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G spot
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The area of sexually sensitive tissue located on the roof of the vagina just inside the opening. Also known as the Grafenberg spot.
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gain
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gait cycle
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The cycle that the feet and legs make when walking, beginning when one heel hits the ground and ending when the same heel hits the ground again.
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galactogogue
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A substance that promotes breast milk production.
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gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)
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A chemical messenger in the brain that may help decrease anxiety and promote
slow-wave sleep.
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ganglion
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An abnormal but harmless mass of
tissue, usually nerve
cells.
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ganglion cyst
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A harmless sac of fluid on top of a joint or
tendon, usually on the wrist or back of the hand.
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gangrene
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Death of
tissue in part of the body because blood has stopped flowing there.
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gastric
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gastritis
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gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
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gastrointestinal
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gastrointestinal tract
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gene
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Structures on
chromosomes that are passed from parent to child. The basic unit of material that passes traits from parent to child.
Related health topics:
Alcohol Dependence (Alcoholism) ,
Alzheimer's Disease ,
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS),
Bipolar Disorder (Manic Depressive Illness or Manic Depression) ,
Crohn's Disease,
Cystic Fibrosis,
Fallopian Tube Cancer,
Fragile X Syndrome ,
Hodgkin Lymphoma,
Huntington's Disease (Chorea),
Kidney Cancer,
Macular Degeneration,
Multiple Sclerosis,
Retinitis Pigmentosa,
Schizophrenia ,
Sickle Cell Anemia
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gene therapy
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Correction of a
genetic defect by replacing an abnormal
gene with a normal gene.
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generic drug
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A copy of a brand-name drug whose patent has expired. These drugs are less expensive than brand-name drugs.
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genetic
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Referring to inherited characteristics or
genes.
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genistein
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An
antioxidant chemical found in certain plants, like soybeans.
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geriatric care manager
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A trained medical professional who helps families who are caring for older adults.
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geriatrician
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A physician who specializes in the care of older patients.
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gestational diabetes mellitus
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A form of
diabetes that appears during pregnancy.
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giant cell arteritis
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gingiva
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Another term for gums: a form of oral tissue that covers the
roots of teeth and surrounding bone.
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gingivitis
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Inflammation of the gums.
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gland
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Any organ or
tissue that secretes fluids, such as
hormones, for use elsewhere in the body or as waste.
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glans penis
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The head of the penis.
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glaucoma
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A condition in which the pressure inside the eye is too high, causing eye damage.
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Gleason score
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In men with
prostate cancer, the Gleason score provides a rough estimate of how fast the cancer is growing.
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glenohumeral joint
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A shoulder
joint that connects the ball of the humerus to the
glenoid.
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glenoid
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The socket of the scapula that connects to the humerus at the shoulder.
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glomerular filtration rate (GFR)
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The rate at which the kidneys filter excess water and other wastes. A test by the same name is used to determine how well the kidneys are functioning.
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glomeruli
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Tiny clusters of
capillaries in the kidneys that filter waste products from the blood.
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glucagon
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glucocorticoids
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glucose
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A simple sugar that is the body's main source of energy.
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glucose intolerance
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Blood sugar levels that are higher than normal, but not yet high enough for a diagnosis of
diabetes.
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glutamate
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A chemical messenger in the brain that may play a role in mood disorders and schizophrenia.
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glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD)
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glycemic index
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A ranking of foods according to how quickly and how much they raise blood sugar.
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glycemic load
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A ranking of how much a typical serving of a particular food will raise blood sugar.
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glycogen
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The body's fuel reserves. This substance, stored primarily in the
liver and muscles, is later converted into
glucose to provide
cells with energy.
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glycohemoglobin (HbA1c) test
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A blood test that reflects average blood sugar levels over the preceding two to three months by measuring the amount of glucose adhering to hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells. The product formed by the attachment of glucose to hemoglobin is known as hemoglobin A1c, or HbA1c.
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glycosylated hemoglobin test
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A test for a person with
diabetes that shows how well blood sugar levels are being controlled.
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GnRH antagonists
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Drugs used to treat
prostate cancer by blocking the release of luteinizing hormone that do not cause a temporary surge in testosterone.
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goblet cells
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goiter
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An enlarged thyroid
gland that creates a lump in the neck.
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gonioscopy
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A test used to detect
glaucoma that examines the area where fluid drains out of the eye.
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gout
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A form of
arthritis that occurs when uric acid builds up in the joints; The big toe, knee, and ankle joints are most often affected.
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graft
-
Transplanting
tissue from one part of the body to another.
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gram (g)
-
A metric unit of weight equivalent to one-thousandth of a kilogram.
