Dictionary of Medical Terms

The membrane lining the eyelids and covering the eyeball.

Inflammation of the conjunctiva. Also called pink eye.

Fibrous tissue with a wide variety of connecting and supporting functions within and between body organs.

Mentally awake and aware. Knowing what one is doing and why.

A condition in which the stool becomes too hard for easy elimination.

1. Using up. 2. Wasting of the body; especially used in reference to advanced tuberculosis.

Easily transmitted by direct or indirect contact.

The intentional prevention of conception or impregnation. Also called birth control.

A shortening or increase in tension.

Deformity caused by abnormal shortening of the muscles.

A substance used in x-ray studies to aid in showing internal structures.

Bruise.

A seizure.

Increased blood pressure in the lungs, causing chest pain, shortness of breath, swelling in the feet and fluid in the…

The clear, external part of the eye.

A hardened area of skin on the foot caused by persistent friction or pressure.

The blood vessels encircling the heart that provide the heart muscle with oxygen.

Hormones produced by the adrenal glands.

Runny nose.

Inflammation of the cartilage-containing joints where the ribs join the breastbone (sternum).

A virus that can cause inflammation of the heart, brain or eye, or hand-foot-and-mouth disease.