Medical dictionary

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B-cell: B-cells are a type ofwhite blood cell which produceantibodies.
B lymphocyte: a type of white blood cell normally involved in the production ofantibodies to combat infection.
Bacilli: rod-shaped bacteria.
Bacillus: see bacteria.
Bacteraemia: the presence of bacteria in the blood.
Bacteria: microscopic organisms which cause many types of infectious disease, for example pneumonia.
Bactericide: anti-bacterial drug.
Bacteriological: bacteria study-related.
Bacteriostatic: antibiotic.
Bacteroid: bacteria-like.
Balanitis: swollen penis.
Bandage: a material used to wrap a body part for protection or to assist healing.
Barium: a chalky liquid used in conjunction with X-rays as a diagnostic test.
Barrett's oesophagus: ulcer of the lower oesophagus caused by the presence of cells normally found in the stomach lining.
Bartholin's glands: glands with a duct that opens into the vulva near the vagina and that, during sexual arousal, secrete a lubricating fluid.
Basal: base.
Basal metabolic rate (BMR): the rate that the body uses energy while at rest.
Basophil: a type ofwhite blood cell which is involved in allergic and inflammatory reactions. Normally present in low numbers in the blood.
Basophilia: an increase in the number of basophilsin the blood.
Baker's cyst: a cyst that occurs behind the knee, caused by arthritis.
Batten disease: a fatal, inherited disorder of the nervous system that begins in childhood. Further info.
Behçet's syndrome: is characterised by painful oral and genital ulcers, inflammatory eye disease, and skin lesions. It is a rare disorder in Europe and America but more common in Japan and some Middle Eastern countries.
Bence-jones protein: a characteristic protein found in the urine of most patients with multiple myeloma. It is derived from the antibodies produced by the cancerous myeloma cells and can be used to help in diagnosis of the disease and to monitor the effects of treatment.
Benign: non-cancerous growths that may or may not need to be surgically removed.
Beriberi: a nervous disease of the arms and legs caused by a deficiency of thiamine.
Beta-blockers: a class of drugs that slow the heart and lower blood pressure.
Beta Carotene: a compound that is converted to vitamin A in the body. Beta carotene is a red-orange pigment found in dark green and yellow fruits and vegetables. It is a nontoxic source of vitamin A.
Bifid: divided into two parts.
Bifurcate: dividing into two parts.
Bilateral: two-sided.
Bile: a bitter, yellow-green secretion of the liver.
Bile pigments: yellow-colored substances produced by the human body as a by-product of digestion.
Biliary: bile-related.
Bilirubin: a red pigment occurring in liver bile, blood and urine. Bilirubin is the product of the breakdown ofhemoglobin inred blood cells. It is removed from the blood and processed by the liver, which secretes it into the digestive tract via the bile. An elevated level in blood serum is an indication of liver disease or drug-induced liver impairment.
Bioavailability: the extent to which an oral medication is absorbed in the digestive tract and reaches the bloodstream.
Bio-energy healing: the healer acts as a channel allowing the positive energy to pass through the patient with one hand and extracting negative energy with the other hand.
Bioequivalent: equivalent.
Biofeedback: a technique in which a signal feeds back information about unconscious body functions in order to control them (eg blood pressure).
Biokinetics: the study of the growth changes and movements within developing organisms.
Biopsy: removal and examination of living cells from the body.
Bisphosphonate: a group of drugs used inmultiple myeloma which do not affect the disease directly but reduce the bone damage and associated pain.
Biorhythm: an internal rhythm that controls biological processes.
Biosynthesis: formation.
Biotransformation: chemical changes.
Biphasic: two-phase.
Blast cells: immature blood-forming cells which normally represent up to 5% of the cells in the bone marrow. They are rarely seen in healthy blood. Acute leukaemia is characterised by over-production of abnormal blast cells which take over the bone marrow and often spill out into the blood stream.
Blast crisis: aggressive phase of chronic myeloid leukaemia characterised by the production of large numbers of immature cells which may be either of the myeloid or lymphoid type. Clinically similar to acute leukaemia and more difficult to treat than chronic phase disease.
Blepharitis: eyelid inflammation.
Blind spot: a small spot on the retina of the eye that has no sensitivity to light.
Blister: a raised area on a tissue filled with pus or other watery secretions, caused by a burn or toxic reaction.
Blood: there are three main types of cell in the blood stream; thered cell, which carries oxygen, thewhite cell, which fights infections, and theplatelets, which help prevent bleeding. The correct balance between each cell type must be maintained. Production of blood cells is controlled by natural chemicals called growth factors which may be used in treatment.
Blood count: a routine test requiring a small blood sample to estimate the number and types of cells circulating in the blood.
Blood brain barrier: the protective barrier that restricts the passage of many substances from the blood vessels to the tissues of the brain. Not all drugs can cross this barrier.
Blood group: a classification according to the ABO system of a person's blood
Blood pressure: the pressure of blood in the arteries expressed as the maximum over the minimum pressure in millimetres of mercury.
BMR: see basal metabolic rate.
Bodily fluids: refers to liquids naturally produced by the body such as urine, saliva and tears.
Body mass index: body weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in metres (20-25 is normal).
Boil: an inflamed, pus-filled area on the skin, usually an infected hair follicle.
Bolus: a concentrated mass given as a single dose.
Bone: the hard extremely dense material that forms the skeleton of the body. It is composed of fibres of a material called collagen filled in with minerals - mainly calcium salts - rather like reinforced concrete. The bones of the skeleton have a thick outer shell or 'cortex' inside which there is a meshwork of 'trabecular' bone.
Bone graft: a small piece of bone is taken from one part of the body to repair bone damage in another part.
Bone marrow: the tissue which produces the blood cells and is found within the hollow cavities of many of the bones of the body. Bone marrow contains the stem cells from which all blood cells are derived. Examination of the bone marrow is an important part of the diagnosis ofleukaemia and the monitoring of treatment.
Bone marrow aspirate: a small volume of bone marrow removed under local or general anaesthetic from either the hip bone (pelvis) or breast bone (sternum). The cells in the sample can then be examined under the microscope to identify any abnormality in the developing blood cells. A trephine biopsy may be taken at the same time.
Bone marrow transplant (BMT): a procedure used in the treatment of a variety of blood disorders including leukaemia,lymphoma and sometimesmyeloma. The patient receives very high doses of chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy to treat the disease. This damages the bone marrow and makes the blood count fall. Replacement marrow is taken from a matched donor (allogeneic bone marrow transplant) or from the patient themselves (autologous bone marrow transplant) under a general anaesthetic and returned to the patient through a vein (or central venous line) in a similar way to a blood transfusion.
Booster: a follow-up dose of a vaccine
Borborygmus: rumbling tummy.
Botulism: food poisoning caused by improper preparation of food.
Bowels: the intestines or gut.
Bowen's Disease: a rare type of skin cancer.
Brace: a supportive device.
Bradycardia: slow heartbeat.
Bradykinesia: sluggishness.
Bradypnoea: slow breathing.
Brain: the primary mass of nerve tissue of the central nervous system that controls the body.
Bronchiectasis: when the bronchial tubes get damaged, they can no longer clean themselves, and the mucus accumulates in the tubes, spilling over to adjacent tubes. These tubes are then prone to infection by bacteria, causing inflammation which leads to damage.Further info.
Bronchitis: a disease marked by inflammation of the bronchial tubes in the lungs. Further info.
Bronchoscopy: a diagnostic examination in which a telescope is inserted in the throat to enable a doctor to see the airways and the lungs.
Bronchus: airways leading into the lungs.
Bronchoconstriction: tight chestedness.
Bronchodilatation: drug to help breathing by reducing the constriction or spasm.
Bronchopneumonia: bronchial pneumonia.
Bronchopulmonary: chest-related.
Bronchoscopy: a procedure in which a flexible telescope is inserted through the throat to allow doctors to see the lungs.
Bronchospasm: contraction of smooth muscle in the walls of thebronchi and bronchioles, causing narrowing of the airways.
Bronchus: breathing tube.
Bruise: a discolored area under the skin, usually blue or black, caused by leakage of blood into the tissues.
Bruxism: the habit of unconsciously gritting or grinding the teeth esp. in situations of stress or during sleep.
Buccal: related to the cheek.
Buccopharyngeal: mouth and throat-related.
Buffered: refers to pills that include a special substance for neutralizing stomach acid. Drugs are buffered to reduce stomach upset or increase absorption by the intestines.
Bulimia: an eating disorder characterized by bouts of binge eating followed by self-induced vomiting.Further info.
Bulla: a large air- or fluid-filled bubble usually found in the lungs or skin.
Bullous: blistered.
Bunion a painful swelling at the base of the big toe, caused by inflammation of the bursa of one of the phalangeal joints.
Burkitt's lymphoma: a rapidly growing type ofnon-hodgkin's lymphoma which usually affects the abdomen and requires immediate treatment.
Bursa: a small sac of fibrous tissue lined (like a joint) with a synovial membrane. Bursae help to reduce friction; they occur where parts move over one another e.g. where tendons or ligaments pass over bones. Others however form in response to unusual pressure or friction.
Bursitis: inflammation of a bursa; the cause is sometimes an infection, or a rheumatic condition, but often is a result of repeated pressure, friction or other injury. Bursitis is sometimes due to wear and tear arising from a particular trade, e.g. housemaid's knee.
Buteyko method: a breathing re-conditioning program that treats asthma and other respiration problems.
Bypass: connecting two blood vessels or other structures so that a portion of it is avoided.

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