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Glossary

Showing 971-980 out of 1202 Terms

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  • Puberty

    PYOO-ber-tee

    The time of life when a child experiences physical and hormonal changes that mark a transition into adulthood. The child develops secondary sexual characteristics and becomes able to have children. Secondary sexual characteristics include growth of pubic, armpit, and leg hair; breast enlargement; and increased hip width in girls. In boys, they include growth of pubic, face, chest and armpit hair; voice changes; penis and testicle growth, and increased shoulder width.

  • Pulmonary

    (PUL-muh-NAYR-ee)

    Having to do with the lungs.

  • Pulmonary angiogram

    Pulmonary angiography is a test to see how blood flows through the lung. Angiography is an imaging test that uses x-rays and a special dye to see the insides of the arteries. Arteries are blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart.

  • Pulmonary fibrosis

    Thickened tissue in your lungs causing cough, difficulty breathing, and X-ray changes.

  • Pulmonary function test

    (PUL-muh-NAYR-ee FUNK-shun ...)

    A test used to measure how well the lungs work. It measures how much air the lungs can hold and how quickly air is moved into and out of the lungs. It also measures how much oxygen is used and how much carbon dioxide is given off during breathing. A pulmonary function test can be used to diagnose a lung disease and to see how well treatment for the disease is working. Also called lung function test and PFT.

  • Pulse oximeter

    A device that measures the oxygen saturation of arterial blood in a subject by utilizing a sensor attached typically to a finger, toe, or ear to determine the percentage of oxyhemoglobin in blood pulsating through a network of capillaries.

  • Pulse oximetry

    Pulse oximetry is a test that uses a small, clip-like device called a pulse oximeter (Pulse Ox) to measure oxygen levels in your blood.

  • Quality of life

    KWAH-lih-tee ... life

    The overall enjoyment of life. Many clinical trials assess the effects of cancer and its treatment on the quality of life. These studies measure aspects of an individual’s sense of well-being and ability to carry out activities of daily living.

  • REM sleep

    The phase of sleep in which most dreams occur. During REM sleep, a person’s brain activity, breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure increase, and the eyes move rapidly while closed. The muscles in the arms and legs become temporarily unable to move. REM sleep is thought to play an important role in memory and learning. Also called rapid eye movement sleep.

  • RSV

    A virus that causes respiratory infections with cold-like symptoms. Also called respiratory syncytial virus.