MedicalVocabulary.org
Medical vocabulary with 16,436 clear, complete and reliable definitions.
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The most complete online medical dictionary: 16,436 terms covering anatomy, physiology, pathologies, diagnostic exams, pharmacology and every clinical specialty.
Designed for 3 kinds of users:
- Patients and family who want to understand a diagnosis, a medical report or instructions from a doctor.
- Students of medicine, nursing, physiotherapy and the health professions, dealing with technical terminology.
- Doctors, pharmacists and healthcare workers who need a quick and reliable reference.
Definitions are written in clear, accessible language while keeping the rigor required for professional use. Each term has a dedicated URL, instant autocomplete search, and can be shared on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and via email with one click.
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Disclaimer: the content is for informational and educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice. If you have doubts about your health, always consult a qualified professional. In case of emergency call your local emergency number (911 in the US, 112 in the EU).
Index case
A person who first draws attention to their family. For example, if my eye doctor discovers I have glaucoma and subsequently other cases of glaucoma are found in my family, I am the index case. Also called the propositus (if male) or…
Read the definitionRandom terms
Show more- Hemidesmosome A specialised structure that attaches an epithelial cell to the basement membrane beneath it
- Atelectasis Failure of full expansion of the lung at birth or a collapse thereafter of the lung. The word comes from the…
- Mammary gland One of the two half-moon-shaped glands on either side of the adult female chest, which with fatty tissue and…
- Thimerosal A mercury-containing preservative used in some vaccines and other products since the 1930's. No harmful…
- Stem cell, spermatogonial See: Sperm stem cell
- Cretinism Congenital hypothyroidism (underactivity of the thyroid gland at birth) resulting in growth retardation…
- Essential mixed cryoglobulinemia Essential mixed cryoglobulinemia: A condition in which cryoglobulin proteins which are a mixture of various…
- Red jungle fowl genome The genome of Gallus gallus, the ancestor of domestic chickens. See: Chicken genome
- CTL Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte
- Bicarbonate In medicine, bicarbonate usually refers to bicarbonate of soda (sodium bicarbonate, baking soda) white powder…
- Acute respiratory disease A sudden condition in which breathing is difficult and the oxygen levels in the blood abruptly drop lower…
- Elavil See: Amitriptyline