DICTIONARY OF NURSING Part 10 pdf

U
UKCC
UKCC abbreviation United Kingdom Central
Council for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visit-
ing
ulcer
ulcer /lsə/ noun an open sore in the skin or in
a mucous membrane, which is inflamed and diffi-
cult to heal ć stomach ulcer
ulcerative
ulcerative /ls(ə)rətv/ adjective referring to
ulcers, or characterised by ulcers
ulcerative colitis
ulcerative colitis /ls(ə)rətv kə
|
lats/
noun
severe pain in the colon, with diarrhoea and
ulcers in the rectum, often with a psychosomatic
cause
ulceromembranous gingivitis
ulceromembranous gingivitis /lsərəυ
|
membrənəs dnd
|
vats/ noun inflamma-
tion of the gums, which can also affect the
mucous membrane in the mouth
ule-
ule- prefix relating to a scar, or to scar tissue
ulna

ulna /lnə/ noun the longer and inner of the two
bones in the forearm between the elbow and the
wrist. See illustration at HAND in Supplement.
Compare radius
ulnar
ulnar /lnə/ adjective referring to the ulna
ulnar artery
ulnar artery /lnər ɑtəri/ noun an artery
which branches from the brachial artery at the
elbow and runs down the inside of the forearm to
join the radial artery in the palm of the hand
ulnar nerve
ulnar nerve /lnə nv/ noun a nerve which
runs from the neck to the elbow and controls the
muscles in the forearm and some of the fingers
COMMENT: The ulnar nerve passes near the
surface of the skin at the elbow, where it can
easily be hit, giving the effect of the ‘funny
bone’.
ultra-
ultra- prefix 1. further than 2. extremely
ultrafiltration
ultrafiltration /ltrəfl
|
treʃ(ə)n/ noun the
process of filtering the blood to remove tiny par-
ticles, e.g. when the blood is filtered by the kidney
ultrasonic
ultrasonic /ltrə
|

sɒnk/ adjective referring to
ultrasound
ultrasonic probe
ultrasonic probe /ltrəsɒnk prəυb/ noun
an instrument which locates organs or tissues
inside the body using ultrasound
ultrasonics
ultrasonics /ltrə
|
sɒnks/ noun the study of
ultrasound and its use in medical treatments
ultrasonic waves
ultrasonic waves /ltrəsɒnk wevz/ plural
noun
same as ultrasound
ultrasonogram
ultrasonogram /ltrə
|
sɒnərm/ noun a
picture made with ultrasound for the purpose of
medical examination or diagnosis
ultrasonograph
ultrasonograph /ltrə
|
sɒnərɑf/ noun a
machine which takes pictures of internal organs,
using ultrasound
ultrasonography
ultrasonography /ltrəsə
|

nɒrəfi/ noun the
procedure of passing ultrasound waves through
the body and recording echoes which show details
of internal organs. Also called echography
ultrasound
ultrasound /ltrəsaυnd/ noun very high fre-
quency sound waves which can be reflected off
internal body parts or off a fetus in the womb to
create images for medical examination (NOTE: No
plural for ultrasound.)
ultrasound marker
ultrasound marker /ltrəsaυnd mɑkə/
noun
an unusual physical characteristic seen in an
ultrasound examination of a fetus which is an
indication of the existence of a genetic or devel-
opmental disorder
ultrasound probe
ultrasound probe /ltrəsaυnd prəυb/ noun
same as ultrasonic probe
ultrasound scanning
ultrasound scanning /ltrəsaυnd
sknŋ/, ultrasound screening /ltrəsaυnd
skrinŋ/ noun a method of gathering informa-
tion about the body by taking images using high-
frequency sound waves
ultrasound treatment
ultrasound treatment /ltrəsaυnd
tritmənt
/ noun the treatment of soft tissue

inflammation using ultrasound waves
ultraviolet
ultraviolet /ltrə
|
vaələt/ adjective referring
to the short invisible rays beyond the violet end of
the spectrum, which form the element in sunlight
which tans the skin, helps the skin produce Vita-
min D and kills bacteria. Abbreviation UV
ultraviolet lamp
ultraviolet lamp /ltrəvaələt lmp/ noun a
lamp which gives off ultraviolet rays
ultraviolet radiation
ultraviolet radiation /ltrəvaələt redi
|
eʃ(ə)n/, ultraviolet rays /ltrə
|
vaələt res/
noun
short invisible rays of ultraviolet light.
Abbreviation UVR
umbilical
umbilical /m
|
blk(ə)l/ adjective referring to
the navel
umbilical cord
umbilical cord /m
|
blk(ə)l kɔd/ noun a

cord containing two arteries and one vein which
links the fetus inside the uterus to the placenta
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319 uran-
umbilical hernia
umbilical hernia /m
|
blk(ə)l hniə/ noun
a hernia which bulges at the navel, usually in
young children. Also called exomphalos
umbilicated
umbilicated /m
|
blketd/ adjective with a
small depression, like a navel, in the centre
umbilicus
umbilicus /m
|
blkəs/ noun same as navel
umbo
umbo /mbəυ/ noun a projecting part in the
middle of the outer side of the eardrum
un-
un- /n/ prefix not
unciform bone
unciform bone /nsfɔm bəυn/ noun one of
the eight small carpal bones in the wrist, shaped
like a hook. Also called hamate bone
uncinate
uncinate /nsnət/ adjective shaped like a

hook
unconditioned response
unconditioned response /nkəndʃ(ə)nd
r
|
spɒns/ noun a response to a stimulus which
occurs automatically, by instinct, and has not
been learned
unconscious
unconscious /n
|
kɒnʃəs/ adjective not aware
of what is happening ć She was unconscious for
two days after the accident. í noun ˽ the uncon-
scious (in psychology) the part of the mind which
stores feelings, memories or desires that someone
cannot consciously call up. ı subconscious
unconsciousness
unconsciousness /n
|
kɒnʃəsnəs/ noun the
state of being unconscious, e.g. as a result of lack
of oxygen or from some other external cause such
as a blow on the head
undecenoic acid
undecenoic acid /n
|
desnəυk sd/,
undecylenic acid /
n

|
dslenk sd/ noun a
substance made from castor bean oil, used in the
treatment of fungal infections such as thrush
undine
undine /ndin/ noun a glass container for a
solution to bathe the eyes
undulant fever
undulant fever /ndjυlənt fivə/ same as
brucellosis
ungual
ungual /ŋwəl/ adjective referring to the fin-
gernails or toenails
unguentum
unguentum /ŋ
|
wentəm/ noun (in phar-
macy)
an ointment
unguis
unguis /ŋws/ same as nail
uni-
uni- /juni/ prefix one
unicellular
unicellular /jun
|
seljυlə/ adjective referring
to an organism formed of one cell
unigravida
unigravida /juni

|
rvdə/ noun same as
primigravida
unilateral
unilateral /jun
|
lt(ə)rəl/ adjective affecting
one side of the body only
unilateral oophorectomy
unilateral oophorectomy /junlt(ə)rəl
əυəfə
|
rektəmi/ noun the surgical removal of
one ovary
union
union /junjən/ noun the joining together of
two parts of a fractured bone. Opposite non-
union
. ı malunion
uniovular
uniovular /juni
|
ɒvjυlə/ noun consisting of, or
coming from, one ovum
uniovular twins
uniovular twins /juniɒvjυlə twnz/ plural
noun
same as identical twins
unipara
unipara /ju

|
npərə/ noun same as primipara
unipolar neurone
unipolar neurone /jun
|
pəυlə njυərəυn/
noun
a neurone with a single process. Compare
multipolar neurone, bipolar neurone. See
illustration at NEURONE in Supplement
unit
unit /junt/ noun 1. a single part of a larger
whole 2. a part of a hospital that has a specialised
function ć a burns unit 3. a named and agreed
standard amount used for measuring something ć
A gram is an SI unit of weight. 4. a quantity of a
drug, enzyme, hormone or of blood, taken as a
standard for measurement and producing a given
effect ć three units of blood ć a unit of insulin 5.
a machine or device ć a waste-disposal unit
United Kingdom Central Council for Nursing, Midwifery, and Health Visiting
United Kingdom Central Council for
Nursing, Midwifery, and Health Visiting
/ju
|
natd kŋdəm sentrəl kaυnsəl fə
nsŋ md
|
wfəri ənd helθ vztŋ/ noun in
the UK from 1979 until April 2002, an organisa-

tion which regulated nurses, midwives, and health
visitors. The UKCC and the four National Boards
have now been replaced by the Nursing and Mid-
wifery Council. Abbreviation UKCC
universal donor
universal donor /junvs(ə)l dəυnə/ noun
a person with blood group O, whose blood may be
given to anyone
Universal Precautions
Universal Precautions /junvs(ə)l pr
|
kɔʃ(ə)nz/ abbreviation UP. ı Standard Pre-
cautions
universal recipient
universal recipient /junvs(ə)l r
|
spiənt/ noun a person with blood group AB
who can receive blood from all the other blood
groups
unsaturated fat
unsaturated fat /n
|
stʃəretd ft/ noun
fat which does not have a large amount of hydro-
gen, and so can be broken down more easily
unstable angina
unstable angina /n
|
steb(ə)l n
|

danə/
noun
angina which has suddenly become worse
unstriated muscle
unstriated muscle /nstra
|
etd ms(ə)l/
noun
same as smooth muscle
upper respiratory infection
upper respiratory infection /pə r
|
sprət(ə)ri n
|
fekʃən/ noun an infection in the
upper part of the respiratory system
UPPP
UPPP abbreviation uvulopalatopharyngoplasty
upset stomach
upset stomach /p
|
set stmək/ noun same
as stomach upset
uracil
uracil /jυərəsl/ noun a pyrimidine base, one of
the four bases in RNA in which it pairs with thym-
ine
uraemia
uraemia /jυ
|

rimiə/ noun a disorder caused by
kidney failure, where urea is retained in the blood,
and the person develops nausea, convulsions and
in severe cases goes into a coma
uraemic
uraemic /jυ
|
rimk/ adjective referring to urae-
mia, or having uraemia
uran-
uran- /jυərən/ prefix referring to the palate
Nursing.fm Page 319 Monday, May 14, 2007 4:47 PM
urate 320
urate
urate /jυəret/ noun a salt of uric acid found in
urine
uraturia
uraturia /jυərə
|
tjυəriə/ noun the presence of
excessive amounts of urates in the urine, e.g. in
gout
urea
urea /jυ
|
riə/ noun a substance produced in the
liver from excess amino acids, and excreted by the
kidneys into the urine
uresis
uresis /jυ

|
riss/ noun the act of passing urine
ureter
ureter /jυ
|
ritə, jυərtə/ noun one of the two
tubes which take urine from the kidneys to the uri-
nary bladder. See illustration at KIDNEY in Sup-
plement
. Also called urinary duct
ureter-
ureter- /jυritə/ prefix same as uretero- (used
before vowels)
ureteral
ureteral /jυ
|
ritərəl/ adjective referring to the
ureters
ureterectomy
ureterectomy /jυərtə
|
rektəmi/ noun the
surgical removal of a ureter
ureteric
ureteric /jυər
|
terk/ adjective same as ure-
teral
ureteric calculus
ureteric calculus /jυərterk klkjυləs/

noun
a kidney stone in the ureter
ureteric catheter
ureteric catheter /jυərterk kθtə/ noun
a catheter passed through the ureter to the kidney,
to inject an opaque solution into the kidney before
taking an X-ray
ureteritis
ureteritis /jυərtə
|
rats/ noun inflammation
of a ureter
uretero-
uretero- /jυritərəυ/ prefix referring to the ure-
ter
ureterocele
ureterocele /jυ
|
ritərəυsil/ noun swelling in a
ureter caused by narrowing of the opening where
the ureter enters the bladder
ureterocolostomy
ureterocolostomy /jυ
|
ritərəυkɒ
|
lɒstəmi/
noun
a surgical operation to implant the ureter
into the sigmoid colon, so as to bypass the bladder

ureteroenterostomy
ureteroenterostomy /jυ
|
ritərəυ
|
entə
|
rɒstəmi/ noun an artificially formed passage
between the ureter and the intestine
ureterolith
ureterolith /jυ
|
ritərəυlθ/ noun a stone in a
ureter
ureterolithotomy
ureterolithotomy /jυ
|
ritərəυl
|
θɒtəmi/ noun
the surgical removal of a stone from the ureter
ureterolysis
ureterolysis /jυərtə
|
rɒləss/ noun a surgical
operation to free one or both ureters from adhe-
sions or surrounding tissue
ureteroneocystostomy
ureteroneocystostomy /jυ
|

ritərəυ
|
niəυsa
|
stɒstəmi/ noun a surgical operation to
transplant a ureter to a different location in the
bladder
ureteronephrectomy
ureteronephrectomy /jυ
|
ritərəυn
|
frektəmi/ noun same as nephroureterectomy
ureteroplasty
ureteroplasty /jυ
|
ritərəυplsti/ noun a sur-
gical operation to repair a ureter
ureteropyelonephritis
ureteropyelonephritis /jυ
|
ritərəυ
|
paələυnfrats/ noun inflammation of the
ureter and the pelvis of the kidney to which it is
attached
ureteroscope
ureteroscope /jυ
|
ritərəυskəυp/ noun an

instrument which is passed into the ureter and up
into the kidneys, usually used to locate or remove
a stone
ureteroscopy
ureteroscopy /jυərtə
|
rɒskəpi/ noun an
examination of the ureter with a ureteroscope
ureterosigmoidostomy
ureterosigmoidostomy /jυ
|
ritərəυ
|
smɔ
|
dɒstəmi/ same as ureterocolostomy
ureterostomy
ureterostomy /jυərtə
|
rɒstəmi/ noun a surgi-
cal operation to make an artificial opening for the
ureter into the abdominal wall, so that urine can
be passed directly out of the body
ureterotomy
ureterotomy /jυərtə
|
rɒtəmi/ noun a surgical
operation to make an incision into the ureter,
mainly to remove a stone
ureterovaginal

ureterovaginal /jυ
|
ritərəυvə
|
dan(ə)l/
adjective
referring to the ureter and the vagina
urethra
urethra /ju
|
riθrə/ noun a tube which takes
urine from the bladder to be passed out of the
body. See illustration at UROGENITAL SYSTEM in
Supplement
urethral
urethral /ju
|
riθr(ə)l/ adjective referring to the
urethra
urethral catheter
urethral catheter /ju
|
riθr(ə)l kθtə/ noun
a catheter passed up the urethra to allow urine to
flow out of the bladder, used to empty the bladder
before an abdominal operation. Also called uri-
nary catheter
urethral stricture
urethral stricture /ju
|

riθrəl strktʃə/ noun a
condition in which the urethra is narrowed or
blocked by a growth. Also called urethrosteno-
sis
urethritis
urethritis /jυərə
|
θrats/ noun inflammation
of the urethra
urethro-
urethro- /juriθrəυ/ prefix referring to the ure-
thra
urethrocele
urethrocele /ju
|
riθrəsil/ noun a swelling
formed in a weak part of the wall of the urethra
urethrogram
urethrogram /ju
|
riθrərm/ noun an X-ray
photograph of the urethra
urethrography
urethrography /jυər
|
θrɒrəfi/ noun X-ray
examination of the urethra
urethroplasty
urethroplasty /ju
|

riθrəplsti/ noun a surgi-
cal operation to repair a urethra
urethrorrhaphy
urethrorrhaphy /jυər
|
θrɒrəfi/ noun a surgi-
cal operation to repair a torn urethra
urethrorrhoea
urethrorrhoea /jυ
|
riθrə
|
riə/ noun the dis-
charge of fluid from the urethra, usually associ-
ated with urethritis
urethroscope
urethroscope /jυ
|
riθrəskəυp/ noun a surgi-
cal instrument, used to examine the interior of a
man’s urethra
urethroscopy
urethroscopy /jυər
|
θrɒskəpi/ noun an
examination of the inside of a man’s urethra with
a urethroscope
Nursing.fm Page 320 Monday, May 14, 2007 4:47 PM
321 urticaria
urethrostenosis

urethrostenosis /jυ
|
riθrəυstə
|
nəυss/ noun
same as urethral stricture
urethrostomy
urethrostomy /jυər
|
θrɒstəmi/ noun a surgi-
cal operation to make an opening for a man’s ure-
thra between the scrotum and the anus
urethrotomy
urethrotomy /jυər
|
θrɒtəmi/ noun a surgical
operation to open a blocked or narrowed urethra.
Also called Wheelhouse’s operation
urge incontinence
urge incontinence /d n
|
kɒntnəns/
noun
a condition in which someone feels a very
strong need to urinate and cannot retain their
urine
-uria
-uria /jυəriə/ suffix 1. a condition of the urine 2.
a disease characterised by a condition of the urine
uric acid

uric acid /jυərk sd/ noun a chemical com-
pound which is formed from nitrogen in waste
products from the body and which also forms
crystals in the joints of people who have gout
urin-
urin- /jυərn/ prefix same as urino- (used before
vowels)
urinalysis
urinalysis /jυər
|
nləss/ noun the analysis of
urine, to detect diseases such as diabetes mellitus
urinary
urinary /jυərn(ə)ri/ adjective referring to
urine
urinary bladder
urinary bladder /jυərn(ə)ri bldə/ noun a
sac where the urine collects after passing from the
kidneys through the ureters, before being passed
out of the body through the urethra. See illustra-
tion at KIDNEY, UROGENITAL SYSTEM (MALE) in
Supplement
urinary catheter
urinary catheter /jυərn(ə)ri kθtə/ noun
same as urethral catheter
urinary duct
urinary duct /jυərn(ə)ri dkt/ noun same as
ureter
urinary incontinence
urinary incontinence /jυərn(ə)ri n

|
kɒntnəns/ noun the involuntary emission of
urine
urinary obstruction
urinary obstruction /jυərn(ə)ri əb
|
strkʃən/ noun a blockage of the urethra, which
prevents urine being passed
urinary retention
urinary retention /jυərn(ə)ri r
|
tenʃən/
noun
the inability to pass urine, usually because
the urethra is blocked or because the prostate
gland is enlarged. Also called
urine retention
urinary system
urinary system /jυərn(ə)ri sstəm/ noun a
system of organs and ducts which separate waste
liquids from the blood and excrete them as urine,
including the kidneys, bladder, ureters and ure-
thra
urinary tract
urinary tract /jυərn(ə)ri trkt/ noun the set
of tubes down which the urine passes from the
kidneys to the bladder and from the bladder out of
the body
urinary tract infection
urinary tract infection /jυərn(ə)ri trkt n

|
fekʃən/ noun a bacterial infection of any part of
the urinary system. Symptoms are usually a need
to urinate frequently and pain on urination.
Abbreviation UTI
urinate
urinate /jυərnet/ verb to pass urine from the
body
urination
urination /jυər
|
neʃ(ə)n/ noun the passing of
urine out of the body. Also called micturition
urine
urine /jυərn/ noun a yellowish liquid, contain-
ing water and waste products, mainly salt and
urea, which is excreted by the kidneys and passed
out of the body through the ureters, bladder and
urethra
urine retention
urine retention /jυərn r
|
tenʃ(ə)n/ noun
same as urinary retention
uriniferous tubule
uriniferous tubule /jυər
|
nf(ə)rəs
tjubjul/ noun same as renal tubule
urino-

urino- /jυərnəυ/ prefix referring to urine
urinogenital
urinogenital /jυərnəυ
|
dent(ə)l/ adjective
same as urogenital
urinometer
urinometer /jυər
|
nɒmtə/ noun an instru-
ment which measures the specific gravity of urine
urobilin
urobilin /jυərəυ
|
baln/ noun a yellow pig-
ment formed when urobilinogen comes into con-
tact with air
urobilinogen
urobilinogen /jυərəυba
|
lnədən/ noun a
colourless pigment formed when bilirubin is
reduced to stercobilinogen in the intestines
urochrome
urochrome /jυərəkrəυm/ noun the pigment
which colours the urine yellow
urodynamics
urodynamics /jυərəυda
|
nmks/ plural

noun
the active changes which occur during the
function of the bladder, urethral sphincter and
pelvic floor muscles
urogenital
urogenital /jυərəυ
|
dent(ə)l/ adjective
referring to the urinary and genital systems. Also
called urinogenital
urogenital system
urogenital system /jυərəυ
|
dent(ə)l
sstəm/ noun the whole of the urinary tract and
reproductive system
urogram
urogram /jυərərm/ noun an X-ray picture
of the urinary tract, or of a part of it
urography
urography /jυ
|
rɒrəfi/ noun an X-ray exami-
nation of part of the urinary system after injection
of radio-opaque dye
urokinase
urokinase /jυərəυ
|
kanez/ noun an enzyme
formed in the kidneys, which begins the process

of breaking down blood clots
urolith
urolith /jυərəlθ/ noun a stone in the urinary
system
urological
urological /jυərə
|
lɒdk(ə)l/ adjective refer-
ring to urology
urologist
urologist /jυ
|
rɒlədst/ noun a doctor who
specialises in urology
urology
urology /jυ
|
rɒlədi/ noun the scientific study of
the urinary system and its diseases
urostomy
urostomy /jυ
|
rɒstəmi/ noun the surgical crea-
tion of an artificial urethra
urticaria
urticaria /t
|
keəriə/ noun an allergic reaction
to injections, particular foods or plants where the
skin forms irritating reddish patches. Also called

hives, nettle rash
Nursing.fm Page 321 Monday, May 14, 2007 4:47 PM
usual 322
usual
usual /juuəl/ adjective expected or typical
uter-
uter- /jutə/ prefix same as utero- (used before
vowels)
uterine
uterine /jutəran/ adjective referring to the
uterus
uterine cavity
uterine cavity /jutəran kvti/ noun the
inside of the uterus
uterine procidentia
uterine procidentia /jutəran prəυs
|
denʃə/, uterine prolapse /jutəran
prəυlps/ noun a condition in which part of the
uterus has passed through the vagina, usually
after childbirth
COMMENT: Uterine procidentia has three
stages of severity: in the first the cervix de-
scends into the vagina, in the second the
cervix is outside the vagina, but part of the
uterus is still inside, and in the third stage,
the whole uterus passes outside the vagina.
uterine retroflexion
uterine retroflexion /jutəran retrəυ
|

flekʃ(ə)n/ noun a condition in which the uterus
bends backwards away from its usual position
uterine retroversion
uterine retroversion /jutəran retrəυ
|
vʃ(ə)n/ noun a condition in which the uterus
slopes backwards away from its usual position
utero-
utero- /jutərəυ/ prefix referring to the uterus
uterography
uterography /jutə
|
rɒrəfi/ noun an X-ray
examination of the uterus
uterosalpingography
uterosalpingography /jutərəυslpŋ
|
ɒrəfi/ noun same as hysterosalpingogra-
phy
uterovesical
uterovesical /jutərəυ
|
vesk(ə)l/ adjective
referring to the uterus and the bladder
uterus
uterus /jut(ə)rəs/ noun the hollow organ in a
woman’s pelvic cavity, behind the bladder and in
front of the rectum in which the embryo develops
before birth. Also called womb. See illustration
at UROGENITAL SYSTEM (FEMALE) in Supplement

(NOTE: For other terms referring to the uterus,
see words beginning with hyster-, hystero-,
metr-, metro )
uterus didelphys
uterus didelphys /jut(ə)rəs da
|
delfs/
noun
same as double uterus
utricle
utricle /jutrk(ə)l/, utriculus /jυ
|
trkjυləs/
noun
a large sac inside the vestibule of the ear,
which relates information about the upright posi-
tion of the head to the brain
UV
UV abbreviation ultraviolet
uvea
uvea /juviə/ noun a layer of organs in the eye
beneath the sclera, formed of the iris, the ciliary
body and the choroid. Also called uveal tract
uveal
uveal /juviəl/ adjective referring to the uvea
uveal tract
uveal tract /juviəl trkt/ noun same as uvea
uveitis
uveitis /juvi
|

ats/ noun inflammation of any
part of the uvea
UVR
UVR abbreviation ultraviolet radiation
uvula
uvula /juvjυlə/ noun a piece of soft tissue
which hangs down from the back of the soft palate
uvular
uvular /juvjυlə/ adjective referring to the
uvula
uvulectomy
uvulectomy /juvjυ
|
lektəmi/ noun the surgi-
cal removal of the uvula
uvulitis
uvulitis /juvjυ
|
lats/ noun inflammation of
the uvula
uvulopalatopharyngoplasty
uvulopalatopharyngoplasty /juvjυləυ
|
plətəυfə
|
rŋəυplsti/ noun a surgical oper-
ation to remove the uvula and other soft tissue in
the palate, in order to widen the airways and treat
the problem of snoring. Abbreviation UPPP
Nursing.fm Page 322 Monday, May 14, 2007 4:47 PM

V
vaccinate
vaccinate /vksnet/ verb to introduce vac-
cine into a person’s body in order to make the
body create its own antibodies, so making the per-
son immune to the disease
(NOTE: You vaccinate
someone against a disease.)
vaccination
vaccination /vks
|
neʃ(ə)n/ noun the action
of vaccinating someone
COMMENT: Originally the words vaccination
and vaccine applied only to smallpox immu-
nisation, but they are now used for immuni-
sation against any disease. Vaccination is
mainly given against cholera, diphtheria, ra-
bies, smallpox, tuberculosis, and typhoid.
vaccine
vaccine /vksin/ noun a substance which
contains antigens to a disease or a weak form of a
disease, used to protect people against it
vacuum
vacuum /vkjum/ noun a space which is
completely empty of all matter, including air
vacuum extraction
vacuum extraction /vkjuəm k
|
strkʃən/

noun
the procedure of pulling on the head of the
baby with a suction instrument to aid birth
vacuum extractor
vacuum extractor /vkjuəm k
|
strktə/
noun
a surgical instrument formed of a rubber
suction cup which is used in vacuum extraction
during childbirth
vacuum suction
vacuum suction /vkjuəm skʃən/ noun a
method used to achieve an abortion, after dilata-
tion of the cervix. Also called
aspiration
vagal
vagal /ve(ə)l/ adjective referring to the vagus
nerve
vagal tone
vagal tone /ve(ə)l təυn/ noun the action of
the vagus nerve to slow the beat of the sinoatrial
node
vagin-
vagin- /vədan/ prefix referring to the vagina
vagina
vagina /və
|
danə/ noun a passage in a
woman’s reproductive tract between the entrance

to the uterus, the cervix, and the vulva, able to
stretch enough to allow a baby to pass through
during childbirth. See illustration at UROGENITAL
SYSTEM
(FEMALE) in Supplement (NOTE: For
other terms referring to the vagina, see words
beginning with colp-, colpo )
vaginal bleeding
vaginal bleeding /və
|
dan(ə)l blidŋ/ noun
bleeding from the vagina
vaginal delivery
vaginal delivery /və
|
dan(ə)l d
|
lv(ə)ri/
noun
the birth of a baby through the mother’s
vagina, without surgical intervention
vaginal diaphragm
vaginal diaphragm /və
|
dan(ə)l daəfrm/
noun
a circular contraceptive device for women,
which is inserted into the vagina and placed over
the neck of the uterus before sexual intercourse
vaginal discharge

vaginal discharge /və
|
dan(ə)l dstʃɑd/
noun
the flow of liquid from the vagina
vaginal douche
vaginal douche /və
|
dan(ə)l duʃ/ noun 1.
the process of washing out the vagina 2. a device
or liquid for washing out the vagina
vaginal examination
vaginal examination /və
|
dan(ə)l 
|
zm
|
neʃ(ə)n/ noun the act of checking the vagina for
signs of disease or growth
vaginal suppository
vaginal suppository /vdn(ə)l sə
|
pɒzt(ə)ri/ noun same as pessary 1
vaginismus
vaginismus /vd
|
nzməs/ noun a painful
contraction of the vagina which prevents sexual
intercourse

vaginitis
vaginitis /vd
|
nats/ noun inflammation of
the vagina which is mainly caused by the bacte-
rium Trichomonas vaginalis or by a fungus Can-
dida albicans
vaginoplasty
vaginoplasty /və
|
danəplsti/ noun a surgi-
cal operation to graft tissue on to the vagina
vaginoscope
vaginoscope /vdnəυskəυp/ noun same
as
colposcope
vago-
vago- /veɒ/ prefix referring to the vagus nerve
vagotomy
vagotomy /ve
|
ɒtəmi/ noun a surgical opera-
tion to cut through the vagus nerve which controls
the nerves in the stomach, as a treatment for pep-
tic ulcers
vagus
vagus /veəs/, vagus nerve /veəs nv/
noun
either of the tenth pair of cranial nerves
which carry sensory and motor neurons serving

the heart, lungs, stomach, and various other
organs and control swallowing. Also called
pneumogastric nerve
valgus
valgus /vləs/, valgum /vləm/, valga
/
vlə/ adjective turning outwards. ı hallux
valgus
. Compare varus
validity
validity /və
|
ldti/ noun (of a study) the fact of
being based on sound research and methods
which exclude alternative explanations of a result
valine
valine /velin/ noun an essential amino acid
Nursing.fm Page 323 Monday, May 14, 2007 4:47 PM
Valium 324
Valium
Valium /vliəm/ a trade name for diazepam
vallate papillae
vallate papillae /vlet pə
|
pili/ plural noun
large papillae which form a line towards the back
of the tongue and contain taste buds
Valsalva’s manoeuvre
Valsalva’s manoeuvre /vl
|

slvəz mə
|
nuvə/ noun the process of breathing out while
holding the nostrils closed and keeping the mouth
shut, used in order to test the functioning of the
Eustachian tubes or to adjust the pressure in the
middle ear
valve
valve /vlv/ noun a flap which opens and closes
to allow liquid to pass in one direction only, e.g.
in the heart, blood vessels or lymphatic vessels
valvotomy
valvotomy /vl
|
vɒtəmi/ noun a surgical oper-
ation to cut into a valve to make it open wider
valvula
valvula /vlvjυlə/ noun a small valve (NOTE:
The plural is valvulae.)
valvulitis
valvulitis /vlvjυ
|
lats/ noun inflammation
of a valve in the heart
valvuloplasty
valvuloplasty /vlvjυləυplsti/ noun sur-
gery to repair valves in the heart without opening
the heart
valvulotomy
valvulotomy /vlvjυ

|
lɒtəmi/ noun same as
valvotomy
vancomycin
vancomycin /vŋkəυ
|
masn/ noun an anti-
biotic which is effective against some bacteria
which are resistant to other antibiotics. Strains of
bacteria resistant to vancomycin have now devel-
oped.
van den Bergh test
van den Bergh test /vn den b test/
noun
a test of blood serum to see if a case of jaun-
dice is caused by an obstruction in the liver or by
haemolysis of red blood cells [After A.A. Hijmans
van den Bergh (1869–1943), Dutch physician.]
vaporiser
vaporiser /vepərazə/, vaporizer noun a
device which warms a liquid to which medicinal
oil has been added, so that it provides a vapour
which someone can inhale
vapour
vapour /vepə/ noun 1. a substance in the form
of a gas
2. steam from a mixture of a liquid and a
medicinal oil
vara
vara /veərə/ adjective same as varus

variant CJD
variant CJD /veəriənt side di/ noun a
form of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease which was
observed first in the 1980s, especially affecting
younger people. Abbreviation vCJD
varicectomy
varicectomy /vri
|
sektəmi/ noun a surgical
operation to remove a vein or part of a vein
varicella
varicella /vri
|
selə/ noun same as chicken-
pox
varices
varices /vrsiz/ plural of varix
varicose
varicose /vrkəυs/ adjective 1. affected with
or having varicose veins
2. designed for the treat-
ment of varicose veins 3. relating to or producing
swelling
varicose eczema
varicose eczema /vrkəυs eksmə/ noun
eczema which develops on the legs, caused by
bad circulation. Also called hypostatic eczema
varicose ulcer
varicose ulcer /vrkəυs lsə/ noun an
ulcer in the leg as a result of bad circulation and

varicose veins
varicose vein
varicose vein /vrkəυs ven/ noun a vein,
usually in the legs, which becomes twisted and
swollen
varicosity
varicosity /vr
|
kɒsti/ noun (of veins) the
condition of being swollen and twisted
varicotomy
varicotomy /vr
|
kɒtəmi/ noun a surgical
operation to make a cut into a varicose vein
varifocals
varifocals /veəri
|
fəυk(ə)lz/ plural noun spec-
tacles with lenses which have varying focal
lengths from top to bottom, for looking at things
at different distances from the wearer
variola
variola /və
|
raələ/ noun same as smallpox
varix
varix /veərks/ noun a swollen blood vessel,
especially a swollen vein in the leg (NOTE: The
plural is varices.)

varus
varus /veərəs/, varum /veərəm/, vara
/
veərə/ adjective turning inwards. ı coxa vara.
Compare valgus
vas
vas /vs/ noun a tube in the body (NOTE: The
plural is vasa.)
vas-
vas- /vs/ prefix same as vaso-
vasa efferentia
vasa efferentia /vesə efə
|
rentiə/ plural
noun
the group of small tubes which sperm travel
down from the testis to the epididymis
vasa vasorum
vasa vasorum /vesə ve
|
sɔrəm/ plural
noun
tiny blood vessels in the walls of larger
blood vessels
vascular
vascular /vskjυlə/ adjective referring to
blood vessels
vascularisation
vascularisation /vskjυləra
|

zeʃ(ə)n/,
vascularization noun
the development of new
blood vessels
vascular lesion
vascular lesion /vskjυlə li(ə)n/ noun
damage to a blood vessel
vascular system
vascular system /vskjυlə sstəm/ noun
the series of vessels such as veins, arteries and
capillaries, carrying blood around the body
vasculitis
vasculitis /vskjυ
|
lats/ noun inflammation
of a blood vessel
vas deferens
vas deferens /vs defərənz/ noun see illus-
tration at
UROGENITAL SYSTEM (MALE) in Supple-
ment. Also called ductus deferens, sperm
duct (
NOTE: The plural is vasa deferentia.)
vasectomy
vasectomy /və
|
sektəmi/ noun a surgical oper-
ation to cut a vas deferens, in order to prevent
sperm travelling from the epididymis up the duct
vas efferens

vas efferens /vs efərenz/ noun one of
many tiny tubes which take the spermatozoa from
the testis to the epididymis (NOTE: The plural is
vasa efferentia.)
vaso-
vaso- /vezəυ/ prefix 1. referring to a blood ves-
sel 2. referring to the vas deferens
vasoactive
vasoactive /vezəυ
|
ktv/ adjective having
an effect on the blood vessels, especially con-
stricting the arteries
Nursing.fm Page 324 Monday, May 14, 2007 4:47 PM
325 venogram
vasoconstriction
vasoconstriction /vezəυkən
|
strkʃən/
noun
a contraction of blood vessels which makes
them narrower
vasoconstrictor
vasoconstrictor /vezəυkən
|
strktə/ noun a
chemical substance which makes blood vessels
become narrower, so that blood pressure rises,
e.g. ephedrine hydrochloride
vasodilatation

vasodilatation /vezəυ
|
dalə
|
teʃ(ə)n/,
vasodilation /
vezəυda
|
leʃ(ə)n/ noun the
relaxation of blood vessels, especially the arter-
ies, making them wider and leading to increased
blood flow or reduced blood pressure
vasodilator
vasodilator /vezəυda
|
letə/ noun a chemi-
cal substance which makes blood vessels become
wider, so that blood flows more easily and blood
pressure falls, e.g. hydralazine hydrochloride
vaso-epididymostomy
vaso-epididymostomy /vezəυ epdd
|
mɒstəmi/ noun a surgical operation to reverse a
vasectomy in which the cut end of the vas defer-
ens is joined to a tubule within the epididymis
above a blockage in it
vasomotion
vasomotion /vezə
|
məυʃ(ə)n/ noun the con-

trol of the diameter of blood vessels and thus of
blood flow. ı vasoconstriction, vasodilatation
vasomotor
vasomotor /vezəυ
|
məυtə/ adjective refer-
ring to the control of the diameter of blood vessels
vasomotor centre
vasomotor centre /vezə
|
məυtə sentə/
noun
a nerve centre in the brain which changes
the rate of heartbeat and the diameter of blood
vessels and so regulates blood pressure
vasomotor nerve
vasomotor nerve /vezəυ
|
məυtə nv/
noun
a nerve in the wall of a blood vessel which
affects the diameter of the vessel
vasopressor
vasopressor /vezəυ
|
presə/ noun a sub-
stance which increases blood pressure by narrow-
ing the blood vessels
vasospasm
vasospasm /vezəυspzm/ noun a muscle

spasm causing the fingers to become cold, white
and numb.
ı Raynaud’s disease
vasovagal
vasovagal /vezəυ
|
ve(ə)l/ adjective refer-
ring to the vagus nerve and its effect on the heart-
beat and blood circulation
vasovagal attack
vasovagal attack /vezəυ
|
ve(ə)l ə
|
tk/
noun
a fainting fit as a result of a slowing down of
the heartbeats caused by excessive activity of the
vagus nerve
vasovasostomy
vasovasostomy /vezəυvə
|
sɒstəmi/ noun a
surgical operation to reverse a vasectomy
vasovesiculitis
vasovesiculitis /vezəυveskju
|
lats/ noun
inflammation of the seminal vesicles and a vas
deferens

VBAC
VBAC abbreviation vaginal birth after Caesarean
section
vCJD
vCJD abbreviation variant CJD
VD
VD abbreviation venereal disease
VD clinic
VD clinic /vi di klnk/ noun a clinic spe-
cialising in the diagnosis and treatment of vene-
real diseases
vector
vector /vektə/ noun an insect or animal which
carries a disease and can pass it to humans ć The
tsetse fly is a vector of sleeping sickness.
vegan
vegan /viən/ noun someone who does not eat
meat, dairy produce, eggs or fish and eats only
vegetables and fruit í adjective involving a diet
of only vegetables and fruit
vegetarian
vegetarian /ved
|
teəriən/ noun someone
who does not eat meat, but eats mainly vegetables
and fruit and sometimes dairy produce, eggs or
fish í adjective involving a diet without meat
vegetation
vegetation /ved
|

teʃ(ə)n/ noun a growth on
a membrane, e.g. on the cusps of valves in the
heart
vegetative
vegetative /vedtətv/ adjective referring to
growth of tissue or organs
vehicle
vehicle /vik(ə)l/ noun a liquid in which a dose
of a drug is put
vein
vein /ven/ noun a blood vessel which takes
deoxygenated blood containing waste carbon
dioxide from the tissues back to the heart (NOTE:
For other terms referring to veins see words
beginning phleb-, phlebo- or vene-, veno )
vena cava
vena cava /vinə kevə/ noun one of two
large veins which take deoxygenated blood from
all the other veins into the right atrium of the
heart. See illustration at HEART in Supplement,
KIDNEY in Supplement (NOTE: The plural is
venae cavae.)
vene-
vene- /ven/ prefix referring to veins
venepuncture
venepuncture /venpŋktʃə/ noun the act of
puncturing a vein either to inject a drug or to take
a blood sample
venereal
venereal /və

|
nəriəl/ adjective 1. relating to sex
acts or sexual desire 2. relating to the genitals 3.
referring to an infection or disease which is trans-
mitted through sexual intercourse ć venereal
warts
venereal disease
venereal disease /və
|
nəriəl d
|
ziz/ noun a
disease which is passed from one person to
another during sexual intercourse. Abbreviation
VD (NOTE: Now usually called a sexually trans-
mitted infection (STI).)
venereal wart
venereal wart /və
|
nəriəl wɔt/ noun a wart
on the genitals or in the urogenital area
venereology
venereology /və
|
nəri
|
ɒlədi/ noun the scien-
tific study of venereal diseases
venesection
venesection /ven

|
sekʃən/ noun an operation
where a vein is cut so that blood can be removed,
e.g. when taking blood from a donor
venipuncture
venipuncture /venpŋktʃə/ noun same as
venepuncture
veno-
veno- /vinəυ/ prefix referring to veins
venoclysis
venoclysis /və
|
nɒkləss/ noun the procedure
of slowly introducing a saline or other solution
into a vein
venogram
venogram /vinərm/ noun same as phle-
bogram
Nursing.fm Page 325 Monday, May 14, 2007 4:47 PM
venography 326
venography
venography /v
|
nɒrəfi/ noun same as phle-
bography
venom
venom /venəm/ noun a poison in the bite of a
snake or insect
venous
venous /vinəs/ adjective referring to the veins

venous blood
venous blood /vinəs bld/ noun same as
deoxygenated blood
venous system
venous system /vinəs sstəm/ noun a sys-
tem of veins which brings blood back to the heart
from the tissues
venous thrombosis
venous thrombosis /vinəs θrɒm
|
bəυss/
noun
the blocking of a vein by a blood clot
venous ulcer
venous ulcer /vinəs lsə/ noun an ulcer in
the leg, caused by varicose veins or by a blood
clot
ventilation
ventilation /vent
|
leʃ(ə)n/ noun the act of
breathing air in or out of the lungs, so removing
waste products from the blood in exchange for
oxygen. ı dead space
ventilator
ventilator /ventletə/ noun a machine which
pumps air into and out of the lungs of someone
who has difficulty in breathing ć The newborn
baby was put on a ventilator. Also called respira-
tor

Ventimask
Ventimask /ventimɑsk/ a trademark for a
type of oxygen mask
Ventolin
Ventolin /ventəln/ a trade name for salbuta-
mol
ventouse
ventouse /ventus/ noun a cup-like vacuum
device attached to the top of an unborn baby’s
head in the process of delivery, used to enable a
distressed baby to be born quickly
ventral
ventral /ventr(ə)l/ adjective 1. referring to the
abdomen 2. referring to the front of the body.
Opposite dorsal
ventricle
ventricle /ventrk(ə)l/ noun a cavity in an
organ, especially in the heart or brain. See illus-
tration at HEART in Supplement
ventricul-
ventricul- /ventrkjυl/ prefix referring to a ven-
tricle in the brain or heart
ventricular
ventricular /ven
|
trkjυlə/ adjective referring
to the ventricles
ventricular fibrillation
ventricular fibrillation /ven
|

trkjυlə fabr
|
leʃ(ə)n/ noun a serious heart condition where
the ventricular muscles flutter and the heart no
longer beats. Abbreviation VF
ventricular folds
ventricular folds /ven
|
trkjυlə fəυldz/ plural
noun
same as vocal cords
ventricular septal defect
ventricular septal defect /ven
|
trkjυlə
sept(ə)l d
|
fekt/ noun a condition in which
blood can flow between the two ventricles of the
heart, because the intraventricular septum has not
developed properly. Abbreviation VSD
ventriculoatriostomy
ventriculoatriostomy /ven
|
trkjυləυ
|
etri
|
ɒstəmi/ noun an operation to relieve pressure
caused by excessive quantities of cerebrospinal

fluid in the brain ventricles
ventriculo-peritoneal shunt
ventriculo-peritoneal shunt /ven
|
trkjυləυ
pertə
|
niəl ʃnt/ noun an artificial drain used
in hydrocephalus to drain cerebrospinal fluid
from the ventricles
ventriculoscopy
ventriculoscopy /ven
|
trkjυ
|
lɒskəpi/ noun
an examination of the brain using an endoscope
ventriculostomy
ventriculostomy /ven
|
trkjυ
|
lɒstəmi/ noun a
surgical operation to pass a hollow needle into a
ventricle of the brain so as to reduce pressure,
take a sample of fluid or enlarge the ventricular
opening to prevent the need for a shunt
ventro-
ventro- /ventrəυ/ prefix ventral
ventrofixation

ventrofixation /ventrəυfk
|
seʃ(ə)n/ noun a
surgical operation to treat retroversion of the
uterus by attaching the uterus to the wall of the
abdomen
ventrosuspension
ventrosuspension /ventrəυsə
|
spenʃən/
noun
a surgical operation to treat retroversion of
the uterus
Venturi mask
Venturi mask /ven
|
tjυəri mɑsk/ noun a type
of disposable mask which gives the person a con-
trolled mixture of oxygen and air
Venturi nebuliser
Venturi nebuliser /ven
|
tjυəri nebjυlazə/
noun
a type of nebuliser which is used in aerosol
therapy
venule
venule /venjul/ noun a small vein or vessel
leading from tissue to a larger vein
vera

vera /vərə/  decidua
verapamil
verapamil /və
|
rpəml/ noun a synthetic com-
pound which helps to prevent the movement of
calcium ions across membranes. It is used in the
treatment of angina pectoris, hypertension and
irregular heartbeat.
vermiform appendix
vermiform appendix /vmfɔm ə
|
pendks/ noun same as appendix 1
vermillion border
vermillion border /və
|
mliən bɔdə/ noun
the external red parts of the lips
vermix
vermix /vmks/ noun a vermiform appendix
vernix caseosa
vernix caseosa /vnks kesi
|
əυsə/ noun an
oily substance which covers a baby’s skin at birth
verruca
verruca /və
|
rukə/ noun a small hard harmless
growth on the sole of the foot, caused by a virus

(NOTE: Verrucas are a type of wart. The plural is
verrucas or verrucae.)
version
version /vʃ(ə)n/ noun the procedure of turn-
ing a fetus in a uterus so as to put it in a better
position for birth
vertebra
vertebra /vtbrə/ noun one of twenty-four
ring-shaped bones which link together to form the
backbone. See illustration at
CARTILAGINOUS
JOINT
in Supplement (NOTE: The plural is verte-
brae.)
vertebral
vertebral /vtbrəl/ adjective referring to the
vertebrae
vertebral artery
vertebral artery /vtbrəl ɑtəri/ noun one
of two arteries which go up the back of the neck
into the brain
Nursing.fm Page 326 Monday, May 14, 2007 4:47 PM
327 victim
vertebral canal
vertebral canal /vtbrəl kə
|
nl/ noun same
as spinal canal
vertebral column
vertebral column /vtbrəl kɒləm/ noun

the series of bones and discs linked together to
form a flexible column running from the base of
the skull to the pelvis. Also called backbone,
spinal column
. See illustration at PELVIS in Sup-
plement
vertebral disc
vertebral disc /vtbrəl dsk/ noun same as
intervertebral disc
vertebral foramen
vertebral foramen /vtbrəl fə
|
remən/
noun
a hole in the centre of a vertebra which links
with others to form the vertebral canal through
which the spinal cord passes
vertex
vertex /vteks/ noun the top of the skull
vertex delivery
vertex delivery /vteks d
|
lv(ə)ri/ noun a
normal birth, where the baby’s head appears first
vertigo
vertigo /vtəυ/ noun 1. feelings of dizziness
or giddiness caused by a malfunction of the sense
of balance 2. a fear of heights, as a result of a sen-
sation of dizziness which is felt when high up,
especially on a tall building ć She won’t sit near

the window – she suffers from vertigo.
vesical
vesical /vesk(ə)l/ adjective referring to the
bladder
vesicle
vesicle /vesk(ə)l/ noun 1. a small blister on
the skin, e.g. caused by eczema 2. a sac which
contains liquid
vesico-
vesico- /veskəυ/ prefix referring to the urinary
bladder
vesicostomy
vesicostomy /ves
|
kɒstəmi/, vesicotomy
/
ves
|
kɒtəmi/ noun same as cystostomy
vesicoureteric reflux
vesicoureteric reflux /veskəυjυər
|
terk
riflks/ noun the flowing of urine back from the
bladder up the ureters during urination, which
may carry infection from the bladder to the kid-
neys. Also called vesicouretic reflux
vesicouretic
vesicouretic /veskəυjυ
|

retk/ adjective
relating to the urinary bladder and the ureters
vesicouretic reflux
vesicouretic reflux /veskəυjυ
|
retk
riflks
/ noun same as vesicoureteric reflux
vesicovaginal
vesicovaginal /veskəυvə
|
dan(ə)l/ adjec-
tive
referring to the bladder and the vagina
vesicovaginal fistula
vesicovaginal fistula /veskəυvə
|
dan(ə)l
fstjυlə
/ noun an unusual opening between the
bladder and the vagina
vesicular
vesicular /və
|
skjυlə/ adjective referring to a
vesicle
vesicular breathing
vesicular breathing /və
|
skjυlə briðŋ/,

vesicular breath sound /
və
|
skjυlə breθ
saυnd/ plural noun the sound made during the
normal breathing process
vesiculation
vesiculation /və
|
skjυ
|
leʃ(ə)n/ noun the for-
mation of blisters on the skin
vesiculitis
vesiculitis /və
|
skjυ
|
lats/ noun inflamma-
tion of the seminal vesicles
vesiculography
vesiculography /və
|
skjυ
|
lɒrəfi/ noun an
X-ray examination of the seminal vesicles
vesiculopapular
vesiculopapular /və
|

skjυləυ
|
ppjυlə/
adjective
referring to a skin disorder which has
both blisters and papules
vesiculopustular
vesiculopustular /və
|
skjυləυ
|
pstjυlə/
adjective
referring to a skin disorder which has
both blisters and pustules
vessel
vessel /ves(ə)l/ noun 1. a tube in the body
along which liquid flows, especially a blood ves-
sel
2. a container for fluids
vestibular
vestibular /ve
|
stbjυlə/ adjective referring to a
vestibule, especially the vestibule of the inner ear
vestibular glands
vestibular glands /ve
|
stbjυlə lndz/ plu-
ral noun

the glands at the point where the vagina
and vulva join, which secrete a lubricating sub-
stance
vestibular nerve
vestibular nerve /ve
|
stbjυlə nv/ noun the
part of the auditory nerve which carries informa-
tion about balance to the brain
vestibule
vestibule /vestbjul/ noun a cavity in the
body at the entrance to an organ, especially the
first cavity in the inner ear or the space in the lar-
ynx above the vocal cords or a nostril. See illus-
tration at EAR in Supplement
vestibulocochlear nerve
vestibulocochlear nerve /ve
|
stbjυləυ
|
kɒkliə nv/ noun the eighth cranial nerve
which governs hearing and balance. Also called
acoustic nerve, auditory nerve
vestigial
vestigial /ves
|
tdiəl/ adjective existing in a
rudimentary form ć The coccyx is a vestigial tail.
VF
VF abbreviation ventricular fibrillation

viable
viable /vaəb(ə)l/ adjective referring to a fetus
which can survive if born ć A fetus is viable by
about the 28th week of pregnancy.
Viagra
Viagra /va
|
rə/ a trade name for sildenafil cit-
rate
vial
vial /vaəl/ noun same as phial
Vibramycin
Vibramycin /vabrə
|
masn/ a trade name for
doxycycline
vibrate
vibrate /va
|
bret/ verb to move rapidly and
continuously
vibration
vibration /va
|
breʃ(ə)n/ noun rapid and con-
tinuous movement
ć Speech is formed by the
vibrations of the vocal cords.
Vibrio
Vibrio /vbriəυ/ noun a genus of Gram-negative

bacteria which are found in water and cause chol-
era
vibrissae
vibrissae /va
|
brsi/ plural noun hairs in the
nostrils or ears
vicarious
vicarious /v
|
keəriəs/ adjective done by one
organ or agent in place of another
vicarious menstruation
vicarious menstruation /v
|
keəriəs
menstru
|
eʃ(ə)n/ noun the discharge of blood
other than by the vagina during menstrual periods
victim
victim /vktm/ noun a person who is injured in
an accident or who has caught a disease ć The
victims of the rail crash were taken to the local
hospital. ˽ to fall victim to something to
become a victim of or to experience bad effects
Nursing.fm Page 327 Monday, May 14, 2007 4:47 PM
vigour 328
from something ć Half the people eating at the
restaurant fell victim to salmonella poisoning.

vigour
vigour /və/ noun a combination of positive
attributes expressed in rapid growth, large size,
high fertility and long life in an organism
villous
villous /vləs/ adjective shaped like a villus, or
formed of villi
villus
villus /vləs/ noun a tiny projection like a finger
on the surface of a mucous membrane
(NOTE: The
plural is villi.)
vinblastine
vinblastine /vn
|
blstin/ noun an alkaloid
drug used in the treatment of cancer
vincristine
vincristine /vn
|
krstin/ noun an alkaloid
drug similar to vinblastine, also used in the treat-
ment of cancer. It works by blocking cell division
and is highly toxic.
viraemia
viraemia /va
|
rimiə/ noun a virus in the blood
viral hepatitis
viral hepatitis /varəl hepə

|
tats/ noun
same as serum hepatitis
viral infection
viral infection /varəl n
|
fekʃən/ noun an
infection caused by a virus
viral pneumonia
viral pneumonia /varəl nju
|
məυniə/ noun
a type of inflammation of the lungs caused by a
virus. Also called virus pneumonia
virilisation
virilisation /vrla
|
zeʃ(ə)n/, virilization
noun
the development of male characteristics in a
woman, caused by a hormone imbalance or ther-
apy
virilism
virilism /vrlz(ə)m/ noun male characteristics
such as body hair and a deep voice in a woman
virology
virology /va
|
rɒlədi/ noun the scientific study
of viruses

virulence
virulence /vrυləns/ noun 1. the ability of a
microorganism to cause a disease 2. the degree of
effect of a disease
virulent
virulent /vrυlənt/ adjective 1. referring to the
ability of a microorganism to cause a disease
ć an
unusually virulent strain of the virus 2. referring
to a disease which develops rapidly and has
strong effects
virus
virus /varəs/ noun a parasite consisting of a
nucleic acid surrounded by a protein coat that can
only develop in other cells. Viruses cause many
diseases including the common cold, AIDS, her-
pes and polio. (NOTE: Antibiotics have no effect
on viruses, but effective vaccines have been
developed for some viral diseases.)
virus pneumonia
virus pneumonia /varəs nju
|
məυniə/
noun
same as viral pneumonia
viscera
viscera /vsərə/ plural noun the internal
organs, e.g. the heart, lungs, stomach and intes-
tines
visceral

visceral /vsərəl/ adjective referring to the
internal organs
visceral larva migrans
visceral larva migrans /vsərəl lɑvə
marnz/ noun same as toxocariasis
visceral pleura
visceral pleura /vsərəl plυərə/ noun a
membrane attached to the surface of a lung. See
illustration at LUNGS in Supplement
visceral pouch
visceral pouch /vsərəl paυtʃ/ noun same as
pharyngeal pouch
viscero-
viscero- /vsərəυ/ prefix relating to the viscera
viscid
viscid /vsd/ adjective referring to a liquid
which is sticky and slow-moving
viscosity
viscosity /v
|
skɒsti/ noun the state of a liquid
which moves slowly
viscous
viscous /vskəs/ adjective referring to a liquid
which is thick and slow-moving
viscus
viscus /vskəs/  viscera
vision
vision /v(ə)n/ noun the ability to see, eye-
sight ć After the age of 50, many people’s vision

begins to fail.
visual
visual /vυəl/ adjective referring to sight or
vision
visual acuity
visual acuity /vυəl ə
|
kjuti/ noun the abil-
ity to see objects clearly
visual cortex
visual cortex /vuəl kɔteks/ noun the part
of the cerebral cortex which receives information
about sight
visual field
visual field /vυəl fild/ noun the area which
can be seen without moving the eye. Also called
field of vision
visualisation
visualisation /vuəla
|
zeʃ(ə)n/, visualiza-
tion noun 1.
a technique in which an image of an
internal organ or other part of the body is pro-
duced by using X-rays or other means such as
magnetic resonance imaging 2. a technique in
which someone creates a strongly positive mental
picture of something such as the way in which
they would like to solve a problem, in order to
help them cope with it

visually impaired person
visually impaired person /vυəli m
|
peəd
ps(ə)n/ noun a person whose eyesight is not
clear
visual purple
visual purple /vυəl pp(ə)l/ noun same as
rhodopsin
vital
vital /vat(ə)l/ adjective very important or nec-
essary for life
ć If circulation is stopped, vital
nerve cells begin to die in a few minutes. ć Oxy-
gen is vital to the human system.
vital capacity
vital capacity /vat(ə)l kə
|
psti/ noun the
largest amount of air which a person can exhale at
one time
vital organs
vital organs /vat(ə)l ɔənz/ plural noun the
most important organs in the body, without which
a human being cannot live, e.g. the heart, lungs
and brain
vital signs
vital signs /vat(ə)l sanz/ plural noun meas-
urements of pulse, breathing and temperature
vital statistics

vital statistics /vat(ə)l stə
|
tstks/ plural
noun
a set of official statistics relating to the pop-
ulation of a place, such as the percentage of live
births per thousand, the incidence of particular
diseases and the numbers of births and deaths
Nursing.fm Page 328 Monday, May 14, 2007 4:47 PM
329 voluntary movement
vitamin
vitamin /vtəmn/ noun an essential substance
not synthesised in the body, but found in most
foods, and needed for good health
Vitamin A
Vitamin A /vtəmn e/ noun a vitamin which
is soluble in fat and can be formed in the body
from precursors but is mainly found in food such
as liver, vegetables, eggs and cod liver oil. Also
called retinol
Vitamin B
Vitamin B
1
/vtəmn bi wn/ noun a vitamin
found in yeast, liver, cereals and pork. Also called
thiamine
Vitamin B
Vitamin B
2
/vtəmn bi tu/ noun a vitamin

found in eggs, liver, green vegetables, milk and
yeast. Also called riboflavine
Vitamin B
Vitamin B
6
/vtəmn bi sks/ noun a vitamin
found in meat, cereals and molasses. Also called
pyridoxine
Vitamin B
Vitamin B
12
/vtəmn bi twelv/ noun a vita-
min found in liver and kidney, but not present in
vegetables. Also called cyanocobalamin
Vitamin B complex
Vitamin B complex /vtəmn bi kɒmpleks/
noun
a group of vitamins such as folic acid, ribo-
flavine and thiamine
Vitamin C
Vitamin C /vtəmn si/ noun a vitamin which
is soluble in water and is found in fresh fruit,
especially oranges and lemons, raw vegetables
and liver. Also called ascorbic acid
Vitamin D
Vitamin D /vtəmn di/ noun a vitamin which
is soluble in fat and is found in butter, eggs and
fish. It is also produced by the skin when exposed
to sunlight. It helps in the formation of bones, and
lack of it causes rickets in children.

vitamin deficiency
vitamin deficiency /vtəmn d
|
fʃ(ə)nsi/
noun
a lack of necessary vitamins ć He is suffer-
ing from Vitamin A deficiency. ć Vitamin C defi-
ciency causes scurvy.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E /vtəmn i/ noun a vitamin found
in vegetables, vegetable oils, eggs and wholemeal
bread
Vitamin K
Vitamin K /vtəmn ke/ noun a vitamin
found in green vegetables such as spinach and
cabbage, and which helps the clotting of blood
and is needed to activate prothrombin
vitiligo
vitiligo /vti
|
laəυ/ noun a condition in which
white patches appear on the skin. Also called
leu-
coderma
vitrectomy
vitrectomy /v
|
trektəmi/ noun a surgical oper-
ation to remove some or all of the vitreous
humour of the eye

vitreous
vitreous /vtriəs/ adjective 1. having the char-
acteristics of glass
2. relating to the vitreous
humour of the eye
vitreous body
vitreous body /vtriəs bɒdi/ noun same as
vitreous humour
vitreous detachment
vitreous detachment /vtriəs d
|
ttʃmənt/
noun
the separation of the vitreous humour from
the retina, often due to natural ageing when the
vitreous humour thins, but also occurring in other
conditions such as diabetes
vitreous humour
vitreous humour /vtriəs hjumə/ noun a
transparent jelly which fills the main cavity
behind the lens in the eye. See illustration at EYE
in Supplement
vitritis
vitritis /v
|
trats/ noun same as hyalitis
vitro
vitro /vitriəυ/  in vitro
Vitus
Vitus /vatəs/  St Vitus’s dance

vivisection
vivisection /vv
|
sekʃən/ noun the act of dis-
secting a living animal as an experiment
vocal
vocal /vəυk(ə)l/ adjective referring to the voice
vocal cords
vocal cords /vəυk(ə)l kɔdz/ plural noun a
pair of fibrous sheets of tissue which span the cav-
ity of the voice box (larynx) and produce sounds
by vibrating. Also called ventricular folds
vocal folds
vocal folds /vəυk(ə)l fəυldz/ plural noun
same as vocal cords
vocal folds abducted
vocal folds abducted /vəυk(ə)l fəυldz əb
|
dktd/ noun the usual condition of the vocal
cords in quiet breathing
vocal folds adducted
vocal folds adducted /vəυk(ə)l fəυldz ə
|
dktd/ noun the position of the vocal cords for
speaking
vocal fremitus
vocal fremitus /vəυk(ə)l fremtəs/ noun a
vibration of the chest when a person speaks or
coughs
vocal resonance

vocal resonance /vəυk(ə)l rezənəns/ noun
a sound heard by a doctor when he or she listens
through a stethoscope to the chest while a person
is speaking
volar
volar /vəυlə/ adjective referring to the palm of
the hand or sole of the foot
volatile
volatile /vɒlətal/ adjective referring to a liquid
which turns into gas at room temperature
volitantes
volitantes /vɒl
|
tntiz/  muscae volitantes
volition
volition /və
|
lʃ(ə)n/ noun the ability to use the
will
Volkmann’s contracture
Volkmann’s contracture /fɒlkmɑnz kən
|
trktʃə/ noun a fibrosis and tightening of the
muscles of the forearm because blood supply has
been restricted, leading to contraction of the fin-
gers
volsella
volsella /vɒl
|
selə/ noun a type of surgical for-

ceps with claw-like hooks at the end of each arm.
Also called
vulsella
volume
volume /vɒljum/ noun an amount of a sub-
stance
voluntary
voluntary /vɒlənt(ə)ri/ adjective done because
one wishes to do it
voluntary admission
voluntary admission /vɒlənt(ə)ri əd
|
mʃ(ə)n/ noun the process of taking someone
into a psychiatric hospital with the person’s con-
sent
voluntary movement
voluntary movement /vɒlənt(ə)ri
muvmənt/ noun a movement directed by the
person’s willpower, using voluntary muscles, e.g.
walking or speaking
Nursing.fm Page 329 Monday, May 14, 2007 4:47 PM
voluntary muscle 330
voluntary muscle
voluntary muscle /vɒlənt(ə)ri ms(ə)l/
noun
a muscle which is consciously controlled. It
is usually made up of striated fibres.
COMMENT: Voluntary muscles work in pairs,
where one contracts and pulls, while the oth-
er relaxes to allow the bone to move.

volvulus
volvulus /vɒlvjυləs/ noun a condition in
which a loop of intestine is twisted and blocked,
so cutting off its blood supply
vomer
vomer /vəυmə/ noun a thin flat vertical bone in
the septum of the nose
vomica
vomica /vɒmkə/ noun 1. a cavity in the lungs
containing pus
2. the act of vomiting pus from the
throat or lungs
vomit
vomit /vɒmt/ noun partly digested food which
has been brought up from the stomach into the
mouth ć His bed was covered with vomit. ć She
died after choking on her own vomit. Also called
vomitus í verb to bring up partly digested food
from the stomach into the mouth
ć He had a
fever, and then started to vomit. ć She vomited
her breakfast.
vomiting
vomiting /vɒmtŋ/ noun the act of bringing up
vomit into the mouth. Also called emesis
vomitus
vomitus /vɒmtəs/ noun same as vomit
von Hippel-Lindau syndrome
von Hippel-Lindau syndrome /vɒn hp(ə)l
lndaυ sndrəυm/ noun a disease in which

angiomas of the brain are related to angiomas and
cysts in other parts of the body
von Recklinghausen’s disease
von Recklinghausen’s disease /vɒn
reklŋhaυz(ə)nz d
|
ziz/ noun 1. same as neu-
rofibromatosis 2.
same as osteitis fibrosis
cystica [Described 1882. After Friedrich Daniel
von Recklinghausen (1833–1910), Professor of
Pathology at Strasbourg, France.]
von Willebrand’s disease
von Willebrand’s disease /vɒn
vlbrndz d
|
ziz/ noun a hereditary blood dis-
ease, occurring in both sexes, in which the
mucous membrane starts to bleed without any
apparent reason. It is caused by a deficiency of a
clotting factor in the blood, called von Wille-
brand’s factor. [Described 1926. After E. A. von
Willebrand (1870–1949), Finnish physician.]
von Willebrand’s factor
von Willebrand’s factor /vɒn vlbrndz
fktə
/ noun a protein substance in plasma
involved in platelet aggregation
VSD
VSD abbreviation ventricular septal defect

vulgaris
vulgaris /vl
|
eərs/  lupus vulgaris
vulsella
vulsella /vl
|
selə/, vulsellum /vl
|
seləm/
noun
same as volsella
vulv-
vulv- /vlv/ prefix referring to the vulva (used
before vowels)
vulva
vulva /vlvə/ noun a woman’s external sexual
organs, at the opening leading to the vagina. ı
kraurosis vulvae (
NOTE: For other terms refer-
ring to the vulva, see words beginning with
episi )
vulvectomy
vulvectomy /vl
|
vektəmi/ noun a surgical
operation to remove the vulva
vulvitis
vulvitis /vl
|

vats/ noun inflammation of the
vulva, causing intense irritation
vulvovaginitis
vulvovaginitis /vlvəυvd
|
nats/ noun
inflammation of the vulva and vagina
Nursing.fm Page 330 Monday, May 14, 2007 4:47 PM
W
waiting list
waiting list /wetŋ lst/ noun a list of people
waiting for admission to hospital usually for treat-
ment of non-urgent disorders ć The length of
waiting lists for non-emergency surgery varies
enormously from one region to another.
ć It is
hoped that hospital waiting lists will get shorter.
walking distance
walking distance /wɔkŋ dstəns/ noun the
distance which someone can walk before they
experience pain in their muscles, which shows the
effectiveness of the blood supply to their legs
walking frame
walking frame /wɔkŋ frem/ noun a metal
frame used by people who have difficulty in walk-
ing. ı Zimmer frame
Wangensteen tube
Wangensteen tube /wŋənstin tjub/
noun
a tube which is passed into the stomach to

remove the stomach’s contents by suction
[Described 1832. After Owen Harding Wangen-
steen (1898–1980), US surgeon.]
ward
ward /wɔd/ noun a room or set of rooms in a
hospital, with beds for the patients ć He is in
Ward 8B. ć The children’s ward is at the end of
the corridor.
ward manager
ward manager /wɔd mndə/ noun a
nurse in charge of a ward
ward nurse
ward nurse /wɔd ns/ noun a nurse who
works in a hospital ward
ward sister
ward sister /wɔd sstə/ noun a senior nurse
in charge of a ward
warfarin
warfarin /wɔf(ə)rn/ noun a colourless crys-
talline compound used to help prevent the blood
clotting
wart
wart /wɔt/ noun a small hard harmless growth
on the skin, usually on the hands, feet or face,
caused by a virus (NOTE: Warts on the feet are
called verrucas.)
wasting disease
wasting disease /westŋ d
|
ziz/ noun a

disease which causes severe loss of weight or
reduction in size of an organ
water
water /wɔtə/ noun 1. the liquid essential to life
which makes up a large part of the body ć Can I
have a glass of water please? ć They suffered
dehydration from lack of water. ˽ water on the
knee fluid in the knee joint under the kneecap,
caused by a blow on the knee 2. urine (informal)
ć
He passed a lot of water during the night. ć
She noticed blood streaks in her water. ć The
nurse asked him to give a sample of his water.
í
plural noun waters
the fluid in the amnion in
which a fetus floats (informal ) Also called amni-
otic fluid
water bed
water bed /wɔtə bed/ noun a mattress made
of a large heavy plastic bag filled with water, used
to prevent bedsores
waterbrash
waterbrash /wɔtəbrʃ/ noun a condition
caused by dyspepsia, in which there is a burning
feeling in the stomach and the mouth suddenly
fills with acid saliva
water-hammer pulse
water-hammer pulse /wɔtə hmə pls/
noun

same as Corrigan’s pulse
Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome
Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome
/wɔtəhaυs fridərksən sndrəυm/ noun a
condition caused by blood poisoning with menin-
gococci, in which the tissues of the adrenal glands
die and haemorrhage [Described 1911 by Rupert
Waterhouse (1873–1958), physician at Bath,
UK; described 1918 by Carl Friderichsen (1886–
1979), Danish physician.]
Waterston’s operation
Waterston’s operation /wɔtəstənz
ɒpəreʃ(ə)n/ noun a surgical operation to treat
Fallot’s tetralogy, in which the right pulmonary
artery is joined to the ascending aorta [After David
James Waterston (1910–85), paediatric surgeon
in London, UK]
waterworks
waterworks /wɔtəwks/ plural noun same
as urinary system (informal)
Watson-Crick helix
Watson-Crick helix /wɒts(ə)n krk hilks/
noun
a molecular model for DNA in which the
organic base pairs are linked by hydrogen bonds
which form the rungs of a ladder spiralling in the
form of a helix
WBC
WBC abbreviation white blood cell
weal

weal /wil/ noun a small area of skin which
swells because of a sharp blow or an insect bite
wean
wean /win/ verb to make a baby stop breast-
feeding and take other liquid or solid food, or to
make a baby start to eat solid food after having
only had liquids to drink ć The baby was breast-
fed for two months and then was gradually
weaned onto the bottle.
webbing
webbing /webŋ/ noun the condition of having
an extra membrane of skin joining two structures
in the body together
Nursing.fm Page 331 Monday, May 14, 2007 4:47 PM
Weber-Christian disease 332
Weber-Christian disease
Weber-Christian disease /vebə krstʃən
d
|
ziz/ noun a type of panniculitis where the
liver and spleen become enlarged [After Frederick
Parkes Weber (1863–1962), British physician;
Henry Asbury Christian (1876–1951), US physi-
cian.]
Weber’s test
Weber’s test /vebəz test/ noun a test to see if
both ears hear correctly, where a tuning fork is
struck and the end placed on the head [After Frie-
drich Eugen Weber-Liel (1832–91), German
otologist.]

web space
web space /web spes/ noun the soft tissue
between the bases of the fingers and toes
Wechsler scales
Wechsler scales /vekslə skelz/ plural noun
a set of standardised scales for measuring some-
one’s IQ. There are three separate versions devel-
oped for different age groups.
wee
wee /wi/ verb same as urinate (informal)
weep
weep /wip/ verb 1. to cry 2. (of a wound) to
ooze fluid
Wegener’s granulomatosis
Wegener’s granulomatosis /veənəz
rnjυləυmə
|
təυss/ noun a disease of connec-
tive tissue, where the nasal passages, lungs and
kidneys are inflamed and ulcerated, with forma-
tion of granulomas. It is usually fatal.
Weil-Felix reaction
Weil-Felix reaction /val felks r
|
kʃən/,
Weil-Felix test /
val felks test/ noun a test to
see if someone has typhus, in which the person’s
serum is tested for antibodies against Proteus vul-
garis [Described 1916. After Edmund Weil

(1880–1922) Austrian physician and bacteriolo-
gist; Arthur Felix (1887–1956), British bacteriol-
ogist.]
Weil’s disease
Weil’s disease /welz d
|
ziz/ noun same as
leptospirosis [Described 1886. After Adolf Weil
(1848–1916), physician in Estonia who also
practised in Wiesbaden, Germany.]
well
well /wel/ adjective healthy ć He’s not a well
man.
ć You’re looking very well after your holi-
day. ć He’s quite well again after his flu. ć She’s
not very well, and has had to stay in bed.
well-baby clinic
well-baby clinic /wel bebi klnk/ noun a
clinic where parents can ask a doctor or nurse any
questions they have about their child’s growth and
development. Their babies can be weighed and
measured and their development monitored.
wellbeing
wellbeing /wel biŋ/ noun the state of being
in good health and having good living conditions
ć She is responsible for the wellbeing of the
patients under her care.
well-man clinic
well-man clinic /wel mn klnk/ noun a
clinic just for men where they can get check-ups,

advice and health information
well-woman clinic
well-woman clinic /wel wυmən klnk/
noun
a clinic which specialises in preventive
medicine for women, e.g. breast screening and
cervical smear tests, and gives advice on preg-
nancy, contraception and the menopause
wen
wen /wen/ noun a cyst which forms in a seba-
ceous gland
Werdnig-Hoffmann disease
Werdnig-Hoffmann disease /vdn
hɒfmən d
|
ziz/ noun a disease in which the spi-
nal muscles atrophy, making the muscles of the
shoulders, arms and legs weak. In its most severe
form, infants are born floppy, have feeding and
breathing problems and rarely live more than two
or three years.
Werner’s syndrome
Werner’s syndrome /wnəz sndrəυm/
noun
an inherited disorder involving premature
ageing, persistent hardening of the skin, underde-
velopment of the sex organs and cataracts
Wernicke’s encephalopathy
Wernicke’s encephalopathy /vnkəz en
|

kefə
|
lɒpəθi/ noun a condition caused by lack of
Vitamin B, which often affects alcoholics and in
which the person is delirious, moves the eyes
about rapidly, walks unsteadily and is subject to
constant vomiting [Described 1875. After Karl
Wernicke (1848–1905), Breslau psychiatrist and
neurologist.]
Wertheim’s operation
Wertheim’s operation /vthamz ɒpə
|
reʃ(ə)n/ noun a surgical operation to remove the
uterus, the lymph nodes which are next to it and
most of the vagina, the ovaries and the Fallopian
tubes, as treatment for cancer of the uterus
[Described 1900. After Ernst Wertheim (1864–
1920), Austrian gynaecologist.]
wet burn
wet burn /wet bn/ noun same as scald
Wharton’s duct
Wharton’s duct /wɔt(ə)nz dkt/ noun a
duct which takes saliva into the mouth from the
salivary glands under the lower jaw [After Tho-
mas Wharton (1614–73), English physician and
anatomist at St Thomas’s Hospital, London, UK]
Wharton’s jelly
Wharton’s jelly /wɔt(ə)nz deli/ noun a
jelly-like tissue in the umbilical cord
wheal

wheal /wil/ same as weal
wheeze
wheeze /wiz/ noun a whistling noise in the
bronchi
ć The doctor listened to his wheezes. í
verb
to make a whistling sound when breathing ć
When she has an attack of asthma, she wheezes
and has difficulty in breathing.
wheezing
wheezing /wizŋ/ noun whistling noises in the
bronchi when breathing. Wheezing is often found
in people with asthma and is also associated with
bronchitis and heart disease.
whiplash injury
whiplash injury /wplʃ ndəri/ noun an
injury to the vertebrae in the neck, caused when
the head jerks backwards, often occurring in a car
that is struck from behind
whiplash shake syndrome
whiplash shake syndrome /wplʃ ʃek
sndrəυm/ noun in young babies, a series of
internal head injuries caused by being shaken vio-
lently. They can result in brain damage leading to
speech and learning disabilities, paralysis, sei-
zures, blindness and hearing loss. They are often
life-threatening.
Whipple’s disease
Whipple’s disease /wp(ə)lz d
|

ziz/ noun a
disease in which someone has difficulty in
Nursing.fm Page 332 Monday, May 14, 2007 4:47 PM
333 World Health Organization
absorbing nutrients and passes fat in the faeces,
the joints are inflamed and the lymph glands
enlarged [Described 1907. After George Hoyt
Whipple (1878–1976), US pathologist. Nobel
prize for Pathology and Medicine 1934.]
Whipple’s operation
Whipple’s operation /wp(ə)lz ɒpə
|
reʃ(ə)n/ noun same as pancreatectomy
white
white /wat/ adjective of a colour like snow or
milk ć White patches developed on his skin. ć
Her hair has turned quite white. (NOTE: whiter –
whitest) í noun
the main part of the eye which
is white
ć The whites of his eyes turned yellow
when he developed jaundice.
white blood cell
white blood cell /wat bld sel/ noun a col-
ourless blood cell which contains a nucleus but
has no haemoglobin, is formed in bone marrow
and creates antibodies. Abbreviation WBC. Also
called leucocyte
white finger
white finger /wat fŋə/ noun a condition in

which a finger has a mottled discoloured appear-
ance because its blood vessels are damaged. The
thumb is usually not affected. Very severe cases
can result in finger loss. It occurs most commonly
in Raynaud’s disease.
white leg
white leg /wat le/ noun a condition which
affects women after childbirth, in which a leg
becomes pale and inflamed as a result of lym-
phatic obstruction. Also called milk leg, phleg-
masia alba dolens
white matter
white matter /wat mtə/ noun nerve tissue
in the central nervous system which contains
more myelin than grey matter
white noise instrument
white noise instrument /wat nɔz
nstrυmənt/ noun a small electronic device
worn in the ear. It combines sounds of many dif-
ferent frequencies. It is used to mask internal
noise in the ear due to tinnitus.
whites
whites /wats/ plural noun same as leucor-
rhoea (informal)
whitlow
whitlow /wtləυ/ noun an inflammation caused
by infection near the nail in the fleshy part of the
tip of a finger. Also called felon
WHO
WHO abbreviation World Health Organization

whoop
whoop /wup, hup/ noun a loud noise made
when inhaling by a person who has whooping
cough
whooping cough
whooping cough /hupŋ kɒf/ noun an
infectious disease caused by Bordetella pertussis
affecting the bronchial tubes, common in chil-
dren, and sometimes very serious. Also called
pertussis
Widal reaction
Widal reaction /vi
|
dɑl r
|
kʃən/, Widal test
/
vi
|
dɑl test/ noun a test to detect typhoid fever.
A sample of the person’s blood is put into a solu-
tion containing typhoid bacilli, or anti-typhoid
serum is added to a sample of bacilli from the per-
son’s faeces. If the bacilli agglutinate, i.e. form
into groups, this indicates that the person has
typhoid fever. [Described 1896. After Georges
Fernand Isidore Widal (1862–1929), French
physician and teacher.]
Willis
Willis /wls/  circle of Willis

Wilms’ tumour
Wilms’ tumour /vlmz tjumə/ noun same as
nephroblastoma [Described 1899. After Max
Wilms (1867–1918), Professor of Surgery at
Leipzig, Basle and Heidelberg.]
Wilson’s disease
Wilson’s disease /wlsənz d
|
ziz/ noun a
hereditary disease where copper deposits accu-
mulate in the liver and the brain, causing cirrho-
sis. Also called
hepatolenticular degeneration
[Described 1912. After Samuel Alexander Kin-
nier Wilson (1878–1937), British neurologist.]
windpipe
windpipe /wndpap/ noun same as trachea
wiring
wiring /waərŋ/ noun 1. a network of wires 2.
a neurological or physiological structure or proc-
ess which controls a function in the body 3. the
act of fixing a piece of bone in place using wires
wisdom tooth
wisdom tooth /wzdəm tuθ/ noun one of the
four teeth in the back of the jaw which only
appear at about the age of 20 and sometimes do
not appear at all. Also called third molar
witch hazel
witch hazel /wtʃ hez(ə)l/ noun a lotion
made from the bark of a tree, used to check bleed-

ing and harden inflamed tissue and bruises. Also
called hamamelis
withdrawal
withdrawal /wð
|
drɔəl/ noun 1. a loss of inter-
est in having contact with other people, which
leads to a person becoming isolated 2. a period
during which a person who has been addicted to a
drug stops taking it and experiences unpleasant
symptoms
withdrawal symptom
withdrawal symptom /wð
|
drɔəl
smptəm/ noun an unpleasant physical condi-
tion, e.g. vomiting, headaches or fever, which
occurs when someone stops taking an addictive
drug
Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome
Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome /wυlf
pɑkns(ə)n wat sndrəυm/ noun a condition
within the heart’s conducting tissue which makes
the heart beat dangerously fast. It can be fatal.
womb
womb /wum/ noun same as uterus (NOTE: For
other terms referring to the womb, see words
beginning with hyster-, hystero-, metr-,
metro-, uter-, utero )
Wood’s lamp

Wood’s lamp /wυdz lmp/ noun an ultravio-
let lamp which allows a doctor to see fluores-
cence, e.g. in the hair of someone who has a fun-
gal infection
[After Robert Williams Wood
(1868–1955), US physicist.]
word blindness
word blindness /wd blandnəs/ noun
same as alexia
work-related upper limb disorder
work-related upper limb disorder /wk
r
|
letd pə lm ds
|
ɔdə/ same as repetitive
strain injury
. Abbreviation WRULD.
World Health Organization
World Health Organization /wld helθ
ɔəna
|
zeʃ(ə)n/ noun an organisation, part of
the United Nations, which aims to improve health
in the world. Abbreviation WHO
Nursing.fm Page 333 Monday, May 14, 2007 4:47 PM
worm 334
worm
worm /wm/ noun a long thin animal with no
legs or backbone, which can infest the human

body, especially the intestines
wound
wound /wund/ noun damage to external tissue
which allows blood to escape
ć He had a knife
wound in his leg. ć The doctors sutured the
wound in his chest.
í verb to harm someone by
making a hole in the tissue of the body
ć She was
wounded three times in the head.
wound dehiscence
wound dehiscence /wund di
|
hs(ə)ns/
noun
the splitting open of a surgical incision
wound healing
wound healing /wund hilŋ/ noun the
replacement of dead tissue with new tissue
wrist
wrist /rst/ noun a joint between the hand and
forearm
ć He sprained his wrist and can’t play
tennis tomorrow. See illustration at HAND in Sup-
plement
(NOTE: For other terms referring to the
wrist, see words beginning with carp-, carpo )
wrist drop
wrist drop /rst drɒp/ noun paralysis of the

wrist muscles, caused by damage to the radial
nerve in the upper arm, which causes the hand to
hang limp
writer’s cramp
writer’s cramp /ratəz krmp/ noun a pain-
ful spasm of the muscles in the forearm and hand
which comes from writing too much
WRULD
WRULD abbreviation work-related upper limb
disorder
wry neck
wry neck /ra nek/, wryneck /ranek/ noun
same as torticollis
Nursing.fm Page 334 Monday, May 14, 2007 4:47 PM
XYZ
xanth-
xanth- /znθ/ prefix same as xantho- (used
before vowels)
xanthaemia
xanthaemia /zn
|
θimiə/ noun same as caro-
tenaemia
xanthelasma
xanthelasma /znθə
|
lzmə/ noun the for-
mation of little yellow fatty tumours on the eye-
lids
xanthine

xanthine /znθin/ noun 1. an intermediate
product in the breakdown of nucleic acids to uric
acid, found in blood, body tissue and urine 2. a
derivative of xanthine, e.g. caffeine or theophyl-
line
xantho-
xantho- /znθəυ/ prefix yellow
xanthochromia
xanthochromia /znθə
|
krəυmiə/ noun yel-
low colour of the skin as in jaundice
xanthoma
xanthoma /zn
|
θəυmə/ noun a yellow fatty
mass, often on the eyelids and hands, found in
people with a high level of cholesterol in the
blood (NOTE: The plural is xanthomata.)
xanthomatosis
xanthomatosis /znθəmə
|
təυss/ noun a
condition in which several small masses of yellow
fatty substance appear in the skin or some internal
organs, caused by an excess of fat in the body
xanthopsia
xanthopsia /zn
|
θɒpsiə/ noun a disorder of

the eyes, making everything appear yellow
xanthosis
xanthosis /zn
|
θəυss/ noun yellow colouring
of the skin, caused by eating too much food con-
taining carotene
X chromosome
X chromosome /eks krəυməsəυm/ noun a
chromosome that determines sex. Compare Y
chromosome
. ı sex chromosome
xeno-
xeno- /zenəυ/ prefix different
xenotransplantation
xenotransplantation /zenəυtrnsplɑn
|
teʃ(ə)n/ noun the process of transplanting
organs from one species to another, especially
from animals to humans
xero-
xero- /zərəυ/ prefix dry
xeroderma
xeroderma /zərə
|
dmə/ noun a skin disor-
der where dry scales form on the skin
xerophthalmia
xerophthalmia /zərɒf
|

θlmiə/ noun a con-
dition of the eye, in which the cornea and con-
junctiva become dry because of a lack of Vitamin
A
xerosis
xerosis /z
|
rəυss/ noun extreme dryness of
skin or mucous membrane
xerostomia
xerostomia /zərə
|
stəυmiə/ noun dryness of
the mouth, caused by lack of a saliva
xiphi-
xiphi- /zf/ prefix relating to the xiphoid process
xiphisternal plane
xiphisternal plane /zfstn(ə)l plen/
noun
an imaginary horizontal line across the mid-
dle of the chest at the point where the xiphoid
process starts
xiphisternum
xiphisternum /zf
|
stnəm/ noun same as
xiphoid process
xiphoid process
xiphoid process /zfɔd prəυses/, xiphoid
cartilage /

zfɔd kɑtld/ noun the bottom
part of the breastbone which is cartilage in young
people but becomes bone by middle age. Also
called ensiform cartilage, xiphisternum
X-linked
X-linked /eks lŋkt/ adjective relating to the
genes situated on the X chromosome
X-linked disease
X-linked disease /eks lŋkt d
|
ziz/ noun a
genetic disorder caused by a mutation on the X
chromosome which only appears in males, e.g.
one form of haemophilia
X-ray
X-ray /eks re/, x-ray noun 1. a ray with a very
short wavelength, which is invisible, but can go
through soft tissue and register as a photograph on
a film. X-rays are used in diagnosis in radiogra-
phy, and in treating disease by radiotherapy. ć
The X-ray examination showed the presence of a
tumour in the colon.
2. a photograph taken using
X-rays ć The dentist took some X-rays of the
patient’s teeth.
ć He pinned the X-rays to the
light screen.
3. an examination in which X-ray
photographs are taken ć All the staff had to have
chest X-rays.

í verb to take an X-ray photograph
of a patient
ć There are six patients waiting to be
X-rayed.
X-ray imaging
X-ray imaging /eks re mdŋ/ noun the
process of showing X-ray pictures of the inside of
part of the body on a screen
X-ray screening
X-ray screening /eks re skrinŋ/ noun a
method of gathering information about the body
by taking images using X-rays. It is carried out by
a radiographer or radiologist.
Xylocaine
Xylocaine /zaləken/ a trade name for a prep-
aration of lignocaine
xylometazoline hydrochloride
xylometazoline hydrochloride /zaləυmə
|
tzəlin hadrə
|
klɔrad/, xylometazoline
/
zaləυmə
|
tzəlin/ noun a drug which helps to
Nursing.fm Page 335 Monday, May 14, 2007 4:47 PM
XYY syndrome 336
narrow blood vessels, used in the treatment of
colds and sinusitis

XYY syndrome
XYY syndrome /eks wa wa sndrəυm/
noun
an extremely rare condition in males in
which they have two Y chromosomes instead of
one. They grow faster than normal, and their final
height is approximately 7cm above average.
Many experience severe acne during adolescence.
yawn
yawn /jɔn/ noun a reflex action when tired or
sleepy, in which the mouth is opened wide and
after a deep intake of air, the breath exhaled
slowly ć His yawns made everyone feel sleepy. í
verb
to open the mouth wide and breathe in
deeply and then breathe out slowly
yawning
yawning /jɔnŋ/ noun the act of opening the
mouth wide without conscious control and slowly
releasing a deep breath, usually a sign of tiredness
or boredom
Y chromosome
Y chromosome /wa krəυməsəυm/ noun a
chromosome that determines sex, it is carried by
males and is shorter than an X chromosome.
Compare X chromosome. ı sex chromosome
yeast
yeast /jist/ noun a fungus which is used in the
fermentation of alcohol and in making bread. It is
a good source of Vitamin B.

yellow
yellow /jeləυ/ adjective of a colour like that of
the sun or of gold ć His skin turned yellow when
he had hepatitis. ć The whites of the eyes become
yellow as a symptom of jaundice. í noun a colour
like that of the sun or of gold
yellow fever
yellow fever /jeləυ fivə/ noun an infectious
disease, occurring especially in Africa and South
America, caused by an arbovirus carried by the
mosquito Aedes aegypti. It affects the liver and
causes jaundice. There is no known cure and it
can be fatal, but vaccination can prevent it.
yellow marrow
yellow marrow /jeləυ mrəυ/ noun  mar-
row
yellow spot
yellow spot /jeləυ spɒt/ noun same as mac-
ula lutea
yin and yang
yin and yang /jn ənd jŋ/ noun the two
opposite and complementary principles of Chi-
nese philosophy which are thought to exist in var-
ying proportions in all things. They are some-
times thought of as femininity and masculinity.
yoga
yoga /jəυə/ noun 1. a Hindu discipline which
promotes spiritual unity with a Supreme Being
through a system of postures and rituals
2. any

one of dozens of systems and methods derived
from or based on Hindu yoga. Many include
breathing exercises and postures which are
thought to aid health.
Zadik’s operation
Zadik’s operation /zedks ɒpə
|
reʃ(ə)n/
noun
a surgical operation to remove the whole of
an ingrowing toenail
Zantac
Zantac /zntk/ a trade name for ranitidine
zidovudine
zidovudine /z
|
dəυvjυdin/ noun azidothymi-
dine or AZT, a drug used in the treatment of
AIDS, which helps to slow the progress of the dis-
ease
Zimmer frame
Zimmer frame /zmə frem/ a trademark for a
metal frame used by people who have difficulty in
walking ć She managed to walk some steps with
a Zimmer frame. ı walking frame
zinc
zinc /zŋk/ noun a white metallic trace element
(NOTE: The chemical symbol is Zn.)
zinc ointment
zinc ointment /zŋk ɔntmənt/ noun a sooth-

ing ointment made of zinc oxide and oil
zinc oxide
zinc oxide /zŋk ɒksad/ noun a compound of
zinc and oxygen, which forms a soft white sooth-
ing powder used in creams and lotions (NOTE: Its
chemical formula is ZnO.)
Zollinger-Ellison syndrome
Zollinger-Ellison syndrome /zɒlndər
els(ə)n sndrəυm/ noun a condition in which
tumours are formed in the islet cells of the pan-
creas together with peptic ulcers [Described
1955. After Robert Milton Zollinger (1903–92),
Professor of Surgery at Ohio State University,
USA; Edwin H. Ellison (1918–70), Associate
Professor of Surgery at Ohio State University,
USA.]
zona
zona /zəυnə/ noun a zone or area
zone
zone /zəυn/ noun an area of the body
zonula
zonula /zɒnjυlə/, zonule /zɒnjul/ noun a
small area of the body
zoo-
zoo- /zəυə, zuə/ prefix relating to animals
zoonosis
zoonosis /zəυə
|
nəυss/ noun a disease which
a human can catch from an animal (NOTE: The

plural is zoonoses.)
zoster
zoster /zɒstə/  herpes zoster
Z-plasty
Z-plasty /zed plsti/ noun a technique used in
plastic surgery. A deep Z-shaped incision is made
to relieve tension in the area of a scar, or to change
the direction of a scar.
zygoma
zygoma /za
|
əυmə/ noun same as zygomatic
arch (
NOTE: The plural is zygomata.)
zygomatic
zygomatic /zaə
|
mtk/ adjective referring
to the zygomatic arch
zygomatic arch
zygomatic arch /zaəmtk ɑtʃ/ noun the
ridge of bone across the temporal bone, running
between the ear and the bottom of the eye socket.
Also called zygoma
zygomatic bone
zygomatic bone /zaəmtk bəυn/ noun a
bone which forms the prominent part of the cheek
and the lower part of the eye socket. Also called
cheekbone, malar bone
zygomatic process

zygomatic process /zaəmtk prəυses/
noun
one of the bony projections which form the
zygomatic arch
zygote
zygote /zaəυt/ noun a fertilised ovum, the
first stage of development of an embryo
zym-
zym- /zam/ prefix (used before vowels) 1.
enzymes 2. fermentation
Nursing.fm Page 336 Monday, May 14, 2007 4:47 PM
Supplement
Anatomical Terms
The body is always described as if standing upright with the palms of the hands
facing forward. There is only one central vertical plane, termed the median or sagittal
plane, and this passes through the body from front to back. Planes parallel to this on
either side are parasagittal or paramedian planes. Vertical planes at right angles to
the median are called coronal planes. The term horizontal (or transverse) plane
speaks for itself. Two specific horizontal planes are (a) the transpyloric, midway
between the suprasternal notch and the symphysis pubis, and (b) the transtubercular
or intertubercular plane, which passes through the tubercles of the iliac crests. Many
other planes are named from the structures they pass through.
Views of the body from some different points are shown on the diagram; a view of
the body from above is called the superior aspect, and that from below is the inferior
aspect.
Cephalic means toward the head; caudal refers to positions (or in a direction)
towards the tail. Proximal and distal refer to positions respectively closer to and
further from the centre of the body in any direction, while lateral and medial relate
more specifically to relative sideways positions, and also refer to movements. Ventral
refers to the abdomen, front or anterior, while dorsal relates to the back of a part or

organ. The hand has a dorsal and a palmar surface, and the foot a dorsal and a
plantar surface.
Note that flexion of the thigh moves it forward while flexion of the leg moves it
backwards; the movements of extension are similarly reversed. Movement and
rotation of limbs can be medial, which is with the front moving towards the centre
line, or lateral, which is in the opposite direction. Specific terms for limb movements
are adduction, towards the centre line, and abduction, which is away from the centre
line. Other specific terms are supination and pronation for the hand, and inversion
and eversion for the foot.
LUNGS
1. thyroid cartridge 11. oblique fissure
2. cricoid cartridge 12. horizontal fissure
3. trachea 13. cardiac notch
4. main bronchus 14. visceral pleura
5. superior lobe bronchus 15. parietal pleura
6. middle lobe bronchus 16. pleural cavity
7. inferior lobe bronchus 17. alveolus
8. superior lobe 18. alveolar duct
9. middle lobe 19. bronchiole
10. inferior lobe
HEART
1. superior vena cava 9. bicuspid valve
2. inferior vena cava 10. pulmonary artery
3. right atrium 11. pulmonary veins
4. left atrium 12. epicardium
5. right ventricle 13. myocardium
6. left ventricle 14. endocardium
7. aorta 15. septum
8. tricuspid valve

DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
1. liver 9. ascending colon
2. pancreas 10. transverse colon
3. spleen 11. descending colon
4. gall bladder 12. sigmoid colon
5. stomach 13. caecum
6. duodenum 14. appendix
7. jejunum 15. rectum
8. ileum 16. anus
KIDNEY
1. kidney 7. adrenal gland
2. calyx 8. abdominal aorta
3. pyramid 9. inferior vena cava
4. cortex 10. ureter
5. medulla 11. urinary bladder
6. renal pelvis
BRAIN
1. corpus callosum 7. inferior colliculi
2. thalamus 8. cerebellum
3. hypothalamus 9. cerebral peduncle
4. pineal body 10. fornix
5. pituitary gland 11. pons
6. superior colliculi
NEURONE
(a) multipolar (b) bipolar (c) unipolar
1. nucleus 6. myelin sheath
2. Nissi granules 7. Schwann cell nucleus
3. neurofibrilla 8. node of Ranvier
4. dendrite 9. neurilemma
5. axon 10. terminal branch