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Medical and Clinical Research Glossary

abdomen - The section of the body between the pelvis and the chest.

abscess - A collection of pus in a cavity within tissue. Often related to infections.

acute - Severe, but not lasting long.

adenitis - The swelling of a gland.

adenoma - A noncancerous tumor of gland tissue. They can grow malignant over time.

adrenal glands - Sits on top of the kidneys and regulates stress response. Creates adrenaline.

aorta - The largest artery. Carries blood out of the heart to the rest of the body.

ascorbic acid - Vitamin C.

autoimmune disease - A condition where a person's antibodies begin to attack their own body.

bile - Aids in digestion, produced in the liver, secreted by the gallbladder.

calciferol - Vitamin D.

canker - An open sore in the mouth.

carcinogen - Substance that has been proven to cause cancer.

carotid - The main artery in the neck, supplies blood to the brain.

cerumen - Ear wax.

cirrhosis - Inflammation of the liver that results in scarring and shrinkage of the liver.

dilation - Expanding, dilating a person's pupils would enlarge them.

ECG (EKG) - Electrocardiogram.

epilepsy - A central nervous system disorder causing seizures.

epistaxis - A nosebleed.

fever - Abnormally high body temperature.

fructose - Sugar found in fruit.

gastric - Having to do with the stomach.

gland - An organ that releases a chemical.

gout - Arthritis caused by uric acid in the joints.

hemophilia - A genetic disorder that causes blood to not clot properly.

hypochondriac - The belief that one is constantly sick. An abnormal obsession about health.

inoculation - Injecting a mild form of a disease to form an immunity to it.

larynx - The voice box.

lacrimation - The release of tears from the eyes.

lymph - A clear yellowish fluid. Carried from the skin to the blood.

mania - A mental disorder consisting of extreme energy.

meningitis - Inflammation of the meninges caused by an infection. An infection of the brain, very serious.

murmur - An extra sound caused by the heart.

necrosis - Death of tissue.

nevus - A mole or discolored spot on the skin.

oncology - The study of tumors and cancers.

osteoporosis - A bone disorder which results in a lowered bone density. Mostly found in older women.

palpate - To feel with fingers.

phobia - An unreasonable, abnormal fear.

platelet - The smallest component of blood, used in blood clotting.

prognosis - The likely outcome of a disease.

reflux - A flow in the opposite direction, such as in acid reflux.

relapse - The return of a disease after it's disappearance.

salve - An ointment or cream.

sepsis - An infection that has spread into the bloodstream. A very serious condition.

sternum - The breast bone.

tendon - A fibrous tissue connecting muscle to bone.

thrush - An infection of yeast into the mouth.

triage - The process of prioritizing patient care based on severity of injury and chance of survival.

wart - A small abnormal growth of skin caused by a virus.

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