Unit 14 Vocabulary — Medical Science

Noun (thing)
ADME
the four stages a drug goes through when administered: Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism and Excretion
Before being approved for use, new drugs must be studied according to ADME.
Noun (thing)
Cytology
the study of cells
Urine was collected so as to perform a cytology test.
Noun (thing)
Embryology
the study of the unborn baby
Developments in the field of embryology have resulted in advancements in artificial insemination.
Noun (thing)
Genes
nucleotides passed from the parents to a child, which determine the makeup of the body and mind
Our physical and mental characteristics are highly determined by our genes.
Noun (thing)
Hematology
the study of blood
The complete blood count is the most common hematology test.
Noun (thing)
Histology
the study of tissue using a microscope
A lot of smaller hospitals are not equipped to conduct complex histology tests.
Noun (thing)
Idiosyncrasy
an unusual side effect of a drug
No one had expected the medication to cause this idiosyncrasy.
Noun (thing)
Oncology
the study of and treatment of tumors
The oncology ward can accommodate 30 patients.
Noun (thing)
Ophthalmology
the study of disorders of the eye
He studied general medicine for the first 5 years and then specialized in ophthalmology.
Noun (thing)
Optometry
the study of the eye
New technologies are dramatically changing the field of optometry and allowing more people to see better.
Noun (thing)
Orthopedics
the study of bones and joints
Historically, orthopedics was dominated by men due to the physical demands of the job.
Noun (thing)
Otology
the study of the ears and hearing
His research in otology led to finding a cure for certain kinds of deafness.
Noun (thing)
Pathology
the study of changes in the body caused by disease
His interest in pathology started in medical school when his father died of heart disease.
Noun (thing)
Percussion
the action of tapping the body and listening to the sound produced as a method of diagnosis
The doctor performed percussion on the rib cage and listened to the sound.
Noun (thing)
Phlebotomy
the removal of blood using a needle
A blood sample was taken using phlebotomy.
Noun (thing)
Proctology
the study of rectal and anal disorders
The proctology ward is fully equipped with all modern diagnostic machines.
Noun (thing)
Prognosis
the likely course of a medical condition
The doctor said that the prognosis was good for a full recovery.
Adjective
Somatic
related or connected to the body
It was clear that the symptoms were somatic in origin.
Noun (thing)
Treadmill stress test
a test to measure heart function while exercising
The treadmill stress test showed an irregular heartbeat.
Noun (thing)
Urinalysis
analysis of the liquid body waste
The urinalysis showed the presence of bacteria in the urine.