Copy of `MediChecks - Medical glossary`

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

Leukocyte count
the number of white blood cells in the blood, which is used as a measure of health and possible infection

Leukaemia
a group of bone marrow cancers in which white blood cells divide uncontrollably, affecting the production of normal white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets

Lesion
an abnormality of structure or function in the body

Lesch-Nyhan syndrome
a genetic disorder affecting only men that causes mental handicap, self-mutilation, and aggressive behaviour

Leptospirosis
infection by a spiral-shaped bacterium that affects the skin, eyes, muscles, kidneys, and liver; leptospirosis is carried by rodents

Leishmaniasis
a group of parasitic diseases affecting the skin, mucous membranes, and internal organs; transmitted by the bite of a sandfly

Leiomyoma
a noncancerous tumour of smooth muscle

Legionnaires' disease
a form of pneumonia that is mainly spread through air-conditioning systems and water

Learning disability
any of a variety of disorders, including hyperactivity, dyslexia, and hearing problems, that can interfere with a person's ability to learn

LDL
see Low-density lipoprotein

Lead poisoning
damage to the brain, nerves, red blood cells, or digestive system because of ingestion of lead

Lazy eye
the common name for the visual defect resulting from untreated strabismus, in which the eyes are not correctly aligned

Lateral
on one side

Laxatives
drugs used to clear faeces from the intestines; commonly used to treat constipation

Latent infection
an infection that lies dormant in the body for months or years but can reappear

Laser treatment
the use of a laser (a concentrated beam of light) to perform medical procedures, such as the destruction of tumours

Larynx
the medical term for the voice box, the organ in the throat that produces voice and also prevents food from entering the airway

Laryngitis
inflammation of the voice box, usually caused by a viral infection; characterised by a hoarse voice

Large-cell carcinoma
one of the 4 major types of lung cancer

Laryngectomy
surgical removal of all or part of the voice box (larynx) as a treatment for cancer

Large intestine
the part of the digestive tract that is located between the small intestine and the anus

Laparoscopy
a procedure done to examine the abdominal cavity using a laparoscope, usually to investigate pelvic pain or gynecologic conditions such as infertility

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy
surgical removal of the gallbladder using a laparoscope

Laparoscope
a viewing instrument used to examine and treat disorders in the abdominal cavity; consists of a long tube with an eyepiece, a lens, and often a camera, which allows the image to be viewed on a monitor

Laminectomy
a surgical procedure that removes part of a vertebra to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or a nerve branching from the spinal cord

Lamaze method
a method of preparing for childbirth that stresses physical conditioning, relaxation, and breathing exercises

Lactose
the sugar found in dairy products

Lactose intolerance
inability to break down and absorb the sugar lactose

Lactic acid
an acid produced by glucose-burning cells when these cells have an insufficient supply of oxygen

Lactation suppression
a decrease in milk production during pregnancy as a result of high levels of oestrogen in the blood

Lactase deficiency
an inherited disorder in which a person does not have the enzyme lactase, which breaks down lactose (the sugar found in dairy products); lactase deficiency leads to lactose intolerance, which means the inability to digest lactose

Lactation
the production of breast milk after giving birth

Laceration
a torn or ragged wound

Labyrinthitis
inflammation of the fluid-containing chamber of the inner ear (called the labyrinth) that maintains balance; can cause a feeling that one's surroundings are spinning around (known as vertigo)

Labour
the interval from onset of contractions to birth of a baby

Labia
the two pairs of skin-folds that protect the opening of the vagina

Kyphosis
excessive curvature of the spine, which usually affects the top part of the spine and causes a hump

Knee-jerk reflex
a test for a reflexive extension of the leg to check the functioning of the nervous system; tapping the knee just below the kneecap should cause the lower part of the leg to jerk upward

Kimmelstiel-Wilson syndrome
a kidney disorder that can occur as a complication of diabetes mellitus; can cause swelling, high blood pressure, and kidney failure

Klinefelter's syndrome
a genetic disorder in which a man has at least 1 extra X chromosome in his cells, causing infertility and female characteristics

Kilocalorie
a unit of energy; equal to a nutritional calorie

Kidney stone
a hard mass composed of substances from the urine that form in the kidneys

Killer T cells
white blood cells that are part of the immune system and destroy micro-organisms and cancer cells

Kidney
one of two organs that are part of the urinary tract; responsible for filtering the blood and removing waste products and excess water as urine

Ketoacidosis
the dangerous accumulation of chemicals called ketones in the blood, sometimes occurring as a complication of diabetes mellitus; also called ketosis

Keratoplasty
surgical replacement or reshaping of the cornea

Keratosis
a growth on the skin that is the result of overproduction of the protein keratin

Keratitis
inflammation of the cornea

Keratolytic
drugs that remove the keratin-containing outer layer of skin; used to treat skin disorders such as warts and dandruff

Keratin
a tough protein found in skin, nails, and hair

Keloid
a raised, firm, thick scar that forms as a result of a defect in the natural healing process

Kawasaki disease
a childhood disease causing fever, rash, skin peeling, swollen lymph nodes, and possibly complications of the heart and brain

Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
a rare form of persistent joint inflammation that affects children

Kaposi's sarcoma
a skin cancer that is characterised by purple-red tumours that start at the feet and spread upward on the body; commonly occurs in people who have AIDS

Jock itch
an infection in the groin area caused by a fungus

Jaundice
yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes because of the presence of excess bilirubin in the blood; usually a sign of a disorder of the liver

IUD
see Intrauterine device

IVF
see In vitro fertilisation

Ischaemia
a condition in which a tissue or organ does not receive a sufficient supply of blood

Irritable bladder
involuntary contractions of muscles in the bladder, which can cause lack of control of urination

Irritable bowel syndrome
abnormal muscle movement in the intestines, which causes abdominal pain and irregular bowel movements (diarrhoea, constipation, or both)

Iron-deficiency anaemia
a type of anaemia caused by a greater-than-normal loss of iron due to bleeding, problems absorbing iron, or a lack of iron in the diet

Irrigation
the cleansing of a wound by flushing it with water, a medicated solution, or some other fluid

Iron
a mineral necessary for the formation of important biological substances such as haemoglobin, myoglobin, and certain enzymes

Iris
the coloured part of the eye

IQ
intelligence quotient; a measure of a person's intelligence as determined by specific tests

Iodine
an element for the formation of thyroid hormones

Ionizing radiation
radiation that damages cells or genes; can be used to treat cancer

Involuntary
occurring without a person's control or participation

Intubation
the passage of a tube into an organ or body structure; commonly used to refer to the passage of a tube down the windpipe for artificial respiration

Invasive
describes something that spreads throughout body tissues, such as a tumour or micro-organism; also describes a medical procedure in which body tissues are penetrated

Intravenous
inside of or into a vein

Intrauterine device
a device inserted into the uterus that helps to prevent pregnancy

Intraocular pressure
the pressure of the fluids within the eye

Intractable
describes a condition that does not respond to treatment

Intramedullary rod
a strong metal rod that is placed inside of a broken bone to help it heal correctly

Intra-aortic balloon pump
a small balloon inserted into the aorta that helps to circulate blood by inflating between heartbeats

Intestine
a long, tube-shaped organ that extends from the stomach to the anus; absorbs food and water and passes the waste products of digestion as faeces

Intestinal bypass
a surgical procedure in which the beginning of the large intestine is joined to its end so that less food is absorbed; because of serious side effects, usually performed only on seriously obese people

Intervertebral disks
broad, flat cartilage structures containing a gel-like fluid that cushion and separate vertebrae

Interstitial radiation therapy
a treatment for cancer in which a radioactive material is inserted into or near a tumour to provide direct radiation

Interstitial pulmonary fibrosis
scarring of connective tissue in the lungs that leads to shortness of breath

Interstitial lung disease
a disease of the connective tissue surrounding the air sacs of the lungs that causes a dry cough, scarring of lung tissue, and shortness of breath

Interstitial cystitis
persistent inflammation of the lining and muscle of the bladder

Interstitial
lying between body structures or in the interspaces of tissues

Internal fixation
a method of holding a broken bone in place using surgically inserted screws, rods, or plates

Interferon
a protein produced by body cells that fights viral infections and certain cancers

Intensive care
close monitoring of a patient who is seriously ill

Insulinoma
a noncancerous tumour of the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas; the tumour releases excess insulin into the blood, causing glucose levels to drop dangerously low

Insulin
a hormone made in the pancreas that plays an important role in the absorption of glucose (the body's main source of energy) into muscle cells

Insomnia
difficulty falling or remaining asleep

Injection
the use of a syringe and needle to insert a drug into a vein, muscle, or joint or under the skin

Insemination
the placement of semen into a woman's uterus, cervix, or vagina

Inheritance
the passing of traits from parent to child through genes

Inhaler
a device used to introduce a powdered or misted drug into the lungs through the mouth, usually to treat respiratory disorders such as asthma

Inguinal hernia
the bulging of a portion of the intestines or abdominal tissue into the muscles of the groin (the area just below the abdomen)

Ingrown toenail
a painful condition of the big toe in which the nail grows into the skin on either side, causing inflammation and/or infection

Informed consent
agreement to undergo a medical procedure after the technique, its risks, and its possible complications have been explained

Infusion
the introduction of a substance, such as a drug or nutrient, into the bloodstream or a body cavity

Ingestion
taking something into the body through the mouth