Check Your English Vocabulary For Medicine (1) 2
Check Your English Vocabulary For Medicine (1) 2
Check Your English Vocabulary For Medicine (1) 2
MEDICINE
third edition
A CIP entry for this book is available from the British Library
ISBN-10: 0 7136 7590 X
ISBN-13: 978 0 7136 7590 0
eISBN-13: 978-1-4081-0238-1
This workbook is aimed at students with at least an intermediate level of English. However,
many people who work in medicine have to read in English on a regular basis; students with
a more basic level of English may therefore already have the passive vocabulary to handle
many of the exercises.
Specialist vocabulary
It is important to appreciate that 'knowing' specialist vocabulary involves more than simply
recognising it.
! You can understand the meaning of a word when reading or listening and yet be
unable to remember that same word when speaking or writing.
! You may remember the word, but use it incorrectly. This can be a grammatical
problem, like knowing that 'fracture' can be used both as a noun and as a verb. Or
it may be a question of collocation: a surgeon makes an incision during an operation,
but when he wants a piece of bread he simply cuts it.
! Then there is the question of the sound of the word. Can you pronounce it? And do
you recognise it when you hear it pronounced?
For these reasons - memory, use and sound - it is important that students practise specialist
vocabulary so that they can learn to use it more confidently and effectively. The exercises in
this workbook will help students to expand their knowledge and use of medical vocabulary.
PRONUNCIATION
21 Word stress 1 Identifying three-syllable words and classifying by their Self-study
pronunciation Pair work
Extension: practising the dialogues with a partner
22 Word stress 2 Completing sentences using four-syllable words; Self-study
classifying four-syllable words by their pronunciation
23 Present simple Identifying present tense verbs and classifying by their Pair work
pronunciation
Extension: working with a partner to identify plural
nouns in each pronunciation category
24 Past tense Identifying past tense verbs and classifying by their Self-study
pronunciation
Page Title Description Mode
VOCABULARY IN CONTEXT
25 Good advice Matching half-sentences together to make complete Self-study
sentences
Extension: writing pieces of medical advice with a Pair work
partner
26 Multiple meanings Classifying meanings Self-study
27 Odd one out Identifying word that is different to others in each set Self-study
28 Body parts - categories Deciding which category each body part belongs to Self-study
29 Opposites 2 Matching words with opposite meanings; inserting Self-study
correct opposites in sentences
Extension: working with a partner to test one another Pair work
30 Abbreviations Stating what abbreviations stand for Self-study
Extension: working with a partner to test one another Pair work
31 Symptoms & common Checking meanings of words; matching descriptions to Self-study
illnesses 1 names of illnesses
32 Symptoms & common Matching formal and informal names of illnesses; Self-study
illnesses 2 completing conversations by using informal names of
illnesses
Extension: practising conversations with a partner Pair work
33 Diagnosis Identifying each disease or illness from its description Self-study
Extension: writing a description of a disease or illness Pair work
and testing a partner
34 How it works Matching half-sentences together to make complete Self-study
sentences
35 Instruments and Matching each instrument and item of equipment with Self-study
equipment its correct description
Extension: working with a partner to test one another Pair work
36 Chemistry Matching symbols of chemical elements and compounds Self-study
with correct names and descriptions
Extension: working with a partner to test one another Pair work
The first section, Word-building (pages 1-9), encourages the student to identify links between words and to
learn words that are morphologically related (for example, verbs and nouns which have the same stems).
Within the Parts of Speech (pages 10-20) section, the emphasis is on understanding meanings and how to
use terms in their correct grammatical forms. The worksheets in the third section practise the Pronunciation
of medical vocabulary (pages 21-24). The section Vocabulary in Context (pages 25-36) includes topic-
specific exercises such as identifying diseases and illnesses from their descriptions. The activities in the last
section, Puzzles & Quizzes (pages 37-49), expand students' knowledge and use of vocabulary in a fun way.
Communicative crosswords
Included in the last section are three communicative crosswords. These are speaking exercises where students
complete a half-finished crossword by exchanging clues with a partner. There are two versions of the
crossword: A & B. The words which are missing from A are in B, and vice versa. No clues are provided: the
students' task is to invent them. This is an excellent exercise for developing linguistic resourcefulness; in
having to define words themselves, students practise both their medical vocabulary and the important skill of
paraphrasing something when they do not know the word for it.
For reference see A & C Black Dictionary of Medical Terms (0 7136 7603 5).
Word association 1: missing
Unit 0000
links
Each of the sets of four words below can be linked by one other word. All the words are
related to medical matters. What are the missing words? Write them in the centre of the
charts.
1.
ciliary
body body temperature
Gody
body
foreign fat
2.
throbbing relief
abdominal
pain threshold
3.
metacarpal graft
Gome
cancellous marrow
4.
cardiac fatigue
skeletal
sever
musche spasm
5.
black bath
eye
glass drops
6.
blood membrane
beta
t body
1
For reference see A & C Black Dictionary of Medical Terms (0 7136 7603 5).
Unit 0000
Word formation: nouns
A fast way to expand your vocabulary is to make sure you know the different forms of the
words you learn.
Exercise 1. The words in this list are all verbs. What are the noun forms? Write them in the
second column. The first one has been done for you as an example.
1. diagnose diagnoses
diagnosis 9. infect ______________
2. examine examination
______________ 10. carry ______________
3.
4.
prescribe
suffer
prescription
______________
______________
11.
12.
replace
degenerate
______________
______________
5. operate ______________ 13. refer ______________
6. cure wil
______________ 14. paralyse ______________
7. recover ______________ 15. obstruct ______________
8. analyse ______________
Exercise 2. First, check your answers to Exercise 1 in the key. Then rewrite the sentences
below, changing the verbs (which are in bold) to nouns. Do not change the meaning of the
sentences, but be prepared to make grammatical changes if necessary. The first one has
been done for you as an example.
1. I diagnosed that the patient had a heart 9. We found that the tissue was infected.
condition. We found an
My diagnosis was that the patient had a heart
condition.
10. Ten per cent of the population are thought to
2. I examined the patient fully. carry the bacteria.
I made a full examination of Ten per cent of the population are thought to be
the poti
3. I prescribed a course of antibiotics. 11. We replaced the patient's hip.
I wrote a preseri-- The patient was given a hip
6. This disease cannot be cured. 14. His arm was paralysed after the stroke.
There is no He suffered
7. He has recovered fully. 15. The artery was obstructed by a blood clot.
He has made a full The blood clot was forming an
2
For reference see A & C Black Dictionary of Medical Terms (0 7136 7603 5).
Two-word expressions
Unit 0000
Make 15 two-word expressions connected with medicine by combining words from the
two lists: A and B. Match each expression with the appropriate phrase. Use each word
once. The first one has been done for you as an example.
A B
allergic
reaction anaesthetic
balanced dut attack
bedside clock
biological date death
bone marrow diet
brain intermection intervention
clinical rial manner
general practitioner
digestive system
steric
marrow
practitioner
general au reaction
heart surgery
malignant tooph system
plastic
primary practitioner tooth
trial
surgical intervention tumour
3
For reference see A & C Black Dictionary of Medical Terms (0 7136 7603 5).
Unit 0000
Plural formation
In Column A of this table there are 25 nouns relating to medicine. For each of the nouns
decide whether the correct plural form is in Column B or Column C and then circle it.
↳
9. septum septa septums
10. oesophagus oesophaguses oesophagi
11. diagnosis diagnoses
-
diagnosises
12. humerus humeruses -
humeri
13.
14.
syringe
acetabulum ⑳ syringes
acetabula
syringae
acetabulums
15. larva 8
larvae larvi
16. chorda chordas W
chordae
8
17. varix varices varixi
18. fungus fungi funguses
19. ganglion ganglions -
ganglia ou-e
8
20. villus villi villae
21. atrium atria atriums ure-e
22. pons pontes ⑧
ponses
23. ovum ovums O
ova
8
24. bout bouts boutae
25. cortex cortexes cortices
4
For reference see A & C Black Dictionary of Medical Terms (0 7136 7603 5).
Word formation: adjectives
Unit 0000
The italicised words in the sentences in Column A are all nouns. What are the adjective
forms? Complete the sentences in Column B using the correct adjective forms.
Column A Column B
1. The surgeons operated to repair the The surgeons operated to repair the
defect on the patient's heart valve.
defectors
patient's …
u diffective
2. His diet has a calcium deficiency. His diet is calcium-…
6. The vaccine should give immunity to The vaccine should make you …
tuberculosis.
7. They have periods of complete They have periods when they are
inactivity. completely …
5
For reference see A & C Black Dictionary of Medical Terms (0 7136 7603 5).
Unit 0000
Word association 2: partnerships
Exercise 1.
Link each verb on the left with a noun on the right to make 10 'partnerships'. The first
one has been done for you as an example.
Verbs Nouns
1. administer an improvement
2. analyse a baby
*
3. arrange antibiotics
4. burp the treatment
5. catch some infections
6. detect an appointment
7. discontinue a sample
8. ease the pain
9. resist a drug
10. prescribe a cold
Exercise 2.
Complete these sentences using the partnerships from Exercise 1. You may have to make
some changes to fit the grammar of the sentences. The first one has been done for you
as an example.
7. I would like to ____________________ with the dental hygienist for 10.00am tomorrow.
9. The health visitor advised the new parents to ____________________ after feeding.
6
For reference see A & C Black Dictionary of Medical Terms (0 7136 7603 5).
Opposites 1:
Unit
prefixes
0000
Exercise 1.
English often uses prefixes to create opposites. There are several different prefixes that are
used. Choose the right prefix for each of the adjectives below and write them into the
table. The first one has been done for you:
Exercise 2.
Use ten of the adjectives in the table to complete these sentences. The first one has been
done for you as an example.
1. He was found unconscious in the street.
5. The nurse noted that the patient had developed an ________________ pulse.
6. She used to play a lot of tennis, but she became ________________ in the winter.
Extension. Work with a partner and test each other. One partner closes the book, while
the other asks questions such as "What's the opposite of conscious?".
7
For reference see A & C Black Dictionary of Medical Terms (0 7136 7603 5).
Unit 0000
Word formation: verbs
Exercise 1.
The words listed in the table below are nouns. What are the verb forms of these nouns?
The first question has been done for you as an example.
1. abuse abuse 16. perspiration
2. admission 17. preparation
3. bandage 18. provision
4. blood 19. reabsorption
5. breath 20. regeneration
6. coagulation 21. registration
7. consultation 22. regurgitation
8. convalescence 23. rehabilitation
9. fertilisation 24. reproduction
10. identification 25. resuscitation
11. immunisation 26. sedation
12. implant 27. stammer
13. maceration 28. stitch
14. management 29. suppression
15. occurrence 30. sweat
Exercise 2.
Choose ten verbs from Exercise 1 and write a sentence below for each one. Write the
correct form of each verb in the column on the right and leave gaps for the verbs in the
sentences. Cover up the right-hand column and give the sentences to another student as
a test. For example:
She ……………. with her local GP. registered
1. ………………………………………………………………………
2. ………………………………………………………………………
3. ………………………………………………………………………
4. ………………………………………………………………………
5. ………………………………………………………………………
6. ………………………………………………………………………
7. ………………………………………………………………………
8. ………………………………………………………………………
9. ………………………………………………………………………
10. ………………………………………………………………………
8
For reference see A & C Black Dictionary of Medical Terms (0 7136 7603 5).
Word association 3: mind
Unit maps
0000
A mind map is a way of organising vocabulary to show the connections between words.
This mind map is based on the word 'surgery'.
general anaesthetic
heart surgery local anaesthetic
major surgery
heart surgeon anaesthetist
surgeon
surgery exploratory surgery
scrub up incision
operate
operation
A & E department scalpel
surgical instruments
ambulance operating table
Exercise 1.
Find words and expressions in the mind map that fit the following definitions.
1. A special room in a hospital, where surgical operations are carried out ………………..
2. A nurse who is specially trained to assist a surgeon during an operation ………………..
3. The part of a hospital which deals with people who need urgent treatment because they have had
accidents or are in sudden serious pain ………………..
4. Surgical operations involving important organs in the body ………………..
5. A doctor who specialises in surgery ………………..
6. An anaesthetic which removes the feeling in a single part of the body only ………………..
7. A senior specialised doctor in a hospital ………………..
8. A surgical operation to remedy a condition of the heart ………………..
9. To clean the hands and arms thoroughly before performing surgery ………………..
10. The treatment of diseases or disorders by procedures which require an operation to cut into, to
remove or to manipulate tissue, organs or parts ………………..
Exercise 2.
Design a mind map for one or more of the following:
! health
! hospital
! patient
9
For reference see A & C Black Dictionary of Medical Terms (0 7136 7603 5).
Unit 0000
Nouns
There are 20 nouns connected with medicine in the box below. Use them to complete the
sentences - in some cases you will need to make them plural. The first one has been done
for you as an example.
4. The patient will need plastic _______________ to remove the scars he received in the accident.
8. From the _______________ of the X-ray photographs, it seems that the tumour has not spread.
13. The _______________ of the tissue from the growth showed that it was benign.
14. The parents gave their _______________ for their son's heart to be used in the transplant
operation.
15. The doctors seem pleased that she has made such good _______________ since her operation.
17. Her body could not cope with an _______________ of blood sugar.
19. _______________ is mainly given against cholera, diphtheria, rabies, smallpox, tuberculosis and
typhoid.
20. She had a high temperature and then broke out in a _______________ .
10
For reference see A & C Black Dictionary of Medical Terms (0 7136 7603 5).
Adjectives
Unit 00001
Complete the sentences using the adjectives in the box. Use each adjective once only. The
first one has been done for you as an example.
3. The surgeons are trying to find a donor with a ______________ blood group.
10. Old people can easily become ______________ if they are moved from their homes.
13. All the members of the family are ______________ to vascular diseases.
16. Cholera spread rapidly because of the ______________ conditions in the town.
11
For reference see A & C Black Dictionary of Medical Terms (0 7136 7603 5).
Unit 0000 2
Adjectives
Complete the sentences using the adjectives in the box. Use each adjective once only. The
first one has been done for you as an example.
10. You have to speak slowly and clearly when you speak to Mr Jones because he's quite ________ .
17. Her shoulders are still _______________ where she got sunburnt.
18. Surgeons tried to sew the _______________ finger back onto the patient's hand.
19. She was _______________ for weeks after the death of her husband.
12
For reference see A & C Black Dictionary of Medical Terms (0 7136 7603 5).
Unit
Verbs
0000
1
The sentences in Column A contain examples of useful verbs in medicine. In Column B
there are definitions of the verbs. Read the examples and match the verbs (in italics) with
the definitions. Then write the infinitive forms into the spaces in the definitions in Column
B. The first one has been done for you as an example.
7. The calamine lotion will soothe the g) _________ means to have an illness
rash. for a long period of time
13
For reference see A & C Black Dictionary of Medical Terms (0 7136 7603 5).
Unit 0000
Verbs 2
The sentences in Column A contain examples of useful verbs in medicine. In Column B
there are definitions of the verbs. Read the examples and match the verbs (in italics) with
the definitions. Then write the infinitive forms into the spaces in the definitions in Column
B. The first one has been done for you as an example.
14
For reference see A & C Black Dictionary of Medical Terms (0 7136 7603 5).
Verbs: past tense ~ regular
Unit verbs
0000
All the verbs in the box relate to medical matters. Use the past tense forms to complete the
sentences. The first question has been done for you as an example.
6. She ___________ from poor circulation, which made her feel the cold.
15
For reference see A & C Black Dictionary of Medical Terms (0 7136 7603 5).
Unit 0000
Verbs: mixed tenses
All the verbs in the box relate to medical matters. Use them to complete the sentences. You
may have to change the forms of the verbs to fit the grammar of the sentences.
(Remember the five forms of English verbs - for example: take, takes, took, taken, taking.)
The first question has been done for you as an example.
16
For reference see A & C Black Dictionary of Medical Terms (0 7136 7603 5).
Phrasal
Unit verbs
0000
Natural English conversation includes many phrasal verbs. These are verbs made up of two
words: a verb and a preposition. For example: 'I get up at eight o'clock'. Complete the
sentences below using the phrasal verbs in the box. You will have to change the forms of
some of the verbs to make the grammar of the sentence correct. The first one has been
done for you as an example.
2. The nurses are _______________her very well. break down = to start to cry and
become upset
3. He must have _______________ the disease when he was
bring up = to cough up material
travelling in Africa. such as mucus from the lungs or
throat
4. She often _______________ in front of the TV.
cough up = to cough hard to expel
5. When we told her that her father was ill, she a substance from the trachea
_______________.
drop off = to fall asleep
6. She _______________ and cried as she described the get around = to move about
symptoms to the doctor.
get over = to become better after
7. He _______________ his father. an illness or a shock
10. Since she had the accident she _______________ using knock out = to hit someone so
hard that he or she is no longer
crutches.
conscious
Extension. Work with a partner: write a dialogue which includes at least seven of the
phrasal verbs from this page.
17
For reference see A & C Black Dictionary of Medical Terms (0 7136 7603 5).
Unit 0000
Verbs: active/passive
Change the sentences below from active to passive tense. For example:
Active: The GP referred the patient to a consultant.
Passive: The patient was referred to a consultant by the GP.
Remember that it is not always necessary to mention the subject in a passive sentence. For
example:
Active: We have identified the cause of this outbreak of dysentery.
Passive: The cause of this outbreak of dysentery has been identified.
5. The paramedics comforted the injured person until the ambulance arrived.
Passive:……………………………………………………………………………………………………
14. The drug suppresses the body's natural instinct to reject the transplanted tissue.
Passive:……………………………………………………………………………………………………
18
For reference see A & C Black Dictionary of Medical Terms (0 7136 7603 5).
Unit
Adverbs
0000
The sentences below do not read correctly. Identify the adverbs in the sentences and then
swap the adverbs around so that each sentence makes sense.
3. If the patient sweats fairly, it may be necessary to cool his body with cold compresses.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
11. He has been working as a doctor only for a severely short time.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
19
For reference see A & C Black Dictionary of Medical Terms (0 7136 7603 5).
Unit 0000
Prepositions
The sentences in this exercise contain mistakes. The mistakes are all in the prepositions
and there are three types:
9. This report quotes the number of cases of cervical cancer from thousand patients tested.
10. The doctor put the patient to sleep within a strong narcotic.
20
For reference see A & C Black Dictionary of Medical Terms (0 7136 7603 5).
Word
Unit
stress
00001
One of the keys to English pronunciation is stress - emphasis. There are three possible
patterns for three-syllable words: Group A: " # #
A: " # # hos-pi-tal 1
B: # " # pre-scrip-tion 2
C: # # " rec-om-mend
3
Read these five conversations. Find all the three-syllable
words and classify them by their pronunciation. There are 4
27 in total. Put them in the correct sections of the table on 5
the right. The first one has been done for you as an
example. 6
7
Dialogue 1
$ When was she admitted to hospital? 8
% At about four o'clock.
$ Has there been any improvement? 9
% No, her condition is stable. We're waiting to see how
things develop. 10
Dialogue 2 11
$ What do you recommend?
% Well, first of all: cut down on fatty foods. 12
$ And what else?
13
% Take regular exercise, don't smoke and keep alcohol
down to a minimum.
Group B: # " #
1 admitted
Dialogue 3
$ What's the problem? 2
% I went to give him his injection and I saw that he'd
started to haemorrhage. 3
$ We'll have to operate. Make sure all the
equipment is prepared. 4
% I'll go down to the theatre and check.
5
Dialogue 4
$ So, is it serious? 6
% Don't worry. It's probably just an allergic reaction.
7
$ Are you just saying that to reassure me?
% You're fine. Look, I'm going to give you a prescription 8
for some painkillers…
9
Dialogue 5
$ Have you got the test results yet? 10
% Well, they're still incomplete, but it's clear that it's
positive. 11
$ Any idea when infection took place?
% I'd say five or six weeks ago, but that's just an opinion. Group C: # # "
Do you want to see her medical history? 1
2
Extension. Practise the dialogues with a partner.
3
21
For reference see A & C Black Dictionary of Medical Terms (0 7136 7603 5).
Unit 0000
Word stress 2
One of the keys to English pronunciation is stress - emphasis. There are three normal
patterns for four-syllable words:
A: " # # # vac-ci-na-ted B: # " # # pneu-mo-ni-a C: # # " # in-flu-en-za
22
For reference see A & C Black Dictionary of Medical Terms (0 7136 7603 5).
Present
Unitsimple
0000
Verbs in the present tense add an 's' in the third person singular: I work, you work, he/she/it
works. But the 's' has three different pronunciations. Look at these examples:
Find the third person present tense verbs in these sentences and classify them by their
pronunciation. Put them in the correct columns in the table on the right. Be careful: some
sentences have more than one example. There are 27 verbs in total. The first one has been
completed for you as an example.
1. The patient breathes with difficulty and coughs and
sneezes constantly. Group A: /s/
1…………………………
2. This drug helps to alleviate the symptoms and reduces the 2…………………………
risk of reinfection. 3…………………………
4…………………………
3. A person whose resistance is low catches diseases more easily. 5…………………………
6…………………………
4. When someone panics his heart beats more rapidly and his 7…………………………
temperature rises. 8…………………………
9…………………………
5. The laboratory analyses the blood samples and then the doctor
examines the results and diagnoses the condition.
Group B: /z/
1.…breathes………… .
6. He then recommends a course of treatment and prescribes any
necessary drugs. 2…………………………
3…………………………
7. This drug relaxes the muscles and relieves pain. 4…………………………
5…………………………
8. The gland releases hormones into the bloodstream, causing 6…………………………
an immediate reaction. 7…………………………
8…………………………
9. If the patient sleeps well, he wakes feeling refreshed. 9…………………………
10. She suffers constant pain and controls it by using morphine. Group C: /Iz/
1…………………………
11. This treatment counteracts the effects of the infection.
2…………………………
3…………………………
12. It is a procedure which cures the condition or kills the patient.
4…………………………
13. If the surgeon operates now the chance of success increases to 5…………………………
about 50%. 6…………………………
7…………………………
14. The sinoatrial node regulates the heart beat. 8…………………………
9…………………………
Extension. The same rule applies to plural nouns: /s/ patients, /z/ doctors, /Iz/ nurses.
Work with a partner and find five example nouns for each sound.
23
For reference see A & C Black Dictionary of Medical Terms (0 7136 7603 5).
Unit tense
Past 0000
Regular verbs have three different pronunciations in the past tense (or the past participle).
The difference is in the sound you use for the ending. Look at these examples:
Find the past tense verbs in these sentences and classify them by their pronunciation. Put
them in the correct columns in the table on the right. Be careful: some sentences have
more than one verb. There are 23 examples in total. The first one has been done for you as
an example.
5. The patient coughed and sneezed all through the consultation. 6…………………………
7…………………………
6. The surgeons replaced her hip with a metal one. 8…………………………
17. Nobody noticed that the patient's blood pressure had dropped. 8…………………………
24
For reference see A & C Black Dictionary of Medical Terms (0 7136 7603 5).
Good
Unitadvice
0000
These sentences all give very good advice, but they have been divided into separate halves.
Match the half-sentences in Column A with the half-sentences in Column B to make 14
sentences which are correct, complete and true.
Column A Column B
25
For reference see A & C Black Dictionary of Medical Terms (0 7136 7603 5).
Unit 0000meanings
Multiple
Some words have more than one meaning. For example, the word pulse means the
pressure wave in an artery when the heart beats, but it also refers to a certain type of
vegetable: beans and peas. In the table below 19 meanings appear in the column on the
left. Match each meaning to one of the seven words across the top. The first one has been
done for you as an example.
cold fit focus light notice patient turn
1. A person who is in hospital or who is
being treated by a doctor.
26
For reference see A & C Black Dictionary of Medical Terms (0 7136 7603 5).
Odd
Unit
one0000
out
In each set of words one is the odd one out: different from the others. Find the word that
is different, and circle it.
For example:
Coccyx is the odd one out. It is a bone; the others are all parts of the brain.
27
For reference see A & C Black Dictionary of Medical Terms (0 7136 7603 5).
Unit 0000
Body parts - categories
In this table there are 38 words for parts of the body and six categories. Decide which
category or categories each part belongs to. The first one has been done for you as an
example.
arm hand leg foot torso head
abdomen x
Achilles tendon
ankle
buttock
calf
chest
chin
ear
elbow
eye
eyebrow
eyelash
eyelid
finger
forearm
forehead
gum
hip
knee
knuckle
lip
nail
navel
neck
nipple
nose
palm
rib
scalp
shoulder
sole
temple
thigh
thumb
toe
tongue
tooth
wrist
28
For reference see A & C Black Dictionary of Medical Terms (0 7136 7603 5).
Opposites 2
Exercise 1.
Match the words in italics with their opposites in the box on the right. The first one has
been done for you as an example.
Exercise 2.
Complete these sentences using the words from Exercise 1. Use one word from each pair
of opposites.
3. He was very ill, but now his condition has begun to ________________.
5. She put cream on her hands, which were ________________ from heavy work.
8. The doctor arrived too late: the patient was already ________________.
Extension. Work with a partner and test each other. One partner closes the book, while
the other asks questions such as "What's the opposite of back?".
29
For reference see A & C Black Dictionary of Medical Terms (0 7136 7603 5).
Abbreviations
Test your medical abbreviations. What do the following stand for? Check the ones you
don't know in the dictionary. The first one has been done for you as an example.
2. AIDS ……………………………………………………….................…………………………………
3. BMR …………………………………………………………………….................……………………
4. CAT ………………………………………………………………………………….................………
5. CHD ………………………………………………………………………………………….................
6. D&V ………………………………………………………………………………………….................
7. DOA ………………………………………………………………………………………….................
8. GP .............…………………………………………………………………………………………....
9. HAV ………………………………………………………………………………………….................
13. PM .............…………………………………………………………………………………………....
16. RQ .............…………………………………………………………………………………………....
21. TB .............…………………………………………………………………………………………....
23. UV .............…………………………………………………………………………………………....
24. VDH ………………………………………………………………………………………….................
Extension. Work with a partner and test each other. One partner closes the book, while
the other asks questions such as "What does A & E stand for?".
30
For reference see A & C Black Dictionary of Medical Terms (0 7136 7603 5).
Symptoms & common illnesses 1
These words are all used to talk about illnesses: their symptoms and effects. Tick the ones
you understand. Check the others in the dictionary.
1. allergic reaction 6. inflammation 11. resistance
Read the descriptions below and match them to the names of the illnesses in the box on
the right.
1. An infectious disease of the upper respiratory tract with fever and
allergic rhinitis
muscular aches, which is transmitted by a virus and can occur in
coryza
epidemics.
infectious parotitis
……………………………………………………………………
influenza
pertussis
2. A common infectious viral disease of children, with mild fever,
rubella
swollen lymph nodes and a rash. It can cause stillbirth or
rubeola
malformation of an unborn baby if the mother catches the
varicella
disease while pregnant.
……………………………………………………………………
3. An illness, with inflammation of the nasal passages, in which someone sneezes and coughs and
has a blocked and running nose.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
4. An infectious disease of children, caused by a herpes virus, and characterised by fever and red
spots which turn to itchy blisters.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
5. An infectious disease of children where the body is covered with a red rash. It can weaken the
body's resistance to other disease, especially bronchitis and ear infections. If caught by an adult it
can be very serious.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
6. An infectious disease of children, with fever and swellings in the salivary glands, caused by a
paramyxovirus.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
7. An infectious disease affecting the bronchial tubes, common in children and sometimes very
serious. The patient coughs very badly and makes a characteristic 'whoop' when inhaling after a
coughing fit.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
8. Inflammation in the nose and eyes caused by an allergic reaction to plant pollen, mould spores,
dust mites or animal hair.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
31
For reference see A & C Black Dictionary of Medical Terms (0 7136 7603 5).
Symptoms & common illnesses 2
Exercise 1.
Many illnesses also have informal names. Match the informal and formal names listed
below. The first one has been done for you as an example.
INFORMAL FORMAL
1. Chickenpox is the same as allergic rhinitis
2. A cold is the same as infectious parotitis
3. The flu is the same as coryza
4. German measles is the same as influenza
5. Hay fever is the same as rubella
6. Measles is the same as rubeola
7. Mumps is the same as pertussis
8. Whooping cough is the same as varicella
Exercise 2.
Complete these six conversations between doctors and patients by writing in the name of
the illness. Use the informal terms from the table above.
32
For reference see A & C Black Dictionary of Medical Terms (0 7136 7603 5).
Diagnosis
Read the eleven descriptions which follow, using your dictionary as and when necessary.
What is the disease or illness being described in each case?
1. A disorder of the nervous system in which there are convulsions and loss of consciousness due to
disordered discharge of cerebral neurons.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
2. A condition where tissues die and decay, as a result of bacterial action, because the blood supply
has been lost through injury or disease of the artery.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
3. A condition where the lens of the eye gradually becomes hard and opaque.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
4. A progressive nervous disorder without a known cause which is a type of Parkinsonism, the main
symptoms of which are trembling hands, a slow shuffling walk and difficulty in speaking.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
5. An infectious disease in which infected lumps form in the tissue. Its commonest form is infection of
the lungs, causing patients to lose weight, cough blood and have a fever. It is caught by breathing
in germs or by eating contaminated food, especially unpasteurised milk.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
6. A hereditary disease in which there is malfunction of the exocrine glands such as the pancreas, in
particular those which secrete mucus, causing respiratory difficulties, male infertility and
malabsorption of food from the gastrointestinal tract.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
7. A progressive disease of the liver, often associated with alcoholism, in which healthy cells are
replaced by scar tissue.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
8. A serious, infectious disease of children. Its first symptoms are a sore throat, followed by a slight
fever, rapid pulse and swelling of the glands in the neck. A fibrous growth like a membrane forms
in the throat and can close the air passages. The disease is often fatal, either because the patient is
asphyxiated or because the heart becomes fatally weakened.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
9. A disorder of the brain, mainly due to brain damage occurring before birth, or due to lack of
oxygen during birth. The patient may have bad coordination of muscular movements, impaired
speech, hearing and sight, and sometimes mental retardation.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
10. Inflammation of the membrane lining the intestines and the stomach, caused by a viral infection,
and resulting in diarrhoea and vomiting.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Extension. Write a description of a disease or illness and see if your partner can recognise
it.
33
For reference see A & C Black Dictionary of Medical Terms (0 7136 7603 5).
How it works
Match the half-sentences in column A with the half-sentences in column B to make 18
sentences which are correct, complete and true. The first one has been done for you as an
example.
Column A Column B
1. Fluid accumulates in the tissue … a) ... the acetabulum at the hip and the tibia
at the knee.
2. The autonomic nervous system works ...
b) …the chest muscles relax and the lungs
3. Cartilage is thick connective tissue become smaller.
which …
c) ... as a man grows older.
4. A blood vessel is any tube (artery, vein,
capillary) that … d) … of patients suffering from dropsy.
5. The pituitary gland secretes hormones e) ... according to the ABO system.
that …
f) ... deoxygenated blood from the heart to
6. The femur joins … the lungs for oxygenation.
7. Expiration takes place when … g) ... lines the joints and acts as a cushion.
8. The pulmonary arteries take ... h) ... to digest fatty substances and to
neutralise acids.
9. The trachea runs …
i) … is about 72 beats a minute.
10. Bile is produced by the liver, stored in the
gall bladder and used … j) … derived from the carotid artery.
11. The colon is divided ... k) ... when a person is asleep or even
unconscious.
12. Holocrine glands ...
l) ... to human life.
13. The prostate gland tends to enlarge ...
m) … carries blood round the body.
14. The very high frequency waves of
ultrasound … n) … from the larynx to the lungs.
18. Blood groups may be classified … r) .… control the functioning of the other
glands.
34
For reference see A & C Black Dictionary of Medical Terms (0 7136 7603 5).
Instruments and equipment
Match each of the following instruments and items of equipment with its correct
description below. The first one has been done for you as an example.
1. wheelchair = a chair with wheels in which someone can sit and move around
4. __________ = a surgical instrument with handles like a pair of scissors, made in different sizes and
with differently shaped ends, used for holding and pulling
5. __________ = a surgical instrument like a long thin spoon, used for scraping the inside of an
organ
6. __________ = a thin glass tube used for taking and measuring samples of liquid
8. __________ = a surgical instrument with a bent end used for holding structures apart in
operations
10. __________ = an instrument placed between the teeth to stop the mouth from closing
11. __________ = a medical instrument made of a tube with a plunger which either slides down inside
the tube, forcing the contents out through a needle as in an injection, or slides up the tube,
allowing a liquid to be sucked into it
12. __________ = a tube passed into the body along one of the passages in the body
13. __________ = a piece of cloth which is wrapped around a wound or an injured limb
14. __________ = a triangular bandage attached around the neck, used to support an injured arm and
prevent it from moving
15. __________ = a folding bed, with handles, on which an injured person can be carried by two
people
16. __________ = a stiff support attached to a limb to prevent a broken bone from moving
17. __________ = two earpieces connected to a tube and a metal disc, used to listen to sounds made
inside the body
Extension. Work with a partner and test each other. For example: "What do you call a
chair with wheels in which someone can sit and move around?"
35
For reference see A & C Black Dictionary of Medical Terms (0 7136 7603 5).
Chemistry
What are the names for the symbols of the chemical elements and compounds in the table
below? Complete the 'name' column and connect each substance to the notes which refer
to it. The first one has been done for you as an example.
Symbol Name Notes
(a) acid found in the gastric juices which helps to break apart
1. Na ...sodium (e)...
the food
11. S ....................... (k) gas which combines with oxygen to form water
14. H ....................... (n) light metallic element which does not corrode
17. HCN ....................... (q) powerful greenish gas, used to sterilise water
20. C10H14N2 ....................... (t) yellow non-metallic element found in some amino acids
Extension. Check the pronunciation of the 20 elements and compounds, then work with
a partner to test each other: one person writes the symbol, while the other says the names.
36
For reference see A & C Black Dictionary of Medical Terms (0 7136 7603 5).
Anagrams 1
Solve the anagrams by reading the clues and putting the letters in order to form words.
Write your answers in the grid to find the mystery word spelled by their initial letters.
1. Action of breathing……………………………………… RAEINOPRIST
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
Mystery word: a person specially trained to operate a machine to take X-ray photographs
37
For reference see A & C Black Dictionary of Medical Terms (0 7136 7603 5).
Parts of the body crossword 1
All the answers in this crossword are parts of the body.
1 2 3 4 5
6 7
8 9 10
11 12 13
14 15 16
17
18
19 20
21
22 23
24
25
26 27
ACROSS DOWN
1. Joins the femur and the tibia (4) 1. It cleans your blood (6)
2. The organ into which food passes after 3. Main part of the body, without the arms,
being swallowed and where the process of legs and head (5)
digestion continues (7) 4. A major artery (5)
6. The first part of the small intestine (8) 5. Connected to 8 across, funnily enough (7)
8. Hinged joint in the arm (5)
7. Eye socket (5)
10. It grows on your head (4)
9. Narrow part of the body below the chest
11. The upper chambers of 18 across (5)
and above the buttocks (5)
12. Breathing organs (5)
12. The major detoxicating organ (5)
15. They carry blood to 11 across (5)
17. Part of the body with which a person sees 13. Hard growth which forms on the top
(3) surface at the end of each finger and toe
18. The organ which moves blood around your (4)
body (5) 14. Cheekbone (6)
21. Cell in the nervous system which transmits 16. Protects the brain (5)
impulses (6) 18. At the end of your arm (4)
22. An organ which secretes substances which 19. The throat or neck, major artery (7)
act elsewhere in the body (5) 20. The back of each joint on a person's hand
24. A white oily substance in the body, which (7)
stores energy and protects the body 23. Bundle of fibres which take impulses from
against cold (3)
one part of the body to another (5)
25. Tissue which forms the outside surface of
24. End part of the leg on which a person
the body (4)
stands (4)
26. Type of nerve ending or cell (8)
27. For hearing with (3)
38
For reference see A & C Black Dictionary of Medical Terms (0 7136 7603 5).
Communicative crossword 1 sheet A
This crossword is not complete: you have only half the words. The other half are on sheet
B. Check that you know the words in your crossword. Then work with a partner who has
sheet B to complete the two crosswords. Follow these three rules:
1. Speak only in English.
1 2 3 4
R A I S E
E T
5 6
H E A R T A T T A C K
N I H
7 8
G N
9 10 11
I A
N
12 13 14 15
H E A R G A S
E A
16
F G
17
N A I L I
E T
18 19
A P E X T
20
A A
21 22
R P L
23 24 25 26
S E R E T E
E G
27 28
L G
39
For reference see A & C Black Dictionary of Medical Terms (0 7136 7603 5).
Communicative crossword 1 sheet B
This crossword is not complete: you have only half the words. The other half are on sheet
A. Check that you know the words in your crossword. Then work with a partner who has
sheet A to complete the two crosswords. Follow these three rules:
1. Speak only in English.
1 2 3 4
S L E E P Y
C A
5 6
H T
I
7 8
Z Y G O T E
9 10 11
O P L A C E B O
P I Y V
12 13 14 15
H G E E
R L L R
16
E O G L A N D
17
N T S O
I T H S
18 19
A I E E
20
S C A N S
21 22
H
23 24 25 26
I N S P E C T
P I
27 28
S H O U L D E R L E G
40
For reference see A & C Black Dictionary of Medical Terms (0 7136 7603 5).
Anagrams 2
Solve the anagrams by reading the clues and putting the letters in order to form words.
Write your answers in the grid to find the mystery word spelled by their initial letters.
10
11
12
Mystery word: found in sugar and starch, and provides the body with energy
41
For reference see A & C Black Dictionary of Medical Terms (0 7136 7603 5).
Word search
Find the 28 medical terms and expressions hidden in the letters below; 14 read across and
14 read down. The first word has been found for you as an example. The clues listed
beneath will help you to find all of the words.
P A T H O L O G I S T W
E C N O S T R I L P R O
N L S C R E E N I O I M
D I M M U N E A V T C B
E N B C S L I D E W E T
M I L B E D S O R E P H
I C O R T I S O N E S E
C H C P A N C R E A S R
D O U E T A P A A G T N
F S M L I S P S S E A I
A T O N Y A G H E H K A
I R O N A L L E R G E N
1 2 3 4 5 6
R R C T
7
E E H E
8
D T A N
U I I D
9
C R N O
10 11
T R A C E E R N
I M E
12 13 14
O P C H E A L T H
15 16
N U O C
17 18
T C T R I P
19
A A H I
20 21
B T L O
N E E N
22 23 24
O M A N I C
25 26
R S L
27
M A L I G N O
A I S
28
L M E
43
For reference see A & C Black Dictionary of Medical Terms (0 7136 7603 5).
Communicative crossword 2 sheet B
This crossword is not complete: you have only half the words. The other half are on sheet
A. Check that you know the words in your crossword. Then work with a partner who has
sheet A to complete the two crosswords. Follow these three rules:
1. Speak only in English.
1 2 3 4 5 6
R E C O V E R
7
U I H O M E
8
D O R M A N T
E B
9
L A R Y N X
10 11
E
12 13 14
H
15 16
N E U R O N Y
17 18
C A T P
19
O
20 21
B O T T L E C O U N T
H
22 23 24
O E
25 26
L I V E R
27
A M
I
28
L Y M P H A D E N O M A
44
For reference see A & C Black Dictionary of Medical Terms (0 7136 7603 5).
Parts of the body crossword 2
All the answers to this crossword are parts of the body.
1 2 3 4
5 6 7
8 9
10
11 12
13
14 15 16 17
18 19
20
21
22
23
ACROSS DOWN
1. Ligament (5) 1. All the bones which make up a body (8)
4. One of the calcified pieces of connective 2. Joint between the hand and the forearm
tissue which make 1 down (4) (5)
5. Organ used for hearing (3) 3. Branch of a nerve, artery or vein (5)
4. Encephalon (5)
8. Sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch (6)
6. Inside layer of the eye which is sensitive to
11. It connects your foot to your leg (5)
light (6)
13. Thorax (5)
7. In the middle of your face (4)
14. Other side to the front (4)
9. Cavity inside the body, including the
16. Egg-producing organ (5) cavities inside the head behind the
20. Clavicle (10) cheekbone, forehead and nose (5)
21. One of twenty-four inside 13 across 10. Main muscle in 13 across (8)
23. Plural of foot (4) 12. Part of the body which joins the head to
the body (4)
14. Air passage from the trachea to the lungs
(8)
15. Human tail, at the end of the backbone (6)
17. One of two muscles in the top part of
the back which moves the shoulder
blades (8)
18. Soft, fat flesh (4)
19. Wall between two parts of an organ (6)
21. Radix, point from which a limb grows (4)
22. One of ten found on 23 across (3)
45
For reference see A & C Black Dictionary of Medical Terms (0 7136 7603 5).
Gap fill crossword
Complete the crossword with the missing words from the sentences.
1 2 3 4
5 6
9 10
11
12 13
14 15
16 17
18
19 20 21
22 23
24 25
26
27
ACROSS DOWN
1. He ______ a new type of catheter. (8) 1 The catheter is ______ into the passage.
5. Blood ______ were taken from all the staff (8)
in the hospital. (7) 2. How can you afford this ______
7. There is a ______ of names in alphabetical treatment? (9)
order. (4) 3. She gave ______ to twins. (5)
8. She must have a cold - her ______ is 4. The surgeon was able to move the organ
running. (4) back to its ______ position. (8)
9. We will ______ the operating theatre with 6. The doctor put her to ______ with a
the latest scanning devices. (5) powerful narcotic. (5)
10. Fear of snakes is a common ______. (6) 11. The patient suffers from an allergic
13. Sugar is a source of ______ . (6) ______ to oranges. (8)
14. The doctor ______ the patient's broken 12. Her ______ rate was very irregular. (5)
arm. (3) 14. The lining of the uterus is ______ during
16. When she cut her finger it ______. (4) menstruation. (4)
17. He breathed in the smoke from the fire 15. When you add the reagent, the solution
and it made him ______. (5) will ______ blue. (4).
18. He went to see an ______ specialist about 20. We have ______ out the extent of the
his deafness. (3) tumour. (6)
19. Anorexic patients may become ______ and 21. The drug begins acting after a very short
may need hospitalisation. (9) ______. (4)
24. Can I make an ______ to see Dr Jones? 22. There were two hundred ______ of
(11) cholera in the recent outbreak. (5)
26. The box is so heavy she can't ______ it off 23. The clinic has a ______ of 100. (5)
the floor. (4) 25. The ______ is the ratio of a person's
27. He became hysterical and had to be put mental age, given by an intelligence test,
under ______. (8) to the person's actual age. (2)
46
For reference see A & C Black Dictionary of Medical Terms (0 7136 7603 5).
Communicative crossword 3 sheet A
This crossword is not complete: you have only half the words. The other half are on sheet
B. Check that you know the words in your crossword. Then work with a partner who has
sheet B to complete the two crosswords. Follow these three rules:
1. Speak only in English.
1 2 3 4
N T
5
E A
6
A L
7
R L P U S
S A
8
I R
G T
9 10
T E C H N I C I A N
T A
11 12
E L
13
D
14 15
S O N D
16
T E E
17
E S F
18 19
R S E
20
A I N
21 22 23
G L M C A L
24
D E P E N D E N C E D
47
For reference see A & C Black Dictionary of Medical Terms (0 7136 7603 5).
Communicative crossword 3 sheet B
This crossword is not complete: you have only half the words. The other half are on sheet
A. Check that you know the words in your crossword. Then work with a partner who has
sheet A to complete the two crosswords. Follow these three rules:
1. Speak only in English.
1 2 3 4
E X A M I N A T I O N
5
P N H
6
I N C U R A B L E O
7
L Y S
E L T
8
P R O P R I E T A R Y
S S
9 10
Y T N
O A
11 12
M A T E R N A L R
13
W A O C
14 15
R S O
16
I E L E M E N T
17
S I T E I
18 19
T R E S O L V E C
20
O
21 22 23
I
24
N
48
For reference see A & C Black Dictionary of Medical Terms (0 7136 7603 5).
Quiz
How many of these questions can you answer?
2. Complete the following sentence. "In human anatomy, the hand has a dorsal and a palmar
surface, and the foot a dorsal and a __________ surface."
6. What is the term for an organisation responsible for overseeing the provision of primary
healthcare and the commissioning of secondary care in a district. Key members include GPs,
community nurses, social services and lay members?
7. If a patient is living at home and going to a hospital for treatment, is he/she classed as an
"inpatient" or an "outpatient"?
11. To which part of the body do words beginning with "gastr-" refer?
12. Formerly, burns were classified by degrees (first-degree burn and second-degree burn). The
modern classification is into two categories. What are these categories?
Extension. Work with a partner and write a medical knowledge quiz. Make sure you know
the answers. Then ask the questions to another pair of students in the class.
49
For reference see A & C Black Dictionary of Medical Terms (0 7136 7603 5).
Vocabulary Record Sheet
WORD CLASS NOTES (Translation, definition, example, etc.)
50
For reference see A & C Black Dictionary of Medical Terms (0 7136 7603 5).