Radiology

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.

Mammography is a specialized medical imaging technique that uses low-energy X-rays to examine the human breast. It is primarily used to detect breast cancer and other breast diseases, often as part of routine screening or diagnostic workups. The term combines ‘mammal,’ from mammary, with ‘ography,’ indicating recording or imaging.

Mandible is the jawbone that forms your lower jaw, supporting teeth and enabling chewing and speaking motions. In anatomy and medicine, it refers specifically to this singular bone, which connects with the skull at the temporomandibular joints. The term is used in clinical descriptions, surgical planning, and educational contexts to distinguish the lower jaw from the maxilla (upper jaw).

Mass (noun): a large body of matter or a large congregation gathered for worship. It also means a quantity or amount, or a portion of the liturgy in Catholic tradition. The term connotes something substantial in size or number, often implying heaviness or significance in quantity or impact.

Maxilla (plural maxillae) is the upper jawbone forming the central facial skeleton, holding the upper teeth and forming parts of the eye sockets, nasal cavity, and palate. In anatomy and medicine, it denotes one of the paired facial bones, contributing to facial structure and dental alignment. The term is used in clinical contexts and anatomy coursework.

Meatus is a medical term for a natural body passage or opening, such as a canal or duct, through which vessels or other structures pass. In anatomy texts it often refers to a canal-like passage within bone or soft tissue. The term is used in clinical descriptions and diagrams to specify openings in skull or ear anatomy.

Meninges is a medical noun referring to the three protective membranes enveloping the brain and spinal cord (dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater). It is used in clinical, anatomical, and educational contexts to describe the layers that cushion the central nervous system. Pronounced with emphasis on the second syllable, it is a polysyllabic term common in formal discourse.

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.

Metastases are secondary malignant growths that arise when cancer spreads from a primary site to distant organs or tissues. The term refers to multiple such secondary tumors. In medical contexts, it denotes advanced disease and is used to describe the process and locations of spread, rather than a single lesion.

Metastasis is the process by which cancer cells spread from a primary tumor to form new tumors in distant sites. It indicates progression of disease and is central to staging and prognosis. The term combines Greek roots referring to change in place and displacement. In medical contexts, it is used to describe metastatic spread rather than localized cancer.

A medical condition characterized by the presence of stones in the kidney (renal calculi). The term denotes the disease state involving nephrolithiasis, nephritic processes, and potential obstruction or infection, and is used primarily in clinical contexts. It refers specifically to stone formation within the renal tract and is typically discussed in urology and nephrology settings.

Nucleus is the central and most important part of something, around which other elements are organized or gathered. In biology, it refers to the membrane-bound structure within a cell that houses genetic material. In physics or chemistry, it denotes the central core of an atom. The term also carries metaphorical weight as the core or heart of a system or idea.

Oblique is an adjective describing something not straight or level; it can also mean indirect or slanting in direction or position. In geometry, oblique lines are those not perpendicular to a reference, and in everyday use it conveys indirectness or something at an angle rather than direct. The term emphasizes deviation from a straight, horizontal, or vertical course.

Occipital is an adjective and sometimes a noun relating to the back part of the skull or the occipital bone, as in occipital nerves or the occipital region. In anatomy, it designates structures or functions located at the posterior base of the skull, typically involved in visual processing and head orientation. The term is used in clinical and academic contexts, often paired with terms like lobe, bone, and muscle.

Opacity is the quality of being opaque or not allowing light to pass through. In broader use, it also refers to something that is hard to understand or not transparent, whether physically or metaphorically. The term often appears in science, design, and evaluative discourse to denote concealment or lack of clarity.

Osteomyelitis is a medical term describing an infection of bone. It typically starts in bone or adjacent tissue and can spread, causing inflammation and pain. The word is used in clinical, academic, and research contexts to discuss diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis.

Osteoporosis is a medical condition characterized by reduced bone density and strength, increasing fracture risk, especially in older adults. It results from an imbalance between bone resorption and formation, often progressing silently until a fracture occurs. The term combines Greek roots for bone and porous, conveying the idea of porous bones.

Pancreas is a gland located behind the stomach that produces enzymes for digestion and hormones like insulin. In anatomy, it’s a multi-laceted organ playing key roles in digestion and metabolism. The term designates this specific gland and appears in medical, biological, and educational contexts with a formal, clinical register.

Parenchyma is the functional, living tissue of an organ or part, in contrast to supporting or interstitial tissue. In botany and anatomy, it refers to the essential, metabolically active cells that carry out photosynthesis, secretion, or absorption. The term emphasizes the tissue's functional role, not its structural framework.

Parietal is an adjective used in anatomy and related fields to describe structures forming the outer wall of a body cavity or organ, or relating to the parietal bones of the skull. In more general contexts it can refer to the sides and upper parts of a structure, especially in regions near the skull. The term emphasizes a boundary or outer-facing aspect rather than internal content.

Parotid is an anatomical adjective relating to the parotid gland, the large salivary gland near the ear. In medicine, it describes structures, ducts, or processes associated with this gland. The term is precise, used by professionals in anatomy and clinical contexts, and appears in discussions of parotid tumors, ductal anatomy, or parotid region physiology.

Pelvis is the bony structure formed by the hip bones and sacrum that supports the trunk and forms the pelvic cavity. In anatomy contexts it refers to the region bounded by the iliac crests, and in everyday use it often means the pelvis area or pelvic bones collectively. The term is used in medical, fitness, and educational discussions about posture, movement, and reproduction.

Peritoneum is a smooth, continuous serous membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and covers most of the abdominal organs. It forms a closed sac with a parietal and visceral layer, secreting fluid to reduce friction. In anatomy, it serves as a protective, functional surface influencing organ movement and support within the abdomen.

A long noun referring to a lung disease caused by inhaling very fine silica dust. The term is primarily used as a technical, rarely-used word, often cited as one of the longest words in English. It denotes a specific, severe pneumoconiosis resulting from silica exposure.