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Dictionaries & Encyclopedias
Atlases
Users at this website can find a collection of atlases and textbooks about the human body. There is a general atlas of human anatomy, a second one showing anatomical cross-sections, and another focusing on microscopic views. A fourth may be useful as a first aid tool. The site also includes the text Illustrated Encyclopedia of Human Anatomic Variation (Last revised in 2006, but updated continuously). The site links to related digital libraries in general medicine, radiology, and pediatrics. The site is searchable. Although it is aimed primarily for the medical professional, this online resource could also be useful for the layman. The site is curated by Ronald A. Bergman, Ph.D., a retired professor from the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine.
This online atlas is part of the Patient Education Materials produced by the American Medical Association. The diagrams are in color and include brief descriptive information. It can be accessed by major section (brain, circulatory system, respiratory system, nervous system, etc.) or by specific features such as the hand or skull. The text size can be varied.
Dictionaries
The entries at this site define over 16,000 medical and scientific terms, abbreviations and acronyms. Users can browse for terms by letter or enter a portion of the term in the search box and receive assistance with spelling. It is owned and operated by WebMD and is part of the WebMD Network.
This Medical Library Association source defines acronyms, prefixes and suffixes, and “medspeak,” the specialized language of professionals in the health field. It has a prescription shorthand guide and information about how to find reputable websites. Some brochures are available in Spanish or for those with literacy needs. The site also displays disease-specific versions of the Medspeak brochure. A list of recommended health-related websites is also included.
Users of the 2003 edition of this online dictionary can type the first part of a word; the dictionary will assist with suggested spellings. This online source also includes common abbreviations and acronyms, word parts and what they mean, and a tutorial on understanding medical words. The dictionary is also available in Spanish.
Encyclopedias
Subtitled “health information for the whole family,” this site has a variety of ways to search. Users can browse by medical condition using the first letter of the subject, or by the search or advanced search functions. The user can browse by large topics such as health information pertinent to women, seniors, or to parents and kids. The “Health Tools” section has a medical dictionary, various calculators, health trackers, drug information and a search-by-symptom feature. The information is also available in Spanish. The text size can be adjusted. The American Academy of Family Physicians, "a national medical organization representing ... family physicians, family practice residents and medical students" operates the site.
This source, first launched in 1996, links to directories of information in health and medicine. The user can browse topics or use the search box for a specific subject. The site has a large photo gallery to accompany many of the subjects. The online source is maintained by the Hardin Library for the Health Sciences, University of Iowa.
Developed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, this site displays a wide variety of useful health related tools. There are guides for living the healthy life with tools to help keep track of health related goals. The Health A-Z section is an encyclopedia of more than 1600 topics from resources in government or nonprofit organizations and universities. Users can check on current health issues in the news. There is a directory of doctors, dentists and other health care providers, health centers and home health care facilities. It also lists public libraries including libraries for the blind and physically handicapped. The website is available in Spanish as well as English.
Aetna’s website states that it has been providing credible health information from trusted sources including Harvard Medical School and the Columbia University College of Dental Medicine since 1996. There is a wide variety of useful information at this site. Users can search for a disease or condition, for information about the healthy lifestyle or other health concerns. The can “look it up” in a medical dictionary, a drug resource center, or they can enter a name of a drug or their own search term. There is a section on dental health and how to quit smoking. Users can access health commentaries and the latest health news. There is a section on interactive tools including slides on such topics as how to care for an infant or what exercises to do at the desk. People can email their questions to the health professionals at the site.
Here can be found expert advice from the 3,300 physicians, scientists, and researchers from the Mayo Clinic. Users can type in the search term in the search box, or they can browse the name of a disease or condition, their symptoms, drugs and supplements, or tests and procedures by clicking on the box showing the first letter of the term. The site also features healthy recipes, current health news, and a free e-newsletter. Users can browse topics on the healthy lifestyle or on first aid. The text size can be adjusted.
This site, owned and operated by WebMD and part of WebMD Network, is produced and edited by a network of over 70 U.S. Board Certified Physicians. The site features daily health news. Users can also browse sections on diseases and conditions; they can check for symptoms by mousing over a diagram of body regions; they can access information about procedures and tests; they can search for medications and find a description of a drug, the appropriate dosage, and information about interactions and side effects. Users can browse a collection of images by category, and they can access a medical dictionary. If they have pets, they also can check the section on pet health.
This is an extensive source of health and medical information from the National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health. Over 800 diseases, conditions and wellness issues are featured at this site. In addition, there is a dictionary of drugs and supplements, a medical encyclopedia, a medical dictionary, a section on current news, and several directories to doctors, dentists, hospitals and local sources for health-related information. It has interactive tutorials, information about clinical trials, about seniors, and videos of surgical procedures. There is a search box for the entire website. Users can access the information in over forty languages. It is updated regularly.
Although this Spanish/English bilingual site information includes information specific to New Yorkers, much of the information is useful well beyond the state. Users can find information on various health topics arranged by disease or condition and location on the body. The site also links to information about a wide variety of subjects including complementary and alternative therapies, diagnostic procedures, vaccines, surgery, and pharmaceutical information. The site also links to articles with information geared to the aging population, children, people with disabilities, the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender population, men’s and women’s health, and pet health. General health and wellness issues such as preventing accidents, health statistics, nutrition, patient’s rights, physical fitness, sexual health, health for travelers, evaluating medical information, and weight control can be found here. There is an index to the topics and a “page of the month” featuring a single health issue. The text can be adjusted for size.
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