For advanced learners: sophisticated medical vocabulary covering physiology, psychology, pharmacology, and holistic health concepts.
35 cards
metabolism
the full set of biochemical reactions by which the body converts food into energy and building materials
neurological
relating to the nervous system, which includes the brain, spinal cord, and nerve pathways throughout the body
sedentary
characterised by prolonged physical inactivity, particularly sitting, in a way that harms long-term health
hereditary
describing a condition or trait passed down through genes from parent to child
pharmaceutical
relating to the preparation, development, and use of medicinal drugs
resilience
the capacity of the body or mind to recover quickly and adapt after stress, illness, or adversity
holistic
treating the whole person — body, mind, and social environment — rather than just the physical symptoms
cognitive
relating to mental processes such as thinking, memory, attention, and problem-solving
homeostasis
the body's ability to maintain stable internal conditions such as temperature and blood sugar despite external changes
cortisol
a hormone released by the adrenal glands in response to stress that regulates energy and immune function
placebo effect
an improvement in a patient's condition caused by their belief in the treatment rather than its active ingredients
microbiome
the vast community of microorganisms, mainly bacteria, living in the gut that influence digestion, immunity, and mood
oxidative stress
a damaging imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in the body that can harm cells and tissues
autoimmune
describing a condition in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own healthy cells
epigenetics
the study of changes in gene expression caused by environmental and lifestyle factors, without altering the DNA sequence itself
comorbidity
the presence of one or more additional conditions occurring alongside a primary illness in the same patient
hypertension
a chronic condition in which blood pressure in the arteries is persistently elevated above normal levels
inflammatory response
the body's automatic biological reaction to infection or injury, involving increased blood flow and immune cell activity
proprioception
the body's internal sense of its own position, balance, and movement in space
psychosomatic
describing a physical symptom or illness that is caused or significantly worsened by mental or emotional factors
adrenaline
a hormone released during stress or danger that speeds up the heart and prepares the body for rapid action
neuropathic
relating to pain caused by damage or dysfunction in the nervous system rather than a physical injury
glycaemic index
a scale that ranks foods by how quickly they raise blood sugar levels after eating
serotonin
a neurotransmitter that regulates mood, appetite, sleep, and feelings of wellbeing in the brain
atrophy
the wasting away or shrinking of a body part or tissue due to lack of use or poor nutrition
palliative
relating to care or treatment that relieves pain and improves comfort without curing the underlying disease
predisposition
a tendency to develop a particular condition because of genetic or environmental factors
sympathetic nervous system
the part of the nervous system that prepares the body to respond to stress or danger by accelerating heart rate and redirecting blood flow
desensitise
to gradually reduce an overactive response of the immune system or nervous system to a specific trigger
morbidity
the state of being diseased or the incidence rate of a particular illness within a population
biomarker
a measurable biological indicator, such as a protein level or gene pattern, used to detect or monitor a condition
habituation
the process by which a person's response to a repeated stimulus gradually decreases over time
visceral
relating to the internal organs of the body, especially those in the abdominal cavity
somatic
relating to the body as distinct from the mind, especially when describing physical sensations or disorders
catharsis
the release of pent-up emotional tension or distress, often leading to a sense of relief and improved mental wellbeing