Medical English Vocabulary
The Medical Academic Word List (MAWL) contains 623 non-subject specific and medical words which were selected because they appear with great frequency in a broad range of medical research articles. There are over 3000 words because each word has a number of word forms.
Example: cell(n)/ cells(n)/ cellulose(n) / cellulate(v) / celled(adj) / cellular(adj)
There are 10 sublists separated in terms of frequency with Sublist 1 being the most frequent.The list helps identify academic vocabulary and medical terminology.
Medical Academic Word List (MAWL)
Sublist 1
cell • data • muscular • significant • clinic • analyse • respond • factor • method • protein • tissue • dose • gene • previous • demonstrate • normal • process • similar • concentrate • function • therapy • indicate • area • obtain • research • vary • activate • require • induce • cancer • occur • role • evident • range • identify • period • outcome • phase • specific • liver infect • culture • mediate • score • affect • potential • individual • expose • involve • survive target • respective • intervene • site • design • primary research • approach • estimate • component • acid • baseline
Sublist 2
procedure • overall • pathway • inflammation • region • participate • lesion • technique • volume • serum • define• evaluate • prior • assay • injury • section • task• achieve • symptom detect • molecular • error • incubate • donor• intense • chronic • fraction • insulin • contrast react • source • available • disorder • positive • structure •multiple • generate • conclude medium • inhibit • complex • distribute • major • tumor • initial • channel • receptor• membrane • stress • strain • nuclear • ratio • approximate • release • transplant • surgery • assess • impact •versus • drug • laboratory • minimize • onset • reveal
Sublist 3
scan • monitor • criterion • visual • duration • cycle • investigate • acute • sequence • select maximize •whereas • peak • elevation • image • enzyme • parameter • isolate • mutation • enhance • calcium • glucose •appropriate • incidence • conduct • protocol • background • stimulate • algorithm • establish • efficacy •hypothesis • feature • interval • mortality • array derive • series • buffer • specimen • focus • display • plasma •abstract • grade • secondary strategy • graft • undergo • peripheral • transcription • despite • consist• status•furthermore immune • reverse • infuse • author • interact • issue • negative • throughout •
Sublist 4
goal • vein • chamber • independent • proliferation • formation • subsequent • predict • correspond • correlate •regulate •exclude • metabolic • device • recruit •final •impair • inject percent • publish • remove • objective •exhibit • blot • defect • biopsy • index • diameter • cognitive • followup • fluid • lipid • magnetic • margin • energy• locate • survey • software profile • attribute • convention • synthesis • recover • syndrome •filter •segment•compound link • guideline • extract • proportion • regression • questionnaire • discharge • respiratory • gender •summary • promote • tract • toxic • relevant • episode • acquire •
Sublist 5
communicate • internal • dimension • layer • microscope • adverse •recipient •density • virus interpret •document • instruct • oral • theory • illustrate • probe • diagnose • consequence version • create • dilute •skeletal • novel • threshold • technology • element • dynamic • challenge • typical • transfer • aspect • diet •cohort • external • vector • antibiotic • domain temporary • linear • plus • digit • accurate • concept • transport •replicate • input • absorb rotate • distinct • radical • superior • contact • ensure • stable • prevalence • capture •degrade • anaesthesia • optimal • kit • bias • proximal • constant •
Sublist 6
incorporate • sufficient • sustain • label • barrier • zone • chart • implement • trauma •fund • context • community • lateral • facilitate • trim • prolong • quantify • perception • accumulate • expert •grant • amplification • random • construct • mount • renal • environment • spectrum • laser • magnitude •formula • deficit • alter • access • supplement eliminate • graph • shift • capacity • qualitative • simulate • globe •modulate • output • attenuate • statistic • prescribe • differentiate • equivalent • orient • practitioner • substantial • chemical • thereby • consent • intake • stance • trend • contribute • enable •
Sublist 7
assign • option • implicate • aid • tag • portion • electron • cope • decline • species • unique overlap • adjacent •node • transform • modify • manual • colleague • core • entry • deficient • cascade • benefit • identical • parallel • migrate • reagent • exceed • comprise highlight • evolution •schedule • organism • predominant • cumulative • purchase • plot • seek • emerge • affinity • valid • code •sterile • compute • prospect • utilize • deposit • column • contract • scar • axis • inferior • deviate • trigger • loop• precursor • perceive • preliminary research • undertake • substitute • whilst • scenario • adapt •
Sublist 8
adult • expand • cord • fundamental • feedback • sum • elicit • circulation • tolerance • team • sex • candidate • assume • imply • terminal • vascular • hormone • minor • panel • aggressive •comprehensive • residual • perspective • brief • trace • equip • accelerate template • mode • diminish •consecutive • foundation • emphasise • physiology • oxide • restore • conflict • phenomenon • invade • restrict •attach • longitude • technical • nevertheless • append • infiltrate • bacterium • agonist • rely • capable •manipulate • histology • pharmacology • saline • persist • integrity • precede • rear • mental • demographic •pathology • prominent • apparatus •
Sublist 9
paradigm • adjust • crucial • nervous • gradient • disrupt • encounter • nitrogen • format • robust • spontaneous •principal • transmit • audit • decade • compromise • cue • gland • assist • inner • intrinsic • consume • suppress• fragment • hypertension • placebo • dominant • text • susceptible • spinal • corporate • principle • relapse •numerical • resolve mature • uniform • diverse • retain • abdominal • lane • vital • suspend • voluntary • diffuserationale • simultaneous • transient • secrete • methanol • confer • constitute • accomplish enrol • embryo •logistic • project • insight • compliance • emission • soluble • comment •
Sublist 10
warrant • route • morbidity • widespread • alcohol • conjugate • acknowledge • alternative manifest • cluster •notion • render • malignancy • resemble • obvious • consult • concomitant • fusion • elucidate • consensus • file• biology • urban • verify • speculate • postulate • routine • somewhat • catheter • odd • discrete • converse •span • augment • depict • adequate • neutral • thereafter • annual • plastic • professional • recall • entity •precise • successive • contaminate • tone • integrate • confound • profound • tension • dramatic • blast •encompass • antigen • static •
The Medical Academic Word List (MAWL)
Medical Academic Word List Download (MAWL) [new 2023]
This is a download of the Medical Academic Word List in PDF format. It contains 623 medical and non-subject specific words, divided into 10 sublists based on frequency (sublist 1 = most frequent). Level: ***** [B2/C1] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
An introduction to the MAWL (using synonyms)
Introduction to the MAWL using synonyms: Sublist 1- 5 [new 2023]
This is a great lesson to introduce the Medical Academic Word List (MAWL). It begins with a small explanation about the MAWL. This is then followed with a focus activity on sublist 1 by identifying possible synonyms, which helps students to become acquainted with the MAWL. The final activity is a sentence gap-fill sheet to consolidate understanding (two exercises: general & medical).The PDF book includes 5 lessons for sublists 1-5. Time: 30 mins per lesson / Example Level: *****[B2/C1] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
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Gap Fill Exercises Only
Medical Gap Fill Exercises (MAW: Sublist 1-5) [new 2023]
This lesson uses words from the MAW sublists 1-5. There are 10 sentence gap-fill exercises which focus on general & medical terms.These gap fill exercises are the same exercises as the Introduction to the MAWL lesson. Example Level ***** [B1/B2/C1] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
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Heart Disease Reading Lesson
Reading Test: Heart Disease [new 2023]
This 789-word text discusses cardiovascular disease (CVD). It provides a detailed paragraph definition of CVD and focuses on two of the biggest causes: high blood pressure and high cholesterol. It also puts forward solutions in the form of treatment and prevention. The reading test includes: matching headings to paragraphs; true, false, not given; reference words; open answer questions; citations; and a vocabulary task. (Example) Level ***** [B2/C1] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
Writing Summary: Heart Disease [new 2023]
This 789-word text discusses cardiovascular disease (CVD). It provides a detailed paragraph definition of CVD and focuses on two of the biggest causes: high blood pressure and high cholesterol. It also puts forward solutions in the form of treatment and prevention. The summary task includes: note-taking worksheet with key, summary writing exercise with one sample summary, and a critical thinking worksheet with suggested answers. (Example) Level ***** [B2/C1] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
Heart Disease Listening Test
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Listening Test: Heart Disease (CABG Procedure) [new 2023]
This short lecture explains how the mortality rate of cardiovascular disease has declined through the emergence of the coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). It talks about the CABG procedure and risks of open-heart surgery which involves single, double, triple or quadruple bypasses or the less invasive coronary angioplasty. The listening test includes: open answer questions; gap fill summary; true, false, not given; a matching exercise; a gap fill completion activity; and a summary identification task. (Example) Level ***** [B2/C1] / Video [06.30] / MP3 / PPT link in download / TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
Heart Disease Speaking Seminar
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Speaking Seminar: Heart Disease [new 2023]
Medical Listening Worksheets
Anesthesia
How does at anesthesia work? TED-Ed Medicine (2016) [new 2023]
The focus of this short 4.42-minute lecture is to provide an explanation of how anesthesia works. It firstly looks at regional anesthesia and then moves on to the two types of general anesthetia: inhalational and intravenous. Finally, it explains how anesthesia has improved surgical techniques. Example Time: 60 minutes. Level ***** [B2/C1] Video [04.42] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
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Antibiotics
How can we solve the antibiotic resistance crisis? TED-Ed Medicine (2020) [new 2023]
The focus of this short 6.00-minute lecture is to explain how bacteria has become resistant to antibiotics. It firstly looks at the uses of antibiotics, the discovery of antibiotics and the start of the resistance, and then moves on to the solutions and challenges. Example Time: 60 minutes. Level ***** [B2/C1] Video [06.00] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
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Bones
How bones make blood TED-Ed Medicine (2020) [new 2023]
The focus of this short 4.22-minute lecture is to explain how bone makes blood. It firstly looks at what bone consists of and the role of the stem cells in the bone marrow; it then describes what blood cancer is and how it evolves; after that it explains how a bone marrow transplant works before finally identifying potential donors. Example Time: 60 minutes. Level ***** [B2/C1] Video [04.22] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
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Chemotherapy
How does chemotherapy work? TED-Ed Medicine (2019) [new 2023]
The focus of this short 5.06-minute lecture is to explain how chemotherapy works. It firstly looks at how chemotherapy drugs were discovered; it then describes how these drugs are delivered into body and exactly how they kill the cells; after that it describes the side effects of chemotherapy along with how doctors manage these side effects; and it ends with some important statistics on diagnosis and remission. Example Time: 60 minutes. Level ***** [B2/C1] Video [05.06] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
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Common Cold
Why is it so hard to cure the common cold? TED-Ed Medicine (2022) [new 2023]
The focus of this short 5.03-minute lecture is to explain why it is so hard to cure the common cold. It firstly discusses some research on pleconaril; it then looks at the immune system and explains how it protects you; after that it discusses vaccines as a treatment and how they work before examining antiviral drugs and how they work; it then illustrates why one disease has been eradicated while another is challenging to eliminate; and finally, it looks at potential new treatments. Example Time: 60 minutes. Level ***** [B2/C1] Video [05.03] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
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Headaches
What causes headaches? TED-Ed Medicine (2018) [new 2023]
The focus of this short 5.07-minute lecture is to explain the cause of headaches. It firstly looks at the cure for headaches in ancient Greece; it then classifies headaches into two types and defines both; after that it looks into four types of headaches and explains what happens in the head that causes the pain along with other symptomatic effects. Example Time: 60 minutes. Level ***** [B2/C1] Video [05.07] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
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Heart Attacks
What happens during a heart attack? TED-Ed Medicine (2017) [new 2023]
The focus of this short 4.40-minute lecture is to explain what happens during a heart attack. It firstly looks at the causes; it then identifies the symptoms; after that it describes the diagnosis; it then explains the treatment for heart attacks before finally putting forward some preventative measures. Example Time: 60 minutes. Level ***** [B2/C1] Video [04.40] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
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Heart Transplants
How does heart transplant surgery work? TED-Ed Medicine (2022) [new 2023]
The focus of this short 4.55-minute lecture is to explain how heart transplant surgery works. It firstly provides some statistics on heart transplants; it then describes who the potential recipients and the eligible donors are; after that it describes the surgery in detail before looking at some of the associated challenges; finally, it provides some survival-rate statistics. Example Time: 60 minutes. Level ***** [B2/C1] Video [04.55] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
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The Immune System
How does the immune system work? by TED-Ed Medicine (2018) [new 2023]
The focus of this short 5.09-minute lecture is to explain how the immune system works. It firstly looks at what the immune system protects you against; it then defines what the immune system is; after that it explains the role and the types of white blood cells and how they work together; it then identifies the bodily symptoms that help the immune system before finally explaining what happens to people with autoimmune diseases. Example Time: 1 hour. Level ***** [B2/C1] Video [05.09] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
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Obesity
What is obesity? TED-Ed Medicine (2016) [new 2023]
The focus of this short 4.56-minute lecture is to explain what obesity is. It firstly discusses bodily fat in prehistoric times; it then looks at the period of history when being overweight was recognised as ill health; after that it explains the difference between being overweight and being obese; it then identifies the causes of obesity before looking at the effects of obesity and finally the way to improve obesity-related health issues. Example Time: 60 minutes. Level ***** [B2/C1] Video [04.56] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
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Steroids
How do steroids affect your body? TED-Ed Medicine (2022) [new 2023]
The focus of this short 5.32 minute lecture is to explain how steroids affect your muscles and other parts of your body. It starts with a definition of steroids and the likely users; it then identifies the effects of steroids; after that it explains the medical use as well as the recreational use of steroids before discussing the undesired consequences of the latter. Example Time: 60 minutes. Level ***** [B2/C1] Video [05.32] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
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