Category: A

Removal of some or all of the lymph nodes in the underarm area, typically as part of breast cancer surgery. Since cancer cells spread from their point of origin through the lymphatic system, testing of the removed nodes can determine whether the cancer has traveled beyond the breast.  

A type of influenza first observed in Asia; also called bird flu. Avian flu is known as the strain of influenza caused by the H5N1 virus. Initially, avian flu was transmitted from bird to bird, especially chickens, then to other animals. Then cases were recorded of animal to human transmission, with deaths from avian flu…

A hip disorder in children. Avascular necrosis causes pain, stiffness and limited range of motion in the affected hip joint. A child with this condition may limp. The condition is caused by the death of bone cells at the top of the thighbone due to a poor blood supply. It can result from an injury…

Hereditary traits carried by genes that are expressed only when an individual has two copies of the gene. A child needs to inherit the affected gene from both parents for the genetic trait to be expressed. When a disease is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait, the parents do not usually have the disease themselves…

Hereditary traits carried by genes that are more likely to be expressed than those of other genes. A dominant trait expresses itself regardless of the function of its corresponding gene. For example, a person who inherits the genes for brown eyes and blue eyes will have brown eyes because that is the dominant trait. An…

Donation of one’s own blood to one-self Autologous blood donation may be used by people with a scheduled surgical procedure to ensure that any blood they may require during the surgery will be their own. The advantage of autologous blood donation is that it is the safest blood available.    

The study of hearing. This branch of scientific study deals with the identification, assessment, and nonmedical management of auditory (hearing- related) and balance disorders. An audiologist is a specialized health care professional who holds a master’s or doctoral degree from an accredited university graduate program. The science of hearing. The practice of audiology involves examination,…

A rapid but relatively regular heart-beat caused by abnormalities in the electrical signals generated by the atria (upper chambers) of the heart. Atrial flutter is a common type of cardiac arrhythmia, or abnormal heartbeat. Atrial flutter causes the heart to pump less effectively, reducing the amount of blood being pumped throughout the body. The condition…

Generally, infertility treatments using advanced technology to treat a variety of conditions associated with infertility. The most common form of assisted reproductive technology (ART) is in vitro fertilization (IVF) for treating female infertility. Other art techniques include gamete (the female egg and male sperm) in- trafallopian transfer (gift), zygote intrafallopian transfer (zift), and IN- tracytoplasmic…

Leakage in the valve between the heart and the aorta (main artery of the body); also known as aortic regurgitation. Aortic insufficiency occurs when blood leaks back from the aorta into the heart, decreasing blood flow into the body and forcing the heart to pump harder to compensate. Over time, the heart chamber known as…