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 throat (medical term: pharynx) is the passage behind the mouth and nose that leads to the esophagus and the trachea. 👁 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 […]
Mentum is the medical term for the chin: the lower front part of the face below the mouth, formed by the front of the mandible. 👁 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 […]
A beard is the hair that grows on the lower part of the face, especially the chin, cheeks and jawline, of an adult male. 👁 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 jaw is the bone that forms the lower part of the face and holds the teeth; the lower jaw is called the mandible and the upper jaw the maxilla. 👁 What Does “Jaw” Mean? The jaw refers to the bone that forms the lower part of the face and holds the lower teeth. In […]
Gingiva is the medical term for the gums: the firm pink soft tissue that surrounds the teeth and covers the jawbone. 👁 What Does “Gingiva” Mean? Gingiva refers to the soft tissue that surrounds and supports the teeth, more commonly known as the gums. The word comes from Latin gingiva, meaning “gum” or “mucous tissue […]
A nostril (medical term: naris, plural nares) is one of the two external openings of the nose through which air enters and leaves. 👁 What Does “Nostril” Mean? The word nostril refers to one of the two external openings of the nose. Each nostril allows air to enter and exit the nasal passages. The term […]
The ala of the nose is the medical term for the wing of the nostril: the rounded, flared outer wall on each side of the nose. 👁 What Does “Ala of Nose” Mean? In medical terminology, “Ala” comes from the Latin word for “wing.”So the Ala of the Nose literally means the “wing of the […]
The dorsum of the nose is the medical term for the bridge of the nose: the ridge running from between the eyes down to the tip. The dorsum of the nose is a term that often appears in clinical notes or anatomy descriptions — but what exactly does it mean, and how do doctors use […]
A lentigo is a small, flat, dark spot on the skin caused by extra melanin, often called an age spot or sun spot; the plural is lentigines. Have you ever noticed a small, flat brown spot on someone’s cheek or hand and wondered what doctors call it? Today’s term will help you describe those common […]
Bucca is the medical term for the cheek: the side of the face between the nose and the ear, as in “buccal swelling” or “buccal mucosa.” Have you ever heard a doctor mention something like “buccal swelling” or “buccal pain” during an oral exam? Today’s word Bucca is a simple but essential anatomy term that […]