The Glossary is very useful for the explanation of medical terminology.

Click on a letter to view the corresponding section of the glossary:

  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

L . . .

 

Lactase Deficiency  
Lack of the lactase enzyme. Causes lactose intolerance.

 

Lactose Intolerance  
Being unable to digest lactose.

 

Laparoscope  
Used to look inside the body and see the surface of organs. 
Laparoscopy  
A test that uses a laparoscope to look at and take tissue from the inside of the body.

 

Laparotomy  
An operation that opens up the abdomen.

 

Large Intestine
The part of the intestine that goes from the cecum to the rectum. Also called colon.


Lavage  
A cleaning of the stomach and colon. 

 

Laxatives  
Medicines to relieve long-term constipation.

 

Levator Syndrome
Feeling of fullness in the anus and rectum with occasional pain. Caused by muscle spasms.

 

Ligaments
Stretchy bands of cordlike tissue that connect bone to bone.

 

Lipid
A term for fat. 

 

Lithotripsy, Extracorporeal Shock Wave (ESWL)  
A method of breaking up bile stones and gallstones. Uses a specialized tool and shock waves.

 

Liver  
The liver carries out many important functions, such as making bile, changing food into energy, and cleaning alcohol and poisons from the blood.

 

Lower Esophageal Ring  
An abnormal ring of tissue that may partially block the lower esophagus. Synonym: Schatzki's ring.


Lower GI Series  
X-rays of the rectum, colon, and lower part of the small intestine, after giving barium enema. Synonym: barium enema x-ray.

 

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M . . .

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)  
A test that takes pictures of the soft tissues in the body.

 

Malabsorption Syndromes
The small intestine cannot absorb nutrients from foods.

 

Mallory-Weiss Tear  
A tear in the lower end of the esophagus. Caused by severe vomiting. Common in alcoholics.

 

Malnutrition
A condition caused by not eating enough food or not eating a balanced diet.

 

Meckel's Diverticulum  
A birth defect in which a small sac forms in the ileum.

 

Megacolon  
A huge, swollen colon. Results from severe constipation. 

 

Melena  
Blood in the stool.

 

Metastasis
the transfer of cels from one part of an organ to another. 

 

Microwaves
Microwave therapy is a kind of deep heat therapy. The electromagnetic waves pass between electrodes placed on the patient's skin. This creates heat that increases blood flow and relieves muscle and joint pain
 
Morbidity Rate
The sickness rate. 

 

Mortality Rate
The death rate.

 

Mucosal immunity
resistance to infection across the mucous membranes. 

 

Myalgia
muscular pain

 

Myenteric
relating to the muscular coat of the intestine

 

Myocardial Infarction
Caused by obstruction of circulation to a region of the heart. Synonym: Heart atack.

 

Myositis
inflammation of a muscle

 

Myringotomy
draining fluid from within the eardrum with a needle

 

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