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barotrauma
Injury caused by pressure differences between the atmosphere and the air-filled spaces in the body. The most common of these…
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Bartholin cyst
A cyst caused by an infection of the glands on the vaginal wall.
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BCG (bacille Calmette-Guerin) vaccine
A vaccine that offers some protection against tuberculosis. It’s now rarely used in the U.S. because it doesn’t give total…
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bedsore
An ulcer caused by chafing or by the pressure of the body against the bed.
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Bell's palsy
A usually temporary loss of feeling or movement of the face, usually on one side, causing an inability to close…
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bends
A condition that results from rapidly decreasing atmospheric pressure on the body. Symptoms include joint pain, chest pain, shortness of…
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benign
A nonlife-threatening condition. Not malignant. Not cancerous.
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benign familial tremor
An inherited disorder that causes a slow tremor in the hands, head and voice. It may affect only one side…
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beriberi
A deficiency disease caused by dietary insufficiency of vitamin B1 (thiamine). Symptoms include general weakness and painful rigidity.
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biceps
A muscle having two heads. The most familiar is the large muscle in the front of the upper arm responsible…
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bicuspid
A tooth named for the two-pointed projections on the crown.
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bifocals
Eyeglasses with divided lenses. The two parts of each lens have different strengths, allowing the wearer to focus the eye…
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bile
A clear yellow fluid produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder. Aids in digestion.
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bilirubin
A pigment produced in the liver by the breakdown of hemoglobin from old red blood cells. Bilirubin is normally eliminated…
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binocular
Using both eyes at the same time. Binocular vision is the most important element of depth perception.
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biopsy
Removal and exam of a tissue sample taken from a living body. This procedure helps determine if the tissue is…
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bipolar affective disorder
A psychiatric disorder in which the affected person has both depressed and happy, energetic (manic) episodes. This is a newer…
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blackhead
A dark-topped plug of fatty material in the opening of a hair follicle. The color is the result of exposure…
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blackout
1. Short-term loss of vision and consciousness. 2. In an alcoholic person, loss of memory for a period of…
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bladder
The organ that temporarily stores a substance. Commonly used in reference to the urinary bladder, which holds urine until it’s…
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blepharitis
Inflammation of the eyelid.
Trusted medical advice from the
American Academy of Family Physicians.
American Academy of Family Physicians.
Go to familydoctor.org Home
Trusted medical advice from the
American Academy of Family Physicians.
American Academy of Family Physicians.
Dictionary of Medical Terms
Gain a better understanding of medical terminology by searching our dictionary of more than 1,300 terms.
