Dictionary of Medical Terms 4th Ed
..pdfhelco- |
174 |
breastbone of a patient clasped from behind forces the blockage out of the windpipe helco- /helkəυ/ prefix relating to an ulcer helcoplasty / helkəυpl sti/ noun a skin graft to cover an ulcer to aid healing
Helicobacter pylori / hel kəυb ktə pa lɔ ri / noun a bacterium found in gastric secretions, strongly associated with duodenal ulcers and gastric carcinoma
helicopter-based emergency medical services / hel kɒptə be st m! d ənsi med k(ə)l s! v s z/ plural noun full form of
HEMS
helio- /hi liəυ/ prefix relating to the sun heliotherapy / hi liəυ θerəpi/ noun treatment by sunlight or sunbathing
helium / hi liəm/ noun a very light gas used in combination with oxygen, especially to relieve asthma or sickness caused by decompression (NOTE: The chemical symbol is He.)
helix / hi l ks/ noun the curved outer edge of the ear
Heller’s operation / heləz ɒpə re ʃ(ə)n/ noun same as cardiomyotomy [After E. Heller
(1877–1964), German surgeon.]
Heller’s test / heləz test/ noun a test for protein in the urine [After Johann Florenz Heller (1813–71), Austrian physician]
Hellin’s law / hel nz lɔ / noun a finding which states that twins should occur naturally once in 90 live births, triplets once in 8,100 live births, quadruplets once in 729, 000 live births, and quintuplets once in 65, 610, 000 live births (NOTE: Since the 1960s the numbers have changed due to fertility treatment. For ex-
ample, twins now occur once in only 38 births.)
HELLP syndrome / help s ndrəυm/ noun a serious pre-eclamptic disorder which makes it necessary to terminate a pregnancy. Full form haemolysis-elevated liver enzymes–low platelet count syndrome
helminth / helm nθ/ noun a parasitic worm, e.g. a tapeworm or fluke
helminthiasis / helm n θa əs s/ noun infestation with parasitic worms
heloma /h ləυmə/ noun same as corn helper / helpə/ noun a person who helps someone to do something, especially without payment
helper T-cell / helpə ti sel/ noun a type of white blood cell that stimulates the production of cells that destroy antigens
hemeralopia / hemərə ləυpiə/ noun a usually congenital condition in which someone is able to see better in bad light than in ordinary daylight. Also called day blindness
hemi- /hemi/ prefix half
hemianopia / hemiə nəυpiə/ noun a state of partial blindness in which someone has only half the usual field of vision in each eye
hemiarthroplasty / hemi ɑ θrəυpl sti/ noun an operation to repair a joint which replaces one of its surfaces with an artificial substance, often metal
hemiatrophy / hemi trəf / noun a condition in which half of the body or half of an or-
gan or part is atrophied
hemiballismus / hemibə l zməs/ noun a sudden movement of the limbs on one side of the body, caused by a disease of the basal gan-
glia
hemicolectomy / hemikə lektəmi/ noun the surgical removal of part of the colon hemicrania / hemi kre niə/ noun a headache in one side of the head, as in migraine hemimelia / hemi mi liə/ noun a congenital condition in which someone has absent or ex-
tremely short arms or legs
hemiparesis / hemipə ri s s/ noun slight paralysis of the muscles of one side of the body
hemiplegia / hemi pli d ə/ noun severe paralysis affecting one side of the body due to damage of the central nervous system. Compare diplegia
hemiplegic / hemi pli d k/ adjective referring to paralysis of one side of the body hemisphere / hem sf ə/ noun half of a sphere
hemo- /hi məυ/ prefix US spelling of haemo- HEMS /hemz/ plural noun a system of delivering a paramedic crew to the scene of an accident or medical emergency by helicopter and then transporting patients to the nearest major hospital or specialist unit. Full form helicop- ter-based emergency medical services
Henderson’s |
model / hendəs(ə)nz |
mɒd(ə)l/ noun a model of nurse–patient relationships based on 14 basic principles of nursing. The main idea is that ‘the nurse does for others what they would do for themselves if they had the strength, the will, and the knowledge…but that the nurse makes the patient in-
dependent of him or her as soon as possible’.
Henle’s loop / henli z lu p/ noun same as loop of Henle [Described 1862. After Friedrich Gustav Jakob Henle (1809–85), Professor of Anatomy at Göttingen, Germany.]
Henoch-Schönlein purpura / henəkʃ! nla n p! pjυrə/, Henoch’s purpura /
henəks p! pjυrə/ noun a condition in which blood vessels become inflamed and bleed into the skin, causing a rash called purpura and also pain in the stomach and the joints, vomiting and diarrhoea. It often occurs after an upper respiratory infection, mostly in children aged two to 11. [Described 1832 by Schönlein and 1865 by Henoch. Eduard Heinrich Henoch (1820–1910), Professor of Paedriatrics at Berlin, Germany; Johannes Lukas Schönlein (1793– 1864), physician and pathologist at Würzburg, Zürich and Berlin.]
175 |
herbal remedy |
hep /hep/ noun same as hepatitis (informal) heparin / hepər n/ noun an anticoagulant substance found in the liver and lungs, and also produced artificially for use in the treatment of thrombosis
hepat- /h p t/ prefix same as hepato- (used
before vowels)
hepatalgia / hepə t ld ə/ noun pain in the
liver
hepatectomy / hepə tektəmi/ noun the surgical removal of part of the liver
hepatic /h p t k/ adjective referring to the
liver
hepatic artery /h p t k ɑ təri/ noun an artery which takes the blood to the liver hepatic cell /h p t k sel/ noun an epitheli-
al cell of the liver acini
hepatic duct /h p t k d"kt/ noun a duct which links the liver to the bile duct leading to
the duodenum
hepatic flexure /h p t k flekʃə/ noun a bend in the colon, where the ascending and
transverse colons join
hepaticostomy /h p t kɒstəmi/ noun a surgical operation to make an opening in the
hepatic duct taking bile from the liver hepatic portal system /h p t k pɔ t(ə)l
s stəm/ noun a group of veins linking to form the portal vein, which brings blood from the pancreas, spleen, gall bladder and the abdomi-
nal part of the alimentary canal to the liver hepatic vein /h p t k ve n/ noun a vein
which takes blood from the liver to the inferior vena cava
hepatis / hepət s/ porta hepatis hepatitis / hepə ta t s/ noun inflammation of the liver through disease or drugs
COMMENT: Infectious hepatitis and serum hepatitis are caused by different viruses called A and B, and having had one does not give immunity against an attack of the other. Hepatitis A is less serious than the B form, which can cause severe liver failure and death. Other hepatitis viruses have also been identified.
hepatitis A / hepəta t s e / noun a relatively mild form of viral hepatitis that is transmit-
ted through contaminated food and water hepatitis A virus / hepəta t s e va rəs/
noun a virus which causes hepatitis A. Abbr
HAV
hepatitis B / hepəta t s bi / noun a severe form of viral hepatitis that is transmitted by contact with infected blood or other body flu-
ids
hepatitis B virus / hepəta t s bi va rəs/ noun a virus which causes hepatitis B. Abbr
HBV
hepatitis C noun a form of viral hepatitis that is transmitted by contact with infected blood or other body fluids but is often without symptoms (NOTE: It was formerly called non-A, non-B hepatitis.)
hepatitis C virus noun a virus which causes
hepatitis C. Abbr HCV
hepatitis delta / hepə ta t s deltə/ noun
same as delta hepatitis
hepato- /hepətəυ/ prefix referring to the liver hepatoblastoma / hepətəυbl stəυmə/
noun a malignant tumour in the liver, made up of epithelial-type cells often with areas of im-
mature cartilage and embryonic bone hepatocele / hepətəυsi l/ noun a hernia of
the liver through the diaphragm or the abdominal wall
hepatocellular / hepətəυ seljυlə/ adjective referring to liver cells
hepatocellular jaundice / hepətəυseljυlə d ɔ nd s/ noun jaundice caused by
injury to or disease of the liver cells hepatocirrhosis / hepətəυs rəυs s/ noun
same as cirrhosis
hepatocolic ligament / hepətəυkɒl k l &əmənt/ noun a ligament which links the
gall bladder and the right bend of the colon hepatocyte / hepətəυsa t, h p təsa t/
noun a liver cell which synthesises and stores substances, and produces bile hepatogenous / hepə tɒd ənəs/ noun referring to or originating in the liver hepatogenous jaundice
hepatolenticular degeneration / hepətəυ len t kjυlə d d enə re ʃ(ə)n/ noun same as
Wilson’s disease
hepatoma / hepə təυmə/ noun a malignant tumour of the liver formed of mature cells, es-
pecially found in people with cirrhosis hepatomegaly / hepətəυ me&əli/ noun a
condition in which the liver becomes very
large
hepatosplenomegaly / hepətəυ spli nəυ me&əli/ noun enlargement of both the liver
and the spleen, as occurs in leukaemia or lym-
phoma
hepatotoxic / hepətəυ tɒks k/ adjective de-
stroying the liver cells
herald patch / herəld p tʃ/ noun a small spot of a rash such as pityriasis rosea which appears some time before the main rash herb /h! b/ noun a plant which can be used in preparing medicines
herbal / h! b(ə)l/ adjective referring to plants which are used as medicines
herbalism / h! bəl z(ə)m/ noun herbal medicine
herbalist / h! bəl st/ noun a person who treats illnesses or disorders with substances
extracted from plants
herbal medicine / h! b(ə)l med(ə)s n/ noun a system of medical treatment involving
the use of substances extracted from plants herbal remedy / h! b(ə)l remədi/ noun a
medicine made from plants, e.g. an infusion made from dried leaves or flowers in hot water
herd immunity |
176 |
herd immunity / h! d mju n ti/ noun the fact of a group of people being resistant to a specific disease, because many individuals in the group are immune to or immunised against the microorganism which causes it hereditary /hə red t(ə)ri/ adjective passed as from parents to children through the genes
hereditary spherocytosis /hə red t(ə)risf ərəυsa təυs s/ noun same as acholuric
jaundice
heredity /hə red ti/ noun the process by which genetically controlled characteristics
pass from parents to children
Hering-Breuer reflexes / her ŋ brɔ ə
ri fleks z/ plural noun the reflexes which maintain the usual rhythmic inflation and de-
flation of the lungs
hermaphrodite /h! m frəda t/ noun a person with both male and female characteris-
tics
hermaphroditism /h! m frəda t z(ə)m/ noun a condition in which a person has both male and female characteristics
hernia / h! niə/ noun a condition in which an organ bulges through a hole or weakness in the wall which surrounds it. Also called rupture reduction of a hernia putting a hernia back
into the correct position
hernial / h! niəl/ adjective referring to a her-
nia
hernial sac / h! niəl s k/ noun a sac formed where a membrane has pushed through
a cavity in the body
herniated / h! nie t d/ adjective referring to
an organ which has developed a hernia herniated disc / h! nie t d d sk/ noun
displaced intervertebral disc
herniation / h! ni e ʃ(ə)n/ noun the development of a hernia
hernio- /h! niəυ/ prefix relating to a hernia hernioplasty / h! niəυ pl sti/ noun a surgical operation to reduce a hernia herniorrhaphy / h! ni ɔ rəfi/ noun a surgical operation to remove a hernia and repair the
organ through which it protruded herniotomy / h! ni ɒtəmi/ noun a surgical
operation to remove a hernial sac
heroin / herəυ n/ noun a narcotic drug in the form of a white powder derived from morphine
herpangina / h! p n d a nə/ noun an infectious disease of children, where the tonsils and back of the throat become inflamed and ulcerated, caused by a Coxsackie virus herpes / h! pi z/ noun inflammation of the skin or mucous membrane, caused by a virus,
where small blisters are formed
herpes simplex / h! pi z s mpleks/ noun
1. (Type I) a virus that produces a painful blister, called a cold sore, usually on the lips 2. (Type II) a sexually transmitted disease which
forms blisters in the genital region. Also called genital herpes
herpesvirus / h! pi z va rəs/ noun one of a group of viruses which cause herpes and chickenpox (herpesvirus Type I), and genital herpes (herpesvirus Type II)
COMMENT: Because the same virus causes herpes and chickenpox, anyone who has had chickenpox as a child carries the dormant herpesvirus in his or her bloodstream and can develop shingles in later life. It is not known what triggers the development of shingles, though it is known that an adult suffering from shingles can infect a child with chickenpox.
herpes zoster / h! pi z zɒstə/ noun inflammation of a sensory nerve, characterised by pain along the nerve and causing a line of blisters to form on the skin, usually found mainly on the abdomen or back, or on the face. Also called shingles, zona
herpetic /h! pet k/ adjective referring to herpes
herpetiformis /h! pet fɔ m s/ dermati-
tis herpetiformis
hetero- /hetərəυ/ prefix different heterochromia / hetərəυ krəυmiə/ noun a condition in which the irises of the eyes are
different colours
heterogametic / hetərəυ&ə met k/ adjective producing gametes with different sex chromosomes, as in the human male heterogeneous / hetərəυ d i niəs/ adjective having different characteristics or qualities
(NOTE: Do not confuse with heterogenous.) heterogenous / hetə rɒd nəs/ adjective
coming from a different source (NOTE: Do not
confuse with heterogeneous.)
heterograft / hetərəυ&rɑ ft/ noun tissue taken from one species and grafted onto an individual of another species. Compare hom-
ograft
heterologous /hetə rɒlə&"s/ adjective of a different type
heterophoria / hetərəυ fɔ riə/ noun a condition in which if an eye is covered it tends to squint
heteroplasty / hetərəυpl sti/ noun same as
heterograft
heteropsia / hetə rɒpsiə/ noun a condition
in which the two eyes see differently heterosexual / hetərəυ sekʃuəl/ adjective attracted to people of the opposite sex or relating to relations between males and females noun a person who is sexually attracted to people of the opposite sex. Compare bisexual, ho-
mosexual |
|
heterosexuality |
/ hetərəυsekʃu l ti/ |
noun sexual attraction towards persons of the opposite sex
heterotopia / hetərəυ təυpiə/ noun 1. a state where an organ is placed in a different position from usual or is malformed or deformed
177 |
Hippocratic oath |
2. the development of tissue which is not natu-
ral to the part in which it is produced heterotropia /hetərəυ trəυpiə/ noun same
as strabismus
heterozygous / hetərəυ za &əs/ adjective having two or more different versions of a specific gene. Compare homozygous
hex- /heks/ prefix same as hexa- (NOTE: used
before vowels)
hexa- /heksə/ prefix six
HFEA abbr Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority
hGH abbr human growth hormone
HGPRT abbr hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyl transferase. HPRT
HI abbr hearing-impaired
hiatus /ha e təs/ noun an opening or space
hiatus hernia /ha e təs h! niə/, hiatal hernia /ha e t(ə)l h! niə/ noun a hernia where
the stomach bulges through the opening in the diaphragm muscle through which the oesophagus passes
Hib /h b/ abbr Haemophilus influenzae type B
Hib vaccine / h b v ksi n/ noun a vaccine used to inoculate against the bacterium Haemophilius influenzae that causes meningitis hiccup / h k"p/, hiccough noun a spasm in the diaphragm which causes a sudden inhalation of breath followed by sudden closure of the glottis which makes a characteristic sound
She had an attack of hiccups or had a hiccupping attack or got the hiccups. Also called singultus verb to make a hiccup
COMMENT: Many cures have been suggested for hiccups, but the main treatment is to try to get the patient to think about something else. A drink of water, holding the breath and counting, breathing into a paper bag, are all recommended.
Hickman catheter / h kmən k θitə/, Hickman line / h kmən la n/ noun a plastic tube which is put into the large vein above the heart so that drugs can be given and blood samples can be taken easily
hidr- /ha dr/ prefix referring to sweat hidradenitis / ha drədə na t s/ noun inflammation of the sweat glands
hidrosis /ha drəυs s/ noun sweating, especially when it is excessive
hidrotic /ha drɒt k/ adjective referring to sweating noun a substance which makes someone sweat
Higginson’s syringe / hi& nsənz s r n / noun a syringe with a rubber bulb in the centre that allows flow in one direction only, used mainly to give enemas [After Alfred Higginson (1808–84), British surgeon]
high-altitude sickness /ha lt tju d
s knəs/ noun same as altitude sickness high blood pressure / ha bl"d preʃə/
noun same as hypertension
high-calorie diet /ha k ləri da ət/ noun a diet containing over 4000 calories per day
high-density lipoprotein /ha dens ti l pəυ prəυtin/ noun a lipoprotein with a low
percentage of cholesterol. Abbr HDL high-energy food / ha enəd i fu d/ noun food such as fats or carbohydrates which contain a large number of calories and give a lot of energy when they are broken down in the body high-fibre diet /ha fa bə da ət/ noun a diet which contains a high percentage of cereals, nuts, fruit and vegetables
high-protein diet /ha prəυti n da ət/ noun a diet containing mostly foods high in protein and low in carbohydrates and saturated fat, adopted by people who are trying to lose weight
high-risk / ha r sk/ adjective referring to someone who is very likely to catch or develop a disease, develop a cancer or have an accident high-risk patient / ha r sk pe ʃ(ə)nt/ noun a patient who has a high risk of catching an infection or developing a disease
hilar / ha lə/ adjective referring to a hilum hilum / ha ləm/ noun a hollow where blood vessels or nerve fibres enter an organ such as a kidney or lung (NOTE: The plural is hila.) hindbrain / ha ndbre n/ noun the part of brain of an embryo from which the medulla oblongata, the pons and the cerebellum eventually develop
hindgut / ha nd&"t/ noun part of an embryo which develops into the colon and rectum hinge joint / h nd d ɔ nt/ noun same as ginglymus
hip /h p/ noun a ball and socket joint where the thigh bone or femur joins the acetabulum of the hip bone
hip bone / h p bəυn/ noun a bone made of the ilium, the ischium and the pubis which are fused together, forming part of the pelvic girdle. Also called innominate bone
hip fracture / h p fr ktʃə/ noun a fracture of the ball at the top of the femur
hip girdle / h p &! d(ə)l/ noun same as pelvic girdle
hip joint / h p d ɔ nt/ noun the place where the hip is joined to the upper leg. See illustration at PELVIS in Supplement
Hippel-Lindau / h pəl l ndaυ/ von Hip-
pel-Lindau syndrome
hippocampal formation / h pək mp(ə)l fɔ me ʃ(ə)n/ noun curved pieces of cortex inside each part of the cerebrum
hippocampus / h pəυ k mpəs/ noun a long rounded elevation projecting into the lateral ventricle in the brain
Hippocratic oath / h pəkr t k əυθ/ noun an ethical code observed by doctors, by which they will treat patients equally, put patients’
hippus |
178 |
welfare first and not discuss openly the details of a patient’s case
hippus / h pəs/ noun alternating rapid contraction and dilatation of the pupil of the eye hip replacement / h p r ple smənt/ noun a surgical operation to replace the whole ball and socket joint at the hip with an artificial one
Hirschsprung’s disease / h əʃspr"ŋz dzi z/ noun a congenital condition where parts of the lower colon lack nerve cells, making peristalsis impossible, so that food accumulates in the upper colon which becomes swollen [Described 1888. After Harald Hirschsprung (1830–1916), Professor of Paediatrics in Copenhagen, Denmark.]
hirsute / h! sju t/ adjective with a lot of hair hirsutism / h! sju t z(ə)m/ noun the condition of having excessive hair, especially a condition in which a woman grows hair on the body in the same way as a man
hirudin /h ru d n/ noun an anticoagulant substance produced by leeches, which is injected into the bloodstream while the leech is feeding on a body
HIS abbr Health Information Service
hist- /h st/ same as histo- (NOTE: used before vowels)
histamine / h stəmi n/ noun a substance released in response to allergens from mast cells throughout the body. Histamines dilate blood vessels, constrict the cells of smooth muscles and cause an increase in acid secretions in the stomach.
histamine headache / h stəmi n hede k/
noun Horton’s syndrome
histamine receptor / h stəmi n r septə/ noun a cell which is stimulated by histamine. H1 receptors in blood vessels are involved in allergic reactions, H2 receptors in the stomach are involved in gastric acid secretion. histamine test / h stəmi n test/ noun a test to determine the acidity of gastric juice
histaminic / h stə m n k/ adjective referring to histamines
histaminic headache / h stəm n k he*
de k/ noun Horton’s syndrome
histidine / h stədi n/ noun an amino acid from which histamine is derived
histiocyte / h stiəυsa t/ noun a macrophage of the connective tissue, involved in tissue defence
histiocytoma / h stiəυsa təυmə/ noun a tumour containing histiocytes histiocytosis /h stiəυsa təυs s/ noun a condition in which histiocytes are present in the blood
histiocytosis X / h stiəυsa təυs s eks/ noun any form of histiocytosis where the cause is not known, e.g. Hand-Schüller-Christian disease
histo- /h stəυ/ prefix relating to the body’s tissue histology
histochemistry / h stəυ kem stri/ noun the study of the chemical constituents of cells and tissues and also their function and distribution, using a light or electron microscope to evaluate the stains
histocompatibility / h stəυkəmp tə b l * ti/ noun compatibility between the antigens of tissues from two individuals, important in transplants
histocompatible / h stəυkəm p t b(ə)l/ adjective referring to tissues from two individuals which have compatible antigens histogenesis / h stəυ d enəs s/ noun the formation and development of tissue from the
embryological germ layer
histogram / h stə&r m/ noun a way of displaying frequency values as columns whose height is proportional to the corresponding frequency a histogram showing numbers of pa-
tients with the condition in each age group histoid / h stɔ d/ adjective 1. made of or developed from a particular tissue 2. like standard tissue
histological / h stə lɒd k(ə)l/ adjective referring to histology
histological grade / h stəlɒd k(ə)l &re d/ noun a system of classifying tumours
according to how malignant they are histology /h stɒləd i/ noun the study of the
anatomy of tissue cells and minute cellular structure
histolysis /h stɒləs s/ noun the disintegration of tissue
histolytica / h stə l t kə/ Entamoeba his-
tolytica
histoplasmosis / h stəυpl z məυs s/ noun a lung disease caused by infection with the fungus Histoplasma
history / h st(ə)ri/ noun the background information on someone’s illness. case history, medical history to take a patient’s history to ask someone to tell what has happened to them in their own words on being admitted to hospital
‘…these children gave a typical history of exerciseinduced asthma’ [Lancet]
‘…the need for evaluation of patients with a history of severe heart disease’ [Southern Medical Journal]
histotoxic / h stəυ tɒks k/ adjective referring to a substance which is poisonous to tissue
HIV abbr human immunodeficiency virus
‘HIV-associated dementia is characterized by psychomotor slowing and inattentiveness’ [British Journal of Nursing]
COMMENT: HIV is the virus which causes AIDS. Three strains of HIV virus have been identified: HIV-1, HIV-2 and HIV-3.
hives /ha vz/ noun same as urticaria (NOTE: Takes a singular verb.)
179 |
hook |
HIV-negative / e tʃ a vi ne&ət v/ adjective referring to someone who has been tested and shown not to have HIV
HIV-positive / e tʃ a vi pɒz t v/ adjective referring to someone who has been tested and shown to have HIV
HLA abbr human leucocyte antigen
HLA system / e tʃ el e s stəm/ noun a system of HLA antigens on the surface of cells which need to be histocompatible to allow transplants to take place
COMMENT: HLA-A is the most important of the antigens responsible for rejection of transplants.
HMO abbr US Health Maintenance Organization
hoarse /hɔ s/ adjective referring to a voice which is harsh and rough
hoarseness / hɔ snəs/ noun a harsh and rough sound of the voice, often caused by laryngitis
hobnail liver / hɒbne l l və/ noun same as atrophic cirrhosis
Hodgkin’s disease / hɒd k nz d zi z/ noun a malignant disease in which the lymph glands are enlarged and there is an increase in the lymphoid tissues in the liver, spleen and bone marrow. It is frequently fatal if not treated early. [Described 1832. After Thomas Hodgkin (1798–1866), British physician.]
hoist /hɔ st/ noun a device with pulleys and wires for raising a bed or a patient
hole in the heart / həυl n ðə hɑ t/ noun same as septal defect (informal)
Holger-Nielsen method / hɒl&ə n lsənmeθəd/ noun a formerly used method of giv-
ing artificial respiration by pressing a person’s back and raising their arms backwards holism / həυl z(ə)m/ noun the theory that all of a person’s physical, mental and social conditions should be considered in the treatment of his or her illness
holistic /həυ l st k/ adjective referring to a method of treatment involving all of someone’s mental and family circumstances rather than just dealing with the condition from which he or she is suffering
holistic care /həυ l st k keə/ noun the care and treatment of a whole person rather than just of his or her medical symptoms
holo- /hɒləυ/ prefix entire, complete
holocrine / hɒləkr n/ adjective referring to a gland where the secretions are made up of disintegrated cells of the gland itself
Homans’ sign / həυmənz sa n/ noun pain in the calf when the foot is bent back, a sign of deep-vein thrombosis [Described 1941. After John Homans (1877–1954), Professor of Clinical Surgery at Harvard, USA.]
homeo- /həυmiəυ/ prefix like or similar
homeopathic / həυmiə p θ k/, homoeopathic /həυmiə p θ k/ adjective 1. referring to homeopathy a homeopathic clinic She is having a course of homeopathic treatment.
2. referring to a drug which is given in very small quantities
homeopathist / həυmi ɒpəθ st/, homoeopathist /həυmi ɒpəθ st/ noun a person who
practises homeopathy
homeopathy / həυmi ɒpəθi/, homoeopathy
/həυmi ɒpəθi/ noun the treatment of a condition by giving the person very small quantities of a substance which, when given to a healthy person, would cause symptoms like those of the condition being treated. Compare allopathy
homeostasis / həυmiəυ ste s s/ noun the process by which the functions and chemistry of a cell or internal organ are kept stable, even when external conditions vary greatly homo- /həυməυ/ prefix the same
homoeo- /həυmiəυ/ prefix another spelling of homeo- (used before vowels) homogenise /hə mɒd əna z/, homogenize verb to give something a uniform nature homograft / hɒmə&rɑ ft/ noun the graft of an organ or tissue from a donor to a recipient of the same species, e.g. from one person to another. Also called allograft. Compare heterograft
homolateral / hɒmə l t(ə)rəl/ adjective same as ipsilateral
homologous /hɒ mɒlə&əs/ adjective 1. of the same type 2. referring to chromosomes which form a pair
homonymous /hə mɒn məs/ adjective affecting the two eyes in the same way
homonymous hemianopia /hə mɒn məs hemiə nəυpiə/ noun a condition in which the
same half of the field of vision is lost in each eye
homoplasty / həυməυpl sti/ noun surgery to replace lost tissues by grafting similar tissues from another person
homosexual / həυməυ sekʃuəl/ adjective referring to homosexuality noun a person who is sexually attracted to people of the same sex. Compare bisexual, heterosexual (NOTE: Although homosexual can apply to both males and females, it is commonly used for males only, and lesbian is used for females.) homosexuality / həυməυsekʃu l ti/ noun sexual attraction to people of the same sex or sexual relations with people of the same sex homozygous / həυməυ za &əs/ adjective having two identical versions of a specific gene. Compare heterozygous
hook /hυk/ noun a surgical instrument with a bent end used for holding structures apart in operations
hookworm |
180 |
hookworm / hυkw! m/ noun a parasitic worm
hookworm disease / hυkw! m d zi z/ noun ancylostomiasis
hordeolum /hɔ di ələm/ noun an infection of the gland at the base of an eyelash. Also called stye
horizontal / hɒr zɒnt(ə)l/ adjective lying flat or at a right angle to the vertical horizontal fissure / hɒr zɒnt(ə)l f ʃə/ noun ANAT a horizontal groove between the superior and middle lobes of a lung. See illustration at LUNGS in Supplement
horizontal plane / hɒr zɒnt(ə)l ple n/ adjective same as transverse plane. see illustration at ANATOMICAL TERMS in Supplement
hormonal /hɔ məυn(ə)l/ adjective referring to hormones
hormone / hɔ məυn/ noun a substance which is produced by one part of the body, especially the endocrine glands and is carried to another part of the body by the bloodstream where it has particular effects or functions
hormone replacement therapy / hɔ məυn r ple smənt θerəpi/, hormone therapy / hɔ məυn θerəpi/ noun 1. treatment for some-
one whose endocrine glands have been removed 2. treatment to relieve the symptoms of the menopause by supplying oestrogen and reducing the risk of osteoporosis Abbr HRT
horn /hɔ n/ noun 1. (in humans) tissue which grows out of an organ 2. (in humans) one of the H-shaped limbs of grey matter seen in a crosssection of the spinal cord 3. (in humans) an extension of the pulp chamber of a tooth towards the cusp
Horner’s syndrome / hɔ nəz s ndrəυm/ noun a condition caused by paralysis of the sympathetic nerve in one side of the neck, making the eyelids hang down and the pupils contract [Described 1869. After Johann Friedrich Horner (1831–86), Professor of Ophthalmology in Zürich, Switzerland.]
horny / hɔ ni/ adjective referring to skin which is very hard (NOTE: For terms referring to horny tissue, see words beginning with kerat-, kerato-.)
horseshoe kidney / hɔ sʃu k dni/ noun a congenital condition of the kidney, where sometimes the upper but usually the lower parts of both kidneys are joined together
Horton’s syndrome / hɔ t(ə)nz s n drəυm/ noun a severe headache, often with constant pain around one eye, which starts usually within a few hours of going to sleep. It is caused by the release of histamine in the body. [After Bayard Taylor Horton (b. 1895), US physician]
hose /həυz/ noun 1. a long rubber or plastic tube 2. support hose
hospice / hɒsp s/ noun a hospital which offers palliative care for terminally ill people
hospital / hɒsp t(ə)l/ noun a place where sick or injured people are looked after hospital bed 1. a special type of bed used in hospitals, usually adjustable in many ways for the comfort of the patient A hospital bed is needed if the patient has to have traction. 2. a place in a hospital which can be occupied by a patient There will be no reduction in the number of hospital beds.
hospital-acquired infection / hɒsp t(ə)l əkwa əd n fekʃən/ noun a disease caught
during a stay in hospital
Hospital Activity Analysis / hɒsp t(ə)lk t v ti ə n ləs s/ noun a regular detailed
report on patients in hospitals, including information about treatment, length of stay and outcome
hospital care / hɒsp t(ə)l keə/ noun treatment in a hospital
hospital chaplain / hɒsp t(ə)l tʃ pl n/ noun a religious minister attached to a hospital, who visits and comforts patients and their families and gives them the sacraments if necessary
hospital corner / hɒsp t(ə)l kɔ nə/ noun a way of folding the overlapping bedding at each corner of a bed that keeps it tight hospital doctor / hɒsp t(ə)l dɒktə/ noun a doctor who works only in a hospital and does not receive people in his or her own surgery hospital gangrene / hɒsp t(ə)l & ŋ&ri n/ noun gangrene caused by insanitary hospital conditions
hospital infection / hɒsp t(ə)l n fekʃən/ noun an infection which someone gets during a hospital visit, or one which develops among hospital staff
COMMENT: Hospital infection is an increasingly common problem due to growing antimicrobial resistance and inappropriate antibiotic use. Strains of bacteria such as MRSA have evolved which seem to be more easily transmitted between patients and are difficult to treat.
hospitalisation / hɒsp t(ə)la ze ʃ(ə)n/, hospitalization noun the act of sending someone to hospital The doctor recommended immediate hospitalisation.
hospitalise / hɒsp t(ə)la z/, hospitalize verb to send someone to hospital He is so ill that he has had to be hospitalised.
hospital orderly / hɒsp t(ə)l ɔ dəli/ noun a person who does heavy work in a hospital, such as wheeling patients into the operating theatre or moving equipment about
hospital trust / hɒsp t(ə)l tr"st/ noun same as self-governing hospital
host /həυst/ noun a person or animal on which a parasite lives
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hot /hɒt/ adjective very warm or having a high temperature
hot flush / hɒt fl"ʃ/ noun a condition in menopausal women, in which the woman becomes hot and sweats, and which is often accompanied by redness of the skin
hotpack / hɒtp k/ noun a cloth bag or a pad filled with gel or grains which can be heated and applied to the skin to relieve pain or stiffness
hot wax treatment / hɒt w ks tri tmənt/ noun a treatment for arthritis in which the joints are painted with hot liquid wax
hourglass contraction / aυə&lɑ s kəntr kʃən/ noun a condition in which an organ such as the stomach is constricted in the centre hourglass stomach / aυə&lɑ s st"mək/ noun a condition in which the wall of the stomach is pulled in so that it is divided into two cavities, cardiac and pyloric
hourly / aυəli/ adjective, adverb happening every hour
houseman / haυsmən/ noun same as house officer
house mite /haυs ma t/, house dust mite / haυs d"st ma t/ noun a tiny insect living
mainly in bedding and soft furnishings, that can cause an allergic reaction
house officer / haυs ɒf sə/ noun a doctor who works in a hospital as a house surgeon or house physician during the final year of training before registration by the General Medical Council (NOTE: The US term is intern.)
HPRT noun an enzyme that is lacking in children, usually boys, who have Lesch-Nyhan disease. Full form hypoxanthine phosphoribosyl transferase. Also called HGPRT (hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyl transferase)
HPV abbr human papillomavirus
HRT abbr hormone replacement therapy
Huhner’s test / hu nəz test/ noun a test carried out several hours after sexual intercourse to determine the number and motility of spermatozoa [After Max Huhner (1873–1947), US urologist]
human / hju mən/ adjective referring to any man, woman or child noun a person Most animals are afraid of humans.
human anatomy / hju mən ə n təmi/ noun the structure, shape and functions of the human body
human being / hju mən bi ŋ/ noun a person
human chorionic gonadotrophin /
hju mən kɔ ri ɒn k &əυnədə trəυf n/ noun a hormone produced by the placenta, which suppresses the mother’s usual menstrual cycle during pregnancy. It is found in the urine during pregnancy, and can be given by
injection to encourage ovulation and help a
woman to become pregnant. Abbr hCG human crutch / hju mən kr"tʃ/ noun a
method of helping an injured person to walk, where they rest one arm over the shoulders of the person helping
human immunodeficiency virus /
hju mən mjυnəυd f ʃ(ə)nsi va rəs/ noun a virus which causes AIDS. Abbr HIV
human leucocyte antigen / hju mən lu kəsa t nt d (ə)n/ noun any of the sys-
tem of antigens on the surface of cells which need to be histocompatible to allow transplants to take place. Abbr HLA. HLA system human nature / hju mən ne tʃə/ noun the general behavioural characteristics of human beings
human papillomavirus / hju mən p p ləυmə va rəs/ noun a virus that causes geni-
tal warts in humans. Abbr HPV
humectant /hju mektənt/ adjective able to absorb or retain moisture noun a substance that can absorb or retain moisture, e.g. a skin lotion
humeroulnar joint / hju mərəυ "lnə d ɔ nt/ noun part of the elbow joint, where the trochlea of the humerus and the trochlear
notch of the ulna move next to each other humerus / hju mərəs/ noun the top bone in
the arm, running from the shoulder to the elbow (NOTE: The plural is humeri.)
humid / hju m d/ adjective damp, containing moisture vapour
humoral / hju mərəl/ adjective relating to human body fluids, in particular blood serum humour / hju mə/, humor noun a fluid in the
body
hunchback / h"ntʃb k/ noun kyphosis hunger / h"ŋ&ə/ noun a need to eat hunger pains / h"ŋ&ə pe ns/ plural noun
pains in the abdomen when a person feels hungry, sometimes a sign of a duodenal ulcer
Hunter’s syndrome / h"ntəz s ndrəυm/ noun an inherited disorder caused by an enzyme deficiency, which leads to learning difficulties
Huntington’s chorea / h"nt ŋtənz kɔ ri ə/ noun a progressive hereditary disease which affects adults, where the outer layer of the brain degenerates and the person makes involuntary jerky movements and develops progressive dementia [Described 1872. After George Sumner Huntington (1850–1916), US
physician.]
Hurler’s syndrome / h! ləz s ndrəυm/ noun same as gargoylism [Described 1920. After Gertrud Hurler, German paediatrician.] hurt /h! t/ noun 1. emotional pain 2. a painful area (used by children) She has a hurt on her knee. verb 1. to have pain He’s hurt his hand. 2. to cause someone pain His arm is
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hurting so much he can’t write. She fell down and hurt herself. (NOTE: hurting – hurt)
adjective 1. feeling physical pain He was slightly hurt in the car crash. Two players got hurt in the football game. 2. feeling emotional pain Her parents’ divorce hurt her deeply.
husky / h"ski/ adjective slightly hoarse
Hutchinson’s tooth / h"tʃ nsənz tu θ/ noun a narrow upper incisor tooth, with notches along the cutting edge, a symptom of congenital syphilis but also occurring naturally
(NOTE: The plural is Hutchinson’s teeth.) [After Sir Jonathan Hutchinson (1828–1913), British surgeon]
hyal- /ha əl/ prefix like glass (used before vowels)
hyalin / ha əl n/ noun a transparent substance produced from collagen and deposited around blood vessels and scars when some tissues degenerate
hyaline / ha əl n/ adjective nearly transparent like glass
hyaline cartilage / ha əl n kɑ t l d / noun a type of cartilage found in the nose, larynx and joints. It forms most of the skeleton of the fetus. See illustration at CARTILAGINOUS JOINT in Supplement
hyaline membrane disease / ha əl n membre n d zi z/ noun same as respiratory
distress syndrome
hyalitis / ha ə la t s/ noun inflammation of the vitreous humour or the hyaloid membrane in the eye. Also called vitritis
hyaloid membrane / ha əlɔ d membre n/ noun a transparent membrane round the vitreous humour in the eye
hyaluronic acid / ha əlυrɒn k s d/ noun a substance which binds connective tissue and is found in the eyes
hyaluronidase / ha əlυ rɒn de z/ noun an enzyme which destroys hyaluronic acid hybrid / ha br d/ noun an organism that is a result of a cross between individuals that are not genetically the same as each other HYCOSY abbr hysterosalpingo-contrast sonography
hydatid / ha dət d/ noun any cyst-like structure
hydatid cyst / ha dət d s st/ noun the larval form of the tapeworms of the genus Echinococcus
hydatid disease / ha dət d d zi z/, hydatidosis / ha dət dəυs s/ noun an infection, usually in the lungs or liver, caused by expanding hydatid cysts that destroy the tissues of the infected organ
hydatid mole / ha dət d məυl/ noun an abnormal pregnancy from a pathologic ovum, resulting in a mass of cysts shaped like a bunch of grapes
hydr- /ha dr/ prefix same as hydro- (used before vowels)
hydraemia /ha dri miə/ noun an excess of
water in the blood
hydragogue / ha drə&ɒ&/ noun a laxative or substance which produces watery faeces hydralazine /ha dr ləzi n/ noun a drug that lowers blood pressure. People usually receive it in combination with other drugs that in-
crease the output of urine.
hydramnios /ha dr mniɒs/ noun an unusually large amount of amniotic fluid sur-
rounding the fetus
hydrarthrosis / ha drɑ θrəυs s/ noun swelling caused by excess synovial liquid at a joint
hydrate / ha dre t/ verb to give water to someone so as to re-establish or maintain fluid balance noun a chemical compound containing water molecules that can usually be driven off by heat without altering the compound’s structure
hydro- /ha drəυ/ prefix referring to water hydroa /ha drəυə/ noun an eruption of small
itchy blisters, e.g. those caused by sunlight hydrocalycosis / ha drəυ k l kəυs s/
noun same as caliectasis
hydrocele / ha drəυsi l/ noun the collection of watery liquid found in a cavity such as the
scrotum
hydrocephalus / ha drəυ kefələs/ noun an excessive quantity of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain
hydrochloric acid /ha drəυ klɒr k s d/ noun an acid found in the gastric juices which
helps to break apart the food
hydrocolloid strip / ha drəυkɒlɔ d str p/ noun a waterproof gel dressing that seals a wound, retaining moisture and preventing ac-
cess to germs and dirt
hydrocolpos / ha drəυ kɒlpəs/ noun a cyst in the vagina containing clear fluid hydrocortisone / ha drəυ kɔ t zəυn/ noun a steroid hormone secreted by the adrenal cortex or produced synthetically, used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory
and allergic conditions
hydrocyanic acid / ha drəυsa n k s d/
noun an acid which forms cyanide. Abbr HCN hydrogen / ha drəd ən/ noun a chemical el-
ement, a gas which combines with oxygen to form water, and with other elements to form acids, and is present in all animal tissue (NOTE:
The chemical symbol is H.)
hydrogen peroxide / ha drəd ən pə rɒk
sa d/ noun a solution used as a disinfectant hydrolysis /ha drɒləs s/ noun the breaking
down of a chemical compound when it reacts with water to produce two or more different compounds, as in the conversion of starch to glucose
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hydroma /ha drəυmə/ noun same as hygroma
hydrometer /ha drɒm tə/ noun an instrument which measures the density of a liquid hydromyelia / ha drəυma i liə/ noun a condition in which fluid swells the central canal of the spinal cord
hydronephrosis / ha drəυne frəυs s/ noun swelling of the pelvis of a kidney caused by accumulation of water due to infection or a kidney stone blocking the ureter
hydropathy /ha drɒpəθi/ noun the treatment of injuries or disease by bathing in water or drinking mineral waters
hydropericarditis / ha drəυ perikɑ da t s/, hydropericardium / ha drəυ peri kɑ diəm/
noun an accumulation of liquid round the heart hydroperitoneum / ha drəυ per tə ni əm/ noun a build-up of fluid in the peritoneal cavity
(NOTE: The plural is hydroperitoneums or hy-
droperitonea.)
hydrophobia / ha drə fəυbiə/ noun same as rabies
COMMENT: Hydrophobia affects the mental balance, and the symptoms include difficulty in breathing or swallowing and a horror of water.
hydropneumoperitoneum / ha drəυnju məυ per tə ni əm/ noun a condition in
which watery fluid and gas collect in the peritoneal cavity
hydropneumothorax / ha drəυ nju məυ θɔ r ks/ noun a condition in which watery fluid and gas collect in the pleural cavity
(NOTE: The plural is hydropneumothoraxes or
hydropneumothoraces.)
hydrops / ha drɒps/ noun same as oedema
(NOTE: The plural is hydropses.) hydrorrhoea / ha drəυ ri ə/ noun a discharge of watery fluid (NOTE: The US spelling is
hydrorrhea.)
hydrosalpinx / ha drəυ s lp ŋks/ noun an occasion when watery fluid collects in one or both of the Fallopian tubes, causing swelling
(NOTE: The plural is hydrosalpinges.) hydrotherapy / ha drəυ θerəpi/ noun a type of physiotherapy involving treatment in water, where people are put in hot baths or are encouraged to swim
hydrothorax / ha drəυ θɔ r ks/ noun the collection of liquid in the pleural cavity hydrotubation / ha drəυtju be ʃ(ə)n/ noun an act of putting a fluid through the neck of the uterus and the Fallopian tubes under pressure to check whether the tubes are blocked
hydroureter / ha drəυju ri tə/ noun a condition in which water or urine collect in the ureter because it is blocked
hydroxide /ha drɒksa d/ noun a chemical compound containing a hydroxyl group
hydroxyproline /ha drɒksi prəυli n/ noun an amino acid present in some proteins, especially in collagen
hygiene / ha d i n/ noun 1. the procedures and principles designed to keep things clean and to keep conditions healthy Nurses have to maintain a strict personal hygiene. 2. the science of health
hygienic /ha d i n k/ adjective 1. clean
Don’t touch the food with dirty hands – it isn’t hygienic. 2. producing healthy conditions hygienist / ha d i n st/ noun a person who specialises in hygiene and its application hygr- /ha &r/ prefix same as hygro- (used before vowels)
hygro- /ha &rəυ/ prefix relating to moisture hygroma /ha &rəυmə/ noun a kind of cyst which contains a thin fluid
hymen / ha men/ noun a membrane which partially covers the vaginal passage in a female who has never had sexual intercourse hymenectomy / ha mə nektəmi/ noun 1. the surgical removal of the hymen, or an operation to increase the size of the opening of the hymen 2. the surgical removal of any membrane
hymenotomy / ha mə nɒtəmi/ noun an incision of the hymen during surgery
hyo- /ha əυ/ prefix relating to the hyoid bone hyoglossus / ha əυ &lɒsəs/ noun a muscle which is attached to the hyoid bone and depresses the tongue
hyoid / ha ɔ d/ adjective relating to the hyoid
bone
hyoid bone / ha ɔ d bəυn/ noun a small U- shaped bone at the base of the tongue hyoscine / ha əυsi n/ noun a drug used as a sedative, in particular for treatment of motion sickness
hyp- /ha p/ prefix same as hypo- (used before vowels)
hypaemia /ha pi miə/ noun an insufficient amount of blood in the body
hypalgesia / ha p l d i ziə/ noun low sensitivity to pain
hyper- /ha pə/ prefix higher or too much. Op-
posite hypo-
hyperacidity / ha pərə s d ti/ noun the production of more acid in the stomach than is usual. Also called acidity, acid stomach hyperacousia / ha pərə kju ziə/ noun same as hyperacusis
hyperactive /ha pər kt v/ adjective very or unusually active
hyperactivity /ha pər k t vəti/ noun a condition in which something or someone, e.g. a gland or a child, is too active
hyperacusis / ha pərə kju s s/ noun a condition in which someone is very sensitive to sounds