Medical Terminology
Glossary
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gamete - a male or female reproductive cell; the spermatozoon or ovum
ganglion - a group of nerve cell bodies that lie outside the central nervous system; plural, ganglia
gangrene - death and rotting of a considerable mass of tissue; it usually is caused by an interruption of blood supply, followed by bacterial invasion by members of the genusClostridium
gastroenterology - the medical specialty that deals with the structure, function, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases of the stomach and intestines
gastrointestinal (GI) tract - a continuous tube running through the ventral body cavity extending from the mouth to the anus; also called the alimentary canal
gastroscopy - diagnostic procedure in which the interior of the stomach is examined with a gastroscope to: detect lesions, biopsy lesions, stop bleeding, and remove foreign objects
gastrulation - the various movements of groups of cells that lead to the establishment of the primary germ layers in the embryo
gavage - feeding via a tube passed through the esophagus and into the stomach
gene - biological LETTER of heredity; an ultramicroscopic, self-reproducing DNA segment, located in a specific position on a particular chromosome
genital herpes - a sexually-transmitted disease caused by type II herpes simplex virus
genitalia - reproductive organs
genome - the complete gene complement of an organism
genotype - the total hereditary information carried by an individual; the genetic makeup of an organism
geriatrics - the branch of medicine devoted to the medical problems and care of elderly persons
germanitivum - the skin layers where new cells are germinated
germinal epithelium - a layer of epithelial cells that covers the ovaries and lines the seminiferous tubules of the testes
gestation - the period of intrauterine fetal development
giantism - condition caused by hyper-secretion of human growth hormone (hGH) during childhood, characterized by excessive bone growth and body size; also called gigantism
gingivae - gums; they cover the alveolar processes of the mandible and maxilla & extend slightly into each tooth socket
gingivitis - inflammation of the gums
glans penis - slightly enlarged region at the distal end of the penis
glaucoma - eye disorder in which there is increased intraocular pressure due to an excess of aqueous humor
glomerular capsule - double-walled globe at the proximal end of a nephron; it encloses the glomerulus; also called Bowman's capsule
glomerulonephritis - inflammation of the glomeruli of the kidney; it increases the permeability of the endothelial-capsular membrane and permits blood cells and proteins to enter the filtrate; also called Bright's disease
glomerulus - rounded mass of nerves or blood vessels, especially the microscopic tuft of capillaries surrounded by the glomerular (Bowman's) capsule of each kidney tubule
glottis - the vocal folds (true vocal cords) in the larynx and the space between them (rima glottidis)
glucagon - a hormone produced by the alpha cells of the pancreas; it increases the blood glucose level
glucocorticoids - a group of hormones of the adrenal cortex; they influence glucose metabolism and are anti-inflammatory
gluconeogenesis - conversion of a molecule other than a carbohydrate into glucose
glucose - a six-carbon sugar that also includes 12 hydrogen atoms and six oxygen atoms; the major energy source for body cells
glycogen - a highly branched polymer of glucose containing thousands of subLETTERs; it functions as a compact store of glucose molecules in liver and muscle fibers (cells)
glycogenesis - the process by which many molecules of glucose combine to form the polymer called glycogen
glycogenolysis - the process of converting glycogen to glucose
glycosuria - presence of glucose in the urine; may be temporary or pathological; also called glucosuria
gnostic - pertaining to the faculties of perceiving and recognizing
goiter - a chronic enlargement of the thyroid gland
Golgi complex - cytoplasmic organelle consisting of four to eight flattened channels, stacked on each other, with expanded areas at their ends; functions in packaging secreted proteins, in lipid secretion, and in carbohydrate synthesis
gomphosis - a fibrous joint in which a cone-shaped peg fits into a socket
gonad - an organ that produces both gametes and hormones; the ovary in the female and the testis in the male
gonadocorticoids - sex hormones secreted by the adrenal cortex
gonadotropic hormone - a pituitary hormone that regulates the functions of the gonads
gonorrhea - infectious, sexually-transmitted disease caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae and characterized by inflammation of the urogenital mucosa, discharge of pus, and painful urination
gout - hereditary condition associated with excessive uric acid in the blood; the acid crystallizes and deposits in joints, kidney, and soft tissues
gray ramus communicans - a short nerve containing postganglionic sympathetic fibers; the cell bodies of the fibers are in a sympathetic chain ganglion, and the nonmyelinated axons run by way of the gray ramus to a spinal nerve and then to the periphery to supply effectors
greater omentum - large fold in the serosa of the stomach; it hangs down like an apron over the front of the intestines
groin - the depression between the thigh and the trunk; the inguinal region
gustatory - pertaining to taste
gynecology - a branch of medicine dealing with study and treatment of disorders of the female reproductive system
gynecomastia - excessive growth (benign) of male mammary glands due to secretion of estrogens by an adrenal gland tumor (feminizing adenoma)
gyrus - one of the folds of the cerebral cortex of the brain; plural, gyri; also called a convolution