Copy of `MediChecks - Medical glossary`

The wordlist doesn't exist anymore, or, the website doesn't exist anymore. On this page you can find a copy of the original information. The information may have been taken offline because it is outdated.

MediChecks - Medical glossary Category: Health and Medicine Date & country: 06/01/2008, UK Words: 1901

X-ray
see Radiography

X chromosome
one of the two sex chromosomes; determines female sex characteristics

Y chromosome
one of the two sex chromosomes; determines male sex characteristics

T cell
see T-lymphocyte

V-Q lung scans
images produced by radionuclide scanning of the lungs; used to help diagnose a pulmonary embolism

X-linked disorder
a genetic disorder in which the abnormal gene is located on the X chromosome; those affected are almost always men

T-lymphocyte killer cell
a type of T-lymphocyte white blood cell that attaches to abnormal cells and releases chemicals that destroy them

T-lymphocyte
a type of white blood cell that fights infections and destroys abnormal cells directly; as compared with releasing antibodies to fight infection

H2 (histamine) blocker
a drug used in the treatment of peptic ulcers that blocks histamine from causing acid production in the stomach

T-cell leukaemia
a type of leukaemia caused by a virus in which T-lymphocytes divide uncontrollably

H1 (histamine) blocker
a drug that blocks the action of histamine; used to treat inflammation

D and C
see Dilatation and Curettage

B cell
a white blood cell that makes antibodies to fight infections caused by foreign proteins

B lymphocyte
a type of white blood cell that makes antibodies and is an important part of the immune response

Zygote intrafallopian transfer
a method used to treat infertility in which an egg fertilised outside the body is placed into a woman's fallopian tube

Zoonosis
a parasite-caused or infectious disease in animals that can be transferred to humans

Zygote
the cell that results when an egg is fertilised by a sperm

Zinc chloride
a white powder used as an antiseptic and antiperspirant

Zollinger-Ellison syndrome
a rare disorder in which tumours form in the pancreas and secrete the hormone gastrin, which causes increased production of gastric acid and recurrent peptic ulcers

Yeast infection
a term usually referring to a candidiasis infection

Yellow fever
a life-threatening viral infection transmitted by mosquitoes that causes jaundice, fever, headache, and vomiting

ZIFT
see Zygote intrafallopian transfer

Xerophthalmia
excessive dryness of the cornea and conjunctiva due to a lack of vitamin A

XYY syndrome
a disorder in which a man has an extra Y chromosome, causing him to be unusually tall and to have behavioural disorders

Xanthine
a bronchodilator drug that is used to treat asthma

Xanthomatosis
a condition in which fatty deposits occur in various parts of the body, possibly leading to atherosclerosis

Xeroderma pigmentosum
a genetic disorder in which the skin is extremely sensitive to sunlight, causing it to age prematurely and leaving the individual particularly susceptible to skin cancer

Xanthelasma
fatty deposits around the eyes that are common in elderly people and are associated with high levels of cholesterol in the blood

Withdrawal bleeding
bleeding from the vagina that occurs when hormone levels drop, such as menstruation or the bleeding that occurs at the end of each cycle of the combined oral contraceptive pill

Whooping cough
see Pertussis

Wilm's tumour
a type of kidney cancer that usually affects children under the age of 5

Wilson's disease
a rare genetic disorder in which copper builds up in the liver and is released into other parts of the body, eventually causing damage to the liver and brain

Whitlow
an abscess on the end of a finger or a toe that is caused by the herpes simplex virus or a bacterial infection

Whitehead
a painless, small, white bump; usually occurs in groups on the nose, cheeks, or around the eyes

White blood cell
a group of colourless blood cells that are part of the immune system, helping prevent and fight infection

White blood cell count
the number of white blood cells present in a blood sample; useful in diagnosing and evaluating various diseases and infections

Whipple's disease
a rare disorder that has widespread effects on the body, including impaired absorption of nutrients, weight loss, joint pain, and anaemia

Whipworm
a small, parasitic worm that can live in the intestines of a human and may cause diarrhoea, abdominal pain, and anaemia

Wheeze
a high-pitched sound produced during breathing because of narrowing of the airways; common sign of asthma

Whiplash injury
injury to the ligaments, joints, and soft tissues of the neck region of the spine because of a sudden, violent jerking motion of the head

Weight-bearing exercise
exercise that puts stress on bones, such as walking, which helps build up bone density and prevent the bones from becoming brittle

Wernicke's encephalopathy
a brain disorder characterised by abnormal eye movements, difficulties with muscle co-ordination, and confusion; usually the result of chronic alcoholism

Weber's test
a test in which a vibrating tuning fork is held against the forehead to help determine the cause of hearing loss

Wegener's granulomatosis
a disorder in which nodules associated with inflammation of blood vessels develop in the lungs, kidneys, and nasal passageways

Vulvovaginitis
inflammation of the vulva and vagina

Walleye
a condition in which one eye turns outward

Wart
a contagious, harmless growth caused by a virus that occurs on the skin or a mucous membrane

Von Willebrand's disease
a genetic disorder characterised by excessive bleeding

Vulva
the outer, visible portion of the female genitals

Vulvitis
inflammation of the vulva

Vocal cords
two strips of tissue in the voice box that have the ability to produce sound when air passing through them causes the tissues to vibrate

Volvulus
twisting and obstruction of an area of intestine

Vitreous humour
the clear, watery fluid that fills the cavity of the eye behind the lens

VLDL
see Very low-density lipoprotein

Vitiligo
a condition in which patches of skin on the body lose their colour; thought to be caused by the immune system attacking the skin tissues, causing the absence of melanin

Vitamins
complex substances that are necessary in small amounts to maintain health and ensure proper development and functioning of the body

Vitamin E
a vitamin that protects tissues from damage by oxygen free radicals, helps to form red blood cells, maintains the function of enzymes, and maintains cell structure

Vitamin K
a vitamin that is essential for normal blood clotting and the body's absorption of calcium

Vitamin D
a vitamin that plays a role in the absorption of calcium by the intestines and is essential for healthy bones and teeth

Vitamin B6
a vitamin that plays an important role in the breakdown and use of energy sources, production of red blood cells and antibodies, and normal functioning of the nervous system

Vitamin C
a vitamin with many essential roles, including in maintaining healthy bones, teeth, gums, ligaments, and blood vessels and in the immune system's response to infection

Vitamin B12
a vitamin that is essential to the production of DNA (the genetic material in cells) and red blood cells and in the functioning of the nervous system

Vitamin B complex
a group of vitamins including thiamine, niacin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, pyridoxine, biotin, and folic acid; plays a variety of important roles in the body, including in hormone production, metabolism, and functioning of the nerves, muscle, heart, and digestive system

Vital sign
any sign, such as a pulse, that indicates that a person is alive

Vitamin A
a vitamin essential for normal growth and development of the body (most notably the bones and teeth), protection of mucous membranes from infection, normal vision, and healthy skin and hair

Visual acuity
a measure of the sharpness of a person's vision

Visual field
the area on both sides that can be seen while looking straight ahead

Virus
the smallest known disease-causing micro-organism; viruses are very simple in structure and can only multiply when they are inside the cell of another organism

Viral
a term describing something related to or caused by a virus

Virilization
the process by which a woman develops male characteristics; caused by overproduction of male sex hormones

Virulence
the relative ability of an organism to cause disease

Villi
the millions of finger-like projections on the lining of the small intestine that aid in the absorption of food

Viraemia
the presence of viruses in the blood

Vesicle
a small skin blister, or any sac in the body, that contains fluid

Vestibular glands
two small glands located at the opening of the vagina that secrete a lubricating fluid during sexual stimulation

Very low-density lipoprotein
a class of blood proteins, a high level of which is associated with coronary heart disease

Vertex presentation
the usual, head-first presentation of the foetus during delivery

Vertigo
the feeling that one or one's surroundings are spinning

Vertebra
any one of the 33 bones that make up the spine

Vertebral arteries
a pair of arteries running up the neck to supply the brain with blood

Vertebrobasilar insufficiency
episodes of dizziness and weakness caused by insufficient blood flow to the brain

Vernix
the thick, greasy substance that covers the skin of a new-born baby

Version
a shift in the position of the foetus inside of the uterus, either occurring naturally or as performed by a doctor to facilitate delivery

Ventricular septal defect
a hole in the wall that separates the two lower chambers of the heart (called the ventricles)

Ventricular fibrillation
rapid, irregular contractions of the heart

Ventilator
a machine used to take over breathing when a person cannot breathe on his or her own

Ventricle
a small cavity or chamber; there are four ventricles in the brain that circulate cerebrospinal fluid through it, and two in the heart that pump blood throughout the body

Venom
a poisonous substance produced by certain animals

Ventilation
the process through which oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged between the lungs and the air; also refers to the use of a machine to carry out this process in someone who cannot breathe on his or her own

Venereal disease
any disease that is usually spread through sexual intercourse or genital contact

Venography
an X-ray procedure for viewing veins

Venepuncture
piercing of a vein with a hollow needle to inject fluid or withdraw blood

Vasodilation
widening of blood vessels

Vasovagal attack
a sudden slowing of the heart, causing fainting

VD
see Venereal disease

Vein
a blood vessel that carries blood toward the heart

Vasoconstriction
narrowing of blood vessels

Vasectomy
a usually permanent method of sterilisation in which the tubes carrying sperm from the testicles (the vas deferens) are cut and tied off; as a result, the semen will no longer contain sperm

Vascular
pertaining to blood vessels

Vasculitis
inflammation of blood vessels