Copy of `MediChecks - Medical glossary`

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

Herniated disk
see Disk prolapse

Hernia
the bulging of an organ or tissue through a weakened area in the muscle wall

Hermaphroditism
a rare condition in which an individual is born with both male and female reproductive organs

Hereditary spherocytosis
a genetic disorder in which red blood cells are smaller, rounder, and more fragile than normal, causing haemolytic anaemia

Hereditary
describes a genetic trait that is passed from parents to children

Hepatoma
a cancerous tumour of the liver

Hepatomegaly
enlargement of the liver

Hepatitis D
a form of hepatitis that only causes symptoms when the individual is already infected with hepatitis B

Hepatitis C
a form of hepatitis caused by the hepatitis C virus, which is transmitted through sexual contact or contact with infected blood or body fluids

Hepatitis B
a form of hepatitis (generally more serious than hepatitis A) caused by the hepatitis B virus, which is transmitted through sexual contact or contact with infected blood or body fluids

Hepatitis A
a form of hepatitis caused by the hepatitis A virus, usually transmitted by contact with contaminated food or water

Hepatitis
inflammation of the liver, which may be caused by a viral infection, poisons, or the use of alcohol or other drugs

Hepatectomy
surgical removal of all or part of the liver

Hepatic
a term used to describe something that is related to the liver

Heimlich manoeuvre
a first-aid technique for choking; dislodges an object that is blocking a person's airway

Helper T cells
white blood cells, responsible for regulating other cells in the body's immune system, that are the main targets of the AIDS virus; also called CD4 cells

Heat stroke
a life-threatening condition resulting from extreme overexposure to heat, which disrupts the body's system of regulating temperature

Heel spur
an abnormal, often painful outgrowth of bone on the back of the heel

Heartburn
a burning sensation experienced in the centre of the chest up to the throat; may be caused by overeating, eating spicy food, or drinking alcohol; recurrent heartburn may be caused by acid reflux

Heat exhaustion
fatigue, dizziness, and nausea experienced because of overexposure to heat; if not treated it can result in heat stroke

Heart-lung machine
a machine that takes over the functions of the heart and lungs during certain types of surgery

Heart valve
the structure at each exit of the four chambers of the heart that allows blood to exit but not to flow back in

Heart failure
the inability of the heart to pump blood effectively

Heart rate
the rate at which the heart pumps blood, measured in the number of heartbeats per minute

Heart disease
see Coronary heart disease

Heart block
a disorder of the heart caused by a blockage of the nerve impulses to the heart that regulate heartbeat; may lead to dizziness, fainting, or stroke

Heart attack
see Myocardial infarction

Hay fever
the common name for allergic rhinitis

HDL
see High-density lipoprotein

Hashimoto's disease
a disease in which the body's immune system attacks cells of the thyroid gland, resulting in a decrease in thyroid hormones

Hardening of the arteries
the common name for arteriosclerosis

Hamstring muscle
a muscle located at the back of the thigh that bends the leg at the knee and moves the leg backward

Hammer toe
an abnormality in the tendons of the toe that causes the toe to be flexed at all times

Hallucination
a perception that occurs when there is actually nothing there to cause it (such as hearing voices when there are none)

Halitosis
the clinical term for bad breath; commonly caused by poor oral hygiene or eating certain foods; if persistent it can be a sign of illness

Hair follicle
a tiny opening in the skin from which a hair grows

Haemothorax
an accumulation of blood between the chest wall and the lungs

Haemostasis
the stopping of bleeding by the body's mechanisms

Haemospermia
blood in the semen

Haemorrhoid
a bulging vein either at the opening of the anus or just inside the anus, often caused by childbirth or straining during bowel movements

Haemorrhage
the medical term for bleeding

Haemophilia
an inherited disorder in which a person's blood lacks a certain protein important in forming blood clots, leading to excessive bleeding

Haemolysis
the breakdown of red blood cells in the spleen, which is normal but can cause jaundice and anaemia when the red blood cells are broken down too quickly

Haemoglobin
the pigment in red blood cells that is responsible for carrying oxygen; haemoglobin bound to oxygen gives blood its red colour

Haemoglobinuria
haemoglobin in the urine

Haemodialysis
a method used to treat kidney failure, in which blood is passed through a machine that purifies it and returns it to the body

Haemochromatosis
a genetic disorder in which too much iron is absorbed from food

Haematuria
blood in the urine, which can be caused by urinary tract disorders (such as cysts, tumour, or stones) or by an infection

Haematoma
an accumulation of blood from a broken blood vessel

Haematemesis
vomiting of blood

Haematocrit
the percentage of total blood volume that consists of red blood cells, which is determined by laboratory testing; can be an indicator of disease or injury

Haemarthrosis
bleeding into and swelling of a joint

Haemangioma
a purple-red mark on the skin, caused by an excess of blood vessels

Guthrie test
a blood test performed on babies to test for phenylketonuria

Guillain-Barré syndrome
a peripheral nervous system disease in which nerve inflammation causes weakness, loss of movement, and loss of sensation in the arms and legs

Graves' disease
an Autoimmune disease that causes goitre, overproduction of thyroid hormones, and sometimes bulging eyeballs

Granuloma
a mass of tissue that forms at a site of inflammation, injury, or infection as a part of the healing process

Grand mal
a type of seizure occurring with epilepsy, producing loss of consciousness and involuntary jerking movements

Graft
healthy tissue that is used to replace diseased or defective tissue

Gout
a disorder marked by high levels of uric acid in the blood; usually experienced as arthritis in one joint

Gonorrhoea
a common sexually transmitted disease, characterised by painful urination or a discharge from the penis or vagina

Gonadotropic hormones
hormones that stimulate activity in the ovaries and testicles

Goitre
enlargement of the thyroid gland, which produces a swelling on the neck

Glycosuria
glucose in the urine

Glycogen
the main form that glucose, the body's energy source, takes when it is stored

Glucose
a sugar that is the main source of energy for the body

Glucose tolerance test
a test that evaluates the body's response to glucose after a period of fasting; used to check for diabetes mellitus

Glucagon
a hormone produced by the pancreas that converts stored carbohydrates (glycogen) into glucose, the body's energy source

Glossectomy
surgical removal of all or part of the tongue

Glomerulosclerosis
scarring of the filtering structures in the kidneys due to damage

Glomerulonephritis
inflammation of the filtering structures in the kidneys, hindering removal of waste products from the blood

Glioblastoma multiforme
a fast-growing, cancerous brain tumour

Glioma
a brain tumour arising from cells that support nerve cells

Glaucoma
a disease in which eye damage is caused by an increase in the pressure of the fluid within the eye

Gland
a group of cells or an organ that produces substances (such as hormones and enzyme) that are used by the body

Gingivitis
inflammation of the gums, typically caused by a build-up of plaque due to poor hygiene

GIFT
see Gamete intrafallopian transfer

Gingivectomy
surgical removal of a diseased part of the gums

Giardiasis
infection with a single-celled parasite, causing abdominal cramps, diarrhoea, and nausea

GI series
see Gastrointestinal series

Gestation
the period of time between fertilisation of an egg by a sperm and birth of a baby

German measles
the common name for Rubella

Germ cell
a sperm or egg cell, or the immature form of either

Geographic tongue
a condition in which the tongue is patchy where surface cells break down

Genome
the complete set of an organism's genes

Genital wart
a growth on the skin in or around the vagina, penis, or anus, transmitted by sexual contact; can cause cancer of the cervix

Genital tract
the organs that make up the reproductive system

Genital herpes
an infection caused by the herpes simplex virus, which causes a painful rash of fluid-filled blisters on the genitals; transmitted through sexual contact

Genetic engineering
the alteration of genetic information to change an organism; mainly used to produce vaccines and drugs such as insulin

Genetic counselling
information and advice given to persons considering pregnancy about the risk that a child will have an inheritable birth defect or genetic disorder

Genetic disorder
a disorder caused partly or completely by a defect in genes, which carry hereditary information

Genetic analysis
examination of DNA in a laboratory to diagnose genetic disorders

Generic drug
a drug marketed under its chemical name, instead of a brand name

General anaesthesia
a method of preventing pain in which the patient is induced to lose consciousness

Gene
the basic unit of DNA, which is responsible for passing genetic information; each gene contains the instructions for the production of a certain protein

Gene therapy
an experimental procedure in which disease-causing genes are replaced by normal, healthy genes

Gavage
an artificial feeding technique in which liquids are passed into the stomach by way of a tube inserted through the nose

Gaucher's disease
a genetic disorder in which lipids cannot be properly broken down and build up in certain cells; causes enlargement of the spleen and liver, bone damage, and anaemia

Gastrostomy
the surgical creation of an opening in the abdominal wall into the stomach for drainage or a feeding tube

Gastroscopy
examination of the oesophagus, stomach, and the first part of the small intestine (duodenum) using an endoscope inserted through the mouth