This page is for testing an online glossary referenced from within a Storyline 360 course.
Browse dictionary by letter:
A | B |
A
5-alpha reductase: A chemical that changes the sex hormone testosterone into a substance called dihydrotestosterone. This hormone can cause the prostate gland to grow abnormally.
abdominal muscles: A flat sheet of muscles on the front of the abdomen, between the ribcage and the pelvis.
abdominoplasty: A procedure to remove excess abdominal skin and tighten the underlying stomach muscles. Also known as a tummy tuck.
abduction: Movement of a body part, such as an arm or leg, away from the center of the body.
ablation: A form of treatment that uses electrical energy, heat, cold, alcohol, or other modalities to destroy a small section of damaged tissue.
abrasion: A scraping or rubbing away of the skin or other surface.
abscess: Pus that collects in a pocket of swollen, red tissue. Often occurs on the surface of the skin.
abutment: A tooth or implant to which a fixed prosthesis is anchored.
acceptance-based therapies: Psychotherapy techniques that use mindfulness to help a person recognize and accept thoughts and feelings but not be controlled by them.
accommodation: The eye’s ability to focus on objects that are close.
B
B cell: White blood cells that come from bone marrow, and produce antibodies to fight off disease.
bacteria: Tiny single-celled organisms. Some bacteria cause disease, although most are harmless.
balance: Ability to maintain equilibrium while stationary or moving.
balloon angioplasty: A procedure to open clogged heart arteries. A surgeon inserts and inflates a tiny balloon. It widens the blocked artery then expands a small wire mesh tube to keep the artery open.
balloon dilation: A surgical procedure to open a narrowed vessel or tube, such as the urethra, esophagus, or artery. A small, deflated balloon is inserted into the area and inflated to widen it.
bariatric surgery: One of several types of weight loss surgery performed on people who are dangerously overweight, to restrict or reduce food intake and/or absorption.
barium study: An imaging test that allows doctors to see the inside of the esophagus and upper stomach. It involves swallowing a barium solution, which coats the esophagus and makes it possible for x-rays to see the inside of the intestine.
Barrett’s esophagus: The abnormal growth of stomach or small intestine cells in the esophagus, resulting from damage caused by the reflux of stomach acid; occasionally may transform into cancer.
basal cell carcinoma: The most common skin cancer. Basal cell carcinoma doesn’t spread to internal organs.
basal ganglia: Clusters of nerve cells deep in the brain that play an important role in movement.
baseline EKG: An electrocardiogram (EKG) tracing taken in a healthy individual for later comparison to subsequent EKGs.