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Vaginal hysterectomy
The uterus is removed through the vaginal opening.
Vaginosis, bacterial
Very common vaginal infection characterized by symptoms such as increased vaginal discharge or itching, burning, or redness in the genital area.
Vagotomy
Operation to cut the vagus nerve, which causes the stomach to produce less acid.
Vagus nerve
Nerve in the stomach that controls the production of stomach acid.
Valgus deformity
A lateral inclination of a distal bone of a joint from the midline.
Valve
Fold in the lining of an organ that prevents fluid from flowing backward.
Valves, heart
(the heart valves are tricuspid, pulmonic, mitral, and aortic) - the 'doors' between the chambers of the heart.
Valvuloplasty
Repairing a heart valve.
Varices
Stretched veins such as those that form in the esophagus from cirrhosis.
Varicose vein
An abnormally dilated vein, usually found in the legs.
Varus deformity
A medial inclination of a distal bone of a joint from the midline.
Vascular
Pertaining to blood vessels.
Vasodepressors
A medication that raises blood pressure.
Vasodilator
Agent that widens blood vessels.
Vector
A self-replicating DNA molecule that transfers a DNA segment between host cells.
Vein
A blood vessel that carries blood from the body back into the heart.
Velocardiofacial syndrome
An inherited disorder characterized by cleft palate, heart defects, a characteristic facial appearance, minor learning problems, and speech and feeding problems.
Ventilation
Movement of air (gases) in and out of the lungs.
Ventricle
One of the two pumping chambers of the heart; the right ventricle receives oxygen-poor blood from the right atrium and pumps it to the lungs through the pulmonary artery; the left ventricle receives oxygen-rich blood from the left atrium and pumps it to t
Ventricular fibrillation
A condition in which the ventricles contract in rapid and unsynchronized rhythms and cannot pump blood into the body.
Vertebral artery testing
Evaluation procedure to assess the relationship between cervical spine movement and symptoms which may be vertebrobasilar in origin.
Vestibular neuronitis
Infection at the vestibular nerve.
Vestibular system
System in the body that is responsible for maintaining the body�s orientation in space, balance, and posture; regulates locomotion and other movements and keeps objects in visual focus as the body moves.
Vestibule
Bony cavity of the inner ear.
Vibrotactile AIDS
Mechanical instruments that help individuals who are deaf detect and interpret sound through the sense of touch.
Villi
Tiny, finger-like projections on the surface of the small intestine that help absorb nutrients.
Viral hepatitis
Hepatitis caused by a virus. Five different viruses (A, B, C, D, and E) most commonly cause this form of hepatitis. Other rare viruses may also cause hepatitis. (See also hepatitis.)
Virus
A noncellular biological entity that can reproduce only within a host cell. Viruses consist of nucleic acid covered by protein; some animal viruses are also surrounded by membrane. Inside the infected cell, the virus uses the synthetic capability of the host to produce progeny virus.
Vitamin
A group of organic micronutrients, present in minute quantities in natural foodstuffs, that are essential to normal metabolism.
Vitamin D Deficiency
(ricketts and osteomalacia) In children, the condition prevents normal bone development; in adults, a lack of vitamin D causes demineralization of bone, particularly in the spine, pelvis, and lower extremities.
Vitamin D Intoxication
A disorder marked by weight loss, nausea, vomiting, and impaired renal function.
Vitrectomy
An operation to remove the blood that sometimes collects at the back of the eyes when a person has eye disease.
Vitreous body
A clear, jelly-like substance that fills the center of the eye.
VNTR
Variable number tandem repeats; any gene whose alleles contain different numbers of tandemly repeated oligonucleotide sequences.
Vocal cord paralysis
Inability of one or both vocal folds (vocal cords) to move because of damage to the brain or nerves.
Vocal cords (VOCAL FOLDS)
Muscularized folds of mucous membrane that extend from the larynx (voice box) wall; enclosed in elastic vocal ligament and muscle that control the tension and rate of vibration of the cords as air passes through them.
Vocal tremor
Trembling or shaking of one or more of the muscles of the larynx - resulting in an unsteady-sounding voice.
Voice
Sound produced by air passing out through the larynx and upper respiratory tract.
Voice disorders
Group of problems involving abnormal pitch, loudness, or quality of the sound produced by the larynx (voice box).
Volvulus
Twisting of the stomach or large intestine.
Vomiting
Release of stomach contents through the mouth.
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