Medical Terms
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obstruction
blockage in the gastrointestinal tract that prevents the flow of liquids or solids.
occluded artery
an artery that is narrowed by plaque that impedes blood flow.
occult
disease or symptoms that are not readily detectable by physical examination or laboratory tests.
occult bleeding
blood in stool that is not visible to the naked eye.
ocular hypertension
high (greater than 21 mm Hg) intraocular pressure.
odorant
substance that stimulates the sense of smell
olfaction
the act of smelling
olfactometer
device for estimating the intensity of the sense of smell
oncogenes
genes that promote normal cell division
oncologist
a physician who specializes in treating cancer, including surgical oncologist, radiation oncologist, pediatric oncologist, gynecologic oncologist, and medical oncologist.
on-off effect (Also called on-off phenomena.)
a change in the patient's condition, with sometimes rapid fluctuations between uncontrolled movements and normal movement, usually occurring after long-term use of levodopa and probably caused by changes in the ability to respond to this drug.
oophorectomy
surgery to remove one or both ovaries
open surgery
cutting the skin and tissues during surgery to expose a full view of the structures and organs involved in the procedure.
open-set speech recognition
understanding speech without visual clues.
optional surgery
an operation the patient chooses to have done, which may not be essential to the continuation or quality of life. (See also elective surgery.)
oral and maxillofacial surgeon
orthopaedic facial surgeon who is responsible for treating a wide variety of dental problems, including the removal of impacted teeth and reconstructive facial surgery.
oral dissolution therapy
method of dissolving cholesterol gallstones
orchiectomy (Also called castration.)
the surgical removal of the testicles.
oropharynx
the part of the throat at the back of the mouth.
orthodontics
orthodontics is the dental specialty that focuses on the development, prevention, and correction of irregularities of the teeth, bite, and jaw.
orthokeratology
the use of contact lenses to change the shape of the cornea in order to correct refractive error.
orthopaedic surgeon (Also called orthopaedist.)
the physician who diagnoses, treats, and manages the rehabilitation process, and provides prevention protocols for patients who suffer from injury or disease in any of the components of the musculoskeletal system.
orthopaedic surgery (Also called orthopaedics.)
the medical specialty devoted to the diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and prevention of injuries and diseases of the body's musculoskeletal system.
orthostatic hypotension
a large decrease in blood pressure upon standing; may result in fainting
osteitis pubis
inflammatory reaction in the pubic symphysis, usually as a result of overuse; pain is felt in the groin region, thigh, lower abdomen, and around the perineal structures.
osteoblast
cell found in bone; its function is to form the tissue and minerals that give bone its strength
osteoclast
very large cell formed in bone marrow; its function is to absorb and remove unwanted tissue.
osteocyte
cell found within the bone; its function is to help maintain bone as living tissue
osteophyte
an outgrowth of bone
otoacoustic emissions
low-intensity sounds produced by the inner ear that can be quickly measured with a sensitive microphone placed in the ear canal.
otolaryngologist
physician/surgeon who specializes in diseases of the ears, nose, throat, head, and neck.
otologist
physician/surgeon who specializes in diseases of the ear
otosclerosis
abnormal growth of bone in the inner ear, which prevents structures within the ear from working properly, resulting in a gradual loss of hearing.
ototoxic drugs
drugs that can damage the hearing and balance organs located in the inner ear.
outer ear
external portion of the ear, consisting of the pinna, or auricle, and the ear canal.
outpatient surgery
surgery which allows the patient to go home the same day.
ovaries
pair of small glands, located on either side of the uterus, in which egg cells develop and are stored and the female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone are produced.
overflow incontinence
the leakage of small amounts of urine from a bladder that is always full.
ovulation
release of a mature egg from an ovary
oxytocin
hormone produced by the pituitary gland that stimulates contractions of the uterus during labor and release of milk during breastfeeding.
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