Medical Dictionary
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An alphabetical listing of General terms and items. |
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Blood pressure that frequently fluctuates between normal and abnormal during the course of a day, often within only a few minutes (see Hypertension).
Latin = lip (plural labia), adjective - labial.
Latin = rim.
Greek labyrinthos = maze, adjective - labyrinthine.
Latin lacer = mangled, hence, lacerated, torn.
Adjective, Latin lacrima = a tear (drop).
Production of breast milk.
Adjective, Latin lac = milk, hence, resembling milk.
Adjective, Latin lac = milk.
Rare but potentially lethal condition in which blood lactic acid levels increase (see Diabetes).
Adjective, Latin lac = milk, and ferre = to carry.
The inability of the body to break down lactose; results in gastrointestinal distress (see Digestive Health).
Latin lacus = lake, hence, a small pond or gap, adjective, lacunar.
Greek letter representing a capital 'L' and written as an inverted V.
Adjective, Greek lambda, representing a capital 'L' and written as an inverted V; hence, like that letter.
Diminutive of Latin lamina = plate; hence, a small plate.
Latin = plate, either a layer of nervous tissue, like the laminae of the lateral geniculate body, or a connective tissue membrane, like lamina cribrosa sclerae, or of bone, as in vertebral laminae; hence, laminectomy = lamina + Greek ektome = excision - excision of the vertebral laminae to give access to the spinal cord; adjective - laminar.
A nucleoside analogue medicine used to treat chronic hepatitis B and HIV produced by GlaxoSmithKline. Lamivudine is not recommended as a first line of HBV treatment because of the high rate of drug resistance.
Latin lana = wool, hence, the fine downy hair on the skin of the foetus, or cheeks.
A type of liver biopsy using a laparoscope.
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A procedure in which a lighted instrument is inserted through an abdominal incision for the purpose of diagnosis, biopsy, or surgery.
Part of the intestine that changes stool from a liquid to a solid form by absorbing water. Often simply called the colon, but in fact includes the appendix, cecum, colon, and rectum; has a total length of about 5 feet (1.5 m).
Greek = voice-box, adjective - laryngeal.
Latin latus = side.
The state in which a disease-causing organism is present in the body, but not actively replicating or causing illness.
Adjective, Latin latus = side, hence, nearer the side.
A simple serologic procedure to detect antibody by the clumping of antigen coated particles.
An allergic reaction to the proteins found in natural rubber (see Allergies).
Superlative of adjective, Latin latus = wide, hence, latissimus dorsi muscle, the widest muscle of the back; earlier name was anitersor - wiper of the anus.
An agent that promotes bowel evacuation (defecation).
A fatty compound required for proper metabolism.
Thickening of the left ventricle, the chamber of the heart that pumps blood to the body (see Hypertension).
The lower limb between the knee and the ankle.
Greek lemniskos = a band or ribbon (applied to nerve fibres).
Latin = lentil - a transparent body with one or both surfaces curved to re-direct light rays, adjective - lentiform or lenticular.
Adjective, Latin lens = lentil, and forma = shape, hence, lentil-shaped.
A hormone produced by the ob (obese) gene and secreted by fat tissue that acts on the brain to regulate appetite (See Weight Management).
Greek lepto = delicate, and meninx = membrane. Usually refers to pia and arachnoid. Plural leptomeninges.
A tissue injury or wound.
See granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor.
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An immune system white blood cell (e.g, T-cell, B-cell, neutrophil).
Asthma medications that work by blocking the production or action of leukotrienes, chemicals made in the body as part of an allergic reaction (see Asthma).
Chemicals responsible for inflammation of the airways in diseases such as asthma (see Allergies).
Latin = elevator.
An inflammatory disease of the skin and mucous membranes characterized by red or purple bumps or blotches. The cause of lichen planus is not known, but it appears to be an autoimmune condition.
Latin = spleen, adjective - lienal.
Stretchy tough band of cord-like tissue that connects bones together, and confers stability by restraining excessive joint movement.
Hip and shoulder joints.
Adjective, Latin limbus = a margin, usually curved.
Brain structures associated with emotions, such as anger, pleasure, sorrow, fear, and sexual arousal (see Anxiety).
Latin = a margin, usually curved, hence, limbus of cornea, its circular junction with the sclera, adjective - limbic; limbic lobe of the brain comprises structures which encircle the junction of the diencephalon and telencephalon.
Latin = a threshold, hence, subliminal - below threshold.
Latin = line.
Latin = tongue, adjective, lingual.
Diminutive of lingua, hence, a little tongue, adjective - lingular.
An accumulation of excess fat and fluid in the tissues just under the skin. Most commonly this is in a pattern, often referred to as saddle bags, where there are fatty bulges on the upper thigh that extend to the lower legs but not affecting the feet.
A fat.
Fats, oils, and waxes that serve as building blocks for cells of the body or as energy sources; also capable of accumulating in the artery walls to form the plaques of atherosclerosis (see Cardiovascular Health, High Cholesterol).
A syndrome that involves abnormal lipid metabolism and redistribution of body fat.
Production of lipids (fats).
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A type of lipid that is similar in structure to LDL (see Cardiovascular Health).
Adjective, Greek lissos = smooth, hence, a cerebrum lacking sulci.
A large organ on the upper right side of the abdomen that plays an important role in the metabolism of sugars and fats, synthesizes several proteins, and filters toxins from the blood.
Malignant proliferation of cells in the liver. The most common type of liver cancer in people with chronic hepatitis is hepatocellular carcinoma.
See hepatocyte.
See aminotransferase.
A set of blood tests that measure levels of liver enzymes, proteins, and various other substances. Liver function tests are used to help diagnose liver disease, assess the degree of liver damage and determine how well treatment is working.
A person who donates an organ or part of an organ while alive to another person.
One of the four anatomical divisions of the liver; lobes are further divided into lobules.
Diminutive of lobus.
A structural unit consisting of hepatic (liver) cells shaped like a hexagon with six portal triads surrounding a central vein.
Milk-producing glands of the breast (see Breast Cancer).
Latin diminutive of lobus, hence, a lobule.
Greek lobos = lobe, adjective - lobar.
Precise location of a gene on a chromosome.
An area of the brainstem that helps determine which stimuli are worth paying attention to. A malfunction of the locus ceruleus may contribute to anxiety (see Anxiety).
A measure based on the logarithmic scale that refers to quantities in factor of ten. A log change is an exponential, or 10-fold, increase or decrease (e.g., a change from 10 to 100 is a 1-log increase; a change from 1,000,000 to 10,000 is a 2-log decrease). Viral load is sometimes expressed in logs.
Latin lumbus - the part of the back between the ribs and the hip bone.
Superlative of Latin longus = long, hence, the longest.
Adjective, Latin longitudo = length, hence, lengthwise.
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Adjective, Latin = long, hence, longissimus (superlative) = the longest.
A weight-loss diet that allows only 800–1,500 calories a day (See Weight Management).
Spherical particles that transport cholesterol from the liver to the rest of the body, which can cause the buildup of plaque in the arteries; called "bad" cholesterol because high levels are associated with a high risk for heart attack (see Cardiovascular Health, High Cholesterol).
LTI (Lean Tissue Index) is calculated as the quotient of LTM/Height² (kg/m²). The LTI gives information about the nutrition status.
LTM (Lean Tissue Mass) represents the body mass without adipose tissue and excess extracellular water (overhydration). FMT shows LTM in kilograms (kg) as well as in relation to body weight (%).
Latin lucidus = clear.
Adjective - see loin.
Latin lumbricus = worm, hence worm-shaped muscles of the palm.
Latin = opening, hence the space within a tube.
Adjective, Latin luna = moon, hence, crescentic.
See systemic lupus erythematosus.
Adjective, Latin = yellow.
A disease transmitted by a tick bite; characterized by skin changes, flulike symptoms, and joint inflammation (see Arthritis).
The clear, watery protein-rich fluid found in the lymphatic vessels.
The technique used by estheticians or massage therapists to stimulate lymph flow to enhance health in clients other than those with lymphedema.
A small, bean-sized organ located throughout the body, with concentrations in the neck, groin, and armpits. Lymph nodes filter out antigens and are the site of immune cell activation.
Specialized structures located within the lymphatic vessels that filter lymph before it returns to the circulatory system. There are between 600 to 70 lymph nodes present at birth. throughout the adult body. Although these nodes can increase, or decrease, in size throughout life, any damaged or destroyed nodes do not regenerate.
Stoppage or the slowing down of the flow of lymph.
Larger lymph vessels that are formed when several lymph capillaries join together; also known as lymphatics.
The surgical removal of one or more lymph nodes.
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Inflammation of one or more lymph nodes (lymph glands); also known as swollen glands or swollen lymph nodes.
Any disease process that affects the lymph nodes; also known as swollen glands. This condition is usually an indication that an infection or other pathology is present.
Malformation and disorder of the of lymphatic capillaries or collectors.
The formation of lymphatic vessels from pre-existing lymphatic vessels during embryonic development and later in life during wound healing.
A radiographic study of lymphatic structures following the injection of an oil-based contrast medium. (The purpose of the contrast medium is to make the lymph vessels and nodes visible on the x-rays.) This oil-based substance damages lymphatic vessels and this procedure is no longer used in the diagnosis of lymphedema.
A segment of lymphatic vessel located between two valves; also known as an angion. The constrictions at the valves create the “string of pearls” appearance of a lymph vein.
Pertaining to lymph.
A fine mesh-like network of tiny blind-ended tubes distributed in the tissue spaces and just under the skin.
The right lymphatic duct and the thoracic duct that return lymph to the circulatory system.
A network of organs and vessels that help maintain the fluid environment of the body and coordinate immune responses. The lymphoid organs include the lymph nodes, spleen, thymus, tonsils, and adenoids.
The largest lymphatic vessels that transport lymph to the lymphatic ducts.
Larger lymph vessels that are formed when several lymph capillaries join together; also known as lymph veins.
A condition that occurs when the lymphatic drainage system is impaired to the extent that the amount of lymphatic fluid within a given area exceeds the capacity of the lymphatic transport system to remove it.
A type of white blood cell (e.g., T-cell, B-cell, natural killer cell) that plays a role in the body's immune defense.
A deficiency of lymphocytes.
The alternative spelling of lymphedema that is used in many nations other than the United States.
A physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the lymphatic system; Also a practitioner, other than a physician, who uses the title of lymphologist to describe their alternative medicine treatments for a wide variety of disorders.
The study of the lymphatic system; also known as lymphangiology.
A general term applied to cancers of the lymphatic system.
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