36 Medical Words - English Medical Vocabulary

Medical words can be hard to understand, but knowing them can help you talk to doctors and nurses more easily. This post will teach you 36 important medical words, like stethoscope, bandage, and syringe. You will learn what each word means and see examples of how to use them. By the end, you will know these words better, so you can feel more confident at the doctor’s office or in a hospital. This will help you ask questions and understand your health better.

List of Medical Words

Stethoscope
Scalpel
Syringe
Gauze
Bandage
Gloves
Wheelchair
IV Drip
Surgical Mask
Catheter
Defibrillator
Suction Machine
Bedpan
IV Pole
Crutches
Oxygen Tank
MRI Machine
CT Scanner
Ventilator
Nebulizer
ECG Machine
Surgical Gown
Tourniquet
Cautery Pen
Nasogastric Tube
EKG Electrodes
Surgical Drapes
Oxygen Mask
X-ray Machine
Surgical Gloves
Pulse Oximeter
Cervical Traction
Blood Pressure Monitor
Surgical Sponges
Ultrasound Machine
Anesthesia Machine

1. Stethoscope

Definition: A tool that doctors use to listen to sounds inside the body, like the heart and lungs.

Example: The doctor uses a stethoscope to hear my heartbeat.
Example: The nurse checks my breathing with a stethoscope.

2. Scalpel

Definition: A small, sharp knife used by doctors in surgery.

Example: The doctor uses a scalpel to make a small cut.
Example: The scalpel is very sharp and is used in operations.

3. Syringe

Definition: A tool with a needle that doctors use to give medicine or take blood.

Example: The nurse uses a syringe to give me an injection.
Example: The doctor takes blood with a syringe. [medical words]

4. Gauze

Definition: A thin fabric used to cover wounds.

Example: The nurse puts gauze on my cut.
Example: Gauze helps keep my wound clean.

5. Bandage

Definition: A strip of material used to cover and protect wounds.

Example: I have a bandage on my knee.
Example: The nurse puts a bandage on my arm.

6. Gloves

Definition: A pair of coverings for hands, often used by doctors for hygiene.

Example: The doctor wears gloves to keep everything clean.
Example: Nurses wear gloves before touching patients.

7. Wheelchair

Definition: A chair with wheels, used by people who have difficulty walking.

Example: She uses a wheelchair to move around.
Example: The nurse helps him into the wheelchair.

8. IV Drip

Definition: A way of giving fluids or medicine through a tube into a vein.

Example: The nurse sets up an IV drip for my medicine.
Example: I get fluids through an IV drip in my arm.

9. Surgical Mask

Definition: A mask doctors wear to cover their nose and mouth during surgery.

Example: Doctors wear surgical masks in the operating room.
Example: The nurse puts on a surgical mask to protect herself.

10. Catheter

Definition: A tube used to drain fluids from the body or give medicine.

Example: The doctor uses a catheter to help the patient.
Example: The catheter helps remove urine from the body.

11. Defibrillator

Definition: A machine that helps restart the heart.

Example: The doctor uses a defibrillator on the patient.
Example: A defibrillator can save someone’s life.

12. Suction Machine

Definition: A machine that removes fluids, like blood, from the body during surgery.

Example: The doctor uses a suction machine in the operation.
Example: The suction machine keeps the area clean. [medical words]

13. Bedpan

Definition: A container used by people who can’t get out of bed to go to the bathroom.

Example: The nurse gives the patient a bedpan.
Example: He uses a bedpan while he is in bed.

14. IV Pole

Definition: A stand that holds the IV drip bag.

Example: The nurse hangs the IV bag on the IV pole.
Example: The IV pole keeps the medicine bag steady.

15. Crutches

Definition: Supports to help people walk when they hurt a leg.

Example: I use crutches because my leg is broken.
Example: She needs crutches to walk after her accident.

16. Oxygen Tank

Definition: A tank that holds oxygen for people who have trouble breathing.

Example: The oxygen tank helps him breathe better.
Example: The nurse gives her an oxygen tank to use.

17. MRI Machine

Definition: A large machine that takes detailed pictures of the inside of the body.

Example: The doctor uses an MRI machine to see inside my body.
Example: I go into the MRI machine for a scan.

18. CT Scanner

Definition: A machine that takes cross-section images of the body.

Example: The CT scanner helps find the problem in my stomach.
Example: I lie still in the CT scanner for the test. [medical words]

19. Ventilator

Definition: A machine that helps people breathe.

Example: The patient is on a ventilator to help with breathing.
Example: The doctor puts her on a ventilator after surgery.

20. Nebulizer

Definition: A machine that turns liquid medicine into a mist to be inhaled.

Example: The child uses a nebulizer for his asthma.
Example: The nurse gives him a nebulizer to help him breathe.

21. ECG Machine

Definition: A machine that measures heart activity.

Example: The ECG machine shows my heart rate.
Example: The doctor checks my heart with an ECG machine.

22. Surgical Gown

Definition: A gown worn by doctors during surgery.

Example: The doctor wears a surgical gown in the operating room.
Example: Nurses wear surgical gowns for protection.

23. Tourniquet

Definition: A band used to stop blood flow.

Example: The doctor uses a tourniquet on my arm.
Example: The tourniquet helps stop the bleeding.

24. Cautery Pen

Definition: A tool used to stop bleeding during surgery.

Example: The doctor uses a cautery pen to stop the bleeding.
Example: The cautery pen helps during the operation.

25. Nasogastric Tube

Definition: A tube that goes through the nose to the stomach to give food or medicine.

Example: The patient has a nasogastric tube for feeding.
Example: The tube helps give him food.

26. EKG Electrodes

Definition: Small stickers placed on the skin to measure heart activity.

Example: The nurse puts EKG electrodes on my chest.
Example: The EKG electrodes help check my heart.

27. Surgical Drapes

Definition: Sheets used to cover the body, leaving the surgery area exposed.

Example: The doctor uses surgical drapes to keep the area clean.
Example: The nurse places surgical drapes on the patient.

28. Oxygen Mask

Definition: A mask that helps a person breathe oxygen.

Example: She wears an oxygen mask after surgery.
Example: The nurse puts an oxygen mask on the patient.

29. X-ray Machine

Definition: A machine that takes images of bones and organs.

Example: The doctor uses an X-ray machine to look at my bones.
Example: I stand still for the X-ray machine.

30. Surgical Gloves

Definition: Gloves worn by doctors during operations to stay clean.

Example: The surgeon puts on surgical gloves before starting.
Example: Nurses wear surgical gloves in the operating room.

31. Pulse Oximeter

Definition: A small device that measures the oxygen in the blood.

Example: The nurse uses a pulse oximeter on my finger.
Example: The pulse oximeter shows my oxygen level.

32. Cervical Traction

Definition: A device used to stretch and relieve pressure in the neck.

Example: The doctor applies cervical traction to help my neck.
Example: Cervical traction helps reduce neck pain.

33. Blood Pressure Monitor

Blood Pressure Monitor medical vocabulary

Definition: A device that measures blood pressure.

Example: The nurse uses a blood pressure monitor on my arm.
Example: My blood pressure monitor shows normal numbers. [medical words]

34. Surgical Sponges

Definition: Absorbent pads used during surgery to soak up fluids.

Example: The surgeon uses surgical sponges in the operation.
Example: The sponges keep the area clean during surgery.

35. Ultrasound Machine

Definition: A machine that uses sound waves to create images inside the body.

Example: The ultrasound machine shows the baby in my belly.
Example: The doctor uses an ultrasound machine on my stomach.

36. Anesthesia Machine

Definition: A machine that gives anesthesia to help patients sleep during surgery.

Example: The anesthesia machine keeps me asleep during surgery.
Example: The doctor adjusts the anesthesia machine for the operation.

Also Read: 30 Super English Sentences for Daily Uses

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36 Medical Words – English Medical Vocabulary