Abdomen - the part of the body between the thorax (chest) and
pelvis that encloses the organs of the abdominal cavity; the belly.
Abrasion - the rubbing or scraping of the surface layer of
cells or tissue from an area of the skin or mucous membrane.
Acute - 1) having a rapid onset and following a short but
severe course: acute disease. 2) Afflicted by a disease exhibiting a
rapid onset followed by a short, severe course: acute patients.
Addiction - a physical or psychological need for a
habit-forming substance, such as a drug or alcohol. In physical addiction, the
body adapts to the substance being used and gradually requires increased
amounts to reproduce the effects originally produced by smaller doses.
Allergy - an abnormally high immunologic sensitivity to
certain stimuli such as drugs, foods, environmental irritants, microorganisms,
or physical conditions, such as temperature extremes. These stimuli act as
antigens, provoking an immunological response involving the release of
inflammatory substances, such as histamine, in the body. Allergies may be
innate or acquired in genetically predisposed individuals. Common symptoms
include sneezing, itching, and skin rashes, though in some individuals symptoms
can be severe.
Anemia - a pathological deficiency in the oxygen-carrying
component of the blood, measured in unit volume concentrations of hemoglobin,
red blood cell volume, or red blood cell number.
Anesthesia - total or partial loss of sensation to touch or
pain, caused by nerve injury or disease, or induced intentionally, especially
by the administration of anesthetic drugs, to provide medical treatment. The
first public use of ether to anesthetize a patient in Boston in 1846 initiated
widespread acceptance of anesthetics in the Western world for surgical
procedures and obstetrics. General anesthesia, administered as
inhalation or intravenous agents, acts primarily on the brain, resulting in a
temporary loss of consciousness. Regional or local anesthesia affects
sensation in a specific anatomic area, and includes topical application of
local anesthetics, blocking of peripheral nerves, spinal anesthesia, and
epidural anesthesia, which is used commonly during childbirth.
Aneurysm - a localized, blood-filled dilation of a blood
vessel or cardiac chamber caused by disease, such as arteriosclerosis, or
weakening of the vessel or chamber wall. A ruptured aneurysm results in
hemorrhage and is often fatal.
Antibiotics - a substance, such as penicillin, that is
capable of destroying or weakening certain microorganisms, especially bacteria
or fungi, that cause infections or infectious diseases. Antibiotics are usually
produced by or synthesized from other microorganisms, such as molds. They
inhibit pathogens by interfering with essential intracellular processes,
including the synthesis of bacterial proteins. Antibiotics do not kill viruses
and are not effective in treating viral infections.
Antibody - any of numerous Y-shaped protein molecules
produced by B cells as a primary immune defense, each molecule and its clones
having a unique binding site that can combine with the complementary site of a
foreign antigen, as on a virus or bacterium, thereby disabling the antigen and
signaling other immune defenses.
Antidepressant - any of a class of drugs used to treat
depression; often have undesirable side effects.
Antihistamines - drugs that counteract the effects of a
substance in the body called histamine. The body releases histamine, which
causes many of the symptoms associated with allergies (sneezing, watery eyes,
runny nose), in response to external agents such as pollen.
Arteries - any of the blood vessels that carry oxygenated
blood away from the heart to the body's cells, tissues, and organs. Arteries
are flexible, elastic tubes with muscular walls that expand and contract to
pump blood through the body.
Arthritis - inflammation of a joint, usually accompanied by
pain, swelling, and stiffness, and resulting from infection, trauma,
degenerative changes, metabolic disturbances, or other causes. It occurs in
various forms, such as bacterial arthritis, osteoarthritis, or rheumatoid
arthritis.
Asthma - a chronic disease of the respiratory system,
characterized by sudden, recurring attacks of difficult breathing, wheezing,
and coughing. During an attack, the bronchial tubes go into spasms, becoming
narrower and less able to move air into the lungs. Various substances to which
the sufferer has an allergy, such as animal hair, dust, pollen, or certain
foods, can trigger an attack.
Astigmatism - a visual defect in which the unequal curvature
of one or more refractive surfaces of the eye, usually the cornea, prevents
light rays from focusing clearly at a single point on the retina, resulting in
blurred vision.
Astringents - a substance or preparation, such as alum, that
draws together or constricts body tissues, resulting in decreased flow of blood
or other secretions.
Autoimmunity - of, relating to, or caused by antibodies or T
cells that attack molecules, cells, or tissues of the organism producing them.
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Bacteria - an ubiquitous one-celled organisms, spherical,
spiral, or rod-shaped and appearing singly or in chains, comprising the
Schizomycota, a phylum of the kingdom Monera (in some classification systems
the plant class Schizomycetes), various species of which are involved in
fermentation, putrefaction, infectious diseases, or nitrogen fixation.
Benefit - something that is advantageous or good; an
advantage.
Beta Cells - are a type of cell in the pancreas in areas
called the islets of Langerhans. They make up 65-80% of the cells in the
islets.
Binge Eating - uncontrolled compulsive eating especially as a
symptom of bulimia or binge eating disorder.
Biopsy - the removal for diagnostic study of a piece of
tissue from a living body.
Blackhead - plug of keratin and sebum within a hair follicle
that is blackened at the surface. Also called comedo.
Blood - the fluid tissue that circulates through the body of
a vertebrate animal by the pumping action of the heart. Blood is the transport
medium by which oxygen and nutrients are carried to body cells and waste
products are picked up for excretion. Blood consists of plasma in which red
blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets are suspended.
Blood clot - a semisolid, gelatinous mass of coagulated blood
that consists of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets in a fibrin
network.
Blood Pressure - the pressure of the blood against the inner
walls of the blood vessels, varying in different parts of the body during
different phases of contraction of the heart and under different conditions of
health, exertion, etc.
Blood Type - any of the four main types into which human
blood is divided: A, B, AB, and O. Blood types are based on the presence or
absence of specific antigens on red blood cells. Also called blood group.
Body Mass Index - a measure of someone's weight in relation
to height; to calculate one's BMI, multiply one's weight in pounds and divide
that by the square of one's height in inches; overweight is a BMI greater than
25; obese is a BMI greater than 30.
Bolus - a dose of a substance (as a drug) given intravenously specifically:
a large dose given for the purpose of rapidly achieving the needed therapeutic
concentration in the bloodstream.
Bone Marrow - the spongy, red tissue that fills the bone
cavities of mammals. Bone marrow is the source of red blood cells, platelets,
and most white blood cells.
Bowel - one of the divisions of the intestines -- usually
used in plural except in medical use.
Bronchi - (plural bronchi, adjective bronchial) is a caliber
of airway in the respiratory tract that conducts air into the lungs. No gas
exchange takes place in this part of the lungs.
Bronchial Tubes - the system of tube like structures that
connects the trachea to the lungs.
Bronchodilator - a substance that acts to dilate constricted
bronchial tubes to aid breathing, used especially for relief of asthma.
Bruise - an injury to underlying tissues or bone in which the
skin is unbroken, often characterized by ruptured blood vessels and
discolorations; a contusion.
Bruxism - the habitual, involuntary grinding or clenching of
the teeth, usually during sleep, as from anger, tension, fear, or frustration.
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Cancer - a group of diseases in which cells are aggressive
(grow and divide without respect to normal limits), invasive (invade and
destroy adjacent tissues), and/or metastatic (spread to other locations
in the body). These three malignant properties of cancers differentiate them
from benign tumors, which are self-limited in their growth and do not invade or
metastasize (although some benign tumor types are capable of becoming
malignant). Cancer may affect people at all ages, even fetuses, but risk for
the more common varieties tends to increase with age. Cancer causes about 13%
of all deaths. Apart from people, forms of cancer may affect animals and
plants.
Carbohydrate - any of a group of organic compounds that
includes sugars, starches, celluloses, and gums and serves as a major energy
source in the diet of animals. These compounds are produced by photosynthetic
plants and contain only carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, usually in the ratio
1:2:1.
Carcinoma - any of various cancerous tumors that are derived
from epithelial tissue of the skin, blood vessels, or other organs and that
tend to metastasize to other parts of the body.
Cardiology - the medical study of the structure, function,
and disorders of the heart.
Caregiver - an individual, such as a physician, nurse, or
social worker, who assists in the identification, prevention, or treatment of
an illness or disability.
Cartilage - a tough, elastic, fibrous connective tissue found
in various parts of the body, such as the joints, outer ear, and larynx. A
major constituent of the embryonic and young vertebrate skeleton, it is
converted largely to bone with maturation.
CAT Scan or CT Scan - a three-dimensional image of a cross
section of the body made with x-rays that is useful in diagnosing disease (for
example, in detecting tumors). CAT stands for computerized axial tomography,
the name of the method used to produce the image.
Cerebellum - the part of the vertebrate brain that is located
below the cerebrum at the rear of the skull and that coordinates balance and
muscle activity. In mammals, the cerebellum is made up of two connecting
hemispheres that consist of a core of white matter surrounded by gray matter.
Cerebral Cortex - the surface layer of gray tissue of the
cerebrum, frequently called the gray matter. The large size of the cerebral
cortex in humans distinguishes them from other animals. Specific parts of the
cortex control specific functions, including sensation, voluntary muscle
movement, thought, reasoning, and memory.
Cerebrum - the large rounded structure of the brain occupying
most of the cranial cavity, divided into two cerebral hemispheres that are
joined at the bottom by the corpus callosum. It controls and integrates motor,
sensory, and higher mental functions, such as thought, reason, emotion, and
memory.
Cerumen - the yellowish, wax like secretion of certain glands
lining the canal of the external ear.
Chemotherapy - 1) the treatment of cancer using specific
chemical agents or drugs that are selectively destructive to malignant cells
and tissues. 2) the treatment of disease using chemical agents or drugs that
are selectively toxic to the causative agent of the disease, such as a virus,
bacterium, or other microorganism.
Chromosomes - a structure in all living cells that consists
of a single molecule of DNA bonded to various proteins and that carries the
genes determining heredity. In all eukaryotic cells, the chromosomes occur as
threadlike strands in the nucleus. During cell reproduction, these strands coil
up and condense into much thicker structures that are easily viewed under a
microscope. Chromosomes occur in pairs in all of the cells of eukaryotes except
the reproductive cells, which have one of each chromosome, and some red blood
cells (such as those of mammals) that expel their nuclei. In bacterial cells
and other prokaryotes, which have no nucleus, the chromosome is a circular
strand of DNA located in the cytoplasm.
Chronic - having a slow progressive course of indefinite
duration -- used especially of degenerative invasive diseases, some infections,
psychoses, and inflammations.
Clinical Diagnosis - a diagnosis based on a study of the
signs and symptoms of a disease.
Cognitive - of or pertaining to the mental processes of
perception, memory, judgment, and reasoning, as contrasted with emotional and
volitional processes.
Complete Blood Count (CBC) - a count performed as a
diagnostic laboratory test, indicating the red blood cell count and the white
blood cell count in one microliter of whole blood and other quantitative
information about blood composition, such as cell volume, hematocrit, and
hemoglobin content. This information is used in the diagnosis of anemia,
infections, and other medical disorders.
Congestion an excessive accumulation especially of blood or
mucus.
Conjunctivitis - inflammation of the conjunctiva, the
transparent mucous membrane that lines the inner surface of the eyelid and
covers the front part of the eyeball. Often called pinkeye.
Constipation - a condition of the digestive system where a
person (or animal) experiences hard feces that are difficult to egest. It may
be extremely painful, and in severe cases (fecal impaction) lead to symptoms of
bowel obstruction. The term obstipation is used for severe constipation.
Causes of constipation may be dietary, hormonal, anatomical, a side effect of
medications (e.g. some painkillers), or an illness or disorder. Treatments
consist of changes in dietary and exercise habits, the use of laxatives, and
other medical interventions depending on the underlying cause.
Contagious - 1) Capable of being transmitted by bodily
contact with an infected person or object: contagious diseases. 2) Carrying or
spreading a contagious disease.
Cornea - the transparent dome-shaped anterior portion of the
outer covering of the eye; it covers the iris and pupil and is continuous with
the sclera.
Corticosteroids - any of the steroid hormones, such as
cortisol or aldosterone, produced by the cortex of the adrenal gland.
Corticosteroids are also produced synthetically for medicinal purposes.
Cough - a sudden, often repetitive, spasmodic contraction of
the thoracic cavity, resulting in violent release of air from the lungs, and
usually accompanied by a distinctive sound.
Counseling - the professional guidance of an individual by
utilizing psychological methods especially in collecting case history data,
using various techniques of the personal interview, and testing interests and
aptitudes.
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DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) - an extremely long macromolecule
that is the main component of chromosomes and is the material that transfers
genetic characteristics in all life forms, constructed of two nucleotide
strands coiled around each other in a ladder like arrangement with the
sidepieces composed of alternating phosphate and deoxyribose units and the
rungs composed of the purine and pyrimidine bases adenine, guanine, cytosine,
and thymine: the genetic information of DNA is encoded in the sequence of the
bases and is transcribed as the strands unwind and replicate.
Dandruff - a condition in which white scales of dead skin are
shed by the scalp.
Decongestants - a medication or treatment that breaks up
congestion, as of the sinuses, by reducing swelling.
Dehydration - a condition caused by the excessive loss of
water from the body, which causes a rise in blood sodium levels. Since
dehydration is most often caused by excessive sweating, vomiting, or diarrhea,
water loss is usually accompanied by a deficiency of electrolytes. If
untreated, severe dehydration can lead to shock.
Depressant - having the quality of depressing or lowering the
vital activities; sedative.
Depression - a condition of general emotional dejection and
withdrawal; sadness greater and more prolonged than that warranted by any
objective reason.
Diabetes Mellitus - a disorder of carbohydrate metabolism,
usually occurring in genetically predisposed individuals, characterized by
inadequate production or utilization of insulin and resulting in excessive
amounts of glucose in the blood and urine, excessive thirst, weight loss, and
in some cases progressive destruction of small blood vessels leading to such
complications as infections and gangrene of the limbs or blindness.
Diagnosis - the act or process of identifying or determining
the nature and cause of a disease or injury through evaluation of patient
history, examination, and review of laboratory data. The opinion derived from
such an evaluation.
Diaphragm - a muscular membranous partition separating the
abdominal and thoracic cavities and functioning in respiration.
Diarrhea - excessive and frequent evacuation of watery feces,
usually a symptom of a gastrointestinal disorder. Severe, prolonged diarrhea
can lead to dehydration.
Disinfectants - an agent, such as heat, radiation, or a
chemical, that destroys, neutralizes, or inhibits the growth of
disease-carrying microorganisms.
Dislocation - the displacement of a body part, especially the
temporary displacement of a bone from its normal position; luxation.
Disorder - 1) A disturbance or derangement that affects the
function of mind or body, such as an eating disorder or the abuse of a drug. 2)
To disturb the normal physical or mental health of; derange.
Double-Blind - of, relating to, or
being an experimental procedure in which neither the subjects nor the
experimenters know the identity of the individuals in the test and control
groups during the actual course of the experiments
Dyslexia - any of various reading disorders associated with
impairment of the ability to interpret spatial relationships or to integrate
auditory and visual information.
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EEG (Electroencephalogram) - a graphic record of brain waves
representing electrical activity in the brain, used especially in the diagnosis
of seizures and other neurological disorders. The instrument used to record an
electroencephalogram is called an electroencephalograph. It generates a record
of the electrical activity of the brain by measuring electric signals using a
set of electrodes attached to the scalp that act as transducers. Differences of
electric potential between different parts of the brain are measured by a
portable set of galvanometers and printed as a wide paper strip with multiple
simultaneous waveform tracings that have standard configurations in the normal
brain.
ER (Emergency Room) - a hospital room or area staffed and
equipped for the reception and treatment of persons with conditions (as illness
or trauma) requiring immediate medical care.
Ear Canal - the narrow, tube like passage through which sound
enters the ear. Also called external auditory canal.
Eardrum - the thin, oval-shaped membrane that separates the
middle ear from the outer ear. It vibrates in response to sound waves, which
are then transmitted to the ossicles of the middle ear. Also called tympanic
membrane.
Eczema - a noncontagious inflammation of the skin,
characterized chiefly by redness, itching, and the outbreak of lesions that may
discharge serous matter and become encrusted and scaly.
Effective - producing a decided, decisive, claimed, or
desired effect.
Efficacy - the power or capacity to produce a desired effect;
effectiveness.
Electrocardiograms (ECGs) - A graphic recording of the
electrical activity of the heart, used to evaluate cardiac function and to
diagnose arrhythmias and other disorders. An electrocardiograph is the
apparatus used to generate electrocardiograms. The machine functions as a
portable set of galvanometers that measure electric potentials at different
anatomic sites on the chest and extremities, and contains internal circuitry
for computing calculations based on these measurements. Twelve electrodes act
as transducers to pick up the electrical signals. Various combinations of
signals from the electrodes can be selected for output, each of which provides
information about electrical activity in the heart from a different anatomical
perspective. For example, electrodes placed on the right arm, left leg and left
arm record variations in potential in the frontal plane of the heart. The
signals are converted to waveform tracings that are recorded and printed for
diagnostic interpretation.
Emotions - a psychological state that arises spontaneously
rather than through conscious effort and is sometimes accompanied by
physiological changes; a feeling.
Enamel - the hard, translucent substance covering the exposed
portion of a tooth in mammals. Enamel is the hardest substance in the body, and
consists mostly of calcium salts.
Enuresis - the lack of control of urination, especially
during sleep; bed-wetting; urinary incontinence.
Epidermis - the protective outer layer of the skin. In
invertebrate animals, the epidermis is made up of a single layer of cells. In
vertebrates, it is made up of many layers of cells and overlies the dermis.
Hair and feathers grow from the epidermis.
Epiglottis - the thin elastic cartilaginous structure located
at the root of the tongue that folds over the glottis to prevent food and
liquid from entering the trachea during the act of swallowing.
Epistaxis - a nosebleed.
Eustachian Tube - A slender tube that connects the tympanic
cavity with the nasal part of the pharynx and serves to equalize air pressure
on either side of the eardrum.
Evaluate - to judge or determine the significance, worth, or
quality of; assess.
Exercise - exertion for the sake of training or improvement
whether physical, intellectual, or moral; practice to acquire skill, knowledge,
virtue, perfectness, grace, etc.
Exhale - to emit breath or vapor; breathe out.
Exhausted - 1) To wear out completely. 2) To drain of
resources or properties; deplete. 3) To treat completely; cover thoroughly
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Farsighted - seeing objects at a distance more clearly than
those near at hand; hyperopic.
Fatigue - 1) Weariness or exhaustion from labor, exertion, or
stress. 2) The temporary loss of power to respond induced in a sensory receptor
or motor end organ by continued stimulation.
Fats - any of a large number of oily compounds that are
widely found in plant and animal tissues and serve mainly as a reserve source
of energy. In mammals, fat, or adipose tissue, is deposited beneath the
skin and around the internal organs, where it also protects and insulates
against heat loss. Fat is a necessary, efficient source of energy. An ounce of
fat contains more than twice as much stored energy as does an ounce of protein
or carbohydrates and is digested more slowly, resulting in the sensation of
satiety after eating. It also enhances the taste, aroma, and texture of food.
Fats are made chiefly of triglycerides, each molecule of which contains three
fatty acids. Dietary fat supplies humans with essential fatty acids, such as linoleic
acid and linolenic acid. Fat also regulates cholesterol
metabolism and is a precursor of prostaglandins.
Fatty Acid - any of a class of aliphatic monocarboxylic acids
that form part of a lipid molecule and can be derived from fat by hydrolysis;
fatty acids are simple molecules built around a series of carbon atoms linked
together in a chain of 12 to 22 carbon atoms.
FDA (Food and Drug Administration) - a federal agency in the
Department of Health and Human Services that protects the public against impure
and unsafe foods, drugs, and cosmetics.
Fever - a body temperature that is higher than normal. Fever
is the body's natural response to the release of substances called pyrogens by
infectious agents such as bacteria and viruses. The pyrogens stimulate the
hypothalamus in the brain to conserve heat and increase the basal metabolic
rate.
Fiber - the parts of grains, fruits, and vegetables that
contain cellulose and are not digested by the body. Fiber helps the intestines
absorb water, which increases the bulk of the stool and causes it to move more
quickly through the colon.
Fissure - a break in the skin, usually where it joins a
mucous membrane, producing a cracklike sore or ulcer.
Fluoride - any of a number of naturally occurring compounds
of the element fluorine. Fluorides have been found to be effective in
preventing tooth decay and are routinely added to drinking water in most
jurisdictions.
Fracture - a break or rupture in bone tissue. A comminuted
fracture results in more than two fragments. Although most fractures are caused
by a direct blow or sudden, twisting force, stress fractures result from
repetitive physical activity. In an incomplete fracture, the fracture line does
not completely traverse the bone.
Frostbite - the damage to a part of the body as a result of
exposure to freezing temperatures. It is caused by a loss of blood supply and
the formation of ice crystals in the affected body part.
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Gastric Juices - the digestive fluids, containing pepsin and
other enzymes, secreted by the glands of the stomach.
Gastroenteritis - the inflammation of the mucous membrane of
the stomach and intestines.
Genes - a hereditary unit consisting of a sequence of DNA
that occupies a specific location on a chromosome and determines a particular
characteristic in an organism. Genes undergo mutation when their DNA sequence
changes.
Genetics - the study of heredity, or how the characteristics
of living things are transmitted from one generation to the next. Every living
thing contains the genetic material that makes up DNA molecules. This material
is passed on when organisms reproduce. The basic unit of heredity is the gene.
Gingivitis - the inflammation of the gums, characterized by
redness and swelling.
Glucagon - a protein hormone that is produced especially by
the pancreatic islets of Langerhans and that promotes an increase in the sugar
content of the blood by increasing the rate of breakdown of glycogen in the
liver called also hyperglycemic factor, hyperglycemic-glycogenolytic factor.
Glucose - a monosaccharide sugar found in plant and animal
tissues. Glucose is a product of photosynthesis, mostly incorporated into the
disaccharide sugar sucrose rather than circulating free in the plant. Glucose
is essential for energy production in animal cells. It is transported by blood
and lymph to all the cells of the body, where it is metabolized to form carbon
dioxide and water along with ATP, the main source of chemical energy for
cellular processes. Glucose molecules can also be linked into chains to form
the polysaccharides cellulose, glycogen, and starch.
Gluteus Maximus - the outermost of the three muscles in each
buttock that arises from the sacrum, coccyx, back part of the ilium and
adjacent structures, that is inserted into the fascia lata of the thigh and the
gluteal tuberosity of the femur, and that acts to extend and laterally rotate
the thigh.
Glycemic Index - a system that ranks foods by the speeds at
which their carbohydrates are converted into glucose in the body; a measure of
the effects of foods on blood-sugar levels.
Glycogen - a polysaccharide stored in animal liver and muscle
cells that is easily converted to glucose to meet metabolic energy
requirements. Most of the carbohydrate energy stored in animal cells is in the
form of glycogen.
Growth Hormone - a polypeptide hormone secreted by the
anterior portion of the pituitary gland that promotes growth by stimulating
protein synthesis. Growth hormone also acts on the liver to produce peptides
called somatomedins, which stimulate growth of bone, cartilage, and muscle.
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Hay Fever - a type of allergic rhinitis affecting the mucous
membranes of the eyes and respiratory tract, affecting susceptible persons
usually during the summer, caused by pollen of ragweed and certain other
plants.
Healthy - having or indicating good health in body or mind;
free from infirmity or disease.
Heat Exhaustion - a condition caused by exposure to heat,
resulting in the depletion of body fluids and causing weakness, dizziness,
nausea, and often collapse. The condition can be alleviated by rest and the
administration of fluids and electrolytes to compensate for those lost through
excessive sweating.
Hemangioma - a usually benign tumor made up of blood vessels
that typically occurs as a purplish or reddish slightly elevated area of skin.
Hematoma - the abnormal buildup of blood in an organ or other
tissue of the body, caused by a break in a blood vessel.
Heredity - the transmission of genetic characters from
parents to offspring: it is dependent upon the segregation and recombination of
genes during meiosis and fertilization and results in the genesis of a new
individual similar to others of its kind but exhibiting certain variations
resulting from the particular mix of genes and their interactions with the
environment.
Histamine - an organic compound found widely in animals and
plants that in humans and other mammals is released as part of the body's
immune response, causing physiological changes including dilation of the blood
vessels, contraction of smooth muscle (as in the airways), and increased
gastric acid secretion. The itching and sneezing typical of respiratory
allergies are caused by the release of histamine.
Hormone - a chemical substance secreted by an endocrine gland
or group of endocrine cells that acts to control or regulate specific
physiological processes, including growth, metabolism, and reproduction. Most
hormones are secreted by endocrine cells in one part of the body and then
transported by the blood to their target site of action in another part, though
some hormones act only in the region in which they are secreted. Many of the
principal hormones of vertebrates, such as growth hormone and thyrotropin, are
secreted by the pituitary gland, which is in turn regulated by neurohormone
secretions of the hypothalamus. Hormones also include the endorphins,
androgens, and estrogens.
Hot Flashes - a sudden, brief sensation of heat, often over
the entire body, caused by a transient dilation of the blood vessels of the
skin and experienced by some menopausal women.
Hydrocortisone - a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal
cortex that regulates carbohydrate metabolism and maintains blood pressure.
Hydrogen Peroxide - a colorless, heavy, strongly oxidizing
liquid, H2O2, capable of reacting explosively with
combustibles and used principally in aqueous solution as a mild antiseptic, a
bleaching agent, an oxidizing agent, and a laboratory reagent.
Hyperglycemia - an abnormally high level of glucose in the
blood.
Hyperopia - an abnormal condition of the eye in which vision
is better for distant objects than for near objects. It results from the
eyeball being too short from front to back, causing images to be focused behind
the retina. Also called farsightedness, hypermetropia.
Hypoglycemia - an abnormally low level of glucose in the
blood.
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Ibuprofen - a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug C13H18O2
used in over-the-counter preparations to relieve pain and fever and in
prescription strength especially to relieve the symptoms of rheumatoid
arthritis and degenerative arthritis.
Illicit Drugs - drugs whose use, possession, or sale is
illegal.
Immune System - a diffuse, complex network of interacting
cells, cell products, and cell-forming tissues that protects the body from
pathogens and other foreign substances, destroys infected and malignant cells,
and removes cellular debris: the system includes the thymus, spleen, lymph
nodes and lymph tissue, stem cells, white blood cells, antibodies, and
lymphokines.
Immunization - the creation of immunity usually against a
particular disease; especially : treatment (as by vaccination) of an organism
for the purpose of making it immune to a particular pathogen.
Infection - the invasion of the body of a human or an animal
by a pathogen such as a bacterium, fungus, or virus. Infections can be
localized, as in pharyngitis, or widespread as in sepsis, and are often
accompanied by fever and an increased number of white blood cells. Individuals
with immunodeficiency syndromes are predisposed to certain infections.
Influenza - a highly contagious infectious disease that is
caused by any of various viruses of the family Orthomyxoviridae and is
characterized by fever, respiratory symptoms, fatigue, and muscle pain. It
commonly occurs in epidemics, one of which killed 20 million people between
1917 and 1919.
Inhale - to breathe in; draw in by breathing.
Inhaler - a device that produces a vapor to ease breathing or
is used to medicate by inhalation, especially a small nasal applicator
containing a volatile medicament.
Injection - a substance that is introduced into a organism,
especially by means of a hypodermic syringe, as a liquid into the veins or
muscles of the body.
Insulin - a hormone produced in the pancreas that regulates
the amount of sugar in the blood by stimulating cells, especially liver and
muscle cells, to absorb and metabolize glucose. Insulin also stimulates the
conversion of blood glucose into glycogen and fat, which are the body's chief
sources of stored carbohydrates.
Insulin Resistance - reduced sensitivity to insulin by the
body's insulin-dependent processes (as glucose uptake, lipolysis, and
inhibition of glucose production by the liver) that results in lowered activity
of these processes or an increase in insulin production or both and that is
typical of type 2 diabetes but often occurs in the absence of diabetes.
Intensive Care Unit (ICU) - a specialized section of a
hospital containing the equipment, medical and nursing staff, and monitoring
devices necessary to provide intensive care.
Intermittently - stopping and starting at intervals.
Involuntary Muscle - a muscle that contracts without
conscious control and found in walls of internal organs such as stomach and
intestine and bladder and blood vessels (excluding the heart).
Iris - the colored, muscular ring around the pupil of the eye
in vertebrate animals, located between the cornea and lens. Contraction and
expansion of the iris controls the size of the pupil, thereby regulating the
amount of light reaching the retina.
Islet Cell - one of the endocrine cells making up an islet of
Langerhans.
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Jaundice - yellowish discoloration of the whites of the eyes,
skin, or mucous membranes caused by the deposition of bile salts in these
tissues, occurring as a sign of disorders that interfere with normal metabolism
or transport of bile. Liver diseases such as hepatitis commonly cause
jaundice.
Joints - the point of contact between elements of an animal
skeleton whether movable or rigidly fixed together with the surrounding and
supporting parts (as membranes, tendons, or ligaments).
Jugular Vein - either of the two large veins on either side
of the neck in mammals that drain blood from the head and return it to the
heart.
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Keratin - any of a class of tough, fibrous proteins that are
the main structural component of hair, nails, horns, feathers, and hooves.
Keratins are rich in sulfur-containing amino acids, especially cysteine.
Individual keratin molecules are entwined helically around each other in long
filaments, which are cross-linked by bonds between sulfur atoms on different
chains. The twining and cross-linking produce strength and toughness.
Ketoacidosis - acidosis with an accumulation of ketone
bodies; occurs primarily in diabetes mellitus.
Ketones - any of a class of organic compounds, such as
acetone, having a carbonyl group linked to a carbon atom in each of two
hydrocarbon radicals and having the general formula R(CO)R', where R may be the
same as R'.
Kidney - either of a pair of organs that are located in the
rear of the abdominal cavity in vertebrates. The kidneys regulate fluid balance
in the body and filter out wastes from the blood in the form of urine. The
functional unit of the kidney is the nephron. Wastes filtered from the blood by
the nephrons drain into the ureters, muscular tubes that connect each kidney to
the bladder.
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Laboratory - a building, part of a building, or other place
equipped to conduct scientific experiments, tests, investigations, etc., or to
manufacture chemicals, medicines, or the like.
Lacrimal Gland - an acinous gland that is about the size and
shape of an almond, secretes tears, and is situated laterally and superiorly to
the bulb of the eye in a shallow depression on the inner surface of the frontal
bone called also tear gland.
Laparoscopy - a slender, tubular endoscope that is inserted
through an incision in the abdominal wall to examine or perform minor surgery
within the abdomen or pelvis.
Larynx - the upper part of the trachea in most vertebrate
animals, containing the vocal cords. The walls of the larynx are made of
cartilage. Sound is produced by air passing through the larynx on the way to
the lungs, causing the walls of the larynx to vibrate. The pitch of the sound
that is produced can be altered by the pull of muscles, which changes the
tension of the vocal cords. Also called voice box.
Laxatives - a food or drug that stimulates evacuation of the
bowels.
Lens - a transparent, biconvex body of the eye between the
iris and the vitreous humor that focuses light rays entering through the pupil
to form an image on the retina.
Ligament - a sheet or band of tough fibrous tissue that
connects two bones or holds an organ of the body in place.
Lipid - any of a large group of organic compounds that are
oily to the touch and insoluble in water. Lipids include fatty acids, oils,
waxes, sterols, and triglycerides. They are a source of stored energy and are a
component of cell membranes.
Lunula - a small crescent-shaped structure or marking,
especially the proximal region at the base of a fingernail that resembles a
half-moon.
Lymph - a clear, watery, sometimes faintly yellowish fluid
derived from body tissues that contains white blood cells and circulates
throughout the lymphatic system, returning to the venous bloodstream through
the thoracic duct. Lymph acts to remove bacteria and certain proteins from the
tissues, transport fat from the small intestine, and supply mature lymphocytes
to the blood.
Lymph Node - any of the small bodies located along the
lymphatic vessels, particularly at the neck, armpit, and groin, that filter
bacteria and foreign particles from lymph fluid. During infection, lymph nodes
may become swollen with activated lymphocytes.
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Malocclusion - the misalignment between the upper and lower
teeth when the jaw is closed, resulting in a faulty bite.
Medicine - 1) Any substance or substances used in treating
disease or illness; medicament; remedy. 2) The art or science of restoring or
preserving health or due physical condition, as by means of drugs, surgical
operations or appliances, or manipulations: often divided into medicine proper,
surgery, and obstetrics. 3) The art or science of treating disease with drugs
or curative substances, as distinguished from surgery and obstetrics. 4) The
medical profession.
Melanin - a dark brown coloring found in the body, especially
in the skin and hair. Produced by special skin cells that are sensitive to
sunlight, melanin protects the body by absorbing ultraviolet radiation from the
sun.
Menopause - the period marked by the natural and permanent
cessation of menstruation, occurring usually between the ages of 45 and 55.
Menorrhagia - abnormally profuse menstrual flow.
Monogamy - the state or custom of being married to one person
at a time or of having only one mate at a time.
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) - a noninvasive diagnostic
technique that produces computerized images of internal body tissues and is
based on nuclear magnetic resonance of atoms within the body induced by the
application of radio waves.
Mucus - the viscous slippery substance that consists chiefly
of mucin, water, cells, and inorganic salts and that is secreted as a
protective lubricant coating by the cells and glands of the mucous membranes.
Mucous Membrane - any of the membranes lining the passages of
the body, such as the respiratory and digestive tracts, that open to the
outside. Cells in the mucous membranes secrete mucus, which lubricates the
membranes and protects against infection.
Mucus - a viscous, slimy mixture of mucins, water,
electrolytes, epithelial cells, and leukocytes that is secreted by glands
lining the nasal, esophageal, and other body cavities and serves primarily to
protect and lubricate surfaces.
Muscle - a body tissue composed of sheets or bundles of cells
that contract to produce movement or increase tension. Muscle cells contain
filaments made of the proteins actin and myosin, which lie parallel to each
other. When a muscle is signaled to contract, the actin and myosin filaments
slide past each other in an overlapping pattern. Skeletal muscle effects
voluntary movement and is made up of bundles of elongated cells (muscle
fibers), each of which contains many nuclei. Smooth muscle provides the
contractile force for the internal organs and is controlled by the autonomic
nervous system. Smooth muscle cells are spindle-shaped and each contains a
single nucleus. Cardiac muscle makes up the muscle of the heart and
consists of a meshwork of striated cells.
Myopia - a defect of the eye that causes light to focus in
front of the retina instead of directly on it, resulting in an inability to see
distant objects clearly. Myopia is often caused by an elongated eyeball or a
misshapen lens. Also called nearsightedness.
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Nasal Cavity - the vaulted chamber that lies between the
floor of the cranium and the roof of the mouth of higher vertebrates extending
from the external nares to the pharynx, being enclosed by bone or cartilage and
usually incompletely divided into lateral halves by the septum of the nose, and
having its walls lined with mucous membrane that is rich in venous plexuses and
ciliated in the lower part which forms the beginning of the respiratory passage
and warms and filters the inhaled air and that is modified as sensory
epithelium in the upper olfactory part.
Nausea - a feeling of sickness in the stomach marked by an
urge to vomit.
Navel - a depression in the middle of the abdomen that marks
the point of former attachment of the umbilical cord to the embryo called also umbilicus.
Nearsighted - unable to see distant objects clearly; myopic.
Nebulizer - a device that reduces liquid to an extremely fine
cloud, especially used for delivering medication to the deep part of the
respiratory tract.
Nephropathy - a disease or abnormality of the kidney.
Nervous System - the system of neurons and tissues that
regulates the actions and responses of vertebrates and many invertebrates. The
nervous system of vertebrates is a complex information-processing system that
consists mainly of the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral and autonomic nerves.
It receives chemical information from hormones in the circulating blood and can
also regulate secretions of the endocrine system by the action of
neurohormones. The nervous systems of invertebrates vary from a simple network
of nerves to a complex nerve network under the control of a primitive brain.
Neurology - the scientific study of the diagnosis and
treatment of disorders of nerves and the nervous system.
Neuropathy - a disease or an abnormality of the nervous
system, especially one affecting the cranial or spinal nerves.
Nicotine - a colorless, poisonous compound occurring
naturally in the tobacco plant. It is used in medicine and as an insecticide,
and it is the substance in tobacco products to which smokers can become
addicted. Nicotine is an alkaloid. Chemical formula: C10H14N2.
NSAID (Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug) - an
anti-inflammatory drug that does not contain steroids, such as aspirin or
ibuprofen.
Nutrition - the process by which a living organism
assimilates food and uses it for growth, liberation of energy, and replacement
of tissues; its successive stages include digestion, absorption, assimilation,
and excretion.
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Obese - extremely fat; very overweight.
Occupational Therapy - therapy based on engagement in
meaningful activities of daily life, especially to enable or encourage
participation in such activities in spite of impairments or limitations in
physical or mental functions.
Ointment - a highly viscous or semisolid preparation usually
containing medicinal substances and intended for external application.
Oncology - the branch of medicine devoted to the study,
treatment, and cure of cancer.
Open-Label - being or relating to a
clinical trial in which both the researchers and the patients know who receives
the drug and who receives a placebo.
Operation - a procedure performed on a living body usually
with instruments for the repair of damage or the restoration of health and
especially one that involves incision, excision, or suturing.
Ophthalmology - the branch of medicine that deals with the
anatomy, functions, pathology, and treatment of the eye.
Opioid - any of various sedative narcotics containing opium
or one or more of its natural or synthetic derivatives.
Optician - a person who makes or sells eyeglasses and,
usually, contact lenses, for remedying defects of vision in accordance with the
prescriptions of ophthalmologists and optometrists.
Optometry - the health-care profession concerned especially
with examining the eye for defects and faults of refraction, with prescribing
corrective lenses or eye exercises, with diagnosing diseases of the eye, and
with treating such diseases or referring them for treatment.
Orthodontist - the branch of dentistry dealing with the
prevention and correction of irregular teeth, as by means of braces.
Otitis Media - inflammation of the middle ear, occurring
commonly in children as a result of infection and often causing pain and
temporary hearing loss.
Otolaryngology - the branch of medicine that deals with the
anatomy, function, and diseases of the ear, nose, and throat.
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Pacemaker - a group of specialized muscle fibers in the heart
that send out impulses to regulate the heartbeat. If the heart's built-in
pacemaker does not function properly, an artificial pacemaker may be necessary
— a small electrical device that also regulates the heartbeat by sending out
impulses. An artificial pacemaker may be placed inside the body surgically or
may be worn outside.
Palate - the roof of the mouth in vertebrate animals,
separating the mouth from the passages of the nose. The bony part of the palate
is called the hard palate. A soft, flexible, rear portion of the palate,
called the soft palate, is present in mammals only and serves to close
off the mouth from the nose during swallowing.
Pancreas - a gland behind the stomach that functions in both
the endocrine system and the digestive system. Its endocrine function involves
the secretion into the bloodstream of insulin, which regulates the level of
sugars in the blood. As part of the digestive system, the pancreas secretes
into the small intestine a fluid containing enzymes that is used in the
digestion of all foods.
Pap Smear - a screening test, especially for cervical cancer,
in which a smear of cells scraped from the cervix or vagina is treated with a
chemical stain and examined under a microscope for pathological changes. Pap
smears are performed routinely during gynecological exams.
Papillae - a small part projecting from the surface of an
organism. In mammals, the nipples of the mammary glands and the taste buds of
the tongue are papillae.
Pathology - the study and diagnosis of disease through
examination of organs, tissues, cells and bodily fluids. The term encompasses
both the medical specialty which uses tissues and body fluids to obtain
clinically useful information, as well as the related scientific study of
disease processes.
Peak Flow Meter - a device that measures the maximum rate of
air flow out of the lungs during forced expiration and that is used especially
for monitoring lung capacity of individuals with asthma (as to indicate
bronchial narrowing).
Pediatrics - the branch of medicine that deals with the
development and care of infants and children and the treatment of their
diseases.
Perspiration - a saline fluid that is secreted by the sweat
glands, that consists chiefly of water containing sodium chloride and other
salts, nitrogenous substances (as urea), carbon dioxide, and other solutes, and
that serves both as a means of excretion and as a regulator of body temperature
through the cooling effect of its evaporation.
Petroleum Jelly - a colorless-to-amber semisolid mixture of
hydrocarbons obtained from petroleum and used in medicinal ointments.
Phlegm - the thick, sticky, stringy mucus secreted by the
mucous membrane of the respiratory tract, as during a cold or other respiratory
infection.
Pilomotor Reflex - a reflex erection of hairs of the skin in
response to cold or emotional stress or skin irritation.
Pimple - a small inflamed elevation of the skin; a pustule or
papule; common symptom in acne.
Pinna - the largely cartilaginous projecting portion of the
external ear.
Placebo - a substance containing no
medication and prescribed to reinforce a patient's expectation of getting well
or used as a control in a clinical research trial to determine the
effectiveness of a potential new drug.
Plaque - 1) A film of mucus and bacteria on the surface of
the teeth. 2) A deposit of material in a bodily tissue or organ, especially one
of the fatty deposits that collect on the inner lining of an artery wall in
atherosclerosis or one of the amyloid deposits that accumulate in the brain in
Alzheimer's disease.
Platelets - any of the numerous small, round cell fragments
found in the blood of mammals that function in the clotting of blood. Platelets
contain no nuclei and are formed in the bone marrow from precursor cells called megakaryocytes.
Platelets contribute to the coagulation process by adhering to damaged blood
vessels, fibrinogen, and other platelets. An inadequate number of platelets
leads to uncontrolled bleeding.
Pneumonia - an acute or chronic disease marked by
inflammation of the lungs, especially an infectious disease caused by viruses,
bacteria, or other pathogens, such as mycoplasmas. Individuals with pneumonia
often have abnormal chest x-rays that show areas with fluid in the infected
part of the lungs.
Polydipsia - excessive thirst (as in cases of diabetes or
kidney dysfunction).
Polyphagia - an excessive or pathological desire to eat.
Polyuria - a renal disorder characterized by the production
of large volumes of pale dilute urine; often associated with diabetes.
Postmenopausal - of or occurring in the time following
menopause.
Pregnant - containing unborn young within the body.
Prescription - a direction, usually written, by the physician
to the pharmacist for the preparation and use of a medicine or remedy.
Prosthesis - an artificial device used to replace a missing
or defective body part, such as a limb or a heart valve.
Puberty - the stage in the development of humans and other
primates marked by the development of secondary sex characteristics, including
menarche in females. In humans, puberty occurs at the onset of adolescence,
between the ages of about 11 and 14 in girls and 13 and 16 in boys.
Pulmonary - relating to, functioning like, associated with,
or carried on by the lungs.
Pulmonology - the branch of medicine that deals with diseases
of the respiratory system.
Pulse - the rhythmical dilation of arteries produced when
blood is pumped outward by regular contractions of the heart, especially as
palpated at the wrist or in the neck.
Pupil - the opening in the center of the iris through which
light enters the eye.
Purge - to clear or empty (the bowels) by causing evacuation.
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Quadriplegic - a person who is paralyzed in both arms and
both legs.
Qualify - to allow, or be allowed, to take part in, usually
by reaching a satisfactory standard in an earlier test or competition.
Quarantine - the isolation of people who either have a
contagious disease or have been exposed to one, in an attempt to prevent the
spread of the disease.
Queasy - experiencing nausea; nauseated.
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Radiology - the branch of medicine that deals with diagnostic
images of anatomic structures through the use of electromagnetic radiation or
sound waves and that treats disease through the use of radioactive compounds.
Radiologic imaging techniques include x-rays, CAT scans, PET scans, MRIs, and
ultrasonograms.
Randomized - to order or select in a random manner, as in a
sample or experiment, especially in order to reduce bias and interference
caused by irrelevant variables; make random.
Red Blood Cells - the disk-shaped cells in the blood that
contain hemoglobin. The red blood cells supply oxygen to all body cells and
remove the carbon dioxide wastes that result from metabolism.
Reimbursement - to pay back or compensate (another party) for
money spent or losses incurred.
REM - the rapid, periodic, jerky movement of the eyes during
certain stages of the sleep cycle when dreaming takes place.
Renal - relating to, involving, affecting, or located in the
region of the kidneys.
Retina - the light-sensitive membrane that lines the inside
of the back of the eyeball and connects to the brain by the optic nerve. The
retina of vertebrate animals contains rods and cones, specialized cells that
absorb light.
Rheumatology - the branch of medicine dealing with the study
and treatment of pathologies of the muscles or tendons or joints.
Rhinovirus - any of a genus (Rhinovirus) of
picornaviruses that are related to the enteroviruses and are associated with
upper respiratory tract disorders (as the common cold).
Risk - a factor or course involving uncertain danger, as with
smoking or exposure to radiation.
Rx - the symbol for prescriptions.
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Saliva - a slightly alkaline secretion of water, mucin,
protein, salts, and often a starch-splitting enzyme (as ptyalin) that is
secreted into the mouth by salivary glands, lubricates ingested food, and often
begins the breakdown of starches.
Scar - the fibrous tissue that replaces normal tissue
destroyed by injury or disease.
Sclera - the tough fibrous tunic forming the outer envelope
of the eye and covering all of the eyeball except the cornea; the white of the
eye.
Scoliosis - a condition of lateral curvature of the spine,
which may have just one curve or primary and secondary compensatory curves and
be fixed or mobile.
Sebaceous Glands - small subcutaneous glands, usually
connected with hair follicles. They secrete an oily semifluid matter, composed
in great part of fat, which softens and lubricates the hair and skin.
Sebum - the semifluid secretion of the sebaceous glands,
consisting chiefly of fat, keratin, and cellular material.
Seizure - a sudden episode of transient neurologic symptoms
such as involuntary muscle movements, sensory disturbances and altered
consciousness. A seizure is caused by abnormal electrical activity in the
brain, which is often diagnosed on an electroencephalogram.
Single-Blind - of or pertaining to an experiment or clinical
trial in which the researchers but not the subjects know which subjects are
receiving the active medication or treatment and which are not: a technique for
eliminating subjective bias, as the placebo effect, from the test results.
Skin Test - a test for detection of an allergy or infectious
disease, performed by means of a patch test, a scratch test, or an
intracutaneous injection of an allergen or extract of a disease-causing
organism.
Spinal Tap - removal by centesis of fluid from the
subarachnoid space of the lumbar region of the spinal cord for diagnostic or
therapeutic purposes.
Spirometer - an instrument for measuring the volume of air
entering and leaving the lungs.
Sputum - the matter coughed up and usually expelled from the
mouth, especially mucus or mucopurulent matter expectorated in diseases of the
air passages.
Stabilizer - one that stabilizes something; especially
: a substance added to another substance or to a system (as an emulsion) to
prevent or retard an unwanted alteration of physical state.
Stable - 1) Resistant to change of position or condition. 2)
Not subject to mental illness or irrationality. 3) Having no known mode of
decay; indefinitely long-lived. Used of atomic particles. 4) Not easily
decomposed or otherwise modified chemically.
Stapes - the smallest of the three auditory ossicles, whose
base fits into the oval window and whose head is articulated with the
lenticular process of the long limb of the incus. Also called stirrup.
Sternutation - the act of sneezing.
Stethoscope - an instrument used to detect and study sounds
produced in the body that are conveyed to the ears of the listener through
rubber tubing connected with a usually cup-shaped piece placed upon the area to
be examined.
Stress - a physiologic reaction by an organism to an
uncomfortable or unfamiliar physical or psychological stimulus. Biological
changes result from stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system, including a
heightened state of alertness, anxiety, increased heart rate, and sweating.
Stroke - a sudden diminution or loss of consciousness,
sensation, and voluntary motion caused by rupture or obstruction (as by a clot)
of a blood vessel of the brain.
Surgery - the art, practice, or work of treating diseases,
injuries, or deformities by manual or operative procedures.
Suture - the fine thread or other material used surgically to
close a wound or join tissues.
Symptoms - a subjective indication of a disorder or disease,
such as pain, nausea or weakness. Symptoms may be accompanied by objective
signs of disease such as abnormal laboratory test results or findings during a
physical examination.
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Taste Buds - the oval-shaped clusters of cells located on the
tongue and lining of the mouth that contain special nerve endings that help
give rise to the sense of taste.
Tendon - a band of tough, inelastic fibrous tissue that
connects a muscle with its bony attachment and consists of rows of elongated
cells, minimal ground substance, and densely arranged, almost parallel, bundles
of collageneous fibers.
Tinnitus - a buzzing, ringing, or whistling sound in one or
both ears occurring without an external stimulus. Its causes include ear
infection or blockage, certain drugs, head injury, and neurologic disease.
Tonsillectomy - the surgical removal of tonsils or a tonsil.
Tragus - a small cartilaginous flap in front of the external
opening of the ear.
Treatment - administration or application of remedies to a
patient or for a disease or an injury; medicinal or surgical management;
therapy.
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Ultrasound - the use of ultrasonic waves for diagnostic or
therapeutic purposes, specifically to image an internal body structure, monitor
a developing fetus, or generate localized deep heat to the tissues.
Umbilical Cord - the flexible cord that attaches an embryo or
fetus to the placenta. The umbilical cord contains blood vessels that supply
nutrients and oxygen to the fetus and remove its wastes, including carbon
dioxide.
Urinalysis - a laboratory analysis of urine, used to aid in
the diagnosis of disease or to detect the presence of a specific substance,
such as an illegal drug.
Urine - a liquid containing multiple waste products of
metabolism, especially urea and other nitrogenous compounds, that are filtered
from the blood by the kidneys. Urine is stored in the urinary bladder and is
excreted from the body through the urethra.
Urticaria - a skin condition characterized by welts that itch
intensely, caused by an allergic reaction, an infection, or a nervous
condition.
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Vaccine - a preparation of a weakened or killed pathogen,
such as a bacterium or virus, or of a portion of the pathogen's structure, that
stimulates immune cells to recognize and attack it, especially through antibody
production. Most vaccines are given orally or by intramuscular or subcutaneous
injection.
Varicella Zoster - a herpesvirus that causes chicken pox and
shingles called also varicella-zoster virus.
Veins - any of the blood vessels that carry blood toward the
heart from the body's cells, tissues, and organs. Veins are thin-walled and
contain valves that prevent the backflow of blood. All veins except the
pulmonary vein carry blood with low levels of oxygen.
Vertebrae - any of the bones that make up the vertebral
column. Each vertebra contains an arched, hollow section through which the
spinal cord passes. In humans, the vertebrae are divided into cervical,
thoracic, and lumbar sections, and the sacrum and coccyx are both made up of a
series of fused vertebrae. The vertebrae are separated by cartilaginous
intervertebral disks.
Virus - any of various extremely small, often disease-causing
agents consisting of a particle (the virion), containing a segment of RNA or
DNA within a protein coat known as a capsid. Viruses are not technically
considered living organisms because they are devoid of biological processes
(such as metabolism and respiration) and cannot reproduce on their own but
require a living cell (of a plant, animal, or bacterium) to make more viruses.
Viruses reproduce first either by injecting their genetic material into the
host cell or by fully entering the cell and shedding their protein coat. The
genetic material may then be incorporated into the cell's own genome or remain
in the cytoplasm. Eventually the viral genes instruct the cell to produce new
viruses, which often cause the cell to die upon their exit. Rather than being
primordial forms of life, viruses probably evolved from rogue pieces of
cellular nucleic acids. The common cold, influenza, chickenpox, smallpox,
measles, mumps, yellow fever, hemorrhagic fevers, and some cancers are among
the diseases caused by viruses.
Vitreous Body - the clear colorless transparent jelly that
fills the eyeball posterior to the lens, is enclosed by a delicate hyaloid
membrane, and in the adult is nearly homogeneous but in the fetus is pervaded
by fibers with minute nuclei at their points of junction.
Volunteer - a person who offers to do, or does, something of
his own free will.
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Wheeze - to breathe with difficulty usually with a whistling
sound.
Widespread - to spread or scattered over a considerable
extent.
White Blood Cells - the colorless cells in the blood that
help combat infection. Some white blood cells act as scavengers by engulfing
foreign particles (such as bacteria) and destroying them. Others produce
antibodies or destroy dead cells.
Whitehead - a small, white or yellowish cystlike mass just
below the surface of the skin, caused by retention of the secretion of a
sebaceous gland.
Widespread -
Wisdom Teeth - the four molars, two on the upper jaw and two
on the lower jaw, that are the last teeth to emerge in the mouth.
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X-Chromosome - a sex chromosome of humans and most mammals
that determines femaleness when paired with another X chromosome and that
occurs singly in males.
Xanthomatosis - a condition in which fatty deposits occur in
various parts of the body. These fatty deposits are called xanthomas or
xanthomata and appear as yellowish firm nodules in the skin. Xanthomas are in
themselves a harmless growth of tissue. However, they frequently indicate the
presence of underlying diseases such as diabetes and disorders of fats (lipid
disorder or hyperlipidemia).
X-Ray - a photograph or image obtained through the use of
x-rays. An x-ray is taken when an image of internal body structures (such as
bones or organs) is needed to diagnose disease or determine the extent of
injuries.
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Y-Chromosome - a sex chromosome that is characteristic of
male cells in species in which the male typically has two unlike sex
chromosomes.
Yawn - a deep usually involuntary intake of breath through
the wide open mouth often as an involuntary reaction to fatigue or boredom.
Yellow Fever - a life-threatening infectious disease caused
by a virus of the genus Flavivirus and characterized by fever, jaundice,
and internal bleeding. Yellow fever occurs mainly in tropical regions of Africa
and Latin America and is transmitted by mosquitoes.
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Zona - 1) A synonym for shingles. 2) Any zone or encircling
area. 3) Any area with a specific boundary.
Zoonosis - a disease of animals, such as rabies or
psittacosis, that can be transmitted to humans.
Zygote - the single cell that results from fertilization of
an ovum by a sperm. After dividing several times, it implants in the uterus. It
continues to divide, producing more cells and passing through the stages of
embryo and fetus.
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