Term | Meaning |
Hernia | a protrusion of an organ or muscular wall of an organ through the cavity that normally contains it. |
Hiatal hernia | when the stomach protrudes upward into the mediastinum through the esophageal opening in the diaphragm |
Inguinal hernia | when part of the intestine protrudes downward into the groin region |
rectocele | protrusion of a portion of the rectum toward the vagina through a weak part of the vaginal wall muscles |
omphalocele | herniation of the intestines through the navel (occuring in infants at birth) |
cystocele | when part of the urinary bladder protrudes through the vaginal wall due to weakened pelvic muscles |
streptococcus | berry-shaped bacteria that grows in twisted chains |
staphylococcus | berry-shaped bacteria that grow in clusters |
abscess | a collection of pus, white blood cells and protein present at the site of an infection |
diplococci | berry-shaped bacteria organized in pairs |
erythrocytes | red blood cells |
hemoglobin | protein in erythrocytes that carries oxygen |
leukocytes | white blood cells (5 different types) |
granulocytes | polymorphonuclear cells that contain dark-staining granules |
eosinophil | (granules stain red with acid) active and elevated in allergic conditions |
basophils | (granules stain blue with basic stain) function is not clear, may play a role in inflammation |
neutrophils | important disease-fighting cells that are phagocytes. |
"polys" | neutrophils, most numerous white blood cells |
mononuclear leukocytes | have one large nucleus (2 types of mononuclear WBCs) |
lymphocytes | lymph cells; produce antibodies, T cells and B cells |
monocytes | engulf and destroy cellular debris after neutrophils have attacked foreign cells |
thrombocytes | platelets, formed in the bone marrow and necessary for clotting the blood. |
anemia | reduction in number of erythrocytes or hemoglobin |
aplastic anemia | severe anemia when bone marrow fails to produce erythrocytes, leukocytes, and thrombocytes |
ischemia | hold back blood from a part of the body |
tonsillitis | infection of the tonsils |
acromegaly | endocrine disorder produces excessive amount of growth hormone |
achondroplasia | inherited disorder when bones of arms and legs fail to grow to nromal size because of a defect in both cartilage and bone. |
laparoscopy | visual examination of the abadominal cavity using a laparascope |
arteriole | the smallest arteries |
venules | smallest of veins |
adenoids | lymphatic tissue near the nose and nasal passages (literal: resembling glands) |