Medical terms - Letter P
1,454 terms start with the letter P.
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Power outage food safety
>For the Freezer section: A freezer that is half full will hold food safely for up to 24 hours. A full freezer will hold food safely for 48 hours. Do not open the freezer door if you can avoid it. >For the Refrigerated…
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Power outage preparations
It is recommended that people make an emergency plan that includes a disaster supply kit. This kit should include enough water, dried and canned food, and emergency supplies (flashlights, batteries, first-aid supplies…
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Power outage work safety
>the hazards of working in heat >simple but effective ways of organizing work assignments and the workplace to reduce risks >the benefits of implementing proper controls and work practices Potential measures to reduce…
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Power-of-attorney for health-care decision-making
See: Proxy. health care.
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Pox virus
See: Orthopox
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PPAR
Abbreviation for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor. There are 3 known subtypes of PPARs -- PPAR-alpha, PPAR-delta, and PPAR-gamma. The PPARs are members of the nuclear hormone receptor subfamily of…
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PPD
1. Postpartum depression. 2. Purified protein derivative (the PPD skin test for tuberculosis)
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PPMA (post-polio muscular atrophy)
Late muscle wasting that occurs as part of the post-polio syndrome (PPS), a constellation of symptoms and signs that appear belatedly, from 20 to 40 years, after the initial polio infection and at least 10 years after…
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PPS (post-polio syndrome)
Post-polio syndrome: A constellation of symptoms and signs that appear from 20 to 40 years after the initial polio infection, and at least 10 years after what was thought to be recovery from polio It is estimated that…
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Practice, family
The medical specialty which provides continuing and comprehensive health care for the individual and family. It is the specialty in breadth which integrates the biological, clinical, and behavioral sciences. The scope…
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Prader-Willi syndrome
Prader-Willi syndrome: A syndrome characterized by severe hypotonia (floppiness), poor suck and feeding problems in early infancy followed later in infancy by excessive eating that, if unchecked, leads gradually to huge…
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Prandial
Of or relating to a meal. Prandial pain is pain while eating. Although medical terms usually have a reasonably logical derivation, this is not the case with 'prandial.' It comes from the Latin 'prandium' which meant 'a…
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Prayer of Maimonides
A prayer that is said to have been written by the 12th-century physician-philosopher Moses Maimonides. Like the famous oath of Hippocrates, the prayer of Maimonides is often recited by new medical graduates. This…
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Pre-eclampsia
A condition in pregnancy characterized by abrupt hypertension (a sharp rise in blood pressure), albuminuria (leakage of large amounts of the protein albumin into the urine) and edema (swelling) of the hands, feet, and…
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Pre-sleep dream
Also called a hypnagogic hallucination, this type of dream is characteristically vivid and occurs as one is falling asleep or awakening
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Prealbumin
One of several plasma proteins such as transthyretin that migrate faster than albumin in an acidic starch gel
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Preauricular tag
A common minor anomaly, this is a rudimentary tag of ear tissue. It often contains a core of cartilage. The tag is typically located just in front of the ear (auricle) and is therefore called a preauricular tag
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Precancerous
Pertaining to something that is not yet overtly cancerous, but appears to be on its way to becoming a cancer. Synonymous with premalignant
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Preclinical study
A study to test a drug, procedure or other medical treatment in animals. The aim is to collect data in support of safety. Preclinical studies are required before clinical trials can be started
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Precocious
Unusually early development, whether it be of intellectual powers, speech, physical traits, etc. Precocious puberty is the unusually early development of secondary sexual features. The onset of sexual maturation in a…
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Precocious puberty
Precocious puberty is the unusually early development of secondary sexual features. The onset of sexual maturation in a girl before age 8 or a boy before age 9 is usually considered to be precocious puberty
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Preconceptual counselling
The interchange of information prior to pregnancy. Usually for pregnancy planning and care, but sometimes in the form of genetic counseling. See also genetic counseling.
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Precursor
Forerunner. That which precedes or is derived from an available source. The term 'precursor' is applied to an inactive substance converted to an active one (such as an enzyme, vitamin, or hormone). The term 'precursor'…
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Predispose
To make more likely or render susceptible. Smoking predisposes to a number of diseases, including esophageal cancer
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Preeclampsia
A condition in pregnancy characterized by abrupt hypertension (a sharp rise in blood pressure), albuminuria (leakage of large amounts of the protein albumin into the urine) and edema (swelling) of the hands, feet, and…
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Preemie
Short slang for a premature baby. A preterm infant. Also spelled premie.
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Preexcitation
In cardiology, the premature activation of part of the ventricle due to transmission of impulses along an accessory pathway that is not subject to the normal delay at the atrioventricular node. Preexcitation is…
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Prefix, medical
See: Medical prefix
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Prefixes, medical
Medical words are often put together, cobbled from two or more building blocks. Among these building blocks are the prefixes. Examples of prefixes used in medicine include: > >a- : Prefix much employed in the health…
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Pregnancy
Pregnancy: The state of carrying a developing embryo or fetus within the female body. This condition can be indicated by positive results on an over-the-counter urine test, and confirmed through a blood test…
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Pregnancy abuse
Abuse of an expectant mother. This abuse is most often perpetrated by the woman's spouse, partner, or relative. Spurts of temper can progress to shouting and name calling. Then pushing and shoving. The use of physical…
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Pregnancy calendar
A pregnancy calendar is a chronological depiction of changes in a pregnant woman and the embryo/fetus during the 40-week course of pregnancy. Pregnancy calendars usually describe development and growth of the fetus and…
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Pregnancy danger from fifth disease
Caused by a virus known as parvovirus B 19. Symptoms include low-grade fever, fatigue, a 'slapped cheeks rash,' and a rash over the whole body. The illness is not serious in children. Pregnant women (who have not…
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Pregnancy danger from urinary tract infection
): A pregnant woman who develops a UTI should be treated promptly to avoid premature delivery of her baby and other risks such as high blood pressure. Some antibiotics are not safe to take during pregnancy. In selecting…
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Pregnancy planning
Pregnancy planning: Pregnancy planning addresses issues like nutrition, vitamins, body weight, exercise, potentially harmful medications and illnesses, immunizations, and genetic counseling that may impact a woman's…
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Pregnancy radiation exposure
See: Prenatal radiation exposure
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Pregnancy symptoms
Pregnancy symptoms: A symptom or sign of pregnancy. These symptoms and signs depend upon the time in pregnancy. In the first trimester of pregnancy, the first sign of pregnancy is most often a missed menstrual period…
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Pregnancy ultrasound
Creating an image of the developing fetus within the uterus by means of measuring the vibrations returned when a device emits high-frequency sound waves. Ultrasound imaging has been done during pregnancy for over three…
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Pregnancy, acute fatty liver
The consumption of alcohol during pregnancy carries the danger of damaging the fetus and causing fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) or fetal alcohol effects.
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Pregnancy, alcohol in
The consumption of alcohol during pregnancy carries the danger of damaging the fetus and causing fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) or fetal alcohol effects
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Pregnancy, dangerous drugs during
A teratogen is an agent that can disturb the development of the embryo or fetus. Teratogens halt the pregnancy or produce a congenital malformation (a birth defect). Classes of teratogens include radiation, maternal…
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Pregnancy, ectopic
A pregnancy that is not in the usual place and is located outside the inner lining of the uterus. A fertilized egg settles and grows in any location other than the inner lining of the uterus. The large majority (95%) of…
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Pregnancy, extrauterine
A pregnancy that is not in the usual place and is located outside the inner lining of the uterus. A fertilized egg settles and grows in any location other than the inner lining of the uterus. The large majority (95%) of…
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Pregnancy, hyperemesis of
Excessive vomiting during pregnancy which, by definition, leads to the loss of 5% or more of the body weight of the woman. Also called hyperemesis gravidarum, the disorder affects one in every 300 pregnant women. It is…
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Pregnancy, mask of
Pigmentation of the cheeks of the face (malar area) that occurs in about half of women during pregnancy. The pigmented area darkens with sun exposure. Also referred to as melasma
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Pregnancy, pernicious vomiting of
Medically known as hyperemesis gravidarum, this is excessive vomiting in early pregnancy. By definition, hyperemesis gravidarum, leads to the loss of 5% or more of the body weight of the woman. Hyperemesis gravidarum…
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Pregnancy, tubal
An ectopic pregnancy that takes place in the Fallopian tube. Tubal pregnancies are due to the inability of the fertilized egg to make its way through the Fallopian tube into the uterus. Most tubal pregnancies occur in…
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Pregnancy-associated malaria
A specific syndrome that occurs only in pregnant women and that is characterized by the accumulation in the placenta of red blood cells containing the malarial parasite. Pregnancy-associated malaria causes low…
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Pregnancy-associated plasma protein A
Abbreviated as PAPPA or PAPP-A. A large zinc-binding protein that acts as an enzyme, specifically a metallopeptidase. The gene for PAPPA is in chromosome band 9q33.1. PAPPA has been used in prenatal genetic screening…
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Pregnant
The state of carrying a developing fetus within the body. The word 'pregnant' comes from the Latin pre- meaning before + (g)natus meaning birth = before (giving) birth. The word 'prenatal' has exactly the same origin.