Dictionary of Medical Terms

The large organ in the upper right abdomen that functions in digestion and storage of food, disposal of worn-out red…

A procedure to break up kidney stones into smaller pieces that can more easily pass out of the body.

Breaking up of a stone, such as a gallstone.

A surgical procedure that changes body shape by removing fat cells.

Any of a group of proteins combined with a lipid that allow lipids to be transported in the circulatory…

Fatty tumor.

The splitting up, or destruction, of fat.

A fat cell.

Cholesterol, triglycerides and related substances.

Tongue.

Margin, or border. The margin of the cornea where it contacts the sclera.

The feeling of decreased abdominal pressure during the last few weeks of pregnancy caused by the uterus dropping into the…

A wire or thread used to tie off blood vessels or to close incisions or wounds.

A tough band of connective tissue connecting bones or holding organs in place.

Any of various skin diseases characterized by sores and enlarged skin markings.

Thick, white patches in the mouth that may become malignant.

Selective removal of the white blood cells from a donor’s blood. The other components of the blood are then returned…

A lower than normal number of leukocytes in the blood.

White blood cells, the blood cells responsible for fighting infection.

Cancer of the tissues in the bone marrow, spleen and lymph nodes.

A lack of energy; sluggishness, dullness or apathy.