Lab Report Glossary: Plain-Language Medical Terms
Lab reports and health pages use words most people never learn. This lab report glossary explains those terms in plain words, so you can read your own results with more confidence.
Last reviewed: 2026-08-28
What is inflammation in the body?
Inflammation is how your body responds to injury or infection. Blood flow rises to the area, which can bring swelling, warmth or redness while your body repairs it.
Source: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia
What are the adrenal glands?
Your adrenal glands are two small glands that sit on top of your kidneys. They make hormones that help your body handle stress, salt and blood pressure.
Source: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia
What does the pituitary gland do?
The pituitary is a tiny gland at the base of your brain. It acts like a control centre, sending signals that tell other glands how much hormone to make.
Source: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia
What is the thyroid gland?
The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in your neck. It makes hormones that set the pace of your body, from your heartbeat to how fast you use energy.
Source: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia
What is a hormone?
A hormone is a chemical messenger your body makes in one place and sends through the blood to tell another part what to do.
Source: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia
What is an enzyme?
An enzyme is a protein that speeds up a chemical reaction in your body. Liver enzymes, for example, help break things down so your body can use or clear them.
Source: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia
What is an antibody?
An antibody is a protein your immune system makes to recognise and tag a specific germ or substance so your body can deal with it.
Source: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia
What is blood plasma?
Plasma is the pale liquid part of your blood. It carries your blood cells, nutrients and waste around your body.
Source: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia
What is serum in a blood test?
Serum is the clear liquid left from blood after it has clotted. Many lab tests measure the substances found in this liquid.
Source: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia
What is metabolism?
Metabolism is the set of processes your body uses to turn food into energy and building blocks. It keeps your cells running day and night.
Source: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia
What is a protein in the body?
A protein is a building block your body uses for structure and to carry out tasks. Muscles, enzymes and antibodies are all made of proteins.
Source: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia
What is cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a waxy, fatty substance your body needs to build cells. Your body carries it in the blood in different packages that a lipid test measures.
Source: Blood Cholesterol (NHLBI Health Topics)
What is glucose (blood sugar)?
Glucose is the main sugar in your blood. Your body gets it from food and uses it as its main source of energy.
Source: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia
What are red blood cells?
Red blood cells are the cells that carry oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body. They give blood its red colour.
Source: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia
What are white blood cells?
White blood cells are part of your immune system. They help your body find and fight germs like bacteria and viruses.
Source: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia
What are platelets?
Platelets are tiny cell fragments in your blood. They gather and stick together to help stop bleeding when you get a cut.
Source: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia
What do the kidneys do?
Your kidneys are two bean-shaped organs that filter your blood. They remove waste and extra water, which leave your body as urine.
Source: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia
What does the liver do?
Your liver is a large organ that processes what you eat and drink. It helps clear waste, stores energy and makes proteins your body needs.
Source: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia
What is a reference range on a lab report?
A reference range is the band of values a lab expects for most healthy people. Your result is compared against your own lab's range.
Source: Reference Ranges and What They Mean (MedlinePlus)
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