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Clinical & Layman Language Dictionary (Deduplicated A–Z)

Medical Terms & Simple Meanings A–Z

Search over 153+ verified medical terms. Clear layman definitions, clinical explanations, frequency ratings (⭐⭐⭐ Very Common), pronunciations, and body system tags.

Showing 9 Medical Terms (Letter "P")Reset Filters
Neurological⭐⭐ Common

Paresthesia

/pair-es-THEE-zee-uh/
Simple Meaning:

Tingling or "pins and needles" sensation.

Abnormal spontaneous cutaneous sensation occurring without external physical stimulus.

Neurological⭐⭐ Common

Paralysis

/puh-RAL-ih-sis/
Simple Meaning:

Complete loss of muscle movement.

Loss of voluntary motor function in one or more muscle groups caused by central or peripheral neural lesion.

Neurological⭐⭐ Common

Paresis

/puh-REE-sis/
Simple Meaning:

Partial muscle weakness or incomplete loss of movement.

Slight or partial paralysis characterized by reduced muscle strength rather than complete motor loss.

Hematology⭐⭐ Common

Petechiae

/puh-TEE-kee-ee/
Simple Meaning:

Tiny pinpoint red spots of bleeding under skin.

Non-blanching subcutaneous hemorrhagic spots < 2 mm caused by capillary fragility or thrombocytopenia.

ENT⭐⭐ Common

Pharyngitis

/fair-in-JYE-tis/
Simple Meaning:

Inflammation of the throat (sore throat).

Inflammatory infection of pharyngeal mucosa caused by Group A Streptococcus or respiratory viruses.

Neurological⭐⭐ Common

Photophobia

/foe-toe-FOE-bee-uh/
Simple Meaning:

Unusual sensitivity or intolerance to light.

Ocular discomfort or pain produced by light exposure, seen in corneal abrasions, uveitis, and migraine.

Respiratory⭐⭐ Common

Pleuritic Pain

/ploor-IT-ik payn/
Simple Meaning:

Sharp chest pain that worsens with deep breathing.

Sharp stabbing pain resulting from friction between inflamed visceral and parietal pleural layers during respiration.

Dermatological⭐⭐ Common

Pustule

/PUS-tyool/
Simple Meaning:

Small skin lesion containing yellow pus.

Small circumscribed epidermal elevation filled with neutrophils and purulent exudate.

Hematology⭐⭐ Common

Purpura

/PUR-pyoo-ruh/
Simple Meaning:

Purple-red skin spots caused by bleeding under skin.

Non-blanching hemorrhagic skin lesions measuring 3–10 mm, resulting from vasculitis or bleeding disorders.

This information is educational only and does not replace professional medical advice.