Medical Abbreviations

Endometriosis is a chronic condition in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterine cavity, causing pain and potential fertility issues. It is not cancer, but it can lead to significant symptoms and complications. The term designates the disease process and location of abnormal endometrial-like tissue throughout the pelvis and beyond.

Epididymitis is a medical term for inflammation of the epididymis, typically causing pain and swelling in the testicular area. It is often linked to infection or sexually transmitted infections, and may require medical evaluation and treatment. The word is primarily used in clinical and anatomical contexts.

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures. It reflects abnormal electrical activity in the brain and can vary from brief absence seizures to convulsive events. Management often includes medication, lifestyle adjustments, and, in some cases, surgical options, with the goal of reducing seizure frequency and improving quality of life.

Esophageal describes anything related to the esophagus, the muscular tube that transports food from the throat to the stomach. In medical contexts, it often appears in discussions of anatomy, disease, or procedures affecting the esophagus. The term is used mostly in clinical writing and professional discourse, with pronunciation preserved across varieties of English.

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy is a diagnostic procedure that uses a flexible endoscope to visualize the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. The term refers to the combined regions examined: esophagus, stomach, and duodenum, typically performed to investigate symptoms or screen for GI conditions. The word is lengthy and often abbreviated as EGD in clinical settings.

Gastroesophageal is an adjective describing anything related to the stomach (gastro-) and the esophagus (esophageal). It is typically used in medical contexts to denote conditions, parts, or relationships involving both organs, often in terms of anatomy, pathology, or surgical considerations. The term is polysyllabic and commonly appears in professional discourse, journals, and clinical discussions.

Gynecomastia is a medical term describing the enlargement of male breast tissue. It is a noun used in clinical contexts and patient education. The word combines Greek roots and has a distinctive multi-syllabic stress pattern that can be challenging for non-medical speakers.

Hepatomegaly is the medical term for an enlarged liver. It is a noun used in clinical contexts to describe hepatomegaly of varying degrees, often indicating underlying hepatic disease or systemic illness. The word combines two Greek-derived elements and is commonly encountered in medical documentation and discussions of liver pathology.

Hepatosplenomegaly is a medical condition in which the liver (hepato) and the spleen (spleno) are enlarged. It indicates systemic disease or organ involvement and is typically diagnosed via physical exam and imaging. The term is used mainly in clinical contexts and scholarly writing to describe concurrent hepatomegaly and splenomegaly.

Hypercapnia is a medical condition characterized by elevated levels of carbon dioxide in the bloodstream. It occurs when ventilation is inadequate relative to metabolic CO2 production, leading to respiratory acidosis and potential organ compromise if untreated. The term combines hyper-, capn-, and -ia to denote excess CO2 in blood.

Hyperhidrosis is a medical condition characterized by excessive sweating, typically in areas such as the palms, feet, and underarms. It is not due to heat or exercise alone and can significantly affect daily activities and comfort. The term combines Greek roots for “over” and “sweat” with a condition suffix, reflecting its clinical usage.

Hypertriglyceridemia is a medical condition characterized by an abnormally high level of triglycerides in the blood. It is often associated with metabolic syndrome and can increase cardiovascular risk. Proper pronunciation helps clinicians, researchers, and patients discuss diagnosis, treatment, and risk factors clearly in multilingual settings.

Intervertebral is an adjective describing anything situated or occurring between adjacent vertebrae of the spine. It is used mainly in medical contexts to refer to structures, spaces, or discs located between vertebral bones.

Laparoscopic is an adjective describing a minimally invasive surgical technique performed through small abdominal incisions using a laparoscope. It denotes procedures guided by a camera and specialized instruments, typically resulting in quicker recovery and less tissue trauma compared with open surgery. The term combines a medical prefix with a modern procedural suffix, signaling technique rather than anatomy alone.

Laryngoscopy is a medical procedure involving the examination of the larynx (voice box) using a scope. It allows doctors to visualize the laryngeal structures and assess pathology or function. The term combines the Greek roots for larynx and viewing, with a common medical suffix indicating an instrument or procedure; it is used in formal clinical contexts and case discussions.

Leukocytosis is a medical term describing an abnormally high white blood cell count. It’s used in clinical contexts to indicate a response to infection, inflammation, or other medical conditions. The word combines roots referring to white cells and enlargement, and is primarily encountered in professional medical communication and research.

Leukoencephalopathy is a rare brain disorder characterized by changes to the white matter of the brain due to degeneration or inflammation. It typically presents with neurological symptoms and can be progressive. The term combines Greek roots for white (leuko) and brain covering (encephalopathy) to describe white-matter disease of the brain.

Lymphadenopathy is a medical term describing enlarged or diseased lymph nodes. It often signals infection, inflammation, or a more serious condition, and is used in clinical assessments and differential diagnoses. The word is most commonly encountered in professional medical contexts and requires precise articulation to avoid miscommunication in patient records and conversations.

Meningioma is a usually benign brain tumor arising from the meninges, the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It grows slowly and may cause symptoms through pressure on adjacent brain tissue. Many cases are asymptomatic for years and discovered incidentally, but some present with headaches, seizures, or focal neurological signs depending on location.

Meningitis is a medical condition involving inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It is typically caused by infection and can be serious, requiring prompt medical attention. The term combines “meninges” with the medical suffix “-itis,” indicating inflammation of the meninges.

Meningoencephalitis is a serious medical condition characterized by simultaneous inflammation of the meninges and the brain tissue. It typically presents with fever, headache, neck stiffness, and altered mental status, and requires urgent medical evaluation and treatment. The term combines three Greek-derived elements referring to the meninges, brain, and inflammation.

Myelomeningocele is a type of neural tube defect where the spinal cord and meninges protrude through a gap in the spine. It is a serious congenital anomaly typically presenting at birth and requiring surgical correction and lifelong management. The term emphasizes the involvement of the spinal cord (myelo-), meninges (meningo-), and the protrusion (cele).

Myelopathy is a neurological condition resulting from spinal cord dysfunction, often due to compression, injury, or disease. It affects motor and sensory pathways, causing weakness, numbness, or coordination problems below the level of the lesion. The term combines root elements meaning 'spinal cord' and 'disease' or 'disorder.'