Glossary of terms
A
| Term | Description |
|---|---|
| Abdomen | The part of the body that lies between the chest and the pelvis and encloses the stomach, intestines, liver, spleen, and pancreas |
| Abdominal cavity | The space bounded by the abdominal walls, diaphragm, and pelvis and containing most of the organs of digestion, the spleen, the kidneys, and the adrenal glands. |
| Ablation | The removal or destruction of a body part or tissue or its function. Ablation may be performed by surgery, hormones, drugs, radiofrequency, heat, or other methods |
| Abscess | A localised collection of pus |
| Absence Seizure | A type of generalized seizure, which does not result in loss of consciousness but an altered state for a very short period of time, usually lasting less than 20 seconds. Also called a Petit Mal Seizure |
| Acalculia | Loss of the ability to solve simple arithmetic problems |
| ACE inhibitors | ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitors are a class of vasodilators, drugs that open ("dilate") the arteries, lowering blood pressure and therefore the heart's workload |
| Achondroplasia | A genetic disorder of bone growth (the long bones) that causes a common form of dwarfism. People with this condition have a normal body but short arms and legs |
| Acidosis | A condition in which the blood is more acidic than normal. This may be
due to a build up of carbon dioxide as a result of respiratory failure,
or of acid substances, e.g. hyperglycaemia in diabetes mellitus (diabetic
ketoacidosis) |
| Acoustic | Relating to sound or the sense of hearing |
| Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) | A severe immunological disorder caused by the retrovirus HIV. There is an increased susceptibility to opportunistic infections and to certain rare cancers, especially Kaposi's sarcoma. Click here for more information about HIV/AIDS |
| Acromegaly | Increase in size of hands, feet and face due to excessive production of growth hormone by a tumour of the pituitary gland |
| Acromioclavicular joint | A joint between the acromion (part of the shoulder blade) and the clavicle (collar bone) |
| Acromion | The roof, or highest point, of the shoulder that is formed by a part of the scapula, or shoulder blade |
| Acuity | Clearness or sharpness; usually of vision |
| Acute | Having rapid onset |
| Addisons disease | A rare disorder caused by deficient secretion of hormones by the adrenal gland, resulting in weight loss, weakness, and low blood pressure |
| Adenocarcinoma | A malignant neoplasm derived from transitional epithelium |
| Adjuvant | Add on treatment used in combination with primary (main treatment) |
| Adrenal glands | Two triangular glands located above each kidney. These glands produce steroid hormones and adrenaline |
| Adrenaline | A hormone produced by the adrenal glands |
| Aerobic | With oxygen |
| Affect | Feeling or emotion as distinguished from cognition, thought, or action. Affect means mood. Affective disorders are disorders of mood |
| Ageing | The process of growing older. It includes a reduction in strength, endurance, speed of reaction, agility, basal metabolism, sexual activity and hearing acuity. The bones are more brittle, the skin drier and less elastic and the teeth are shed. Click here for more information about Ageing |
| Agitation | A state of extreme emotional disturbance, restlessness with inability to concentrate |
| Agnosia | A loss of ability to recognize objects, persons, sounds, shapes or smells while the specific sense is not defective nor is there any significant memory loss. It is usually associated with brain injury or neurological illness, particularly after damage to the temporal lobe |
| Agonist | The muscle directly engaged in contraction. In bending the elbow, the biceps muscle is the agonist |
| Agoraphobia | Morbid fear of open space, and social situations |
| Agraphia | Loss of the ability to write |
| Akathisia | Restlessness of arms and legs. This can be a side-effect of anti psychotic treatment |
| Akinesia | The absence or poverty of movements |
| Albinism (Albino) | Partial or complete lack of pigment in skin, hair and eyes |
| Albumin (Serum albumin) | One of the body's proteins. It is the most abundant of the proteins in the blood plasma |
| Albuminuria | Presence of albumin in the urine usually indicating disease of the kidneys |
| Alcoholism | Alcoholism is a term applied to habitual excessive alcohol consumption. Click here for more details about Alcohol Related disorders |
| Allergen | A substance which, when introduced into the body most often through being eaten, inhaled or skin contact, provokes an allergic state in sensitive individuals. E.g. pollen |
| Allergy (Allergic State) | Sensitivity to a particular foreign substance [Allergen]. E.g. Asthma and hay fever |
| Alpha1 Antitrypsin deficiency | An inherited deficiency of a trypsin-inhibiting serum protein that may increase one's susceptibility to emphysema and cirrhosis. |
| Alport's Syndrome | An inherited syndrome marked by progressive nephropathy and nerve deafness and sometimes ocular defects. |
| Alveoli | Very small air sacs in the lung |
| Alzheimer’s disease | A progressive, neurodegenerative disease characterized by loss of function and death of nerve cells in several areas of the brain, leading to loss of mental functions such as memory and learning. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia |
| Ambulatory | Walking |
| Amenorrhoea | Absence of menstruation |
| Ammonia | A colorless, pungent gas used to manufacture a wide variety of nitrogen-containing organic and inorganic chemicals |
| Amnesia | Total or partial lack or loss of memory; inability to remember past experiences |
| Amnestic Syndrome | An altered psychologic state where memories are not recorded and are lost |
| Amphetamines | A stimulant drug. Used in treatment of narcolepsy and ADHD where it helps control hyperactivity |
| Amyloid | A protein substance often deposited around and within blood vessels, for example in the kidneys as a result of chronic infection (e.g. TB) or autoimmune disease |
| Amyloidosis | A disorder marked by the deposition of amyloid protein in various organs and tissues of the body. |
| Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis | A type of motor neurone disease characterised by atrophy of the muscles of the hands, forearms and legs and spreading to involve most of the body |
| Anaemia | A deficiency of red cells or their haemoglobin in the blood. Click here for more details about Anaemia. |
| Anaerobic | Without oxygen |
| Anaesthesia | A partial (local) or total (general) loss of feeling or sensation |
| Anaesthetic | A drug, which removes sensation. With a local anaesthetic, the feeling is removed only from part of the body. With a general anaesthetic, the patient is unconscious |
| Anal Canal | The terminal portion of the alimentary canal, extending from the pelvic diaphragm to the anal orifice. |
| Analgesia | Pain relief |
| Analgesic | A drug that relieves pain [such as aspirin, paracetamol, morphine] |
| Anaphylactic shock Anaphylaxis | An extremely severe form of allergic reaction, which can be fatal |
| Anastomosis | An end-to-end union or joining up of two structures usually blood vessels or loops of intestine |
| Anatomy | The science of the structure of living organisms |
| Aneurysm | A localised ballooning of the walls of an artery, most commonly affecting the abdominal aorta, but also arteries of the brain |
| Angina Pectoris | A pain in the chest usually caused by exercise due to reduced circulation of blood in the coronary arteries, which supply the heart muscle. Click here for more details about Ischaemic Heart Disease. |
| Angio-oedema | Swelling of the deep tissues of the face and throat which may be life threatening. Can occur alone or accompany anaphylaxis and/or urticaria. Formerly known as angio-neurotic oedema. Also used to describe deep tissue swelling of the hands, feet or genitals. Click here for more details about Urticaria. |
| Angiogram/Angiography | X-ray examination of blood vessels after injection of a special fluid, which shows up on the x-rays. Click here for more details about Angiogram (Angiography) |
| Angioplasty (Cardiac Catheterisation) | A procedure that identifies possible problems with your heart or its arteries. A thin plastic tube, called a catheter, is inserted into a blood vessel in the groin or arm. The catheter is guided up toward the heart. A special dye is injected into the catheter so X-rays can show any artery blockage or other heart problems |
| Angiotensin II | An octapeptide that is a potent vasopressor and a powerful stimulus for production and release of aldosterone from the adrenal cortex. |
| Anhedonia | Total lack of interest in and enjoyment of hobbies / pleasure activities |
| Ankle brachial pressure index | A ratio measuring the difference in blood pressure in the arteries used as a test for blocked / narrowed leg arteries. |
| Ankylosis | Severe or complete loss of movement at a joint usually due to the abnormal joining of bones to each other |
| Annulus | A ring like structure, or any body part that is shaped like a ring. E.g. inter-vertebral discs consist of a tough outer ring of fibrous material (the annulus) |
| Anomaly | An abnormality, a deviation from normal |
| Anomia | A form of aphasia (loss of language capability caused by brain damage) in which the subject has difficulty remembering or recognizing names which the subject should know well. The subject speaks fluently and grammatically and has normal comprehension, and the only deficit is trouble finding appropriate words |
| Anorexia | An abnormal loss of the appetite for food. Anorexia can be caused by cancer, AIDS, a mental disorder (i.e., anorexia nervosa), or other diseases |
| Anoxia | Absence, or deficiency of oxygen |
| Antacid | An agent that counteracts acidity |
| Antagonist | A muscle that relaxes while another contracts; "when bending the elbow the triceps are the antagonist" |
| Antenatal | Before birth; also called prenatal |
| Anterior | Nearer to, or at the front of the body |
| Anterior Segment | The anterior segment is the front third of the eye that includes the structures in front of the vitreous humour: the cornea, iris, ciliary body, and lens |
| Anti-androgen drugs | Drugs that prevent the development and maintenance of masculine characteristics on responsive tissues. Block the action of the male sex hormone (testosterone). |
| Anti-inflammatory | Medicine used to relieve swelling, pain, and other symptoms of inflammation |
| Antiarrhythmic | A drug or procedure that lenscounters or prevents cardiac arrhythmia |
| Antibiotic | A drug that inhibits the growth of, or kills micro-organisms such as bacteria (germs), and is used to prevent or treat infectious diseases |
| Antibody | A protein produced by the body in response to a foreign substance (antigen) such as bacteria. The antibody combines with the antigen to destroy or neutralize it and prevents/cures infection |
| Anticholinergic drugs | Drugs used to increase the effect of nerve transmitters that reduce spasm. Can also be used in asthma treatment |
| Anticoagulant | A substance that is able to decrease or prevent the clotting of blood |
| Anti-convulsant drugs (Anti epileptic medication) | Drugs used to treat epileptic seizures. If used for Epilepsy click here for more details about Epilepsy. |
| Anti-depressant | Drugs used to relieve or prevent the symptoms of mood or anxiety disorders |
| Antiemetic Drugs | Agents that prevent or arrest vomiting |
| Anti-histimines | Drugs that combat the histamine released during an allergic reaction |
| Anti-hypertensive agent | Drugs used to relieve or prevent the symptoms of mood or anxiety disorders |
| Anti-muscarinic drugs | Effective against the toxic effects of muscarine (a highly toxic alkaloid related to the cholines and having neurologic effects) |
| Antigen | A substance that when introduced into the body causes the formation of antibodies |
| Anti-psychotic drugs | A group of drugs used to treat psychosis. E.g. schizophrenia |
| Anti-resorptive drugs | Medications that work by preventing natural breakdown of bone are called anti-resorptive agents. They inhibit bone removal or resorption and tip the balance toward bone rebuilding, thus increasing bone mass |
| Anti-spasmodic | Preventing or relieving convulsions or spasms. |
| Antithyroid drugs | Drugs used in the treatment of excessive activity of the thyroid gland |
| Antiviral anti-retroviral drug | An agent that destroys or inhibits the growth and reproduction of viruses |
| Anuria | Absence of urine output |
| Anus | The outlet of the rectum |
| Anxiety | Anxiety is an unpleasant emotional state characterised by fearfulness and unwanted and distressing physical symptoms. Click here for more details about Anxiety Disorders. |
| Anxiety Disorder | A generalised, excessive anxiety persistent for more than 6 months |
| Anxiolytic | A tranquilizer used to relieve anxiety and reduce tension and irritability |
| Aorta | The main trunk of the arterial system of the body, which carries, oxygenated blood from the left ventricle of the heart to all parts of the body |
| Apathy/Apethetic | The lack of emotion, motivation, or enthusiasm. Apathy is a psychological term for a state of indifference - where an individual is irresponsive or "indifferent" to aspects of emotional, social, or physical life |
| Aperture | An opening or orifice |
| Apex | The pointed end of a structure |
| Aphakia | Absence of the lens of the eye |
| Aphasia | Loss of ability to express oneself or comprehend language because of brain damage |
| Apnoea | A temporary suspension of breathing, for several seconds |
| Appendicitis | Inflammation of the appendix, which is a small blind tube in the gut |
| Apraxia | Partial loss of ability to perform coordinated movements |
| Aqueous humour | Clear fluid in the eye - provides nutrients and determines intraocular pressure |
| Arachnoiditis | A condition in which there is inflammation of the Arachnoid membrane surrounding the brain and spinal cord |
| Areflexia | The absence of reflexes |
| Arrhythmia | Disorder of the heart rhythm, irregular heartbeat (also called dysrhythmia) |
| Artery | A blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart |
| Arthralgia | Pain in one or more joints |
| Arthritis | Inflammation one or more joints which causes pain and difficulty in moving |
| Arthroplasty | The surgical restoration of the integrity and functional power of a joint. Meaning literally 'to refashion a joint'; i.e. replacing the joint by a complete or partial replacement with an artificial joint |
| Arthroscopy | A procedure for examining the interior of a joint |
| Articular | Relating to the joints |
| Articulate | 1) To join together 2) To put into words |
| Articulation | 1) Where two bones meet to form a joint 2) The process in which speech sounds are formed |
| Artificial pacemaker | A medical device that produces and delivers electrical signals to the heart to maintain a regular heart beat |
| Ascites | Abnormal accumulation of fluid in the abdomen |
| Aseptic | Free from any infectious material |
| Asperger's Syndrome | A complex brain dysfunction related to Autism |
| Asphyxia | Interference with the oxygen supply to the body, which in the absence of appropriate measures, will lead to unconsciousness and death |
| Asthenia | Weakness, lack or loss of strength; debility |
| Asthma | Asthma is a common condition of the lung airways in the respiratory tract. Although the cause is not completely clear it is known that there are many contributory factors and it is also known that the number of people affected by the condition is rising |
| Astigmatism | An irregularity of the lens or cornea of the eye producing faulty vision |
| Asymmetrical | Lack of symmetry, i.e. lack of similarity between corresponding parts or organs on opposite sides of the body that are normally alike |
| Asymptomatic | Without obvious symptoms of disease |
| Ataxia | Lack of muscular coordination; lack of precision; unsteadiness |
| Atelectasis | A collapsed or airless state of all or part of a lung |
| Atheroma | Fatty material that can build up within the walls of the arteries and a reduction of blood flow, on to which clots may form |
| Atherosclerosis | A disease process in which fatty substances are deposited along the walls of arteries, which can lead to obstruction of blood flow |
| Atlanto-Axial joint | The first joint in the spine. (The top vertebra is called the atlas and the second is called the axis) |
| Atonic Seizure | A type of generalized seizure characterized by sudden loss of muscle tone, causes the head or body to drop suddenly with falling & potential injury. Recovery in a few seconds to a minute. Also called a drop attack |
| Atopic | A tendency to develop hypersensitity reactions in response to allergens |
| Atrial fibrillation | A very fast and irregular beating of the atria (the upper two chambers of the heart) |
| Atrium | The two upper chambers of the heart |
| Atrophy | Wasting away or decrease in size of a part of the body |
| Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) | A common developmental and behavioural disorder |
| Audiometry | Evaluation of an individual's hearing |
| Auditory Meatus | Either of the passages in the outer ear from the auricle to the tympanic membrane |
| Auditory Nerve | The eighth cranial nerve, which connects the inner ear to the brainstem and is responsible for hearing and balance |
| Aura | A feeling or sensation that precedes an epileptic seizure or a migraine |
| Autism/Autistic Spectrum Disorder | A brain disorder that begins in early childhood and persists throughout adulthood; Affecting communication, social interaction, and creative or imaginative play |
| Auto immunity | The production of antibodies against a person's own tissues |
| Automatism | A condition in which actions are performed without consciousness |
| Automatic Behaviour | Automatic Behaviour or purpose; sometimes follows an epileptic seizure |
| Autonomic Nervous System | A part of the nervous system, which is not under conscious control |
| Autonomous mood | Mood does not react in response to circumstance |
| Auto Somal | Refers to a gene which is not responsible for determining the sex of an individual |
| Avascular necrosis | Death of bone tissue due to interruption to its blood supply. E.g. Perthes disease (affecting ball of hip joint) |
| Avascular Tear | A tear that is it doesn't bleed if cut and doesn't have blood vessels inside. As a result of this avascularity it doesn't have the ability to heal itself |
| Axilla | The armpit |
| Axis 1 disorders | Axis 1 disorders are psychiatric clinical disorders that include depression, anxiety disorders ,bipolar disorder and schizophrenia |
B
| Term | Description |
|---|---|
| Back Pain | Back Pain is the commonest orthopaedic complaint. Pain may arise from the vertebrae, inter-vertebral discs, facet joints, ligaments, the spinal canal, spinal cord or nerve roots, but most commonly no structural abnormality can be identified to account for the person’s back pain |
| Bacterium | A single-celled microorganism consisting of a single double-stranded DNA molecule. They multiply by cell division and generally have a very high rate of population growth and mutation. |
| Bailie-Lovie test chart | A test chart that measures contrast sensitivity |
| Balloon Angioplasty (PTCA) | A procedure in which a balloon-tipped catheter is inserted usually via the femoral (groin) artery and manoevered into the narrow heart artery. The balloon is then inflated to stretch the vessel opening and improve blood flow through it |
| Barbiturates | Controlled substances that increase heart rate and awareness in preparation for fight or flight |
| Barium Meal or Swallow | X-Ray examination of the upper gastrointestinal tract after swallowing a radio-opaque substance |
| Basal Ganglia | In the brain, four neuron clusters crowning the thalamus, which help to regulate body movement by relaying information from the cerebral cortex to the brainstem and cerebellum |
| Benign | Not malignant |
| Benzodiazepines | A group of psychotropic drugs that have a hypnotic and sedative action,
used mainly as tranquilizers for the control of symptoms due to anxiety
or stress and as a sleeping aid for insomnia. They may also be used help
suppress dystonic movement and in the treatment of Status Epilepticus and
febrile seizures |
| Beta adrenergic blocking drugs (Beta Blocking Agents) | Drugs that may help to reduce the effects of tremor associated with the spasm |
| Beta-agonists | An agent, such as Salbutamol, that stimulates beta-receptors in the autonomic nervous system |
| Beta-blockers (Beta Blocking Agents) | A group of drugs, which reduce the workload of the heart by blocking certain actions of the sympathetic nervous system. They slow the heart rate and lower blood pressure and other symptoms caused in frightening situations. They may also reduce the effects of tremor associated with spasm |
| Biliary Cirrhosis | Cirrhosis is a condition that destroys healthy tissue leaving scar tissue, which blocks the flow of blood through the liver. There are several causes including alcohol dependency |
| Bilateral | Relating to both sides of the body |
| Bile | A greenish-yellow fluid secreted by the liver and stored in the gallbladder. Helps in food digestion |
| Bilirubin | A bile pigment derived from the degradation of hemoglobin during the normal and abnormal destruction of red blood cells |
| Binocular | Relating to both eyes |
| Biochemical | Chemical processes involving human biological function |
| Biofeedback | A behaviour modification therapy designed to develop the ability to control the involuntary nervous system. After learning the technique, a person may be able to control heart rate, blood pressure, skin temperature and to relax certain muscles |
| Biological symptoms | Usually a physical sign of a disease. Any perceptible, subjective change in the body or its functions that indicates disease or phases of disease, as reported by the patient |
| Biopsy | Removal of a sample of tissue, which is then examined under a microscope |
| Bipolar Disorder | A disorder in which a person can experience recurrent attacks of depression and mania or hypomania. It used to be called manic depression |
| Bitemporal hemianopia | Loss of temporal (lateral) visual field in each eye |
| Bladder | Any of various distensible membranous sacs, such as the urinary bladder that serve as receptacles for fluid or gas |
| Blepharospasm | Acute spasm of the muscles around the eye, causing involuntary blinking, or almost complete, involuntary, closure of the eyelids |
| Blood pressure | Pressure exerted by blood as it presses against and stretches blood vessels, especially arteries |
| Blood Tumour markers | A substance, released into the circulation by tumour tissue, whose detection in the serum may indicate the presence of a specific type of tumour |
| BNP Blood Test | A B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) blood test, identifies a hormone which is indicative of either heart or renal failure |
| Body cavity | A space within the body that contains various organs |
| Body Mass Index (BMI) | A method used to gauge whether or not a person is overweight. BMI is calculated by dividing a person's weight (in kilograms) by his or her height (in metres, squared) |
| Bone Anchored Hearing Aid | Bone Anchored Hearing Aids are surgically implanted devices that transmit sound directly to the inner ear through the bones of the skull |
| Bone Densitometry Test | An X-ray technique to measure bone density and detect Osteoporosis |
| Bone Marrow | The soft, fatty, vascular tissue filling the cavities of bones |
| Bone Scan (Bone Scintigraphy) | Procedure in which a radioactive substance is injected and the radiation emitted from bone is measured. The aim is to identify abnormal processes involving the bone (such as fracture, tumour, infection etc) |
| Botulinum toxin type A (Botox) | Nerve toxins given by local intramuscular injections weaken overactive muscles and reduce dystonic symptoms. E.g. Blepharo spasm |
| Bouchard’s nodes | Bony nodules spurs that occur on the middle finger joints |
| Bradycardia | An abnormally slow heartbeat (usually less than 50 beats per minute) |
| Bradykinesia | An abnormal slowness of movement, sluggishness of physical and mental responses |
| Bronchi | Large tubes in the respiratory passageway branching from the trachea (windpipe) through which air flows in and out of the lungs |
| Bronchial tree | The bronchial tree is the branches from the main bronchi that penetrate the lungs to deliver air to minute lung tissue responsible for gas exchange |
| Bronchial tubes | The main breathing tubes leading from the trachea into the lungs. 2. The large air tubes leading to the lungs. One tube is called a bronchus, both tubes are called bronchi |
| Bronchioles | The smallest sub-division of the bronchi at the end of which are the alveoli |
| Bronchiectasis | A chronic disorder in which there is loss of the normal tissue and expansion of lung air passages |
| Bronchiolitis | Respiratory infection that affects the bronchioles, the smallest airways in the lungs |
| Bronchitis | Inflammation of the bronchi. It may be acute or chronic |
| Bronchodilators | Drugs used in the treatment of asthma, which open up the airways in spasm |
| Bronchogenic carcinoma | Cancer of the lung |
| Bronchopulmonary dysplasia | A chronic lung disorder usually seen in very premature infants. It results in Respiratory Distress Syndrome |
| Bronchus | One of the larger passages conveying air to a lung (right or left primary bronchus) |
| Bruce Protocol | The Bruce Protocol is a description of the protocol for the increments in speed and gradient in a treadmill/exercise test. Click here for more information on the Bruce Protocol Test |
| Budd-Chiari Syndrome | A condition producing symptomatic obstruction or occlusion of the hepatic veins causing abdominal pain and tenderness hepatomegaly (liver enlargement) ascites, jaundice and eventually portal hypertension and liver failure |
| Bulbar | The bulbar refers to nerves controlling the muscles of the face and throat |
| Bulla | A circumscribed, fluid-containing, elevated lesion of the skin (e.g. a blister), usually more than 1 cm in diameter |
| Bullectomy | The excision of giant bullae (blisters) from the lung in emphysema to improve pulmonary function |
| Bunion | A painful deformity of the bones and the joint between the foot and the big toe (the metatarso-phalangeal, MTP) joint |
| Bulimia | An eating disorder characterised by binge-eating, self induced vomiting and purging or abusing laxatives |
| Bursa | A sac or pouch of fluid located near joints |
| Bursitis | Inflammation of a bursa |
C
| Term | Description |
|---|---|
| CABG (Coronary Artery Bypass Graft | An operation in which a section of vein or artery is used to bypass a
blockage in a coronary artery; performed to prevent myocardial infarction
(heart attack) and to relieve angina |
| C-reactive protein (CRP) | C-reactive protein (CRP) is a protein produced by the liver and found in the blood. It is raised in inflammatory conditions |
| Cachexia | A state of gross muscle and tissue wasting, fatigue, weakness and debility,
which occurs in diseases such as advanced cancer and AIDS |
| Calcium channel blockers | A group of drugs that affect the way calcium passes into certain muscle cells. This causes arteries to relax and widen and reduce the force and rate of the heartbeat. Used mainly to treat angina and hypertension |
| Calculus | A stone formed within the body (as in gallstones, kidney stones or urinary
bladder stones) |
| Calipers (walking) | An apparatus fixed to a boot at one end and fitting in to the groin at the other end to take the weight of a weak or injured lower limb |
| Callosity | A localised thickening and enlargement of the horny layer of the skin (also called a callus) |
| Cancer | A malignant tumour |
| Capillary | A microscopic blood vessel through which material such as oxygen, carbon
dioxide and nutrients or waste products are exchanged between blood and
body tissues. They form a fine network in many parts of the body |
| Carbohydrates | One of the nutrients that supply calories to the body to give it energy. Bread, pasta, rice, potatoes and cereals are examples of carbohydrates |
| Carcinogen | Any substance that causes cancer |
| Carcinoma | A type of malignant tumour |
| Cardiac arrest | Cessation of an effective heartbeat in which the heart is completely
stopped or ceases to pump effectively |
| Cardiac Arrhythmias | Also called cardiac dysrhythmia, is a disturbance in the regular rhythm
of the heartbeat |
| Cardiac Catheterisation (Angioplasty) | A procedure that identifies possible problems with your heart or its
arteries. A thin plastic tube, called a catheter, is inserted into a blood
vessel in the groin or arm. The catheter is guided up toward the heart.
A special dye is injected into the catheter so X-rays can show any artery
blockage or other heart problems |
| Cardiac Failure | Heart or cardiac failure occurs when the pumping action of the heart is inadequate and fails to maintain proper circulation |
| Cardiology | The study of the heart and diseases associated with it |
| Cardiomyopathy | Disease of the heart muscle, which causes it to lose its pumping power |
| Cardiovascular | Relating to the heart and blood vessels (arteries, veins, and capillaries); the circulatory system |
| Cardioversion | A procedure used to convert an irregular heart rhythm to a normal heart rhythm by applying electric shock. Cardioversion may be accomplished using medications or a defibrillator |
| Care Programme/Plan Approach (CPA) | The care plan is a written document that brings together information about social care, a medical treatment plan, domestic support, names of the professionals involved in care and actions to be taken in the event of changing circumstances. Copies of the plan are given to the patient/customer, carer, care co-ordinator and others involved. Click here for more details about Care Plan Approach/Plan Approach (CPA) |
| Carotid artery | Either of the two main arteries in the neck below the jawbone that carry blood from the heart to the brain |
| Carotid Endarterectomy | An operation to clear out blockages in the carotid arteries in the neck that prevent blood from reaching the brain. It is a preventative measure in people who have suffered TIAs or strokes, and reduces the risk of further TIAs or stroke |
| Carpal tunnel syndrome | Compression of the median nerve as it crosses through the carpal tunnel in the wrist, causing numbness, pain and tingling in the hand and fingers |
| Cartilage (Meniscus) | A translucent elastic substance of the body. It lines the ends of bones, which form joints, and is also found in other parts of the body such as the nose and ears |
| Cataract | A translucent elastic substance of the body. It lines the ends of bones, which form joints, and is also found in other parts of the body such as the nose and ears |
| Catatonia | A tendency to remain in a fixed stuporous state for long periods characterized by lack of awareness of one's surroundings |
| Catheter | A thin, flexible tube that can be inserted into a body cavity or into a blood vessel; used to remove fluids, such as urine or blood, and to introduce diagnostic materials or medication |
| CAT Scan | Computerized Axial Tomography - A special xray technique, which gives a picture of, a horizontal slice through the body at various levels |
| Cauda Equina Syndrome | This rare condition is a severe neurological disorder that normally results from a prolapsed disc. It can lead to incontinence and even paraplegia, and is often a medical emergency |
| CD4 Count | A measure of the number of helper T cells per cubic millimeter of blood, used to analyse the prognosis of patients infected with HIV |
| Cell | The basic structural and functional unit of all organisms capable of performing activities vital to life |
| Central Nervous System | That portion of the nervous system that consists of the brain and spinal cord |
| Cerebellar | Relating to the cerebellum-part of the brain most responsible for balance, posture and co-ordinating sequences of movements |
| Cerebellum | The portion of the brain, located in the lower, back of the head, responsible for coordination of movement and balance |
| Cerebral | Referring to the cerebrum, often used to refer to the entire brain |
| Cerebrum | The upper or main portion of the brain |
| Cerebral hypoxia | Reduced amount of oxygen in the brain; often due to an interruption or reduction in the blood supply to the brain or a reduction in oxygen content of the blood |
| Cerebro vascular disease | Disease involving the blood vessels supplying the brain, including cerebro vascular accident (CVA), also known as a stroke |
| Cerebro spinal fluid (CSF) | Clear fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord |
| Cervical Myelopathy | A disorder due to spinal cord compression. There are many causes of myelopathy that include trauma, tumors, infection, vascular disease, degenerative conditions and demyelinating disorders |
| Chelating drug | Substance, which inactivates certain metals (such as iron). It is used in the treatment of metal poisoning or where there is an excess of the metal in the body |
| Chemotherapy | A type of treatment of malignant diseases by anti-cancer drugs |
| Chiropractic | A health profession concerned with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system, and the effects of these disorders on the function of the nervous system and general health. There is an emphasis on manual treatments including spinal manipulation or adjustment |
| Cholangitis | Inflammation of a bile duct |
| Cholesterol | A waxy, fat-like substance made in the liver and in certain foods, and found in the blood and in all cells of the body. It is a factor in the development of atherosclerosis |
| Chondromalacia Patella | Softening of the articular cartilage of the kneecap |
| Chorea | Involuntary uncontrolled uncoordinated movements |
| Choreiform | Spasmodic writhing movements of limbs and facial muscles |
| Choroid | The thin vascular (major blood vessel) layer of the eye between the retina and the sclera that covers the white of the eyeball responsible for supplying blood to the retina |
| Christmas Disease | A rare disease of blood clotting, similar to haemophilia |
| Chromosome | One of the 46 small bodies in the nucleus of cells, which carry genes. Also may be known as “genome”. An abnormality of chromosomes may cause conditions such as Down’s syndrome |
| Chronic | Long-term or prolonged; applied to a disease that is not acute |
| Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) | Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a term for a group of disorders, which are chronic, progressive and characterised by difficulty in breathing. Terms such as chronic bronchitis, emphysema, chronic obstructive airways disease, chronic airflow limitation and some cases of chronic asthma are all known as COPD |
| Chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) | A persistent inflammation of the middle ear and characterised by recurrent persistent discharge from the ear. The discharge usually occurs through a persistent perforation of the eardrum |
| Chronic Urticaria | Hives or nettle rash. Defined as urticaria on most days for more than six weeks – usually no identifiable cause can be found. |
| Churg Strauss Syndrome | A rare form of vasculitis. Churg-Strauss syndrome, in particular, occurs in patients with a history of asthma or allergy and features inflammation of blood vessels, also referred to as angiitis, in the lungs, skin, nerves, and abdomen |
| Cirrhosis | A liver disorder in which the liver cells are destroyed and replaced by scar tissue. Its effects are very variable, ranging from few or no symptoms, to liver failure resulting in coma or death |
| Claudication | Limping with pain in legs on walking; relieved by rest. Due to insufficient blood supply to the limb. This is normally caused by partial blockage of arteries by atherosclerosis (“hardening of the arteries”) |
| Claustrophobia | Abnormal fear of enclosed places |
| Clavicle | Two thin bones that join the scapula and the sternum (the collar bone) |
| Claw hammer toes | Deformity of the toes |
| Cleft Palate | Congenital fissure in the roof of the mouth due to failure of fusion before birth. The lip may also be affected (“cleft lip”) |
| Clonic Seizure | A type of generalised seizure characterized by jerking movements and involving muscles on both sides of the body |
| Clot | The end of a series of reactions that change liquid blood into a jellylike mass. Also known as a thrombus |
| Coccyx | The final segment of the lower end of the vertebral column. Also known as the “tailbone” |
| Cochlea | Spiral tube forming part of the inner ear, which is the essential organ of hearing. This tube is filled with tiny hair cells which help transmit sound into the brain |
| Cochlear | Cochlear Implants are surgically implanted devices, which electrically stimulate the auditory nerve in the cochlea in response to sound |
| Coeliac disease | An autoimmune disorder due to exposure to gluten (found in cereals) characterised by damage to all or part of the villi lining the small intestine |
| Cognitive | Relating to knowing understanding and reasoning; logical thought processes |
| Cognitive Behaviour Therapy | A form of psychotherapy that teaches the patient to recognise and challenge automatic negative thought patterns. The aim is to enable the patient to counter the negative thought with alternative rational thoughts. E.g. In back pain CBT challenges the negative thoughts that pain is harmful and exercise makes the problem worse |
| Colitis | Inflammation of the lining of the large bowel (or colon) and rectum |
| Collagen | The fibrous protein costituent of bone, cartilage, tendon and other connective tissue |
| Colon | The greater part of the large bowel |
| Colostomy | The diversion of faeces through an opening in the colon, creating a surgical opening on to the abdominal wall |
| Coma | A state of profound unconsciousness in which there is total unresponsiveness |
| Community Mental Health Team (CMHT) | A team that supports people with mental health problems in the community. CMHT members include community psychiatric nurses (CPN), social workers, psychologists, occupational therapists, psychiatrists and support workers |
| Community psychiatric nurse (CPN) | A nurse who specialises in mental health, and has received further training to enable them to work in the community where they will assess and treat people with mental health problems |
| Compulsion | An uncontrollable impulse to perform an act, often repetitively, as an unconscious mechanism to avoid unacceptable ideas and desires which, by themselves, arouse anxiety |
| Co-Morbid | A concomitant but unrelated pathological or disease process |
| Complex Partial | A seizure that affects a larger part of the brain and the person is no longer aware of their surroundings and they may loose consciousness. They may wander about, fumble with clothes, babble to themselves or make other noises- known as automatism. The seizure is often preceded by a simple partial seizure (aura, or warning) |
| Compression | The act of pressing upon or together; the state of being pressed together e.g. compression of vertebrae in the spine |
| Computed Tomography (CT) or CAT Scan | X-Ray technique that provides a cross-sectional image of any area of the body |
| Concave | Curving Inward |
| Concussion | Traumatic Injury to the brain that may result in abrupt, temporary loss of consciousness |
| Conductive Deafness | Hearing loss or impairment caused by a defect in part of the ear that conducts sound, specifically the external canal or middle ear |
| Cones | Colour-sensitive nerve endings in retina |
| Congenital | A condition that is present at the time of birth |
| Congestion | The presence of an abnormal amount of fluid in a vessel or organ, especially excessive accumulation of blood |
| Conjuntiva | The delicate covering of the eyeball |
| Conjunctivitis | Inflammation of the conjunctiva, the delicate covering of the eyeball |
| Constipation | Infrequent or difficult defaecation with hard stools caused by decreased movements of the gut |
| Contraindication | A symptom or medical condition that makes a particular treatment or procedure inadvisable because a person is likely to have a bad reaction. For example, having a bleeding disorder is a contraindication for taking aspirin because treatment with aspirin may cause excess bleeding |
| Contralateral | On the opposite side of the body |
| Contracture | A permanent shortening of the muscles and tendons adjacent to a joint, which can result from severe, untreated spasticity and interferes with normal movement around the affected joint |
| Convex | Curving outward |
| Convulsion | Violent, involuntary contraction and jerking of muscles. Also known as seizure |
| Cornea | Clear part of the eye covering the iris and pupil - lets light into the eye, permitting sight |
| Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA) | A procedure in which a balloon-tipped catheter is inserted usually via the femoral (groin) artery and manoevered into the narrow heart artery. The balloon is then inflated to stretch the vessel opening and improve blood flow through it |
| Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) | An operation in which a section of vein or artery is used to bypass a blockage in a coronary artery; performed to prevent myocardial infarction (heart attack) and to relieve angina |
| Coronary Artery Disease | A condition in which the heart muscle receives inadequate blood due to narrowing or obstruction of the coronary arteries causing angina and heart attacks |
| Cor Pulmonale | Acute strain or hypertrophy of the right ventricle caused by a disorder of the lungs or of the pulmonary blood vessels. Leads to oedema |
| Cortical | Refers to the outer layer of the brain, the cortex |
| Cortical Blindness | Loss of vision resulting from a lesion of the primary visual areas of the cortex. Light reflex is preserved |
| Corticosteroids | A drug (steroid) used clinically to suppress inflammation of the tissues and to suppress the immune response |
| Cortisone | A naturally occurring corticosteroid that functions primarily in carbohydrate metabolism |
| Costochondritis | A painful swelling of a rib in the region of the chest, over the junction of bone and cartilage |
| Crepitus | A grating sound and sensation created when two rough surfaces in the human body come into contact - for example, in osteoarthritic joints or fractured bones rub together |
| Crescendo pain | Rapidly progressive pain |
| Cryotherapy | A method of stunting the growth of tissues by freezing them |
| Cryptogenic | Of obscure or unknown origin. Used of diseases |
| Cued Speech | A method of communication that combines speech reading with a system of handshapes placed near the mouth to help deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals differentiate words that look similar on the lips |
| Curative treatment | Treatment intended to cure disease |
| Cushing’s Disease | Cushing's Syndrome is a condition caused by an excess of steroid hormones called cortisol |
| Cutaneous | Relating to the skin |
| Cyanosis | Blue or purple discolouration of the lips and nails, due to reduced amount of oxygen in blood |
| Cyclo oxygenase (COX) | An enzyme existing in two forms, called COX-1 and COX-2. COX enzymes are responsible for the production of prostaglandins, intracellular messengers found at high levels at inflammation sites |
| Cyst | A sac lined by body tissue, normally filled with fluid or semi solid material |
| Cystitis | Inflammation of the urinary bladder |
| Cystectomy | Surgical removal of all or part of the urinary bladder. |
| Cystoscopy | Direct visual examination of the inside of the bladder through the urethra by means of a tube and lens system |
| Cytology | The study of cells |
| Cytomegalovirus | A very common virus that can cause serious disease in people with low resistance to infection. It can cause a variety of clinical symptoms including deafness or hearing impairment; infection with the virus may be either before or after birth |
| Cytotoxic Drug | A drug, which is toxic to, and kills cells (e.g. Used in malignant disease to destroy cancer cells) |
D
| Term | Description |
|---|---|
| Debility | Weakness, loss of power and strength |
| Decubitus Ulcer | Bedsore; pressure sore |
| Defaecation | Discharge of faeces from the body |
| Degeneration/Degenerative | A gradual deterioration in structure with resultant impairment of function. (For example, macular degeneration in the eye) |
| Dehydration | Excessive loss of water from the body |
| Delerium | A state of mental confusion marked by disorientation and hallucination.
Fever and certain drugs are common causes |
| Delusion | A false belief, entirely without foundation |
| Dementia | The loss of intellectual functions (such as thinking, remembering, and reasoning) of sufficient severity to interfere with a person’s daily functioning |
| Depot injection | An injected anti-psychotic or other drug, which is released over a period of several weeks. Medication is given in this way to people who may be unable to take oral medication on daily basis |
| Depersonalisation (Derealisation) | The experience of feelings of loss of a sense of reality. The person feels that they have changed and the world has become less real, they are divorced from both the world and from their own identity and physicality. Often times the person who has experienced this disorder claims that life "feels like a movie, things seem unreal |
| Depression | A mental state of depressed mood characterized by feelings of sadness, despair and discouragement |
| DeQuervain's syndrome | An inflammation of the sheath or tunnel that surrounds two tendons that control movement of the thumb |
| Dermatitis | A skin rash characterized by itching, swelling, blistering, oozing and scaling of the skin |
| Dermatology | Medical speciality involving the study of skin and its diseases |
| Desensitisation therapy (Graded exposure therapy) | A technique used in behaviour therapy to treat Phobias and other behaviour problems involving anxiety; by exposure to the threatening situation under relaxed conditions until the anxiety reaction is extinguished |
| Desiccated | Loss of fluid, dried out |
| Detached retina | Visual impairment resulting from the retina becoming separated from the choroid in the back of the eye. Click here for more details about Vision. Click here for more details about Diabetes Mellitus |
| Diabetes mellitus | A chronic metabolic disease caused by failure of the pancreas to produce insulin, a hormone that allows blood sugar (glucose) to be taken up by cells that require it for function. People with diabetes often need to follow a strict diet and may require insulin injections. During a diabetic reaction, a person may experience confusion, sudden personality changes, or loss of consciousness. In extreme cases, diabetes can also cause vision loss, cardiovascular disease, kidney failure, stroke, or necessitate the amputation of limbs |
| Diagnosis | Indentifying the condition causing an illness or disability from signs and symptoms by clinical examination and laboratory tests, etc |
| Diaphragm | The musculomembranous partition separating the abdominal and thoracic cavities and serving as a major muscle aiding inspiration |
| Diastolic blood pressure | The second of two numbers used to measure blood pressure. This is the minimum pressure in the arteries between beats when the heart relaxes to fill with blood |
| Diffuse | Widespread, not limited to one tissue or location |
| Diffuse Parenchymal Lung Disease | This term describes a group of over 200 diseases of various causes, which result in scarring around the air sacs (alveoli) of the lung. The scar tissue reduces oxygen transport from the air into the blood, which makes breathing harder work. The main symptom is breathlessness on exercise. In severe cases, there may be breathlessness at rest. Formerly known as Interstitial Lung Disease |
| Digestion | The mechanical and chemical breakdown of food to simple substances that can be absorbed from the gut into the body |
| Dilatation | The process of enlargement or expansion |
| Diplopia | Double vision |
| Disc Disease | Degeneration/prolapse of the discs, which separate the bones of the vertebral column. It is a cause of pain in the back |
| Disc Prolapse | A disc that bulges out from its position between two vertebrae |
| Disease Activity Score (DAS) | An assessment used in Rheumatoid arthritis which measures disease activity. The score range is from 0-10; a score of less than 3.2 means the disease is inactive and a score of more than 5.2 very active. It should be noted that this score is not always a good measure of disability |
| Disease-modifying anti- rheumatic drugs (DMARD) | Drugs used to treat inflammatory conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, by slowing the disease process and preventing damage |
| Disinhibition | Inability to suppress impulsive behaviour and emotions |
| Dislocation | Displacement of a bone from a joint |
| Dispensing Optician | A dispensing optician is trained to dispense spectacles and has expertise in ophthalmic lenses |
| Dissection | Division, separation, or removal of tissues |
| Dissociative | The segregation of a group of mental processes from the rest of a person's usually integrated functions of consciousness, memory, perception, and sensory and motor behaviour |
| Distensible | That which can be distended (swollen out or expanded) |
| Diuretic | A drug that increases the production of urine |
| Dopamine | A neurotransmitter in the brain |
| Doppler | A diagnostic tool that uses low intensity ultrasound to detect blood flow velocity in arteries or veins |
| Dorsiflexion | Bending the foot and toes in the direction of the upper surfaceBending the foot and toes in the direction of the upper surface |
| Down’s syndrome | A syndrome caused by a chromosome abnormality. It is characterised by slowed growth, abnormal facial features and learning difficulties. Possible related health problems include poor resistance to infection, hearing loss, gastrointestinal problems, and heart defects |
| Drepanocytosis (Sickle-cell) | A hereditary blood disease mainly affecting people of African ancestry |
| Dumping Syndrome | A condition associated with the rapid emptying of gastric contents into the small intestine causing flushing, sweating, dizziness and weakness. Often occurs after surgery on stomachand duodenum |
| Duodenum | The first part of the small intestine into which the stomach drains |
| Dupuytren's contracture | Localised thickening of the tissues of the palm of the hand, causing progressive flexion (bending towards the palm) of one or more fingers. Surgery may be needed to release the thickened tissue |
| Dysarthria | A group of speech disorders caused by disturbances in the strength or coordination of the muscles of the speech mechanism as a result of damage to the brain or nerves |
| Dysfunction | Absence of normal function |
| Dyslexia | Difficulty in reading or learning to read, accompanied by difficulty in writing and spelling correctly |
| Dysmenorrhoea | Painful menstruation (periods) |
| Dyspepsia | Indigestion |
| Dysphagia | Difficulty in swallowing |
| Dysphasia | Difficulty in understanding or using spoken or written language due to brain damage |
| Dysplasia | Abnormally formed tissues, organs or cells often due to chronic irritation or inflammation |
| Dysphonia | Any impairment of the voice or difficulty speaking |
| Dyspnoea | Difficulty in breathing resulting in shortness of breath. It is often associated with heart or lung disease |
| Dyspraxia | Partial loss of ability to perform coordinated movements |
| Dysrhythmia | An abnormal heart rhythm |
| Dystonia | A neurological movement disorder in which there is prolonged muscle contraction affecting one or more parts of the body, resulting in repetitive twisting movements or abnormal postures; it includes such conditions as torticollis and writer's cramp |
| Dysuria | Painful urination |
| Dysthymia | A chronic low-grade depressive disorder |
E
| Term | Description |
|---|---|
| E-test | A chart used for testing vision and visual acuity |
| Echocardiogram | A test that uses ultrasound waves to measure the size of the heart and its chambers. It shows whether the heart is beating normally and the valves of the heart are working properly |
| Echolalia | The repetition of speech just spoken by somebody else in an involuntary and meaningless way. People with echolalia may repeat a word, phrase, or entire sentences. Also known as echologia, echophasia, echophrasia, echo speech and mimic speech |
| Ectopic | Out of place. An ectopic heart beat originates in an abnormal location of the heart. Ectopic pregnancy is a foetus developing outside the uterus |
| Eczema | A skin rash characterized by itching, scaling, swelling, blistering, and oozing of the skin |
| Efficacy | The ability of a drug to produce the desired therapeutic effect |
| Effusion | The accumulation of fluid, or the fluid itself, in various spaces in the body. Commonly, the knee has an effusion (swelling) after an injury |
| Electrocardiogram (ECG) | A recording of the electrical changes that accompany the beating of the heart. Often used to diagnose heart disease |
| Electro-convulsive therapy (ECT) | A procedure in which an electric current is briefly applied to produce a seizure, primarily used in the treatment of severe affective disorders, depression and schizophrenia |
| Electroencephalogram (EEG) | A recording of electrical impulses of the brain to diagnose certain diseases (such as epilepsy) |
| Electrolyte | One of the substances in the blood and bodily fluids 'salts' in the blood (such as sodium and potassium) |
| Electromyography (EMG) | Evaluation of the electrical activity of resting and contracting muscle to ascertain causes of muscular weakness, paralysis and involuntary movements of muscles |
| Embolic Stroke | A type of ischaemic stroke where the blood clot forms in another part of the body, most commonly in the heart due to turbulent blood flow in a heart chamber. The clot then becomes dislodged and travels in the bloodstream until it becomes stuck in an artery in the brain, blocking the blood flow. This free roaming clot is called an embolus |
| Embolism | Obstruction or closure of a blood vessel by an embolus [i.e. a blood clot; bubble of air, mass of bacteria or other debris] |
| Emesis | Vomiting |
| Emphysema | Distension or hyperinflation of the tiny air sacs (alveoli) and small air passages (bronchioles) due to loss of elasticity. It can accompany chronic respiratory diseases (such as chronic bronchitis), and causes breathlessness. It is a chronic respiratory disease |
| Encephalitis | An inflammation of the brain, but it usually refers to brain inflammation caused by a virus |
| Encephalopathy | Any degenerative brain disease |
| Endemic goitre | A type of goitre,where a whole community or population may have a high incidence due to dietary iodine deficiency |
| Endocarditis | Inflammation of the lining of the heart cavity and valves |
| Endocrine | Relating to the secretion of hormones. The endocrine system consists of various glands which produce hormones |
| Endocrine Gland | An organ that produces hormones and secretes them out into the bloodstream |
| Endometriosis | A condition in which patches of endometrium occur in parts of the body other than the womb |
| Endometrium | The lining of the womb |
| Endogenous | A form of depression not triggered by life events |
| Endoscope | An illuminated tube with lenses used to look inside hollow organs (i.e. the stomach; urinary bladder) |
| Enuresis | Bedwetting in children |
| Enuretic alarm | An apparatus used in the treatment of bed wetting in children. When urine comes into contact with a pad placed under the bed sheet an alarm bell rings to waken the child |
| Enzyme | A substance, which can increase the speed of chemical reactions. Enzymes are involved in all the metabolic activities, which take place within body cells |
| Epidemic | A disease that affects many individuals in a population at the same time |
| Epidemiology | Medical science concerned with the occurrence and distribution of disease in human populations |
| Epidural | An injection of an anaesthetic substance into the epidural space of the spinal cord in order to produce epidural anaesthesia of the lower body |
| Epilepsy | A disorder of brain function characterised by recurrent seizures |
| Episodic Memory | This is the event-based memory unique to each individual |
| Epstein-Barr Virus | A herpes virus that is the causative agent of infectious mononucleosis. It is also called EB virus |
| Erythema | Abnormal skin redness often a sign of inflammation or infection |
| Erythrocyte | Red blood cell |
| Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) | The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), or sedimentation rate (sed rate), is a measure of the settling of red blood cells in a tube of blood during one hour. The rate is raised in infections, autoimmune conditions and some malignancies |
| Erythropoietin | A hormone that stimulates red blood cell production |
| Euphoria | A feeling of great happiness and well-being |
| Eustachian Tube | The tube that connects the middle ear and the back of the nose, draining the middle ear and regulating air pressure |
| Euthymic | A psychological state, which is neither elated or depressed |
| Euthyroid | Normal thyroid function |
| Exacerbation | An increase in the severity of symptoms or of disease |
| Executive Function | A term used to refer to aspects of higher order brain function, such as problem solving, reasoning and mental abstraction. These functions are located in the frontal lobes |
| Exercise Test | A test where the patient walks at increasing speed and incline. The patient's heart rate and ECG is monitored throughout the test. Sometimes called the Bruce Protocol Test. Click here for more information on the Bruce Protocol Test |
| Exophthalmos | Bulging of the eyeball. It may be a symptom of thyrotoxicosis |
| Expiration | The process by which the lungs expel air; also called exhalation |
| Expressive | Refers to how information - thoughts and feelings - is expressed |
| External | Located on or near the surface of the body |
| Extra- pyramidal side effects | Parkinson like symptoms (tremors etc.) caused by certain drugs |
| Extrasystoles | The term used to describe a short sequence of extra heartbeats (premature contractions) |
| Extrinsic | Of or relating to an organ or structure, originating outside the part where it is found or upon which it acts |
| Extrinsic Allergic Alveolitis | This is a type of Diffuse Parenchymal Lung Disease with an allergic cause, also known as Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis. Examples include Farmer's Lung caused by allergic sensitivity to dust from mouldy hay, Bird Fancier's Lung and Metal Worker's Lung. Some cases may be prescribed diseases when occupationally exposed as an employed earner to such agents. Exposure causes inflammation in sensitised individuals, which may lead to scarring. See Diffuse Parenchymal Lung Disease |
| Exudate | A fluid with a high concentration of protein and cellular debris, which has escaped from blood vessels and has been deposited in tissues, or on tissue surfaces, usually as a result of inflammation |
F
| Term | Description |
|---|---|
| Factors VIII & IX | Substances present in blood, which are essential for normal blood clotting. Lack of Factor VIII causes classical haemophilia, (Haemophilia A), and lack of Factor IX, Haemophilia B or Christmas disease |
| Facet joint | Joints between two adjacent vertebrae. Each vertebra is connected at the inter-vertebral disc in the front and the two facet joints in the back |
| Fainting | Fainting (‘Syncope’) is a transient loss of consciousness with a resultant loss of postural tone caused by a temporary interruption of blood flow to the brain |
| Familial | Tending to occur repeatedly in family members but is not genetic (inherited). Might indicate susceptibility, or a common environmental influence |
| Febrile | Feverish |
| Femur | The bone that extends from the pelvis (hip) to the knee, being the longest and largest bone in the body (known as the thigh bone) |
| Festinating Gait | Rapid, short shuffling steps seen in Parkinson's disease |
| FEV1 (Forced Expiratory Volume) | This is the amount of air that can be exhaled in the first second after taking the deepest breath possible. In obstructive lung disease, this measurement is as basic as taking temperature. Asthmatics who take their FEV1 with a peak flow meter on a daily basis can tell when an attack is beginning before the person even feels symptoms |
| Fibrillation | Involuntary brief contraction of a muscle; also atrial fibrillation |
| Fibrin | A protein, which forms the basis of a blood clot |
| Fibromyalgia | A condition, which affects the muscles and ligaments but does not damage the joints. It is a common condition and can be severe. In fibromyalgia the fibrous tissues (fibro-) and muscles (-my) are affected by pain (-algia) and tenderness. Fatigue is often the most severe aspect of fibromyalgia |
| Fibrosing alveolitis | Also known as Interstitial pulmonary fibrosis. A condition in which the tiny air sacs and adjacent lung tissue becomes inflamed, thickened and inelastic, causing progressive breathlessness on exertion |
| Fibrosis | The formation of fibrous tissue as a reparative or reactive process |
| Fibrositis | Pain and stiffness in and around muscles and joints, which may be due to local Inflammation. It is an example of soft tissue rheumatism |
| Fine Motor Skill | Small precise movements usually of the hands. Vision is usually involved but you can have Fine Motor Skill even if blind |
| Finger counting | A rough test of vision by holding up fingers at a designated distance and asking the visually impaired person to say how many fingers can be seen |
| Fistula | An abnormal passage between two organs or between an internal body cavity and the outside (e.g. arterio-venous fistula: a connecting passage between an artery and vein) |
| Fixed flexion deformity | Inability to fully straighten bend, move a limb |
| Flaccid | Relaxed, flabby, or soft; or lacking muscle tone |
| Flexion | The act of bending (as opposed to extending) a joint |
| Floaters | Particles that float in the vitreous and cast shadows on the retina; seen as spots, cobwebs, spiders, etc. Occurs normally with aging or with vitreous detachment, retinal tears, or inflammation |
| Focus | The origin or centre of a disseminated disease |
| Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) | The amount of (volume) of air exhaled when the person is breathing out with maximum effort |
| Fovea | A depression in the retina that contains only cones (not rods), and that provides acute eyesight |
| Fowler’s surgery | An operation for RA in which the toe joints are removed leaving the toes to fuse |
| Fracture | Any break in a bone |
| Fragile X Syndrome | Inherited disorder characterized by learning difficulties and physical abnormalities |
| Fronto Temporal Dementia | A dementia related to either frontal or temporal lobe degeneration. Click here for more information about Fronto Temporal dementia |
| Frozen Shoulder | Pain and stiffness at the shoulder due to damage and inflammation of the soft tissues around the shoulder joint. Also known as Adhesive Capsulitis |
| Fulminant | Occurring suddenly with great intensity |
G
| Term | Description |
|---|---|
| Gait | The way in which a person walks |
| Galactosaemia | An inherited metabolic disorder characterised by the deficiency of an enzyme necessary for galactose metabolism and characterised by elevated levels of galactose in the blood and, if untreated, mental retardation and eye and liver abnormalities |
| Gallbladder | A small pouch that stores and concentrates bile, located under the liver |
| Gallstones | Stones in the gallbladder |
| Gangrene | Death and rotting of tissue |
| Gastrectomy | Surgical removal of part or all of the stomach |
| Gastro - enteritis | Inflammation of the stomach and intestine causing vomiting, diarrhoea
and cramping, often caused by bacteria or viruses |
| Gastroenterology | The medical speciality that deals with diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the digestive system |
| Gastrointestinal | Relating to the stomach and the intestines |
| Gastrointestinal (GI) tract | (Also called: Alimentary Canal.) A continuous tube running from the mouth to the anus |
| Gastro-oesophageal Reflux Disease (GORD) | Occurs when acidic gastric contents escape from the stomach and irritate and inflame the lining of the oesophagus |
| Gastroscopy | Examination of the interior of the stomach with an illuminated tube and lenses |
| Gene | The basic unit of heredity, which is present in the chromosome. It carries information, which determines the physical and mental makeup of the individual |
| Genetic | Hereditary |
| Genetics | The study of heredity |
| Genitalia | Reproductive organs |
| Geriatrics | Branch of medicine devoted to the medical problems and care of elderly persons |
| Gilbert's disease | Jaundice without evidence of liver damage, biliary obstruction, or hemolysis due to a harmless enzyme deficiency |
| Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome | A rare condition in which affected people have involuntary repetitive twitching movements, and facial grimaces and make repeated sudden explosive noises, including the involuntary uttering of swear words. This is commonly known as Tourette Syndrome |
| Glandular Fever | Glandular fever, also called infectious mononucleosis, is a viral infection caused by the Epstein-Barr virus |
| Glaucoma | An eye disorder in which there is increased pressure within the eyeball, which can lead to impaired vision and blindness |
| Glenohumeral joint | The ball-and-socket joint between the arm and the shoulder |
| Glucagon | A hormone produced by the pancreas, which increases the level of glucose in the blood |
| Glucose | A simple sugar; the major source of energy for every cell type in the body |
| Glycaemia | Glucose content in the blood |
| Glycogen storage disease | Any of a number of rare inborn errors of metabolism caused by defects in specific enzymes or transporters involved in the metabolism of glycogen |
| Glycogen | The chief carbohydrate storage material in animals stored primarily in liver and muscle and synthesised and metabolised for energy as demanded |
| Glycosuria | The presence of glucose in the urine, which is usually an abnormal finding |
| Goldenhars syndrome | A congenital syndrome involving multiple malformations of the mouth, eyes and ears. The heart, kidneys, or nervous system may be affected |
| Golfers Elbow | A condition characterised by pain at the outer side of the elbow especially when moving it against a resistance |
| Gout | A disease in which there is an excessive amount of uric acid in the blood, which gets into joints and causes severe inflammation, pain and swelling |
| Graded Exposure Therapy (Desensitisation Therapy) | A technique used in behaviour therapy to treat phobias and other behavioural problems involving anxiety; by exposure to the threatening situation under relaxed conditions until the anxiety reaction is extinguished |
| Grand Mal | An older term for a tonic-clonic seizure- a type of generalized seizure. These seizures are characterized by a loss of consciousness with stiffening of the body and jerking body movements |
| Grandiose | In psychiatry, pertaining to exaggerated belief or claims of one's importance or identity, often manifested by delusions of great wealth, power, or fame |
| Graves' Disease | An auto-immune disease in which the body’s immune system produces antibodies, which stimulate the thyroid gland. The gland responds by producing an excessive amount of hormone and goitre can result from the massive over-activity of glandular tissue. It may also cause build up of tissue behind the eyes, which causes them to protrude (exophthalmus) |
| Grommet | A tube surgically implanted in the eardrum to drain fluid from the middle ear |
| Guillain-Barre Syndrome | A neurologic syndrome, usually following certain virus infections, marked by paresthesia of the limbs and by muscular weakness or a flaccid paralysis |
| Gynaecology | The study and treatment of disorders of the female reproductive system |
H
| Term | Description |
|---|---|
| HAART | Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) is a treatment for human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection that uses a combination of several
antiretroviral drugs. The drugs inhibit the ability of the virus to multiply
in the body, and they slow down the development of AIDS. Since the introduction
of HAART, AIDS dementia complex has become uncommon |
| Haematemesis | The vomiting of blood. |
| Haematology | The study of blood- forming organs |
| Haematoma | A swelling filled with blood |
| Haematuria | Blood in the urine, which may indicate urinary tract disease |
| Haemochromatosis | An hereditary disorder of iron metabolism characterised by excessive accumulation of iron in tissues, diabetes mellitus, liver dysfunction and a bronze skin pigmentation |
| Haemodialysis | Filtering of blood by an artificial kidney apparatus that removes waste material from the blood, which is returned to the body, in cases of kidney failure |
| Haemoglobin | The red-coloured iron-protein molecule in red blood cells which carries oxygen around the body |
| Haemophilia | A familial (inherited) disease characterized by delayed or entire absence of blood clotting |
| Haemoptysis | Coughing up blood |
| Haemorrhage | An escape of blood from a ruptured blood vessel |
| Haemorrhagic stroke | A stroke caused by a damaged or weakened artery which has burst and bled into the surrounding brain tissue. This not only reduces the blood supply to more distant parts of the brain, it also upsets the delicate chemical balance the neurones require in order to function |
| Haemostasis | Arrest of bleeding |
| Hallucination | A false perception of something that does not really exist. A sensory experience created from within the brain, which may be perceived as a smell, or taste, or vision or feeling that has no basis in the external world |
| Hallux rigidus | Osteoarthritis of the big toe joint with a fixed, rigid toe |
| Hallus valgus | Osteoarthritis of the big toe joint, where the joint at the base of the toe projects outwards and the top of the toe turns inwards |
| Hammer toes | Deformity of the toes |
| Hashimoto's Thyroiditis | An inflammatory disease of the thyroid glandular tissue and impairs the ability to produce thyroid hormones. The gland becomes enlarged as a result of the inflammation |
| Heart Attack | Myocardial Infarction; Coronary Thrombosis. The death of heart muscle due to an insufficient blood supply, [caused by a blocked coronary artery] |
| Heartburn | Burning sensation in the gullet or oesophagus due to acid rising up from the stomach |
| Heart Failure | Heart or cardiac failure occurs when the pumping action of the heart is inadequate and fails to maintain proper circulation |
| Heart murmur | An abnormal sound due to the flow of blood across heart valves. It may indicate heart disease |
| Heberden’s nodes | Small, bony nodules (spurs) found in the finger joints in osteoarthritis |
| Hemianaesthesia | Loss of sensation of the affected part |
| Hemianopia | Loss of one half of the visual field |
| Hemiarthroplasty | Arthroplasty in which one joint surface is replaced with an artificial material |
| Hemicolectomy | Removal of half of the large intestine (colon) by surgery |
| Hemicrania | Affecting one side of the head |
| Hemiplegia | Paralysis of the upper limb, trunk and lower limb on one side of the body [mild hemiplegia is known as hemiparesis] |
| Hepatic Encephalopathy | A condition, occurring secondary to advanced liver disease, marked by disturbances of consciousness that may progress to deep coma (hepatic coma), psychiatric changes of varying degree and a flapping tremor |
| Hepatitis | Inflammation of the liver due to virus, drugs, or chemical poisons |
| Hepatocyte | A liver cell |
| Hepatoma | Primary liver cancer |
| Hepato-cellular | Relating to or affecting liver cells |
| Hepato-toxic | Damaging or destructive to the liver |
| Hereditary | Transmitted from parent to child by information contained in the genes |
| Hernia | A rupture; the protrusion or projection of an organ or part of an organ from its normal position. e.g. inguina (groin hernia),hiatus hernia |
| Herpes | An inflammatory disease of the skin or mucous membranes with blistering due to infection by a virus (Herpes Simplex causes "cold sore"; Herpes Zoster causes “shingles”) |
| Hiatus Hernia | A protrusion of part of the stomach through the diaphragm into the chest |
| Hila | The root of an organ through which nerves, ducts, or blood vessels enter and leave in an organ or a gland |
| Histrionic | A behavior characterized by an excitable nature and the constant desire for stimulation |
| Hypnotic | An agent that causes sleep |
| Histamine | A naturally occurring substance, which is released in inflammatory processes, and allergic reactions |
| Histopathology | The science concerned with the cytologic and histologic structure of abnormal or diseased tissue |
| Hive (Weal) | A transient swelling, confined to a small area of the skin, that is characteristic of urticaria |
| HIV Positive | A blood test which indicates that the person has been infected by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV virus) which infects the cells in the human immune system |
| Hodgkin's lymphoma | One of a group of malignant conditions of lymphoid tissue |
| Holter Monitor | A Holter Monitor or 24 hour ambulatory ECG, is a test which, continually records the electrical activity of the heart over a 24 hour period |
| Homeopathy | A system of medicine based upon the principle that "like cures like". Homeopathic medication given in extremely small doses which can produce symptoms of the disease to be cured, in order to stimulate the body’s defence (immune) system |
| Homeostasis | Automatic self-regulation to maintain the normal or standard state of the body |
| Homonymous hemianopia | Defective vision or blindness in the right or left halves of the visual fields of both eyes. This is a frequent condition in people who have had a stroke |
| Hormone | A chemical messenger produced by a body organ and carried by the blood to another organ/tissue where it influences function, structure and activity. E.g. insulin thyroxin |
| Housemaid's knee | Inflammation of, and fluid formation in the pouch (bursa) at the front of the knee joint, often caused by kneeling |
| Human Immune Deficiency Virus (HIV) | The causative organism in AIDS |
| Human papilloma virus | A virus that causes common warts of the hands and feet, as well as lesions in the genital and vaginal area. More than 50 types of HPV have been identified, some of which are linked to cancerous and precancerous conditions, including cancer of the cervix |
| Humerus | The long bone in the arm, which extends from the shoulder to the elbow |
| Humidifier | An apparatus for increasing the moisture in the air of a room |
| Hydrocele (also Hydrocoele) | A swelling caused by accumulation of fluid, especially around the testicle |
| Hydrocephalus | Too much cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles in the brain, leading to pressure on the brain and enlargement of the skull |
| Hydrocortisone | A hormone produced by the adrenal gland, which affects the handling of sugar and protein by the body. Its synthetic counterpart is used in treating severe allergic reactions, skin disorders such as eczema, and diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and bronchial asthma |
| Hydrotherapy | Rehabilitation exercises performed in water |
| Hyperaesthesia | Excessive sensitiveness to touch |
| Hyperalgesia | Excessive sensitivity to pain |
| Hypercalcemia | Hypercalcemia is an abnormally high level of calcium in the blood |
| Hypercholesterolaemia | Excess cholesterol in the blood |
| Hyperglycaemia | Excess of sugar in the blood, usually associated with diabetes |
| Hyper-inflate | Excessively or abnormally inflated e.g. hyper-inflated chest (barrel-chested) |
| Hyperlipidemia | Excess levels of fats in the blood |
| Hypermetropia | Long sightedness (or farsightedness). Distance vision is good, near vision is blurred |
| Hypermotility | Excessive movement (usually used with reference to the bowel or joints) |
| Hyperosmolar | Relating to the abnormal increase in the osmole content of a solution, especially a body fluid |
| Hypersomnolence | Excessive sleeping or sleepiness. Also called Hypersomnia. |
| Hyperplasia | Excessive formation of normal tissue, which increases in size |
| Hypersensitivity | Responding excessively to the stimulus of a foreign agent, such as an allergen; abnormally sensitive |
| Hypertension | High blood pressure |
| Hyperthermia | An abnormally high body temperature. This is a serious medical emergency that requires immediate hospitalisation. Body temperatures above 40°C (104°F) are considered life-threatening |
| Hyperthyroidism (Thyrotoxicosis) | Excessive activity of the thyroid gland causing an excessive production of thyroid hormone which in turn raises the metabolic rate leading to weight loss, rapid pulse, excessive sweating, irritability and intolerance of the heat |
| Hypertrophy | An increase in size of a tissue or organ |
| Hyperuricaemia | High levels of uric acid in the blood |
| Hyperventilation | Over-breathing which, by affecting the chemical balance of the blood, can cause transient feelings of light-headedness or faintness |
| Hypervigilance | Abnormally increased arousal, responsiveness to stimuli, and scanning of the environment for threats |
| Hypnotherapy | The use of hypnosis in psychotherapy |
| Hypnotic | That which produces hypnosis or sleep, in this context referring to a drug inducing sleep |
| Hypocalcaemia | Abnormally low level of calcium in the blood; associated with hypoparathyroidism
or kidney malfunction or vitamin D deficiency |
| Hypochondria | A morbid preoccupation or anxiety about one's health |
| Hypochondriasis | A persistent belief in the presence of at least one serious physical illness despite negative physical findings and reassurance |
| Hypoglycaemia | A condition in which the blood-sugar level is below normal. E.g. a complication of insulin treatment |
| Hypoglycaemic drugs | Agents, which lower sugar in the blood. Used in treating some forms of diabetes mellitus |
| Hypokinesia | Decreased muscular activity |
| Hypomania | A degree of elation, over activity and excitement greater than normal but less than mania |
| Hypopituitarism | A deficiency of one or more hormones of the pituitary gland. The pituitary produces a number of hormones which regulate other hormone glands e.g. thyroid |
| Hypoplasia | Imperfect development or underdevelopment of an organ or tissue |
| Hypotension | An abnormally low blood pressure |
| Hypothalamus | A small structure at the base of the brain that controls many body functions, including appetite and body temperature and regulates the pituitary gland |
| Hypothermia | A severe reduction in body temperature |
| Hypothyroidism (Myxoedema) | Reduced activity of the thyroid gland |
| Hypotonia | Reduced muscle tone, floppy |
| Hypoxaemia | An insufficient oxygen content in the blood |
| Hypoxia | A state of oxygen deficiency in the tissues |
| Hysterectomy | Surgical removal of the uterus (womb) |
I
| Term | Description |
|---|---|
| Iatrogenic | Brought about by medical or surgical treatment |
| Icterus | Jaundice |
| Ictus | A sudden attack (usually used to refer to a seizure or fit). Post-ictal: following a fit |
| Idiocy | Very severe arrested development causing profound learning difficulties |
| Idiopathic | Applied to a condition for which the medical cause has not yet been established |
| Idiosyncrasy | A peculiarity of constitution, temperament or behaviour |
| Idiosyncratic | A distinctive characteristic of a thing |
| Ileocaecal valve | The junction between the terminal ileum and the caecum or first part of the colon |
| Ileostomy | An operation to make an opening connecting the lower end of the small intestine (ileum) through the abdominal wall to the outside of the body. This opening is called a stoma; and intestinal contents can be discharged into a small bag, which fits tightly over the stoma |
| Illusion | A mistaken sensory perception; believing something to be what it is not (e.g. seeing a person in shadows) |
| IMED pump | An automatic pump for delivering intravenous fluids into the body at a steady rate |
| Immune | Protected against a particular infection |
| Immunity | The resisting power of the body to invading micro-organisms |
| Immunoglobulin | An antibody. A protein found in blood and tissue fluids, produced in response to a specific antigen |
| Immunological | Of or relating to the body's immune system |
| Immunosuppressive drug | A drug, which suppresses the normal immune mechanisms in the body. Used to permit successful organ grafting (as in kidney or heart transplants), and in some diseases with an autoimmune basis such as rheumatoid arthritis and ulcerative colitis |
| Imperforate | Without an opening |
| Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) | An ICD is a surgically inserted electronic device that constantly monitors the heart rate and rhythm. When it detects a very fast, abnormal heart rhythm (ventricular fibrillation or tachycardia), it delivers an electrical shock to the heart muscle. This causes the heart to beat in a normal rhythm again |
| Impotence | Inability of a man to have or maintain an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse |
| Incidence | The extent or rate of occurrence, especially the number of new cases of a disease in a population over a period of time |
| Incoordination | A lack of coordination of movements |
| Incubation | The development of an infectious disease from the entrance of the pathogen to the appearance of clinical symptoms |
| Incus | The center bone of the series of three small bones, or ossicles, of the middle ear. Sometimes called the anvil |
| Indigestion | Pain or discomfort in the lower chest or abdomen after eating |
| Inertia | Remaining at rest, lack of movement |
| Infarct | An area of death (necrosis) in an organ or tissue produced by lack of oxygen resulting from the blocking of its blood supply |
| Infarction | The formation of an infarct (i.e. myocardial infarction: death of the heart muscle following a coronary thrombosis |
| Infection | Invasion of the body by micro-organisms, which cause disease |
| Infectious Mononucleosis | Infectious mononucleosis also called Glandular fever, is a viral infection caused by the Epstein-Barr virus |
| Inflammation | A series of changes in tissues indicating their reaction to injury, whether mechanical, chemical or bacterial. The cardinal signs are: heat, swelling, pain and redness |
| Inflammatory Disease | A disease characterized by inflammation |
| Infusion | A slow injection of a fluid, into a vein |
| Ingestion | The taking in and swallowing of food, drink and other things such as medicines by mouth |
| Inhalation | The breathing into the lungs through the nose and mouth of air, gas or vapour |
| Inhaler | A device used for administering medication directly into the lungs. It is most often used in the treatment of asthma |
| Inheritance | The acquisition of qualities and characteristics (genetic material) from parents and ancestors |
| Innervation | Nerve supply to a part. |
| Innocuous | Harmless |
| Insidious | Of subtle, gradual, or imperceptible development; referring to the development of symptoms that may not be recognized by an affected individual until the disorder in question is established |
| Insight | Mental awareness, perception, understanding |
| Insomnia | Difficulty falling or staying asleep or poor sleep quality |
| Insulin | A hormone secreted by the pancreas, which regulates the handling of sugars and fats by the body. A lack of, deficiency of, or resistance to this hormone causes diabetes mellitus. Click here for more information about diabetes |
| Intelligence Quota (IQ) | A psychometric test used to assess intelligence. The average IQ is 100. IQs of 70 and over are considered normal |
| Intermittent Claudication | Pain in the muscles of the legs (usually the calves) and limping on walking, due to a decreased blood supply to the lower limbs. It is relieved by rest |
| Interphalangeal | Between the bones of the fingers or toes |
| Inter-vertebral disc | Cartilage (cushion/pad) that separates spinal vertebrae. It absorbs shocks to the spine, protects the nervous system and assists in creating the four normal curves of the spine |
| Intra Cranial | Within the skull. Usually refers to the brain |
| Intractable | Difficult to manage/control |
| Intramuscular | Within the muscular substance |
| Intraocular | Of or related to the inside of the eye |
| Intrathecal | Within the thecal sheath. See Theca |
| Intravenous | Within or by means into a vein; e.g. "intravenous feeding" or " intravenous injection." |
| Intrinsic | Situated within or belonging solely to the organ or body part on which it acts |
| Ion | An atom or a group of atoms that has acquired a net electric charge by gaining or losing one or more electrons |
| Ionizing radiation | Radioactive waves or particles that can ionise other molecules including DNA |
| Ipsilateral | Occurring on the same side. Applied particularly to paralysis or other symptoms occurring on the same side of the body |
| Iridotomy | A surgical (laser) procedure that makes an incision in the iris of the eye in order to enlarge the pupil or to treat glaucoma |
| Iris | Coloured part of the eye that is in fact a diaphragm opening and shutting to let in more or less light into the eye |
| Iritis | Inflammation of the iris, the coloured part of the eye surrounding the pupil |
| Iron chelating drug | A compound that binds with iron to assist its removal from the body (See Chelating Drug) |
| Irrational | Not consistent with or using reason; "irrational fears" |
| Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) | A disorder of unknown cause of the alimentary tract, causing small and/or large bowel dysfunction associated with abdominal pain and an altered bowel habit |
| Ischaemia | A deficiency in the blood supply to a part of the body, thereby depriving it of oxygen |
| Ischaemic Heart Disease (IHD) | Ischaemic Heart Disease (Coronary Artery Disease or CAD) is a condition in which atheroma (fatty deposits) builds up in the linings of the walls of the coronary arteries |
| Ischaemic Stroke | The commonest form of stroke. It occurs when an artery supplying a part of the brain with blood becomes blocked causing a sudden reduction or complete cessation of blood flow. This will ultimately lead to a brain infarction |
| Isometric | Having equal dimensions. Used to describe exercises known as "isometric exercises" which is the contraction and relaxation of muscles without producing movement |
| Isthmus | A strip of tissue that connects two larger parts of the thyroid gland |
| (IVP) Intravenous Pyelography | An x-ray examination of the kidneys ureters and bladder following the intravenous injection of a radio-opaque dye |
J
| Term | Description |
|---|---|
| Jacksonian Epilepsy | A form of epilepsy in which there are localised convulsive movements, and there is no alteration of awareness. Also known as Focal Motor Seizures |
| Jaundice | A yellowish pigmentation of the skin, eyes, tissues and certain body fluids caused by the build up of bile pigments that follows excretion of bile (as in certain liver diseases). Click here for more details about Jaundice. |
| Jejunostomy | The making of an opening into the jejunum (small gut) through the abdominal wall, through which food may be introduced into the small intestine |
| Jejunum | The portion of the small intestine (small gut) from the duodenum to the ileum |
| Joint capsule | The thin, cartilaginous, fatty, fibrous, membranous structure that envelops a joint. Fluid inside the joint capsule lubricates the area, allowing bones to glide smoothly against each other |
| Joint Laxity | Lack of stability of a joint or joint prosthesis |
| Juxta-articular | Near a joint |
K
| Term | Description |
|---|---|
| Keratitis | Inflammation of the cornea |
| Keller’s surgery | This is an operation performed to correct hallux valgus (bunions) |
| Ketoacidosis | Acidity of the blood caused by the increased production of ketone bodies, as in diabetic acidosis |
| Ketogenic diet | A specialised high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet sometimes used to control
epilepsy |
| Ketone | An organic compound, which is produced by the breakdown of fats in the body such as occurs in uncontrolled diabetes (ketoacidosis) |
| Ketonuria | The presence of ketones in urine. This can be a sign of undiagnosed or uncontrolled diabetes mellitus |
| Kleptomania | An impulse control disorder distinguished by an uncontrollable urge to steal typically unnecessary objects |
| Klinefelter's syndrome | A chromosomal abnormality in males, who are born with an additional X chromosome |
| Korsakov's Syndrome | Also known as Korsakov’s Psychosis. A confusional state due to thiamine (vitamin) deficiency causing brain damage in severe chronic alcoholism |
| Kyphoscoliosis | An abnormal curvature of the spine in which there is both sideways curvature and forward humping of the upper part of the spine |
| Kyphosis | A curvature of the spine causing a hump back |
L
| Term | Description |
|---|---|
| Labile | Unstable |
| Labyrinthitis | A condition, usually the result of a viral infection, of the labyrinth, in the inner ear. It results in vertigo and tinnitus |
| Lacrimal (Lachrymal) | Relating to tears. For example, the lachrymal glands secrete tears |
| Lacrimal (Lachrymal) glands | Paired glands, one for each eye, that secrete lacrimal fluid (tears) |
| Lactate | To secrete or produce milk |
| Laminectomy | Surgical removal of part of a vertebra. Usually done to relieve pressure
on a spinal nerve caused by a herniated disk or bony spur |
| Laparoscopy | Viewing of the abdominal cavity by passing a thin illuminated telescope (Laparoscope) through a small Incision in the abdominal wall. (Laparotomy) |
| Laryngectomy | Excision of part or all of the larynx (voice box) and a section of the trachea (windpipe), usually because of cancer. A permanent stoma (opening) is created at the front of the throat, for breathing |
| Larynx | The organ of the voice, situated at the upper end of the windpipe. It is also known as the voice box. Across it are spread the vocal cords; the vibrations and contractions of which produce changes in the pitch of the voice |
| Laser | Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. An apparatus producing an extremely concentrated beam of light that can be used as a surgical tool. Used, for example, in the treatment of cancer, of detached retina, diabetic retinopathy and in the treatment of certain skin conditions |
| Lateral | Situated at the side of the body |
| Laxity | Slackness or displacement in the motion of a joint |
| Learning Disability | Includes the presence of: - a significantly reduced ability to, understand new or complex information and learn new skills [impaired intelligence] with a reduced ability to cope independently [impaired social functioning], which started before adulthood with a lasting effect on development |
| Lens | Nearly spherical body in eye - focuses light rays onto retina |
| Leptospirosis | Any of a group of infectious diseases that are caused by spirochetes of the genus Leptospira, are characterised by jaundice and fever and are transmitted to humans by contact with the urine of infected animals |
| Lesion | Injury, wound, or changes due to disease in an organ. A local disease condition |
| Leukaemia | The generic name for a group of acute and chronic malignant diseases of bone marrow and blood forming organs |
| Libido | A person's sex drive |
| Ligament | A band of fibrous tissue that connects bone to bone or cartilage to bone, supporting or strengthening a joint |
| Ligamentous Laxity | Looseness of the ligaments |
| Limbic System | The limbic system is a group of connected structures in the mid brain area that are responsible for emotions and memory |
| Lipoma | A tumour of fat cells usually just under the skin |
| Liver | The largest organ in the body situated in the right upper area of the abdominal cavity. Its chief functions are: (1) The secretion of bile, which aids the digestion of food (2) The removal of toxins, medications and waste products from the blood (which may damage the liver in the process) (3) The storage of fat and sugar (4) Synthesis of plasma protein, and other important metabolic processes. It is essential to life |
| Liver Failure | This is the name given to the clinical state in which there is damage to the hepatocytes (liver cells) to the extent that the function of the liver is measurably impaired. Click here for details of Liver Failure |
| Lobectomy | Surgical removal of one lobe (section) of an organ, usually the lung, but it may be the liver, brain, etc |
| Lobar Emphysema | Overinflation of one of the upper lobes of a lung with respiratory distress, usually occurring in early life |
| Locomotor | Related to movement from one place to another |
| Lordosis | A form of spinal curvature. A forward curve the opposite of kyphosis |
| Lucid | Clear, particularly of the mind |
| Lumbago | An imprecise term for pain in the lower part of the back |
| Lumbo-sacral | Of or relating to or near the small of the back (lumbar vertebrae) and the back part of the pelvis between the hips (sacrum) |
| Luminance | Perceived brightness, or grayscale level, of a colour |
| Lyme disease | An infection resulting from a tick bite affecting the heart, nervous system, and joints |
| Lymph | The almost colourless fluid, which bathes the tissues, and supplies nutrients to tissue cells |
| Lymph Node | Lymph nodes/glands are small rounded or bean-shaped masses of lymphatic tissue found throughout the body. They help to fight infection and become enlarged and tender when an infection is present e.g. enlarged neck glands in tonsilitis |
| Lymphatic system | Small vessels that drain tissue fluid back into the veins |
| Lymphocyte | A white blood cell formed in the lymphoid tissue. Lymphocytes produce immune bodies (antibodies) to overcome and protect against infection |
| Lymphoedema | Swelling, especially in subcutaneous tissues, as a result of obstruction of lymphatic vessels or lymph nodes, with accumulation of lymph fluid in the affected region |
| Lymphoma | Used to denote any malignant condition of the lymphoid tissue. Generally these diseases are classified as either Hodgkin's or non- Hodgkin's lymphomas |
M
| Term | Description |
|---|---|
| Macrocephalic | Possessing an abnormally large head |
| Macrophages | White blood cells whose job is to destroy invading microorganisms |
| Macroscopic | Discernable to the naked eye |
| Macula | A flat spot or discoloured area of the skin. The most sensitive region of the retina used for reading |
| Macula Degeneration | A medical condition where the light sensing cells in the macula malfunction and over time cease to work causing difficulty with tasks such as reading |
| Magnetic resonance Imaging (MRI) | A form of medical imaging which gives computerised pictures of slices through the body at various levels, similar to those obtained by a CAT scan. It is non- invasive, and uses magnetic energy to detect the different resonances of atoms in tissues to different induced magnetic fields |
| Makaton | A system of communication based on a combination of spoken words, sign language vocabulary (originally adapted from British Sign Language), and graphic symbols. It is primarily used as a communication medium by children and adults with learning disabilities. Unlike British Sign Language Makaton does not suffer from regional variations or dialects |
| Malabsorption | Inability of the small intestine to absorb certain nutrient substances |
| Maladaptive | Unsuitable or counterproductive e.g. maladaptive behaviour is behaviour that is inappropriate to a given situation |
| Malformation | A structural defect |
| Malaise | A feeling of general discomfort and not feeling right. It may be the first indication of many illnesses |
| Malignant | A term applied to any disease of a virulent and fatal nature; but often
used to describe cancerous tumours or cancer |
| Malignant melanoma | A type of cancer affecting the melanin-forming cells. Melanin is the natural pigment that colours hair, skin and eyes. Malignant melanomas most commonly occur in the skin |
| Malleus | The first bone in the series of three small bones, or ossicles, of the
middle ear. Sometimes called the hammer |
| Malnutrician | Poor nutrition because of an insufficient or poorly balanced diet or faulty digestion or metabolism of foods |
| Mammography | X-ray examination of the breasts for diagnostic purposes |
| Mania | Elevation of the mood to the point of extreme elation accompanied by acceleration of thought and action, impaired judgement and often by delusions of grandeur. Psychotic features may be present. It is usually part of Bipolar Disorder |
| Manometer | An instrument which measures pressure |
| Marrow | The soft, fatty substance contained inside certain bones. It is a major source of blood cell production |
| Mastectomy | |
| Mastoiditis | A condition, which occurs due to infection of the membranes of the mastoid air cells with formation of pus within the cavities and inflammation of the surrounding tissue and bone |
| Maximal | Being the greatest or highest possible |
| Mechanical back pain | Also known as non-specific back pain. Although the pain may be in the spinal joints, vertebrae or soft tissues in the vast majority of cases it is not possible to identify a pathologically definable problem |
| Melaena | The discharge of black faeces [stained with blood which has undergone change] after bleeding into the gastro intestinal tract |
| Melancholia | A state of extreme depression |
| Melanoma | A type of malignancy affecting the skin |
| Meniere's Disease or Syndrome | A disease of the inner ear causing attacks of giddiness (sensation of rotation) and tinnitus (ringing in the ears) with progressive deafness |
| Meninges | The three membranes covering the brain and spinal cord |
| Meningitis | Inflammation of the meninges usually due to viral or bacterial infection |
| Meningoencephalitis | Inflammation of the brain and meninges |
| Meningomyelocele | A protrusion of the spinal cord, nerve roots and meninges through a defect in the vertebral back bone. (See also: Spina bifida.) |
| Meniscectomy | Surgical removal of all or part of a torn cartilage in a knee joint |
| Meniscus/Menisci (Cartilage) | Free rings of cartilage, like washers, lying between the cartilage- covered bones in the knee, acting as extra shock absorbers; each knee has an inside (medial) and outside (lateral) meniscus |
| Menopause | The normal cessation of menstruation in women usually occurring between the late 40’s and early 50’s. There is an associated reduction in female hormone production, which may cause symptoms such as night sweats, hot flushes, irritability, depression and other symptoms |
| Menorrhagia | Excessive menstrual bleeding |
| Menstruation | The monthly discharge of blood and endometrium (womb lining) from the uterus (womb), starting at the age of puberty and lasting until the menopause |
| Mental Health Act | Legislation for the medical care and protection of people who are mentally ill. The Mental Health Act also ensures the rights of patients who are involuntarily admitted to hospital. Click here for more information about Section of the Mental Health Act and other Orders. |
| Metabolic | Having to do with metabolism (the total of all chemical changes that take place in a cell or an organism to produce energy and basic materials needed for important life processes) |
| Metabolism | The use of foods by the body following digestion, absorption and circulation to the body cells. Foods are used both as an energy source and, after being broken down chemically during digestion, as basic materials for making complex chemical compounds required by the body. These processes are necessary for life |
| Metabolite | Any product of metabolism, or of a metabolic process |
| Metacarpo-phalangeal (MCP) | Knuckle joint between the metacarpals (hand bones) and the phalanges (finger bones) |
| Metatarsal | Relating to the bones of the foot |
| Metatarso-phalangeal (MTP) | Joint between the metatarsals (foot bones) and the phalanges (the toe bones) |
| Metaplasia | Abnormal change in the structure of a tissue. May be indicative of malignant change |
| Metastases | Tumour cells spread from one part of the body to another unrelated part of the body by the way of the bloodstream or lymphatics |
| Metastasis | The transfer of cancer from one part of the body to another through the blood vessels, via the lymph channels or across the body cavity. The resultant tumours are known as “secondary tumours” or “secondaries” |
| Metatarsalgia | A painful foot condition in the metatarsal region of the foot |
| Microalbuminuria | A very small increase in urinary albumin. May indicate kidney damage. |
| Micro-aneurysms | Small protuberances on the retinal blood vessels. The first sign of eye damage caused by many years of high blood glucose levels |
| Microbe | A minute living organism, especially one causing disease |
| Microcephalic | Having an abnormally small head, in which the prognosis for normal brain function is poor |
| Micro Discectomy | Also known as micro decompression spine surgery, a small portion of the bone or disc material around the nerve root is removed to relieve pressure on the nerve |
| Micrognathia | Failure of development of the lower jaw, causing a receding chin. It may be associated with a number of syndromes, and in the infant, may pose considerable feeding difficulties |
| Micrographia | Abnormally small, cramped handwriting and/or the progression to continually smaller handwriting |
| Micro-organism | A minute (too small to be seen with the naked eye) organism, particularly a virus, bacterium, a fungus, or a protozoan |
| Micturition | The act of passing urine |
| Middle Ear Implant | Middle Ear Implants are surgically implanted devices, which mechanically assist sound transmission into the inner ear and replace the 3 small bones in the middle ear. |
| Migraine | Paroxysmal (recurrent) attacks of severe headache, often with nausea, vomiting and visual disturbance |
| Milestone | One of the "checkpoints" against which the motor, social and psychological development of a child is measured |
| Mitral stenosis | A condition in which the mitral valve in the heart becomes narrowed, making the heart work harder to pump blood; can lead to symptoms such as shortness of breath |
| Mitral valve | A valve of the heart between the left atrium and left ventricle |
| Mixed Deafness | Hearing loss comprising of both conductive and sensorineural elements |
| Monarticular | Involving one joint only |
| Monoclonal | Derived from a single cell |
| Monocular | Refers to only one eye |
| Monoplegia | Paralysis of one limb or of a single muscle or a group of muscles |
| Monotherapy | Treatment of a condition by means of a single drug |
| Mood stabilising drugs | Drugs that control mood |
| Morbid | Diseased, or relating to an abnormal or disordered condition |
| Morbidity | A figure that shows the susceptibility of a population to certain diseases. Usually shown as the number of cases, which occur annually per thousand or other unit of population. Also: a diseased condition or state |
| Moribund | In a dying condition |
| Motor | Something that causes movement. (E.g. Motor nerve is one of the nerves, which conveys an impulse from a nerve centre to a muscle to promote activity) |
| Motor Neurone Disease | A disease, which affects the motor neurons conveying impulses from the central nervous system to a muscle, gland, or other effector tissue resulting in conditions such as progressive muscular atrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, progressive bulbar paralysis and primary lateral sclerosis |
| Motor skills | The ability to perform purposeful movements. Fine motor skills are those, which involve small movements such as writing, tying laces, and making crafts. Gross motor skills are those involving large movements and include walking, running, riding a bike, and playing ball |
| MRI Scan | A form of medical imaging which gives computerised pictures of slices through the body at various levels, similar to those obtained by a CAT scan. It is non- invasive, and uses magnetic energy to detect the different resonances of atoms in tissues to different induced magnetic fields |
| Mucous | Relating to or secreting mucus. (E.g. mucous membrane: a membrane that secretes mucus and lines many of the body cavities, particularly those of the respiratory and intestinal tracts.) |
| Mucoviscidosis | Another name for cystic fibrosis or fibocystic disease, a congenital disease, which affects the lungs, sweat glands, and digestive system |
| Mucus | The thick, slippery secretion of mucous membranes. Its function is to clean, lubricate and protect |
| Multidisciplinary team | A group of people with different kinds of training and experience working together, usually on an ongoing basis. Professionals often use the word "discipline" to mean a "field of study," such as medicine, social work, or education |
| Multiple myeloma/myeloma | A form of cancer that affects plasma cells which are special white blood cells that produce antibodies, the agents our bodies use to help fight infection. The disease can cause tumours to grow in bones leading to bone pain and fractures |
| Murmur | A sound heard on listening to the heart, usually originating in the heart itself and is usually due to the turbulence of blood flow through diseased/abnormal heart valves |
| Mutate | To alter or change |
| Myalgia | Pain in the muscles |
| Myasthenia | Muscle weakness. Myaesthenia Gravis is a disease characterised by weakness and fatigue of voluntary muscles of the body, which worsens with activity |
| Mycobacterium Avium Complex (MAC) | Systemic disease caused by infection with organisms of the Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare complex in patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection (HIV) |
| Myelitis | Inflammation of the spinal cord |
| Myelography | X-ray examination of the structures within the spinal column such as the spinal cord and nerve roots, following the injection of a substance (radio- opaque dye), which shows up on x-rays, into the space, which surrounds the spinal cord |
| Myeloid | Relating to, or of the bone marrow |
| Myeloma/multiple myeloma | A form of cancer that affects plasma cells which are special white blood cells that produce antibodies, the agents our bodies use to help fight infection. The disease can cause tumours to grow in bones leading to bone pain and fractures |
| Myeloproliferative disorders | A collective term for a group of malignant disorders in which there is
overproduction of red blood cells, white blood cells or platelets in the
bone marrow |
| Myocarditis | Inflammation of the heart muscle. It is generally due to bacterial or viral infection |
| Myocardium | The muscle tissue of the heart |
| Myoclonic Seizure | A type of generalised seizure in which the person may jerk and twitch but will not lose consciousness |
| Myoclonus | Involuntary jerky movements of the arms and legs |
| Myopathy | Any disease of the muscles |
| Myopia | Short sightedness. Also known as “nearsightedness”. It is a condition in which there is blurred vision of distant objects |
| Myopic | Nearsighted, shortsighted: unable to see distant objects clearly |
| Myositis | Inflammation of muscle tissue |
| Myotonia | Problems relaxing muscles after contraction |
| Myringoplasty | Surgical repair of a damaged tympanic membrane |
| Myringotomy | Incision of the eardrum to drain fluid or pus from an infected middle ear |
| Myxoedema (Hypothyroidism) | Reduced activity of the thyroid gland causing swelling of the face, limbs and hands, dry and rough skin, loss of hair, slow pulse, subnormal temperature, slow metabolism and mental dullness |
N
| Term | Description |
|---|---|
| Naevus | A birthmark: A usually benign, pigmented area of the skin, or a patch of discolouration, or a vascular birthmark due to dilated capillaries and which can give the skin a reddish, purplish colour |
| Narcissistic | A psychological condition characterised by self-preoccupation, lack of empathy, and unconscious deficits in self-esteem |
| Narcolepsy | A condition, which is often familial in which there are recurrent, sudden bouts of irresistible sleep. The affected person will usually experience one other of the following: - cataplexy (sudden loss of muscle tone, sleep paralysis (brief paralysis on waking), and hypnagogic hallucinations (hallucinations experienced during waking or when going off to sleep) |
| Narcotic | A potentially addictive drug that produces a state of unconsciousness
or unnatural sleep. Narcotic drugs are potent painkillers |
| Nausea | Any sensation of sickness with an urge to vomit |
| Nebulizer | An apparatus for reducing a liquid to a fine spray for inhalation. It is used in medicine to treat respiratory diseases (such as an acute asthma attack) |
| Necrosis | Death of a portion of tissue |
| Negative symptoms | These occur where there is a loss from a person’s usual behaviour such as: emotional bluntness, marked withdrawal, and difficulty in communicating with others, profound apathy, inability to cope with every day tasks |
| Neonatal | Referring to the first month of life |
| Neoplasm | A new growth; a tumour. It may be malignant or benign |
| Nephrectomy | Surgical removal of a kidney |
| Nephritis | Inflammation of one or both kidneys |
| Nephropathy | Disease of the kidneys |
| Nerve root compression | Harmful pressure on nerves. E.g. as they exit from the spinal cord causing nerve damage and muscle weakness or in carpel tunnel syndrome |
| Neuralgia | A sharp stabbing pain, usually along the course of a nerve, owing to inflammation of the nerve or some other disturbance |
| Neurasthenia | An old- fashioned term for a condition in which there is much mental and physical fatigue, inability to concentrate, loss of appetite and a failure of memory |
| Neuritis | Inflammation of a nerve with pain, tenderness and loss of function |
| Neuro-degenerative | Irreversible deterioration of essential cell and tissue components of the nervous system, causing problems with movements and or affecting memory |
| Neuroleptic Drugs | Tranquilising drugs, especially those used in treating mental disorders |
| Neurological | To do with the nerves or the nervous system |
| Neurologist | One who is an expert in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the nervous system |
| Neurogenic intermittent claudication | Leg and buttock pain when standing for long periods of time or when walking with the back in an extended position. It is due to nerve root compression |
| Neurology | The scientific study of the nervous system, and its disorders |
| Neuromuscular | Affecting both nerves and muscles |
| Neurosurgery | Surgery of the nervous system |
| Neurone | A nerve cell, that transmits signals to different parts of the brain |
| Neuropathy | A disease process of nerve degeneration and loss of function |
| Neurotoxicity | A substance that is poisonous or destructive to nerve tissue |
| Neurotransmitter Dopamine | A chemical which transmits impulses between neurones |
| Nihilistic delusion | A delusion that things(or everything, including the self)does not exist; a sense that everything is unreal |
| Nocturia | The requirement to pass urine at night, causing the person to wake up to do so |
| Nodal osteoarthritis | A form of osteoarthritis that runs in families, characterised by knobbly finger swellings (Heberden's nodes) and a tendency to get OA at several sites (especially knees, big toes) |
| Non compos mentis | (Latin) Applied to a person whose mental state is such that he is unable to manage his own affairs |
| Non Epileptic Attack Disorder (NEAD) | Non-Epileptic Attack Disorder (NEAD) has symptoms similar to epilepsy in that it causes loss of control, shaking and sometimes unconsciousness. However, there is no epileptic seizure (abnormal discharge of neurone in the brain |
| Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma | Any of various malignant lymphomas characterised by the absence of Reed-Sternberg cells and producing symptoms similar to those of Hodgkin's disease |
| Non specific back pain | Also known as Mechanical back pain. Although the pain may be in the spinal joints, vertebrae or soft tissues in the vast majority of cases it is not possible to identify a pathologically definable problem |
| Non Steroid Anti- Inflammatory Drugs (NSAID) | Drugs that decrease fever, swelling, pain, and redness |
| Noxious | Harmful or injurious |
| Nucleus | The essential part of a cell, governing its nutrition and reproduction (containing DNA), its division being essential for formation of new cells |
| Nucleus Pulposus | Soft centre of an inter-vertebral disc, made up of gel-like substance that gives the disc its shock absorbing quality. It is kept in place by the Annular ring (annulus). The Intradiscal Fluid keeps the Nucleus Pulposus from drying out |
| Nystagmus | An involuntary rapid movement of one or both eyes. It may be in a horizontal, or vertical direction, or rotatory. It may indicate disease of the inner ear or of the central nervous system, or blindness from a very early age |
O
| Term | Description |
|---|---|
| Obese | Having excessive fat in the body and having a Body Mass Index of 30. The body Mass Index is the figure reached at when the weight in kilograms is divided by height in meters squared |
| Obsession | An idea, which persistently recurs to an individual, although he resists it and regards it as being senseless |
| Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) | A mental illness characterised by obsessive thoughts that causes anxiety. This leads to rituals or repetitive actions e.g.constantly washing hands, to relieve the anxiety |
| Occipital | Relating to the occiput, that is, the back of the head |
| Occiput | The back of the head |
| Occlusion | Closure, applied particularly to alignment of the teeth; complete blockage of arteries |
| Occult | Hidden, concealed, such as bleeding - (“occult blood in the stools”) |
| Ocular | Relating to the eye |
| Oedema | An excessive amount of fluid in the body tissues causing swelling |
| Oesophagitis | Occurs when acidic gastric contents escape from the stomach and irritate and inflame the lining of the oesophagus |
| Oesophagus | The part of the alimentary canal, which extends from the pharynx to the stomach. Known as the gullet |
| Oestrogen | Female steroid sex hormones that are secreted by the ovary and responsible for typical female sexual characteristics |
| Olfactory | Relating to the sense of smell |
| Oncology | A scientific study of tumours and tumour- related diseases |
| Oophorectomy | Removal of one or both ovaries |
| Opacity | Something that reduces the passage of light often used to describe cataracts (opacity of lens.) |
| Ophthalmologist | A medical doctor trained in the examination, diagnosis, management and treatment (including surgery) of most eye conditions |
| Ophthalmoplegia | Paralysis of one or more of the eye muscles |
| Ophthalmoscope | An instrument containing a perforated mirror and lenses used to examine the interior of the eye |
| Opiate | Any medication containing opium. E.g. morphine |
| Optic | Relating to vision |
| Optic chiasma | The crossing of the optic nerves from the two eyes at the base of the brain |
| Optic disc | The small blind spot on the surface of the retina where cells of the retina converge to form the optic nerve; the only part of the retina that is insensitive to light |
| Optician | An optician is a person who reads prescriptions given by ophthalmologists and optometrists for vision correction, orders lens and dispenses glasses and contact lenses |
| Optic Nerve | The nerve that carries images from the retina to the brain |
| Optic Neuritis | Inflammation of the optic nerve. Characterized by rapid onset of decreased vision and usually accompanied by discomfort upon eye movement and central visual field defect |
| Optometrist | A health professional trained to detect and correct refractive errors, to examine, detect and diagnose eye conditions |
| Orbit | The cavity or socket of the skull in which the eye and its appendages are situated |
| Organ of Corti | The sensitive organ of hearing within the cochlear duct. The organ of Corti contains specialised cells called hair cells that convert sound vibrations into electrica nerve impulses |
| Organic | Having properties relating to living organisms. Relating to the organs. (E.g. organic disease: disease of an organ, accompanied by structural changes.) |
| Organism | An individual living being, animal or vegetable |
| Orthopaedics | The branch of medicine dealing with the study and surgical treatment of deformities, injuries and diseases of the bones, joints, tendons and muscles |
| Orthoptist | An orthoptist is a person who assesses vision and eye movements. They can assess squints and patients complaining of double vision. They usually work in eye clinics with ophthalmologists |
| Orthosis | A device that is used to protect, support, or improve function of parts of the body that move e.g. a brace or splint. Orthoses is plural |
| Orthotic | An appliance promoting the straightening and support of a deformed or distorted part of the body, such as a limb |
| Os | A bone. A mouth or mouth like opening |
| Ossicle | A small bone such as those in the middle ear |
| Osteitis | Inflammation of bone |
| Osteo Arthritis | Osteo-arthritis (OA) is a disease of the joints characterised by cartilage destruction and new bone formation. Click here for more details about Generalised Osteo-arthritis |
| Osteochondritis | Inflammation of bone and cartilage |
| Osteomalacia | A disease characterised by painful softening of bones. Due to vitamin D deficiency in adults. Also known as “Adult Rickets” |
| Osteomyelitis | Inflammation of a bone due to infection |
| Osteopathy | A system of therapy that emphasizes normal body mechanics and manipulation to correct faulty body structures. It is considered a complementary medicine |
| Osteophyte | Bony outgrowth (seen on X-ray) at joint margin of an osteoarthritic joint, or in degenerative disc disease also known as 'lipping' or 'spurs' |
| Osteopaenia | A condition of bone in which there is a generalised reduction in bone mass that is less severe than that in osteoporosis |
| Osteoporosis | A common bone disease characterised by reduced bone mass and thinning of internal bone structure. This leads to an increased risk of fractures especially neck of femur, wrist and collapse of vertebrae |
| Osteosarcoma | A malignant bone tumour occurring in young adults |
| Otolaryngology | The scientific study of the ears nose and throat, and the diseases affecting them |
| Otosclerosis | A hearing condition in which the stapes in the ear becomes attached to the surrounding bone by an abnormal bone growth. Sound transmission is progressively impaired so that hearing in the affected ear deteriorates |
P
| Term | Description |
|---|---|
| Pacemaker | An electrical device, which stimulates the heart muscle to contract and
controls heart |
| Paediatrics | The branch of medicine dealing with the care and development of children and the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of children's diseases |
| Paget's disease | A chronic disease of bone caused by increased bone turnover, which produces bone pain enlargement, deformity, and weakness |
| Pain Clinic | A clinic, usually run by anaesthnetists, to treat the physical aspects of pain |
| Pain Management Clinic | Run by a professional multi - disciplinary team, usually consisting of a psychologist, physiotherapist, nurse and doctor. Treats people who have chronic pain of at least 6 months duration and where all other appropriate treatments have been undertaken. Click here for more details about Pain Management Clinic. |
| Palliative | Treatment, which relieves, but does not cure disease. Often used in reference to treatments for terminal cancer |
| Palmar Erythema | Redness of palms and hands due to inflammation |
| Pallor | Extreme or unnatural paleness |
| Palpation | The method of examination of the organs by touch or pressure of the hand over the surface of the body. The size, shape, mobility of internal organs can be assessed this way |
| Palpitation | Rapid and forceful contraction of the heart of which the person is aware |
| Palsy | Paralysis |
| Pancreas | An organ situated behind the stomach which produces 1) hormones (insulin and glucagon) which regulate blood sugar levels, and 2) digestive enzymes which drain into the small intestine, and which help with digestion |
| Papilloedema | Swelling of the optic nerve at the back of the eye normally caused by an increase of pressure within the skull |
| Paradoxical | That which is apparently, though not actually, inconsistent with or opposed to the known facts in any case |
| Paraesthesia | An abnormal tingling sensation (i.e. "pins and needles") |
| Paralysis | Loss of the power of movement of any part, as a result of an interference
with the nerve supply |
| Paramedic | Someone trained to assist nurses and doctors, and trained to administer emergency treatment, (such as ambulance crew) |
| Paramedical | Having some association with the science of practice of medicine |
| Paranoia | A mental disorder characterised by ongoing suspicion, mistrust, hostility and delusions of persecution |
| Paraparesis | An incomplete paralysis affecting the lower limbs |
| Paraphrenia | Schizophrenia and paranoid state occurring for the first time in later life |
| Paraplegia | Paralysis of the lower extremities and lower trunk. All parts below the point of the injury to the spinal cord are affected. It may be of sudden onset from injury to the cord or may develop slowly as a result of disease |
| Parasite | Any animal or vegetable organism living upon or within another (host) from which it derives its nourishment |
| Paraspinal muscles | The muscles next to the spine |
| Parasympathetic | One of two types of nerves of the autonomic nervous system responsible for controlling functions which take place at the unconscious level, for example digestion, slowing the heart rate, regulating blood pressure, constricting the pupils of the eyes |
| Parenteral | Referring to the introduction to the body of drugs or fluids by routes other than the mouth or rectum, for instance intravenously (through a vein) or subcutaneously (through the skin) |
| Paresis | Partial paralysis |
| Parietal lobe | An area located in the uppermost section of the brain. Important in processing information about temperature, taste, touch and movement |
| Paroxysm | A sudden attack, spasm or seizure or recurrence of a symptom or of a disease. It may also mean convulsion |
| Pathogen | A micro-organism such as a virus or a bacterium which can cause disease |
| Pathognomonic | Specifically characteristic of a disease |
| Pathological anxiety | A disproportionately excessive level of anxiety that interferes with the ability to function in normal daily activities |
| Pathology | The branch of medicine concerned with the study of disease processes and mechanisms, and the effect on the body |
| Peak Flow Meter | A small hand-held device that measures how fast air comes out of the lungs when a person exhales forcefully. Click here for more details about Peak Flow |
| Peak Expiratory Flow Reading (PEFR) | Measurement of lung airways obstruction |
| Peak Flow Test | A test to measure lung airways obstruction |
| Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) | A general term for a condition that involves infection and inflammation of the upper female genital tract, include the womb, fallopian tubes, and ovaries |
| Peptic Ulcer | An ulcer in the lining of usually the stomach or the duodenum |
| Perception | The process of acquiring, interpreting, selecting, and organizing sensory information |
| Percutaneous | Through the skin |
| Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA) | A procedure in which a balloon-tipped catheter is inserted usually via the femoral (groin) artery and manoevered into the narrow heart artery. The balloon is then inflated to stretch the vessel opening and improve blood flow through it |
| Perfusion | The passage of liquid through a tissue or an organ, particularly the passage of blood through the lung tissues, or through the skin tissues |
| Pericarditis | Inflammation of the pericardium (the fibroserous sac enclosing the heart and the roots of the great vessels) |
| Perinatal | Refers to the period around the time of birth |
| Perineum | The region between the scrotum and the anus in males and between the posterior vulva junction and the anus in females |
| Peripheral Vascular Disease | A narrowing of blood vessels that restricts blood flow to the limbs. It mostly occurs in the legs, but sometimes in the arms, causing loss of sensation in the extremities ( fingers and toes) |
| Peripheral | Pertaining to or situated away from a centre or central structure i.e. at or near the periphery |
| Peripheral vision | Side vision; seeing objects or movement to the side of the direction of gaze |
| Peritoneal Cavity | The potential space between the parietal and visceral layers of the lining membrane of the abdominal cavity |
| Peritoneum | The lining membrane of the abdominal cavity, which also covers some of the abdominal organs |
| Peritonitis | Inflammation of the peritoneum usually due to infection |
| Permeability | The degree to which a fluid can pass from one structure through a wall or membrane into another |
| Pernicious aneamia | An anaemia due to lack of absorption of vitamin B12 |
| Peritonitis | Inflammation of the peritoneum, which may be due to chemical irritation or bacterial infection |
| Perthe’s disease (Avascular necrosis) | A disorder characterised by the deterioration of the head of the femur in the hip joint, due to its insufficient blood supply |
| Pertussis | Whooping Cough |
| Pessimism | A belief that things are bad, and tend to become worse, a general disposition to look on the dark side and to expect the worst in all things |
| PET scanner | A device that produces cross-sectional images after the injection of a radioactive substance of metabolic processes by means of positron emission tomography. Used to identify secondary spread of cancers |
| Petit mal | Absence seizures. A form of epilepsy common in children and characterised by sudden and brief absences |
| Phalanges | The bones of the fingers or toes |
| Pharynx | The muscular tube lined with mucous membrane situated at the back of the mouth and nose. It leads to the gullet, and also communicates with the windpipe |
| Phenothiazines | Are the largest of the 5 main classes of antipsychotic drugs. Although these drugs are generally effective, there are often serious side-effects (especially in the early stages of treatment) |
| Phenylketonuria also known as PKU | This is an inherited abnormality in which phenylalanine cannot be broken down in the body. This can lead to severe mental deficiency if not detected and treated |
| Phenytoin | An anticonvulsant drug used in some form of epilepsy (seizures) |
| Phlebitis | Inflammation of a vein, usually in the leg |
| Phobia | An irrational fear produced by a specific normal or harmless situation, which the person attempts to avoid. A common example is agoraphobia |
| Photophobia | Excessive sensitivity to light |
| Photoreceptor | A nerve end-organ or receptor sensitive to light |
| Photosensitivity/Photosensitisation | An abnormal degree of sensitivity of the skin to sunlight. Some medications can increase this sensitivity |
| Physiological | Relating to physiology; normal; not pathologic |
| Pigment | The dye-like material in cells that provides colour to skin, eye and hair |
| Pinna (auricle) | The external, visible portion of the ear. Its primary function is to carry sounds to the middle ear |
| Pituitary | A hormone-secreting gland situated at the base of the brain. It secretes many different types of hormones which act in turn on many other glands and organs of the body |
| Placebo | An inactive substance which when administered (under the impression that it is a drug) causes some improvement, which cannot be related to any particular effect of that substance |
| Placenta | Organs that attach the developing embryos or foetus to the inside of the uterus. It links the mother's and foetus blood supply keeping them separate but allowing oxygen nutrients and some antibodies to cross. Some viruses may also cross the placenta |
| Plantar | Relating to the sole of the foot |
| Plantar fasciitis | Inflammation of the thick fibrous tissue of the sole of the foot causing chronic pain on walking |
| Plasma | The yellow fluid part of the blood in which the blood cells are suspended |
| Plasma Viscosity | A blood test identifying the degree of inflammation |
| Plasmapheresis | A process in which plasma is taken from donated blood and the remaining components, mostly red blood cells, are returned to the donor |
| Platelet | Disc-shaped structures found in blood concerned in the process of clotting. (Also known as a thrombocyte) |
| Pleural fibrosis | The development of fibrous tissue in lung tissue |
| Pleurisy | Inflammation of the lining of the lung, which causes a sharp pain in the chest on breathing |
| Plexopathy | Any disorder of a network of veins, lymph vessels or nerves, especially the nerves |
| Plexus | A network of veins, lymph vessels or nerves |
| Pneumococcal Pneumonia | The most common type of acute bacterial pneumonia usually affecting one lung |
| Pneumococcus | A bacterium (Streptococcus pneumoniae) that is the most common cause of bacterial pneumonia and is associated with meningitis and other infectious diseases |
| Pneumoconiosis | Caused by the inhalation of mineral dusts such as coal and silica. Some cases may be prescribed diseases when occupationally exposed as an employed earner to such agents. See Diffuse Parenchymal Lung Disease |
| Pneumocystis | A pneumonia caused by the parasitic protozoan Pneumocystis carinii and affecting primarily individuals with an immunodeficiency disease, such as AIDS |
| Pneumonectomy | Total removal of a lung for example, for the treatment of cancer |
| Pneumonia | Inflammation of the lung usually caused by an infection, which is accompanied by fever, coughing, breathlessness and pains in the chest |
| Pneumothorax | Air or gas in the pleural space, usually as a result of trauma or some pathological process |
| Poliomyelitis (Infantile paralysis) | This is the full name for the disease known as "polio", A viral infection causing damage to nerves in the spinal cord resulting in paralysis, weakness and wasting of muscle groups |
| Polyarthritis | Inflammation of several joints at the same time, as seen in rheumatoid arthritis |
| Polycythaemia | Too many red blood cells or "erythrocytes" in the blood |
| Polydipsia | Excessive thirst. It may be a symptom of untreated diabetes mellitus |
| Polymyalgia Rheumatica | A condition causing pain and stiffness in the muscles, usually involving the shoulder or hip region |
| Polyneuropathy | Neuropathy of many peripheral nerves simultaneously |
| Polyuria | Excessive urination; often-in conjunction with polydipsia |
| Port | Access point to an indwelling catheter, enabling administration of drugs without gaining new access every time |
| Portal Hypertension | Any increase in the portal vein (in the liver) pressure |
| Positive symptoms | These occur when there is something added to a person’s thinking such hallucinations, delusion and disturbances in thought processes |
| Posterior | Towards the back |
| Posterior Chamber | Part of the eye behind the iris and in front of the lens |
| Posterior segment | The part of the eye posterior (behind) to the crystalline lens, including the vitreous, choroid, retina and optic nerve |
| Posthumous | Occurring after death |
| Post ictal | The period after an epileptic seizure |
| Postmortem | After death. (Postmortem examination or autopsy) |
| Postnatal | Occurring after birth |
| Postpartum | Occurring after labour (childbirth) |
| Postprandial | Occurring after a meal |
| Post Seizure Manifestations | A state of confusion, disorientation or impaired memory function usually following a tonic-clonic seizure. Other characteristics may be headaches, aggression, aching muscles, sore or tender tongue. This state may last for several hours or several days after a seizure |
| Postural Hypotension | Low blood pressure occurring when standing up |
| Pott's Fracture | A fracture dislocation of the ankle |
| Precancerous | Applying to conditions or structural changes in tissues that run the risk of changing into cancer |
| Precipitating Factor | A factor associated with a definitive onset of a disease, illness or behavioural response. E.g. Smoking is a precipitating factor in lung cancer |
| Predisposition | The condition of having a genotype that increases the risk for developing a genetic disease, if triggered by other environmental conditions present. For example, some women have a family history of breast cancer and are therefore predisposed (but not necessarily destined) to develop breast cancer |
| Pre-eclampsia | A condition of hypertension, oedema and proteinuria occurring during late pregnancy or immediately following pregnancy |
| Premenstrual | The days preceding the onset of a menstrual period |
| Prenatal | Before birth |
| Presbycusis | Progressive deafness in old age |
| Presbyopia | The gradual loss of the eye's ability to change focus from distance to near; occurs in almost everyone sometime after age 40 |
| Prevalence | The total number of cases of a disease in a given population at a specific time |
| Primary writing tremor (PWT) | Primary writing tremor (PWT) is considered to be a type of task-specific tremor in which tremor predominantly occurs and interferes with handwriting |
| Proctalgia | Pain in the rectum and/or anus (the lower end of the large bowel). |
| Proctocolectomy | Surgical removal of the rectum and large bowel (colon) |
| Prodromal period | Period of precursor symptom(s) indicative of the imminent onset of morbidity or disease |
| Productive | Producing or capable of producing mucus or sputum |
| Prognosis | A forecast of the course, duration and outcome of a disease |
| Progressive multifocal leucoencephalopathy (PML) | A rare disease of the central nervous system resulting from destruction of the sheath which covers the nerves. It affects around 4% of people with AIDs but can be due to other viral infection |
| Proliferation | Rapid multiplication of cells |
| Pronation | Rotation of a body part (usually the hand or foot) downward |
| Prone | Lying face downward |
| Prophylactic | Measure or medication used to prevent disease |
| Prophylaxis | Measures taken to prevent a disease |
| Proptosis | Abnormal protuberance of the eyeball out of its socket |
| Prostaglandin | One of several hormone substances produced in many body tissues. They have many different actions and are involved in the process of inflammation |
| Prostate | A walnut-sized gland at the base of the bladder in the male, which produces fluid, which forms part of the semen. It often becomes enlarged after middle age and may require removal |
| Prostatectomy | The surgical removal of part of the prostate gland. Radical prostatectomy is the removal of all the prostate |
| Prosthesis | An artificial replacement for part of the body, such as artificial limbs, dentures eyes, breasts, pacemakers and artificial valves placed in the heart |
| Prosthetic heart valves | Artificial surgically implanted replacements for diseased or damaged heart valves |
| Prostration | A condition of extreme exhaustion |
| Protein | One of a group of complex organic nitrogen-containing compounds formed from simpler substances known as aminoacids, and occurring in every living cell of animal and vegetable tissue |
| Proteinurina | A condition in which protein is present in the urine. It may be an indicator of damage to the kidneys |
| Proton-pump inhibitors (PPI) | Drug, which reduces acid secretion by the stomach |
| Protozoa | A very diverse group comprising some 50,000 organisms that consist of one cell. Some cause disease |
| Proximal | In anatomy, that part which is nearest to the centre of a body |
| Pruritus | Irritation of the skin with itching |
| Pseudoclaudication | Leg and buttock pain when standing for long periods of time or when walking with the back in an extended position |
| Psoriasis | A chronic skin disease of unknown cause characterised by reddish spots with silvery scales |
| Psychiatry | The branch of medicine, which deals with mental disorders, their diagnosis, treatment and prevention |
| Psychoactive drugs | Drugs that affects the functioning of the mind and used to treat mental illness. |
| Pschodynamic | A therapy technique that assumes improper or unwanted behaviour is caused by unconscious, internal conflicts and focuses on gaining insight into these motivations |
| Psychogenic | A disorder of psychological origin. |
| Psychometrics | The field of study (connected to psychology and statistics) concerned with the measurement of "psychological" aspects of a person such as knowledge, skills, abilities, or personality. |
| Psychomotor retardation | A slowing down of thought and a reduction of physical movements in a person due to a mental illness. |
| Psychosis | Symptoms of a mental illness comprising of delusions, hallucinations and thought processes |
| Psychosocial | A term used to underline the close relationship between psychological and social effects of a person’s response to illness |
| Psychosomatic | Relating to the mind and the body |
| Psychosomatic Disorders | Illnesses when no physical cause can be found |
| Psychotherapy | The treatment of mental and emotional disorders through the use of psychological techniques designed to encourage communication of conflicts and insight into problems, with the goal being personality growth and behavior modification |
| Psychotic | A misinterpretation of the nature of reality. Typically hallucinations; delusional beliefs; disorders of the stream of thought (speed, pressure); formal thought disorder (linking of thoughts together). |
| Psychotropic | Affecting the mind, emotions, or behaviour. |
| PTCA (Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty) | A procedure in which a balloon-tipped catheter is inserted usually via the femoral (groin) artery and manoevered into the narrow heart artery. The balloon is then inflated to stretch the vessel opening and improve blood flow through it. |
| Ptosis | Drooping of the upper eyelid. |
| Puberty | The period during which the sexual characteristics develop and the reproductive organs become functional. |
| Puerperium | A period of about six weeks following childbirth. |
| Pulmonary | Relating to the lungs. |
| Pulmonary Function Test | Any of several breathing tests that measure the function of the lungs, including the rate of air flow and the volume of exhaled air, performed to assess lung function and to detect the presence of respiratory disease |
| Pulmonary Oedema | A severe state of increased interstitial fluid within the lung that leads to flooding of the alveoli with fluid |
| Pulmonary hypertension | Abnormally increased blood pressure in the pulmonary circulation |
| Pulse | The local rhythmic expansion of an artery which reflects the heartbeat, and which can be felt with the finger, in the wrist, neck, foot, and other places. |
| Pupil | Round, dark centre of the eye - opens and closes to regulate the amount of light the retina receives. |
| Pus | A yellow-white substance made by the body in reaction to an infection, composed of dead white blood cells, tissues and remains of bacteria. |
| Purulent | Containing, discharging or causing the production of pus |
| Pyrexia | Fever. Body temperature above 37 degrees Celsius |
Q
| Term | Description |
|---|---|
| Quadriceps | A group of muscles in the front of the thigh that straighten the knee. |
| Quadriplegia (Tetraplegia) | Paralysis of all four limbs. |
R
| Term | Description |
|---|---|
| Radioactivity | The radiation, including alpha particles, nucleons, electrons, and gamma rays, emitted by a radioactive substance |
| Radioallergosorbent (RAST) test | A RAST test ( radioallergosorbent test) is a blood test used to determine the sensitivity (allergy) of a person to certain substances. This is different from a skin allergy test, which determines allergy by the reaction of a person's skin to different substances |
| Radiograph | An x-ray picture |
| Radiographer | A person trained to take x-ray pictures |
| Radiologist | A doctor specialising in the interpretation of x-rays (radiology) |
| Radiotherapy | The treatment of disease (usually cancer) by x-rays/radiation |
| Radius | One of the two forearm bones. The bone in the forearm on the same side as the thumb |
| Raynaud's Phenomenon | Intermittent spasm of the small arteries usually of the hands, following exposure to cold or vibration. As a result, the fingers go white and numb. It may be part of a more serious and widespread rheumatic disorder |
| Receptive | Language skills (listening and reading) that require the reader/listener to make sense of what he/she reads or hears |
| Rectum | The lower part of the large intestine that ends at the anus. |
| Refactory | Resistant to therapy |
| Reflex | An automatic response to an outside stimulus. E.g. a tendon reflex is jerking of a muscle produced by striking certain tendons |
| Refractive Errors | When the eye does not provide the correct amount of power for its size, more specifically the eyeball length, a refractive error results. When the eye provides too much power, the person is nearsighted. When the eye does not provide enough power, then the person is farsighted |
| Regurgitation | To rush or surge back, especially to cast up partially digested food |
| Rehabilitation | A programme of medicine and psychologicalal and clinical treatment designed to maximise residual physical, perceptual and cognitive abilities following injury, illness or disability. |
| Rejection of Transplant | This occurs when the transplanted organ or tissue is attacked by the immune system of the person receiving the transplant. It is caused by the formation of antibodies in the recipient’s blood, which react with the transplanted organ, eventually leading to its destruction |
| Remission | A lessening in the severity of symptoms or their disappearance during the course of the illness. Remission may be temporary or permanent. |
| Renal | Relating to the kidney |
| Repetitive strain injury (RSI) | A musculoskeletal disorder, generally affecting muscles or Tendons of the upper limbs and neck, resulting from repetitive and forceful motions or from activities carried out in awkward postures |
| Resection | The surgical removal of part or all of an organ or part of the body |
| Respiration | The act of breathing |
| Respirator | An artificial device used to aid the act of respiration in those who are unable to do this adequately themselves. It is an old-fashioned term, the modern term is ventilator |
| Retardation | Slowing down of mental and physical activity as often observed in depression |
| Retina | The light- sensitive layer of cells (rods and cones) lining at the back of the eye. It converts the impressions produced by light into electrical impulses, which are then carried by the optic nerve to the visual cortex of the brain |
| Retinal detachment | Separation of the retina from its attachments to the back of the eyeball resulting in loss of vision |
| Retinitis Pigmentosa | A disease of the eye, resulting from degeneration of a part of the eye called the retina. It affects night vision and peripheral vision, and eventually can lead to blindness |
| Retinopathy | Any disease or disorder of the retina. Most often found in diabetes and high blood pressure, sometimes leading to impairment of vision and blindness |
| Rheumatic Fever | A childhood throat infection caused by septococcal bacteria resulting in a rash. A complication is damage to heart valves. Easily treated with Penicillin |
| Rheumatism | A general term to describe disorders affecting the joints, muscles, tendons and ligaments |
| Rheumatoid Arthritis | A chronic inflammation of the linings of joints and tendon heaths. In its usual form, it is a symmetrical, destructive and deforming arthritis |
| Rheumatology | The branch of medicine concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the joints, muscles, tendons and ligaments. A Rheumatologist is also concerned with connective tissue diseases |
| Rhinitis | An inflammation of the mucous membrane that lines the nose |
| Rhonchi | Wheezes audible with the stethoscope, indicating narrowing of small airways in the lungs |
| Ribonucleic Acid | Ribonucleic acid is a polymeric constituent of all living cells and many viruses. The structure and base sequence of RNA are determinants of protein synthesis and the transmission of genetic information |
| Rickets | A now rare disease of children caused by a lack of vitamin D, causing deformity of the lower limbs |
| Rodent Ulcer | A slow-growing skin tumour involving cancerous changes in the skin cells known as basal skin cells |
| Rods | Light sensitive nerve cells in the retina that tell light from dark and are responsible for night vision |
| Rombergs sign | An inability to stand without swaying if the eyes are closed |
| Royal Free Disease | Another name for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Also known as Post-viral Fatigue Syndrome or Myalgic Encephalomyelitis |
| Rubella | German measles is a viral infection, which is characterised by a fine rash, sore throat and enlarged lymph glands |
| Rubella syndrome | The abnormalities caused by infection with the rubella (German measles) virus before birth. The syndrome is characterized by multiple birth defects and learning difficulties |
| Rupture of tendon | A tearing apart of a tendon |
S
| Term | Description |
|---|---|
| Sacroiliac joint | The joint between the sacrum (the lower part of the backbone) and the ileal bones which form the back of the pelvis. |
| Sacrum | The curved, triangular bone at the lower end of the backbone, located below the last (5th) lumbar vertebra. It consists of five fused vertebrae and articulates with the spine and the pelvis. |
| Salpingitis | Inflammation of the Fallopian tubes. |
| Sarcoid Granulomata | Nodules, which occur in organs, mainly the lungs as a result of sarcoidosis. |
| Sarcoidosis (Sarcoid) | A disease of unknown cause, in which granular nodules affect many parts of the body, but principally the lungs. |
| Sarcoma | A particular type of malignant tumour arising from bone, cartilage, muscle, fat or other related tissues. |
| Scapula | Two flat bones that together form the shoulder blades. |
| Schizoid | A pesonality disorder characterised by aloofness, coldness, discomfort in social interactions, intraversion, and excentricity |
| Schizophrenia | A mental health disorder characterised by disturbances of thinking, perception, emotion and behaviour. It is one of the more severe mental illnesses often leading to serious recurrent and long-term disability |
| Schizotypal | Exhibiting abnormalities in behavior and communication style similar to those of schizophrenia, but less severe |
| Schizo-affective disorder | A mental disorder in which symptoms of schizophrenia occur in combination with symptoms of a mood disorder such as depression or mania. |
| Sciatica | Pain down the back of the leg, usually caused by pressure on the sciatic nerves by a prolapsed inter-vertebral disc in the vertebral column. |
| Sclera | The white, protective, outer layer of the eyeball. |
| Scleritis | Inflammation of the sclera, the white part of the eyeball. |
| Scleroderma | A connective tissue disorder, which may affect many organs characterised by thickening and hardening of the skin with consequent impairment of dexterity. |
| Sclerosis | A hardening or thickening of tissues often used to describe blood vessels |
| Scoliosis | A sideways curvature of the backbone to either the left or right. |
| Scrotum | The pouch containing the testes |
| Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) | A form of depressive illness in which there is a regular relationship between the onset of depressive episodes and a particular time or season of the year. |
| Sebaceous | Numerous glands that usually open into the hair follicles and secrete an oily thick substance |
| Seborrhea | A condition in which overactivity of the Sebaceous glands causes the skin to become oily |
| Secondary Generalised Seizure | A seizure that begins in one part of the brain then spreads across the brain causing the person having the seizure to lose consciousness. |
| Secretion | The production of substances by the glands of the body (e.g. saliva by the salivary glands). |
| Secretory Otitis Media | Inflammation of middle ear mucosa, often accompanied by accumulation of fluid, secondary to eustachian tube obstruction |
| Sedative | A depressant, which acts on the central nervous system to relieve anxiety and induce calmness/sleep (e.g. barbiturates, benzodiazepines). |
| Semantic Memory | This is the brain’s knowledge store of objects, word meanings and facts such as Paris is the capital of France. |
| Seminoma | A malignant tumour of the testicle. |
| Senescence | The condition of being old. |
| Senility | A state of mental deterioration resulting from old age. |
| Sensorineural Deafness | Hearing loss or impairment due to a lesion or defect of the cochlea or the acoustic nerve |
| Sensory | Relating to the senses (touch, vision, hearing, taste, smell). |
| Sensory nerves | Those nerves responsible for the appreciation of touch, pain, temperature and position. |
| Sepsis | Infection. |
| Septicaemia | Presence of large numbers of bacteria in the blood, giving rise to a very severe illness with a high fever. Also known as blood poisoning. |
| Septum | A thin partition or membrane that divides two cavities or soft masses of tissue in an organism e.g. the nasal septum or the atrial septum of the heart |
| Serology | The characteristics of a disease or an organism shown by study of blood serums |
| Shingles | An acute infection caused by a herpes virus. It usually strikes only one side of the body and is often accompanied by severe neuralgia. Also called herpes zoster, zona, zoster |
| Shock | A condition, where the blood pressure falls so low that the blood supply to vital organs is threatened. Shock can be caused by severe injury with loss of blood, heart attack, severe allergic reaction and some infections. |
| Sickle-cell (drepanocytosis) | A hereditary blood disease mainly affecting people of African ancestry. |
| Sickle-cell anaemia | An autosomal dominant type of hemolytic anemia caused by hemoglobin S with abnormal erythrocytes (sickle cells) in the blood |
| Sigmoid colon | The s- shaped part of the large bowel just above the rectum. |
| Silicosis | A lung disease caused by the inhalation of silica particles, which may lead to progressive breathlessness and which occurs in miners, stone masons and quarry workers. |
| Simian | Relating to or resembling an ape |
| Simple Partial | A seizure that affects a small part of the brain (Frontal, Parietal, Temporal or Occipital lobes) and there is no loss of consciousness. |
| Sinoatrial | See sinus node. |
| Sinus Node | A group of specialised cells in the right atrium responsible for the electrical impulse in the heart. It functions as the heart's pacemaker, setting the pace for the heartbeat. |
| Sjogrens syndrome | A syndrome resulting in a combination of dry eyes, dry mouth, enlarged parotid (salivary) glands, and polyarthritis. It is seen in at least 30% of people with rheumatoid arthritis. |
| Sleep apnoea | A sleep disorder in which breathing is interrupted during sleep. |
| Snellen's chart | A chart consisting of letters of varying sizes used for testing visual acuity |
| Social phobia | A disorder that results in extreme anxiety in social situations. |
| Soft tissue rheumatism | A variety of conditions affecting the tissues such as the muscles, tendons and ligaments, which surround joints, but not involving the joints themselves. |
| Somatic | Relating to the body as opposed to the mind. |
| Spasmodic torticollis | Involuntary contraction of one or more of the neck muscles resulting in the turning of the head to one side. |
| Spastic paralysis | A paralysis in which the affected muscles are contracted with rigidity and stiffness of the limb. |
| Spatial neglect | A term used to describe cognitive problems where a person is unable to recognise that one side of the body or visual field exists. |
| Special Needs | Medical, emotional, mental or behavioural needs that will require on-going assistance and support. Educationalists use the term “Special Needs” as an alternative to learning disability. |
| Specific back pain | This term applies to back pain where there is evidence of a definite and identifiable pathological cause for the person’s symptoms. |
| Specific phobia | A type of phobia characterized by extreme fear of an object or situation that is not harmful under general conditions. |
| Sphincter | A ring of muscle at the outlet of an organ e.g. bowel or bladder whose contraction prevents incontinence |
| Spina bifida | A congenital abnormality of the spinal cord and vertebral column (back bone) in which there is a protrusion of the spinal cord, nerve roots, and meninges through a defect in the vertebral column leading to major physical effects. |
| Spina bifida occulta | A very mild form of spinal bifida, which does not lead to any disability. It may only be shown up on routine X-Ray. |
| Spinal canal | The boney channel formed by the vertebrae bones. The spinal cord and nerve roots lie within the canal and are protected by the bones. |
| Spinal claudication | Leg and buttock pain when standing for long periods of time or when walking with the back in an extended position. |
| Spinal Cord Compression | Spinal cord compression (pressing together) is a condition that causes pressure on the spinal cord, leading to narrowing or distortion of the nerve tissue |
| Spinal cord | A column of nerve tissue that runs from the base of the skull down the back. It is enclosed within the vertebrae (back bones). The spinal cord and the brain make up the central nervous system, and spinal cord nerves carry most messages between the brain and the rest of the body. |
| Spinal stenosis | A condition where the spinal canal narrows and pinches the spinal cord and nerves, usually due to disc herniation. This may affect the cervical spine, the lumbar spine or both, and results in low back pain as well as pain or abnormal sensations in the legs. |
| Spirometer | An instrument used for measuring lung function |
| Spirometry | The most common of the Pulmonary Function Tests (PFT), is the measurement of lung function, specifically the measurement of the amount (volume) and speed (flow) of air that can be inhaled and exhaled. |
| Spirometry Test | A Spirometry test measures the volume of air blown out against time and gives specific information about lung function. Click here for more information about Spirometry Test |
| Spleen | An organ found in the upper left part of the abdomen involved with the manufacture and destruction of blood cells. |
| Splenectomy | Surgical removal of the spleen. |
| Splenomegaly | Enlarged spleen. |
| Spondylitis | Inflammation of the spinal joints as a result of degenerative changes. |
| Spondylolisthesis | A sliding forward of one or more vertebra on another, usually in the lower part of the backbone and possibly causing back pain. An operation may be needed to correct it. |
| Spondylosis | A condition resulting from degeneration of the discs between vertebrae with the formation of bony outgrowths and arthritis of joints between vertebrae. It is a degenerative condition, normally occurring with ageing. When occurring in the neck it is referred to as cervical spondylosis whilst when occurring in the lower spine is called lumbar spondylosis. |
| Spontaneous remission | A lessening in the severity of symptoms or their disappearance during the course of the illness, without assistance from a therapist, counsellor, or medical practitioner. Remission may be temporary or permanent |
| Sporadic goitre | A type of goitre where only some individuals are affected, this may be due to an inherited familial tendency, poor individual diet, age (over 40 years) and gender, certain foods or medication. |
| Sprain | A sprain is an injury to a ligament. |
| Sputum | Mucus and other matter that is brought up from the lungs by coughing. |
| Squamous cell carcinoma | A malignant tumour arising from squamous epithelium |
| SSRI Antidepressants | Second generation antidepressive agents, which inhibit serotonin reuptake |
| Stapedectomy | Surgical removal of all or part of the stapes of the middle ear, followed by replacement with a prosthesis |
| Stapes | The final bone in the series of three small bones, or ossicles, of the middle ear. Sometimes called the stirrup. |
| Statins | Cholesterol-lowering drugs. |
| Status Asthmaticus | A very severe and prolonged attack of asthma, which does not respond to standard medical treatment. |
| Status epilepticus | A series of epileptic seizures during which the person does not regain consciousness between each fit. |
| Steatorrhoea | The presence of excess fat in the stools, which causes them to be bulky and offensive. Found when absorption of fats from the bowel is impaired as, for example, in cystic fibrosis. |
| Stenosis | A narrowing. Commonly used in relation to the valves of the heart whose narrowing may lead to heart failure. (E.g. aortic stenosis). Also applied to the narrowing of an artery (E.g. carotid stenosis). |
| Stent | A narrowing. Commonly used in relation to the valves of the heart whose narrowing may lead to heart failure. (E.g. aortic stenosis). Also applied to the narrowing of an artery (E.g. carotid stenosis) |
| Sternum | A longitudinal unpaired plate of bone forming the middle of the anterior wall of the thorax, articulating above with the clavicles and along its sides with the cartilages of the first seven ribs (known as the breast bone) |
| Sternocleidomastoid | Muscles that run at the front of the neck from behind the ear to the upper end of the breast bone and inner part of the collar bone |
| Steroid | A particular type of hormone produced by the adrenal glands or a synthetic version used to treat certain conditions. |
| Stethoscope | Any of various instruments used for listening to sounds produced within the body (usually the chest) |
| Still's disease | A form of rheumatoid arthritis affecting children. (See Rheumatoid Arthritis). |
| Stimuli | That which can elicit or evoke an action or response in a cell, an excitable tissue, or an organism |
| Stokes-Adams Attack | Syncope (a simple faint) caused by a drop in blood pressure secondary to a fall in cardiac output due to an arrhythmia |
| Stoma | An artificial opening of a tube. E.g. colostomy |
| Stomach | An organ situated in the upper part of the abdomen joining the oesophagus (gullet) to the small intestine. |
| Stomatitis | Inflammation of the mouth. |
| Strabismus | A squint. |
| Stricture | An abnormal narrowing of a bodily passage due to trauma, inflammation, cancer or the formation of scar tissue |
| Stridor | Harsh, noisy breathing caused by partial obstruction of the upper part of the airway. |
| Stroke | Weakness of one side of the body sometimes associated with cognitive function usually as a result of a brain haemorrhage or blockage of a brain artery. |
| Stromal | A type of tissue that is associated with the support of cells within an organ of the gastrointestine |
| Stupor | A state of semi-consciousness. |
| Sub-arachnoid Haemorrhage | A bleed into the space surrounding the brain causing a sudden severe headache and which may lead to residual effects similar to those of a stroke. |
| Sub-arachnoid Space | The sub-arachnoid space contains a clear fluid, the cerebro-spinal fluid (or CSF) and small blood vessels that supply the outer surface of the brain |
| Sub-clinical | Without clinical manifestations |
| Sub Cortical | Refers to the structure under the cortex, the outer layer of the brain. |
| Sub Cortical Dementia | Any of a group of dementias thought to be caused by lesions affecting subcortical brain structures. Included are vascular dementia and dementias that accompany Huntington's chorea, Wilson's disease, paralysis agitans, and thalamic atrophies |
| Subdural Haematoma | A blood clot beneath one of the membranes surrounding the brain usually as a result of injury. It is a medical emergency, and removal of the clot may lead to complete recovery. Sometimes it occurs as a result of minor injury in the elderly which may be difficult to diagnose, and may lead to progressive mental impairment. |
| Subluxation | An incomplete or partial dislocation. |
| Sulphone | A type of drug e.g. Metformin to treat diabetes mellitus Type 2 |
| Supination | Rotating a hand or foot outward on its long axis. The movement is done with the muscles in the forearm or lower leg. |
| Supine | Lying on the back with the face upwards. |
| Supraventricular | Situated or occurring above the ventricles |
| Surgery | The branch of medicine, which treats disease or injury by operative measures. |
| Sympathetic nerves | One of two types of nerves responsible for controlling functions which take place at the unconscious level. |
| Sympathetic nervous system | The thoraco-lumbar part of the autonomic nervous system, the preganglionic fibres of which are distributed to the heart, smooth muscle, and glands of the entire body |
| Symptomatic | Showing symptoms, e.g. of a particular disease. |
| Syncope | A simple faint or temporary and very brief loss of consciousness. |
| Synovial fluid | A fluid within the joint, which assists in lubrication and nutrition of the joint. |
| Synovium | A thin membrane (normally one or two cell layers thick) lining the inside of the joint capsule. It produces synovial fluid |
| Synovitis | The inflammation of the membrane, (synovium) which lines a joint. |
| Synthesis | The combining of separate elements or substances to form a coherent whole e.g. to make a protein - "protein synthesis." |
| Syringomyelia | A progressive condition of the spinal cord leading to weakness of upper and lower limbs and particularly with loss of pain and temperature sensation in the arms. |
| Systemic | Relating to the body as a whole. |
| Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) | Inflammatory connective tissue disorder with variable features, including fever, fatigue, arthritis and joint pain, and red skin lesions on the face, neck, and/or upper limbs. |
| Systolic blood pressure | The first of two numbers used to measure blood pressure. The peak of blood pressure caused by contraction pressure of the heart. |
T
| Term | Description |
|---|---|
| T Cell | A particular type of white blood cell |
| Tachycardia | A rapid heart beat |
| Tachypnoea | A rapid respiratory rate |
| Talipes | A congenital deformity of the foot, commonly known as clubfoot |
| Tardive dyskinesia | A side effect of anti psychotic medication involving rhythmic, involuntary movements of the tongue, face, jaw, trunk or limbs |
| Tarsalgia | Pain in the foot |
| Telangiectasia | Permanent dilation of pre-existing small blood vessels creating focal red lesions, which may present as a coarse or fine red line or as a punctum with radiating limbs |
| Temporal Lobe Epilepsy | A seizure that affects the temporal lobe. They are characterized by episodes of loss of awareness or contact with surroundings. During a temporal lobe seizure, the person may display automatisms. Temporal lobe seizures may be followed by confusion for a few minutes |
| Tendon | A tough cord of fibrous tissue attaching a muscle to a bone |
| Tendonitis | An inflammation in a tendon or the tendon covering |
| Tennis elbow | A condition characterised by inflammation of the tendon at the outer border of the elbow. Also known as Lateral Epicondylitis. It is a result of a specific strain or overuse |
| Tenosynovitis | Inflammation of the sheath surrounding a tendon |
| Teratoma | A tumor consisting of different types of tissue, as of skin, hair, and muscle, caused by the development of independent germ cells; usually found in the ovary or testis |
| Terminal | Causing, ending in, or approaching death; fatal |
| Testosterone | Male steroid hormone, produced primarily in the testes and responsible for the development and mantenance of male sex characteristics |
| Tetraplegia (quadriplegia) | Paralysis of all four limbs The person is paralysed from the neck downwards |
| Thalassaemia (Cooley’s anaemia) | A hereditary blood disease, widespread in the Mediterranean countries, Asia, and Africa |
| Theca | A sheath surrounding the spinal cord |
| Therapeutics | The science of the healing of diseases with drugs and other measures |
| Thiamine | The chemical name for Vitamin B1 that is found in whole wheat, bread. Vitamin B helps with growth, digestion and maintaining healthy nerves |
| Thoracic outlet syndrome | Tingling sensations in the fingers; caused by compression on a nerve supplying the arm |
| Thorax | The chest |
| Thrombo-embolic | Relating to or as a result of a thrombosis or embolism |
| Thrombocytopenia | A reduction in the number of platelets in the blood leading to abnormal bleeding |
| Thrombosis | The sudden formation of a clot within a blood vessel leading to a stoppage of blood flow |
| Thrombotic Stroke | A type of ischaemic stroke where the blood clot forms in the artery itself. This commonly occurs over a patch of fatty tissue called atheroma (this is often called furring up or hardening of the arteries). Atheroma is common in older people. If a patch of atheroma becomes large enough it can trigger the blood passing over it to clot. The blood clot so formed stays attached to the wall of the artery until it grows big enough to block the flow of blood. This type of fixed blood clot is called a thrombus |
| Thrombus | A fibrinous clot formed in a blood vessel or in a chamber of the heart |
| Thrush | Candidiasis, commonly called yeast infection or thrush, usually of the vagina or mouth |
| Thymectomy | Surgical removal of the thymus gland |
| Thymoma | This is the common tumour of the Thymus |
| Thymus | An organ near the base of the neck that produces cells that fight infection |
| Thyroid Disease | When the thyroid produces too much hormone, this condition is called hyperthyroidism. When the thyroid doesn’t produce enough hormone, this condition is called hypothyroidism |
| Thyroid gland | A gland situated in the front of the neck producing hormones, which regulate the body's rate of metabolism |
| Thyroidectomy | The surgical removal of all (total) or part of (partial) the thyroid gland |
| Thyroiditis | An inflammation of the thyroid gland |
| Thyrotoxicosis (Hyperthyroidism) | Overactivity of the thyroid gland leading to weight loss, rapid pulse, excessive sweating, irritability and intolerance of the heat |
| Thyroxine | The hormone produced by the thyroid gland, which controls the rate of metabolism in the body |
| Tibia | The shinbone. The larger of the two bones in the lower leg |
| Tic | A spasmodic, involuntary twitching of certain muscles, usually of the face |
| Tinnitus | A ringing, buzzing or roaring sound in the ears |
| Todd's paralysis | A neurological condition characterized by a brief period of temporary paralysis following a seizure |
| Tone | The degree of tension within a muscle |
| Tonic-Clonic | A type of generalised seizure resulting in loss of consciousness, and usually associated with incontinence, tongue biting, muscle contractions and a period of confusion following the seizure |
| Tonic Seizure | A type of generalized seizure that involves stiffening or rigidity of the entire body. May or may not be loss of consciousness |
| Tonometry | The measurement of tension or pressure, particularly intraocular pressure |
| Torticollis (Wry-neck) | Contraction of one or more of the neck muscles resulting in the abnormal turning of the head to one side with rotation on an angle. Also known as “Wry Neck” |
| Tourette Syndrome | Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome |
| Toxaemia | Another term for blood poisoning, or the presence in the bloodstream of quantities of bacteria or bacterial toxins sufficient to cause serious illness |
| Toxic | Able to cause harmful health effects |
| Toxoplasmosis | Toxoplasmosis is a disease caused by a parasite, and is present in raw and undercooked meat, and cat faeces. The infection may be asymptomatic or may cause heart or nervous system problems. Congenital toxoplasmosis occurs in babies born to infected mothers and presents with severe neurological damage |
| Trabeculectomy | An operation for glaucoma in which a hole is made in the coating of the eye to increase drainage |
| Trachea | The windpipe |
| Tracheostomy | A surgical procedure in which an opening into the trachea is made through the neck |
| Trans-urethral resection | Surgical removal of part of an organ or structure through the urethra |
| Transient | Remaining in place for only a brief time |
| Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA) | A short lived reduction of blood supply to the brain leading to temporary symptoms such as dizziness, weakness, vision loss, slurred speech, confusion which lasts for less than 24 hours |
| Transitional Cell Carcinoma | A malignant neoplasm derived from transitional epithelium. |
| Transsexual | A person whose gender identity is opposite to his or her physical state |
| Transvestite | A person who dresses as a member of the opposite sex |
| Trauma | A wound or injury |
| Treadmill Test | A test where the patient walks at increasing speed and incline. The patient's heart rate and ECG is monitored throughout the test. Sometimes called the Bruce Protocol Test. Click here for more information on the Bruce Protocol Test |
| Tremor | Involuntary muscular activity leading to rhythmic movements of the particular part of the body affected. There is alternating contraction and relaxation of muscles of a particular part of the body. Commonly occurs in Parkinson's disease |
| Triceps | A muscle situated at the back of the arm responsible for straightening the elbow |
| Trichotillomania | A compulsion to pull out one's own hair |
| Tricuspid Valve | A valve located between the heart's upper and lower chambers on the right side. The three (“tri”) cusps of this valve allow one-way blood flow from the upper-right atrium into the lower-right ventricle |
| Tricyclics | A class of antidepressants drugs. Although these drugs are generally effective, there are often serious side-effects |
| Trigeminal neuralgia | Sharp, shooting intense pain in the face confined to the area of skin supplied by a branch of the trigeminal nerve |
| Trigger Factors | Factors, which bring on the symptoms of an impairment. E.g. house dust mites bringing on an asthma attack in susceptible individuals |
| Trigger Finger/Thumb | A type of stenosing tenosynovitis in which the sheath around a tendon in a thumb or finger becomes swollen and restricts the tendon's movement. Affected joints may become painful to straighten once bent, and may make a soft crackling sound when moved |
| TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone or Thryotopin) | A hormone produced by the pituitary gland to regulate the action of other hormone-secreting glands in the body. One of these hormones is thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH or thryotropin), which stimulates the thyroid to produce thyroid hormone |
| Tuberculin Test | Any of various skin tests used to determine infection or immunity with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, in which tuberculin or its purified protein is introduced into the skin by injection or tines |
| Tuberculosis | A slowly progressive infectious disease, which may affect many parts of the body, but which most notably causes a long standing infection of the lungs. Because of its slow onset, it is sometimes difficult to diagnose, but it can usually be cured with appropriate drugs |
| Tuberous Sclerosis | A genetic disorder characterised by multiple tumours in the skin, brain and other vital organs. The condition develops before birth and may present with epilepsy, learning difficulty and skin lesions |
| Tumour | A mass of abnormally growing cells that serve no useful bodily function. Tumours can be either benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous) |
| Tunnel vision | A condition in which a person lacks any peripheral vision. Tunnel vision can be caused by any number of conditions including glaucoma, retinitis pigmentosa, and stroke |
| Tympanic membrane | The eardrum. It separates the outer ear from the middle ear |
| Tympanoplasty | Surgical repair or reconstruction of the middle ear |
| Tyrosinosis | A rare, possibly inherited disorder of tyrosine metabolism characterised by enhanced urinary excretion of certain metabolites upon ingestion of tyrosine |
U
| Term | Description |
|---|---|
| Ulcer | An erosion or loss of continuity of a lining membrane, eyes, lining of the mouth, oesophagus, stomach or intestine |
| Ultrasound | A procedure in which high-energy sound waves (ultrasound) are bounced off internal tissues or organs and make echoes. The echo patterns are shown on the screen of an ultrasound machine, forming a picture of blood vessels, tissues, and organs called a sonogram. Also called ultrasonography |
| Unilateral | On one side only (of the body) |
| Uraemia | A condition characterised by a high level of urea (a waste product) in the blood, being one of the manifestations of renal failure |
| Unremitting | Constant, incessant, never-ending, perpetual, unceasing |
| Urea | The main end product of protein metabolism, which circulates in the blood and is eliminated from the body by the kidneys |
| Ureter | A long muscular tube which connects each kidney to the bladder |
| Ureteroscope | An endoscope used for examination of the ureter |
| Urethra | The tube through which urine is discharged from the bladder (to the outside of the body)> |
| Urethrotome | An instrument used for cutting a urethral stricture |
| Urostomy | Surgical construction of an artificial excretory opening from the urinary tract |
| Urticaria | Hives or nettle rash. Often caused by contact with e.g. plants or with an allergen to which a person is allergic. The rash usually resolves within 24 hours. See also chronic urticaria. |
| Uterus | The womb |
| Uveitis | Inflammation of the middle part of the eye (known as “uvea”). This generally refers to the iris of the eye |
V
| Term | Description |
|---|---|
| Vagotomy | Surgical cutting of the vagus nerve, a procedure occasionally used in the treatment of peptic ulcer (it causes the stomach to produce less acid). |
| Vagus Nerve Stimuation (VNS) | Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is designed to prevent seizures by sending regular, mild pulses of electrical energy to the brain via the vagus nerve. These pulses are supplied by a device something like a pacemaker placed under the skin on the chest wall and a wire runs from it to the vagus nerve in the neck. |
| Valgus | A displacement outwards as in Genu valgum where the person has knock knees with deviation of the lower legs outwards, or Hallux valgus where the big toes are displaced outwards. |
| Valvular Heart Disease | Damage to (e.g. caused by rheumatic heart disease) or congenital abnormalities of the heart. |
| Varix | Dilatation of a vein |
| Varicose | Abnormally swollen or dilated, as in varicose veins. |
| Varicose Ulcer | A skin ulcer, usually near the ankle, due to varicose veins. Varicose ulcers are very slow to heal, needing a prolonged period of rest, with the legs raised up |
| Varus | A displacement (for example, of a bone) inwards towards the midline, as in Genu varum where the patient has bowlegs with the lower legs deviated inwards. |
| Vascular | Relating to the blood vessels. |
| Vascular Dementia | A dementia caused by impaired blood supply to the brain It may follow a stroke or multi infarctions of the brain (Transient Ischaemic Attack - mini-strokes) |
| Vasculitis | Inflammation of a blood vessel. A common pathological feature in a number of rheumatic and multi-system disorders |
| Vasodilators | Vasodilators are medicines that act directly on muscles in blood vessel walls to make blood vessels widen (dilate) |
| Vasovagal attack | A term used to describe a simple faint. |
| Vein | A blood vessel carrying blood back from the tissues/lungs to the heart. |
| Vena cava | Either of the two large vein, which carry deoxygenated blood from all parts of the body and which lead directly into the heart (the right atrium). The Superior Vena Cava returns the blood from the upper part of the body, and the Inferior Vena Cava returns the blood from the lower part of the body. |
| Venereal disease | Disease contracted through sexual contact. Also known as STD or Sexually Transmitted Disease. |
| Veno occlusive disease | Disease contracted through sexual contact. Also known as STD or Sexually Transmitted Disease |
| Venous Thrombosis | The presence of a blood clot along the wall of a vein |
| Ventilator | An artificial device used to aid the act of respiration in those who are unable to do this adequately themselves. They used to be called Respirators |
| Ventricle | The name given to each of the two large chambers in the heart, the left and right ventricles. They collect blood from the atria and pump it out of the heart, the right ventricle to the lungs, and the left ventricle to the body. Also the name given to the fluid filled cavities within the brain, which are filled with cerebrospinal fluid, which bathes and protects the brain and cerebrospinal cord. |
| Vertebra | One of the 33 small bones which form the spinal column or backbone. |
| Vertebral artery | Either of the two large blood vessels at the side of the neck, supplying blood to the top of the spinal cord and the back part of the brain (posterior). |
| Vertigo | The feeling that either oneself or one's surroundings is spinning round. There is associated nausea and vomiting. It is most frequently associated with disease of the inner ear such as Meniere's disease, Strokes and Multiple Sclerosis (MS). |
| Vestibular Labyrinth | The portion of the inner ear that functions as part of the body's balance mechanism. |
| Virology | The study of viruses and the diseases they cause |
| Victrectomy | An operation designed to remove diseased vitreous and repair or protect the retina. |
| Videotelemetry | A special type of EEG (brainwave) test. The brainwaves are recorded usually for several days along with a video of the patient. |
| Viral hepatitis | Inflammation of the liver caused by a virus |
| Visual cortex | The part of the cerebral cortex of the brain that is responsible for processing visual stimuli. |
| Visual Field | The area a person can see around an object without head movement, when looking directly at it. It is measured in degrees; a normal visual field extends about 95 degrees to the sides, 60 degrees upwards 75 degrees downwards. |
| Visual Impairment | Visual impairment occurs when there is an abnormality of structure or function of the eye. |
| Visuospatial | Refers to our ability to process and interpret visual information about where objects are in space. This is an important aspect of cognitive functioning because it is responsible for a wide range of activities of daily living. For instance, it underlies our ability to move around in an environment and orient ourselves appropriately. Visuospatial perception is also involved in our ability to accurately reach for objects in our visual field and our ability to shift our gaze to different points in space. |
| Vitreous | The thick gelatinous material that fills the back of the eye in front of the retina. |
| Vitreous humour | Transparent jelly filling globe between crystalline lens and retina. |
W
| Term | Description |
|---|---|
| Weal (Hive) | A transient swelling, confined to a small area of the skin, that is characteristic a urticaria. |
| Wernicke Korsakoff Syndrome | A brain disorder due to thiamine deficiency in alcohol abuse, or those with damage to the forebrain, have such poor memory, that they are unable to repeat something after a few seconds and have to invent new information to fill in the gaps in their memory. |
| Wernicke's Encephalopathy | An acute state of confusion associated with abnormal eye movements and co-ordination difficulties due to Thiamine deficiency, commonly seen in chronic alcoholism. |
| Whiplash injury | Injury to the soft tissues and sometimes the nerves in the neck due to sudden forward and backward jerking movement of the head, commonly seen in road traffic accidents. |
| von Willebrand's disease | An inherited form of bleeding/clotting disorder. |
| Wilms' tumour | A malignant tumour of the kidney occurring in young children. |
| Wilson's Disease | Wilson's disease is an inherited disorder causing the body to absorb and retain copper predominantly in the liver, brain, kidneys and eyes |
| Wolff Parkinson White Syndrome | A congenital abnormality of the mechanism regulating the heartbeat, resulting in palpitations (bursts of very rapid heart rate). |
| Work-related Upper Limb Disorder (WRULD) | Conditions that may be associated with repetitive movement disorders of the upper limbs |
| Writers cramp | A focal dystonia where the effect is limited to the hand |
X
| Term | Description |
|---|---|
| X Chromosome | The female sex chromosome, each female cell containing 2 of them |
| X-ray | A type of high-energy radiation. In low doses, x-rays are used to diagnose diseases by making pictures of the inside of the body. In high doses, x-rays are used to treat cancer |
Y
| Term | Description |
|---|---|
| Y Chromosome | The male sex chromosome, each male cell containing one Y and one X chromosome |
Amended November 2008
