OET Medical Vocabulary — 3,633+ Terms for OET Listening Part A
Master the medical vocabulary you need for OET Listening Part A, where accurate spelling of medical terms is essential. Browse 3,633+ terms organised by topic including medical conditions, medications, symptoms, body parts, and treatments.
Then put it into practice with our free Dictation Practice tool: hear a term read aloud, type what you hear, and get instant spelling feedback — the exact skill tested in Listening Part A. Missed words are replayed at the end, and Exam Mode plays each word only once to match real exam conditions.
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Common Medical Conditions
Essential medical conditions and diseases you'll hear in OET consultations
- allergies
- Alzheimer's disease
- anaemia / anemia
- pernicious anaemia / pernicious anemia
- anxiety disorders
- arthritis
- osteoarthritis
- rheumatoid arthritis
- asthma
- atherosclerosis
- back pain
- bacterial infections
- strep throat
- bronchitis
- acute bronchitis
- chronic bronchitis
- cancer
- celiac disease
- chronic kidney disease (CKD)
- COPD
- common cold
- conjunctivitis (pink eye)
- constipation
- coronary artery disease (CAD)
- covid-19
- depression
- diabetes mellitus
- diarrhoea / diarrhea
- eczema
- atopic dermatitis
- epilepsy
- fatty liver disease
- fibromyalgia
- flu / influenza
- gallstones
- gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD / GORD)
- gout
- headache
- migraine
- tension headache
- heart failure
- hepatitis A
- hepatitis B
- hepatitis C
- hernia
- hiatal hernia
- hypertension / high blood pressure
- high cholesterol / hyperlipidemia
- hypothyroidism
- irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- insomnia
- inflammatory bowel disease
- Crohn's disease
- ulcerative colitis
- kidney stones
- leukemia / leukaemia
- liver cirrhosis
- low back pain
- lupus (SLE)
- Lyme disease
- menopause symptoms
- multiple sclerosis (MS)
- nasal polyps
- obesity
- osteoporosis
- otitis media
- middle ear infection
- Parkinson's disease
- peptic ulcer disease
- pneumonia
- polycystic ovary syndrome
- psoriasis
- sciatica
- sinusitis
- cellulitis
- impetigo
- sleep apnoea / apnea
- stroke
- thyroid disorders
- hyperthyroidism
- tonsillitis
- tuberculosis (TB)
- urinary tract infection (UTI)
- varicose veins
- vertigo
- vitamin B12 deficiency
- vitamin D deficiency
- whooping cough / pertussis
- common warts
- genital warts
Parts of the Body
Body parts from head to toe used in patient consultations
Arms & Hands
- shoulder
- clavicle
- rotator cuff
- bicep
- elbow
- wrist
- palm of hand
- back of hand
- fingers
- thumb
- index finger
- fingernail
Legs & Feet
- thigh
- knee
- calf
- ankle
- sole of foot
- ball of foot
- heel
- arch
- toes
- toenail
- big toe
- little toe
Torso
- chest
- abdomen
- pelvis
- back
- belly button
Head & Face
- forehead
- eyes
- eyebrows / brow
- eyelids
- eyelashes
- nose
- nostrils
- cheeks
- ears
- mouth
- chin
- jaw
- scalp
- crown
- back of head
- skull
- brain
- sinus
Additional Body Parts
- central incisors
- cornea
- groin
- shin bone
- patella
- femur
- hamstring
- medial meniscus
- brainstem
- gum
- duodenum
- axilla
- armpit
- antecubital
- anus
- cranium
- tongue
- pyloric antrum
- hypochondrium
- large turbinate
- costophrenic angle
- tendon
- cartilage
- belly
- thumbs
- wrists
- hip
- tummy
- veins
- sylvian aqueduct
- blood vessels
- buttock
- ear
- eardrum
- forearms
- hair
- heels
- hips
- inner ear
- lumbar
- oesophagus / esophagus
- soles of my feet
- skin
- uterine
- uterus
Common Medications
Medications and drug classes commonly mentioned in OET listening passages
- antispasmodics
- laxatives
- antidepressants
- Metformin
- anticonvulsants
- contraceptives
- anticoagulants
- Salbutamol
- antihypertensives
- corticosteroids
- steroids
- antiepileptics
- Statins
- antibiotics
- codeine
- antivirals
- Warfarin
- antacids
- aspirin
- Prednisone
- antihistamines
- amoxicillin
- Prozac
- Valium / diazepam
- anti-inflammatories
- penicillin
- Melatonin
- Losartan
- paracetamol
- ibuprofen
- Insulin
- antiseptic cream
- ointment
- eye drops
Allergies
Common allergens and allergy-related vocabulary for patient histories
- animal fur / dander
- dairy
- latex
- preservatives
- strawberries
- antibiotics
- dust mites
- mould / mold
- sesame
- tree nuts
- aspirin / NSAIDs
- eggs
- nickel
- shellfish
- wheat / gluten
- bee stings
- fish
- peanuts
- smoke
- wool
- cosmetics
- insect bites / stings
- pollen
- soy
Additional Allergies
- insect bite
- skin prick test
- extensive food allergy test
- allergy test
- allergic reaction
- MSG
- penicillin allergy
Treatments & Procedures
Diagnostic tests, imaging, and surgical procedures commonly referenced in OET
- blood glucose test
- full blood count
- autoimmune screening
- patch test for allergies
- X-ray
- ultrasound
- CT scan
- MRI
- echocardiogram
- electrocardiogram (ECG / EKG)
- exercise stress test
- blood tests
- endoscopy
- colonoscopy
- liver function tests
- urine test
- biopsy
- thyroid function test
- mammography
- arterial blood gas (ABG)
- sputum culture
- pap smear
- coronary angiogram
- bone scan
- lipid profile
- physiotherapy
- arthroscopy
- serology test
- hormone replacement therapy
- mastectomy
- appendectomy
- total knee replacement
- total hip replacement
Diets & Nutrition
Dietary terms and nutritional topics mentioned in patient consultations
- diabetic diet
- gluten-free
- low-fat
- raw-food
- vegetarian
- fasting
- halal
- low-carb
- renal diet
- FODMAP
- high-protein
- low-salt
- vegan
Foods
- dairy products
- meat lovers
- spinach
- carnivore
- leafy green vegetables
- egg
- milk yogurt
- dietary fibre / dietary fiber
- rice pasta
- risotto
- onion
- raffinose onions
- cabbage
- brussels sprouts
- bowl of porridge
- fructose
- banana
- apple
- starch
- sushi
- pears
- pineapple
- dried fruits
- kiwi
- resin
- citrus fruits
- apricot
- veal meat
- red meat
- coconut oil
- fish oil
- ginger
- cheese
- soya
- salmon
- tuna
- bread
- lactose
- carbohydrates
- condensed milk fudge
- crisps
- deep fried in oil
- fizzy drinks
- fried rice
- high fiber
- junk food
- lean meat
- sandwiches
Physiotherapy Exercises
Exercise names and physiotherapy terms used in rehabilitation consultations
- heel raises
- finger stretches
- step ups
- leg raises
- squats
- glute squeezes
- knee extensions
- neck rotations
- wrist rotations
- pelvic tilts
- orthotic inserts
Additional Terms
- resistance bands
- dumbbell
- training
- physical activity
- high impact exercises
- squat position
- exercise
- ankle pumps
- applied relaxation
- mobilisation
- stretching exercises
Daily Activities & Hobbies
Activities of daily living, hobbies and crafts patients describe in consultations
Daily Activities
- walking
- climbing stairs
- lifting objects
- eating
- swimming
- running
- dressing
- gripping cups
- cooking
- cycling
- jogging
- driving
- sleeping
- stretching
- gardening
- digging
- lifting
- climbing ladders
- bending
Personal Hygiene
- using deodorant
- gargling salt water
- clipping nails
- filing nails
- flossing
- checking appearance
- shaving
- brushing teeth
- brushing hair
- combing
- trimming facial hair
- applying makeup
Crafts & Hobbies
- woodworking
- pottery
- knitting
- sewing
- calligraphy
- photography
- birdwatching
- hiking
- painting
- travelling / traveling
- crocheting
More Activities
- turn over in bed
- leaning forward
- flossing teeth
- ballet dancing
- yoga
- lying down / lie
- sitting
- stand up
- socks
- guitar string
- phone books
- glue
- needles
- heavy suitcase
- air conditioning
- deodorant
- beeswax
- modified car
Common Sports
Sports and physical activities patients may mention as part of their lifestyle
- athletics
- squash
- skiing
- skating
- martial arts
- boxing
- badminton
- snowboarding
- roller blading
- Judo
- tennis
- gymnastics
- surfing
- skateboarding
- Karate
- golf
- archery
- windsurfing
- rugby
- water polo
- cricket
- sailing
- hockey
- table tennis
- rock climbing
- horse riding
- football
- scuba diving
- baseball
- rowing
Additional Sports
- soccer ball
- rugby ball
- netball
- base ball
- hockey tournament
- soccer
- cycling club
- tennis ball
- boogie boarding
- bowling
- gymnastic
Addictions & Substances
Substance use and addiction vocabulary for patient social history
- alcohol
- nicotine
- caffeine
- cannabis
- vaping
- binge drinking
- illicit drugs
- steroids
- workaholic
- gambling
- binge eating
- compulsive shopping
Additional Substances
- marijuana
- recreational drugs
- tobacco
- cigarettes
- ecstasy
Marital Status
Relationship and marital status terms used in patient demographics
- single
- married
- divorced
- separated
- widow
- widower
- engaged
- living together
- spouse
- husband
- wife
Family Members
- father
- mother
- uncle
- aunt
- brother
- siblings
- daughter
- grandma
- granpa
- niece
- sister
- cousin
- nephew
- orphanage
- neighbour
- neighbourhood
- relative
Additional Clinical Vocabulary
More consultation vocabulary covering conditions, treatments, and lifestyle terms heard in OET Listening
- PICC line
- emotional changes
- daughters
- postnasal drip / post nasal drip
- gym
- freelance typing
- first visit
- heart racing
- tenderness
- stumble
- vomiting attacks
- trip
- colchicine
- high arches
- blood pressure
- insoles
- metallic taste
- corticosteroid cream
- fluids
- head
- lack of energy
- thick mucus
- socialising
- tramadol injections
- poor circulation
- nebuliser / nebulizer
- menthol oil
- backpack trip
- loss of libido
- autoimmune disease
- herpes zoster
- soles
- prostate enlargement
- gallstone
- bile duct
- fat reduction
- nerve block injections
- strong smells
- stiff neck
- around ribs
- anti blockers
- paddle
- high fat
- apathy
- alcohol dependence
- elastic bandages
- gallbladder stones
- skinny
- rubbery
- hotel manager
- radical hysterectomy
- water pills
- repetitive strain injury
- twinges
- fatty meat
- rotator cuff tear
- frozen shoulder
- psychological
- a chair
- financial consultant
- long journey
- ventricle
- septic shock
- buttocks
- hot shower
- raise arm
- dysphagia
- hiatus hernia
- self-confidence
- gastric balloon
- glass factory
- left side
- club
- flash
- lithium
- cluster headache
- cardiac
- nuts
- dental hygiene
- needle biopsy
- hypothalamus
- laceration
OET Exam Word Bank
A large bank of extra vocabulary that candidates have reported hearing or reading in real OET exams