Definition of General Medical Terms

Introduction

General medical terms are standardized words and phrases used by healthcare professionals to describe the human body, diseases, symptoms, diagnostic procedures, treatments, and medical equipment. These terms ensure accurate communication, proper diagnosis, and safe patient care across the medical field

Common General Medical Terms with Meanings

1. Disease

The process of identifying the nature of a disease or condition and differentiating it from other potential disorders. The Greek word for knowledge is “gnosis,” which is where the term originates.

2. Prognosis

The term “prognosis” in medicine describes the probable progression and conclusion of a disease or medical issue. It covers the anticipated length, likelihood of recovery, possible complications, and probability of survival.

3. Symptoms

A symptom is a subjective sign of illness that a patient personally feels and reports, such as pain, fever, weakness, or nausea. It cannot be directly measured by a doctor and is based on the patient’s experience.

4. Signs

Signs are things that others may see or notice that might indicate a potential health concern.

5. Acute infection

An infection characterized by sudden onset, rapid progression, and often with severe symptoms.

6. Chronic infection

An infection characterized by delayed onset and slow progression.

7. Benign Tumors

Non-cancerous tissue masses known as benign tumors are generally not spread throughout the body.

8. Malignant Tumors

A malignant tumor is cancerous and has the potential to be fatal. They can metastasize—a process in which they invade nearby tissues and spread to other parts of the body through the lymphatic system or bloodstream.

9. Etiology

The origin of a disease is described by its etiology.

10. Pathology

The investigation of illness is known as pathology. The study of the fundamental nature of disease is considered pathology. The Greek words pathos, which means disease, and logos, which means a treatise, is the source of the word pathology, which means a treatise of disease.

11. Lesion

The location of inflammation in a tissue that has sustained injury or the effects of a chronic condition is called a lesion. In most cases, a lesion is characterized by a structural shift in a tissue that is out of the ordinary. As a result, it is frequently referred to as a location of aberrant tissue alteration. These changes can manifest as bruises or wounds, but oncologists also use this term to refer to injuries caused by malignant or benign (innocuous) tumors.

12. Infection

The invasion and proliferation of microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, and parasites that are not usually found in the body. An infection might be subclinical, causing no symptoms, or it could manifest clinically and cause symptoms. Infections can stay localized or spread throughout the body via the lymphatic system or bloodstream, becoming systemic (bodywide).

13. Inflammation

Your body’s reaction to harm and invaders (such as viruses) includes inflammation as a natural component. It encourages recovery and improves your mood. However, inflammation occurring in the absence of an injury or invader can damage healthy parts of your body and result in a variety of chronic conditions.

14. Pyrexia

From a medical standpoint, pyrexia is defined as an increase in body temperature that is higher than the healthy threshold of 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (37 degrees Celsius). It is frequently brought on by infections or other medical ailments and acts as a physiological defense mechanism against hazardous substances. Pyrexia is regulated by the body, unlike hyperthermia, and not by outside influences like exposure to high temperatures. Fever is a sign that the body is fighting an infection, not a condition.

15. Biopsy

A biopsy is a method of extracting cells, tissue, or liquid for inspection by a medical pathologist.

16. Therapy

In medical terminology, refers to therapeutic medical intervention intended to treat impairment, injury, illness, or ailment.

17. Immunity

The manner in which the immune system defends the body against an infectious illness is known as medicine. Innate, adaptive, and passive are the three categories of immunity. Barriers such as skin and mucous membranes that prevent harmful substances from entering the body are part of the innate immune system.

The body’s immune system reacts to a foreign substance with its initial reaction. Being immunized or infected with a pathogen triggers adaptive immunity. The body produces an immune response, which may protect against future infections with the bacteria.

A person’s lifetime may be covered by adaptive immunity. Passive immunity is when someone gets antibodies against a disease rather than producing them through their own immune system. While passive immunity offers immediate protection, it only lasts for a few weeks or months.

18. Allergy

A chronic ailment known as an allergy is characterized by an aberrant response to an allergen, which is usually a harmless substance.

19. Vaccine

A vaccine is a therapeutic preparation administered to protect against a disease. Vaccines protect the body against potentially hazardous microorganisms by using a variety of substances, including dead microbes and genetically modified antigens.

20. Contagious

The phrase that describes a disease that is transmitted by contact between people or animals is “contagious”.

21. Contusion

A contusion is a kind of hematoma, which is any accumulation of blood outside a blood artery. A contusion results from an injury to capillaries or blood vessels, causing blood to escape into the area around. The medical term for a bruise is a contusion.

22. Edema

The medical term for swelling is edema. An injury or inflammation causes a body part to swell. It can have an impact on the full body or just a small portion of it. Edema can be caused by a number of medical issues, including infections, pregnancy, and medications. Edema occurs when fluid leaks from your small blood vessels into surrounding tissue.

23. Dehydration

Excessive bodily water loss is known as dehydration.

24. Haemorrhage

A hemorrhage is bleeding from an injured blood vessel. There are several causes of bleeding both inside and outside of your body.

25. Anaemia

When you have insufficient healthy red blood cells to transport oxygen throughout your body, you have anaemia.

26. Antibiotic

Any chemical compound created by or originating from a microorganism that has the ability to destroy or prevent the growth and reproduction of a bacterium is referred to as an antibiotic. Antibiotics are a kind of antimicrobial that works against bacterial infections inside or on the body.

27. Aseptic

“Free from living microorganisms that can cause disease” is what aseptic refers to in medicine.

28. Sterile

Sterile is the same as Aseptic, which means germ-free. It is, nevertheless, more frequently used to materials and equipment like scalpels, needles, and gauze, as well as to settings like an operating room.

29. Antiseptics

Chemical compounds that destroy or inhibit the development of microorganisms on live tissue are known as antiseptics.

30. Incision

A surgical incision created in the body for medical reasons is known as an incision. It usually involves a medical professional making a careful and precise incision into tissue or skin during surgery. The word might also be used in a wider sense to describe any cut or wound.

31. Suture

A technique used to close a wound or incision, often carried out during surgery.

32. Anesthesia

Anesthesia uses drugs known as anesthetics to block pain sensation during medical operations. A particular portion of your body is numbed by regional and local anesthesia. In order to allow for more intrusive operations, general anesthesia briefly renders you unconscious (causes you to fall asleep).

33. Intubation

Intubation can help save your life if you are unable to breathe. An endotracheal tube is inserted into your mouth or nose, voice box, and then trachea using a laryngoscope by a healthcare practitioner. You may inhale air into your lungs because the tube maintains an open airway. Intubation is typically performed by providers in a hospital either during an emergency or prior to surgery.

34. Resuscitation

The purpose of resuscitation is to treat physiological issues (such as a lack of breathing or heartbeat) in a patient who is severely ill. It is a crucial component of trauma surgery, intensive care medicine, anesthesiology, and emergency medicine. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation are well-known instances.

35. Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

When a person’s breathing has ceased (respiratory arrest) and/or their heart has stopped (cardiac arrest), cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is used to help and sustain their breathing and circulation.

36. Pulse

The pulse is the palpable throbbing caused by the pressure wave that the heart produces each time it beats (systole) and forces blood into the arteries. It is most frequently experienced at superficial arteries near the skin, such as the wrist (radial artery) or neck (carotid artery).

37. Blood Pressure

The force with which your blood passes through your arteries is known as your blood pressure. The majority of adults have a healthy blood pressure reading less than 120/80 mm Hg. An excessively high blood pressure increases your chance of developing heart illness. However, extremely low blood pressure might be problematic as well.

38. Hypertension

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a persistent medical disorder in which a person’s blood pressure remains consistently high over a period of time. It’s a significant risk factor Trusted Source for a variety of illnesses that impact the brain, kidneys, and heart.

39. Hypotension

Blood pressure is significantly lower than normal in people with hypotension. This might result in inadequate blood flow to the organs in the body. When a person’s blood pressure is below 90/60 mm Hg, they have low blood pressure.

40. Hyperglycemia & Hypoglycemia

High blood sugar is Hyperglycemia, while low blood sugar is Hypoglycemia. Maintaining blood glucose levels within a healthy range is crucial since both high and low blood sugar can have significant health consequences for diabetics. However, people with diabetes are not the only ones who are affected by high and low blood sugar. People who don’t have diabetes may also experience it.

41. Ultrasound

Using high-intensity sound waves, ultrasound is a non-invasive imaging technique that reveals the anatomy within your body.

42. X-ray

Providers can use x-rays, or simple radiographs, to capture images of the inside of your body. Radiologists interpret the black and white images generated by radiation used by x-rays. While x-rays are frequently used to examine bones and joints, healthcare professionals can also utilize them to swiftly identify other illnesses, such lung infections.

43. MRI

A comprehensive, cross-sectional picture of internal organs and structures is produced by an MRI scan using a powerful magnet, radio waves, and a computer.

44. CT (Computed Tomography) Scan

A CT (computed tomography) scan is an imaging procedure that aids medical professionals in identifying illnesses and injuries. It generates precise pictures of your bones and soft tissues using a computer and a sequence of X-rays. A CT scan is a non-invasive and painless procedure.

45. Prophylaxis

The term “prophylaxis” refers to preventative therapy against disease in medical terminology. The term originates from the Greek word phylax, which means “to guard.” In order to protect health and stop the transmission of illness, prophylactic treatment is used in the healthcare industry.

46. Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation is defined as a set of interventions designed to optimize functioning and reduce disability in individuals with health conditions in interaction with their environment.

Conclusion

General medical terms form the foundation of effective communication in healthcare. Understanding these terms helps students, healthcare professionals, and the general public interpret medical information accurately, recognize symptoms, comprehend diagnoses, and follow treatment plans with confidence. From basic concepts such as disease, symptoms, and infection to advanced procedures like MRI, biopsy, and resuscitation, these standardized terms ensure clarity, precision, and patient safety across the medical field. Gaining familiarity with general medical terminology is essential for anyone pursuing a career in healthcare or seeking to improve health literacy.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What are general medical terms?

General medical terms are standardized words used by healthcare professionals to describe diseases, symptoms, diagnostic methods, treatments, and medical procedures.

Medical terminology ensures accurate communication between healthcare professionals and helps prevent misunderstandings that could affect patient care and safety.

Symptoms are subjective experiences reported by patients, such as pain or nausea, while signs are objective findings observed by healthcare professionals, such as swelling or fever.

Acute infections develop suddenly and progress rapidly, while chronic infections develop slowly and may persist for a long time.

Aseptic refers to being free from disease-causing microorganisms, particularly in medical procedures and environments.

Antiseptics are used on living tissues to prevent infection, while antibiotics are medications used inside or on the body to treat bacterial infections.

Prophylaxis refers to preventive treatment aimed at reducing the risk of disease or infection.

Medical students, nursing students, laboratory professionals, allied health workers, and anyone interested in healthcare should learn basic medical terminology.

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