Dictionary of Medical Terms 4th Ed
..pdftraction |
424 |
which initially contaminate the fistula tract’ [Nursing Times]
traction / tr kʃən/ noun a procedure that consists of using a pulling force to straighten a broken or deformed limb The patient was in traction for two weeks.
COMMENT: A system of weights and pulleys is fixed over the patient’s bed so that the limb can be pulled hard enough to counteract the tendency of the muscles to contract and pull it back to its original position. Traction can also be used for slipped discs and other dislocations. Other forms of traction include frames attached to the body.
tractotomy /tr k tɒtəmi/ noun a surgical operation to cut the nerve pathway taking sensations of pain to the brain, as a treatment for severe pain that is hard to control
tragus / tre &əs/ noun a piece of cartilage in the outer ear which projects forward over the entrance to the auditory canal
training / tre n ŋ/ noun the process of educating by giving instruction and the opportunity to practise
trait /tre t/ noun 1. a typical characteristic of someone 2. a genetically controlled characteristic
trance /trɑ ns/ noun a condition in which a person is in a dream, but not asleep, and seems not to be aware of what is happening round him or her a hypnotic trance
tranexamic acid / tr nek s m k s d/ noun a drug used to control severe bleeding tranquilliser / tr ŋkw la zə/, tranquillizer, tranquillising drug / tr ŋkw la z ŋ dr"&/ noun an antipsychotic, anxiolytic or hypnotic drug which relieves someone’s anxiety and calms him or her down (informal) She’s taking tranquillisers to calm her nerves. He’s been on tranquillisers ever since he started his new job.
trans- /tr ns/ prefix through or across
transaminase /tr n s m ne z/ noun an enzyme involved in the transamination of amino acids
transamination /tr ns m ne ʃ(ə)n/ noun the process by which amino acids are metabolised in the liver
transcendental meditation / tr nsendent(ə)l med te ʃ(ə)n/ noun a type of med-
itation in which the same words or sounds are repeated silently
transcription /tr n skr pʃən/ noun 1. the act of copying something written, or of putting something spoken into written form 2. the first step in carrying out genetic instructions in living cells, in which the genetic code is transferred from DNA to molecules of messenger RNA, which then direct protein manufacture
transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation / tr nskju te niəs lektr k(ə)l n! v st mjυ le ʃ(ə)n/ noun full form of TENS
transdermal /tr nz d! m(ə)l/ adjective referring to a drug which is released through the skin
transdermal patch /tr nz d! m(ə)l p tʃ/ noun a patch containing medication applied to the skin and releasing its contents into the body over a period of time
transdiaphragmatic approach /tr nzda əfr & m t k ə prəυtʃ/ noun an opera-
tion carried out through the diaphragm transection /tr n sekʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the act of cutting across part of the body 2. a sample of tissue which has been taken by cutting across a part of the body
transfer /tr ns f! / verb to pass from one place to another, or cause someone or something to pass from one place to another The hospital records have been transferred to the computer. The patient was transferred to a
special burns unit.
transference / tr nsf(ə)rəns/ noun (in psychiatry) a condition in which someone transfers to the psychoanalyst the characteristics belonging to a strong character from his or her past such as a parent, and reacts as if the analyst were that person
transferrin /tr ns fer n/ noun a substance found in the blood, which carries iron in the bloodstream. Also called siderophilin transfer RNA / tr nsf! ɑ r en e / noun
RNA which attaches amino acids to protein chains being made at ribosomes
transfix /tr ns f ks/ verb to cut through a part of the body completely, e.g. when amputating a limb
transfusion /tr ns fju (ə)n/ noun the procedure of transferring blood or saline fluids from a container into a someone’s bloodstream transient / tr nziənt/ adjective not lasting long
transient ischaemic attack / tr nziənt ski m k ə t k/ noun a mild stroke caused by
a brief stoppage of blood supply to the brain.
Abbr TIA
transillumination / tr ns lu m ne ʃ(ə)n/ noun an examination of an organ by shining a bright light through it
transitional /tr n z ʃ(ə)nəl/ adjective in the
process of developing into something transitional epithelium /tr n z ʃ(ə)nəl
ep θi liəm/ noun a type of epithelium found in the urethra
translation /tr ns le ʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the act of putting something written or spoken in one language into words of a different language 2. the process by which information in messenger RNA controls the sequence of amino acids assembled by a ribosome during protein synthesis
translocation / tr nsləυ ke ʃ(ə)n/ noun the movement of part of a chromosome to an-
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transverse presentation |
other part of the same chromosome or to a different chromosome pair, leading to genetic disorders
translucent /tr ns lu s(ə)nt/ adjective allowing light to pass through, but not enough to allow objects on the other side to be clearly distinguished
translumbar |
/tr ns l"mbə/ adjective |
through the lumbar region |
|
transmigration |
/ tr nzma &re ʃ(ə)n/ |
noun the movement of a cell through a membrane
transmission-based precautions /tr nsm ʃ(ə)n be st pr kɔ ʃ(ə)nz/ plural noun the
most recent set of guidelines for health care workers on dealing with highly infectious diseases, to be used in addition to the Standard Precautions. There are three categories: Airborne Precautions, Droplet Precautions and Contact Precautions, sometimes used in combination for diseases which can be transmitted in various ways.
transmit /tr nz m t/ verb to pass something such as a message or a disease Impulses are transmitted along the neural pathways. The disease is transmitted by lice.
transparent /tr ns p rənt/ adjective able to be seen through The cornea is a transparent tissue on the front of the eye. transplacental / tr nsplə sent(ə)l/ adjective through the placenta
transplant noun / tr nsplɑ nt/ 1. a procedure which involves taking an organ such as the heart or kidney, or tissue such as skin, and grafting it into someone to replace an organ or tissue which is diseased or not functioning properly She had a heart-lung transplant. 2. the organ or tissue which is grafted The kid-
ney transplant was rejected. verb /tr ns plɑ nt/ to graft an organ or tissue onto or into
someone to replace an organ or tissue which is
diseased or not functioning correctly transplantation / tr nsplɑ n te ʃ(ə)n/
noun the act of transplanting something
‘…bone marrow transplantation has the added complication of graft-versus-host disease’ [Hospital Update]
transport /tr ns pɔ t/ verb to carry someone or something to another place Arterial blood transports oxygen to the tissues. transposition / tr nspə z ʃ(ə)n/ noun a congenital condition where the aorta and pulmonary artery are placed on the opposite side of the body to their usual position transpyloric plane / tr nspa lɒr k ple n/ noun a plane at right angles to the sagittal plane, passing midway between the suprasternal notch and the symphysis pubis. See illustration at in Supplement
transrectal |
/tr ns rekt(ə)l/ |
adjective |
through the rectum
transsexual /tr nz sekʃuəl/ adjective feeling uncomfortable with the birth gender noun a person, especially a man, who feels uncomfortable with their birth gender transsexualism /tr nz sekʃuəl z(ə)m/ noun a condition in which a person, especially a man, feels uncomfortable with their birth gender
transtubercular plane / tr nstjυb! kjυlə ple n/ noun an imaginary horizon-
tal line drawn across the lower abdomen at the level of the projecting parts of the iliac bones. See illustration at ANATOMICAL TERMS in Supplement. Also called intertubercular plane
transudate / tr nsju de t/ noun a fluid which passes through the pores of a membrane. It contains less protein or solid material than an exudate.
transudation / tr nsju de ʃ(ə)n/ noun the process of passing a fluid from the body’s cells through the pores of a membrane
transuretero-ureterostomy /tr nsjυər tərəυ jυər tə rɒstəmi/ noun a surgical
operation in which both ureters are brought to the same side in the abdomen, because one is damaged or obstructed
transurethral / tr nsjυ ri θrəl/ adjective through the urethra
transurethral prostatectomy / tr nsjυri θrəl prɒstə tektəmi/, transurethral resection / tr nsjυ ri θrəl r sekʃən/ noun a
surgical operation to remove the prostate gland, where the operation is carried out through the urethra. Abbr TUR. Also called resection of the prostate
transvaginal / tr nsvə d a n(ə)l/ adjective across or through the vagina
transverse /tr nz v! s/ adjective across, at right angles to an organ
transverse arch / tr nz v! s ɑ tʃ/ noun same as metatarsal arch
transverse colon / tr nzv! s kəυlɒn/ noun the second section of the colon which crosses the body below the stomach. See illustration at DIGESTIVE SYSTEM in Supplement transverse fracture / tr nzv! s fr ktʃə/ noun a fracture where the bone is broken straight across
transverse lie / tr nzv! s la / noun the position of a fetus across the body of the mother
transverse plane / tr nzv! s ple n/ noun a plane at right angles to the sagittal plane, running horizontally across the body. See illustration at ANATOMICAL TERMS in Supplement
transverse presentation / tr nzv! sprez(ə)n te ʃ(ə)n/ noun a position of the
baby in the uterus, where the baby’s side will appear first, usually requiring urgent manipulation or caesarean section to prevent complications
transverse process |
426 |
transverse process / tr nzv! s prəυses/ noun the part of a vertebra which protrudes at the side
transvesical prostatectomy /tr nsves k(ə)l prɒstə tektəmi/ noun an operation
to remove the prostate gland, carried out through the bladder
transvestism /tr nz vest z(ə)m/ noun the condition of liking to dress and behave as a member of the opposite sex
transvestite /tr nz vesta t/ noun a person who dresses and behaves as a member of the opposite sex
trapezium /trə pi ziəm/ noun one of the eight small carpal bones in the wrist, below the thumb. See illustration at HAND in Supplement
(NOTE: The plural is trapeziums or trapezia.)
trapezius /trə pi ziəs/ noun a triangular muscle in the upper part of the back and the neck, which moves the shoulder blade and pulls the head back
trapezoid / tr p zɔ d/, trapezoid bone / tr p zɔ d bəυn/ noun one of the eight small
carpal bones in the wrist, below the first finger. See illustration at HAND in Supplement trauma / trɔ mə/ noun 1. a wound or injury 2. a very frightening or distressing experience which gives a person a severe emotional shock trauma centre / trɔ mə sentə/ noun a hospital or a department in a hospital that treats people who have complex, life-threatening injuries
traumatic /trɔ m t k/ adjective 1. caused by an injury 2. extremely frightening, distressing or shocking
traumatic fever /trɔ m t k fi və/ noun a fever caused by an injury
traumatic pneumothorax /trɔ m t k nju məυ θɔ r ks/ noun pneumothorax which results from damage to the lung surface or to the wall of the chest, allowing air to leak into the space between the pleurae traumatology / trɔ mə tɒləd i/ noun a branch of surgery which deals with injuries received in accidents
traveller’s diarrhoea / tr v(ə)ləz da ə ri ə/ noun diarrhoea that affects people who travel to foreign countries and which is due to contact with a different type of E. coli from the one they are used to. (informal)
travel sickness / tr v(ə)l s knəs/ noun same as motion sickness
trazodone / tr zədəυn/ noun an antidepressant drug which has a strong sedative effect, used in the treatment of depressive disorders accompanied by insomnia
Treacher Collins syndrome / tri tʃə kɒl nz s ndrəυm/ noun a hereditary disorder
in which the lower jaw, the cheek bones, and the ear are not fully developed
treat /tri t/ verb to use medical methods to cure a disease or help a sick or injured person to recover She has been treated with a new antibiotic. She’s being treated by a specialist for heart disease.
treatment / tri tmənt/ noun 1. actions taken to look after sick or injured people or to cure disease He is receiving treatment for a slipped disc. 2. a particular way of looking after a sick or injured person or trying to cure a disease cortisone treatment This is a new treatment for heart disease.
trematode / tremətəυd/ noun a parasitic flatworm
tremble / trembəl/ verb to shake or shiver slightly
trembling / trembl ŋ/ noun rapid small movements of a limb or muscles Trembling of the hands is a symptom of Parkinson’s disease.
tremens / tri menz/ delirium tremens
tremor / tremə/ noun slight involuntary movements of a limb or muscle
trench fever / trenʃ fi və/ noun a fever caused by Rickettsia bacteria, similar to typhus but recurring every five days
trench foot / trentʃ fυt/ noun a condition, caused by exposure to cold and damp, in which the skin of the foot becomes red and blistered and in severe cases turns black when gangrene sets in. Also called immersion foot
(NOTE: Trench foot was common among soldiers serving in the trenches during the First World War.)
trench mouth / trentʃ maυθ/ noun gingivitis
Trendelenburg’s operation /tren delənb! &z ɒpə re ʃ(ə)n/ noun an operation
to tie a saphenous vein in the groin before removing varicose veins [After Friedrich Trendelburg (1844–1924), German surgeon]
Trendelenburg’s position delənb! &z pə z ʃ(ə)n/, Trendelenburg position /tren delənb! & pə z ʃ(ə)n/ noun a po-
sition in which someone lies on a sloping bed, with the head lower than the feet, and the knees bent. It is used in surgical operations to the pelvis and for people who have shock.
Trendelenburg’s sign /tren delənb! &z sa n/ noun a symptom of congenital dislocation of the hip, where the person’s pelvis is lower on the opposite side to the dislocation
trephination / tr f ne ʃ(ə)n/ noun a surgical operation which consists of removing a small part of the skull with a trephine in order to perform surgery on the brain
trephine /tr fi n/ noun a surgical instrument for making a round hole in the skull or for removing a round piece of tissue
427 |
trigeminal nerve |
Treponema / trepə ni mə/ noun a genus of bacteria which cause diseases such as syphilis or yaws
treponematosis / trepəni mə təυs s/ noun an infection by the bacterium Treponema pertenue. yaws
TRH abbr thyrotrophin-releasing hormone
triad / tra d/ noun three organs or three symptoms which are linked together in a group
triage / tri ɑ / noun the system in which a doctor or nurse sees patients briefly in order to decide who should be treated first
trial / tra əl/ noun a process of testing something such as a drug or treatment to see how effective it is, especially before allowing it to be used generally clinical trials a six-month trial period We’re supplying it on a trial basis. verb to test something as part of a trial triamcinolone / tra m s nələυn/ noun a synthetic corticosteroid drug used in the treatment of skin, mouth and joint inflammations
triangle / tra ŋ&əl/ noun 1. a flat shape which has three sides 2. part of the body with three sides
triangular /tra ŋ&jυlə/ adjective with three sides
triangular bandage /tra ŋ&jυlə b nd d / noun a bandage made of a triangle of cloth, used to make a sling for the arm
triceps / tra seps/ noun a muscle formed of three parts, which are joined to form one tendon
triceps brachii / tra seps bre ki i/ noun a muscle in the back part of the upper arm which makes the forearm stretch out
trich- /tr k/ prefix same as tricho- (used before vowels)
trichiasis /tr ka əs s/ noun a painful condition in which the eyelashes grow in towards the eye and scratch the eyeball
trichinosis / tr k nəυs s/, trichiniasis /
tr k na əs s/ noun a disease caused by infestation of the intestine by larvae of roundworms or nematodes, which pass round the body in the bloodstream and settle in muscles
COMMENT: The larvae enter the body in meat, especially pork, which has not been properly cooked.
tricho- /tr kəυ/ prefix 1. referring to hair 2. like hair
Trichocephalus / tr kə sefələs/ noun same
as Trichuris
trichology /tr kɒləd i/ noun the study of hair and the diseases which affect it
Trichomonas / tr kə məυnəs/ noun a species of long thin parasite which infests the intestines
Trichomonas vaginalis /tr kə məυnəs v d ne l s/ noun a parasite which infests the vagina and causes an irritating discharge
trichomoniasis / tr kəυmə na əs s/ noun infestation of the intestine or vagina with Trichomonas
trichomycosis / tr kəυma kəυs s/ noun a disease of the hair caused by a corynebacterium
Trichophyton /tra kɒf tɒn/ noun a fungus which affects the skin, hair and nails trichophytosis / tr kəυfa təυs s/ noun an infection caused by Trichophyton
trichosis /tra kəυs s/ noun any unusual condition of the hair
trichotillomania / tr kəυt ləυ me niə/ noun a condition in which a person pulls his or her hair out compulsively
trichromatism /tra krəυmət z(ə)m/ noun vision which allows the difference between the three primary colours to be seen. Compare di-
chromatism, monochromatism
trichrome stain / tra krəυm ste n/ noun a stain in three colours used in histology trichuriasis / tr kjυ ra əs s/ noun an infestation of the intestine with whipworms Trichuris /tr kjυər s/ noun a thin round parasitic worm which infests the caecum. Also called whipworm
tricuspid /tra k"sp d/ noun something which has three cusps, e.g. a tooth or leaf adjective 1. having three cusps or points 2. referring to a tricuspid valve or tooth
tricuspid valve /tra k"sp d v lv/ noun an inlet valve with three cusps between the right atrium and the right ventricle in the heart. See illustration at HEART in Supplement
tricyclic antidepressant /tra sa kl k
ntid pres(ə)nt/, tricyclic antidepressant drug /tra sa kl k ntid pres(ə)nt dr"&/
noun a drug used to treat depression and panic disorder, e.g. amitriptyline and nortriptyline
COMMENT: Antimuscarinic and cardiac side-ef- fects can occur; rapid withdrawal should be avoided.
tridactyly /tra d kt li/ noun the condition of having only three fingers or toes
trifocal lenses /tra fəυk(ə)l lenz z/, trifocal glasses /tra fəυk(ə)l &lɑ s z/, trifocals
/tra fəυk(ə)lz/ plural noun spectacles which have three lenses combined in one piece of glass to give clear vision over different distances. bifocal
trigeminal /tra d em n(ə)l/ adjective in three parts
trigeminal ganglion /tra d em n(ə)l & ŋ&liən/ noun a sensory ganglion contain-
ing the cells of origin of the sensory fibres in the fifth cranial nerve. Also called Gasserian
ganglion
trigeminal nerve /tra d em n(ə)l n! v/ noun the fifth cranial nerve, formed of the ophthalmic nerve, the maxillary nerve and the mandibular nerve, which controls the sensory
trigeminal neuralgia |
428 |
nerves in the forehead, face and chin, and the muscles in the jaw
trigeminal neuralgia /tra d em n(ə)l njυ r ld ə/ noun a disorder of the trigeminal nerve, which sends intense pains shooting across the face. Also called tic douloureux
trigeminy /tra d em ni/ noun an irregular heartbeat, where a regular beat is followed by two ectopic beats
trigger / tr &ə/ verb to start something happening It is not known what triggers the development of shingles.
trigger finger / tr &ə f ŋ&ə/ noun a condition in which a finger can bend but is difficult to straighten, probably because of a nodule on the flexor tendon
triglyceride /tra &l səra d/ noun a substance such as fat which contains three fatty acids
trigone / tra &əυn/ noun a triangular piece of the wall of the bladder, between the openings for the urethra and the two ureters
trigonitis / tr &ə na t s/ noun inflammation of the bottom part of the wall of the bladder trigonocephalic /tra &ɒnəkə f l k/ adjective referring to a skull which shows signs of trigonocephaly
trigonocephaly /tra &ɒnə kef(ə)li/ noun a condition in which the skull is in the shape of a triangle, with points on either side of the face in front of the ears
triiodothyronine /tra a ədəυ θa rəni n/ noun a hormone synthesised in the body from thyroxine secreted by the thyroid gland trimeprazine /tra meprəzi n/ noun an antihistamine used to relieve the itching caused by eczema and various skin rashes, including allergic skin rashes caused by poison ivy trimester /tra mestə/ noun one of the three 3-month periods of a pregnancy trimethoprim /tra mi θəpr m/ noun a synthetic drug used in the treatment of malaria triphosphate /tra fɒsfe t/ adenosine triphosphate
triple marker test / tr p(ə)l mɑ kə test/ noun a blood test performed on pregnant women which can detect Down’s syndrome in a fetus by analysing the relative levels of substances produced by the mother’s placenta and the fetus itself
triplet / tr plət/ noun one of three babies born to a mother at the same time
triple vaccine / tr p(ə)l v ksi n/ noun a vaccine which induces protection against three diseases e.g. diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough
triploid / tr plɔ d/ adjective referring to a cell where each chromosome, except the sex chromosome, occurs three times, which is not viable in humans
triquetrum /tra kwetrəm/, triquetral /tra kwetr(ə)l/, triquetral bone /tra kwetr(ə)l
bəυn/ noun one of the eight small carpal bones in the wrist. See illustration at HAND in Supplement
trismus / tr zməs/ noun a spasm in the lower jaw, which makes it difficult to open the mouth, a symptom of tetanus
trisomic /tra səυm k/ adjective referring to Down’s syndrome
trisomy / tra səυmi/ noun a condition in which someone has three chromosomes instead of a pair
trisomy 21 / tra səυmi twenti w"n/ noun
same as Down’s syndrome
tritanopia / tra tə nəυpiə/ noun a rare form of colour blindness, in which someone cannot see blue. Compare Daltonism, deuteranopia trocar / trəυkɑ / noun a surgical instrument or pointed rod which slides inside a cannula to make a hole in tissue to drain off fluid trochanter /trə k ntə/ noun two bony lumps on either side of the top end of the femur where muscles are attached
COMMENT: The lump on the outer side is the greater trochanter, and that on the inner side is the lesser trochanter.
trochlea / trɒkliə/ noun any part of the body shaped like a pulley, especially part of the lower end of the humerus, which articulates with the ulna, or a curved bone in the frontal bone through which one of the eye muscles passes
(NOTE: The plural is trochleae.)
trochlear / trɒkliə/ adjective referring to a ring in a bone
trochlear nerve / trɒkliə n! v/ noun the fourth cranial nerve which controls the muscles of the eyeball
trochoid joint / trəυkɔ d d ɔ nt/ noun a joint where a bone can rotate freely about a central axis as in the neck, where the atlas articulates with the axis. Also called pivot joint trolley / trɒli/ noun a wheeled table for transporting patients The patient was placed on a trolley to be taken to the operating theatre.
troph- /trɒf/ prefix same as tropho- (used before vowels)
trophic / trɒf k/ adjective relating to food and nutrition
trophic ulcer / trɒf k "lsə/ noun an ulcer caused by lack of blood, e.g. a bedsore tropho- /trɒfəυ/ prefix referring to food or nutrition
trophoblast / trɒfəυbl st/ noun tissue which forms the wall of a blastocyst
-trophy /trəfi/ suffix 1. nourishment 2. referring to the development of an organ
tropia / trəυpiə/ noun same as squint
-tropic /trɒp k/ suffix 1. turning towards 2. referring to something which influences
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tuberculosis |
tropical / trɒp k(ə)l/ adjective located in or coming from areas around the equator where the climate is generally very hot and humid tropical disease / trɒp k(ə)l d zi z/ noun a disease which is found in tropical countries, e.g. malaria, dengue or Lassa fever
tropical medicine / trɒp k(ə)l med(ə)s n/ noun a branch of medicine which deals with tropical diseases
tropical ulcer / trɒp k(ə)l "lsə/ noun a large area of infection which forms around a wound, found especially in tropical countries. Also called Naga sore
trots /trɒts/ the trots an attack of diarrhoea
(informal)
trouble / tr"b(ə)l/ noun a disorder or condition (informal) stomach trouble treatment for back trouble
Trousseau’s sign / tru səυz sa n/ noun a spasm in the muscles in the forearm when a tourniquet is applied to the upper arm, which causes the index and middle fingers to extend. It is a sign of latent tetany, showing that the blood contains too little calcium. [After Armand Trousseau (1801–67), French physician]
true rib / tru r b/ noun one of the top seven pairs of ribs which are attached to the breastbone. Compare false rib
true vocal cords / tru vəυk(ə)l kɔ dz/ plural noun the cords in the larynx which can be brought together to make sounds as air passes between them
truncus / tr"ŋkəs/ noun the main blood vessel in a fetus, which develops into the aorta and pulmonary artery
trunk /tr"ŋk/ noun same as torso
truss /tr"s/ noun a belt worn round the waist, with pads, to hold a hernia in place trypanocide / tr pənəυsa d/ noun a drug which kills trypanosomes
Trypanosoma / tr pənəυ səυmə/, trypanosome / tr pənəυsəυm/ noun a microscopic
organism which lives as a parasite in human blood. It is transmitted by the bite of insects such as the tsetse fly and causes sleeping sickness and other serious illnesses. trypanosomiasis / tr pənəυsəυ ma əs s/ noun a disease, spread by insect bites, where trypanosomes infest the blood. Symptoms are pains in the head, general lethargy and long periods of sleep.
COMMENT: In Africa, sleeping sickness, and in South America, Chagas’ disease, are both caused by trypanosomes.
trypsin / tr ps n/ noun an enzyme converted from trypsinogen by the duodenum and secreted into the digestive system where it absorbs protein
trypsinogen /tr p s nəd ən/ noun an enzyme secreted by the pancreas into the duodenum
tryptophan / tr ptəf n/ noun an essential
amino acid
tsetse fly / tetsi fla , setsi fla / noun an African insect which passes trypanosomes into the human bloodstream, causing sleeping sickness
TSH abbr thyroid-stimulating hormone TSS abbr toxic shock syndrome
tsutsugamushi disease / tsu tsə&ə mu ʃi d zi z/ noun a form of typhus caused by the Rickettsia bacteria, passed to humans by mites found in South East Asia. Also called scrub typhus
tubal / tju b(ə)l/ adjective referring to a tube tubal ligation / tju b(ə)l la &e ʃ(ə)n/ noun
a surgical operation to tie up the Fallopian
tubes as a sterilisation procedure
tubal occlusion / tju b(ə)l ə klu (ə)n/ noun a condition in which the Fallopian tubes are blocked, either as a result of disease or sur-
gery
tubal pregnancy / tju b(ə)l pre&nənsi/ noun the most common form of ectopic pregnancy, in which the fetus develops in a Fallopian tube instead of the uterus
tube /tju b/ noun 1. a long hollow passage in the body 2. a soft flexible pipe for carrying liquid or gas 3. a soft plastic or metal pipe, sealed at one end and with a lid at the other, used to dispense a paste or gel
tube feeding / tju b fi d ŋ/ noun the process of giving someone nutrients through a tube directly into their stomach or small intestine
tuber / tju bə/ noun a swollen or raised area tuber cinereum / tju bə s nə riəm/ noun
the part of the brain to which the stalk of the pituitary gland is connected
tubercle / tju bək(ə)l/ noun 1. a small bony projection, e.g. on a rib 2. a small infected lump characteristic of tuberculosis, where tis-
sue is destroyed and pus forms
tubercular /tjυ b! kjυlə/ adjective 1. causing or referring to tuberculosis 2. referring to someone who has tuberculosis 3. with small lumps, though not always due to tuberculosis tuberculid /tjυ b! kjυl d/, tuberculide noun a skin wound caused by tuberculosis tuberculin /tjυ b! kjυl n/ noun a substance which is derived from the culture of the tuberculosis bacillus and is used to test people for
the presence of tuberculosis
tuberculin test /tjυ b! kjυl n test/ noun a test to see if someone has tuberculosis, in which someone is exposed to tuberculin and
the reaction of the skin is noted tuberculosis /tjυ b! kjυ ləυs s/ noun an
infectious disease caused by the tuberculosis bacillus, where infected lumps form in the tissue. Abbr TB
COMMENT: Tuberculosis can take many forms: the commonest form is infection of the lungs (pulmonary tuberculosis), but it can also at-
tuberculous |
430 |
tack the bones (Pott’s disease), the skin (lupus), or the lymph nodes (scrofula). Tuberculosis is caught by breathing in bacillus or by eating contaminated food, especially unpasteurised milk. It can be passed from one person to another, and the carrier sometimes shows no signs of the disease. Tuberculosis can be cured by treatment with antibiotics, and can be prevented by inoculation with BCG vaccine. The tests for the presence of TB are the Mantoux test, the Heaf test and the patch test; it can also be detected by X-ray screening.
tuberculous /tjυ b! kjυləs/ adjective referring to tuberculosis
tuberose / tju bərəυz/ adjective with lumps or nodules
tuberose sclerosis / tju bərəυs sklə rəυs s/ noun same as epiloia
tuberosity / tju bə rɒs ti/ noun a large lump on a bone
tuberous / tju bərəs/ adjective with lumps or nodules
tubo- /tju bəυ/ prefix referring to a Fallopian tube or to the internal or external auditory meatus
tuboabdominal / tju bəυ b dɒm n(ə)l/ adjective referring to a Fallopian tube and the abdomen
tubocurarine / tju bəυ kjυərəri n/ noun a toxic alkaloid which is the active constituent of curare, used as a muscle relaxant tubo-ovarian / tju bəυ əυ veəriən/ adjective referring to a Fallopian tube and an ovary tubotympanal / tju bəυ t mpən(ə)l/ adjective referring to the Eustachian tube and the tympanum
tubular / tju bjυlə/ adjective 1. shaped like a tube 2. referring to a tubule
tubular bandage / tju bjυlə b nd d / noun a bandage made of a tube of elastic cloth
tubular reabsorption / tju bjυlə ri əb sɔ pʃən/ noun the process by which some of
the substances filtered into the kidney are absorbed back into the bloodstream by the tubules
tubular secretion / tju bjυlə s kri ʃ(ə)n/ noun the secretion of some substances into the urine by the tubules of the kidney
tubule / tju bju l/ noun a small tube in the body. renal tubule
tuft /t"ft/ noun 1. a small group of hairs 2. a group of blood vessels. glomerular tuft
tugging / t"& ŋ/ tracheal tugging
tularaemia / tu lə ri miə/ noun a disease of rabbits, caused by the bacterium Pasteurella or
Brucella tularensis, which can be passed to humans. In humans, the symptoms are headaches, fever and swollen lymph nodes. Also called rabbit fever (NOTE: The US spelling is tularemia.)
tulle gras / tju l &rɑ / noun a dressing made of open gauze covered with soft paraffin wax which prevents sticking
tumefaction / tju m f kʃən/ noun swelling within body tissue, usually caused a buildup of blood or water
tumescence /tju mes(ə)ns/ noun swollen tissue where liquid has accumulated underneath. oedema
tumescent /tju mesənt/ adjective swollen or showing signs of swelling, usually as a result of a build-up of blood or water within body tissues
tumid / tju m d/ adjective swollen
tummy / t"mi/ noun stomach or abdomen
(informal)
tummy ache / t"mi e k/ noun stomach pain
(informal)
tumoral / tju mərəl/, tumorous / tju mərəs/ adjective referring to a tumour
tumour / tju mə/ noun an unusual swelling or growth of new cells The X-ray showed a tumour in the breast. a brain tumour. (NOTE: For other terms referring to tumours, see words beginning with onco-. The US spelling is tu-
mor.)
tunable dye laser / tju nəb(ə)l da le zə/ noun a laser which coagulates fine blood vessels, used to blanch port wine stains
tunica / tju n kə/ noun a layer of tissue which covers an organ
tunica adventitia / tju n kə dven t ʃə/ noun an outer layer of the wall of an artery or vein. Also called adventitia
tunica albuginea testis / tju n kə lbjυd niə test s/ noun a white fibrous mem-
brane covering the testes and the ovaries tunica intima / tju n kə nt mə/ noun the inner layer of the wall of an artery or vein. Also called intima
tunica media / tju n kə mi diə/ noun the middle layer of the wall of an artery or vein. Also called media
tunica vaginalis / tju n kə v d ne l s/ noun a membrane covering the testes and epididymis
tuning fork / tju n ŋ fɔ k/ noun a metal fork which, if hit, gives out a perfect note, used in hearing tests such as Rinne’s test
tunnel vision / t"n(ə)l v (ə)n/ noun vision which is restricted to the area directly in front of the eye
turbinate / t! b nət/ adjective 1. having a shape like a spiral or an inverted cone 2. referring to any of the three bones found on the walls of the nasal passages of mammals turbinate bone / t! b nət bəυn/ noun na-
sal conchae
turbinectomy / t! b nektəmi/ noun a surgical operation to remove a turbinate bone
431 |
type B behaviour |
turbulent flow / t! bjυlənt fləυ/ noun rushing or uneven flow of blood in a vessel, usually caused by a partial obstruction
turcica / t! s kə/ sella turcica turgescence /t! d es(ə)ns/ noun a swelling in body tissue caused by the accumulation of fluid
turgid / t! d d/ adjective swollen with blood turgor / t! &ə/ noun the condition of being swollen
turn /t! n/ noun a slight illness or attack of dizziness (informal) verb 1. to move the head or body to face in another direction 2. to change into something different The solution is turned blue by the reagent.
Turner’s syndrome / t! nəz s ndrəυm/ noun a congenital condition in females, caused by the absence of one of the pair of X chromosomes, in which sexual development is retarded and no ovaries develop [Described 1938. After Henry Hubert Turner (b. 1892), US endocrinologist, Clinical professor of Medicine,
Oklahoma University, USA.]
turricephaly / t"r sefəli/ same as oxycephaly
tussis / t"s s/ noun coughing
tutor / tju tə/ noun a teacher, a person who teaches small groups of students
tweezers / twi zəz/ plural noun an instrument shaped like small scissors, with ends which pinch and do not cut, used to pull out or pick up small objects
twenty-four hour flu / twenti fɔ aυə flu / noun any minor illness similar to flu which lasts for a short period (informal) twenty-twenty vision / twenti twenti v (ə)n/ noun perfect vision
twice /twa s/ adverb two times twice daily two times a day
twilight myopia / twa la t ma əυpiə/ noun a condition of the eyes, in which someone has difficulty in seeing in dim light
twilight sleep / twa la t sli p/ noun a type of anaesthetic sleep, in which the patient is semi-conscious but cannot feel any pain twilight state / twa la t ste t/ noun a condition of epileptics and alcoholics in which the person can do some automatic actions, but is not conscious of what he or she is doing
COMMENT: Twilight state is induced at childbirth, by introducing anaesthetics into the rectum.
twin /tw n/ noun one of two babies born to a mother at the same time
COMMENT: Twins occur at a rate of about one birth in 38. They are often found in the same family, where the tendency to have twins is passed through females.
twinge /tw nd / noun a sudden sharp pain
He sometimes has a twinge in his right shoulder.
twist /tw st/ verb to hurt a joint by turning or bending it too much or the wrong way He twisted his ankle.
twitch /tw tʃ/ noun a small movement of a muscle in the face or hands verb to make small movements of the muscles
twitching / tw tʃ ŋ/ noun small movements of the muscles in the face or hands
tylosis /ta ləυs s/ noun the development of a callus
tympan- /t mpən/ prefix same as tympano-
(NOTE: used before vowels)
tympanectomy / t mpə nektəmi/ noun a surgical operation to remove the tympanic membrane
tympanic /t m p n k/ adjective referring to the eardrum
tympanic bone /t m p n k bəυn/ noun the part of the temporal bone that supports and
partly surrounds the auditory canal tympanic cavity /t m p n k k v ti/ noun
the section of the ear between the eardrum and the inner ear, containing the three ossicles. Also called middle ear, tympanum tympanic membrane /t m p n k mem* bre n/ noun the membrane at the inner end of the external auditory meatus leading from the outer ear, which vibrates with sound and passes the vibrations on to the ossicles in the middle ear. Also called tympanum, eardrum. See illustration at EAR in Supplement tympanites / t mpə na ti z/ noun the expansion of the stomach with gas. Also called meteorism
tympanitis / t mpə na t s/ noun same as oti-
tis media
tympano- /t mpənəυ/ prefix referring to the eardrum
tympanoplasty / t mpənəυpl sti/ noun
same as myringoplasty
tympanosclerosis / t mpənəυsklə rəυs s/ noun irreversible damage to the tympanic membrane and middle ear, starting with the replacement of tissues or fibrin by collagen and hyalin. Then calcification occurs, leading to deafness.
tympanotomy / t mpə nɒtəmi/ noun same
as myringotomy
tympanum / t mpənəm/ noun 1. same as tympanic membrane 2. same as tympanic
cavity
type A behaviour / ta p e b he vjə/ noun a behaviour pattern which may contribute to coronary heart disease, in which an individual is aggressive and over-competitive, and usually lives at a stressful pace. Compare type B be-
haviour
type B behaviour / ta p bi b he vjə/ noun a behaviour pattern which is unlikely to contribute to coronary heart disease, in which an individual is patient, tolerant, not very com-
Type I diabetes mellitus |
432 |
petitive and lives at a more relaxed pace. Compare type A behaviour
Type I diabetes mellitus /ta p w"n da ə
bi ti z mə la təs/ noun the type of diabetes mellitus in which the beta cells of the pancreas produce little or no insulin, and the person is completely dependent on injections of insulin for survival. It is more likely to develop in people under 30. Symptoms are usually severe and occur suddenly. Also called insulin-depend- ent diabetes
Type II diabetes mellitus /ta p tu da ə
bi ti z mə la təs/ noun the type of diabetes mellitus in which cells throughout the body lose some or most of their ability to use insulin. It is more likely to develop in people who are over 40, who are overweight or obese, and who do not exercise regularly. It can be controlled in some cases with diet and exercise, but more severe cases may need oral medication which reduces glucose concentrations in the blood, or insulin injections, so that even cells with a poor uptake will capture enough insulin. Also called non-insulin-dependent diabetes
typhlitis /t fla t s/ noun inflammation of the caecum (large intestine)
typho- /ta fəυ/ prefix 1. relating to typhoid fever 2. relating to typhus
typhoid / ta fɔ d/, typhoid fever / ta fɔ d fi və/ noun an infection of the intestine caused by Salmonella typhi in food and water
COMMENT: Typhoid fever gives a fever and diarrhoea and the person may pass blood in the faeces. It can be fatal if not treated. People who have had the disease may become carriers, and the Widal test is used to detect the presence of typhoid fever in the blood.
typhus / ta fəs/ noun one of several fevers caused by the Rickettsia bacterium, transmitted by fleas and lice, producing a fever, extreme weakness and a dark rash on the skin. The test for typhus is the Weil-Felix reaction. typical / t p k(ə)l/ adjective showing the usual symptoms of a condition His gait was typical of a patient suffering from Parkinson’s disease.
typically / t p kli/ adverb in a typical way tyramine / ta rəmi n/ noun an enzyme found in cheese, beans, tinned fish, red wine and yeast extract, which can cause high blood pressure if found in excessive quantities in the brain. monoamine oxidase
tyrosine / ta rəsi n/ noun an amino acid in protein which is a component of thyroxine, and is a precursor to the catecholamines dopamine, noradrenaline and adrenaline tyrosinosis / ta rəυs nəυs s/ noun a condition in which there is irregular metabolism of tyrosine
U
UKCC abbr United Kingdom Central Council for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting ulcer / "lsə/ noun an open sore in the skin or in a mucous membrane, which is inflamed and difficult to heal stomach ulcer
ulcerated / "lsəre t d/ adjective covered with ulcers
ulcerating / "lsere t ŋ/ adjective developing into an ulcer
ulceration / "lsə re ʃ(ə)n/ noun the development of an ulcer
ulcerative / "ls(ə)rət v/ adjective referring to ulcers, or characterised by ulcers ulcerative colitis / "ls(ə)rət v kə la t s/ noun severe pain in the colon, with diarrhoea and ulcers in the rectum, often with a psychosomatic cause
ulceromembranous gingivitis / "lsərəυmembrənəs d nd va t s/ noun inflam-
mation of the gums, which can also affect the mucous membrane in the mouth
ulcerous / "lsərəs/ adjective 1. referring to an ulcer 2. like an ulcer
ulitis /ju la t s/ noun inflammation of the gums
ulna / "lnə/ noun the longer and inner of the two bones in the forearm between the elbow and the wrist. See illustration at HAND in Supplement. Compare radius
ulnar / "lnə/ adjective referring to the ulna
‘…the whole joint becomes disorganised, causing ulnar deviation of the fingers resulting in the typical deformity of the rheumatoid arthritic hand’ [Nursing Times]
ulnar artery / "lnər ɑ təri/ noun an artery which branches from the brachial artery at the elbow and runs down the inside of the forearm to join the radial artery in the palm of the hand
ulnar nerve / "lnə n! v/ noun a nerve which runs from the neck to the elbow and controls the muscles in the forearm and some of the fingers
COMMENT: The ulnar nerve passes near the surface of the skin at the elbow, where it can easily be hit, giving the effect of the ‘funny bone’.
ulnar pulse / "lnə p"ls/ noun a secondary pulse in the wrist, taken near the inner edge of the forearm
ultra- /"ltrə/ prefix 1. further than 2. extremely ultrafiltration / "ltrəf l tre ʃ(ə)n/ noun the
process of filtering the blood to remove tiny particles, e.g. when the blood is filtered by the
kidney
ultramicroscopic /"ltrə ma krə skɒp k/ adjective referring to something so small that it cannot be seen using a standard microscope ultrasonic / "ltrə sɒn k/ adjective referring
to ultrasound
ultrasonic probe / "ltrəsɒn k prəυb/ noun an instrument which locates organs or tissues
inside the body using ultrasound ultrasonics / "ltrə sɒn ks/ noun the study
of ultrasound and its use in medical treatments ultrasonic waves / "ltrəsɒn k we vz/ plu-
ral noun same as ultrasound ultrasonogram / "ltrə sɒnə&r m/ noun a
picture made with ultrasound for the purpose
of medical examination or diagnosis ultrasonograph / "ltrə sɒnə&rɑ f/ noun a
machine which takes pictures of internal or-
gans, using ultrasound
ultrasonography / "ltrəsə nɒ&rəfi/ noun the procedure of passing ultrasound waves through the body and recording echoes which show details of internal organs. Also called
echography
ultrasonotomography /"ltrə sɒnətə mɒ* &rəfi/ noun the procedure of making images
using ultrasound of organs which are placed at
different depths inside the body
ultrasound / "ltrəsaυnd/ noun very high frequency sound waves which can be reflected off internal body parts or off a fetus in the womb to create images for medical examination (NOTE: No plural for ultrasound.)
COMMENT: The very high frequency waves of ultrasound can be used to detect and record organs or growths inside the body, in a similar way to the use of X-rays, by recording the differences in echoes sent back from different tissues. Ultrasound is used routinely to monitor the development of a fetus in the womb, and to treat some conditions such as internal