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Glossary

Showing 351-360 out of 1184 Terms

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  • 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.

  • Dilute

    (dy-LOOT)

    To make something thinner, weaker, less concentrated, or less pure by adding something to it.

  • Discharge

    (DIS-charj)

    In medicine, a fluid that comes out of the body. Discharge can be normal or a sign of disease. Discharge also means release of a patient from care.

  • Disease

    A condition that prevents the body from working normally.

  • Disease progression

    (dih-ZEEZ pruh-GREH-shun)

    Cancer that continues to grow or spread.

  • Disease-free survival rate

    (dih-ZEEZ ... ser-VY-vul)

    In cancer, the length of time after primary treatment for a cancer ends that the patient survives without any signs or symptoms of that cancer. In a clinical trial, measuring the disease-free survival is one way to see how well a new treatment works. Also called DFS, relapse-free survival, and RFS.

  • Disinfectant

    (DIS-in-fek-tunt)

    Any substance or process that is used primarily on non-living objects to kill germs, such as viruses, bacteria, and other microorganisms that can cause infection and disease. Most disinfectants are harsh chemicals but sometimes heat or radiation may be used.

  • Disorder

    (dis-OR-der)

    In medicine, a disturbance of normal functioning of the mind or body. Disorders may be caused by genetic factors, disease, or trauma.