{"id":143669,"date":"2023-11-11T15:40:28","date_gmt":"2023-11-11T20:40:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/learn\/spanish-medical-terms\/"},"modified":"2025-01-31T06:57:20","modified_gmt":"2025-01-31T11:57:20","slug":"spanish-medical-terms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/spanish\/spanish-medical-terms\/","title":{"rendered":"143 Useful Spanish Medical Terms"},"content":{"rendered":"

Medical Spanish is useful for medical professionals, travelers<\/a>,\u00a0everyday folks and anyone who wants to be equipped to help people out in an emergency.<\/p>\n

In this post, you’ll find 143 Spanish medical terms, covering everything from key vocabulary for giving medical information and describing symptoms to talking about common medical conditions.<\/p>\n

[fluentu-toc]<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Giving and Asking for Medical Information<\/h2>\n

\"a-doctor-holding-an-ipad-talking-to-a-female-patient\"<\/a><\/p>\n

When you arrive at a hospital or want to speak with a medical professional about a condition, you’ll often have to begin by giving important information, such as your name, social security number or insurance details before you are seen.<\/p>\n

You’ll notice below that, when speaking to patients, medical personnel will generally use the formal usted<\/em>\u00a0form<\/a> of “you.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
Spanish<\/th>English<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
\u00bfCu\u00e1l es el problema? <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>What is the problem?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Me duele \/ duelen la \/ el \/ las \/ los... <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>My ______ hurt\/hurts.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Me duelen los pies. <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>My feet hurt.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tengo dolor de... <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>I have a pain\/ache of...<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tengo dolor de cabeza. <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>I have a headache.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Estoy enfermo \/ enferma. <\/a>\n <\/em>*<\/td>I am sick (masculine\/feminine)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Si\u00e9ntese aqu\u00ed, por favor. <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Sit here, please.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00bfTiene seguro m\u00e9dico? <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Do you have medical\/health\u00a0insurance?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Necesito ver su... <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>I need to see your...<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tarjeta de\u00a0seguro m\u00e9dico <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Medical\/health insurance card<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0\u00bfCu\u00e1l es su...? <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>What is your...?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nombre <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>First name<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Apellido <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Last name<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nombre completo <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Full name (first and last)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
N\u00famero de seguro social <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Social security number<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
N\u00famero de tel\u00e9fono <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Telephone number<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Direcci\u00f3n <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Address<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00bfEn qu\u00e9 trabaja? <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>What field do you work in?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00bfQui\u00e9n es su contacto de emergencia? <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Who is your emergency contact?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

*As is standard with Spanish-language adjectives and nouns<\/a>, we use the masculine –o\u00a0<\/em>ending when referring to boys and men and the feminine –a\u00a0<\/em>ending when referring to girls and\u00a0women.<\/p>\n

Describing Your Symptoms in Spanish<\/h2>\n

\"doctor-checking-the-temperature-of-a-patient\"<\/p>\n

After giving your information and briefly mentioning your condition, you’ll need to describe your symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
Spanish<\/th>English<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Dolor <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Pain<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Enfermo <\/a>\n \/ Enferma <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Sick, sick person, patient (masculine\/feminine)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Enfermedad <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Illness, sickness, disease<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Temperatura <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Temperature<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Presi\u00f3n <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Blood pressure<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Presi\u00f3n baja <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Low blood pressure<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Presi\u00f3n alta <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>High blood pressure<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Pulso <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Pulse<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
S\u00edntoma <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Symptom<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Fiebre <\/a>\n \/ Calentura <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Fever<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
P\u00e9rdida de peso <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Weight loss<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mal apetito <\/a>\n \/ Poco apetito <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Bad appetite \/ Poor appetite<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Malestar en el est\u00f3mago <\/a>\n \/ Trastorno estomacal <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Upset stomach<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
N\u00e1useas <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Nausea<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
V\u00f3mito <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Vomit, vomiting<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Diarrea <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Diarrhea<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Estre\u00f1imiento <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Constipation<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Fatiga <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Fatigue<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Palpitaciones <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Palpitations<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Falta de aire <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Shortness of breath<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mareo <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Motion sickness, dizziness<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Debilidad <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Weakness<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Insomnio <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Insomnia<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hinchaz\u00f3n <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Swelling, bloating, bump\/lump<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Roncha <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Bump, lump<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sarpullido <\/a>\n \/ Salpullido <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Rash<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Picaz\u00f3n <\/a>\n \/ Comez\u00f3n <\/a>\n \/ Picor <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Itch<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

Essential Spanish Medical Terms<\/h2>\n

\"close-up-photo-of-a-doctor-writing-notes-on-a-clipboard\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Whether you’re talking to a doctor or visiting a family member in the hospital, it’s important to know these essential Spanish medical terms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
Spanish<\/strong><\/th>English<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Doctor <\/a>\n \/ Doctora <\/a>\n , M\u00e9dico <\/a>\n \/ M\u00e9dica <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Doctor (masculine\/feminine)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Enfermero <\/a>\n \/ Enfermera <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Nurse (masculine\/feminine)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Internista <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Internist<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cirujano <\/a>\n \/ Cirujana <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Surgeon (masculine\/feminine)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ayudante <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Assistant<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
T\u00e9cnico <\/a>\n \/ T\u00e9cnica <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Technician (masculine\/feminine)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Paciente <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Patient<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hospital <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Hospital<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cl\u00ednica <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Clinic<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Farmacia <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Pharmacy<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Consultorio <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Doctor's office, surgery<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sala de espera <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Waiting room<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sala de emergencia <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Emergency room<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sala de cuidados intensivos <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Intensive care unit (ICU)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sala de maternidad <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Maternity ward<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sala de operaciones <\/a>\n \/ Quir\u00f3fano <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Operating room<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sala de recuperaci\u00f3n <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Recovery room<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Laboratorio <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Lab<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Examen <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Test, exam, checkup<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
An\u00e1lisis de sangre <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Blood test, blood work<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tomograf\u00eda <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Tomography<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Biopsia <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Biopsy<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Radiograf\u00eda <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Radiography<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Terapia <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Therapy<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cirug\u00eda <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Surgery<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ritmo card\u00edaco <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Heart rate<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Signos vitales <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Vital signs<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Peso <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Weight<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

Common Medicines in Spanish<\/h2>\n

\"close-up-photo-of-medicine\"<\/a><\/p>\n

If you need to go to a pharmacy or request specific medication when abroad, these words will be useful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
Spanish<\/strong><\/th>English<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Medicina <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Medicine<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Medicamento <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Medication, medicine<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Prescripci\u00f3n <\/a>\n \/ Receta <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Prescription<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Pastilla <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Pill<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
P\u00edldora <\/a>\n <\/em>*<\/td>Pill<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
C\u00e1psula <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Capsule<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tableta <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Tablet<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ung\u00fcento <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Ointment, salve<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Crema <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Cream, lotion<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

*P\u00edldora\u00a0<\/em>generally means “pill.” However, it’s also used to refer to the birth control pill in particular.<\/p>\n

Parts of the Body in Spanish<\/h2>\n

\"xray-of-a-humans-upper-body-against-a-black-background\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Knowing the words for parts of the body in Spanish is essential. Here are some of the most common terms you’ll hear:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
Spanish<\/th>English<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Espalda <\/a>\n <\/td>Back<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Espina <\/a>\n \/ Columna vertebral <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Spine<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cara <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Face<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Pulm\u00f3n <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Lung<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
M\u00fasculo <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Muscle<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Piel <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Skin<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hueso <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Bone<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sangre <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Blood<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Arteria <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Artery<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Vena <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Vein<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Coraz\u00f3n <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Heart<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cerebro <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Brain<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lengua <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Tongue<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Es\u00f3fago <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Esophagus<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Est\u00f3mago <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Stomach<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
H\u00edgado <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Liver<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ves\u00edcula biliar <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Gallbladder<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
P\u00e1ncreas <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Pancreas<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ap\u00e9ndice <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Appendix<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ri\u00f1\u00f3n <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Kidney<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Vejiga <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Bladder<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Abdomen <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Abdomen<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ingle <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Groin<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Intestino <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Intestine<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Colon <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Colon<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ojo <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Eye<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Oreja <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>(Outer) ear<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
O\u00eddo <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>(Inner) ear<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Boca <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Mouth<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nariz <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Nose<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mand\u00edbula <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Jaw<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cuello <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Neck<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Diente <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Tooth<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Brazo <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Arm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hombro <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Shoulder<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mu\u00f1eca <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Wrist<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mano <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Hand<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Dedo <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Finger<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Dedo del pie <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Toe<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Pierna <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Leg<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cadera <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Hip<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Rodilla <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Knee<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tobillo <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Ankle<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Pie <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Foot<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

For more Spanish body part vocabulary, check out this post<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Medical Conditions and Illnesses in Spanish<\/h2>\n

\"sick-woman-wiping-her-nose-with-tissue\"<\/a><\/p>\n

If you have any medical conditions or allergies, it’s important to learn the appropriate vocabulary before you travel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
Spanish<\/strong><\/th>English<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Diabetes <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Diabetes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hepatitis <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Hepatitis<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Conmoci\u00f3n cerebral <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Concussion<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Depresi\u00f3n <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Depression<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Enfermedad card\u00edaca <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Heart disease<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ataque al coraz\u00f3n <\/a>\n \/ Infarto <\/a>\n \/ Paro card\u00edaco <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Heart attack<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Artritis <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Arthritis<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
C\u00e1ncer <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Cancer<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Apoplej\u00eda <\/a>\n \/ Derrame cerebral <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Stroke<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Asma <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Asthma<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Alergia <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Allergy<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Virus <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Virus<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Catarro <\/a>\n \/ Resfriado <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Cold<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Gripe <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Flu<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Infecci\u00f3n <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Infection<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Envenenamiento <\/a>\n \/ Intoxicaci\u00f3n <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Poisoning<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

Why You Should Learn Medical Spanish<\/h2>\n

One reason why many people learn medical Spanish is to prepare to work in a medical field<\/strong>. Plenty of jobs require Spanish, including some great ones in the medical field. Even if a job doesn’t require<\/em>\u00a0Spanish, there are still economic advantages to learning it. Learning proper medical terms is a good way to work towards better Spanish for business<\/a>, particularly if you’re working in any healthcare or medical field.<\/p>\n

Another reason to learn medical Spanish is to prepare you to assist a Spanish-speaker in a medical emergency<\/strong>. Many EMTs don’t speak Spanish, and some hospitals and clinics lack sufficient Spanish-speaking staff. While they have professional translators they can call, there isn’t always time in an emergency. Being able to pitch in and help with your Spanish skills could literally save a life.<\/p>\n

Learning medical Spanish can also help you communicate during a medical emergency abroad<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Medical Spanish is also valuable in order to communicate an underlying medical condition while abroad.\u00a0<\/strong>If you have any chronic conditions, it’s important to know the terms to describe your condition and associated symptoms. Putting together your own advanced Spanish vocabulary list<\/a> will help you keep track of all the terms related to your condition.\u00a0<\/p>\n

You should also learn some medical Spanish in case you need medication abroad<\/strong>. Try to bring your own medications whenever possible and make sure you follow the International Association for Medical Assistance to Travellers’ guidelines<\/a>. Being able to describe what’s happening is key to getting the assistance you need.<\/p>\n

Resources to Learn Medical Spanish<\/h2>\n

There are lots of great resources like MedicalSpanish.com<\/a>\u00a0and PracticingSpanish.com<\/a> to help prepare you with more useful medical terms. Medical students or others looking for the full treatment could also check out the “Medical Spanish Series”<\/a> at ed2go, a set of online courses that specifically teach you Spanish for use in medical situations.<\/p>\n

Seeing medical terms used in context can help you begin to incorporate them into your everyday Spanish vocabulary. You can try searching for some of these terms on FluentU<\/a> to hear them used by native speakers.<\/p>\n

FluentU<\/strong> takes authentic videos\u2014like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talks\u2014and turns them into personalized language learning lessons.<\/p>\r\n

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