Glossary

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Paget's disease- a disorder occurring in the middle-aged and elderly in which bone does not form properly, causing bone weakening, thickening, and deformity

Palate - the roof of the mouth

Palliative treatment - treatment that relieves the symptoms of a disorder without curing it

Pallor - abnormally pale skin; usually refers to the skin of the face

Palpation - the use of the hands to feel parts of the body to check for any abnormalities

Palpitation - an abnormally rapid and strong heartbeat

Palsy - loss of sensation or ability to move

Pancreas - a long gland located behind the stomach that produces enzymes that help to break down food and hormones (insulin and glucagon) that help to regulate glucose levels in the blood

Pancreatitis - inflammation of the pancreas, which is often caused by alcohol abuse

Pandemic - a widespread epidemic

Panic disorder - an emotional disorder characterized by attacks of anxiety that have no normal causes; usually made worse by stress

Papilloma - a tumor occurring on the skin or mucous membranes; usually not cancerous

Pap smear - a test in which cells are scraped off the cervix and examined for abnormalities; used to detect changes that might precede cervical cancer and to diagnose viral infections such as herpes simplex

Paralysis - the inability to use a muscle because of injury to or disease of the nerves leading to the muscle

Paraplegia - complete or partial loss of sensation and movement of the legs

Parasite - an organisms that lives on or in other organisms, from which it obtains nutrients

Parasympathetic nervous system - the part of the autonomic nervous system that is stimulated during times of relaxation

Parathyroid glands - small glands located in the neck that produce a hormone that regulates the levels of calcium in the blood

Parathyroid hormone - a hormone released by the parathyroid glands that plays a role in controlling calcium levels in the blood

Parenteral - the introduction of a substance into the body by any route other than the digestive tract, such as through a vein or muscle

Paresis - partial paralysis

Paresthesia - numbness or tingling in the skin; commonly referred to as "pins and needles"

Parkinson's disease- a brain disorder in which there is a lack of the chemical messenger dopamine, which helps control muscle movement; leads to muscle stiffness, weakness, and trembling

Paroxysm - a sudden attack or worsening of a disease's symptoms

Partial mastectomy - a treatment for breast cancer in which a tumor is removed, along with the skin covering it and some of the surrounding tissues and muscles

Partial seizure - an abnormal electrical discharge in a certain area of the brain, affecting only certain functions

Passive exercise - exercise of an injured part of the body involving no effort from that injured part

Patella - the medical term for the kneecap

Patent - not obstructed; open

Patent ductus arteriosus - a genetic disorder of the heart in which a channel connecting the pulmonary artery and the aorta fails to close and the heart must work harder to supply the body with blood

Paternity testing - use of blood tests to match up DNA or specific blood proteins to determine whether a man is the father of a child

Pathogen - any substance capable of causing a disease; usually refers to a disease-causing microorganism

Pathogenesis - the production and development of a disease or disorder

Pathology - the study of disease

Patient-controlled analgesia - a system for administering pain-killing drugs in which the amount of drug delivered is controlled by the patient

Pelvic examination - an examination of a woman's reproductive organs

Pelvic inflammatory disease - inflammation of a woman's internal reproductive organs, usually as a result of a bacterial infection; one of the most common causes of pelvic pain and infertility in women

Pelvis - the group of bones in the lower part of the trunk that support the upper body and protect the abdominal organs

Penis - the external male reproductive organ, which passes urine and semen out of the body

Perforation - a hole in an organ or body structure caused by disease or injury

Pericardial effusion - fluid buildup inside of the pericardium, affecting the performance of the heart

Pericarditis - inflammation of the membranous sac that covers the heart, causing chest pain and fever

Pericardium - the membranous sac that covers the heart and the base of the blood vessels that are attached to the heart

Perinatal - occurring just before or just after birth

Peripheral nervous system - the nerves that branch out from the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body

Peripheral vascular disease - the narrowing of blood vessels in the legs or arms, causing pain and possibly tissue death (gangrene) as a result of a reduced flow of blood to areas supplied by the narrowed vessels

Peristalsis - wavelike movement of smooth muscle-containing tubes, such as the digestive tract

Peritoneum - the membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and covers the abdominal organs

Peritonitis - inflammation of the peritoneum

Pernicious anemia - an anemia caused by a failure to absorb vitamin B12; which is essential in the production of normal red blood cells

Petit mal - a seizure characterized by loss of awareness for brief periods

PET scanning - see Positron emission tomography scanning

pH - a measure of the acidic or basic character of a substance

Pharmacology - the study of medications, including drug development

Pharynx - the throat; the tube connecting the back of the mouth and nose to the esophagus and windpipe

Phenothiazines - a group of drugs used as antipsychotics, antihistamines, and antiemetics

Phenylketonuria - a hereditary disorder in which the enzyme that converts the amino acid phenylalanine into another amino acid is defective, meaning phenylalanine must be kept out of the diet

Pheochromocytoma - a noncancerous tumor of cells that produce epinephrine and norepinephrine, causing higher levels of these hormones in the blood and an increase in blood pressure

Phlebitis - inflammation of a vein

Phlebothrombosis - formation of a blood clot in a vein

Phlegm - mucus and other material produced by the lining of the respiratory tract; also called sputum

Phobia - a persisting fear of and desire to avoid something

Phosphates - salts containing phosphorus; essential to some body functions such as the bones and teeth

Phospholipids - fatty substances that make up the membranes surrounding cells

Phosphorus - a mineral that is an important part of structures such as bones, teeth, and membranes in the body; also involved in numerous other chemical reactions

Phototherapy - treatment with some form of light

Physical therapy - the treatment of injuries or disorders using physical methods, such as exercise, massage, or the application of heat

Physiology - the study of the body's functions

Pica - a desire to eat materials that are not food

PID - see Pelvic inflammatory disease

Pigmentation - the coloration of the skin, hair, and eyes by the pigment melanin

Pituitary adenoma - a noncancerous tumor of the pituitary gland

Pituitary gland - a small, round gland located at the base of the brain that releases hormones that control other glands and body processes

PKU - see Phenylketonuria

Placebo - a chemically inactive substance given in place of a drug to test how much of a drug's effectiveness can be attributed to a patient's expectations that the drug will have a positive effect

Placebo effect - the positive or negative response to a drug that is caused by a person's expectations of a drug rather than the drug itself

Placenta - an organ formed in the uterus during pregnancy that links the blood of the mother to the blood of the fetus; provides the fetus with nutrients and removes waste

Placental abruption - the separation of the placenta from the wall of the uterus before childbirth, which causes severe bleeding that threatens the life of the mother and the fetus

Placental insufficiency - a disorder occurring during pregnancy in which the placenta does not function properly, causing the fetus to be deprived of nutrients

Placenta previa - a disorder in which the placenta develops at the lower section of the uterus (close to or covering the cervix); varies in severity, from no effect on a pregnancy to vaginal bleeding and danger to the mother and the fetus

Plaque - an area of buildup of fat deposits in an artery, causing narrowing of the artery and possibly heart disease; dental plaque refers to a coating on the teeth, consisting of saliva, bacteria, and food debris, which causes tooth decay

Plasma - the liquid part of the blood, containing substances such as nutrients, salts, and proteins

Plasma cell - a white blood cell that makes antibodies

Platelet - the smallest particle found in the blood, which plays a major role in forming blood clots

Pleura - the double-layered membrane that lines the lungs and chest cavity and allows for lung movement during breathing

Pleural effusion - a buildup of fluid between the membranes that line the lungs and chest cavity (the pleura); causes compression of the lungs, which leads to breathing difficulty

Pleural membranes - the pleura

Pleural space - the space between the two layers of the pleura

Pleurisy - inflammation of the lining of the lungs and chest cavity, usually caused by a lung infection; characterized by sharp chest pain

PMS - see Premenstrual syndrome

Pneumonectomy - surgical removal of a lung

Pneumonia - inflammation of the lungs due to a bacterial or viral infection, which causes fever, shortness of breath, and the coughing up of phlegm

Pneumothorax - a condition in which air enters the space between the chest wall and the lungs, causing chest pain and shortness of breath; may occur spontaneously or be the result of a disease or an accident

Poliomyelitis - an infectious disease caused by a virus; usually causes only mild symptoms but in rare cases can attack the brain and spinal cord and cause paralysis or death

Polycystic kidney disease - a condition in which there are multiple, slow-growing cysts on both kidneys

Polycystic ovary syndrome - a hereditary disease characterized by multiple cysts on the ovaries, obesity, excessive hairiness, infertility, and irregular menstruation

Polycythemia - an increased amount of red blood cells in the blood

Polydactyly - the presence of an excessive number of fingers or toes

Polydipsia - excessive thirst

Polyp - a growth that occurs on mucous membranes such as those in the nose and intestine; bleeds easily and can become cancerous

Polysaccharide - a complex carbohydrate composed of three or more simple carbohydrate molecules joined together

Polyunsaturated fat - a fat or oil that contains well below the maximum number of hydrogen atoms possible; thought to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease

Polyuria - the excessive production of urine; can be a symptom of various diseases, most notably diabetes mellitus

Portal vein - the vein connecting the stomach, intestines, and spleen to the liver

Positron emission tomography scanning - an imaging method in which substances emitting positrons (positively charged particles) are introduced into the body, and detectors connected to a computer are used to form images of the tissues

Postcoital contraception - the prevention of pregnancy after sexual intercourse has occurred

Posterior - describes something that is located in or relates to the back of the body

Postmenopausal bleeding - bleeding from the vagina that occurs after menopause

Postnatal - describes something that occurs after birth, usually to the baby

Postpartum - a term that describes something that occurs after childbirth, usually to the mother

Post-traumatic stress disorder - feelings of anxiety experienced after a particularly frightening or stressful event, which include recurring dreams, difficulty sleeping, and a feeling of isolation

Postural hypotension - unusually low blood pressure that occurs after suddenly standing or sitting up

Potassium - a mineral that plays an important role in the body, helping to maintain water balance, normal heart rhythm, conduction of nerve impulses, and muscle contraction

Precancerous - describes a condition from which cancer is likely to develop

Preeclampsia - a serious disorder that occurs in the second half of pregnancy, in which a woman experiences high blood pressure, fluid retention, nausea, and headaches; if not treated it can lead to eclampsia

Premature labor - labor that begins before the full term of pregnancy (about 37 weeks)

Premature rupture of membranes - the rupture of the sac that holds the fluid surrounding the fetus before the full term of pregnancy (about 37 weeks)

Premedication - drugs, usually painkillers, taken 1 to 2 hours before surgery

Premenopausal - a term that describes the period of a few years in a woman's life just before menopause

Premenstrual syndrome - physical and emotional changes that occur in a woman 1 or 2 weeks before menstruation, at or after ovulation; characterized by irritability, tension, depression, and fatigue

Prenatal care - medical care of a pregnant woman and the fetus

Prenatal diagnosis - techniques used to diagnose abnormalities in a fetus

Prenatal testing - tests performed on a pregnant woman or her fetus to prevent or diagnose abnormalities

Prepared childbirth - a technique in which a pregnant woman tries to minimize use of pain-relief medications during childbirth by learning relaxation techniques

Primary - a disease that began in the affected location

Procidentia - severe prolapse of an organ

Proctalgia - pain in the rectum

Proctitis - inflammation of the rectum, which causes soreness and sometimes mucus and/or pus in the stool

Proctoscopy - examination of the rectum using a viewing instrument

Progesterone - a female sex hormone that plays many important roles in reproduction, including the thickening of the lining of the uterus during the menstrual cycle; and during pregnancy, the functioning of the placenta, and the initiation of labor

Prognosis - a doctor's probable forecast of the effects and outcome of a disease

Prolactin - a hormone released by the pituitary gland that is responsible for the development of breasts and milk production in females

Prolapse - the displacement of an organ from its normal position to a new one

Prophylactic - anything used to prevent disease

Prostate gland - an organ located under the bladder that produces a large part of the semen

Proteins - large molecules made up of amino acids that play many major roles in the body, including forming the basis of body structures such as skin and hair, and important chemicals such as enzymes and hormones

Prothrombin time - the time it takes for a sample of blood to clot after substances that speed clotting time have been added; used to measure the effect of anticoagulants

Proton pump inhibitor - a drug used to treat peptic ulcers that reduces the amount of gastric acid produced

Proto-oncogene - a gene that is normally inactive but can become a cancer-causing oncogene if made active

Proximal - located nearer to a central point of reference on the body, such as the trunk

Pruritus - the medical term for itching

Pseudomembranous enterocolitis - severe inflammation of the colon as a result of antibiotic use by an immunocompromised individual

Psychogenic - resulting from psychological or emotional disorders

Psychological - relating to the mind and the processes of the mind

Psychosis - a mental disorder in which a serious inability to think, perceive, and judge clearly causes loss of touch with reality

Psychosomatic - describes a physical condition that is influenced by psychological or emotional factors

Psychotherapy - the treatment of mental and emotional disorders using psychological methods, such as counseling, instead of physical means

Psychotic - relating to psychosis

Psychotropic drug - a drug that has a psychological effect

Puberty - the period of time (usually between the ages of 10 and 15) during which sexual development occurs, allowing reproduction to become possible

Pubic louse - a small insect that lives in pubic hair, feeds on blood, and is usually spread by sexual contact; pubic lice are popularly called "crabs"

Pudendal block - a local anesthesia procedure used during childbirth, causing the lower part of the vagina to be insensitive to pain

Pudendum - the external genitals, usually referring to the female

Puerperal sepsis - infection of the female genital tract following childbirth, abortion, or miscarriage

Puerperium - the time period after childbirth (about 6 weeks) during which a woman's body returns to its normal physical state

Pulmonary artery - the artery that supplies the lungs with blood from the heart

Pulmonary edema - the buildup of fluid in lung tissue, which is usually caused by heart failure

Pulmonary embolism - blockage of the pulmonary artery by a floating mass in the blood

Pulmonary fibrosis - a condition in which the tissue of the lungs has become thick and scarred, usually because of inflammation caused by lung conditions such as pneumonia or tuberculosis

Pulmonary heart valve - the heart valve that stops blood pumped to the lungs from leaking back into the heart

Pulmonary hypertension - increased blood pressure in the arteries supplying blood to the lungs; caused by increased resistance to blood flow in the lungs, usually a result of a lung disease

Pulmonary insufficiency - a rare defect in the pulmonary heart valve in which it fails to close properly after each muscle contraction, allowing blood to leak back into the heart; weakens the heart's pumping ability

Pulmonary stenosis - obstruction of the flow of blood from the heart to the lungs

Pulp - the soft tissue inside of a tooth that contains blood vessels and nerves

Pulse - the expansion and contraction of a blood vessel due to the blood pumped through it; determined as the number of expansions per minute

Pupil - the opening at the center of the iris in the eye that constricts (contracts) and dilates (widens) in response to light

Pus - a thick, yellowish or greenish fluid that contains dead white blood cells, tissues, and bacteria; occurs at the site of a bacterial infection

Pustule - a small blister containing pus

Pyelonephritis - inflammation of the kidney, usually due to a bacterial infection

Pyloric sphincter - a circular muscle located at the junction of the stomach and small intestine that controls the passage of food into the small intestine

Pyloric stenosis - narrowing of the outlet located at the junction of the stomach and small intestine

Pyrexia - a body temperature of above 98.6°F in the mouth or 99.8°F in the rectum

Pyrogen - any substance that causes a fever

Pyuria - the presence of white blood cells in the urine; usually an indication of kidney or urinary tract infection

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