Medical Dictionary Definitions A-Z List
Medical Dictionary Definitions A - Z - «H»:
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Hernia, Velpeau
Hernia, Velpeau: A Velpeau hernia is a femoral hernia in front of the femoral blood vessels in the groin. (A hernia ("rupture") is a protrusion of tissue through the wall of a cavity in which it is normally contained.)
The Velpeau hernia is named for the French surgeon of the same name (1795-1867)...
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Herniated disc
Herniated disc: Rupturing of the tissue that separates the vertebral bones of the spinal column.
The center of the disc, which is called the nucleus, is soft, springy and receives the shock of standing, walking, running, etc. The outer ring of the disc, which is called the annulus (Latin for ring),...
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Herniation
Herniation: Abnormal protrusion of tissue through an opening. For
example, a intervertebral disk (one situated between the vertebral bodies) can protrude
and impinge on a nerve root. ...
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Herniorrhaphy
Herniorrhaphy: The surgical repair of a hernia. Herniorrhaphy may be done under local or general anesthesia using a conventional incision or a laparoscope.
The term "herniorrhaphy" comes from hernio-, referring to a hernia + the Greek rhaphe, a seam = putting a seam (or suture) in a hernia....
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Heroin
Heroin: Semisynthetic drug derived from morphine.
Discovered in 1874, it was introduced commercially in 1898 by the Bayer company in
Germany. The name heroin was coined from the German heroisch meaning heroic, strong.
Heroin is stronger (more potent) than morphine....
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Heroin addiction
Heroin addiction: Physical addiction to heroin,
often with concurrent use of other opiates when heroin
itself is not available. Treatment is by withdrawal, either
gradual or sudden. Medication may be used to ease the
physical effects of withdrawal, which include cramping,
nausea, and intense c...
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Herpangina
Herpangina: A viral illness in which small, painful ulcers and sores are found inside the mouth. It is
accompanied by sore throat and fever. Herpangina is most common in children aged
3-10 but can occur at any age. Herpangina is usually caused by Coxsackie group A viruses. The illness typically re...
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Herpes
Herpes: A family of viruses. Herpes also refers to infection with one of the human herpesviruses, especially herpes simplex types 1 and 2.
Herpes simplex type 1, also known as human herpesvirus 1 (HHV-1), causes cold sores and fever blisters in the mouth and around it. Here is a depiction of a typic...
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Herpes simplex type 1
Herpes simplex type 1: A herpes virus that causes
cold sores and fever blisters in and around the mouth. Here is a depiction of a typical fever blister caused by herpes simplex 1:
In rare cases, as when someone's immune system is severely compromised, this virus can cause infection of the brain (e...
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Herpes simplex type 2
Herpes simplex type 2: A herpes virus that causes
genital herpes, which is characterized by sores in the genital area. Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease (STD).
This virus, like herpes simplex type 1, can also cause infection of the brain (encephalitis) if the immune system is severe...
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Herpes zoster
Herpes zoster: Also called shingles, zona, and zoster. The
culprit is the varicella-zoster virus. Primary infection with this virus causes chickenpox
(varicella). At this time the virus infects nerves (namely, the dorsal root ganglia) where
it remains latent (lies low) for years. It can then be rea...
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Herpes, febrile
Herpes, febrile: A small sore situated on the face or in the mouth that causes pain, burning, or itching before bursting and crusting over. The favorite locations are on the lips (the labia), chin or cheeks and in the nostrils. Less frequented sites are the gums or roof of
the mouth (the palate).
...
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Herpes, genital
Herpes, genital: See: Genital herpes....
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Herpes, labial
Herpes, labial: A small sore situated on the face or in the mouth that causes pain, burning, or itching before bursting and crusting over. The favorite locations are on the lips (the labia), chin or cheeks and in the nostrils. Less frequented sites are the gums or roof of
the mouth (the palate).
...
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Herpesvirus
Herpesvirus: One of a family of double-stranded DNA viruses that cause common infections in humans. These include: herpes, CMV, chickenpox, shingles, mono, measles, and Kaposi sarcoma.
The herpesviruses may live latently in a person for years or even decades without causing symptoms and then be act...
