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Galactocele-
a milk-filled tumor in a blocked breast milk duct
Galactorrhea-
breast milk production by a woman who is not pregnant
and has not just given birth
Galactose- a sugar that is
formed from the breakdown of lactose
Galactosemia- a genetic disorder
in which galactose cannot be converted into glucose
Gallbladder-
a small, pear-shaped sac positioned under the liver, which
concentrates and stores bile
Gallstone-
a round, hard mass of cholesterol, bile, or calcium salts
that is found in the gallbladder or a bile duct
Gallstone ileus- an abnormal
condition in which a gallstone passes from the gallbladder
into the intestines through an abnormal passage and blocks
the intestine
Gamete
intrafallopian transfer-
a method of treating infertility in which eggs are taken
from a woman's ovaries and fertilized with sperm and then
the fertilized egg is injected into one of her fallopian
tubes
Gamma globulin- a substance
prepared from blood that carries antibodies to most common
infections; also used in immunizations
Ganglion-
a fluid-filled cyst attached to a tendon sheath or joint
Gangrene-
death of a tissue because of a lack of blood supply
Gastrectomy-
surgical removal of all or part of the stomach
Gastric
acid-
the digestive acid in the stomach
Gastric
juice-
digestive fluids produced by the lining of the stomach
that break down proteins and destroy harmful organisms
Gastric
lavage-
washing out of the stomach with water, often to treat
poisoning; commonly called "stomach pumping"
Gastric
ulcer-
a peptic ulcer
Gastrin-
a hormone that stimulates the release of gastric acid
in the stomach
Gastrinoma-
a tumor that produces gastrin, making the stomach and
duodenum more acidic
Gastritis- inflammation of
the mucous membrane lining of the stomach; can have a
number of causes, including viruses, bacteria, and use
of alcohol and other drugs
Gastroenteritis- inflammation
of the stomach and intestines
Gastrointestinal
series-
a set of X-rays, taken at different intervals after a
barium sulfate solution is swallowed, to examine the gastrointestinal
tract
Gastrointestinal
tract-
the part of the digestive system that includes the mouth,
esophagus, stomach, and intestines
Gastroscopy- examination
of the esophagus, stomach, and the first part of the small
intestine (duodenum) using an endoscope inserted through
the mouth
Gastrostomy- the surgical
creation of an opening in the abdominal wall into the
stomach for drainage or a feeding tube
Gaucher's
disease-
a genetic disorder in which lipids cannot be properly
broken down and build up in certain cells; causes enlargement
of the spleen and liver, bone damage, and anemia
Gavage-
an artificial feeding technique in which liquids are passed
into the stomach by way of a tube inserted through the
nose
Gene-
the basic unit of DNA, which is responsible for passing
genetic information; each gene contains the instructions
for the production of a certain protein
General
anesthesia-
a method of preventing pain in which the patient is induced
to lose consciousness
Generic
drug-
a drug marketed under its chemical name, instead of a
brand name
Gene
therapy-
an experimental procedure in which disease-causing genes
are replaced by normal, healthy genes
Genetic analysis- examination
of DNA in a laboratory to diagnose genetic disorders
Genetic
counseling-
information and advice given to persons considering pregnancy
about the risk that a child will have an inheritable birth
defect or genetic disorder
Genetic
disorder-
a disorder caused partly or completely by a defect in
genes, which carry hereditary information
Genetic
engineering-
the alteration of genetic information to change an organism;
mainly used to produce vaccines and drugs such as insulin
Genital herpes- an infection
caused by the herpes simplex virus, which causes a painful
rash of fluid-filled blisters on the genitals; transmitted
through sexual contact
Genital
tract-
the organs that make up the reproductive system
Genital
wart-
a growth on the skin in or around the vagina, penis, or
anus, transmitted by sexual contact; can cause cancer
of the cervix
Genome-
the complete set of an organism's genes Geographic tongue-
a condition in which the tongue is patchy where surface
cells break down
German
measles-
the common name for Rubella
Germ cell- a sperm or egg cell, or the immature form of
either
Gestation- the period of
time between fertilization of an egg by a sperm and birth
of a baby
Giardiasis- infection with
a single-celled parasite, causing abdominal cramps, diarrhea,
and nausea
GIFT-
see Gamete intrafallopian transfer
Gingivectomy-
surgical removal of a diseased part of the gums
Gingivitis-
inflammation of the gums, typically caused by a buildup
of plaque due to poor hygiene
GI
series-
see Gastrointestinal series
Gland-
a group of cells or an organ that produces substances
(such as hormones and enzyme) that are used by the body
Glaucoma-
a disease in which eye damage is caused by an increase
in the pressure of the fluid within the eye
Glioblastoma multiforme-
a fast-growing, cancerous brain tumor
Glioma-
a brain tumor arising from cells that support nerve cells
Glomerulonephritis-
inflammation of the filtering structures in the kidneys,
hindering removal of waste products from the blood
Glomerulosclerosis-
scarring of the filtering structures in the kidneys due
to damage
Glossectomy-
surgical removal of all or part of the tongue
Glucagon-
a hormone produced by the pancreas that converts stored
carbohydrates (glycogen) into glucose, the body's energy
source
Glucose-
a sugar that is the main source of energy for the body
Glucose
tolerance test-
a test that evaluates the body's response to glucose after
a period of fasting; used to check for diabetes mellitus
Glycogen-
the main form that glucose, the body's energy source,
takes when it is stored
Glycosuria-
glucose in the urine
Goiter-
enlargement of the thyroid gland, which produces a swelling
on the neck
Gonadotropic hormones- hormones
that stimulate activity in the ovaries and testicles
Gonorrhea- a common sexually
transmitted disease, characterized by painful urination
or a discharge from the penis or vagina
Gout- a disorder marked by
high levels of uric acid in the blood; usually experienced
as arthritis in one joint
Graft-
healthy tissue that is used to replace diseased or defective
tissue
Grand mal- a type of seizure
occurring with epilepsy, producing loss of consciousness
and involuntary jerking movements
Granuloma- a mass of tissue
that forms at a site of inflammation, injury, or infection
as a part of the healing process
Graves'
disease-
an autoimmune disease that causes goiter, overproduction
of thyroid hormones, and sometimes bulging eyeballs
Guillain-Barré syndrome-
a peripheral nervous system disease in which nerve inflammation
causes weakness, loss of movement, and loss of sensation
in the arms and legs
Guthrie
test-
a blood test performed on babies to test for phenylketonuria. |
