- Vagal (VAY-gal)
- pertaining to the vagus nerve, which supplies
sensory connections to the ear, tongue, and pharynx
- Vagotomy
(vay-GAH-tuh-mee)
- An operation to cut the vagus nerve. This
causes the stomach to make less acid.
- Vagus Nerve
(VAY-gus nurv)
- The nerve in the stomach that controls the
making of stomach acid.
- Vasculitis
- inflammation of a blood vessel.
-
- Vasoconstriction
- a narrowing of the blood vessels.
- Vasodilation
- a widening of the blood vessels.
-
- Vestibular System
(ves- TIB-you-lahr)
- the organ of the inner ear containing several
three semicircular ducts at right angles to one another; helps keep
the body balanced
- Villi (VIL-eye)
- The tiny, fingerlike projections on the surface
of the small intestine. Villi help absorb nutrients.
- Vinca Alkaloid
- a pharmacologically-active substance (e.g.,
vinblastine and vincristine) obtained from the genus Vinca ,
which includes the periwinkles.
- Viral
Hepatitis (VY-rul heh-puh-TY-tis)
- Hepatitis caused by a virus. Five different
viruses (A, B, C, D, and E) most commonly cause this form of
hepatitis. Other rare viruses may also cause hepatitis. See Hepatitis.
Viral hepatitis
| Type
of Hepatitis |
Mode
of Transmission |
| Hepatitis
A |
- Contaminated food and water.
|
| Hepatitis
B |
- Sexual intercourse.
- Sharing infected needles.
|
| Hepatitis
C |
- Sexual intercourse.
- Sharing infected needles.
|
| Hepatitis
D |
- Must have hepatitis B.
- Found mainly in intravenous
drug users.
|
| Hepatitis
E |
- Contaminated water from poor
sanitation.
|
|
- Viremia
- the presence of virus in the bloodstream.
- Virion
- a mature infectious virus particle existing
outside a cell.
- Virus
- a microorganism composed of a piece of genetic
material -- RNA or DNA -- surrounded by a protein coat. To
replicate, a virus must infect a cell and direct its cellular
machinery to produce new viruses.
- Volvulus
(VAHLV-yoo-lus)
- A twisting of the stomach or large intestine.
May be caused by the stomach being in the wrong position, a foreign
substance, or abnormal joining of one part of the stomach or
intestine to another. Volvulus can lead to blockage, perforation,
peritonitis, and poor blood flow.
|
