Medical Glossary

Terms starting with K

Bone density measurementKnochendichtemessung: Bone density measurement is an examination that determines the mineral content of the bones. It helps to detect weakened bones (osteoporosis) and an increased risk of fractures. The most common method uses a small amount of X-ray radiation.
Bone marrowKnochenmark: The bone marrow fills the cavities of many bones and produces the blood cells: red and white blood cells as well as platelets. It is therefore central to oxygen transport, immune defence and blood clotting. Diseases of the bone marrow can disturb blood formation.
CachecticKachektisch: Cachectic describes a condition of severe emaciation and wasting. Those affected appear clearly underweight, with loss of muscle and fatty tissue. The term is derived from cachexia.
CachexiaKachexie: Cachexia is a severe, pathological loss of weight and strength with a breakdown of muscle mass. It often occurs in advanced cancer or chronic illnesses. Those affected appear noticeably emaciated and weakened.
CalciumKalzium: Calcium is a mineral that is important for bones, teeth, muscle activity and blood clotting. Its level in the blood is closely regulated by hormones. Values that are too high or too low can cause symptoms.
CancerKrebs: Cancer is a collective term for diseases involving the uncontrolled growth of malignant cells. These can grow into healthy tissue and form secondary tumours in other organs. There are numerous types of cancer with very different courses.
CapillaryKapillare: Capillaries are the finest blood vessels in the body and connect arteries and veins. Oxygen and nutrients are released to the tissue through their thin walls. They form a fine network in almost all organs.
Carbonic anhydraseKarboanhydrase: Carbonic anhydrase is an enzyme that helps the body handle carbon dioxide and regulate the acid-base balance. It is found in red blood cells and in the kidney, among other places. Certain medicines specifically inhibit this enzyme.
CarcinogenKarzinogen: Carcinogenic describes a substance or influence that can promote the development of cancer. Examples include tobacco smoke or certain chemicals and radiation. The term means cancer-causing.
CarcinomaKarzinom: A carcinoma is a malignant type of cancer that arises from covering tissues such as the skin or mucous membranes. It is the most common form of cancer; its behaviour depends greatly on the site and the stage. Examples are bowel or breast cancer.
CardiologyKardiologie: Cardiology is the medical speciality that deals with the heart and the blood vessels. It covers the detection and treatment of heart conditions such as rhythm disorders or heart failure. Specialists in this field are called cardiologists.
CardiomyopathyKardiomyopathie: Cardiomyopathy is a collective term for diseases of the heart muscle that impair its pumping performance. The heart muscle may be thickened, enlarged or stiffened. Heart failure can be the result.
CardioversionKardioversion: Cardioversion is a procedure to restore a disturbed heart rhythm to a normal beat. This is done with medication or a targeted electric shock. It is used, for example, in atrial fibrillation.
Carotid arteryKarotis: The carotid is the large artery in the neck that supplies the brain with blood. Narrowing caused by deposits can increase the risk of a stroke. Its pulse can be felt easily at the neck.
Carpal tunnel syndromeKarpaltunnelsyndrom: Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when a nerve is compressed in the wrist. Typical signs are tingling, numbness and pain in parts of the hand, often at night. The cause is increased pressure in a narrow channel of the wrist.
CatamnesisKatamnese: A catamnesis is the follow-up observation of the course of an illness after treatment has been completed. It records how the patient is doing later on. In this way the long-term success of treatment can be assessed.
CataractKatarakt: Cataract is a clouding of the eye lens that increasingly impairs vision. Those affected see as if through a veil. It usually occurs in older age and is colloquially called grey cataract.
CatatoniaKatatonie: Catatonia is a condition with striking disturbances of movement and drive. Those affected may freeze, remain in one position, or act restlessly and repetitively. It occurs in both mental and physical illnesses.
CatheterKatheter: A catheter is a thin, flexible tube that is inserted into a vessel, an organ or a body cavity. It is used, for example, to drain urine or to administer medicines. There are many different designs for different purposes.
Catheter ablationKatheterablation: Catheter ablation is a procedure used to treat cardiac arrhythmias. Using a catheter, tissue in the heart that triggers the disturbance is specifically destroyed. The procedure is usually carried out through a vein in the groin.
CaudalKaudal: Caudal is a directional term in anatomy and means towards the tail end, that is, located lower down. It describes the position of one body part in relation to another. The opposite is cranial, towards the head.
CausalityKausalität: Causality refers to the causal relationship between a cause and an effect. In medicine it is important to know whether a factor actually causes a disease or merely occurs alongside it by chance. This distinction is decisive for treatment.
CavityKavität: A cavity is a hollow space in the body or in a tissue. In dentistry the term refers to the hole in a tooth caused by caries. In general it means a natural or disease-related hollow space.
Cesarean sectionKaiserschnitt: A caesarean section is the birth of a child through a surgical incision in the abdominal wall and the uterus. It is performed when a natural birth would be too risky or does not appear possible. In medical terms it is called sectio caesarea.
CirculationKreislauf: The circulation is the system of the heart and blood vessels that pumps blood through the body. It supplies the organs with oxygen and nutrients and carries away waste products. Disturbances may show up as dizziness or collapse, for example.
ClaudicationKlaudikation: Claudication refers to exertion-related pain, usually in the legs, that forces the person to stop walking. The cause is often a circulatory disorder due to narrowed arteries. Because of the pauses taken, it is also known as window-shopping disease.
ClavicleKlavikula: The clavicle is the collarbone, an elongated bone between the breastbone and the shoulder blade. It connects the arm with the trunk. In falls it is one of the most frequently broken bones.
ClimactericKlimakterium: The climacteric is the transitional phase in a woman's life from her fertile years to the end of monthly periods. During this time the hormone balance changes, which can trigger complaints such as hot flushes. In everyday language it is called the menopause or «the change of life».
Climate therapyKlimatherapie: Climate therapy uses certain climatic conditions such as mountain, sea or stimulating climates to relieve symptoms. It is used, for example, in skin or respiratory diseases. It is based on factors such as clean air, sunshine or a low allergen load.
ClinicKlinik: A clinic refers to a hospital or a specialised treatment facility. The term also means the overall picture of a disease, that is, the sum of its complaints and signs. In this sense one speaks of the clinical picture of an illness.
ClinicalKlinisch: Clinical refers to everything that concerns the direct examination and observation of patients. A clinical finding is based on looking, feeling and listening, not on laboratory values or images. The word distinguishes direct assessment from technical, device-based procedures.
CognitionKognition: Cognition comprises mental abilities such as thinking, remembering, learning, attention and language. Disturbances of these functions can occur, for example, in dementia. The term describes the processing of information in the brain.
ColicKolik: A colic is a cramping pain in a hollow organ that often rises and falls in waves. Well-known examples are gallbladder and kidney colic, for instance caused by stones. The pain arises when muscles contract against an obstruction.
ColitisKolitis: Colitis is an inflammation of the large intestine. Typical complaints are abdominal pain and diarrhoea, sometimes with blood. The causes range from infections to chronic inflammatory bowel diseases.
CollagenKollagen: Collagen is an important structural protein of the connective tissue and gives strength to skin, tendons, bones and cartilage. It forms a supporting framework in the body. Its content in the skin decreases with age.
CollapseKollaps: A collapse is a sudden physical breakdown, usually with brief unconsciousness. It is often caused by a temporary drop in blood flow to the brain, for example due to low blood pressure. Because cardiac causes can also be behind it, every collapse should be medically evaluated.
ColonoscopyKoloskopie: A colonoscopy is an examination of the large intestine using a flexible tube with a camera at its tip. It serves for the early detection of bowel cancer and for investigating bowel complaints. Suspicious polyps can be removed during the same procedure.
ColostomyKolostomie: A colostomy is a surgically created bowel opening on the abdomen through which stool is diverted into a bag. It becomes necessary when a section of the large intestine has to be relieved or bypassed. It can be temporary or permanent.
ComaKoma: A coma is a state of deep unconsciousness from which the affected person cannot be roused. It can result from injuries, poisoning or severe diseases of the brain. The cause and the depth of the coma determine the further course.
ComorbidityKomorbidität: Comorbidity refers to the presence of several diseases at the same time in one person. These accompanying conditions can influence one another and make treatment more difficult. The term is particularly important in older people.
CompressKompresse: A compress is a folded piece of fabric or gauze that is placed on the skin or a wound. It can cover wounds or act as a warm or cold application. Sterile compresses are used in wound care.
CompressionKompression: Compression means pressure or squeezing together. In medicine it is used, for example, with compression stockings to support the veins and counteract swelling. Pressing on a bleeding wound is also a form of compression.
ConceptionKonzeption: Conception refers to the moment of fertilisation, that is, the fertilisation of the egg cell by a sperm cell. This marks the beginning of a pregnancy. The embryo develops from the fertilised egg cell.
CondomKondom: A condom is a thin sheath, usually made of latex, used for contraception and for protection against sexually transmitted infections. It is rolled over the erect penis. It is one of the few methods that also protects against infections.
CongenitalKongenital: Congenital means present from birth, that is, already existing at the time of birth. The term is used for malformations or diseases that arise during development in the womb. It says nothing about the cause.
ConjunctivitisKonjunktivitis: Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva of the eye. Typical signs are redness, watering, burning and sometimes a purulent discharge. The causes can be infections, allergies or irritants.
ContraindicationKontraindikation: A contraindication is a circumstance that speaks against a particular examination or treatment. It can mean that a procedure must not be used at all or only with special caution. The opposite is an indication.
Contrast mediumKontrastmittel: A contrast agent is a substance that makes certain structures more clearly visible during imaging examinations. It is used, for example, in computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. It is usually given through a vein or is drunk.
ContusionKontusion: A contusion is a bruise, that is, a blunt injury to tissue without an open wound. It is caused by an impact or blow and often leads to swelling and a haematoma. Internal organs can also be affected by a contusion.
ConvulsionKonvulsion: A convulsion is a seizure with involuntary, often violent muscle twitching. It can occur in epilepsy, with high fever or with other disorders of the brain. The term describes the visible convulsive event.
Coronary arteryKoronararterie: The coronary arteries are the vessels that supply the heart muscle itself with blood. If they become narrowed by deposits, chest pain or a heart attack can occur. They encircle the heart like a wreath.
CortisoneKortison: Cortisone is an active substance related to the body's own hormone cortisol; it dampens inflammation and influences the immune system. It is used for many inflammatory and allergic conditions. It is applied in forms ranging from ointments to tablets and injections.
CraniotomyKraniotomie: A craniotomy is an operation in which the skull bone is temporarily opened in order to gain access to the brain. It is used, for example, for tumours or bleeding. After the procedure the bone is usually closed again.
CreatinineKreatinin: Creatinine is a breakdown product of muscle metabolism that is excreted by the kidneys. Its level in the blood gives indications of kidney function. Elevated values can point to reduced kidney performance.
CurettageKürettage: Curettage is a scraping procedure in which tissue is removed from a body cavity, usually the uterus. It serves to investigate symptoms or to remove tissue. A spoon-like instrument is used.
Germ cellKeimzelle: Germ cells are the body's reproductive cells, that is, egg cells in women and sperm cells in men. They contain half the set of chromosomes. During fertilisation they merge into a new cell.
Germ countKeimzahl: The germ count indicates how many microorganisms are present in a sample such as urine or a wound swab. It helps to assess whether an infection is present. It is determined in a microbiology laboratory.
GoiterKropf: A goitre is a visible enlargement of the thyroid gland in the neck. A common cause is iodine deficiency or a disorder of the gland's function. In medical terms it is called a struma.
Kaposi's sarcomaKaposi-Sarkom: Kaposi's sarcoma is a rare cancer that appears mainly on the skin and mucous membranes as reddish-bluish patches. It occurs more frequently when the immune system is weakened, for example in an HIV infection. A particular virus is involved in its development.
Keratin: Keratin is a solid protein that makes skin, hair and nails resilient. It forms the outermost protective layer of the skin. Calloused skin also consists predominantly of keratin.
KernicterusKernikterus: Kernicterus is a severe form of newborn jaundice in which bile pigment is deposited in the brain. It can cause lasting damage. Thanks to monitoring and timely treatment, it can usually be avoided today.
KyphosisKyphose: Kyphosis is a backward curvature of the spine in the chest area. A slight kyphosis is normal; a more pronounced form appears as a rounded back. Causes may include posture, wear and tear or weakened bones.
Magnetic resonance imagingKernspintomografie: Magnetic resonance imaging is an imaging procedure that uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed cross-sectional images of the body. It does not require X-rays and shows soft tissues particularly well. It is the same as magnetic resonance tomography.
ScabiesKrätze: Scabies is a contagious skin disease caused by tiny mites. Typical signs are severe itching, especially at night, and fine burrows in the skin. It is usually transmitted through close skin contact.
Temporomandibular jointKiefergelenk: The temporomandibular joint connects the lower jaw with the skull and allows the mouth to open, close and move. Problems can show themselves as pain, clicking or restricted mobility. It is involved in chewing and speaking.
Ventricular fibrillationKammerflimmern: Ventricular fibrillation is a life-threatening cardiac arrhythmia in which the heart chambers only twitch in an uncoordinated way instead of pumping. The circulation collapses as a result. It is an emergency requiring immediate resuscitation.
Whooping coughKeuchhusten: Whooping cough is a contagious infectious disease of the airways caused by bacteria. Typical are long-lasting, cramp-like coughing fits. It can be dangerous especially for infants; a vaccination is available.