Medical Dictionary
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An alphabetical listing of General terms and items. |
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Resistance. See also: Impedance
See rheumatoid arthritis.
Latin radiatus = radiant; hence, divergence from a common centre (cf. radius).
The use of x-rays at very high doses to treat or control disease.
The use of radiation to treat disease (especially cancer).
Diminutive of Latin radix = root; hence a small root, adjective - radicular.
The use of X-ray pictures, for example for diagnosis.
Radiography (or roentgenography) is the method of taking a picture with the help of X-rays, and the terms radiograph or simply X-ray are sometimes used for the resulting picture. Radiogram is the correct name for an image taken by radiography.
A physician who uses x-rays or other imaging procedures for diagnosis and treatment.
Latin = spoke of a wheel, which rotates around the hub; hence, the lateral bone of the forearm, which rotates (though around an almost vertical axis); adjective - radial.
Latin = root.
Latin ramus = a branch; and facere = to make; hence, to branch.
Latin = branch; hence, a branch of a nerve.
A clinical trial arranged to produce a chance distribution of participants into different arms (e.g., experimental treatment, standard treatment, or placebo). Randomization is done to minimize bias.
A clinical trial in which patients have been randomly assigned to receive either the study drug or the alternative treatment under study. Neither the patient nor the doctor conducting the study knows which treatment is being given; the alternative to the study drug is a placebo; and the study is conducted at several centers.
A clinical trial in which patients have been randomly assigned to receive either the study drug or the alternative treatment under study. Neither the patient nor the doctor conducting the study knows which treatment is being given; the alternative to the study drug is a placebo; and the study is conducted at several centers.
The extent to which a joint is able to go through all of its normal movements. Range-ofmotion exercises help increase or maintain flexibility and movement in muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints.
Greek a seam; hence, the line of junction of the edges of 2 muscles or areas of skin.
The probability of achieving a sustained virological response early in treatment based on a decline in HCV RNA (viral load). The generally accepted timeframe is 4 weeks after starting treatment.
A blood test used for identifying allergens (see Allergies).
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The BCM
Temporary interruption of blood flow to the extremities (fingers, toes, tip of nose and ears), often associated with exposure to cold temperatures.
Red blood cell. See erythrocyte.
The return of a previously latent (inactive) infection to an active, pathogenic state.
Arthritis resulting from infection elsewhere in the body; i.e. there is no infection in the joint. The most common type is HLA B27-related and may follow certain types of bowel or genitourinary infection.
An arthritic disorder, often linked to conjunctivitis, that appears to be associated with viral infections.
Schering’s brand of ribavirin. see ribavirin.
A bundled kit for HCV treatment that packages together Intron-A brand interferon and ribavirin.
An increase in viral load following a previous decrease.
A specific binding site on a cell's surface or in its interior. When chemical messengers or drugs bind to receptors, various cellular functions are activated or inhibited. Viruses must bind receptors in order to enter cells.
Latin recessus = a secluded area or pocket; hence, a small cavity set apart from a main cavity.
Produced by genetic engineering.
Mixing a substance (e.g., Peg-Intron brand pegylated interferon) with water to return it to a usable form.
Adjective, Latin rectus = straight. (The rectum was named in animals where it is straight - which it is not in Man).
Latin rectus = straight.
Returning or occurring repeatedly.
See erythrocyte.
The reference ranges have been compiled on basis of a population of 1000 healthy persons and are separated for gender.
An involuntary response - muscular or secretory - to a stimulus mediated by the central nervous system.
An alternative healing technique that involves putting pressure on various zones of the body.
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Resistant to treatment.
Regrowth.
A specific treatment protocol, including what drugs are taken and at what dosages.
A healing technique in which energy is channeled through the hands of the healer.
See reactive arthritis.
Recurrence of disease symptoms following a period of improvement. In HCV, relapse can refer to an increase in viral load after it has been suppressed.
The body's mechanism for systematically removing old bone tissue and replacing it with new bone to preserve the strength of the skeleton (see Osteoporosis).
Having to do with the kidneys.
Narrowing of an artery that supplies blood to the kidney (see Hypertension).
An enzyme released by the kidney that stimulates production of angiotensin (see Hypertension).
Multiplication or reproduction, specifically used when referring to a virus.
See hepatic resection.
A permanent host or carrier from which infection is spread.
The mutation of a microorganism in such a way that it loses its sensitivity to a drug; a resistant organism can function and replicate despite the drug's presence.
Blood pressure that remains persistently elevated despite drug therapy and lifestyle changes (see Hypertension).
When referring to a condition, to clear up or heal.
The removal of bone tissue — both protein and minerals — by osteoclasts (see Osteoporosis).
A person who initially responds well to a treatment, but then experiences a relapse. In chronic HCV infection, this refers to a person who initially has a positive response to treatment (e.g., normal ALT, undetectable HCV RNA), but does not sustain this response once treatment is stopped.
See treatment response.
Renarrowing of a blood vessel that has been widened (with or without stents) during angioplasty (see Cardiovascular Health).
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The rate at which you burn calories while at rest. Resting energy expenditure accounts for 60–75% of daily energy expenditure (See Weight Management).
Latin = a net; hence, a network of veins or tubules.
Adjective, Latin reticulum = small net; hence having a network.
Diminutive of Latin rete = net; adjective - reticular.
Derivation uncertain - the innermost of the 3 layers of the eyeball.
Latin = a tether; hence, a thickened band of deep fascia which retains tendons or the patella.
Disease of the retina of the eye.
Latin re = back, and tractum = pulled; hence, to pull something back, and retraction - the act of retracting.
Prefix - Latin = backwards.
Latin retro = backwards, and flexion = bent; hence, the position of being bent backwards, applied to the angulation of the body of the uterus on the cervix.
A study based on medical records, looking backward in time at events that happened in the past. Contrast with prospective study.
Latin retro = backwards, and version = turned; hence, the position of being turned backwards, applied to the angulation of the cervix uteri on the vagina.
A class of viruses that have their genetic material in the form of RNA and use the reverse transcriptase enzyme to transcribe their RNA into DNA within the host cell.
Any one of over 100 disorders that cause inflammation in connective tissues (see Arthritis).
A form of reactive arthritis triggered by streptococcal sore throat. Its features include very painful joint inflammation (arthritis). It is now uncommon in developed countries but still occurs commonly in other parts of the world. It can cause inflammation and scarring of heart valvos (rheumatic heart disease).
Pain and stiffness of soft tissues in and around joints (see Arthritis).
A chronic systemic disease that causes inflammatory changes in the synovium, or joint lining, that result in pain, stiffness, swelling, and ultimately loss of function and deformities of the affected joints due to destruction of the cartilage and adjacent bone. The disease can also affect other parts of the body. In the past it was also called chronic polyarthritis. It is more common in women than men, and at least 70% of patients show a positive blood test for rheumatoid factor.
An autoimmune condition characterized by joint inflammation and destruction of connective tissue; other organs, including the heart, lungs, kidneys, and skin, may also be affected.
A type of antibody (IgM) that reacts to abnormal IgG antibodies produced by people with autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.
A doctor (board-certified internist or pediatrician) who has had specialized training in diagnosing and treating disorders that affect the joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, connective tissue, and bones.
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The study and treatment of conditions of the joints, muscles, bones, and connective tissues.
Greek rhinion = nostril, and enkephalos = brain; hence, the part of the brain concerned with smell (relatively large in lower animals).
A root like structure. Used in the identification of some Zygomycetes.
Greek rhombos = rhomboid, and enkephalos = brain; hence, the hind-brain - the medulla oblongata, pons and cerebellum, which enclose the rhomboid fossa (the floor of the 4th ventricle).
Greek rhombus = a figure with 4 equal sides, not at right angles, and eidos = shape or form, hence, the shape of a rhombus.
A type of antibody test; RIBA is often used to confirm HCV antibody positivity detected on an ELISA II test.
Medmark Specialty Solutions’ brand of generic ribavirin. see ribavirin.
An antiviral medication approved for use in combination with interferon to treat chronic HCV infection.
An antiviral medication approved for use in combination with interferon to treat chronic HCV infection.
A single-stranded nucleic acid that encodes genetic information. RNA is made up of sequences of four building blocks
Small organelles in the cell where new proteins are built from the RNA "blueprint."
An RNA molecule that cleaves (cuts) RNA strands at a specific site. A ribozyme directed against a specific region of the HCV genome is currently under study as a treatment for HCV.
The lymphatic duct that carries lymph, from the right watershed and returns the to the venous circulation through the right subclavian vein.
Latin = chink; hence, e.g., rima palpebrarum = the chink between the free edges of the eyelids.
A drug used to treat influenza that is also under study as a treatment for chronic hepatitis C.
A measurement used to evaluate whether potential benefits outweigh potential risks (e.g., in a clinical trial).
Latin risor = scoffer; hence, muscle risorius is the facial muscle which expresses laughter by drawing the corner of the mouth laterally.
See ribonucleic acid.
See radiography.
Brand name of interferon-alpha-2a, produced by Roche Laboratories.
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Adjective, Latin rostrum = beak, implying nearness to the corpus callosum.
Latin beak, which decorated the Roman orator's platform; hence, a platform or beak-like structure; adjective - rostral.
Latin rota = wheel; hence, to turn, and rotation, the act of turning.
Latin rotnudus = round.
Prefix, Latin rubrum = red.
Latin = a wrinkle.
Adjective, Latin ruga = a wrinkle, hence, wrinkled.
Treatment
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