Category: L
-
Lung cancer
A malignancy of the lung. One of the most common types of cancer; the incidence has rapidly been increasing in women. Predisposing factors include smoking and exposure to asbestos, vinyl chloride, coal products, and other industrial and chemical products. Symptoms include cough, difficulty in breathing, blood-tinged sputum, and repeated infections. Treatment depends on the type,…
-
Lunar month
Four weeks or 28 days. A measurement of time used in obstetrics. Pregnancy is calculated in terms of 10 lunar months.
-
Lunacy
A legal term that is synonymous with insanity is derived from luna (Latin for moon). Historically, mental illness was associated with the moon as a presumed cause. Originating from “luna,” the Latin word for moon, the term historically linked the moon’s rays with insanity. Some superstitious individuals even believed, and a few still do, that…
-
Luminal
A barbiturate. Relating to the lumen of a tubular structure, such as a blood vessel.
-
Lumbosacral plexus
The network of nerves formed by the union of the anterior pituitary division of the lumbar, sacral, and coccygeal nerves. Network of nerves formed by the ventral divisions of the lumbar, sacral, and coccygeal nerves; it supplies the lower limbs, perineum, and coccygeal area. Spinal nerve network of the lumbar and sacral regions.
-
Low-yield cigarette
A cigarette containing relatively low amounts of tar and nicotine, defined as yielding less than 15 mg of tar per cigarette.
-
Low sodium (On food labels)
One hundred forty milligrams or less per serving, very low sodium; unsalted.
-
Low fat (On food labels)
A listing in which dairy products must be between 0.5% and 2.0% milk fat to be labeled low fat; meat must be less than 10% fat to be labeled low fat.
-
Lowest common denominator effect
The tendency for an educational program writer to prepare and arrange frames for the least capable learners who will be requested to master them.
-
Low cholesterol (On food labels)
Twenty milligrams or less per serving, reduced cholesterol.