Medical Dictionary: Glossary (O)

What is obese?

Well above one’s normal weight. A person is considered to be obese if they are more than 20% over their ideal weight. That ideal weight must take into account the person’s height, age, sex, and build.

What is obstetrics?

The medical specialty dedicated to managing pregnancy, labor, and the puerperium (the time after delivery).

What is odynophagia?

Pain on swallowing food and fluids, a symptom often due to disease of the esophagus.

What is oliguria?

Less urination than normal.

What is omentum?

A sheet of fat that is covered by peritoneum. The greater omentum is attached to the bottom edge of the stomach and hangs down in front of the intestines.

What is oncologist?

A physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

What is oocyte?

A female germ cell in the process of development.

What is optometrist?

A practitioner who provides primary eye and vision care, performs eye examinations to detect vision problems, and prescribes corrective lenses to correct those problems.