Medical Dictionary
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An alphabetical listing of General terms and items. |
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V (Urea distribution volume) is used for dose calculations (another term for TBW)
A preparation administered to stimulate an immune response to protect a person from illness. A vaccine typically includes a small amount of a killed or inactivated microorganism, or genetically engineered pieces. A therapeutic (treatment) vaccine is given after infection and is intended to reduce or stop disease progression. A preventive (prophylactic) vaccine is intended to prevent initial infection.
Latin = sheath; hence, invagination is the acquisition of a sheath by pushing inwards into a membrane, and evagination is similar but produced by pushing outwards.
Latin = wandering; hence, cranial nerve X, which leaves the head and neck to traverse the thorax and upper part of the abdomen.
Latin = knock-kneed.
Latin vallatus = walled; hence, the large papillae on the tongue which are depressed below the surface and are surrounded by a groove which is itself bounded by a wall.
Diminutive of Latin vallis = a fossa.
An HCV polymerase inhibitor under study to treat chronic HCV.
Latin valva = the segment of a folding-door.
Diminutive of Latin valva.
Bleeding from stretched and weakened blood vessels, especially in the esophagus or stomach.
An abnormally dilated or swollen vein, artery, or lymph vessel resulting from portal hypertension.
Latin varix = vein and Greek kele = tumour, hernia, hence a varicose condition of the veins of the pampiniform plexus.
Latin = bow-legged.
Latin = vessel (plural = vasa).
Latin vasculum, diminutive of vas; hence, pertaining to blood vessels.
Blood vessel inflammation.
Substances that constrict blood vessels (see Hypertension).
Substances that widen blood vessels (see Hypertension).
Latin = great, vast, extensive.
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Any of the membranous tubes that form a branching system and carry blood to the heart from other organs.
Latin = curtain; veli = of a curtain.
When valves in the veins of the legs do not function properly, this impaired function causes insufficiency in the return of blood from the legs to the heart.
Congestion and slowing of circulation in veins of the legs and feet that is usually due to venous insufficiency.
Latin = belly; hence, ventral, pertaining to the belly side.
Diminutive of Latin venter = a small belly.
Latin vermis = a worm, and forma = shape; hence, worm-shaped.
Latin = worm; hence, the segmented median part of the cerebellum.
Latin verto = I turn; hence, one of the movable bones of the backbone which seems to be shaped for rotation.
Latin = summit; hence the highest point on the skull.
Perpendicular (at a right angle) to the horizontal.
Transmission from a mother to a fetus or newborn. Vertical transmission may occur in utero (in the womb), intrapartum (during birth), or postpartum (e.g., via breast-feeding).
A weight-loss diet that allows 800 or fewer calories per day (usually followed under medical supervision) (See Weight Management).
Transports triglyceride manufactured in the liver to fat tissue in the body; eventually becomes low-density lipoprotein (LDL) after the triglyceride has been removed (see High Cholesterol).
Latin = bladder, adjective - vesical.
A swollen or bladder-like cell.
Diminutive of Latin vesica = bladder; seminal vesicle.
Latin vestibulum = entrance hall.
Latin vibrare = to vibrate; hence, the hairs in the nasal vestibule which vibrate in the current of air.
Latin a hair; hence, a vascular, hair-like process, usually projecting from a mucous surface.
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Latin = fetters (singular - vinculum); hence, the delicate vascular synovial bands passing to a tendon in the digits.
A type of hepatitis caused by a virus. The most common types are hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C.
The amount of virus in the blood or other tissues, usually expressed in terms of copies of viral genetic material (RNA or DNA). The presence of genetic material indicates that a virus is actively replicating.
An assay that measures viral load; the bDNA, PCR, and TMA tests are most often used to determine HCV viral load.
See virological response.
A prodrug of ribavirin under study to treat chronic HCV.
The presence of a virus in the blood.
A complete virus particle.
Failure of a treatment to suppress a virus.
Reduction in viral replication in response to treatment. In HCV, a complete virological response means that a person's HCV RNA becomes undetectable with treatment.
The study of viruses and diseases caused by viruses.
Degree of pathogenicity; the disease producing capacity of an organism.
Aggressiveness, ability to cause disease.
A microscopic infectious organism that is unable to grow or replicate outside of a host cell. Viruses integrate their genetic material (DNA or RNA) into a host cell and take over the cell's biological mechanisms to reproduce new virus particles.
Adjective, Latin viscus = an internal organ.
Latin = an internal organ, plural - viscera, adjective - visceral.
Latin vita = life.
An organic substance that acts as a coenzyme or regulator of metabolic processes; vitamins are crucial for many vital bodily functions.
A fat-soluble vitamin synthesized from beta carotene within the body that has antioxidant properties and is important for proper immune system functioning. Excess vitamin A can be toxic to the liver.
A complex of several important vitamins including B1 (thiamin), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B6 (pyridoxine), and B12 (cobalamin).
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A vitamin needed for red blood cell production and DNA synthesis and repair. Vitamin B12 deficiency may result in anemia, neurological dysfunction, and changes in mental status.
An antioxidant vitamin that protects cells from oxidative damage. Vitamin C deficiency may result in poor healing, easy bruising and anemia.
A fat-soluble vitamin that is important for mineral metabolism and which may play a role in immune function. Excess vitamin D can be toxic to the liver.
An antioxidant vitamin that protects cell membranes from oxidative damage.
A substance important for blood clotting.
See bioflavinoid.
Latin vitellus = yolk.
A condition in which there is loss of pigmentation – usually around the mouth, eyes, nose, elbows, knees and wrists.
Latin vitreus = glassy.
Adjective, Latin vox = voice.
Latin = plough-share; hence, the bone of the nasal septum which is split in two at its upper edge.
Latin vortex = whirl; hence the whirl-like arrangement of the 4 venae vorticosae leaving the eyeball.
Latin = the external female genitalia.
An HCV protease inhibitor under study to treat chronic HCV.
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