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Glossary

Showing 101-110 out of 1156 Terms

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  • Benign

    (beh-NINE)

    Not malignant or cancerous.

  • Benzodiazepine

    (BEN-zoh-dy-A-zeh-peen)

    A type of drug used to relieve anxiety and insomnia (trouble sleeping). Benzodiazepines are also used to relax muscles and prevent seizures. They increase the effect of a chemical in the brain called GABA, which is a neurotransmitter (a substance that nerves use to send messages to one another). This causes brain activity to slow down. Benzodiazepines are a type of CNS depressant.

  • Bereavement

    (beh-REEV-ment)

    A state of sadness, grief, and mourning after the loss of a loved one.

  • Beta-human chorionic gonadotropin

    (BAY-tuh-HYOO-mun KOR-ee-AH-nik goh-NA-doh-TROH-pin)

    A hormone found in the blood and urine during pregnancy. It may also be found in higher than normal amounts in patients with some types of cancer, including testicular, ovarian, liver, stomach, and lung cancers, and in other disorders. Measuring the amount of beta-human chorionic gonadotropin in the blood or urine of cancer patients may help to diagnose cancer and find out how well cancer treatment is working. Beta-human chorionic gonadotropin is a type of tumor marker. Also called beta-hCG.

  • Bilateral

    (by-LA-teh-rul)

    Affecting both the left and right sides of the body.

  • Bile

    (bile)

    A fluid made by the liver and stored in the gallbladder. Bile is excreted into the small intestine, where it helps digest fat.

  • Bilirubin

    (BIH-lih-ROO-bin)

    Substance formed when red blood cells are broken down. Bilirubin is part of the bile, which is made in the liver and is stored in the gallbladder. The abnormal buildup of bilirubin causes jaundice.

  • Biological

    (BY-oh-LAH-jih-kul)

    In medicine, refers to a substance made from a living organism or its products.

  • Biological agent

    (BY-oh-LAH-jih-kul AY-jent)

    A substance that is made from a living organism or its products and is used in the prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of cancer and other diseases. Biological agents include antibodies, interleukins, and vaccines. Also called biologic agent and biological drug.

  • Biological profile

    (BY-oh-LAH-jih-kul PROH-file)

    A summary of the biological actions of a substance. A biological profile may come from patient data or from tests done in the laboratory or in anima.