-
labile hypertension
-
Blood pressure that frequently fluctuates between normal and abnormal during the course of a day, often within only a few minutes.
-
labyrinth
-
The inner ear. It contains the cochlea, which is responsible for hearing, as well as structures that are needed for balance.
-
laceration
-
A tear in the skin.
-
lacrimal gland
-
The
gland that produces tears.
-
lactase
-
An
enzyme that breaks down milk sugar (lactose) in the body.
-
lactic acidosis
-
A rare but potentially lethal condition in which blood lactic acid levels increase.
-
lactose
-
A sugar found in milk and dairy products.
-
lactose intolerance
-
The inability of the body to easily digest lactose, a sugar found in milk and dairy products.
-
lacunar stroke
-
A small ischemic stroke caused by the blockage of one of the smaller blood vessels in the brain; the most common effect is weakness or disability on one side of the body.
-
lamellar bone
-
Hard, dense
tissue that forms the outer shell of bones. Also called compact bone.
-
lamina
-
One of the two thin, plate-like parts of each
vertebra.
-
laminectomy
-
An operation in which all or part of one or both
laminae is removed.
-
Langerhans cells
-
Cells of the immune system that work in the skin to fight infection.
-
lanugo hair
-
Fine, soft hair that grows all over the body of a fetus and is typically shed before birth.
-
laparoscopy
-
A surgical procedure carried out with tiny instruments inserted through small openings in the skin.
-
laser
-
A concentrated beam of light; lasers are used in certain surgeries and other medical procedures.
-
laser assisted uvula-palatoplasty (LAUP)
-
A surgical procedure to ease snoring by removing or reshaping some of the
tissues in the mouth (usually the
uvula and soft palate) that vibrate and cause the noise of snoring.
-
laser hair removal
-
Permanent hair removal technique that uses a laser to target and heat melanin in the
hair shaft, which damages the hair follicle.
-
laser photocoagulation
-
Surgery that uses a
laser to seal off
blood vessels in the eye; used to treat a number of eye diseases.
-
laser prostatectomy
-
A surgical technique for treating an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia). It uses a high-energy laser to remove large amounts of prostate tissue with little bleeding.
-
latex allergy
-
-
laxative
-
A drug or substance that induces
bowel movements or makes the stool softer and looser.
-
LDL
-
-
learned insomnia
-
When fear of not sleeping develops after a short period of not sleeping well, and this anxiety causes ongoing trouble falling or staying asleep.
-
LED photomodulation
-
Use of a panel of bright lights (LEDs) to stimulate skin
cells and improve the look of the skin.
-
left anterior descending coronary artery
-
One of the main
arteries that supplies blood to the heart; It runs down the front surface of the heart.
-
left atrium
-
The left upper chamber of the heart.
-
left circumflex coronary artery
-
One of the main
arteries that supplies blood to the heart; it curves around the back of the heart.
-
left ventricle
-
The left lower chamber of the heart. It pumps blood out of the heart to other organs in the body.
-
left ventricular hypertrophy
-
A thickening of the wall of the lower left chamber of the heart, which is responsible for pumping blood to organs throughout the body.
-
left-ventricular assist device (LVAD)
-
A surgically implanted pump that augments the pumping action of the left ventricle.
-
lensometer
-
A device used to check the prescription of eyeglasses.
-
leptin
-
A hormone produced by fat cells that acts on the brain to suppress appetite and burn stored fat.
-
lesion
-
An infected, diseased, or wounded area of
tissue.
-
leukotriene blockers
-
Asthma medications that work by blocking
leukotrienes, chemicals made in the body as part of an allergic reaction.
-
leukotriene modifiers
-
Asthma medications that work by blocking the production or action of leukotrienes, chemicals made in the body as part of an allergic reaction.
-
leukotrienes
-
Chemicals that cause airways to swell when an
allergic reaction occurs or in diseases like
asthma.
-
levothyroxine sodium
-
A man-made version of the thyroid
hormone thyroxine.
-
libido
-
Sexual desire.
-
lice (Pediculus humanus capitis)
-
A blood-sucking parasite that can cause an itchy scalp; infestations are highly contagious and especially common in school-age children.
-
ligament
-
A band of
tissue that connects bones.
-
ligature
-
Any material that is tied around a
blood vessel to stop it from bleeding.
-
lignans
-
Antioxidant chemicals found in seeds like flax and sesame, as well as some fruits, vegetables, and grains.
-
limbic system
-
A group of structures in the brain that help control memory, emotions, sexual
arousal, and motivation.
-
limbus
-
The border between the
cornea and the white of the eye.
-
liothyronine sodium
-
-
lipase
-
-
lipids
-
Fats, oils, and waxes that serve as building blocks for cells or as energy sources. Lipids are also capable of accumulating in the artery walls to form
plaque.
-
lipoatrophy
-
Dents or depressions in the skin that are caused by a loss of fatty
tissue.
-
lipohypertrophy
-
