A-H (copy)
2,3-Diphosphoglycerate: A compound in red blood cells that
affects oxygen binding to and release from hemoglobin.
Ablation: Destruction of part or all of an organ or structure.
Abscess: Purulent collection of fluid separated from surrounding
tissue by a wall consisting of inflammatory cells and adjacent
organs.
Acanthosis nigricans: Increased thickness and hyperpigmentation
of the outer cell layers of the skin; typically observed at areas
of flexure.
Acaricide: A chemical that kills mites and ticks.
Acetylcholine: Neurotransmitter at synapses in the ganglia of the
visceral motor system and a variety of sites within the central
nervous system.
Achalasia: Disorder in which the esophageal sphincter is impaired,
preventing normal swallowing and often causing reflux of
contents and a feeling that something is caught in the throat.
Achlorhydria: Absence of free hydrochloric acid in the stomach.
Acinar cells: Cells in the pancreas responsible for the synthesis,
secretion, and storage of certain digestive enzymes.
Action potential: A rapid change in the polarity of the voltage
of a cell membrane from negative to positive and back to
negative; a wave of electrical discharge that travels across a cell
membrane.
Acute coronary syndromes: Ischemic chest discomfort at rest
most often accompanied by ST-segment elevation, ST-segment
depression, or T-wave inversion on the 12-lead electrocardiogram;
caused by plaque rupture and partial or complete occlusion of
the coronary artery by thrombus. Acute coronary syndromes
include myocardial infarction and unstable angina.
Acute respiratory distress syndrome: Diffuse inflammatory
condition of the lung resulting in damage of alveoli, surfactant
production, innate immune system response, and dysregulation
of hemostasis in the pulmonary tract.
Addiction: A primary, chronic, neurobiologic disease, with
genetic, psychosocial, and environmental factors influencing its
development and manifestations. Characterized by behaviors
such as impaired control over substance use, compulsive use,
continued use despite harm, and craving.
Adenoma: A non-malignant tumor of the epithelial tissue that is
characterized by glandular structures.
Adenomatous polyposis coli: A gene associated with familial
adenomatous polyposis, an inherited disorder characterized
by the development of myriad polyps in the colon, often
occurring in adolescents and young adults ages 15 to 25.
Adjuvant chemotherapy: Treatment given after primary surgical
treatment and designed to eliminate any remaining cancer cells
that are undetectable, with the goal of improving survival.
Adrenalectomy: Surgical removal of an adrenal gland.
Adverse drug reaction: Any unexpected, unintended, undesired,
or excessive response to a medication that requires discontinuing the medication; requires changing the medication; requires
modifying the dose (except for minor dosage adjustments);
necessitates admission to the hospital; prolongs stay in a health
care facility; necessitates supportive treatment; significantly
complicates diagnosis; negatively affects prognosis; or results
in temporary or permanent harm, disability, or death.
Aeroallergen: Airborne substance that causes an allergic response.
Afterload: The force against which a ventricle contracts that
is contributed to by the vascular resistance, especially of
the arteries, and by the physical characteristics (mass and
viscosity) of the blood.
Ageism: Discrimination against aged persons.
Air embolus: An obstruction in a small blood vessel caused by air
that is introduced into a blood vessel and carried through the
circulation until it lodges in a smaller vessel.
Akathisia: Motor or subjective feelings of restlessness, often
characterized by the urge to move limbs and inability to sit still.
Akinesia: Lack of movement.
Allodynia: Pain that results from a stimulus that does not
normally cause pain.
Allogeneic: A transplant taking cells from one person and
donating them to another.
Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT): A
procedure in which a patient receives hematopoietic stem cells
from a genetically similar donor.
Allograft: Tissue or organ transplanted from a donor of the
same species but different genetic makeup; recipient’s immune
system must be suppressed to prevent rejection of the graft.
Allograft survival: After the transplant procedure, when the
transplanted organ continues to have some degree of function,
from excellent to poor.
Allorecognition: Recognition of the foreign antigens present on
the transplanted organ or the donor’s antigen presenting cells.
Alopecia: Hair loss.
Ambulatory esophageal reflux monitoring: A telemetry capsule
containing a tiny camera is swallowed, or a transnasal catheter
is inserted to determine how often reflux is occurring as
well as the incidence of abnormal esophageal acid exposure.
The telemetry capsule provides about 48 hours of data, whereas
the transnasal catheter provides about 24 hours of data.
Amenorrhea: The absence or discontinuation of regular
menstrual periods. Abnormal cessation or absence of menses.
Ampulla of Vater: Dilation of the duodenal wall at the opening
of the fused pancreatic and common bile ducts.
Amylin: A 37-amino acid polypeptide hormone that is secreted
from the β-cells of the pancreas in response to nutrients.
Mechanisms of action include slowing gastric emptying,
suppressing postmeal glucagon secretion, and suppressing
appetite.
Amyloid: Any of a group of chemically diverse proteins that are
composed of linear non-branching aggregated fibrils.
Anaerobic: Living in the absence of oxygen.
Anaphylactic/anaphylaxis: Immediate, severe, potentially fatal
hypersensitivity reaction induced by an antigen.
Anaphylactoid: An anaphylactic-like reaction, similar in signs
and symptoms but not mediated by IgE. The drug causing this
reaction produces direct release of inflammatory mediators by
a pharmacological effect.
Anastomosis: The connection of two hollow organs to restore
continuity after resection. A surgical connection made between
two blood vessels.
Androgen deprivation therapy: Agents such as LHRH agonists,
GnRH antagonist, and antiandrogens that are used to suppress
testosterone levels to that consistent with medical castration
(testosterone levels < 50 ng/mL).
Anergy: A reduction or lack of an immune response to a specific
antigen.
Aneurysm: A blood-filled bulge which forms in the wall of a
weakened blood vessel; if ruptured, may result in bleeding,
shock, and/or other negative health outcome including mortality.
Angioedema: Swelling similar to urticaria (hives), but the
swelling occurs beneath the skin instead of on the surface.
It is characterized by deep swelling around the eyes and lips
and sometimes of the hands and feet. If it proceeds rapidly,
it can lead to airway obstruction and suffocation, and should
therefore be treated as a medical emergency.
Angiogenesis: The formation of new blood vessels. Increased
blood flow to deliver nutrients is required for tumor growth.
Angiography: Examination of the blood vessels using x-rays after
injection of a radiopaque substance.
Anosmia: Loss of smell.
Anovulatory cycle: A menstrual cycle where ovaries fail to
produce, mature, or release egg.
Anterior circulation: Blood supply to the anterior section of the
brain supplied by the internal carotid arteries, anterior cerebral
artery, and middle cerebral artery.
Anterograde amnesia: Inability to create new memories or recall
the recent past.
Anticitrullinated protein antibodies: Autoantibodies directed
against cyclic citrullinated peptide, a circular peptide (a ring of
amino acids) containing the amino acid citrulline.
Anticoagulant: Any substance that inhibits, suppresses, or delays
the formation of blood clots. These substances occur naturally
and regulate the clotting cascade. Several anticoagulants have
been identified in a variety of animal tissues and have been
commercially developed for medicinal use.
Antiprotease: A substance that inhibits the enzymatic activity of
a protease.
Aortic dissection: A serious condition in which there is a tear in
the wall of the aorta.
Aortic stenosis: A condition in which the aortic valve becomes
thickened or calcified leading to a narrowing of the aortic valve
opening and restriction of blood flow from the left ventricle.
Aphakic: The absence of a lens in the eye.
Aphasia: Impairment of language affecting the ability to speak
and to understand speech.
Aphthous ulcer: A small superficial area of ulceration within the
gastrointestinal mucosa, typically found in the oral cavity.
Aplasia cutis: Congenital absence of skin, commonly affecting
the scalp.
Apoptosis: Programmed cell death as signaled by the nuclei in
normally functioning cells when age or state of cell health and
condition dictates. A genetically directed process of cell selfdestruction or programed cell death.
Arcuate scotoma: An arc-shaped area of blindness in the field
of vision.
Arteriovenous malformation: A tangle of blood vessels, usually
in the brain, that results in abnormal connections between
arteries and veins; if ruptured, may result in hemorrhage.
Arthrocentesis: Puncture and aspiration of a joint. Certain drugs
can be injected into the joint space for a local effect.
Articular: Related to the joints of the body.
Ascites: Accumulation of fluid within the peritoneal cavity.
Asterixis: Involuntary jerking movements, especially in the
hands, best demonstrated by having the patient extend their
arms in front of them, flex the hands upward, where a
subsequent “flapping” can be seen; occurs primarily with
various metabolic and toxic encephalopathic conditions, such
as hepatic encephalopathy.
Astringent: A substance that causes tissues to constrict, resulting
in a drying effect of the skin.
Atelectasis: Decreased or absent air in a partial or entire lung,
with resulting loss of lung volume.
Atherosclerosis: Accumulation of lipids, inflammatory cells, and
cellular debris in the subendothelial space of the arterial wall.
Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease: Disease in which plaque
builds up in vessels.
Atresia: Congenital absence of a normal opening or normally
patent lumen.
Atrophic urethritis: Thinning and inflammation of the vaginal
walls secondary to decline in estrogen, experienced by almost
50% of postmenopausal women.
Attenuated: Loss of intensity or virulence.
Aura: Visual, but sometimes sensory, motor, or verbal disturbance,
usually occurring before a migraine or seizure.
Auspitz sign: Pinpoint bleeding that occurs when a psoriasis
scale or lesion is peeled off of the skin.
Autologous: A transplant using one’s own stem cells.
Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT): A
procedure in which hematopoietic stem cells are removed,
stored, and then infused into the same patient.
Autoreceptor: Transmitter receptors on or near presynaptic
terminals which are sensitive to the transmitter(s) released by
the terminal itself.
Avolition: Inability to initiate and persist in goal-directed activities.
Azoospermic: Having no living spermatozoa in the semen, or
failure of spermatogenesis.
Bacteremia: Presence of bacteria in the blood.
Barium enema: A diagnostic test using an x-ray to view the lower
gastrointestinal tract (colon and rectum) after rectal administration
of barium sulfate, a chalky liquid contrast medium.
Barrett esophagus: A change of the normal squamous epithelium
of the distal esophagus to a metaplastic, columnar-lined
epithelium, usually caused by prolonged exposure of the
esophageal mucosa to gastric acid. The condition is associated
with an increased risk of developing esophageal cancer.
Basal ganglia: Cluster of nerve cells deep in the brain that
coordinate normal movement.
Bence–Jones proteins: Light chained immunoglobulins found
in the urine.
β-Hydroxybutyric acid: A ketone body that is elevated in ketosis,
is synthesized in the liver from acetyl-CoA, and can be used as
an energy source by the brain when blood glucose is low.
β-Lactam allergy: Allergy to the β-lactam family, namely
penicillins and cephalosporins, but may also include
carbapenems.
β2
microglobulin: A low molecular weight protein that may be
elevated in multiple myeloma.
Bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy: Surgical removal of both
ovaries and fallopian tubes.
Bile acids: The organic acids in bile. Bile is the yellowish-brown
or green fluid secreted by the liver and discharged into the
duodenum where it aids in the emulsification of fats, increases
peristalsis, and retards putrefaction.
Biliary sludge: A deposit of tiny stones or crystals made up of
cholesterol, calcium bilirubinate, and other calcium salts. The
cholesterol and calcium bilirubinate crystals in biliary sludge
can lead to gallstone formation.
Biopsy: The removal of cells or tissue for examination.
Bladder hypotonicity: Low elastic tension of the bladder.
Blast: An immature cell.
Blastospores: An asexual reproductive sphore formed by
budding, often seen with yeast.
Blood urea nitrogen (BUN): A waste product in the blood
produced from the breakdown of dietary proteins. The kidneys
filter blood to remove urea and maintain homeostasis; a
decline in kidney function results in an increase in BUN.
Body mass index: A calculation utilized to correct weight
changes for height and is a direct calculation regardless of
gender. It is the result of the weight in kilograms divided by
the height in meters squared. If nonmetric measurements are
used, it is the result of the weight in pounds multiplied by
703 and then that quantity divided by the product of height
in inches squared.
Bouchard nodes: Hard, bony enlargement of the proximal
interphalangeal (middle) joint of a finger or toe.
Boutonniere deformity: Joint deformity associated with
rheumatoid arthritis that presents as flexion of the proximal
interphalangeal joints with hyperextension of the distal
interphalangeal joints.
Brachial plexus: Collection of nerves that arises from the spine
at the base of the neck from nerves that supply parts of the
shoulder, arm, forearm, and hand.
Brachytherapy: A form of radiotherapy where a sealed radiation
source is placed inside or next to the area requiring treatment.
Bradycardia: Slower than normal heart rate.
Bronchiectasis: Chronic dilation of bronchi or bronchioles as a
result of inflammatory disease or obstruction associated with
heavy sputum.
Bullectomy: Surgical removal of one or more bullae (air spaces
in the lung measuring more than one centimeter in diameter
in the distended state).
Burst suppression: Electroencephalography pattern characterized
by electrical brain activity alternating with periods of no activity.
Calcitonin: A hormone produced by the parafollicular cells of the
thyroid gland; involved in helping to regulate levels of calcium
and phosphate in the blood.
Calculi: An abnormal concretion (or stone) usually found in
hollow organs or their passages (eg, kidney stone).
Capillary leak: Loss of intravascular volume into the interstitial
space within the body.
Carcinogenesis: Production or origin of cancer.
Carcinoma: A malignant growth that arises from epithelium,
found in skin or the lining of body organs. Carcinomas tend
to infiltrate into adjacent tissue and spread to distant organs.
Carcinomatosis: Condition of having widespread dissemination
of carcinoma (cancer) in the body.
Cardiac cachexia: Physical wasting with loss of weight and
muscle mass caused by cardiac disease; a wasting syndrome
that causes weakness and a loss of weight, fat, and muscle.
Cardiac index: Cardiac output normalized for body surface area
(cardiac index = cardiac output/body surface area).
Cardiac output: The volume of blood ejected from the left side of
the heart per unit of time:
Cardiac output (L/min) = Stroke volume (L) × heart rate (1/min)
Cardiac remodeling: Genome expression resulting in molecular,
cellular and interstitial changes and manifested clinically as
changes in size, shape, and function of the heart resulting from
cardiac load or injury.
Cardiomyopathy: Diseases of the heart muscle in which the
heart muscle becomes enlarged, thick, or rigid.
Carotid bruit: Abnormal sound heard when auscultating a
carotid artery caused by turbulent blood flow, usually due to
the presence of atherosclerotic plaques.
Carotids: The two main arteries in the neck.
Castration resistant prostate cancer: Prostate cancer that
continues to progress despite suppression of typical hormonal
growth signals (ie, despite androgen deprivation that achieves
castration levels of testosterone).
Cataplexy: A sudden loss of muscle control with retention of clear
consciousness that follows a strong emotional stimulus (eg, elation,
surprise, or anger) and is a characteristic symptom of narcolepsy.
Catheterization: Insertion of a tubular medical device into canals,
vessels, passageways, or body cavities to permit injection or
withdrawal of fluids or to keep a passage open.
Causalgia: Persistent burning pain, allodynia, and hyperpathia
following a traumatic nerve lesion.
Cavitary lesions: Gas or fluid filled areas of the lung in the center
of a nodule observed through radiographic investigation.
CD4 and CD8: Protein markers predominantly found on the
surface of T cells.
Cell-mediated immunity: An immune response that involves
activation of phagocytes, antigen-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocytes,
and the release of various cytokines in response to an antigen.
Can be independent of antibody action.
Central pain: Pain that results from a lesion or dysfunction in the
central nervous system.
Cervicitis: Inflammation of the cervix.
Chemokines: Any of a group of cytokines produced by various
cells that stimulate chemotaxis in white blood cells.
Chemoprevention: Clinical application of pharmacologic agents
to reduce the risk of developing certain malignancies. Use of
drugs, vitamins, or other agents to reduce the risk of or delay
the development or recurrence of cancer.
Chemoreceptor trigger zone: Located in the area postrema of
the fourth ventricle of the brain. It is exposed to cerebrospinal
fluid and blood and is easily stimulated by circulating toxins to
induce nausea and vomiting.
Chemosis: Edema of the bulbar conjunctiva.
Cheyne–Stokes respiration: Pattern of breathing with gradual
increase in depth (and sometimes in rate) to a maximum,
followed by a decrease resulting in apnea; the cycles ordinarily
are 30 seconds to 2 minutes in duration, with 5 to 30 seconds
of apnea.
Chimeric: An individual, organ, or substance composed of
substances with different genetic origins.
Chloasma: Melasma characterized by irregularly shaped brown
patches on the face and other areas of the skin, often seen during
pregnancy or associated with the use of oral contraceptives.
Chlorpromazine equivalents: Approximate dose equivalent of
a first-generation antipsychotic to 100 mg of chlorpromazine
(relative potency).
Cholecystitis: Inflammation of the gallbladder.
Cholelithiasis: Formation of stones in the gallbladder (gallstones).
Cholestasis: Reduced or lack of flow of bile, or obstruction of
bile flow.
Cholesteatoma: A mass of keratinized epithelial cells and
cholesterol resembling a tumor that forms in the middle ear
or mastoid region.
Chorea: A type of dyskinesia with rhythmic dance-like movement.
Chronotropic: An effect that influences the rate of rhythmic
movements (eg, heart rate).
Chvostek sign: Elicited by tapping on the proximal distribution
of the facial nerve (adjacent to the ear). This will produce a
brief spasm of the upper lip, eye, nose, or face in hypocalcemic
patients.
Chylothorax: The presence of lymphatic fluid (chyle) in the
pleural cavity.
Circadian rhythm: 24-hour cycles of behavior and physiology that
are generated by endogenous biological clocks (pacemakers).
Cirrhosis: Hepatic fibrosis and regenerative nodules that have
destroyed the architecture of the liver, scarring the liver tissues.
Progressive scarring of the liver resulting in non-functional
hepatocytes.
Clonal expansion: An immunologic response in which
lymphocytes stimulated by antigen proliferate and amplify the
population of relevant cells.
Closed comedo: A plugged hair follicle of sebum, keratinocytes,
and bacteria that remains beneath the surface of the skin. Also
referred to as a “whitehead.”
Clotting cascade: A series of enzymatic reactions by clotting
factors leading to the formation of a blood clot. The clotting
cascade is initiated by several thrombogenic substances. Each
reaction in the cascade is triggered by the preceding one and
the effect is amplified by positive feedback loops.
Clotting factor: Plasma proteins found in the blood that are
essential to the formation of blood clots. Clotting factors
circulate in inactive forms but are activated by their predecessor
in the clotting cascade or a thrombogenic substance. Each
clotting factor is designated by a Roman numeral (eg, factor
VII) and by the letter “a” when activated (eg, factor VIIa).
Clubbing: Proliferation of soft tissues, especially in the nail bed,
which results in thickening and widening of finger and toe
extremities.
Coalescence: Fusion of smaller lipid emulsion particles forming
larger particles, resulting in destabilization of the emulsion.
Cocoon immunization: Vaccine strategy to protect an infant
from disease by vaccinating those with expected close contact.
Cognitive deficit: An impairment in the mental process that
affects the way a person interacts with their environment.
Collateral damage: Bacterial resistance to an antimicrobial that
occurs when the antimicrobial is being used to treat a separate
bacterial infection.
Colonocyte: Cell lining the colonic surface.
Colonoscopy: Visual examination of the colon using a lighted,
lens-equipped, flexible tube (colonoscope) inserted into the
rectum.
Colony-forming units: The number of microorganisms that
form colonies when cultured and is indicative of the number
of viable microorganisms in a sample.
Comedolytic: An agent that is able to break up or destroy a comedo.
Comorbidities: Multiple disease states occurring concurrently
in one patient.
Complete response: In cancer, disappearance of all targeted lesions.
Complex regimen: Taking medications 3 or more times per day,
or 12 or more doses per day.
Computed tomography: Radiography in which a three-dimensional
image of a body structure is constructed by computer from a
series of plane cross-sectional images made along an axis.
Concreteness: Inability to think in abstract terms. It may be a
primary developmental defect or secondary to organic mental
disorder or schizophrenia.
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia: A rare inherited condition
resulting from a deficiency in cortisol and aldosterone
synthesis with resulting excess androgen production. The
clinical presentation depends on the variant of the condition
but typically manifests as abnormalities in sexual development
and/or adrenal insufficiency.
Conidia: Non-motile spores produced by fungi.
Conjunctival injection: Erythema of the conjunctiva.
Conjunctivitis: Inflammation of the conjunctiva.
Conjunctivitis medicamentosa: A drug-induced form of
allergic conjunctivitis resulting from overuse of topical ocular
vasoconstrictors.
Consolidation: Treatment that is given after cancer has disappeared
following the initial therapy. Consolidation therapy is used to
kill any cancer cells that may be left in the body.
Contiguous: Spread of infection via direct invasion of adjacent
structures.
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP): A technique of
assisting breathing by maintaining the air pressure in the lungs
and air passages constant and above atmospheric pressure
throughout the breathing cycle.
Cor pulmonale: Right-sided heart failure caused by lung disease.
Corneal arcus: Accumulation of lipid on the cornea.
Coronary artery bypass graft surgery: Surgical intervention
to improve coronary blood flow by removing a vein from
the leg and attaching one end to the aorta and the other end
to the coronary artery distal to the atherosclerotic plaque.
Alternatively, an artery from the inside of the chest wall may
be used to bypass the coronary occlusion.
Cosyntropin: A synthetic version of adrenocorticotropic
hormone.
Counterirritant: A substance that elicits a superficial inflammatory
response with the objective of reducing inflammation in
deeper, adjacent structures.
C-peptide: A peptide which is made when proinsulin is split into
insulin and C-peptide. They split before proinsulin is released
from endocytic vesicles within the pancreas, one C-peptide
for each insulin molecule. C-peptide is the abbreviation for
“connecting peptide.” It is used to determine if a patient has
type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Creaming: Aggregation of lipid emulsion particles that then
migrate to the surface of the emulsion can be reversed with
mild agitation.
Creatinine: A waste product in the blood produced from the
breakdown of protein by-products generated by muscle in the
body or ingested in the diet. The kidneys filter blood to remove
creatinine and maintain homeostasis; a decline in kidney
function results in an increase in creatinine.
Crepitus: A grating sound or sensation typically produced by
friction between bone-on-cartilage or bone-on-bone contact.
It is also a crackling chest sound that is heard in pneumonia.
Cross-allergenicity: Sensitivity to one drug with activity to a
different drug with a similar chemical structure.
Crypt abscess: Neutrophilic infiltration of the intestinal glands
(crypts of Lieberkühn); a characteristic finding in patients with
ulcerative colitis.
Cutis laxa: Hypereflacidity of the skin with loss of elasticity.
Cyanosis: A dark blue or purple discoloration of the skin and
mucous membranes due to deficient oxygenation of the blood.
Cyclooxygenase: An enzyme that catalyzes the conversion
of arachidonic acid to prostaglandins and consists of two
isoforms, generally abbreviated COX-1 and COX-2.
Cystitis: Inflammation of urinary bladder.
Cystocele: Herniation of the urinary bladder into the vagina.
Herniation is abnormal protrusion of an organ through a
defect or natural opening.
Cytokines: Regulatory proteins, such as interleukins and
lymphokines, are released by cells of the immune system and act as
intercellular mediators in the generation of an immune response.
Soluble glycoproteins released by the immune system which act
through specific receptors to regulate immune responses.
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease: This is the term used when
patients who are already infected with CMV present with the
classically associated symptoms that resemble a viral infection
and may include fever, malaise, arthralgias, and others.
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection: This is the term used when
a patient has anti-CMV antibodies in the blood, when CMV
antigens are detected in infected cells, or when the virus is
isolated from a culture.
Debridement: Removal of necrotic tissue to promote wound
healing and reduce risk of further infection.
Delayed peak response: The effects of medication take longer
than expected to initiate.
Delirium: Transient brain syndrome presenting as disordered
attention, cognition, psychomotor behavior, and perception.
Delirium tremens (DTs): Symptom of alcohol withdrawal
characterized by hallucinations, delirium, severe agitation,
fever, elevations of blood pressure and heart rate, and possible
cardiac arrhythmias.
Dematiaceous: Darkly pigmented colored spores or fungal hyphae.
Dennie-Morgan line: A line or fold below the lower eyelids;
associated with atopy.
Dermatophyte: Any microscopic fungus that grows on the skin,
scalp, and nails.
Desensitization: The process of giving a medication in a
controlled and gradual manner, which allows the person to
tolerate it temporarily without an allergic reaction.
Desquamation: Peeling or shedding of the epidermis (superficial
layer of the skin) in scales or flakes.
Diabetes insipidus: An uncommon disorder that occurs when
the kidneys pass an abnormally large volume of urine (3–20
quarts/day of urine versus the typical 1–2 quarts/day) that
is dilute and odorless (“insipid”). Unrelated to diabetes
mellitus, although both conditions cause frequent urination
and constant thirst. Individuals with diabetes insipidus have
normal blood glucose levels; however, their kidneys cannot
balance fluid in the body.
Diabetic ketoacidosis: A reversible but life-threatening shortterm complication primarily seen in patients with type 1
diabetes caused by the relative or absolute lack of insulin that
results in marked ketosis and acidosis.
Dialysate: The physiologic solution used during dialysis to
remove excess fluids and waste products from the blood.
Dialysis: The process of removing fluid and waste products from
the blood across a semi-permeable membrane to maintain fluid,
electrolyte, and acid–base balance in patients with kidney failure.
Diaphoresis: Sweating or profuse perspiration, generally as a
symptom of a disease or an adverse drug effect.
Diarthrodial joint: A freely moveable joint (eg, knee, shoulder).
Contrast with amphiarthrodial joint (a slightly movable joint;
eg, vertebral joint) and synarthrodial joint (an unmovable
joint; eg, fibrous joint).
Dilated cardiomyopathy: Ability of the heart to pump blood is
decreased because the left ventricle is enlarged and weakened.
Diphasic dyskinesia: The motor fluctuations occur while
the plasma levodopa concentrations are rising and when
they are falling. In each dosing interval the patient may
experience improvement, dyskinesia, and improvement (IDI)
or dyskinesia, improvement, dyskinesia (DID).
Direct current cardioversion: The process of administering
a synchronized electrical shock to the chest, the purpose of
which is to simultaneously depolarize all of the myocardial
cells, resulting in restoration of normal sinus rhythm.
Directly observed treatment: Method to increase adherence to
medications when a patient is observed taking the medication
by a health care worker.
Disease-free survival: Period of time from the end of treatment
that the patient survives without signs or symptoms of the disease.
Disease progression: In cancer, at least a 20% increase in the
sum of the longest diameter of target lesions from baseline,
including new lesions discovered during treatment.
Disseminated erythrosquamous papules: Widespread or whole
body red, scaly psoriatic lesions.
Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC): A thrombotic
and hemorrhagic disorder marked by uncontrolled systemic
coagulation resulting in thrombosis, which may lead to
generalized bleeding due to the depletion of clotting factors
and increased fibrinolysis.
DNA mismatch repair (dMMR) genes: Genes that control an
intrinsic intracellular mechanism which corrects nucleotide
insertion errors made during DNA replication, by excising
the mismatched base pairs that escaped correction by the
proofreading activities of DNA polymerases and replacing the
mismatched bases with the correct ones.
Door-to-needle time: Time from arrival in hospital to drug
administration in appropriate patients.
Dose density: The total amount of drug given in a fixed unit
of time (usually 1 week), thus is a function of dose and
frequency of administration.
D-test: Double disk diffusion microbiological testing which
indicates the presence or absence of macrolide-induced
resistance to clindamycin.
Ductus arteriosus: Shunt connecting the pulmonary artery to the
aortic arch that allows blood from the right ventricle to bypass
fetal lungs.
Duodenal enterocyte: Cells lining the duodenum, which is the
first of three parts of the small intestine.
Dysarthria: Speech disorder due to weakness or incoordination
of speech muscles; speech is slow, weak, and imprecise.
Dysentery: A number of disorders marked by inflammation of
the intestines, especially of the colon, and attended by pain
in the abdomen, tenesmus, and frequently stools containing
blood and mucus.
Dysesthesia: An unpleasant abnormal sensation.
Dyskinesia: Abnormal involuntary movements (dystonia, chorea,
and akathisia).
Dyslipidemia: Elevation of the total cholesterol, low density
lipoprotein cholesterol or triglyceride concentrations, or a
decrease in high density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration
in the blood.
Dysmenorrhea: Crampy pelvic pain occurring with or just prior
to menses. “Primary” dysmenorrhea implies pain in the setting
of normal pelvic anatomy, while “secondary” dysmenorrhea is
secondary to underlying pelvic pathology.
Dyspareunia: Pain during or after sexual intercourse.
Dyspepsia: Upper abdominal symptoms that may include pain
or discomfort, bloating, feeling of fullness despite little food
intake, unusual fullness after meals, nausea, loss of appetite,
heartburn, regurgitation of food or acid, and belching.
Dysphagia: Painful or difficult swallowing, accompanied by a
sensation of food being stuck in passage.
Dysphonia: Impairment of the voice or difficulty speaking.
Dyspnea: Difficult or labored breathing.
Dystonia: A type of dyskinesia. The movement is slow and
twisting. It may be associated with painful muscle contractions
or spasms.
Ebstein anomaly: Congenital heart defect in which the opening
of the tricuspid valve is displaced towards the apex of the right
ventricle.
Eburnation: A condition in which bone or cartilage becomes
hardened and denser.
Ecchymosis: Passage of blood from ruptured blood vessels into
subcutaneous tissue causing purple discoloration of the skin.
Eclampsia: Seizures associated with high blood pressure.
Ectopic pregnancy: Presence of a fertilized ovum outside of the
uterine cavity.
Effector cells: Cells that become active in response to initiation
of the immune response.
Ejection fraction: The fraction of the volume present at the end
of diastole that is pushed into the aorta during systole.
Electroconvulsive therapy: Administration of electric current
to the brain through electrodes placed on the head to induce
seizure activity in the brain; used in the treatment of certain
mental disorders.
Electroencephalography: The recording of brain waves via
electrodes placed on the scalp or cortex.
Embolism: The sudden blockage of a vessel caused by a blood
clot or foreign material which has been brought to the site by
the flow of blood.
Embolization: The process by which a blood clot or foreign
material dislodges from its site of origin, flows in the blood,
and blocks a distant vessel.
Empiric: A strategy or treatment administered without definitive
evidence of the cause, ie, often at the onset of symptoms or
radiological findings.
Endometritis: Inflammation of the endometrium.
Endophthalmitis: Inflammation of intraocular fluid (vitreous
and aqueous), usually due to infection.
Endoscopy: Visual inspection of the inside of hollow organs
with an endoscope, mainly for diagnostic purposes; refers to
procedures such as gastroscopy, duodenoscopy, colonoscopy,
and sigmoidoscopy.
Endothelial cell: A single layer of cells surrounding the lumen
of arteries.
Endovascular: Procedures involving insertion of a catheter
containing medications or instruments into a blood vessel for
the treatment of vascular disease.
End-stage liver disease: Liver failure that is usually accompanied
by complications such as ascites or hepatic encephalopathy.
Enthesitis: Inflammation of the sites where tendons, ligaments,
or fascia attach to bone.
Enuresis: Involuntary discharge of urine.
Eosinophilic asthma: Sub-phenotype of asthma with elevated
tissue and sputum eosinophils, thickening of the basement
membrane zone, and corticosteroid responsiveness. Criteria
that have been used for medications to treat eosinophilic
asthma include blood eosinophil count ≥ 150 cells/µL (0.150 ×
109
/L) or > 300 cells/µL (0.3 × 109
/L) (400 cells/µL [0.4 × 109
/L]
for reslizumab) in the past year, sputum eosinophil count ≥ 3%
(0.03), and exhaled nitric oxide concentration ≥ 50 ppb.
Epilepsy: A neurological disorder characterized by recurring
motor, sensory, or psychic malfunction with or without loss of
consciousness or convulsive seizures.
Epistaxis: Nasal hemorrhage with blood drainage through the
nostrils; a nosebleed.
Erosive esophagitis: A severe form of gastroesophageal reflux
disease (GERD) in which the mucous membrane lining the
esophagus is inflamed with areas of erosion resulting from
abnormal reflux of gastric acid.
Erythema nodosum: Inflammation of the fat cells under the skin
resulting in termer red nodules or lumps.
Erythematous: Flushing of the skin caused by dilation of capillaries.
Erythema is often a sign of inflammation and infection.
Erythrodermic psoriasis: Generalized erythema covering
nearly the entire body surface area. Fever and malaise are
common and, while quite rare, can be severe and even fatal;
it is usually associated with a worsening of other forms of
psoriasis.
Erythropoiesis stimulating agents: Agents developed by recombinant DNA technology that have the same biological activity
as endogenous erythropoietin to stimulate erythropoiesis (red
blood cell production) in the bone marrow.
Erythropoietin: A hormone primarily produced by the progenitor
cells of the kidney that stimulates red blood cell production in
the bone marrow. Lack of this hormone leads to anemia.
Esophageal manometry: Measurement of pressures and muscle
contractions in the esophagus.
Esophageal stricture: Narrowing of the esophageal lumen
resulting chronic inflammation and formation of scar tissue.
Esophageal varices: Dilated blood vessels in the esophagus.
Essential fatty acid deficiency: Deficiency of linoleic acid,
linolenic acid, and/or arachidonic acid, characterized by hair
loss, thinning of skin, and skin desquamation. Long-chain
fatty acids include trienes (containing three double-bonds
[eg, 5,8,11-eicosatrienoic acid [or Mead acid], trienoic acids])
and tetraenes (containing four double-bonds [eg, arachidonic
acid]). Biochemical evidence of essential fatty acid deficiency
includes a triene:tetraene greater than 0.2 and low linoleic or
arachidonic acid plasma concentrations.
Exanthem: Eruption of the skin.
Excess body weight: Calculated as the difference between actual
and ideal body weight.
Exfoliative dermatitis: Severe inflammation and peeling of the
entire skin surface due to a reaction to certain drugs.
Exploratory laparotomy: Surgical incision into the abdominal
cavity, performed to examine the abdominal organs and cavity
in search of an abnormality and diagnosis.
External beam radiotherapy (EBRT): An external source of
radiation is pointed at a particular part of the body.
Extraabdominal: Outside of the abdominal cavity.
Extraction ratio: Fraction of the drug entering the liver in the
blood which is irreversibly removed.
Extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS): Adverse drug effects of
medications such as phenothiazines. EPS include dystonia
(involuntary muscle contractions), tardive dyskinesia
(repetitive, involuntary movements), and akathisia (motor
restlessness or anxiety).
Extravasation: Movement of fluid from inside a blood vessel into
the surrounding tissues.
Facultative: An optional biological condition, not required for
growth or survival.
Felty syndrome: An extra-articular manifestation of rheumatoid
arthritis associated with splenomegaly and neutropenia.
Ferritin: A protein in the body that binds to iron; most of the iron
stored in the body is bound to ferritin.
Festination: Walking with short, rapid, shuffling steps.
Fibrin: An insoluble protein that is one of the principal ingredients
of a blood clot. Fibrin strands bind to one another to form a
fibrin mesh. The fibrin mesh often traps platelets and other
blood cells.
Fibrinolysis: A normal ongoing process that dissolves fibrin and
results in the removal of small blood clots; hydrolysis of fibrin.
Fibroadenoma: A benign neoplasm which commonly occurs in
breast tissue and is derived from glandular epithelium.
Fibrosis: Development of fibrous connective tissue in response
to injury or damage.
Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH): A laboratory
technique used to look at genes or chromosomes in cells and
tissues. Pieces of DNA that contain a fluorescent dye are made
in the laboratory and added to cells or tissues on a glass slide.
When these pieces of DNA bind to specific genes or areas of
chromosomes on the slide, they light up when viewed under a
microscope with a special light.
Fistula: Abnormal connection between two internal organs (eg,
arteriovenous fistula is a connection between an artery and a
vein), or between an internal organ and the exterior or skin (eg,
enterocutaneous fistula is a connection between the intestine
and the skin).
Fistulogram: X-ray photograph (or radiograph) taken after
injection of a contrast material or radiopaque material (material
that will not allow passage of x-rays and will be visible in an
x-ray photograph [or radiograph]).
Flexural psoriasis: Flexural psoriasis is characterized by lesions
found in skin folds. These lesions tend to be erythematous
plaques and are often found in the axillary, genital, perineal,
intergluteal, and inframammary regions. While shiny, smooth,
and deep red in color there may be skin fissures and the
absence of the silvery scales.
Flight of ideas: A nearly continuous flow of rapid speech
and thought that jumps from topic to topic, usually loosely
connected.
Floppy iris syndrome: A syndrome of pupillary constriction,
flaccid iris, and iris prolapse which can result in intraoperative
complications during cataract surgery; associated with use of
an α
1
adrenergic antagonist (eg, tamsulosin).
Flow cytometry:
A method of measuring the number of cells in
a sample, the percentage of live cells in a sample, and certain
characteristics of cells, such as size, shape, and the presence of
tumor markers on the cell surface. The cells are stained with
a light-sensitive dye, placed in a fluid, and passed in a stream
before a laser or other type of light. The measurements are
based on how the light-sensitive dye reacts to the light.
Foam cell: Lipid-laden white blood cell.
Focal seizures: Seizures that start in a small area of the brain.
They may stay localized or spread to involve larger areas or the
entire brain.
Forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1
): The
volume of air that a patient can forcibly exhale in the first
second of forced exhalation after taking a maximal breath.
Forced vital capacity: The maximum volume of air that can be
forcibly exhaled after taking a maximal breath.
Fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO): A noninvasive test that,
when elevated, is an indicator of inflammation in the airways
and likely responsiveness to inhaled corticosteroids.
Fragility fracture: A fracture resulting from a fall from standing
height or less amount of trauma.
Frailty: Excess demand imposed upon reduced capacity; a
common biological syndrome in the elderly.
Frank-Starling mechanism: Increase in stroke volume in
response to an increase in volume of blood filling the heart (ie,
end diastolic volume) when all other factors remain constant.
Freezing: A sudden but temporary inability to move.
Fremitus: Vibrations through the chest wall that may be detected
through touch (tactile) or heard (vocal) through a stethoscope
with certain spoken words (eg, “ninety-nine”).
French scale: Scale used to measure external diameter of a feeding
tube.
Fructooligosaccharide: Soluble fiber that is fermented by colonic
bacteria to short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs).
Gadolinium: An intravenous contrast agent used with magnetic
resonance imaging.
Gallstone (cholelithiasis): A solid formation in the gallbladder or
bile duct composed of cholesterol and bile salts.
γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA): An inhibitory neurotransmitter.
Gamma knife: A type of radiosurgery (radiation therapy)
machine that acts by focusing low-dosage gamma radiation
from many sources on a precise target.
Gastric bypass: A surgical procedure for weight loss that elicits
its effectiveness through malabsorption and gastric volume
limitation. The procedure involves full partitioning of the
proximal gastric segment into a jejunal loop.
Gastritis: Inflammation of stomach lining.
Gastroparesis: A form of autonomic neuropathy involving nerves
of the stomach. It may include nausea, vomiting, feeling full,
bloating and lack of appetite. It may cause wide fluctuations
in blood sugars due to insulin action and nutrient delivery not
occurring at the same time.
Gastrostomy: Operative placement of a new opening into the
stomach usually associated with feeding tube placement.
Generalized seizures: A seizure where the entire cerebral cortex
is involved from the onset of the seizure.
Geniculate nucleus: The portion of the brain that processes
visual information from the optic nerve and relays it to the
cerebral cortex.
Genotype: The genetic constitution of an individual.
Geriatric syndrome: Age-specific presentations or differential
diagnoses, including visual and hearing impairment,
malnutrition and weight loss, urinary incontinence, gait
impairment and falls, osteoporosis, dementia, delirium, sleep
problems, and pressure ulcers; commonly seen conditions in
older patients.
Gleason score: System of histological grading used in prostate
cancer. Individual scores range from 2 to 5. The two highest
scores from each sample are combined for a total score (up to
10). Higher scores indicate higher grade and more aggressive
tumor.
Glomerular filtration rate (GFR): The volume of plasma that
is filtered by the glomeruli per unit time, usually expressed as
mL/min or mL/min/1.73 m2
(and in some areas in SI units
of mL/s or mL/s/m2
), which adjusts the value for body surface
area. This is the primary index used to describe overall renal
function.
Glomerulonephritis: Glomerular lesions that are characterized
by inflammation of the capillary loops of the glomerulus.
These lesions are generally caused by immunologic, vascular,
or idiopathic diseases and lead to high blood pressure and
possible loss of kidney function.
Glucagon: Hormone involved in carbohydrate metabolism that is
produced by the pancreas and released when glucose levels in
the blood are low. When blood glucose levels decrease, the liver
converts stored glycogen into glucose, which is released into the
bloodstream. The action of glucagon is opposite of insulin.
Gluconeogenesis: Formation of glucose from precursors other
than carbohydrates especially by the liver and kidney using
amino acids from proteins, glycerol from fats, or lactate
produced by muscle during anaerobic glycolysis.
Glucosuria: Presence of glucose in the urine.
Glutamate: An excitatory amino acid found in the central
nervous system.
Glycogenolysis: The process by which glycogen is broken down
to glucose in body tissues.
Goiter: An enlargement of the thyroid gland, causing a swelling
in the front part of the neck.
Gonioscopy: Examination of the anterior chamber angle. A
gonioprism or Goldman lens is used to perform gonioscopic
evaluation.
Graft-versus-host disease: A condition that results from donor
immune cells attacking the normal tissue of a hematopoietic
stem cell transplant recipient.
Graft-versus-tumor effect: An immune response directed at a
patient’s malignant cells that is the result of donor immune cell
activation.
Grandiosity: Exaggerated sense of self-importance, ideas, plans,
or abilities.
Granuloma: Organized collection of macrophages designed to
wall off a foreign body or infectious pathogen that cannot be
eliminated.
Gummatous: A small, soft swelling that is characteristic of the
late stages of syphilis and generally occurs in the connective
tissue of the liver, brain, testes, and heart.
Gut-associated lymphoid tissue: Lymphoid tissue, including
Peyer patches, found in the gut that are important for providing
localized immunity to pathogens.
Guttate psoriasis: Characterized by a heavy or light sprinkling of
teardrop-like, salmon-pink papules covered with a fine scale.
These lesions are found primarily on the trunk and proximal
extremities.
Gynecomastia: Excessive development of the breasts in males.
HACEK: Group of fastidious gram-negative bacteria consisting
of Haemophilus spp., Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans,
Cardiobacterium hominis, Eikenella corrodens, and Kingella
kingae.
Hashimoto Disease: Condition in which the immune system attacks
the thyroid gland; may result in hypothyroidism. Symptoms may
include fatigue, weight gain, pale or puffy face, feeling cold, joint
and muscle pain, constipation, dry and thinning hair, heavy
menstrual flow or irregular periods, depression, a slowed heart
rate, and problems getting pregnant and maintaining pregnancy.
It occurs more commonly in women than in men.
Health literacy: Degree to which individuals have the capacity to
obtain, process, and understand basic health information and
services needed to make appropriate health decisions.
Heberden nodes: Hard, bony enlargement of the distal
interphalangeal (terminal) joint of a finger or toe.
Hematemesis: Vomiting blood from gastric or esophageal
bleeding; in cirrhosis this is caused by variceal bleeding.
Hematochezia: Passage of stool that is bright red or maroon,
usually because of bleeding from the lower gastrointestinal tract.
Hematogenous: Spread of infection via the blood stream.
Hematoma: A localized swelling in an organ or soft tissue that
is filled with clotted or partially clotted blood resulting from a
break in a blood vessel wall.
Hemiparesis: Weakness on one side of the body.
Hemisensory deficit: Loss of sensation on one side of the body.
Hemithorax: A single side of the trunk between the neck and the
abdomen in which the heart and lungs are situated.
Hemoptysis: The expectoration of blood or blood-tinged sputum
from the larynx, trachea, bronchi, or lungs.
Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia: A clinical syndrome of
IgG antibody production against the heparin-platelet factor
4 complex occurring in approximately 1% to 5% of patients
exposed to either heparin or low-molecular weight heparin.
Results in excess production of thrombin, platelet aggregation,
and thrombocytopenia (due to platelet clumping), often
leading to venous and arterial thrombosis, amputation of
extremities, and death.
Hepatic encephalopathy: Confusion and disorientation
experienced by patients with advanced liver disease due to
accumulation of ammonia in the bloodstream.
Hepatic steatosis: Accumulation of fat in the liver.
Hepatocellular carcinoma: Cancer of the liver.
Hepatorenal syndrome: Acute kidney injury occurring in
individuals with disease of the liver or biliary tract due to
decreased renal blood flow and conditions that damage both
organs.
Hepatotoxicity: Toxicity to the liver causing damage to liver cells.
Herd immunity: The resistance to the spread of a contagious
disease within a population, if a sufficiently high proportion
of the people are immune to the disease, such as through
vaccination.
Herniation: Abnormal protrusion of an organ or other structure
through a defect or natural opening in a covering, membrane,
muscle, or bone (eg, protrusion of the brain through the
cranial wall).
Hesitancy: A decrease in the force of the stream of urine usually
the result of an obstruction or stricture between the bladder
and the external urethral orifice.
Heteroreceptor: A site on a neuron that binds a neurotransmitter
other than that released by the neuron.
Heterotopic: Placing a transplanted organ into an abnormal
anatomic location.
Heterozygous: Having different alleles at a gene locus.
Hiatal hernia: Protrusion of a portion of the stomach through
the esophageal hiatus of the diaphragm.
Hirsutism: Excessive body and facial hair, especially in the
female.
Histocompatibility: State of having antigenic similarities that
prevent donor hematopoietic stem cells from being rejected by
the recipient.
Homeostenosis: Impaired capability to withstand stressors and
decreased ability to maintain physiological and psychosocial
homeostasis; a state commonly found in elderly.
Homozygous: Having identical alleles at a gene locus.
Hormone receptor-positive: Expression of estrogen and/or
progesterone receptors in breast cancer cells.
Hot flashes: A feeling of warmth that is commonly accompanied
by skin flushing and mild to severe perspiration.
Human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2 (HER2)-
positive: Tumor positivity is defined by immunohistochemistry (3+ when > 10% of the cells harbor complete membrane
staining) and FISH (fluorescence in situ hybridization) (if the
number of HER2 gene copies is > 6 or the HER2/chromosome
17 ratio is > 2).
Human leukocyte antigens (HLA): Groups of genes found on
the major histocompatibility complex that contain cell-surface
antigen presenting proteins. The body uses HLA to distinguish
between self cells and non-self cells.
Humoral: Relating to the body fluids, especially with regard
to immune responses involving antibodies in body fluids as
distinct from cells.
Hydrocephalus: A condition marked by accumulation of cerebral
spinal fluid in the brain resulting in increased pressure inside
the skull.
Hydronephrosis: Swelling of the renal pelvis and calyces of the
kidney due to a back-up of urine due to obstruction.
Hyperalgesia: An exaggerated intensity of pain sensation.
Hypercalcemia: Excessive amount of calcium in the blood.
Hypercalciuria: Excessive amount of calcium in the urine.
Hypercapnia: Excessive carbon dioxide in the bloodstream,
typically caused by inadequate respiration.
Hypercoagulable state: A disorder or state of excessive or
frequent thrombus formation; also known as thrombophilia.
Hyperemesis gravidarum: A rare disorder of severe and persistent
nausea and vomiting during pregnancy that can result in
dehydration, malnutrition, weight loss, and hospitalization.
Hyperglycemic hyperosmolar nonketotic syndrome: Severe
increase in serum glucose concentration without the production
of ketones, leading to an increase in serum osmolality and
symptoms such as increased thirst, increased urination,
weakness, fatigue, confusion, and in severe cases convulsions
and/or coma.
Hyperopia: Farsightedness.
Hyperpigmentation: A common darkening of the skin which
occurs when an excess of melanin forms deposits in the skin.
Hypertrichosis: Excessive growth of hair.
Hyphae: A long, branching multicellular filamentous form of a
fungus.
Hypocretin: A wake-promoting hypothalamic neuropeptide
whose deficiency is involved in the pathophysiology of
narcolepsy.
Hypogammaglobulinemia: Reduced levels of antibodies.
Hypogonadism: A medical condition resulting from or characterized by abnormally decreased functional activity of the gonads,
with retardation of growth and sexual development. Associated
with testosterone deficiency resulting from either testicular or
pituitary/hypothalamic diseases. Presenting symptoms differ
according to the timing of disease onset in relation to puberty.
Hypomimia: Lack of facial expression. Often termed masked
face.
Hypophonia: Decreased voice volume.
Hypopituitarism: A clinical disorder characterized by complete
or partial deficiency in pituitary hormone production.
Hypoxemia: Deficiency of oxygen in the blood.
Hypoxia: Deficiency of oxygen in body tissues.
Hysterectomy: An operation to remove a woman’s uterus.