Dictionary of Medical Terms

Able to walk. Not confined to bed.

Absence of menstrual periods.

Partial or total loss of memory, usually as the result of psychological trauma or stress, or physical damage to the…

The membrane enclosing a developing fetus; it’s filled with a protective liquid called amniotic fluid.

The surgical removal of a limb or other appendage because of damage by trauma or as a treatment for a…

Brief, intense exercise that leads to an oxygen debt in a certain area of tissue. Weight lifting is an…

The most severe form of allergy, in which the person’s heart and lungs are unable to keep working, and death…

Any substance that produces male characteristics. Testosterone and androsterone are natural androgens.

A decreased ability of the blood to carry oxygen because of a reduction in either the number or quality of…

Drug-induced loss of feeling or sensation.

An agent used to produce anesthesia.

A thin sac caused by a weakened area in the walls of blood vessels or the heart. As an aneurysm…

Chest pain caused by decreased oxygen delivery to the heart muscle.

A noncancerous tumor made up of many blood vessels.

Absence of sweating. An inability to sweat greatly interferes with the body’s ability to control its internal temperature.

Abnormal stiffening of a joint.

Deviation from normal.

Congenital absence of both testes.

An eating disorder manifested primarily by a loss of desire or willingness to eat for a variety of psychological…

Loss of the sense of smell.

Occurring before delivery of a baby.