOCYTES
Type of white blood cells involved in immune reactions
TOPICAL
Surface; on the skin
TOPICAL
ANESTHETIC
Applied to certain area of the skin to reduce pain to specific (limited) area to which applied
TOXICITY
Side effects or undesirable effects of a drug
TRANSDERMAL
Through the skin
TRANSIENTLY
Temporarily
TRAUMA
Injury; wound
TREADMILL
Walking machine often used to determine heart function
UPTAKE
Absorption and incorporation of a substance by living tissue; absorb and incorporate a
substance, taking in of a substance by living tissue
VALVULOPLASTY
Plastic repair of a valve, especially of the heart
VARICES
Enlarged veins, usually in legs or lining of tube between mouth and stomach
VASOSPASM
Narrowing of blood vessels due to spasm of vessel walls
VECTOR
A carrier, usually an insect, that carries and transmits disease-causing microorganisms
VENIPUNCTURE
Entering vein with a needle, generally through the skin
VERTICAL
TRANSMISSION
Spread of disease
WBC
White blood cell
