Glossary of terms

That medical terms are complicated? Yes, we agree. But they can be explained. That's why we've put together an easy-to-understand medical glossary, where you'll find all sorts of terms from the world of medicine, diagnostics and related fields. So that you don't have to get confused anymore.

A

Amylase

Amylase – an enzyme produced in the pancreas and released into the small intestine during the digestion of glucose.

Anaerobic culture

Anaerobic culture – an examination used in suspected inflammatory tissue diseases in which anaerobic bacteria are expected to multiply (e.g. abscess or deep soft tissue injuries).

Anticipation

Anticipation – the increasing frequency and severity of a disease in subsequent generations.

Antigen test

Antigen test – a test developed for rapid detection (within 30 minutes) of specific antigens (e.g. coronavirus).

B

Bacteriological test

Bacteriological test – laboratory determination of the presence of bacteria in samples taken from a living organism.

Blood biochemistry

Blood biochemistry – laboratory determination of the presence and amount of chemical substances in a sample taken from the blood.

BNP (Brain Natriuretic Peptide)

BNP (Brain Natriuretic Peptide) – a peptide whose main source is the heart muscle and is examined when cardiovascular diseases are suspected.

C

Centimorgan

Centimorgan – a unit of measurement for the frequency of genetic recombination.

Central dogma

Central dogma – the idea that the transfer of genetic information in a cell proceeds in the direction DNA → RNA → protein.

Chromatid

Chromatid – one of the two strands formed by the duplication of a chromosome.

Codominance

Codominance – the expression of both alleles in a heterozygote.

Cystatin C

Cystatin C – a protein that serves as a biomarker of kidney function.

Cytology

Cytology – a method of evaluating the microscopic appearance of cells of various tissues and organs and their changes caused by specific diseases.

D

D-dimer

D-dimer – a marker of thrombophilic states

Deletion

Deletion – loss of part or all of a gene, or loss of a chromosome segment.

Diagnosis of infectious diseases

Diagnosis of infectious diseases – an examination used to identify the cause of infectious diseases

DNA tests

DNA tests – a comprehensive genetic analysis reveals hereditary predispositions for specific hereditary diseases

E

EBV (Epstein-Barr virus)

EBV (Epstein-Barr virus) – human herpesvirus 4, known as the first identified oncogenic virus

Empirical risk

Empirical risk – the recorded frequency of occurrence of a disease in a given situation.

Endocrinological examinations

Endocrinological examinations - a set of medical procedures used to diagnose disorders of the body's hormonal function