Medical Dictionary
Vaccination
| Vaccination means the process of receiving a vaccine (usually in the form of an injection) against a particular disease. If the vaccination works, the recipient will be immunised, or protected, against the disease. |
Vacuum aspiration (Dilation and suction curretage)
Vacuum aspiration is a surgical method of abortion. The muscle surrounding the neck of the cervix are relaxed and stretched open a number of millimeters to allow the insertion of a small plastic tube. The contents of the uterus are then suctioned out. In the earlier stages of pregnancy (i.e. less than seven weeks) dilation may not be required. A loop-shaped instrument called a curette may be used afterwards to scrape the inside of the uterus, ensuring it is completely empty. |
Vacuum Erection Device
The vacuum erection device for erectile dysfunction uses a pump mechanism to create negative pressure around the penis, encouraging it to become erect. An elastic device is then placed around the base of the penis to help maintain the erection. |
Vagifem
| Vagifem is used to treat certain vaginal symptoms in women after menopause. These symptoms include; dryness, itchiness and pain during sexual intercourse. However, Vagifem may be given for another reason. If you would like more information, please consult your doctor. |
Vagina
| The vagina is a muscular tube 6 - 7.5cm long, which leads from the uterus to the outside of the body. The vaginal wall consists of an inner tissue layer, intermediate muscle layer and outer tissue layer. For more information please see the female urogenital system. |
Vaginal Atrophy/ Atrophic Vaginitis
| Vaginal atrophy (also known as atrophic vaginitis) is a condition in which the vagina becomes inflammed. It results from low levels of oestrogen and usually causes reduced vaginal lubrication. |
Vaginal contraceptive ring
| A vaginal contraceptive ring is a device which is inserted into the vagina. From there is releases hormones which prevent ovulation and pregnancy occurring. |
Vaginal examination
| Vaginal examination (VE) is the insertion of a gloved finger into the vagina in order to assess gynacaological structures. It is carried out during late pregnancy to assess how ready the cervix is for labour. |
Vaginal Prolapse
| Vaginal prolapse is a condition in which the uterus, bladder, rectum and/or urethra prolapse, or move out of their normal position and begin to protrude through the vaginal walls |
Vaginal Sex
Vaginal sex is sexual intercourse in which a woman's vagina is penetrated by a man's penis. |
Vaginal spermicide
| A spermicide is an agent which destroys sperm. It is often used as a method of preventing pregnancy during intercourse. There is some evidence that the spermicides may cause an increased risk of some STD's, including an increased risk of HIV transmission. |
Vaginitis
| Vaginitis is an inflammation of the vaginal mucosa and often associated with an irritation or infection. |
Vagus Nerve Stimulation
| Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is a long term, intermittent stimulation of the left vagus nerve (a major nerve originating from the brain) by a device. It is implanted into the chest wall on the left side (like the pacemaker of the heart). Current is intermittently delivered through a lead wire from the equipment to stimulate the left vagus nerve. Vagus nerve stimulation has been used for the treatment of severe epilepsy and depression. |
Valette
Valette is a combined oral contraceptive used to help prevent pregnancies. It is commonly known as "The pill" or "The Birth control pill". Valette can also be prescribed to help reduce acne, oil production from your skin and hair and to help keep your menstrual periods more regular and less painful. Your doctor may have prescribed Valette for another reason; please consult your doctor if you are unsure what you are using Valette for.
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Valsalva Manoeuvre
| The Valsalva manoeuvre involves forcibly breathing out against a closed airway. It is a method of equalising pressure in the middle ear, but may also be used in certain medical examinations. It may be performed by pinching the nose and closing the mouth, while trying to breathe out, though there are other techninques. Care should be taken when performing this technique to avoid using too much force. The pressure created by the cheek and throat muscle should be sufficient. |
Valves
| Valves are fibrous flaps of tissue found between the heart chambers and in the blood vessel . Examples of valves found within the heart include right and left atrioventricular valves and semilunar valves, aortic valve and the pulmonary valve. |
Variable Resistance Training
| Variable resistance training is a form of weight training performed with a weight and pulley arrangement whereby the resistance varies as the muscle contracts. The lat pull down and the triceps pull down are examples of variable resistance exercises. The aim of variable RT is to extend and contract the muscle through its whole range of motion and can lead to significant strength gains. |
Varicocoele
Varicocoele is a condition in which the veins along the spermatic cord that attach to a man's testicle become enlarged. More about varicocoele. |
Varicose veins
| Varicose veins are enlarged veins (blood vessels) close to the skin's surface. Any vein may become varicose, but the veins most commonly affected are those in the legs and feet, mainly due to standing and walking, which increases the pressure in the veins in the lower body. |
Varix
| A Varix (pleural varices) is an enlarged and dilated blood vessel. The term is commonly used in the context of portal hypertension where connections between the portal and systemic circulations dialate to bypass an obstruction in the liver. Varices are abnormal vessels so they are more likely to rupture and cause bleeding. |
Vas Deferens
The vas deferens is a 45 cm long muscular tube that transports sperm to the ejaculatory ducts. More on male reproductive system. |
Vascular dementia (multi-infarct dementia)
| Vascular dementia (multi-infarct dementia) is a type of dementia caused by multiple small or large strokes in the brain. |
Vasculitis
| Inflammation of the blood vessels in the body. |
Vasectomy
A vasectomy is an operation which involves cutting the vas deferens, the two tubes that carry sperm out of the testicles. To find out more, see Male Reproductive System and Vasectomy. |
Vasoconstrictor
| A vasoconstrictor is an agent which causes blood vessels to contract. |
Vasopressin
| Vasopressin is a human hormone with anti- diuretic properties, that is a hormone which regulates the bowel to stop diarrhoea. The hormone exerts its anti-diuretic effect by causing the contraction of plain muscles fibres, and reabsorption of water in the tubules of the kidneys. It is also used to reduce bleeding. |
Vegan
| A vegan is a vegetarian who excludes eggs, milk and all animal products from their diet. |
Vegetarian
Vegetarians are people who exclude animal meat from their diet. A vegetarian diet comprises mainly of fruits and vegetables, and must be carefully structured to include essential nutrients. There are three main types of vegetarians; vegans, lacto-vegetarians and ovo-lacto vegetarians. |
Vein
| Vein: A vein is a blood vessel that drains blood back to the heart. They are part of the cardiovascular system. It has thin, flexible walls when compared to an artery. Some veins have valves in them to prevent blood from running away from the heart again, such as in the legs. Veins are often named after the tissue, organ or area that they drain - but some have traditional anatomical names. For example, the jugular veins in the neck, which drain the brain and other parts of the head, are named for the Latin term for the neck - 'jugularis'. Veins may develop clots in them, which can cause the area they drain to swell dangerously with blood. |
Velcade
| Velcade is classified as a chemotherapy agent. Velcade blocks the action of a structure called the 26S proteasome . By blocking this structure, damaged proteins accumulate in the cell, impairing cell growth and leading to cell death. |
Venous Thromboembolic Events
Venous thromboembolic events are a range of adverse events involving the veins, including deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and superficial phlebitis. |
Venous thrombosis
| Venous thrombosis: formation of a clot inside a vein. This condition is potentially dangerous if the clot travels to organs such as the lungs. |
Ventricle (brain)
| A ventricle is basically a small fluid filled 'lake' in within the brain and there are four ventricles in an adult brain . There are two lateral ventricles (one in each hemisphere), a third ventricle in the diencephalon, and a fourth ventricle in between the pons and the cerebellum |
Ventricle (heart)
| Ventricle refers to the two lower chambers of the heart. The right ventricle sends blood to the lungs, and the left ventricle passes blood carrying oxygen to the rest of the body. |
Ventricular diastole
| Ventricular diastole refers to the phase of the cardiac cycle where the ventricle relax. |
Ventricular Systole
| Ventricular Systole refers to the phase of the cardiac cycle where the left and right ventricles contract at the same time and pump blood into the aorta and pulmonary trunk, respectively. |
Ventricular Tachycardia
| Ventricular tachycardia (VT) results in a rapid heart rate, frequently 120bpm and above. At this rate the ventricles do not have time to fill properly and cardiac output is reduced leading to hypotension. Fast VT is a peri-arrest rhythm and cardiac arrest may occur at anytime. Due to reduced cardiac output, complications such as myocardial infarction can occur. |
Vertebra (Vertebrae)
| A vertebra is simply a bone of the back. There are normally 33 vertebrae in humans which are laid on top of each other to form the vertebral column. There are different types of vertebrae, the seven cervical vertebrae of the neck, the twelve thoracic vertebrae at the level of the chest, the five lumbar vertebrae of the lower back and five fused bones at the base of the spinal called the sacrum. |
Vertebral fusion/ Spinal fusion
| Vertebral / Spinal fusion is surgery to correct problems in the bones of the spine (vertebrae). The surgery stabilises the back by fusing certain bones in the spine together. |
Verteporfin
| Verteporfin is used as part of photodynamic therapy (PDT). It is not active on its own. It is activated by light. When active, it works by stopping blood flow to the abnormal blood vessels that form in the back of the eye. It is used for the treatment of subfoveal choroidal neovascluarisation. |
Vertical Banded Gastroplasty (VBG)
| Vertical banded gastroplasty is a surgical weight loss procedure where the upper part of the stomach is vertically stapled so that a small pouch of about 30ml is created. This pouch is then connected to the rest of the stomach through a small outlet (known as a stoma) of about 1cm width. A band made of silicone is then placed around the outlet as a reinforcement to prevent it from widening. The pouch restricts the amount of food that can be eaten at one time because of the slow passage of the food into the remaining stomach which subsequently helps maintain a feeling of fullness and leads to the loss of weight. |
Vertical Transmission
| Vertial transmission refres to the transmission of an infection or disease such as HIV , from mother to child during birth or pregnancy. |
Vertigo
| Vertigo refers to the sensation of rotation in the absence of equilibrium - in other words, dizziness. Vertigo can be caused by viral infections, certain drugs, and tumours such as acoustic neuroma. |
Vesicles
| A small visible collection of fluid less than 0.5cm in diameter. |
Vestibular system
| The vestibular system is a contributor to our balance system and our sense of spatial orientation. It is the sensory system that provides the dominant input about movement and equilibrioception. Together with the cochlea, a part of the auditory system, it constitutes the labyrinth of the inner ear, situated in the vestibulum in the inner ear. |
Vicious Psychological Cycle
| Vicious Psychological Cycles are two or more psychological states which feedback negatively into one another effectively worsening the situation. For example if someone is depressed they may feel that nobody likes them which will make them socially isolate themselves. Then becuase they have rejected so many social invitations their friends may stop inviting them places, this makes the depressed person feel more depressed and to isolate themselves more. These cycles are very commonly seen in many various psychological and mental illness. |
Vidaza (Azacitidine)
| Vidaza is used for the treatment of various myelodysplastic sub-types, such as refractory anaemia and Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukaemia (CMML). |
Videx
| Videx is used in HIV Infection therapy in children and adults. The drug is converted to active metabolites in the body, which then inhibits HIV DNA synthesis and replication. |
Videx EC
| Videx EC is used for HIV infection therapy in adults and children. The drug is converted to active metabolites in the body, which then inhibits HIV DNA synthesis and replication, and is used as a single agent or in combination with other anti-retroviral agents. |
Vincristine
| Vincristine is a medication that is used in chemotherapy to treat a range of cancers, including bone cancer and leukaemia. |
Viral Culture
| A viral culture is a laboratory investigation in which samples are placed into a cell medium that the virus being tested for is able to infect. If the virus is present in the sample it will infect the cells in the medium and cause visible changes giving a positive cell culture result. |
Viral gastroenteritis
| Viral gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the stomach and intestines caused by a viral infection. Rotavirus is the most common virus that causes viral gastroenteritis. It mainly affects the small intestines. |
Viral Load
| Viral load is a term used to describe the amount of new HIV produced and released into the host's bloodstream. |
Viral shedding
| Viral shedding is a process in which virus particles enter cells (for example the lining of the nose and throat), multiply within the cells, then many new ‘baby' virus particles are released from those cells. |
Virilisation
| Virilisation is the abnormal development of male sexual characteristics in female. |
Virus
| A virus is an absolutely tiny particle that is only capable or replicating within other cells. They are too small to be seen under a microscope. When a virus enters a cell, it hijacks the mechanisms that the cell usually uses. Instead of making things for the cell, it starts also making lots of little viruses which get released into the blood infecting more cells. |
Visceral pain
| Visceral pain may be described as gnawing or aching, and may be associated with feelings of nausea. Visceral pain is very hard to localise, or may even be felt as referred pain. |
Viscosity
| Viscosity is the resistance of a fluid to flow. |
Visual Evoked Potential (VEP)
| A visual evoked potential (also known as VEP) is an electrical response that is evoked in parts of the brain by various visual stimuli. These responses are helpful in identifying problems with the nerves and pathways involved in vision. |
Visudyne
| Visudyne contains the active drug called verteporfin and is used to treat subfoveal choroidal neovascularisation. |
Vitamin A
| Vitamin A is a nutrient necessary for the formation and maintenance of skin, mucous membranes, bones and teeth, vision; and reproduction. Deficiency in vitamin A results in night blindness. |
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)
| Vitamine B1, or Thiamine, is a nutrient which acts as a catalyst in carbohydrate metabolism. Deficiency in Thiamine results in beriberi. |
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)
| Vitamin B12, or Cobalamin, is a member of the vitamin B complex and is necessary for the formation of red blood cells and the maintenance of a healthy nervous system. Sources of Vitamin B12 include meat, diary products and eggs. |
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
| Vitamin B2 is a nutrient, required by the human body, which acts as a coenzyme in the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and, especially, respiratory proteins. |
Vitamin B5 (Panthotenic acid)
| Vitamin B5 (also known as Panthotenic acid) is needed for energy and for manufacturing acetylcholine (a neurotransmitter). It is also implicated in the transportation and release of energy from fats and is involved in cholesterol and steroid hormone synthesis. |
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)
| Vitamine B6, or Pyridoxine, is necessary for the absorption and metabolism of amino acids. It also plays roles in the use of fats in the body and in the formation of red blood cells. |
Vitamin B9 (Folic acid; Folate)
| Folic acid (also known as folate or vitamin B9) is needed for cell growth and the production and proper functioning of DNA. Good sources of folic acid are leafy green vegetables, lentils, broccoli, chickpeas, strawberries, papaya, and orange, liver and other organ meats. |
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
| Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, is necessary for the formation and maintenence of collagen (a protein that enhances the body's ability to absorb iron and is used to make skin, scar tissue, tendons, ligaments and blood vessels). It is essential for the healing of wounds, and for the repair and maintenance of cartilage, bones, and teeth. Vitamin C is also an antioxidant. It blocks some of the damange caused by free radicals which a generated when the human body transforms food into energy. Vitamin C can not be produced by the human body. Major sources of vitamin C are fruits and vegetables. |
Vitamin D
| Vitamin D is a nutrient necessary for the regulation of calcium and phosphorous levels in the blood as well as bone formation. Vitamin D can be found in foods such as fish and diary products, or is made by the skin when exposed to sunlight. |
Vitamin E
| Vitamin E is an antioxidant and an immune booster. It stimulates the production of killer and B cells and also reverses some of the immune decline seen in aging. |
Vitamins and minerals
| Vitamins and minerals are naturally occurring nutrients found in foods that are needed by the body for normal functioning and overall health. These essential nutrients must be obtained from the diet because the body cannot manufacture them. |
Vitreous body
| The vitreous body acts as a shock absorber that protects the retina during rapid eye movements and helps to maintain the shape of the eye. |
Vocational Social Skills Training
| Vocational Social Skills Training is a subtype of Social Skills Training which focuses on the social skills necessary in order to be able to work in a specific job. This includes relations with supervisors, workmates and customers or clients. |
Voltaflex Plus
Voltaflex Plus is indicated as a daily management for the symptomatic and temporary relief of osteoarthritic pain i.e. joint pain and inflammation. It also aids in improving movement by increasing joint mobility and flexibility, as well as decreasing joint swelling. |
Voltaren emulgel
Voltaren emulgel is indicated for the short term treatment (up to two weeks) of the following musculoskeletal inflammatory conditions:
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Voltaren Ophta (diclofenac sodium)
Voltaren Ophta belongs to a group of drug called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). It is used to relieve pain and treat inflammation of the eye. |
Voltaren Rapid (diclofenac potassium)
Voltaren Rapid 12.5, 25, and 50 are medications used to relieve acute pain from certain conditions, and to reduce the swelling and redness associated with the pain. The conditions they are used to treat are:
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Vomiting
| Vomiting is the forceful expulsion of the contents of the gastrointestinal tract out through the mouth. |
Von Willebrands Disease
| This condition is one of the most common blood Clotting disorders, which is inherited or acquired (less commonly) in humans. It is due to a deficiency in von Willebrands factor, a protein that is important in ensuring that platelets adhere together. |
VSL#3
| VSL#3 is a probiotic therapy. It means that it contains preparation of live freeze-dried lactic acid bacteria. It is developed to provide optimal concentration and types of 'good' bacteria in the gut. This is used as a lactic bacteria supplement. |
vulval area
| The vulva is the external female genitalia. It includes the "lips" or folds of skin (labia), clitoris, and the openings to the urethra and vagina. |
