Medical Vocabulary #10

The large vein that carries blood from the lower half of the body to the heart.

A medical doctor trained to diagnose and treat disorders involving inflammation of the joints and other parts of the musculoskeletal system.

A condition in which food and acid flow back into the esophagus from the stomach, causing heartburn.

A hole created through the front of the neck and into the windpipe, providing an air passage when the usual route for breathing is obstructed, such as after a traumatic injury to the face or neck, or when long-term use of a breathing machine (ventilator) is needed.

Any drug or other substance used to cause vomiting.

A device used to check the prescription of eyeglasses.

A curved, bowl-shaped depression in the outer part of the hipbone. The ball-shaped portion at the top of the thighbone fits into this space to form the hip joint.

A group of cells that form a small sac.

The bony socket that holds the eyeball.

An abnormal lateral (sideways) curvature of the spine.

A protein made by the liver. Abnormal levels may indicate liver or kidney disease.

1. A soft mass of chewed food.

Any drug that constricts the pupil of the eye; used to treat glaucoma.

A condition in which the thyroid gland makes too much thyroid hormone.

The eye's ability to see sharply, usually measured in comparison to what a normal eye would see from 20 feet.

A burning or stabbing pain that follows the path of a nerve.

A noncancerous enlargement of the prostate gland that obstructs the flow of urine.

Sudden, severe confusion that occurs because of a mental or physical illness.

Sudden paralysis of some or all muscles brought on by laughter, anger, fright or strong emotions.

An extra or unusual sound heard during the heartbeat.

Rapid and uncoordinated contractions of heart muscle fibers resulting in the inability of the heart to contract and to pump blood.

A serious condition related to high blood pressure that can threaten the life of a pregnant woman and her fetus.

The part of plant foods the body can’t digest or absorb. Roughage.

Any substance that can cause cancer.