Medical terms - Letter Z | MedicalVocabulary.org

Z chromosome

A sex chromosome in certain animals, such as chickens, turkeys, and moths. In humans, males are XY and females XX, but in animals with a Z chromosome, males are ZZ and females are WZ
Zaleplon

Zaleplon: Brand name: Sonata. A sedative hypnotic drug in a class closely related the benzodiazepines, affecting the central nervous system, used as a sleep drug. For more information, see: zaleplon.
ZAP-70

Zeta-chain-associated protein kinase 70. A member of the protein tyrosine kinase family, ZAP-70 is normally expressed in T cells and natural killer cells and has a critical role in the initiation of T-cell signaling…
Zebra

The term 'zebra' in medicine does not refer to the striped African animal but to an unlikely diagnostic possibility. It comes from an old saying in teaching medical students about how to think logically in regard to the…
Zeitgeber

An environmental agent or event that provides the cue for setting or resetting a biological clock. To be synchronized with our environment, we need the input of Zeitgebers. The most important Zeitgeber in nature is…
Zellweger syndrome

A genetic disorder, also called the cerebrohepatorenal syndrome, characterized by the reduction or absence of peroxisomes (cell structures that rid the body of toxic substances) in the cells of the liver, kidneys, and…
Zenker diverticulum

The most common type of outpouching in the esophagus, due to increased pressure causing the mucous membrane of the esophagus to herniate through a defect in the wall of esophagus. Zenker diverticuli are usually located…
Zenker's diverticulum

See: Zenker diverticulum
Zhitai

One of the three major preparations of red yeast rice, a tradition Chinese medicine now used to lower cholesterol
Zhong Wei Chen

See: Chen, Zhong Wei
Zhong-Wei Chen

See: Chen, Zhong Wei
Zidovudine

Zidovudine: See: AZT.
Zidovudine triphosphate

The active form of zidovudine which is also known as AZT. See: AZT
ZIFT

Stands for zygote intrafallopian transfer, a method used to treat infertility in which an egg fertilized in vitro (outside the body) is placed into a woman's fallopian tube. This technique is one used to overcome…
Zinc

A mineral essential to the body, zinc is a constituent of many enzymes that permit chemical reactions to proceed at normal rates. It is involved in the manufacture of protein (protein synthesis) and in cell division…
Zinc acetate

A form of zinc that has been used as an emetic
Zinc deficiency

Lack of zinc in the body. According to the National Academy of Sciences, the Recommended Dietary Allowances of zinc are 12 milligrams per day for women and 10 milligrams per day for men. Food sources of zinc include…
Zinc deficiency dermatitis and diarrhea

Diarrhea: Among the consequences of zinc deficiency, dermatitis (skin inflammation) and diarrhea are particularly prominent features. A genetic disease called acrodermatitis enteropathica in which there is impaired zinc…
Zinc excess

Too much zinc can cause gastrointestinal irritation (upset stomach), interfere with copper absorption and cause copper deficiency, and (like too little zinc) cause immune deficiency. According to the National Academy of…
Zinc finger

A finger-shaped fold in a protein that permits it to interact with DNA and RNA. The fold is created by the binding of specific amino acids in the protein to a zinc atom. Zinc-finger proteins regulate the expression of…
Zinc finger protein 9

See: ZNF9
Zinc ointment

A topical preparation containing zinc that is applied to protect the skin from irritation or sunburn. Zinc ointment is often the basis for commercial preparations for preventing diaper rash. It should not be used on…
Zinc oxide

A form of zinc that has antispasmodic qualities
Zinc sulfate

A form of zinc that can be administered in eye drops. It is used in some types of eye tests
Zinc-finger protein

See: Zinc finger
Zinsser disease

Also called Brill-Zinsser disease, recrudescence of epidemic typhus years after the initial attack. The agent that causes epidemic typhus (Rickettsia prowazekii) remains viable for many years and then when host defenses…
ZIP code, protein

An informal name for a molecular cell biology system of signals or 'address tags' that guide the movement of a protein within a cell. In more technical terms, protein ZIP codes* are molecular signals that direct the…
ZNF9

A gene that encodes a protein called zinc finger protein 9. An inherited mutation in ZNF9 causes type 2 myotonic dystrophy. One region of the ZNF9 gene has a particular 4-base-pair sequence, CCTG, that is normally…
Zoll

See: Zoll, Paul M.
Zoll, Paul M.

American cardiologist (1911-1999) and pioneer in the development of the cardiac monitor, pacemaker and defibrillator
Zollinger-Ellison syndrome

A rare disorder caused by a tumor called a gastrinoma, most often occurring in the pancreas. The tumor secretes the hormone gastrin, which causes increased production of gastric acid leading to severe recurrent ulcers…
Zolmitriptan

Zolmitriptan: A triptan drug for the treatment of migraine. Marketed under the brand name Zomig.
Zolpidem

Zolpidem: Brand name: Ambien. A sedative hypnotic drug in a class closely related the benzodiazepines, affecting the central nervous system, used as a sleep drug. For more information, see: zolpidem.
Zomig

Brand name for zolmitriptan, a triptan drug for the treatment of migraine
Zona

1. A synonym for shingles. 2. Any zone or encircling area. 3. Any area with a specific boundary. Zona, Latin for a girdle, is a synonym for shingles because it can appear to girdle part of the body.
Zona pellucida

The strong membrane that forms around an ovum as it develops in the ovary. The membrane remains in place during the egg's travels through the Fallopian tube. To fertilize the egg, a sperm must penetrate the thinning…
Zone Diet

The Zone diet is a weight loss plan based upon the idea that the right ratio of carbohydrates to proteins and fats can control levels of insulin in the bloodstream. Too much of the hormone, according to the diet's…
Zoonosis

An infectious disease in animals that can be transmitted to people. The natural reservoir for the infectious agent is a animal. Examples of zoonoses include rabies (a viral disease that can be transmitted to humans…
Zoonotic

Pertaining to a zoonosis: a disease that can be transmitted from animals to people or, more specifically, a disease that normally exists in animals but that can infect humans. There are multitudes of zoonotic diseases…
Zoonotic disease

Any disease that is spread from animals to people. There are many known zoonotic diseases, some of them very familiar such as Lyme disease and malaria. Less familiar zoonotic diseases (beginning with the letters 'a' and…
Zoonotic transfer

The transmission of a disease from an animal host to a human. Infections transmitted from their animal host of origin to people may have a very severe impact. Hantavirus is an example. See also: Zoonosis; Zoonotic…
Zooparasite

A living parasite, such as a worm or protozoa
Zoophilia

A sexual disorder involving an erotic attraction to animals or an abnormal desire to have sexual contact with animals. Zoophilia is one form of paraphilia (deviant sexual behavior)
Zoophobia

An abnormal and persistent fear of animals. A phobia is an unreasonable fear that can cause avoidance and panic. Phobias are a relatively common type of anxiety disorder. Phobias can be treated with cognitive behavioral…
Zovirax

Brand name of Acyclovir
Zygoma

The part of the temporal bone of the skull that forms the prominence of the cheek. The zygoma is also known as the zygomatic bone or arch, the malar bone, the cheek bone and the yoke bone. The word 'zygomatic' comes…
Zygomatic arch

The part of the temporal bone of the skull that forms the prominence of the cheek. The zygomatic arch is also known as the zygomatic bone, the zygoma, the malar bone, the cheek bone and the yoke bone. The word…
Zygomatic bone

The part of the temporal bone of the skull that forms the prominence of the cheek. The zygomatic bone is also known as the zygomatic arch, the zygoma, the malar bone, the cheek bone and the yoke bone. The word…
Zygomycosis

A dangerous infection caused by a water-borne fungus. Zygomycosis is seen most often in patients who are already ill with diseases that cause wasting, such as AIDS or poorly controlled diabetes. If unchecked, the fungal…
Zygote

The cell formed by the union of a male sex cell (a sperm) and a female sex cell (an ovum). The zygote develops into the embryo following the instruction encoded in its genetic material, the DNA. The unification of a…