[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2025\/08\/medical-jargon-guide\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2025\/08\/medical-jargon-guide\/","headline":"A Patient’s Guide to Common Medical Jargon","name":"A Patient’s Guide to Common Medical Jargon","description":"

Sometimes, it's hard to understand what your doctor is saying because medical jargon feels like its own language. Here's how to improve communication.<\/p>","datePublished":"2025-08-08","dateModified":"2025-12-03","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/","name":"UPMC","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/upmc\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/GettyImages-1015394218-e1754064233346.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/GettyImages-1015394218-e1754064233346.jpg","height":866,"width":2000},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2025\/08\/medical-jargon-guide\/","about":["Family Health","Health Topics A-Z"],"wordCount":1198,"articleBody":"It\u2019s a common scenario: You go to a doctor’s appointment and walk out feeling confused. You\u2019re not exactly sure what your doctor said about your condition or how to treat it.The problem? Many doctors use medical terminology that\u2019s unfamiliar to most people.Here\u2019s how to communicate better with doctors and other health care providers.Why Do Doctors Use Medical Jargon?Health care providers undergo years of training in specific fields. They need to learn exact medical terms. This helps them get used to long Greek or Latin words and other medical jargon.But for someone without a medical degree, \u201cdoctor-ese\u201d can feel like a foreign language. And for anyone who\u2019s not a native English speaker, deciphering medical terminology can feel even more confusing.However, it\u2019s vital that you and your doctor communicate effectively. Your good health may depend on it.What Do These Medical Terms Mean?Here are some of the most common medical terms your primary care provider may use and their plain English meaning:Acute \u2014\u00a0Short-term or sudden disease.Asymptomatic \u2014\u00a0Not feeling or showing signs of disease.Chronic \u2014\u00a0Long-lasting.Contusion \u2014\u00a0Bruise.Edema \u2014\u00a0Swelling.Embolism \u2014 Blocked artery.Etiology \u2014\u00a0What caused an illness.Fracture \u2014\u00a0Broken bone.Hypertension \u2014\u00a0High blood pressure.Inpatient \u2014\u00a0Care that requires an overnight stay.Intravenous \u2014\u00a0A way to deliver medicine through your veins.Outpatient \u2014\u00a0Care that allows you to go home the same day.Prognosis \u2014\u00a0The expected outcome of the disease.Relapse \u2014\u00a0When a disease returns.Sutures \u2014\u00a0Stitches.How Can I Understand Medical Jargon and Tests Related to Cancer Care?Cancer terminology can seem like a language all its own. Here are some of the most common words and phrases used in cancer care.Benign: Noncancerous.Biomarker: A molecule used to diagnose cancer and predict a response to treatment.Biopsy: A procedure in which a surgeon collects a tissue sample to see if cells are cancerous.Carcinoma: Cancerous tumor.Localized: A tumor that hasn\u2019t spread.Malignant: Cancerous.Metastasize: When cancer spreads to other locations in the body.Oncologist: A doctor who treats cancer.Recurrence: When cancer comes back.Remission: When signs of cancer disappear.Staging: Classification of cancers. Stage 1 is the least serious; Stage 4 is the most serious.Tumor markers: Substances that cells produce in response to cancer cells.Likewise, many cancer tests and procedures have confusing names. They include:Colonoscopy:\u00a0 A procedure where doctors insert a tube into the rectum to screen for colon cancer.Computed tomography (CT or CAT scan): Imaging that shows more details than an x-ray.Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): Digital imaging that uses radio waves to see inside the body.Mammogram: Screening x-ray to detect breast cancer.Positron emission tomography (PET) scan: Imaging that uses a special dye to find cancer.X-ray: Imaging that uses electromagnetic waves to see inside the body.How Can I Communicate Better with My Doctor?Communication with health care providers is a two-way street. Ideally, your doctor should speak in clear, easy-to-understand language. But you can also take action to improve communication.To get the most out of your doctor’s appointment:Do your prep workYou should:Bring copies of any medical records and test results that you have.Make a list of current medications and herbal remedies you take. Include any known allergies to medicine.Prepare to talk about your medical history. It might help to write down the approximate dates of illnesses, pregnancies, injuries, and when new symptoms began.Write down a list of questions and all your current symptoms, even ones that may not feel important. Include what makes you feel better and what makes you feel worse when you experience symptoms.Bring supportHaving a friend or family member at the appointment can help. They can offer emotional support and help you recall the doctor\u2019s instructions. They can also advocate on your behalf.Some medical centers provide patient advocates or nurse navigators for those seeking care. If English isn’t your first language, a navigator can help with communication issues and cultural barriers.Give honest answersYour doctor can\u2019t help you if they don\u2019t know about your lifestyle. Give honest answers to questions about habits like smoking, drinking, and exercise. Don\u2019t just tell your doctor what you think they want to hear.If finances are a concern, say so. It\u2019s OK to ask about estimated out-of-pocket costs, insurance coverage, and payment plans.Take notesIt\u2019s common for your mind to go blank in the doctor\u2019s office. Bring a notebook to write down information. Or, have a friend or family member take notes so you can focus on what the doctor is saying.You should ask the doctor for the correct wording and spelling of any medical terms.Ask questionsPart of your doctor\u2019s job is to relay information in a clear, compassionate way. So you should always ask for further clarification if you don\u2019t understand something your doctor says.Don\u2019t feel embarrassed, especially if you’re hearing a distressing or confusing diagnosis. Instead, keep asking questions and don\u2019t leave the appointment until you completely understand what your doctor is saying.Echo your doctorOne good tactic: Repeat the information back to the doctor. (\u201cSo what you\u2019re saying is that I should \u2026 ?\u201d) Saying it out loud both confirms what the doctor said and helps you remember it in your own words.Make sure you’re clear on your next stepAsk questions like: Do I need to schedule testing, or does the office do it? Do I need to make a follow-up appointment? Is a virtual visit possible?Don\u2019t leave the doctor\u2019s office without knowing what to do next.Where Can I Find Information on Medical Terms?The internet is a storehouse of information, but not all of it is accurate. For help understanding\u00a0medical terminology, stick to reliable sources. These include official medical association websites and government entities like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Some other resources to help you understand medical jargon include:American Academy of Professional Coders.CancerCare.MedlinePlus.Merck Manual.National Cancer Institute.Patient Advocate Foundation.SourcesJAMA Network Open. Accuracy in Patient Understanding of Common Medical Phrases. Accessed June 2025. https:\/\/jamanetwork.com\/journals\/jamanetworkopen\/fullarticle\/2799079\/ JAMANetwork.comAmerican Academy of Professional Coders. Tips and strategies for learning medical terminology. Accessed June 2025. https:\/\/www.aapc.com\/resources\/medical-terminology\/ AAPC.comMerck Manual. Understanding Medical Terms. Accessed June 2025. https:\/\/www.merckmanuals.com\/home\/resourcespages\/medical-terms\/ MerckManuals.com\u00a0MedlinePlus. Understanding Medical Words Tutorial. Accessed June 2025. https:\/\/medlineplus.gov\/medwords\/medicalwords.html\/ MedlinePlus.govHospital Pediatrics. Lost in Translation: Teenagers\u2019 Understanding of Common Medical Jargon. Accessed June 2025. https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/39923798\/ NIH.govCancerCare. Terms to Know: Screening and Diagnosis. Accessed June 2025. https:\/\/www.cancercare.org\/publications\/393-terms_to_know_screening_and_diagnosis\/ CancerCare.orgMedlinePlus. Talking With Your Doctor. Accessed June 2025. https:\/\/medlineplus.gov\/talkingwithyourdoctor.html\/ MedlinePlusAmerican Cancer Society. Cancer Glossary: Definitions & Phonetic Pronunciations. Accessed June 2025. https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/understanding-cancer\/glossary.html#:~:text=The%20American%20Joint%20Committee%20on,grows%20back%20after%20treatment%20ends\/ Cancer.orgPatient Advocate Foundation. Tips for Talking With Your Doctor. Accessed June 2025. https:\/\/www.patientadvocate.org\/explore-our-resources\/interacting-with-your-physician\/tips-for-talking-with-your-doctor\/ PatientAdvocate.org"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2025","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2025\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"08","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2025\/\/08\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"A Patient’s Guide to Common Medical Jargon","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2025\/08\/medical-jargon-guide\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]