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vaccination
A form of immunization in
which killed or weakened microorganisms are placed into
the body, where antibodies
against them are developed; if the same types of microorganisms enter
the body again, they will be destroyed by the antibodies.
vaccine
A preparation of weakened microorganisms given to create
resistance to a certain disease.
vacuum
aspiration
Removal of the contents of
the uterus using a suction device.
vacuum
extraction
A technique used to
facilitate childbirth using a suction device to help move the baby
through the birth canal.
vagina
The muscular passage
connecting the uterus with the outside genitals; a
component of the female reproductive system.
vaginismus
An involuntary muscle
spasm at the opening of the vagina when sexual intercourse is attempted;
can be quite painful and may make sexual intercourse nearly impossible.
vaginitis
Inflammation of the vagina, which can be the result of infection, aging,
a hormone deficiency, or a foreign object (such as a tampon).
valve
A structure that allows
fluid flow in only one direction.
valvotomy
Surgical correction of a
narrowed heart valve.
valvular heart disease
A heart valve defect.
valvuloplasty
Reconstruction or repair
of a narrowed heart valve.
varicella
The medical term for chickenpox.
varices
Enlarged or twisted blood
or lymph vessels.
varicocele
The appearance of varicose
veins around the testicles; commonly occurs and is
harmless, but may cause discomfort.
varicose veins
Enlarged, twisted veins just
below the surface of the skin, caused by defective valves
in the veins.
variola
Another term for smallpox.
vascular
Pertaining to blood
vessels.
vasculitis
Inflammation of blood
vessels.
vas
deferens
A thin tube that stores
and transports sperm .
vasectomy
A usually permanent method
of sterilization in which the
tubes carrying sperm from the testicles
(the vas deferens) are cut and tied off; as a result, the semen will no longer contain sperm.
vasoconstriction
Narrowing of blood
vessels.
vasodilation
Widening of blood vessels.
vasovagal
attack
A sudden slowing of the
heart, causing fainting.
VD
See venereal
disease.
vein
A blood vessel that
carries blood toward the heart.
venereal
disease
Any disease that is
usually spread through sexual intercourse or genital contact.
venipuncture
Piercing of a vein with a hollow needle to inject fluid or withdraw
blood.
venography
An X-ray procedure for
viewing veins.
venom
A poisonous substance
produced by certain animals.
ventilation
The process through which oxygen
and carbon dioxide are
exchanged between the lungs and the air; also refers to the use of a
machine to carry out this process in someone who cannot breathe on his
or her own.
ventilator
A machine used to take
over breathing when a person cannot breathe on his or her own.
ventricle
A small cavity or chamber;
there are four ventricles in the brain that circulate cerebrospinal fluid
through it, and two in the heart that pump blood throughout the body.
ventricular fibrillation
Rapid, irregular
contractions of the heart.
ventricular septal defect
A hole in the wall that
separates the two lower chambers of the heart (called the ventricles).
vernix
The thick, greasy
substance that covers the skin of a newborn baby.
version
A shift in the position of
the fetus inside of the uterus, either occurring naturally or
as performed by a doctor to facilitate delivery.
vertebra
Any one of the 33 bones
that make up the spine.
vertebral arteries
A pair of arteries running up the neck to supply
the brain with blood.
vertebrobasilar insufficiency
Episodes of dizziness and
weakness caused by insufficient blood flow to the brain.
vertex presentation
The usual, head-first
presentation of the fetus during
delivery.
vertigo
The feeling that one or
one's surroundings are spinning.
very low-density lipoprotein
A class of blood proteins,
a high level of which is associated with coronary heart disease.
vesicle
A small skin blister, or
any sac in the body, that contains fluid.
vestibular
glands
Two small glands located at the opening of the vagina that secrete a lubricating fluid during sexual
stimulation.
villi
The millions of fingerlike
projections on the lining of the small intestine that aid in
the absorption of food.
viral
A term describing
something related to or caused by a virus.
viremia
The presence of viruses in the blood.
virilization
The process by which a
woman develops male characteristics; caused by overproduction of male sex hormones.
virulence
The relative ability of an
organism to cause disease.
virus
The smallest known
disease-causing microorganism; viruses are very
simple in structure and can only multiply when they are inside the cell
of another organism.
visual
acuity
A measure of the sharpness
of a person's vision.
visual
field
The area on both sides
that can be seen while looking straight ahead.
vital
sign
Any sign, such as a pulse, that indicates that a person is
alive.
vitamin
A
A vitamin essential for
normal growth and development of the body (most notably the bones and
teeth), protection of mucous membranes from
infection, normal vision, and healthy skin and hair.
vitamin
B complex
A group of vitamins
including thiamine, niacin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, pyridoxine,
biotin, and folic acid; plays a variety of important roles in the body,
including in hormone production, metabolism, and functioning of the
nerves, muscle, heart, and digestive system.
vitamin B6
A vitamin that plays an
important role in the breakdown and use of energy sources, production of
red blood cells and antibodies, and normal functioning
of the nervous system.
vitamin
B12
A vitamin that is
essential to the production of DNA
(the genetic material in cells) and red blood cells and in the
functioning of the nervous system.
vitamin
C
A vitamin with many
essential roles, including in maintaining healthy bones, teeth, gums,
ligaments, and blood vessels and in the immune system's response to
infection.
vitamin
D
A vitamin that plays a
role in the absorption of calcium
by the intestines and is essential for healthy bones and teeth.
vitamin
E
A vitamin that protects
tissues from damage by oxygen free radicals,
helps to form red blood cells,
maintains the function of enzymes, and maintains cell structure.
vitamin
K
A vitamin that is
essential for normal blood clotting and the body's absorption of calcium.
vitamins
Complex substances that
are necessary in small amounts to maintain health and ensure proper
development and functioning of the body.
vitiligo
A condition in which
patches of skin on the body lose their color; thought to be caused by
the immune system attacking the skin
tissues, causing the absence of melanin.
vitreous
humor
The clear, watery fluid
that fills the cavity of the eye behind the lens.
VLDL
See very low-density lipoprotein.
vocal
cords
Two strips of tissue in
the voice box that have the ability to produce sound when air passing
through them causes the tissues to vibrate.
volvulus
Twisting and obstruction
of an area of intestine.
von Willebrand's disease
A genetic disorder
characterized by excessive bleeding.
V/Q
lung scans
Images produced by radionuclide scanning
of the lungs; used to help diagnose a pulmonary embolism.
vulva
The outer, visible portion
of the female genitals.
vulvitis
Inflammation of the vulva.
vulvovaginitis
Inflammation of the vulva and vagina.
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