The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks Vocab

What is gynecology?

The medical study or focus on women’s reproductive system/health.

What is syphilis?

A sexually transmitted infection (STI) that can be treated with medication; affects heart, brain, muscles, bones, and eyes; preventable by using protection.

What does the term 'litany' refer to?

A repetitive series of prayers.

What does it mean to be epileptic?

Having epilepsy, which is a chronic brain disorder where groups of nerve cells send incorrect signals, causing seizures.

Define sickle cell.

An inherited blood disorder that affects hemoglobin.

What is asymptomatic neurosyphilis?

Neurosyphilis is present, but the individual reports no symptoms and does not feel sick.

What is gonorrhea?

An STI or STD caused by bacteria, specifically the spread of genital or bodily fluids in sexual activity.

What does palpated mean?

Medical examination by touch.

What is lore?

A body of traditions and knowledge.

What is resin?

A solid or highly viscous substance of plant or synthetic origin that is typically convertible into polymers.

What does idyllic mean?

Like an idyll; ideal; extremely happy, peaceful.

What is a biopsy?

Procedure to remove a piece of tissue or sample of cells from the body to test in a laboratory.

Define pathology.

The study of diseases.

What is carcinoma?

Cancer that forms in epithelial tissue.

What does epithelial tissue do?

It is found in organs and covers internal and external surfaces in the body.

What is estrogen?

A type of hormone made by the body that helps develop and maintain female sex characteristics and growth of long bones.

What is menopause?

The stage of a woman’s life when her menstrual periods stop permanently and she can no longer get pregnant.

What is endometriosis?

A disease in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus.

What does invasive mean in a medical context?

Tending to spread especially in a quick or aggressive manner; intruding.

What is a hysterectomy?

Surgical removal of the uterus.

Define malignant.

Harmful, uncontrollable, infectious.

What does metastasized mean?

Spread to other sites in the body by metastasis.

What does indigent mean?

a state of being extremely poor or impoverished, having insufficient money or resources for basic needs such as food, clothing, and shelter

What is dearth?

refers to a scarcity or lack of something, often with respect to essential resources such as food, water, or other commodities

Define physiology

the branch of biology that focuses on the functions and mechanisms occurring in living organisms

What is the umbilical cord?

a flexible, tube-like structure that connects a developing fetus to the placenta in the mother's womb

What is a Gey Culture?

Not provided in the notes.

What is a medium in a medical context?

refers to a substance or environment that facilitates the growth, development, or transportation of microorganisms, cells, or tissues

What does sterility mean?

refers to a state of being free from live bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms

What is one-millimeter in reference to size?

a unit of measurement in the metric system, representing one-thousandth of a meter

What does dapper mean?

an adjective used to describe someone, typically a man, who is remarkably neat, trim, and smart in appearance

What does mythological refer to?

refers to anything related to myths, which are traditional stories that are often used to explain natural phenomena, cultural practices, or significant historical events

What is a symposium?

a formal gathering or conference where experts and scholars come together to discuss and exchange ideas on a specific topic or issue

What does notoriously mean?

refers to a state of being widely and unfavorably known or famous for a specific quality, characteristic, or behavior

What does curt mean?

refers to an abrupt, brief, or terse manner of speaking or behaving that can come off as rude or dismissive

What does it mean to metastasize?

cancer cells have spread from the original (primary) site of tumor formation to other parts of the body, forming new (secondary) tumors

What does conflated mean?

refers to the act of combining or mixing two or more distinct ideas, concepts, or elements into one, often leading to confusion or misunderstanding

Who is a eugenicist?

an individual who advocates for or supports eugenics, a controversial and widely discredited movement that aims to improve the genetic quality of a human population through selective breeding and other reproductive strategies

What are eccentricities?

refer to unconventional behaviors, habits, or characteristics that deviate from the norm or standard expectations within a given society or group

What is telepathy?

the purported ability to transfer thoughts, feelings, or information from one person's mind to another without using any known human senses or physical interaction

What is clairvoyance?

the purported ability to gain information about an object, person, location, or physical event through extrasensory perception (ESP) or an innate psychic ability rather than through any known human senses

What is suspended animation?

a state in which an organism's metabolic processes are significantly slowed down or halted for a temporary period, essentially pausing life functions without death occurring

What is virology?

the branch of science that deals with the study of viruses and virus-like agents, including their structure, classification, evolution, methods of infection, and the diseases they cause

What does inconsequential mean?

refers to something that lacks importance, significance, or value

What does deleterious mean?

refers to something that is harmful, damaging, or detrimental to health or well-being

What are affidavits?

written statements made under oath, usually in the presence of a notary public or other authorized official

What is psychosis?

a mental health condition characterized by a disconnection from reality.

What does fallacious mean?

refers to reasoning or arguments that are based on mistaken beliefs, flawed logic, or deceptive ideas.

What does perilous mean?

describes a situation or condition that involves great risk or danger

What does innocuous mean?

something that is not harmful or offensive

What is hospitality?

the act of warmly welcoming and providing services to guests, clients, or strangers, ensuring that their needs and comfort are met.

What is serum?

clear, yellowish fluid that separates from the blood when it coagulates.

What is gangrene?

a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that occurs when a significant amount of body tissue dies due to a lack of blood supply or severe bacterial infection.

What is angioplasty?

a medical procedure used to open narrowed or blocked blood vessels that supply blood to the heart (coronary arteries) or other parts of the body.

What does verbatim mean?

means word for word; it refers to the exact replication of spoken or written text without any alteration.

What does conjured mean?

the act of calling upon or bringing into existence something, often through magical or supernatural means.

What does pristine mean?

something that is in its original, unspoiled condition.

What is abatement?

refers to the reduction or elimination of a nuisance, particularly in the context of environmental law, real estate, or public health

What does virulent mean?

refers to a pathogen, particularly a virus or bacteria, that is capable of causing disease and is highly infectious

What is dissemination?

Dissemination refers to the process of spreading information, knowledge, or data widely to an audience.

What is the Hayflick Limit?

The Hayflick Limit is a phenomenon that describes the number of times a normal somatic human cell can divide before cell division stops.

What is an epiphany?

A moment of sudden and great revelation or realization.

What is a telomere?

Telomeres are repetitive nucleotide sequences at the ends of chromosomes that protect them from deterioration or fusion with neighboring chromosomes.