105 Key Medical Terms & Abbreviations To Know

It is impossible to begin certain careers in healthcare without a strong understanding of medical terms.

Accurate use of basic medical terminology makes all the difference when it comes to patient care, medical coding, and connecting medical providers across specialties. In fact, the medical terminology list you are about to review will contribute to the foundation of your future in healthcare.

Looking to deepen your knowledge? Check out our Medical Terminology course! >

Take some time to familiarize yourself with the medical abbreviations and terms below, and learn about the next step to advancing your career from home.

Important Medical Terms

These key terms and medical abbreviations were compiled from a variety of sources, including leading medical institutions and dictionaries.

1. Abdominal: Relating to the abdomen
2. Abrasion: Damage from a scrape
3. Abscess: A swollen area within tissue containing pus
4. Acute: Severe or intense
5. Adhesion: Scar tissue that joins two areas of the body
6. ADR: Abbreviation for adverse drug reaction
7. Amniocentesis: The means for sampling amniotic fluid to screen for abnormalities in a fetus
8. Anaphylaxis: A severe allergic reaction that can be life-threatening
9. Anemia: A condition in which the body does not produce enough healthy red blood cells
10. Angina: A condition caused by inadequate blood flow to the heart that results in severe chest pain, often spreading within the upper body
11. Angiography: A type of X-ray used to examine blood vessels
12. Antigen: A toxin that when introduced to the body triggers an immune response, especially the production of antibodies
13. Benign: Not harmful
14. Biopsy: The process of examining tissue removed from the body to look for signs of disease
15. Blood Group: Any of the types of human blood, each with its own characteristics
16. BRCA: Abbreviation for breast cancer; testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2 can be done to detect breast cancer susceptibility
17. Cancer: Disease caused by abnormal cell division
18. CBC: Abbreviation for complete blood count; a blood test
19. Cholesterol: A fat-like substance naturally produced by the liver and absorbed from food; required in healthy amounts for proper bodily functions
20. Chronic: Persisting for a long period of time
21. Contusion: A bruise; the result of ruptured capillaries
22. Coronary: Major blood vessels surrounding the heart
23. Defibrillator: A device used to correct life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias
24. Diabetes (Type 1 and Type 2): A disease in which the body is unable to produce or respond to insulin. Type 1 typically shows up earlier in life and is believed to be an autoimmune reaction. Type 2 develops over years and is related to lifestyle factors, such as being overweight.
25. Diastolic Blood Pressure: Bottom number in a blood pressure reading; pressure during the resting phase between heartbeats
26. Diathermy: A technique in which heat is created by high-frequency electric currents with the goal of relieving pain, getting rid of unhealthy tissue or stopping bleeding
27. DNR: Abbreviation for do not resuscitate; a legal document that dictates whether life-saving measures can be performed on a patient
28. DVT: Abbreviation for deep vein thrombosis; when a blood clot forms in at least one vein deep in the body
29. EBCT: Abbreviation for electron-beam computed tomography; a test for calcium build up in the heart
30. ECG or EKG: Both abbreviations for electrocardiogram; a recording of the heart’s rhythm used to monitor cardiovascular health and detect issues
31. Embolism: A clot of blood or air bubble that obstructs an artery
32. Enzyme: A protein that accelerates chemical reactions in the body
33. Epidermis: The outermost layer of skin
34. False Negative: When a test incorrectly indicates that a particular condition is absent, when it is in fact present
35. Flavonoids: Chemical compounds often found in plants, fruits, vegetables, and leaves; found to have antiviral, anti inflammatory, and anticancer properties
36. FRAX Tool: Abbreviation for fracture risk assessment tool; used to measure bone fracture risk
37. FX: Abbreviation for fracture
38. GAD: Abbreviation for generalized anxiety disorder
39. Galactagogue: A food or drug that increases the flow of a mother’s milk
40. Gangrene: Decomposition of tissue in a contained area of the body caused by either obstructed circulation or a bacterial infection
41. Gastric: Pertaining to the stomach
42. HAART (or ART): Abbreviations for highly active antiretroviral therapy; meaning a combination of drugs are used as treatment
43. HDL: Abbreviation for high-density lipoprotein; commonly known as “good” cholesterol
44. Heart Attack: A medical emergency when the flow of blood that brings oxygen to the heart is blocked
45. Hemiplegia: Paralysis of one side of the body
46. HRT: Abbreviation for hormone replacement therapy
47. Hypertension: Also known as high blood pressure; when the pressure of blood against artery walls is elevated
48. Hypotension: Also known as low blood pressure; a sudden drop in blood pressure often leads to light-headedness and could be a sign of an underlying condition
49. Hypoxia: Deficiency of oxygen at the tissue level
50. IBD: Abbreviation for inflammatory bowel disease
51. Immunotherapy: Using substances that stimulate a natural immune response to prevent or treat disease
52. Incontinence: The inability to control urination or defecation
53. Inpatient: A patient who stays at the hospital for the entirety of treatment
54. Intravenous: Within a vein
55. IVF: Abbreviation for in vitro fertilization; an egg and sperm are fertilized outside the body, such as in a laboratory setting
56. Jaundice: A medical condition that causes the skin and eyes to yellow as a result of an obstructed bile duct or liver disease
57. Joint: The place where two two bones are fitted together
58. Keratin: The main fibrous protein that makes up hair
59. Ketamine: A synthetic compound used as an anesthetic
60. LDL: Abbreviation for low-density lipoprotein; commonly known as “bad” cholesterol
61. Lumbar: Referring to the lower back
62. Lumbosacral: Referring to the lumbar and sacral regions of the back
63. Lymph Node: Small structures throughout the body containing cells that work to fight illnesses by filtering foreign substances
64. Malignant: To become progressively worse; commonly use in the context of cancer
65. MRI: Abbreviation for magnetic resonance imaging; a medical imaging technique
66. Myocardial infarction: Also known as a heart attack
67. Neonate: An infant younger than four weeks old
68. NO: Abbreviation for nitric oxide; a compound used to widen blood vessels and counteract high blood pressure
69. NSAID: Abbreviation for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug; used to reduce swelling and pain
70. Occipital lobe: Area in the back of the brain responsible for visual processing
71. Occlusion: Referring to a partial or complete blockage
72. Opiate: A substance derived from opium
73. Opioid: A compound resembling opium in its addictiveness and effect
74. Otitis: Inflammation of the ear
75. Outpatient: When care is given without admission to a hospital or healthcare facility
76. Palliative care: A means of mitigating symptoms in the interest of quality of life
77. Pituitary gland: Located at the base of the brain; responsible for regulating the thyroid and other endocrine system glands
78. Prognosis: The expected outcome of a disease or illness
79. Quadriplegia: Paralysis of all limbs
80. Radiograph: Alternate name for an X-ray
81. Radial Tunnel Syndrome: A condition in which the radial nerve is compressed at the elbow, causing pain, tingling, and numbness in the hand and arm
82. Remission: The disappearance of symptoms of a disease; can be temporary or permanent
83. Retroperitoneal: The membrane that lines the abdominal cavity
84. SAD: Abbreviation for seasonal affective disorder; depression brought on by lack of sunlight exposure
85. Sepsis: A serious reaction to infection within the body; typically an extreme response
86. Symptom: An indication of something, especially disease or some other physical disturbance
87. Syndrome: A group of symptoms that occur simultaneously
88. Systolic blood pressure: Top number in a blood pressure reading; a measure of the pressure blood exerts against arterial walls when the heart contracts
89. Thoracic: Regarding the chest
90. Thrombophilia: A disorder that makes blood more likely to clot
91. Thrombosis: Formation of a blood clot
92. TSH: Abbreviation for thyroid-stimulating hormone; secreted by the pituitary gland that simulates actions of the thyroid
93. Ulcer: Breakage of the skin or other surface that leads to inflammation or infection
94. Ultrasound: Noninvasive imaging method using high-frequency sound waves
95. Urinalysis: Analysis of urine
96. Varicella: The technical name of the viral infection chicken pox
97. Vascular: Relating to blood vessels
98. Vena cava: A large vein carrying deoxygenated blood into the heart
99. Wernicke’s area: Area of the brain responsible for speech
100. White blood cells: Part of the immune system that protects the body from infection
101. Xeroderma: Any disease involving extreme skin dryness
102. Xerostomia: Under-productive salivary glands in the mouth
103. X-ray: An image of the internal structure of the body by using an electromagnetic wave of high energy
104. YAG capsulotomy: A technique used to correct blurred vision
105. Zoonotic: An infectious disease that is transmissible from animals to humans

A MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY COURSE IS VALUABLE TO YOUR CAREER

Taking a medical terminology course is a great first step to equip you with the skills and knowledge you’ll need to be successful.

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Improving Your Knowledge of Medical Abbreviations and Terms

Become a master of medical terms from home by taking advantage of the University of San Diego’s online medical terminology course. This self-paced offering is designed with current and prospective healthcare workers in mind, and includes updated lecture content, assignments, and access to the DavisPlus learning lab.

Upon completion, you will be able to:

• Classify and define medical terms
• Interpret diagnostic, laboratory, and medical abbreviations
• Construct medical terms using root words, combining forms, prefixes, and suffixes

The course is also ideal for students who need medical terminology credit as a prerequisite for nursing and medical-specific programs.