Dictionary of Medical Terms

Plastic surgery on the eyelid.

Loss of vision. Legally, visual acuity less than 20/200 with glasses.

Buildup of watery or bloody fluid under the skin.

The fluid circulating through the heart, arteries and veins. Blood is responsible for transporting oxygen to body tissues, carrying waste…

Infection within the circulatory system. A potentially life-threatening condition that requires prompt treatment.

The pressure exerted by the blood against the walls of the blood vessels.

A skin infection characterized by a localized buildup of pus.

The tissue within the cavity of the bones where new blood cells are made.

A class of disease-causing bacteria that includes the organisms that cause relapsing fever and Lyme disease.

An extremely dangerous form of food poisoning caused by the toxin of Clostridium botulinum.

Having to do with cattle. For example, bovine insulin is insulin obtained from cattle.

The tube involved in digestion and extending from the stomach to the anus. Consists of the small intestine and the…

A precancerous skin condition that first appears as psoriasis-like scaling.

A deformity of the legs in which the space between the knees is greater than normal.

A device used to support a body part, correct or prevent deformities, or control movement.

Slow heart rate and pulse, usually slower than 60 beats per minute.

Contractions of the uterus during pregnancy that are sometimes mistaken for labor. Also called false labor.

Milk-secreting glands protruding from the upper front part of a woman’s body.

A birth in which the feet or buttocks of the baby appear first through the birth canal.

A structure that joins two parts. For example, a dental bridge contains artificial teeth and joins the natural teeth at…

Nephritis. A group of kidney diseases manifested by albumin in the urine and edema (swelling).