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GLOSSARY OF TERMS |
Terms Starting with Letter: P
PET - see: Positron Emission Tomography.
Positron Emission Tomography - a method of scanning
the human body that uses radioactive tracers injected
into the patient to view organ systems and functions.
As a diagnostic tool, PET is particularly effective
in viewing cancer in organs, and monitoring for spread
of cancer into other organ systems that other methods
simply would not detect. This ability to detect and
view cancer cells throughout the body allows doctors
to plan the best possible course of treatment for the
patient.
palpitation - A forcible or irregular pulsation
of the heart
parathyroid hyperplasia - An increase in the
number of cells in a tissue or organ, excluding tumor
formation, whereby the bulk of the part or organ may
be increased.
paresthesia - An abnormal sensation, such as
burning, pricking, ticklings, or tingling.
pneumothorax - The presence of air or gas in
pleural activity.
pollex - thumb
polydipsia - An excessive thirst that is relatively
prolonged.
prolactinoma - A prolactin producing adenoma.
A prolactin is a protein hormone that stimutlates the
secretion of milk and maybe breast growth
pulmonary embolism - An obstruction or occlusion
of a vessel by an embolis, which is a mass of bacteria.
pyloric - relating to the pylorus.
pyloric stenosis - narrowing of the gastric pylorus,
especially by congenital muscular hypertrophy or scarring
resulting from a peptic ulcer.
pylorus - 1.A muscular or myovascular device
to open (musculus dilator) and to close (musculus sphincter)
an orifice or the lumen of an organ. 2.The muscular
tissue surrounding and controlling the aboral outlet
of the stomach.
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