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Medical Dictionary Terms Beginning with P
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Pancreas, artificial
Pancreas, artificial: A machine that constantly measures glucose (sugar) in the blood and, in response to an elevated level of glucose, releases an appropriate amount of insulin. In this respect, the machine functions like a natural pancreas.more detail info...
Pancreatic
Pancreatic: Having to do with the pancreas.more detail info...
Pancreatic alpha cell
Pancreatic alpha cell: A type of cell in the pancreas (the organ of the digestive system located behind the stomach). Within the pancreas, the alpha cells are located in areas called the islets of Langerhans. Alpha cells make and release glucagonmore detail info...
Pancreatic beta cell
Pancreatic beta cell: A type of cell in the pancreas (the organ of the digestive system located behind the stomach). Within the pancreas, the beta cells are located in areas called the islets of Langerhans. They constitute the predominant type ofmore detail info...
Pancreatic cancer
Pancreatic cancer: Cancer of the pancreas. When pancreatic cancer spreads, it usually travels through the lymphatic system. Surgeons often remove lymph nodes near the pancreas to learn whether they contain cancer cells.more detail info...
Pancreatic delta cell
Pancreatic delta cell: A type of cell in the pancreas (the organ of the digestive system located behind the stomach). Within the pancreas, the delta cells are located in areas called the islets of Langerhans. The delta cells make somatostatin, amore detail info...
Pancreatic insufficiency
Pancreatic insufficiency: Not enough of the digestive enzymes normally secreted by the pancreas into the intestine. Pancreatic insufficiency is a hallmark of cystic fibrosis.more detail info...
Pancreatic juices
Pancreatic juices: Fluids made by the pancreas that contain digestive enzymes.more detail info...
Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis: Inflammation of the pancreas. Of many diverse causes, the most common are alcohol and gallstones.more detail info...
Pancytopenia
Pancytopenia: A shortage of all types of blood cells.more detail info...
Pancytopenia, Fanconi
Pancytopenia, Fanconi: A genetic (inherited) disease with progressive decline in blood cells and a tendency to leukemia. Also known as Fanconi anemia.more detail info...
Pandemic
Pandemic: An epidemic (sudden outbreak) that is very widespread and, for example, affects a whole region, a continent, or the world.more detail info...
Pandiculation
Pandiculation: One of the more wondrous medical words, pandiculation is the act of stretching and yawning. (If in a public place, you might consider demonstating the versatility of your vocabulary by saying, &Sorry, but I feel the need to pandiculmore detail info...
Panencephalitis, subacute sclerosing (SSPE)
Panencephalitis, subacute sclerosing (SSPE): A chronic brain disease of children and adolescents that occurs months to often years after an attack of measles, causing convulsions, motor abnormalities, mental retardation and, usually, death.more detail info...
Panic disorder
Panic disorder: Symptoms of panic attack usually begin abruptly and include rapid heartbeat, chest sensations, shortness of breath, dizziness, tingling, and anxiousness. Treatments include several medications and psychotherapy.more detail info...
Pap test
Pap test: The examination under the microscope of cells collected from the cervix, smeared on a slide and specially stained to reveal premalignant and malignant changes as well as changes due to noncancerous conditions such as inflammation. The temore detail info...
Papillary muscle
Papillary muscle: Small muscles within the heart which anchor the heart valves.more detail info...
Papillary tumor
Papillary tumor: A tumor shaped like a small mushroom with its stem attached to the inner lining of the bladder.more detail info...
Papilledema
Papilledema: Swelling around the optic nerve, usually due to pressure on the nerve by a tumor.more detail info...
Papilloma
Papilloma: A benign tumor that projects above the surface of the tissue from which it arises. Papillomas have clearcut borders and are usually small and fairly round.more detail info...