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An alphabetical listing of General terms and items. A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

B Cell   A type of lymphocyte (white blood cell). B cells, together with T cells, are the "big guns" of the immune system response to an invasion by a foreign molecule (see Allergies). B Cells (B Lymphocytes)   Antibody-producing white blood cells, which mature in the bone marrow. The letter B originally came from bursa of Fabricius where B lymphocytes originate in chickens, but has subsequently been extended to imply the bone marrow. B-CELL (B-LYMPHOCYTE)   A type of immune system white blood cell. B-cells mature into plasma cells that produce antibodies. BA   Bachelor of Arts BACTERIUM (plural BACTERIA)   A simple single-celled microorganism. Bacteria are classified by their shape (e.g., rod, spirochete), staining properties (Gram positive or Gram negative) and habitat (aerobic, anaerobic). Bamboo Spine   X-ray appearance of spine in advanced AS because of spinal fusion producing a bamboo-like appearance Bariatric Surgery   One of several stomach operations that cause therapeutic weight loss. Also called gastric surgery (See Weight Management). BASE   The junction of a bud and the mother cell of a yeast. BASELINE   An initial or known value (e.g., ALT level, HCV viral load) against which later measurements can be compared. Basilar   Adjective, Latin basis = base. Basilic   Adjective, Greek basilikos = royal (king-sized). BB(ASCP)   Technologist in Blood Banking by the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Registry BCM   BCM (Body Cell Mass) represents the cellular, metabolically active body mass. Not included is the extracellular fluid in the metabolically active tissue. BDentSci, BDSc   Bachelor of Dental Science BDNA   See branched-chain DNA assay. BDS   Bachelor of Dental Surgery BECK DEPRESSION INDEX   A written, self-report questionnaire used to gauge clinical depression. BEHCET'S DISEASE   A disease that presents as ulcerations in the eyes, mouth and genitals but can affect any organ of the body. BENIGN   A mild, non-lethal illness, especially a non-cancerous tumor. Contrast with malignant. Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)   A noncancerous enlargement of the prostate that can interfere with urination (see Urinary Incontinence). Back to top Benzodiazepines   Medications that work by attaching to benzodiazepine-GABA receptors, helping to maintain levels of the neurotransmitter GABA in the brain (see Anxiety). Benzopyrones   Drugs thought to remove excess protein and fluid from a limb affected with lymphedema. This drug therapy is used in Europe; however, its effectiveness is still in question. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved the use of these drugs. Beta Blockers   Medications used to treat a variety of illnesses, including heart disease, high blood pressure, and migraine headaches. They function in exactly the opposite way from beta-2 agonists. They can worsen asthma control and cause asthma flare-ups (see Asthma). Beta Cells   Cells that make and secrete insulin; located in the islets of Langerhans of the pancreas (see Diabetes). Beta-agonists   Members of one family of bronchodilator medicines. Beta-2 agonist drugs share a similar chemical structure and a common mechanism of action. They are all related to adrenaline (epinephrine) (see Asthma). BHS   Bachelor of Health Science BHyg   Bachelor of Hygiene BIAS   In a clinical trial, a false association that results from to the failure to account for some skewing or influencing factor. Biceps   Latin bis = double, and caput = head, hence 2-headed, adjective - bicipital. BID   Taken twice daily. Bifid   Adjective, Latin bis = double, and findo = to split. Bifurcate   Latin bis = double, and furco = fork, hence to divide into two. Bilateral   Affecting both sides of the body. BILE   A yellowish-green fluid produced by the liver that aids in the digestion of fats and the excretion of toxins. BILE DUCT   The passage that carries bile from the liver to the small intestine. BILIRUBIN   A yellowish pigment released when red blood cells are broken down. Normally bilirubin is processed and excreted by the liver. An excess level of bilirubin in the blood (hyperbilirubinemia) may indicate liver damage, and can lead to jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes), pale-colored stools, and dark urine. A normal bilirubin level is below 1.3mg. BINDING PROTEIN   A protein synthesized by the liver that binds to and transports substances such as vitamins, minerals, hormones, and fats. BIOAVAILABILITY   The degree to which a drug or other substance is absorbed and circulated in the body. BIOCHEMICAL RESPONSE (BIOLOGICAL RESPONSE)   A favorable response to treatment as indicated by normalization of blood values (e.g., liver enzyme levels). Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis   Also known as bioimpedance and BIA. Back to top BIOFEEDBACK   A technique in which people learn to use signals from their own bodies to influence physiological functions. BIOFLAVINOID (VITAMIN P)   Natural pigments found in fruits and vegetables that increase absorption of vitamin C. Bioimpedance   Is a non-invasive method of determining the composition of body tissues to evaluate the presence of body fluids such as lymph; Also known as known as bioelectrical impedance analysis or BIA. Biologic Response Modifiers   Drugs which are also called biologicals for short, and include anti-TNF drugs infliximab (Remicade) and etanercept (Enbrel). BIOLOGICAL RESPONSE   See biochemical response. Biological Variability   Fluctuations that occur naturally over time in the levels of a substance such as cholesterol in a person's body (see High Cholesterol). Biopsy   Removal of a small tissue specimen for examination. BIOPSY (BX)   A procedure in which a sample of cells or tissue is taken for laboratory examination. Liver biopsies are used to monitor liver disease progression in people with HCV. Bipennate   Adjective, Latin bis = double, and pinna = feather, hence converging from 2 sides. BIS   BIS (Bioimpedance spectroscopy) is a technology that measures body impedance in a frequency range between 5kHz and 1MHz. Using a physiological model, the impedance values are used to determine body composition. Bisphosphonates   Drugs used to treat osteoporosis because they inhibit bone resorption. Bladder Neck   The junction of the bladder and the urethra (see Urinary Incontinence). BLINDING   A method of conducting clinical trials in which participants do not know who is taking an experimental treatment, a standard (control) treatment, or a placebo. In a blinded study, the volunteers do not know what treatment (if any) they are receiving. In a double-blind study, neither the volunteers nor the researchers administering the treatment know who is receiving what. Blinding is done to reduce bias in drug trials. In the case of medical necessity, a study may be unblinded to reveal who is receiving what treatment. BLOOD TRANSFUSION   The infusion of blood or blood components into an individual for the treatment of a medical condition. Transfusions may be homologous (from a donor) or autologous (previously stored blood from the recipient). BLOOD-BORNE   A pathogen that is transmitted through direct blood-to-blood contact, for example, through sharing dirty needles or through a blood transfusion. BM BCH   Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery BM Or BMed   Bachelor of Medicine (designation of doctor in some areas) BMedBiol   Bachelor of Medical Biology BMedSci Or BMS   Bachelor of Medical Science BMI   The BMI (Body Mass Index) represents body weight in relation to body surface area (kg/m2). Back to top BMic   Bachelor of Microbiology BMT   Bachelor of Medical Technology BN   Bachelor of Nursing BO   Bachelor of Osteopathy Body   The main part. Body Mass Index   A number that indicates body weight adjusted for height that may be further modified for age; BMI. BODY MASS INDEX (BMI)   A measurement of body fat determined by dividing a person's weight (in kilograms) by height (in meters squared). BODYWORK   Healing techniques (e.g., massage therapy, reflexology) that involve manipulating or applying pressure to the body. BONE MARROW   The soft, spongy material inside certain long bones where blood cells are produced. Bone Mass   The total amount of bone tissue in the body (see Osteoporosis). Bone Mineral Density (BMD)   The amount of mineralized bone tissue in a given area, usually calculated in grams per square centimeter (see Osteoporosis). Border   See margin. Bowel   A word commonly used for the small and large intestines (see gut, large intestine, small intestine). BP   Blood pressure BP Dia   Diastolic blood pressure BP Or BPharm   Bachelor of Pharmacy BP Pre   Blood pressure before treatment BP Sys   Systolic blood pressure BPH   Bachelor of Public Health BPHN   Bachelor of Public Health Nursing Back to top Brachiocephalic   Latin brachium = arm, and Greek kephale = head, hence a blood vessel related to the upper limb and head. Brachium   Latin = arm, adjective - brachial. BRAIN FOG   Mild mental confusion, memory loss, and/or lack of concentration and alertness. May be a symptom of toxic chemical build-up due to impaired liver function. See hepatic encephalopathy. Brain Imaging   A variety of technologies, such as computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), functional MRI (fMRI), and positron emission tomography (PET), used to examine the structure or function of different regions of the brain (see Anxiety, Depression). BRANCHED-CHAIN DNA ASSAY (bDNA)   An test that measures the amount of virus (viral load) in plasma or tissues using a chemical signal emitted by viral genetic material. Branchia   Greek = gills, adjective - branchial. Brand Name   The brand name (trademark) of a drug is coined by the manufacturer in agreement with the regulating agencies, unlike the generic name which indicates its active ingredients. For example, celecoxib is the generic name for the drug whose brand name is Celebrex. The brand name starts with a capital letter but the generic name does not. Several brand name drugs can have the same generic name if they contain the same active ingredient. Thus, Motrin and Aleve are both brand names for the generic drug ibuprofen. BREAKTHROUGH   The return of detectable viral load or high ALT levels in a person who had previously achieved a good virological or biochemical treatment response. Bregma   From a Greek word implying moist, referring to the site of the anterior fontanelle (q.v.), a little fountain, the site of junction of the coronal and sagittal sutures, where the brain can be felt pulsating in infancy. Brevis   Latin = short - cf. brief. Bronchial Tubes   The system of branching tubes that carries air through the lungs to the tiny air sacs of the lungs. There, oxygen can be passed into the blood and carbon dioxide released to the air (see Asthma). Bronchiole   Diminutive of bronchus, hence a small bronchus (bronchi have cartilage in their walls, bronchioles have no cartilage). Bronchodilator   A type of medication that acts to open the breathing passages primarily by relaxing the muscles surrounding the bronchial tubes (see Asthma). Bronchus   Derivation unhelpful - a branch of the trachea, adjective - bronchial. BS Or BSc   Bachelor of Science BScN Or BSN   Bachelor of Science in Nursing BScPh Or BSPh   Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy BSM Or BScM   Bachelor of Science in Medicine BSW   Bachelor of Social Work or Bachelor of Science in Social Work Most states require social workers to pass a licensing exam Buccal   Adjective, Latin bucca = cheek. Back to top Buccinator   Latin = trumpeter - hence the muscle which blows air out from the cheek under pressure. BUD   A type of asexual reproduction commonly found in yeasts. BUDDING   The emergence of newly produced virus particles through a host cell membrane. Bulbus   Latin = bulb or onion. Bulla   Latin = bubble. BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen)   A test that measures the amount of a certain waste product (nitrogen) excreted by the kidneys. BUPLEURUM   An herb traditionally used in Chinese medicine to treat liver conditions. Bursa   A fluid-filled sac found between tissue planes over bony places subject to shearing forces, as over the elbow and knee. It is lined by synovium that secretes the lubricating fluid. Bursitis   An inflammation of a bursa. BVMS   Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Science BVSc   Bachelor of Veterinary Science BX   See Biopsy. Back to top