MedlinePlus Tutorial for Librarians and Health Educators

Additional Features


Medical Encyclopedia


MedlinePlus also includes a Medical Encyclopedia of thousands of articles, videos, and graphics available in English and Spanish. MedlinePlus licenses the Medical Encyclopedia from A.D.A.M. According to the editorial policy “A.D.A.M. content is physician-reviewed and physician-updated, in collaboration with skilled consumer senior medical editors and writers.” To learn more about A.D.A.M, view the A.D.A.M editorial policy.

You can search the Medical Encyclopedia using the A–Z List.

For example, going to the L section, we find an entry on Lactose intolerance.

Medical Encyclopedia section showing A-Z

Medical Encyclopedia - A-Z


Medical Encyclopedia Alphabetical listing - L and Lactose Intolerance

Medical Encyclopedia Alphabetical Listing - L and Lactose Intolerance



Medical Encyclopedia Page

The Medical Encyclopedia entry for lactose intolerance provides a summary, causes, symptoms, tests, and more. It also links to related MedlinePlus Health Topics, images, and patient instructions.

Scrolling to the bottom of the entry, notice that the source is A.D.A.M.

Medical Encyclopedia page for Lactose intolerance

Lactose Intolerance Medical Encyclopedia Page - Top


Medical Encyclopedia page for Lactose intolerance showing A.D.A.M logo at bottom of page

Lactose Intolerance Medical Encyclopedia Page - Scrolled Down