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Deciphering Medspeak

Medspeak Terms

Use the alphabetical index to look up a term.

A . B . C . D . E . F . G . H . I . J . K . L . M . N . O . P . Q . R . S . T . U . V . W . X . Y . Z

To top of page J

JUXTA - when used as part of a word, means "near," e.g. juxtacardia, near the heart

To top of page K

KELOID - excessive growth of scar tissue KETONE BODIES - substances produced by the normal breakdown of fats in the body; abnormal amounts of ketone bodies in the blood (ketoanemia) or urine (ketonuria) are an indication of uncontrolled diabetes mellitus or starvation

To top of page L

LACTASE - a substance secreted by glands in the small intestine that break down lactose (milk sugars) into simpler sugars. Lactose intolerance is the body's inability to digest lactose normally.

LALTO, LALO - when used as part of a word, refers to speech

LIGAMENT - shiny band of connective tissue that binds joints and connects bones and cartilage; similar to "tendon" which connects muscles to bone

LIPO - when used as part of a word, refers to body fat

LYMPH - thin fluid containing lymphocytes produced by lymph nodes that circulates through the lymph vessels

To top of page M

MALIGNANT - tending to become worse or invasive

MEMBRANE - a thin layer of tissue that lines or covers a part of the body, e.g. nasal membrane

METASTASIS - cancer cells migrating to spots outside the original cancer

MI - Myocardial Infarction, commonly called "heart attack," describes damage to heart muscle caused by decreased blood flow

MINOR SURGERY - any surgical procedure performed without general anesthesia

MONO - only, sole

MY, MYO - when used as part of a word, refers to muscle, e.g. myalgia, muscle pain, or myasthenia, abnormal muscle weakness

MYELIN - protective sheath encasing nerve fibers

MYOPIA - literally "weak eyes" or nearsightedness

To top of page N

NASO - when used as a part of a word, refers to the nose

NEONATE - infant from birth to four weeks in age

NEPHR, NEPHRO - when used as part of a word, refers to the kidneys, e.g., nephrectomy, surgical removal of a kidney

NEURO - when used as part of a word, refers to the nervous system, including the brain

NONINVASIVE - any medical technique that does not involve puncturing or entering the body

NOSO - when used as part of a word, means disease, e.g., nosocomial

To top of page O

ONCO - when used as a part of a word, means a tumor or mass, e.g., oncologist, one who specializes in tumors

-OMA - tumor

-OSIS - suffix indicating a condition, especially disease

OSTEO - when used as part of a word, means bone, e.g., osteoporosis, a condition characterized by porous or fragile bone.

OTITIS - an inflammation of the ear; otitis media is an inflammation of the middle ear

To top of page Didn't find it here?

Try the National Library of Medicine's MedlinePlus dictionary or medical encyclopedia.

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