Category: V

  • Vermicular pulse

    A small, frequent pulse with a wormlike feeling.  

  • Venous pulse

    A pulse in a vein, especially one of the large veins near the heart, such as the internal or external jugular. Normally it is undulating and scarcely palpable. In conditions such as tricuspid regurgitation, it is pronounced.  

  • Vagus pulse

    A slow pulse resulting from parasympathetic influence on heart rate, mediated by the vagus nerve. A sluggish pulse resulting from the restraining influence of the vagus nerve on the heart.  

  • Vital pulp

    Dental pulp that is alive and thus normal.  

  • Voice prosthesis

    A device that synthesizes the human voice. It is used in patients who have undergone laryngeal surgery.  

  • Vocal process

    The process of the arytenoid cartilage that serves for attachment of the vocal cord.  

  • Variegate hepatica

    A form of hepatic porphyria in which there are recurrent episodes of abdominal pain and neuropathy. The skin is especially fragile.  

  • Vaginal pool

    The mucus and cells that are present in the posterior fornix of the vagina when the patient is in a supine position. Material obtained from this site is used in cancer detection and in evaluating the character of the vaginal fluid in investigating infertility problems.  

  • Verdigris poisoning

    Poisoning due to ingestion of verdigris, which contains copper salts. Symptoms are identical to those caused by ingesting copper sulfate.  

  • Voillemier’s point

    The point on the linea alba of the abdominal wall about 6 to 7 cm below a line connecting the anterior superior iliac spines. Suprapubic puncture of the bladder may be made at this point in obese or edematous individuals.