Body Parts

1. തല

   thala

   Head

   Usage

   Show it at a clinic while pointing. "Thalavedana" means headache

2. മുടി

   mudi

   Hair

   Usage

   Used at a barber or salon, and when discussing Ayurvedic head-oil treatments

3. മുഖം

   mukham

   Face

   Usage

   For swelling or a rash, and when asking for a treatment

4. കണ്ണ്

   kannu

   Eye

   Usage

   At an eye clinic or pharmacy. Both eyes is the plural "kannukal"

5. ചെവി

   chevi

   Ear

   Usage

   For earache or when asking about earplugs

6. മൂക്ക്

   mookku

   Nose

   Usage

   For a blocked nose or nosebleed at a pharmacy

7. വായ

   vaaya

   Mouth

   Usage

   At the dentist or when discussing mouth ulcers

8. പല്ല്

   pallu

   Tooth

   Usage

   Show it at the dentist while pointing at the aching tooth

9. നാവ്

   naavu

   Tongue

   Usage

   When a doctor asks to see your tongue, or to explain a chilli burn

10. കഴുത്ത്

    kazhuthu

    Neck

    Usage

    For a stiff neck. The inside of the throat is "thonda"

11. തൊണ്ട

    thonda

    Throat

    Usage

    For a sore throat, distinct from the outside of the neck

12. തോൾ

    thol

    Shoulder

    Usage

    When your shoulder hurts from a bag, or to point out a treatment spot

13. കൈ

    kai

    Hand / Arm

    Usage

    Malayalam uses one word for hand and arm — point at the exact spot

14. കൈമുട്ട്

    kaimuttu

    Elbow

    Usage

    Literally "arm joint". Use it to show where you hurt yourself

15. വിരൽ

    viral

    Finger

    Usage

    For a hurt finger or ring sizing. A toe is "kaalviral"

16. നഖം

    nakham

    Nail

    Usage

    At a nail salon, or to explain a broken nail

17. നെഞ്ച്

    nenchu

    Chest

    Usage

    For chest pain or breathlessness — show it early

18. വയറ്

    vayaru

    Stomach / Belly

    Usage

    The everyday word for a belly ache; the organ itself is "aamaashayam"

19. മുതുക്

    muthuku

    Back

    Usage

    For back pain or to indicate where you want treatment

20. നടുവ്

    naduvu

    Lower back

    Usage

    For lower back pain — "naduvedana" is the word for it

21. കാൽ

    kaal

    Leg / Foot

    Usage

    Malayalam uses one word for leg and foot. It comes up often since you remove shoes at temples

22. മുട്ട്

    muttu

    Knee

    Usage

    For knee pain. Do not drop the final consonant — "mutta" means egg

23. കണങ്കാൽ

    kanamkaal

    Ankle

    Usage

    For reporting a sprain

24. ത്വക്ക്

    tvakku

    Skin

    Usage

    The medical word; "tholi" is the everyday one. Show it when looking for an ointment

25. എല്ല്

    ellu

    Bone

    Usage

    When you suspect a fracture

26. രക്തം

    raktham

    Blood

    Usage

    For bleeding and blood tests. Blood pressure is "rakthasammarddam"

27. ഹൃദയം

    hridayam

    Heart

    Usage

    For explaining a heart condition; heart disease is "hridrogam"

28. ആമാശയം

    aamaashayam

    Stomach (organ)

    Usage

    The organ. Say "vayaru" for everyday aches and use this with a doctor

29. കുടൽ

    kudal

    Intestine

    Usage

    For explaining gut trouble to a doctor

30. ശ്വാസകോശം

    shvaasakosham

    Lung

    Usage

    For explaining asthma or a respiratory condition

31. കരൾ

    karal

    Liver

    Usage

    Used for hepatitis vaccination and liver conditions

32. വൃക്ക

    vrukka

    Kidney

    Usage

    For kidney stones or a condition; the English "kidney" is understood too

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