Essential Medical Vocabulary for Healthcare Settings

Medical Specialties and Their Functions

Paediatrics:

Deals with sick children.

Pharmacy:

Dispenses medicines.

Renal Unit:

Treats kidney diseases.

Obstetrics:

Specializes in pregnancy and birth.

Pathology:

Studies illnesses and analyzes samples.

Dermatology:

Treats diseases of the skin.

Surgery:

Performs operations on patients.

Physiotherapy:

Designs special exercises for patients.

Haematology:

Studies blood disorders.

Orthopaedics:

Treats bones.

Cardiology:

Specializes in the heart.

Neurology:

Treats disorders of the nervous system.

Healthcare Professionals

• Anaesthetist
• Cardiologist
• Consultant
• Lab Technician
• Midwife

Medical Equipment and Instruments

X-ray Machine:

An imaging device used to view the inside of the body.

Scalpel:

A very sharp knife that is used for cutting through skin and flesh during an operation (bisturí).

Dialysis Machine:

A machine used to filter a patient's blood when their kidneys are failing.

Centrifuge:

A machine that turns a container round very quickly, causing the solids and liquids inside it to separate by centrifugal action (Centrifugador).

Neurological Pinwheel:

A diagnostic tool used to test nerve sensation.

Microscopy:

The use, design, or production of microscopes.

Balance:

A weighing instrument.

Human Body Parts

• Spleen (bazo)
• Bowels (intestinos-páncreas)
• Bladder (vejiga)
• Lungs (pulmones)
• Liver (hígado)
• Skin (piel)
• Kidney (riñones)
• Bones (huesos)

Key Medical Terms and Definitions

Diseases:

An illness (enfermedades).

Measuring:

(cuidado)

Treats:

To give medical care to someone who is sick or hurt (tratamiento).

Deals:

(tratar)

Sick:

Not having good health (enfermo).

Waste:

(desechar)

Lift:

(levantar)

Files:

(archivo)

Hospital and Patient Care Items

Stretcher:

A flat structure covered with cloth that is used to carry someone who is hurt (camilla).

Wheelchair:

A chair with wheels used by someone who cannot walk (silla de ruedas).

Syringe:

A piece of medical equipment used to push liquid into or take liquid out of someone’s body.

Pills:

A small, round, hard piece of medicine that you swallow (Píldora).

Jar:

A glass container used for keeping food (tarro, bote).

Crutches:

A stick that you put under your arm to help you walk if your leg is hurt (Muleta).

Bedside Table:

A small table that is kept at the side of a bed (mesita de noche).

Thermometer:

An instrument for measuring temperature, especially of the body (termómetro).

Bucket:

A round, open container with a handle, used for carrying liquids (Cubo).

Handlebar:

A bar for steering, especially on a bicycle or motorcycle.

Potty:

A bowl, sometimes with a handle, that young children sit on and use as a toilet (Orinal).