If you need a quick definition and don't have access to the print dictionaries or encyclopedias such as the Attorney's Dictionary of Medicine, Lawyers' Medical Cyclopedia, the Merck Manual or the Physicians Desk Reference, a good place to start would be one of the online Medical Dictionaries. There are several to chose from that can assist you with your initial research. The following resources are available:

• MedicineNet.com http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/hp.asp has four databases that can be searched by keywords or browsed alphabetically. The topics covered are Diseases & Conditions, Procedures & Tests, Medications, and MedTerms Dictionary. The four databases are listed in the upper left-hand corner of the page. MedicineNet.com is an online healthcare media publishing company.

• Merriam Webster's Medical Dictionary http://www.intelihealth.com is featured on Aetna's InteliHealth webpage. The dictionary is searchable through a basic key word search function.

• MTDesk.com http://www.mtdesk.com is a website for medical transcription with a "Glossary" of surgical, medical and new terms that is browsable. There is also a list of "Terms A-Z" covering new drugs, equipment and procedures.

• On-line Medical Dictionary http://cancerweb.ncl.ac.uk/omd/ is from the Department of Medical Oncology at the University of Newcastle. OMD is a searchable dictionary created by Dr Graham Dark. There is also a browsable list arranged alphabetically. It contains terms relating to biochemistry, cell biology, chemistry, medicine, molecular biology, physics, plant biology, radiobiology, science and technology. It also includes acronyms, jargon, theory, conventions, standards, institutions, projects, eponyms and history.

These dictionaries are a good starting point if you need basic definitions to medical terms. The print sources listed in the first paragraph of this tip are available in the Wirtz Labor Library.