Dictionary of Medical Terms

A painful muscle spasm.

A surgical opening of the skull.

The skull, or bony structure of the head, that protects the brain.

A substance formed from the making of creatine, an important nitrogen compound made in the body. Common in blood, urine…

Physical and mental retardation due to congenital lack of thyroid hormone.

Chronic inflammation of the digestive tract, especially of the lower small intestine and colon.

Obstruction of the upper respiratory tract at or below the larynx (voice box), resulting in a hoarse, barking cough.

The first appearance of a baby’s scalp during the birth process.

Destruction of tissue using extreme cold. A procedure used to treat skin lesions.

Computed tomographic scan.

A procedure to remove pus or blood from the abdomen through the vagina.

A disorder caused by overactivity of the pituitary gland.

A tooth with one point, or “canine” tooth.

Having to do with the skin.

Bluish discoloration of the skin caused by lack of oxygen in the blood.

A sac or pocket in the body containing fluid or semisolid material.

Inflammation of the bladder.

The study of cells.

A virus that infects cells and causes them to become enlarged. Babies infected with the virus develop mental and sensory…

Dilatation and curettage. A surgical procedure in which the uterine lining is removed by scraping.

Inflammation of the sac that collects tears for drainage from the eye.