Glossary
-
t
Telemedicine
The practice of medicine when the doctor and patient are separated and rely on technology such as satellites, computers, or closed-circuit televison.
-
Tetanus
A serious infectious disease characterized by contractions and spasms of voluntary muscles especially of the jaw. The disease is produced by a bacterium and is usually contracted by a wound.
-
Thromboembolism
The blockage of a blood vessel by a particle that has broken away from a blood clot at its site of formation and been carried by the blood stream to another place in the body.
-
Thrush
localized area of fungal infection involving the oral cavity and/or throat characterized by white patches. In older adults it typically occurs during or after taking antibiotics, steroids or cancer chemotherapy and in diabetics.The specific fungal organism involved is Candida Albicans and this is often also referred to a s a yeast infection.
-
Transfusion
The procedure by which blood or blood products (such as red blood cells, white blood cells or clotting cells) are transferred into the body through a blood vessel.
-
Trunk
The middle part of the human body including primarily the chest, abdomen and pelvis but excluding the head, arms and legs.
-
Tuberculosis
A highly infectious disease caused by a type of bacteria that especially affects the lungs but may spread to other areas of the body. Symptoms usually include cough, difficulty breathing, low-grade fever and weight loss. These usually result from pneumonia and associated damage to the lungs,formation of tubercles (wart-like growths), pleural effusions (acumulation of fluid around the lungs) and scarring. Persons who recover from acute tuberculosis may suffer a reactivation of the infection many years later, especially related to a decline in their immune resistance in late life.
-
Tubule
A small tube which usually drains or transports fluid within the body.