Medical Specialties

Balanitis is a medical term for inflammation of the glans penis. It is a specialized noun used in clinical and urological contexts, often paired with hygiene and infection considerations. The word is primarily encountered in professional healthcare discussions and patient education materials.

Bronchiectasis is a chronic condition characterized by permanent dilation and damage to the bronchi, leading to persistent cough and sputum production. It results from repeated infections or inflammatory processes that weaken airway walls, causing abnormal widening and mucus retention. Recognizing the term itself helps in medical communication and patient education in clinical settings.

Bronchitis is a short- or long-term inflammation of the bronchial tubes, the airways that carry air to your lungs. It typically causes coughing, mucus production, and sometimes fever or chest discomfort. Acute bronchitis often follows a viral infection, while chronic bronchitis is a long-term condition linked to smoking or irritants.

Bronchoscopy is a medical procedure that allows doctors to view the inside of the airways and lungs using a thin, flexible tube equipped with a camera. It is performed to diagnose or treat conditions affecting the respiratory tract. The term combines bronchoscope with the -y suffix, indicating a procedure or instrument related to the bronchoscope.

Calcaneus is the large bone forming the heel of the foot, connecting with the ankle via the subtalar joint. It serves as a lever for gait and bears much of the body's weight during standing and movement. In anatomy contexts, it’s often discussed alongside the talus, tarsals, and plantar fascia.

Calculus is a branch of mathematics focused on change and accumulation, encompassing differential and integral calculus. It provides systematic methods for analyzing how quantities vary and accumulate, using limits, derivatives, and integrals. In academic contexts, calculus forms the foundation for advanced science, engineering, and mathematical analysis, often taught at the college level.

Carcinoma is a malignant epithelial tumor that arises from the lining cells of organs or glands. It is one of the most common cancer types, capable of invading surrounding tissue and spreading to distant sites. The term distinguishes this cancer from sarcomas and other malignant neoplasms by its origin in epithelial tissue.

Carotid is a noun referring to the major arteries in the neck that supply blood to the brain, neck, and face. In medical contexts, it commonly denotes the common carotid artery or its branches. The term is used in anatomy, clinical discussion, and imaging reports to identify arterial pathways and assess blood flow or disease.

Cataract is a large, clouding of the lens inside the eye that reduces vision; it can also refer to a waterfall or a sudden rush of water in a stream. In medicine, it denotes lens opacity that often develops with aging, while in geology or meteorology it can describe a cascading appearance. The term typically appears in clinical context or descriptive, non-technical writing.

Cephalalgia is a medical term meaning headache. It refers to pain or discomfort in the head, typically arising from a variety of causes, and is often used in clinical contexts and scholarly writing. The word itself is not commonly spoken in everyday conversation but is essential in medical discourse and literature.

Cerebellum is a large, rounded structure at the back of the brain that coordinates movement, balance, and motor learning. It integrates sensory information to fine-tune actions and maintain posture. Although not involved in conscious planning, it plays a crucial role in smooth, coordinated activity and motor memory.

Cerebrum is the principal part of the brain, comprising the two cerebral hemispheres responsible for higher cognitive functions such as thought, memory, and voluntary motion. It is the largest brain region in humans, with a folded surface (gyri and sulci) that increases surface area. The term often contrasts with the cerebellum and brainstem in neuroanatomy contexts.

Cervical refers to the neck region, or to the cervix in anatomy. As a medical term, it often describes structures, regions, or innervation related to the neck. It can function as an adjective or, less commonly, a noun in specialized contexts (e.g., cervical spine). The word is used in clinical, anatomical, and research writing, with formal tone and precise meaning.

Cervicitis is a medical term for inflammation of the cervix, often due to infection or irritation. It is pronounced with a three-syllable cadence: /ˌsɜːr.vɪˈsaɪ.tɪs/ in US English, with similar patterns in UK and AU, and typically used in clinical or educational contexts.

Cholangiography is a medical imaging procedure that visualizes the bile ducts by injecting contrast material. It aids in diagnosing obstructive bile duct pathology and other hepatobiliary conditions. The term combines Greek roots for bile, ducts, and imaging, and it is used primarily in professional medical contexts and radiology reporting.

Cholangiopancreatography is a medical imaging procedure that visualizes the bile ducts and pancreatic ducts using contrast material. It is typically performed to diagnose obstructions, stones, and other biliary or pancreatic disorders. The term combines multiple anatomical roots and is used predominantly in clinical contexts and scholarly writing.

Cholecystectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the gallbladder. It is typically performed to treat gallstone-related pain or infection. The term combines Greek roots for bile, bladder, and surgical removal, and is used in medical contexts and formal discussions of gastroenterology.

Cholecystitis is an inflammation of the gallbladder, typically caused by gallstones or gallbladder irritation. It presents with right upper-quadrant abdominal pain, often fever and nausea, and may require medical evaluation or surgical treatment. The term combines Latin roots for bile and bladder, reflecting its anatomical origin. (2–4 sentences, ~60 words)

Choledocholithiasis is a medical condition characterized by the presence of one or more gallstones in the common bile duct, potentially blocking bile flow. It is a specialized term used in gastroenterology and hepatology, often encountered in clinical contexts and case reports. The word is long and multisyllabic, making precise pronunciation essential for clear communication in medical discussions.

Chondromalacia is a medical condition describing softening, damage, or soft disruption of the cartilage under a joint, most commonly the kneecap. It presents with pain and crepitus when the joint moves. The term literally means cartilage (chondro-) softening (malacia) and is used in clinical settings to describe early degenerative changes.

Cicatrix is a medical term for a scar resulting from the healing of a wound. It denotes the fibrous tissue patch that replaces normal skin after injury, and is sometimes used metaphorically to describe lasting marks or traces of past events. The word is primarily used in clinical, dermatological, and forensic contexts.

Cranial is an adjective describing anything related to the skull. It is used in medical and anatomical contexts to specify structures, injuries, or functions pertaining to the cranium, the part of the skull that encloses the brain. The term is formal and typically appears in clinical or scholarly writing and discussions about head anatomy.

Craniotomy is a surgical procedure that involves removing a portion of the skull to access the brain. It is performed to treat brain injuries, tumors, or other cerebrovascular conditions, and may be done with the patient under anesthesia. The term emphasizes the skull (cranium) and the incision into brain-covering layers, distinguishing it from less invasive methods.

Cricoid is an anatomical term used as an adjective to describe shape or relation to the cricoid cartilage in the neck. In anatomy, it designates something ring-shaped or-ring-like, often in reference to the cricoid ring. It appears in medical contexts (e.g., cricoid cartilage) and is pronounced with care to the medial syllable and the final vowel sound.