Medical Dictionary Definitions A-Z List
Medical Dictionary Definitions A - Z - «P»:
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Pleurisy
Pleurisy: Inflammation of the pleura, the linings surrounding the lungs. There are two layers of pleura; one covering the lung and the other covering the inner wall of the chest. These two layers are lubricated by pleural fluid. Pleurisy is frequently associated with a pleural effusion (the accumula...
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Pleuritis
Pleuritis: Inflammation of the pleura. When the
pleura becomes inflamed, it can produce more than the normal amount
of fluid, causing a pleural effusion....
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Pleurodesis
Pleurodesis: A procedure that causes the membranes around the lung to stick together and prevents the buildup of fluid in the space between the membranes. This procedure is done in cases of severe recurrent pleural effusion (fluid around the lungs), as from cancer, to prevent the reaccumulation of f...
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Pleurodynia
Pleurodynia: Also known as Bornholm disease, this is a temporary illness that is a result of virus infection. The disease features fever and intense abdominal and chest pains with headache. The chest pain is typically worsened by breathing or coughing. The illness usually lasts from 3 to 14 days....
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Plexus
Plexus: 1. In medicine, a network or tangle of lymphatic vessels, nerves, or veins. For example, the brachial plexus is a network of nerves leading to the arm.
2. In general, any interwoven entity made up of elements in a structure or system.
"Plexus" comes from the Latin "plectere" meaning "to ...
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Plexus, brachial
Plexus, brachial: See: Brachial plexus....
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PLGF
PLGF: Placental growth factor....
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Plodia interpunctella
Plodia interpunctella: See: Meal moth....
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PLP
PLP: See: Proteolipid protein....
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PLP1
PLP1: The gene encoding proteolipid protein, or lipophilin, the primary constituent of myelin. The PLP1 gene is on the X chromosome in band Xq22. Mutations in PLP1 cause Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease (PMD) and X-linked spastic paraplegia 2 (SPG2)....
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Plumbism
Plumbism: Another name for lead poisoning. ...
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Plummer's disease
Plummer's disease: Toxic multinodular goiter. Also
called Parry's disease....
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Plummer-Vinson syndrome
Plummer-Vinson syndrome: Iron deficiency anemia, esophageal webs, and dysphagia (difficulty swallowing). The iron deficiency is typically chronic and severe. It triggers the growth of web-like membranes in the throat which cause dysphagia. The syndrome is more common in women. Treatment is iron supp...
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Plyometrics
Plyometrics: Any exercise in which muscles are repeatedly and rapidly stretched ("loaded") and then contracted (as in jumping high off the ground or in push-ups with a clap between them). The aim of plyometrics is to improve muscle power....
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PMD
PMD: Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease....
