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 The information may have been taken offline because it is outdated.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

Variola
another term for smallpox

Vas deferens
a thin tube that stores and transports sperm

Varicose veins
enlarged, twisted veins just below the surface of the skin, caused by defective valves in the veins

Varices
enlarged or twisted blood or lymph vessels

Varicocele
the appearance of varicose veins around the testicles; commonly occurs and is harmless, but may cause discomfort

Valvuloplasty
reconstruction or repair of a narrowed heart valve

Varicella
the medical term for chickenpox

Valvotomy
surgical correction of a narrowed heart valve

Valvular heart disease
a heart valve defect

Valve
a structure that allows fluid flow in only one direction

Vaginitis
inflammation of the vagina, which can be the result of infection, ageing, a hormone deficiency, or a foreign object (such as a tampon)

Vaginismus
an involuntary muscle spasm at the opening of the vagina when sexual intercourse is attempted; can be quite painful and may make sexual intercourse nearly impossible

Vagina
the muscular passage connecting the uterus with the outside genitals; a component of the female reproductive system

Vacuum aspiration
removal of the contents of the uterus using a suction device

Vacuum extraction
a technique used to facilitate childbirth using a suction device to help move the baby through the birth canal

Vaccine
a preparation of weakened micro-organisms given to create resistance to a certain disease

Spasticity
muscle stiffness caused by an increase in contractions of the muscle fibres

SPECT
see Single photon emission computed tomography

Spastic paralysis
spasticity involving partial paralysis

Somatic
pertaining to the body

Spasm
an involuntary muscle contraction; can sometimes be powerful and painful

Solar plexus
the largest network of nerves in the body, located behind the stomach

Sodium
a mineral that plays a role in the body's water balance, heart rhythm, nerve impulses, and muscle contraction; present in table salt (sodium chloride)

Sodium bicarbonate
a substance used as an antacid

Smallpox
a highly contagious and often fatal viral infection that has been completely eradicated by immunisation

Smear
a sample of cells spread across a glass slide to be examined through a microscope

Small-cell carcinoma
the most serious form of lung cancer

Sleeping sickness
an infectious disease in Africa spread by the bite of a tsetse fly that causes a fever and weakness

Slipped disk
the common term for disk prolapse

Small intestine
the long tube running from the stomach to the large intestine that is involved in digestion of foods and absorption of nutrients

Sleep apnoea
a condition in which breathing stops for very short periods of time during sleep

Skull
the bones that form the framework of the head and enclose and protect the brain and other sensory organs

Skin prick test
a test performed to determine a person's sensitivity to a certain allergen by applying it to a small needle and using that needle to pierce the skin

Skin patch test
a diagnostic test in which different allergens are taped to the skin to determine which causes an allergic reaction

Skin patch
a sticky patch attached to the surface of the skin that releases drugs into the bloodstream

Skin graft
a method of treating damaged or lost skin in which a piece of skin is taken from another area of the body and transplanted in a damaged or missing section

Sinus tachycardia
a regular heart rate of over 100 beats per minute

Sinusitis
inflammation of the lining of the cavities in the bone surrounding the nose (the sinuses), usually as a result of a bacterial infection spreading from the nose

Sjögren's syndrome
a condition characterised by dryness of the eyes, mouth, and vagina that tends to occur along with certain disorders of the immune system

Sinus rhythm
normal heart rhythm

Sinus Bradycardia
a regular heart rate of less than 60 beats per minute

Sinus
a cavity within bone or a channel that contains blood; also refers to an abnormal tract in the body

Silicosis
a respiratory disease caused by inhalation of dust containing the mineral silica

Silicone
a group of compounds of silicon and oxygen; commonly used as implants in cosmetic surgery because they resist body fluids and are not rejected by the body

Sickle cell trait
a less serious form of sickle cell anaemia

SIDS
see Sudden infant death syndrome

Sigmoidoscopy
an examination of the rectum and the lowest part of the large intestine using a flexible viewing tube inserted through the anus

Sickle cell anaemia
a genetic disorder in which the red blood cells are abnormal and deformed, causing anaemia (reduced ability to transport oxygen in the blood) and clogging of blood vessels; bouts of fever, headache, and weakness result

Sick sinus syndrome
abnormal functioning of the structure that regulates the heartbeat, causing episodes of abnormal heart rhythm

Shunt
an artificially constructed or an abnormal passage connecting two usually separate structures in the body

Shock
a reduced flow of blood throughout the body, usually caused by severe bleeding or a weak heart; without treatment, can lead to a collapse, coma, and death

Shin splints
pain and tenderness experienced in the lower leg as a result of damage or strain to leg muscles and tendons; usually caused by exercise

Shingles
a nerve infection caused by the chickenpox virus, causing areas of painful rash covered with blisters

Shigellosis
a bacterial infection of the intestines, causing abdominal pain and diarrhoea

Sexually transmitted disease
infections that are most commonly spread through sexual intercourse or genital contact

Sex-linked disorder
a disorder that is caused by genes located on the sex chromosomes

Sex hormones
hormones responsible for producing sex characteristics and controlling sexual functions

Sex chromosomes
the X and Y chromosomes that determine a person's gender; women normally have two X chromosomes and men normally have one X and one Y

Serum
the clear, watery fluid that separates from clotted blood

Serotonin
a chemical that transmits nerve impulses in the brain, causes blood vessels to constrict (narrow) at sites of bleeding, and stimulates smooth muscle movement in the intestines

Septicaemia
a life-threatening condition in which bacteria multiply in the blood and produce toxic materials; commonly known as blood poisoning; now also known as systemic inflammatory response syndrome.

Septic arthritis
joint inflammation caused by a bacterial infection

Septic shock
a life-threatening condition in which tissues become damaged and blood pressure drops due to bacteria multiplying and producing poisons in the blood

Sepsis
the infection of a wound or tissue with bacteria, causing the spread of the bacteria into the bloodstream; now also known as systemic inflammatory response syndrome caused by a microbe

Septal defect
a birth defect in which a hole is present in the wall that separates the left and right sides of the heart

Sensory organ
an organ that receives and relays information about the body's senses to the brain

Sensory nerve
nerves that carry information about the body's senses toward the brain

Senile plaques
abnormal deposits of a protein called amyloid in the brain; characteristic of Alzheimer disease

Sensorineural hearing loss
deafness caused by damage to the inner ear or the nerve that conducts signals from the ear to the brain

Senatorial node
the structure that regulates the heartbeat; a natural 'pacemaker'

Seminoma
a type of testicular cancer that is made up of only a single type of cell

Seminal vesicles
two sac-like glands in men that produce part of the fluid in semen

Seminiferous tubules
coiled tubes inside of the testicle that are the site of sperm production

Semen analysis
a procedure in which a semen sample is examined to determine the amount of sperm present, along with their shape and ability to move; commonly used in the treatment of male infertility

Selenium
an element needed by the body only in very small amounts that helps maintain tissue elasticity

Semen
fluid released during ejaculation that contains sperm along with fluids produced by the prostate gland and the seminal vesicles

Seizure
sudden uncontrolled waves of electrical activity in the brain, causing involuntary movement or loss of consciousness

Secondary
describes a disease or disorder that follows or is caused by another one

Sedatives
a group of drugs that have a calming effect; used to treat anxiety and pain, bring on sleep, and help relax a person before surgery

Sebum
the oily, lubricating substance that is secreted by glands in the skin

Seborrhoea
excessive oiliness of the face and scalp

Sebaceous cyst
a swelling that occurs under the skin, most commonly on the scalp, face, ears, and genitals; although usually harmless, can grow very large and become painful if infected

Scurvy
a disease caused by a lack of vitamin C, characterised by weakness, bleeding and pain in joints and muscles, bleeding gums, and abnormal bone and tooth growth

Screening
the testing of an otherwise healthy person in order to diagnose disorders at an early stage

Scrotum
the sac containing the testicles

Scleroderma
an immune system disorder of varying degree that can affect many areas of the body

Sclerotherapy
treatment of varicose veins by injection of a solution that destroys them

Scoliosis
a condition in which the spine curves to one side and usually curves toward the opposite side in another section to compensate, producing a characteristic S shape

Sclera
the tough, white coating that covers and protects the inner structures of the eye

Schönlein-Henoch purpura
inflammation and leakage of blood vessels, causing a rash

Sciatica
pain along the sciatic nerve, which runs down the length of the leg to the foot; usually caused by pressure on the nerve due to disk prolapse or a tumour, abscess, or blood clot

Schizophrenia
a group of mental disorders characterised by abnormal thoughts, moods, and actions; sufferers have a distorted sense of reality, and a split personality (thoughts do not logically fit together)

Scabies
a highly contagious skin disorder caused by a mite that burrows into the skin and produces an intense, itchy rash

Scarlet fever
an infectious childhood disease, caused by a streptococcus bacteria, that leads to a sore throat, fever, and rash

Schistosomiasis
infestation by a parasitic blood worm that can damage the liver, bladder, and intestines

Saturday night palsy
temporary paralysis of the arm after extended pressure on a nerve in the armpit

Saturated fat
fats that contain the maximum amount of hydrogen possible, such as those found in meats and dairy products; can contribute to coronary heart disease and the development of some cancers

Sarcoma
a cancer in connective tissue, fibrous tissue, or blood vessels

Sarcoidosis
a rare disease with no known cause that leads to inflammation in tissues throughout the body, including the lymph nodes, lungs, liver, skin, and eyes

Salpingolysis
removal of abnormal scar tissue between a fallopian tube and nearby tissue