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Dictionary of Medical Terms

Gain a better understanding of medical terminology by searching our dictionary of more than 1,300 terms.

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  • dressing

    A bandage for an external wound.

  • DPT

    A vaccine containing antigens from diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus.

  • Down syndrome

    A genetic disorder characterized by some degree of mental retardation and by various physical malformations, such as slanted eyes and…

  • douche

    A flow of liquid or vapor directed onto or into a part of the body.

  • dorsal

    Toward the back.

  • diverticulosis

    A condition in which pouches form on the wall of the colon.

  • diverticulitis

    Inflammation of small pouches that may form on the wall of the colon.

  • diverticula

    Pouches or sacs opening out from a main cavity or tubular organ of the body.

  • diuresis

    Increased elimination of urine.

  • distal

    A location farther from a point of reference. For example, the foot is distal to the knee, relative to the…

  • disorientation

    Mental confusion, especially of time, place or person.

  • dislocation

    Displacement of a bone from a joint.

  • diskectomy

    Removal of an intervertebral disk of the spine.

  • disk

    A round, flat structure, particularly the fibrous cartilage layer between two vertebrae (the bones that make up the spine). Also…

  • disinfectant

    A chemical agent used to destroy microorganisms on inanimate objects.

  • discoid lupus erythematosus

    A round, red, scaling rash on the nose, forehead, cheeks, scalp or other areas of the body. It may be…

  • diplopia

    Double vision.

  • diphtheria

    An infectious disease of childhood characterized by fever, sore throat and the presence of “dirty” (white, gray, brown) membranes in…

  • dilation

    The process of expanding or enlarging.

  • digit

    A finger or toe.

  • digestion

    The mechanical and chemical conversion of food into simpler compounds that can be absorbed by the body.

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