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Glossary

Showing 911-920 out of 1196 Terms

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  • Pediatrician

    (PEE-dee-uh-TRIH-shun)

    A doctor who has special training in preventing, diagnosing, and treating diseases and injuries in children. Pediatricians also help manage other problems that affect children, such as developmental disorders and behavioral, emotional, and social problems.

  • Pelvic

    (PEL-vik)

    Having to do with the pelvis. The pelvis is the area of the body below the abdomen that is located between the hip bones and contains the bladder and rectum. In females, it also contains the vagina, cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. In males, it also contains the prostate and seminal vesicles.

  • Pelvis

    (PEL-vus)

    The area of the body below the abdomen that contains the hip bones, bladder, and rectum. In females, it also contains the vagina, cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. In males, it also contains the prostate and seminal vesicles.

  • Penicillin

    (PEH-nih-SIH-lin)

    A drug that is used to treat infection. It belongs to the family of drugs called antibiotics.

  • Penis

    (PEE-nis)

    An external male reproductive organ. It contains a tube called the urethra, which carries semen and urine to the outside of the body.

  • Peripheral

    Near the surface; distant. Peripheral nerves are those in your arms and legs; peripheral veins are those generally used for IV's.

  • Peritoneal Cavity

    (PAYR-ih-toh-NEE-ul KA-vuh-tee)

    The space within the abdomen that contains the intestines, the stomach, and the liver. It is bound by thin membranes.

  • 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.