Category: L

  • Lower esophageal sphincter

    The muscle between the esophagus and stomach. When a person swallows, this muscle relaxes to let food pass from the esophagus to the stomach. It stays closed at other times to keep stomach contents from flowing back into the esophagus. The smooth muscle surrounding the opening of the esophagus into the stomach. In health, it…

  • Low-density lipoprotein

    Lipoprotein that contains most of the cholesterol in the blood. LDL carries cholesterol to the tissues of the body, including the arteries. A high level of LDL increases the risk of heart disease. LDL typically contains 60 to 70 percent of the total serum cholesterol and both are directly correlated with CHD risk. LDL carry…

  • Lovastatin

    A fungal metabolite isolated from cultures of Aspergillus terreus. The compound is a potent anticholesteremic agent. It inhibits 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA reductases), which is the rate-limiting enzyme in cholesterol biosynthesis. It also stimulates the production of low-density lipoprotein receptors in the liver. A drug used to lower serum cholesterol levels. HMG-CoA reductase…

  • Long-Term Care

    Care over an extended period, usually for a chronic condition or disability, requiring periodic, intermittent, or continuous care. The medical and social care given to persons who have severe, chronic impairments can consist of care in the home, by family members, assistance through voluntary or employed help, or care in institutions. Various types of facilities…

  • Locomotion

    Movement or the ability to move from one place or another. It can refer to humans, vertebrate or invertebrate animals, and microorganisms. Movement from one location to another by means of walking, crawling, running, etc. The fact of being able to move. Mobility; self-propelled movement. Movement or the capacity to move from one place to…

  • Localized

    Cancer which has not metastasized yet. Limited to a specific region or body part.  

  • Localization

    The process of determining or marking the location or site of a lesion or disease. May also refer to the process of keeping a lesion or disease in a specific location or site. The ability to identify where a sound is coming from; a kind of auditory skill. Limiting of a condition, effect, or finding…

  • Lithium

    An element in the alkali metals family. It has the atomic symbol Li, atomic number 3, and atomic weight 6.94. Salts of lithium are used in treating manic-depressive disorders. An element used for the treatment of gout and, more recently, for the treatment of mania. It was approved for this latter use by the Food…

  • Liposomal

    A drug preparation that contains the active drug in very tiny fat particles. This fat-encapsulated drug is absorbed better, and its distribution to the tumor site is improved.  

  • Lipid peroxidation

    Peroxidase catalyzed oxidation of lipids using hydrogen peroxide as an electron acceptor.