Author: Glossary

Birth of a child by Caesarean section after the death of the mother. The birth of a baby that occurs after its father has passed away.  

Posterior lobe of the pituitary gland that secretes two hormones: antidiuretic hormone, or vasopressin, which acts on the kidney to reduce urine production; and oxytocin, which produces contractions of the pregnant uterus and causes milk to flow from the breasts of lactating women; also called neurohypophysis.  

Communication surgically created between the portal vein and the inferior vena cava so that blood drained from abdominal organs bypasses the liver and is channeled directly to the inferior vena cava for movement to the heart; it is used to decrease portal hypertension. Surgical creation of a connection between the portal vein and the vena…

Presence of one or more extra chromosomes in somatic cells as a result of nondisjunction of chromosomes during gamete formation. It is usually associated with congenital defects.  

Arising from different cell types or lines. Often used regarding antibodies that arise from many different cellular sources in the body. Compare to monoclonal, arising from similar cell types or lines.  

Vaccine prepared from poliovirus to provide immunity to poliomyelitis. The live oral form of the vaccine, called the Sabin vaccine, is routinely given to children under the age of 18; inactivated polio vaccine, known as the Salk vaccine, usually is given subcutaneously to infants and unvaccinated adults.  

Depigmentation (loss of normal pigment) of the hair. Whiteness of the hair, especially when due to a hereditary condition or as a result of infection. Early onset of grey hair.  

Technique for X-ray visualization of some brain tissues that involves the injection of oxygen or other gas into the ventricles of the brain to displace cerebrospinal fluid and provide a contrast medium. An X-ray study of fluid-containing structures of the brain, using sterile gas injected into the spinal cord as contrast medium. A technique used…

Infection with the organism Pneumocystis carinii, usually occurring only in infants or immunosuppressed persons (e.g., those with acquired immune deficiency syndrome); usually involves the lungs (pneumonia) and is characterized by fever, cough, rapid breathing, and cyanosis. This form of pneumonia may be fatal. Current treatment includes pentamidine and sulfa drugs (e.g., Bactrim); other agents are…

Active immunizing agent effective against the 23 most common strains of Pneumococcus, associated with many, but not all, cases of pneumococcal pneumonia. Once vaccinated, a person has immunity for at least 5 years.