Health and Medical
English Basic Vocabulary - Part 4 · 50 lessons
What does “Antioxidant” mean?
Why A is correct:
The prefix "anti-" means "against," so an antioxidant works *against* oxidation. Oxidation causes food to spoil, turn brown, or go rancid. Antioxidants slow this process down, keeping food fresher longer.
Why B is wrong:
This describes the opposite of what antioxidants do. The prefix "anti-" does not mean "pro" or "promotes." An antioxidant would never deliberately speed up food deterioration—that would defeat the purpose of food preservation.
What does “Asthma” mean?
Correct Answer (A): This is the accurate medical definition of asthma. It describes the actual symptoms: the airways narrow and tighten (bronchial spasm), making breathing difficult, especially during attacks.
Why B is wrong: This describes the *opposite* of asthma. Asthma makes breathing *harder*, not easier. This definition doesn't match the actual disease at all.
What does “Biochemistry” mean?
Why A is correct:
"Biochemistry" combines "bio" (life) + "chemistry" (study of substances and reactions). It specifically examines the chemical reactions and processes that happen inside living things—like how cells break down food or how proteins are made.
Why B is wrong:
This describes general physics or chemistry of non-living matter, which is the opposite of biochemistry. Biochemistry *must* relate to living organisms to be biochemistry.
What does “Cystic Fibrosis” mean?
Why A is correct:
Cystic fibrosis damages exocrine glands (sweat, mucus, and digestive glands) and causes mucus to become thick and sticky instead of thin and slippery. This thick mucus clogs airways and ducts, leading to breathing and digestive problems.
Why B is wrong:
The opposite is true—CF produces abnormally *thick* mucus, not thin. Thin mucus wouldn't cause the characteristic lung blockages and infections that define CF.
What does “Dyslexia” mean?
Correct (A): "Dyslexia" literally means difficulty with words (dys- = difficult, -lexia = words). It's an umbrella term for reading challenges where the brain processes written symbols differently, making reading and interpretation harder.
Wrong (B): This describes the *opposite* of dyslexia. Someone who learns to read with ease wouldn't have dyslexia—they'd be a typical or advanced reader. The "dys-" prefix always means difficulty or dysfunction, never ease.
What does “Endocrine System” mean?
A is correct because the endocrine system is literally defined as glands (like the pancreas, thyroid, and pituitary) that produce and release hormones into the bloodstream to regulate body functions.
B is wrong because it says the opposite—"devoid of" means lacking or without. The endocrine system *does* include glands and hormones, not the absence of them.
What does “Gastroenteritis” mean?
A is correct: "Gastroenteritis" breaks down as "gastro-" (stomach) + "enteritis" (intestinal inflammation). It describes the actual disease—inflammation caused by infection—which matches this definition perfectly.
B is wrong: This describes a *healthy* state, but the suffix "-itis" in medical terms always means inflammation or disease, never wellness. Gastroenteritis is an illness, not good health.
What does “Hypoxia” mean?
Correct Answer (A): Deficiency in the amount of oxygen reaching the tissues.
The prefix "hypo-" means low or under, so hypoxia literally means "low oxygen." This occurs when tissues don't get enough oxygen to function properly, which can happen due to lung disease, high altitude, or circulation problems.
Why B is wrong:
Option B describes the opposite condition. An overabundance of oxygen would be "hyperoxia" (the prefix "hyper-" means high or over). This is a different medical condition entirely.
What does “Iodine Deficiency” mean?
A is correct: Iodine deficiency means your body doesn't have enough iodine because you're not eating enough foods containing it. This creates an imbalance that can cause health problems like thyroid issues.
B is wrong: This describes the *opposite* situation—having enough iodine (which is good, not a deficiency). "Deficiency" always means "not enough," not "adequate amount."
What does “Jogger's Knee” mean?
Why A is correct:
"Jogger's Knee" (patellofemoral pain syndrome) is a real injury where repetitive stress on the kneecap area causes pain—common in runners from overuse or poor form.
Why B is wrong:
This describes a healthy knee with *no* pain or stress, which is the opposite of what "Jogger's Knee" means. The condition is defined by pain, not the absence of it.
What does “Kinesiology” mean?
A is correct. "Kinesiology" comes from the Greek word "kinesis" (movement) and "logos" (study), so it literally means the study of movement and how the body moves mechanically.
B is wrong because it's the opposite of what kinesiology is. Kinesiology focuses on *active* movement and body mechanics, not rest or inactivity. (If anything, the study of rest would be something completely different.)
What does “Bronchial Asthma” mean?
Why A is correct:
Bronchial asthma is characterized by inflammation and narrowing of the airways (bronchial tubes), which restricts airflow and causes breathing difficulties. The swelling and extra mucus production are key features that trigger asthma symptoms like wheezing and shortness of breath.
Why B is wrong:
This describes the *opposite* of asthma—expanded, clear tubes with no extra mucus would represent healthy, unobstructed airways. Asthma involves constriction and inflammation, not expansion and clarity.
What does “Hyperthermia” mean?
Correct Answer: A
The prefix "hyper-" means "above" or "excessive," and "thermia" refers to body temperature. So hyperthermia literally means excessively high temperature. This can result from heat stroke, fever, or prolonged exposure to extreme heat.
Why B is wrong:
Option B describes the opposite condition—abnormally *low* body temperature—which is called "hypothermia" (the prefix "hypo-" means "below" or "deficient").
What does “Lactose Intolerance” mean?
Why A is correct:
Lactose intolerance means your body *can't* properly break down lactose (milk sugar) because you lack enough lactase enzyme. This causes digestive problems like bloating, cramps, and diarrhea after eating dairy.
Why B is wrong:
This is the opposite of the definition. Saying the body "is fully able to digest lactose" describes someone *without* intolerance—that's normal digestion, not a disorder.
What does “Metabolic Syndrome” mean?
A is correct because metabolic syndrome is a real medical condition where multiple risk factors (high blood pressure, high blood sugar, extra body fat, abnormal cholesterol) occur together, significantly raising your chances of serious health problems.
B is wrong because it says these conditions *decrease* risk—that's backwards. Having metabolic syndrome makes you *more* vulnerable to disease, not less.
What does “Orthodontics” mean?
Correct Answer (A): "Ortho-" means straight, and "-dontics" refers to teeth. Orthodontists straighten crooked teeth and fix bite problems—they *prevent or correct* issues like misalignment.
Why B is wrong: It says orthodontists *cause* irregularities, which is the opposite of what they do. That would be harmful, not helpful.
What does “Addiction” mean?
A is correct: Addiction involves compulsively pursuing something (drugs, gambling, etc.) even when it causes harm—that's the key feature. The person knows it's damaging but can't stop.
B is wrong: This describes the opposite of addiction. It says someone *avoids* rewarding things despite good outcomes, which isn't addiction at all. Addiction is about being *drawn to* something despite bad outcomes, not avoiding it.
What does “Embolus” mean?
A is correct: An embolus is literally a traveling object in the bloodstream—whether it's a clot, air bubble, or fat deposit—that gets stuck in a vessel and blocks blood flow (causing an embolism).
B is wrong: This contradicts the definition. An embolus *must* be in the bloodstream and *does* cause an embolism; that's what makes it an embolus in the first place.
What does “Defibrillator” mean?
A is correct: A defibrillator *delivers* an electric shock to restart the heart during cardiac arrest. The shock interrupts dangerous irregular rhythms and allows the heart to resume normal beating.
B is wrong: This describes something that would *prevent* a shock, which is the opposite of what a defibrillator does. A defibrillator actively treats the problem by *giving* a shock, not blocking one.
What does “Electrocardiograph” mean?
Why A is correct:
An electrocardiograph *measures* the heart's electrical signals as it beats—it's a diagnostic tool that captures and displays this activity. The prefix "electro-" (electrical) + "cardio-" (heart) + "graph" (record) literally means "recording the heart's electricity."
Why B is wrong:
Electrocardiographs don't *halt* or stop the heart's electrical activity—that would be dangerous and defeat the purpose of monitoring. The machine only observes and records what's already happening naturally in the heart.
What does “Ligament” mean?
A is correct: Ligaments are made of strong, flexible fibers that *connect* bones and stabilize joints—like the bands holding your knee together.
B is wrong: It describes the opposite of what ligaments do. Ligaments aren't rigid or inflexible; they're flexible so joints can move. They also connect rather than separate bones.
What does “Herniated Disc” mean?
Correct Answer (A): A herniated disc literally means the disc material pushes *outward* through its outer layer—like toothpaste squeezing out of a tube. This bulging can press on nearby nerves and cause pain.
Why B is wrong: Option B describes disc *shrinkage* or *retraction*, which is actually a different condition called disc degeneration or disc height loss. A herniated disc involves material moving *out*, not shrinking *in*.
What does “Ligament Tear” mean?
Correct Answer (A): A ligament tear occurs when the connective tissue holding bones together is stretched or torn, which damages the tissue and causes pain and inflammation. This is the actual medical definition.
Why B is wrong: Ligament tears are not pain-free—they're painful injuries. Also, ligaments don't "solidify or harden" when injured; they break or stretch. This option describes the opposite of what actually happens.
What does “Carpal Tunnel Syndrome” mean?
Why A is correct:
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome occurs when the median nerve gets squeezed (compressed) as it passes through the carpal tunnel in your wrist, causing pain, tingling, and numbness—especially in the thumb and fingers.
Why B is wrong:
- CTS is definitely *painful*, not painless—compression causes discomfort and symptoms.
- The nerve is *compressed* (squeezed), not expanded or widened.
What does “Strep Throat” mean?
Correct Answer (A):
Strep throat is caused by *Streptococcus* bacteria and causes the throat to become red, swollen, and painful—these are classic symptoms of inflammation and infection.
Why B is wrong:
Option B describes the *opposite* of what strep throat does. Instead of relief and cooling, strep throat causes discomfort, difficulty swallowing, and burning pain. No infection causes a "cooling sensation."
What does “Gallstones” mean?
A is correct. Gallstones are literally hard, stone-like masses of cholesterol or bile that form in the gallbladder. They can block bile flow, causing inflammation, pain (especially after eating fatty foods), and serious complications if untreated.
B is wrong because gallstones are the opposite of beneficial—they're a medical problem, not a source of wellbeing. The deposits are solid and hardened, not soft or fluid-like.
What does “Peptic Ulcer” mean?
A is correct: A peptic ulcer is literally an open wound in the stomach or duodenum (first part of small intestine). The erosion breaks through the protective lining, causing pain and potential bleeding.
B is wrong: This describes the opposite in multiple ways—peptic ulcers are *open* (not closed/healed), they're on the *inside lining* (not exterior surface), and they occur in the *upper* small intestine, not the lower. B describes scar tissue after healing, not an active ulcer.
What does “Pneumonia” mean?
A is correct: Pneumonia is when germs (bacteria, viruses, or fungi) infect your lungs, causing them to become inflamed and fill with fluid or pus. This makes it hard to breathe and get oxygen into your blood.
B is wrong: This describes the *opposite* of pneumonia—recovery from pneumonia, not the disease itself. Also, "calming" isn't medical terminology for what happens when an infection gets better.
What does “Tonsillitis” mean?
Why A is correct:
The suffix "-itis" always means inflammation, so tonsillitis literally means inflamed tonsils. This condition is real and common, typically caused by viruses (like cold viruses) or bacteria (like strep).
Why B is wrong:
The suffix "-itis" never means shrinkage or improvement. Also, tonsillitis is a disease state, not a healthy condition—it causes pain, fever, and difficulty swallowing.
What does “Acne” mean?
Why A is correct:
Acne is literally defined as a skin condition that causes pimples, blackheads, and red, inflamed spots—mainly on the face, chest, and back. This is the medical definition.
Why B is wrong:
This describes the *opposite* of acne. Clear, smooth skin is healthy skin, not acne. Acne is a problem, not a solution.
What does “Melanoma” mean?
Correct Answer (A): Melanoma is a serious skin cancer caused by melanocytes (pigment cells) that mutate and turn cancerous. The word itself comes from "melano-" (pigment) and "-oma" (tumor/cancer), literally meaning a pigmented tumor.
Why B is wrong: While melanocytes do exist in skin, melanoma is not about regeneration or rejuvenation—it's the opposite. It's a disease where these cells go wrong, not where they heal or improve. The "-oma" suffix in medical terms always refers to an abnormal growth or tumor, never a healthy process.
What does “Astigmatism” mean?
Correct Answer (A): Astigmatism is a *defect* where the eye's curved surface isn't perfectly round—it's more oval-shaped. This uneven curve causes light rays to focus at different points instead of one spot, creating blurry or distorted vision.
Why B is wrong: That describes *perfect vision* (emmetropia), not astigmatism. When light rays meet at exactly one focus point, your vision is clear and sharp—the opposite of what happens with astigmatism.
What does “Basal Cell Carcinoma” mean?
Correct Answer (A): Basal cells are the deepest layer of skin cells. When these cells grow abnormally and uncontrollably, it becomes cancer—specifically basal cell carcinoma, the most common type of skin cancer.
Why B is wrong: "Skin health" is vague and misleading. Basal cell carcinoma is a disease (cancer), not a health condition. The word "carcinoma" specifically means cancer, not wellness or normal skin function.
What does “Cataract” mean?
Why A is correct:
A cataract is a real eye disease where the lens clouds over time, making vision blurry. This happens gradually and is common in older people.
Why B is wrong:
This describes the *opposite* of a cataract. A clear lens means healthy vision, not a cataract. The word "opaque" (cloudy) in option A is the key difference—that's what actually happens in a cataract.
What does “Diphtheria” mean?
Why A is correct:
Diphtheria is a dangerous bacterial disease caused by *Corynebacterium diphtheriae* that primarily infects the throat and nose, creating a thick, gray membrane that can block airways. It's preventable by vaccine (the "D" in DTaP).
Why B is wrong:
Diphtheria is harmful, not beneficial—it can cause serious complications like heart problems and paralysis if untreated. There's no "beneficial bacterial influence" version of this disease.
What does “Ehrlichiosis” mean?
Correct Answer (A): Ehrlichiosis is a real infectious disease caused by *Ehrlichia* bacteria transmitted through tick bites. It's a medical condition that needs treatment, not something beneficial.
Why B is wrong: Ticks don't spread beneficial bacteria—they're disease vectors. Ehrlichiosis causes symptoms like fever, headache, and muscle aches, making it harmful rather than health-promoting.
What does “Fibrosis” mean?
A is correct. Fibrosis is when connective tissue becomes thick and scarred, typically after an injury or chronic inflammation. This is a pathological (abnormal/diseased) process that reduces tissue flexibility.
B is wrong because it describes the opposite of what fibrosis is—fibrosis causes *thickening*, not thinning, and it's a problematic response to injury, not a sign of wellness.
What does “Gingivitis” mean?
A is correct: "Gingivitis" comes from "gingiva" (gums) + "-itis" (inflammation). So it literally means gum inflammation, which causes redness, swelling, and bleeding.
B is wrong: The suffix "-itis" always means inflammation, not healing. If it meant healing, it would use a suffix like "-osis" or "-plasia."
What does “Hypoalbuminemia” mean?
Correct Answer: A
The prefix "hypo-" means low or below normal, so hypoalbuminemia literally means low albumin in the blood. Albumin is a protein made by the liver that helps maintain blood pressure and transport nutrients.
Why B is wrong:
The prefix "hyper-" (not "hypo-") means high or above normal. High albumin levels would be called "hyperalbuminemia," not hypoalbuminemia.
What does “Interstitial Cystitis” mean?
Correct Answer (A): Interstitial cystitis is a real medical condition characterized by chronic pain, pressure, and discomfort in the bladder and pelvic region. The symptoms are ongoing and can significantly impact quality of life.
Why B is wrong: This describes a healthy bladder state, not a disease. "Comfort" and "health" are the opposite of what interstitial cystitis causes—it's a painful, uncomfortable condition that requires medical attention.
What does “Jugular Vein” mean?
A is correct. Jugular veins carry blood *back* to the heart from the head and brain—that's their job as veins. The word "jugular" itself comes from the Latin for "neck," and these are the large veins you can sometimes see on the side of your neck.
B is wrong. Arteries pump blood *away* from the heart to body parts; veins do the opposite. If jugular veins pumped blood *to* the head, they'd be arteries, not veins.
What does “Platelets” mean?
Why A is correct:
Platelets are small cell fragments in your blood that stick together at wound sites to form clots and stop bleeding. This is their main job.
Why B is wrong:
That describes kidneys, not platelets. Kidneys are large organs that filter waste, while platelets are tiny and only involved in clotting. Also, platelets don't remove waste—they prevent blood loss.
What does “Gallbladder” mean?
Why A is correct:
The gallbladder is a small pouch that stores bile (digestive fluid made by the liver) and releases it into the small intestine to help digest fats. This is its actual function.
Why B is wrong:
That describes the heart, not the gallbladder. The heart is much larger and pumps blood, which is completely different from storing bile.
What does “Varicose Veins” mean?
A is correct: Varicose veins are abnormally swollen and gnarled veins, usually in the legs. The weakened vein walls allow blood to pool, making them bulge visibly and appear twisted.
B is wrong: This describes the opposite of what happens. Varicose veins get *bigger*, not smaller, and they become *twisted*, not straighter.
What does “Antigen” mean?
Why A is correct:
An antigen is any substance (like a protein or pathogen) that triggers your immune system to fight back by making antibodies. This is the actual definition used in biology and medicine.
Why B is wrong:
This describes an *immunosuppressant*, which does the opposite of what an antigen does. Antigens activate immunity; they don't suppress it.
What does “Lymph Nodes” mean?
Why A is correct:
Lymph nodes are small bean-shaped structures that filter lymph fluid, trapping harmful substances and helping your immune system fight infection. They're a key part of the lymphatic system.
Why B is wrong:
• That describes the bone marrow, not lymph nodes.
• Lymph nodes don't produce blood cells or distribute them throughout the body.
• Lymph nodes filter fluid; they don't produce it.
What does “Surgical Sutures” mean?
Why A is correct:
Surgical sutures are literally medical stitches that close wounds and hold tissues together after surgery or injury. This is their primary function.
Why B is wrong:
Instruments that *separate* tissues during surgery are called retractors or other surgical instruments—they do the opposite of what sutures do. Sutures *join* tissues together, not separate them.
What does “Benign” mean?
Why A is correct:
"Benign" means harmless or not dangerous. In medicine, a benign tumor grows slowly and doesn't spread to other parts of the body—it's not cancer.
Why B is wrong:
This describes a *malignant* tumor, which is the opposite of benign. Malignant tumors are cancerous and harmful.
What does “Malignant” mean?
Correct answer (A): "Malignant" means dangerous and harmful—specifically a cancer that spreads aggressively to other body parts. This is the medical definition.
Why B is wrong: Option B describes a *benign* tumor, which is the opposite of malignant. Benign means non-cancerous and harmless, so this contradicts what "malignant" actually means.
What does “Laryngitis” mean?
A is correct. "Laryngitis" combines "larynx" (your voice box) + "-itis" (inflammation), so it means the larynx is inflamed. This inflammation causes the symptoms listed: hoarseness, voice loss, harsh breathing, and painful cough.
B is wrong. This describes a *healthy* larynx, not laryngitis. The suffix "-itis" always indicates inflammation or disease, never a healthy state.
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