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 The information may have been taken offline because it is outdated.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

Uveitis
inflammation of the uvea

Vaccination
a form of immunisation in which killed or weakened micro-organisms are placed into the body, where antibodies against them are developed; if the same types of micro-organisms enter the body again, they will be destroyed by the antibodies

Uterus
the hollow female reproductive organ in which a fertilised egg is implanted and a foetus develops

Uvea
a structure consisting of the coloured area of the eye and the middle layer of the eye that contains blood vessels

Uterine prolapse
a condition in which the uterus moves downward into the vagina due to a weakness of the ligaments and muscles that hold the uterus in place

Urticaria
an allergic reaction in which itchy white lumps surrounded by areas of inflammation appear on the skin; commonly called 'hives'

Urinary tract
the structures in the body that are responsible for the production and release of urine, including the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra

Urinary incontinence
the involuntary release of urine because of the inability to control bladder muscles; may occur as a natural part of the ageing process or be caused by an injury or disorder

Urinary diversion
an operation to allow urine passage when the bladder or urethra has become blocked or been removed

Urethrocystitis
inflammation of the urethra and the bladder

Urinalysis
a group of physical and chemical tests done on a sample of urine to check for various disorders, including those of the kidneys and urinary tract

Urethritis
inflammation of the urethra

Urethrocele
a bulging of the urethra into the vagina

Ureters
two tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder

Urethra
the tube by which urine is released from the bladder

Urea
a waste product of the metabolism of proteins that is formed by the liver and secreted by the kidneys

Uraemia
abnormally high levels of waste products such as urea in the blood

Unsaturated fat
a fat or oil found mainly in vegetables; thought to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease

Unconsciousness
a temporary or prolonged loss of awareness of self and of surroundings

Undescended testicle
a testicle that has not moved down from the abdomen, where it develops, into the scrotum

Umbilical hernia
a condition present at birth in which a part of the baby's intestines bulge through a weak area of the abdominal wall, creating a swelling around the navel

Umbilical cord
the tubal structure (consisting of two arteries and one vein) that connects the foetus to the placenta, supplying the foetus with oxygen and nutrients and removing some waste products

Ultraviolet light
a form of invisible light in sunlight that is responsible for the tanning and burning of skin and can cause cataracts and skin cancer

Ulcerative colitis
a chronic condition in which ulcers occur on the mucous membrane lining of the colon (the end of the large intestine) and the rectum

Ultrasound scanning
an imaging procedure used to examine internal organs in which high-frequency sound waves are passed into the body, reflected back, and used to build an image; also sometimes called sonography

Ulcer
an open sore that occurs on the skin or on a mucous membrane because of the destruction of surface tissue

Typhus
a group of diseases caused by the micro-organism rickettsia, spread by the bites of fleas, mites, or ticks; symptoms include headache, fever, rash, and a series of complications if untreated

Typhoid fever
an acute bacterial infection causing fever, headache, abdominal discomfort, and enlargement of the liver and spleen

Tympanoplasty
a surgical procedure used to treat hearing loss in which the eardrum or structures in the middle ear are repaired

Tympanic membrane
the medical term for the eardrum

Turner's syndrome
a genetic disorder in women in which only one X chromosome is present, or both chromosomes are present but one is defective

Tunnel vision
loss of peripheral vision so that only objects directly ahead can be seen; most commonly due to damage caused by increased pressure within the eye (glaucoma)

Tuboplasty
surgical repair of a damaged fallopian tube to treat infertility

Tumour
an abnormal mass that occurs when cells in a certain area reproduce unchecked; can be cancerous (malignant) or noncancerous (benign)

Tuberous sclerosis
a genetic disorder of the skin and nervous system characterised by epilepsy, mental retardation, and a skin condition resembling acne

Tuberculosis
an infectious bacterial disease transmitted through the air that mainly affects the lungs

Tuberculin test
skin tests performed to determine previous infection with tuberculosis; can help rule out the possibility of being currently infected with tuberculosis

Tubal pregnancy
a pregnancy that occurs in the fallopian tubes, with a fertilised egg implanting in the tube instead of the uterus; severely painful and can be fatal if not detected and treated

Trisomy 21
see Down syndrome

Tubal ligation
a procedure in which the fallopian tubes are cut and tied off; usually a permanent form of sterilisation

Trisomy
the presence in the cells of three copies of a certain chromosome instead of the normal two copies

Triple X syndrome
the presence of an extra X chromosome in a woman, which may cause some degree of mental retardation

Trismus
the medical term for lockjaw

Trimester
one of three periods lasting about 3 months each; the stages into which pregnancy is divided

Triglyceride
the main form of fat in the blood; determining levels of triglyceride is useful in diagnosing and treating diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease

Trigeminal neuralgia
a disorder of the trigeminal nerve (a cranial nerve) that causes brief attacks of severe pain in the lips, cheeks, gums, or chin on one side of the face

Tricuspid valve
the valve located between the two left chambers of the heart (the left atrium and the left ventricle)

Tricyclic antidepressants
drugs used in the treatment of clinical depression

Trichomoniasis
infection of the vagina by the single-celled parasite Trichomonas vaginilis, which may cause inflammation, itchiness, and discharge from the vagina

Trichiasis
growth of the eyelashes inward toward the cornea, causing persistent irritation of the eyeball

Trichinosis
infestation by the larvae of the parasitic worm Trichinella spiralis, usually acquired by eating undercooked pork

Triage
a system used to classify sick or injured people according to the severity of their conditions

Tremor
an involuntary, rhythmic, shaking movement caused by alternating contraction and relaxation of muscles; can be the normal result of age or the abnormal effect of a disorder

Trauma
physical injury or emotional shock

Travellers' diarrhoea
diarrhoea when travelling in a foreign country, caused by contaminated food or water

Transurethral prostatectomy
removal of cancerous tissue from the prostate gland using a resectoscope (a long, narrow instrument passed up the urethra), which allows the surgeon to simultaneously view the prostate and cut away the cancerous tissue

Transplant
transferring a healthy tissue or organ to replace a damaged tissue or organ; also refers to the tissue or organ transplanted

Transmissible
able to be passed from one organism to another

Transient ischemic attack
a temporary block in the supply of blood to the brain, resulting in temporary loss of sensation, movement, vision, or speech; often called mini-strokes and can be precursors to a real stroke

Transferrin
a substance in the blood that transports iron throughout the body

Transcutaneous
through the skin

Traction
the use of tension to hold a body part in place or to correct or prevent an alignment problem

Tracheotomy
insertion of a tube through a surgical opening in the trachea to maintain an open airway

Trachoma
a persistent, contagious form of conjunctivitis that can lead to complications such as blindness if untreated

Tracheitis
inflammation of the trachea

TPA
see Tissue plasminogen activator

Trachea
the tube running from the larynx (the voice box) down the neck and into the upper part of the chest, where it divides to form the two bronchi of the lungs; commonly called the windpipe

Toxoplasmosis
a common protozoan infection that is usually only dangerous to a foetus in early pregnancy or a person who is immunocompromised

Toxin
a poisonous substance

Toxocariasis
human infestation with the larvae of a worm found in the intestines of dogs

Toxic epidermal necrolysis
a severe rash in which the outer layers of skin blister and peel off

Toxic shock syndrome
a life-threatening condition caused by a staphylococci toxin

Toxicity
the extent to which a substance is poisonous

Toxemia
the presence of bacterial toxins in the blood

Tourniquet
a device placed tightly around an arm or leg in order to stop blood flow; can be used to locate veins in order to take a blood sample or to control blood flow during some operations

Tourette's syndrome
a movement disorder characterised by involuntary tics and noises, and in some cases uncontrollable shouting of obscenities

Tonsillitis
infection and inflammation of the tonsils

Tonsils
masses of lymphoid tissue located at either side of the back of the throat

Tonsillectomy
surgical removal of the tonsils, usually to treat tonsillitis

Tonometry
the procedure used to measure the pressure within the eye; is useful in detecting glaucoma

Tolerance
decreased sensitivity of the body to a certain drug, usually either because the liver becomes more efficient at breaking down the drug or the body's tissues become less sensitive to it; increased tolerance creates a need for a higher dose of the drug in order to have the same effects

Tissue typing
tests used to determine the compatibility of tissues used in grafts and transplants

TMJ syndrome
see Temporomandibular joint syndrome

Tipped uterus
an abnormal condition in which the uterus is tilted backward instead of slightly forward

Tissue plasminogen activator
a substance produced by the body and as a genetically engineered drug to prevent abnormal blood clotting

Tinnitus
a persistent ringing or buzzing sound in the ear

Tinea
a group of common infections occurring on the skin, hair, and nails that are caused by a fungus; commonly referred to as ringworm

Tietze's syndrome
inflammation of the cartilage that joins ribs to the breastbone, causing chest pain

Ticks
small, eight-legged animals that can attach to humans and animals and feed on blood; sometimes spread infectious organisms via their bites

Tic douloureux
see Trigeminal neuralgia

Tibia
the thicker of the two long bones in the lower leg; commonly called the shin

Tic
an involuntary, repetitive movement such as a twitch

Thyroxin
a hormone produced by the thyroid gland that helps regulate energy production in the body

TIA
see Transient ischemic attack

Thyroiditis
inflammation of the thyroid gland

Thyrotoxicosis
a toxic condition resulting from over-activity of the thyroid gland

Thymoma
a tumour of the thymus gland

Thyroglossal cyst
a swelling at the front of the neck; forms from a duct that fails to disappear during embryonic development

Thrombus
a blood clot in a blood vessel

Thrush
a candidiasis infection