Medical Terms

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Vagal Nerve stimulator

A small, battery-operated device that sends low levels of electrical current to the left vagal nerve. This nerve sends messages to the area of the brain believed to be responsible for producing seizures. The vagal nerve stimulator is implanted in the patient’s body, much like a pacemaker.

vaginal hysterectomy

the uterus is removed through the vaginal opening.

vaginosis, bacterial

very common vaginal infection characterized by symptoms such as increased vaginal discharge or itching, burning, or redness in the genital area

vagotomy

operation to cut the vagus nerve, which causes the stomach to produce less acid.

vagus nerve

nerve in the stomach that controls the production of stomach acid.

valgus deformity

a lateral inclination of a distal bone of a joint from the midline.

valve

fold in the lining of an organ that prevents fluid from flowing backward

valves, heart - (the heart valves are tricuspid, pulmonic, mitral, and aortic)

the "doors" between the chambers of the heart.

valvuloplasty

repairing a heart valve.

varices

stretched veins such as those that form in the esophagus from cirrhosis.

varicose vein

an abnormally dilated vein, usually found in the legs.

varus deformity

a medial inclination of a distal bone of a joint from the midline.

vascular

pertaining to blood vessels

vasodepressors

a medication that raises blood pressure

vasodilator

agent that widens blood vessels

vein

a blood vessel that carries blood from the body back into the heart.

velocardiofacial syndrome

an inherited disorder characterized by cleft palate, heart defects, a characteristic facial appearance, minor learning problems, and speech and feeding problems.

ventilation

movement of air (gases) in and out of the lungs.

ventricle

one of the two pumping chambers of the heart; the right ventricle receives oxygen-poor blood from the right atrium and pumps it to the lungs through the pulmonary artery.

ventricular fibrillation

a condition in which the ventricles contract in rapid and unsynchronized rhythms and cannot pump blood into the body.

Vertebrae

Vertebrae are the individual bones that make up the vertebral column (aka spine), is a flexuous and flexible column.There are thirty-three (33) vertebrae in humans, including the five that are fused to form the sacrum and the four coccygeal bones.The upper three regions comprise the remaining 24, and are grouped under the names cervical (7 vertebrae), thoracic (12 vertebrae) and lumbar (5 vertebrae), according to the regions they occupy.

vertebral artery testing

evaluation procedure to assess the relationship between cervical spine movement and symptoms which may be vertebrobasilar in origin

vestibular neuronitis

infection at the vestibular nerve.

vestibular system

system in the body that is responsible for maintaining the body’s orientation in space, balance, and posture; regulates locomotion and other movements and keeps objects in visual focus as the body moves

vestibule

bony cavity of the inner ear.

vibrotactile aids

mechanical instruments that help individuals who are deaf detect and interpret sound through the sense of touch.

villi

tiny, finger-like projections on the surface of the small intestine that help absorb nutrients.

viral hepatitis

hepatitis caused by a virus. Five different viruses (A, B, C, D, and E) most commonly cause this form of hepatitis. Other rare viruses may also cause hepatitis. (See also hepatitis.)

vitrectomy

an operation to remove the blood that sometimes collects at the back of the eyes when a person has eye disease.

vitreous body

a clear, jelly-like substance that fills the center of the eye.

vocal cord paralysis

inability of one or both vocal folds (vocal cords) to move because of damage to the brain or nerves.

vocal cords (Also called vocal folds.)

muscularized folds of mucous membrane that extend from the larynx (voice box) wall; enclosed in elastic vocal ligament and muscle that control the tension and rate of vibration of the cords as air passes through them.

vocal tremor

trembling or shaking of one or more of the muscles of the larynx - resulting in an unsteady-sounding voice.

voice

sound produced by air passing out through the larynx and upper respiratory tract.

voice disorders

group of problems involving abnormal pitch, loudness, or quality of the sound produced by the larynx (voice box).

volvulus

twisting of the stomach or large intestine

vomiting

release of stomach contents through the mouth

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