Dictionary of Medical Terms

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

Filter By Alphabet

All terms that start with the letter P

Sort By:

Paget's disease

1. A type of cancer usually involving the breast’s larger ducts, areola and nipples. 2. A disease characterized by weakened…
palate

The roof of the mouth.
palliative

Controlling symptoms without curing the disease.
pallor

Pale appearance of the skin.
palpate

To feel with the fingers.
palpebra

The eyelid.
palpitation

A sensation that the heart is beating too rapidly or strongly.
palsy

Inability to move parts of the body.
panacea

A remedy for all diseases.
pancreas

A gland located below and behind the stomach and liver that produces insulin and glucagon, the hormones involved in carbohydrate…
pancreatitis

Inflammation of the pancreas.
pandemic

A widespread epidemic.
panic

A sudden attack of anxiety.
papilla

A small nipple-shaped projection.
papilledema

Swelling of the optic disk. May be due to an increase of pressure in the skull.
papilloma

A benign tumor of the skin or mucous membranes. A wart.
papule

A solid, raised skin lesion.
para-aminobenzoic acid

PABA, a substance used in suntan lotion and used clinically to treat rickettsial diseases.
paracentesis

Surgical removal of fluid from a cavity.
parainfluenza virus

One of a group of viruses that cause a variety of upper respiratory diseases.
paralysis

Inability to move parts of the body.

1
2
3
4
5
...
8
Next