HEALTH
GLOSSARY - A
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AAFP
- (American
Academy
of Family
Physicians)
It is
recognized
as the
national
association
of family
doctors.
It is
one
of the
largest
national
medical
organizations,
with
more
than
85,000
members
in 50
states,
D.C.,
Puerto
Rico,
the
Virgin
Islands,
and
Guam.
Until
October
3, 1971,
it was
known
as the
American
Academy
of General
Practice.
The
name
was
changed
in order
to reflect
more
accurately
the
changing
nature
of primary
health
care.
AAOS
- (American
Academy
of Orthopaedic
Surgeons).In
the
literal
sense,
the
practice
of child
straightening,
orthopaedics
is the
branch
of surgery
that
is broadly
concerned
with
the
skeletal
system.
In other
words,
bones.
Abductor
muscle
- These
are
muscles
that
are
used
to pull
any
body
part
away
from
body
itself.
An example
would
be the
shoulder
muscle.
Abdomen
- Typicall
thought
of as
the
belly,
that
part
of the
body
that
contains
all
of the
structures
between
the
chest
and
the
pelvis.
The
abdomen
is separated
anatomically
from
the
chest
by the
diaphragm,
the
powerful
muscle
spanning
the
body
cavity
below
the
lungs.
Abdominal
cavity
- The
space
within
the
abdomen.
It is
between
the
abdominal
wall
and
the
spine.
Abdominal
muscle
deficiency
syndrome
- This
is the
partial
or complete
absence
of the
abdominal
muscles
so that
the
outlines
of the
intestines
are
visible
through
the
thin,
lax,
protruding
abdominal
wall.
Also
known
as the
"prune
belly
syndrome."
The
full
syndrome
probably
occurs
only
in males.
In addition
to the
abdominal
muscle
deficiency,
there
are
genital
and
urinary
abnormalities
including
dilation
(widening)
of the
urinary
tract
and
cryptorchidism
(failure
for
the
testes
to descend
into
the
scrotum).
Abdominal
muscles
- The
large
group
of muscles
in the
front
of the
abdomen
that
assists
in the
regular
breathing
movement
and
supports
the
muscles
of the
spine
while
lifting
and
keeping
abdominal
organs
such
as the
intestines
in place.
Abdominal
muscles
play
a key
role
in exercises
such
as "sit-ups."
They
are
more
widely
known
as the
"abs".
Abduction
- In
medicine,
the
movement
of a
limb
away
from
the
midline
of the
body.
Abduction
of both
legs
spreads
the
legs.
Ablation
- Removal
or excision.
Ablation
is usually
carried
out
surgically.
For
example,
surgical
removal
of the
thyroid
gland
(a total
thyroidectomy)
is ablation
of the
thyroid.
The
word
ablation
comes
from
the
Latin
ablatum
meaning
to carry
away.
Abortifacient
- A
substance
that
causes
pregnancy
to end
prematurely
and
causes
an abortion.
Abortion
- In
medicine,
an abortion
is the
premature
exit
of the
products
of conception
(the
fetus,
fetal
membranes,
and
placenta)
from
the
uterus.
It is
the
loss
of a
pregnancy
and
does
not
refer
to why
that
pregnancy
was
lost.
Abortion,
artificial
- An
abortion
that
is brought
about
intentionally.
Also
called
an induced
or therapeutic
abortion.
As opposed
to a
spontaneous
abortion
(a miscarriage).
Abortion,
habitual
- The
miscarriage
of 3
or more
consecutive
pregnancies.
The
abortion
of 3
or more
miscarriages
(spontaneous
abortions)
with
no intervening
pregnancies
is also
termed
recurrent
abortion.
Abortion,
induced
- An
abortion
that
is brought
about
intentionally.
Also
called
an artificial
or therapeutic
abortion.
As opposed
to a
spontaneous
abortion
(a miscarriage).
Abortion,
recurrent
- The
occurrence
of 3
or more
miscarriages
(which
are
medically
termed
"spontaneous
abortions")
with
no intervening
pregnancies.
Abortion,
spontaneous
- A
miscarriage,
that
is,
any
pregnancy
that
is not
viable
(the
fetus
cannot
survive)
or in
which
the
fetus
is born
before
the
20th
week
of pregnancy.
Spontaneous
abortion
occurs
in at
least
15-20%
of all
recognized
pregnancies
and
usually
takes
place
before
the
13th
week
of pregnancy.
Abortion,
therapeutic
- An
abortion
that
is brought
about
intentionally.
Also
called
an artificial
or induced
abortion.
As opposed
to a
spontaneous
abortion
(a miscarriage).
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AC
joint
- Acromioclavicular
joint
located
between
the
acromion
(a projection
of the
scapula
that
forms
the
point
of the
shoulder)
and
the
clavicle
(the
collar
bone).
This
is a
gliding
type
of joint.
The
ligaments
that
serve
to support
and
strengthen
this
joint
are
called
the
capsular;
superior
and
inferior
acromioclavicular;
articular
disk;
and
coracoclavicular
(trapezoid
and
conoid)
ligaments.
Accessory
digestive
organ
- This
is an
organ
that
aids
in digestion
but
is not
officially
part
of the
digestive
tract.
The
accessory
digestive
organs
are
the
tongue,
salivary
glands,
pancreas,
liver,
and
gallbladder.
Accessory
nerve
- this
nerve
emerges
from
the
skull
and
receives
an additional
(accessory)
root
from
the
upper
part
of the
spinal
cord.
It supplies
the
sternocleidomastoid
and
trapezius
muscles.
The
sternocleidomastoid
muscle
is in
the
front
of the
neck
and
is responsible
for
turning
the
head.
The
trapezius
muscle
moves
the
scapula
(the
wingbone),
turns
the
face
to the
opposite
side,
and
helps
pull
the
head
back.
The
accessory
nerve
is so-called
because,
although
it arises
in the
brain,
it receives
an additional
(accessory)
root
from
the
upper
part
of the
spinal
cord.
Accoucheuse
- Originally
a French
term
for
a woman
who
is an
obstetrician
(a physician
skilled
in the
art
and
science
of managing
pregnancy,
labor
and
the
time
after
delivery)
or a
midwife
(today
a non-physician
trained
to assist
a woman
during
childbirth).
ACE
inhibitor
- A
drug
that
inhibits
ACE
(angiotensin
converting
enzyme)
which
is important
to the
formation
of angiotensin
II.
Angiotensin
II causes
arteries
in the
body
to constrict
and
thereby
raises
the
blood
pressure.
ACE
inhibitors
lower
the
blood
pressure
by inhibiting
the
formation
of angiotensin
II.
This
relaxes
the
arteries.
Relaxing
the
arteries
not
only
lowers
blood
pressure,
but
also
improves
the
pumping
efficiency
of a
failing
heart
and
improves
cardiac
output
in patients
with
heart
failure.
ACE
inhibitors
are
therefore
used
for
blood
pressure
control
and
congestive
heart
failure.
Acellular
- Not
made
up of
cells
or divided
into
cells.
Or lacking
intact
cells
as,
for
example,
an acellular
vaccine
which
may
contain
cellular
material
but
not
complete
cells.
Acetabular
- Pertaining
to the
acetabulum,
the
cup-shaped
socket
of the
hip
joint
which
is a
key
feature
of the
pelvis.
The
head
(upper
end)
of the
femur
(the
thighbone)
fits
into
the
acetabulum
and
articulates
with
it,
forming
a ball-and-socket
joint.
Acetaminophen
- A
pain
reliever
and
fever
reducer.
Brand
name:
Tylenol.
The
exact
mechanism
of action
of acetaminophen
is not
known.
Acetaminophen
relieves
pain
by elevating
the
pain
threshold
(that
is,
by requiring
a greater
amount
of pain
to develop
before
it is
felt
by a
person).
Acetaminophen
reduces
fever
through
its
action
on the
heat-regulating
center
(the
"thermostat")
of the
brain.
Generic
is available.
Acetabulum
- The
cup-shaped
socket
of the
hip
joint.
In fact,
in Latin
an "acetabulum"
is cup,
a vinegar
cup.
The
acetabulum
is a
feature
of the
pelvis.
The
head
(upper
end)
of the
femur
(the
thighbone)
fits
into
the
acetabulum
and
articulates
with
it,
forming
a ball-and-socket
joint.
Acetic
acid
- The
acid
most
commonly
associated
with
vinegar.
Acetic
acid
is a
two-carbon
carboxylic
acid.
Its
formula
is:
CH3COOH.
It is
the
most
commercially
important
organic
acid
and
is used
in the
manufacture
of a
broad
range
of chemical
products,
such
as plastics
and
insecticides.
Acetone
- In
the
body,
a chemical
that
is formed
when
the
body
uses
fat
instead
of glucose
(sugar)
for
energy.
The
formation
of acetone
means
that
cells
lack
insulin
or cannot
effectively
use
available
insulin
to burn
glucose
for
energy.
Acetone
passes
through
the
body
into
the
urine
as one
of the
so-called
ketone
bodies.
Acetyl
coenzyme
A
- An
important
metabolic
intermediate,
derived
from
various
pathways,
such
as glycolysis,
fatty
acid
oxidation,
and
degradation
of some
amino
acids.
It also
represents
a key
intermediate
in lipid
biosynthesis.
Achilles
tendon
- A
tough
sinew
that
attaches
the
calf
muscle
to the
back
of the
heel
bone.
The
Achilles
tendon
is one
of the
longest
tendons
in the
body.
It is
also
called
the
tendo
Achilles
or the
tendo
calcaneus,
the
calcaneus
being
the
heel
bone.
Achilles
tendonitis
- Inflammation
of the
Achilles
tendon,
the
tough
sinew
that
attaches
the
calf
muscle
to the
back
of the
calcaneus
or heel
bone.
Achilles
tendonitis
causes
pain
and
often
swelling
over
the
Achilles
tendon.
The
tendon
is tender
and
may
be swollen.
There
is pain
on rising
up on
the
toes
and
pain
with
stretching
of the
tendon.
The
range
of motion
of the
ankle
may
be limited.
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Achillobursitis
- Pain
due
to inflammation
of the
bursa
associated
with
the
Achilles
tendon.
The
Achilles
tendon
is one
of the
better
known
anatomic
features
in sports
medicine
due
to the
abrupt
dramatic
nature
of some
injuries
to this
tendon.
It is
in the
back
of the
lower
leg
and
connects
the
calf
muscle
(the
triceps
surae)
with
the
calcaneus
bone
in the
heel.
This
tendon
is so
named
for
the
hero
whose
heel,
according
to Greek
mythology,
was
the
only
part
of his
body
where
he could
be hurt.
Achillodynia
- Pain
due
to inflammation
of the
Achilles
tendon
or the
bursa
associated
with
it.
The
Achilles
tendon
is one
of the
better
known
anatomic
features
in sports
medicine
due
to the
abrupt
dramatic
nature
of some
injuries
to this
tendon.
It is
in the
back
of the
lower
leg
and
connects
the
calf
muscle
(the
triceps
surae)
with
the
calcaneus
bone
in the
heel.
This
tendon
is so
named
for
the
hero
whose
heel,
according
to Greek
mythology,
was
the
only
part
of his
body
where
he could
be hurt.
Acid
phosphatase
- Acid
phosphatase
is an
enzyme
that
works
under
acid
conditions
and
is made
in the
liver,
spleen,
bone
marrow
and
the
prostate
gland.
Acid
deposition
- A
complex
chemical
and
atmospheric
phenomenon
that
occurs
when
emissions
of sulfur
and
nitrogen
compounds
and
other
substances
are
transformed
by chemical
processes
in the
atmosphere
and
then
deposited
on earth
in either
wet
or dry
form.
The
wet
forms,
popularly
called
acid
rain,
can
fall
to earth
as rain,
snow,
or fog.
The
dry
forms
are
acidic
gases
or particulates.
Acid
indigestion
- Excessive
secretion
of hydrochloric
acid
by the
stomach
cells.
Medically
known
as hyperchlorhydria.
Sometimes
used
interchangeably
with
heartburn.
See
also:
Heartburn.
Acid
phosphatase
- Acid
phosphatase
is an
enzyme
that
works
under
acid
conditions
and
is made
in the
liver,
spleen,
bone
marrow
and
the
prostate
gland.
Acid
rain
- Rain
resulting
from
the
combination
of fossil
fuel
emissions
and
water
in the
atmosphere.
The
environmental
effects
of acid
rain
include
the
acidification
of lakes
and
streams,
damage
to trees
at high
altitude,
the
acceleration
of decay
in buildings
and
poorer
air
quality.
Acid
rain
also
poses
serious
human
health
risks
by contributing
to heart
and
lung
disorders
such
as asthma
and
bronchitis.
Acid
rain
can
be reduced
by the
regulation
of industrial
emissions
and
the
adoption
of energy
efficiency
alternatives
and
pollution
prevention
programs.
Acid
rain
is a
form
of acid
deposition.
Acid
reflux
- A
common
condition
and
an abnormal
one
in which
acid
in the
stomach
rises
up into
the
esophagus.
This
occurs
because
the
valve
separating
the
contents
of the
stomach
from
the
esophagus
does
not
function
properly.
Acid,
fatty
- One
of many
molecules
that
are
long
chains
of lipid-carboxylic
acid
found
in fats
and
oils
and
in cell
membranes
as a
component
of phospholipids
and
glycolipids.
Fatty
acids
come
from
animal
and
vegetable
fats
and
oils.
Fatty
acids
play
roles
outside
the
body;
they
are
used
as lubricants,
in cooking
and
food
engineering,
and
in the
production
of soaps,
detergents,
and
cosmetics.
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Acid,
folic
- One
of the
B vitamins
that
is a
key
factor
in the
synthesis
(the
making)
of nucleic
acid
(DNA
and
RNA).
A deficiency
of folic
acid
after
birth
causes
a kind
of anemia,
namely,
megaloblastic
anemia
in which
there
is a
paucity
of red
blood
cells
and
those
that
are
made
are
unusually
large
and
immature
(so-called
blast
cells).
Acid,
nucleic - One of the molecules
in the chromosomes of living cells
and viruses that plays a central
role in the storage and replication
of hereditary information and
in the expression of this information
through protein synthesis. The
two chief types of nucleic acids
are: DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)
which contains the hereditary
information in humans and
RNA (ribonucleic acid) which delivers
the instructions coded in this
information to the cell's protein
manufacturing sites.
Acid, pantothenic - Pantothenic
acid is vitamin B5, one of the
less well known B vitamins, perhaps
because it is widely distributed
in nature. No naturally occurring
disease due to a deficiency of
pantothenic acid has been identified,
due to the plentifulness of this
vitamin.
Acid, trans fatty - An
unhealthy substance, also known
as trans fat, made through the
chemical process of hydrogenation
of oils. Hydrogenation solidifies
liquid oils and increases the
shelf life and the flavor stability
of oils and foods that contain
them. Trans fat is found in vegetable
shortenings and in some margarines,
crackers, cookies, snack foods
and other foods.
Acid-base balance - Acid-base
balance refers to the mechanisms
the body uses to keep its fluids
close to neutral pH (that is,
neither basic nor acidic) so that
the body can function normally
Acidosis - Too much acid
in the body, a distinctly abnormal
condition resulting from the accumulation
of acid or from the depletion
of alkaline reserves. In acidosis,
the pH of the blood is abnormally
low. Acidosis is associated with
diabetic ketoacidosis, lung disease,
and severe kidney disease. The
opposite of acidosis is alkalosis
in which there is too high a pH
due to excess base or insufficient
acid in the body.
Acinetobacter - (Pronounced
AH-sin-neto-bacter). A group of
bacteria found in soil, water,
and hospitals where they can cause
serious infections in immunocompromised
people and are often resistant
to antibiotics.
ACL - (Anterior cruciate
ligament) A ligament in the knee
that crosses from the underside
of the femur (the thigh bone)
to the top of the tibia (the bigger
bone in the lower leg). Abbreviated
ACL. Injuries to the ACL can occur
in a number of situations, including
sports, and can be quite serious,
requiring surgery.
Acinus, pulmonary - The
ending of a tiny airway in the
lung, where the alveoli (air sacs)
are located.
Adenine - One of the 4
base pair code that make up DNA.
The others are guanine, cytosine,
and thymine.
Anterior cruciate injury
- A knee injury involving the
anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).
The ACL runs diagonally across
the front of the knee from the
underside of the femur (the thigh
bone) to the top of the tibia
(the bigger bone in the lower
leg).
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