Glossary Medical Terms

Key Words Specialty Definitions
Asthma, eczema, reaction to drugs Allergy & Immunology Diagnosis and treatment of hypersensitive states resulting from exposure to a particular allergen and diseases of the immune system.
Pain relief, surgery preparation Anesthesiology The administration of anesthetics to cause insensibility to pain.
Hearing Audiology The evaluation of the hearing function to detect hearing impairment and, if there is a hearing disorder, to determine the anatomical site involved and its cause.
Heart, lungs Cardio & Thoracic Surgery A branch of medicine dealing with the use of surgery to treat diseases of the chest and lungs.
Heart and blood vessels Cardiology Diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the heart and blood vessels of adults.
Heart Cardiovascular Disease The study of the structure, function and diseases of the heart.
Child/teen mental, addictions, emotional disorders Child & Adolescent Psychiatry A branch of medicine concerned with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mental illness of children and adolescents.
Muscles Chiropractic The non-drug treatment of musculoskeletal problems, including joint sprains and disk injuries.
Brain and nervous system Clinical Neuropsychology A science concerned with the integration of psychological observations on behavior and the mind with neurological observations on the brain and nervous system.
Mental, addictions, emotional disorders Clinical Psychology Specialist in psychotherapy who works with individuals, groups or families to resolve problems.
Colon, rectum and large intestine Colon & Rectal Surgery Surgery for the treatment of disorders of the large intestine and rectum.
Skin Dermatology Diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the skin.
Skin Dermatopathology The study of the skin.
Electric connections to parts of the body, pacemakers Electrophysiology The study of the electrical aspects of the body or body parts.
ER – immediate medical need Emergency Medicine A medical specialty concerned with the care and treatment of acutely ill or injured patients who need immediate medical attention.
Diabetes, glands, thyroid, adrenal Endocrinology The diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the internal (glands such as the thyroid and adrenal glands. Also includes diagnosis and treatment of diabetes, pituitary diseases, and menstrual and sexual problems.
All family members Family Practice The field of medicine specializing in the treatment of all members of a family (children and adults) for the most common illnesses. The family practitioner is concerned with the total health care for the individual and family.
Stomach, intestines, colon, liver, gallbladder, pancreas Gastroenterology Diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders of the digestive system including the stomach, intestines, colon, liver, gallbladder and the pancreas.
Treats all medical conditions General Practice A physician or group of physicians who provide general medical care.
Elderly Geriatric Medicine The branch of medicine concerned with the physiological and pathological aspects of the elderly.
Women's cancer Gynecologic Oncology Diagnosis and treatment of tumors and malignancies of the female reproductive organs, including the breasts.
Women's Gynecology A branch of medicine that deals with the diseases and routine physical care of the reproductive system of women.
Women's Gynecology Surgery Surgery for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the reproductive system of women.
Hand, wrist Hand Surgery Diagnosis and treatment of deformities and/or injuries of the hand and wrist.
Blood, spleen, lymph nodes Hematology The study of blood, blood clotting mechanisms, bone marrow, lymph nodes and the disorders associated with them.
Blood, spleen, lymph nodes, cancer Hematology/Oncology Diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the blood, spleen, lymph glands, tumors and malignancies.
Contagious disease Infectious Disease Diagnosis of acute and chronic infections, which may or may not be contagious.
Adults, all body systems Internal Medicine Diagnosis and treatment, in adults, of the internal organs and functions of the body pertaining to the heart, circulatory system, lungs, digestive system, kidneys, nervous system and endocrine system.
Pregnancy Maternal & Fetal Medicine The diagnosis and treatment of complications of pregnancy.
Cancer, tumors Medical Oncology The diagnosis and treatment of all types of cancer and other benign and malignant tumors.
Baby care, both before and after birth Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine The branch of medicine concerned with the newborn shortly before and after birth.
Newborn babies Neonatology A branch of medicine concerned with the care, development, and diseases of newborn infants.
Kidneys Nephrology Diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the kidneys, high blood pressure, fluid and mineral balance, and dialysis of body wastes when the kidneys do not function.
Nervous systems, spinal cord, brain, muscles, surgery Neurological Surgery Surgery for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the nervous system which include illnesses involving the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves and muscles.
Nervous systems, spinal cord, brain, muscles Neurology The study of the structure, functioning and diseases of the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves.
Childbirth Nurse Midwife Professional nurses who have received postgraduate training in assisting women in childbirth.
Advanced training nurse Nurse Practitioner A registered nurse who through advanced training is qualified to assume some of the duties and responsibilities formerly assumed only by a physician.
Childbirth Obstetrician A specialist that deals with the medical science of child birth.
Pregnancy, women's health Obstetrics & Gynecology The branch of medicine concerned with the care of women during pregnancy and the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the female reproductive system.
Workplace functions Occupational Medicine Focuses on the relationships among the health of workers, the ability to perform work, the arrangements of work, and the physical and chemical environments of the workplace.
Workplace skills Occupational Therapy The development of adaptive skills, increased performance capacity, and those factors that may impede or restrict ability to function.
Cancer, tumors Oncology The study of tumors.
Eyes Ophthalmology Diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders of the eye.
Bones, joints, muscles Orthopedic Surgery Surgery for correction of deformities and treatment of disorders in joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, cartilage and related structures.
Bones, joints, muscles Orthopedic Diagnosis and treatment of disorders in joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, cartilage and related structures.
Ear, nose and throat Otolaryngology Diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders of the ear, nose, and throat.
Pain Pain Medicine The process of providing medical care that alleviates or reduces pain.
Study of disease Pathology The branch of medicine concerned with study of disease, especially its structure and its functional effect on the body.
Child/teen heart conditions Pediatric Cardiology Diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the heart and blood vessels of infants, children and adolescents.
Child/teen diabetes, glands Pediatric Endocrinology The diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the internal (glands such as the thyroid and adrenal glands) of infants, children and adolescents.
Child/teen stomach, intestines, colon, liver, gallbladder, pancreas Pediatric Gastroenterology Diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders of the digestive system including the stomach, intestines, colon, liver, gallbladder and the pancreas of infants, children, and adolescents.
Child/teen, blood, spleen, lymph nodes, cancer Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the blood, spleen, lymph glands, tumors and malignancies.
Child/teen, contagious disease Pediatric Infectious Disease Diagnosis of acute and chronic infections, which may or may not be contagious of infants, children, and adolescents.
Child/teen, kidneys Pediatric Nephrology Diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the kidney of infants, children, and adolescents.
Child/teen, nervous systems, spinal cord, brain, muscles Pediatric Neurology The study of the structure, functioning and diseases of the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves in infants, children, and adolescents.
Child/teen, bones, joints, muscles Pediatric Orthopaedics Diagnosis and treatment of disorders in joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, cartilage and related structures of infants, children, and adolescents.
Child/teen, lungs and bronchial tubes Pediatric Pulmonology Diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the lungs and other chest tissues of infants, children, and adolescents.
Child/teen, surgery Pediatric Surgery Surgery dealing with a variety of problems, including disorders of the stomach, small intestine and colon as well as the liver, gallbladder and pancreas, and a wide variety of cancers in infants, children, and adolescents.
Child/teen, urinary and genital tract Pediatric Urology A branch of medicine concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the urinary tract in both sexes and the genital tract in the male.
Child/teen medicine Pediatrics Diagnosis and treatment of the diseases of infants, children and adolescents.
Before and after Perinatology A branch of medicine concerned with newborns.
Childbirth Shortly before and after birth.
Restoring physical function Physical Medicine And Rehabilitation Treatment of disease by physical agents such as heat, cold, light, electricity, manipulation or the use of mechanical devices for the restoration of physiologic function.
Restoring physical function Physical Therapy The evaluation and treatment of any person by the employment of the effective properties of physical measures, the performance of tests and measurements as an aid to evaluation.
Surgery for physical restoration/repair Plastic Surgery Surgery concerned with the repair or restoration of defective or missing structures, frequently involving the transference of tissue from a part or person to another part or person.
Foot Podiatry Care and treatment of the foot.
Mental, addictions, emotional disorders Psychiatry A branch of medicine concerned with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mental illness.
Mental, addictions, emotional disorders Psychology Specialist in psychotherapy who works with individuals, groups or families to resolve problems.
Lungs and bronchial tubes Pulmonology A subspecialty of internal medicine concerned with the study of the respiratory system. It is especially concerned with diagnosis and treatment of diseases and defects of the lungs and bronchial tree.
X-rays, ultrasound, MRI for cancer treatment Radiation Oncology The therapeutic applications of radiant energy and its modifiers to the treatment of disease, especially malignant tumors.
X-rays, ultrasound, MRI Radiology Diagnosis and treatment of illnesses and injuries with the use of electromagnetic radiation, ultrasonic, and other forms of radiant energy.
Arthritis Rheumatology A branch of medicine concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of arthritis.
Social needs Social Worker An individual specializing in organized work intended to advance the social conditions of a community, and especially of the disadvantaged, by providing psychological counseling, guidance, and assistance, especially in the form of social services.
Speech, spoken word Speech Pathology The study of communication or expression of thoughts in spoken words.
Sports Sports Medicine The field of medicine concerned with physical fitness and the diagnosis and treatment of injuries sustained in sports activities.
Cutting of the body to treat a disease or condition Surgery A surgical specialty that involves largely the surgical management of diseases of the bowel, gallbladder, stomach and other digestive organs.
Chest, lung Thoracic Surgery A branch of medicine dealing with the use of surgery to treat diseases of the chest and lungs.
Urinary and genital tract Urology A branch of medicine concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the urinary tract in both sexes and the genital tract in the male.
Blood vessels Vascular Surgery A branch of medicine dealing with the use of surgery to treat diseases of the blood vessels.