Dictionary of Medical Terms

A state of absolute need, both physical and psychological.

The triangular muscle of the shoulder.

Excessive loss of body water resulting in weakness, dizziness and other symptoms. It can be life-threatening if not treated, especially…

A common form of arthritis in which tissue changes occur in one or more joints, such as swelling, lumps or…

A machine that delivers an electrical shock to an irregularly beating heart to restore normal rhythm.

Loss of calcium from the bones or teeth.

Removal of foreign material or dead tissue.

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

The study of cells.

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

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

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

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

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

Runny nose.

Hormones produced by the adrenal glands.

The hollow, muscular organ responsible for pumping blood through the circulatory system.

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

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

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

Inflammation of the conjunctiva. Also called pink eye.