Please use these descriptions in place of medical jargon in consent documents, recruitment materials and other study documents. Note: These terms are not the only acceptable plain language alternatives for these vocabulary words.
This glossary of terms is derived from a list copyrighted by the University of Kentucky, Office of Research Integrity (1990).
For clinical research-specific definitions, see also the Clinical Research Glossary developed by the Multi-Regional Clinical Trials (MRCT) Center of Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvardand the Clinical Data Interchange Standards Consortium (CDISC).
Alternative Lay Language for Medical Terms for use in Informed Consent Documents
ABCDEFGHI J K LMNOPQRSTUVW X Y Z
ABDOMEN/ABDOMINAL body cavity below diaphragm that contains stomach, intestines, liver and other organs
ABSORB take up fluids, take in
ACIDOSIS condition when blood contains more acid than normal
ACUITY clearness, keenness, esp.