A-Z Medical Glossary

A

Abdomen: The tummy area from the lower ribs to the pelvis.
Abortion: Ending a pregnancy using either medicines (medical abortion) or an operation (surgical abortion).
Acute: Sudden and severe.
Adhesions: Scars that connect two or more body structures together.
Amniocentesis: A way of testing the fluid surrounding a baby in the womb by taking a small sample with a needle put into the womb through the abdomen.
Anaemia: A condition when the level of haemoglobin, the protein in blood which carries oxygen round the body, is lower than normal.
Antibody: Blood protein that helps fight attacks on the immune system.
Anticoagulant: Medicines to reduce clotting in the blood vessels.
Anus: The opening of the rectum to the outside of the body.

B

Bacteria: Tiny organisms that may cause certain infections.
Benign: Not cancer. A benign lump may grow but will not spread.
Biopsy: The taking of a small sample of tissue for examination.
Bladder: The organ in the pelvis which stores urine before it is passed out through the urethra.
Blood group: The way blood is classified by proteins on the surface of your red blood cells.
Body mass index (BMI): A measurement to work out the range of healthy weights for a person.
Breech position: When the baby is lying bottom first in the womb.

C

Caesarean birth: An operation in which a baby is born through a cut made in the wall of the abdomen and the uterus.
Cancer: A disease of the cells.
Catheter: A small tube that can be passed through a part of the body.
Cell: The tiny building blocks which make up the organs and tissues of the body.
Cervix: The entrance or neck of the womb, at the top of the vagina.
Chemotherapy: Anti-cancer drugs.
Chlamydia: A sexually transmitted infection which can damage the reproductive system.
Chromosomes: The genetic structures within cells which contain our DNA.
Chronic: Something that persists or continues for at least six months.
Colostrum: The first breastmilk produced during pregnancy.
Colposcopy: A hospital examination used to diagnose, monitor and treat cervical cell changes.
Conception: When an egg is fertilised by sperm and then starts to grow in the womb.
Continence: Having full control of the bladder and/or bowel.
Contraception: Methods used to prevent pregnancy.
Corticosteroids: A group of hormones which may be used to suppress the body's immune response.

D

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT): A blood clot that forms in a deep vein.
Delayed miscarriage: A pregnancy that has ended although the fetus is still inside the uterus.
Depression: A common mental health condition, characterised by low mood.
Diabetes: A condition caused by high levels of glucose in the blood.
Diagnosis: The way a medical professional recognises a condition or disease.
Diathermy: A surgical procedure to heat up and destroy body tissue.
Dilatation: The process of your cervix opening during labour.
Doppler: A method for measuring the flow of blood.
Dysmenorrhoea: Painful periods.
Dyspareunia: Pain during or after sexual intercourse.

E

Ectopic pregnancy: When a fertilised egg implants outside the womb.
Eclampsia: Seizures/fits that are a complication of pre-eclampsia.
Embryo: A fertilised egg.
Endometriosis: A condition where cells of the lining of the womb are found elsewhere.
Endometrium: The lining of the womb.
Epidural: An anaesthetic injection into the space around the nerves in your back.
Episiotomy: A cut made through the vaginal wall and perineum to make more space to deliver the baby.
Erb's palsy: Damage to the nerves in the baby's neck affecting arm movement.
Estrogen: A female sex hormone produced by the ovaries.
External cephalic version (ECV): Gentle pressure applied to the abdomen to turn a breech baby.

F

Fallopian tubes: The pair of hollow tubes leading from the womb to the ovaries.
Fertilisation: When a sperm enters an egg and an embryo forms.
Fertility: The ability to conceive a baby.
Fetus: An unborn baby.
Fibroids: Non-cancerous growths that develop in the muscle of the womb.
Folic acid: A B vitamin which reduces the risk of neural tube defects.
Follicle: The part of the ovary where the egg develops.
Forceps delivery: Smooth metal instruments used to help deliver the baby.

G

Gene: A biological unit which passes on inherited information.
Genetic: Relating to, caused or controlled by genes.
Genitals: The sexual organs.
Gestation: The time between conception and birth.
Gestational diabetes: A form of diabetes triggered during pregnancy.
Gonadotrophins: Hormones that help ovulation in women and sperm production in men.
Group B streptococcus (GBS): A bacterium that can be present in the vagina.
Gynaecologist: A doctor who treats conditions affecting the female reproductive system.

H

Haemorrhage: Very heavy bleeding.
HELLP syndrome: A combined liver and blood clotting disorder complicating pre-eclampsia.
Heparin: A type of anti-coagulant medication.
Herpes: A family of viruses causing cold sores and genital herpes.
Hormones: Naturally occurring substances made in the body which control cell activity.
Human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG): A hormone made by the placenta.
Human papillomavirus (HPV): A common virus that can cause cell changes.
Hypertension: Raised blood pressure.
Hysterectomy: An operation to remove the cervix and womb.
Hysterosalpingogram (HSG): An X-ray of the fallopian tubes or the womb.

I

Immune system: The way the body defends itself against infection.
Implantation: When an embryo attaches to the lining of the womb.
In vitro fertilisation (IVF): Fertilising eggs outside the body.
Incontinence: Not having full control over the bladder and/or bowel.
Induction of labour: When labour is started artificially.
Infertility: When a couple fail to conceive after regular intercourse for over a year.
Inflammation: The body's response to injury or infection.
Informed decision: Providing enough information for a patient to decide about treatment.
Intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD): A small device fitted into the womb to prevent conception.
Intrauterine insemination (IUI): Placing sperm into a woman's womb through the cervix.

J

Jaundice: Yellowing of the skin and eyes due to excess bilirubin.
Jejunum: The middle part of the small intestine.
Jugular vein: Major veins in the neck that return blood from the head to the heart.
JVP (Jugular Venous Pressure): An assessment of pressure in the right atrium.

K

Karyotype: A record of the complete set of your chromosomes.
Karyotyping: Testing for chromosomal abnormalities.
Kegel exercises: Exercises to strengthen pelvic floor muscles.
Ketones: Acids produced when the body burns fat for energy.
Kidney: Organs that filter blood and produce urine.
Kleihauer test: A test to detect fetal blood in maternal circulation.

L

Labour: The stages of childbirth.
Laparoscopy: Keyhole surgery involving small cuts in the abdomen.
Laparotomy: A large cut giving surgeons access to the abdomen.
Large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ): Treatment for cervical cell changes.
Libido: Sexual desire.
Local anaesthetic: Anaesthetic given to numb part of the body.
Lupus: An autoimmune condition causing joint pain and skin rashes.
Luteinising hormone (LH): A hormone that helps stimulate ovulation.

M

Macrosomia: A baby that is larger than average.
Meconium: A newborn baby's first stool.
Membranes: Another word for the amniotic sac.
Menopause: When a woman's periods stop, usually around age 50.
Menstrual cycle: The monthly process preparing for possible pregnancy.
Miscarriage: The unplanned loss of a pregnancy before 23 weeks.
Molar pregnancy: A rare condition where the placenta overgrows.
Multiple pregnancy: Carrying more than one baby.
Myomectomy: Surgical removal of fibroids.

N

Neonatal: Relating to newborn babies.
Neonatal unit: Intensive care for premature or ill newborns.
Neonatologist: A doctor specialising in newborn care.
Neural tube defects: Abnormalities of the skull or spine.
Nuchal translucency scan: An ultrasound scan for Down syndrome screening.

O

Obstetrician: A doctor specialising in pregnancy care.
Oedema: Swelling in any part of the body.
Oestrogen: See Estrogen.
Oligohydramnios: Too little amniotic fluid.
Oocyte donation: When eggs are donated to help another woman.
Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS): A complication of fertility treatment.
Ovaries: Organs producing eggs and hormones.
Ovulation: Release of an egg from the ovary.

P

Paediatrician: A doctor specialising in children's care.
Pelvic floor muscles: Muscles supporting the bladder and pelvic organs.
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID): Infection in the womb, fallopian tubes or pelvis.
Pelvis: The bony structure at the lower abdomen.
Perineal tear: When the perineum tears during childbirth.
Perineum: The area between the vagina and anus.
Period: Monthly bleed from the vagina.
Pessaries: Medication or device placed in the vagina.
Placenta: The organ linking baby with mother's blood supply.
Placenta praevia: Placenta covering all or part of the cervix.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): A condition affecting menstrual cycle and fertility.
Polyp: A growth of tissue from a lining layer.
Post-mortem: Examination to find cause of death.
Postnatal: After birth.
Pre-eclampsia: High blood pressure and protein in urine in pregnancy.
Premature birth: Baby born before 37 weeks.
Progesterone: A hormone preparing the womb lining.
Prolapse: When pelvic organs bulge through the vaginal wall.
Prostaglandin: Hormone making the womb contract.
Pulmonary embolus: Blood clot in the lung.

Q

Quad screen: A blood test to screen for certain birth defects.
Quickening: The first movements of the fetus felt by the mother.

R

Randomised controlled trial (RCT): A study testing treatment effectiveness.
Rectocele: When the rectum bulges into the vagina.
Rectum: The part of the large intestine storing solid waste.
Recurrent miscarriage: Three or more consecutive miscarriages.
Reproductive organs: Body parts needed to create a pregnancy.
RhD antigen: A protein on red blood cells.
Risk: The chance that harm will occur.

S

Sanitary pad: Absorbent material for menstruation.
Scientific evidence: Information gathered systematically.
Screening: Testing for conditions in asymptomatic people.
Second stage of labour: From full cervical dilation to birth.
Sedation: Medication to make you relaxed and comfortable.
Semen: The fluid containing sperm.
Sepsis: Life-threatening response to infection.
Sexually transmitted infection (STI): Infection passed through sexual contact.
Shoulder dystocia: Baby's shoulder getting stuck during birth.
Speculum: Instrument to separate vaginal walls.
Sperm: The male reproductive cell.
Spina bifida: A birth defect affecting the spine.
Spinal anaesthesia: Anaesthetic injection into the lower back.
Spontaneous vaginal birth: Natural birth without assistance.
Sterilisation: Permanent contraception.
Stillbirth: Baby born dead after 24 weeks.
Stress incontinence: Leaking urine during activity.
Sutures: Stitches.
Symptom: A sign of a condition.

T

Tachycardia: A rapid heart beat.
Tampon: Absorbent material inserted into the vagina.
Term: Between 37 and 42 weeks of pregnancy.
Testosterone: Male hormone occurring in small amounts in women.
Third-degree tear: Tear extending to the anal sphincter.
Threatened miscarriage: Bleeding without harm to the baby.
Thrombophilia: A blood clotting abnormality.
Thrombosis: A clot in a blood vessel.
Thrush: A yeast infection.
Tocolysis: Treatments to delay preterm labour.
Toxaemia: See pre-eclampsia.
Transabdominal scan: Ultrasound through the abdomen.
Transvaginal scan: Ultrasound probe inserted into the vagina.
Transverse position: Baby lying across the womb.
Trimester: A three-month period of pregnancy.
Tubal occlusion: Female sterilisation.

U

Ultrasound: Sound waves used to create images.
Umbilical cord: The cord connecting mother and baby.
Urethra: The tube through which urine passes.
Urine: Fluid waste from the body.
Urodynamics: Tests assessing bladder function.
Uterine rupture: Tearing of the uterine muscle.
Uterus (womb): The organ where a baby develops.

V

Vagina: The canal leading from the vulva to the cervix.
Vaginal discharge: Secretion from the vagina.
Vaginal examination: Internal check of the vagina and cervix.
Vaginal swab: Sample collection for infection testing.
Vaginal thrush: Candida infection of the vagina.
Varicella: Chickenpox.
Vas deferens: Tube carrying sperm.
Vasectomy: Male sterilisation.
Vein: Blood vessel taking blood to the heart.
Velamentous cord insertion: Umbilical cord inserted into membranes.
Venous thrombosis: Blood clot in a vein.
Ventouse delivery: Vacuum-assisted birth.
Virus: A micro-organism invading living cells.
Vulva: External female genital area.

W

Weak cervix: When the cervix opens too early.
White cell count: Measure of infection-fighting cells.
Womb: See uterus.

X

X-chromosome: One of the two sex chromosomes.
X-ray: Electromagnetic radiation for imaging.

Y

Y-chromosome: The male sex chromosome.
Yeast infection: See thrush.

Z

Zygote: A fertilised egg before cell division.
Zoonosis: Disease transmitted from animals to humans.

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