The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks Vocab

gynecology: the medical study or focus on women’s reproductive system/health

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

litany: a repetitive series or prayers

Epileptic: having epilepsy which is a chronic brain disorder where groups of nerve cells, or neurons, in the brain at times sends incorrect signals, causing seizures

Sickle cell: an inherited blood disorder that affects hemoglobin

Asymptomatic neurosyphilis: neurosyphilis is present, but the individual reports no symptoms and does not feel sick

Gonorrhea: an STI or STD caused by bacteria, specifically the spread of genital or bodily fluids in sexual activity

palpated: medical examination by touch

Lore: a body of traditions and knowledge

Resin: a solid or highly viscous substance of plant or synthetic origin that is typically convertible into polymers

Idyllic: like an idyll; ideal; extremely happy, peaceful

biopsy: procedure to remove a piece of tissue or sample of cells from the body to test in a laboratory

pathology: the study of diseases

carcinoma: cancer that forms in epithelial tissue

epithelial: type of body tissue found in organ and covers internal and external surfaces in the body

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

menopause: the stage of a woman’s life when her menstrual periods stop permanently and can no longer get pregnant

endometriosis: a disease in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus

invasive: tending to spread especially in a quick or aggressive manner; intruding

hysterectomy: surgical removal of the uterus

malignant: harmful, uncontrollable, infectious

metastasized: spread to other sites in the body by metastasis

indigent:

dearth:

physiology:

Umbilical cord:

(Gey Culture) Medium:

sterility:

one-millimeter (compare size):

dapper:

mythological:

Symposium:

Gynecology:

Syphilis:

Appendectomies:

Anemia:

symposium

notoriously

curt

metastasize

malignant

conflated

eugenicist

eccentricities

telepathy

clairvoyance

suspended animation

Virology

Inconsequential

Deleterious

Affidavits

Psychosis

Fallacious

Perilous

Innocuous

hospitality

serum

gangrene

angioplasty

verbatim

conjured

indigent

pristine

abatement

virulent

dissemination

Hayflick Limit

epiphany

telomere