| A | B |
|---|
| abberant | Deviating from the usual or natural type. |
| abdomen | The portion of the body between the diaphragm and the pelvis |
| abdominocentesis | A procedure for drawing fluid from the abdomen by puncture and aspiration. |
| ablation | Surgical removal, especially by cutting. |
| abscess | A pus filled cavity. |
| absorption | Taking up of liquid by solids, or gases by solids or liquids. |
| accommodation | Adjustment or adaptation of an organ (i.e., stomach) as a result of a stimuli (i.e., food) or its surroundings |
| acetaldehyde | A colorless, volatile, water-soluble liquid used chiefly in organic synthesis that can cause irritation to mucous membranes. |
| acetylcholine | A neurotransmitter. A chemical released by nerve endings to stimulate a nerve or organ. |
| achalasia | Failure of the muscles (or sphincter) in the esophagus to relax. |
| achlorhydria | A condition characterized by the absence of acid in gastric juice. |
| acidosis | Condition of decreased alkalinity of the blood and tissues marked by sickly sweet breath, headache, nausea and vomiting, and visual disturbances.Usually a result of excessive acid production. |
| acinar cells | A group of secretory cells surrounding a cavity (the smallest division of a gland). |
| acinus | One of the small secreting cells that are like sacs or alveoli. |
| actinomycosis | A bacterial infection which is characterized by hard granulomatous masses usually in the mouth and jaws. |
| action potential | An electrical impulse caused by a self propagating change in electrical charge across a membrane in muscle and nerve cells. |
| acute | Beginning abruptly with marked intensity or sharpness, then subsiding after a relatively short period of time. |
| adenocarcinoma | A malignant tumor which originates in glandular epithelium tissue. |
| adenoma | A benign tumor of a glandular structure or a tumor that is glandular in origin. |
| adenomatous | relating to an adenoma or some types of glandular hyperplasia |
| Adenomatous Polyposis Coli (APC) | The gene which is located on chromosome 5. The mutated form of this gene is responsible for the formation of multiple polyps in the colon. |
| adenopathy | An enlargement of a gland. |
| ADH | Antidiuretic hormone |
| adhesions | The abnormal union of surfaces, that are normally separate, by the formation of new fibrous tissue resulting from an inflammatory response. |
| adiposity | The quality or state of being fat. |
| adjuvant therapy | Additional therapy or an additional therapeutic regimen that facilitates or modifies the action of the primary therapy. Adjuvant therapy generally enhances the effectiveness of therapy. |
| adrenergic | Liberated or activated by adrenaline or an adrenaline-like substance. |
| aerophagia | Swallowing of air. |
| afferent | Flow toward a center. Nerve fibers carrying impulses toward the brain or spinal cord. |
| aflatoxins | Any of several carcinogenic mycotoxins that are produced, especially in stored agricultural crops, by molds (e.g., Aspergillus flavus). |
| agonist | Something that initiates and enhances the action of something else. |
| alanine aminotransferase (ALT) | Alanine aminotransferase. An enzyme normally present in tissues and serum in the body, especially in the liver. This enzyme is released into the serum as a result of tissue injury and is elevated in people with acute liver damage. |
| albumin | a type of simple protein |
| alcoholic hepatitis | Inflammation of the liver caused by alcohol. Clinically it is accompanied by fever, jaundice, and enlargement of the liver. |
| alkaline phosphatase | An enzyme which is present in bone, the intestine, the kidneys, teeth and plasma. It may be elevated in some diseases. |
| alkalosis | Pathological condition where there is hydrogen ion loss (base excess) in body tissues. |
| allogenic | Involving or derived from individuals of the same species that are unlike genetically. |
| alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) | A fetal antigen that appears in adults with some forms of cancer, especially the liver. AFP may also be found in the amniotic fluid of pregnant women carrying fetuses with neural defects. |
| alveolitis | Inflammation of one or more of the air cells (alveoli) in the lungs. |
| ambulatory | Related to or adapted to walking. Able to walk about and not bedridden. |
| amenorrhea | The absence of menstruation. It is caused by dysfunction of the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, ovary or the uterus. |
| aminotransferase | Enzymes that transfer amino acids to a 2-keto acid. |
| aminotransferases | Transaminase. |
| amplitude | Range or extent (i.e., muscle contraction). |
| ampulla | A sac like dilation of a duct or canal. |
| ampulla of Vater | This widening of the pancreatic duct is a landmark for physicians. It is where the bile duct and pancreatic duct join before draining into the abdomen (small intestine). Tumors in the head of the pancreas may squeeze this duct partially or completely closed which may lead to problems with digestion and jaundice. |
| ampullary | Resembling or relating to an ampulla. |
| Amsterdam criteria | Also called the Bethesda Criteria, guidelines developed to help identify individuals who carry the gene for HNPCC. Icludes the 3,2,1 rule, presence of three first-degree relatives with colon cancer in two successive generations, one who is less than 50 years of age. |
| amylase | An enzyme that breaks down or splits carbohydrates. |
| amyloid | A waxy translucent substance consisting of proteins and polysaccharides. May form a characteristic deposition. |
| amyloidosis | A condition characterized by the deposition of amyloid (a waxy translucent substance consisting of protein and polysaccharides) in organs and tissues. |
| amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) | A degenerative disease of the motor neurons, characterized by weakness of the muscles of the hands, arms and legs and spreading to most of the body. |
| anal verge | The junction of the rectum and anal canal. |
| analgesic | A drug which aids in the relief of pain. |
| anastomosis | A surgical joining of two hollow structures. It is similar to attaching two ends of a garden hose. For example, a gastrojejunostomy is a surgical procedure that connects the stomach and the jejunum (small intestine). |
| anemia | A condition that is characterized by a deficiency in red blood cells. This condition may lead to fatigue among other symptoms. |
| aneurysm | A localized abnormal widening of a blood vessel due to a congenital defect or to a weakness in the wall of the vessel. |
| angiography | A radiologic (x-ray) technique used to visualize blood vessels. A contrast medium (dye) is usually injected into the vessels to make them appear opaque (white) on the x-rays. |
| angiomata | A tumor composed mainly of blood vessels or lymphatic vessels. |
| angioneurotic edema | An acute painless dermal, subcutaneous, or submucosal swelling of short duration. It may involve the face, neck, lips, larynx, feet, genitalia, or viscera. It may result from infection, emotional stress or allergy. |
| angularis | Part of the stomach on the lesser curvature. |
| angulation | The abnormal formation of angles by tubular structures such as blood vessels, intestines, etc. |
| annular | Ring-shaped |
| anorectal | Relating to both the anus and rectum. |
| anorectal | Pertaining to the anal and rectal portions of the intestine. |
| anorexia | A psychological and endocrine disorder which is characterized by a pathological fear of eating leading to faulty eating patterns, malnutrition, and excessive loss of weight. |
| antagonist | Something that neutralizes or counteracts the action of something else. |
| anterior | Located or situated toward the head or the part corresponding most closely to the head or the front of the body. |
| antibody | A complex protein (immunoglobulin); it is a product of activated lymphocytes and plasma cells; it is synthesized as part of an immune response to the presence of a specific antigen. |
| anticholinergic | A substance used to block the acetylcholine receptors, inhibiting the nerve impulse of nerve fibers. |
| anticoagulant | A drug which inhibits or hinders the coagulation of the blood; these may be referred to as blood thinners. |
| anti-emetic | An agent that treats nausea or vomiting. |
| antifibrotic | Substances which counteract the development of fibrosis. |
| antigen | A substance either introduced into or formed within the body that brings about the formation of antibodies that interact with it specifically. The antigen–antibody reaction is the basis of immunity. |
| antisecretory | Stop the secretion of. |
| antispasmodic | A drug that inhibits muscle spasms. |
| antrectomy | Surgical removal of the pyloric portion of the stomach. |
| antrum | Any nearly closed cavity or chamber. |
| anus | The muscular outlet of the rectum. |
| aorta | The large artery that carries oxygen rich blood from the heart. It descends into the abdomen where it gives off many branches to supply bodily organs. |
| APC I1307K | A gene (adenomatous polyposis coli) mutation that creates an unstable spot making individuals more susceptible to additional genetic changes that may lead to colorectal cancer. |
| aphthous | Blister-like or speckled. |
| apoptosis | Programmed cell death. |
| appendix vermiformis | A narrow blind tube of intestine about 3 - 4 inches. |
| arrhythmia | An alteration in rhythm of the heartbeat either in time or force. |
| arteriosclerosis | Also referred to as “hardening of the arteries” it refers to a thickening and hardening of the wall of the arteries resulting in a loss of elasticity. This process compromises the diameter of the vessel (lumen) and may obstruct the flow of blood. |
| arteriovenous | Relating to the arteries and veins. |
| arthralgia | Joint pain. |
| arthritis | Inflammation of a joint, usually accompanied by pain, swelling, and frequently changes in the structure. |
| arthropathic | A disease of the joint. |
| ascaris worm | A large parasitic intestinal roundworm usually found in tropical and temperate regions. |
| ascites | The collection of excess amounts of fluid in the abdominal cavity. |
| aspartate aminotransferase (AST) | An enzyme present in serum and certain tissues in the body, especially those of the liver and heart. Levels increase with heart damage (myocardial infarction) or as a result of liver damage. |
| aspartate | A salt or ester or aspartic acid. |
| aspergillus flavus | Type of fungus. |
| aspergillus parasiticus | Type of fungus. |
| aspiration | To draw in or out by means of suction. The withdrawal of fluid or air from an affected area or cavity by means of suction with a device called an aspirator. Also refers to the act of breathing, especially breathing in. |
| asymptomatic | Without symptoms. |
| atonic | Lacking normal tone. |
| atrophic gastritis | Inflammation around and loss of the deeply located glands of the stomach with accompanying decrease in acid secretion. |
| atrophy | A wasting or decrease in the size of an organ or a tissue. |
| auscultation | The diagnostic method of listening to sounds within the body (i.e., heart, intestines). |
| autonomic | Having the ability to function independently without outside influence. |
| autonomic nervous system | The involuntary division of the nervous system further divided into the sympathetic, parasympathetic and enteric nervous systems. |
| autosomal dominant | Refers to any dominant chromosome other than a sex (x and y) chromosome. |
| autosomal recessive | Refers to any recessive chromosome other than a sex (x and y) chromosome. |
| azotemia | The presence of increased levels of nitrogenous bodies, or urea in the blood. |
| azygous | A single part, not part of a pair. |
| azygous vein | One of seven veins located in the thorax which begins opposite the 1-2 lumbar vertebra and ends in the superior vena cava. It receives numerous veins. |
