Webster's New World Medical Dictionary

Introduction
lexicographer A writer of dictionaries, a harmless drudge.
–Samuel Johnson, 1755
Like the previous editions, this edition has been conceived and developed by the staff of the health
information Web site MedicineNet.com, part of the WebMD Health Network. One of the earliest
health information sites on the Internet, MedicineNet.com has devoted a number of years to creat-
ing an online medical dictionary that now contains a wealth of contemporary medical terms and
provides the broad foundation for this book. 
To create this new edition of 
Webster’s New World Medical Dictionary,
we have reviewed every
entry in the previous edition and have rewritten and strengthened many of those entries. In addition,
we have selected new entries from our online medical dictionary for incorporation into this third
edition. A unique feature of an online medical dictionary is that it can (and does) evolve rapidly to
keep pace with the changes in medicine. We have taken advantage of this to update 
Webster’s New
World Medical Dictionary.
Like all of the medical content from MedicineNet.com, this dictionary was written and edited by
physicians, to be used by anyone and everyone concerned about their own health or the health of
those who matter to them. All the medical information found on MedicineNet.com has been devel-
oped by a network of physicians. The physicians select the topics and review and edit all written con-
tent. These physicians also make use of medical specialists and health writers throughout the US.
The “About the Authors” pages provide abbreviated biographies of the editors and specialists who
contributed content to the MedicineNet.com online dictionary and this book.
Medicine is now advancing with remarkable rapidity on many fronts, and the language of medi-
cine is also continually evolving with remarkable rapidity, commensurate with the changes. Today,
there is constant need for communication between and among consumers and providers of health
care. There is consequently a need for a high-quality, contemporary medical dictionary. 
In the current health care environment, patients and their physicians, nurses, and allied health pro-
fessionals must be able to discuss the ever-changing aspects of health, disease, and biotechnology.
An accurate understanding of medical terminology can assist communication and improve care for
patients, and it can help to alleviate the concerns of family members and friends. 
The fact that the content of this dictionary is physician-produced by MedicineNet.com ensures an
unusual degree of professional expertise, reliability, and perspective. 
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As a bonus, this edition includes a companion Web site at www.medterms.com/wnw. There you will
find content not found in the book such as PDF healthcare guides and audio podcasts.
We hope that you will find 
Webster’s New World Medical Dictionary, Third Edition
a valuable addi-
tion to your family or office library and a source of both information and illumination in any med-
ical situation.
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