Dictionary of Medical Terms

Gain a better understanding of medical terminology by searching our dictionary of more than 1,300 terms.

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All terms that start with the letter L

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lichen

Any of various skin diseases characterized by sores and enlarged skin markings.
ligament

A tough band of connective tissue connecting bones or holding organs in place.
ligature

A wire or thread used to tie off blood vessels or to close incisions or wounds.
lightening

The feeling of decreased abdominal pressure during the last few weeks of pregnancy caused by the uterus dropping into the…
limbus

Margin, or border. The margin of the cornea where it contacts the sclera.
lingua

Tongue.
lipid

Cholesterol, triglycerides and related substances.
lipocyte

A fat cell.
lipolysis

The splitting up, or destruction, of fat.
lipoma

Fatty tumor.
lipoprotein

Any of a group of proteins combined with a lipid that allow lipids to be transported in the circulatory…
liposuction

A surgical procedure that changes body shape by removing fat cells.
litholysis

Breaking up of a stone, such as a gallstone.
lithotripsy

A procedure to break up kidney stones into smaller pieces that can more easily pass out of the body.
liver

The large organ in the upper right abdomen that functions in digestion and storage of food, disposal of worn-out red…
lobe

1. The fleshy lower part of the ear. 2. A well-defined portion of an organ.
lobectomy

Surgical removal of the lobe of an organ.
lobotomy

A surgical operation in which a lobe of the brain, especially the frontal lobe of the cerebrum, is cut into…
lochia

The discharge from the vagina that occurs for several days to weeks after childbirth.
lockjaw

Tetanus infection.
loins

The portion of the back between the rib cage and pelvis.