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Health Glossary
Saturday, 10 June 2006
Topic: Health Glossary V-Z
| vaportrode |
type of cautery electrode that vaporizes prostatic tissue in order to expand the prostatic channel and make urination easier |
| varicocele embolization |
outpatient procedure in which the varicocele is closed off (occluded) by means of a balloon catheter (flexible tube with a tiny detachable balloon), steel coil, and/or sclerosing (vessel-hardening) solution |
| varicocelectomy |
cutting away of a varicocele |
| vascular |
related to blood vessels |
| vas deferens |
tubes that connect the epididymes to the prostate gland |
| vasectomy reversal |
See vasovasostomy. |
| vasoepididymostomy |
microsurgery that uses a microscopic camera and very small operative tools to remove blockage in the epididymis and to reattach the epididymis to the vas deferens |
| vasovasostomy |
reconnection of the severed ends of the vas deferens, which restores the flow of sperm through the vas deferens; vasectomy reversal |
| ventricles |
right and left lower chambers of the heart |
| VER (visual evoked responses) |
measures function of the central nervous system, including the pathway from optic tract |
| vertebrae (s., vertebra) |
bones that make up the spinal column |
| vertebral arteries |
paired arteries located behind the carotid areries that supply the back of the brain and the brainstem |
| vertigo |
dizziness or imbalance of equilibrium that usually causes a spinning sensation |
| vesica sling procedure |
See sling procedures. |
| vesicle |
small, sharply circumscribed, elevated, fluid-filled bumps in the skin measuring less than 0.5 centimeters; small blisters |
| vestibular system |
parts of the nervous system that control equilibrium and balance and that coordinate head and eye movement |
| vitiligo |
minimal or widespread appearance of white patches on otherwise normal skin due to loss of pigment |
| vitreous body |
chamber located between the lens and the retina |
| vitreous humor |
transparent, colorless, gelatinous mass that fills the vitreous body |
| warfarin |
drug used to prevent blood clots |
| wheals |
solid, distinct elevations in the skin formed by localized swelling, ranging in color from white to dark pink; welts |
| white matter |
lipid-rich myelinated portion of the brain and spinal cord |
| Wilson's disease |
rare genetic disorder that causes progressive liver, neurologic, and psychiatric disorders that are - if untreated - always fatal |
| xerosis |
dry skin |
| zonules |
small fibers that change the shape of the eye's lens for accommodation |
| [Back to top] |
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Topic: Health Glossary U
| ulcer |
area of skin loss involving the whole thickness of the skin, caused by infection, trauma, or cell death |
| ultrasonic lithotripsy |
use of high-frequency ultrasound waves to destroy kidney stones gradually, which are then passed naturally by the patient or removed by grasping forceps |
| underactive bladder |
bladder contraction of inadequate magnitude and/or duration that prohibits the bladder from emptying normally; See also overflow incontinence. |
| unilateral |
appearing on one side of the body |
| ureteroscopy |
flexible, fiberoptic instrument resembling a long, thin telescope that is inserted through the urethra and bladder up to the ureter for observation and often for retrieval of kidney stones |
| urge or urgency |
strong desire to void |
| urge UI |
involuntary loss of urine associated with a sudden and strong urge to void |
| urinalysis |
group of physical and chemical tests done on a sample of urine to check for various disorders, including those of the kidneys and urinary tract |
| urinary incontinence (UI) |
involuntary loss of urine sufficient enough to be a problem |
| urinary tract infections (UTIs) |
infections caused by bacteria that invade the urinary system and multiply, leading to an infection |
| urodynamic tests |
diagnostic tests to examine the bladder and urethral sphincter function |
| [Back to top] |
Posted by TheBlogMachine.com
at 4:52 PM EDT
Updated: Saturday, 10 June 2006 5:08 PM EDT
Topic: Health Glossary B
| BAEP |
See brainstem auditory evoked potential. |
| basal cell carcinoma |
most common skin cancer, derived from the basal cell |
| basal cells |
cells that form the bottom layer of the epidermis |
| basal ganglia |
series of structures located deep in the brain that are responsible for motor movements |
behavioral modification
techniques |
See biofeedback, bladder training, habit training, pelvic muscle exercises. |
| Bell's palsy |
paralysis of the facial nerve producing distortion on one side of the face |
benign prostatic
hyperplasia |
enlargement of the prostate associated with aging |
| benign |
not cancerous |
| beta2 agonists |
quick-relief medications that cause muscle relaxation and bronchoexpansion to relieve acute asthma symptoms |
| beta-blockers |
drugs that relieve stress on the heart by "blocking" the stimulating effect of adrenaline |
| bifurcation |
division of a single structure (usually vascular) into two paired structures, e.g., carotid bifurcation in the neck, where the common carotid arteries divide into the internal and external carotid arteries |
| bilateral |
affecting both sides of the body or two paired organs, e.g., the kidneys |
| biofeedback |
therapeutic training in which participants learn to control their involuntary nervous system through response to electric stimuli |
| [Back to top] |
| biologic therapy |
systemic therapy utilizing interferon or interleukin |
| biopsy |
(v.) to remove a sample of tissue for diagnostic evaluation; (n.) tissue specimen |
| bisexual |
attracted to both sexes |
| bladder training |
behavioral modification technique used to resist or inhibit the urge to urinate unpredictably |
| bladder |
hollow, muscular, balloon-shaped organ that stores urine until it is excreted |
| blanch |
to make white or pale; to take color out |
| blepharospasm |
involuntary closure of the eyes and lids |
| blood clot |
insoluble mass of blood |
| blood culture |
laboratory examination of a blood sample to detect the presence of disease-causing microorganisms |
blood pressure
measurement |
measure of the force of blood flow against artery walls taken with an inflatable cuff, inflating bulb, and a pressure gauge |
| blood thinners |
drugs that inhibit blood clotting |
Posted by TheBlogMachine.com
at 4:46 PM EDT
Updated: Saturday, 10 June 2006 5:14 PM EDT
Topic: Health Glossary B
Topic: Health Glossary B
| bone |
hard type of connective tissue, primarily made up of osteoblasts, osteocytes, and collagen, that supports and protects the body |
| bone scan |
nuclear medicine study used for detecting the presence of boney metastasis |
| bone survey |
radiologic study used to detect fractures and/or areas of boney destruction |
| brachymetatarsia |
condition in which one of the metatarsals (the five long bones of the foot) is abnormally short, making the toe short as well |
| brachytherapy |
radioactive pellets applied to the body area being treated; used to treat some cancers |
| bradykinesia |
slowing of motor movements due to dysfunction of the basal ganglia and related structures |
| brain attack |
See stroke. |
| brain injury |
(1) closed head injury (CHI), which is caused by rapid acceleration and deceleration of the head during which the brain bounces off the inside of the skull; (2) open head injury (OHI), caused by car accident, gunshot wound, or other external factor |
brainstem auditory
evoked potential |
test that measures how much auditory stimulus is required to cause a response from the brainstem |
| [Back to top] |
| breast |
modified sweat gland that produces milk during pregnancy |
| bronchial provocation |
test used to diagnose asthma; also bronchoprovocation, bronchial challenge |
| bronchitis |
inflammation of the bronchi (lung airways) that causes a persistent cough and sputum (phlegm) production; especially common in smokers and in areas with atmospheric pollution |
| bronchoconstriction |
constriction of the bronchial airways in the lungs, causing shortness of breath, tightness in the chest, coughing, and wheezing |
| bronchodilator drugs |
group of drugs that widen the airways in the lungs |
bronchus
(pl., bronchi) |
any of the larger air passages connecting the trachea (windpipe) to the lungs |
| bulla (pl., bullae) |
sharply circumscribed, elevated, fluid-filled lesions in the skin that is over 0.5 centimeters in diameter; blister |
| bunion |
bulge or bump that develops on the inner side of the foot, near the base of the first toe, caused by poor alignment of the metatarsal-phalangeal joint of the big toe, or hallux |
| bursa |
sac of fluid typically found in areas where muscles or tendons tend to rub against bone, such as the hip, knee, and ankle |
| bursitis |
condition in which a bursal sac becomes inflamed due to irritation |
| [Back to top] |
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at 4:42 PM EDT
Updated: Saturday, 10 June 2006 5:15 PM EDT
Topic: Health Glossary T
| T cell |
type of white blood cell that regulates the immune response; T lymphocyte |
| talus |
most superior bone of the foot that provides the primary connection between the leg and the foot and that articulates with the calcaneus to make up the subtalar joint |
| tarsal tunnel syndrome |
entrapment and compression of the tibial nerve that causes pain, burning, and tingling on the sole of the foot |
| TEE |
See transesophageal echo. |
| telangiectasia (tel an'je ek ta' zha) |
dilatation of tiny blood vessels in the skin that usually appear as fine red lines, sometimes in a meshlike pattern |
| tendon |
structure formed when a muscle condenses into a smaller complex before it attaches to a bone |
| tensilon test |
diagnostic test that is used to confirm myasthenia gravis |
| testosterone |
sex hormone that stimulates development of male sex characteristics and bone and muscle growth; produced by the testicles and, in small amounts, by the ovaries |
| theophylline |
bronchodilator drug, taken orally, that widens the airways in the lungs; used to prevent apnea and to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease |
| thrombocytopenia |
decreased number of platelets in the blood |
| thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) |
hormone that stimulates hormonal secretion of the thyroid gland; thyrotropin |
| TIA |
See transient ischemic attack. |
| [Back to top] |
| tibialis posterior dysfunction |
condition in which the tibialis posterior muscle and tendon weaken and tear often, causing muscle imbalance |
| tibialis posterior |
muscle in the leg that condenses to become a tendon in the foot; contributes to the arch of the foot and works with the Achilles tendon to allow people to stand on their toes with their heels off the ground |
| tinnitus |
ringing in the ears or head noises |
| tinea |
fungal infection of the skin, hair, or nails caused by one of several types of fungi |
| titration |
process of determining the proper concentration of a dissolved substance needed to produce a desired effect; in positive airway pressure, the proper amount of air pressure needed to prevent airway collapse (occlusion) |
| torticollis |
involuntary turning of the neck to one side, seen in disorders of the basal ganglia |
| toxoplasmosis |
common parasitic disease that presents as swollen "glands" (enlarged lymph nodes); when disease occurs in immunosuppressed people, it may cause encephalitis or brain abscesses |
| trabecular meshwork |
connective tissue between the anterior chamber of the eye and the venous sinus; aqueous humor filters through the fibers into the bloodstream |
| transesophageal echo (TEE) |
diagnostic procedure in which a transducer is passed down into the esophagus to a location behind the heart, where sound waves are sent and delivered to image the heart |
| transient ischemic attack (TIA) |
neurological symptoms that result from transient interruption of blood flow to the brain |
| transient urinary incontinence |
temporary episodes of urinary incontinence that are alleviated after the cause of the episode is identified and treated, such as a bladder infection |
| transurethral needle ablation (TUNA) |
destruction of prostate tissue with thermal energy that is passed through a needle |
| transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) |
common treatment for benign prostate hypertrophy, in which the inside of the prostate (urethra) is cored out to make the passage of urine easier |
| tremor |
uncontrollable shaking |
| trigeminal neuralgia |
disorder of the fifth cranial nerve that causes episodes of intense, stabling electric shock-like pain in the areas of the face where the nerve is distributed - jaw, lips, eyes, nose, scalp, and forehead |
| tuberous sclerosis |
genetic disorder that causes benign tumors to form in many different organs, but primarily in the brain, eyes, heart, kidney, skin, and lungs |
| tumor |
abnormal mass of tissue that results from excessive cell division, either benign or malignant; large and deep solid growth of skin or subcutaneous fat |
| [Back to top] |
Posted by TheBlogMachine.com
at 2:42 PM EDT
Updated: Saturday, 10 June 2006 8:37 PM EDT
Topic: Health Glossary S
| SA node (sinoatrial node) |
small area of specialized heart tissue located in the right atrium that conducts impulses through the right and left atria, signaling these chambers to contract and pump blood into the ventricles |
| scales |
layers of skin cells (fine and barely visible, thick and silvery, waxy, or large and adherent) accumulated on top of the skin due to abnormal formation and shedding of the top layers |
| scar |
permanent fibrous skin changes, often elevated and thickened, that follow some sort of damage; pink to purple in hue, eventually fading to shiny white |
| sciatic nerve |
large nerve in the lumbar-sacral spinal region that is composed of multiple nerve roots that supply the lower extremities |
| sclera |
tough white tissue that encases the entire eyeball, except for the part covered by the cornea |
| seizure |
abnormal electrical discharge of brain cells (neurons) that results in a transient disturbance in brain function |
| SEP (somatosensory evoked response) |
measures function of the central nervous system, including pathways from the extremities |
| serotonin |
important neurotransmitter (communicates information chemically between brain cells) that is involved in pain sensation and emotional perceptions |
| sesamoiditis |
inflammation of the sesamoid bones |
| sesamoids |
bones contained within a ligament that provide strength and leverage to the ligament; two in the foot, located under the ball |
| sexually transmitted disease (STD) |
infection spread through sexual intercourse or genital contact |
| shinsplints |
injury or inflammation of the posterior tibial muscle and tendon caused by overstretching or improper/excessive use |
| silhouette sign |
observance of one type of tissue over another; x-ray |
| [Back to top] |
| sling procedures |
surgical methods for treating urinary incontinence involving the placement of a sling, made of either a synthetic material or tissue obtained from the person undergoing the procedure |
| small bowel |
fourteen-foot section of the gastrointestinal tract, consisting of the duodenum, the jejunum, and the ileum, which empties into the beginning of the large bowel (the cecum) at the ileocecal valve |
| spasticity |
stiffness of the body involving the limbs that results from dysfunction of the corticospinal tracts |
| spermatic cord |
bundle of testicular arteries and ducts protected by woven tissue |
| s-phase |
laboratory study to determine the percentage of cells preparing to divide, where low s-phase suggests less activity and biological aggressiveness, and high s-phase suggests increased activity and biological aggressiveness |
| sphincter |
ring of muscle fibers located around an opening in the body that regulates the passage of substances through the opening |
| spinal stenosis |
narrowing of the spinal canal due to disc disease, bony changes, ligamentous thickening, and congenital factors |
| spirometry |
medical testing procedure which measures the amount of air entering and leaving the lungs |
| squamous cell carcinoma |
second most common skin cancer that originates in the squamous cell |
| squamous cells |
flat cells that make up most of the epidermis |
| statins |
drugs that inhibit the manufacture of cholesterol by the liver; used to treat high cholesterol, or hypercholesterolemia |
Posted by TheBlogMachine.com
at 2:40 PM EDT
Updated: Saturday, 10 June 2006 8:39 PM EDT
Topic: Health Glossary S
|
| status epilepticus |
seizures that continue for more than 20 minutes without an intervening period of responsiveness |
| stenosis |
condition that develops when any of the four major valves that regulate blood flow through the heart and lungs thickens, becomes damaged, or is diseased |
| stereotactic biopsy |
biopsy technique that relies on computer guidance to exactly locate and biopsy the tumor |
| straight |
slang; heterosexual orientation |
| stress test |
test that monitors the heart during exercise in order to identify the presence of heart disease or the risk of developing cardiac problems during strenuous activity; also, diagnostic test that requires patients to lift something or perform an exercise to determine if there is urine loss when stress is placed on bladder muscles |
| stress urinary incontinence |
involuntary loss of urine during periods of increased abdominal pressure, such as laughing, sneezing, coughing, or lifting |
| stroke |
medical event that occurs when a blood clot blocks the blood and oxygen supply to the brain; brain attack |
| subarachnoid hemorrhage |
bleeding in the area surrounding the brain, usually caused by a ruptured cerebral aneurysm |
| subcutaneous fat |
third layer of skin, located below the dermis and composed mainly of fat cells and blood vessels |
| suprapubic prostatectomy |
incising the bladder to remove obstructing prostatic tissue through a suprapubic incision below the navel |
| surgeon |
physician who has been educated and trained in diagnosis and preoperative, operative, and postoperative management |
| suture |
(n.) a stitch; (v.) to stitch |
| synovial fluid |
viscous substance that lubricates joints in the body and allows two adjacent cartilage caps to glide upon one another with minimal friction |
| systemic |
involving the entire body or multiple body systems |
| systolic pressure |
arterial pressure measured as the heart contracts |
| [Back to top] |
Posted by TheBlogMachine.com
at 2:38 PM EDT
Updated: Saturday, 10 June 2006 8:39 PM EDT
Topic: Health Glossary S
| [Back to top] |
| status epilepticus |
seizures that continue for more than 20 minutes without an intervening period of responsiveness |
| stenosis |
condition that develops when any of the four major valves that regulate blood flow through the heart and lungs thickens, becomes damaged, or is diseased |
| stereotactic biopsy |
biopsy technique that relies on computer guidance to exactly locate and biopsy the tumor |
| straight |
slang; heterosexual orientation |
| stress test |
test that monitors the heart during exercise in order to identify the presence of heart disease or the risk of developing cardiac problems during strenuous activity; also, diagnostic test that requires patients to lift something or perform an exercise to determine if there is urine loss when stress is placed on bladder muscles |
| stress urinary incontinence |
involuntary loss of urine during periods of increased abdominal pressure, such as laughing, sneezing, coughing, or lifting |
| stroke |
medical event that occurs when a blood clot blocks the blood and oxygen supply to the brain; brain attack |
| subarachnoid hemorrhage |
bleeding in the area surrounding the brain, usually caused by a ruptured cerebral aneurysm |
| subcutaneous fat |
third layer of skin, located below the dermis and composed mainly of fat cells and blood vessels |
| suprapubic prostatectomy |
incising the bladder to remove obstructing prostatic tissue through a suprapubic incision below the navel |
| surgeon |
physician who has been educated and trained in diagnosis and preoperative, operative, and postoperative management |
| suture |
(n.) a stitch; (v.) to stitch |
| synovial fluid |
viscous substance that lubricates joints in the body and allows two adjacent cartilage caps to glide upon one another with minimal friction |
| systemic |
involving the entire body or multiple body systems |
| systolic pressure |
arterial pressure measured as the heart contracts |
| [Back to top] |
Posted by TheBlogMachine.com
at 2:36 PM EDT
Topic: Health Glossary R
| radiation |
anti-cancer therapy or treatment using high-energy rays beamed to the tumor site to destroy cancer cells |
| radiation oncologist |
physician trained in the use of radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer |
| radical retropubic prostatectomy |
removal of the entire prostate through an abdominal incision that allows the surgeon to spare nerve tissue and analyze lymph nodes |
| radiculopathy |
irritation and inflammation of one of the nerve roots in the vicinity of the spinal column |
| rectocele |
herniation of the rectum into the vagina |
| rectum |
cavity between colon and anal canal; approximately 5 inches long by 1 * inches wide; stores feces prior to defecation |
| REM (rapid eye-movement sleep) |
stage of sleep that is characterized by significantly decreased muscle tone, rapid eye movements, and dreaming; stage 5 sleep |
| respiratory system |
group of body organs responsible for carrying oxygen from the air to the bloodstream and for expelling carbon dioxide as a waste product |
| restless legs syndrome |
common neurological disorder that causes pulling, tearing, and jerking sensations in the legs when a person is at rest |
| retina |
multilayered, light-sensitive tissue that contains a variety of nerve cells (neurons) that process visual information |
| retinal vessels |
central retinal artery and central retinal vein |
| retrograde ejaculation |
discharge of semen into the bladder rather than through the urethra and out of the body |
| retropubic prostatectomy |
surgical procedure using an abdominal incision in order to incise the prostatic capsule and remove obstructing tissue |
| rheumatoid arthritis |
chronic inflammatory disease that causes the body's immune system to attack the joints |
| rhinitis |
inflammation of the mucous membranes lining the nose, often caused by allergies to pollen, dust, and other airborne substances |
| rigidity |
stiffness in the limbs or body due to dysfunction of the basal ganglia and related structures |
| rods |
photoreceptor cells in the retina that are primarily responsible for peripheral vision and vision in dim light |
Powered by Qumana
Posted by TheBlogMachine.com
at 2:36 PM EDT
Updated: Saturday, 10 June 2006 8:40 PM EDT
Topic: Health Glossary P
| pacemaker |
battery-powered implantable device that electrically stimulates the heart to contract and pump blood throughout the body in cases where the heart's electrical system is dysfunctional |
| palliation |
relieving symptoms and maintaining comfort through either the use of surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy |
| palliative |
something that helps manage symptoms of, but does not cure, a disease |
| papule |
small (less than 1 centimeter), circumscribed, elevated skin lesion that is pointed, flat topped, dome shaped, smooth, or eroded |
| paraneoplastic |
disorders that occur due to the remote effects of cancer, such as through the mechanism of hormonal or antibody production |
| parasite |
organism that lives in or on another organism (host) strictly for its own survival |
| paresthesias |
unusual sensory symptoms of tingling, numbness, or other abnormal feelings of sensation |
| Parkinson's disease |
condition in which cells that produce dopamine degenerate, causing tremor, muscle stiffness, and loss of motor function |
| pathology |
field concerned with examination of tissues removed for the purposes of diagnosing disease and guiding patient care |
| PCP (primary care physician) |
large subset of physicians who do not provide specialized care, including internists, pediatricians, and general practitioners |
| peak expiratory flow |
measurement of the ability to blow air out of the lungs that is used to diagnose asthma |
| pelvic muscle exercises |
pelvic muscle exercises intended to improve pelvic muscle tone and prevent leakage associated with stress urinary incontinence; Kegel exercises |
| percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCN) |
Posted by TheBlogMachine.com
at 2:34 PM EDT
Updated: Saturday, 10 June 2006 8:40 PM EDT
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