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 Medical dictionary
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B-cell: B-cells are a type of white blood cell which produce antibodies.
B lymphocyte: a type of white blood
cell normally involved in the production of antibodies to combat infection.
Bacilli: rod-shaped bacteria.
Bacillus: see bacteria.
Bacteraemia: the presence of bacteria in the blood.
Bacteria: microscopic organisms which cause many
types of infectious disease, for example pneumonia.
Bactericide: anti-bacterial drug.
Bacteriological: bacteria study-related.
Bacteriostatic: antibiotic.
Bacteroid: bacteria-like.
Balanitis: swollen penis.
Bandage: a material used to wrap a body part for protection or to assist
healing.
Barium: a chalky liquid used in conjunction with X-rays as a diagnostic
test.
Barrett's oesophagus: ulcer of the lower oesophagus caused by the
presence of cells normally found in the stomach lining.
Bartholin's glands: glands with a duct that opens into the vulva near
the vagina and that, during sexual arousal, secrete a lubricating fluid.
Basal: base.
Basal metabolic rate (BMR): the rate that the body
uses energy while at rest.
Basophil: a type of white blood cell which is involved in
allergic and inflammatory
reactions. Normally present in low numbers in the blood.
Basophilia: an increase in the number of basophilsin the blood.
Baker's cyst: a cyst that occurs behind the knee, caused by
arthritis.
Batten disease: a fatal, inherited disorder of the nervous system that
begins in childhood.
Behçet's syndrome: is characterised by painful oral and genital
ulcers, inflammatory eye disease, and skin lesions. It is a rare disorder in
Europe and America but more common in Japan and some Middle Eastern
countries.
Bence-jones protein: a characteristic protein found in the urine of most
patients with multiple myeloma.
It is derived from the antibodies
produced by the cancerous myeloma cells and can be used to help in diagnosis of
the disease and to monitor the effects of treatment.
Benign: non-cancerous growths that may or may not need to be surgically
removed.
Beriberi: a nervous disease of the arms and legs caused by a deficiency
of thiamine.
Beta-blockers: a class of drugs that slow the heart and lower blood
pressure.
Beta Carotene: a compound that is converted to vitamin A in the body.
Beta carotene is a red-orange pigment found in dark green and yellow fruits and
vegetables. It is a nontoxic source of vitamin A.
Bifid: divided into two parts.
Bifurcate: dividing into two parts.
Bilateral: two-sided.
Bile: a bitter, yellow-green secretion of the
liver.
Bile pigments: yellow-colored substances produced by the human body as a
by-product of digestion.
Biliary: bile-related.
Bilirubin: a red pigment occurring in liver bile, blood and urine.
Bilirubin is the product of the breakdown of hemoglobin in red blood cells. It is removed from the
blood and processed by the liver, which secretes it into the digestive tract
via the bile. An elevated level in blood serum is an indication of liver
disease or drug-induced liver impairment.
Bioavailability: the extent to which an oral medication is absorbed in
the digestive tract and reaches the bloodstream.
Bio-energy healing: the healer acts as a channel allowing the positive
energy to pass through the patient with one hand and extracting negative energy
with the other hand.
Bioequivalent: equivalent.
Biofeedback: a technique in which a signal feeds back information about
unconscious body functions in order to control them (eg blood pressure).
Biokinetics: the study of the growth changes and movements within
developing organisms.
Biopsy: removal and examination of living cells from the body.
Bisphosphonate: a group of drugs used in multiple myeloma which do not
affect the disease directly but reduce the bone damage and associated pain.
Biorhythm: an internal rhythm that controls biological processes.
Biosynthesis: formation.
Biotransformation: chemical changes.
Biphasic: two-phase.
Blast cells: immature blood-forming cells
which normally represent up to 5% of the cells in the bone marrow. They are rarely seen in healthy blood.
Acute leukaemia is characterised by
over-production of abnormal blast cells which take over the bone marrow and
often spill out into the blood stream.
Blast crisis: aggressive phase of chronic
myeloid leukaemia characterised by the production of large numbers of
immature cells which may be either of the myeloid or lymphoid type. Clinically
similar to acute leukaemia and more
difficult to treat than chronic phase disease.
Blepharitis: eyelid inflammation.
Blind spot: a small spot on the retina of the eye that has no
sensitivity to light.
Blister: a raised area on a tissue filled with pus or other watery
secretions, caused by a burn or toxic reaction.
Blood: there are three main types of cell in the blood stream; the red cell, which carries oxygen, the white cell, which fights infections, and the platelets, which help prevent bleeding.
The correct balance between each cell type must be maintained. Production of
blood cells is controlled by natural chemicals called growth factors which may
be used in treatment.
Blood count: a routine test requiring a small blood sample to estimate
the number and types of cells circulating in the blood.
Blood brain barrier: the protective barrier that restricts the passage
of many substances from the blood vessels to the tissues of the brain. Not all
drugs can cross this barrier.
Blood group: a classification according to the ABO system of a person's
blood
Blood pressure: the pressure of blood in the arteries expressed as the
maximum over the minimum pressure in millimetres of mercury.
BMR: see basal metabolic rate.
Bodily fluids: refers to liquids naturally produced by the body such as
urine, saliva and tears.
Body mass index: body weight in kilograms divided by the square of
height in metres (20-25 is normal).
Boil: an inflamed, pus-filled area on the skin, usually an infected hair
follicle.
Bolus: a concentrated mass given as a single dose.
Bone: the hard extremely dense material that forms the skeleton of the
body. It is composed of fibres of a material called collagen filled in with
minerals - mainly calcium salts - rather like reinforced concrete. The bones of
the skeleton have a thick outer shell or 'cortex' inside which there is a
meshwork of 'trabecular' bone.
Bone graft: a small piece of bone is taken from one part of the body to
repair bone damage in another part.
Bone marrow: the tissue which produces the
blood cells and is found within the hollow cavities of many of the bones of the
body. Bone marrow contains the stem
cells from which all blood cells are derived. Examination of the bone
marrow is an important part of the diagnosis of leukaemia and the monitoring of
treatment.
Bone marrow aspirate: a small volume of bone
marrow removed under local or general anaesthetic from either the hip bone
(pelvis) or breast bone (sternum). The cells in the sample can then be examined
under the microscope to identify any abnormality in the developing blood cells.
A trephine biopsy may be taken at the same time.
Bone marrow transplant (BMT): a procedure used in the treatment of a
variety of blood disorders including leukaemia, lymphoma and sometimes myeloma. The patient receives
very high doses of chemotherapy
and/or radiotherapy to treat the
disease. This damages the bone marrow and makes the
blood count fall. Replacement marrow is taken from a matched donor (allogeneic
bone marrow transplant) or from the patient themselves (autologous bone marrow
transplant) under a general anaesthetic and returned to the patient through a
vein (or central venous line) in a similar way to a blood transfusion.
Booster: a follow-up dose of a vaccine
Borborygmus: rumbling tummy.
Botulism: food poisoning caused by improper preparation of food.
Bowels: the intestines or gut.
Bowen's Disease: a rare type of skin cancer.
Brace: a supportive device.
Bradycardia: slow heartbeat.
Bradykinesia: sluggishness.
Bradypnoea: slow breathing.
Brain: the primary mass of nerve tissue of the central nervous system
that controls the body.
Bronchiectasis: when the bronchial tubes get damaged, they can no longer
clean themselves, and the mucus accumulates in the tubes, spilling over to
adjacent tubes. These tubes are then prone to infection by bacteria, causing
inflammation which leads to damage.
Bronchitis: a disease marked by inflammation of the bronchial tubes in
the lungs.
Bronchoscopy: a diagnostic examination in which a telescope is inserted
in the throat to enable a doctor to see the airways and the lungs.
Bronchus: airways leading into the lungs.
Bronchoconstriction: tight chestedness.
Bronchodilatation: drug to help breathing by reducing the constriction
or spasm.
Bronchopneumonia: bronchial pneumonia.
Bronchopulmonary: chest-related.
Bronchoscopy: a procedure in which a flexible telescope is inserted
through the throat to allow doctors to see the lungs.
Bronchospasm: contraction of smooth muscle in the walls of the bronchi and bronchioles, causing narrowing of the
airways.
Bronchus: breathing tube.
Bruise: a discolored area under the skin, usually blue or black, caused
by leakage of blood into the tissues.
Bruxism: the habit of unconsciously gritting or grinding the teeth esp.
in situations of stress or during sleep.
Buccal: related to the cheek.
Buccopharyngeal: mouth and throat-related.
Buffered: refers to pills that include a special substance for
neutralizing stomach acid. Drugs are buffered to reduce stomach upset or
increase absorption by the intestines.
Bulimia: an eating disorder characterized by bouts of binge eating
followed by self-induced vomiting.
Bulla: a large air- or fluid-filled bubble usually found in the lungs or
skin.
Bullous: blistered.
Bunion a painful swelling at the base of the big toe, caused by
inflammation of the bursa of one of the phalangeal joints.
Burkitt's lymphoma: a rapidly growing type of non-hodgkin's lymphoma which usually affects
the abdomen and requires immediate treatment.
Bursa: a small sac of fibrous tissue lined (like a
joint) with a synovial membrane. Bursae help to reduce friction; they occur
where parts move over one another e.g. where tendons or ligaments pass over
bones. Others however form in response to unusual pressure or friction.
Bursitis: inflammation of a bursa; the cause is
sometimes an infection, or a rheumatic condition, but often is a result of
repeated pressure, friction or other injury. Bursitis is sometimes due to wear
and tear arising from a particular trade, e.g. housemaid's knee.
Buteyko method: a breathing re-conditioning program that treats asthma
and other respiration problems.
Bypass: connecting two blood vessels or other structures so that a
portion of it is avoided.
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