Medical terms - Letter N (page 10) | MedicalVocabulary.org

Nonstructural scoliosis

A structurally normal spine that appears to have a lateral curve (scoliosis). Nonstructural scoliosis involves a temporary change of spinal curvature. This is caused by an underlying condition such as a difference in…
Nonsyndromic

Not part of a syndrome. Hearing loss, for instance, can be syndromic or nonsyndromic
Nonsyndromic deafness

Hearing loss which is not part of a syndrome. Deafness with no related signs and symptoms affecting other parts of the body
Nook Barker

See: Barker, Horace Albert
Noonan syndrome (NS)

Noonan syndrome (NS): A multifaceted genetic disorder characterized by a series of birth defects (congenital malformations) including dysmorphic (malformed) facial features, short stature after birth (postnatal growth…
Normal growth rate

The speed with which normal growth occurs in length before birth and in height after birth. Fetal growth is critical to a person's eventual height. Before birth, the key measure is the crown-rump length -- the distance…
Normal pressure hydrocephalus

A specific form of hydrocephalus in which the central cavities of the inner brain (the ventricles) enlarge at the expense of the substance of the brain, while the pressure of the CSF remains within normal range. Normal…
Normal range

By convention, the normal range for whatever (a particular test, condition, symptom, behavior, etc.) is set to cover ninety-five percent (95%) of all values from the general population. Five percent (5%) of results…
Normal tension glaucoma

See: Glaucoma, normal tension
Normotensive

Having normal blood pressure. See also: Hypertensive; Hypotensive
Normoxia

Normal levels of oxygen. From norm- (normal) + -ox- (oxygen) + -ia = a normal oxygen state.
Norovirus

A group of viruses that are a common cause of food poisoning and acute gastroenteritis ('stomach flu') that can strike quickly with force and make a person feel very sick but which typically resolves within 2-3 days…
Norplant contraceptive

Implantable progestin in the form of Norplant was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for contraception in 1990 and the newer Norplant 2 was approved in 1996 for contraception. Made up of…
North Asian tick-borne rickettsiosis

One of the tick-borne rickettsial diseases of the eastern hemisphere, similar to Rocky Mountain spotted fever, but less severe, with fever, a small ulcer (eschar) at the site of the tick bite, swollen glands nearby…
Northern blot

A technique in molecular biology, used mainly to separate and identify pieces of RNA. Called a Northern blot only because it is similar to a Southern blot (which is named after its inventor, the British biologist M.E…
Norwalk virus

A family of small round viruses that are an important cause of viral gastroenteritis (viral inflammation of the stomach and intestines). Norwalk disease is a significant contributor to illness in the US. Only the common…
Norwalk-like virus

See: Norovirus
Norwegian scabies

See crusted scabies
Nose

The external midline projection from the face. The purpose of the nose is to warm, clean, and humidify the air you breath. In addition, it helps you to smell and taste. A normal person will produce about two quarts of…
Nose job

Slang for plastic surgery on the nose, known medically as a rhinoplasty. This is a facial cosmetic procedure, often performed to enhance the appearance of the nose. During rhinoplasty, the nasal cartilages and bones are…
Nose picking

Rhinotillexomania, one of the more obscure and exotic terms in medicine. 'Rhinotillexomania' has drawn attention because of the habit to which it refers. It is 'a recent term coined to describe compulsive nose picking'…
Nose, runny

Rhinorrhea is the medical term for this common problem. From the Greek words 'rhinos' meaning 'of the nose' and 'rhoia' meaning 'a flowing.'
Nosebleed

Nosebleed: Its medical name is epistaxis.
Nosebleed, causes of

The nose is a part of the body that is very rich in blood vessels (vascular) and is situated in a vulnerable position on the face. As a result, any trauma to the face can cause bleeding which may be profuse. Nosebleeds…
Nosebleed, treatment of

To stop a nosebleed, you should pinch all the soft parts of the nose together between your thumb and index finger, and press firmly toward the face, compressing the pinched parts of the nose against the bones of the…
Nosocomial

Originating or taking place in a hospital, acquired in a hospital, especially in reference to an infection. The term 'nosocomial' comes from two Greek words: 'nosus' meaning 'disease' + 'komeion' meaning 'to take care…
Nosology

The systematic classification of diseases, or the branch of medical science that deals thereto. The adjective is nosologic. There is 'ongoing nosologic controversy and confusion' concerning 'dementia with brainstem and…
Nostradamus

Celebrated French physician and astrologer (1503-1566), born Michel de Notredame. Nostradamus studied medicine in Montpellier, started practicing medicine in 1525, introduced better ways of treating plague victims, and…
Nostril

One of the openings in the nose that allows air to flow in and out of the nasal cavities. The word nostril comes from the Old English nosu, nose + thyrel, hole = the nose hole
Nostrum

A worthless remedy. 'Nostrum' is an example of a term that came from medicine, entered the world beyond medicine, fell into disuse in medicine, but is still used outside medicine. A nostrum was a medicine of secret…
Notifiable disease

See: Reportable disease
Novercal

Stepmotherly; pertaining to a stepmother. From the Latin novercalis, from noverca meaning stepmother
NP

Nurse practitioner
NPCR

National Program of Cancer Registries
NPH

NREM (non-rapid eye movement) sleep is dreamless sleep. During NREM, the brain waves on the electroencephalographic (EEG) recording are typically slow and of high voltage, the breathing and heart rate are slow and…
NREM sleep

Sleep: NREM (non-rapid eye movement) sleep is dreamless sleep. During NREM, the brain waves on the electroencephalographic (EEG) recording are typically slow and of high voltage, the breathing and heart rate are slow…
NS

Noonan syndrome, a multifaceted condition characterized by a series of birth defects (congenital malformations) including short stature after birth (postnatal growth retardation), webbing of the neck (pterygium colli)…
NSAID

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. NSAIDs are commonly prescribed for the inflammation of arthritis and other body tissues, such as in tendinitis and bursitis. Examples of NSAIDs include aspirin, indomethacin…
NSE (neuron-specific enolase)

Neuron-specific enolase (NSE) is a substance that has been detected in patients with certain tumors, namely: neuroblastoma, small cell lung cancer, medullary thyroid cancer, carcinoid tumors, endocrine tumors of the…
NTD

Neural tube defect, a major birth defect caused by abnormal development of the neural tube, the structure present during embryonic life which gives rise to the central nervous system -- the brain and spinal cord. Neural…
Nuchal

Referring to the back of the neck (nape). For example, nuchal rigidity is a stiff neck, sometimes a symptom of meningitis. From the Latin 'nucha' meaning nape. Pronounced 'nu·kal' with the accent on the first syllable.
Nuchal translucency test

A measurement of the size of the translucent space behind the neck of the fetus using ultrasound at between 10 and 14 weeks of pregnancy, reflecting the amount of fluid that has accumulated under the skin of the fetus…
Nuclear family

The family group consisting of the father, mother, and their children, as distinct from the extended family
Nuclear medicine

The branch of medicine concerned with the use of radioisotopes in the diagnosis, management, and treatment of disease. Nuclear medicine uses small amounts of radioactive materials or radiopharmaceuticals, substances…
Nuclei

The plural of nucleus
Nuclei, basal

A region located at the base of the brain composed of 4 clusters of neurons, or nerve cells. This area of the brain is responsible for body movement and coordination. The groups of neurons most prominently and…
Nucleic acid

>DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) which contains the hereditary information in humans and >RNA (ribonucleic acid) which delivers the instructions coded in this information to the cell's protein manufacturing sites. History…
Nucleic acid hybridization

A technique in which single-stranded nucleic acids (DNA or RNA) are allowed to interact so that complexes called hybrids are formed by molecules with similar, complementary sequences. Through nucleic acid hybridization…
Nucleic acids

See nucelic acid
Nucleocapsid

The genome + the protein coat of a virus. The nucleic acid (RNA or DNA) of the virus is its genome. The protein coat is its capsid. See also: Capsid