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Glossary of Medical Terms
A : B : C : D : E : F : G : H : I : J : K : L : M : N acetylcholine - a chemical in the brain that acts as a neurotransmitter by sending nerve signals. adrenal cortex - the outer portion of the adrenal gland that secretes hormones that are vital to the body. adjuvant treatment - treatment that is added to other therapies to increase effectiveness, such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or hormone therapy. agonist - a chemical capable of combining with receptors to initiate an action that can be known in advance. alternative medicine - any form of therapy used alone, without recommended standard/conventional treatment amenorrhea - absence or cessation of menstrual periods amyloidosis - a rare disease which causes the build-up of amyloid, a protein and starch, in tissues and organs androgen - a hormone that promotes the development and maintenance of male sex characteristics. angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor - a medication that lowers blood pressure. antacids - medicines that balance acids and gas in the stomach antibiotic - chemical substances, produced by living organisms or synthesized (created) in laboratories, for the purpose of killing other organisms that cause disease. anticoagulant (Also called blood thinner.) - a medication that keeps blood from clotting anti-inflammatory drugs - inflammatory drugs that reduce the signs and symptoms of inflammation. antihypertensive - a medication, or other therapy, that lowers blood pressure antihistamine drugs - a group of drugs that block the effects of histamine, a chemical released in body fluids during an allergic reaction antioxidants - compounds that protect against cell damage inflicted by molecules called oxygen-free radicals, which are a major cause of disease and aging. aorta - blood vessel that delivers oxygen-rich blood from the left ventricle to the body; it is the largest blood vessel in the body aortic valve - the valve that regulates blood flow from the heart into the aorta. aphasia - total or partial loss of ability to use or understand language; usually caused by stroke, brain disease, or injury arterioles - small branches of arteries artery - a blood vessel that carries oxygenated blood away from the heart to the body. atrophy - a continuous decline of a body part or tissue, usually a muscle, following a period of disuse or immobility. autoimmune process - a process where the body's immune system attacks and destroys body tissue that it mistakes for foreign matter atherosclerosis - atherosclerosis is a type of arteriosclerosis caused by a build-up of plaque in the inner lining of an artery. (Arteriosclerosis is a general term for thickening or hardening of the arteries.) aneurysm - An aneurysm is the dilation -- thinning and ballooning or bulging out -- in part of the wall of a vein, artery, or the heart. An aneurysm may be small and not cause symptoms. angina pectoris - Angina pectoris is recurring chest pain or discomfort that happens when some part of the heart does not receive enough blood. It is a common symptom of coronary heart disease (CHD), which occurs when vessels that carry blood to the heart become narrowed and blocked due to atherosclerosis. aortic stenosis (AS) - In this condition, the aortic valve, between the left ventricle and the aorta, did not form properly and is narrowed. A normal valve has three leaflets or cusps, but a stenotic valve may have only one cusp (unicuspid) or two cusps (bicuspid), which are thick and stiff. This makes it hard for the heart to pump blood to the body. atrial fibrillation - Atrial fibrillation is a heart arrhythmia. Arrhythmias (or dysrhythmias) are abnormal rhythms of the heart, which cause the heart to pump less effectively. B basal body temperature - temperature of a person's body taken first thing in the morning after several hours of sleep and before any activity, including getting out of bed or talking; often charted to determine the time of ovulation. basal metabolic rate (BMR) - a measurement of energy required to keep the body functioning at rest. Measured in calories, metabolic rates increase with exertion, stress, fear, and/or illness. beta blocker - an antihypertensive medication that limits the activity of epinephrine (a hormone that increases blood pressure). blood plasma - the fluid part of blood that contains nutrients, glucose, proteins, minerals, enzymes, and other substances blood-brain barrier - the protective membrane that separates circulating blood from brain cells body mass index (BMI) - a number, derived by using height and weight measurements, that gives a general indication of whether or not weight falls within a healthy range bone density test - a test that measures the strength and density of bones; often used to determine the risk of developing osteoporosis botanical - of plants and plant life. bradycardia - abnormally slow heartbeat. bronchodilators - a group of drugs that widen the airways in the lungs C capillaries - tiny blood vessels between arteries and veins that distribute oxygen-rich blood to the body. carcinogen - a substance that is known to cause cancer cardiac arrest - the stopping of heartbeat. cardiology - the clinical study and practice of treating the heart. cardiomyopathy - cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle, in which the heart loses its ability to pump blood and, in some instances, heart rhythm is disturbed, leading to irregular heartbeats, or arrhythmias. There may be multiple causes of cardiomyopathy, including viral infections. Sometimes the exact cause of the muscle disease is never found. carotid arteries - the major arteries in the neck that supply blood to the brain cartilage - a smooth material that covers bone ends of a joint to cushion the bone and allow the joint to move easily without pain cerebral embolism - a blood clot from one part of the body that is carried by the bloodstream to the brain where it blocks an artery. cerebrovascular - pertaining to blood vessels in the brain cerebrovascular occlusion - an obstruction in the blood vessel in the brain cholecystitis - inflammation of the gallbladder wall. cholecystokinin - hormone released in the small intestine; causes muscles in the gallbladder and the colon to tighten and relax. cholesterol - in your blood and in your diet Cholesterol is a waxy substance that can be found in all parts of your body. It helps to produce cell membranes, some hormones, and vitamin D. The cholesterol in your blood comes from two sources: the foods you eat and your liver. However, your liver makes all of the cholesterol your body needs. Cholesterol and other fats are transported in your blood stream in the form of spherical particles called lipoproteins. The two most commonly known lipoproteins are LDL, low-density lipoproteins and HDL, high-density lipoproteins.
claudication - pain or fatigue in arms and legs due to a poor supply of oxygen to the muscles colon - large intestine. colorectal cancer - cancer that occurs in the colon (large intestine) or the rectum (the end of the large intestine). colostrum - thin, white, first milk produced by the breasts during late pregnancy and for a few days after childbirth. It provides a nursing infant with essential nutrients and infection-fighting antibodies. complementary medicine - any form of therapy used in combination with other alternative treatments or standard/conventional medicine computed tomography (CT or CAT scan) - a non-invasive procedure that takes cross-sectional images of the brain or other internal organs; to detect any abnormalities that may not show up on an ordinary x-ray. congestive heart failure - Congestive heart failure is a condition in which the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the needs of the body's other organs. congenital heart defect - When the heart or blood vessels near the heart do not develop normally before birth, a condition called congenital heart defect occurs. (Congenital means inborn or existing at birth.) constrict - tighten; narrow contusion - a bruise caused by a blow to the muscle, tendon, or ligament; caused when blood pools around the point of injury and discolors the skin. cornea - the clear, dome-shaped surface that covers the front of the eye coronary angioplasty - with this procedure, a catheter is used to create a bigger opening in the vessel to increase blood flow. Although angioplasty is performed in other blood vessels, Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA) refers to angioplasty in the coronary arteries to permit more blood flow into the heart. There are several types of PTCA procedures, including:
coronary artery bypass graft (CAB or CABG) - a surgical procedure in which a healthy blood vessel is transplanted from another part of the body into the heart to replace or bypass a diseased vessel. coronary heart disease - a condition in which the coronary arteries narrow from an accumulation of plaque (atherosclerosis) and cause a decrease in blood flow coronary occlusion - an obstruction of one of the coronary arteries that decreases flow to the heart muscle. coronary thrombosis - the formation of a clot in one of the arteries that carry blood to the heart muscle. cortex - the outer layer of the cerebrum, densely packed with nerve cells. corticosteroids - potent anti-inflammatory hormones that are made naturally in the body or synthetically for use as drugs. The most commonly prescribed drug of this type is prednisone. D dendrite - a thread-like extension from a nerve cell that serves as an antenna to receive messages from the axons of other nerve cells dental amalgams (Also called silver fillings.) - a mixture of mercury (45 to 50 percent) and an alloy of silver, tin, and copper (50 to 55 percent) used to repair decayed teeth. diaphragm - primary muscle used for respiration, located just below the lung bases. diastolic blood pressure - the lowest blood pressure measure in the arteries, which occurs between heartbeats. digestion - process the body uses to break down food into simple substances for energy, growth, and cell repair. digestive system - the group of organs that break down foods into chemical components that the body can absorb and use for energy, and for building and repairing cells and tissues. dilate - relax; expand dopamine - a chemical substance, a neurotransmitter, found in the brain that regulates movement, balance, and walking. dyspepsia - indigestion E eczema - inflammation of the skin that causes itching and, sometimes, crusting, scaling, or blisters. edema - swelling due to the build-up of fluid elective surgery - an operation the patient chooses to have done, which is not required electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) - a test that records the electrical activity of the heart, shows abnormal rhythms (arrhythmias or dysrhythmias), and detects heart muscle damage electromyogram (EMG) - a test to evaluate nerve and muscle function electrosurgery - use of high-frequency electrical currents to destroy cancer cells embolus - a "wandering" blood clot encephalitis - a viral infection of the brain endometrium - mucous membrane lining of the inner surface of the uterus that grows during each menstrual cycle and is shed in menstrual blood. endorphins - endogenous biomechanical substances implicated in the alleviation of pain, produced as a result of body stress. endothelium - the layer of cells that lines the heart, blood vessels, and other body cavities epicardium - the membrane that covers the outside of the heart. epinephrine - one of two chemicals (the other is norepinephrine) released by the adrenal gland that increases heart rate and force of the heart contraction, and narrows blood vessels estrogen - a hormone secreted by the ovaries which affect many aspects of the female body, including menstrual cycles and pregnancy estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) - use of the female hormone estrogen to replace that which the body no longer produces naturally after medical or surgical menopause F fibrillation - rapid contractions of the heart muscle. fibroids - noncancerous growths in, on, or within the walls of the uterus. fibrosis - the growth of scar tissue possibly due to infection, inflammation, injury, or even healing. follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) - hormone secreted by the pituitary gland in the brain that stimulates the growth and maturation of eggs in females and sperm in males, and sex hormone production in both males and females. G gastroenteritis - infection or irritation of the stomach and intestines, which may be caused by bacteria or parasites from spoiled food or unclean water, or eating food that irritates the stomach lining and emotional upsets such as anger, fear, or stress. gastroenterologist - physician who specializes in digestive diseases. gastroenterology - field of medicine concerned with the function and disorders of the digestive system. gastrointestinal (GI) tract (Also called the alimentary canal or digestive tract.) - a large, muscular tube that extends from the mouth to the anus, where the movement of muscles and release of hormones and enzymes digest food. genes - basic, functional units of heredity, each occupying a specific place on a chromosome glucose - a simple sugar, which is the body's main source of energy. glycogen - converted glucose for storage. Glycogen plays a role in controlling blood sugar levels gonadotropins - luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone, produced by the pituitary gland. H heart attack (myocardial infarction or MI) - A heart attack, or myocardial infarction, occurs when one of more regions of the heart muscle experience a severe or prolonged decrease in oxygen supply caused by blocked blood flow to the heart muscle. heart failure - Heart failure is the condition resulting from the heart's inability to pump an adequate amount of blood through the body. Heart failure is not a sudden, abrupt stop of heart activity, but rather a slow, gradual development often of many years, as the heart gradually loses its ability to work and pump blood efficiently heart murmur - Heart murmurs may be caused by a number of factors or events, including:defective heart valves, holes in the heart walls, hemorrhage - the medical term for bleeding. high density lipoprotein (HDL) - the "good" cholesterol that promotes breakdown and removal of cholesterol from the body. histamine - a chemical present in cells throughout the body that is released during an allergic reaction hormone replacement therapy (HRT) - use of the female hormones estrogen and progestin (a synthetic form of progesterone) to replace those the body no longer produces after menopause hormones - chemical substances created by the body that control numerous body functions hyperglycemia - high levels of glucose in the blood hypertension - abnormally hig blood pressure hypotension - abnormally low blood pressure hypothalamus - small structure at the base of the brain that regulates many body functions, including appetite and body temperature. I immune system - complex network of specialized cells and organs that work together to defend the body against attacks by "foreign" invaders such as bacteria and viruses. immunoglobulins - antibodies or proteins found in blood and tissue fluids produced by cells of the immune system to bind to substances in the body that are recognized as foreign antigens. Immunoglobulins sometimes bind to antigens that are not necessarily a threat to health immunology - the study of the body's immune system - its functions and disorders. immunotherapy - treatment of allergy to substances such as pollens, house dust mites, fungi, and stinging insect venom by giving gradually increasing doses of the substance, or allergen, to which the person is allergic. infection - the invasion of the body by microorganisms that cause disease. inferior vena cava - the large blood vessel (vein) that returns blood from the legs and abdomen to the heart. inflammation - characteristic reaction of tissues to injury or disease marked by four signs: swelling, redness, heat, and pain. inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) - long-lasting problems that cause irritation and ulcers in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract - the most common disorders are ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. insulin - a hormone produced by the pancreas. Insulin affects the amount of glucose absorbed by the liver. insulin-dependent diabetes - see type 1 diabetes. insulin-resistance - partial blocking of the effect of insulin. interferon - a biological response modifier that stimulates the growth of certain disease-fighting blood cells in the immune system; used to treat cancer and other diseases. interleukin-2 - a biological response modifier that stimulates the growth of certain blood cells in the immune system that can fight cancer and other diseases. intestinal flora - bacteria, yeasts, and fungi that grow normally in the intestines. intestinal mucosa - surface lining of the intestines where the cells absorb nutrients. intestines - see large intestine and small intestine. ischemia - decreased flow of oxygenated blood to an organ due to obstruction in an artery. ischemic heart disease - coronary artery disease or coronary heart disease caused by narrowing of the coronary arteries and decreased blood flow to the heart. J K L lactase - enzyme in the small intestine needed to digest milk sugar (lactose). lactase deficiency - lack of the lactase enzyme. lactose - sugar found in milk, which the body breaks down into galactose and glucose laparoscope - thin tube with a tiny video camera attached, used to look inside the body and see the surface of organs. (See also endoscope.) large intestine - part of the intestine that goes from the cecum to the rectum. larynx - valve structure between the trachea (windpipe) and the pharynx (the upper throat); the primary organ of voice production levodopa (L-dopa) - an effective anti-Parkinson drug, that is changed into dopamine in the brain ligament - a flexible band of fibrous tissue that connects the bones and bind the joints together. lipid - a fatty substance in the blood. lipoproteins - transporters of fatty substances in the blood. liver - largest organ in the body; performs important functions such as making bile, changing food into energy, and cleaning alcohol and poisons from the blood. low blood glucose - a condition that occurs in people with diabetes when their blood glucose levels are too low. low density lipoprotein (LDL) - a blood substance with large amounts of cholesterol. luteinizing hormone (LH) - hormone secreted by the pituitary gland in the brain that stimulates the growth and maturation of eggs in females and sperm in males. lymph nodes (Also called lymph glands.) - small glands clustered in the neck, armpits, abdomen, and groin that supply infection-fighting cells to the bloodstream and filter out bacteria and other antigens. lymphatic system - tissues and organs, including bone marrow, spleen, thymus, and lymph nodes, that produce, store, and carry white blood cells to fight infection and disease. lymphocyte - any one of a group of white blood cells of crucial importance to the adaptive part of the body's immune system. M mitral valve prolapse (MVP) - The mitral valve is the heart valve between the left atrium and left ventricle consisting of two flaps or cusps. When one or both valve flaps become enlarged, some of the supporting strings may stretch and become too long. This causes the flaps to not close correctly when the heart contracts. Part of the flaps may collapse backward into the atrium, allowing blood to leak backward through the valve. This could cause a heart murmur. N O P pericarditis - pericarditis is inflammation of the pericardium, the thin sac (membrane) that surrounds the heart and the roots of the great vessels. There is a small amount of fluid between the inner and outer layers of the pericardium. When the pericardium becomes inflamed, the amount of fluid between its two layers increases, compressing the heart and interfering with its ability to function properly peripheral vascular disease - Peripheral vascular disease is a circulation disorder. It involves disease in any of the blood vessels outside of the heart and diseases of the lymph vessels. Often, it is a narrowing of the blood vessels that carry blood to leg and arm muscles. Q R S stroke - A stroke, also called a brain attack, happens when brain cells die because of inadequate blood flow. A stroke is considered to be a cardiovascular disease and a neurological disorder Syndrome X - A syndrome that develops over time, mainly from a diet high in refined carbohydrates such as breads, starches and sweets. These foods trigger a rapid increase in blood sugar levels, and the body responds by raising levels of insulin. The more carbohydrates you eat the more your body pumps out insulin to deal with all the extra blood sugar. Eventually, your body becomes overwhelmed by the amount of insulin, sluggish in response to it-and you've developed insulin resistance. T tachycardia - rapid heart beat. triglycerides - Triglycerides are another class of fat found in the bloodstream. The bulk of your body's fat tissue is in the form of triglycerides. tamoxifen - an anticancer drug used in hormone therapy to block the effects of estrogen taste buds - groups of cells located on the tongue that enable one to recognize different tastes temporal arteries - vessels located over the temples on each side of the head that supply blood to part of the head. tendon - a cord that connects muscle to bone or other tissue. tendonitis - inflammation of a tendon or of the tendon covering; usually caused by not just a single injury, but a series of small stresses that repeatedly aggravate the tendon thoracotomy - surgery to view the lung (that may be used to confirm cancer), or for chest trauma (to detect the source of bleeding). thrombolysis - the breaking up of a blood clot thrombolytic drugs - medications used to dissolve blood clots. thrombosis - an abnormal condition in which a blood clot develops in the blood vessel or in the heart. thrombosis, deep-vein - formation of blood clots in veins deep inside the legs. thrombus - a blood clot. thyroxine (T4) - a hormone secreted by the thyroid gland which regulates metabolism. tibia - shin bone. tinnitus - sensation of a ringing, roaring, or buzzing sound in the ears or head; often associated with various forms of a hearing impairment. tissue - group or layer of cells that together perform specific functions. tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) - a medication used to dissolve blood clots. tongue - large muscle on the floor of the mouth that manipulates food for chewing and swallowing; the main organ of taste; assists in forming speech sounds. total gastrectomy - complete removal of the stomach. total hysterectomy - the removal of the uterus, including the cervix; the fallopian tubes and the ovaries remain. Tourette syndrome - neurological disorder characterized by recurring movements and sounds (called tics). transient ischemic attack (TIA) - a stroke-like event that lasts for a short period of time caused by a blocked blood vessel. transplantation - replacing a damaged organ with one from a donor. transverse colon - part of the colon that extends across the abdomen from right to left. tricuspid valve - the heart valve that controls blood flow from the right atrium into the right ventricle. trimester - a period of three months. type 1 diabetes (Also called insulin dependent diabetes.) - a condition in which the pancreas produces so little insulin that the body cannot use blood glucose as energy; which must be controlled with daily insulin injections. type 2 diabetes (Also called non-insulin dependent diabetes.) - a condition in which the pancreas produces so little insulin that the body cannot use the blood glucose as energy; can often be controlled through meal plans and physical activity plans, and diabetes pills or insulin. tyrosine - the amino acid from which dopamine is made. U ulcer - sore on the skin surface or on the stomach lining. ultraviolet radiation - invisible rays that come from the sun. UV radiation can damage the skin and cause melanoma and other types of skin cancer. ureters - two tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder. urethra - narrow channel through which urine passes from the bladder out of the body. urge incontinence - the inability to hold urine long enough to reach a restroom. urinary retention - the inability to empty the bladder. Usher's syndrome - a hereditary disease that affects hearing and vision. uterus (Also called the womb.) - the uterus is a hollow, pear-shaped organ located in a woman's lower abdomen, between the bladder and the rectum, that sheds its lining each month during menstruation and in which a fertilized egg implants and grows into a fetus V vaginal hysterectomy - the uterus is removed through the vaginal opening. vagus nerve - nerve in the stomach that controls the production of stomach acid valve - fold in the lining of an organ that prevents fluid from flowing backward. valves, heart - (the heart valves are tricuspid, pulmonic, mitral, and aortic) - the "doors" between the chambers of the heart. vascular - pertaining to blood vessels varicose vein - an abnormally dilated vein, usually found in the legs vasodepressors - a medication that raises blood pressure. vasodilator - agent that widens blood vessels. vein - a blood vessel that carries blood from the body back into the heart. ventilation - movement of air (gases) in and out of the lungs. ventricle - one of the two pumping chambers of the heart; the right ventricle receives oxygen-poor blood from the right atrium and pumps it to the lungs through the pulmonary artery; the left ventricle receives oxygen-rich blood from the left atrium and pumps it to the bodies network of arteries, veins and capillaries. ventricular fibrillation - a condition in which the ventricles contract in rapid and unsynchronized rhythms and cannot pump blood into the body vestibule - bony cavity of the inner ear. villi - tiny, finger-like projections on the surface of the small intestine that help absorb nutrients. viral hepatitis - hepatitis caused by a virus. Five different viruses (A, B, C, D, and E) most commonly cause this form of hepatitis. Other rare viruses may also cause hepatitis. (See also hepatitis.) vocal cords (Also called vocal folds.) - muscularized folds of mucous membrane that extend from the larynx (voice box) wall; enclosed in elastic vocal ligament and muscle that control the tension and rate of vibration of the cords as air passes through them. W watchful waiting (Also called expectant management.) - close monitoring of prostate cancer by a physician instead of immediate treatment. whole blood - blood containing all its components, such as red and white blood cells, platelets, and more. X Y Yin and Yang - Chinese words for complementary and opposite forces that make up the life force (Qi). yoga - Indian word for "union;" a posturing and breathing technique to induce relaxation Z zygote intrafallopian transfer (ZIFT) - method of treating infertility by removing eggs from a woman's ovaries, fertilizing them in the laboratory with sperm from her partner or a donor, and inserting one or more of the fertilized eggs into one of her fallopian tubes.
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