Medical terms - Letter V (page 4) | MedicalVocabulary.org

Vein, brachial

A vein that accompanies the brachial artery between the shoulder and the elbow. The route of the brachial artery is from the shoulder down to the elbow, whereas that of the brachial vein is in the reverse direction --…
Vein, central retinal

The blood vessel that carries blood away from the retina of the eye. The counterpart to the central retinal vein is the central retinal artery, the vessel that carries blood into the eye and supplies nutrition to the…
Vein, external jugular

The more superficial of the two jugular veins situated on each side of the neck. The other is the internal jugular vein. They drain blood from the head, brain, face and neck and convey it toward the heart. The external…
Vein, femoral

See: Femoral vein
Vein, great saphenous

The larger of the two saphenous veins, the principal veins that run up the leg superficially (near the surface). The great saphenous vein goes from the foot all the way up to the saphenous opening, an oval aperture in…
Vein, hepatic

One of the veins which drains blood from the liver
Vein, inferior vena cava

A large vein that receives blood from the lower extremities, pelvis and abdomen and empties it into the right atrium of the heart
Vein, internal jugular

The deeper of the two jugular veins in the neck that drain blood from the head, brain, face and neck and convey it toward the heart. The internal jugular vein collects blood from the brain, the outside of the face and…
Vein, jugular

The jugular veins are in the neck and drain blood from the head, brain, face and neck and convey it toward the heart. The external jugular vein collects most of the blood from the outside of the skull and the deep parts…
Vein, large saphenous

The larger of the two saphenous veins, the principal veins that run up the leg superficially (near the surface). The large saphenous vein goes from the foot all the way up to the saphenous opening, an oval aperture in…
Vein, mesenteric

One of the large veins which return blood from the intestines. The inferior (lower) mesenteric vein empties into the splenic vein. The superior (upper) mesenteric vein then joins the splenic vein to create the portal…
Vein, portal

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…
Vein, pulmonary

One of four vessels that carry aerated blood from the lungs to the left atrium of the heart. (The four are the right and left superior and inferior pulmonary veins). The pulmonary veins are the only veins that carry…
Vein, saphenous

The saphenous veins -- there are two, the great and the small saphenous veins -- are the principal veins that run superficially (near the surface) up the leg. The great saphenous vein (also called the large saphenous…
Vein, small saphenous

The smaller of the two saphenous veins, the principal veins that run up the leg superficially (near the surface). The small saphenous vein, runs behind the outer malleolus (the protuberance on the outside of the ankle…
Vein, splenic

A vein that is formed by the union of several small veins draining blood from the stomach, pancreas and spleen. The splenic vein is a major contributor to the portal vein which goes to the liver
Vein, superior vena cava

A large vein that receives blood from the head, neck, upper extremities, and thorax and empties it into the right atrium of the heart
Vein, varicose

See: Varicose vein
Veins, ophthalmic

The orbital cavity is drained by paired veins called the superior and inferior ophthalmic veins. The superior ophthalmic vein arises at the inner angle of orbit and follows the course of ophthalmic artery into the…
Veisalgia

The sober medical term for a hangover. 'There is no consensus definition of veisalgia ('alcohol hangover'....)' (Ann Int Med, 2000) From the Norwegian kveis (uneasiness following debauchery) + the Greek algia (pain).
Velamentous insertion of umbilical cord

An abnormal condition in which the umbilical cord does not insert into the placental mass but, instead, traverses the fetal membranes before it inserts into the umbilical cord. The main danger is vasa previa, a…
Velocardiofacial syndrome

A congenital malformation syndrome characterized by cleft palate, heart defects, abnormal facial structure, and learning problems. Less frequent features include short stature, small-than-normal head (microcephaly)…
Velpeau hernia

Hernia: A hernia in the groin in front of the femoral blood vessels. A hernia ('rupture') is a protrusion of tissue through the wall of a cavity in which it is normally contained. Named for the 19th-century Paris…
Velvet ant sting

Common in most parts of the world including the Southern and Southwestern United States, velvet ants are not true ants but rather parasitic wasps. Their sting-like that of other wasps, fire ants, bees, yellow jackets…
Vena cava

The superior vena cava is the large vein which returns blood to the heart from the head, neck and both upper limbs. The inferior vena cava returns blood to the heart from the lower part of the body. The return of blood…
Vena cava syndrome, superior

The symptoms that result from compression of the large vein that carries blood down to the heart. The superior vena cava is a large vein that transmits blood from the upper body back to the heart. The superior vena cava…
Vena cava, inferior

A large vein that receives blood from the lower extremities, pelvis and abdomen and empties it into the right atrium of the heart
Vena cava, superior

A large vein that receives blood from the head, neck, upper extremities, and thorax and empties it into the right atrium of the heart
Venereal

Having to do with sexual contact. The word venereal comes from Venus, the Roman goddess of love. A venereal disease (morbus venereus) is contracted and transmitted by sexual contact. Today the more common term is…
Venereal disease

A disease that is contracted and transmitted by sexual contact, caused by microorganisms that survive on the skin or mucus membranes, or that are transmitted via semen, vaginal secretions, or blood during intercourse…
Venereal Disease Research Laboratory test

A blood test for syphilis. Venereal Disease Research Laboratory is commonly abbreviated VDRL. A negative ('nonreactive') VDRL is compatible with a person not having syphilis. However, a person may a negative VDRL and…
Venereal wart

A wart that is confined primarily to the moist skin of the genitals. These warts are due to viruses belonging to the family of human papilloma viruses (HPVs) which are transmitted through sexual contact. The virus can…
Venin

Snake venom (poison).
Venipuncture

The puncture of a vein with a needle to withdraw blood. Also called phlebotomy or, more often, a blood draw
Venom

A poison, particularly one secreted by an animal. For examples, bee venom, snake venom, scorpion venom, and spider venom. Snake venom is also called venin
Venom, scorpion

The potent poison of the scorpion. A sting can be fatal to a person who is allergic to it. A scorpion is an insect that has an elongated body and a segmented, curved tail tipped with a venomous stinger. Grasping…
Venomous

1. Full of venom. 2. Having venom, like some snakes and insects. 3. By extension, noxious, as a venomous tongue
Venous aneurysm

A local widening and bulging (an aneurysm) of a vein. As opposed to an arterial aneurysm or a cardiac aneurysm. An aneurysm is a localized widening (dilatation) of an artery, vein, or the heart. At the area of an…
Venous catheter, central

See: Catheter, central venous
Venous catheterization

See: Catherization, venous
Venous claudication

Limping and/or pain due to inadequate venous drainage, poor return of blood by the veins, from the legs
Venous line, central

A catheter (tube) that is passed through a vein to end up in the thoracic (chest) portion of the vena cava (the large vein returning blood to the heart) or in the right atrium of the heart. Central venous lines have a…
Ventilation

The exchange of air between the lungs and the atmosphere so that oxygen can be exchanged for carbon dioxide in the alveoli (the tiny air sacs in the lungs). In pulmonary medicine, a distinction is made between pulmonary…
Ventilation, mechanical

Use of a machine called a ventilator or respirator to improve the exchange of air between the lungs and the atmosphere
Ventilation, positive 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…
Ventilator

A ventilator is a machine which mechanically assists patients in the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide (sometimes referred to as artificial respiration)
Ventral

A chamber of an organ. For example, the four connected cavities (hollow spaces) in the central portion of the brain and the lower two chambers of the heart are called ventricles.
Ventricle

A chamber of an organ. For example, the four connected cavities (hollow spaces) in the central portion of the brain and the lower two chambers of the heart are called ventricles.
Ventricle, brain

>Lateral ventricles: The lateral ventricles are in the cerebral hemispheres. Each lateral ventricle consists of a triangular central body and four horns. The lateral ventricles communicate with the third ventricle…
Ventricle, cerebral

One of a system of four communicating cavities within the brain that are continuous with the central canal of the spinal cord. The four ventricles consist of the two lateral ventricles , the third ventricle and the…