Menu Close

Glossary

Showing 461-470 out of 1184 Terms

We're sorry, it looks like there has been an error. Please try again soon.

  • Focal

    (FOH-kul)

    In terms of cancer, limited to a specific area.

  • Foley

    A catheter with an inflatable balloon tip for retention in the bladder.

  • Follicle

    (FAH-lih-kul)

    A sac or pouch-like cavity formed by a group of cells. In the ovaries, one follicle contains one egg. In the skin, one follicle contains one hair.

  • Follicle-stimulating hormone

    (FAH-lih-kul-STIM-yoo-LAY-ting HOR-mone)

    A hormone made in the pituitary gland. In females, it acts on the ovaries to make the follicles and eggs grow. In males, it acts on the testes to make sperm. Also called follitropin and FSH.

  • Follow-up care

    (FAH-loh-up kayr)

    Care given to a patient over time after finishing treatment for a disease. Follow-up care involves regular medical checkups, which may include a physical exam, blood tests, and imaging tests. Follow-up care checks for health problems that may occur months or years after treatment ends, including the development of other types of cancer. Follow-up care is given after positive screening test results, such as a positive Pap test result. In cancer patients, one purpose of follow-up care is checking to see if the cancer has come back or has spread to other parts of the body.

  • Foot drop

    Weakness in your foot muscles.

  • Frontal lobe

    One of the four subdivisions of the cerebral cortex. The frontal lobe has a role in controlling movement and in the planning and coordinating of behavior. (from BrainFacts.org)

  • Fulminant infectious mononucleosis

    Fulminant infectious mononucleosis (FIM) is a rare but life-threatening complication of Epstein-Barr virus infection that usually affects individuals with compromised immune systems. (Source: Postmortem diagnosis of fulminant infectious mononucleosis, Journal of Medical Society)

  • Fungi

    A group of micro organisms larger than either bacteria or viruses, which occasionally cause serious infection when your resistance is lowered.

  • G tube

    (... toob)

    A tube inserted through the wall of the abdomen directly into the stomach. It allows air and fluid to leave the stomach and can be used to give drugs and liquids, including liquid food, to the patient. Giving food through a gastrostomy tube is a type of enteral nutrition. Also called PEG tube and percutaneous endoscopic tube.