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An alphabetical listing of General terms and items. A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

V   V (Urea distribution volume) is used for dose calculations (another term for TBW) VACCINE   A preparation administered to stimulate an immune response to protect a person from illness. A vaccine typically includes a small amount of a killed or inactivated microorganism, or genetically engineered pieces. A therapeutic (treatment) vaccine is given after infection and is intended to reduce or stop disease progression. A preventive (prophylactic) vaccine is intended to prevent initial infection. Vagina   Latin = sheath; hence, invagination is the acquisition of a sheath by pushing inwards into a membrane, and evagination is similar but produced by pushing outwards. Vagus   Latin = wandering; hence, cranial nerve X, which leaves the head and neck to traverse the thorax and upper part of the abdomen. Valgus   Latin = knock-kneed. Vallate   Latin vallatus = walled; hence, the large papillae on the tongue which are depressed below the surface and are surrounded by a groove which is itself bounded by a wall. Vallecula   Diminutive of Latin vallis = a fossa. VALOPICITABINE (NM283)   An HCV polymerase inhibitor under study to treat chronic HCV. Valve   Latin valva = the segment of a folding-door. Valvula   Diminutive of Latin valva. VARICEAL HEMORRHAGE   Bleeding from stretched and weakened blood vessels, especially in the esophagus or stomach. VARICES (adjective VARICEAL)   An abnormally dilated or swollen vein, artery, or lymph vessel resulting from portal hypertension. Varicocoele   Latin varix = vein and Greek kele = tumour, hernia, hence a varicose condition of the veins of the pampiniform plexus. Varus   Latin = bow-legged. Vas   Latin = vessel (plural = vasa). Vascular   Latin vasculum, diminutive of vas; hence, pertaining to blood vessels. VASCULITIS   Blood vessel inflammation. Vasoconstrictors   Substances that constrict blood vessels (see Hypertension). Vasodilators   Substances that widen blood vessels (see Hypertension). Vastus   Latin = great, vast, extensive. Back to top VEIN   Any of the membranous tubes that form a branching system and carry blood to the heart from other organs. Velum   Latin = curtain; veli = of a curtain. Venous Insufficiency   When valves in the veins of the legs do not function properly, this impaired function causes insufficiency in the return of blood from the legs to the heart. Venous Stasis   Congestion and slowing of circulation in veins of the legs and feet that is usually due to venous insufficiency. Venter   Latin = belly; hence, ventral, pertaining to the belly side. Ventricle   Diminutive of Latin venter = a small belly. Vermiform   Latin vermis = a worm, and forma = shape; hence, worm-shaped. Vermis   Latin = worm; hence, the segmented median part of the cerebellum. Vertebra   Latin verto = I turn; hence, one of the movable bones of the backbone which seems to be shaped for rotation. Vertex   Latin = summit; hence the highest point on the skull. Vertical   Perpendicular (at a right angle) to the horizontal. VERTICAL TRANSMISSION (PERINATAL TRANSMISSION)   Transmission from a mother to a fetus or newborn. Vertical transmission may occur in utero (in the womb), intrapartum (during birth), or postpartum (e.g., via breast-feeding). Very Low-calorie Diet   A weight-loss diet that allows 800 or fewer calories per day (usually followed under medical supervision) (See Weight Management). Very-low-density Lipoprotein (VLDL)   Transports triglyceride manufactured in the liver to fat tissue in the body; eventually becomes low-density lipoprotein (LDL) after the triglyceride has been removed (see High Cholesterol). Vesica   Latin = bladder, adjective - vesical. VESICLE   A swollen or bladder-like cell. Vesicula   Diminutive of Latin vesica = bladder; seminal vesicle. Vestibule   Latin vestibulum = entrance hall. Vibrissa   Latin vibrare = to vibrate; hence, the hairs in the nasal vestibule which vibrate in the current of air. Villus   Latin a hair; hence, a vascular, hair-like process, usually projecting from a mucous surface. Back to top Vincula   Latin = fetters (singular - vinculum); hence, the delicate vascular synovial bands passing to a tendon in the digits. VIRAL HEPATITIS   A type of hepatitis caused by a virus. The most common types are hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. VIRAL LOAD   The amount of virus in the blood or other tissues, usually expressed in terms of copies of viral genetic material (RNA or DNA). The presence of genetic material indicates that a virus is actively replicating. VIRAL LOAD TEST   An assay that measures viral load; the bDNA, PCR, and TMA tests are most often used to determine HCV viral load. VIRAL RESPONSE   See virological response. VIRAMIDINE   A prodrug of ribavirin under study to treat chronic HCV. VIREMIA (adjective VIREMIC)   The presence of a virus in the blood. VIRION   A complete virus particle. VIROLOGICAL FAILURE   Failure of a treatment to suppress a virus. VIROLOGICAL RESPONSE   Reduction in viral replication in response to treatment. In HCV, a complete virological response means that a person's HCV RNA becomes undetectable with treatment. VIROLOGY   The study of viruses and diseases caused by viruses. VIRULENCE   Degree of pathogenicity; the disease producing capacity of an organism. VIRULENCE (adjective VIRULENT)   Aggressiveness, ability to cause disease. VIRUS   A microscopic infectious organism that is unable to grow or replicate outside of a host cell. Viruses integrate their genetic material (DNA or RNA) into a host cell and take over the cell's biological mechanisms to reproduce new virus particles. Visceral   Adjective, Latin viscus = an internal organ. Viscus   Latin = an internal organ, plural - viscera, adjective - visceral. Vital   Latin vita = life. VITAMIN   An organic substance that acts as a coenzyme or regulator of metabolic processes; vitamins are crucial for many vital bodily functions. VITAMIN A   A fat-soluble vitamin synthesized from beta carotene within the body that has antioxidant properties and is important for proper immune system functioning. Excess vitamin A can be toxic to the liver. VITAMIN B   A complex of several important vitamins including B1 (thiamin), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B6 (pyridoxine), and B12 (cobalamin). Back to top VITAMIN B12 (COBALAMIN)   A vitamin needed for red blood cell production and DNA synthesis and repair. Vitamin B12 deficiency may result in anemia, neurological dysfunction, and changes in mental status. VITAMIN C (ASCORBIC ACID)   An antioxidant vitamin that protects cells from oxidative damage. Vitamin C deficiency may result in poor healing, easy bruising and anemia. VITAMIN D   A fat-soluble vitamin that is important for mineral metabolism and which may play a role in immune function. Excess vitamin D can be toxic to the liver. VITAMIN E (TOCOPHEROL)   An antioxidant vitamin that protects cell membranes from oxidative damage. VITAMIN K   A substance important for blood clotting. VITAMIN P   See bioflavinoid. Vitelline   Latin vitellus = yolk. VITILIGO   A condition in which there is loss of pigmentation – usually around the mouth, eyes, nose, elbows, knees and wrists. Vitreous   Latin vitreus = glassy. Vocal   Adjective, Latin vox = voice. Vomer   Latin = plough-share; hence, the bone of the nasal septum which is split in two at its upper edge. Vorticosae   Latin vortex = whirl; hence the whirl-like arrangement of the 4 venae vorticosae leaving the eyeball. Vulva   Latin = the external female genitalia. VX-950   An HCV protease inhibitor under study to treat chronic HCV. Back to top