Medical Specialties

An anticoagulant is a substance or medication that prevents blood from clotting. It is used to treat or prevent thrombotic disorders by inhibiting components of the coagulation cascade. In medical contexts, anticoagulants require careful dosing and monitoring due to bleeding risk.

Arrhythmia is a medical condition characterized by an irregular heartbeat, meaning the heart's rhythm is too fast, too slow, or erratic. The term covers various disorders of the heart’s electrical system and can be benign or serious. In clinical contexts, arrhythmia is diagnosed through monitoring and treated according to severity and underlying cause.

Arteriosclerosis is a medical condition characterized by thickening and hardening of the arterial walls, reducing elasticity and blood flow. It is a chronic, progressive disease often due to plaque buildup, inflammation, and lipid deposition. The term is used in clinical and academic contexts and requires precise pronunciation to ensure clear communication among healthcare professionals and students.

Arthralgia is a medical term meaning joint pain, typically used to describe pain in one or more joints. It is a noun often found in clinical, academic, and patient-facing medical contexts. The word emphasizes the symptom rather than a specific diagnosis, and is usually used in formal or technical discussions of rheumatic conditions.

Arthrocentesis is a medical procedure that involves puncturing a joint capsule to drain fluid or insert a needle for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. The term combines Greek roots for joint (arthro) and puncture (centesis), and is used chiefly in clinical descriptions. It is a specialized, technical noun appropriate for professional contexts and medical literature.

Arthroplasty is a medical procedure involving the surgical reconstruction or replacement of a joint. The term combines Greek roots referring to joints and molding or forming. It is used chiefly in orthopedics to describe corrective joint surgery, such as hip or knee replacement, often after degenerative disease or injury.

Arthroscopy is a medical procedure that uses a small camera and instruments inserted into a joint, typically the knee, to visualize, diagnose, and treat problems. The term combines roots meaning joint (arthro-) and examination (-scopy). It is a specialized, formal term used in medical contexts and documentation.

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways that causes episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and coughing. It varies in severity and is managed with medication and lifestyle adjustments. Proper pronunciation supports clear communication in medical contexts and everyday conversation alike.

Atherosclerosis is a disease in which plaque builds up inside arteries, narrowing and stiffening them. It develops over years through lipid deposition and inflammatory processes, potentially leading to cardiovascular events. The term combines Greek roots for fatty, porus, and hardening, reflecting its pathology.

Auscultation is the medical act of listening to internal body sounds, typically with a stethoscope, to assess heart, lung, and vascular function. It is a skilled diagnostic technique that involves carefully identifying normal and abnormal sounds to inform clinical decisions. The term combines Greek roots for 'to listen' and 'to hear' and is used in formal medical contexts and examinations.

Axillary describes anything related to the armpit, especially the armpit region and its ducts or lymph nodes. In anatomy, it often refers to the axilla, the area beneath the shoulder where vessels and nerves pass. The term is used in clinical contexts and standard anatomical discourse, distinct from external features of the armpit itself.

Axon is a nerve fiber that conducts electrical impulses away from a neuron toward other neurons, muscles, or glands. It is typically a long, slender projection surrounded by myelin, essential for rapid signal transmission. In neuroscience, axons are key components of neural circuits and communication within the nervous system.

Bacteremia is the presence of bacteria in the bloodstream. It is usually detected in clinical contexts and can indicate infection or be a precursor to septicemia. Pronounced with multiple syllables, the term emphasizes a medical-rooted origin and is used in formal, professional discourse.

Bacteriuria is a medical term referring to the presence of bacteria in the urine, not necessarily causing symptoms. It is used in clinical diagnostics and research, especially in studies of urinary tract infections and bacteriological screening. The word combines bacterial and uria (urine).