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pacemaker
A small electronic device
that is surgically implanted to stimulate the heart muscle to provide a
normal heartbeat.
Paget's disease
A disorder occurring in
the middle-aged and elderly in which bone does not form properly,
causing bone weakening, thickening, and deformity.
palate
The roof of the mouth.
palliative treatment
Treatment that relieves
the symptoms of a disorder without curing it.
pallor
Abnormally pale skin;
usually refers to the skin of the face.
palpation
The use of the hands to
feel parts of the body to check for any abnormalities.
palpitation
An abnormally rapid and
strong heartbeat.
palsy
Loss of sensation or
ability to move.
pancreas
A long gland
located behind the stomach that produces enzymes that help to break down food
and hormones (insulin and glucagon)
that help to regulate glucose
levels in the blood.
pancreatitis
Inflammation of the pancreas,
which is often caused by alcohol abuse.
pandemic
A widespread epidemic.
panic
disorder
An emotional disorder
characterized by attacks of anxiety that have no normal causes; usually
made worse by stress.
papilloma
A tumor occurring on the skin or mucous membranes; usually not
cancerous.
pap
smear
A test in which cells are
scraped off the cervix and examined for abnormalities;
used to detect changes that might precede cervical cancer and to
diagnose viral infections such as herpes simplex.
paracentesis
The insertion of a needle
into a body cavity to relieve pressure, inject a drug, or remove a
sample for analysis.
paralysis
The inability to use a
muscle because of injury to or disease of the nerves
leading to the muscle.
paramedic
A person trained to give
first aid and other emergency medical care.
paranoia
A disorder in which a
person becomes overly suspicious and emotionally sensitive.
paraphimosis
Strangulation of the head
of the penis by a tight or inflamed foreskin that has been pulled back.
paraplegia
Complete or partial loss
of sensation and movement of the legs.
parasite
An organisms that lives on
or in other organisms, from which it obtains nutrients.
parasympathetic nervous system
The part of the autonomic nervous system
that is stimulated during times of relaxation.
parathyroidectomy
The surgical removal of
one or more of the parathyroid glands.
parathyroid glands
Small glands
located in the neck that produce a hormone
that regulates the levels of calcium
in the blood.
parathyroid hormone
A hormone released by the parathyroid glands that plays a role in
controlling calcium levels in the
blood.
parenteral
The introduction of a
substance into the body by any route other than the digestive tract,
such as through a vein or muscle.
paresis
Partial paralysis.
paresthesia
Numbness or tingling in
the skin; commonly referred to as "pins and needles".
parkinson's disease
A brain disorder in which
there is a lack of the chemical messenger dopamine, which helps control
muscle movement; leads to muscle stiffness, weakness, and trembling.
paronychia
A bacterial or yeast infection of the skin around the
nail.
parotid
glands
Salivary glands located in
the mouth near the ears.
paroxysm
A sudden attack or
worsening of a disease's symptoms.
partial mastectomy
A treatment for breast cancer
in which a tumor is removed, along
with the skin covering it and some of the surrounding tissues and
muscles.
partial
seizure
An abnormal electrical
discharge in a certain area of the brain, affecting only certain
functions.
passive
exercise
Exercise of an injured
part of the body involving no effort from that injured part.
passive smoking
A nonsmoker inhaling the
cigar, cigarette, or pipe smoke of others (called second-hand smoke) in
the same area, which increases the nonsmoker's risk of cancer
and respiratory disorders.
patella
The medical term for the
kneecap.
patent
Not obstructed; open.
patent ductus arteriosus
A genetic disorder of the
heart in which a channel connecting the pulmonary
artery and the aorta fails to
close and the heart must work harder to supply the body with blood.
paternity testing
Use of blood tests to
match up DNA or specific blood proteins
to determine whether a man is the father of a child.
pathogen
Any substance capable of
causing a disease; usually refers to a disease-causing microorganism.
pathogenesis
The production and
development of a disease or disorder.
pathology
The study of disease.
patient-controlled analgesia
A system for administering
pain-killing drugs in which the amount of drug delivered is controlled
by the patient.
peak flow measurement
The maximum speed that air
is exhaled from the lungs; used to diagnose asthma
or to determine the effectiveness of asthma medications.
pectoral
muscles
The muscles of the upper
part of the chest that move the arm across the body, raise some of the
ribs, and move the shoulders.
pellagra
A deficiency of the
vitamin niacin; causes dermatitis, diarrhea, and mental
disorders.
pelvic examination
An examination of a
woman's reproductive organs.
pelvic
inflammatory disease
Inflammation of a woman's
internal reproductive organs, usually as a result of a bacterial
infection; one of the most common causes of pelvic pain and infertility in women.
pelvis
The group of bones in the
lower part of the trunk that support the upper body and protect the
abdominal organs.
penile function tests
Tests used to determine
the cause of impotence, including blood tests
and nerve function tests.
penile
implant
An inflatable device
surgically inserted into the penis that allows a man with impotence to have sexual
intercourse.
penis
The external male
reproductive organ, which passes urine and semen
out of the body.
pepsin
The enzyme found in gastric juice that helps digest
protein.
peptic
ulcer
An erosion in the lining
of the esophagus, stomach, or small intestine, usually caused in part by
the corrosive action of gastric acid.
percutaneous
A procedure that is
performed through the skin, such as an injection.
perforation
A hole in an organ or body
structure caused by disease or injury.
periarteritis nodosa
Inflammation and weakening
of small and medium arteries.
pericardial effusion
Fluid buildup inside of
the pericardium, affecting the performance of
the heart.
pericarditis
Inflammation of the membranous
sac that covers the heart, causing chest pain and fever.
pericardium
The membranous sac that
covers the heart and the base of the blood vessels that are attached to
the heart.
perinatal
Occurring just before or
just after birth.
periosteum
The tissue covering bones,
except the surfaces in joints.
periostitis
Inflammation of the periosteum.
peripheral nervous system
The nerves
that branch out from the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body.
peripheral
vascular disease
The narrowing of blood
vessels in the legs or arms, causing pain and possibly tissue death (gangrene)
as a result of a reduced flow of blood to areas supplied by the narrowed
vessels.
peristalsis
Wavelike movement of
smooth muscle-containing tubes, such as the digestive tract.
peritoneum
The membrane that lines
the abdominal cavity and covers the abdominal organs.
peritonitis
Inflammation of the peritoneum.
pernicious anemia
An anemia
caused by a failure to absorb vitamin
B12; which is essential in the production of normal red
blood cells.
perthes'
disease
Inflammation of the
growing head of a femur; a type of osteochondritis
juvenilis.
pertussis
A bacterial infection
of the respiratory tract characterized by short, convulsive coughs that
end in a whoop sound when breath is inhaled (commonly called whooping
cough); mainly affects children.
petit
mal
A seizure
characterized by loss of awareness for brief periods.
PET
scanning
See positron
emission tomography scanning.
Peutz-Jeghers syndrome
A genetic disorder in which
there are polyps in the small intestine and brown
melanin spots on the lips, mouth, fingers, and toes.
pH
A measure of the acidic or
basic character of a substance.
phagocyte
An immune system cell that can
surround and digest foreign bodies, unwanted cellular material, and microorganisms.
phantom
limb
The sensation of a limb
after it has been amputated.
pharmacology
The study of medications,
including drug development.
pharyngitis
Inflammation of the throat (the
pharynx), causing sore throat, fever, earache, and swollen glands.
pharynx
The throat; the tube
connecting the back of the mouth and nose to the esophagus
and windpipe.
phenothiazines
A group of drugs used as antipsychotics, antihistamines, and antiemetics.
phenylketonuria
A hereditary disorder in
which the enzyme that converts the amino acid
phenylalanine into another amino acid is defective, meaning
phenylalanine must be kept out of the diet.
pheochromocytoma
A noncancerous tumor of cells that produce epinephrine and norepinephrine, causing higher
levels of these hormones in the blood and an increase in blood pressure.
phimosis
Tightness of the foreskin,
which prevents it from being moved back over the head of the penis.
phlebitis
Inflammation of a vein.
phlebothrombosis
Formation of a blood clot
in a vein.
phlegm
Mucus and other material produced by
the lining of the respiratory tract; also called sputum.
phobia
A persisting fear of and
desire to avoid something.
phosphates
Salts containing phosphorus; essential to some body functions such
as the bones and teeth.
phospholipids
Fatty substances that make
up the membranes surrounding cells.
phosphorus
A mineral
that is an important part of structures such as bones, teeth, and
membranes in the body; also involved in numerous other chemical
reactions.
photocoagulation
Tissue destruction using a
focused beam of light.
photophobia
An abnormal sensitivity of
the eyes to light.
photosensitivity
An abnormal reaction to
sunlight, which usually occurs as a rash.
phototherapy
Treatment with some form
of light.
physical therapy
The treatment of injuries
or disorders using physical methods, such as exercise, massage, or the
application of heat.
physiology
The study of the body’s
functions.
phytochemicals
Chemicals in plants that
might help protect against disorders such as cancer.
pica
A desire to eat materials
that are not food.
pickwickian syndrome
Extreme obesity along with shallow breathing,
sleep apnea, excessive
sleepiness, and heart failure.
PID
See pelvic
inflammatory disease.
pigmentation
The coloration of the
skin, hair, and eyes by the pigment melanin.
pinkeye
Inflammation of the membrane
that covers the white of the eyes and lines the eyelids, causing
redness, discomfort, and a discharge; can be caused by infection or
allergies.
pinworm
A small parasite
worm that can live in the intestines;
commonly affects children.
pituitary
adenoma
A noncancerous tumor of the pituitary gland.
pituitary gland
A small, round gland
located at the base of the brain that releases hormones that control other glands
and body processes.
pityriasis
alba
A common childhood or
adolescent disorder in which there are pale, scaly patches on the skin
of the face.
pityriasis
rosea
A mild skin condition in
which flat, scaly spots occur on the trunk and upper arms.
pivot
joint
A joint designed for
rotational movement.
pKU
See phenylketonuria.
placebo
A chemically inactive
substance given in place of a drug to test how much of a drug's
effectiveness can be attributed to a patient's expectations that the
drug will have a positive effect.
placebo
effect
The positive or negative
response to a drug that is caused by a person's expectations of a drug
rather than the drug itself.
placenta
An organ formed in the uterus
during pregnancy that links the blood of the mother to the blood of the fetus; provides the fetus with
nutrients and removes waste.
placental abruption
The separation of the
placenta from the wall of the uterus
before childbirth, which causes severe bleeding that threatens the life
of the mother and the fetus.
placental insufficiency
A disorder occurring
during pregnancy in which the placenta
does not function properly, causing the fetus
to be deprived of nutrients.
placenta previa
A disorder in which the placenta
develops at the lower section of the uterus
(close to or covering the cervix); varies in severity, from no effect on
a pregnancy to vaginal bleeding and danger to the mother and the fetus.
plague
A serious infectious
disease transmitted to humans through bites of rodent fleas.
plantar reflex
The normal curling of the
toes downward when the sole of the foot is stroked.
plantar
wart
A rough-surfaced, hard
spot on the sole of the foot that is caused by a virus.
plaque
An area of buildup of fat
deposits in an artery, causing narrowing of the
artery and possibly heart disease; dental plaque refers to a coating on
the teeth, consisting of saliva, bacteria, and food debris, which causes
tooth decay.
plasma
The liquid part of the
blood, containing substances such as nutrients, salts, and proteins.
plasma
cell
A white blood cell that makes antibodies.
plasmapheresis
A procedure for removing
unwanted substances from the blood in which blood is drawn, its plasma is separated and replaced, and the cleansed
blood is returned to the body.
platelet
The smallest particle
found in the blood, which plays a major role in forming blood clots.
pleura
The double-layered
membrane that lines the lungs and chest cavity and allows for lung
movement during breathing.
pleural effusion
A buildup of fluid between
the membranes that line the lungs and chest cavity (the pleura); causes
compression of the lungs, which leads to breathing difficulty.
pleural
membranes
The pleura.
pleural
rub
A rubbing sound produced
by inflamed pleural membranes that can be heard when breathing.
pleural
space
The space between the two
layers of the pleura.
pleurisy
inflammation of the lining of
the lungs and chest cavity, usually caused by a lung infection; characterized by sharp
chest pain.
pleurodynia
Pain in the chest caused
by a virus.
Plummer-Vinson syndrome
Difficulty swallowing due
to an abnormal web of tissue across the upper part of the esophagus.
PMS
See premenstrual
syndrome.
pneumoconiosis
A respiratory disease
caused by dust inhalation.
Pneumocystis
pneumonia
An opportunistic infection of the
lungs caused by a single-celled parasite.
pneumonectomy
Surgical removal of a
lung.
pneumonia
Inflammation of the lungs due to
a bacterial or viral infection,
which causes fever, shortness of breath, and the coughing up of phlegm.
pneumothorax
A condition in which air
enters the space between the chest wall and the lungs, causing chest
pain and shortness of breath; may occur spontaneously or be the result
of a disease or an accident.
poliomyelitis
An infectious disease
caused by a virus; usually causes only mild
symptoms but in rare cases can attack the brain and spinal cord and
cause paralysis or death.
polyarthritis
Arthritis occurring in more than
one joint.
polycystic kidney disease
A condition in which there
are multiple, slow-growing cysts on
both kidneys.
polycystic ovary syndrome
A hereditary disease
characterized by multiple cysts
on the ovaries, obesity, excessive
hairiness, infertility, and
irregular menstruation.
polycythemia
An increased amount of red blood cells in the blood.
polydactyly
The presence of an
excessive number of fingers or toes.
polydipsia
Excessive thirst.
polymyalgia rheumatica
A rare disease of the
elderly, characterized by muscle stiffness and pain in the hips, thighs,
shoulders, and neck.
polymyositis
An autoimmune disease of connective tissue in which
muscles weaken and become inflamed.
polyp
A growth that occurs on mucous membranes such as those
in the nose and intestine;
bleeds easily and can become cancerous.
polysaccharide
A complex carbohydrate composed of three
or more simple carbohydrate molecules joined together.
polyunsaturated fat
A fat or oil that contains
well below the maximum number of hydrogen atoms possible; thought to
reduce the risk of coronary
heart disease.
polyuria
The excessive production
of urine; can be a symptom of various diseases, most notably diabetes mellitus.
porphyria
A group of genetic disorders in which
substances called porphyrins build up in the blood, often causing rashes
brought on by exposure to sunlight and reactions to certain drugs.
portal hypertension
Increased blood pressure
in the portal vein.
portal
vein
The vein connecting the stomach, intestines,
and spleen to the liver.
positron
emission tomography scanning
An imaging method in which
substances emitting positrons (positively charged particles) are
introduced into the body, and detectors connected to a computer are used
to form images of the tissues.
postcoital contraception
The prevention of
pregnancy after sexual intercourse has occurred.
posterior
Describes something that
is located in or relates to the back of the body.
postmenopausal bleeding
Bleeding from the vagina
that occurs after menopause.
postmortem examination
Examination of a body
after death to determine the cause of death; commonly called an autopsy.
postmyocardial infarction
syndrome
A condition that occurs
following a heart attack or heart surgery; characterized by fever, chest
pain, pericarditis, and pleurisy.
postnatal
Describes something that
occurs after birth, usually to the baby.
postpartum
A term that describes
something that occurs after childbirth, usually to the mother.
post-traumatic stress disorder
Feelings of anxiety
experienced after a particularly frightening or stressful event, which
include recurring dreams, difficulty sleeping, and a feeling of
isolation.
postural
drainage
Drainage of mucus from specific areas of the lungs
by placing the body in a specific position.
postural hypotension
Unusually low blood pressure that occurs
after suddenly standing or sitting up.
potassium
A mineral
that plays an important role in the body, helping to maintain water
balance, normal heart rhythm, conduction of nerve impulses, and muscle
contraction.
precancerous
Describes a condition from
which cancer is likely to develop.
precordial movement
Movement of the heart that
is seen and felt through the chest wall.
preeclampsia
A serious disorder that
occurs in the second half of pregnancy, in which a woman experiences
high blood pressure, fluid retention, nausea, and headaches; if not
treated it can lead to eclampsia.
premature
labor
Labor that begins before the full term
of pregnancy (about 37 weeks).
premature rupture of membranes
The rupture of the sac
that holds the fluid surrounding the fetus
before the full term of pregnancy (about 37 weeks).
premedication
Drugs, usually
painkillers, taken 1 to 2 hours before surgery.
premenopausal
A term that describes the
period of a few years in a woman's life just before menopause.
premenstrual
syndrome
Physical and emotional
changes that occur in a woman 1 or 2 weeks before menstruation, at or after ovulation; characterized by
irritability, tension, depression,
and fatigue.
prenatal
care
Medical care of a pregnant
woman and the fetus.
prenatal diagnosis
Techniques used to
diagnose abnormalities in a fetus.
prenatal
testing
Tests performed on a
pregnant woman or her fetus to
prevent or diagnose abnormalities.
prepared childbirth
A technique in which a
pregnant woman tries to minimize use of pain-relief medications during
childbirth by learning relaxation techniques.
prepuce
The foreskin.
presbycusis
The loss of hearing that
occurs naturally with age.
presbyopia
The loss of the ability to
focus the eyes on near objects that occurs naturally with age, as a
result of loss of elasticity of the lens of the eyes.
pressure
point
Specific points on the
body where external pressure can be applied to prevent excessive
arterial bleeding.
pressure
sore
An ulcer
(erosion) on the skin that is a result of being bedridden; commonly
called a bedsore.
priapism
A painful, persistent
erection without sexual arousal, requiring emergency treatment.
prickly
heat
A rash involving small,
red, itchy spots and a prickly sensation that usually appears where
sweat builds up.
primary
A disease that began in
the affected location.
prion
An agent that is believed
to cause several degenerative brain diseases.
procidentia
Severe prolapse
of an organ.
proctalgia
Pain in the rectum.
proctitis
Inflammation of the rectum, which causes soreness and
sometimes mucus and/or pus in the stool.
proctoscopy
Examination of the rectum using a viewing instrument.
productive cough
A cough that brings up phlegm, which
is the body's natural way of clearing blocked airways.
progeria
An extremely rare
condition in which the body ages prematurely.
progesterone
A female sex hormone
that plays many important roles in reproduction, including the
thickening of the lining of the uterus during the menstrual cycle; and during
pregnancy, the functioning of the placenta, and
the initiation of labor.
prognosis
A doctor's probable
forecast of the effects and outcome of a disease.
progressive muscular atrophy
Gradual degeneration and
weakening of muscles due to a degenerative spinal cord.
prolactin
A hormone
released by the pituitary gland that is
responsible for the development of breasts and milk production in
females.
prolapse
The displacement of an
organ from its normal position to a new one.
prolapsed disk
See disk prolapse.
prophylactic
Anything used to prevent
disease.
proprioception
The body's system for
determining its position relative to the outside world.
prostatectomy
The partial or complete
surgical removal of the prostate
gland.
prostate
gland
An organ located under the
bladder that produces a large part of the semen.
prostatism
Symptoms caused by an
enlarged prostate gland, including
difficulty with urination.
prostatitis
Inflammation of the prostate gland, usually due to a bacterial
infection spread from the urethra.
prosthesis
An artificial replacement
for a missing part of the body.
proteins
Large molecules made up of
amino acids that play many major roles in the body, including forming
the basis of body structures such as skin and hair, and important
chemicals such as enzymes and hormones.
prothrombin
time
The time it takes for a
sample of blood to clot after substances that speed clotting time have
been added; used to measure the effect of anticoagulants.
proton pump inhibitor
A drug used to treat peptic ulcers that reduces the amount of
gastric acid produced.
proto-oncogene
A gene that is normally inactive but can
become a cancer-causing oncogene if made active.
protozoan
A simple, single-celled
organism.
proximal
Located nearer to a
central point of reference on the body, such as the trunk.
pruritus
The medical term for
itching.
pseudogout
A form of arthritis with symptoms similar to
gout that results from the depositing of calcium salts in a joint.
pseudomembranous
enterocolitis
Severe inflammation of the
colon as a result of antibiotic use
by an immunocompromised
individual.
psittacosis
A chlamydial infection resembling influenza that
is spread to humans by the droppings of infected birds.
psoralens
Drugs that contain
chemicals derived from plants; used to treat the skin disorders
psoriasis and vitiligo .
psoriasis
A skin disorder
characterized by patches of thick, red skin often covered by silvery
scales.
psoriatic arthritis
A form of arthritis that develops as a
complication of the skin disorder psoriasis.
psychogenic
Resulting from
psychological or emotional disorders.
psychological
Relating to the mind and
the processes of the mind.
psychosis
A mental disorder in which
a serious inability to think, perceive, and judge clearly causes loss of
touch with reality.
psychosomatic
Describes a physical
condition that is influenced by psychological or emotional factors.
psychotherapy
The treatment of mental
and emotional disorders using psychological
methods, such as counseling, instead of physical means.
psychotic
Relating to psychosis.
psychotropic
drug
A drug that has a psychological effect.
ptosis
The drooping of the upper
eyelid.
puberty
The period of time
(usually between the ages of 10 and 15) during which sexual development
occurs, allowing reproduction to become possible.
pubic
louse
A small insect that lives
in pubic hair, feeds on blood, and is usually spread by sexual contact;
pubic lice are popularly called "crabs".
pudendal
block
A local anesthesia procedure used during
childbirth, causing the lower part of the vagina to be insensitive to pain.
pudendum
The external genitals,
usually referring to the female.
puerperal
sepsis
Infection of the female
genital tract following childbirth, abortion, or miscarriage.
puerperium
The time period after
childbirth (about 6 weeks) during which a woman's body returns to its
normal physical state.
pulmonary artery
The artery
that supplies the lungs with blood from the heart.
pulmonary
edema
The buildup of fluid in
lung tissue, which is usually caused by heart failure.
pulmonary embolism
Blockage of the pulmonary
artery by a floating mass in the blood.
pulmonary fibrosis
A condition in which the
tissue of the lungs has become thick and scarred, usually because of inflammation caused by lung
conditions such as pneumonia or tuberculosis.
pulmonary heart valve
The heart valve that stops
blood pumped to the lungs from leaking back into the heart.
pulmonary hypertension
Increased blood pressure
in the arteries supplying blood to
the lungs; caused by increased resistance to blood flow in the lungs,
usually a result of a lung disease.
pulmonary insufficiency
A rare defect in the pulmonary heart valve in which it
fails to close properly after each muscle contraction, allowing blood to
leak back into the heart; weakens the heart's pumping ability.
pulmonary stenosis
Obstruction of the flow of
blood from the heart to the lungs.
pulp
The soft tissue inside of
a tooth that contains blood vessels and nerves.
pulse
The expansion and
contraction of a blood vessel due to the blood pumped through it;
determined as the number of expansions per minute.
pupil
The opening at the center
of the iris in the eye that constricts
(contracts) and dilates (widens) in response to light.
purpuric
rash
Areas of purple or
reddish-brown spots on the skin, which are caused by bleeding from
underlying tissues.
pus
A thick, yellowish or
greenish fluid that contains dead white blood cells, tissues,
and bacteria; occurs at the site of a bacterial infection.
pustule
A small blister containing
pus.
PUVA
A form of phototherapy that combines the use of psoralens and ultraviolet light to treat skin
disorders.
pyelolithotomy
Surgical removal of a kidney stone.
pyelonephritis
Inflammation of the kidney, usually due to a bacterial infection.
pyloric
sphincter
A circular muscle located
at the junction of the stomach and small intestine that controls
the passage of food into the small intestine.
pyloric
stenosis
Narrowing of the outlet
located at the junction of the stomach and small intestine.
pyloroplasty
Surgical widening of the
outlet between the stomach and small
intestine.
pyrexia
A body temperature of
above 98.6°F in the mouth or 99.8°F in the rectum.
pyrogen
Any substance that causes
a fever.
pyuria
The presence of white blood cells in the
urine; usually an indication of kidney or urinary tract infection.
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