Category Archives: OET Vocabulary

Chest – Meaning and Usage in Medical English

Chest – The Medical Term for “Front of the Upper Torso

👁 What Does “Chest” Mean? The word chest refers to the front part of the upper torso, covering the heart, lungs, ribs, and surrounding soft tissues. It comes from Old English roots meaning “box” or “container,” reflecting how the rib cage protects vital organs inside. In medicine, chest is used across nearly all specialties — […]

OET Must-Know Vocabulary: Head & Neck Anatomy

Head and neck anatomy vocabulary for OET learners

Understanding head and neck anatomy terms is essential for OET Speaking, Listening, and real clinical communication. Below is a quick, simple reference you can study anytime. Start with the short video, then review the list of key terms with OET-style example sentences. Head & Neck Vocabulary List (with OET Examples) Back & Side of the […]

Axilla – Meaning and Usage in Medical English

Axilla - The Medical Term for “the Armpit”

👁 What Does “Axilla” Mean? The word axilla literally means the hollow under the arm, commonly known as the armpit. It comes from Latin, where axilla referred to the small space beneath the upper arm. In modern medicine, the term is used whenever professionals need a precise anatomical word rather than an everyday expression. Clinically, […]

Acromion – Meaning and Usage in Medical English

Acromion – The Medical Term for “the Top of the Shoulder

👁 What Does “Acromion” Mean? The acromion is the bony projection at the top of the scapula, forming the highest point of the shoulder.The term comes from the Greek akron (meaning “tip” or “summit”) and ōmos (“shoulder”), literally describing “the tip of the shoulder.” In medicine, acromion is used in orthopedics, sports medicine, emergency care, […]

Trunk – Meaning and Usage in Medical English

Trunk - The Medical Term for “the Central Body”

👁 What Does “Trunk” Mean? The trunk refers to the central part of the human body, excluding the head and limbs. It includes the thorax, abdomen, and pelvis — essentially everything between the neck and the hips. The word comes from Latin truncus, meaning “the main stem of a tree.” In modern medicine, trunk is […]

Sternocleidomastoid (SCM) – Meaning and Usage in Medical English

Blog header displaying the term “Sternocleidomastoid” for a medical English article

👁 What Does “Sternocleidomastoid” Mean? The term sternocleidomastoid literally describes its attachments: the sternum (sterno-), the clavicle (cleido-), and the mastoid process behind the ear. The word comes from a combination of Greek and Latin anatomical roots, and it is used universally in medicine, anatomy, physiotherapy, and ENT examinations. Clinicians usually refer to it in […]

Laryngeal Prominence – Meaning and Usage in Medical English

Laryngeal Prominence – Anatomy and Meaning of the Adam’s Apple in Medical English

👁 What Does “Laryngeal Prominence” Mean? The term laryngeal prominence refers to the visible bump on the front of the neck, commonly known as the Adam’s apple. It comes from laryngeal (meaning “of the larynx,” from Greek larynx) and prominence (meaning “something that projects outward”). This structure is formed by the thyroid cartilage — the […]

Throat – Meaning and Usage in Medical English

Medical header banner with the title “Throat

👁 What Does “Throat” Mean? The throat refers to the passage that connects the mouth and nose to the esophagus and trachea. The word comes from Old English þrote, meaning “neck” or “gullet,” and is widely used in both everyday and clinical English. Anatomically, it includes the pharynx and larynx, which play key roles in […]

Mentum – Meaning and Usage in Medical English

Header: “Mentum – The Medical Term for Chin” on medical banner

👁 What Does “Mentum” Mean? Mentum refers to the lower front part of the face, commonly known as the chin. The word comes from Latin, meaning “chin” or “projection.” In anatomical terms, it’s part of the mandible (lower jawbone) and forms the prominent point of the jawline. 🔍 Clinical Usage In clinical documentation, you’ll often […]

Beard – Meaning and Usage in Medical English

close-up of lower face showing beard region for medical study

👁 What Does “Beard” Mean? The beard refers to the hair that grows on the lower part of the face, especially on the chin, cheeks, and jawline. The word comes from the Old English beard, which has remained largely unchanged in modern usage. In medical or anatomical contexts, it’s often used to describe a region […]