Medical Dictionary
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An alphabetical listing of General terms and items. |
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The probability of achieving a sustained virological response early in treatment based on the decline in HCV RNA (viral load). The generally accepted timeframe is 12 weeks after starting treatment.
Covered with delicate spines.
The science of organisms as affected by the factors of their environment.
Greek ektos = outside, and derm = skin, hence, the outermost germ layer of the embryo.
Arthroconidia formed on the outside and inside of a hair shaft.
Greek ek = out, and topos = place, hence out of place.
Forming a sheath of arthroconidia on the outside of a hair shaft. The cuticle of the hair is destroyed.
ECW (Extracellular Water) consists of the interstitial water, the plasma water and the transcellular water. It represents the amount of water in the body which is not inside cells. ECW is calculated by BCM
A type of skin rash.
Swelling; abnormally large amounts of fluid in the intercellular spaces of the tissues.
The absence of teeth.
Border or margin of a surface.
Adjective, Latin ex = out, and ferens = carrying, hence, conducting from.
Vessels that carry lymph out of the node to continue its return to the circulatory system.
Effectiveness; the ability to achieve a desired result.
Latin ex = out, and jacere = to throw, hence throwing out.
Stretchable protein found in connective tissue (see Arthritis).
The junction between arm and forearm.
A graph recording the electrical activity responsible for the contraction and relaxation of the heart (see Cardiovascular Health).
A term used to describe the extensive swelling associated with stage 3 lymphedema. Another name for lymphatic filariasis, which is the form of lymphedema caused by thread-like parasitic worms.
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Latin elevatus = raised up, hence, to raise up, and elevation = a raised part.
Requirement that certain foods should not be eaten.
A way of diagnosing food allergies in which suspected foods are eliminated from the diet one at a time to see if the allergic condition improves. Also called avoidance diets (see Allergies).
See enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
Adjective, Greek embolus = wedge or blocking matter.
A blood clot that travels through the bloodstream and becomes lodged in a blood vessel, causing a blockage.
Greek en = within, and bryein = to swell or grow, hence the early stage of intrauterine development.
Latin eminens = projecting, hence, a projection (usually smooth).
Adjective, Latin e = out, and emissum = sent out; emissary vein, one connecting intra- with extra-cranial venous channels.
Greek en = within, and kephalos = head, hence, the brain.
Disease of the brain. See also hepatic encephalopathy.
Undetectable HCV RNA at the completion of treatment (typically Week 24 for genotypes 2 or 3; Week 48 for genotype 1).
Kidney failure.
A disease which occurs in a limited geographic area.
Greek endo = within, and kardia = heart, hence, the endothelial lining of the chambers of the heart.
Greek endo = within, and kranion = skull, hence, the outer endostial layer of the dura mater.
Endocrine glands are ductless glands that regulate bodily functions via hormones secreted into the bloodstream. The endocrine system includes the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, thyroid, adrenal glands, and gonads (ovaries and testes).
Greek endo = within, and derm = skin, hence, the germ layer of the embryo that gives rise to epithelium of the astrointestinal and respiratory tracts.
From within.
Greek endo = within, and Latin lympha = clear water, hence the fluid within the membranous labyrinth of the internal ear.
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Greek endo = within, and metra = uterus, hence the mucosal lining of the uterine cavity.
A method of examining the interior of a body cavity or hollow organ (e.g., esophagus, stomach) using an endoscope, a narrow, flexible fiber optic instrument that conducts light.
A spore formed within some other unit, such as in a spherule. (Typical of Coccidioidomycosis).
Greek endo = within, and thele = the nipple; the squamous epithelium lining the heart and blood vessels.
A layer of cells that lines blood and lymph vessels, the heart, and various body cavities.
Arthroconidia formed inside a hair shaft. The cuticle of the hair remains intact.
A marker of disease progression. Endpoints may be clinical manifestations (e.g., disease symptoms, death) or laboratory results such as ALT level or viral load (sometimes called surrogate markers).
Factors used to determine whether a person is eligible to participate in a clinical trial. See also inclusion criteria, exclusion criteria.
A nucleoside analogue produced by Bristol-Myers Squibb that is used to treat chronic hepatitis B. It is recommended as a first line of treatment except in people who have developed lamivudine resistance.
Having to do with the intestines.
See hepatitis E.
An inflammation (irritation) of the small intestine.
Site of attachment of ligament or tendon to bone.
Inflammation of an enthesis.
An all-inclusive term that covers all abnormalities of an enthesis (e.g. enthesitis is an inflammatory type of enthesopathy).
The outer coat of a virus.
A protein that induces or accelerates a chemical reaction.
A laboratory test used to detect the presence of antibodies in the blood.
A laboratory test used to detect the presence of antibodies in the blood.
White blood cells that play an important role in allergic reactions (see Allergies).
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See end-of-treatment response.
Greek = an upper garment. It may refer to a vest or singlet, i.e. an under-garment, hence, the lining membrane of the ventricles of the brain and central canal of the spinal cord.
Greek epi = upon, and kanthos = corner, hence, the fold of skin over the inner angle of the upper eyelid, a normal characteristic in certain races, and a congenital anomaly in others.
Greek epi = upon, and kardia = heart, hence, the visceral layer of serous pericardium which covers the heart.
Greek epi = upon, and kondylos = knuckle, hence a prominence on a condyle of the humerus or femur.
Enthesopathy at bony prominence (epicondyle) of the elbow; may occur on the medial (inner) side (golfer's elbow) or the lateral (outer) side (tennis elbow).
Adjective, Greek epi = upon, and kranion = skull, hence, the epicranial aponeurosis (galea) connecting frontalis to occipitalis muscles.
The study of the frequency, distribution, and behavior of a disease within a population.
Greek epi = upon, and derm = skin, hence, the most external layer of the skin.
Greek epi = upon, and didymos = testis, hence, the organ perched posterosuperior to the testis.
Adjective, Greek epi = upon, Latin dura = tough, hence, external to dura mater.
Greek epi = upon, and gaster = belly, hence, the upper median zone of the abdomen.
Greek epi = upon, and glottis = larynx, hence the uppermost part of the larynx.
Greek epi = upon, and mys = muscle, hence the connective tissue surrounding an entire muscle.
A chemical released by the sympathetic nervous system that constricts blood vessels and increases heart rate; also called adrenaline (see Hypertension).
A device to administer epinephrine very quickly to stave off anaphylaxis in the event of a severe allergic reaction (see Allergies).
Greek epi = upon, and physis = growth, hence, the end of a long bone beyond the cartilaginous growth disc, adjective - epiphysial.
Adjective, Greek epiploon = a net, which the greater omentum resembles with fat entangled in it.
Greek epi = upon, and thele = the nipple; the cell layer lining the internal and external surfaces of the body.
See lamivudine.
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See erythropoietin.
See erythropoietin.
The complete elimination of an organism from the body.
Latin erectus = straight or upright.
Plural, Latin erigere = to erect.
A mature red blood cell. Erythrocytes transport oxygen to the tissues of the body.
A blood test commonly used to detect or grade inflammation.
A hormone produced by the kidneys that stimulates the production of red blood cells. Genetically engineered EPO (brand names Procrit, Epogen) is used to treat certain types of anemia.
The tube-like passage through which swallowed food travels from the mouth to the stomach.
The swallowing tube; the portion of the digestive tract between the mouth and the stomach.
See end-stage renal disease.
High blood pressure for which there is no known underlying cause; also called primary hypertension (see Hypertension).
See cryoglobulinemia.
Produced by the ovaries, the dominant form of estrogen in premenopausal women (see Menopause).
The primary female sex hormone or a synthetic analog. Estrogens stimulate the development of female secondary sex characteristics and regulate the reproductive cycle in women.
A site on the surface of some cells to which estrogen molecules attach (see Breast Cancer).
Adjective, Greek ethmos = sieve, and eidos = shape or form, hence, like a sieve; an unpaired skull bone.
The cause of a disease.
Latin e = out, and versum = turned, hence turned outwards.
To worsen or make more severe.
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Conditions that disqualify someone from participating in a clinical trial. Contrast with inclusion criteria.
From without. The source of most mycotic infections is exogenous, i.e. outside the body (the environment).
Greek exo = out, and ophthalmos = eye, hence, prominent eyeball.
The group of participants in a clinical trial that receives the new experimental treatment under study.
A new drug that is being tested as a treatment for a specific condition and has not yet been approved by the FDA for use.
Latin extendo = extend or stretch out, hence, extension = extended or straightened; the position opposite to the flexed or bent.
Adjective, Latin externus = outward, hence, further from the inside.
Outside the liver.
Adjective, Latin extra = outside, Greek peri = around and teinein = stretched, hence outside the serous membrane stretched around the inside of the abdominal wall and around the viscera.
Latin extra = outside, and pyramidal (q.v.), hence descending nerve tracts that do not traverse the pyramids of the medulla.
Latin extrinsecus = from without, hence (usually) a muscle (usually) originating outside the part on which it acts. Back to top |