Medical Terms
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pacemaker
an electronic device that is surgically implanted into the patient's heart and chest to regulate heartbeat.
Pain Pump
Spinal pumps (or pain pumps) delivers pain medication (typically morphine) directly to the intrathecal space around the spinal cord via an implanted pump. The pump is implanted during a surgical procedure, and medication in the pump is added periodically (e.g. monthly) by injecting medication through the skin into the pump reservoir.
pain threshold
the point at which a stimulus causes a feeling of pain.
palliative treatment
therapy that relieves symptoms, such as pain, but does not alter the course of the disease; its primary purpose is to improve the quality of life.
pallidotomy
a surgical procedure in which a part of the brain, called the globus pallidus, is lesioned in order to improve symptoms of tremor, rigidity, and bradykinesia.
palming
an imaging technique involving the visualization of color
palpitation
sensation of rapid heartbeats
palsy
paralysis of a muscle or group of muscles
pancreas
long gland that lies behind the stomach; manufactures insulin and digestive enzymes.
papillary stenosis
condition in which the openings of the bile ducts and pancreatic ducts narrow
parietal cells
cells in the stomach wall that make hydrochloric acid
parkinsonism
the name given to a group of disorders with similar features including four primary symptoms: tremor, rigidity, postural instability, and bradykinesia, that are the result of the loss of dopamine-producing brain cells.
parosmia
any disease or perversion of the sense of smell, especially the subjective perception of odors that do not exist.
partial colectomy
the removal of part of the large intestine.
partial mastectomy
surgery to remove a portion of the breast.
passive accessory intervertebral movements (PAIVMs)
investigation of accessory gliding movements occurring in a joint.
passive physiological intervertebral movements (PPIVMs)
investigation of passive physiological movements, passively, to confirm restrictions seen on active movement testing.
patellar tendonitis
inflammatory condition of the patellar ligament, usually due to overuse.
pathologist
physician who identifies diseases by studying cells and tissues under a microscope.
pathology
the study of diseases
peak flow meter
a portable, inexpensive, hand-held device used to measure how air flows from lungs in one "fast blast" to measure the ability to push air out of the lungs.
peak torque
measure of isokinetic performance
pediatric dentist
a specialist in the field of dentristy - dealing particularly with the oral health care of children, from infancy through the teenage years.
pelvic exam
a physician examination of the uterus, vagina, ovaries, fallopian tubes, bladder, and rectum.
pelvic lymph node dissection
removal of some lymph nodes from the pelvis.
pepsin
enzyme made in the stomach that breaks down proteins
peptic
related to the stomach and the duodenum, where pepsin is present.
peptic ulcer
sore in the lining of the esophagus, stomach, or duodenum, usually caused by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori. An ulcer in the stomach is a gastric ulcer; an ulcer in the duodenum is a duodenal ulcer.
perception
process of knowing or being aware of information through the ear.
perfusion
flow
perianal
area around the anus
pericardium
the membrane that surrounds the heart
perilymph fistula
leakage of inner ear fluid to the middle ear that occurs without apparent cause or is associated with head trauma, physical exertion, or barotrauma.
perineal
related to the perineum.
perineum
area between the anus and the sex organs
periodontal diseases (Also called gum diseases.)
serious bacterial infections that destroy the gums and the surrounding tissues of the mouth.
periodontist
a specialist in the field of dentristy responsible for the care and prevention of gum-related diseases, guided bone regeneration, and dental implants
periostitis (Also called shin splints.)
inflammatory condition of the covering of the bones.
peripheral stem cell transplantation
a process in which the stem cells (immature cells from which blood cells develop) are removed, treated with anticancer drugs, and frozen until they are returned to the patient.
peritoneal adhesions
the peritoneum is a two-layered membrane that lines the wall of the abdominal cavity and covers abdominal organs. Sometimes organs begin to adhere to the peritoneum, requiring surgery to free the organs again.
peritoneum
lining of the abdominal cavity
pessary
rubber or plastic device that is inserted through the vagina to help hold the uterus in place in women who have prolapse of the uterus.
Phalen's test
test for carpal tunnel syndrome in which the wrists are flexed for one minute
pharynx
space behind the mouth that serves as a passage for food from the mouth to the esophagus and for air from the nose and mouth to the larynx
phonology
study of speech sounds
photophobia
sensitivity to light.
photorefractive keratectomy (PRK)
surgical procedure using an excimer laser to change the shape of the cornea.
physiatrist
the physician who specializes in physical medicine and rehabilitation.
Physician
A Doctor of Medicine (M.D.), Doctor of Osteopathy (D.O.), Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.), Doctor of Podiatry (D.P.M.), Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.), Audiologist, Certified Nurse Anesthetist, Licensed Professional Counselor. Licensed Professional Physical Therapist, Midwife, Occupational Therapist, Optometrist (O.D.), Physiotherapist, Psychiatrist, Psychologist (PhD.), Speech Language Pathologist and any other practitioner of the healing arts who is licensed and regulated by a state or federal agency and is acting within the scope of his or her license.
Pinched Nerve
Laymen's term for pain perceived to be coming from the back or spine; physically difficult to "pinch" the nerve.
pituitary gland
gland at the base of the brain that secretes hormones and regulates and controls other hormone-secreting glands and many body processes, including reproduction.
placenta
organ that develops in the uterus during pregnancy; links the blood supplies of a pregnant woman to the fetus to provide nutrients and remove waste products.
placental abruption
premature detachment of the placenta from the wall of the uterus causing severe bleeding that is life threatening to both a pregnant woman and fetus.
plantar warts
warts that occur on the sole of the foot and look like calluses; often a result of an infection or a specific virus.
plaque, dental
film of mucus that traps bacteria on the surface of the teeth.
plasma
the watery, straw-colored fluid which carries the cellular elements of the blood through circulation.
platelets
cells found in the blood
pneumonectomy
removal of an entire lung, for cancer, lung abscesses, bronchiectasis, or extensive tuberculosis.
polyp
a growth that projects from the lining of mucous membrane, such as the intestine
polyposis
presence of many polyps
polyunsaturated fat
a type of fat found in vegetable oils and margarines that does not appear to raise blood cholesterol levels.
pontic tooth
false tooth
porcelain veneers
a ceramic material that is bonded to the front of teeth to change the tooth's color, size, and/or shape.
portal hypertension
abnormally high blood pressure in the portal vein, which supplies the liver with blood from the intestine.
portal vein
large vein that carries blood from the intestines and spleen to the liver
portosystemic shunt
operation to create an opening between the portal vein and other veins around the liver.
positron emission tomography (PET)
a nuclear scanning procedure that gives a three-dimensional picture of the heart to provide information about the flow of blood through the coronary arteries to the heart muscle.
post-anesthesia care unit (Also called recovery room.)
the area a patient is brought to after surgery to recover.
postcholecystectomy syndrome (Also called biliary dyskinesia.)
condition that occurs after a gallbladder removal in which the muscle between the gallbladder and the small intestine does not work properly, causing pain, nausea, and indigestion.
posterior chamber of the eye
the back section of the eye's interior.
posterior optical segment
portion of the eye located behind the crystalline lens; includes the vitreous, choroid retina, and optic nerve.
posterior vitreous detachment (PVD)
the separation of the vitreous from the retina.
postgastrectomy syndrome
condition that occurs after an operation to remove the stomach (gastrectomy). (See also dumping syndrome.)
postlingually deafened
individual who becomes deaf after having learned language.
postvagotomy stasis
delayed stomach emptying; often occurs after surgery on the vagus nerve.
predisposition
tendency to develop a certain disease
prednisolone
one type of corticosteroid medication, usually used for inflammation.
prelingually deafened
individual who is either born deaf or who has lost hearing early in childhood, before learning language.
presbycusis
loss of hearing that gradually occurs because of changes in the inner or middle ear in individuals as they grow older.
preterm labor
labor that begins before the 37th week of pregnancy
prevalence
statistic that equals the total number of people in a population with a certain disease at a given time.
prick skin test
a test to determine if a person is allergic to certain substances. A physician places a drop of the substance being tested on the persons forearm or back and pricks the skin with a needle, allowing a tiny amount to enter the skin. If the person is allergi
primary sclerosing cholangitis
inflammation, scarring, and narrowing of the bile ducts inside and outside the liver
proctalgia fugax
intense pain in the rectum that occasionally happens at night; caused by muscle spasms around the anus.
proctectomy
operation to remove the rectum.
proctocolectomy (Also called coloproctectomy.)
operation to remove the colon and rectum.
proctocolitis
inflammation of the colon and rectum.
proctologist
physician who specializes in disorders of the anus and rectum.
proctoscope
short, rigid metal tube used to look into the rectum and anus.
proctoscopy
looking into the rectum and anus with a proctoscope.
proctosigmoiditis
inflammation of the rectum and the sigmoid colon.
proctosigmoidoscopy
endoscopic examination of the rectum and sigmoid colon. (See also endoscopy.)
progestin
synthetic form of the female sex hormone progesterone.
prognosis
a prediction of the course of the disease.
prolapse
condition that occurs when a body part slips from its normal position.
prolapse of the uterus
displacement of the uterus down into the vagina; caused by a weakening of supporting tissues in the pelvis.
proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF)
techniques used to improve motor skills through positive motor transfer, using the principles of facilitation/inhibition; irradiation/reinforcement; reciprocal innervation.
prostatalgia
pain in the prostate gland
prostate acid phosphatase (PAP)
an enzyme produced by the prostate that is elevated in some patients when prostate cancer has spread beyond the prostate.
prostatectomy
surgical procedure for the partial or complete removal of the prostate.
prostate-specific antigen (PSA)
an antigen made by the prostate gland and found in the blood; may indicate cancer in the prostate gland.
prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test
a blood test used to help detect prostate cancer by measuring a substance called prostate-specific antigen produced by the prostate.
prostatism
any condition of the prostate that causes interference with the flow of urine from the bladder.
prostatitis
an inflamed condition of the prostate gland that may be accompanied by discomfort, pain, frequent urination, infrequent urination, and, sometimes, fever.
prosthodontist
a dental specialist who has undergone additional training and certification in the restoration and replacement of broken teeth with crowns, bridges, or removable prosthetics (dentures).
proton pump inhibitors
medications that stop the stomach's acid pump.
pruritus ani
itching around the anus.
pubic symphysis
anterior joint of the pelvis.
pudendal block
pain-relieving procedure used during childbirth in which an anesthetic is injected into tissues surrounding the pudendal nerves on either side of the vagina; blocks pain in the tissues between the vagina and anus.
pulmonary
pertains to lungs and respiratory system.
pulmonary artery
blood vessel delivering oxygen-poor blood from the right ventricle to the lungs
pulmonary hypertension
abnormally high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs.
pulmonary vein
the vessel that carries newly oxygenated blood to the heart from the lungs.
pupil
the dark center in the middle of the iris through which light passes to the back of the eye
pupillary response
the constriction or dilation of the pupil as stimulated by light.
pyloric sphincter
muscle between the stomach and the small intestine.
pylorus
opening from the stomach into the top of the small intestine (duodenum).
pyramidal pathway
a collection of nerve tracts that travel from the cerebral cortex through the pyramid of the medulla oblongata in the brainstem to the spinal cord. Within the pyramid of the medulla, fibers cross from one side of the brain to the opposite side of the spin
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