Medical Glossary

Terms starting with R

AdenoidRachenmandel: The adenoid is lymphatic tissue in the upper part of the throat behind the nose. In children it can become enlarged and then obstruct nasal breathing; in everyday language this is referred to as polyps.
BPRR: RR is the common abbreviation for blood pressure, named after Riva-Rocci, the inventor of the measuring method. The upper and the lower value are given, for example 120 over 80.
ConvalescenceRekonvaleszenz: Convalescence refers to the recovery phase after an illness or an operation, during which the body gradually recovers. In this time, strength and physical capacity return step by step.
Costal marginRippenbogen: The costal margin is the palpable, arch-shaped edge at the lower end of the rib cage. During an examination it serves as a point of orientation, for example for feeling the liver or spleen.
CracklesRasselgeräusch: Crackles are additional lung sounds that become audible when listening with a stethoscope. They indicate fluid or mucus in the airways, for example in pneumonia or heart failure.
Dry coughReizhusten: A dry, irritating cough is a cough without phlegm that is triggered by irritation of the airways. It occurs, for example, at the start of a cold, with allergies or as a side effect of some medicines.
Fifth diseaseRingelröteln: Slapped cheek disease is a childhood illness caused by parvoviruses, with a typical garland-shaped rash on the cheeks and body. In children it is usually harmless, but during pregnancy it can endanger the child.
FormulationRezeptur: A compounded preparation is a medicine prepared individually in the pharmacy according to a doctor's instructions. It is used when a ready-made product is not suitable, for example in the case of special ointment mixtures.
Impulse conductionReizleitung: Conduction refers to the transmission of electrical signals, for example in the heart. Via special pathways it ensures that the heart chambers contract in an orderly manner and at the right rhythm.
Irritable bladderReizblase: With an irritable bladder, there is a frequent, sudden urge to urinate, often with only small amounts of urine. An identifiable cause such as a urinary tract infection can usually not be found.
Irritable bowelReizdarm: Irritable bowel syndrome is a functional disorder of the digestive tract with abdominal pain, bloating and altered bowel movements. Despite distressing symptoms, no identifiable organic cause can be found.
Irritable stomachReizmagen: A functional (irritable) stomach is a functional disorder with upper abdominal complaints such as a feeling of fullness, nausea and early satiety. No organic cause can be found for it.
IrritationReizung: Irritation refers to a mild inflammatory or overuse reaction of a tissue without serious damage. It can affect the skin, eyes, mucous membranes or tendons, for example.
Menstrual periodRegelblutung: Menstruation is the monthly bleeding from the uterus as part of the female cycle. It occurs through the shedding of the lining of the uterus when no pregnancy has taken place.
PharyngitisRachenentzündung: Pharyngitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the throat with a sore throat, difficulty swallowing and redness. It is usually caused by viruses and less often by bacteria.
PharynxRachen: The pharynx is the area behind the mouth and nasal cavity where the airway and the food passage cross. It connects the nose and mouth with the larynx and the oesophagus.
PleuraRippenfell: The parietal pleura (Pleura parietalis) is the part of the pleura that lines the inside of the rib cage, the diaphragm, and parts of the mediastinal space. Together with the visceral pleura, it forms the pleural cavity.
PleurisyRippenfellentzündung: In pleurisy (pleuritis), the pleura is inflamed — the serous membrane between the lung and the chest wall. Typical symptoms are sharp, breathing-dependent chest pain; the cause needs to be medically evaluated.
PrescriptionRezept: A prescription is a doctor's written order for a medicine, which entitles you to obtain it at the pharmacy. It contains details about the active ingredient, the quantity and how to take it.
RadiculopathyRadikulopathie: A radiculopathy is an irritation or damage to a nerve root at the spine, often caused by a slipped disc. It manifests itself with pain, tingling or weakness that radiates along the nerve.
Radioiodine therapyRadiojodtherapie: Radioiodine therapy is a treatment for thyroid disorders using radioactive iodine. The iodine accumulates in the thyroid gland and specifically shrinks or destroys overactive or diseased tissue.
RadiologyRadiologie: Radiology is the medical speciality that makes diseases visible using imaging techniques such as X-ray, ultrasound, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Radiologists interpret these images and in some cases also carry out image-guided procedures.
RadiotherapyRadiotherapie: Radiotherapy is a treatment using ionising radiation, which is mainly used for cancer. The radiation specifically damages tumour cells while sparing the surrounding healthy tissue as far as possible.
Radius: The radius is one of the two bones of the forearm. It runs along the thumb side and is frequently affected by fractures in falls onto the hand.
Ramus: Ramus is the Latin term for a branch, for example of a nerve or a blood vessel. In anatomical names it denotes a side branch that splits off.
ReagentReagenz: A reagent is a substance that triggers a chemical reaction in the laboratory or makes it visible. Reagents are used to detect certain substances in blood, urine or tissue.
RecanalisationRekanalisation: Recanalisation refers to the reopening of a blocked blood vessel so that the blood can flow freely again. It is crucial, for example, in the treatment of a heart attack or stroke.
ReceptorRezeptor: A receptor is a docking site on or in a cell to which certain messenger substances, hormones or medicines bind. This binding triggers a signal that influences the cell in its function.
Receptor blockerRezeptorblocker: A receptor blocker is a medicine that occupies certain docking sites in the body and thereby inhibits their effect. Well-known examples are beta blockers, which weaken the effect of stress hormones on the heart.
Receptor statusRezeptorstatus: The receptor status describes which docking sites are present on tumour cells, for example for hormones. In breast cancer it helps to assess how the tumour is likely to respond to certain treatments.
RectoscopyRektoskopie: Rectoscopy is an examination of the rectum using a rigid viewing tube. It is used to examine the lower end of the bowel for bleeding, inflammation or growths.
RectumRektum: The rectum is the last section of the large intestine before the anus, about 15 centimetres long. It serves as a collecting site for stool before it is passed.
RecurrenceRezidiv: A recurrence is the renewed occurrence of a disease after it had subsided in the meantime or appeared to be cured. The term is often used for cancer, infections or chronic conditions.
ReductionReponierung: Reduction refers to returning displaced bone or joint parts to their normal position. It is carried out, for example, after a bone fracture or a dislocation in order to enable healing.
Reference rangeReferenzbereich: The reference range is the range within which a laboratory value usually lies in healthy people. Values outside this range are considered abnormal, but do not necessarily indicate disease.
Reflex: A reflex is an involuntary, rapid reaction of the body to a stimulus, such as the twitching of the leg when the knee tendon is tapped. Doctors test reflexes in order to assess the function of the nerves and the spinal cord.
Reflux: Reflux refers to the flowing back of stomach contents into the oesophagus. Typical complaints are heartburn and acid regurgitation, especially when lying down or after eating.
Regeneration: Regeneration refers to the body's ability to renew or replace damaged tissue. How well this works depends greatly on the tissue; the skin and the liver, for example, regenerate particularly well.
Regurgitation: Regurgitation is the flowing back of food pulp or liquid without active vomiting. In cardiology, the term also refers to the backflow of blood through a leaking heart valve.
Rehabilitation: Rehabilitation comprises measures that help people to regain lost functions and independence after illness, an accident or an operation. These include, for example, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and training programmes.
RehydrationRehydratation: Rehydration is the replacement of a fluid deficit, for example after diarrhoea, vomiting or heavy sweating. It is carried out by drinking special solutions or by means of infusions.
Relapsing feverRückfallfieber: Relapsing fever is an infectious disease caused by bacteria with recurring bouts of fever. Fever-free phases occur between the bouts; the disease is transmitted by lice or ticks.
Remission: Remission refers to the easing or temporary disappearance of signs of disease — for example in cancer or chronic inflammation. Complete remission means that no signs of disease can be detected any more, without this necessarily meaning a cure.
ResectionResektion: A resection is the surgical removal of a piece of tissue or an organ, for example a tumour or a section of the bowel. It is carried out in order to remove diseased tissue.
Residual urineRestharn: Residual urine is the amount of urine that remains in the bladder after passing water. An increased amount of residual urine can indicate a bladder emptying disorder, for example with an enlarged prostate.
Resorption: Absorption is the uptake of substances from the intestine, from wounds or from tissue into the blood or the lymph. It determines, for example, how well nutrients and medicines work.
Resting ECGRuhe-EKG: A resting ECG is the recording of the heart's electrical activity while the person lies relaxed. It is used to assess the heart rhythm and to look for signs of circulatory problems or previous heart attacks.
Resting pulseRuhepuls: The resting heart rate is the heart rate at complete physical rest, measured as beats per minute. 60 to 100 beats per minute are considered normal; in trained individuals, it is often below this.
ResuscitationReanimation: Resuscitation refers to reviving a person in cardiac arrest, usually by chest compressions and ventilation. The aim is to maintain blood circulation until the heart beats on its own again.
Retention: Retention refers to the holding back in the body of substances that should actually be excreted. Well-known examples are urinary retention in the bladder and the accumulation of fluid in the tissue.
ReticulocytesRetikulozyten: Reticulocytes are young red blood cells that are not yet fully mature. Their number in the blood shows how actively the bone marrow is producing new red blood cells.
Retina: The retina is the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye. It contains the visual cells, which convert incoming light into nerve signals and thus make sight possible.
RetinopathyRetinopathie: Retinopathy is a disease of the retina, frequently as a consequence of diabetes or high blood pressure. Damaged blood vessels can impair vision and, if left untreated, lead to blindness.
Retroflexion: Retroflexion refers to a backward bending of an organ, most commonly the uterus. This positional variant is usually harmless and as a rule does not cause any complaints.
Rhesus factorRhesusfaktor: The Rhesus factor is a characteristic on the surface of the red blood cells that determines whether the blood group is positive or negative. It is particularly important during pregnancy when mother and child have different factors.
RheumatismRheuma: Rheumatism is an umbrella term for numerous disorders of the musculoskeletal system that involve pain, stiffness and inflammation of the joints or muscles. The causes range from wear and tear to misdirected reactions of the immune system.
RheumatologyRheumatologie: Rheumatology is the speciality that treats inflammatory and degenerative diseases of the joints, muscles, tendons and connective tissue. These include, for example, rheumatoid arthritis and autoimmune diseases.
Rhinitis: Rhinitis is an inflammation of the nasal lining with a runny nose, a blocked nose and the urge to sneeze. It can be triggered by cold viruses or by allergies such as hay fever.
RhinoplastyRhinoplastik: Rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure to change the shape of the nose. It is performed for aesthetic reasons or to correct breathing obstructions and misalignments.
RibRippe: The ribs are the paired, curved bones of the chest. They protect the heart and lungs and are connected to the spine by joints, allowing them to move with breathing.
Rib contusionRippenprellung: A rib contusion is a painful injury to the rib cage caused by blunt force, without the rib being broken. The pain, which depends on breathing, can last for weeks but usually heals on its own.
RicketsRachitis: Rickets is a disease of the growing bone in children, usually caused by vitamin D deficiency. The bones remain soft and can become deformed, for example into bow legs.
Rickets preventionRachitisprophylaxe: Rickets prophylaxis is the prevention of rickets in infants by giving vitamin D. It is intended to support the healthy development and strengthening of the bones.
Rigor: Rigor is an abnormal muscle stiffness in which a persistently increased muscle tone makes movement difficult. It is a typical sign of Parkinson's disease.
Risk factorRisikofaktor: A risk factor is a circumstance that increases the likelihood of developing a particular illness. Examples include smoking, excess weight or high blood pressure; some factors can be influenced, others cannot.
RubellaRöteln: Rubella is a contagious viral disease with a skin rash, mild fever and swollen lymph nodes. It is dangerous above all during pregnancy, because it can harm the unborn child.
RuptureRuptur: A rupture is the tearing or bursting of a tissue, for example a tendon, a muscle, a ligament or a blood vessel. It frequently results from overloading, injury or pre-existing damage.
Spinal anesthesiaRückenmarkanästhesie: Spinal cord anesthesia" usually refers to spinal anesthesia, a regional anesthesia performed close to the spinal cord. The local anesthetic is administered in the lower back into the cerebrospinal fluid space (subarachnoid space), not into the spinal cord itself.
Spinal cordRückenmark: The spinal cord is the part of the central nervous system that runs inside the spinal canal. It conducts signals between the brain and the body and also controls simple reflexes.
Stimulus thresholdReizschwelle: The stimulus threshold is the minimum intensity a stimulus must reach in order to trigger a response. It plays a role, for example, in the perception of pain or in nerve and muscle responses.
Throat swabRachenabstrich: A throat swab is the taking of a sample from the throat with a cotton swab. It serves to detect pathogens such as bacteria or viruses, for example in a sore throat or respiratory infections.
X-rayRöntgen: X-ray is an imaging procedure in which the inside of the body is made visible with the help of X-rays. It is particularly suitable for depicting bones, for example in the case of fractures, and the lungs.