Dictionary of Medical Terms
Understanding complex medical terminology can be a difficult task, but the job is easier if you have access to a comprehensive online dictionary of medical terms.
There are many reasons people turn to an online dictionary of medical terms. For example, a dictionary can be useful if you don't understand the information your doctor told you at your most recent appointment. If you suffer from a chronic illness such as diabetes, you may also want to use a dictionary to help you learn more about your condition and understand any unfamiliar terminology you come across as you are researching treatment options.
However, it's important to realize that the information you find in a dictionary of medical terms should not be used as a substitute for seeking proper medical care. A medical dictionary is merely a tool that can help you become a more active participant in managing your health.
Information Accuracy When Using a Dictionary of Medical Terms
When you're discussing medical issues, accuracy is extremely important. Therefore, any medical dictionary you use should have information about the author's credentials. A dictionary written by an experienced health care professional and endorsed by a well-known research hospital is generally going to be a much more reliable source of information than a website run by a private individual. However, you should always verify the accuracy of the information you've found with your physician as an additional precaution.
MedLine Plus Medical Dictionary
A service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health, the MedLine Plus Medical Dictionary is a wonderful resource for the layperson interested in learning more about the terminology used in the health care field. A simple keyword search makes it easy to find the definition you need, as well as a pronunciation guide and a list of synonyms. If you're not sure of the spelling, you can search this dictionary of medical terms by typing the first few letters followed by an asterisk (*) to return a list of potential matches.
In addition to the medical dictionary, the MedLine Plus website also contains a database of drugs and dietary supplements, a medical encyclopedia, news, physical directories, and a collection of articles on various health and wellness topics. There is a version of the site as well.
The MedTerms Medical Dictionary is an easy-to-use guide to understanding complex medical terminology. This helpful resource contains over 16,000 definitions. There is also a featured word of the day that may be of interest to trivia buffs and visitors planning to pursue careers in the medical field.
You can find information in this dictionary of medical terms by performing a keyword search or simply browsing the A-Z alphabetical index. Each definition page provides a brief describe of the term, as well as links to related articles. If you can't find the information you need, you can even submit a request to have a new definition added to the site.
The MedTerms Medical Dictionary is a service of the MedicineNet.com website. All content is written and reviewed by an editorial board of experienced health care professionals.
Family Doctor Dictionary of Common Medical Terms
As a parent, taking responsibility for your child's health can be a frightening task. However, the American Academy of Family Physicians has prepared a glossary of 1,300 common medical terms to assist you in making smart decisions about your child's medical care. This useful website has a keyword search and an A-Z alphabetical index, as well as a symptom search engine and information about popular prescription drugs. There are also articles on various medical topics to help you learn more about issues of interest to your family.
Multilingual Glossary of Medical Terms
If you're traveling overseas or English is not your native language, this dictionary of medical terms will be a valuable resource. You can use this website to look up the meaning of common medical terminology in Danish, Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish. This dictionary is a project of The European Commission, Heymans Institute of Pharmacology, and Mercator School Department of Applied Linguistics.