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Dictionary of

Medical Terms

fourth edition

A & C Black ț London

www.acblack.com

While every effort has been made to be as accurate as possible, the author,
advisers, editors and publishers of this book cannot be held liable for any errors

and omissions, or actions that may be taken as a consequence of using it.

First published in Great Britain in1987
as English Medical Dictionary

Second edition published 1993
Third edition published 2000
Fourth edition published 2004

Reprinted 2005, 2007

A & C Black Publishers Ltd
37 Soho Square, London W1D 3QZ

© P. H. Collin 1987, 1993, 2000
© Bloomsbury Publishing Plc 2004
© A & C Black Publishers Ltd 2005

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced
in any form or by any means without the permission of the publishers

A CIP record for this book is available from the British Library
eISBN-13: 978-1-4081-0209-1

Text Production and Proofreading
Heather Bateman, Ruth Hillmore, Daisy Jackson, Sarah Lusznat,

Katy McAdam, Charlotte Regan

This book is produced using paper that is made from wood grown in managed,
sustainable forests. It is natural, renewable and recyclable. The logging and

manufacturing processes conform to the environmental regulations of the country
of origin.

Text computer typeset by A & C Black
Printed in Spain by Graphycems

Preface

This dictionary provides the user with the basic vocabulary currently being
used in a wide range of healthcare situations. The areas covered include the
technical language used in diagnosis, patient care, surgery, pathology,
general practice, pharmacy, dentistry and other specialisations, as well as
anatomical and physiological terms. Informal, everyday and sometimes
euphemistic terms commonly used by people in discussing their condition
with healthcare professionals are also included, as are common words used
in reading or writing reports, articles or guidelines.

The dictionary is designed for anyone who needs to check the meaning or
pronunciation of medical terms, but especially for those working in
health-related areas who may not be healthcare professionals or for whom
English is an additional language. Each headword is explained in clear,
straightforward English. Pronunciations, uncommon plurals and uncommon
verb forms are provided. Illustrations of some basic anatomical terms are
also included.

Very many people have helped or advised on the compilation and checking
of the dictionary in its various editions. In particular, thanks are due to Dr
Judith Harvey for her helpful comments and advice on this fourth edition
and to Dr Marie Condon for some revisions and clarification. Also to Lesley
Bennun, Lesley Brown and Margaret Baker who copy-edited the text and
Dinah Jackson who revised the pronunciations.

Pronunciation Guide

The following symbols have been used to show the pronunciation of the main
words in the dictionary.

Stress is indicated by a main stress mark ( ) and a secondary stress mark ( ) . Note
that these are only guides, as the stress of the word changes according to its position
in the sentence.

Vowels back Consonants
harm
ɑ stop b buck
ɒ type d dead
a how ð other
aυ hire d jump
aə hour f fare
aυə
ɔ course gold
ɔ h head
e annoy j yellow
eə head k cab
e fair l leave
eυ make m mix
n nil
i go ŋ sing
i p print
ə word r rest
 keep s save
ə happy ʃ shop
u t take
u about tʃ change
υ θ theft
υə fit v value
w work
near x loch

annual measure
pool z zone
book
tour
shut

A

AA /e/ noun a human blood type of the ABO abdominal distensionabdominal distension / b dɒmn(ə)l ds

system, containing the A antigen (NOTE: Some- tenʃ(ə)n/ noun a condition in which the abdo-

one with type A can donate to people of the men is stretched because of gas or fluid

same group or of the AB group, and can receive abdominal painabdominal pain / b dɒmn(ə)l pen/ noun

blood from people with type A or type O.) pain in the abdomen caused by indigestion or

AAAA abbr Alcoholics Anonymous more serious disorders

AA & E & E / e ənd i /, A & E department / e ənd abdominal visceraabdominal viscera / b dɒmn(ə)l vsərə/
i d pɑ tmənt/ noun same as accident and
plural noun the organs which are contained in

emergency department the abdomen, e.g. the stomach, liver and intes-

A &A & E medicine E medicine / e ənd i med(ə)sn/ tines

noun the medical procedures used in A & E de- abdominal wallabdominal wall / b dɒmn(ə)l wɔ l/ noun

partments muscular tissue which surrounds the abdomen

ABAB / e bi / noun a human blood type of the abdomino-abdomino- / bdɒmnəυ/ prefix referring to

ABO system, containing the A and B antigens the abdomen

(NOTE: Someone with type AB can donate to abdominopelvicabdominopelvic / b dɒmnəυ pelvk/ ad-

people of the same group and receive blood jective referring to the abdomen and pelvis

from people with type O, A, AB or B.) abdominoperinealabdominoperineal / b dɒmnəυper

ab- /ab- b/ prefix away from ni əl/ adjective referring to the abdomen and

ABCABC / e bi si / noun the basic initial checks perineum

of a casualty’s condition. Full form airway, abdominoperinealabdominoperineal excision excision / b dɒ

breathing and circulation mnəυper ni əl k s (ə)n/ noun a surgical

abdomenabdomen / bdəmən/ noun a space inside operation that involves cutting out tissue in

the body below the diaphragm, above the pel- both the abdomen and the perineum

vis and in front of the spine, containing the abdominoposteriorabdominoposterior / b dɒmnəυpɒ

stomach, intestines, liver and other vital or- stəriə/ adjective referring to a position of a

gans ć pain in the abdomen (NOTE: For other fetus in the uterus, where the fetus’s abdomen

terms referring to the abdomen, see words be- is facing the mother’s back

ginning with coeli-, coelio-.) abdominoscopyabdominoscopy / b dɒm nɒskəpi/ noun

COMMENT: The abdomen is divided for medi- an internal examination of the abdomen, usu-
cal purposes into nine regions: at the top, the
right and left hypochondriac regions with the ally with an endoscope
epigastrium between them; in the centre, the
right and left lumbar regions with the umbilical abdominothoracicabdominothoracic / b dɒmnəυθɔ r sk/
between them; and at the bottom, the right
and left iliac regions with the hypogastrium adjective referring to the abdomen and thorax
between them.
abduceabduce / b dju s/ verb same as abduct

abducensabducens nerve nerve / b dju s(ə)nz n v/

abdomin-abdomin- bdɒmn/ prefix same as abdom- noun the sixth cranial nerve, which controls

/ the muscle which makes the eyeball turn out-

ino- (used before vowels) wards

abdominalabdominal / b dɒmn(ə)l/ adjective located abducentabducent / b dju s(ə)nt/ adjective referring

in the abdomen, or relating to the abdomen to a muscle which brings parts of the body

abdominalabdominal aorta aorta / b dɒmn(ə)l e ɔ tə/ away from each other or moves them away

noun the part of the aorta which lies between from the central line of the body or a limb.

the diaphragm and the point where the aorta Compare adducent

divides into the iliac arteries. See illustration at abducent nerveabducent nerve / b dju sənt n v/ noun

KIDNEY in Supplement same as abducens nerve

abdominal cavityabdominal cavity / b dɒmn(ə)l k vti/ abductabduct / b d kt/ verb (of a muscle) to pull a

noun the space in the body below the chest leg or arm in a direction which is away from

abduction 2

the centre line of the body, or to pull a toe or abortionistabortionist /ə bɔ ʃ(ə)nst/ noun a person
finger away from the central line of a leg or
arm. Compare adduct who helps a woman abort, usually a person

who performs an illegal abortion

abductionabduction / b d kʃən/ noun the movement abortionabortion pill pill /ə bɔ ʃ(ə)n pl/ noun a drug

of a part of the body away from the centre line that causes an abortion to occur very early in

of the body or away from a neighbouring part. pregnancy

Opposite adduction. See illustration at ANA- abortionabortion trauma syndrome trauma syndrome /ə bɔ ʃ(ə)n

TOMICAL TERMS in Supplement trɔ mə sndrəυm/ noun a set of symptoms

‘Mary was nursed in a position of not more than 90° sometimes experienced in the period after an
upright with her legs in abduction.’ [British
Journal of Nursing] abortion including guilt, anxiety, depression,

low self-esteem, eating and sleeping disorders

abductorabductor / bd ktə/, abductor muscle / b and suicidal thoughts

d ktə m s(ə)l/ noun a muscle which pulls a abortiveabortive /ə bɔ tv/ adjective not successful ć

part of the body away from the centre line of an abortive attempt

the body or away from a neighbouring part. abortiveabortive poliomyelitis poliomyelitis /ə bɔ tv pəυliəυ

Opposite adductor maə lats/ noun a mild form of polio which

aberrantaberrant / berənt/ adjective not usual or ex- only affects the throat and intestines

pected abortusabortus /ə bɔ təs/ noun a fetus which is ex-

aberrationaberration / bə reʃ(ə)n/ noun an action or pelled during an abortion or miscarriage

growth which is not usual or expected abortusabortus fever fever /ə bɔ təs fi və/ noun same as

ablationablation / bleʃ(ə)n/ noun the removal of brucellosis

an organ or of a part of the body by surgery ABOABO system system / e bi əυ sstəm/ noun a

abnormalabnormal / b nɔ m(ə)l/ adjective not usual system of classifying blood groups. ı blood

ć abnormal behaviour ć an abnormal move- group

ment abrasionabrasion /ə bre (ə)n/ noun a condition in

‘…the synovium produces an excess of synovial flu- which the surface of the skin has been rubbed
id, which is abnormal and becomes thickened. This
causes pain, swelling and immobility of the affected off by a rough surface and bleeds
joint.’ [Nursing Times]
COMMENT: As the intact skin is an efficient bar-
rier to bacteria, even minor abrasions can al-

abnormalityabnormality / bnɔ m lti/ noun a form or low infection to enter the body and thus

should be cleaned and treated with an anti-

condition which is not usual (NOTE: For other septic.

terms referring to abnormality, see words begin- abreactabreact / bri kt/ verb to release uncon-

ning with terat-, terato-.) scious psychological tension by talking about

‘Even children with the milder forms of sickle-cell or regularly remembering the events that
disease have an increased frequency of pneumococ-
cal infection. The reason for this susceptibility is a caused it
profound abnormality of the immune system in chil-
dren with SCD.’ [Lancet] abreactionabreaction / bri kʃən/ noun the treat-

ment of a person with a neurosis by making

abocclusionabocclusion / bɒ klu (ə)n/ noun a condi- him or her think again about past bad experi-

tion in which the teeth in the top and bottom ences

jaws do not touch abruptio placentae ə brabruptio placentae/ ptiəυ plə senti /

aboralaboral / b ɔ rəl/ adjective situated away noun an occasion when the placenta suddenly
from or opposite the mouth
comes away from the uterus earlier than it

should, often causing shock and bleeding

abortabort /ə bɔ t/ verb to eject an embryo or fetus, abscessabscess / bses/ noun a painful swollen
or to cause an embryo or fetus to be ejected,
and so end a pregnancy before the fetus is fully area where pus forms ć She had an abscess
developed
under a tooth. ć The doctor decided to lance

the abscess. (NOTE: The formation of an abscess

abortifacient əabortifacient / bɔ t feʃ(ə)nt/ noun a drug is often accompanied by a high temperature.

or instrument which provokes an abortion The plural is abscesses.)

abortionabortion /ə bɔ ʃ(ə)n/ noun a situation where COMMENT: An acute abscess can be dealt with
a fetus leaves the uterus before it is fully devel-
by opening and draining when it has reached
oped, especially during the first 28 weeks of
the stage where sufficient pus has been
pregnancy, or a procedure which causes this to
formed. A chronic abscess is usually treated
happen ˽ to have an abortion to have an op-
with drugs.
eration to make a fetus leave the uterus during
absoluteabsolute alcohol alcohol / bsəlu t lkəhɒl/
the first period of pregnancy
noun alcohol which contains no water

absorbabsorb /əb zɔ b/ verb to take up or soak up

COMMENT: In the UK, an abortion can be car- something, especially a liquid, into a solid ć
ried out legally if two doctors agree that the
mother’s life is in danger, that she risks grave Cotton wads are used to absorb the discharge
permanent injury to the physical or mental
health of herself or her children, or that the fe- from the wound.
tus is likely to be born with severe disabilities.
absorbableabsorbable suture suture /əb zɔ bəb(ə)l su tʃə/

noun a suture which will eventually be ab-

3 acetabulum

sorbed into the body, and does not need to be accidentaccident / ksd(ə)nt/ noun 1. an unpleasant

removed event which happens suddenly and harms

absorbentabsorbent cotton cotton /əb zɔ bənt kɒt(ə)n/ someone’s health ć She had an accident in the

noun a soft white material used as a dressing to kitchen and had to go to hospital. ć Three peo-

put on wounds ple were killed in the accident on the motor-

absorptionabsorption /əb zɔ pʃən/ noun 1. the process way. 2. chance, or something which happens

by which a liquid is taken into a solid 2. the by chance ć I met her by accident at the bus

process of taking into the body substances stop.

such as proteins or fats which have been di- accidental injuryaccidental injury / ksdent(ə)l nd əri/

gested from food and enter the bloodstream noun an injury that happens to someone in an

from the stomach and intestines ˽ absorption accident

rate the rate at which a liquid is absorbed by a accident and emergency departmentaccident and emergency department /

solid ksd(ə)nt ənd  m d ənsi d pɑ tmənt/

abstainerabstainer /əb stenə/ noun a person who noun the part of a hospital which deals with

does not drink alcohol people who need urgent treatment because

abstinenceabstinence / bstnəns/ noun a deliberate they have had accidents or are in sudden seri-

act of not doing something over a period of ous pain. Abbr A & E

time, especially not eating or drinking ć absti- accident formaccident form / ksd(ə)nt fɔ m/, accident

nence from alcohol report form / ksd(ə)nt r pɔ t fɔ m/ noun a

abuliaabulia /ə bu liə/ noun a lack of willpower form to be filled in with details of an accident

abuseabuse noun /ə bju s/ 1. the act of using some- accidentaccident prevention prevention / ksd(ə)nt pr

thing wrongly ć the abuse of a privilege 2. the venʃən/ noun the work of taking action or

illegal use of a drug or overuse of alcohol ć changing procedures to prevent accidents from

substance abuse 3. same as child abuse 4. bad happening

treatment of a person ć physical abuse ć sex- accident wardaccident ward / ksd(ə)nt wɔ d/ noun a
ual abuse í verb /ə bju z/ 1. to use something
ward for urgent accident victims. Also called

wrongly ć Heroin and cocaine are drugs casualty ward

which are commonly abused. ˽ to abuse one’s accommodationaccommodation /ə kɒmə deʃ(ə)n/, ac-
commodation reflex /ə kɒmə deʃ(ə)n
authority to use one’s powers in an illegal or
ri fleks/ noun (of the lens of the eye) the abil-
harmful way 2. to treat someone badly ć sexu-
ity to focus on objects at different distances,
ally abused children ć He had physically
using the ciliary muscle
abused his wife and child.
accommodativeaccommodative squint squint /ə kɒmədetv
a.c.a.c. adverb (used on prescriptions) before
skwnt/ noun a squint when the eye is trying
food. Full form ante cibum
to focus on an object which is very close
acanthosis ə kacanthosis/ n θəυss/ noun a disease of
accouchementaccouchement /ə ku ʃmɒŋ/ noun the time
the prickle cell layer of the skin, where warts
when a woman is being looked after because
appear on the skin or inside the mouth
her baby is being born, or has just been born
acapniaacapnia /e k pniə/ noun the condition of
accretionaccretion /ə kri ʃ(ə)n/ noun a gradual in-
not having enough carbon dioxide in the blood
crease in size, as through growth or external
and tissues
addition ć an accretion of calcium around the
acariasisacariasis / kə raəss/ noun the presence
joint
of mites or ticks on the skin
ACEACE /es/ noun an enzyme that increases
acaricideacaricide /ə k rsad/ noun a substance
blood pressure
which kills mites or ticks
acebutololacebutolol / s bju təlɒl/ noun a drug
acarophobiaacarophobia / kərə fəυbiə/ noun an unu-
which reduces both the heart rate and how
sual fear of mites or ticks
strongly the heart muscles contract, used in the

acatalasiaacatalasia /e k tə leziə/ noun an inherited treatment of high blood pressure and irregular

condition which results in a lack of catalase in heart rhythms

all tissue ACEACE inhibitor inhibitor / es n hbtə/ noun same as

accessoryaccessory /ək sesəri/ noun something angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor

which helps something else to happen or oper- acephalusacephalus /e sefələs/ noun a fetus born

ate, but may not be very important in itself í without a head

adjective helping something else to happen or acetabuloplastyacetabuloplasty / s t bjυləυ pl sti/

operate noun a surgical operation to repair or rebuild

accessoryaccessory nerve nerve /ək sesəri n v/ noun the the acetabulum

eleventh cranial nerve which supplies the mus- acetabulumacetabulum / s t bjυləm/ noun the part

cles in the neck and shoulders of the pelvic bone, shaped like a cup, into

accessoryaccessory organ organ /ək sesəri ɔ ən/ noun which the head of the femur fits to form the hip

an organ which has a function which is con- joint. Also called cotyloid cavity (NOTE: The

trolled by another organ plural is acetabula.)

acetaminophen 4

acetaminophenacetaminophen /ə si tə mnəfən/ noun US larged spleen and the formation of gallstones.

same as paracetamol Also called hereditary spherocytosis

acetazolamideacetazolamide /ə si tə zɒləmad/ noun a achondroplasiaachondroplasia / ekɒndrə pleziə/ noun

drug which helps a person to produce more an inherited condition in which the long bones

urine, used in the treatment of oedema, glauco- in the arms and legs do not grow fully while

ma and epilepsy the rest of the bones in the body grow as usual,

acetonaemiaacetonaemia /ə si təυ ni miə/ same as ket- resulting in dwarfism

onaemia achromatopsiaachromatopsia / ekrəυmə tɒpsiə/ noun a

acetoneacetone / stəυn/ noun a colourless volatile rare condition in which a person cannot see

substance formed in the body after vomiting or any colours, but only black, white and shades

during diabetes. ı ketone of grey

acetonuriaacetonuria /ə si təυ nju riə/ noun the pres- achyachy / eki/ adjective feeling aches all over the

ence of acetone in the urine, shown by the fact body (informal)

that the urine gives off a sweet smell acicloviraciclovir /e sakləυvə/ noun a drug that is

acetylcholineacetylcholine / stal kəυli n/ noun a sub- effective against herpesviruses. Also called

stance released from nerve endings, which al- acyclovir

lows nerve impulses to move from one nerve acid /acid sd/ noun a chemical compound con-

to another or from a nerve to the organ it con- taining hydrogen, which reacts with an alkali

trols to form a salt and water

COMMENT: Acetylcholine receptors are of two acidaemiaacidaemia / s di miə/ noun a state in
types, muscarinic, found in parasympathetic
post-ganglionic nerve junctions, and nicotinic, which the blood has too much acid in it. It is a
found at neuromuscular junctions and in auto-
nomic ganglia. Acetylcholine acts on both feature of untreated severe diabetes.
types of receptors, but other drugs act on one
or the other. acid–base balanceacid–base balance / sd bes b ləns/

noun the balance between acid and base, i.e.

the pH level, in plasma

acetylcoenzyme Aacetylcoenzyme A / stalkəυ enzam acidityacidity /ə sdti/ noun 1. the level of acid in a

e/ noun a compound produced in the metab- liquid ć The alkaline solution may help to re-

olism of carbohydrates, fatty acids and amino duce acidity. 2. same as hyperacidity

acids acidosisacidosis / s dəυss/ noun 1. a condition

acetylsalicylicacetylsalicylic acid acid / stal s ləslk when there are more acid waste products such
sd/ noun ‘ aspirin
as urea than usual in the blood because of a

achalasiaachalasia / kə leziə/ noun the condition of lack of alkali 2. same as acidity

being unable to relax the muscles acidoticacidotic / s dɒtk/ adjective relating to ac-

acheache /ek/ noun a pain which goes on for a idosis

time, but is not very severe ć He complained acid refluxacid reflux / sd ri fl ks/ noun a condition

of various aches and pains. í verb to have a caused by a faulty muscle in the oesophagus

pain in part of the body ć His tooth ached so allowing the acid in the stomach to pass into

much he went to the dentist. the oesophagus

AchillesAchilles tendon tendon /ə kli z tendən/ noun a acid stomachacid stomach / sd st mək/ noun same

tendon at the back of the ankle which connects as hyperacidity

the calf muscles to the heel and which acts to aciduriaaciduria / s djυəriə/ noun a condition in

pull up the heel when the calf muscle is con- which there is a higher level of acidity of the

tracted urine than is desirable

achillorrhaphyachillorrhaphy / k lɔ rəfi/ noun a surgi- acinusacinus / snəs/ noun 1. a tiny sac which

cal operation to stitch a torn Achilles tendon forms part of a gland 2. part of a lobule in the

achillotomyachillotomy / k lɒtəmi/ noun a surgical lung (NOTE: The plural is acini.)

operation to divide the Achilles tendon acne /acne kni/ noun an inflammation of the se-

achingaching / ekŋ/ adjective causing someone a baceous glands during puberty which makes

continuous mild pain ć aching legs blackheads appear on the skin, usually on the

achlorhydriaachlorhydria / eklɔ hadriə/ noun a condi- face, neck and shoulders. These blackheads

often then become infected. ć She is using a

tion in which the gastric juices do not contain cream to clear up her acne.

hydrochloric acid, a symptom of stomach can- acne rosaceaacne rosacea / kni rəυ zeʃə/ noun same

cer or pernicious anaemia as rosacea

acholiaacholia /e kəυliə/ noun the absence or fail- acne vulgarisacne vulgaris / kni vυl ɑ rs/ noun same

ure of the secretion of bile as acne

acholuriaacholuria / ekɒ lu riə/ noun the absence of acousticacoustic /ə ku stk/ adjective relating to

bile colouring in the urine sound or hearing

acholuricacholuric jaundice jaundice / ekəlu rk d ɔ nds/ acousticacoustic nerve nerve /ə ku stk n v/ noun the

noun a disease where unusually round red eighth cranial nerve which governs hearing

blood cells form, leading to anaemia, an en- and balance

5 acuity

acousticacoustic neurofibroma neurofibroma /ə ku stk acrophobiaacrophobia / krə fəυbiə/ noun a fear of

njυərəυfa brəυmə/, acoustic neuroma /ə heights

ku stk njυə rəυmə/ noun a tumour in the acrosclerosisacrosclerosis / krəυsklə rəυss/ noun

sheath of the auditory nerve, causing deafness sclerosis which affects the extremities

acousticacoustic trauma trauma /ə ku stk trɔ mə/ noun ACTHACTH abbr adrenocorticotrophic hormone

physical damage caused by sound waves, e.g. actinomycinactinomycin / ktnəυ masn/ noun an an-

hearing loss, disorientation, motion sickness tibiotic used in the treatment of children with

or dizziness cancer

acquiredacquired /ə kwaəd/ adjective referring to a actinomycosisactinomycosis / ktnəυma kəυss/ noun

condition which is neither congenital nor he- a fungal disease transmitted to humans from

reditary and which a person develops after cattle, causing abscesses in the mouth and

birth in reaction to his or her environment lungs (pulmonary actinomycosis) or in the ile-

acquiredacquired immunity immunity /ə kwaəd  mju nti/ um (intestinal actinomycosis)

noun an immunity which a body acquires from action potentialaction potential / kʃən pə tenʃəl/ noun a

having caught a disease or from immunisation, temporary change in electrical potential which

not one which is congenital occurs between the inside and the outside of a

acquired immunodeficiency syndromeacquired immunodeficiency syndrome nerve or muscle fibre when a nerve impulse is

/ə kwaəd mjυnəυd fʃ(ə)nsi sndrəυm/, sent
acquired immune deficiency syndrome /ə
kwaəd m ju n d fʃ(ə)nsi sndrəυm/ activeactive / ktv/ adjective 1. (of a person) lively

and energetic ć Although she is over eighty

noun a viral infection which breaks down the she is still very active. Opposite passive 2. (of

body’s immune system. Abbr AIDS a disease) having an effect on a patient ć ex-

acrivastineacrivastine /ə krvə sti n/ noun a drug perienced two years of active rheumatoid dis-

which reduces the amount of histamine pro- ease Compare dormant 3. (of a drug) having

duced by the body. It is used in the treatment medicinal effect

of rhinitis, urticaria and eczema. active immunityactive immunity / ktv  mju nti/ noun

acro-acro- / krəυ/ prefix referring to a point or tip immunity which is acquired by catching and

acrocephaliaacrocephalia / krəυsə feliə/ noun same surviving an infectious disease or by vaccina-

as oxycephaly tion with a weakened form of the disease,

acrocephalyacrocephaly / krəυ sefəli/ noun same as which makes the body form antibodies

oxycephaly activeactive ingredient ingredient / ktv n ri diənt/

acrocyanosisacrocyanosis / krəυsaə nəυss/ noun a noun the main medicinal ingredient of an oint-

blue coloration of the extremities, i.e. the fin- ment or lotion, as opposed to the base

gers, toes, ears and nose, which is due to poor active movementactive movement / ktv mu vmənt/

circulation noun movement made by a person using his or

acrodyniaacrodynia / krəυ dniə/ noun a children’s her own willpower and muscles

disease, caused by an allergy to mercury, active principleactive principle / ktv prnsp(ə)l/ noun

where the child’s hands, feet and face swell the main medicinal ingredient of a drug which

and become pink, and the child is also affected makes it have the required effect on a person

with fever and loss of appetite. Also called activities of daily livingactivities of daily living / k tvtiz əv

erythroedema, pink disease deli lvŋ/ noun a scale used by geriatricians

acromegalyacromegaly / krəυ me əli/ noun a disease and occupational therapists to assess the ca-

caused by excessive quantities of growth hor- pacity of elderly or disabled people to live in-

mone produced by the pituitary gland, causing dependently. Abbr ADLs

a slow enlargement of the hands, feet and jaws activityactivity / k tvti/ noun 1. what someone

in adults does ć difficulty with activities such as walk-

acromialacromial /ə krəυmiəl/ adjective referring to ing and dressing 2. the characteristic behav-

the acromion iour of a chemical ć The drug’s activity only

acromioclavicularacromioclavicular / krəυmaəυklə lasts a few hours. ˽ antibacterial activity ef-

vkjυlə/ adjective relating to the acromion fective action against bacteria

and the clavicle act onact on / kt ɒn/, act upon / kt ə pɒn/ verb

acromionacromion /ə krəυmiən/ noun the pointed top 1. to do something as the result of something

which has been said ć He acted on his doc-

of the scapula, which forms the tip of the tor’s advice and gave up smoking. 2. to have an

shoulder effect on someone or something ć The antibi-

acronyxacronyx / krɒnks, ekrɒnks/ noun a otic acted quickly on the infection.

condition in which a nail grows into the flesh act outact out / kt aυt/ verb to express negative

acroparaesthesiaacroparaesthesia / krəυp rs θi ziə/ feelings by behaving in a socially unaccepta-

noun a condition in which the patient experi- ble way

ences sharp pains in the arms and numbness in acuityacuity /ə kju ti/ noun keenness of sight,

the fingers after sleep hearing or intellect

acupressure 6

acupressureacupressure / kjυpreʃə/ noun a treatment acuteacute rheumatism rheumatism noun same as rheumatic

which is based on the same principle as acu- fever

puncture in which, instead of needles, fingers acuteacute rhinitis rhinitis /ə kju t ra nats/ noun a vi-

are used on specific points on the body, called rus infection which causes inflammation of the

pressure points mucous membrane in the nose and throat

acupunctureacupuncture / kjυp ŋktʃə/ noun a treat- acute suppurative arthritis ə kju t sacute suppurative arthritis/

ment based on needles being inserted through pjυrətv ɑ θ rats/ noun same as pyarthrosis

the skin into nerve centres in order to relieve acuteacute toxicity toxicity /ə kju t tɒk ssti/ noun a

pain or treat a disorder level of concentration of a toxic substance

acupuncturistacupuncturist / kjυ p ŋktʃərst/ noun a which makes people seriously ill or can cause

person who practises acupuncture death

acuteacute /ə kju t/ adjective 1. referring to a dis- acute yellowacute yellow atrophy atrophy /ə kju t jeləυ
trəfi/ ‘ yellow atrophy
ease or condition which develops rapidly and

can be dangerous ć an acute abscess Opposite acycloviracyclovir /e sakləυvə/ noun same as aci-

chronic 2. referring to pain which is sharp and clovir

intense (informal) ć He felt acute chest pains. acystiaacystia /e sstiə/ noun a condition in which

acuteacute abdomen abdomen /ə kju t bdəmən/ noun a baby is born without a bladder

any serious condition of the abdomen which

requires surgery ADAD abbr Alzheimer’s disease

acuteacute bed bed /ə kju t bed/ noun a hospital bed Adam’s appleAdam’s apple / dəmz p(ə)l/ noun a part

reserved for people requiring immediate treat- of the thyroid cartilage which projects from

ment the neck below the chin in a man. Also called

‘…the survey shows a reduction in acute beds in the laryngeal prominence

last six years. The bed losses forced one hospital to adaptadapt /ə d pt/ verb 1. to change one’s ideas
send acutely ill patients to hospitals up to sixteen
or behaviour to fit into a new situation ć She
miles away.’ [Nursing Times]
has adapted very well to her new job in the
acuteacute care care /ə kju t keə/ noun medical or
children’s hospital. 2. to change something to
surgical treatment in a hospital, usually for a
make it more useful ć The brace has to be
short period, for a patient with a sudden severe
adapted to fit the patient.
illness or injury
adaptationadaptation / d p teʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. a
acute disseminated encephalomyelitisacute disseminated encephalomyelitis
change which has been or can be made to
/ə kju t d semnetd en kefələυmaə
lats/ noun an encephalomyelitis or myelitis something 2. the act of changing something so

believed to result from an autoimmune attack that it fits a new situation 3. the process by

on the myelin of the central nervous system which sensory receptors become accustomed

acuteacute glaucoma glaucoma /ə kju t lɔ kəυmə/ noun to a sensation which is repeated

same as angle-closure glaucoma ADDADD abbr attention deficit disorder

acuteacute hospital hospital /ə kju t hɒspt(ə)l/ noun a addictedaddicted /ə dktd/ adjective physically or

hospital where people go for major surgery or mentally dependent on a harmful substance ˽

intensive care of medical or surgical condi- addicted to alcohol or drugs needing to take

tions alcohol or a harmful drug regularly

acutelyacutely /ə kju tli/ adverb 1. having or caus- addictiveaddictive /ə dktv/ adjective referring to a

ing a suddenly developing medical condition drug which is habit-forming and which people

ć acutely ill patients ć acutely toxic chemicals can become addicted to

2. extremely (informal) Addison’s anaemiaAddison’s anaemia / ds(ə)nz ə ni miə/

acute lymphocytic leukaemia ə kju tacute lymphocytic leukaemia/ same as pernicious anaemia [Described 1849.

lmfəstk lu ki miə/ noun a form of leukae- After Thomas Addison (1793–1860), from

mia that is the commonest cancer affecting Northumberland, founder of the science of en-

children docrinology.]

acute nonlymphocytic leukaemia əacute nonlymphocytic leukaemia/ Addison’s diseaseAddison’s disease / ds(ə)nz d zi z/

kju t nɒnlmfəstk lu ki miə/ noun a noun a disease of the adrenal glands, causing a

form of leukaemia that affects adults and chil- change in skin colour to yellow and then to

dren and is usually treated with chemotherapy dark brown and resulting in general weakness,

acute pancreatitis ə kuacute pancreatitis/ t p ŋkriə tats/ anaemia, low blood pressure and wasting

noun inflammation after pancreatic enzymes away. Treatment is with corticosteroid injec-

have escaped into the pancreas, causing symp- tions. [Described 1849. After Thomas Addison

toms of acute abdominal pain (1793–1860), from Northumberland, founder of

acute respiratory distress syndrome əacute respiratory distress syndrome/ the science of endocrinology.]

kju t r sprət(ə)ri d stres sndrəυm/ adducentadducent /ə dju s(ə)nt/ adjective referring

noun an infection of the lungs, often following to a muscle which brings parts of the body to-

injury, which prevents them functioning prop- gether or moves them towards the central line

erly. Abbr ARDS of the body or a limb. Compare abducent

7 adiposuria

adductadduct /ə d kt/ verb (of a muscle) to pull a adenomyomaadenomyoma / dnəυma əυmə/ noun a

leg or arm towards the central line of the body, benign tumour made up of glands and muscle

or to pull a toe or finger towards the central adenopathyadenopathy / d nɒpəθi/ noun a disease of

line of a leg or arm. Opposite abduct a gland

adductedadducted /ə d ktd/ adjective referring to a adenosclerosisadenosclerosis / dnəυsklə rəυss/ noun

body part brought towards the middle of the the hardening of a gland

body adenosineadenosine /ə denəυsi n/ noun a drug used

adductionadduction /ə d kʃən/ noun the movement of to treat an irregular heartbeat

a part of the body towards the midline or to- adenosineadenosine diphosphate diphosphate /ə denəυsi n da
fɒsfet/ noun a chemical compound which
wards a neighbouring part. Compare abduc-

tion. See illustration at ANATOMICAL TERMS in provides energy for processes to take place

Supplement within living cells, formed when adenosine tri-

adductoradductor /ə d ktə/, adductor muscle /ə phosphate reacts with water. Abbr ADP

d ktə m s(ə)l/ noun a muscle which pulls a adenosineadenosine triphosphate triphosphate /ə denəυsi n
tra fɒsfet/ noun a chemical which occurs in
part of the body towards the central line of the

body. Opposite abductor all cells, but mainly in muscle, where it forms

aden-aden- / dn/ prefix same as adeno- (used be- the energy reserve. Abbr ATP

fore vowels) adenosisadenosis / d nəυss/ noun any disease or

adenectomyadenectomy / d nektəmi/ noun the surgi- disorder of the glands

cal removal of a gland adenovirusadenovirus / dnəυ varəs/ noun a virus

adenineadenine / dəni n/ noun one of the four ba- which produces upper respiratory infections

sic chemicals in DNA and sore throats and can cause fatal pneumonia

adenitisadenitis / d nats/ noun inflammation of in infants

a gland or lymph node. ı lymphadenitis ADHADH abbr antidiuretic hormone

adeno-adeno- / dnəυ/ prefix referring to glands ADHDADHD noun full form attention deficit hyper-

adenocarcinomaadenocarcinoma / dnəυkɑ s nəυmə/ activity disorder. ‘ hyperactivity

noun a malignant tumour of a gland adhesionadhesion /əd hi (ə)n/ noun a stable connec-

adenohypophysisadenohypophysis / dnəυha pɒfss/ tion between two parts in the body, either in a

noun the front lobe of the pituitary gland healing process or between parts which are not

which secretes most of the pituitary hormones usually connected

adenoidadenoid / dnɔd/ adjective like a gland adhesiveadhesive dressing dressing /əd hi sv dresŋ/

adenoidaladenoidal / d nɔd(ə)l/ adjective referring noun a dressing with a sticky substance on the

to the adenoids back so that it can stick to the skin

adenoidal expressionadenoidal expression / dnɔd(ə)l k adhesiveadhesive strapping strapping /əd hi sv str pŋ/

spreʃ(ə)n/ noun a common symptom of a noun overlapping strips of adhesive plaster

child suffering from adenoids, where his or her used to protect a lesion

mouth is always open, the nose is narrow and adipo-adipo- dpəυ/ prefix referring to fat

the top teeth appear to project forward /

adenoidal tissueadenoidal tissue / dnɔd(ə)l tʃu / noun adiposeadipose / dpəυs/ adjective containing fat,

same as adenoids or made of fat

adenoidectomyadenoidectomy / dnɔ dektəmi/ noun COMMENT: Fibrous tissue is replaced by adi-
pose tissue when more food is eaten than is
the surgical removal of the adenoids necessary.

adenoidismadenoidism / dnɔdz(ə)m/ noun the con- adiposeadipose degeneration degeneration / dpəυs d
d enə reʃ(ə)n/ noun an accumulation of fat
dition of a person with adenoids

adenoidsadenoids / dnɔdz/ plural noun a mass of in the cells of an organ such as the heart or liv-

tissue at the back of the nose and throat that er, which makes the organ less able to perform

can restrict breathing if enlarged. Also called its proper function. Also called fatty degener-

pharyngeal tonsils ation

adenoid vegetationadenoid vegetation / dnɔd ved ə adipose tissueadipose tissue / dpəυs tʃu / noun a tis-

teʃ(ə)n/ noun a condition in children where sue where the cells contain fat

the adenoidal tissue is covered with growths adiposisadiposis / d pəυss/ noun a state where

and can block the nasal passages or the Eus- too much fat is accumulated in the body

tachian tubes

adenolymphomaadenolymphoma / dnəυlm fəυmə/ adiposisadiposis dolorosa dolorosa / d pəυss dɒlə
rəυsə/ noun a disease of middle-aged women
noun a benign tumour of the salivary glands
in which painful lumps of fatty substance form
adenomaadenoma / d nəυmə/ noun a benign tu-
in the body. Also called Dercum’s disease
mour of a gland
adiposogenitalisadiposogenitalis / d pəυsəυ d en tels/
adenomaadenoma sebaceum sebaceum / dnəυmə sə
noun same as Fröhlich’s syndrome
beʃəm/ noun a skin condition of the face
adiposuriaadiposuria /ədpsəυ ju riə/ noun the pres-
shown by raised red vascular bumps appearing

in late childhood or early adolescence ence of fat in the urine

adiposus 8

adiposusadiposus / d pəυsəs/ ‘ panniculus adi- adrenaladrenal cortex cortex /ə dri n(ə)l kɔ teks/ noun

posus the firm outside layer of an adrenal gland,

aditusaditus / dtəs/ noun an opening or entrance which secretes a series of hormones affecting

to a passage the metabolism of carbohydrates and water

adjustment ə dadjustment / stmənt/ noun a specific adrenalectomyadrenalectomy /ə dri nə lektəmi/ noun the

directional high-speed movement of a joint surgical removal of one of the adrenal glands

performed by a chiropractor adrenaladrenal gland gland /ə dri n(ə)l l nd/ noun one

adjuvantadjuvant / d υvənt/ adjective referring to of two endocrine glands at the top of the kid-

treatment by drugs or radiation therapy after neys which secrete cortisone, adrenaline and

surgery for cancer í noun a substance added to other hormones. Also called adrenal body, ad-

a drug to enhance the effect of the main ingre- renal. See illustration at KIDNEY in Supplement

dient adrenalineadrenaline /ə drenəln/ noun a hormone se-

adjuvant therapyadjuvant therapy / d υvənt θerəpi/ creted by the medulla of the adrenal glands

noun therapy using drugs or radiation after which has an effect similar to stimulation of

cancer surgery the sympathetic nervous system (NOTE: The US

ADLsADLs abbr activities of daily living term is epinephrine.)

administeradminister /əd mnstə/ verb to give some- COMMENT: Adrenaline is produced when a
person experiences surprise, shock, fear or
one medicine or a treatment ˽ to administer excitement and it speeds up the heartbeat
and raises blood pressure. It is administered
orally to give a medicine by mouth as an emergency treatment of acute anaphy-
laxis and in cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
admissionadmission /əd mʃ(ə)n/ noun the act of be-

ing registered as a hospital patient

admitadmit /əd mt/ verb to register a patient in a adrenaladrenal medulla medulla /ə dri n(ə)l me d lə/ noun

hospital ć He was admitted to hospital this the inner part of the adrenal gland which se-

morning. cretes adrenaline and noradrenaline. Also

‘80% of elderly patients admitted to geriatric units called suprarenal medulla
are on medication’ [Nursing Times]
adrenergicadrenergic / drə n d k/ adjective refer-
‘…ten patients were admitted to the ICU before op-
eration, the main indications being the need for eval- ring to a neurone or receptor which is stimulat-

uation of patients with a history of severe heart dis- ed by adrenaline. ı beta blocker

ease’ [Southern Medical Journal] adrenergicadrenergic receptor receptor / drən d k r
septə/ noun same as adrenoceptor
adnexaadnexa / d neksə/ plural noun structures at-

tached to an organ COMMENT: Three types of adrenergic receptor
act in different ways when stimulated by
adolescenceadolescence / də les(ə)ns/ noun the peri- adrenaline. Alpha receptors constrict the
bronchi, beta 1 receptors speed up the heart-
od of life when a child is developing into an beat and beta 2 receptors dilate the bronchi.

adult

adolescentadolescent / də les(ə)nt/ noun a person adrenoceptoradrenoceptor /ə drenəυ septə/ noun a cell

who is at the stage of life when he or she is de- or neurone which is stimulated by adrenaline.

veloping into an adult í adjective developing Also called adrenoreceptor, adrenergic re-

into an adult, or occurring at that stage of life ceptor

ć adolescent boys and girls ć adolescent fan- adrenocorticaladrenocortical /ə dri nəυ kɔ tk(ə)l/ ad-

tasies jective relating to the cortex of the adrenal

adoptadopt /ə dɒpt/ verb 1. to decide to use a par- glands

ticular plan or idea or way of doing something adrenocorticotrophicadrenocorticotrophic hormone hormone /ə

ć The hospital has adopted a new policy on dri nəυ kɔ təkəυtrɒfk hɔ məυn/ noun a

visiting. 2. to become the legal parent of a child hormone secreted by the pituitary gland,

who was born to other parents which makes the cortex of the adrenal glands

adoptiveadoptive /ə dɒptv/ adjective 1. taking over produce corticosteroids. Abbr ACTH. Also

the role of something else 2. referring to peo- called corticotrophin

ple who have adopted a child or a child that has adrenogenitaladrenogenital syndrome syndrome /ə dri nəυ

been adopted ć adoptive parents d ent(ə)l sndrəυm/ noun a condition

adoptiveadoptive immunotherapy immunotherapy /ə dɒptv m caused by overproduction of male sex hor-

jυnə θerəpi/ noun a treatment for cancer in mones, where boys show rapid sexual devel-

which the patient’s own white blood cells are opment and females develop male characteris-

used to attack cancer cells tics

COMMENT: This technique can halt the growth adrenoleukodystrophyadrenoleukodystrophy /ə dri nəυ lu kəυ
of cancer cells in the body but it can have dis- dstrəfi/ noun an inherited disorder of the ad-
tressing toxic side-effects.

ADPADP abbr adenosine diphosphate renal glands in boys

adrenaladrenal /ə dri n(ə)l/ adjective situated near adrenolyticadrenolytic /ədri nəυ ltk/ adjective acting

the kidney í noun same as adrenal gland against the secretion of adrenaline

adrenaladrenal body body /ə dri n(ə)l bɒdi/ noun same adrenoreceptoradrenoreceptor /ə drenəυr septə/ noun

as adrenal gland same as adrenoceptor

9 aflatoxin

adsorbentadsorbent / d sɔ bənt/ adjective being ca- aerationaeration /eə reʃ(ə)n/ noun the adding of air

pable of adsorption or oxygen to a liquid

adsorptionadsorption / d sɔ pʃ(ə)n/ noun the attach- aero-aero- /eərəυ/ prefix referring to air

ment of one substance to another, often the aerobaaeroba /eə rəυbə/, aerobe / eərəυb/ noun a

bonding of a liquid with a gas or vapour which tiny organism which needs oxygen to survive

touches its surface aerobicaerobic /eə rəυbk/ adjective needing oxy-

adultadult / d lt, ə d lt/ adjective grown-up ć gen to live, or taking place in the presence of

Adolescents reach the adult stage about the oxygen

age of eighteen or twenty. í noun someone aerobicaerobic respiration respiration /eə rəυbk respə reʃ(ə)n/

who is no longer a child noun the process where the oxygen which is

adult coeliac diseaseadult coeliac disease / d lt si li k d breathed in is used to conserve energy as ATP

zi z/ noun a condition in adults where the villi aeroembolismaeroembolism / eərəυ embəlz(ə)m/ noun

in the intestine become smaller and so reduce same as air embolism

the surface which can absorb nutrients aerogenousaerogenous /eə rɒd ənəs/ adjective refer-

adult dentitionadult dentition / d lt den tʃ(ə)n/ noun ring to a bacterium which produces gas

the 32 teeth which an adult has aerophagiaaerophagia / eərə fed ə/, aerophagy /eə
rɒfəd i/ noun the habit of swallowing air
adulteration ə dadulteration/ ltə reʃ(ə)n/ noun the act

of making something less pure by adding an- when suffering from indigestion, so making

other substance the stomach pains worse

adult-onset diabetesadult-onset diabetes / d lt ɒnset daə aerosolaerosol / eərəsɒl/ noun tiny particles of a liq-

bi ti z/ noun a form of diabetes mellitus that uid such as a drug or disinfectant suspended in

develops slowly in older people as the body a gas under pressure in a container and used as

becomes less able to use insulin effectively a spray

adult respiratory distress syndromeadult respiratory distress syndrome / aetiologicalaetiological agent agent / i tiəlɒd ik(ə)l ed (ə)nt/

d lt r sprət(ə)ri d stres sndrəυm/ noun an agent which causes a disease

noun a description of various lung infections aetiologyaetiology / i ti ɒləd i/ noun 1. the cause or

which reduce the lungs’ efficiency. Abbr origin of a disease 2. the study of the causes

ARDS and origins of diseases (NOTE: [all senses] The

advancedadvanced trauma life support trauma life support /əd vɑ nst US spelling is etiology.)
trɔ ma laf sə pɔ t/ noun the management
‘…a wide variety of organs or tissues may be infect-
of a trauma patient during the critical first hour ed by the Salmonella group of organisms, presenting
symptoms which are not immediately recognised as
after injury. Abbr ATLS being of Salmonella aetiology’ [Indian Journal
of Medical Sciences]
adventitiaadventitia / dven tʃə/ noun same as tuni-

ca adventitia afebrileafebrile /e fi bral/ adjective with no fever

adventitiousadventitious / dvən tʃəs/ adjective on the affectaffect /ə fekt/ verb to make something or

outside or in an unusual place someone change, especially to have a bad ef-

adventitious bursaadventitious bursa / dvəntʃəs b sə/ fect on something or someone ć Some organs

noun a bursa which develops as a result of con- are rapidly affected if the patient lacks oxygen

tinued pressure or rubbing for even a short time. í noun same as affection

adverseadverse / dv s/ adjective harmful or unfa- affectionaffection /ə fekʃən/, affect /ə fekt/ noun the
vourable ˽ the treatment had an adverse ef-
general state of a person’s emotions
fect on his dermatitis the treatment made the
‘Depression has degrees of severity, ranging from
dermatitis worse sadness, through flatness of affection or feeling, to
suicide and psychosis’ [British Journal of Nursing]
adverse occurrenceadverse occurrence / dv s ə k rəns/

noun a harmful event which occurs during affectiveaffective /ə fektv/ adjective relating to a

treatment person’s moods or feelings

adverse reactionadverse reaction / dv s ri kʃən/ noun affectiveaffective disorder disorder /ə fektv ds ɔ də/ noun

a situation where someone experiences harm- a condition which changes someone’s mood,

ful effects from the application of a drug making him or her depressed or excited

advocacyadvocacy / dvəkəsi/ noun active support afferentafferent / f(ə)rənt/ adjective conducting

for something, especially in order to help peo- liquid or electrical impulses towards the in-

ple who would have difficulty in gaining atten- side. Opposite efferent

tion without your help afferentafferent nerve nerve noun same as sensory nerve

adynamicadynamic ileus ileus /e dan mk liəs/ noun afferent vesselafferent vessel / f(ə)rənt ves(ə)l/ noun a

same as paralytic ileus tube which brings lymph to a gland

aegophony iaegophony / ɒfəni/ noun a high sound of affinityaffinity /ə fnti/ noun an attraction between

the voice heard through a stethoscope, where two substances

there is fluid in the pleural cavity aflatoxinaflatoxin / flə tɒksn/ noun a poison pro-

aer-aer- /eə/ prefix same as aero- (used before vow- duced by some moulds in some crops such as

els) peanuts

African trypanosomiasis 10

AfricanAfrican trypanosomiasis trypanosomiasis / frkən happen ć The disease develops through the

trpənəυsəυ maəss/ noun same as sleep- agency of bacteria present in the bloodstream.

ing sickness ‘The cost of employing agency nurses should be no

afterbirthafterbirth / ɑ ftəb θ/ noun the tissues, in- higher than the equivalent full-time staff.’
[Nursing Times]
cluding the placenta and umbilical cord, which
‘Growing numbers of nurses are choosing agency
are present in the uterus during pregnancy and
careers, which pay more and provide more flexible
are expelled after the birth of a baby schedules than hospitals.’ [American Journal

aftercareaftercare / ɑ ftəkeə/ noun 1. the care of a of Nursing]

person who has had an operation. Aftercare agenesisagenesis /e d enəss/ noun the absence of

treatment involves changing dressings and an organ, resulting from a failure in embryonic

helping people to look after themselves again. development

2. the care of a mother who has just given birth agentagent / ed ənt/ noun 1. a chemical sub-

after-effectafter-effect / ɑ ftər  fekt/ noun a change stance which makes another substance react 2.

which appears only some time after the cause a substance or organism which causes a dis-

ć The operation had some unpleasant after-ef- ease or condition 3. a person who acts as a rep-

fects. resentative of another person or carries out

after-imageafter-image / ɑ ftər md / noun an image some kinds of work on his or her behalf

of an object which remains in a person’s sight agglutinate əagglutinate / lu tnet/ verb to form into

after the object itself has gone groups or clusters, or to cause things to form

afterpainsafterpains / ɑ ftəpenz/ plural noun regular into groups or clusters

pains in the uterus which are sometimes expe- agglutination əagglutination / lu t neʃ(ə)n/ noun the

rienced after childbirth act of coming together or sticking to one an-

afunctional eafunctional / f ŋkʃən(ə)l/ adjective other to form a clump, as of bacteria cells in

which does not function properly the presence of serum, or blood cells when

agalactiaagalactia / e ə l kʃə/ noun a condition in blood of different types is mixed ȣ agglutina-

which a mother is unable to produce milk after tion test 1. a test to identify bacteria 2. a test to

childbirth identify if a woman is pregnant

agammaglobulinaemia eagammaglobulinaemia/ mə lɒbjυl agglutinin əagglutinin / lu tnn/ noun a factor in a se-

ni miə/ noun a deficiency or absence of im- rum which makes cells stick together in

munoglobulins in the blood, which results in a clumps

reduced ability to provide immune responses agglutinogenagglutinogen / lu tnəd ən/ noun a fac-

agaragar / e ɑ /, agar agar / e ɑ r e ɑ / noun tor in red blood cells which reacts with a spe-

a culture medium based on an extract of sea- cific agglutinin in serum

weed used for growing microorganisms in lab- aggravateaggravate / rəvet/ verb to make some-

oratories thing worse ć Playing football only aggra-

ageage /ed / noun the number of years which a vates his knee injury. ć The treatment seems to

person has lived ć What’s your age on your aggravate the disease.

next birthday? ć He was sixty years of age. ć aggression əaggression / reʃ(ə)n/ noun the state of

The size varies according to age. í verb to feeling violently angry towards someone or

grow old something

ageage group group / ed ru p/ noun all the people aggressive əaggressive / resv/ adjective referring to

of a particular age or within a particular set of treatment which involves frequent high doses

ages ć the age group 20–25 of medication

ageingageing / ed ŋ/, aging noun the fact of agingaging / ed ŋ/ noun another spelling of age-

growing old ing

COMMENT: Changes take place in almost eve- agitatedagitated / d tetd/ adjective moving
ry part of the body as the person ages. Bones
about or twitching nervously because of worry

become more brittle and skin becomes less or another psychological state ć The person
elastic. The most important changes affect the
became agitated and had to be given a seda-
blood vessels which are less elastic, making
tive.
thrombosis more likely. This also reduces the
supply of blood to the brain, which in turn re- agitationagitation / d  teʃ(ə)n/ noun a state of be-

duces the mental faculties. ing very nervous and anxious

ageingageing process process / ed ŋ prəυses/ noun the aglossiaaglossia /e lɒsiə/ noun the condition of not

physical changes which take place in a person having a tongue from birth

as he or she grows older agnosiaagnosia / nəυziə/ noun a brain disorder in

agencyagency / ed ənsi/ noun 1. an organisation which a person fails to recognise places, peo-

which carries out work on behalf of another or- ple, tastes or smells which they used to know

ganisation, e.g. one which recruits and em- well

ploys nurses and supplies them to hospitals agonistagonist / ənst/ noun 1. a muscle which

temporarily when full-time nursing staff are causes part of the body to move and another

unavailable 2. the act of causing something to muscle to relax when it contracts. Also called

11 Albee’s operation

prime mover 2. a substance which produces an airair /eə/ noun a mixture of gases, mainly oxy-

observable physiological effect by acting gen and nitrogen, which cannot be seen, but

through specific receptors. ı antagonist which exists all around us and which is

agonyagony / əni/ noun a very severe physical or breathed ć Open the window and let some

emotional pain ć He lay in agony on the floor. fresh air into the room. ć He breathed the pol-
ć She suffered the agony of waiting for weeks
luted air into his lungs.

until her condition was diagnosed. airair bed bed / eə bed/ noun a mattress which is

agoraphobiaagoraphobia / (ə)rə fəυbiə/ noun a fear filled with air, used to prevent the formation of

of being in open spaces. Compare claustro- bedsores. ı conduction

phobia airborneairborne infection infection / eəbɔ n n fekʃən/

agoraphobicagoraphobic / (ə)rə fəυbk/ adjective noun an infection which is carried in the air

afraid of being in open spaces. Compare air conductionair conduction / eə kən d kʃən/ noun the

claustrophobic process by which sounds pass from the outside

agranulocytosisagranulocytosis /ə r njυləυsa təυss/ to the inner ear through the auditory meatus

noun a usually fatal disease where the number air embolismair embolism /eər embəlz(ə)m/ noun a

of granulocytes, a type of white blood cell, blockage caused by bubbles of air, that stops

falls sharply because of a bone marrow condi- the flow of blood in vessels

tion air hungerair hunger / eə h ŋ ə/ noun a condition in

agraphiaagraphia /e r fiə/ noun the condition of which the patient needs air because of lack of

being unable to put ideas into writing oxygen in the tissues

AHFAHF abbr antihaemophilic factor air passage eəair passage/ p sd / noun any tube

which takes air to the lungs, e.g. the nostrils,

aidaid /ed/ noun 1. help 2. a machine, tool or pharynx, larynx, trachea and bronchi

drug which helps someone do something ć He airair sac sac / eə s k/ noun a small sac in the lungs

uses a walking frame as an aid to exercising which contains air. ı alveolus

his legs. í verb to help someone or something airsickairsick / eəsk/ adjective feeling sick because

ć The procedure is designed to aid the repair of the movement of an aircraft

of tissues after surgery. airsicknessairsickness / eəsknəs/ noun a queasy feel-

AIDAID / e a di / noun full form artificial in- ing, usually leading to vomiting, caused by the

semination by donor. now called DI movement of an aircraft

AIDSAIDS /edz/, Aids noun a viral infection which airwayairway / eəwe/ noun a passage through

breaks down the body’s immune system. Full which air passes, especially the trachea

form acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, airwayairway clearing clearing / eəwe klərŋ/ noun

acquired immune deficiency syndrome making sure that the airways in a newborn

COMMENT: AIDS is a disease caused by the baby or an unconscious person are free of any
human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). It is
spread mostly by sexual intercourse and can obstruction
affect anyone. It is also transmitted through in-
fected blood and plasma transfusions, airwayairway obstruction obstruction / eəwe əb str kʃ(ə)n/
through using unsterilised needles for injec-
tions, and can be passed from a mother to a noun something which blocks the air passages
fetus. The disease takes a long time, usually
years, to show symptoms, and many people akathisiaakathisia / ekə θsiə/ noun restlessness
with HIV are unaware that they are infected. It
causes a breakdown of the body’s immune akinesiaakinesia / ek ni ziə/ noun a lack of volun-
system, making the patient susceptible to any
infection and often results in the development tary movement, as in Parkinson’s disease
of rare skin cancers. It is not curable.
akineticakinetic / ek netk/ adjective without

movement

alacrimaalacrima /e l krmə/ noun same as xerosis

alactasiaalactasia / el k teziə/ noun a condition in

AIDSAIDS dementia dementia / edz d menʃə/ noun a which there is a deficiency of lactase in the in-

form of mental degeneration resulting from in- testine, making the patient incapable of digest-

fection with HIV ing lactose, the sugar in milk

AIDS-relatedAIDS-related complex complex / edz r letd alaliaalalia /e leliə/ noun a condition in which a
kɒmpleks/, AIDS-related condition / edz r
letd kən dʃ(ə)n/ noun early symptoms person completely loses the ability to speak

alaninealanine / ləni n/ noun an amino acid

shown by someone infected with the HIV vi- alanine aminotransferasealanine aminotransferase / ləni n ə

rus, e.g. weight loss, fever and herpes zoster. mi nəυ tr nsfərez/ noun an enzyme which

Abbr ARC is found in the liver and can be monitored as an

AIHAIH abbr artificial insemination by husband indicator of liver damage. Abbr ALT

ailmentailment / elmənt/ noun an illness, though alar cartilagealar cartilage / elə kɑ tld / noun carti-

lage in the nose

not generally a very serious one ć Chickenpox alba /alba lbə/ ‘ linea alba

is one of the common childhood ailments. Albee’sAlbee’s operation operation / ɔ lbi z ɒpə reʃ(ə)n/

ailurophobiaailurophobia / alυərə fəυbiə/ noun a fear noun 1. a surgical operation to fuse two or

of cats more vertebrae 2. a surgical operation to fuse

albicans 12

the femur to the pelvis [After Frederick Houdlett coholics which helps people to overcome their

Albee (1876–1945), US surgeon] dependence on alcohol by encouraging them

albicansalbicans / lbk nz/ ‘ corpus albicans to talk about their problems in group therapy.

albinismalbinism / lbnz(ə)m/ noun a condition in Abbr AA

which a person lacks the pigment melanin and alcoholicumalcoholicum / lkə hɒlkəm/ ‘ delirium al-

so has pink skin and eyes and white hair. It is coholicum

hereditary and cannot be treated. ı vitiligo alcoholismalcoholism / lkəhɒlz(ə)m/ noun exces-

albinoalbino / l bi nəυ/ noun a person who is defi- sive drinking of alcohol which becomes addic-

cient in melanin and has little or no pigmenta- tive

tion in the skin, hair or eyes alcohol poisoningalcohol poisoning / lkəhɒl pɔz(ə)nŋ/

albugineaalbuginea / lbjυ d niə/ noun a layer of noun poisoning and disease caused by exces-

white tissue covering a part of the body sive drinking of alcohol

albuginea oculialbuginea oculi / lbjυd niə ɒkjυla/ alcohol rubalcohol rub / lkəhɒl r b/ noun the act of

noun same as sclera rubbing a bedridden person with alcohol to

albuminometeralbuminometer / lbjυm nɒmtə/ noun help protect against bedsores and as a tonic

an instrument for measuring the level of albu- alcoholuriaalcoholuria / lkəhɒ ljυəriə/ noun a condi-

min in the urine tion in which alcohol is present in the urine

albuminuriaalbuminuria / lbjυm njυəriə/ noun a con- (NOTE: The level of alcohol in the urine is used as

dition in which albumin is found in the urine, a test for drivers who are suspected of driving

usually a sign of kidney disease, but also while drunk.)

sometimes of heart failure aldosteronealdosterone / l dɒstərəυn/ noun a hor-

albumosealbumose / lbjυməυz/ noun an intermedi- mone secreted by the cortex of the adrenal

ate product in the digestion of protein gland, which regulates the balance of sodium

alcoholalcohol / lkəhɒl/ noun a pure colourless and potassium in the body and the amount of

liquid which is formed by the action of yeast body fluid

on sugar solutions and forms part of drinks aldosteronismaldosteronism / l dɒst(ə)rənz(ə)m/ noun

such as wine and whisky a condition in which a person produces too

COMMENT: Alcohol is used medicinally to dry much aldosterone, so that there is too much
wounds or harden the skin. When drunk, alco-
salt in the blood. This causes high blood pres-
hol is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream. It
sure and the need to drink a lot of liquids.
is a source of energy, so any carbohydrates
alertalert /ə l t/ adjective referring to someone
taken at the same time are not used by the

body and are stored as fat. Alcohol is a de- who takes an intelligent interest in his or her

pressant, not a stimulant, and affects the way surroundings ć The patient is still alert,

the brain works. though in great pain.

alcohol abusealcohol abuse / lkəhɒl ə bju s/ noun the aleukaemicaleukaemic / elu ki mk/ adjective 1. re-

excessive use of alcohol adversely affecting a ferring to a state where leukaemia is not

person’s health present 2. referring to a state where leucocytes

alcoholalcohol addiction addiction / lkəhɒl ə dkʃən/ are not normal

noun a condition in which a person is depend- Alexander techniqueAlexander technique / l zɑ ndə tek

ent on the use of alcohol ni k/ noun a method of improving the way a

alcohol-fastalcohol-fast / lkəhɒl fɑ st/ adjective refer- person stands and moves, by making them

ring to an organ stained for testing which is not much more aware of how muscles behave

discoloured by alcohol alexiaalexia /e leksiə/ noun a condition in which

alcoholicalcoholic / lkə hɒlk/ adjective 1. contain- the patient cannot understand printed words.

ing alcohol 2. caused by alcoholism ć alcohol- Also called word blindness

ic poisoning í noun a person who is addicted alfacalcidolalfacalcidol / lfə k lsdɒl/ noun a sub-

to drinking alcohol and shows changes in be- stance related to vitamin D, used by the body

haviour and personality to maintain the right levels of calcium and

alcoholic cardiomyopathyalcoholic cardiomyopathy / lkəhɒlk phosphate, and also as a drug to help people

kɑ diəυma ɒpəθi/ noun a disease of the who do not have enough vitamin D

heart muscle arising as a result of long-term algesimeteralgesimeter / ld  smtə/ noun an instru-

heavy alcohol consumption ment to measure the sensitivity of the skin to

alcoholic cirrhosisalcoholic cirrhosis / lkəhɒlk s rəυss/ pain

noun cirrhosis of the liver caused by alcohol- -algia-algia ld iə/ suffix a word ending that indi-

ism /

alcoholicalcoholic hepatitis hepatitis / lkəhɒlk hepə cates a painful condition

tats/ noun inflammation of the liver as a re- algidalgid / ld d/ adjective referring to a stage in

sult of long-term heavy alcohol consumption, a disease that causes fever during which the

often leading to cirrhosis body becomes cold

Alcoholics AnonymousAlcoholics Anonymous / lkəhɒlks ə algophobiaalgophobia / l əυ fəυbiə/ noun an unusu-

nɒnməs/ noun an organisation of former al- ally intense fear of pain

13 allo-

alienationalienation / eliə neʃ(ə)n/ noun a psycho- allantoisallantois /ə l ntəυs/ noun one of the mem-
logical condition in which a person develops
the feeling of not being part of the everyday branes in the embryo, shaped like a sac, which
world, and as a result often becomes hostile to
other people grows out of the embryonic hindgut

alleleallele /ə li l/ noun one of two or more alterna-

tive forms of a gene, situated in the same area

alignmentalignment /ə lanmənt/ noun the arrange- on each of a pair of chromosomes and each
ment of something in a straight line, or in the
producing a different effect
correct position in relation to something else
allergenallergen / ləd ən/ noun a substance which

alimentaryalimentary / l ment(ə)ri/ adjective provid- produces hypersensitivity

ing food, or relating to food or nutrition COMMENT: Allergens are usually proteins and
include foods, dust, hair of animals, as well as
alimentaryalimentary canal canal / l ment(ə)ri kə n l/ pollen from flowers. Allergic reaction to serum
is known as anaphylaxis. Treatment of aller-
noun a tube in the body going from the mouth gies depends on correctly identifying the aller-
to the anus and including the throat, stomach gen to which the patient is sensitive. This is
done by patch tests in which drops of different
and intestine, through which food passes and allergens are placed on scratches in the skin.
Food allergens discovered in this way can be
is digested avoided, but other allergens such as dust and
pollen can hardly be avoided and have to be
alimentaryalimentary system system / l ment(ə)ri treated by a course of desensitising injections.

sstəm/ noun same as digestive system

alimentationalimentation / lmen teʃ(ə)n/ noun the

act of providing food or nourishment allergenicallergenic / lə d enk/ adjective producing

aliquotaliquot / lkwɒt/ noun a part of a larger an allergic reaction ć the allergenic properties

thing, especially a sample of something which of fungal spores

is taken to be examined allergenic agentallergenic agent / ləd enk ed ənt/

alivealive /ə lav/ adjective living, not dead ć The noun a substance which produces an allergy
man was still alive, even though he had been in
the sea for two days. (NOTE: Alive cannot be allergicallergic /ə l d k/ adjective having an aller-

used in front of a noun: The person is alive but a gy to something ć She is allergic to cats. ć I’m

living person. Note also that live can be used in allergic to penicillin.

front of a noun: The person was injected with live allergic agent ə lallergic agent/ d k ed ənt/ noun a

vaccine.) substance which produces an allergic reaction

alkalaemiaalkalaemia / lkə li miə/ noun an excess of allergic purpura ə lallergic purpura/ d k p pjυrə/ noun

alkali in the blood a form of the skin condition purpura, found

alkalialkali lkəla/ noun one of many substances most often in children

/ allergic reaction ə lallergic reaction/ d k ri kʃən/ noun

which neutralise acids and form salts (NOTE: an effect produced by a substance to which a

The UK plural is alkalis, but the US plural is al- person has an allergy, such as sneezing or a

kalies.) skin rash

alkalinealkaline / lkəlan/ adjective containing allergic rhinitis ə lallergic rhinitis/ d k ra nats/ noun
more alkali than acid
inflammation in the nose and eyes caused by

alkalinityalkalinity / lkə lnti/ noun the level of al- an allergic reaction to plant pollen, mould

kali in a body ć Hyperventilation causes fluc- spores, dust mites or animal hair. ı hayfever

tuating carbon dioxide levels in the blood, re- allergistallergist / ləd st/ noun a doctor who spe-

sulting in an increase of blood alkalinity. cialises in the treatment of allergies

COMMENT: Alkalinity and acidity are measured allergyallergy / ləd i/ noun an unusual sensitivity
according to the pH scale. pH7 is neutral, and
pH8 and upwards are alkaline. Alkaline solu- to some substances such as pollen or dust,
tions are used to counteract the effects of acid
poisoning and also of bee stings. If strong al- which cause a physical reaction such as sneez-
kali, such as ammonia, is swallowed, the pa-
tient should drink water and an acid such as ing or a rash in someone who comes into con-
orange juice.
tact with them ć She has an allergy to house-

hold dust. ć He has a penicillin allergy. (NOTE:

alkaloidalkaloid You have an allergy or you are allergic to

/ lkəlɔd/ noun one of many poi- something.)

sonous substances found in plants and used as allergy braceletallergy bracelet / ləd i breslət/ noun ‘

medicines, e.g. atropine, morphine or quinine medical alert bracelet

alkalosisalkalosis / lkə ləυss/ noun a condition in alleviatealleviate /ə li viet/ verb to make pain or dis-

which the alkali level in the body tissue is comfort less severe ć The drug is effective in

high, producing cramps alleviating migraine headaches.

alkaptonuriaalkaptonuria / lk ptə njυəriə/ noun a he- allied health professionalallied health professional / lad helθ

reditary condition where dark pigment is prə feʃ(ə)n(ə)l/ noun a professional working

present in the urine in medicine who is not a doctor or nurse, e.g. a

allantoinallantoin /ə l ntəυn/ noun powder from the physiotherapist or paramedic

herb comfrey, used to treat skin disorders allo-allo- / ləυ/ prefix different

allodynia 14

allodyniaallodynia / lə dniə/ noun pain of the skin alternativealternative medicine medicine /ɔ l t nətv

caused by something such as clothing which med(ə)sn/ noun the treatment of illness us-

usually does not cause pain ing therapies such as homoeopathy or naturop-

allogeneicallogeneic / ləd ə nek/ adjective ((of athy which are not considered part of conven-

body tissues)) genetically different and there- tional Western medicine. ı complementary

fore incompatible when transplanted medicine

allograftallograft / ləυ rɑ ft/ noun same as hom- altitude sicknessaltitude sickness / lttju d sknəs/ noun

ograft a condition caused by reduced oxygen in the

allopathyallopathy /ə lɒpəθi/ noun the treatment of a air above altitudes of 7000 to 8000 feet (3600
metres). Symptoms include headaches, breath-
condition using drugs which produce opposite
lessness, fatigue, nausea and swelling of the
symptoms to those of the condition. Compare
face, hands and feet. Also called high-altitude
homeopathy

allopurinolallopurinol / ləυ pjυərnɒl/ noun a drug sickness, mountain sickness

which helps to stop the body producing uric aluminiumaluminium / lə mniəm/ noun a metallic

acid, used in the treatment of gout element extracted from the ore bauxite (NOTE:

all orall or none law none law / ɔ l ɔ n n lɔ / noun the The US spelling is aluminum. The chemical

rule that the heart muscle either contracts fully symbol is Al.)

or does not contract at all aluminiumaluminium hydroxide hydroxide / lə mniəm ha
drɒksad/ noun a chemical substance used as
allylestrenolallylestrenol / lal estrənɒl/ noun a ster-

oid used to encourage pregnancy an antacid to treat indigestion. Formula:

alopeciaalopecia / ləυ pi ʃə/ noun a condition in Al(OH)3 or Al2O3.3H2O.

which hair is lost. Compare hypotrichosis alveolaralveolar / lv əυlə, l vi ələ/ adjective re-

alopecia areataalopecia areata / ləυ pi ʃə ri etə/ noun ferring to the alveoli

a condition in which the hair falls out in patch- alveolar bonealveolar bone / lv əυlə bəυn/ noun part

es of the jawbone to which the teeth are attached

alphaalpha / lfə/ noun the first letter of the Greek alveolar ductalveolar duct / lv əυlə d kt/ noun a duct

alphabet in the lung which leads from the respiratory

alpha-adrenoceptor antagonist lfə əalpha-adrenoceptor antagonist/ bronchioles to the alveoli. See illustration at

dri nəυr septə n t ənst/, alpha-adren- LUNGS in Supplement

oceptor blocker / lfə ə dri nəυr septə alveolar wallalveolar wall / lv əυlə wɔ l/ noun one of

blɒkə/ noun a drug which can relax smooth the walls which separate the alveoli in the
lungs
muscle, used to treat urinary retention and hy-

pertension. Also called alpha blocker alveolitisalveolitis / lviə lats/ noun inflammation

alpha cellalpha cell / lfə sel/ noun a type of cell of an alveolus in the lungs or the socket of a

found in the islets of Langerhans, in the pan- tooth

creas, which produces glucagon, a hormone alveolusalveolus / lv əυləs, l vi ələs/ noun a

that raises the level of glucose in the blood. ı small cavity, e.g. an air sac in the lungs or the

beta cell socket into which a tooth fits. See illustration

alpha-fetoproteinalpha-fetoprotein / lfə fi təυ prəυti n/ at LUNGS in Supplement (NOTE: The plural is al-

noun a protein produced by the liver of the hu- veoli.)

man fetus, which accumulates in the amniotic Alzheimer plaqueAlzheimer plaque / ltshamə pl k/ noun

fluid. A high or low concentration is tested for a disc-shaped plaque of amyloid found in the

by amniocentesis in the antenatal diagnosis of brain in people who have Alzheimer’s disease

spina bifida or Down’s syndrome, respective- Alzheimer’s diseaseAlzheimer’s disease ltshaməz d zi z/

ly. /

alpha rhythmalpha rhythm / lfə rðəm/ noun the pat- noun a disease where a person experiences
progressive dementia due to nerve cell loss in
tern of electrical activity in the brain of some-
specific brain areas, resulting in loss of mental
one who is awake but relaxed or sleepy, regis-
faculties including memory [Described 1906.
tering on an electroencephalograph at 8–13
After Alois Alzheimer (1864–1915), Bavarian
hertz
physician.]
Alport’sAlport’s syndrome syndrome / ɔ lpɔ ts sndrəυm/
COMMENT: No single cause of Alzheimer’s dis-
noun a genetic disease of the kidneys which ease has been identified, although an early
onset type occurs more frequently in some
sometimes causes a person to lose his or her families, due to a mutation in a gene on chro-
mosome 21. Risk factors include age, genes,
hearing and sight head injury, lifestyle and environment.

alprostadilalprostadil / l prɒstədl/ noun a drug which

makes blood vessels wider, used to treat impo-

tence, prevent coagulation, and maintain ba- amalgamamalgam /ə m l əm/ noun a mixture of

bies with congenital heart conditions metals, based on mercury and tin, used by den-

ALSALS abbr 1. amyotrophic lateral sclerosis 2. tists to fill holes in teeth

antilymphocytic serum amaurosisamaurosis / mɔ rəυss/ noun blindness

ALTALT abbr alanine aminotransferase caused by disease of the optic nerve

15 amnia

amaurosis fugaxamaurosis fugax / mɔ rəυss fju ks/ ameloblastomaameloblastoma / mləυbl stəυmə/

noun temporary blindness in one eye, caused noun a tumour in the jaw, usually in the lower

by problems of circulation jaw

amaurotic familial idiocyamaurotic familial idiocy / mɔ rɒtk fə amenorrhoeaamenorrhoea / emenə ri ə/ noun the ab-

mliəl diəsi/, amaurotic family idiocy / sence of one or more menstrual periods, usual

mɔ rɒtk f m(ə)li diəsi/ noun same as during pregnancy and after the menopause

Tay-Sachs disease ametropiaametropia / m trəυpiə/ noun a condition

amb- /amb- mb/ prefix same as ambi- (used before in which the eye cannot focus light correctly

vowels) onto the retina, as in astigmatism, hyper-

ambi-ambi- / mbi/ prefix both metropia and myopia. Compare emmetropia

ambidextrousambidextrous / mb dekstrəs/ adjective amfetamineamfetamine / m fetəmi n/ noun an addic-

referring to a person who can use both hands tive drug, similar to adrenaline, used to give a

equally well and who is not right- or left-hand- feeling of wellbeing and wakefulness. Also

ed called amphetamine

ambiguous genitaliaambiguous genitalia / m b juəs d en amikacinamikacin / m kesn/ noun a type of anti-

teliə/ noun a congenital condition in which biotic used to treat infections caused by aero-

the outer genitals do not look typical of those bic bacteria

of either sex amilorideamiloride /ə mlərad/ noun a drug which

ambisexualambisexual / mb sekʃuəl/ adjective, noun helps to increase the production of urine and

same as bisexual preserve the body’s supply of potassium

amblyopiaamblyopia / mbli əυpiə/ noun a lack of aminoamino acid acid /ə mi nəυ sd/ noun a chemi-

normal vision without a structural cause. A cal compound which is broken down from pro-

common example is squint and other forms teins in the digestive system and then used by

may be caused by the cyanide in tobacco the body to form its own protein

smoke or by drinking methylated spirits. COMMENT: Amino acids all contain carbon, hy-
drogen, nitrogen and oxygen, as well as other
amblyopicamblyopic / mbli ɒpk/ adjective affected

by amblyopia elements. Some amino acids are produced in

amblyoscopeamblyoscope / mbliəυskəυp/ noun an in- the body itself, but others have to be absorbed
from food. The eight essential amino acids
strument for measuring the angle of a squint
are: isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine,
and how effectively someone uses both their
phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan and va-
eyes together. Also called orthoptoscope line.

ambulanceambulance / mbjυləns/ noun a van for aminobutyricaminobutyric acid acid /ə mi nəυbjυtrk

taking sick or injured people to hospital ć The sd/ noun ‘ gamma aminobutyric acid

injured man was taken away in an ambulance. aminoglycosideaminoglycoside /ə mi nəυ lakəsad/

ć The telephone number of the local ambu- noun a drug used to treat many Gram-negative

lance service is in the phone book. ı St John and some Gram-positive bacterial infections

Ambulance Association and Brigade (NOTE: Aminoglycosides include drugs with

ambulantambulant / mbjələnt/ adjective able to names ending in -cin: gentamicin.)

walk aminophyllineaminophylline / m nɒfli n/ noun a drug

ambulationambulation / mbju leʃ(ə)n/ noun walking that makes the bronchial tubes wider, used in
˽ early ambulation is recommended patients
the treatment of asthma
should try to get out of bed and walk about as
amiodaroneamiodarone / mi ɒdərəυn/ noun a drug
soon as possible after the operation
that makes the blood vessels wider, used in the
ambulatoryambulatory mbju let(ə)ri/ adjective re-
/ treatment of irregular heartbeat

ferring to a patient who is not confined to bed amitosisamitosis / m təυss/ noun the multiplica-

but is able to walk tion of a cell by splitting of the nucleus

‘…ambulatory patients with essential hypertension amitriptylineamitriptyline / m trptli n/ noun a seda-

were evaluated and followed up at the hypertension tive drug used to treat depression and persist-

clinic’ [British Medical Journal] ent pain

ambulatory careambulatory care / mbju let(ə)ri keə/ amlodipineamlodipine m lɒdpi n/ noun a drug that

noun treatment of a patient which does not in- /

volve staying in hospital during the night helps to control the movement of calcium ions

ambulatory feverambulatory fever / mbju let(ə)ri fi və/ through cell membranes. It is used to treat hy-

noun a mild fever where the patient can walk pertension and angina.

about and can therefore act as a carrier, e.g. ammoniaammonia /ə məυniə/ noun a gas with a

during the early stages of typhoid fever strong smell, a compound of nitrogen and hy-

amebaameba /ə mi bə/ noun US same as amoeba drogen, which is a usual product of human me-

ameliaamelia /ə mi liə/ noun the absence of a limb tabolism

from birth, or a condition in which a limb is ammoniumammonium /ə məυniəm/ noun an ion

short from birth formed from ammonia

ameliorationamelioration /ə mi liə reʃ(ə)n/ noun the amnesiaamnesia / m ni ziə/ noun loss of memory

process of getting better amniaamnia / mniə/ plural of amnion

amnihook 16

amnihookamnihook / mnihυk/ noun a hooked instru- amphetamineamphetamine abuse abuse / m fetəmi n ə

ment used to induce labour by pulling on the bju s/ noun the repeated addictive use of am-

amniotic sac phetamines which in the end affects the mental

amnioamnio / mniəυ/ noun same as amniocente- faculties

sis (informal) amphiarthrosisamphiarthrosis / mfiɑ θrəυss/ noun a

amniocentesisamniocentesis / mniəυsen ti ss/ noun a joint which only has limited movement, e.g.

procedure which involves taking a test sample one of the joints in the spine

of the amniotic fluid during pregnancy using a amphotericinamphotericin / mfəυ tersn/ noun an an-

hollow needle and syringe tifungal agent, used against Candida

COMMENT: Amniocentesis and amnioscopy, ampicillinampicillin / mp sln/ noun a type of peni-
the examination and testing of the amniotic
cillin, used as an antibiotic
fluid, give information about possible congen-
ampouleampoule / mpu l/, ampule / mpju l/
ital disorders in the fetus as well as the sex of
noun a small glass container, closed at the
the unborn baby.

amniographyamniography / mni ɒ rəfi/ noun an X-ray neck, used to contain sterile drugs for use in in-

of the womb jections

amnionamnion / mniən/ noun the thin sac contain- ampullaampulla / m pυlə/ noun a swelling of a ca-

ing the amniotic fluid which covers an unborn nal or duct, shaped like a bottle (NOTE: The plu-

baby in the uterus. Also called amniotic sac ral is ampullae.)

amnioscopeamnioscope / mniəskəυp/ noun an instru- amputateamputate / mpjυtet/ verb to remove a

ment used to examine a fetus through the cer- limb or part of a limb in a surgical operation ć

vical channel, before the amniotic sac is bro- The patient’s leg needs to be amputated below

ken the knee. ć After gangrene set in, surgeons

amnioscopyamnioscopy / mni ɒskəpi/ noun an exam- had to amputate her toes.

ination of the amniotic fluid during pregnancy amputationamputation / mpjυ teʃ(ə)n/ noun the sur-

amnioticamniotic / mni ɒtk/ adjective relating to gical removal of a limb or part of a limb

the amnion amputeeamputee / mpjυ ti / noun someone who

amniotic cavityamniotic cavity / mniɒtk k vti/ noun a has had a limb or part of a limb removed in a

space formed by the amnion, full of amniotic surgical operation

fluid amygdalaamygdala /ə m dələ/ noun an almond-

amniotic fluidamniotic fluid / mniɒtk flu d/ noun the shaped body in the brain, at the end of the cau-

fluid contained in the amnion which surrounds date nucleus of the thalamus. Also called amy-

an unborn baby gdaloid body

amniotic sacamniotic sac / mniɒtk s k/ noun same amygdaloidamygdaloid body body /ə m dəlɔd bɒdi/

as amnion noun same as amygdala

amniotomyamniotomy / mni ɒtəmi/ noun a puncture amyl-amyl- / m(ə)l/ prefix referring to starch

of the amnion to help induce labour amylaseamylase / mlez/ noun an enzyme which

amoebaamoeba /ə mi bə/ noun a form of animal life, converts starch into maltose

made up of a single cell (NOTE: The plural is amyl nitrateamyl nitrate / m(ə)l natret/ noun a drug

amoebae.) used to reduce blood pressure (NOTE: Amyl ni-

amoebiasisamoebiasis / m baəss/ noun an infec- trate is also used as a recreational drug.)

tion caused by amoebae which can result in amyloidamyloid / mlɔd/ noun a waxy protein that

amoebic dysentery in the large intestine (intes- forms in some tissues during the development

tinal amoebiasis) and sometimes affects the of various diseases, e.g. forming disc-shaped

lungs (pulmonary amoebiasis) plaques in the brain in Alzheimer’s disease

amoebicamoebic /ə mi bk/ adjective relating to or amyloid diseaseamyloid disease / mlɔd d zi z/ noun

caused by amoebae same as amyloidosis

amoebicamoebic dysentery dysentery /ə mi bk ds(ə)ntri/ amyloidosisamyloidosis / mlɔ dəυss/ noun a dis-

noun a form of dysentery mainly found in trop- ease of the kidneys and liver, where amyloid

ical areas that is caused by Entamoeba histo- develops in the tissues. Also called amyloid

lytica which enters the body through contami- disease

nated water or unwashed food amyloid precursor proteinamyloid precursor protein / mlɔd pri

amoebicideamoebicide /ə mi bsad/ noun a substance k sə prəυti n/ noun a compound found in

which kills amoebae cell membranes from which beta amyloid is

amorphousamorphous /ə mɔ fəs/ adjective with no derived. A mutation of the gene causes early-

regular shape onset Alzheimer’s disease in a few families.

amoxicillinamoxicillin /ə mɒkssln/ noun an antibiot- amylopsinamylopsin / m lɒpsn/ noun an enzyme

ic which converts starch into maltose

AmoxilAmoxil /ə mɒksl/ a trade name for amoxicil- amyloseamylose / mləυz/ noun a carbohydrate of

lin starch

amphetamineamphetamine / m fetəmi n/ noun same as amyotoniaamyotonia / emaə təυniə/ noun a lack of

amfetamine muscle tone

17 analysis

amyotoniaamyotonia congenita congenita / emaətəυniə kən ‘Spinal and epidural anaesthetics can also cause
d entə/ noun a congenital disease of chil-
gross vasodilation, leading to heat loss’
dren in which the muscles lack tone. Also [British Journal of Nursing]

called floppy baby syndrome anaestheticanaesthetic induction induction / nəsθetk n

amyotrophiaamyotrophia /e maə trəυfiə/ noun a con- d kʃən/ noun a method of inducing anaesthe-

dition in which a muscle wastes away sia in a patient

amyotrophicamyotrophic lateral sclerosis lateral sclerosis /e anaesthetic riskanaesthetic risk / nəsθetk rsk/ noun

maətrɒfk l tər(ə)l sklə rəυss/ noun a the risk that an anaesthetic may cause serious

motor neurone disease in which the limbs unwanted side effects

twitch and the muscles gradually waste away. anaesthetiseanaesthetise /ə ni sθətaz/, anaesthetize

Also called Gehrig’s disease. Abbr ALS verb to produce a loss of feeling in a person or

amyotrophyamyotrophy /e ma ɒtrəfi/ same as amyo- in part of the person’s body

trophia anaesthetistanaesthetist /ə ni sθətst/ noun a specialist

an- /an- n/ prefix same as ana- (used before vow- who administers anaesthetics

els) analanal / en(ə)l/ adjective relating to the anus

ana- /ana- nə/ prefix without or lacking analanal canal canal / en(ə)l kə n l/ noun a passage

anabolicanabolic / nə bɒlk/ adjective referring to a leading from the rectum to the anus

substance which synthesises protein analepticanaleptic / nə leptk/ noun a drug used to

‘…insulin, secreted by the islets of Langerhans, is make someone regain consciousness or to

the body’s major anabolic hormone, regulating the stimulate a patient

metabolism of all body fuels and substrates’ analanal fissure fissure / en(ə)l fʃə/ noun a crack in
[Nursing Times]
the mucous membrane of the wall of the anal
anabolicanabolic steroid steroid / nə bɒlk stərɔd/
canal

noun a drug which encourages the synthesis of analanal fistula fistula / en(ə)l fstjυlə/ noun a fistula

new living tissue, especially muscle, from nu- which develops between the rectum and the

trients outside of the body after an abscess near the

anabolismanabolism / n bəlz(ə)m/ noun the proc- anus. Also called fistula in ano

ess of building up complex chemical substanc- analgesiaanalgesia / n(ə)l d i ziə/ noun a reduction

es on the basis of simpler ones of the feeling of pain without loss of con-

anacrotism ə nanacrotism/ krətz(ə)m/ noun a second sciousness

stroke in the pulse analgesicanalgesic / n(ə)l d i zk/ adjective relat-

anaemiaanaemia /ə ni miə/ noun a condition in ing to analgesia í noun a painkilling drug

which the level of red blood cells is less than which produces analgesia and reduces pyrexia

usual or where the haemoglobin is less, mak- COMMENT: There are two types of analgesic:
non-opioid such as paracetamol and aspirin
ing it more difficult for the blood to carry oxy- (acetylsalicylic acid), and opioid such as co-

gen. The symptoms are tiredness and pale col- deine phosphate. Opioid analgesics are used
for severe pain relief such as in terminal care,
our, especially pale lips, nails and the inside of as cough suppressants and to reduce gut mo-
tility in cases of diarrhoea. Analgesics are
the eyelids. The condition can be fatal if not commonly used as local anaesthetics, for ex-
ample in dentistry.
treated. (NOTE: The US spelling is anemia.)

anaemicanaemic /ə ni mk/ adjective having anaemia

(NOTE: The US spelling is anemic.) anallyanally / en(ə)li/ adverb through the anus ć

anaerobeanaerobe / nərəυb, n eərəυb/ noun a The patient is not able to pass faeces anally.

microorganism which lives without oxygen, analanal passage passage / en(ə)l p sd / noun same

e.g. the tetanus bacillus as anus

anaerobicanaerobic / nə rəυbk/ adjective 1. not analanal sphincter sphincter / en(ə)l sfŋktə/ noun a

needing oxygen for metabolism ć anaerobic strong ring of muscle which closes the anus

bacteria 2. without oxygen ć anaerobic con-

ditions analanal triangle triangle / en(ə)l tra ŋ (ə)l/ noun

anaesthesiaanaesthesia / nəs θi ziə/ noun 1. a state, the posterior part of the perineum. Also called

deliberately produced in a patient by a medical rectal triangle

procedure, in which he or she can feel no pain, analyseanalyse / nəlaz/ verb to examine some-

either in a part or in the whole of the body 2. a thing in detail ć The laboratory is analysing

loss of feeling caused by damage to nerves the blood samples. ć When the food was ana-

(NOTE: The US spelling is anesthesia.) lysed it was found to contain traces of bacte-

anaesthesiologistanaesthesiologist / nəsθi zi ɒləd st/ ria. (NOTE: The US spelling is analyze.)

noun US a specialist in the study of anaesthet- analyseranalyser / nəlazə/ noun a machine which

ics analyses blood or tissue samples automatically

anaestheticanaesthetic / nəs θetk/ adjective induc- (NOTE: The US spelling is analyzer.)

ing loss of feeling í noun a substance given to analysisanalysis /ə n ləss/ noun an examination of

someone to remove feeling, so that he or she a substance to find out what it is made of

can undergo an operation without pain (NOTE: The plural is analyses.)

analyst 18

analystanalyst / nəlst/ noun 1. a person who ex- doctors or nurses, e.g. cleaners, porters, kitch-

amines samples of substances or tissue, to find en staff

out what they are made of 2. same as psycho- ancillary workerancillary worker / n sləri w kə/ noun

analyst someone who does a job for patients such

anamnesisanamnesis / n m ni ss/ noun someone’s cooking or cleaning which is supplementary to

medical history, especially given in their own medical care

words anconeusanconeus / ŋ kəυniəs/ noun a small trian-

anamnesticanamnestic / n m nestk/ adjective gular muscle at the back of the elbow

showing a secondary immunological response AncylostomaAncylostoma / nslə stəυmə/ noun a par-

to an antigen some time after immunisation asitic worm in the intestine which holds onto

anaphaseanaphase / nəfez/ noun a stage in cell di- the wall of the intestine with its teeth and lives

vision, after the metaphase and before the tel- on the blood and protein of the carrier

ophase ancylostomiasisancylostomiasis / nsləυstə maəss/

anaphylacticanaphylactic / nəf l ktk/ adjective re- noun a disease of which the symptoms are

lating to or caused by extreme sensitivity to a weakness and anaemia, caused by a hook-

substance worm which lives on the blood of the carrier.

anaphylactic shockanaphylactic shock / nəfl ktk ʃɒk/ In severe cases the person may die.

noun a sudden severe reaction, which can be androgenandrogen / ndrəd ən/ noun a male sex

fatal, to something such as an injected sub- hormone, testosterone or androsterone, which

stance or a bee sting increases the male characteristics of the body

anaphylaxisanaphylaxis / nəf l kss/ noun 1. ex- androgenicandrogenic / ndrə d enk/ adjective pro-

treme sensitivity to a substance introduced into ducing male characteristics

the body 2. same as anaphylactic shock androgynousandrogynous / n drɒd ənəs/ adjective

anaplasiaanaplasia / nə plesiə/ noun the loss of a same as hermaphrodite

cell’s typical characteristics, caused by cancer andrologyandrology / n drɒləd i/ noun the study of

anaplasticanaplastic / nə pl stk/ adjective refer- male sexual characteristics and subjects such

ring to anaplasia as impotence, infertility and the male meno-

anaplasticanaplastic neoplasm neoplasm / nəpl stk pause

ni əυpl z(ə)m/ noun a cancer where the cells androsteroneandrosterone / n drɒstərəυn/ noun one of

are not similar to those of the tissue from the male sex hormones

which they come anemiaanemia /ə ni miə/ noun US same as anaemia

anarthriaanarthria / n ɑ θriə/ noun the loss of the anencephalousanencephalous / nen kefələs/ adjective

ability to speak words properly having no brain

anasarcaanasarca / nə sɑ kə/ noun the presence of anencephalyanencephaly nen kefəli/ noun the ab-

fluid in the body tissues. ı oedema /

anastomoseanastomose /ə n stəməυz/ verb to join sence of a brain, which causes a fetus to die a

two blood vessels or tubular structures togeth- few hours after birth

er anergyanergy / nəd i/ noun 1. a state of severe

anastomosis ə nanastomosis / stə məυss/ noun a con- weakness and lack of energy 2. lack of immu-

nection made between two blood vessels or tu- nity

bular structures, either naturally or by surgery anesthesiaanesthesia , etc / nəs θi ə/ US same as

anat.anat. abbr 1. anatomical 2. anatomy anaesthesia, etc

anatomicalanatomical / nə tɒmk(ə)l/ adjective relat- aneurineaneurine /ə njυərn/ noun same as Vitamin

ing to the anatomy ć the anatomical features B1

of a fetus aneurysmaneurysm / njərz(ə)m/ noun a swelling

anatomical positionanatomical position / nətɒmk(ə)l pə caused by the weakening of the wall of a blood

zʃ(ə)n/ noun in anatomy, the standard posi- vessel

tion of the body from which all directions and COMMENT: Aneurysm usually occurs in the
wall of the aorta, ‘aortic aneurysm’, and is of-
positions are derived. The body is assumed to ten due to atherosclerosis, and sometimes to
syphilis.
be standing, with the feet together, the arms to

the side, and the head, eyes and palms facing angi-angi- / nd i/ prefix same as angio- (used be-

forward. fore vowels)

anatomyanatomy /ə n təmi/ noun 1. the structure, angiectasisangiectasis / nd i ektəss/ noun a swell-

especially the internal structure, of the body 2. ing of the blood vessels

the branch of science that studies the structure angiitisangiitis nd i ats/ noun an inflammation

of the bodies of humans, animals and plants ć /

They are studying anatomy. ˽ the anatomy of of a blood vessel

a bone a description of the structure and shape anginaangina / n d anə/ noun a pain in the chest

of a bone following exercise or eating, which is caused

ancillaryancillary staff staff / n sləri stɑ f/ noun the by an inadequate supply of blood to the heart

staff in a hospital who are not administrators, muscles because of narrowing of the arteries.

19 ankle joint

It is commonly treated with nitrates or calcium hbtə/ noun a drug which inhibits the conver-

channel blocker drugs. sion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II, which

anginalanginal / n d anəl/ adjective referring to constricts arteries, used in the treatment of hy-

angina ć He suffered anginal pains. pertension and heart failure. Also called ACE

anginaangina pectoris pectoris / n d anə pektərs/ inhibitor (NOTE: ACE inhibitors have names

noun same as angina ending in -pril: captopril.)

angio-angio- / nd iəυ/ prefix referring to a blood COMMENT: Contraindications include use with
diuretics, when hypotension can occur and
vessel should be avoided in patients with renovascu-
lar disease.
angiocardiogramangiocardiogram / nd iəυ kɑ diə r m/

noun a series of pictures resulting from angi- angle-closure glaucomaangle-closure glaucoma / ŋ əl kləυ ə

ocardiography lɔ kəυmə/ noun an unusually high pressure

angiocardiographyangiocardiography / nd iəυkɑ di ɒ rəfi/ of fluid inside the eyeball caused by pressure

noun an X-ray examination of the cardiac sys- of the iris against the lens, trapping the aque-

tem after injection with an opaque dye so that ous humour. Also called acute glaucoma

the organs show up clearly on the film angular stomatitisangular stomatitis / ŋ jυlə stəυmə

angiodysplasiaangiodysplasia / nd iəυds pleziə/ tats/ noun a condition of the lips, mouth and

noun a condition where the blood vessels in the cheeks characterised by cracks and fissures

colon dilate, resulting in loss of blood and caused by a bacterial infection

angiogenesisangiogenesis / nd iəυ d enəss/ noun angular veinangular vein / ŋ jυlə ven/ noun a vein

the formation of new blood vessels, e.g. in an which continues the facial vein at the side of

embryo or as a result of a tumour the nose

angiogramangiogram / nd iəυ r m/ noun an X-ray anhedoniaanhedonia / nh dəυniə/ noun a psycho-

picture of blood vessels logical condition in which a person is unable

angiographyangiography / nd i ɒ rəfi/ noun an X-ray to enjoy all the experiences that most people

examination of blood vessels after injection enjoy

with an opaque dye so that they show up clear- anhidrosisanhidrosis / nh drəυss/ noun a condition

ly on the film in which sweating by the body is reduced or

angiologyangiology / nd i ɒləd i/ noun the branch stops completely

of medicine which deals with blood vessels anhidroticanhidrotic / nh drɒtk/ adjective referring

and the lymphatic system to a drug which reduces sweating

angiomaangioma / nd i əυmə/ noun a benign tu- anhydraemiaanhydraemia / nha dri miə/ noun a lack

mour formed of blood vessels, e.g. a naevus of sufficient fluid in the blood

angioneurotic oedemaangioneurotic oedema / nd iəυnjυ rɒ anhydrousanhydrous n hadrəs/ adjective referring

tk  di mə/ noun a sudden accumulation of /

liquid under the skin, similar to nettle rash to compounds or crystals that contain no water

angiopathyangiopathy / nd i ɒpəθi/ noun a disease of anhydrous alcoholanhydrous alcohol / nhadrəs lkəhɒl/

vessels such as blood and lymphatic vessels noun same as absolute alcohol

angioplastyangioplasty / nd iəυ pl sti/ noun plastic anidrosisanidrosis / n drəυss/ noun same as an-

surgery to repair a blood vessel, e.g. a nar- hidrosis

rowed coronary artery aniridiaaniridia / n rdiə/ noun a congenital ab-

angiosarcomaangiosarcoma / nd iəυsɑ kəυmə/ noun sence of the iris

a malignant tumour in a blood vessel anisocytosisanisocytosis / nasəυsa təυss/ noun a

angioscopeangioscope / nd iəυskəυp/ noun a long variation in size of red blood cells

thin surgical instrument threaded into a pa- anisomeliaanisomelia / nasəυ mi liə/ noun a differ-

tient’s blood vessels to allow surgeons to ob- ence in length of the legs

serve and perform operations without making anisometropiaanisometropia / nasəυmə trəυpiə/ noun

large incisions a state where the refraction in the two eyes is

angiospasmangiospasm / nd iəυsp z(ə)m/ noun a different

spasm which constricts blood vessels ankleankle / ŋkəl/ noun the part of the body

angiotensinangiotensin / nd iəυtensn/ noun a where the foot is connected to the leg ˽ he

polypeptide which affects blood pressure by twisted his ankle, he sprained his ankle he

causing vasoconstriction and increasing extra- hurt it by stretching it or bending it

cellular volume ankleboneanklebone / ŋkəl bəυn/ noun same as

COMMENT: The precursor protein, alpha-2- talus

globulin is converted to angiotensin I, which is

inactive. A converting enzyme changes angi- ankle jerkankle jerk / ŋkəl d k/ noun a sudden jerk

otensin I into the active form, angiotensin II . as a reflex action of the foot when the back of

Drugs which block the conversion to the ac- the ankle is tapped

tive form, ACE inhibitors, are used in the treat-

ment of hypertension and heart failure. ankle jointankle joint / ŋkəl d ɔnt/ noun a joint

angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibi-angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor which connects the bones of the lower leg (the

tor / nd iəυtensn kən v tŋ enzam n tibia and fibula) to the talus

ankyloblepharon 20

ankyloblepharonankyloblepharon / ŋkləυ blefərɒn/ has developed a programme of counselling for

noun a state where the edges of the eyelids are anorexic students.

stuck together anosmiaanosmia / n ɒzmiə/ noun the lack of the

ankyloseankylose / ŋkləυz/ verb to fuse together, sense of smell

or to cause bones to fuse together anovulantanovulant / n ɒvjələnt/ noun a drug that

ankylosingankylosing spondylitis spondylitis / ŋkləυzŋ prevents ovulation, e.g. a birth-control pill

spɒnd lats/ noun a condition occurring anovularanovular / n ɒvjυlə/ adjective without an

more frequently in young men, in which the ovum

vertebrae and sacroiliac joints are inflamed anovularanovular bleeding bleeding / n ɒvjυlə bli dŋ/

and become stiff noun bleeding from the uterus when ovulation

ankylosisankylosis / ŋk ləυss/ noun a condition in has not taken place

which the bones of a joint fuse together anovulationanovulation / n ɒvjυ leʃ(ə)n/ noun a con-

AnkylostomaAnkylostoma / ŋkl stəυmə/ noun same dition in which a women does not ovulate and

as Ancylostoma is therefore infertile

ankylostomiasisankylostomiasis / ŋkləυstə maəss/ anoxaemiaanoxaemia / nɒk si miə/ noun a reduction

noun same as ancylostomiasis of the amount of oxygen in the blood

ANLLANLL abbr acute nonlymphocytic leukaemia anoxiaanoxia / n ɒksiə/ noun a lack of oxygen in

annularannular / njυlə/ adjective shaped like a ring body tissue

annulusannulus / njυləs/ noun a structure shaped anoxicanoxic / n ɒksk/ adjective referring to an-

like a ring oxia or lacking oxygen

ano- /ano- nəυ/ prefix referring to the anus anserinaanserina / nsə ranə/ ‘ cutis anserina

anococcygealanococcygeal / nəkɒks d i əl/ adjective antacidantacid / nt sd/ adjective preventing too

referring to both the anus and coccyx much acid forming in the stomach or altering

anodyneanodyne / nədan/ noun a drug which re- the amount of acid in the stomach í noun a

duces pain, e.g. aspirin or codeine í adjective substance that stops too much acid forming in

referring to drugs that bring relief from pain or the stomach, used in the treatment of gastro-

discomfort intestinal conditions such as ulcers, e.g. calci-

anomalousanomalous /ə nɒmələs/ adjective different um carbonate or magnesium trisilicate

from what is usual antagonism n tantagonism / ənz(ə)m/ noun 1. the

anomalous pulmonary venous drain-anomalous pulmonary venous drainage opposing force that usually exists between

age /ə nɒmələs p lmən(ə)ri vi nəs dre pairs of muscles 2. the interaction between two
nd / noun a condition in which oxygenated
or more chemical substances in the body that

blood from the lungs drains into the right atri- reduces the effect that each substance has indi-

um instead of the left vidually

anomalyanomaly /ə nɒməli/ noun something which antagonist n tantagonist / ənst/ adjective 1. refer-

is different from the usual ring to a muscle which opposes another mus-

anomieanomie / nəmi/ noun a psychological con- cle in a movement 2. referring to a substance

dition in which a person develops the feeling which opposes another substance í noun a

of not being part of the everyday world, and substance which acts through specific recep-

behaves as though they do not have any sup- tors to block the action of another substance,

porting social or moral framework but which has no observable physiological ef-

anonychiaanonychia / nə nkiə/ noun a congenital fect itself ć Atropine is a cholinergic antago-

absence of one or more nails nist and blocks the effects of acetylcholine.

anophelesanopheles /ə nɒfəli z/ noun a mosquito ante-ante- / nti/ prefix before

which carries the malaria parasite ante cibumante cibum / nti tʃbəm, nti si bəm/

anoplastyanoplasty / enəυpl sti/ noun surgery to re- adverb full form of a.c.

pair the anus, as in treating haemorrhoids anteflexionanteflexion / nti flekʃən/ noun the curv-

anorchismanorchism / n ɔ kz(ə)m/ noun a congeni- ing forward of an organ, e.g. the usual curva-

tal absence of testicles ture of the uterus

anorectalanorectal / enəυ rekt(ə)l/ adjective refer- antegradeantegrade amnesia amnesia / nti red m

ring to both the anus and rectum ni ziə/ noun a form of memory loss relating to

anorecticanorectic / nə rektk/ noun a medicine the things that happen after a traumatic event

that suppresses the appetite í adjective relat- antemortemantemortem / nti mɔ təm/ noun the peri-

ing to life-threatening loss of appetite od before death

anorexiaanorexia / nə reksiə/ noun loss of appetite antenatalantenatal / nti net(ə)l/ adjective during

anorexia nervosaanorexia nervosa / nə reksiə n vəυsə/ the period between conception and childbirth

noun a psychological condition, usually found antenatal clinicantenatal clinic / nti net(ə)l klnk/

in girls and young women, in which a person noun a clinic where expectant mothers are

refuses to eat because of a fear of becoming fat taught how to look after babies, do exercises

anorexicanorexic / nə reksk/ adjective 1. referring and have medical checkups. Also called ma-

to anorexia 2. having anorexia ć The school ternity clinic

21 anti-D

antenatal diagnosisantenatal diagnosis / nti net(ə)l daə anti-anti- / nti/ prefix against

nəυss/ noun a medical examination of a antiallergenicantiallergenic / nti lə d enk/ adjective

pregnant woman to see if the fetus is develop- referring to something such as a cosmetic

ing in the usual way. Also called prenatal di- which will not aggravate an allergy

agnosis antiarrhythmicantiarrhythmic / ntie rðmk/ adjective

antepartumantepartum / nti pɑ təm/ noun the period referring to a drug which corrects an irregular

of three months before childbirth í adjective heartbeat

referring to the three months before childbirth antiasthmaticantiasthmatic / nti s m tk/ adjective

antepartum haemorrhageantepartum haemorrhage / ntipɑ təm referring to a drug that is used to treat asthma

hemərd / noun bleeding from the vagina be- antibacterialantibacterial / ntib k təriəl/ adjective

fore labour. Abbr APH destroying bacteria

anterioranterior / n təriə/ adjective in front. Oppo- antibiogramantibiogram / nti baə r m/ noun a labo-

site posterior ratory technique which establishes to what de-

anterior aspectanterior aspect / n təriə spekt/ noun a gree an organism is sensitive to an antibiotic

view of the front of the body, or of the front of antibioticantibiotic / ntiba ɒtk/ adjective stopping

part of the body. See illustration at ANATOMICAL the spread of bacteria í noun a drug which is

TERMS in Supplement developed from living substances and which

anterioranterior chamber chamber / n təriə tʃembə/ stops the spread of bacteria, e.g. penicillin ć

noun part of the aqueous chamber of the eye He was given a course of antibiotics. ć Antibi-

which is in front of the iris otics have no effect against viral diseases.

anterior fontanelleanterior fontanelle / n təriə fɒntə nel/ COMMENT: Penicillin is one of the commonest

noun the cartilage at the top of the head where antibiotics, together with streptomycin, tetra-

the frontal bone joins the two parietals cycline, erythromycin and many others. Al-

anterior jugularanterior jugular / n təriə d jυlə/ noun though antibiotics are widely and successfully

a small jugular vein in the neck used, new forms of bacteria have developed

anterior naresanterior nares n təriə neəri z/ plural which are resistant to them.

/ antibodyantibody / ntbɒdi/ noun a protein that is

noun the two nostrils. Also called external stimulated by the body to produce foreign sub-

nares stances such as bacteria, as part of an immune

anterior superior iliac spineanterior superior iliac spine / n təriə reaction ć Tests showed that he had antibodies

sυ pəriə li k span/ noun a projection at in his blood.

the front end of the iliac crest of the pelvis antibody-negativeantibody-negative / ntbɒdi ne ətv/

anterioranterior synechia synechia / n təriə s nekiə/ adjective showing none of a particular anti-

noun a condition of the eye, where the iris body in the blood ć The donor tested anti-

sticks to the cornea body-negative.

anterograde amnesiaanterograde amnesia / ntərəυ red m antibody-positiveantibody-positive / ntbɒdi pɒztv/ ad-

ni ziə/ noun a brain condition in which the jective showing the presence of particular anti-

person cannot remember things which hap- bodies in the blood ć The patient is HIV anti-

pened recently body-positive.

anteversionanteversion / nti v ʃ(ə)n/ noun the tilting anti-cancer druganti-cancer drug / nti k nsə dr / noun

forward of an organ, whether usual, as of the a drug which can control or destroy cancer

uterus, or unusual cells

anthelminticanthelmintic / nθel mntk/ noun a sub- anticholinergicanticholinergic / ntikəυl n d k/ adjec-

stance which removes worms from the intes- tive blocking nerve impulses which are part of

tine í adjective removing worms from the in- the stress response í noun one of a group of

testine drugs which are used to control stress

anthracosisanthracosis / nθrə kəυss/ noun a lung anticholinesteraseanticholinesterase / ntikəυln estərez/

disease caused by breathing coal dust noun a substance which blocks nerve impulses

anthraxanthrax / nθr ks/ noun a disease of cattle by reducing the activity of the enzyme

and sheep which can be transmitted to humans cholinesterase

COMMENT: Caused by Bacillus anthracis, an- anticoagulantanticoagulant / ntikəυ jυlənt/ adjec-

thrax can be transmitted by touching infected tive slowing or stopping the clotting of blood í

skin, meat or other parts of an animal, includ- noun a drug which slows down or stops the

ing bone meal used as a fertiliser. It causes clotting of blood, used to prevent the forma-

pustules on the skin or in the lungs, ‘woolsort- tion of a thrombus (NOTE: Anticoagulants have

er’s disease’.

anthrop-anthrop- / nθrəp/ prefix referring to human names ending in -parin: heparin.)

beings anticonvulsantanticonvulsant / ntikən v ls(ə)nt/ adjec-

anthropometryanthropometry / nθrə pɒmətri/ noun the tive acting to control convulsions í noun a

study of human body measurements (NOTE: drug used to control convulsions, as in the

The uses of anthropometry include the design of treatment of epilepsy, e.g. carbamazepine

ergonomic furniture and the examination and anti-Danti-D / nti di/, anti-D gamma-globulin

comparison of populations.) / nti di mə lɒbjυln/ noun Rh D im-

antidepressant 22

munoglobulin, used to treat pregnant women antihaemophilic factorantihaemophilic factor / ntihi mə flk
who develop antibodies when the mother is
Rh-negative and the fetus is Rh-positive f ktə/ noun factor VIII, used to encourage

blood-clotting in haemophiliacs. Abbr AHF

antidepressantantidepressant / ntid pres(ə)nt/ adjec- antihelminthicantihelminthic / ntihel mnθk/ noun a

tive acting to relieve depression í noun a drug drug used in the treatment of worm infections

used to relieve depression by stimulating the such as threadworm, hookworm or round-

mood of a depressed person. Examples are tri- worm

cyclic antidepressants, selective serotonin re- antihistamineantihistamine / nti hstəmi n/ noun a

uptake inhibitors and monoamine oxidase in- drug used to control the effects of an allergy

hibitors. which releases histamine, or reduces gastric

antidiabeticantidiabetic / ntidaə betk/ noun a drug acid in the stomach for the treatment of gastric

used in the treatment of diabetes í adjective ulcers (NOTE: Antihistamines have names end-

referring to an antidiabetic drug ing in -tidine: loratidine for allergies, cimeti-

antidiarrhoealantidiarrhoeal / ntidaə ri əl/ noun a drug dine for gastric ulcers.)

used in the treatment of diarrhoea í adjective anti-HIV antibodyanti-HIV antibody / nti etʃ a vi nti

referring to an antidiarrhoeal drug (NOTE: [all bɒdi/ noun an antibody which attacks HIV

senses] The US spelling is antidiarrheal.) antihypertensiveantihypertensive / ntihapə tensv/ ad-

anti-D immunoglobulin ntianti-D immunoglobulin/ di m jective acting to reduce blood pressure í noun

jυnəυ lɒbjυln/ noun immunoglobulin ad- a drug used to reduce high blood pressure

ministered to Rh-negative mothers after the anti-inflammatoryanti-inflammatory / nti n fl mət(ə)ri/

birth of an Rh-positive baby, to prevent adjective referring to a drug which reduces in-

haemolytic disease of the newborn in the next flammation

pregnancy antilymphocytic serumantilymphocytic serum / ntilmfəυ stk

antidiureticantidiuretic / ntidajυ retk/ noun a sub- sərəm/ noun a serum used to produce immu-

stance which stops the production of excessive nosuppression in people undergoing transplant

amounts of urine ć hormones which have an operations. Abbr ALS

antidiuretic effect on the kidneys í adjective antimalarialantimalarial / ntimə leəriəl/ noun a drug

preventing the excessive production of urine used to treat malaria and in malarial prophy-

antidiuretic hormoneantidiuretic hormone / ntidajυ retk laxis í adjective treating or preventing malaria

hɔ məυn/ noun a hormone secreted by the antimetaboliteantimetabolite / ntimə t bəlat/ noun a

posterior lobe of the pituitary gland which acts substance which can replace a cell metabo-

on the kidneys to regulate the quantity of salt lism, but which is not active

in body fluids and the amount of urine excret- antimicrobialantimicrobial / ntima krəυbiəl/ adjective

ed by the kidneys. Also called vasopressin acting against microorganisms that cause dis-

antidoteantidote / ntdəυt/ noun a substance which ease

counteracts the effect of a poison ć There is no antimigraineantimigraine / nti ma ren/ noun a drug

satisfactory antidote to cyanide. used in the treatment of migraine

antiembolicantiembolic / ntiem bɒlk/ adjective pre- antimitoticantimitotic / ntima tɒtk/ adjective pre-

venting embolism venting the division of a cell by mitosis

antiemeticantiemetic / nti metk/ noun a drug antimuscarinicantimuscarinic / ntim skə rnk/ adjec-

which prevents vomiting í adjective acting to tive referring to a drug which blocks acetylcho-

prevent vomiting line receptors found on smooth muscle in the

antiepileptic drugantiepileptic drug / ntiep leptk dr / gut and eye

noun a drug used in the treatment of epilepsy antimycoticantimycotic / ntima kɒtk/ adjective de-

and convulsions, e.g. carbamazepine stroying fungi

antifibrinolyticantifibrinolytic / ntifabrnə ltk/ adjec- antinauseantantinauseant / nti nɔ ziənt/ adjective re-

tive acting to reduce fibrosis ferring to a drug which helps to suppress nau-

antifungalantifungal sea

/ nti f ŋ əl/ adjective referring antioxidantantioxidant / nti ɒksd(ə)nt/ noun a sub-

to a substance which kills or controls fungal stance which makes oxygen less damaging,

and yeast infections, e.g. candida and ring- e.g. in the body or in foods or plastics ć anti-

worm (NOTE: Antifungal drugs have names end- oxidant vitamins

ing in -conazole: fluconazole.) antiperistalsisantiperistalsis / ntiper st lss/ noun a

antigenantigen / ntd ən/ noun a substance that movement in the oesophagus or intestine

stimulates the body to produce antibodies, e.g. which causes their contents to move in the op-

a protein on the surface of a cell or microor- posite direction to usual peristalsis, so leading

ganism to vomiting

antigenicantigenic / nt d enk/ adjective referring antiperspirantantiperspirant / nti p sp(ə)rənt/ noun a

to a substance which stimulates the formation substance which prevents sweating í adjective

of antibodies preventing sweating

23 aorta

antipruriticantipruritic / ntiprυ rtk/ noun a sub- damage caused by a virus í noun same as an-

stance which prevents itching í adjective pre- tiviral drug

venting itching antiviral drugantiviral drug / nti varəl dr / noun a

antipsychoticantipsychotic / ntisa kɒtk/ noun a neu- drug which is effective against a virus (NOTE:

roleptic or major tranquilliser drug which Antiviral drugs have names ending in -ciclovir.)

calms disturbed people without causing seda- antraantra / ntrə/ plural of antrum

tion or confusion by blocking dopamine recep- antralantral / ntrəl/ adjective referring to an an-

tors in the brain trum

COMMENT: Extrapyramidal side-effects can oc- antral punctureantral puncture / ntrəl p ŋktʃə/ noun
cur from the use of antipsychotics, including
Parkinsonian symptoms and restlessness. making a hole in the wall of the maxillary si-

antipyreticantipyretic / ntipa retk/ noun a drug nus to remove fluid

which helps to reduce a fever í adjective re- antrectomyantrectomy / n trektəmi/ noun the surgical

ducing fever removal of an antrum in the stomach to prevent

anti-Rh bodyanti-Rh body / nti ɑ r etʃ bɒdi/ noun an gastrin being formed

antibody formed in a mother’s blood in reac- antroscopyantroscopy / n trɒskəpi/ noun an examina-

tion to a Rhesus antigen in the blood of the fe- tion of an antrum

tus antrostomyantrostomy / n trɒstəmi/ noun a surgical

antisepsisantisepsis / nt sepss/ noun a procedure operation to make an opening in the maxillary

intended to prevent sepsis sinus to drain an antrum

antisepticantiseptic / nt septk/ adjective prevent- antrumantrum / ntrəm/ noun any cavity inside the

ing harmful microorganisms from spreading ć body, especially one in bone (NOTE: The plural

She gargled with an antiseptic mouthwash. í is antra.)

noun a substance which prevents germs grow- anuriaanuria / n jυəriə/ noun a condition in which

ing or spreading ć The nurse painted the the patient does not make urine, either because

wound with antiseptic. of a deficiency in the kidneys or because the

antiserumantiserum / nti sərəm/ noun ‘ serum urinary tract is blocked

(NOTE: The plural is antisera.) anusanus / enəs/ noun a short passage after the

antisocialantisocial / nti səυʃ(ə)l/ adjective refer- rectum at the end of the alimentary canal, lead-

ring to behaviour which is harmful to other ing outside the body between the buttocks and

people through which faeces are passed. See illustra-

antispasmodicantispasmodic / ntisp z mɒdk/ noun a tion at DIGESTIVE SYSTEM in Supplement, URO-

drug used to prevent spasms GENITAL SYSTEM (MALE) in Supplement (NOTE:

antitetanus serumantitetanus serum / nti tetənəs sərəm/ For other terms referring to the anus, see anal

noun a serum which protects a patient against and words beginning with ano-.)

tetanus. Abbr ATS anvilanvil / nvl/ noun same as incus

antithrombinantithrombin / nti θrɒmbn/ noun a sub- anxietyanxiety / ŋ zaəti/ noun the state of being

stance present in the blood which prevents very worried and afraid

clotting anxiety disorderanxiety disorder / ŋ zaəti ds ɔ də/ noun

antitoxicantitoxic serum serum / nti tɒksk sərəm/ a mental disorder where someone is very wor-

noun an immunising agent, formed of serum ried and afraid, e.g. a phobia

taken from an animal which has developed an- anxietyanxiety neurosis neurosis / ŋ zaəti njυ rəυss/

tibodies to a disease, used to protect a person noun a neurotic condition where the patient is

from that disease anxious and has morbid fears

antitoxinantitoxin / nti tɒksn/ noun an antibody anxiolyticanxiolytic / ŋksiə ltk/ noun a drug used

produced by the body to counteract a poison in in the treatment of anxiety í adjective treating

the body anxiety

antitragusantitragus / nti tre əs/ noun a small pro- anxiousanxious / ŋkʃəs/ adjective 1. very worried

jection on the outer ear opposite the tragus and afraid ć My sister is ill – I am anxious

antituberculous drugantituberculous drug / ntitjυ b kjυləs about her. 2. eager ć She was anxious to get

dr / noun a drug used to treat tuberculosis, home. ć I was anxious to see the doctor.

e.g. Isoniazid or rifampicin aortaaorta /e ɔ tə/ noun the main artery in the

antitussiveantitussive / nti t sv/ noun a drug used body, which sends blood containing oxygen

to reduce coughing from the heart to other blood vessels around

antiveninantivenin nti venn/, antivenom / nti the body. See illustration at HEART in Supple-

/ ment

venəm/, antivenene / ntivə ni n/ noun a COMMENT: The aorta is about 45 centimetres
long. It leaves the left ventricle, rises where
substance which helps the body to fight the ef-

fects of a particular venom from a snake or in- the carotid arteries branch off, then goes

sect bite downwards through the abdomen and divides

antiviralantiviral / nti varəl/ adjective referring to into the two iliac arteries. The aorta is the

a drug or treatment which stops or reduces the blood vessel which carries all arterial blood

from the heart.

aortic 24

aorticaortic /e ɔ tk/ adjective relating to the aorta ‘…in this study, babies having an Apgar score of

aorticaortic aneurysm aneurysm /e ɔ tk njə rz(ə)m/ four or less had 100% mortality. The lower the Ap-

noun a serious aneurysm of the aorta, associat- gar score, the poorer the chance of survival’

ed with atherosclerosis [Indian Journal of Medical Sciences]

aorticaortic arch arch /e ɔ tk ɑ tʃ/ noun a bend in the APHAPH abbr antepartum haemorrhage

aorta which links the ascending aorta to the de- aphagiaaphagia /e fed iə/ noun a condition in

scending aorta which a person is unable to swallow

aorticaortic hiatus hiatus /e ɔ tk ha etəs/ noun an aphakiaaphakia /e fekiə/ noun the absence of the

opening in the diaphragm through which the crystalline lens in the eye

aorta passes aphakicaphakic /e fekk/ adjective referring to

aorticaortic incompetence incompetence /e ɔ tk aphakia

nkɒmpt(ə)ns/ noun a condition in which aphasiaaphasia /e feziə/ noun a condition in which

the aortic valve does not close properly, caus- a person is unable to speak or write, or to un-

ing regurgitation derstand speech or writing because of damage

aorticaortic regurgitation regurgitation /e ɔ tk r d to the brain centres controlling speech

teʃ(ə)n/ noun a backward flow of blood apheresisapheresis / fə ri ss/ noun the transfusion

caused by a malfunctioning aortic valve of blood, from which some components have

aorticaortic sinuses sinuses /e ɔ tk sanəsz/ plural been removed, back into a patient

noun swellings in the aorta from which the aphoniaaphonia /e fəυniə/ noun a condition in

coronary arteries lead back into the heart itself which a person is unable to make sounds

aorticaortic stenosis stenosis /e ɔ tk ste nəυss/ noun a aphrodisiacaphrodisiac / frə dzi k/ noun a sub-

condition in which the aortic valve is narrow, stance which increases sexual urges í adjec-

caused by rheumatic fever tive increasing sexual desire

aorticaortic valve valve /e ɔ tk v lv/ noun a valve aphthaaphtha / fθə/ noun a small white ulcer

with three flaps, situated at the opening into which appears in groups in the mouth in peo-

the aorta ple who have the fungal condition thrush

aortitisaortitis / eɔ tats/ noun inflammation of (NOTE: The plural is apthae.)

the aorta aphthous stomatitisaphthous stomatitis / fθəs stəυmə

aortographyaortography / eɔ tɒ rəfi/ noun an X-ray tats/ noun canker sores which affect the mu-

examination of the aorta after an opaque sub- cous membrane in the mouth

stance has been injected into it aphthous ulceraphthous ulcer / fθəs lsə/ noun same as

a.p.a.p. adverb before a meal. Full form ante mouth ulcer

prandium apicalapical / pk(ə)l/ adjective situated at the top

apatheticapathetic / pə θetk/ adjective referring to or tip of something

a person who takes no interest in anything apical abscessapical abscess / pk(ə)l bses/ noun an

apathyapathy / pəθi/ noun the condition of not be- abscess in the socket around the root of a tooth

ing interested in anything, or of not wanting to apicectomyapicectomy / p sektəmi/ noun the surgi-

do anything cal removal of the root of a tooth

aperientaperient /ə pəriənt/ noun a substance which aplasiaaplasia /e pleziə/ noun a lack of growth of

causes a bowel movement, e.g. a laxative or tissue

purgative í adjective causing a bowel move- aplasticaplastic /e pl stk/ adjective unable to de-

ment velop new cells or tissue

aperistalsisaperistalsis / eper st lsis/ noun a lack of aplasticaplastic anaemia anaemia /e pl stk ə ni miə/

the peristaltic movement in the bowel noun anaemia caused by the bone marrow fail-

Apert’s syndromeApert’s syndrome / p ts sndrəυm/ ing to form red blood cells

noun a condition in which the skull grows tall apneaapnea / p ni ə/ noun US same as apnoea

and the lower part of the face is underdevel- apneusisapneusis / pnu ss/ noun a breathing pat-

oped tern caused by brain damage, in which each

apertureaperture / pətʃə/ noun a hole breath is held for a long time

apexapex / epeks/ noun 1. the top of the heart or apnoeaapnoea / p ni ə/ noun the stopping of

lung 2. the end of the root of a tooth breathing (NOTE: The US spelling is apnea.)

apexapex beat beat / epeks bi t/ noun a heartbeat apnoeicapnoeic / p ni k/ adjective where breathing

which can be felt if the hand is placed on the has stopped (NOTE: The US spelling is apneic.)

heart apocrineapocrine / pəkran/ adjective referring to

Apgar scoreApgar score / p ɑ skɔ / noun a method of apocrine glands

judging the condition of a newborn baby in apocrine glandapocrine gland / pəkran l nd/ noun a

which the baby is given a maximum of two gland producing body odour where parts of the

points on each of five criteria: colour of the gland’s cells break off with the secretions, e.g.

skin, heartbeat, breathing, muscle tone and re- a sweat gland

action to stimuli [Described 1952. After Virginia apocrinitisapocrinitis / pəkr nats/ noun the forma-

Apgar (1909–74), US anaesthesiologist.] tion of abscesses in the sweat glands

25 apraxia

apolipoproteinapolipoprotein E E /ə pɒlpəprəυti n i / appendicularappendicular skeleton skeleton / pən dkjυlə
skelt(ə)n/ noun part of the skeleton, formed
noun a compound found in three varieties

which transport lipids within the cell and of the pelvic girdle, pectoral girdle and the

across cell membranes, the genes for two of bones of the arms and legs. Compare axial

which are linked with increased risk of Alzhe- skeleton

imer’s disease. Abbr ApoE appendixappendix /ə pendks/ noun 1. a small tube

apomorphineapomorphine / pəυ mɔ fi n/ noun a sub- attached to the caecum which serves no func-

stance that comes from morphine, used to tion but can become infected, causing appen-

make a person cough, sleep or be sick (NOTE: It dicitis. Also called vermiform appendix. See

is administered under the skin and is used to illustration at DIGESTIVE SYSTEM in Supplement

treat drug overdose, accidental poisoning and 2. any small tube or sac hanging from an organ

Parkinson’s disease.) apperceptionapperception / pə sepʃ(ə)n/ noun the

aponeurosisaponeurosis / pəυnjυ rəυss/ noun a conscious recognition of a stimulus

band of tissue which attaches muscles to each appetiteappetite / ptat/ noun the feeling of want-

other ing food ˽ good appetite interest in eating

apophysealapophyseal / pə fziəl/ adjective referring food ˽ loss of appetite becoming uninterested

to apophysis in eating food

apophysisapophysis /ə pɒfəss/ noun a growth of applanation tonometryapplanation tonometry / plə neʃ(ə)n tə

bone, not at a joint nɒmətri/ noun the measuring of the thickness

apophysitisapophysitis / pəf sats/ noun inflamma- of the cornea

tion of an apophysis applianceappliance /ə plaəns/ noun a piece of appa-

apoplexyapoplexy / pəpleksi/ noun same as cere- ratus used on the body ć He was wearing a

brovascular accident (dated) surgical appliance to support his neck.

apoptosisapoptosis /ə pɒptəss/ noun a form of cell applicationapplication / pl keʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the

death that is necessary both to make room for process of putting a medication or bandage on

new cells and to remove cells whose DNA has a body part ć Two applications of the lotion

been damaged and which may become cancer- should be made each day. 2. the process of ask-

ous ing officially for something, usually in writing

APPAPP abbr amyloid precursor protein ć If you are applying for the job, you must fill

apparatusapparatus / pə retəs/ noun equipment in an application form.

used in a laboratory or hospital ć The hospital applicatorapplicator / plketə/ noun an instrument

has installed new apparatus in the physiother- for applying a substance

apy department. ć The blood sample was test-

ed in a special piece of apparatus. (NOTE: No appointmentappointment /ə pɔntmənt/ noun an ar-

plural: use a piece of apparatus; some new ap- rangement to see someone at a particular time

paratus.) ć I have an appointment with the doctor or to

appendageappendage /ə pendd / noun a part of the see the doctor on Tuesday.

body or piece of tissue which hangs down appositionapposition / pə zʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the rela-

from another part tive positioning of two things 2. cell growth in

appendectomyappendectomy / pən dektəmi/ noun US which layers of new material are deposited on

same as appendicectomy existing ones

appendicealappendiceal / pən dsiəl/ adjective relat- appraisalappraisal /ə prez(ə)l/ noun a judgment or

ing to the appendix ć There is a risk of appen- opinion on something or somebody, especially

diceal infection. one which decides how effective or useful they

appendiceal colicappendiceal colic / pəndsiəl kɒlk/ are

noun colic caused by an inflamed appendix apprehensionapprehension / pr henʃən/ noun a feel-

appendicectomyappendicectomy /ə pend sektəmi/ noun ing of anxiety or fear that something bad or un-

the surgical removal of an appendix pleasant will happen

appendicitisappendicitis /ə pend sats/ noun inflam- approachapproach /ə prəυtʃ/ noun 1. a way of dealing

mation of the vermiform appendix with a problem ć The authority has adopted a

COMMENT: Appendicitis takes several forms. radical approach to the problem of patient

In acute appendicitis there is a sudden at- waiting lists. 2. a method used by a surgeon

tack of severe pain in the right lower part of when carrying out an operation

the abdomen, accompanied by a fever. Acute

appendicitis usually requires urgent surgery. approveapprove /ə pru v/ verb ˽ to approve of

In chronic appendicitis, the appendix is something to think that something is good ć I

slightly inflamed, giving a dull pain or a feeling don’t approve of patients staying in bed. ć The

of indigestion over a period of time (a ‘grum- Medical Council does not approve of this new

bling appendix’).

appendicularappendicular / pən dkjυlə/ adjective 1. treatment.

referring to body parts which are associated apraxiaapraxia /e pr ksiə/ noun a condition in

with the arms and legs 2. relating to the appen- which someone is unable to make proper

dix movements

apyrexia 26

apyrexiaapyrexia / epa reksiə/ noun the absence of arcusarcus / ɑ kəs/ noun an arch

fever arcusarcus senilis senilis / ɑ kəs sə nals/ noun an

apyrexialapyrexial / epa reksiəl/ adjective no longer opaque circle around the cornea of the eye

having any fever which can develop in old age

aqua /aqua kwə/ noun water ARDSARDS /ɑ dz/ abbr adult respiratory distress

aqueductaqueduct / kwd kt/ noun a tube which syndrome

carries fluid from one part of the body to an- areataareata / ri etə/ noun ‘ alopecia areata

other areolaareola /ə ri ələ/ noun 1. the coloured part

aqueduct of Sylviusaqueduct of Sylvius / kwd kt əv slviəs/ round a nipple 2. in the eye, the part of the iris

noun same as cerebral aqueduct closest to the pupil

aqueousaqueous / ekwiəs, kwiəs/ adjective re- areolarareolar tissue tissue /ə ri ələ tʃu / noun a type of

ferring to a solution made with water í noun a connective tissue

fluid in the eye between the lens and the cor- argininearginine / ɑ d ni n/ noun an amino acid

nea which helps the liver form urea

aqueousaqueous humour humour / ekwiəs hju mə/ noun argon laser ɑargon laser/ ɒn lezə/ noun a laser used

same as aqueous. see illustration at EYE in in sealing blood vessels and destroying specif-

Supplement ic lesions

ARAR abbr attributable risk Argyll Robertson pupil ɑArgyll Robertson pupil al rɒbətsən

arachidonicarachidonic acid acid /ə r kdɒnk sd/ /

noun an essential fatty acid pju p(ə)l/ noun a condition of the eye, in

arachnidismarachnidism /ə r kndz(ə)m/ noun poi- which the lens is able to focus but the pupil

soning by the bite of a spider does not react to light. It is a symptom of terti-

arachnodactyly ə rarachnodactyly/ knəυ d ktli/ noun a ary syphilis or of locomotor ataxia.

congenital condition in which the fingers and ariboflavinosisariboflavinosis /e rabəυflev nəυss/

toes are long and thin noun a condition caused by not having enough

arachnoidarachnoid /ə r knɔd/ noun the middle of vitamin B2. The symptoms are very oily skin
and hair and small cuts in the mouth.
the three membranes covering the brain. ı
armarm /ɑ m/ noun the part of the body from the
dura mater

arachnoiditisarachnoiditis /ə r knɔ dats/ noun in- shoulder to the hand, formed of the upper arm,

flammation of the arachnoid the elbow and the forearm ć She broke her

arachnoid mater ə rarachnoid mater/ knɔd metə/, arach- arm skiing. ć Lift your arms up above your

noid membrane /ə r knɔd membren/ noun head. (NOTE: For other terms referring to the arm

same as arachnoid see words beginning with brachi-, brachio-.)

arachnoidarachnoid villi villi /ə r knɔd vla/ plural armarm bones bones / ɑ m bəυnz/ plural noun the hu-

noun villi in the arachnoid which absorb cere- merus, the ulna and the radius

brospinal fluid armpitarmpit / ɑ mpt/ noun the hollow under the

arborisationarborisation / ɑ bəra zeʃ(ə)n/, arboriza- shoulder, between the upper arm and the body,

tion noun the branching ends of some nerve fi- where the upper arm joins the shoulder, con-

bres, of a motor nerve in muscle fibre or of taining several important blood vessels, lymph

venules, capillaries and arterioles nodes and sweat glands. Also called axilla

arborarbor vitae vitae / ɑ bə vati / noun the structure armarm sling sling / ɑ m slŋ/ noun a support for an

of the cerebellum or of the uterus which looks injured arm that prevents it from moving by ty-

like a tree ing it against the chest

arbovirusarbovirus / ɑ bəυ varəs/ noun a virus trans- Arnold-ChiariArnold-Chiari malformation malformation / ɑ nəld ki
eəri m lfɔ meʃ(ə)n/ noun a congenital
mitted by blood-sucking insects

arcarc /ɑ k/ noun 1. a nerve pathway 2. part of a condition in which the base of the skull is mal-

curved structure in the body formed, allowing parts of the cerebellum into

ARCARC abbr AIDS-related complex or AIDS-re- the spinal canal [Described 1894. After Julius A.

lated condition Arnold (1835–1915), Professor of Pathological

arcarc eye eye / ɑ k a/ noun temporary painful Anatomy at Heidelberg, Germany, and Hans von

blindness caused by ultraviolet rays, especially Chiari (1851–1916), Professor of Pathological

in arc welding Anatomy at Strasbourg and later at Prague,

archarch /ɑ tʃ/ noun a curved part of the body, es- Czech Republic.]

pecially under the foot aromatherapistaromatherapist /ə rəυmə θerəpst/ noun a

arch-arch- /ɑ tʃ/ prefix chief, most important person specialising in aromatherapy

arcuatearcuate / ɑ kjuət/ adjective arched aromatherapyaromatherapy /ə rəυmə θerəpi/ noun treat-

arcuatearcuate artery artery / ɑ kjuət ɑ təri/ noun a ment to relieve tension and promote wellbeing

curved artery in the foot or kidney in which fragrant oils and creams containing

arcuatearcuate ligaments ligaments / ɑ kjuət ɑ təri/ plural plant extracts are massaged into the skin

noun three ligaments forming a fibrous arch to arousalarousal /ə raυz(ə)l/ noun 1. feelings and

which the diaphragm is attached physical signs of sexual desire 2. the act of

27 articular cartilage

waking up from sleep, unconsciousness or a arteriosus ɑarteriosus / təri əυsəs/ noun ‘ ductus ar-

drowsy state teriosus

arrectorarrector pili pili /ə rektə pala m s(ə)l/ noun arteriotomyarteriotomy /ɑ təri ɒtəmi/ noun a punc-

a small muscle which contracts and makes the ture made in the wall of an artery

hair on the skin stand up when someone is cold arteriovenous ɑarteriovenous / təriəυ vi nəs/ adjective

or afraid referring to both an artery and a vein

arrestarrest /ə rest/ noun the stopping of a bodily arteritisarteritis / ɑ tə rats/ noun inflammation of

function. ı cardiac arrest the walls of an artery

arrhythmiaarrhythmia /ə rðmiə/ noun a variation in the arteryartery / ɑ təri/ noun a blood vessel taking

rhythm of the heartbeat blood from the heart to the tissues of the body

‘Cardiovascular effects may include atrial arrhyth- COMMENT: In most arteries the blood has been
mias but at 30°C there is the possibility of spontane- oxygenated in the lungs and is bright red in

ous ventricular fibrillation’ [British Journal of Nurs- colour. In the pulmonary artery, the blood is

ing] deoxygenated and so is darker. The arterial

arrhythmicarrhythmic /ə rðmk/ adjective (of a heart- system begins with the aorta which leaves the

beat or breathing) rhythmically irregular. ı an- heart and from which all the arteries branch.

tiarrhythmic arthr-arthr- /ɑ θr/ prefix same as arthro- (used be-

arsenicarsenic / ɑ snk/ noun a chemical element fore vowels)

which forms poisonous compounds such as ar- arthralgia ɑarthralgia / θr ld ə/ noun pain in a joint

senic trioxide and which was formerly used in arthrectomy ɑarthrectomy / θrektəmi/ noun the surgical

some medicines (NOTE: The chemical symbol is removal of a joint

As.) arthritic ɑarthritic/ θrtk/ adjective affected by or

ARTART abbr assisted reproductive technology relating to arthritis ć She has an arthritic hip.

artefactartefact / ɑ tf kt/ noun something which is í noun a person suffering from arthritis

made or introduced artificially arthritis ɑarthritis/ θrats/ noun a painful inflam-

arter-arter- /ɑ tə/ prefix same as arterio- (used be- mation of a joint. ı osteoarthritis, rheumatoid

fore vowels) arthritis, reactive arthritis

arterial ɑarterial / təriəl/ adjective relating to arter- arthro-arthro- /ɑ θrəυ/ prefix referring to a joint

ies ˽ arterial supply to the brain the supply arthroclasiaarthroclasia / ɑ θrəυ kle ə/ noun removal

of blood to the brain by the internal carotid ar- of ankylosis in a joint

teries and the vertebral arteries arthrodesisarthrodesis / ɑ θrəυ di ss/ noun a surgical

arterial bleeding ɑarterial bleeding / təriəl bli dŋ/ noun operation in which a joint is fused in position,

bleeding from an artery so preventing pain from movement

arterialarterial block block /ɑ təriəl blɒk/ noun the arthrodyniaarthrodynia / ɑ θrəυ dniə/ noun pain in a

blocking of an artery by a blood clot joint

arterial blood ɑarterial blood / təriəl bl d/ noun same as arthrogramarthrogram / ɑ θrəυ r m/ noun an X-ray of

oxygenated blood the inside of a damaged joint

arterialarterial haemorrhage haemorrhage /ɑ təriəl arthrography ɑarthrography / θrɒ rəfi/ noun X-ray pho-

hem(ə)rd / noun a haemorrhage of bright tography of a joint

red blood from an artery arthrogryposisarthrogryposis / ɑ θrəυ r pəυss/ noun a

arteriectomy ɑarteriectomy / təri ektəmi/ noun the sur- group of disorders in which movement be-

gical removal of an artery or part of an artery comes progressively restricted

arterio-arterio- /ɑ təriəυ/ prefix referring to arteries arthropathy ɑarthropathy / θrɒpəθi/ noun a disease in a

arteriogram ɑarteriogram / təriəυ r m/ noun an X- joint

ray photograph of an artery, taken after injec- arthroplastyarthroplasty / ɑ θrəυpl sti/ noun a surgical

tion with an opaque dye operation to repair or replace a joint

arteriographyarteriography /ɑ təri ɒ rəfi/ noun the arthroscopearthroscope / ɑ θrəυskəυp/ noun an instru-

work of taking X-ray photographs of arteries ment which is inserted into the cavity of a joint

after injection with an opaque dye to inspect it

arteriole ɑarteriole / təriəυl/ noun a very small ar- arthroscopy ɑarthroscopy / θrɒskəpi/ noun a procedure

tery to examine the inside of a joint by means of an

arteriopathy ɑarteriopathy / təri ɒpəθi/ noun a disease arthroscope

of an artery arthrosis ɑarthrosis/ θrəυss/ noun the degeneration

arterioplasty ɑarterioplasty / təriəυpl sti/ noun plastic of a joint

surgery to make good a damaged or blocked arthrotomy ɑarthrotomy / θrɒtəmi/ noun a procedure

artery that involves cutting into a joint to drain pus

arteriorrhaphy ɑarteriorrhaphy / təri ɔ rəfi/ noun the act articulararticular /ɑ tkjυlə/ adjective referring to

of stitching an artery joints

arteriosclerosisarteriosclerosis /ɑ təriəυsklə rəυss/ articular cartilage ɑarticular cartilage / tkjυlə kɑ təld /

noun the arterial disease atherosclerosis noun a layer of cartilage at the end of a bone

(dated ) where it forms a joint with another bone. See

articular facet 28

illustration at BONE STRUCTURE in Supplement, COMMENT: Asbestos was formerly widely used
in cement and cladding and other types of fire-
SYNOVIAL JOINT in Supplement proof construction materials. It is now recog-

articular facet ɑarticular facet / tkjυlə f st/ noun the nised that asbestos dust can cause many lung

point at which a rib articulates with the spine diseases, leading in some cases to forms of
cancer.
articulararticular process process /ɑ tkjυlə prəυses/
skə raəss/ noun a disease of
noun a piece of bone which sticks out of the ascariasisascariasis /

neural arch in a vertebra and links with the the intestine and sometimes the lungs, caused

next vertebra by infestation with Ascaris lumbricoides

articulatearticulate /ɑ tkjυlet/ verb to be linked Ascaris lumbricoidesAscaris lumbricoides / skərs l mbr

with another bone in a joint kɔdi z/ noun a type of large roundworm

articulatingarticulating bone bone /ɑ tkjυletŋ bəυn/ which is a parasite in the human intestine

noun a bone which forms a joint ascendingascending /ə sendŋ/ adjective going up-

articulatingarticulating process process /ɑ tkjυletŋ wards

prəυses/ noun same as articular process ascendingascending aorta aorta /ə sendŋ e ɔ tə/ noun

articulation ɑarticulation / tkjυ leʃ(ə)n/ noun a joint the first section of the aorta as it leaves the

or series of joints heart and turns upwards. Compare descend-

artificialartificial / ɑ t fʃ(ə)l/ adjective 1. made by ing aorta

humans and not a natural part of the body ć ascendingascending colon colon /ə sendŋ kəυlɒn/ noun

artificial cartilage ć artificial kidney ć artifi- the first part of the colon which goes up the

cial leg 2. happening not as a natural process right side of the body from the caecum. Com-

but through action by a doctor or another per- pare descending colon. See illustration at DI-

son or a machine ć artificial feeding GESTIVE SYSTEM in Supplement

artificialartificial insemination insemination / ɑ tfʃ(ə)l n AschoffAschoff nodules nodules / ʃɒf nɒdju lz/,

sem neʃ(ə)n/ noun the introduction of se- Aschoff’s nodules / ʃɒfs nɒdju lz/ plural

men into a woman’s uterus by artificial means noun nodules which are formed mainly in or

artificial insemination by donor ɑ tartificial insemination by donor/ near the heart in rheumatic fever

fʃ(ə)l nsem neʃ(ə)n ba dəυnə/ noun ascitesascites /ə sati z/ noun an unusual accumu-

same as donor insemination. Abbr AID lation of fluid from the blood in the peritoneal

artificial insemination by husbandartificial insemination by husband / cavity, occurring in heart and kidney failure or

ɑ tfʃ(ə)l nsem neʃ(ə)n ba h zbənd/ as a result of malignancy

noun artificial insemination using the semen of ascorbicascorbic acid acid /ə skɔ bk sd/ noun same

the husband. Abbr AIH as Vitamin C

artificialartificial lung lung / ɑ tfʃ(ə)l l ŋ/ noun a ma- COMMENT: Ascorbic acid is found in fresh fruit,
especially oranges and lemons and in vegeta-
chine through which a person’s deoxygenated bles. Lack of Vitamin C can cause anaemia

blood is passed to absorb oxygen to take back and scurvy.

to the bloodstream ASDASD abbr autistic spectrum disorders

artificialartificial pneumothorax pneumothorax / ɑ tfʃ(ə)l -ase-ase /ez, es/ suffix enzyme

nju məυ θɔ r ks/ noun a former method of asepsisasepsis /e sepss/ noun the absence of mi-

treating tuberculosis, in which air was intro- croorganisms which cause infection, usually

duced between the layers of the pleura to make achieved by sterilisation

the lung collapse asepticaseptic /e septk/ adjective sterilised, or in-

artificial respiration ɑartificial respiration/ tfʃ(ə)l resp re volving sterilisation, and therefore without in-

ʃ(ə)n/ noun a way of reviving someone who fection

has stopped breathing, e.g. mouth-to-mouth asepticaseptic surgery surgery /e septk s d əri/ noun

resuscitation

artificial rupture of membranes ɑ tartificial rupture of membranes/ surgery using sterilised equipment, rather than

fʃ(ə)l r ptʃər əv membrenz/ noun the relying on antiseptic drugs to kill harmful mi-

breaking of the amniotic sac with an amni- croorganisms. Compare antiseptic

hook, so releasing the amniotic fluid asepticaseptic technique technique /e septk tek ni ks/

artificialartificial ventilation ventilation / ɑ tfʃ(ə)l vent noun a method of doing something using ster-

leʃ(ə)n/ noun breathing which is assisted or ilised equipment

controlled by a machine asexualasexual /e sekʃuəl/ adjective not sexual, not

arytenoidarytenoid / r ti nɔd/ adjective located at involving sexual intercourse

the back of the larynx asexualasexual reproduction reproduction /e sekʃυəl ri prə
d kʃ(ə)n/ noun reproduction of a cell by
arytenoid cartilagearytenoid cartilage / r ti nɔd kɑ tld /
cloning
noun a small cartilage at the back of the larynx

arytenoidectomyarytenoidectomy / r ti nɔd ektəmi/ AsianAsian flu flu / e (ə)n flu / noun ‘ flu

noun an operation to remove the arytenoid car- -asis-asis /əss/ ‘ -iasis

tilage asleepasleep /ə sli p/ adjective sleeping ć The pa-

asbestosisasbestosis / sbe stəυss/ noun a disease tient is asleep and must not be disturbed.

of the lungs caused by inhaling asbestos dust (NOTE: Asleep cannot be used in front of a noun:

29 asthmatic

the patient is asleep but a sleeping patient.) ˽ aspirinaspirin / sprn/ noun a common pain-kill-
she fell asleep she began to sleep ˽ fast asleep
ing drug, or a tablet containing this drug. Also

sleeping deeply called acetylsalicylic acid

asparagineasparagine /ə sp rəd i n/ noun an amino assayassay / se, ə se/ noun the testing of a sub-

acid stance. ı bioassay, immunoassay

aspartameaspartame /ə spɑ tem/ noun a protein pro- assimilateassimilate /ə sm let/ verb to take into the

duced from aspartic acid, used to make sub- body’s tissues substances which have been ab-

stances sweeter sorbed into the blood from digested food

aspartateaspartate aminotransferase aminotransferase /ə spɑ tet ə assimilationassimilation /ə sm leʃ(ə)n/ noun the ac-

mi nəυ tr nsfərez/ noun an enzyme found tion of assimilating food substances

in heart muscle, liver cells, skeletal muscle assistanceassistance /ə sst(ə)ns/ noun help

cells and some other tissues. It is used in the assistantassistant /ə sst(ə)nt/ noun a person who

diagnosis of liver disease and heart attacks. helps someone, usually as a job

asparticaspartic acid acid /ə spɑ tk sd/ noun an assistedassisted conception conception /ə sstd kən

amino acid sepʃ(ə)n/, assisted reproduction /ə sstd

aspectaspect / spekt/ noun a direction from ri prə d kʃ(ə)n/ noun the use of a technique

which the body is viewed, e.g. the view from such as in vitro fertilisation to help someone to

above is the ‘superior aspect’ become pregnant

Asperger’s syndromeAsperger’s syndrome / sp d əz sn assistedassisted respiration respiration /ə sstd respə re

drəυm/ noun a developmental disorder char- ʃ(ə)n/ noun the use of a machine to help

acterised by difficulty in social interaction and breathing

a restricted range of interests, more common assistedassisted suicide suicide /ə sstd su sad/ noun

in boys than girls [Described 1944. After Hans the suicide of someone who is terminally ill

Asperger (1906–80), Austrian psychiatrist.] with the help of a doctor or friend at the re-

aspergillosisaspergillosis / sp d  ləυss/ noun in- quest of the person who is dying

fection of the lungs with the fungus Aspergil- associateassociate /ə səυsiet/ verb to be related to or

lus connected with something ć side effects which

aspermiaaspermia /e sp miə/ noun the absence of may be associated with the drug ć The condi-

sperm in semen tion is often associated with diabetes.

asphyxiaasphyxia / s fksiə/ noun a condition in associateassociate nurse nurse /ə səυsiət n s/ noun a

which someone is prevented from breathing, nurse who assists a primary nurse by carrying

e.g. by strangulation or breathing poisonous out agreed care for someone based on a plan

gas, and therefore cannot take oxygen into the designed by a primary nurse

bloodstream associationassociation area area /ə səυsi eʃ(ə)n eəriə/

asphyxia neonatorumasphyxia neonatorum / s fksiə ni əυn noun an area of the cortex of the brain which is

e tɔ rəm/ noun failure to breathe in a new- concerned with relating stimuli coming from

born baby different sources

asphyxiateasphyxiate / s fksiet/ verb to prevent associationassociation neuron neuron /ə səυsi eʃ(ə)n

someone from breathing, or be prevented from njυərɒn/ noun a neuron which links an asso-

breathing ć An unconscious patient may be- ciation area to the main parts of the cortex

come asphyxiated or may asphyxiate if left ly- associationassociation tract tract /ə səυsi eʃ(ə)n tr kt/

ing on his back. ı suffocate noun one of the tracts which link areas of the

asphyxiationasphyxiation /əs fksi eʃ(ə)n/ noun the cortex in the same cerebral hemisphere

state of being prevented from breathing, or the astheniaasthenia / s θi niə/ noun a condition in

act of preventing someone from breathing. ı which someone is weak and does not have any

suffocation strength

aspirateaspirate / spret/ verb 1. to remove liquid asthenicasthenic / s θenk/ adjective referring to a

or gas by suction from a body cavity 2. to in- general condition in which someone has no

hale something, especially a liquid, into the strength and no interest in things

lungs asthenopiaasthenopia / sθ nəυpiə/ noun same as

aspirationaspiration / sp reʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the act of eyestrain

removing fluid from a cavity in the body, often asthmaasthma / smə/ noun a lung condition char-

using a hollow needle 2. same as vacuum suc- acterised by narrowing of the bronchial tubes,

tion in which the muscles go into spasm and the

aspirationaspiration pneumonia pneumonia / spreʃ(ə)n person has difficulty breathing. ı cardiac asth-

nju məυniə/ noun a form of pneumonia in ma

which infected matter is inhaled from the asthmaticasthmatic / sm tk/ adjective having the

bronchi or oesophagus lung disease asthma, or relating to asthma ć

aspiratoraspirator / spretə/ noun an instrument He has an asthmatic attack every spring. ˽

used to suck fluid out of a cavity such as the acute asthmatic attack a sudden attack of

mouth or the site of an operation asthma í noun a person who has asthma

asthmatic bronchitis 30

asthmaticasthmatic bronchitis bronchitis / s m tk brɒŋ which the arteries and veins in the brain are not

kats/ noun asthma associated with bronchi- properly formed, leading to strokes or epilep-

tis sy. Abbr AVM

asthmaticusasthmaticus / sm tkəs/ adjective ‘ sta- atherogenesisatherogenesis / θerəυ d enss/ noun the

tus asthmaticus formation of fatty deposits (atheromas) in ar-

astigmaticastigmatic / st m tk/ adjective refer- teries
ring to astigmatism ˽ he is astigmatic he has
atherogenicatherogenic / θərəυ d enk/ adjective re-

astigmatism ferring to something which may produce

astigmatismastigmatism /ə st mətz(ə)m/ noun a con- atheroma

dition in which the eye cannot focus vertical atheromaatheroma / θə rəυmə/ noun thickening of

and horizontal lines simultaneously, leading to the walls of an artery by deposits of a fatty sub-

blurring of vision stance such as cholesterol

astragalusastragalus /ə str ələs/ noun an old name atheromatousatheromatous / θə rɒmətəs/ adjective re-

for the talus (anklebone) ferring to atheroma

astringentastringent /ə strnd ənt/ noun a substance atherosclerosisatherosclerosis / θərəυsklə rəυss/ noun

which makes the skin tissues contract and a condition in which deposits of fats and min-

harden í adjective referring to an astringent erals form on the walls of an artery, especially

astrocyteastrocyte / strəsat/ noun a star-shaped the aorta or one of the coronary or cerebral ar-

cell of the connective tissue of the nervous sys- teries, and prevent blood from flowing easily

tem atheroscleroticatherosclerotic / θərəυsklə rɒtk/ adjec-

astrocytomaastrocytoma / strəsa təυmə/ noun a type tive referring to atherosclerosis

of brain tumour which develops slowly in the atherosclerotic plaqueatherosclerotic plaque / θərəυsklərɒtk

connective tissue of the nervous system pl k/ noun a deposit on the walls of arteries

asymmetricasymmetric / s metrk/ adjective shaped athetosisathetosis / θə təυss/ noun repeated slow

or arranged so that the two sides do not match movements of the limbs, caused by a brain dis-

or balance each other order such as cerebral palsy

asymmetryasymmetry / smətri/ noun a state in athlete’s footathlete’s foot / θli ts fυt/ noun an infec-

which the two sides of the body or of an organ tious skin disorder between the toes, caused by

do not resemble each other a fungus. Also called tinea pedis

asymptomaticasymptomatic / esmptə m tk/ adjective atlasatlas / tləs/ noun the top vertebra in the

not showing any symptoms of disease spine, which supports the skull and pivots on

asynclitismasynclitism / sŋkltz(ə)m/ noun in child- the axis or second vertebra

birth, a situation in which the head of the baby atmosphericatmospheric pressure pressure / tməsferk
preʃə/ noun the pressure of the air on the sur-
enters the vagina at an angle

asynergiaasynergia / s n d ə/, asynergy / face of the Earth

snəd i/ noun awkward movements and bad COMMENT: Disorders due to variations in at-
mospheric pressure include mountain sick-
coordination, caused by a disorder of the cere- ness and caisson diseases.

bellum. Also called dyssynergia

asystoleasystole /e sstəli/ noun a state in which the atomicatomic cocktail cocktail /ə tɒmk kɒktel/ noun a

heart has stopped beating radioactive substance in liquid form, used to

ataracticataractic / tə r ktk/ noun a drug which diagnose or treat cancer (informal)

has a calming effect í adjective calming atomiseratomiser / təmazə/ noun an instrument

ataraxiaataraxia / tə r ksiə/, ataraxis / tə which sprays liquid in the form of very small

r kss/ noun the state of being calm and not drops like mist. Also called nebuliser

worrying atonicatonic /e tɒnk/ adjective referring to lack of

ataraxicataraxic / tə r ksk/ noun, adjective same muscle tone or tension

as ataractic atonyatony / təni/ noun a lack of tone or tension

ataxiaataxia /ə t ksiə/ noun a failure of the brain to in the muscles

control movements atopenatopen / təpen/ noun an allergen which

ataxicataxic /ə t ksk/ adjective having ataxia, or causes an atopy

relating to ataxia atopicatopic /e tɒpk/ adjective referring to condi-

ataxic gait ə tataxic gait / ksk et/ noun a way of tions arising from an inherited tendency to re-

walking in which the person walks unsteadily act to specific allergens, as in hay fever, some

due to a disorder of the nervous system skin conditions and asthma

ataxyataxy /ə t ksi/ noun same as ataxia atopicatopic eczema eczema /e tɒpk eksmə/, atopic

atelectasisatelectasis / tə lektəss/ noun the failure dermatitis /e tɒpk d mə tats/ noun a

of a lung to expand properly type of eczema often caused by a hereditary al-

atenololatenolol /ə tenəlɒl/ noun a drug used in con- lergy

trolling blood pressure and angina atopyatopy / təpi/ noun a hereditary allergic reac-

ateriovenousateriovenous malformation malformation /ɑ təriəυ tion

vi nəs m lfɔ meʃ(ə)n/ noun a condition in ATPATP abbr adenosine triphosphate

31 audi-

atracuriumatracurium / trə kjυəriəm/ noun a drug the tissues of the vagina caused by a lack of

used as a relaxant oestrogen

atresiaatresia /ə tri ziə/ noun an unusual closing or atrophyatrophy / trəfi/ noun the wasting of an or-

absence of a tube in the body gan or part of the body í verb (of an organ or

atreticatretic /ə tretk/ adjective referring to atresia part of the body) to waste away

atreticatretic follicle follicle /ə tretk fɒlk(ə)l/ noun the atropineatropine / trəpi n/ noun an alkaloid sub-

scarred remains of an ovarian follicle stance derived from the poisonous plant bella-

atri-atri- /etri/ prefix referring to an atrium donna and used, among other things, to en-

atriaatria / etriə/ plural of atrium large the pupil of the eye, to reduce salivary

atrialatrial / etriəl/ adjective referring to one or and bronchial secretions during anaesthesia

both of the atria of the heart and as a muscarinic antagonist

atrial fibrillationatrial fibrillation / etriəl fabr leʃ(ə)n/ ATSATS / e ti es/ abbr antitetanus serum

noun a rapid uncoordinated fluttering of the attackattack /ə t k/ noun a sudden occurrence of

atria of the heart, which causes an irregular an illness ć He had an attack of fever. ć She

heartbeat had two attacks of laryngitis during the winter.

atrial septalatrial septal defect defect / etriəl sept(ə)l attemptedattempted suicide suicide /ə temptd su sad/

di fekt/ noun a congenital condition in which noun an unsuccessful attempt to kill oneself

a hole in the wall between the two atria of the attendingattending physician physician / ə tendŋ f zʃ(ə)n/

heart allows blood to flow through the heart noun a doctor who is looking after a particular

and lungs. Compare ventricular septal defect patient ć He was referred to the hypertension

atrioventricularatrioventricular / etriəυven trkjυlə/ ad- unit by his attending physician.

jective referring to the atria and ventricles attentionattention deficit disorder deficit disorder /ə tenʃən de

atrioventricularatrioventricular bundle bundle / etriəυven fst ds ɔ də/ noun a condition in which a
trkjυlə b nd(ə)l/ noun a bundle of modi-
person is unable to concentrate, does things

fied cardiac muscle which conducts impulses without considering their actions properly and

from the atrioventricular node to the septum has little confidence. It occurs mainly in chil-

and then divides to connect with the ventricles. dren. Abbr ADD

Also called AV bundle, bundle of His attention deficit hyperactivity disorderattention deficit hyperactivity disorder

atrioventricularatrioventricular groove groove / etriəυven /ə tenʃən defst hapər k tvti ds
ɔ də/ noun a condition in which a child has an
trkjυlə ru v/ noun a groove round the out-
inability to concentrate and shows disruptive
side of the heart, showing the division between
behaviour. Abbr ADHD
the atria and ventricles
attentionattention deficit syndrome deficit syndrome /ə tenʃən de
atrioventricular nodeatrioventricular node / triəυven trkjυlə
fst sndrəυm/ noun same as attention defi-
nəυd/ noun a mass of conducting tissue in the
cit disorder
right atrium of the heart, which continues as
attenuationattenuation /ə tenju eʃ(ə)n/ noun a reduc-
the atrioventricular bundle and passes impuls-
tion in the effect or strength of something such
es from the atria to the ventricles. Also called
as a virus, either because of environmental
AV node
conditions or as a result of a laboratory proce-
at-riskat-risk /ət rsk/ adjective exposed to danger
dure
or harm of some kind ć at-risk children
atticotomyatticotomy / t kɒtəmi/ noun the removal
atriumatrium / etriəm/ noun 1. one of the two up-
of the wall in the inner ear. Also called cortical
per chambers in the heart. See illustration at
mastoidectomy
HEART in Supplement 2. a cavity in the ear be-
attitudeattitude / ttju d/ noun 1. an opinion or
hind the eardrum (NOTE: The plural is atria.)
general feeling about something ć a positive
COMMENT: The two atria in the heart both re-
ceive blood from veins. The right atrium re- attitude towards the operation 2. a way of
ceives venous blood from the superior and in-
standing or sitting

ferior venae cavae and the left atrium receives attributableattributable risk risk /ə trbjυtəb(ə)l rsk/
oxygenated blood from the pulmonary veins.
noun a measure of the excess risk of disease

atrophicatrophic cirrhosis cirrhosis / trɒfk s rəυss/ due to exposure to a particular risk. The excess

noun advanced portal cirrhosis in which the risk of bacteriuria in oral contraceptive users

liver has become considerably smaller and attributable to the use of oral contraceptives is

clumps of new cells are formed on the surface 1,566 per 100,000. Abbr AR

of the liver where fibrous tissue has replaced attritionattrition /ə trʃ(ə)n/ noun the condition of

damaged liver cells. Also called hobnail liver being worn away, as may be caused by friction

atrophic gastritisatrophic gastritis / trɒfk strats/ ć Examination showed attrition of two exten-

noun inflammation of the stomach caused by sor tendons.

being unable to produce enough acid to kill atypicalatypical /e tpk(ə)l/ adjective not usual or

bacteria expected ć an atypical renal cyst

atrophic vaginitisatrophic vaginitis / trɒfk v d  nats/ audi-audi- /ɔ di/ prefix same as audio- (used before

noun inflammation, thinning and shrinking of vowels)

audible limits 32

audibleaudible limits limits / ɔ dəb(ə)l lmts/ plural auriscopeauriscope / ɔ rskəυp/ noun an instrument

noun upper and lower limits of the sound fre- for examining the ear and eardrum. Also called

quencies which can be heard by humans otoscope

audio-audio- /ɔ diəυ/ prefix referring to hearing or auscultationauscultation / ɔ skəl teʃ(ə)n/ noun the act

sound of listening to the sounds of the body using a

audiogramaudiogram / ɔ diəυ r m/ noun a graph stethoscope

drawn by an audiometer auscultatory ɔauscultatory/ sk ltət(ə)ri/ adjective re-

audiologistaudiologist / ɔ di ɒləd st/ noun a special- ferring to auscultation

ist who deals in the treatment of hearing disor- AustraliaAustralia antigen antigen /ɔ streliə ntd ən/

ders noun an antigen produced on the surface of liv-

audiologyaudiology / ɔ di ɒləd i/ noun the scientific er cells infected with the hepatitis B virus

study of hearing, especially for diagnosing and autismautism / ɔ tz(ə)m/ noun a condition devel-

treating hearing loss oping in childhood, characterised by difficulty

audiometeraudiometer / ɔ di ɒmtə/ noun an apparatus in social interaction, language and communi-

for testing hearing, especially for testing the cation problems, learning difficulties and ob-

range of sounds that the human ear can detect sessional repetitive behaviour (NOTE: Autism is

audiometryaudiometry / ɔ di ɒmətri/ noun the science more common in boys than in girls.)

of testing hearing autistic ɔautistic/ tstk/ adjective affected by, or re-

auditaudit / ɔ dt/ noun a check on figures, scien- lating to, autism

tific data or procedures ć a medical audit re- autistic spectrumautistic spectrum disorders disorders /ɔ tstk
spektrəm ds ɔ dəz/ plural noun autism in all
garding the outpatient appointment system
its different forms and degrees of severity.
auditaudit cycle cycle / ɔ dt sak(ə)l/ noun the cycle
Abbr ASD
in which medical topics are selected for re-
auto-auto- /ɔ təυ/ prefix self
view, observation and comparison with agreed

standards and changes are decided on autoantibodyautoantibody / ɔ təυ ntbɒdi/ noun an

auditoryauditory / ɔ dt(ə)ri/ adjective relating to antibody formed to attack antigens in the

hearing body’s own cells

auditoryauditory acuity acuity / ɔ dt(ə)ri ə kju ti/ noun autoclavableautoclavable / ɔ təυ klevəb(ə)l/ adjective

the ability to hear sounds clearly able to be sterilised in an autoclave ć Waste

auditoryauditory canals canals / ɔ dt(ə)ri kə n lz/ plural should be put into autoclavable plastic bags.

noun the external and internal passages of the autoclaveautoclave / ɔ təυklev/ noun equipment for

ear sterilising surgical instruments using heat un-

auditoryauditory nerve nerve / ɔ dt(ə)ri n v/ noun the der high pressure í verb to sterilise equipment

eighth cranial nerve which governs hearing using heat under high pressure ć Autoclaving

and balance. See illustration at EAR in Supple- is the best method of sterilisation.

ment. Also called vestibulocochlear nerve autogenousautogenous /ɔ tɒd ənəs/, autogenic /
ɔ təυ d enk/ adjective produced either in
auditoryauditory ossicles ossicles / ɔ dt(ə)ri ɒsk(ə)lz/
the person’s body, or using tissue from the per-
plural noun the three little bones, the malleus,
son’s own body ć an autogenous vein graft
incus and stapes, in the middle ear
autograftautograft / ɔ tə rɑ ft/ noun a transplant
Auerbach’sAuerbach’s plexus plexus / aυərbɑ ks pleksəs/
made using parts of the person’s own body
noun a group of nerve fibres in the intestine
autoimmuneautoimmune / ɔ təυ mju n/ adjective re-
wall [Described 1862. After Leopold Auerbach
ferring to an immune reaction in a person
(1828–97), Professor of Neuropathology at Bre-
against antigens in their own cells
slau, now in Poland.]

auraaura / ɔ rə/ noun a warning sensation which is autoimmuneautoimmune disease disease / ɔ təυ mju n d
zi z/ noun a disease in which the person’s own
experienced before an attack of epilepsy, mi-
cells are attacked by autoantibodies ć Rheu-
graine or asthma
matoid arthritis is thought to be an autoim-
auralaural / ɔ rəl/ adjective referring to the ear
mune disease.
auralaural polyp polyp / ɔ rəl pɒlp/ noun a polyp in
autoimmunisationautoimmunisation / ɔ təυ mjυna
the middle ear
zeʃ(ə)n/, autoimmunization noun the proc-
auralaural surgery surgery / ɔ rəl s d əri/ noun sur-
ess leading to an immune reaction in a person
gery on the ear
to antigens produced in their own body
auricleauricle / ɔ rk(ə)l/ noun the tip of each atrium
autoimmunityautoimmunity / ɔ təυ mju nti/ noun a
in the heart
condition in which a person’s own cells are at-
auriculae ɔauriculae/ rkjυli / ‘ concha auriculae
tacked by autoantibodies

auricular ɔauricular/ rkjυlə/ adjective 1. referring to autoinfectionautoinfection / ɔ təυn fekʃ(ə)n/ noun an

the ear 2. referring to an auricle infection by a microorganism already in the

auricular vein ɔauricular vein/ rkjυlə ven/ noun a vein body, or infection of one part of the body by

which leads into the posterior facial vein another part

33 axillary temperature

autointoxicationautointoxication / ɔ təυntɒks keʃ(ə)n/ AVAV bundle bundle / e vi b nd(ə)l/ noun same as

noun the poisoning of the body by toxins pro- atrioventricular bundle

duced in the body itself averageaverage / v(ə)rd / noun 1. the usual

autologous ɔautologous / tɒlə əs/ adjective referring amount, size, rate, etc. ć Her weight is above

to a graft or other material coming from the (the) average. 2. a value calculated by adding

same source together several quantities and then dividing

autologousautologous transfusion transfusion /ɔ tɒlə əs the total by the number of quantities í adjec-

tr ns fju (ə)n/ noun a blood transfusion in tive 1. usual ć Their son is of above average

which the blood is removed from the body for weight. 2. calculated by adding together sever-

later transfusion after an operation. ı transfu- al quantities and then dividing the total by the

sion number of quantities ć The average age of the

autolysisautolysis /ɔ tɒləss/ noun a situation in group is 25.

which cells destroy themselves with their own aversion therapy ə vaversion therapy / ʃ(ə)n θerəpi/ noun

enzymes a treatment by which someone is cured of a

automaticautomatic / ɔ tə m tk/ adjective 1. done type of behaviour by making him or her devel-

without conscious thought ć an automatic re- op a great dislike for it

action 2. (of a machine or process) able to work avitaminosisavitaminosis /e vtəm nəυss/ noun a dis-

by itself, without anyone giving instructions order caused by a lack of vitamins

automatism ɔautomatism / tɒmətz(ə)m/ noun a state AVMAVM abbr arteriovenous malformation

in which a person acts without consciously AVAV node node / e vi nəυd/ noun same as atriov-

knowing that he or she is acting entricular node

COMMENT: Automatic acts can take place after AVPUAVPU noun a method of rating if a person is
concussion or epileptic fits. In law, automa-
conscious: A = alert; V = verbal, responding to
tism can be a defence to a criminal charge
verbal commands; P = pain, responding to
when the accused states that he or she acted
pain; U = unconscious
without knowing what they were doing.

autonomicautonomic / ɔ tə nɒmk/ adjective govern- avulseavulse /ə v ls/ verb to tear tissue or a body

ing itself independently part away by force

autonomicautonomic nervous system nervous system /ɔ tə nɒmk avulsionavulsion /ə v lʃən/ noun an act of pulling

n vəs sstəm/ noun the nervous system away tissue or a body part by force

formed of ganglia linked to the spinal column. avulsionavulsion fracture fracture /ə v lʃ(ə)n fr ktʃə/

It regulates the automatic functioning of the noun a fracture in which a tendon pulls away

main organs such as the heart and lungs and part of the bone to which it is attached

works when a person is asleep or even uncon- awakeawake /ə wek/ adjective not asleep ć He was

scious. ı parasympathetic nervous system, still awake at 2 o’clock in the morning. ˽ wide

sympathetic nervous system awake very awake

autonomy ɔautonomy / tɒnəmi/ noun the state of be- awareaware /ə weə/ adjective 1. conscious enough

ing free to act as one wishes to know what is happening ć She is not aware

autoplastyautoplasty / ɔ təυpl sti/ noun the repair of of what is happening around her. 2. knowing

someone’s body using tissue taken from an- about something ć The surgeon became aware

other part of their body of a problem with the heart-lung machine.

autopsyautopsy / ɔ tɒpsi/ noun the examination of a awarenessawareness /ə weənəs/ noun the fact of be-

dead body by a pathologist to find out the ing aware, especially of a problem

cause of death ć The autopsy showed that he ‘…doctors should use the increased public aware-
ness of whooping cough during epidemics to encour-
had been poisoned. Also called post mortem
age parents to vaccinate children’ [Health Visitor]
autosomalautosomal / ɔ təυ səυm(ə)l/ adjective refer-
axialaxial / ksiəl/ adjective referring to an axis
ring to an autosome
axial skeletonaxial skeleton ksiəl skelt(ə)n/ noun
autosomeautosome / ɔ təυsəυm/ noun a chromosome /

that is not a sex chromosome the bones that make up the vertebral column

autotransfusionautotransfusion / ɔ təυtr ns fju (ə)n/ and the skull. Compare appendicular skele-

noun an infusion into a person of their own ton

blood axillaaxilla / k slə/ noun same as armpit

auxiliary ɔauxiliary/ zliəri/ adjective providing (technical ) (NOTE: The plural is axillae.)

help ć The hospital has an auxiliary power axillaryaxillary / k sləri/ adjective referring to the

supply in case the electricity supply breaks armpit

down. í noun an assistant axillary arteryaxillary artery / k sləri ɑ təri/ noun an ar-

avascularavascular /e v skjυlə/ adjective with no tery leading from the subclavian artery in the

blood vessels, or with a deficient blood supply armpit

avascularavascular necrosis necrosis /ə v skjυlə ne axillary nodesaxillary nodes / k sləri nəυdz/ plural noun

krəυss/ noun a condition in which tissue part of the lymphatic system in the arm

cells die because their supply of blood has axillaryaxillary temperature temperature / k sləri tempr
tʃə/ noun the temperature in the armpit
been cut

axis 34

axis /axis kss/ noun 1. an imaginary line -azepam-azepam / zp m/ suffix used in names of

through the centre of the body 2. a central ves- benzodiazepines ć diazepam

sel which divides into other vessels 3. the sec- azidothymidineazidothymidine / ezdəυ θamdi n/ noun

ond vertebra on which the atlas sits (NOTE: The a drug used in the treatment of AIDS. Abbr

plural is axes.) AZT. Also called zidovudine

axodendriteaxodendrite / ksəυ dendrat/ noun an ap- azo-azo- /ezəυ/ prefix containing a nitrogen

pendage like a fibril on the axon of a nerve

axolemmaaxolemma / ksə lemə/ noun a membrane group

covering an axon azoospermiaazoospermia / ezəυə sp miə/ noun the

axon /axon ksɒn/ noun a nerve fibre which sends absence of sperm

impulses from one neurone to another, linking azotaemiaazotaemia / ezəυ ti miə/ noun the presence

with the dendrites of the other neurone. See il- of urea or other nitrogen compounds in the

lustration at NEURONE in Supplement blood

axon coveringaxon covering / ksɒn k v(ə)rŋ/ noun azoturiaazoturia / ezəυ tjυəriə/ noun the presence

the myelin sheath which covers a nerve

AyurvedicAyurvedic medicine medicine / aəvedk of urea or other nitrogen compounds in the

med(ə)s(ə)n/ noun a traditional Hindu sys- urine, caused by kidney disease

tem of healing that reviews a person’s state of AZTAZT abbr azidothymidine

health and lifestyle and recommends treatment azygousazygous / z əs/ adjective single, not one

based on herbal products, dietary control and of a pair

spiritual practices azygous veinazygous vein

azathioprineazathioprine / ezə θaəpri n/ noun a drug / z əs ven/ noun a vein

which suppresses the immune response, used which brings blood back into the vena cava

after transplant surgery to prevent rejection from the abdomen

B

babesiosisbabesiosis /bə bi zi əυss/ noun a disease see dorsal and words beginning with dorsi-,

caused by infection of red blood cells by a pro- dorso-.) 2. the other side from the front ć She

tozoan introduced by a tick bite has a swelling on the back of her hand. ı dor-

BabinskiBabinski reflex reflex /bə bnski ri fleks/, Bab- sum

inski’s reflex /bə bnskiz ri fleks/ noun an backache bbackache / kek/ noun pain in the back,

unusual curling upwards of the big toe when a often without a specific cause

finger is lightly run across the sole of the foot, COMMENT: Backache can result from bad pos-
ture or muscle strain, but it can also be
while the others turn down and spread out, a caused by rheumatism (lumbago), fevers
such as typhoid fever and osteoarthritis. Pains
sign of hemiplegia and pyramidal tract dis- in the back can also be referred pains from
gallstones or kidney disease.
ease. Compare plantar reflex [Described 1896.

After Joseph François Felix Babinski (1857–

1932), French-born son of Polish refugees. A backbonebackbone / b kbəυn/ noun a series of

pupil of Charcot, he was head of the Neurologi- bones, the vertebrae, linked together to form a

cal clinic at Hôpital de la Pitié, 1890–1927.] flexible column running from the pelvis to the

BabinskiBabinski test test /bə bnski test/ noun a test skull. Also called rachis, spine

for a Babinski reflex background carboxyhaemoglobin levelbackground carboxyhaemoglobin level

babybaby / bebi/ noun a very young child who is / b k raυnd kɑ bɒksi hi mə ləυbn
lev(ə)l/ noun the level of carboxyhaemoglob-
not yet old enough to talk or walk ć Babies

start to walk when they are about 12 months in in the blood of a person who is not exposed

old. (NOTE: If you do not know the sex of a baby to high levels of carbon monoxide

you can refer to the child as it: The baby was

sucking its thumb) back muscles bback muscles / k m s(ə)lz/ plural noun

babybaby blues blues / bebi blu z/ plural noun same as the strong muscles in the back which help hold

postnatal depression (informal) the body upright

babybaby care care / bebi keə/ noun the act of look- back pain bback pain/ k pen/ noun pain in the back,

ing after babies especially long-lasting or severe pain

babybaby clinic clinic / bebi klnk/ noun a special backside bbackside / ksad/ noun someone’s but-

clinic which deals with babies tocks (informal)

bacillaemia bbacillaemia/ s li miə/ noun an infection back strain bback strain / k stren/ noun a condition

of the blood by bacilli in which the muscles or ligaments in the back

bacillarybacillary /bə sləri/ adjective referring to ba- have been strained

cilli baclofen bbaclofen/ kləυfen/ noun a drug that re-

bacillarybacillary dysentery dysentery /bə sləri ds(ə)ntri/ laxes skeletal muscles which are in spasm, ei-

noun dysentery caused by the bacillus Shigella ther because of injury or as a result of multiple

in contaminated food sclerosis

bacille Calmette-Guérin bbacille Calmette-Guérin/ si l k lmet bacteraemia bbacteraemia / ktə ri miə/ noun the fact

er n/ noun full form of BCG [After A. Cal- of having bacteria in the blood. Bacteraemia is

mette (1863–1933) and C. Guérin (1872–1961), not necessarily a serious condition. Compare

French bacteriologists.] septicaemia. ı blood poisoning

bacilluria bbacilluria/ s ljυəriə/ noun the presence bacteria bbacteria/ k təriə/ plural of bacterium

of bacilli in the urine bacterial bbacterial k təriəl/ adjective relating to

bacillusbacillus /bə sləs/ noun a bacterium shaped /

like a rod (NOTE: The plural is bacilli.) bacteria or caused by bacteria ć Children with

backback /b k/ noun 1. the part of the body from sickle-cell anaemia are susceptible to bacteri-

the neck downwards to the waist, which is al infection.

made up of the spine and the bones attached to bacterial plaque bbacterial plaque / k təriəl pl k/ noun a

it (NOTE: For other terms referring to the back, hard smooth bacterial deposit on teeth

bacterial pneumonia 36

bacterialbacterial pneumonia pneumonia /b k təriəl nju Baker (1838–96), member of staff at St Bar-

məυniə/ noun a form of pneumonia caused by tholomew’s Hospital, London, UK.]

pneumococcus. ı bronchopneumonia baker’sbaker’s itch itch / bekəz tʃ/, baker’s dermati-
tis / bekəz d mə tats/ noun an irritation
bacterial strain bbacterial strain/ k təriəl stren/ noun a

group of bacteria which are different from oth- of the skin caused by handling yeast

ers of the same general type BALBAL abbr British anti-lewisite

bactericidalbactericidal /b ktər sad(ə)l/ adjective balance bbalance/ ləns/ noun 1. the act of staying

referring to a substance which destroys bacte- upright, not falling ˽ he stood on top of the

ria fence and kept his balance he did not fall off

bactericidebactericide /b k tərsad/ noun a sub- 2. the proportions of substances in a mixture,

stance which destroys bacteria e.g. in the diet ć to maintain a healthy balance

bacteriological bbacteriological / ktəriə lɒd k(ə)l/ ad- of vitamins in the diet

jective referring to bacteriology balanced diet bbalanced diet/ lənst daət/ noun a diet

bacteriologist bbacteriologist / k təri ɒləd st/ noun a which provides all the nutrients needed in the

doctor who specialises in the study of bacteria correct proportions

bacteriologybacteriology /b k təri ɒləd i/ noun the balance of mind bbalance of mind/ ləns əv mand/ noun

scientific study of bacteria someone’s mental state ˽ disturbed balance

bacteriolysin bbacteriolysin/ k təri ɒlsn/ noun a pro- of mind a state of mind when someone is for a

tein, usually an immunoglobulin, which de- time incapable of reasoned action, because of

stroys bacterial cells illness or depression

bacteriolysisbacteriolysis /b k təri ɒlss/ noun the balanitis bbalanitis/ lə nats/ noun inflammation

destruction of bacterial cells of the glans of the penis

bacteriolytic bbacteriolytic/ k təriə ltk/ adjective re- balanoposthitisbalanoposthitis / b lənəυpɒs θats/

ferring to a substance which can destroy bacte- noun inflammation of the foreskin and the end

ria of the penis

bacteriophage bbacteriophage / k təriəfed / noun a vi- balantidiasis bbalantidiasis/ lənt daəss/ noun an in-

rus which affects bacteria festation of the large intestine by a parasite

bacteriostasis bbacteriostasis / k təriəυ stess/ noun Balantidium coli, which causes ulceration of

the action of stopping bacteria from multiply- the wall of the intestine, leading to diarrhoea

ing and finally dysentery

bacteriostatic bbacteriostatic / k təriəυ st tk/ adjec- balanus bbalanus/ lənəs/ noun the round end of the

tive referring to a substance which does not kill penis. ı glans

bacteria but stops them from multiplying baldbald /bɔ ld/ adjective with no hair, especially

bacterium bbacterium/ k təriəm/ noun a microscop- on the head ˽ he is going bald or he is becom-

ic organism. Some types are permanently ing bald he is beginning to lose his hair

present in the gut and can break down food tis- baldnessbaldness / bɔ ldnəs/ noun the state of not

sue, but many can cause disease. (NOTE: The having any hair

plural is bacteria.) COMMENT: Baldness in men is hereditary; it
can also occur in both men and women as a
COMMENT: Bacteria can be shaped like rods reaction to an illness or to a drug.
(bacilli), like balls (cocci) or have a spiral form
(spirochaetes). Bacteria, especially bacilli and BalkanBalkan frame frame / bɔ lkən frem/, Balkan
spirochaetes, can move and reproduce very beam / bɔ lkən bi m/ noun a frame fitted
rapidly.

bacteriuria bbacteriuria/ k təri jυəriə/ noun a condi- above a bed to which a leg in plaster can be at-

tion in which bacteria are present in the urine tached. ı Pearson bed

Bactrim bBactrim/ ktrm/ a trade name for co-tri- ballball /bɔ l/ noun 1. the soft part of the hand be-

moxazole low the thumb 2. the soft part of the foot below

bad breath bbad breath / d breθ/ noun same as hali- the big toe

tosis (informal) ball andball and cage valve cage valve / bɔ l ən ked v lv/

Baghdad boil bBaghdad boil / d d bɔl/, Baghdad noun an artificial heart valve, formed of a sili-

sore / b d d sɔ / noun a skin disease of con ball which moves inside a metal cage to

tropical countries caused by the parasite Leish- open and shut the valve

mania. Also called Oriental sore ball andball and socket joint socket joint / bɔ l ənd sɒkt
d ɔnt/ noun a joint where the round end of a
bag of waters bbag of waters / əv wɔ təz/ noun part

of the amnion which covers an unborn baby in long bone is attached to a cup-shaped hollow

the uterus and contains the amniotic fluid in another bone in such a way that the long

BAHABAHA abbr bone anchored hearing aid bone can move in almost any direction. Com-

Baker’sBaker’s cyst cyst / bekəz sst/ noun a swelling pare ginglymus

filled with synovial fluid, at the back of the balloonballoon /bə lu n/ noun a bag of light material

knee, caused by weakness of the joint mem- inflated with air or a gas, used to unblock ar-

brane [Described 1877. After William Morrant teries

37 barrel chest

balloonballoon angioplasty angioplasty /bə lu n nd iə barbituratebarbiturate poisoning poisoning /bɑ btʃυrət
pl sti/ noun same as percutaneous angi- pɔz(ə)nŋ/ noun poisoning caused by an
overdose of barbiturates
oplasty

balloonballoon catheter catheter /bə lu n k θtə/ noun a barbotagebarbotage / bɑ bə tɑ / noun a method of
spinal analgesia by which cerebrospinal fluid
tube that can be inserted into a blood vessel or
is withdrawn and then injected back
other body part and then inflated, e.g. to widen

a narrow artery barebare /beə/ adjective with no covering ˽ bare

ballottementballottement /bə lɒtmənt/ noun a method of area of the liver a large triangular part of the

examining the body by tapping or moving a liver not covered with peritoneum

part, especially during pregnancy bariatrics bbariatrics/ ri trks/ noun the medical

balneotherapy bbalneotherapy/ lniəυ θerəpi/ noun the treatment of obesity

treatment of diseases by bathing in hot water bariumbarium / beəriəm/ noun a chemical element,
forming poisonous compounds, used as a con-
or water containing beneficial natural chemi- trast medium when taking X-ray photographs
of soft tissue (NOTE: The chemical symbol is
cals

balsambalsam / bɔ ls(ə)m/ noun a mixture of resin

and oil, used to rub on sore joints or to put in Ba.)

hot water and use as an inhalant. ı friar’s bal- bariumbarium enema enema / beəriəm enmə/ noun a
liquid solution containing barium sulphate
sam

banban /b n/ verb to say that something is not which is put into the rectum to increase the
contrast of an X-ray of the lower intestine
permitted ć Smoking is banned throughout the

building. ć Use of this drug has been banned.

bandage bbandage/ ndd / noun a piece of cloth bariumbarium meal meal / beəriəm mi l/, barium solu-
tion / beəriəm sə lu ʃ(ə)n/ noun a liquid solu-
which is wrapped around a wound or an in-
tion containing barium sulphate which some-
jured limb ć His head was covered with band-

ages. í verb to wrap a piece of cloth around a one drinks to increase the contrast of an X-ray
of the alimentary tract
wound ć She bandaged his leg. ć His arm is

bandaged up. bariumbarium sulphate sulphate / beəriəm s lfet/ noun a

Bandl’s ring bBandl’s ring/ nd(ə)lz rŋ/ same as re- salt of barium not soluble in water and which
shows as opaque in X-ray photographs
traction ring [After Ludwig Bandl (1842–92),

German obstetrician] Barlow’sBarlow’s disease disease / bɑ ləυz d zi z/ noun
scurvy in children, caused by a lack of vitamin
bankbank /b ŋk/ noun a place where blood or or- C [Described 1882. After Sir Thomas Barlow

gans from donors can be stored until needed. ı

blood bank (1845–1945), physician at various London hos-

Bankart’s operation bBankart’s operation/ ŋkɑ ts ɒpə re pitals and to Queen Victoria, King Edward VII

ʃ(ə)n/ noun an operation to repair a recurrent and King George V.]

dislocation of the shoulder [First performed Barlow’sBarlow’s sign sign / bɑ ləυz san/ noun a test for
congenital dislocation of the hip, in which a
1923. After Arthur Sydney Blundell Bankart sudden movement is felt and sometimes a
sound is heard when the joint is manipulated
(1879–1951), first orthopaedic surgeon at the

Middlesex Hospital, London, UK.]

Banti’sBanti’s syndrome syndrome / b ntiz sndrəυm/, baroreceptor bbaroreceptor/ rəυr septə/ noun one of
Banti’s disease / b ntiz d zi z/ noun same
a group of nerves near the carotid artery and
as splenic anaemia [Described 1882. After Gui-
aortic arch, which senses changes in blood
do Banti (1852–1925), Florentine pathologist
pressure
and physician.]
barotitis bbarotitis rəυ tats/ noun pain in the ear
Barbados leg bɑBarbados leg/ bedɒs le / noun a form /

of elephantiasis, a large swelling of the leg due caused by differences in air pressure, e.g. dur-

to a Filaria worm ing air travel

barber’sbarber’s itch itch / bɑ bəz tʃ/, barber’s rash / barotrauma bbarotrauma/ rəυ trɔ mə/ noun an injury

bɑ bəz r ʃ/ noun same as sycosis barbae caused by a sharp increase in pressure

barbitalbarbital / bɑ btəl/ noun US same as barbi- BarrBarr body body / bɑ bɒdi/ noun a dense clump of
chromatin found only in female cells, which
tone can be used to identify the sex of a baby before
birth [Described 1949. After Murray Llewellyn
barbitonebarbitone / bɑ bitəυn/ noun a type of barbit-

urate

barbiturate bɑbarbiturate/ btʃυrət/ noun a sedative Barr (1908–95), head of the Department of

drug Anatomy at the University of Western Ontario,

barbituratebarbiturate abuse abuse /bɑ btʃυrət ə bju s/ Canada.]

noun repeated addictive use of barbiturates Barre-Guillain syndrome b reBarre-Guillain syndrome/ ij n

which in the end affects the brain sndrəυm/ noun ‘ Guillain-Barré syndrome

barbiturate dependence bɑbarbiturate dependence/ btʃυrət d barrel chest bbarrel chest/ rəl tʃest/ noun a chest

pendəns/ noun being dependent on regularly formed like a barrel, caused by asthma or em-

taking barbiturate tablets physema

barrier cream 38

barrier cream bbarrier cream/ riə kri m/ noun a cream Basedow’sBasedow’s disease disease / b zdəυz d zi z/

put on the skin to prevent the skin coming into noun a form of hyperthyroidism [Described

contact with irritating substances 1840. After Carl Adolph Basedow (1799–1854),

barrier method bbarrier method/ riə meθəd/ noun a general practitioner in Mersburg, Germany.]

method of contraception in which the entry of basementbasement membrane membrane / besmənt mem

sperm to the womb is blocked by a protective bren/ noun a membrane at the base of an epi-

device such as a condom or diaphragm thelium

barrier nursing bbarrier nursing/ riə n sŋ/ noun the basicbasic / besk/ adjective 1. very simple, from

nursing of someone who has an infectious dis- which everything else comes ˽ basic struc-

ease. It involves keeping them away from oth- ture of the skin the two layers of skin, the in-

er patients and making sure that faeces and ner dermis and the outer epidermis 2. referring

soiled bedclothes do not carry the infection to to a chemical substance which reacts with an

other patients. acid to form a salt

‘…those affected by salmonella poisoning are being basicbasic salt salt / besk sɔ lt/ noun a chemical

nursed in five isolation wards and about forty sus- compound formed when an acid reacts with a

pected sufferers are being barrier nursed in other base

wards’ [Nursing Times] basilar bbasilar/ zlə/ adjective referring to a base

bartholinitisbartholinitis / bɑ θəl nats/ noun inflam- basilar artery bbasilar artery / zlə ɑ təri/ noun an ar-

mation of the Bartholin’s glands tery which lies at the base of the brain

Bartholin’sBartholin’s glands glands / bɑ θəlnz l ndz/ basilar membrane bbasilar membrane / zlə membren/

plural noun two glands at the side of the vagina noun a membrane in the cochlea which trans-

and between it and the vulva, which secrete a mits nerve impulses from sound vibrations to

lubricating substance. Also called greater ves- the auditory nerve

tibular glands [After Caspar Bartholin (1655– basilicbasilic /bə slk/ adjective important or prom-

1748), Danish anatomist] inent

basalbasal / bes(ə)l/ adjective located at the bot- basilicbasilic vein vein /bə zlk ven/ noun a large

tom of something, or forming its base vein running along the inside of the arm

basalbasal cell cell / bes(ə)l sel/ noun a cell from the basinbasin / bes(ə)n/ noun a large bowl

stratum germinativum. ı stratum basophilbasophil / besəfl/ noun a type of white

basal cellbasal cell carcinoma carcinoma / bes(ə)l sel kɑ s blood cell which has granules in its cytoplasm

nəυmə/ noun same as rodent ulcer and contains histamine and heparin

basalebasale /bə seli/ adjective ‘ stratum basophiliabasophilia / besə fliə/ noun an increase in

basalbasal ganglia ganglia / bes(ə)l ŋ liə/ noun the number of basophils in the blood

masses of grey matter at the base of each cere- basophilicbasophilic granulocyte granulocyte / besəflk

bral hemisphere which receive impulses from r njυləsat/ noun same as basophil

the thalamus and influence the motor impulses basophilicbasophilic leucocyte leucocyte / besəflk

from the frontal cortex lu kəsat/ noun same as basophil

basalisbasalis /bə sels/ ‘ decidua Batchelor plaster bBatchelor plaster / tʃələ plɑ stə/ noun

basal metabolicbasal metabolic rate rate / besk metə bɒlk a plaster cast which keeps both legs apart [After

ret/ noun the amount of energy used by the J.S. Bachelor (b. 1905), British orthopaedic sur-

body in exchanging oxygen and carbon diox- geon]

ide when at rest. It was formerly used as a way bathebathe /beð/ verb to wash a wound ć He

of testing thyroid gland activity. Abbr BMR bathed the grazed knee with boiled water.

basalbasal metabolism metabolism / bes(ə)l mə t bə Batten’s disease bBatten’s disease / t(ə)nz d zi z/ noun a

lz(ə)m/ noun the minimum amount of energy hereditary disease which affects the enzymes

needed to keep the body functioning and the of the brain, causing cells in the brain and eye

temperature standard when at rest to die

basalbasal narcosis narcosis / bes(ə)l nɑ kəυss/ noun battered baby syndrome bbattered baby syndrome/ təd bebi

the administration a narcotic before a general sndrəυm/, battered child syndrome /

anaesthetic b təd tʃald sndrəυm/ noun a condition

basalbasal nuclei nuclei / bes(ə)l nu klia/ plural noun in which a baby or small child is frequently

masses of grey matter at the bottom of each beaten, usually by one or both of its parents,

cerebral hemisphere sustaining injuries such as multiple fractures

basebase /bes/ noun 1. the bottom part ć the base battledorebattledore placenta placenta / b t(ə)ldɔ plə

of the spine ˽ base of the brain the bottom sentə/ noun a placenta where the umbilical

surface of the cerebrum 2. the main ingredient cord is attached at the edge and not at the cen-

of an ointment, as opposed to the active ingre- tre

dient 3. a substance which reacts with an acid Bazin’sBazin’s disease disease / beznz d zi z/ noun

to form a salt í verb to use something as a base same as erythema induratum [Described 1861.

˽ cream based on zinc oxide cream which After Pierre Antoine Ernest Bazin (1807–78),

uses zinc oxide as a base dermatologist at Hôpital St Louis, Paris, France.

39 belch

He was an expert in parasitology associated with bedsidebedside manner manner / bedsad m nə/ noun

skin conditions.] the way in which a doctor behaves towards a

BCBC abbr bone conduction. ‘ osteophony patient, especially a patient who is in bed ˽ a

BCCBCC abbr Breast Cancer Campaign good bedside manner the ability to make pa-

B cellB cell / bi sel/ noun same as beta cell tients feel comforted and reassured

BCGBCG / bi si d i v ksi n/, BCG vaccine bedsorebedsore / bedsɔ / noun an inflamed patch of

noun a vaccine which immunises against tu- skin on a bony part of the body, which devel-

berculosis. Full form bacille Calmette-Guérin ops into an ulcer, caused by pressure of the part

BChBCh abbr Bachelor of Surgery on the mattress after lying for some time in one

BDABDA abbr British Dental Association position. Special beds such as air beds, ripple

bearingbearing down down / beərŋ daυn/ noun a stage beds and water beds are used to try to prevent

in childbirth when the woman starts to push the formation of bedsores. Also called pres-

out the baby from the uterus sure sore, decubitus ulcer

bearing-downbearing-down pain pain / beərŋ daυn pen/ bedtablebedtable / bedteb(ə)l/ noun a specially de-

noun pain felt in the uterus during the second signed table which can be used by a person sit-

stage of labour (NOTE: Bearing-down pain is ting up in bed

also associated with uterine prolapse.) bedwettingbedwetting / bedwetŋ/ noun same as noc-

beatbeat joint joint / bi t d ɔnt/ noun an inflamma- turnal enuresis (NOTE: This term is used mainly

tion of a joint such as the elbow (beat elbow) about children.)

or knee (beat knee) caused by frequent sharp Beer’sBeer’s knife knife / bəz naf/ noun a knife with a

blows or other pressure triangular blade, used in eye operations [After

Beck inventory of depression bekBeck inventory of depression/ George Joseph Beer (1763–1821), German

nvənt(ə)ri əv d preʃ(ə)n/ noun one of the ophthalmologist]

rating scales for depression, in which a series behaviourbehaviour /b hevjə/ noun a way of acting

of 21 questions refers to attitudes frequently ć His behaviour was very aggressive. (NOTE:

shown by people suffering from depression The US spelling is behavior.)

beclomethasonebeclomethasone / beklə meθəsəυn/ noun behaviouralbehavioural /b hevjərəl/ adjective relating

a steroid drug usually used in an inhaler to to behaviour (NOTE: The US spelling is behav-

treat asthma or hay fever ioral.)

becquerelbecquerel / bekərel/ noun an SI unit of behaviouralbehavioural scientist scientist /b hevjərəl

measurement of radiation. Abbr Bq (NOTE: saəntst/ noun a person who specialises in

Now used in place of the curie.) the study of behaviour

bedbed bath bath / bed bɑ θ/ noun an act of washing behaviourismbehaviourism /b hevjərz(ə)m/ noun a

the whole body of someone who is unable to psychological theory proposing that only

get up to wash. Also called blanket bath someone’s behaviour should be studied to dis-

bedbed blocker blocker / bed blɒkə/ noun a patient cover their psychological problems

who does not need medical attention but con- behaviouristbehaviourist /b hevjərst/ noun a psy-

tinues to stay in hospital because suitable care chologist who follows behaviourism

is not available elsewhere behaviourbehaviour therapy therapy /b hevjə θerəpi/

bedbed blocking blocking / bed blɒkŋ/ noun the fact of noun a form of psychiatric treatment in which

people being kept in hospital because other someone learns how to improve their condi-

forms of care are not available, which means tion

that other people cannot be treated Behçet’sBehçet’s syndrome syndrome / besets sndrəυm/

bedbugbedbug / bedb / noun a small insect which noun a chronic condition of the immune sys-

lives in dirty bedclothes and sucks blood tem with no known cause, experienced as a se-

bed occupancybed occupancy / bed ɒkjυpənsi/ noun the ries of attacks of inflammation of small blood

percentage of beds in a hospital which are oc- vessels accompanied by mouth ulcers and

cupied sometimes genital ulcers, skin lesions and in-

bed occupancy rate bedbed occupancy rate/ ɒkjυpənsi ret/ flamed eyes [Described 1937. After Halushi Be-

noun the number of beds occupied in a hospital hçet (1889–1948), Turkish dermatologist.]

shown as a percentage of all the beds in the behindbehind /b hand/ noun same as buttock

hospital (informal )

bedpanbedpan / bedp n/ noun a dish into which bejelbejel / bed əl/ noun a non-venereal form of

someone can urinate or defecate without get- syphilis which is endemic among children in

ting out of bed some areas of the Middle East and elsewhere

bedbed rest rest / bed rest/ noun a period of time and is caused by a spirochaete strain of bacte-

spent in bed in order to rest and recover from ria

an illness belchbelch /beltʃ/ noun the action of allowing air

bedriddenbedridden / bed rd(ə)n/ adjective referring in the stomach to come up through the mouth

to someone who has been too ill to get out of í verb to allow air in the stomach to come up

bed over a long period of time through the mouth

belching 40

belchingbelching / beltʃŋ/ noun the action of allow- cally, but which can be fatal if not treated. Also

ing air in the stomach to come up through the called benign growth. Opposite malignant tu-

mouth. Also called eructation mour

belladonnabelladonna / belə dɒnə/ noun 1. a poisonous Bennett’sBennett’s fracture fracture / bents fr ktʃə/ noun

plant with berries containing atropine. Also a fracture of the first metacarpal, the bone be-

called deadly nightshade 2. a form of atropine tween the thumb and the wrist [Described

extracted from the belladonna plant 1886. After Edward Halloran Bennett (1837–

belle indifférence belbelle indifférence/ n dferɑ ns/ noun 1907), Irish anatomist, later Professor of Sur-

an excessively calm state in a person, in a situ- gery at Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland.]

ation which would usually produce a show of bentbent /bent/ adjective ˽ bent double bent over

emotion completely so that the face is towards the

Bellocq’sBellocq’s cannula cannula /be lɒks k njυlə/, Bel- ground ć He was bent double with pain.

locq’s sound /be lɒks saυnd/ noun an instru- benzocainebenzocaine / benzəken/ noun a drug with

ment used to control a nosebleed [After Jean anaesthetic properties used in some throat loz-

Jacques Bellocq (1732–1807), French surgeon] enges and skin creams

Bell’sBell’s mania mania / belz meniə/ noun a form of benzodiazepinebenzodiazepine / benzəυda zəpi n/

acute mania with delirium [After Luther Vose noun a drug which acts on receptors in the cen-

Bell (1806–62), American physiologist] tral nervous system to relieve symptoms of

Bell’sBell’s palsy palsy / belz pɔ lzi/ noun paralysis of anxiety and insomnia, although prolonged use

the facial nerve on one side of the face, pre- is to be avoided (NOTE: Benzodiazepines have

venting one eye being closed. Also called fa- names ending in -azepam: diazepam.)

cial paralysis [Described 1821. After Sir benzoinbenzoin / benzəυn/ noun a resin used to

Charles Bell (1774–1842), Scottish surgeon. He make friar’s balsam

ran anatomy schools, first in Edinburgh and then benzylbenzyl benzoate benzoate / benzl benzəυet/ noun

in London. Professor of Anatomy at the Royal a colourless oily liquid which occurs naturally

Academy.] in balsams, used in medicines and perfumes

bellybelly / beli/ noun 1. same as abdomen 2. the benzylpenicillinbenzylpenicillin / benzl pen sln/ noun

fatter central part of a muscle an antibacterial drug used against streptococ-

bellyachebellyache / beliek/ noun a pain in the abdo- cal infections, meningococcal meningitis and

men or stomach other serious infections

bellybelly button button / beli b t(ə)n/ noun the navel bereavementbereavement /b ri vmənt/ noun the loss of

(informal ) someone, especially a close relative or friend,

Bence Jones protein bensBence Jones protein/ d əυnz through death

prəυti n/ noun a protein found in the urine of beriberiberiberi / beri beri/ noun a disease of the

people who have myelomatosis, lymphoma, nervous system caused by lack of vitamin B1

leukaemia and some other cancers [Described COMMENT: Beriberi is prevalent in tropical

1848. After Henry Bence Jones (1814–73), phy- countries where the diet is mainly formed of

sician at St George’s Hospital, London, UK.] white rice, which is deficient in thiamine.

bendsbends /bendz/ plural noun ˽ the bends ‘ berylliosisberylliosis /bə rli əυss/ noun poisoning

caisson disease caused by breathing in particles of the poison-

Benedict’sBenedict’s solution solution / bendkts sə ous chemical compound beryllium oxide

lu ʃ(ə)n/ noun a solution used to carry out Besnier’sBesnier’s prurigo prurigo / beniez prυ ra əυ/

Benedict’s test noun an itchy skin rash on the backs of the

Benedict’sBenedict’s test test / bendkts test/ noun a test knees and the insides of the elbows [After Er-

to see if sugar is present in the urine [Described nest Besnier (1831–1909), French dermatolo-

gist]

1915. After Stanley Rossiter Benedict (1884– betabeta / bi tə/ noun the second letter of the

1936), physiological chemist at Cornell Universi- Greek alphabet

ty, New York, USA.] beta-adrenergic receptor bi təbeta-adrenergic receptor/ drə

benignbenign /bə nan/ adjective generally harm- n d k/ noun one of two types of nerve end-

less ings that respond to adrenaline by speeding up

benignbenign growth growth /bə nan rəυθ/ noun same the heart rate or dilating the bronchi

as benign tumour betabeta amyloid amyloid / bi tə mlɔd/ noun a wax-

benign pancreaticbenign pancreatic disease disease /bə nan like protein formed from amyloid precursor

p ŋkri tk d zi z/ noun chronic pancreati- protein in nerve cells which aggregates in

tis Alzheimer’s disease to form plaques

benign prostatic hypertrophy b nanbenign prostatic hypertrophy/ betabeta blocker blocker / bi tə blɒkə/ noun a drug

prɒ st tk ha p trəfi/ noun a nonmalig- which reduces the activity of the heart (NOTE:

nant enlargement of the prostate. Abbr BPH Beta blockers have names ending in -olol: aten-

benignbenign tumour tumour /bə nan tju mə/ noun a tu- olol, propranolol hydrochloride.)

mour which will not grow again or spread to betabeta cell cell / bi tə sel/ noun a type of cell found

other parts of the body if it is removed surgi- in the islets of Langerhans, in the pancreas,

41 bilharziasis

which produces insulin. Also called B cell. ı bifurcatebifurcate / bafəket/ adjective separating or

alpha cell branching off into two parts í verb to split or

BetadineBetadine / bi tədi n/ noun a trade name for a branch off into two parts

form of iodine bifurcationbifurcation / bafə keʃ(ə)n/ noun a place

betamethasonebetamethasone / bi tə meθəsəυn/ noun a where something divides into two parts

very strong corticosteroid drug bigeminybigeminy /ba d emni/ noun same as pul-

beta rhythm bibeta rhythm/ tə rθəm/ noun a pattern of sus bigeminus

electrical waves in the brain of someone who bigbig toe toe /b təυ/ noun the largest of the five

is awake and active, registering on an electro- toes, on the inside of the foot. Also called

encephalograph at 18–30 hertz great toe

betaxololbetaxolol /b t ksəlɒl/ noun a beta blocker biguanidebiguanide /ba wɑ nad/ noun a drug

drug used in the treatment of high blood pres- which lowers blood sugar, used in the treat-

sure and glaucoma ment of Type II diabetes

bethanecholbethanechol /be θ nkɒl/ noun an agonist bilateralbilateral /ba l t(ə)rəl/ adjective affecting

drug used to increase muscle tone after surgery both sides

BetnovateBetnovate / betnəvet/ noun a trade name bilateral adrenalectomy ba lbilateral adrenalectomy/ t(ə)rəl ə

for an ointment containing betamethasone dri nə lektəmi/ noun the surgical removal of

bi-bi- /ba/ prefix two or twice both adrenal glands

biasbias / baəs/ noun a systematic error in the de- bilateralbilateral pneumonia pneumonia /ba l t(ə)rəl nju

sign or conduct of a study which could explain məυniə/ noun pneumonia affecting both

the results lungs

bicarbonatebicarbonate of soda of soda /ba kɑ bənət əv bilateralbilateral vasectomy vasectomy /ba l t(ə)rəl və

səυdə/ noun same as sodium bicarbonate sektəmi/ noun a surgical operation to cut both

bicellularbicellular /ba seljυlə/ adjective having two vasa deferentia and so make a man sterile

cells bilebile /bal/ noun a thick bitter brownish yellow

bicepsbiceps / baseps/ noun any muscle formed of fluid produced by the liver, stored in the gall

two parts joined to form one tendon, especially bladder and used to digest fatty substances and

the muscles in the front of the upper arm (bi- neutralise acids (NOTE: For other terms referring

ceps brachii) and the back of the thigh (biceps to bile, see words beginning with chol-.)

femoris). ı triceps (NOTE: The plural is biceps.) COMMENT: In jaundice, excess bile pigments

flow into the blood and cause the skin to turn

bicipitalbicipital /ba spt(ə)l/ adjective 1. referring yellow.

to a biceps muscle 2. with two parts bilebile acid acid / bal sd/ noun an acid found in

biconcavebiconcave /ba kɒŋkev/ adjective referring the bile, e.g. cholic acid

to a lens which is concave on both sides bilebile canal canal / bal kə n l/ noun a very small

biconvexbiconvex /ba kɒnveks/ adjective referring vessel leading from a hepatic cell to the bile

to a lens which is convex on both sides duct

bicornuatebicornuate /ba kɔ njuət/ adjective divided bilebile duct duct / bal d kt/ noun a tube which links

into two parts (NOTE: The word is sometimes the cystic duct and the hepatic duct to the duo-

applied to a malformation of the uterus.) denum

bicuspidbicuspid /ba k spd/ adjective with two bilebile pigment pigment / bal p mənt/ noun colour-

points í noun a premolar tooth ing matter in bile

bicuspidbicuspid valve valve / ba k spd v lv/ noun bilebile salts salts / bal sɔ ltz/ plural noun sodium

same as mitral valve. see illustration at HEART salts of bile acids

in Supplement bilharziabilharzia /bl hɑ tsiə/ noun 1. a fluke which

b.i.d.b.i.d. adverb (used on prescriptions) twice dai- enters the bloodstream and causes bilharziasis.

ly. Full form bis in die Also called Schistosoma 2. same as bilharzia-

bifidbifid / bafd/ adjective in two parts sis (NOTE: Although strictly speaking, bilharzia

bifidabifida / bfdə/ ‘ spina bifida is the name of the fluke, it is also generally used

bifocalbifocal /ba fəυk(ə)l/ adjective referring to for the name of the disease: bilharzia patients;

lenses made with two sections which have dif- six cases of bilharzia.)

ferent focal lengths, one for looking at things bilharziasisbilharziasis / blhɑ tsaəss/ noun a tropi-

which are near, the other for looking at things cal disease caused by flukes in the intestine or

which are far away bladder. Also called bilharzia, schistosomia-

bifocalbifocal glasses glasses /ba fəυk(ə)l lɑ sz/, bi- sis

focal lenses /ba fəυk(ə)l lenzz/, bifocals COMMENT: The larvae of the fluke enter the
/ba fəυk(ə)lz/ plural noun spectacles with
skin through the feet and lodge in the walls of

the intestine or bladder. They are passed out

lenses which have two types of lens combined of the body in stools or urine and return to wa-

in the same piece of glass, the top part being ter, where they lodge and develop in the water

used for seeing at a distance and the lower part snail, the secondary host, before going back

for reading into humans. Patients experience fever and

anaemia.

bili- 42

bili-bili- /bli/ prefix referring to bile (NOTE: For oth- bio-bio- /baəυ/ prefix referring to living organ-
er terms referring to bile, see words beginning
isms
with chol-, chole-.)
bioactivebioactive / baəυ ktv/ adjective producing
biliarybiliary / bliər/ adjective referring to bile
biliarybiliary colic colic / bliər kɒlk/ noun pain in the an effect in living tissue or in a living organism
abdomen caused by gallstones in the bile duct
or by inflammation of the gall bladder bioassaybioassay / baəυə se/ noun a test of the

biliarybiliary fistula fistula / bliər fstjυlə/ noun an strength of a drug, hormone, vitamin or serum,
opening which discharges bile on to the sur-
face of the skin from the gall bladder, bile duct by examining the effect it has on living ani-
or liver
mals or tissue
biliousbilious / bliəs/ adjective 1. referring to bile 2.
referring to nausea (informal) bioavailabilitybioavailability / baəυəvelə blti/ noun

biliousnessbiliousness / bliəsnəs/ noun a feeling of in- the extent to which a nutrient or medicine can
digestion and nausea (informal)
be taken up by the body
bilirubinbilirubin / bli ru bn/ noun a red pigment in
bile biochemicalbiochemical / baəυ kemk(ə)l/ adjective

bilirubinaemiabilirubinaemia / bliru b ni miə/ noun an referring to biochemistry
excess of bilirubin in the blood
biochemistrybiochemistry / baəυ kemstri/ noun the
biliuriabiliuria / bli jυəriə/ noun the presence of
bile in the urine. Also called choluria chemistry of living tissues

biliverdinbiliverdin / bli v dn/ noun a green pig- biocidebiocide / baəυsad/ noun a substance which
ment in bile, produced by oxidation of bi-
lirubin kills living organisms

BillingsBillings method method / blŋz meθəd/ noun a biocompatibilitybiocompatibility / baəυkəmp tə blti/
method of birth control which uses the colour
and consistency of the cervical mucus as noun the compatibility of a donated organ or
guides to whether ovulation is taking place
artificial limb with the living tissue into which
Billroth’sBillroth’s operations operations / blrɒθs ɒpə reʃ(ə)nz/
plural noun surgical operations in which the it has been introduced or with which it is
lower part of the stomach is removed and the
part which is left is linked to the duodenum brought into contact
(Billroth I) or jejunum (Billroth II) [Described
biodegradablebiodegradable / baəυd redəb(ə)l/ ad-
1881. After Christian Albert Theodore Billroth
jective easily decomposed by organisms such
(1829–94), Prussian surgeon.]
as bacteria or by the effect of sunlight, the sea,
bilobatebilobate /ba ləυbet/ adjective with two
lobes etc.

bimanualbimanual /ba m njuəl/ adjective done with bioengineeringbioengineering / baəυend  nərŋ/ noun
two hands, or needing both hands to be done
same as biomedical engineering
binarybinary / banəri/ adjective made of two parts
binarybinary fission fission / banəri fʃ(ə)n/ noun the bioethicsbioethics / baəυ eθks/ noun the study of
process of splitting into two parts in some
types of cell division the moral and ethical choices in medical re-

binauralbinaural /ban ɔ rəl/ adjective using, or relat- search and treatment of patients, especially
ing to, both ears
when advanced technology is available
binderbinder / bandə/ noun a bandage which is
wrapped round a limb to support it biofeedbackbiofeedback / baəυ fi db k/ noun the con-

Binet’sBinet’s test test / bnez test/ noun an intelli- trol of the autonomic nervous system by some-
gence test for children [Originally described
one’s conscious thought, as he or she sees the
1905 but later modified at Stanford University,
results of tests or scans
California, USA. After Alfred Binet (1857–1911),
biogenesisbiogenesis / baəυ d enəss/ noun a theory
French psychologist and physiologist.]
that living organisms can only develop from
binocularbinocular /b nɒkjυlə/ adjective referring to
the two eyes other living organisms

binocularbinocular vision vision /b nɒkjυlə v (ə)n/ biohazardbiohazard / baəυ h zəd/ noun a danger to
noun ability to see with both eyes at the same
time, which gives a stereoscopic effect and al- human beings or their environment, especially
lows a person to judge distances. Compare
one from a poisonous or infectious agent
monocular
bioinstrumentationbioinstrumentation / baəυnstrəmen
binovularbinovular /b nɒvjυlə/ adjective referring to
twins who develop from two different ova teʃ(ə)n/ noun instruments used to record and

display information about the body’s func-

tions, or the use of such instruments

biologicalbiological / baə lɒd k(ə)l/ adjective refer-

ring to biology

biologicalbiological clock clock / baəlɒd k(ə)l klɒk/

noun the rhythm of daily activities and bodily

processes such as eating, defecating or sleep-

ing, frequently controlled by hormones, which

repeats every twenty-four hours. Also called

circadian rhythm

biologicalbiological parent parent / baə lɒd k(ə)l

peərəmt/ noun a parent who was physically

involved in producing a child

biologistbiologist /ba ɒləd st/ noun a scientist who

specialises in biology

biologybiology /ba ɒləd i/ noun the study of living

organisms

43 birth parent

biomaterialbiomaterial / baəυmə təriəl/ noun a syn- production, e.g. in the production of drugs 2.

thetic material which can be used as an im- same as genetic modification

plant in living tissue biotherapybiotherapy / baəυ θerəpi/ noun the treat-

biomedicalbiomedical engineering engineering / ment of disease with substances produced

baəυmedk(ə)l end  nərŋ/ noun the ap- through the activity of living organisms such

plication of engineering science such as robot- as sera, vaccines or antibiotics

ics and hydraulics to medicine biotinbiotin / baətn/ noun a type of vitamin B

biomedicinebiomedicine / baəυ med(ə)s(ə)n/ noun 1. found in egg yolks, liver and yeast

the use of the principles of biology, biochem- biparietalbiparietal / bapə raət(ə)l/ adjective refer-

istry, physiology and other basic sciences to ring to the two parietal bones

solve problems in clinical medicine 2. the biparousbiparous / bpərəs/ adjective producing

study of the body’s ability to withstand unusu- twins

al or extreme environments bipennatebipennate /ba penet/ adjective referring to

biometrybiometry /ba ɒmətri/ noun the science a muscle with fibres which rise from either

which applies statistics to the study of living side of the tendon

things ˽ biometry of the eye measurement of bipolarbipolar /ba pəυlə/ adjective with two poles.
the eye by ultrasound ˽ biometry of a fetus
See illustration at NEURONE in Supplement
the measurement of the key parameters of
bipolarbipolar disorder disorder / ba pəυlə ds ɔ də/ noun
growth of a fetus by ultrasound
a psychological condition in which someone
biomonitoringbiomonitoring / baəυ mɒnt(ə)rŋ/ noun
moves between mania and depression and ex-

the measurement and tracking of a chemical periences delusion. Also called manic-depres-

substance in a living organism or biological sive illness, manic depression

material such as blood or urine, usually to bipolarbipolar neurone neurone /ba pəυlə njυərəυn/

check environmental pollution or chemical ex- noun a nerve cell with two processes, a den-

posure drite and an axon, found in the retina. See il-

bionicbionic ear ear /ba ɒnk ə/ noun a cochlear im- lustration at NEURONE in Supplement. Compare

plant (informal) multipolar neurone, unipolar neurone

bionicsbionics /ba ɒnks/ noun the process of ap- birthbirth /b θ/ noun the act of being born ˽ to

plying knowledge of biological systems to me- give birth to have a baby ć She gave birth to

chanical and electronic devices twins.

biopharmaceuticalbiopharmaceutical / baəυfɑ mə birth canal bbirth canal/ θ kə n l/ noun the uterus,

su tk(ə)l/ noun a drug produced by biotech- vagina and vulva

nological methods birth control bbirth control/ θ kən trəυl/ noun same as

biophysicalbiophysical profile profile / baəυfzk(ə)l contraception

prəυfal/ noun a profile of a fetus, based on birth control pill bbirth control pill/ θ kən trəυl pl/ noun

such things as its breathing movement and same as oral contraceptive

body movement birth defect bbirth defect/ θ di fekt/ noun same as

biopsybiopsy / baɒpsi/ noun the process of taking congenital anomaly (NOTE: The word ‘defect’ is

a small piece of living tissue for examination now avoided.)

and diagnosis ć The biopsy of the tissue from birthing bbirthing/ θŋ/ noun the process of giving

the growth showed that it was benign. birth using natural childbirth methods í adjec-

biorhythmbiorhythm / baəυrð(ə)m/ noun a regular tive designed to help in childbirth

process of change which takes place within birthing chair bbirthing chair/ θŋ tʃeə/ noun a special

living organisms, e.g. sleeping, waking or the chair in which a woman sits to give birth

reproductive cycle (NOTE: Some people believe birthing pool bbirthing pool/ θŋ pu l/ noun a special

that biorhythms affect behaviour and mood.) large bath in which pregnant women can relax

biosensorbiosensor / baəυ sensə/ noun a device that before and when giving birth

uses a biological agent such as an enzyme or birthing room bbirthing room / θŋ ru m/ noun an area

organelle to detect, measure or analyse chemi- set up for childbirth in a hospital or other

cals (NOTE: Biosensors are increasingly used in building to provide comfortable and homely

tests to diagnose medical conditions such as surroundings

blood pressure.) birth injury bbirth injury/ θ nd əri/ noun an injury

biostatisticsbiostatistics / baəυstə tstks/ plural noun which a baby experiences during a difficult

statistics used in medicine and the study of dis- birth, e.g. brain damage

ease birthmark bbirthmark/ θmɑ k/ noun an unusual col-

biosurgerybiosurgery / baəυ s d əri/ noun the use of oured or raised area on the skin which some-

living organisms in surgery and post-surgical one has from birth. Also called naevus

treatment, especially the use of maggots or birth mother bbirth mother/ θ m ðə/ noun the woman

leeches to clean wounds who gave birth to a child

biotechnologybiotechnology / baəυtek nɒləd i/ noun 1. birth parent bbirth parent/ θ peərənt/ noun one of the

the use of biological processes in industrial parents that physically produced a child