Transplantation
Glossary - Transplantation
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A
ablation - elimination or removal. Ablation also refers to a procedure that eliminates extra electrical pathways within the heart that cause fast or irregular heart rhythms.
ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitor - A medication that opens up blood vessels, making it easier for the heart to pump blood forward to the body; also used to lower blood pressure.
acute - severe; sharp; begins quickly.
acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) - a rapidly progressing cancer of the blood in which too many immature (not fully formed) lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell, are found in the bone marrow, blood, spleen, liver, and other organs.
acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) - a rapidly progressing cancer of the blood in which too many immature (not fully formed) granulocytes, a type of white blood cell, are found in the bone marrow and blood.
acyanotic - refers to a group of congenital heart defects in which there is a normal amount of oxygen in the bloodstream, giving a pink color to the lips and nail beds.
allogeneic bone marrow transplantation - a procedure in which a person receives stem cells from a compatible donor.
allograft - tissue or organ transplanted between genetically non-identical individuals of the same species (i.e., human to human).
alternative therapy - use of an unproven therapy instead of standard (proven) therapy.
alveolus - air sac where gas exchange takes place.
analgesic - any drug intended to alleviate pain.
anastomosis - a surgical connection, often between two blood vessels.
anemia - a blood disorder caused by a deficiency of red blood cells or hemoglobin (the oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells).
anesthesia - the loss of feeling or sensation as a result of medications or gases. General anesthesia causes loss of consciousness. Local or regional anesthesia numbs only a certain area.
anesthesiologist - a physician who specializes in administering medications or other agents that prevent or relieve pain, especially during surgery.
aneurysm - a thin, weakened area in a blood vessel or area of the heart.
angiography - an x-ray study that uses dye injected into arteries to study blood circulation.
angioplasty - a non-surgical procedure for treating narrowed arteries.
antibiotic - a medication used to treat infection.
anticoagulant - a medication that keeps blood from clotting.
antiemetic - a medication that helps prevent and control nausea and vomiting.
antigen - a substance that can trigger an immune response, such as a transplant, causing the production of antibodies, a part of the body's defense mechanism.
antihypertensive - a medication that lowers blood pressure.
aorta - the largest artery in the body and the primary blood vessel which carries oxygenated blood out of the heart to the rest of the body.
aortic arch - the curved portion of the aorta (the large blood vessel that carries oxygen-rich blood away from the heart to the body).
aortic regurgitation - backwards leakage of blood from the aorta, through a weakened aortic valve, and into the left ventricle, resulting in stress in the left heart and inadequate blood flow to the body.
aortic stenosis - narrowing of the opening of the aortic valve (the valve that regulates blood flow from the left ventricle into the aorta).
aortic valve - the valve that regulates blood flow from the heart into the aorta.
apex - top portion of the upper lobes of the lungs.
apheresis - a procedure in which a patient's own blood is removed, particular fluid and cellular elements are extracted from the blood, then returned to the patient.
aplastic anemia - one type of anemia that occurs when the bone marrow produces too few of all three types of blood cells: red cells, white cells, and platelets.
arrhythmia (Also called dysrhythmia.) - a fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat.
arterioles - small branches of arteries.
arteriosclerosis - commonly called "hardening of the arteries;" a variety of conditions caused by fatty or calcium deposits in the artery walls causing them to thicken.
artery - a blood vessel that carries oxygenated blood away from the heart to the body.
ascites - fluid that fills the abdomen when the liver is not functioning properly.
asplenia - absence of the spleen, either from improper development before birth, or due to the surgical removal of the spleen resulting from injury or disease.
atresia - inadequate development of an organ or part of an organ during pregnancy.
atrial fibrillation - a very fast and irregular beating of the atria (the upper two chambers of the heart).
atrial flutter - a very fast beating of the atria (the upper two chambers of the heart).
atrial septal defect (ASD) - a hole in the wall between the right and left atria (the two upper chambers of the heart).
atrial septum - the wall between the right and left atria (the two upper chambers of the heart).
atrioventricular block - an interruption of the electrical signal between the atria and the ventricles.
atrioventricular canal - refers to a congenital heart defect involving an opening low in the atrial septum, an opening high in the ventricular septum, and abnormal development of the mitral and/or tricuspid valves.
atrioventricular node - a cluster of cells between the atria and ventricles that regulate the electrical current.
atrium (atria pl.) - one of two upper chambers in the heart.
autologous bone marrow transplantation - a procedure in which a patient's own bone marrow is removed, treated with anticancer drugs or radiation, then returned to the patient.
autosomal recessive inheritance - a gene on one of the first 22 pairs of chromosomes, which, when present in two copies, causes a trait or disease to be expressed.
B
bacterial endocarditis - a bacterial infection of the valves and interior surfaces of the heart.
balloon angioplasty - a procedure usually done in the cardiac catheterization laboratory that uses a catheter (tube) with a balloon in the tip to open up a narrowed valve or blood vessel.
barium - a liquid used to coat the inside of organs so they will show up on an x-ray.
base - bottom portion of the lower lobes of the lung, located just above the diaphragm.
benign - non-cancerous.
beta blocker - a medication that limits the activity of epinephrine (a hormone that increases blood pressure).
bicuspid - a valve that has two leaflets.
bilateral - affecting both sides.
bile - a digestive fluid made by the liver and stored in the gallbladder that helps digest fats.
bile ducts - tubes that take bile from the liver to the gallbladder and small intestine to aid in digestion.
biliary atresia - a condition in which bile ducts do not have normal openings, preventing bile from leaving the liver. This causes jaundice (yellowing of skin or eyes) and liver damage known as cirrhosis. Biliary atresia is a birth defect.
bilirubin - a normal substance produced when red blood cells break down and are excreted by the liver. Bilirubin gives bile its yellow-green color. Too much bilirubin in the blood causes jaundice.
biopsy - a procedure in which tissue samples are removed (with a needle or during surgery) from the body for examination under a microscope; to determine if cancer or other abnormal cells are present.
bladder - a triangle-shaped, hollow organ located in the lower abdomen that holds urine.
blasts - immature blood cells.
blood - the life-maintaining fluid which is made up of plasma, red blood cells (erythrocytes), white blood cells (leukocytes), and platelets; blood circulates through the body's heart, arteries, veins, and capillaries; it carries away waste matter and carbon dioxide and brings nourishment, electrolytes, hormones, vitamins, antibodies, heat, and oxygen to the tissues.
blood banking - the process that takes place in the laboratory to ensure that the donated blood or blood products are safe, before they are used in blood transfusions and other medical procedures. Blood banking includes typing and cross matching the blood for transfusion and testing for infectious diseases.
blood clot - a thick, gelled mass of blood.
blood plasma - the fluid part of blood that contains nutrients, glucose, proteins, minerals, enzymes, and other substances.
blood pressure - pressure of blood against the walls of a blood vessel or heart chamber.
blood pressure cuff - a device usually placed around the upper portion of the arm to measure blood pressure.
bone marrow - the soft, spongy tissue found inside bones. It is the medium for development and storage of about 95 percent of the body's blood cells.
bone marrow aspiration and biopsy - the marrow may be removed by aspiration or a needle biopsy under local anesthesia. In aspiration biopsy, a fluid specimen, is removed from the bone marrow. In a needle biopsy, marrow cells (not fluid) are removed. These methods are often used together.
bone marrow harvest - collection of stem cells with a needle placed into the soft center of the bone, the marrow.
bone marrow transplant (BMT) - the transfusion of healthy bone marrow cells into a person after their own unhealthy bone marrow has been eliminated.
bowel - small and large intestine.
bowel movement - passage of stool (body wastes) from the large intestine through the rectum and anus.
brady - suffix meaning slow.
bradycardia - abnormally slow heartbeat.
bronchiole - a small airway (subdivision of the bronchus) that leads to areas of the lung and absorbs oxygen from the air.
bronchiolitis - inflammation that involves the bronchioles (small airways).
bronchoscopy - a fiberoptic, flexible tube is passed through the mouth into the bronchi to locate tumors or blockages, and to gather samples of tissue and/or fluid.
bronchus - one of two large subdivisions of the trachea through which air passes to and from the lungs.
bundle-branch block - a condition in which the heart's electrical system is unable to normally conduct the electrical signal.
C
calcium channel blocker - a medication that lowers blood pressure.
cancer cell - a cell that divides and multiplies uncontrollably and has the potential to spread throughout the body, crowding out normal cells and tissue.
capillaries - tiny blood vessels between arteries and veins that distribute oxygen-rich blood to the body.
carbohydrates - one of three main types of foods, along with proteins and fats; found in breads, cereals, grains, fruits, and vegetables; changes into a simple sugar called glucose during digestion; provides the body with a source of energy.
carcinogen - an agent (chemical, physical, or viral) that causes cancer. Examples include tobacco smoke and asbestos.
cardiac - pertaining to the heart.
cardiac arrest - the stopping of the heartbeat.
cardiac catheterization - a diagnostic procedure in which a tiny, hollow tube (catheter) is inserted into an artery or vein in order to evaluate the heart and blood vessels.
cardiac output - total amount of blood being pumped by the heart over a particular period of time.
cardiologist - a physician who specializes in the medical evaluation and treatment of heart diseases.
cardiology - the clinical study and practice of treating the heart.
cardiomyopathy - a disease of the heart muscle that causes it to lose its pumping strength.
cardiovascular (CV) - pertaining to the heart and blood vessel (circulatory) system.
cardioversion - the procedure of applying electrical shock to the chest to change an abnormal heartbeat into a normal one.
carotid artery - the major arteries in the neck that supply blood to the brain.
catheter - a flexible tube used to drain fluid from or inject fluid into the body. The most common catheters are the Foley catheter, used to drain urine from the bladder, and intravenous (IV) catheters inserted into veins to administer fluids.
cecum - the beginning of the large intestine; attached to the last section of the small intestine, known as the ileum.
chemotherapy - a medication that can help fight cancer.
child life specialist - a hospital staff member who has special training in the growth and development of children. A Child Life Specialist can help your child with play activities, relaxation and pain management skills and help meet the educational and emotional needs of the entire family.
cholangiography - x-rays of the bile ducts.
cholesterol - a substance normally made by the body, but also found in foods from animal sources, like beef, eggs, and butter. Too much cholesterol in the body can lead to narrowing and blockage of the arteries, especially those that feed the heart and keep it healthy. High cholesterol can also cause the formation of gallstones. Ideally, blood cholesterol levels should be less than 200mg/dL.
chromosome - structures in our cells that carry genes, the basic units of heredity. Humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes, one member of each pair inherited from the mother, the other from the father. Each chromosome can contain hundreds or thousands of individual genes.
chronic - referring to a disease or disorder that usually develops slowly and lasts for a long period of time.
chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) - a slowly progressing cancer of the blood in which too many white blood cells are produced in the bone marrow.
cineangiography - the procedure of taking moving pictures to show the passage of dye through blood vessels.
circulatory system - pertaining to the heart and blood vessels and the circulation of blood.
cirrhosis - a chronic problem that makes it hard for the liver to remove toxins (poisonous substances) from the body. Alcohol, medications, and other substances may build up in the bloodstream and cause problems. Cirrhosis is a result of scarring and damage from other diseases, such as biliary atresia and alcoholism.
closed heart surgery - an operation that repairs problems involving the blood vessels attached to the heart and may not need the use of the heart-lung bypass machine.
clotting - the sealing of a blood vessel with coagulated blood.
coarctation of the aorta - a congenital heart defect that results in narrowing of the aorta.
collateral vessels - ne