AUSLEXAustralian English & global dictionary

Medical

Everyday Australian words, slang and life-admin terms for migrants, students and workers — explained in plain English and 8 other languages.

Reviewed entries

160 entries
Medical words here are for communication only and are not medical advice. Talk to a doctor or pharmacist about your health, and call 000 in an emergency.

  • bruise

    noun / verb

    A dark mark on the skin caused by a hit; to get such a mark.

    He has a big bruise on his leg.

  • burn

    noun / verb

    An injury caused by heat, fire or chemicals; to injure in this way.

    Cool the burn under running water.

  • calf

    noun

    The back part of the leg below the knee.

    I got a cramp in my calf.

  • cancer

    noun

    A serious disease in which abnormal cells grow out of control.

    Early screening helps find some cancers sooner.

  • capsule

    noun

    Medicine in a small shell that you swallow.

    The capsules should be swallowed whole.

  • cavity

    noun

    A hole in a tooth caused by decay.

    The dentist found a small cavity.

  • check-up

    noun

    A general medical examination to check your health.

    I go for a check-up once a year.

  • chest

    noun

    The front part of the body between the neck and the stomach.

    He felt tightness in his chest.

  • chest pain

    noun

    Pain or discomfort in the chest; it can be a sign of a serious problem.

    Call triple zero if you have sudden chest pain.

  • chickenpox

    noun

    A common infectious disease causing itchy spots, mostly in children.

    Children are vaccinated against chickenpox.

  • cholesterol

    noun

    A fatty substance in the blood; high levels can increase the risk of heart disease.

    The blood test showed high cholesterol.

  • common cold

    noun

    A mild viral infection of the nose and throat.

    The common cold usually lasts about a week.

  • concussion

    noun

    A brain injury caused by a hit to the head.

    He had a concussion after the tackle.

  • constipation

    noun

    Difficulty emptying the bowels.

    Eating more fibre can help with constipation.

  • contact lenses

    noun

    Thin lenses worn on the eye to correct vision.

    He wears contact lenses for sport.

  • cough

    noun / verb

    A sudden noisy push of air from the lungs; to do this.

    He has had a dry cough for a week.

  • COVID-19

    noun

    A respiratory illness caused by a coronavirus, which became a worldwide pandemic in 2020.

    He tested positive for COVID-19.

  • cramp

    noun

    A sudden painful tightening of a muscle.

    I got a cramp in my leg while swimming.

  • CT scan

    noun

    A detailed X-ray scan that shows cross-sections of the body.

    The doctor ordered a CT scan of his head.

  • dehydration

    noun

    When the body does not have enough water.

    Drink water to avoid dehydration on hot days.

  • dentist

    noun

    A professional who treats teeth and gums.

    I see the dentist every six months.

  • diabetes

    noun

    A condition in which the body cannot control the level of sugar in the blood properly.

    She manages her diabetes with diet and medicine.

  • diagnosis

    noun

    The identification of an illness by a doctor.

    The doctor made a diagnosis after the tests.

  • diarrhoea

    noun

    A condition in which faeces are watery and frequent (US: diarrhea).

    Drink plenty of water if you have diarrhoea.

  • discharge

    noun / verb

    Being allowed to leave hospital; to allow someone to leave.

    He was discharged after three days.