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Glossary

Showing 341-350 out of 1156 Terms

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  • Dietary supplement

    (DY-uh-TAYR-ee SUH-pleh-ment)

    A product that is added to the diet. A dietary supplement is taken by mouth, and usually contains one or more dietary ingredient (such as vitamin, mineral, herb, amino acid, and enzyme). Also called nutritional supplement.

  • Dietitian

    (dy-eh-TIH-shun)

    A health professional with special training in nutrition who can help with dietary choices. Also called nutritionist.

  • Differential count

    See complete blood count.

  • Differentiation

    (DIH-feh-REN-shee-AY-shun)

    In biology, describes the processes by which immature cells become mature cells with specific functions. In cancer, this describes how much or how little tumor tissue looks like the normal tissue it came from. Well-differentiated cancer cells look more like normal cells and tend to grow and spread more slowly than poorly differentiated or undifferentiated cancer cells. Differentiation is used in tumor grading systems, which are different for each type of cancer.

  • Diffuse

    (dih-FYOOS)

    Widely spread; not localized or confined.

  • Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma

    (dih-FYOOS in-TRIN-sik PON-teen glee-OH-muh)

    A type of central nervous system tumor that forms from glial (supportive) tissue of the brain and spinal cord. Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma usually occurs in children. It forms in the brain stem.

  • Digestion

    (dy-JES-chun)

    The process of breaking down food into substances the body can use for energy, tissue growth, and repair.

  • Digestive system

    (dy-JES-tiv SIS-tem)

    The organs that take in food and turn it into products that the body can use to stay healthy. Waste products the body cannot use leave the body through bowel movements. The digestive system includes the salivary glands, mouth, esophagus, stomach, liver, pancreas, gallbladder, small and large intestines, and rectum.

  • Digestive tract

    (dy-JES-tiv trakt)

    The organs that food and liquids travel through when they are swallowed, digested, absorbed, and leave the body as feces. These organs include the mouth, pharynx (throat), esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, and anus. The digestive tract is part of the digestive system. Also called alimentary tract and gastrointestinal tract.

  • Dilate

    To widen or enlarge an opening or hollow structure beyond its usual size, such as the pupil of the eye or a blood vessel.