Medical English vocabulary for the OET and for clinical practice. Learn the anatomical and clinical terms used in case notes, referral letters and consultations, with clear definitions, collocations, pronunciation and example sentences. The Word of the Day series works through the body from head to toe, pairing each medical term with the everyday word patients use.
👁 What Does “Vertex” Mean? The vertex is the crown of the head: the highest point of the skull, on the midline at the top of the head. It lies above the ears and between the forehead and the back of the head. The word is Latin for “highest point” or “summit”, from vertere, “to […]
Phalanges are the small bones of the fingers and toes (singular: phalanx); each finger has three and each thumb has two. 👁 What Does “Phalanges” Mean? Phalanges are the bones of the fingers and toes. The singular form is phalanx. Each finger has three phalanges — proximal, middle and distal — while the thumb has […]
The thenar eminence is the medical term for the ball of the thumb: the rounded, fleshy bulge on the palm at the base of the thumb. 👁 What Does “Thenar Eminence” Mean? The thenar eminence is the rounded, fleshy bulge on the palm at the base of the thumb. It is formed by three short […]
The dorsum of the hand is the medical term for the back of the hand: the surface opposite the palm, from the wrist to the knuckles. 👁 What Does “Dorsum of the Hand” Mean? The dorsum of the hand is the back of the hand — the surface opposite the palm, from the wrist to […]
The anatomical snuffbox is the small triangular hollow on the back of the wrist at the base of the thumb, seen when the thumb is extended. 👁 What Does “Anatomical Snuffbox” Mean? The anatomical snuffbox is the small, triangular hollow on the back of the wrist at the base of the thumb. It becomes visible […]
Volar means on the palm side of the hand, wrist or forearm; the opposite side is called dorsal. 👁 What Does “Volar” Mean? Volar is an adjective meaning on the palm side of the hand, wrist or forearm. If you stand in anatomical position with your palms facing forward, everything facing forward on your hand […]
The antebrachium is the medical term for the forearm: the part of the arm between the elbow and the wrist, containing the radius and ulna. 👁 What Does “Antebrachium” Mean? The antebrachium is the forearm — the part of the upper limb between the elbow and the wrist. It contains two bones: the radius (on […]
The olecranon is the bony point of the elbow: the upper end of the ulna that you can feel at the back of the elbow when the arm is bent. 👁 What Does “Olecranon” Mean? The olecranon is the bony point of the elbow — the curved upper end of the ulna that you can […]
The antecubital fossa is the medical term for the inner elbow: the triangular hollow on the front of the elbow where blood is usually drawn. 👁 What Does “Antecubital Fossa” Mean? The antecubital fossa is the shallow, triangular hollow on the front of the elbow — the area you see when you bend your arm […]
The brachium is the medical term for the upper arm: the part of the arm between the shoulder and the elbow, containing the humerus. 👁 What Does “Brachium” Mean? The brachium is the upper arm — the part of the upper limb between the shoulder and the elbow. It contains a single bone, the humerus. […]