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galactocele
A milk-filled tumor in a
blocked breast milk duct.
galactorrhea
Breast milk production by
a woman who is not pregnant and has not just given birth.
galactose
A sugar that is formed
from the breakdown of lactose.
galactosemia
A genetic disorder in which galactose cannot
be converted into glucose.
gallbladder
A small, pear-shaped sac
positioned under the liver,
which concentrates and stores bile.
gallstone
A round, hard mass of cholesterol, bile, or calcium salts that is found in
the gallbladder or a bile duct.
gallstone
ileus
An abnormal condition in
which a gallstone passes from the gallbladder into the intestines through an abnormal
passage and blocks the intestine.
gamete
intrafallopian transfer
A method of treating infertility in which eggs are
taken from a woman's ovaries and
fertilized with sperm and then the fertilized egg is injected into one
of her fallopian tubes.
gamma
globulin
A substance prepared from
blood that carries antibodies to
most common infections; also used in immunizations.
ganglion
A fluid-filled cyst attached to a tendon sheath or
joint.
gangrene
Death of a tissue because
of a lack of blood supply.
gastrectomy
Surgical removal of all or
part of the stomach.
gastric
acid
The digestive acid in the
stomach.
gastric juice
Digestive fluids produced
by the lining of the stomach that break down proteins
and destroy harmful organisms.
gastric
lavage
Washing out of the stomach
with water, often to treat poisoning; commonly called "stomach
pumping".
gastric
ulcer
A peptic ulcer.
gastrin
A hormone that stimulates the release
of gastric acid in the stomach.
gastrinoma
A tumor that produces gastrin, making the
stomach and duodenum more acidic.
gastritis
Inflammation of the mucous membrane lining of the
stomach; can have a number of causes, including viruses, bacteria, and
use of alcohol and other drugs.
gastroenteritis
Inflammation of the
stomach and intestines.
gastrointestinal series
A set of X-rays, taken at
different intervals after a barium sulfate solution is swallowed, to
examine the gastrointestinal tract.
gastrointestinal tract
The part of the digestive
system that includes the mouth, esophagus,
stomach, and intestines.
gastroscopy
Examination of the esophagus, stomach, and the first
part of the small intestine (duodenum) using an endoscope inserted through the
mouth.
gastrostomy
The surgical creation of
an opening in the abdominal wall into the stomach for drainage or a
feeding tube.
gaucher’s disease
A genetic disorder in which lipids cannot be properly broken down
and build up in certain cells; causes enlargement of the spleen and
liver, bone damage, and anemia.
gavage
An artificial feeding
technique in which liquids are passed into the stomach by way of a tube
inserted through the nose.
gene
The basic unit of DNA,
which is responsible for passing genetic information; each gene contains
the instructions for the production of a certain protein.
general anesthesia
A method of preventing
pain in which the patient is induced to lose consciousness.
generic
drug
A drug marketed under its
chemical name, instead of a brand name.
gene
therapy
An experimental procedure
in which disease-causing genes are
replaced by normal, healthy genes.
genetic
analysis
Examination of DNA in a laboratory to diagnose genetic disorders.
genetic counseling
Information and advice
given to persons considering pregnancy about the risk that a child will
have an inheritable birth defect
or genetic disorder.
genetic disorder
A disorder caused partly
or completely by a defect in genes, which
carry hereditary information.
genetic engineering
The alteration of genetic
information to change an organism; mainly used to produce vaccines
and drugs such as insulin.
genital
herpes
An infection caused by the
herpes simplex virus, which
causes a painful rash of fluid-filled blisters on the genitals;
transmitted through sexual contact.
genital
tract
The organs that make up
the reproductive system.
genital
wart
A growth on the skin in or
around the vagina, penis, or anus, transmitted by sexual contact; can
cause cancer of the cervix.
genome
The complete set of an
organism’s genes.
geographic
tongue
A condition in which the
tongue is patchy where surface cells break down.
german
measles
The common name for Rubella.
germ
cell
A sperm or egg cell, or
the immature form of either.
gestation
The period of time between
fertilization of an egg by a
sperm and birth of a baby.
giardiasis
Infection with a single-celled
parasite, causing abdominal cramps, diarrhea, and nausea.
GIFT
See gamete
intrafallopian transfer.
gingivectomy
Surgical removal of a
diseased part of the gums.
gingivitis
Inflammation of the gums,
typically caused by a buildup of plaque
due to poor hygiene.
GI
series
See Gastrointestinal series.
gland
A group of cells or an
organ that produces substances (such as hormones
and enzyme) that are used by the
body.
glaucoma
A disease in which eye
damage is caused by an increase in the pressure of the fluid within the
eye.
glioblastoma multiforme
A fast-growing, cancerous
brain tumor.
glioma
A brain tumor arising from cells that support
nerve cells.
glomerulonephritis
Inflammation of the
filtering structures in the kidneys,
hindering removal of waste products from the blood.
glomerulosclerosis
Scarring of the filtering
structures in the kidneys due to
damage.
glossectomy
Surgical removal of all or
part of the tongue.
glucagon
A hormone produced by the pancreas that converts stored
carbohydrates (glycogen) into glucose, the body’s energy source.
glucose
A sugar that is the main
source of energy for the body.
glucose
tolerance test
A test that evaluates the
body's response to glucose after a period of fasting; used to check for diabetes mellitus.
glycogen
The main form that
glucose, the body’s energy source, takes when it is stored.
glycosuria
Glucose
in the urine.
goiter
Enlargement of the thyroid gland, which produces a
swelling on the neck.
gonadotropic hormones
Hormones that stimulate activity in
the ovaries and testicles.
gonorrhea
A common sexually
transmitted disease, characterized by painful urination or a discharge
from the penis or vagina.
gout
A disorder marked by high
levels of uric acid in the blood; usually experienced as arthritis
in one joint.
graft
Healthy tissue that is
used to replace diseased or defective tissue.
grand
mal
A type of seizure
occurring with epilepsy,
producing loss of consciousness and involuntary jerking movements.
granuloma
A mass of tissue that
forms at a site of inflammation, injury, or infection as a part of the
healing process.
Graves'
disease
An autoimmune disease that
causes goiter, overproduction of thyroid hormones,
and sometimes bulging eyeballs.
Guillain-Barré syndrome
A peripheral nervous
system disease in which nerve inflammation causes weakness, loss of
movement, and loss of sensation in the arms and legs.
Guthrie
test
A blood test performed on
babies to test for phenylketonuria.
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