Dictionary of Medical Terms

A protein produced by the body to neutralize an invading foreign agent or antigen, such as a virus.

An agent used to counteract a poison.

A foreign agent capable of starting an immune response or causing the body to produce antibodies.

A serum that contains antibodies. Serum from a person or animal with immunity to a certain disease can, in some…

The opening of the rectum.

A feeling of nervousness, uneasiness, apprehension or dread.

The large artery that carries blood from the heart to the rest of body.

Lack of emotions.

A scoring method from zero to 10 for describing the health of an infant at birth, based on heart rate,…

Inability to swallow.

A partial or total loss of the power to use or understand words.

A painful sore in the mouth. Also called a canker sore.

Temporary pause in breathing.

Surgical removal of the appendix.

A finger-like appendage near the junction of the large intestine and the small intestine.

The dark area of the breast surrounding the nipple.

Commonly called “hardening of the arteries.” An abnormal thickening and loss of elasticity of the wall of the arteries.

Abnormal group of dilated blood vessels, most often occurring in the brain.

A vessel that carries blood away from the heart to various parts of the body.

Pain in a joint.

Inflammation of a joint.