MedicalVocabulary.org
Medical vocabulary with 16,436 clear, complete and reliable definitions.
About MedicalVocabulary.org
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).
Contraction
The tightening and shortening of a muscle
Read the definitionRandom terms
Show more- Pigeon breast Prominence of the breast bone (sternum). Medically, pigeon breast is called pectus carinatum.
- Carbohydrates Mainly sugars and starches, together constituting one of the three principal types of nutrients used as…
- Trocar A sharply pointed shaft, usually with a three-sided point. A trocar may be used within a cannula, a hollow…
- Milligram A unit of measurement of mass in the metric system equal to a thousandth of a gram. A gram is equal to the…
- Surgery, plastic The field of surgery concerned with reducing scarring or disfigurement that may occur as a result of…
- Elbow, tennis A painful injury to the tendon that is attached to the outer part of the elbow due to repetitive twisting of…
- Dysplasia, faciogenital See: Aarskog-Scott syndrome
- Classic typhus See: Typhus, epidemic
- Sartorius muscle The long band of muscle that stretches from the calf to the pelvis. It moves the thigh and, by extension, the…
- Bursa A closed fluid-filled sac that functions to provide a gliding surface to reduce friction between tissues of…
- Occupational Safety and Health, Nat'l Institut for Better known as NIOSH, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health is a US Federal agency…
- Syndrome, Lenz microphthalmia See: Lenz microphthalmia syndrome