A test in which a small sample of blood is smeared onto a microscope slide to enable visual inspection.

The pressure of blood within the arteries.

B type natriuretic peptide

A measure of whether a person’s weight is normal, too high or too low. It is calculated by dividing their weight in kilograms by the square of their height in metres.

Tests to measure levels of bone components such as calcium, phostate and alkaline phosphatase in the blood, to assess for bone disease or bone involvement in cancer.

Tissue within the bones where blood cells are formed.

An imaging test that uses radioactive substances to evaluate the whole musculoskeletal system.

A contagious viral infection causing a flu-like illness along with pain in the chest, due to muscle inflammation

A common name for the large and/or small intestines.

A technique that uses gentle soft tissue manipulation to improve general well-being and to help the body to heal itself.

Red, scaly patches on the skin caused by abnormal cells growing in the outer layer of the skin.

blood pressure

An abbreviation for benign prostatic hyperplasia, which is enlargement of the prostate that may cause difficulty in passing urine.

Inflammation of nerves in the shoulder area causing pain in the shoulder.

A type of radiotherapy where radioactive pellets or wires are inserted into the tumour.

A slowed ability to start and continue movements.

The lowest part of the brain, connecting it with the spinal cord, and responsible for controlling automatic vital functions such as heartbeat, breathing and swallowing.

Sometimes called brainstem auditory evoked response, this test measures the electrical activity in the brainstem in response to noises fed into the ear.

A minor birth defect resulting from a developmental disorder of the neck and collarbone during embryonic development

Abnormal vaginal bleeding occurring between menstrual periods.

Having a wide range of activity. For example, broad-spectrum antibiotics are effective against a wide range of bacteria.

Any of the main air pipes beyond the windpipe, or trachea, which have cartilage in their wall.

A lung disorder in which the bronchi are abnormally widened and distorted and have damaged linings.

An acute viral infection of the lungs, mainly affecting babies and small children.