Medical Dictionary
Quick reference for medical terms, acronyms, and procedures.
Myocardial Infarction
A heart attack; necrosis of heart muscle due to poor blood supply.
Dyspnea
Difficult or labored breathing; shortness of breath.
Tachycardia
An abnormally rapid heart rate (usually over 100 beats per minute in adults).
Bradycardia
An abnormally slow heart rate (usually under 60 beats per minute in adults).
Hypoxia
A condition in which the body or a region of the body is deprived of adequate oxygen supply.
Ischemia
An inadequate blood supply to an organ or part of the body, especially the heart muscles.
Apnea
Temporary cessation of breathing, especially during sleep.
Cyanosis
A bluish discoloration of the skin resulting from poor circulation or inadequate oxygenation of the blood.
Diaphoresis
Sweating, especially to an unusual degree as a symptom of disease or a side effect of a drug.
Syncope
Temporary loss of consciousness caused by a fall in blood pressure; fainting.
Edema
Swelling caused by excess fluid trapped in the body's tissues.
Erythema
Superficial reddening of the skin, usually in patches, as a result of injury or irritation causing dilatation of the blood capillaries.
Hematemesis
The vomiting of blood.
Hemoptysis
The coughing up of blood.
Melena
Dark sticky feces containing partly digested blood.
Hematochezia
The passage of fresh blood through the anus, usually in or with stools.
Oliguria
The production of abnormally small amounts of urine.
Anuria
Failure of the kidneys to produce urine.
Polyuria
Production of abnormally large volumes of dilute urine.
Pruritus
Severe itching of the skin.
Aphasia
Loss of ability to understand or express speech, caused by brain damage.
Ataxia
The loss of full control of bodily movements.
Nystagmus
Rapid involuntary movements of the eyes.
Tinnitus
Ringing or buzzing in the ears.
Vertigo
A sensation of whirling and loss of balance, associated particularly with looking down from a great height, or caused by disease affecting the inner ear or the vestibular nerve.
Diplopia
Double vision.
Atelectasis
Partial or complete collapse of the lung.
Ascites
The accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity, causing abdominal swelling.
Petechiae
Small, pinpoint, non-raised, perfectly round purplish-red spots caused by intradermal or submucous hemorrhage.
Purpura
A rash of purple spots on the skin caused by internal bleeding from small blood vessels.
Abduction
Movement of a limb away from the midline of the body.
Adduction
Movement of a limb toward the midline of the body.
Acanthosis Nigricans
A skin condition characterized by areas of dark, velvety discoloration in body folds and creases.
Achlorhydria
Absence of hydrochloric acid in the gastric secretions.
Acromegaly
A hormonal disorder that develops when your pituitary gland produces too much growth hormone during adulthood.
Acute
A disease or condition with a rapid onset and a short, severe course.
Adenopathy
Enlargement of lymph nodes.
Adjuvant
A substance that enhances the body's immune response to an antigen; or a therapy given after primary treatment.
Afebrile
Without fever.
Agoraphobia
Fear of places and situations that might cause panic, helplessness, or embarrassment.
Akathisia
A state of agitation, distress, and restlessness that is an occasional side-effect of antipsychotic and antidepressant drugs.
Alopecia
Hair loss from the scalp or elsewhere on the body.
Amaurosis Fugax
Transient episodic blindness due to decreased blood flow to the retina.
Amenorrhea
An abnormal absence of menstruation.
Amnesia
A partial or total loss of memory.
Anaphylaxis
A severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction.
Anemia
A condition in which you lack enough healthy red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen to your body's tissues.
Aneurysm
An excessive localized enlargement of an artery caused by a weakening of the artery wall.
Angina Pectoris
Medical term for chest pain or discomfort due to coronary heart disease.
Angiogenesis
The physiological process through which new blood vessels form from pre-existing vessels.
Anisocoria
A condition characterized by an unequal size of the eyes' pupils.
Ankylosis
Abnormal stiffening and immobility of a joint due to fusion of the bones.
Anorexia
A lack or loss of appetite for food (as a medical condition).
Anosmia
The loss of the sense of smell, either total or partial.
Anoxemia
An abnormally low amount of oxygen in the blood.
Antipyretic
A substance or medication that reduces fever.
Aphagia
The inability or refusal to swallow.
Aplastic Anemia
A condition that occurs when your body stops producing enough new blood cells.
Apoptosis
The death of cells which occurs as a normal and controlled part of an organism's growth or development.
Arrhythmia
A condition in which the heart beats with an irregular or abnormal rhythm.
Arthrocentesis
The clinical procedure of using a syringe to collect synovial fluid from a joint capsule.
Arthropathy
A disease of a joint.
Asthenia
Abnormal physical weakness or lack of energy.
Atopy
The genetic tendency to develop allergic diseases such as allergic rhinitis, asthma and atopic dermatitis.
Atresia
Absence or abnormal narrowing of an opening or passage in the body.
Atrophy
Waste away, especially as a result of the degeneration of cells.
Auscultation
The action of listening to sounds from the heart, lungs, or other organs, typically with a stethoscope.
Autologous
Obtained from the same individual.
Bacteremia
The presence of bacteria in the blood.
Benign
Not harmful in effect: in particular, (of a tumor) not malignant.
Bifurcation
The division of something into two branches or parts.
Bilateral
Having or relating to two sides; affecting both sides.
Biopsy
An examination of tissue removed from a living body to discover the presence, cause, or extent of a disease.
Blepharospasm
Involuntary tight closure of the eyelids.
Borborygmus
A rumbling or gurgling noise made by the movement of fluid and gas in the intestines.
Bradykinesia
Slowness of movement, one of the cardinal manifestations of Parkinson's disease.
Bronchiectasis
Abnormal widening of the bronchi or their branches, causing a risk of infection.
Bronchospasm
Spasm of bronchial smooth muscle producing narrowing of the bronchi.
Bruit
A sound, typically an abnormal one, heard through a stethoscope; a murmur.
Bruxism
The involuntary or habitual grinding of the teeth, typically during sleep.
Cachexia
Weakness and wasting of the body due to severe chronic illness.
Calculus
A stone-like concretion of minerals and salts found in the body (e.g., kidney stones, gallstones).
Candidiasis
Infection with candida, especially as causing oral or vaginal thrush.
Carcinoma
A cancer arising in the epithelial tissue of the skin or of the lining of the internal organs.
Cardiomegaly
Abnormal enlargement of the heart.
Cardiomyopathy
Disease of the heart muscle that makes it harder for your heart to pump blood to the rest of your body.
Cataract
A medical condition in which the lens of the eye becomes progressively opaque, resulting in blurred vision.
Cellulitis
A common, potentially serious bacterial skin infection.
Cephalalgia
Pain in the head; a headache.
Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA)
The sudden death of some brain cells due to lack of oxygen when the blood flow to the brain is impaired; a stroke.
Cerumen
Earwax.
Cheilitis
Inflammation of the lips.
Chloasma
A temporary condition, typically caused by hormonal changes, in which large brown patches form on the skin, mainly on the face.
Cholecystitis
Inflammation of the gallbladder.
Cholelithiasis
The formation of gallstones.
Chorea
A neurological disorder characterized by jerky involuntary movements affecting especially the shoulders, hips, and face.
Chronic
Persisting for a long time or constantly recurring.
Cirrhosis
A chronic disease of the liver marked by degeneration of cells, inflammation, and fibrous thickening of tissue.
Claudication
Pain in the legs or arms that occurs while walking or using the arms, caused by too little blood flow.
Clonus
Muscular spasm involving repeated, often rhythmic, contractions.
Coagulopathy
A condition in which the blood's ability to coagulate (form clots) is impaired.
Colic
Severe, often fluctuating pain in the abdomen caused by intestinal gas or obstruction in the intestines.
Colitis
Inflammation of the inner lining of the colon.
Comorbidity
The simultaneous presence of two chronic diseases or conditions in a patient.
Concussion
A traumatic brain injury that affects your brain function.
Congenital
(Of a disease or physical abnormality) present from birth.
Conjunctivitis
Inflammation or infection of the outer membrane of the eyeball and the inner eyelid; pink eye.
Contusion
A region of injured tissue or skin in which blood capillaries have been ruptured; a bruise.
Cor Pulmonale
Abnormal enlargement of the right side of the heart as a result of disease of the lungs or the pulmonary blood vessels.
Coryza
Catarrhal inflammation of the mucous membrane in the nose, caused especially by a cold or by hay fever.
Crepitus
A grating sound or sensation produced by friction between bone and cartilage or the fractured parts of a bone.
Cyanosis
A bluish discoloration of the skin resulting from poor circulation or inadequate oxygenation of the blood.
Cyst
A thin-walled, hollow organ or cavity containing a liquid secretion; a sac, vesicle, or bladder.
Cystitis
Inflammation of the urinary bladder.
Debridement
The removal of damaged tissue or foreign objects from a wound.
Delirium
An acutely disturbed state of mind that occurs in fever, intoxication, and other disorders and is characterized by restlessness, illusions, and incoherence.
Dementia
A chronic or persistent disorder of the mental processes caused by brain disease or injury.
Dermatitis
A condition of the skin in which it becomes red, swollen, and sore, sometimes with small blisters.
Desquamation
The shedding of the outer layers of the skin.
Diaphoresis
Sweating, especially to an unusual degree as a symptom of disease or a side effect of a drug.
Diastole
The phase of the heartbeat when the heart muscle relaxes and allows the chambers to fill with blood.
Diplopia
Double vision.
Distal
Situated away from the center of the body or from the point of attachment.
Diuresis
Increased or excessive production of urine.
Diverticulitis
Inflammation of a diverticulum, especially in the colon, causing pain and disturbance of bowel function.
Dysarthria
Difficult or unclear articulation of speech that is otherwise linguistically normal.
Dysgeusia
A distortion of the sense of taste.
Dyskinesia
Abnormality or impairment of voluntary movement.
Dysmenorrhea
Painful menstruation, typically involving abdominal cramps.
Dyspareunia
Difficult or painful sexual intercourse.
Dyspepsia
Indigestion.
Dysphagia
Difficulty or discomfort in swallowing, as a symptom of disease.
Dysphasia
Language disorder marked by deficiency in the generation of speech, and sometimes also in its comprehension, due to brain disease or damage.
Dysphonia
Difficulty in speaking due to a physical disorder of the mouth, tongue, throat, or vocal cords.
Dysplasia
The presence of cells of an abnormal type within a tissue, which may signify a stage preceding the development of cancer.
Dyspnea
Difficult or labored breathing.
Dysuria
Painful or difficult urination.
Ecchymosis
A discoloration of the skin resulting from bleeding underneath, typically caused by bruising.
Echocardiogram
A test of the action of the heart using ultrasound waves to produce a visual display.
Eclampsia
A condition in which one or more convulsions occur in a pregnant woman suffering from high blood pressure, often followed by coma and posing a threat to the health of mother and baby.
Ectopic
In an abnormal place or position (e.g., an ectopic pregnancy).
Edema
A condition characterized by an excess of watery fluid collecting in the cavities or tissues of the body.
Effusion
An escape of fluid into a body cavity.
Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG)
A record or display of a person's heartbeat produced by electrocardiography.
Electroencephalogram (EEG)
A test or record of brain activity produced by electroencephalography.
Embolism
Obstruction of an artery, typically by a clot of blood or an air bubble.
Emesis
The action or process of vomiting.
Empiric
Based on, concerned with, or verifiable by observation or experience rather than theory or pure logic (e.g., empiric antibiotic therapy).
Empyema
The collection of pus in a cavity in the body, especially in the pleural cavity.
Encephalitis
Inflammation of the brain, caused by infection or an allergic reaction.
Endocarditis
Inflammation of the endocardium (inner lining of the heart).
Endometriosis
A condition resulting from the appearance of endometrial tissue outside the uterus and causing pelvic pain.
Endoscopy
A procedure in which an instrument is introduced into the body to give a view of its internal parts.
Enteral
Involving or passing through the intestine, either naturally via the mouth and esophagus, or through an artificial opening.
Enteritis
Inflammation of the intestine, especially the small intestine, usually accompanied by diarrhea.
Enuresis
Involuntary urination, especially by children at night.
Epidemic
A widespread occurrence of an infectious disease in a community at a particular time.
Epidural
On or around the dura mater, in particular (of an anesthetic) introduced into the space around the dura mater of the spinal cord.
Epigastric
Relating to the part of the upper abdomen immediately over the stomach.
Epilepsy
A neurological disorder marked by sudden recurrent episodes of sensory disturbance, loss of consciousness, or convulsions.
Epistaxis
Bleeding from the nose.
Erythema
Superficial reddening of the skin, usually in patches, as a result of injury or irritation causing dilatation of the blood capillaries.
Erythrocyte
A red blood cell that (in humans) is typically a biconcave disc without a nucleus.
Eschar
A dry, dark scab or falling away of dead skin, typically caused by a burn, or by the bite of a mite, or as a result of anthrax infection.
Esophagitis
Inflammation of the esophagus.
Etiology
The cause, set of causes, or manner of causation of a disease or condition.
Exacerbation
An increase in the severity of a disease or its signs and symptoms.
Exanthem
A widespread rash usually occurring in children (e.g., measles, rubella).
Excoriation
A scratch mark; a linear break in the skin surface, usually covered with blood or serous crusts.
Exocrine
Relating to or denoting glands that secrete their products through ducts opening onto an epithelium rather than directly into the bloodstream.
Exophthalmos
Abnormal protrusion of the eyeball or eyeballs.
Exudate
A mass of cells and fluid that has seeped out of blood vessels or an organ, especially in inflammation.
Fascia
A thin sheath of fibrous tissue enclosing a muscle or other organ.
Fasciculation
A brief, spontaneous contraction affecting a small number of muscle fibers, often causing a flicker of movement under the skin.
Febrile
Having or showing the symptoms of a fever.
Fibrillation
Muscular twitching involving individual muscle fibers acting without coordination (e.g., atrial or ventricular fibrillation).
Fibrosis
The thickening and scarring of connective tissue, usually as a result of injury.
Fistula
An abnormal or surgically made passage between a hollow or tubular organ and the body surface, or between two hollow organs.
Flaccid
(Of part of the body) soft and hanging loosely or limply, especially so as to look or feel unpleasant.
Flatulence
The accumulation of gas in the alimentary canal.
Fluoroscopy
An imaging technique that uses X-rays to obtain real-time moving images of the interior of an object.
Fomite
Objects or materials which are likely to carry infection, such as clothes, utensils, and furniture.
Fontanelle
A space between the bones of the skull in an infant or fetus, where ossification is not complete and the sutures not fully formed.
Furuncle
A boil; a painful, pus-filled bump under the skin caused by infected, inflamed hair follicles.
Galactorrhea
The spontaneous flow of milk from the breast, unassociated with childbirth or nursing.
Gangrene
Dead tissue caused by an infection or lack of blood flow.
Gastritis
Inflammation of the lining of the stomach.
Gastroenteritis
Inflammation of the stomach and intestines, typically resulting from bacterial toxins or viral infection.
Gingivitis
Inflammation of the gums.
Glaucoma
A condition of increased pressure within the eyeball, causing gradual loss of sight.
Glomerulonephritis
Acute inflammation of the kidney, typically caused by an immune response.
Glossitis
Inflammation of the tongue.
Glycosuria
A condition characterized by an excess of sugar in the urine, typically associated with diabetes or kidney disease.
Goiter
A swelling of the neck resulting from enlargement of the thyroid gland.
Gout
A disease in which defective metabolism of uric acid causes arthritis, especially in the smaller bones of the feet.
Granuloma
A mass of granulation tissue, typically produced in response to infection, inflammation, or the presence of a foreign substance.
Gravida
A pregnant woman (often followed by a number indicating the number of pregnancies, e.g., Gravida 2).
Gynecomastia
Enlargement of a man's breasts, usually due to hormone imbalance or hormone therapy.
Halitosis
Technical term for bad breath.
Hallucination
An experience involving the apparent perception of something not present.
Hematemesis
The vomiting of blood.
Hematochezia
The passage of fresh blood through the anus, usually in or with stools.
Hematoma
A solid swelling of clotted blood within the tissues.
Hematuria
The presence of blood in urine.
Hemianopia
Blindness over half the field of vision.
Hemiparesis
Muscular weakness or partial paralysis restricted to one side of the body.
Hemiplegia
Paralysis of one side of the body.
Hemodialysis
A process of purifying the blood of a person whose kidneys are not working normally.
Hemolysis
The rupture or destruction of red blood cells.
Hemoptysis
The coughing up of blood.
Hemorrhage
An escape of blood from a ruptured blood vessel, especially when profuse.
Hepatitis
A disease characterized by inflammation of the liver.
Hepatomegaly
Abnormal enlargement of the liver.
Hernia
A condition in which part of an organ is displaced and protrudes through the wall of the cavity containing it.
Hirsutism
Abnormal growth of hair on a person's face and body, especially on a woman.
Homeostasis
The tendency toward a relatively stable equilibrium between interdependent elements, especially as maintained by physiological processes.
Hydrocephalus
A condition in which fluid accumulates in the brain, typically in young children, enlarging the head and sometimes causing brain damage.
Hyperalgesia
Abnormally heightened sensitivity to pain.
Hypercapnia
Excessive carbon dioxide in the bloodstream, typically caused by inadequate respiration.
Hyperemia
An excess of blood in the vessels supplying an organ or other part of the body.
Hyperesthesia
Excessive physical sensitivity, especially of the skin.
Hyperglycemia
An excess of glucose in the bloodstream, often associated with diabetes mellitus.
Hyperkalemia
A higher than normal level of potassium in the bloodstream.
Hyperlipidemia
An abnormally high concentration of fats or lipids in the blood.
Hypernatremia
A high concentration of sodium in the blood.
Hyperplasia
The enlargement of an organ or tissue caused by an increase in the reproduction rate of its cells, often as an initial stage in the development of cancer.
Hypertension
Abnormally high blood pressure.
Hypertrophy
The enlargement of an organ or tissue from the increase in size of its cells.
Hypoglycemia
Deficiency of glucose in the bloodstream.
Hypokalemia
A lower than normal level of potassium in the bloodstream.
Hyponatremia
A low concentration of sodium in the blood.
Hypoplasia
Underdevelopment or incomplete development of a tissue or organ.
Hypotension
Abnormally low blood pressure.
Hypothermia
The condition of having an abnormally low body temperature, typically one that is dangerously low.
Hypovolemia
A decreased volume of circulating blood in the body.
Hypoxemia
An abnormally low concentration of oxygen in the blood.
Iatrogenic
Relating to illness caused by medical examination or treatment.
Icterus
Technical term for jaundice.
Idiopathic
Relating to or denoting any disease or condition which arises spontaneously or for which the cause is unknown.
Ileus
A painful obstruction of the ileum or other part of the intestine.
Immunodeficiency
Failure of the immune system to protect the body adequately from infection, due to the absence or insufficiency of some component process or substance.
Impetigo
A contagious bacterial skin infection forming pustules and yellow, crusty sores.
Incontinence
Lack of voluntary control over urination or defecation.
Induration
An increase in the fibrous elements in tissue commonly associated with inflammation and marked by loss of elasticity and pliability; localized hardening of soft tissue of the body.
Infarction
The obstruction of the blood supply to an organ or region of tissue, typically by a thrombus or embolus, causing local death of the tissue.
Infection
The invasion and multiplication of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites that are not normally present within the body.
Inflammation
A localized physical condition in which part of the body becomes reddened, swollen, hot, and often painful, especially as a reaction to injury or infection.
Insomnia
Habitual sleeplessness; inability to sleep.
Intubation
The insertion of a tube into a patient's body, especially that of an artificial ventilation tube into the trachea.
Intussusception
The inversion of one portion of the intestine within another.
Ischemia
An inadequate blood supply to an organ or part of the body, especially the heart muscles.
Jaundice
A medical condition with yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, arising from excess of the pigment bilirubin and typically caused by obstruction of the bile duct, by liver disease, or by excessive breakdown of red blood cells.
Karyotype
The number and visual appearance of the chromosomes in the cell nuclei of an organism or species.
Keloid
An area of irregular fibrous tissue formed at the site of a scar or injury.
Keratitis
Inflammation of the cornea of the eye.
Ketoacidosis
A serious diabetes complication where the body produces excess blood acids (ketones).
Koilonychia
Spoon-shaped nails, often a sign of iron-deficiency anemia.
Kyphosis
Excessive outward curvature of the spine, causing hunching of the back.
Laceration
A deep cut or tear in skin or flesh.
Laparoscopy
A surgical procedure in which a fiber-optic instrument is inserted through the abdominal wall to view the organs in the abdomen or to permit a surgical procedure.
Laryngitis
Inflammation of the larynx, typically resulting in huskiness or loss of the voice, harsh breathing, and a painful cough.
Leukemia
A malignant progressive disease in which the bone marrow and other blood-forming organs produce increased numbers of immature or abnormal leukocytes.
Leukocytosis
An increase in the number of white cells in the blood, especially during an infection.
Leukopenia
A reduction in the number of white cells in the blood, typical of various diseases.
Leukoplakia
A mucous membrane disorder characterized by white patches, especially on the cheek, tongue, vulva, or penis.
Lipoma
A benign tumor of fatty tissue.
Lithotripsy
A treatment, typically using ultrasound shock waves, by which a kidney stone or other calculus is broken into small particles that can be passed out by the body.
Lordosis
Excessive inward curvature of the spine.
Lymphadenopathy
A disease affecting the lymph nodes; typically refers to abnormal enlargement.
Lymphoma
Cancer of the lymph nodes.
Macrocytosis
The condition of having abnormally large red blood cells.
Macule
A distinct, flat, discolored area of skin less than 1 centimeter wide.
Malaise
A general feeling of discomfort, illness, or uneasiness whose exact cause is difficult to identify.
Malignant
(Of a disease) very virulent or infectious; (of a tumor) cancerous.
Mammography
A technique using X-rays to diagnose and locate tumors of the breasts.
Mastitis
Inflammation of the mammary gland in the breast or udder, typically due to bacterial infection via a damaged nipple or teat.
Melanoma
A tumor of melanin-forming cells, typically a malignant tumor associated with skin cancer.
Menarche
The first occurrence of menstruation.
Meningitis
Inflammation of the meninges caused by viral or bacterial infection and marked by intense headache and fever, sensitivity to light, and muscular rigidity, leading (in severe cases) to convulsions, delirium, and death.
Menorrhagia
Abnormally heavy bleeding at menstruation.
Metastasis
The development of secondary malignant growths at a distance from a primary site of cancer.
Microcephaly
Abnormal smallness of the head, a congenital condition associated with incomplete brain development.
Miosis
Excessive constriction of the pupil of the eye.
Morbidity
The condition of suffering from a disease or medical condition; the rate of disease in a population.
Mortality
The state of being subject to death; death rate.
Mucositis
Painful inflammation and ulceration of the mucous membranes lining the digestive tract, usually as an adverse effect of chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment for cancer.
Murmur
A recurring sound heard in the heart through a stethoscope that is usually a sign of disease or damage.
Myalgia
Pain in a muscle or group of muscles.
Mydriasis
Dilation of the pupil of the eye.
Myeloma
A malignant tumor of the bone marrow.
Myoclonus
Spasmodic jerky contraction of groups of muscles.
Myopathy
A disease of muscle tissue.
Myxedema
Swelling of the skin and underlying tissues giving a waxy consistency, typical of patients with underactive thyroid glands.
Narcolepsy
A condition characterized by an extreme tendency to fall asleep whenever in relaxing surroundings.
Nausea
A feeling of sickness with an inclination to vomit.
Necrosis
The death of most or all of the cells in an organ or tissue due to disease, injury, or failure of the blood supply.
Neonatal
Relating to newborn children (or other mammals).
Neoplasm
A new and abnormal growth of tissue in some part of the body, especially as a characteristic of cancer.
Nephritis
Inflammation of the kidneys.
Nephrolithiasis
The process of forming a kidney stone, a stone in the kidney.
Neuralgia
Intense, typically intermittent pain along the course of a nerve, especially in the head or face.
Neuropathy
Disease or dysfunction of one or more peripheral nerves, typically causing numbness or weakness.
Neutropenia
The presence of abnormally few neutrophils in the blood, leading to increased susceptibility to infection.
Nocturia
The complaint that the individual has to wake at night one or more times for voiding.
Nosocomial
(Of a disease) originating in a hospital.
Nystagmus
Rapid involuntary movements of the eyes.
Obesity
The condition of being grossly fat or overweight.
Obstipation
Severe or complete constipation.
Odynophagia
Painful swallowing.
Oligomenorrhea
Infrequent menstrual periods.
Oliguria
The production of abnormally small amounts of urine.
Oncology
The study and treatment of tumors.
Onychomycosis
A fungal infection of the nail.
Ophthalmoscopy
An examination of the back part of the eyeball (fundus), which includes the retina, optic disc, choroid, and blood vessels.
Orthopnea
Shortness of breath (dyspnea) that occurs when lying flat, causing the person to have to sleep propped up in bed or sitting in a chair.
Osteoarthritis
Degeneration of joint cartilage and the underlying bone, most common from middle age onward.
Osteomyelitis
Inflammation of bone or bone marrow, usually due to infection.
Osteopenia
Reduced bone mass of lesser severity than osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis
A medical condition in which the bones become brittle and fragile from loss of tissue, typically as a result of hormonal changes, or deficiency of calcium or vitamin D.
Otalgia
Earache.
Otitis
Inflammation of the ear, usually distinguished as otitis externa (of the passage of the outer ear), otitis media (of the middle ear), and otitis interna (of the inner ear; labyrinthitis).
Otorrhea
A discharge from the ear.
Ototoxicity
The property of being toxic to the ear (oto-), specifically the cochlea or auditory nerve and sometimes the vestibular system.
Pallor
An unhealthy pale appearance.
Palpation
The process of using one's hands to examine the body, especially while perceiving/diagnosing a disease or illness.
Palpitation
A noticeably rapid, strong, or irregular heartbeat due to agitation, exertion, or illness.
Palsy
Paralysis, especially that which is accompanied by involuntary tremors.
Pancytopenia
Deficiency of all three cellular components of the blood (red cells, white cells, and platelets).
Pandemic
(Of a disease) prevalent over a whole country or the world.
Papilledema
Optic disc swelling that is caused by increased intracranial pressure.
Papule
A small, raised, solid pimple or swelling, often forming part of a rash on the skin and typically inflamed but not producing pus.
Paracentesis
The perforation of a cavity of the body or of a cyst or similar outgrowth, especially with a hollow needle to remove fluid or gas.
Paralysis
The loss of the ability to move (and sometimes to feel anything) in part or most of the body, typically as a result of illness, poison, or injury.
Paranoia
A mental condition characterized by delusions of persecution, unwarranted jealousy, or exaggerated self-importance.
Paraplegia
Paralysis that affects all or part of the trunk, legs, and pelvic organs.
Paresis
A condition of muscular weakness caused by nerve damage or disease; partial paralysis.
Paresthesia
An abnormal sensation, typically tingling or pricking ('pins and needles'), caused chiefly by pressure on or damage to peripheral nerves.
Paronychia
An infection of the tissue folds around the nails.
Paroxysm
A sudden recurrence or attack of a disease; a sudden worsening of symptoms.
Pathogen
A bacterium, virus, or other microorganism that can cause disease.
Pathology
The science of the causes and effects of diseases.
Pediculosis
Infestation with lice.
Pericarditis
Inflammation of the pericardium (the fibrous sac surrounding the heart).
Peristalsis
The involuntary constriction and relaxation of the muscles of the intestine or another canal, creating wavelike movements that push the contents of the canal forward.
Peritonitis
Inflammation of the peritoneum, typically caused by bacterial infection either via the blood or after rupture of an abdominal organ.
Petechiae
Small, pinpoint, non-raised, perfectly round purplish-red spots caused by intradermal or submucous hemorrhage.
Phagocytosis
The ingestion of bacteria or other material by phagocytes and amoeboid protozoans.
Pharyngitis
Inflammation of the pharynx, causing a sore throat.
Phlebitis
Inflammation of the walls of a vein.
Photophobia
Extreme sensitivity to light.
Pica
A psychological disorder characterized by an appetite for substances that are largely non-nutritive, such as ice, hair, paper, drywall or paint, metal, stones or earth.
Pleurisy
Inflammation of the pleurae, which impairs their lubricating function and causes pain when breathing.
Pneumonia
Lung inflammation caused by bacterial or viral infection, in which the air sacs fill with pus and may become solid.
Pneumothorax
The presence of air or gas in the cavity between the lungs and the chest wall, causing collapse of the lung.
Polydipsia
Abnormally great thirst as a symptom of disease (such as diabetes) or psychological disturbance.
Polycythemia
An abnormally increased concentration of hemoglobin in the blood, through either reduction of plasma volume or increase in red cell numbers.
Polyp
A small growth, typically benign and with a stalk, protruding from a mucous membrane.
Polyuria
Production of abnormally large volumes of dilute urine.
Presbycusis
Age-related hearing loss.
Presbyopia
Farsightedness caused by loss of elasticity of the lens of the eye, occurring typically in middle and old age.
Priapism
A prolonged erection of the penis, usually without sexual arousal.
Prognosis
The likely course of a disease or ailment.
Prolapse
A slipping forward or down of one of the parts or organs of the body.
Prophylaxis
Action taken to prevent disease, especially by specified means or against a specified disease.
Pruritus
Severe itching of the skin.
Ptosis
Drooping of the upper eyelid due to paralysis or disease, or as a congenital condition.
Purpura
A rash of purple spots on the skin caused by internal bleeding from small blood vessels.
Pustule
A small blister or pimple on the skin containing pus.
Pyelonephritis
Inflammation of the substance of the kidney as a result of bacterial infection.
Pyrexia
Raised body temperature; fever.
Pyuria
The presence of pus in the urine, typically from bacterial infection.
Quadriplegia
Paralysis of all four limbs; tetraplegia.
Radiculopathy
A disease of the root of a nerve, such as from a pinched nerve or a tumor.
Radiography
The process or occupation of taking radiographs (X-rays) to assist in medical examinations.
Raynaud's Phenomenon
A condition in which some areas of the body feel numb and cool in certain circumstances.
Reflux
A flowing back (e.g., gastroesophageal reflux).
Remission
A diminution of the seriousness or intensity of disease or pain; a temporary recovery.
Renal
Relating to the kidneys.
Resection
The process of cutting out tissue or part of an organ.
Retinopathy
Disease of the retina which results in impairment or loss of vision.
Rhinitis
Inflammation of the mucous membrane of the nose, caused by a virus infection (e.g., the common cold) or by an allergic reaction (e.g., hay fever).
Rhinorrhea
A condition where the nasal cavity is filled with a significant amount of mucus fluid; a runny nose.
Rubella
A contagious viral disease, with symptoms like mild measles; German measles.
Sclerosis
Abnormal hardening of body tissue.
Scoliosis
Abnormal lateral curvature of the spine.
Sepsis
A life-threatening condition that arises when the body's response to infection causes injury to its own tissues and organs.
Sequela
A condition which is the consequence of a previous disease or injury.
Sinusitis
Inflammation of a nasal sinus.
Somnolence
A state of strong desire for sleep, or sleeping for unusually long periods.
Spasm
A sudden involuntary muscular contraction or convulsive movement.
Splenomegaly
Abnormal enlargement of the spleen.
Spondylolisthesis
A spinal condition that causes lower back pain, occurring when one of your vertebrae slips out of place onto the vertebra below it.
Stenosis
The abnormal narrowing of a passage in the body.
Stoma
An artificial opening made into a hollow organ, especially one on the surface of the body leading to the gut or trachea.
Strabismus
Abnormal alignment of the eyes; the condition of having a squint.
Stridor
A harsh or grating sound heard during respiration, caused by obstruction of the air passages.
Subcutaneous
Situated or applied under the skin.
Supination
Rotation of the forearm and hand so that the palm faces forward or upward.
Syncope
Temporary loss of consciousness caused by a fall in blood pressure; fainting.
Syndrome
A group of symptoms which consistently occur together, or a condition characterized by a set of associated symptoms.
Systemic
Relating to a system, especially as opposed to a particular part (e.g., systemic disease affects the whole body).
Tachycardia
An abnormally rapid heart rate.
Tachypnea
Abnormally rapid breathing.
Tetany
A condition marked by intermittent muscular spasms, caused by malfunction of the parathyroid glands and a consequent deficiency of calcium.
Thoracentesis
A procedure to remove fluid or air from around the lungs.
Thrombocytopenia
Deficiency of platelets in the blood. This causes bleeding into the tissues, bruising, and slow blood clotting after injury.
Thrombosis
Local coagulation or clotting of the blood in a part of the circulatory system.
Tinnitus
Ringing or buzzing in the ears.
Tracheostomy
An incision in the windpipe made to relieve an obstruction to breathing.
Tremor
An involuntary quivering movement.
Triage
The assignment of degrees of urgency to wounds or illnesses to decide the order of treatment of a large number of patients or casualties.
Urticaria
A rash of round, red welts on the skin that itch intensely, sometimes with dangerous swelling, caused by an allergic reaction, typically to specific foods; hives.
Uremia
A raised level in the blood of urea and other nitrogenous waste compounds that are normally eliminated by the kidneys.
Varices
Abnormally dilated and lengthened veins.
Vasculitis
Inflammation of a blood vessel or blood vessels.
Vasodilation
The dilatation of blood vessels, which decreases blood pressure.
Vector
An organism, typically a biting insect or tick, that transmits a disease or parasite from one animal or plant to another.
Vertigo
A sensation of whirling and loss of balance, associated particularly with looking down from a great height, or caused by disease affecting the inner ear or the vestibular nerve.
Vesicle
A small fluid-filled bladder, sac, cyst, or vacuole within the body.
Vitiligo
A condition in which the pigment is lost from areas of the skin, causing whitish patches, often with no clear cause.
Volvulus
An obstruction caused by twisting of the stomach or intestine.
Wheeze
Breathe with a whistling or rattling sound in the chest, as a result of obstruction in the air passages.
Xanthoma
A condition in which fatty growths develop underneath the skin.
Xerostomia
Dry mouth resulting from reduced or absent saliva flow.
Zoonosis
A disease which can be transmitted to humans from animals.
Abasia
Inability to walk due to a lack of muscular coordination.
Ablation
The surgical removal of body tissue.
Abrasions
Superficial damage to the skin, no deeper than the epidermis.
Abscess
A swollen area within body tissue, containing an accumulation of pus.
Acalculia
Loss of the ability to perform simple arithmetic calculations, typically resulting from disease or injury of the parietal lobe of the brain.
Acanthosis
Thickening of the stratum spinosum of the epidermis.
Acidosis
An excessively acid condition of the body fluids or tissues.
Acoustic Neuroma
A noncancerous tumor on the main nerve leading from the inner ear to the brain.
Acrocyanosis
Bluish or purple coloring of the hands and feet caused by slow circulation.
Actinic Keratosis
A rough, scaly patch on the skin caused by years of sun exposure; potentially precancerous.
Adenocarcinoma
A malignant tumor formed from glandular structures in epithelial tissue.
Adenoma
A benign tumor formed from glandular structures in epithelial tissue.
Adhesion
A band of scar tissue that binds two parts of tissue or organs together.
Adipose
Used for the storage of fat (e.g., adipose tissue).
Adnexa
The parts adjoining an organ (e.g., the ovaries and Fallopian tubes adjoining the uterus).
Agenesis
Failure of an organ to develop during embryonic growth and development.
Agnosia
Inability to interpret sensations and hence to recognize things, typically as a result of brain damage.
Agranulocytosis
A deficiency of granulocytes in the blood, causing increased vulnerability to infection.
Alkalosis
An excessively alkaline condition of the body fluids or tissues.
Allodynia
Pain resulting from a stimulus that would not normally provoke pain.
Amblyopia
Impaired or dim vision without obvious defect or change in the eye; lazy eye.
Ambulatory
Relating to or adapted for walking; able to walk around.
Amyloidosis
A rare disease that occurs when a substance called amyloid builds up in your organs.
Anabolism
The synthesis of complex molecules in living organisms from simpler ones together with the storage of energy; constructive metabolism.
Anasarca
Extreme generalized edema, characterized by widespread swelling of the skin due to effusion of fluid into the extracellular space.
Anastomosis
A connection made surgically between adjacent blood vessels, parts of the intestine, or other channels of the body.
Angioedema
The rapid swelling of the dermis, subcutaneous tissue, mucosa and submucosal tissues.
Angiography
Examination by X-ray of blood or lymph vessels, carried out after introduction of a radiopaque substance.
Ankyloglossia
A condition that restricts the tongue's range of motion; tongue-tie.
Anodontia
A rare genetic disorder characterized by the congenital absence of all primary or permanent teeth.
Anomaly
Something that deviates from what is standard, normal, or expected.
Aortic Dissection
A serious condition in which a tear occurs in the inner layer of the body's main artery (aorta).
Aortic Stenosis
Narrowing of the valve in the large blood vessel branching off the heart (aorta).
Apheresis
A medical technology in which the blood of a person is passed through an apparatus that separates out one particular constituent and returns the remainder to the circulation.
Aponeurosis
A sheet of pearly-white fibrous tissue that takes the place of a tendon in sheetlike muscles having a wide area of attachment.
Apraxia
Inability to perform particular purposive actions, as a result of brain damage.
Arcus Senilis
A narrow opaque band encircling the cornea, common in old age.
Arteriosclerosis
The thickening and hardening of the walls of the arteries, occurring typically in old age.
Arthralgia
Pain in a joint.
Arthrodesis
The surgical fusion of a joint.
Arthroplasty
The surgical reconstruction or replacement of a joint.
Asbestosis
A lung disease resulting from the inhalation of asbestos particles.
Asterixis
A tremor of the hand when the wrist is extended, sometimes said to resemble a bird flapping its wings; characteristic of hepatic encephalopathy.
Astigmatism
A defect in the eye or in a lens caused by a deviation from spherical curvature, which results in distorted images.
Atherosclerosis
A disease of the arteries characterized by the deposition of plaques of fatty material on their inner walls.
Athetosis
A condition in which abnormal muscle contractions cause involuntary writhing movements.
Atresia
Absence or abnormal narrowing of an opening or passage in the body.
Atrial Fibrillation
An irregular, often rapid heart rate that commonly causes poor blood flow.
Auricle
The visible part of the ear that resides outside of the head.
Auscultatory Gap
A period of diminished or absent Korotkoff sounds during the manual measurement of blood pressure.
Autism
A developmental disorder of variable severity that is characterized by difficulty in social interaction and communication and by restricted or repetitive patterns of thought and behavior.
Autopsy
A postmortem examination to discover the cause of death or the extent of disease.
Avascular Necrosis
The death of bone tissue due to a lack of blood supply.
Avulsion
The action of pulling or tearing away.
Azotemia
Elevation of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine levels.
Babinski Reflex
A reflex action in which the big toe remains extended or extends itself when the sole of the foot is stimulated, abnormal except in young infants.
Balanitis
Inflammation of the foreskin and head of the penis.
Barotrauma
Injury caused by a change in air pressure, affecting typically the ear or the lung.
Basal Cell Carcinoma
A type of skin cancer that begins in the basal cells.
Bifascicular Block
A conduction abnormality in the heart where two of the three main fascicles of the His-Purkinje system are blocked.
Biliary Colic
Pain in the abdomen, due to obstruction usually by stones in the bile duct or cystic duct.
Biomarker
A measurable substance in an organism whose presence is indicative of some phenomenon such as disease, infection, or environmental exposure.
Blepharitis
Inflammation of the eyelids.
Borborygmi
Rumbling or gurgling noises made by the movement of fluid and gas in the intestines.
Boutonniere Deformity
A deformed position of the fingers or toes, in which the joint nearest the knuckle is permanently bent toward the palm while the farthest joint is bent back away.
Bronchoscopy
A procedure that allows a doctor to examine the inside of the lungs, including the bronchi.
Bruit
An audible vascular sound associated with turbulent blood flow.
Bulla
A bubblelike cavity filled with air or fluid, in particular a blister.
Bursa
A fluid-filled sac or saclike cavity, especially one countering friction at a joint.
Bursitis
Inflammation of a bursa.
CAD (Coronary Artery Disease)
Impedance or blockage of one or more arteries that supply blood to the heart.
Calkins Sign
A sign of separation of the placenta; the uterus changes from a discoid to an ovoid shape.
Callus
A thickened and hardened part of the skin or soft tissue, especially in an area that has been subjected to friction.
Candidemia
The presence of Candida species in the blood.
Cannula
A thin tube inserted into a vein or body cavity to administer medicine, drain off fluid, or insert a surgical instrument.
Capnography
The monitoring of the concentration or partial pressure of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the respiratory gases.
Carbuncle
A severe abscess or multiple boil in the skin, typically infected with staphylococcus bacteria.
Carcinoma in situ
A group of abnormal cells that are found only in the place where they first formed in the body.
Cardiogenic Shock
A life-threatening condition in which your heart suddenly can't pump enough blood to meet your body's needs.
Cardioversion
A medical procedure by which an abnormally fast heart rate or other cardiac arrhythmia is converted to a normal rhythm using electricity or drugs.
Carotid Endarterectomy
A surgical procedure to open or clean the carotid artery with the goal of stroke prevention.
Cataplexy
A medical condition in which strong emotion or laughter causes a person to suffer sudden physical collapse though remaining conscious.
Catheter
A flexible tube inserted through a narrow opening into a body cavity, particularly the bladder, for removing fluid.
Cellulitis
A common and potentially serious bacterial skin infection.
Cephalohematoma
A collection of blood under the scalp of a newborn.
Cerclage
The use of a ring or loop to bind together the ends of a fractured bone or the opening of a malfunctioning cervix.
Cerumen Impaction
A buildup of earwax that completely blocks the ear canal.
Cervicitis
Inflammation of the cervix.
Chalazion
A slow-growing, inflammatory lump in the tear gland of the eyelid.
Chemotherapy
The treatment of disease by the use of chemical substances, especially the treatment of cancer by cytotoxic and other drugs.
Cholangiography
X-ray examination of the bile ducts, used to locate and identify an obstruction.
Cholangitis
Inflammation of the bile duct system.
Cholecystectomy
Surgical removal of the gallbladder.
Cholesteatoma
An abnormal, noncancerous skin growth that can develop in the middle section of your ear, behind the eardrum.
Chondromalacia
Damage to the cartilage under the kneecap.
Chordae Tendineae
Cord-like tendons that connect the papillary muscles to the tricuspid valve and the mitral valve in the heart.
Chorioamnionitis
A bacterial infection that occurs before or during labor, involving the fetal membranes (amnion and chorion) and the amniotic fluid.
Cilia
Minute hairlike organelles, identical in structure to flagella, that line the surfaces of certain cells.
Cirrhosis
Late stage of scarring (fibrosis) of the liver caused by many forms of liver diseases and conditions, such as hepatitis and chronic alcoholism.
Colostomy
A surgical operation in which a piece of the colon is diverted to an artificial opening in the abdominal wall so as to bypass a damaged part of the colon.
Colposcopy
A procedure to closely examine your cervix, vagina and vulva for signs of disease.
Comedo
A clogged hair follicle (pore) in the skin (e.g., blackhead or whitehead).
Cor Pulmonale
Alteration in the structure and function of the right ventricle (RV) of the heart caused by a primary disorder of the respiratory system.
Corticosteroids
A class of steroid hormones that are produced in the adrenal cortex of vertebrates, as well as the synthetic analogues of these hormones.
Craniotomy
The surgical removal of part of the bone from the skull to expose the brain.
Cryptorchidism
A condition in which one or both of the testes fail to descend from the abdomen into the scrotum.
Cushing's Syndrome
A collection of signs and symptoms due to prolonged exposure to cortisol.
Cystic Fibrosis
A hereditary disorder affecting the exocrine glands. It causes the production of abnormally thick mucus, leading to the blockage of the pancreatic ducts, intestines, and bronchi.
Dacryocystitis
Inflammation of the tear sac (lacrimal sac) at the inner corner of the eye.
Dehiscence
The splitting or bursting open of a pod or wound.
Delirium Tremens
A severe form of alcohol withdrawal that involves sudden and severe mental or nervous system changes.
Dermatophyte
A pathogenic fungus that grows on skin, mucous membranes, hair, nails, feathers, and other body surfaces, causing ringworm and related diseases.
Diathermy
A medical and surgical technique involving the production of heat in a part of the body by high-frequency electric currents, to stimulate the circulation, relieve pain, destroy unhealthy tissue, or cause bleeding vessels to clot.
Diplegia
Paralysis affecting corresponding parts of the body on both sides (e.g., both arms or both legs).
Dysarthria
Difficult or unclear articulation of speech that is otherwise linguistically normal.
Dysautonomia
A disorder of autonomic nervous system (ANS) function that generally involves failure of the sympathetic or parasympathetic components of the ANS, but dysautonomia involving excessive or overactive ANS actions also can occur.
Dysdiadochokinesia
The medical term for an inability to perform rapidly alternating movements.
Dysmetria
A lack of coordination of movement typified by the undershoot or overshoot of intended position with the hand, arm, leg, or eye. It is a type of ataxia.
Echocardiography
The use of ultrasound waves to investigate the action of the heart.
Eczema
A medical condition in which patches of skin become rough and inflamed, with blisters that cause itching and bleeding.
Electromyography (EMG)
A diagnostic procedure to assess the health of muscles and the nerve cells that control them (motor neurons).
Emphysema
A condition in which the air sacs of the lungs are damaged and enlarged, causing breathlessness.
Encephalopathy
A broad term for any brain disease that alters brain function or structure.
Endarterectomy
Surgical removal of part of the inner lining of an artery, together with any obstructive deposits.
Enterocolitis
Inflammation of both the small intestine and the colon.
Eosinophilia
A higher than normal level of eosinophils (a type of disease-fighting white blood cell) in the blood.
Ependymoma
A type of tumor that can form in the brain or spinal cord.
Epiploic Appendagitis
An uncommon, benign, self-limiting inflammatory process of the epiploic appendices.
Erysipelas
An acute, sometimes recurrent disease caused by a bacterial infection, characterized by large, raised red patches on the skin, especially that of the face and legs, with fever and severe general illness.
Erythema Nodosum
An inflammatory condition characterized by inflammation of the fat cells under the skin, resulting in tender red nodules or lumps that are usually seen on both shins.
Escharotomy
A surgical procedure used to treat full-thickness (third-degree) circumferential burns.
Evisceration
The removal of viscera (internal organs, especially those in the abdominal cavity).
Exostosis
A benign outgrowth of cartilaginous tissue on a bone.
Fibrinolysis
The enzymatic breakdown of the fibrin in blood clots.
Fibroadenoma
A benign tumor formed of mixed fibrous and glandular tissue, typically occurring as a painless, firm mass in the breast.
Fibromyalgia
A chronic disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and tenderness in localized areas.
Fluoroscopy
An imaging technique that uses X-rays to obtain real-time moving images of the interior of an object.
Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS)
A disease in which scar tissue develops on the parts of the kidneys that filter waste from the blood (glomeruli).
Galactocele
A cystic enlargement of a mammary gland containing milk.
Gastroparesis
A condition that affects the normal spontaneous movement of the muscles (motility) in your stomach.
Glioblastoma
An aggressive type of cancer that can occur in the brain or spinal cord.
Glomerulosclerosis
Scarring or hardening of the glomeruli (the tiny blood vessels within the kidney that filter urine from the blood).
Goiter
A swelling of the neck resulting from enlargement of the thyroid gland.
Guillain-Barré Syndrome
A rare disorder in which your body's immune system attacks your nerves.
Gynecomastia
Swollen male breast tissue caused by a hormone imbalance.
Hemangioma
A benign tumor of blood vessels, often forming a red birthmark.
Hemochromatosis
An iron disorder in which the body simply loads too much iron.
Hemothorax
A collection of blood in the space between the chest wall and the lung (the pleural cavity).
Hirsutism
A condition in women that results in excessive growth of dark or coarse hair in a male-like pattern.
Hydronephrosis
A condition that typically occurs when one kidney becomes swollen due to the failure of normal drainage of urine from the kidney to the bladder.
Hyperbilirubinemia
A condition in which there is too much bilirubin in the blood.
Hyperhidrosis
Abnormally excessive sweating that's not necessarily related to heat or exercise.
Hyperplasia
The enlargement of an organ or tissue caused by an increase in the reproduction rate of its cells.
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)
A disease in which the heart muscle becomes abnormally thick (hypertrophied).
Hypocalcemia
A condition in which there are lower-than-average levels of calcium in the liquid part of the blood, or the plasma.
Hypospadias
A condition in which the opening of the penis is on the underside rather than the tip.
Iliotibial Band Syndrome
An overuse injury of the connective tissues that are located on the lateral or outer part of thigh and knee.
Impetigo
A highly contagious skin infection that mainly affects infants and children.
Infarction
Tissue death (necrosis) due to inadequate blood supply to the affected area.
Intertrigo
Inflammation of the skin folds, most commonly caused by a yeast (Candida) or bacterial infection.
Intussusception
A serious condition in which part of the intestine slides into an adjacent part of the intestine.
Ischemia
An inadequate blood supply to an organ or part of the body, especially the heart muscles.
Jaundice
A condition in which the skin, whites of the eyes and mucous membranes turn yellow because of a high level of bilirubin, a yellow-orange bile pigment.
Karyotype
An individual's collection of chromosomes.
Kawasaki Disease
An illness that causes inflammation in blood vessels throughout the body. It most often affects kids younger than 5.
Keloid
A raised scar after an injury has healed.
Keratoconus
A condition in which the clear tissue on the front of the eye (cornea) bulges outward.
Kernicterus
A type of brain damage that can result from high levels of bilirubin in a baby's blood.
Kyphosis
An exaggerated, forward rounding of the back.
Labyrinthitis
An inner ear infection that causes inflammation of the labyrinth.
Laminectomy
Surgery that creates space by removing the lamina — the back part of a vertebra that covers your spinal canal.
Laryngomalacia
A congenital softening of the tissues of the larynx (voice box) above the vocal cords.
Leiomyoma
A benign smooth muscle tumor that very rarely becomes cancer (most common in the uterus and esophagus).
Leukopenia
A decrease in the number of white blood cells (leukocytes) found in the blood.
Lichen Planus
An inflammatory condition that can affect your skin, hair, nails and mucous membranes.
Lipoma
A slow-growing, fatty lump that's most often situated between your skin and the underlying muscle layer.
Lymphedema
Swelling that generally occurs in one of your arms or legs, sometimes both, caused by a blockage in your lymphatic system.
Macroglobulinemia
A rare type of blood cancer (also called Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia) that begins in the white blood cells.
Macular Degeneration
An eye disease that can blur your central vision.
Malaise
A general feeling of discomfort, illness, or uneasiness whose exact cause is difficult to identify.
Mastectomy
Breast cancer surgery that removes the entire breast.
Mastitis
An inflammation of breast tissue that sometimes involves an infection.
Melanoma
The most serious type of skin cancer, develops in the cells (melanocytes) that produce melanin.
Meningioma
A tumor that arises from the meninges — the membranes that surround your brain and spinal cord.
Menorrhagia
Menstrual periods with abnormally heavy or prolonged bleeding.
Mesothelioma
A type of cancer that occurs in the thin layer of tissue that covers the majority of your internal organs (mesothelium).
Microcephaly
A rare neurological condition in which an infant's head is significantly smaller than the heads of other children of the same age and sex.
Myasthenia Gravis
A chronic autoimmune, neuromuscular disease that causes weakness in the skeletal muscles that worsens after periods of activity and improves after periods of rest.
Myelodysplastic Syndromes
A group of disorders caused by poorly formed blood cells or ones that don't work properly.
Myeloma
A cancer of the plasma cells.
Myocarditis
Inflammation of the heart muscle (myocardium).
Myoclonus
A sudden, involuntary muscle jerk, shake or spasm.
Myopathy
A disease of the muscle in which the muscle fibers do not function properly.
Myringotomy
A surgical procedure in which a tiny incision is created in the eardrum (tympanic membrane) to relieve pressure caused by excessive buildup of fluid, or to drain pus from the middle ear.
Narcolepsy
A chronic sleep disorder characterized by overwhelming daytime drowsiness and sudden attacks of sleep.
Necrotizing Fasciitis
A rare bacterial infection that spreads quickly in the body and can cause death (flesh-eating disease).
Nephrotic Syndrome
A kidney disorder that causes your body to pass too much protein in your urine.
Neuralgia
A stabbing, burning, and often quite severe pain due to an irritated or damaged nerve.
Neurofibromatosis
A genetic disorder that causes tumors to form on nerve tissue.
Neuropathy
Weakness, numbness, and pain from nerve damage, usually in the hands and feet.
Neutropenia
An abnormally low count of a type of white blood cell (neutrophils).
Nociception
The sensory nervous system's response to certain harmful or potentially harmful stimuli.
Nosocomial
Originating or taking place in a hospital, acquired in a hospital, especially in reference to an infection.
Nystagmus
A vision condition in which the eyes make repetitive, uncontrolled movements.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
A sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts.
Odynophagia
Pain with swallowing.
Oligohydramnios
A condition in pregnancy characterized by a deficiency of amniotic fluid.
Oligomenorrhea
Infrequent menstrual periods.
Oliguria
The production of abnormally small amounts of urine.
Omphalocele
A birth defect of the abdominal (belly) wall in which the infant's intestines, liver, or other organs stick outside of the belly through the belly button.
Onchocerciasis
A tropical disease caused by a parasitic worm (also known as River Blindness).
Onycholysis
The painless separation of the nail from the nail bed.
Oophorectomy
A surgical procedure to remove one or both of your ovaries.
Ophthalmia Neonatorum
Conjunctivitis of the newborn.
Ophthalmoplegia
The paralysis or weakness of the eye muscles.
Opisthotonos
Spasm of the muscles causing backward arching of the head, neck, and spine, as in severe tetanus.
Orchiectomy
Surgery to remove one or both testicles.
Orchitis
An inflammation of one or both testicles.
Orthopnea
Shortness of breath (dyspnea) that occurs when lying flat, causing the person to have to sleep propped up in bed or sitting in a chair.
Osgood-Schlatter Disease
A childhood repetitive use injury that causes a painful lump below the kneecap.
Osteoarthritis
The most common form of arthritis, occurring when the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of your bones wears down over time.
Osteochondroma
An overgrowth of cartilage and bone that happens at the end of the bone near the growth plate.
Osteogenesis Imperfecta
A genetic disorder that causes brittle bones.
Osteomalacia
Softening of the bones, typically through a deficiency of vitamin D or calcium.
Osteomyelitis
An infection in a bone.
Osteopenia
A condition in which you lose bone mass and your bones get weaker.
Osteoporosis
A disease that thins and weakens the bones to the point that they become fragile and break easily.
Osteosarcoma
A type of bone cancer that begins in the cells that form bones.
Otitis Externa
An infection of the outer ear canal (Swimmer's ear).
Otitis Media
An infection of the middle ear, the air-filled space behind the eardrum that contains the tiny vibrating bones of the ear.
Otosclerosis
An abnormal bone growth in the middle ear that causes hearing loss.
Ototoxicity
The property of being toxic to the ear, specifically the cochlea or auditory nerve and sometimes the vestibular system.
Ovarian Cyst
A fluid-filled sac or pocket in an ovary or on its surface.
Paget's Disease of Bone
A disease that disrupts the replacement of old bone tissue with new bone tissue.
Palpitation
A noticeably rapid, strong, or irregular heartbeat due to agitation, exertion, or illness.
Palsy
Paralysis, especially that which is accompanied by involuntary tremors.
Pancreatitis
Inflammation of the pancreas.
Pancytopenia
A condition that occurs when a person has low counts for all three types of blood cells: red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
Papilledema
Swelling of the optic nerve as it enters the back of the eye due to raised intracranial pressure.
Paracentesis
A procedure to take out fluid that has collected in the belly (peritoneal fluid).
Paralysis
The loss of the ability to move (and sometimes to feel anything) in part or most of the body.
Paranoia
A mental condition characterized by delusions of persecution, unwarranted jealousy, or exaggerated self-importance.
Paraplegia
Paralysis that affects all or part of the trunk, legs, and pelvic organs.
Paresis
A condition of muscular weakness caused by nerve damage or disease; partial paralysis.
Paresthesia
An abnormal sensation, typically tingling or pricking ('pins and needles'), caused chiefly by pressure on or damage to peripheral nerves.
Parkinson's Disease
A progressive nervous system disorder that affects movement.
Paronychia
An infection of the tissue folds around the nails.
Paroxysm
A sudden recurrence or attack of a disease; a sudden worsening of symptoms.
Pathogen
A bacterium, virus, or other microorganism that can cause disease.
Pathology
The science of the causes and effects of diseases.
Pediculosis
An infestation with lice.
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
An infection of a woman's reproductive organs.
Pemphigus Vulgaris
A rare, severe autoimmune disease in which blisters of varying sizes break out on the skin and on the lining of the mouth and other mucous membranes.
Peptic Ulcer
A sore that develops on the lining of the esophagus, stomach, or small intestine.
Pericardiocentesis
A procedure done to remove fluid that has built up in the sac around the heart (pericardium).
Pericarditis
Swelling and irritation of the thin saclike membrane surrounding your heart (pericardium).
Peristalsis
A series of wave-like muscle contractions that moves food to different processing stations in the digestive tract.
Peritonitis
Inflammation of the peritoneum — a silk-like membrane that lines your inner abdominal wall and covers the organs within your abdomen.
Pertussis
A highly contagious respiratory tract infection (Whooping cough).
Petechiae
Pinpoint, round spots that appear on the skin as a result of bleeding.
Phagocytosis
The process by which a cell—often a phagocyte or a protist—engulfs a solid particle to form an internal compartment known as a phagosome.
Pharyngitis
Inflammation of the back of the throat, known as the pharynx.
Pheochromocytoma
A rare, usually noncancerous (benign) tumor that develops in an adrenal gland.
Phlebitis
Inflammation of a vein.
Photophobia
Eye discomfort in bright light.
Pica
The eating of non-nutritive, nonfood substances.
Placenta Previa
A condition in which the placenta partially or wholly blocks the neck of the uterus, thus interfering with normal delivery of a baby.
Pleural Effusion
A buildup of fluid between the tissues that line the lungs and the chest.
Pleurisy
A condition in which the pleura — two large, thin layers of tissue that separate your lungs from your chest wall — becomes inflamed.
Pneumoconiosis
A disease of the lungs due to inhalation of dust, characterized by inflammation, coughing, and fibrosis.
Pneumonia
An infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs.
Pneumothorax
A collapsed lung.
Poliomyelitis
A disabling and life-threatening disease caused by the poliovirus.
Polycythemia Vera
A type of blood cancer that causes your bone marrow to make too many red blood cells.
Polydipsia
Abnormally great thirst as a symptom of disease (such as diabetes) or psychological disturbance.
Polyhydramnios
An excessive accumulation of amniotic fluid — the fluid that surrounds the baby in the uterus during pregnancy.
Polyp
Abnormal tissue growth on a mucous membrane.
Polyphagia
Excessive or extreme hunger.
Polyuria
Production of abnormally large volumes of dilute urine.
Preeclampsia
A pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure and signs of damage to another organ system, most often the liver and kidneys.
Presbycusis
Age-related hearing loss with gradually progressive inability to hear, especially high frequency sounds.
Presbyopia
The gradual loss of your eyes' ability to focus on nearby objects.
Priapism
A prolonged and usually painful erection of the penis.
Prognosis
The likely course of a disease or ailment.
Prolactinoma
A noncancerous tumor of the pituitary gland that overproduces the hormone prolactin.
Prolapse
A slipping forward or down of one of the parts or organs of the body.
Prophylaxis
Action taken to prevent disease, especially by specified means or against a specified disease.
Prostatitis
Swelling and inflammation of the prostate gland.
Proteinuria
The presence of abnormal quantities of protein in the urine, which may indicate damage to the kidneys.
Pruritus
Severe itching of the skin.
Psoriasis
A skin disease that causes red, itchy scaly patches, most commonly on the knees, elbows, trunk and scalp.
Ptosis
Drooping of the upper eyelid.
Pulmonary Embolism
A blockage in one of the pulmonary arteries in your lungs.
Pulmonary Fibrosis
A lung disease that occurs when lung tissue becomes damaged and scarred.
Purpura
A rash of purple spots on the skin caused by internal bleeding from small blood vessels.
Pustule
A small blister or pimple on the skin containing pus.
Pyelonephritis
A type of urinary tract infection (UTI) that generally begins in your urethra or bladder and travels to one or both of your kidneys.
Quadriplegia
Paralysis that results in the partial or total loss of use of all four limbs and torso.
Quinsy
A rare and potentially dangerous complication of tonsillitis (peritonsillar abscess).
Radiculopathy
A condition due to a compressed nerve in the spine that can cause pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness along the course of the nerve.
Raynaud's Phenomenon
A condition in which some areas of the body feel numb and cool in certain circumstances, due to smaller arteries that supply blood to your skin narrowing.
Reflux
A flowing back, e.g., gastroesophageal reflux (stomach acid flowing back into the esophagus).
Retinoblastoma
An eye cancer that begins in the retina, most commonly affecting young children.
Retinopathy
Any damage to the retina of the eyes, which may cause vision impairment.
Rhabdomyolysis
A serious syndrome due to a direct or indirect muscle injury, which results in the death of muscle fibers and release of their contents into the bloodstream.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
A chronic inflammatory disorder affecting many joints, including those in the hands and feet.
Rhinitis
Irritation and inflammation of the mucous membrane inside the nose.
Rhinorrhea
A condition where the nasal cavity is filled with a significant amount of mucus fluid (a runny nose).
Rosacea
A common skin condition that causes redness and visible blood vessels in your face.
Rubella
A contagious viral infection best known by its distinctive red rash (German measles).
Sarcoidosis
The growth of tiny collections of inflammatory cells (granulomas) in different parts of your body, most commonly the lungs, lymph nodes, eyes and skin.
Scabies
An itchy skin condition caused by a tiny burrowing mite called Sarcoptes scabiei.
Schistosomiasis
A disease caused by parasitic worms (blood flukes) that infect people through contact with contaminated fresh water.
Schizophrenia
A serious mental disorder in which people interpret reality abnormally.
Sciatica
Pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve, which branches from your lower back through your hips and buttocks and down each leg.
Scleroderma
A group of rare diseases that involve the hardening and tightening of the skin and connective tissues.
Scoliosis
A sideways curvature of the spine that occurs most often during the growth spurt just before puberty.
Scurvy
A disease caused by a severe lack of vitamin C in the diet.
Sepsis
A potentially life-threatening condition caused by the body's response to an infection.
Septicemia
A serious bloodstream infection (also known as bacteremia or blood poisoning).
Shigellosis
An intestinal infection caused by a family of bacteria known as shigella.
Silicosis
A form of occupational lung disease caused by inhalation of crystalline silica dust.
Sinusitis
An inflammation or swelling of the tissue lining the sinuses.
Sjogren's Syndrome
A disorder of your immune system identified by its two most common symptoms — dry eyes and a dry mouth.
Somnambulism
Sleepwalking.
Spina Bifida
A birth defect that occurs when the spine and spinal cord don't form properly.
Spondylitis
Inflammation of the vertebrae.
Spondylolisthesis
A spinal disorder in which a bone (vertebra) slips forward onto the bone below it.
Sprue
A disease of the small intestine causing malabsorption of food.
Stenosis
The abnormal narrowing of a passage in the body.
Stomatitis
Inflammation of the mucous membrane of the mouth.
Strabismus
A condition in which the eyes do not properly align with each other when looking at an object (crossed eyes).
Stridor
A high-pitched, wheezing sound caused by disrupted airflow.
Subdural Hematoma
A type of bleeding in which a collection of blood—usually associated with a traumatic brain injury—gathers between the inner layer of the dura mater and the arachnoid mater.
Syncope
Fainting or passing out.
Syphilis
A bacterial infection usually spread by sexual contact that starts as a painless sore.
Tachycardia
A heart rate that exceeds the normal resting rate (typically over 100 beats per minute in adults).
Tachypnea
Abnormally rapid breathing.
Tamponade
Compression of the heart by an accumulation of fluid in the pericardial sac.
Tardive Dyskinesia
A condition affecting the nervous system, often caused by long-term use of some psychiatric drugs, causing repetitive, involuntary movements.
Telangiectasia
A condition in which widened venules (tiny blood vessels) cause threadlike red lines or patterns on the skin (spider veins).
Tendinitis
Inflammation or irritation of a tendon.
Tetanus
A serious bacterial infection that causes painful muscle spasms and can lead to death (lockjaw).
Tetany
A condition marked by intermittent muscular spasms, caused by malfunction of the parathyroid glands and a consequent deficiency of calcium.
Thoracentesis
A procedure to remove fluid or air from around the lungs.
Thrombocytopenia
A condition in which you have a low blood platelet count.
Thrombophlebitis
An inflammatory process that causes a blood clot to form and block one or more veins, usually in your legs.
Thrombosis
The formation of a blood clot inside a blood vessel, obstructing the flow of blood.
Thrush
An infection of the mouth caused by the candidiasis fungus.
Tinnitus
The perception of noise or ringing in the ears.
Tonsillitis
An inflammation of the two oval-shaped pads of tissue at the back of the throat.
Tourette Syndrome
A disorder that involves repetitive movements or unwanted sounds (tics) that can't be easily controlled.
Toxoplasmosis
A disease that results from infection with the Toxoplasma gondii parasite, one of the world's most common parasites.
Tracheostomy
A surgically created hole through the front of your neck and into your windpipe (trachea).
Tremor
An involuntary, rhythmic muscle contraction leading to shaking movements in one or more parts of the body.
Trichinosis
A type of roundworm infection that occurs from eating undercooked meat, especially pork, infected with Trichinella larvae.
Trichomoniasis
A common sexually transmitted infection caused by a parasite.
Tuberculosis
A potentially serious infectious bacterial disease that mainly affects the lungs.
Tularemia
A rare infectious disease that can attack your skin, eyes, lymph nodes and lungs.
Typhoid Fever
A bacterial infection that can lead to a high fever, diarrhea, and vomiting, caused by Salmonella typhi.
Uremia
A condition involving abnormally high levels of waste products in the blood, often occurring when the kidneys fail.
Urethritis
Inflammation of the urethra.
Urticaria
A skin rash triggered by a reaction to food, medicine, or other irritants (hives).
Uveitis
A form of eye inflammation that affects the middle layer of tissue in the eye wall (uvea).
Vaginismus
A condition involving a muscle spasm in the pelvic floor muscles.
Varicella
A highly contagious viral infection causing an itchy, blister-like rash on the skin (chickenpox).
Varicocele
An enlargement of the veins within the loose bag of skin that holds your testicles (scrotum).
Vasculitis
An inflammation of the blood vessels that causes changes in the blood vessel walls.
Vasodilation
The widening of blood vessels.
Vector
An organism, typically a biting insect or tick, that transmits a disease or parasite from one animal or plant to another.
Vertigo
A sensation of feeling off balance, often described as a dizzy spell.
Vesicle
A small fluid-filled sac, cyst, or vacuole within the body.
Vitiligo
A disease that causes the loss of skin color in blotches.
Volvulus
A condition in which the bowel twists on itself, causing obstruction to the flow of feces and a compromised blood supply.
Wernicke's Encephalopathy
A neurological disorder caused by thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency, typically secondary to alcohol abuse.
Wheeze
A high-pitched whistling sound made while breathing.
Xanthoma
A condition in which fatty growths develop underneath the skin, often in people with high cholesterol.
Xeroderma
Any of various diseases characterized by extreme dryness of the skin, especially a mild form of ichthyosis.
Xerophthalmia
Abnormal dryness of the conjunctiva and cornea of the eye, with inflammation and ridge formation, typically associated with vitamin A deficiency.
Xerostomia
The condition of not having enough saliva to keep the mouth wet (dry mouth).
Yaws
A chronic infection that affects mainly the skin, bone and cartilage, occurring mainly in poor communities in warm, humid, tropical areas.
Zika Virus
A mosquito-borne flavivirus that was first identified in Uganda in 1947.
Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome
A rare condition in which one or more tumors form in your pancreas or the upper part of your small intestine (duodenum) and secrete large amounts of gastrin, causing your stomach to produce too much acid.
Zoonosis
An infectious disease that has jumped from a non-human animal to humans.
Acanthamoeba
A microscopic, free-living ameba that can cause rare, but severe, infections of the eye, skin, and central nervous system.
Achalasia
A rare disorder that makes it difficult for food and liquid to pass from the swallowing tube connecting your mouth and stomach (esophagus) into your stomach.
Achondroplasia
A genetic condition affecting a protein in the body called the fibroblast growth factor receptor, which causes dwarfism.
Acinetobacter
A group of bacteria commonly found in soil and water that can cause serious infections in healthcare settings.
Acrochordons
Small, soft, common, benign skin growths, often appearing in skin folds (skin tags).
Actinomycosis
A rare, chronic bacterial infection that commonly affects the face and neck.
Adenoiditis
Inflammation of the adenoids, which are masses of lymphatic tissue located behind the nasal cavity.
Adenomyosis
A condition in which the inner lining of the uterus (the endometrium) breaks through the muscle wall of the uterus (the myometrium).
Ageusia
The loss of taste functions of the tongue.
Albinism
A group of inherited disorders characterized by little or no melanin production.
Alopecia Areata
An autoimmune disorder that causes your hair to come out, often in clumps the size and shape of a quarter.
Alport Syndrome
A genetic condition characterized by kidney disease, hearing loss, and eye abnormalities.
Amaurosis
Partial or complete loss of sight occurring without an externally perceptible change in the eye.
Amblyopia
Decreased eyesight due to abnormal visual development (lazy eye).
Amelogenesis Imperfecta
A disorder of tooth development causing teeth to be unusually small, discolored, pitted or grooved, and prone to rapid wear and breakage.
Amyloidosis
A rare disease that occurs when an abnormal protein, called amyloid, builds up in your organs and interferes with their normal function.
Anaplasmosis
A tick-borne disease caused by the bacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilum.
Ankylosing Spondylitis
An inflammatory disease that, over time, can cause some of the small bones in your spine (vertebrae) to fuse.
Anosmia
The loss of the sense of smell, either total or partial.
Anthrax
A serious infectious disease caused by gram-positive, rod-shaped bacteria known as Bacillus anthracis.
Aphasia
A condition that robs you of the ability to communicate, affecting your ability to speak, write and understand language, both verbal and written.
Apraxia
A neurological disorder characterized by the inability to perform learned (familiar) movements on command, even though the command is understood and there is a willingness to perform the movement.
Arachnoiditis
A pain disorder caused by the inflammation of the arachnoid, one of the membranes that surround and protect the nerves of the spinal cord.
Argyria
A rare condition that causes the skin to turn blue or gray, usually caused by exposure to silver.
Arnold-Chiari Malformation
A condition in which brain tissue extends into your spinal canal.
Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia (ARVD)
A rare type of cardiomyopathy that occurs if the muscle tissue in the right ventricle dies and is replaced with scar tissue.
Asbestosis
A chronic lung disease caused by inhaling asbestos fibers.
Ascites
The abnormal buildup of fluid in the abdomen.
Aspergillosis
An infection, allergic reaction, or fungal growth caused by the Aspergillus fungus.
Asteatotic Eczema
A form of eczema that occurs when the skin becomes abnormally dry, itchy and cracked.
Astigmatism
A common and generally treatable imperfection in the curvature of the eye that causes blurred distance and near vision.
Ataxia
A term for a group of disorders that affect coordination, balance and speech.
Atherosclerosis
A disease in which plaque builds up inside your arteries.
Athetosis
A condition in which abnormal muscle contractions cause involuntary writhing movements, typically of the hands and feet.
Atresia
A condition in which an orifice or passage in the body is abnormally closed or absent.
Atrial Fibrillation
An irregular and often very rapid heart rhythm (arrhythmia) that can lead to blood clots in the heart.
Atrophy
The wasting away or decrease in size of a body organ, tissue, or part.
Avian Influenza
The disease caused by infection with avian (bird) influenza (flu) Type A viruses (Bird Flu).
Babesiosis
A disease caused by microscopic parasites that infect red blood cells, usually transmitted by ticks.
Bacteremia
The presence of bacteria in the bloodstream.
Baker's Cyst
A fluid-filled cyst that causes a bulge and a feeling of tightness behind your knee.
Balanitis
An inflammation of the foreskin and head of the penis.
Bariatric Surgery
Weight-loss surgery.
Barotrauma
Physical tissue damage caused by an unrelieved pressure difference between a gas space inside or in contact with the body, and the surrounding gas or liquid.
Bartholin's Cyst
A fluid-filled swelling on one of the Bartholin's glands, which are located on each side of the vaginal opening.
Basal Cell Carcinoma
A type of skin cancer that most often develops on areas of skin exposed to the sun, such as the face.
Behcet's Disease
A rare disorder that causes blood vessel inflammation throughout your body.
Bell's Palsy
A condition that causes a temporary weakness or paralysis of the muscles in the face.
Berylliosis
A form of metal poisoning caused by inhalation of beryllium dusts.
Biliary Atresia
A rare disease of the liver and bile ducts that occurs in infants.
Biliary Colic
A steady or intermittent ache in the upper abdomen, usually under the right side of the rib cage, that happens when something blocks the normal flow of bile from the gallbladder.
Binge Eating Disorder
A serious eating disorder in which you frequently consume unusually large amounts of food and feel unable to stop eating.
Bipolar Disorder
A mental health condition that causes extreme mood swings that include emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression).
Blastomycosis
An infection caused by a fungus called Blastomyces, which lives in moist soil and in decomposing matter such as wood and leaves.
Blepharitis
An inflammation of the eyelids, usually affecting both eyes along the edges of the eyelids.
Blepharospasm
An abnormal contraction or twitch of the eyelid.
Botulism
A rare and potentially fatal illness caused by a toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum.
Boutonniere Deformity
A deformed position of the fingers or toes, in which the joint nearest the knuckle (the proximal interphalangeal joint, or PIP) is permanently bent toward the palm while the farthest joint (the distal interphalangeal joint, or DIP) is bent back away (PIP flexion with DIP hyperextension).
Bradycardia
A slower than normal heart rate (typically fewer than 60 beats per minute in adults).
Bronchiectasis
A condition in which the lungs' airways become damaged, making it hard to clear mucus.
Bronchiolitis
A common lung infection in young children and infants that causes inflammation and congestion in the small airways (bronchioles) of the lung.
Bronchitis
An inflammation of the lining of your bronchial tubes, which carry air to and from your lungs.
Bronchospasm
A sudden constriction of the muscles in the walls of the bronchioles.
Brucellosis
An infectious disease caused by bacteria. People can get the disease when they are in contact with infected animals or animal products contaminated with the bacteria.
Brugada Syndrome
A potentially life-threatening heart rhythm disorder that is sometimes inherited.
Bruxism
A condition in which you grind, gnash or clench your teeth.
Buerger's Disease
A rare disease of the arteries and veins in the arms and legs (thromboangiitis obliterans).
Bulimia Nervosa
A serious, potentially life-threatening eating disorder characterized by a cycle of bingeing and compensatory behaviors such as self-induced vomiting designed to undo or compensate for the effects of binge eating.
Bulla
A fluid-filled sac or lesion that appears when fluid is trapped under a thin layer of your skin (a blister).
Bunions
A bony bump that forms on the joint at the base of your big toe.
Burkitt Lymphoma
A form of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in which cancer starts in immune cells called B-cells.
Bursitis
A painful condition that affects the small, fluid-filled sacs — called bursae — that cushion the bones, tendons and muscles near your joints.
Byssinosis
An occupational lung disease caused by inhalation of cotton or, less commonly, flax or hemp dust (brown lung disease).
Cachexia
A "wasting" disorder that causes extreme weight loss and muscle wasting, and can include loss of body fat.
Campylobacteriosis
An infectious disease caused by bacteria of the genus Campylobacter, usually causing diarrhea.
Candidiasis
A fungal infection caused by a yeast (a type of fungus) called Candida.
Canker Sore
A small, shallow sore inside the mouth or at the base of the gums.
Capillariasis
A disease caused by infection with nematode worms of the genus Capillaria.
Carbuncle
A cluster of boils that form a connected area of infection under the skin.
Carcinoid Syndrome
A pattern of symptoms sometimes seen in people with carcinoid tumors, characterized by skin flushing, facial skin lesions, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, and a rapid heartbeat.
Carcinoma
A cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs.
Cardiomegaly
An enlarged heart, which can be caused by various conditions.
Cardiomyopathy
A disease of the heart muscle that makes it harder for your heart to pump blood to the rest of your body.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
A condition that causes numbness, tingling, or weakness in your hand, caused by pressure on your median nerve.
Cataplexy
A sudden and transient episode of muscle weakness accompanied by full conscious awareness, typically triggered by emotions such as laughing, crying, or terror.
Cataract
A clouding of the normally clear lens of your eye.
Cauda Equina Syndrome
A rare and severe type of spinal stenosis where all of the nerves in the lower back suddenly become severely compressed.
Cellulitis
A common, potentially serious bacterial skin infection that causes redness, swelling, and pain in the infected area of the skin.
Celiac Disease
An immune reaction to eating gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye.
Cephalalgia
The medical term for a headache.
Cerebral Palsy
A group of disorders that affect movement and muscle tone or posture, caused by damage that occurs to the immature, developing brain, most often before birth.
Cerebrovascular Accident
The medical term for a stroke.
Cerumen
The medical term for earwax.
Cervicitis
An inflammation of the cervix, the lower, narrow end of the uterus that opens into the vagina.
Chagas Disease
An inflammatory, infectious disease caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, mostly found in Latin America.
Chalazion
A slow-growing, inflammatory lump in the tear gland of the eyelid.
Chancroid
A highly contagious yet curable sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the bacteria Haemophilus ducreyi.
Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease
A group of inherited disorders that cause nerve damage, mostly in the arms and legs (peripheral neuropathy).
Cheilitis
An inflammation of the lips.