Glossary
1191
Ionize
To separate or change into ions.
Ipsilateral
Situated on, pertaining to, or affecting the
same side of the body.
Ischemia
Decreased blood supply to a body organ or
part, usually due to functional constriction or actual
obstruction of a blood vessel.
Juxta-articular
Situated near a joint or in the region of
a joint.
Juxtaglomerular
Near to or adjoining a glomerulus of
the kidney.
Karyotype
The total chromosomal characteristics of a
cell; or the micrograph of chromosomes arranged in
pairs in descending order of size.
Keratin
A fibrous, sulfur-containing protein that is
the primary component of the epidermis, hair, and
horny tissues. (Adjective: keratinous)
Keratosis
Any skin condition in which there is over-
growth and thickening of the cornified epithelium.
Ketosis
A condition characterized by the abnormal
accumulation of ketones (organic compounds with
a carboxyl group attached to two carbon atoms) in
the body tissues and fluid.
Kinesthesia
The sense of movement, weight, tension,
and position of body parts mediated by input from
joint and muscle receptors and hair cells. (Adjective:
kinesthetic)
Kyphosis
An abnormal condition of the vertebral
column, characterized by increased convexity in the
curvature of the thoracic spine as viewed from the
side.
Lacuna
A small pit or cavity within a structure, espe-
cially bony tissue; or a defect or gap, as in the field
of vision.
Lateral
A position farther from the median plane or
midline of the body or a structure; or situated on,
coming from, or directed toward the side.
Lesion
Any wound, injury, or pathologic change in
body tissue.
Lethargy
The lowered level of consciousness charac-
terized by listlessness, drowsiness, and apathy; or a
state of indifference.
Ligament
One of many predominantly white, shiny,
flexible bands of fibrous tissue that binds joints
together and connects bones or cartilages.
Ligand
A group, ion, or molecule that binds to the
central atom or molecule in a chemical complex.
Lipid
Any of the group of fats and fatlike substances
characterized by being insoluble in water and soluble
in nonpolar organic solvents, such as chloroform
and ether.
Lipoprotein
Any one of the conjugated proteins that is
a complex of protein and lipid.
Lobule
A small lobe.
Lordosis
The anterior concavity in the curvature of the
lumbar and cervical spine as observed from the side.
Lumen
A cavity or the channel within a tube or tubu-
lar organ of the body.
Luteal
Of, pertaining to, or having the properties of
the corpus luteum.
Lysis
Destruction or dissolution of a cell or molecule
through the action of a specific agent.
Maceration
Softening of tissue by soaking, especially
in acidic solutions.
Macroscopic
Large enough to be visible with the
unaided eye without a microscope.
Macula
A small, flat blemish, thickening, or discolor-
ation that is flush with the skin surface; or a struc-
ture having the form of a spot differentiated from
surrounding tissues (e.g., macula lutea). (Adjective:
macular)
Malaise
A vague feeling of bodily fatigue and discomfort.
Manometry
The measurement of tension or pressure
of a liquid or gas using a device called a manometer.
Marasmus
A condition of extreme protein-calorie
malnutrition that is characterized by growth retar-
dation and progressive wasting of subcutaneous
tissue and muscle and occurs chiefly during the first
year of life.
Matrix
The intracellular substance of a tissue or the
basic substance from which a specific organ or kind
of tissue develops.
Meatus
An opening or passage through any body part.
Medial
Pertaining to the middle; or situated or ori-
ented toward the midline of the body.
Mediastinum
The mass of tissues and organs in the
middle of the thorax, separating the pleural sacs
containing the two lungs.
Meiosis
The division of a sex cell as it matures, so that
each daughter nucleus receives one half of the num-
ber of chromosomes characteristic of the somatic
cells of the species.
Mesoderm
The middle layer of the three primary germ
layers of the developing embryo, lying between the
ectoderm and the endoderm.
Metabolism
The sum of all the physical and chemical
processes by which living organisms are produced
and maintained, and also the transformation by
which energy is provided for vital processes and
activities.
Metaplasia
Change in type of adult cells in a tissue to
a form that is not normal for that tissue.
Metastasis
The transfer of disease (e.g., cancer) from
one organ or part to another not directly connected
with it. (Adjective: metastatic)
Miosis
Contraction of the pupil of the eye.
Mitosis
A type of indirect cell division that occurs in
somatic cells and results in the formation of two
daughter nuclei containing the identical comple-
ments of the number of chromosomes characteristic
of the somatic cells of the species.
Molecule
The smallest mass of matter that exhibits the
properties of an element or compound.
Morbidity
A diseased condition or state; the relative
incidence of a disease or of all diseases in a
population.
Morphology
The study of the physical form and struc-
ture of an organism; or the form and structure of a
particular organism. (Adjective: morphologic)
Mosaicism
In genetics, the presence in an individual or
in an organism of cell cultures having two or more
cell lines that differ in genetic constitution but are
derived from a single zygote.
