Glossary

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G 

Galactocele - a milk-filled tumor in a blocked breast milk duct

Galactorrhea - breast milk production by a woman who is not pregnant and has not just given birth

Gallbladder - a small, pear-shaped sac positioned under the liver, which concentrates and stores bile

Gallstone - a round, hard mass of cholesterol, bile, or calcium salts that is found in the gallbladder or a bile duct

Gamete intrafallopian transfer - a method of treating infertility in which eggs are taken from a woman's ovaries and fertilized with sperm and then the fertilized egg is injected into one of her fallopian tubes

Gamma globulin - a substance prepared from blood that carries antibodies to most common infections; also used in immunizations

Gastritis - inflammation of the mucous membrane lining of the stomach; can have a number of causes, including viruses, bacteria, and use of alcohol and other drugs

Gastroenteritis - inflammation of the stomach and intestines

Gastrointestinal tract - the part of the digestive system that includes the mouth, esophagus, stomach, and intestines

Gene - the basic unit of DNA, which is responsible for passing genetic information; each gene contains the instructions for the production of a certain protein

General anesthesia - a method of preventing pain in which the patient is induced to lose consciousness

Generic drug - a drug marketed under its chemical name, instead of a brand name

Gene therapy - an experimental procedure in which disease-causing genes are replaced by normal, healthy genes

Genetic counseling - information and advice given to persons considering pregnancy about the risk that a child will have an inheritable birth defect or genetic disorder

Genetic disorder - a disorder caused partly or completely by a defect in genes, which carry hereditary information

Genital herpes - an infection caused by the herpes simplex virus, which causes a painful rash of fluid-filled blisters on the genitals; transmitted through sexual contact

Genital tract - the organs that make up the reproductive system

Genital wart - a growth on the skin in or around the vagina, penis, or anus, transmitted by sexual contact; can cause cancer of the cervix

Genome - the complete set of an organism's genes

German measles - the common name for Rubella

Germ cell - a sperm or egg cell, or the immature form of either

Gestation - the period of time between fertilization of an egg by a sperm and birth of a baby

Giardiasis - infection with a single-celled parasite, causing abdominal cramps, diarrhea, and nausea

GIFT - see Gamete intrafallopian transfer

Gland - a group of cells or an organ that produces substances (such as hormones and enzyme) that are used by the body

Glomerulonephritis - inflammation of the filtering structures in the kidneys, hindering removal of waste products from the blood

Glomerulosclerosis - scarring of the filtering structures in the kidneys due to damage

Glucose - a sugar that is the main source of energy for the body

Glucose tolerance test - a test that evaluates the body's response to glucose after a period of fasting; used to check for diabetes mellitus

Glycosuria - glucose in the urine

Goiter - enlargement of the thyroid gland, which produces a swelling on the neck

Gonadotropic hormones - hormones that stimulate activity in the ovaries and testicles

Gonorrhea - a common sexually transmitted disease, characterized by painful urination or a discharge from the penis or vagina

Grand mal - a type of seizure occurring with epilepsy, producing loss of consciousness and involuntary jerking movements

Granuloma - a mass of tissue that forms at a site of inflammation, injury, or infection as a part of the healing process

Graves' disease - an autoimmune disease that causes goiter, overproduction of thyroid hormones, and sometimes bulging eyeballs

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