Dictionary of Medical Terms

Gain a better understanding of medical terminology by searching our dictionary of more than 1,300 terms.

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All terms that start with the letter H

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hemiplegia

Paralysis (loss of feeling or movement) of one side of the body.
hemochromatosis

A disorder of iron metabolism characterized by excessive amounts of iron in the skin, liver and other tissues.
hemoglobin

The oxygen-carrying molecule in red blood cells.
hemolysis

The destruction of red blood cells.
hemophilia

An inherited disorder, nearly always in males, in which one of the normal blood-clotting factors is deficient.
hemoptysis

A cough that produces blood.
hemorrhage

Severe bleeding, usually from damage to a blood vessel.
hemorrhoid

An enlarged vein inside or just outside the rectum.
hemostasis

Control of bleeding.
hepatic

Having to do with the liver.
hepatitis

Inflammation or infection of the liver.
heredity

Transmission of genetic traits from parents to children.
hermaphrodite

A person with both male and female sex organs.
hernia

An abnormal protrusion of part of an organ through an abnormal opening.
herpes

A recurring viral skin infection characterized by clusters of small blisters. Typically, sores are located near the mouth (fever blisters…
heterosexual

Having to do with the opposite sex.
hexachlorophene

A detergent that kills germs.
hiccup

A sudden, involuntary spasm of the diaphragm. The sound of hiccups is caused by the sudden intake of air.
hidradenitis

Inflammation of the sweat glands.
hip

The part of the body surrounding the joint between the femur and pelvic bones.
hirsutism

Excessive hair growth, usually on the face and chest. Often caused by an imbalance in hormones.