Medical terms - Letter P (page 19) | MedicalVocabulary.org

Polyp

A mass of tissue that develops on the inside wall of a hollow organ, as within the colon or rectum. The word polyp comes from the Greek words polys, many + pous, feet. The idea that a polyp has many feet is erroneous…
Polyp colon family history

See: Colon cancer family history
Polypectomy

Removal of a polyp by surgery. In the case of polyps in the colon, polypectomy may be done by open abdominal surgery or, more commonly today, by colonoscopy. During colonoscopy, a small polyp may be snipped off with a…
Polypeptide

A peptide consisting of 2 or more amino acids. Amino acids make up polypeptides which, in turn, make up proteins
Polyphenol

A kind of chemical that (at least in theory) may protect against some common health problems and possibly certain effects of aging. Polyphenols act as antioxidants. They protect cells and body chemicals against damage…
Polyploid

Three or more full sets of chromosomes. A polyploid brain tumor cell might for example have 69 or 92 chromosomes.
Polypsis of the colon

Multiple polyps with a high malignant potential in the large bowel. This hereditary condition is also known as polypsis coli and Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP).
Polysomnography

Continuous recording of specific physiologic variables during sleep. Polysomnography typically records brain wave changes (electroencephalogram), eye movements (electrooculogram), muscle tone (electromyogram)…
Polyubiquitination

The binding of many ubiquitin molecules to the same target protein. Polyubiquitination of proteins is the triggering signal that leads to degradation of the protein in the proteasome. It is polyubiquitination that…
Polyuria

The excessive passage of urine (at least 2.5 liters per day for an adult) resulting in profuse urination and urinary frequency (the need to urinate frequently). Polyuria is a classic sign of diabetes mellitus that is…
Pompe disease

A genetic (inherited) deficiency of an enzyme called acid alpha glucosidase. This enzyme helps the body break down glycogen, a complex carbohydrate that is converted to glucose for energy. Without the enzyme, glycogen…
PON

The symbol for the enzyme called paraoxonase
Pondimin

See: Fenfluramine
Pons

A specific section of the brain formed by the rounded prominence on the front surface of the brainstem. (The brainstem is the lowest part of the brain that merges with the spinal cord; it consists of a structure called…
Pontiac fever

A flu-like illness caused by the bacterium Legionella pneumophila contracted by breathing mist that comes from a water source (such as air conditioning cooling towers, whirlpool spas, showers) contaminated with the…
Ponto-

Pertaining to the pons, a structure in the brain
Pool, gene

The sum total of genes, with all their variations, possessed by a particular species at a particular time. (Not something to dive into.
Popcorn worker lung

See: Popcorn worker's lung
Popcorn worker's lung

A form of bronchiolitis obliterans, a severe obstructive lung disease, in workers who mix and package flavored microwave-popcorn or are involved in other flavoring manufacturing. In a typical case, a 40-year-old woman…
Popliteal

Refers to the back of the knee.
Popliteal fossa

The hollow behind the knee
Popliteal pterygium syndrome

An inherited condition with a web behind the knee. (A pterygium is a winglike triangular membrane). The syndrome goes by a number of names including the popliteal web syndrome and, more inclusively, the…
Population, study

See: Study population
Porcelain gallbladder

Calcification of the wall of the gallbladder. The gallbladder looks on ultrasound, abdominal X-ray and computed tomography (CT) as if it were made of 'porcelain.' The calcification results from chronic cholecystitis…
Porcine

Having to do with swine. From the Latin 'porcus' meaning 'pig.' Porcine insulin is obtained from pig pancreas. A porcine skin graft is one in which pig skin is used, usually just for short-term protection.
Porencephaly

A disorder of the central nervous system involving a cyst or cavity in a cerebral hemisphere of the brain. The cysts or cavities are usually the remnants of destructive lesions, but are sometimes the result of abnormal…
Pork tapeworm

Taenia solium
Pork tapeworm infection

Known medically as cysticercosis, an infection caused by Taenia solium (the pork tapeworm). Infection occurs when the tapeworm larvae enter the body and form cysticerci (SIS-tuh-sir-KEY) (cysts). When cysticerci are…
Porphyria

A diverse group of diseases in which the production of heme is disrupted. Porphyria is derived from the Greek word 'porphyra', which means purple. When heme production is faulty, porphyrins are overproduced and lend a…
Porphyria cutanea tarda

Literally, the late skin form of porphyria, a genetic photosensitive (light-sensitive) skin disease with onset in adult life with substances called uroporphyrins in the urine due to a deficiency of uroporphyrinogen…
Port wine stain

A mark on the skin that resembles port wine (porto) in its rich ruby red color. Due to an abnormal aggregation of capillaries, a port wine stain is a type of hemangioma. A port wine stain on the face is a sign of the…
Portable generator safety

Safety, an essential matter in using a portable residential or recreational generator. Portable residential generators may be used to supply essential home power needs during power-outages, for powering cabin…
Portal vein

A large vein that carries blood from the stomach and the intestines to the liver. The portal vein is formed by the union of the splenic and superior mesenteric veins. It conveys venous blood to the liver for…
Position, anatomical

See: Anatomical position
Positional cloning

Cloning a gene based simply on knowing its position in the genome without any idea of the function of that gene. Because this is the reverse of how things have been traditionally done, it has also been called reverse…
Positive clinical trial

A clinical trial that shows that the new treatment has a large beneficial effect and is superior to standard treatment. See: Clinical trials. See also: Inconclusive clinical trial; Negative clinical trial; Non-inferior…
Positive end-expiratory pressure

The provision of oxygen under pressure by a mechanical respirator, a machine designed to improve the exchange of air between the lungs and the atmosphere. The device is basically designed for administering artificial…
Positive pressure ventilation

The provision of oxygen under pressure by a mechanical respirator, a machine designed to improve the exchange of air between the lungs and the atmosphere. The device is basically designed for administering artificial…
Positive, false

A result that is erroneously positive when a situation is normal. An example of a false positive: a particular test designed to detect cancer of the toenail is positive but the person does not have toenail cancer
Positive-strand RNA virus

Also known as a sense-strand RNA virus, a virus whose genetic information consists of a single strand of RNA that is the positive (or sense) strand which encodes mRNA (messenger RNA) and protein. Replication in…
Positron emission tomography

Short for postmortem examination (an autopsy).
Post

Short for postmortem examination (an autopsy)
Post-exposure prophylaxis

A treatment administered following exposure to a harmful agent which attempts to block or reduce injury or infection. Prophylaxis means a defense or protection. Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), for example, might…
Post-menopausal

See: Postmenopausal
Post-nasal drip

Mucous accumulation in the back of the nose and throat leading to or giving the sensation of mucus dripping downward from the back of the nose
Post-polio muscular atrophy (PPMA)

Belated muscle wasting that occurs as part of the post-polio syndrome (PPS), a constellation of symptoms and signs that appear late, from 20 to 40 years after the initial polio infection and at least 10 years after what…
Post-polypectomy

After a polypectomy
Post-term

Overly mature, overly developed, especially as regards a baby that has not been born until well after the usual term pregnancy. A post-term baby is one born 2 weeks (14 days) or more after the usual 9 months (280 days)…
Post-term infant

An overly mature baby that has not been born until well after the usual term pregnancy. A post-term baby is one born 2 weeks (14 days) or more after the usual 9 months (280 days) of gestation. The gestation (length of…
Post-thrombotic syndrome

The complications that may follow deep vein thrombosis (DVT). The complications after DVT may include persistent edema (swelling), pain, purpura (bleeding into the skin), increased skin pigmentation, eczematoid…