Medical Glossary

ALL
" 2 A B C D E F G H I K L M N O P R S T U V W Z
Title Definition
Accommodation Adaptation of the eye lens, so you can see clearly.
Alopecia Areata Hair loss in patches.
Amniocentesis A test of the amneotic fluid that surrounds the baby during pregnancy. Amneotic fluid containing fetal cells that can be analyzed for certain genetic diseases.
Amniotic Fluid Fluid that surrounds and protects the baby during pregnancy.
Astigmatism Abnormality of the shape of the eye, leading to a deformation of the image's width or height.
Atresia Abnormal narrowing of an opening in the body such as an ear canal or digestive tract.
Atrial Septal Defect Cardiac anomaly with abnormal communication between the atria.
Atrioventricular Canal Complex heart defect common in trisomy 21.
Autoimmune Disease Disease related to abnormal production of antibodies by the immune system against the elements of the organization itself.
Bases Sequence of neighboring molecules constituting the DNA and RNA. In DNA, these molecules are four in number (Adenine - Thymine - Guanine - Cytosine (ATGC)). In the RNA, these molecules are also four in number (Adenine - Uracil - Guanine - Cytosine (AUGC)).
Biochemistry Chemical reactions occurring in living organisms.
Biopsy Removal of a tissue to observe under a microscope and analyze.
Blood Count Examination allowing, through a blood test, to count red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (leukocytes), platelets and identification.
Cataract Clouding of the lens (eye lens).
Celiac Disease A hypersensitivity of the small intestine to gluten which results in the inability to digest food.
Cell Basic unit of all living organisms.
Chromosome A structure within the cell nucleus containing the genes. It is composed of nucleic acids and protein. There are 23 pairs in each cell in humans, or 46 chromosomes per cell.
Clinical Study A carefully controlled study conducted for the purpose of gathering data for the evaluation of a patient, or of a potential medical treatment.
Congenital Cataract Cataract present at birth.
Congenital Glaucoma Abnormal increase of the fluid pressure inside the eye, present at birth. It must be treated quickly to prevent loss of vision in the affected eye.
Cordon Umbilical cord connecting the fetus to the mother by the placenta and through which the baby is fed, breathes and eliminates its waste during pregnancy.
Cvs Chorionic Villus Sampling during pregnancy. An invasive test during which a piece of placental tissue is taken for analysis for various genetic anomalies.
Deletion Loss of a DNA fragment on a chromosome.
Diabetes Malfunction of the system regulating blood sugar, which can have various causes (insulin secretion, insulin response, cells of the pancreas etc...). Different forms of diabetes are listed, such as diabetes Primary type 1 (more generally called insulin-dependent diabetes), type 2 or gestational diabetes, or even secondary diabetes associated with other diseases.
Diabetes Mellitus Diabetes type 1, requiring treatment with insulin.
Dna Deoxyribonucleic acid is the hereditary material in human cells. It is made up of 4 chemical bases: adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), and thymine (T), which combine to create base pairs that are joined by nucleotides. Arranged in two long strands, they form the spiral double helix of the human genome.
Down Syndrome Common name of trisomy 21. John Langdon Down was the physician who, in 1862, first identified and named a common set of characteristics of those possessing an extra 21st chromosome.
Ductus Arteriosus Anomaly related to the abnormal persistence after the birth of a communication between the pulmonary artery and the aorta. This disorder often disappears spontaneously without intervention.
Duodenal Stenosis Narrowing of the duodenum.
Duodenum Portion of the gastrointestinal tract after the stomach, beginning of the small intestine.
Dynamic Snapshot Radiographic image in an extreme position such as a bending or extension of the head.
Electrophoresis A technique for separating molecules.
Embryo The first 8 weeks of a babyÕs development after conception.
Endoscopy Exploration to see inside the body and take samples by introducing a thin, flexible optical system.
Ethics Moral principles that govern oneÕs actions.
Eugenics In humans, an attempt to improve the population by controlling or regulating reproduction and births. Undesirable traits are eliminated by selective reproduction using in vitro fertilization and preimplantation genetic diagnosis, or by prenatal diagnosis and abortion.

Pages