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.
The deltoid region is the rounded area over the top and outer side of the shoulder, formed by the deltoid muscle, where injections are often given. 👁 What Does “Deltoid Region” Mean? The deltoid region is the rounded area over the top and outer side of the shoulder, formed by the deltoid muscle. It extends […]
The intergluteal cleft, also called the natal cleft, is the medical term for the groove between the two buttocks. 👁 What Does “Intergluteal Cleft” Mean? Intergluteal cleft literally means the groove between the buttocks. The word comes from Latin: inter meaning between, and gluteus meaning buttock, while cleft comes from Old English meaning a split […]
The buttocks (medical term: gluteal region) are the two rounded, fleshy areas at the back of the hips that you sit on, formed by the gluteal muscles. 👁 What Does “Buttocks” Mean? Buttocks refers to the rounded, fleshy area at the back of the hips that people sit on. The word comes from Old English […]
The auscultatory triangle is a small area on the upper back, beside the shoulder blade, where the lungs are easiest to hear with a stethoscope. 👁 What Does “Auscultatory Triangle” Mean? The auscultatory triangle is a small triangular area on the upper back where the chest wall is relatively thin. The term comes from Latin: […]
The lumbar triangle, or Petit’s triangle, is a small triangular gap in the muscles of the lower back just above the hip bone. 👁 What Does “Lumbar Triangle” Mean? The lumbar triangle refers to a small triangular area in the lower back. The word lumbar comes from the Latin lumbus, meaning lower back, while triangle […]
The infrascapular region is the area of the back just below the shoulder blade (scapula), often examined when listening to the lungs. 👁 What Does “Infrascapular Region” Mean? The infrascapular region literally means the area below the scapula, or shoulder blade. The term comes from Latin: infra meaning below, and scapula meaning shoulder blade. In […]
The iliac crest is the curved upper edge of the hip bone that you can feel under the skin at the sides of the waist. 👁 What Does “Iliac Crest” Mean? The iliac crest is the curved, upper edge of the hip bone that you can often feel just under the skin. The word iliac […]
The groin (medical term: inguinal region) is the fold on each side of the body where the lower abdomen meets the top of the thigh. 👁 What Does “Groin” Mean? The groin refers to the fold where the lower abdomen meets the upper thigh. The word comes from Middle English and Old French roots (groyne, […]
The umbilicus is the medical term for the belly button, or navel: the scar in the center of the abdomen where the umbilical cord was attached. 👁 What Does “Umbilicus” Mean? The word umbilicus literally means the center point of the abdomen, commonly known as the belly button. It comes from the Latin word umbilicus, […]
The loin is the area of the lower back on each side of the spine, between the ribs and the hips, lying over the kidneys. 👁 What Does “Loin” Mean? Loin refers to the area of the lower back on either side of the spine, between the ribs and the hips, usually overlying the kidneys. […]