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Kaposi's sarcoma
A skin cancer
that is characterized by purple-red tumors
that start at the feet and spread upward on the body; commonly occurs in
people who have AIDS.
Kawasaki disease
A childhood disease
causing fever, rash, skin peeling, swollen lymph
nodes, and possibly complications of the heart and brain.
keloid
A raised, firm, thick scar
that forms as a result of a defect in the natural healing process.
keratin
A tough protein
found in skin, nails, and hair.
keratitis
Inflammation of the cornea.
keratolytic
Drugs that remove the keratin-containing outer layer of skin; used to
treat skin disorders such as warts
and dandruff.
keratoplasty
Surgical replacement or
reshaping of the cornea.
keratosis
A growth on the skin that
is the result of overproduction of the protein keratin.
ketoacidosis
The dangerous accumulation
of chemicals called ketones in the blood, sometimes occurring as a
complication of diabetes
mellitus; also called ketosis.
kidney
One of two organs that are
part of the urinary tract; responsible for filtering the blood and
removing waste products and excess water as urine.
kidney stone
A hard mass composed of
substances from the urine that form in the kidneys.
killer
T cells
White blood cells that are
part of the immune system and destroy microorganisms and cancer cells.
kilocalorie
A unit of energy; equal to
a nutritional calorie.
Kimmelstiel-Wilson syndrome
A kidney
disorder that can occur as a complication of diabetes mellitus; can
cause swelling, high blood pressure, and kidney failure.
Klinefelter’s syndrome
A genetic disorder in which a
man has at least 1 extra X
chromosome in his cells, causing infertility and female
characteristics.
knee-jerk
reflex
A test for a reflexive
extension of the leg to check the functioning of the nervous system;
tapping the knee just below the kneecap should cause the lower part of
the leg to jerk upward.
kyphosis
Excessive curvature of the
spine, which usually affects the top
part of the spine and causes a hump.
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