Glossary
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Pap Smear
A test used to detect cancer especially of the uterine cervix that involves obtaining a cell sample and staining the cells in order to observe any diseased tissue.
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Paralysis
Complete or partial loss of function especially when involving the power of motion or of sensation in any part of the body.
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Peptic Ulcer
An ulcer (sore) in the wall of the stomach, esophagus, or small intestine that is irritated by gastric juices.
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Peripheral
The outer part of the visual field (what you can see).
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Peripheral Neuropathy
Damage to nerves that causes numbness and tingling in the hands and/or feet.
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Pernicious Anemia
A severe kind of anemia that gets worse over time. This anemia makes people very pale and weak. This anemia happens when the body cannot take in viamine B12 from food. Anemia is when there are not enough red blood cells to carry oxygen around the body.
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Phlegm
The thick, slippery, and sticky fluid from breathing passages such as the throat and lungs. The fluid can be coughed up in large amounts, like when a person has a cold
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Placebo
A substance with no effect as a drug that is given to a patient who thinks it is a real medicine. The Ôplacebo effectÕ means that the person who takes a placebo may actually feel better. This happens about 1/3 of the time someone takes a placebo. Also, placebos are often given in experiments that test actual effective drugs.
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Plaster
A covering often made of cloth or plastic that can be put on a wound. The covering is often coated with a medicine to speed the healing.
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pneumococci (al)
A bacterium that causes a severe lung illness, or pneumonia.