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labia
The two pairs of skinfolds
that protect the opening of the vagina.
labor
The interval from onset of
contractions to birth of a baby.
labyrinthitis
Inflammation of the
fluid-containing chamber of the inner ear (called the labyrinth) that
maintains balance; can cause a feeling that one's surroundings are
spinning around (known as vertigo).
laceration
A torn or ragged wound.
lactase deficiency
An inherited disorder in
which a person does not have the enzyme lactase, which breaks down
lactose (the sugar found in dairy products); lactase deficiency leads to
lactose intolerance, which means the inability to digest lactose.
lactation
The production of breast
milk after giving birth.
lactation suppression
A decrease in milk
production during pregnancy as a result of high levels of estrogen in the blood.
lactic
acid
An acid produced by glucose-burning cells when these
cells have an insufficient supply of oxygen.
lactose
The sugar found in dairy
products.
lactose intolerance
Inability to break down
and absorb the sugar lactose.
lamaze
method
A method of preparing for
childbirth that stresses physical conditioning, relaxation, and
breathing exercises.
laminectomy
A surgical procedure that
removes part of a vertebra to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or a nerve branching
from the spinal cord.
laparoscope
A viewing instrument used
to examine and treat disorders in the abdominal cavity; consists of a
long tube with an eyepiece, a lens, and often a camera, which allows the
image to be viewed on a monitor.
laparoscopic
cholecystectomy
Surgical removal of the gallbladder using a laparoscope.
laparoscopy
A procedure done to
examine the abdominal cavity using a laparoscope,
usually to investigate pelvic pain or gynecologic conditions such as infertility.
large-cell carcinoma
One of the 4 major types
of lung cancer.
large intestine
The part of the digestive
tract that is located between the small intestine and the anus.
laryngectomy
Surgical removal of all or
part of the voice box (larynx) as a treatment for cancer.
laryngitis
Inflammation of the voice box,
usually caused by a viral infection; characterized by a hoarse voice.
larynx
The medical term for the
voice box, the organ in the throat that produces voice and also prevents
food from entering the airway.
laser treatment
The use of a laser (a
concentrated beam of light) to perform medical procedures, such as the
destruction of tumors.
latent
infection
An infection that lies dormant in the
body for months or years but can reappear.
lateral
On one side.
laxatives
Drugs used to clear feces
from the intestines; commonly used to treat constipation.
lazy
eye
The common name for the
visual defect resulting from untreated strabismus, in which the eyes are
not correctly aligned.
LDL
See low-density
lipoprotein.
lead
poisoning
Damage to the brain, nerves, red blood cells, or digestive
system because of ingestion of lead.
learning disability
Any of a variety of
disorders, including hyperactivity, dyslexia, and
hearing problems, that can interfere with a person's ability to learn.
legionnaires’ disease
A form of pneumonia that is mainly spread
through air-conditioning systems and water.
leiomyoma
A noncancerous tumor
of smooth muscle.
leishmaniasis
A group of parasitic
diseases affecting the skin, mucous
membranes, and internal organs; transmitted by the bite of a
sandfly.
leptospirosis
infection by a spiral-shaped
bacterium that affects the skin, eyes, muscles, kidneys, and liver;
leptospirosis is carried by rodents.
lesch-Nyhan syndrome
A genetic disorder affecting
only men that causes mental handicap, self-mutilation, and aggressive
behavior.
lesion
An abnormality of
structure or function in the body.
leukemia
A group of bone marrow cancers
in which white blood cells
divide uncontrollably, affecting the production of normal white blood
cells, red blood cells, and platelets.
leukocyte
Another name for a white blood cells.
leukocyte
count
The number of white blood cells in the
blood, which is used as a measure of health and possible infection.
leukodystrophy
A group of childhood genetic disorders in which
the protective coverings of the nerves
are destroyed.
leukoplakia
White patches that can
develop in the mouth or on the penis
or the opening of the vagina and
are potentially cancerous.
lH
See luteinizing hormone.
lichen
planus
A common skin disease in
which itchy, small, pink or purple spots appear on the arms or legs.
ligament
A tough, elastic band of
tissue that connects bones and suupports organs.
ligation
The process of closing a
blood vessel or duct by tying it off.
lipid-lowering drugs
Drugs taken to lower the
levels of specific fats called lipids in the
blood in order to reduce the risk of narrowing of the arteries.
lipidosis
Any disorder in which fats
cannot be properly broken down by the digestive system.
lipids
A group of fats stored in
the body and used for energy.
lipoma
A noncancerous tumor of fatty tissue.
lipoproteins
Substances containing lipids and proteins, comprising most fats in the
blood.
liposarcoma
A cancerous tumor of fatty tissue.
liposuction
A surgical procedure in
which fat is removed from areas of the body using a suction pump.
listeriosis
A rare bacterial infection acquired by eating
undercooked infected meat or from infected live animals; can be
dangerous to newborns and the elderly.
lithotripsy
A procedure done to break
up stones in the urinary tract using ultrasonic shock waves, so that the
fragments can be easily passed from the body.
liver
The largest organ in the
body, producing many essential chemicals and regulating the levels of
most vital substances in the blood.
liver
failure
The final stage of liver
disease, in which liver function becomes so impaired that other areas of
the body are affected, most commonly the brain.
lobe
A well-defined, separate
part of an organ.
lobectomy
Surgical removal of a lobe.
local
anesthesia
A method of preventing
pain by inducing the loss of sensation in a certain area of the body
while the patient remains awake.
locked
joint
A joint that cannot be
moved because of a disease or a lodged piece of bone or cartilage.
lockjaw
A spasm of the jaw muscles
that prevents the mouth from opening, such as that caused by tetanus.
locomotor
system
The structures of the body
that are responsible for its movement.
lordosis
The inward curvature of
the spine at the lower back, which
is normal to a certain degree; abnormal as a result of certain medical
conditions, being overweight, or having muscle problems.
lou Gehrig's disease
See amyotrophic
lateral sclerosis.
low-density
lipoprotein
A type of lipoprotein
that is the major carrier of cholesterol
in the blood, with high levels associated with narrowing of the arteries
and heart disease.
lumbago
Dull, aching pain in the
lower back.
lumbar puncture
A procedure in which a
needle is inserted into the lower region of the spinal canal to take out
a sample of spinal fluid or to inject a drug.
lumbar
spine
The lower part of the spine between the lowest pair of ribs
and the pelvis; made up of five vertebrae.
lumpectomy
Surgical removal of a
section of breast containing cancer.
lung
collapse
A condition in which all
or part of a lung cannot expand and fill with air.
lungs
Two organs in the chest
that take in oxygen from the air and release carbon dioxide.
lupus erythematosus
A disorder of the immune system that causes
inflammation of connective
tissue.
luteinizing hormone
A hormone
produced by the pituitary gland
that causes the ovaries and testicles to release sex hormones
and plays a role in the development of eggs and sperm.
lyme
disease
A disease caused by
bacteria transmitted through the bite of a tick; characterized by fever,
rash, and inflammation of the heart and
joints.
lymph
A milky fluid containing white blood cells, proteins, and fats; plays an
important role in absorbing fats from the intestine and in the
functioning of the immune system.
lymphadenopathy
Swollen lymph nodes.
lymphangiography
An X-ray procedure that
creates images of the lymphatic system.
lymphatic
system
A network of vessels that
drain lymph back into the blood.
lymph
node
A small gland
that is part of the immune system;
contains white blood cells and antibodies and helps fight against the
spread of infection.
lymphocyte
A white blood cell that is an
important part of the body's immune
system, helping to destroy invading microorganisms.
lymphocytic leukemia
A disease in which white
blood cells called lymphocytes divide uncontrollably.
lymphogranuloma venereum
A sexually transmitted
chlamydial infection; common in countries with a tropical climate.
lymphomas
A group of cancer
of the lymph nodes and spleen that can spread to other parts
of the body.
lymphosarcoma
Another name for a
non-Hodgkin's sarcoma; a cancerous tumor
in lymphoid tissue.
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