Medical terms - Letter R (page 13) | MedicalVocabulary.org

Rubella syndrome

The constellation of abnormalities caused by infection with the rubella (German measles) virus before birth. The syndrome is characterized by multiple congenital malformations (birth defects) and mental retardation. The…
Rubella vaccine

A vaccine designed to prevent rubella, or German measles. German measles was once seen merely as a child's unpleasant rite of passage. It was thought to be a mild malady that was usually over and done in three days. So…
Rubeola (measles)

Rubeola is the ordinary measles, an acute highly contagious viral disease with fever, runny nose, cough, red eyes, and a spreading skin rash. Rubeola (measles) is a potentially disastrous disease. It can be complicated…
Rubor

Redness, one of the four classic signs of inflammation (together with dolor, calor, and tumor). From the Latin rubor, heat. See also: Dolor; Calor; Tumor
RUL

Acronym for the right upper lobe (of the lung). The right lung has three lobes: the right lower lobe (RLL), the right middle lobe (RML), and the right upper lobe (RUL). The left lung has but two lobes: the left upper…
Rule out

A term much used in medicine, meaning to eliminate or exclude something from consideration. The ACB (albumin cobalt binding) test helps rule out a heart attack in the differential diagnosis of severe chest pain
Rumination

1. Regurgitating food after a meal and then swallowing and digesting some of it. Cattle and other ruminant animals have a four-chambered stomach for the rumination of food and so can chew their cud. Some people…
Runny nose

Rhinorrhea is the medical term for this common problem. From the Greek words 'rhinos' meaning 'of the nose' and 'rhoia' meaning 'a flowing.
Runt-related transcription factor 1

See: Runx-1
Runx-1

A protein that is a transcription factor controlling when genes are switched on or off. Runx-1 acts by binding to regulatory sequences -- specific sequences of DNA close to the genes they regulate. These DNA sequences…
Rupture

A break or tear in any organ (such as the spleen) or soft tissue (such as the achilles tendon). Rupture of the appendix is more likely among uninsured and minority children when they develop appendicitis
Rupture of appendix

A break or tear in the appendix, usually due to appendicitis. Also called perforation of the appendix. Rupture of appendix can lead to a periappendiceal abscess (a collection of infected pus) or diffuse peritonitis…
Rupture, uterine

A tear of the uterus, an uncommon but very serious situation that may result in hysterectomy, urologic injury to the woman, a need for blood transfusion, maternal death, and perinatal complications including neurologic…
Ruptured spleen

Rupture of the capsule of the spleen, an organ in the upper left part of the abdomen, is a potential catastrophe that requires immediate medical and surgical attention. Splenic rupture permits large amounts of blood to…
RUQ

Abbreviation for the right upper quadrant (quarter). The RUQ of the abdomen contains the liver and the gallbladder. (By contrast, LUQ stands for the left upper quadrant, LLQ stands for the left lower quadrant, and RLQ…
RV (rotavirus)

Rotavirus):Aside from recreational vehicle, RV is an abbreviation for rotavirus, a leading cause of severe winter diarrhea in young children. Each year RV causes an estimated 500,000 doctor visits and 50,000 hospital…
RVF

1. Rift Valley fever, the disease and the virus that causes it.2. Right ventricular failure, failure of the right ventricle of the heart.3. Residual volume fraction, a measure proportional to the ambulatory venous…
RWI

Recreational water illness
Rx

A medical prescription. The symbol 'Rx' is usually said to stand for the Latin word 'recipe' meaning 'to take.' It is customarily part of the superscription (heading) of a prescription. Another explanation for the…
RX

Medical abbreviation for treatment
RXT

Medical abbreviation for radiotherapy