Acanthosis nigrans
Darkening of the skin on the neck or under the arms
Acidemia
Abnormal acidity, or low pH, of the blood
Acidosis
Condition caused by accumulation of acid or depletion of the alkaline reserve in the blood and body tissues
Acinus
Any of the smallest lobules of a gland
Acromegaly
Abnormal enlargement of the extremities of the skeleton caused by hypersecretion of growth hormone from the pituitary gland
Acropachy
Soft tissue swelling accompanied by underlying bone changes where new bone formation occurs
Acyanotic
Not characterized by or accompanied by cyanosis
Adenomyosis
Invasion of the muscular wall of the uterus by glandular tissue
Afterload
The force opposing ventricular contraction
Agranulocyte
Leukocyte (white blood cell) not containing granules or grains; includes lymphocytes, monocytes, and plasma cells
Akinesia
Absence or loss of power of voluntary movement
Alkalemia
Abnormal alkalinity, or high pH, of the blood
Alkalosis
Abnormal condition of body fluids resulting from accumulation of base or from loss of acid without comparable loss of base
Allele
One of two or more different genes that occupy a corresponding position (locus) on matched chromosomes; allows for different forms of the same inherited characteristic
Alopecia
Hair loss
Amyloidosis
Disorder of unknown cause, in which insoluble protein fibers become deposited in tissues and organs, impairing their function
Anaphase
Third stage of division of the nucleus in meiosis or mitosis
Anaplasia
Loss of differentiation of cells; a characteristic of tumor cells
Aneurysm
Sac formed by localized vasodilation of the wall of an artery or vein
Angioedema
Localized edematous reaction of the dermis or subcutaneous or submucosal tissues
Angiography
Radiographic examination of vessels of the body
Anion
Ion carrying a negative charge
Anisocytosis
Presence of erythrocytes with abnormal variations in size
Ankylosis
Immobility and consolidation of a joint, often in an abnormal position; caused by disease, trauma, or surgical procedure
Anorexia
Lack of or loss of appetite for food
Anovulation
Absence of ovulation
Anoxia
Absence of oxygen in the tissues
Antibody
Immunoglobulin molecule that reacts only with the specific antigen that induced its formation in the lymph system
Antigen
Foreign substance, such as a bacteria or toxin, that induces antibody formation
Anuria
Complete cessation of urine formation by the kidney
Areflexia
Absence of reflexes
Arnold-Chiari syndrome
Congenital anomaly in which the cerebellum and medulla protrude through the foramen magnum into the spinal canal
Arousal
State of being ready to respond to sensory stimulation
Arteriosclerosis
Group of diseases characterized by thickening and loss of elasticity of the arterial walls
Arthralgia
Pain in a joint
Arthrodesis
Surgical fusion of a joint
Ascites
Abnormal accumulation of serous fluid in the peritoneal cavity
Aspiration
Inhalation of mucus or vomitus into the respiratory tract; suctioning of fluid or gas from a body cavity
Asterixis
Motor disturbance marked by intermittent lapses of assumed posture; also known as liver flap
Atelectasis
Collapsed or airless state of the lung; may involve all or part of the lung
Atopy
Clinical hypersensitivity or allergy with a hereditary predisposition
Atrophy
Decrease in size or wasting away of a cell, tissue, organ, or body part
Autoimmune disorder
Disorder in which the body launches an immunologic response against itself
Autoinoculation
Inoculation with microorganisms from one's own body
Autosome
Any of the 22 pairs of chromosomes not concerned with determination of gender
Azotemia
Excess nitrogenous waste products in the blood
Babinski's reflex
Reflex action of the toes, normal during infancy, elicited by rubbing a firm substance on the sole of the foot, which results in dorsiflexion (upward bending) of the great toe and fanning of the smaller toes; after infancy, normal response is downward bending of all toes on the foot
Bacteria
One-celled microorganisms that have no true nucleus and reproduce by cell division
Bactericidal
Destructive to bacteria
Bacteriostatic
Preventing bacteria from multiplying or growing
Bacteriuria
Bacteria in the urine
Balanoposthitis
Inflammation of the glans penis and prepuce
Barotrauma
Injury caused by pressure
Benign
Not malignant or recurrent; favorable for recovery
Biopsy
Examination, usually microscopic, of tissue removed from the living body
P.421
Blepharospasm
Spasm of the orbicular muscle of the eyelid that completely closes eyelids
Bone
Hard, rigid form of connective tissue constituting most of the skeleton
Bone marrow
Soft organic material filling the cavities of bones
Bradykinin
Nonpeptide kinin formed from a plasma protein; a powerful vasodilator that increases capillary permeability, constricts smooth muscle, and stimulates pain receptors
Bronchiectasis
Chronic dilation of the bronchi and bronchioles with secondary infection, usually of the lower lung lobes
Bronchiolitis
Inflammation of the bronchioles
Bruch's membrane
Support structure on the inner side of the choroid
Brudzinski's sign
In meningitis, bending the patient's neck usually produces flexion of the knee and hip
Bulla
Space filled with air or fluid
Bursa
Fluid-filled sac or cavity in connective tissue near a joint; acts as a cushion
Cachexia
State of marked ill health and malnutrition
Carcinogen
Any substance that causes cancer
Carcinoma
Malignant growth made of epithelial cells; tends to infiltrate surrounding tissues and metastasize
Cardiac output
Volume of blood ejected by the heart per minute
Carphology
Involuntary picking at the bedclothes; seen in states of great exhaustion and grave fevers
Cartilage
Dense connective tissue consisting of fibers embedded in a strong, gel-like substance; supports, cushions, and shapes body structures
Cation
Ion carrying a positive charge
Cell-mediated immunity
Immune response that involves effector T lymphocytes and not the production of humoral antibody
Cercaria
Final, free-swimming stage of a trematode larva
Chemonucleolysis
Injection of the enzyme chymopapain (a chemolytic agent) into a herniated intervertebral disk
Chemotaxis
Response of leukocytes to products formed in immunologic reactions, wherein leukocytes are attracted to and accumulate at the site of the reaction
Cholangioma
Tumor of the bile ducts
Cholangitis
Inflammation of a bile duct
Cholecystectomy
Excision of the gallbladder
Choledochostomy
Creation of an opening into the common bile duct for drainage
Cholestasis
Stopped or decreased bile flow
Cholesteatoma
Cystlike mass filled with desquamating debris frequently including cholesterol, which occurs most commonly in the middle ear and mastoid region
Chondrocalcinosis
Deposition of calcium salts in the cartilage of joints
Chorea
Rapid, jerky involuntary movements
Choriocapillaries
Capillary layer of the choroid
Choroid
Thin membrane that covers the eyeball and supplies blood to the retina
Chromatin
The substance of the chromosomes, composed of deoxyribonucleic acid and basic proteins
Chvostek's sign
Spasm of the hyperirritable facial nerve induced by tapping the facial nerve in the region of the parotid gland
Claudication
Pain in the calves caused by reduced blood flow to the legs
Cognition
Process by which a person becomes aware of objects; includes all aspects of perception, thought, and memory
Commissurotomy
Surgical separation of adherent, thickened leaflets of the mitral valve
Complement system
Major mediator of inflammatory response; a functionally related system of 20 proteins circulating as inactive molecules
Congenital
Present at birth
Constipation
Condition in which feces in the bowel are too hard to pass easily
Cor pulmonale
Right ventricular hypertrophy with right-sided heart failure caused by pulmonary hypertension
Corrigan's pulse
Jerky pulse with full expansion and sudden collapse
Cremasteric reflex
Stimulation of the skin on the inner thigh retracts the testis on the same side
Crepitus
Crackling sound in the joints, skin, or lungs
Curettage
Scraping or collecting tissue from the wall of a body cavity
Cyanosis
Bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes caused by reduced hemoglobin in the blood
Cystitis
Inflammation of the urinary bladder
Cytokines
Nonantibody proteins, secreted by inflammatory leukocytes and some nonleukocytic cells, that act as intercellular mediators
Cytology
The study of cells, their origin, structure, function, and pathology
Cytotoxic
Destructive to cells
Debridement
Removal of all foreign material and diseased and devitalized tissue from or adjacent to a traumatic or infected lesion until surrounding healthy tissue is exposed
Decortication
Surgical removal of the thick coating over an organ, such as lung or kidney
Demyelination
Destruction of a nerve's myelin sheath; prevents normal conduction
Diabetic ketoacidosis
Complication of diabetes mellitus that results from by-products of fat metabolism (ketones) when glucose isn't available for a fuel source in the body
Diaphoresis
Perspiration, especially profuse perspiration
Diarrhea
Frequent evacuation of watery stools caused by rapid movement of intestinal contents; results in poor absorption of water, nutritive elements, and electrolytes
Differentiation
Process of cells maturing into specific types
Diffusion
Spontaneous movement of molecules or other particles in a solution
Diplegia
Paralysis of like parts on either side of the body
Diploid
Cell with a full set of genetic material; a human diploid cell has 46 chromosomes
Diplopia
Double vision
Disjunction
Separation of chromosomes during cell division
P.422
Divarication
Separation into two parts or branches; bifurcation
Diverticula
Pockets of tissue that push out from the colon walls
Dominant gene
Gene that produces an effect in an organism regardless of the state of the corresponding allele
Dressler's syndrome
Pericarditis that develops weeks to several months after myocardial infarction or open heart surgery
Dysarthria
Imperfect articulation of speech caused by disturbances of muscular control
Dyscrasia
Condition related to a disease, usually referring to an imbalance of component elements
Dysphagia
Difficulty swallowing
Dysplasia
Alteration in size, shape, and organization of adult cells
Dyspnea
Labored or difficult breathing
Dysthymia
Depression
Dysuria
Painful or difficult urination
Eclampsia
Potentially life-threatening disorder of pregnancy characterized by seizures, hypertension, generalized edema, and proteinuria
Ejection fraction
Measure of ventricular contractility
Embolism
Sudden obstruction of a blood vessel by a foreign substance or a blood clot
Empyema
Accumulation of pus in a body cavity
Endocrine
Pertaining to internal hormone secretion by glands
Endogenous
Occurring inside the body
Endolymph
Fluid within the membranous labyrinth of the ear
Endotoxin
Toxin associated with the outer membranes of certain gram-negative bacteria
Epistaxis
Hemorrhage from the nose, usually caused by rupture of small vessels
Erythema marginatum
Nonpruritic, macular, transient rash on the trunk or inner aspects of the upper arms or thighs, that gives rise to red lesions with blanched centers
Erythrocyte
Red blood cell; carries oxygen to the tissues and removes carbon dioxide from them
Erythropoiesis
Production of red blood cells or erythrocytes
Estrogen
Female sex hormone
Exacerbation
Increase in the severity of a disease or any of its symptoms
Exanthem
Rash or skin eruption
Exocrine
External or outward secretion of a gland
Exogenous
Occurring outside the body
Exotoxin
Potent toxin formed and excreted by a bacterial cell, and found in the surrounding medium
Extracellular fluid
Fluid in the spaces outside the cells
Fetor hepaticus
Musty, sweetish breath characteristic of hepatic disease
Fubernaculum
Fibromuscular band that connects the testes to the scrotal floor
Fulguration
Destruction of tissue by high-frequency electricity
Fungate
Funguslike growth; growing rapidly like a fungus
Fungus
Nonphotosynthetic microorganism that reproduces asexually by cell division
Furunculosis
Occurrence of furuncles serially over weeks or months
Gait ataxia
Unsteady, uncoordinated walk, with a wide base and the feet turned out, coming down first on the heel and then on the toes with a double tap
Gap junctions
Channels through which ions and other small molecules pass
Gastrectomy
Excision of the stomach or a portion of it
Gastrostomy
Creation of an opening into the stomach for the purpose of administering food or fluids
Genome
Total of all genetic information included in a set of unreplicated chromosomes
Gibson murmur
Continuous murmur heard throughout systole and diastole in older children and adults caused by shunting of blood from the aorta to the pulmonary artery
Gland
Organ composed of specialized cells that produce a secretion used in some other body part
Glomerulopathy
Any disease of the renal glomeruli
Glomerulosclerosis
Glomerular disease characterized by hardening of focal and segmental areas of the glomerulus
Glomerulus
Network of twisted capillaries in the nephron, the basic unit of the kidney; brings blood and waste products carried by blood to the nephron
Glucagon
Hormone released during the fasting state that increases blood glucose concentration
Gluconeogenesis
Formation of glucose from molecules that aren't carbohydrates, such as amino acids and glycerol
Glycogenolysis
Splitting of glycogen in the liver, yielding glucose
Glycosuria
Presence of glucose in the urine
Goblet cells
Mucus-secreting cells of the epithelial lining of the small intestine and respiratory passages
Granulocyte
Any cell containing granules, especially a granular leukocyte (white blood cell)
Granuloma
Any small nodular aggregation of mononuclear inflammatory cells or a similar collection of modified macrophages resembling endothelial cells, usually surrounded by lymphocytes, often with multinucleated giant cells
Hamartoma
Benign tumorlike nodule composed of an overgrowth of mature cells and tissues normally present in the affected part
Haploid
Having half the normal number of chromosomes
Heberden's nodules
Small, hard nodules on the distal interphalangeal joints of the fingers in osteoarthritis
Hematemesis
Vomiting of blood
Hematoma
Localized collection of blood, usually clotted, in an organ, space, or tissue
Hematopoiesis
Production of red blood cells in the bone marrow
Hematuria
Blood in the urine
Hemochromatosis
Disorder of iron metabolism with excess deposition of iron in the tissues, bronze skin pigmentation, cirrhosis, and diabetes mellitus
Hemoglobin
Protein in erythrocytes that transports oxygen
Hemolysis
Red blood cell destruction
Hemostasis
Complex process whereby platelets, plasma, and coagulation factors interact to control bleeding
Hepatojugular reflux
Distention of the jugular vein induced by manual pressure over the liver
P.423
Hepatoma
Any tumor of the liver
Heterozygous
Genes having different alleles at the same site (locus)
Hirsutism
Abnormal hairiness
Histamine
An amine found in all body tissues that induces capillary dilation, which increases capillary permeability, lowers blood pressure, and causes contraction of most smooth muscle tissue, increased gastric acid secretion, and increased heart rate; also a mediator of immediate hypersensitivity
Homeostasis
Dynamic, steady state of internal balance in the body
Homologous genes
Gene pairs sharing a corresponding structure and position
Homozygous
Genes that have identical alleles for a given trait
Hormone
Chemical substance produced in the body that has a specific regulatory effect on the activity of specific cells or organs
Humoral immunity
Form of immunity in which B lymphocytes and plasma cells produce antibodies to foreign agents (antigens) and stimulate T lymphocytes to attack them (cellular immunity)
Hyperplasia
Excessive growth of normal cells that causes an increase in the volume of a tissue or organ
Hyperpnea
Increase in depth of breathing, which may be accompanied by an increased respiratory rate
Hyperreflexia
Exaggeration of reflexes
Hypertonic
Having an osmotic pressure greater than that of the solution with which it's compared
Hypertrichosis
Excessive hair growth
Hypertrophy
Increase in volume of tissue or organ caused by enlargement of existing cells
Hypervolemia
Abnormal increase in the volume of circulating fluid in the body
Hypoplasia
Incomplete development or underdevelopment of an organ or tissue
Hypotonia
Abnormally low tonicity or strength
Hypotonic
Having an osmotic pressure lower than that of the solution with which it's compared
Hypovolemia
Abnormally low volume of circulating fluid in the body
Hypoxia
Reduction of oxygen in body tissues to below normal levels
Idiopathic
Occurring without known cause
Ileal conduit
Use of a segment of the ileum for the diversion of urinary flow from the ureters
Ileus
Failure of appropriate forward movement of bowel contents
Immunodeficiency
Disorder caused by inadequate immune response; caused by hypoactivity or decreased numbers of lymphoid cells
Immunoglobulin
Serum protein synthesized by lymphocytes and plasma cells that has known antibody activity
Intention tremor
Tremor occurring when one attempts voluntary movement
Interphase
Interval between two successive cell divisions
Interstitial fluid
Fluid between cells in tissues
Intertrigo
Erythematous skin eruption in such areas as the creases of the neck, folds of the groin and axillae, and beneath pendulous breasts
Intracellular fluid
Fluid inside each cell
Intrapleural
Within the pleura
Ion
Atom or group of atoms having a positive or negative electric charge
Ischemia
Decreased blood supply to a body organ or tissue
Isotonic
Solution having the same tonicity as another solution with which it's compared
Jaundice
Yellow discoloration of skin, sclerae, mucous membranes, and excretions caused by hyperbilirubinemia and deposition of bile pigments
Joint
Intersection of two or more bones; most provide motion and flexibility
Karyotype
Chromosomal arrangement of the cell nucleus
Kernig's sign
Sign of meningitis in which a patient in supine position can easily and completely extend the leg; patient in sitting position or lying with the thigh flexed upon the abdomen can't completely extend leg
Ketones
By-products of fat metabolism when glucose isn't available
Ketonuria
Excess of ketones in the urine
Koilonchyia
Abnormally thin nails that are concave from side to side, with the edges turned up
Korotkoff sound
Sound heard during auscultation of blood pressure
Kupffer's cells
Large, phagocytic cells lining the walls of the hepatic sinusoids
Kussmaul's respirations
Dyspnea characterized by increased rate and depth of respirations, panting, and labored respiration; seen in metabolic acidosis
Kussmaul's sign
Increased jugular vein distention on inspiration; caused by restricted right-sided filling
Kyphoscoliosis
Forward and lateral curvature of the spine
Lasègue's sign
In sciatica, pain in the back and leg elicited by passive raising of the heel from the bed with the knee straight
Leukapheresis
Selective removal of leukocytes from withdrawn blood, which is then retransfused into the donor
Leukocyte
White blood cell that protects the body against microorganisms causing disease
Leukocytosis
Increase in the number of leukocytes in the blood; generally caused by infection
Leukopenia
Reduction in the number of leukocytes in the blood
Leukotrienes
Group of compounds derived from unsaturated fatty acids; extremely potent mediators of immediate hypersensitivity reactions and inflammation
Lichenification
Thickening and hardening of the skin
Ligament
Band of fibrous tissue that connects bones or cartilage, provides stability, strengthens joints, and limits or facilitates movement
Locus
Location on a chromosome
Lymph node
Structure that filters the lymphatic fluid that drains from body tissue and is later returned to the plasma
Lymphadenitis
Inflammation of one or more lymph nodes
Lymphedema
Chronic swelling of a body part from accumulation of interstitial fluid secondary to obstruction or surgical removal of lymphatic vessels or lymph nodes
P.424
Lymphocytes
Leukocytes produced by lymphoid tissue that participate in immunity
Lysozyme
Enzyme that can kill microorganisms or microbes
Macroglossia
Excessive size of the tongue
Macrophages
Highly phagocytic cells that are stimulated by inflammation
Malignant
Condition that becomes progressively worse and results in death
Megakaryocyte
Platelet precursor; the giant cell of bone marrow
Megaloureter
Congenital ureteral dilation without demonstrable cause
Meiosis
Process of cell division by which reproductive cells are formed
Menorrhagia
Heavy or prolonged menses
Merozoite
Stage in the life cycle of the malaria parasite
Mesorchium
Fold in the tissue between the testis and epididymis
Metabolic acidosis
Acidosis resulting from accumulation of keto acids in the blood at the expense of bicarbonate
Metabolic alkalosis
Disturbance in which the acid-base status shifts toward the alkaline because of uncompensated loss of acids, ingestion or retention of excess base, or potassium depletion
Metaphase
Stage of cell division in which the chromosomes, each consisting of two chromatids, are arranged in the equatorial plane of the spindle
Metaplasia
Change in adult cells to a form abnormal for that tissue
Metastasis
Transfer of disease via pathogenic microorganisms or cells from one organ or body part to another not directly associated with it
Metrorrhagia
Episodes of vaginal bleeding between menses
Microembolus
Embolus of microscopic size
Micturition
Urination
Mitosis
Ordinary process of cell division in which each chromosome with all its genes reproduces itself exactly
Monocyte
Mononuclear, phagocytic leukocyte
Monoplegia
Paralysis of a single part
Monosomy
Presence of one chromosome less than the normal number
Morbidity
Condition of having a disease
Morphea
Condition in which connective tissue replaces skin and sometimes subcutaneous tissues
Mortality
Ratio of the total number of deaths to the total population
Mucolytic
Agent that acts by destroying mucus
Muscle
Bundle of long slender cells, or fibers, that has the power to contract and produce movement
Mutation
Permanent change in genetic material
Myalgia
Muscle pain
Myectomy
Excision of a muscle
Myelomatous cells
Increased number of immature plasma cells
Myolysis
Degeneration of muscle tissue
Myomectomy
Removal of tumors in the uterine muscle
Myotomy
Cutting or dissection of a muscle
Myxedema
Condition resulting from advanced hypothyroidism or defiency of thyroxine
Nausea
Unpleasant sensation with the tendency to vomit
Necrosis
Cell or tissue death
Neoplasm
Abnormal growth in which cell multiplication is uncontrolled and progressive
Nephrolithiasis
Condition marked by the presence of renal calculi
Nephron
Structural and functional unit of the kidney that forms urine
Neuritis
Inflammation of a nerve
Neurolysis
Freeing of nerve fibers by cutting the nerve sheath longitudinally
Neuron
Highly specialized conductor cell that receives and transmits electrochemical nerve impulses
Neutropenia
Neutrophil deficiency in the blood
Neutrophil
Granular leukocyte
Nevus
Circumscribed, stable malformation of the skin and oral mucosa
Nondisjunction
Failure of chromosomes to separate properly during cell division; causes an unequal distribution of chromosomes between the two resulting cells
Nystagmus
Involuntary, rapid, rhythmic movement of the eyeball
Obstipation
Intractable constipation
Oculogyric crises
Eyelids are fixed upward with involuntary tonic movements
Oligomenorrhea
Abnormally infrequent menses
Oliguria
Diminished urine secretion
Omentum
Fold of the peritoneum between the stomach and adjacent abdominal organs
Onychia
Inflammation of the nail bed
Onycholysis
Distal nail separated from the bed
Oophoritis
Inflammation of the ovary
Opisthotonos
Spasm in which the head and heels arch backward and the body bows forward
Opportunistic infection
Infection striking people with altered, weakened immune systems; caused by microorganism that doesn't ordinarily cause disease but becomes pathogenic under certain conditions
Opthalmoplegia
Ocular paralysis
Optic neuritis
Inflammation of the optic nerve
Orchiectomy
Excision of a testis
Orchiopexy
Surgical fixation of an undescended testis in the scrotum
Organelle
Structure in the cytoplasm that performs a specific function
Orthopnea
Ability to breathe easily only in the upright position
Orthostatic hypotension
Fall in blood pressure that occurs upon standing or when standing motionless in a fixed position
Osmolality
Concentration of a solution expressed in terms of osmoles of solute per kilogram of solvent
Osmolarity
Concentration of a solution expressed in terms of osmoles of solute per liter of solution
Osseous
Of the nature or quality of bone
Osteoblasts
Bone-forming cells
Osteoclasts
Giant, multinuclear cells that reabsorb material from previously formed bones, tear down old or excess bone structure, and allow osteoblasts to rebuild new bone
Osteotomy
Surgical division and realignment of bone
Ostium primium
Opening in the lower portion of the membrane dividing the embryonic heart into right and left sides
P.425
Pancarditis
Concurrent myocarditis, pericarditis, and endocarditis
Pancytopenia
Abnormal depression of all the cellular elements of blood
Panmyelosis
Proliferation of all the elements of the bone marrow
Papilledema
Inflammation and edema of the optic nerve; associated with increased intracranial pressure
Paracentesis
Surgical puncture of a cavity for the aspiration of fluid
Parametritis
Inflammation of the parametrium
Paresthesia
Abnormal burning or prickling sensation
Paronchyia
Inflammation of the folds of tissue around the fingernail
Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
Respiratory distress related to posture (reclining at night) usually associated with heart failure and pulmonary edema
Pericardectomy
Surgical creation of an opening to remove accumulated fluid from the pericardial sac
Pericardiocentesis
Needle aspiration of the pericardial cavity
Perilymph
Fluid in the space separating the membranous and osseus labyrinths of the ear
Periosteum
Specialized connective tissue covering all bones and possessing bone-forming potential
Perseveration
Abnormally persistent replies to questions
Petechiae
Minute, round purplish red spots caused by intradermal or submucosal hemorrhage
Phagocyte
Cell that ingests microorganisms, other cells, and foreign materials
Phagocytosis
Engulfing of microorganisms, other cells, and foreign material by a phagocyte
Phlebectomy
Removing a varicose vein through small incisions in the skin
Phlebography
Radiographic examination of a vein
Photoplethysmography
Plethysmographic determination in which the intensity of light reflected from the skin surface and the red cells below is measured to determine the blood volume of the respective area
Pilosebaceous
Pertaining to the hair follicles and sebaceous glands
Plasmapheresis
Removal of plasma from withdrawn blood and retransfusion of the formed elements into the donor
Plethora
Edema and blood vessel distention
Polycythemia
Increase in the total red cell mass of the blood
Polydipsia
Excessive thirst
Polygenic traits
Determined by several different genes
Polymenorrhea
Menstrual cycle of less than eighteen days
Polyphagia
Excessive ingestion of food
Polyuria
Excessive excretion of urine
Preload
Volume of blood in the ventricle at the end of diastole
Presbycusis
Progressive, symmetrical, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, usually of high frequency tones, caused by loss of hair cells in the organ of Corti
Pretibial edema
Nonpitting edema of the anterior surface of the legs, dermopathy
Prognathism
Projection of the jaw
Prophase
First stage of cell replication in meiosis or mitosis
Prostaglandins
Group of fatty acids that stimulate contractility of the uterine and other smooth muscle and have the ability to lower blood pressure, regulate acid secretion in the stomach, regulate body temperature and platelet aggregation, and control inflammation and vascular permeability
Protease inhibitor
Drug that binds to and blocks the action of the human immunodeficiency virus protease enzyme
Proteinuria
Excess of serum proteins in the urine
Pruritus
Itching
Ptosis
Paralytic drooping of the upper eyelid
Pulsus biferiens
Peripheral pulse with a characteristic double impulse
Pulsus paradoxus
Drop in systemic blood pressure that's greater than 15 mm Hg and coincides with inspiration
Pyloroplasty
Plastic surgery of the pylorus to create larger communication between the stomach and duodenum
Pyrosis
Heartburn
Pyuria
Pus in urine
Quadriplegia
Paralysis of all four limbs
Quincke's sign
Alternate blanching and flushing of the skin
Rcessive gene
Gene that doesn't express itself in the presence of its dominant allele
Red blood cell
Erythrocyte
Remission
Abatement of a disease's symptoms
Remyelination
Healing of demyelinated nerves
Renin
Enzyme produced by the kidneys in response to an actual decline in extracellular fluid volume
Resistance
Opposition to airflow in the lung tissue, chest wall, or airways; opposition to blood flow in the circulatory system
Respiratory acidosis
Acidosis resulting from impaired ventilation and retention of carbon dioxide
Respiratory alkalosis
Alkalosis caused by excessive excretion of carbon dioxide through the lungs
Romberg's sign
Tendency of a patient to sway while standing still with feet close together and eyes closed
Rubella syndrome
Exposure of a nonimmune mother to rubella during the first trimester of pregnancy
Salpingitis
Inflammation of the fallopian tubes
Sclerodactyly
Scleroderma of the fingers and toes
Sebum
Oily secretion of the sebaceous glands
Sepsis
Pathologic state resulting from microorganisms or their poisonous products in the bloodstream
Serositis
Inflammation of a serous membrane
Serotonin
Hormone and neurotransmitter that inhibits gastric acid secretion, stimulates smooth muscle, and produces vasoconstriction
Shunt
Passage or anastomosis between two natural channels
Specific gravity
Weight of a substance compared with the weight of an equal amount of water
Status asthmaticus
Particularly severe episode of asthma
Steatorrhea
Excess fat in the feces caused by a malabsorption syndrome
P.426
Stenosis
Constriction or narrowing of a passage or orifice
Stratum corneum epidermidis
Dead top layer of skin
Stroke volume
Amount of blood pumped out of the heart in a single contraction
Subcutaneous emphysema
Crackling beneath the skin on palpation
Subluxation
Incomplete or partial dislocation
Surfactant
Mixture of phospholipids that reduces the surface tension of pulmonary fluids and contributes to the elastic properties of pulmonary tissue
Sympathectomy
Excision or interruption of some portion of the sympathetic nervous pathway
Synovectomy
Removal of destructive, proliferating synovium, usually, in the wrists, knees, and fingers
Synovial fluid
Viscous, lubricating substance secreted by the synovial membrane, which lines the cavity between the bones of free-moving joints
Telophase
Last of the four stages of mitosis or of the two divisions of meiosis
Tendon
Fibrous cord of connective tissue that attaches the muscle to bone or cartilage and enables bones to move when skeletal muscles contract
Tenotomy
Surgical cutting of the tendon
Teratogens
Agents or factors that can harm the developing fetus by causing congenital structural or functional defects
Thoracentesis
Surgical puncture and drainage of the thoracic cavity
Thrombocytopenia
Decreased number of platelets in circulating blood
Thrombocytosis
Excessive number of platelets in circulating blood
Thrombus
Blood clot
Thymoma
Tumor on the thymus gland
Tinea cruris
Fungal infection of the groin
Tinel's sign
Tingling over the median nerve on light percussion
Tophi
Accumulations of urate salts; occur throughout the body in gout
Torticollis
Abnormal contraction of the cervical muscles, producing torsion of the neck
Transcription
Synthesis of ribonucleic acid using a deoxyribonucleic acid template
Transient ischemic attack
Brief episode of neurologic deficit resulting from cerebral ischemia
Translocation
Alteration of a chromosome by attachment of a fragment to another chromosome or a different portion of the same chromosome
Trisomy
Presence of an extra chromosome
Trousseau's sign
Carpal spasm
Truss
Elastic, canvas, or metallic device for retaining a reduced hernia within the abdominal cavity
Vagotomy
Surgical interruption of the impulses carried by the vagus nerve or nerves
Vasculitis
Inflammation of a vessel
Ventriculatrial shunt
Drains fluid from the brain's lateral ventricle into the right atrium of the heart, where the fluid enters the venous circulation
Ventriculoperitoneal shunt
Transports excess fluid from the lateral ventricle into the peritoneal cavity
Virus
Microscopic, infectious parasite that contains genetic material and needs a host to replicate
Vitiligo
Absence of pigmentation
Wilms' tumor
Rapidly developing malignant mixed tumor of the kidneys, made up of embryonal elements; occurs mainly in children before age five
X-linked
Inheritance pattern in which single gene disorders are passed through sex chromosomes
Xanthoma
A papule, nodule, or plaque in the skin caused by lipid deposits