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Glossary

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  • Vein

    (vayn)

    A blood vessel that carries blood to the heart from tissues and organs in the body.

  • Venous access catheter

    (VEE-nus ... KA-theh-ter)

    A thin, flexible tube that is inserted into a large vein, usually in the arm, chest, or leg. It is used to give intravenous fluids, blood transfusions, and chemotherapy and other drugs, and for taking blood samples. It avoids the need for repeated needle sticks.

  • Ventricle

    VEN-trih-kul

    A fluid-filled cavity in the heart or brain.

  • Ventricles

    (VEN-trih-kuls)

    Fluid-filled cavities in the heart or brain.

  • Vertigo

    Dizziness, especially the feeling that your surroundings are swirling.

  • Vestibular schwannoma

    A vestibular schwannoma is a benign, usually slow-growing tumor that develops from the balance and hearing nerves supplying the inner ear. Also known as acoustic neuroma, acoustic neurinoma, or acoustic neurilemoma.

  • Vincristine

    (vin-KRIS-teen)

    The active ingredient in a drug used to treat acute leukemia. It is sometimes used with other drugs to treat Hodgkin lymphoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, neuroblastoma, and Wilms tumor. It is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer. Vincristine blocks cell growth by stopping cell division. It is a type of vinca alkaloid and a type of antimitotic agent.

  • Virus

    In medicine, a very simple microorganism that infects cells and may cause disease. Because viruses can multiply only inside infected cells, they are not considered to be alive.

  • Visceral

    (VIH-seh-rul)

    Having to do with the viscera, which are the soft internal organs of the body, including the lungs, the heart, and the organs of the digestive, excretory, reproductive, and circulatory systems.

  • Vitamin A

    (VY-tuh-min …)

    A nutrient that the body needs in small amounts to function and stay healthy. Vitamin A helps in vision, bone growth, reproduction, growth of epithelium (cells that line the internal and external surfaces of the body), and fighting infections. It is fat-soluble (can dissolve in fats and oils). Vitamin A is found in liver, egg yolks, and whole milk dairy products from animals and in fish oils. It can also be made in the body from a substance found in some fruits and vegetables, such as cantaloupes, carrots, spinach, and sweet potatoes. Vitamin A is being studied in the prevention and treatment of some types of cancer. Also called retinol.