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Glossary

Showing 901-910 out of 1156 Terms

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  • Pertussis

    (per-TUH-sis)

    A serious bacterial infection of the lungs and breathing tubes that spreads easily. Pertussis begins like a cold, but develops into severe coughing and gasping for air. Long spells of coughing may cause vomiting, and broken blood vessels in the eyes and on the skin. Also called whooping cough.

  • Petechiae

    (peh-TEE-kee-ee)

    Pinpoint, unraised, round red spots under the skin caused by bleeding.

  • Ph

    A measure of how acidic or basic a substance or solution is. pH is measured on a scale of 0 to 14. On this scale, a pH value of 7 is neutral, which means it is neither acidic nor basic. A pH value of less than 7 means it is more acidic, and a pH value of more than 7 means it is more basic. In medicine, having the right pH in the blood and other body fluids is important for the body to work the way it should.

  • Phantom limb pain

    (FAN-tum lim payn)

    The sensation of pain or other unpleasant feelings in the place of a missing (phantom) limb.

  • Pharmacogenetics

    (FAR-muh-koh-jeh-NEH-tix)

    The study of how a person’s genes affect the way he or she responds to drugs. Pharmacogenetics is being used to learn ahead of time what the best drug or the best dose of a drug will be for a person. Also called pharmacogenomics.

  • Pharmacokinetics

    (FAR-muh-koh-kih-NEH-tix)

    The activity of drugs in the body over a period of time, including the processes by which drugs are absorbed, distributed in the body, localized in the tissues, and excreted.

  • Pharmacology

    (FAR-muh-KAH-loh-jee)

    The study of the origin, chemistry, and uses of drugs and their effects on the body.

  • Pharyngitis

    Inflammation of the throat; sore throat.

  • Pharynx

    (FAYR-inx)

    The hollow tube inside the neck that starts behind the nose and ends at the top of the trachea (windpipe) and esophagus (the tube that goes to the stomach). The pharynx is about 5 inches long, depending on body size. Also called throat.

  • Phenylketonuria

    (FEH-nil-KEE-tone-yoor-ee-uh)

    An inherited disorder that causes a build-up of phenylalanine (an amino acid) in the blood. This can cause mental retardation, behavioral and movement problems, seizures, and delayed development. Using a blood test, PKU can easily be found in newborns, and treatment is a diet low in phenylalanine. Also called PKU.