Medical Glossary I-P

Here you will find medical glossary terms I-P.

 
Immunodeficient: An inability to mount an adequate immune response upon challenge.

Immunology: The study of the immune response to disease; specialization in the study of infectious diseases.

Immunoglobulin: A family of large protein molecules; antibodies.

Immunosuppressive:  Something that decreases or stalls
a response from the immune system.

Imperforate hymen: Condition in which the hymen (the tissues at
the opening of the vagina, in some females) is partially or entirely blocked.

Incidence: The number of
times an event occurs.

Incontinence: The inability to control
urination; unintentional loss of urine.

Infertility: Inability to conceive after
one year of trying without the use of birth control, or the inability to carry
a pregnancy to full-term delivery.

Inguinal: Pertaining to the groin.

Inguinal hernia: Hernia occurring in the
groin, where the abdominal folds of flesh meet the thighs. It is often the
result of increased pressure within the abdomen, whether due to lifting,
coughing, straining or accident. A sac formed from the peritoneum, containing a
portion of intestine, pushes outward (or downward) through the weakest part of
the abdominal wall.

Insemination: Installation of semen into a
woman’s vagina for the purpose of conception.

Interferons (IFN): Cytokines that can induce cells to resist viral
replication; they “interfere” with viral infections.

Interleukins (IL): A generic term for cytokines produced by leukocytes.

Internal os: The internal opening of the cervix into the uterus.

Intestines, bowel, gut: The tubular part of the digestive tract
that extends from the stomach to the anus. The small intestine is about 20 feet
long and is the section from the stomach to a part of the intestine called the cecum; it is smaller in diameter than
the large intestine. The large intestine is about 5 feet long and includes the
cecum, colon, rectum, and anal canal.

In vitro fertilization: A procedure in which an ovum (egg) is
removed from the follicle, fertilized by sperm outside the body (usually in a
test tube), and replaced in the uterus. The fertilized egg is allowed to divide
in an incubator for about two days and then is inserted into the uterus.
Usually abbreviated to IVF.

Intramural: Within the wall of an organ or part.

Irritable bowel syndrome: A poorly understood, loosely-defined
bowel problem characterized by irregular and uncoordinated contractions of the
intestines.

Keloid: Elevated, irregularly shaped scar tissue.

Kegel exercises: Exercises that involve tightening and relaxing the muscles in the pelvic
floor to keep them firm.

Kidneys: The two bean-shaped organs located in the lower back, each to one side of
the spine, that clean the blood. The wastes and excess water from this process
is urine.

Lactated Ringer’s: An IV solution used in surgery and medicine as a fluid and electrolyte
replenisher.

Laparoscope: A type of endoscope consisting of an illuminated tube
with an optical system. It is inserted through the abdominal wall for examining
the peritoneal cavity.

Laparoscopy: A surgical
procedure, generally done on an outpatient basis under general anesthesia.  A small incision is made near the naval, and
a lighted, thin tube is inserted, through which the surgeon can view organs in
the abdomen. Additional small incisions may be made to introduce other
instruments into the abdomen for removing endo growths and adhesions or
performing other surgical procedures. A diagnostic laparoscopy is a laparoscopy
done to diagnose the problem. An operative laparoscopy means that surgical
procedures are carried out during the laparoscopy. Most endo specialists now do
operative laparoscopies at the time of first diagnosis.

Laparotomy: Major
surgery done through a large incision in the abdominal wall.

Latency: A state of
inactivity or dormancy. In cancer, a state in which there are no outward signs
of the disease, though tests indicate the disease is still present in an
inactive state.

Laser: Extremely concentrated beam of light that can be
directed precisely to destroy diseased tissue or to excise it.

Leiomyoma: Benign smooth muscle tumor commonly occurring in the
uterine lining. Another word for “fibroid.”

Lesions:  In endo, “lesions” describes the
patches, colonies, or growths of endometrial tissue outside the uterus. In
general, lesions refer to any pathological disturbance such as an injury,
infection, or a tumor.

Leukocytes: All white blood cells; our immune cells.

Leukotrienes: Powerful chemicals released by
inflammatory cells of the immune system.

Leuprolide acetate: Injectable GnRH analog marketed as
Lupron.

Lipids: Fatty substances, insoluble in
water. Lipids are important sources of fuel to the body and in maintaining cell
membranes. Ratios of certain lipids are thought to predict cardiovascular
disease.

Ligament: A tough band of fibrous tissue
which joins two areas of the body and helps to hold them in place.

Low-density
lipoprotein (LDL): A
plasma protein containing relatively more cholesterol and triglycerides than
protein. It is derived in part, if not completely, from the intravascular
breakdown of the very low-density lipoproteins.

Lower GI  Series (Barium enema): Insertion of barium into the
intestines for the purpose of x-ray examination.

Lung biopsy: Removal of lung tissue for examination.

Lupus (systemic lupus
erythematosus): An
inflammatory disease, generally occurring in young women, which causes
deterioration of the connective tissues and may attack soft internal organs as
well as bones and muscles. Symptoms vary widely but may include fever, rash,
abdominal pains, weakness, fatigue, and pains in joints and muscles. Women with
endo have a higher risk for lupus.

Luteal phase: The last fourteen days of the
menstrual cycle after ovulation has occurred. When an egg is not
fertilized, the corpus luteum gradually disappears, estrogen and progesterone
(hormone) levels drop, and the thickened uterine lining is shed. This is your
period. 

Luteal phase defect: A shorter than normal luteal phase
or one with a progesterone deficit.

Luteinizing hormone: A hormone produced by the
pituitary gland which stimulates the production of estrogen by the ovary and is
involved in the maturing of the egg at ovulation.

Luteinizing hormone-releasing
hormone: Agonist used to treat
endometriosis. Induces pseudo-menopause. Side effects include those associated
with menopause. Same as GnRH.

Lymph:  A thin watery fluid that contains mainly
blood cells and emulsified fats and is filtered through the lymph nodes and
pumped throughout the body via the lymphatic system. 

Lymphatic system: Pertaining
to the vast, complex network of organs, capillaries, valves, ducts, and nodes
which carry lymph, a watery fluid containing various molecules as well as
bacteria which are filtered in the lymph nodes. 
The lymphatic system is called the body’s drainage system, important in
fluid balance and detoxification.

Lymphocytes: Small white blood cells produced in the bone marrow
and paramount in our immune defenses.

Lymphokines: Inflammatory mediators released by T cells
into the bloodstream, and capable of stimulating other immune cells.

Lymphoma: Tumors that begin
in the lymph or lymphatic system.

Lyse: To cut, break up, divide, separate.

Lysis: To cut, break up, divide, separate; cutting, dividing,
or separating surgically.

Macrophages: Immune cells that destroy bacteria
and other foreign material by surrounding them and gobbling them up.

Macular: Characterized by macules, patches of skin
altered in color, but usually not elevated.

Malignant: Cancerous.

Mammary glands: Glands located
in the central part of the breast which allow for the passage of milk into the
nipple.

Mammography: X-ray of the breast.

Mast cells: Inflammatory cells found in body tissues,
which produce chemicals in response to injury or infection.

Medroxyprogesterone acetate: The chemical name of Provera and Depo-Provera.

Megace: A drug given to
patients with advanced breast or endometrial cancer.

Melatonin: A hormone
secreted by the pineal gland that helps regulate hormone production.

Membrane attack complex (MAC): A structure formed by
complement proteins that forms a hole in a cell membrane. This allows fluid to
pour into the cell causing it to swell and die.

Menarche: The first menstruation in a female’s life.

Meniere’s disease:  A sometimes disabling disorder of the ear,
causing hearing loss, dizziness, and ringing in the ear (tinnitus).

Menopause: Cessation
of menstruation, measured as one year since a woman’s last period.

Menorrhagia: An excessive flow of blood during
menstruation.

Menstruation: The monthly flow of blood and endometrial
tissue from the uterus via the vagina, i.e. the monthly period.

Metabolism: The chemical
processes of a living organism that result in energy production, growth,
elimination of wastes, and other bodily functions related to distribution of
nutrients after digestion.

Metabolite:  Any product of metabolism.

Metastasis: The spread of
cancer from the original site to other areas of the body.

Microbiome: The collection of microscopic bacteria, fungi, and
other organisms that live in our intestines and elsewhere in and on the
body.  They are essential to our life,
creating some vitamins, helping program and control the immune system, helping
metabolize some environmental chemicals (and also being harmed by them),
involved in autoimmune diseases and inflammation, and even contributing
positively or negatively to our moods. 
Microbiome balance is essential for health and can be destroyed by
antibiotics, poor diet, and some medications. 
The Endometriosis Association first published on the role of the
microbiome in endometriosis (then called microflora) in the early 1980s.

Microsurgery: Surgery using magnification, tiny
sutures, and very gentle handling of tissues.

Millimeter (mm): Part of the metric system of
measurement. 1 mm = .04 inch (U.S.)

Miscarriage: Loss of an embryo or fetus before the 20^th
week of pregnancy. Most miscarriages occur during the first 14 weeks of
pregnancy. The medical term for miscarriage is spontaneous abortion.

Mitral valve
prolapse: A defect
in which a valve on the left side of the heart flaps up instead of closing
tightly, allowing some blood to backflow.

Mittelschmerz: Pain which occurs during
ovulation.

Monoclonal antibodies: Antibodies
cloned in the laboratory from an individual B lymphocyte and specific for a particular
antigen.

Monocyte: A large phagocytic white blood cell which, when it
enters tissue, develops into a macrophage.

Morbidity: The condition of being unhealthy or diseased.

Moxibustion: Moxa is an herb used in traditional Chinese
medicine that is burned over the point of the energy meridians, stimulating the
flow of chi (energy). (Yo San
University Clinic brochure.)

Mucinous: A type of tumor
made up of cells which produce mucin, the chief ingredient in mucus.

Mucous colitis: Another term for irritable bowel
syndrome.

Mucous membranes: The membranes which line all those
passages by which the internal parts of the body communicate with the exterior,
and are continuous with the skin at the various openings of the surface of the
body. Examples include the lining at the mouth, the digestive tract, the
respiratory lining, and the genitourinary tract.

Mucus/mucosal: The clear, sticky secretion of the
mucous membranes; relating to the mucous membranes.

Mullerian ducts: Ducts in the embryo that develop into the
ovaries, uterus, and vagina.

Multifactorial: The result
of the combined effect of several factors.

Multiple sclerosis (MS):  A chronic disease, generally occurring in
young adults characterized by hardening patches scattered randomly throughout
the brain and spinal cord interfering with the nerves of those areas. Can cause
visual disturbances, balance impairment, unsteady walk, loss of bladder and
bowel control, and paralysis.  Women with
endometriosis have a higher risk of MS.

Muscular dystrophy: A group of related diseases characterized by
weakness and progressive wasting of the skeletal muscles.

Mutagenesis: The occurrence
of genetic mutation.

Myalgia: Muscle pain.

Myasthenia gravis: A chronic muscle disease characterized
by weakness and extreme fatigue of the voluntary muscles.

Myofascial:   A muscle and the connective tissues (tendons,
ligaments, etc.) surrounding it.

Myofascial release massage: A type of physical therapy or massage
that slowly stretches the fascia, or connective tissue, releasing restrictions
occurring in the connective tissue that may be causing pain, stiffness, and/or
other problems.

Myomectomy: Surgical removal of a myoma (fibroid).

Myometrial, Myometrium: Having to do with the myometrium, the outer
lining, layer/muscular coat of the uterus.

Narcotics (legal definition): Habit-forming drugs.

Narcotics (medical definition): Drugs that produce narcosis,
depression of the central nervous system.

Natural killer cells:  Large, granule-filled lymphocytes that take
on tumor cells and infected body cells. They are known as “natural” killers
because they attack without first having to recognize specific antigens.

Naturopath, N.D.: Naturopathic doctor; one who practices
naturopathy, a system of medicine stressing maintenance of health and prevention
of disease using a variety of methods to help the body heal itself, i.e.
nutrition, exercise, massage, acupuncture, etc.

Navel: Umbilicus, “belly button.”

Necrosis: Localized tissue death that occurs in groups
of cells in response to disease or injury.

Nephrologist: A physician who has specialized in conditions
involving the kidneys.

Neoplasms: Tumors.

Neoplastic: Tumor-forming.

Neuritis: Inflammation of a nerve.

Neurologist: A physician specializing in
conditions involving the nervous system.

Neuropathy: Any disease of the nerves.

Neutrophil: A white blood cell that is an abundant and important
phagocyte.

Nociceptors: Nerve endings selectively responding to painful
stimuli. Stimulation of nociceptors causes the sensation of pain.

Nocturia: Urinary frequency at night.

Nodule: A small, firm lump of tissue.

Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma:  Cancer affecting the lymph tissue.

Nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): Pain medications which work by inhibiting prostaglandins, and
which include ibuprofen and naproxen sodium (both nonprescription) and others,
including prescribed forms.

Nucleus:
The central controlling body within a living cell, usually round, containing
genetic codes for maintaining life systems of an organism and for issuing
commands for growth and reproduction.

Occupational therapy: Therapy which includes activities needed for
daily living or work.

Oligo-ovulatory: A term describing a woman who ovulates
infrequently.

Oncogene: A potentially
cancer-inducing gene.  Under normal
conditions such genes play a role in the growth and proliferation of cells,
but, when altered in some way by a cancer-causing agent such as radiation, a
carcinogenic chemical, or an oncogenic virus, they may cause the cell to be
transformed to a malignant state.

Oocyte: Egg cell produced in the ovaries each month. Also called
ovum.

Oophorectomy: Surgical
removal of the ovaries.

Opioid: A synthetic narcotic
that acts like an opiate (a narcotic derived from opium) but is not derived
from opium.

Organic: Organic foods are
grown without the use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers, genetically-engineered
ingredients, or sewage sludge.

Organochlorine:  A chemical compound made by combining
chlorine with organic substances, usually petrochemicals.

Osseous: Bonelike.

Osteoarthritis: A form of arthritis, often occurring in older
people, when cartilage around the bone frays or wears and bone rubs against
bone.

Osteopathy: Osteopathy is, according to Stedman’s Concise Medical Dictionary, “a
school of medicine based upon the idea that the normal body when in ‘correct
adjustment’ is a vital machine capable of making its own remedies against
infections and other toxic conditions; employs the diagnostic and therapeutic
measures of ordinary medicine in addition to manipulative measures.”

Osteoporosis: A disease of
the bones in which the bones become thin and porous.

Ova: The plural of ovum.

Ovarian cyst: A fluid-filled sac or pocket on the ovaries.

Ovarian remnant syndrome: The presence
of ovarian tissue in the pelvis after the ovaries have been removed; more
common when adhesions and inflammation made the surgery difficult.

Ovarian wedge
resection: The
surgical removal of part of the ovary or ovaries.

Ovary: The female sex gland which produces
the ovum and estrogen and progesterone.

Oviducts: Another name for the fallopian
tubes.

Ovulation: The expulsion of the mature egg
(ovum) from the ovary. It usually occurs on approximately day 14 of a 28 day
cycle.

Ovum: The egg produced by the ovary each
month.

P value: A number used to determine the significance
of a statistical test. The smaller the p value, the greater the significance. A
p value less than .05 means the test was significant.

Pain receptors: (also called nociceptors) Free nerve endings distributed abundantly in the
superficial layers of the skin and in certain deeper tissues. Pain receptors
are the first to respond to injury.

Pain threshold: The least stimulus at which a person
perceives pain. The pain threshold may be lowered or raised by changes in
temperature, the presence of certain chemicals, or other factors.

Palpation: Feeling with
fingers and hands.

Papillar: Small, nipple-shaped elevation.

Pandemic: Epidemic on a
global basis.

Parkinson’s disease: A disorder of body movement causing rigidity,
tremor and difficulty or slowness of movement.

Pathogenic: Disease-causing.

Pathologically diagnosed: To identify disease through study of the
changes in body tissues and organs, as in a laboratory analysis of tissue taken
during surgery from areas presumed to be endo.

Pathophysiology:  The study of disease processes.

PCBs (Polychlorinated biphenyls):  A group of nonflammable chemicals
that were widely used as coolants in electrical transformers, industrial
lubricants, hydraulic fluids, and in “carbonless paper” from 1929
until they were banned in 1979. Some PCBs persist in the environment for more
than 100 years.

Pedicle: Stem or stalk that connects a fibroid tumor to the
uterine wall.

Pelvic cavity: The part of the abdominal cavity where the reproductive
organs are located.

Pelvic congestion syndrome: A syndrome which occurs when
varicose veins develop around the ovaries.

Pelvic examination: A routine gynecological examination of the reproductive
organs in which the organs and their supporting ligaments are felt or
‘palpated’ by the doctor.

Pelvic inflammatory disease: An infection in the pelvic area that
can be caused by a variety of bacteria and can attack various pelvic organs;
often abbreviated PID.

Pelviscopy: Laparoscopy.

Peptides: Hormones composed of chains of amino acids (proteins).

Pericarditis: Inflammation of the outer membrane surrounding the
heart.

Perimenopause: The time around menopause, which can be a few years
before and a year after menopause.

Perineal: Pertaining to the area between the
vulva and the anus in the female (and between the scrotum and the anus in the
male).

Peritoneal cavity: The
internal abdomen; the abdominal cavity.

Peritoneum (peritoneal): The thin
membrane covering the walls of the abdomen and pelvis and the organs contained
within them.

Pergonal: Fertility drug.

Peritoneal, Peritoneal fluid: Pertaining to the peritoneum or the fluid
surrounding the abdominal organs.

Peritoneum: The thin membrane covering the walls of the
abdomen and pelvis and the organs contained within them.

Peritonitis: Inflammation of the peritoneum; may be caused
by internal bleeding or irritating substances from a ruptured cyst,
gallbladder, or gastric ulcer.

Permeability: Condition whereby fluids and other substances
can pass through.

Petechial: Minute, non-raised,
purplish red spots.

Phagocyte: An immune cell that is able
to surround and engulf microbes or cell debris.

Phagocytosis: The process by which microbes or other cells and
foreign particles are ingested by large white blood cells called phagocytes.

Phospholipids: Molecules containing phosphate groups, glycerol, and
fatty acids that are major components of the membranes of cells.

Phthalates:  Chemical compounds in plastics. Some have
estrogenic activity. Some are cancer-causing. Phthalates used in IV bags,
tubing, and dialysis equipment have been shown to leach out of the material
into solutions and patients.  Phthalates
in plastic wrap and food containers have been shown to leach into the food.

Physiological: Relating to
physiology, the physical and chemical processes involved in the functioning of
living organisms.

Phytoestrogens:  Weak, naturally-occurring estrogenic
compounds found in some plants such as flaxseed and soybeans.

Picogram: One trillionth of a gram

Pineal gland: A gland located in the
middle of the brain that produces melatonin in response to declining light.

Pituitary gland: A small gland at the base of the
brain which secretes, regulates, and stores a number of hormones that affect
the thyroid, ovaries, and adrenal glands as well as other parts of the body.

Plasma: The watery, colorless, fluid
portion of the lymph and the blood in which the leukocytes, erythrocytes and
platelets are suspended. It contains no cells and is made up of water,
electrolytes, proteins, glucose, fats, bilirubin and gases.

Plasma cells: Antibody-producing cells found in
the bone marrow, connective tissue, and circulating blood.

Polycystic ovarian
disease: Simultaneous
formation of many cysts on both ovaries; also called Stein-Leventhal syndrome.
Symptoms include infrequent or no periods, failure to ovulate, and abnormal
hairiness.

Polyendocrinopathy: A disease of a number of parts of
the endocrine system.

Postpartum: Occurring after childbirth, with reference to the
mother.

Precocious puberty: Precocious puberty is unusually early sexual maturation.
It is sometimes caused by endocrine disease or, as in a well-known series of
cases in Puerto Rico, by hormones in meat, or may be of unknown origin.

Preeclampsia: A metabolic
disturbance of late pregnancy characterized by high blood pressure, edema, and
excess protein in the urine.

Premature
menopause: Before natural menopause would
occur.

Premenstrual
syndrome (PMS): Condition characterized by
nervousness, irritability, depression, headaches, swelling and cramps; it
occurs seven to ten days before menstruation and disappears a few hours after
onset of menstrual flow. Appears to be related to fluctuations in estrogen and
progesterone.

Prenatal,
perinatal, and antenatal: Natal refers to birth. Pre means “preceding”; Peri means “the period shortly before
and after birth.” (It’s the time period from the 29^th week of
pregnancy to 1 to 4 weeks after birth.) Ante
means “before.” All of the three prefixes mean much the same thing connected to
other terms (peri would mean around
or surrounding).

Presacral neurectomy: A procedure
severing the nerves at the back of the pelvis to help provide pain relief. 

Primary dysmenorrhea: Painful periods and other symptoms
due to an imbalance in prostaglandins.

Privileges: Authority
granted to a physician by a hospital governing board to provide care to the
hospital’s patients. Clinical privileges are limited to the individual’s
professional license, experience, and competence.

Proctoring: Supervised
experience with expert colleagues; rare outside of medical school.

Proctoscopy: Direct examination of the interior of the rectum
using a proctoscope, a short lighted scope or speculum, to allow the physician
to see abnormalities.

Progesterone:  A hormone that prepares the uterus
for reception of the fertilized egg.

Progestins: Synthetic hormones that have
an action similar to progesterone.

Progestogens: Synthetic hormones that have
an action like progesterone.

Prognosis: Prospect for recovery.

Prolactin: A pituitary hormone that
stimulates milk production.

Proliferation: Rapid and repeated reproduction of new parts, as by
cell division.

Prophylactic: Any regimen or agent that contributes to the
prevention of infection and disease.

Prostaglandins: Substances found in semen, menstrual fluid, and various body tissues.
Stimulate contraction and relaxation of the uterus and other smooth muscles.
Also can lower blood pressure and affect the action of certain hormones.

Prostaglandin inhibitors: Drugs that suppress the action of
prostaglandins.

Prostate: Gland in males surrounding the urethra at the
bladder. Produces the milky fluid released with sperm during ejaculation.

Proteolytic enzymes: Enzymes
that break a substance down into simpler compounds.

Provera: Synthetic form of
the hormone progesterone.

Pseudomenopause: The creation of the hormonal conditions of
menopause using drugs such as danazol, Lupron, or Synarel.

Pseudopregnancy: The creation of the hormonal conditions of
pregnancy using birth control pills.

Psychosomatic: Having physical symptoms stemming from
emotional or mental origins.

Pyelography (Urography): X-ray of the kidney and the ureters,
involving injection of contrast dye.

Pyloric: Adjective form of pylorus, which is the part
of the stomach that leads to the small intestine.