Medical Vocabulary in Portuguese

When visiting Brazil for the first time, many people tend to search for the basic sentences in Portuguese, such as ‘hi’, ‘how are you?’, ‘can you help me?’, ‘where is the toilet?’. And that is very useful because most of the population in Brazil does not speak any other language than Portuguese. However, what if you have a medical emergency? Maybe it is important to learn some medical vocabulary in Portuguese before your trip as well.

We may think we are always prepared for everything. But when we find ourselves in a foreign country without much help and needing medical assistance, knowing some basic vocabulary might be a life-saver when paying a visit to the emergency room.

Yes, public health care is universal and free for everyone in Brazil, including foreign tourists. You will not need to worry about medical expenses in case you need it. However, it will not be easy to find a doctor who speaks your native language. Better be prepared to explain your symptoms to them.

So, let’s learn some medical vocabulary in Portuguese.

Symptoms – Medical Vocabulary in Portuguese

Cansaço

When you feel tired frequently.

Coceira

Irritation of the skin causing a desire to scratch yourself.

Cólica

An involuntary and spasmodic contraction of a muscle, sometimes causing severe pain. In Brazil, it is very common to use this word for menstrual cramps.

Coriza

Excess nasal drainage. A thin fluid or thick mucus that comes out of your nose.

Diarreia

An intestinal disorder that causes frequent fecal evacuations, usually in liquid form.

Dor

Physical suffering or discomfort.

Falta de ar

Difficulty in breathing.

Febre

Body temperature higher than 38ºC.

Náusea

Stomach discomfort that may cause the sensation of wanting to vomit. Another word with the same meaning is ‘enjoo.’

Pressão Alta

High blood pressure.

Tosse

An involuntary way of expelling air from the lungs causing a harsh noise.

Vermelhidão

When your skin turns red because of an infection, rash, or irritation.

Vômito

The matter ejected from the stomach through the mouth.

Common diseases – Medical Vocabulary in Portuguese

Alergia

A damaging immune response by the body to which it has become hypersensitive.

Apendicite

Inflammation of the appendix.

Asma

A serious allergic disorder that causes difficulty in breathing.

Bronquite

Inflammation of bronchial tubes.

Cálculo Renal

Hard deposits made of minerals and salts that form inside your kidneys.

Câncer

A kind of several diseases in which abnormal cells start to grow uncontrollably, being able to spread to other parts of the body.

Cárie

When you have bacteria on your teeth, causing cavity formation on it.

Cistite

Inflammation of the bladder.

Conjutivite

Inflammation of the conjunctiva of the eye.

Depressão

Constant feeling of severe sadness.

Diabetes

A metabolic disorder in which the body does not properly process food. It is characterized by inadequate production or utilization of insulin.

Enxaqueca

An extremely severe headache, often accompanied by nausea and disturbed vision.

Faringite

Inflammation of the pharynx.

Gastrite

Inflammation of the stomach.

Gripe

An acute respiratory illness caused by viruses.

Hipertensão

A long-term medical condition in which the blood pressure is persistently elevated.

Laringite

Inflammation of the larynx.

Obesidade

The condition of being heavily overweight.

Osteoporose

A medical problem characterized by low bone mass.

Otite

Inflammation of the ear.

Pneumonia

Inflammation of the lungs.

Resfriado

A common and mild viral infectious disease that primarily affects the nose, throat, sinuses, and larynx.

Rinite

Inflammation of the mucous membrane of the nose caused by an allergic reaction.

Doctors – Medical Vocabulary in Portuguese

Alergista

A doctor who treats allergies.

Cardiologista

A specialist in the treatment of heart diseases.

Cirurgião

A medical practitioner qualified to practice surgery.

Clínico Geral

A medical doctor who provides primary healthcare to patients regardless of sex, age, or symptoms.

Dentista

A specialist in the treatment of teeth and gums.

Dermatologista

A doctor who specializes in conditions involving the skin, hair, and nails.

Gastroenterologista

A medical practitioner that treats disorders of the stomach and intestines.

Geriatra

A specialist who focuses on health care of elderly people.

Ginecologista

A doctor that treats women and their reproductive system.

Neurologista

A specialist in the anatomy of nerves and the nervous system.

Obstetra

The doctor that delivers babies.

Oftalmologista

A medical doctor who specializes in diseases affecting people’s eyes.

Oncologista

A medical practitioner qualified to diagnose and treat malignant tumors.

Ortopedista

The doctor who is specialized in bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles.

Otorrinolaringologista

Brazilians call it ‘Otorrino‘ for short. It is the doctor who is specialized in treating disorders of the ear, nose, and throat. 

Pediatra

A doctor who takes care of children.

Proctologista

A medical doctor who diagnoses and treats disorders of the rectum, anus, and the entire gastrointestinal tract.

Psiquiatra

A medical practitioner specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness.

Urologista

A physician who specializes in diseases of the urinary tract and the male reproductive system.

Parts of the body that may need medical attention – Medical Vocabulary in Portuguese

Ânus

The opening at the lower end of the intestines where feces come out from.

Bexiga

A membranous sac in which the urine is retained.

Cabeça

The upper part of the human body, containing the brain, eyes, nose, mouth, and ears.

Coração

The organ that pumps blood through your body.

Dente

The hard structure attached to the jaw, used for biting and chewing.

Estômago

The organ that stores, dilutes, and digests food.

Faringe

A cavity that connects the nose and the mouth to the esophagus.

Fígado

An organ located in the upper right side of the abdominal cavity, involved in many metabolic processes.

Garganta

The passage from the mouth to the stomach, which includes the pharynx, esophagus, larynx, and trachea.

Gengiva

Connective tissue attached to the teeth.

Intestino

The lower part of the alimentary canal from the end of the stomach to the anus.

Laringe

An organ in the throat, containing the vocal cords.

Ossos

The pieces of the skeleton.

Ouvido

The organ of hearing and balance.

Pênis

The male genital organ.

Pulmão

The main organ of the respiratory system.

Rins

The bean-shaped organs in the back part of the abdominal cavity.

Vagina

The female genital organ.

Learn more vocabulary in Portuguese

Check our past articles to learn a few other special vocabularies in Portuguese. Keep an eye on Caminhos’ blog for future articles as well.

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Learn the name of the colors in Portuguese | Lesson 10
Vocabulary – School Supplies in Portuguese | Lesson 6
Portuguese Vocabulary – Restaurant | Lesson 4
Portuguese Vocabulary – Let’s talk about food | Lesson 3
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If you want to learn Brazilian Portuguese and immerse yourself in the Brazilian culture, join Caminhos Language Centre for Portuguese lessons. Caminhos offers high-quality Portuguese courses, in group and private lessons. We can also help you with student visa for Brazil and homestay in Rio de Janeiro.