Glossary
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Trunk
The middle part of the human body including primarily the chest, abdomen and pelvis but excluding the head, arms and legs.
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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.
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Tubule
A small tube which usually drains or transports fluid within the body.
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Ulcer
A break or erosion of the skin or surface lining of an organ which can grow resulting in deeper erosion into the underlying tissue.
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Ultrasound
The use of ultrasonic waves in order to aide a diagnosis or to provide therapy. An example of an ultrasound used for therapy would be a deep heat treatment of a joint, and an example of an ultrasound used for diagnostics would be the imaging of an internal structure such as the gallbladder or the prostate. Diagnostic ultrasound procedures are also often referred to as sonograms.
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Urethra
The canal that carries off the urine from the bladder and in the male serves also as a passageway for semen
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Uric Acid
A chemical that the body produces when it breaks down foods or beverages containing purines. Purines are found in liver, beer, wine and anchovies. Uric acid is usually eliminated from the body but in persons with Gout it may crystallize in the kidney or in a joint causing pain and other problems.
