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AIDS: (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) a severe immunological disease caused by infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which progressively attacks and destroys the immune system leaving the body susceptible to serious opportunistic infections.
Alcoholic dementia: neurological damage and memory loss caused by excessive drinking of alcohol.
Alkaline: substance having a pH greater than 7.
Alpha interferon: a type of protein produced by the body in response to an infection.
Anaemia: deficiency of the red blood cells of haemoglobin.
Anaesthetic: medication used to reduce pain within the body.
Androgen: hormone secreted by the testes and adrenal cortex responsible for building up of protein tissue and male characteristics.
Andropause: term that applies to possible mid-life hormonal changes in men similar to the female menopause.
Anorexia nervosa: an eating disorder where individuals strictly limit their food intake to keep their weight unhealthily low.
Antipsychotics: drugs used to treat severe mental disorders.
Anus: the opening at the end of the rectum where faeces leave the body.
Asymptomatic: when a person is infected with a disease but shows no symptoms.
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Bartholin’s glands: two glands (between the vulva and vagina) that secrete fluid providing lubrication for sexual intercourse.
Benign tumor: a non-cancerous growth.
Binge eating: eating excessive amounts of food.
Bladder: reservoir for holding urine.
Bloodborne: carried in the blood.
Bulimia: an eating disorder characterised by people eating excessive amounts of food and then purging themselves, by deliberately being sick or taking laxatives. |
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Cap: a form of contraception.
Cardiac arrythmias: irregular beating of the heart.
Cardiomyopathy: disease of the heart muscle.
Catheter: a thing hollow tube which are inserted into the body to allow fluids to drain.
Cerebral haemorrhage: bleeding in and around the brain.
Cervical cap: a form of contraception which fits over the cervix, preventing sperm from entering the uterus.
Cervix: the lower narrow part of the uterus that is able to dilate and widen during childbirth.
Chemotherapy: a form of treatment using drugs and chemicals.
Chlamydia: a sexually transmitted disease caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis, which if left untreated can lead to infertility.
Chlamydial proctitis: inflammation of the rectum due to a chlamydia infection.
Cilia: microscopic filaments projecting from certain cells that sweep in unison.
Cimetidine: A drug which acts in the stomach to reduce the production of acid.
Cirrhosis: a form of liver disease.
Clitoris: small organ of erectile tissue found at the anterior junction of the labia minora in the female.
Coil: a mechanical form of contraception where the device is placed inside the woman’s womb.
Cold sores: painful blisters found usually on the face caused by an infection with the herpes simplex virus.
Copulation: sexual intercourse.
Corona: crown-like structure.
Corpora cavernosa: spongy erectile tissue found in the penis.
Corpus spongiosum: cylinder of spongy tissue that forms the penis.
Cortex: outer layer of an organ or tissue.
Cremaster muscles: thin muscular layer that covers the spermatic cord in a series of loops.
CT scans: a detailed x-ray of the body used to produce in-depth 2-dimensional pictures of the internal organs and structures.
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Deep vein thrombosis: a blood clot which forms within the veins deep within the body.
Delirium tremens: a neurological disorder that can occur as a result of alcohol withdrawal.
Depression: psychological disorder marked especially by feelings of sadness, inactivity, tiredness, lack of concentration, and sometimes suicidal thoughts.
Diabetes mellitus: a disorder characterised by a lack of insulin within the body, or by a lack of responsiveness to insulin, leading to abnormally high blood sugar levels.
Diaphragms: a form of contraception which is placed inside the vaginal and prevents sperm form reaching the egg.
Douches: a procedure used to clean the vaginal area.
Drug regimen: the dosing schedule of a course of treatment.
Duct: tube or channel for the passage of fluid.
Dysmenorrhoea: painful menstruation without an identifiable cause.
Dyspareunia: painful sexual intercourse in women.
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Ectopic pregnancy: a pregnancy in which the foetus develops outside of the uterus, usually in the fallopian tubes.
Ejaculation: the ejecting of semen from the penis during sexual climax.
Electrostimulation: electrical stimulation of the muscles.
Embolisation: deliberate blocking of the blood supply, for example to a tumour or fibroids.
Encephalitis: inflammation of the brain.
Endocrine: glands whose secretions are excreted directly into the blood and not by a duct.
Endometrial ablation: removal of the lining of the uterus.
Endometriosis: a condition in which endometrial tissue grows outside the uterus.
Epididymis: long cord-like structure with coiled duct for the storage, maturation and transportation of sperm.
Epididymitis: infection of the epididymis.
Erection: when the penis fills with blood and becomes hard and erect ready for sexual intercourse.
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Fallopian tubes: the two tubes (one from each ovary) that transport the egg of the female from the ovary to the uterus.
Fibroids: non-cancerous tumours, composed of muscle and fibrous tissue, found within the uterus.
Fimbriae: fringe or thread like projections surrounding the pelvic opening of the uterine tube.
Flora: microorganisms naturally found within the body.
Follicle stimulating hormone: hormone produced by the pituitary gland responsible for the maturation of the graafian follicles in the ovary.
Follicles: group of cells containing the developing oocyte in the female ovary.
Foreskin: the piece of skin which covers the end of the penis. |
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Gametes: the reproductive cells (sperm and egg).
Gastrointestinal: relating to the digestive tract.
Glans: a small round structure found at the end of the penis or clitoris.
Glans penis: conical tip of the penis.
Gonads: the reproductive organs.
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Hepatitis: a viral infection of the liver.
Hepatitis B: a form of the hepatitis virus carried in the blood which affects the liver.
Hepatitis C: a form of the hepatitis virus carried in the blood which affects the liver.
Herpes: a sexually transmitted infection involving the herpes virus.
HIV: (human immunodeficiency virus) a virus which attacks and destroys the body’s immune system, eventually leading to AIDs.
Hormone: chemical substance produced in one organ and transported to another in the blood.
Human papillomavirus: a group of more than 100 small, circular, double-stranded DNA viruses found within the human body which infect the epithelial cells of the skin or inner mucosal surfaces.
Hypertension: abnormally high blood pressure.
Hyperthyroidism: overactivity of the thyroid gland.
Hypogonadism: a condition characterised by little or no hormone secretion from the sex glands.
Hypothyroidism: deficiency of the thyroid gland.
Hysterectomy: surgical operation for the removal of the uterus.
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Immunodeficiency: a reduction in the functionality of the immune system, which reduces the body’s capability to fight infection.
Immunoglobulin: proteins involved in the body’s fight against infection.
Impotence: inability in the male to get or maintain an erection of the penis.
Inhibin: hormone which inhibits the release of follicle-stimulating hormone.
Insecticide: chemical used to kill insects.
Intrauterine device: a small plastic and copper device that is inserted into the womb of a female to prevent fertilisation of the egg.
Intrauterine system: a small device, similar to the intrauterine device, that is inserted into the womb and which slowly releases hormone into the body.
IUCD: Intrauterine contraceptive device. |
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Jaundice: yellowing of the skin and eyes. |
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Khat: a leafy green shrub with natural stimulant properties. |
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Labia majora: the larger labia of the external female genitalia.
Labia minora: the smaller labia of the external female genitalia.
Labia: lip-like external female genitalia (comprising the labia majora and the labia minora).
Laparoscopy: visual examination of the organs within the abdominal and pelvic cavities.
Larynx: the voice box.
Libido: sexual drive.
Ligaments: bands of fibrous tissues which hold the bones of a joint together.
Lymph glands: small lumps located throughout the body that filter out unwanted particles.
Lymph nodes: small lumps located throughout the body that filter out unwanted particles. |
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Mammogram: an x-ray of the breast.
Mastectomy: surgical removal of all or part of the breast.
Medulla: the innermost part of an organ.
Menarche: the time when menstruation begins for a girl.
Menopause: the time when menstruation stops for a woman, also known as ‘the change’.
Menorrhagia: excessive or heavy flow of fluid during menstruation.
Menstruation: monthly discharge of blood and endometrium (the uterine lining) in women.
Mons pubis: prominence or mound; a soft pad of fat just above the genitals protecting the pubic bone.
MRI scans: (magnetic resonance imaging) a non-invasive scan which uses strong magnetic waves to produce a detailed image of the inside of the body.
Mucosal surfaces: the internal lining of most internal cavities within the body. |
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Natural flora: bacteria naturally found on and within the body.
Nocturnal emissions: involuntary secretion of semen when asleep.
Nonoxynol-9 spermicide: a chemical used to kill sperm in some makes of condoms. |
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Oestrogen: female hormone responsible for female sexual development.
Oocytes: a female cell which develops into an ovum.
Oophorectomy: surgical removal of both ovaries.
Opportunistic: taking advantage of an opportunity.
Orgasm: the point of sexual climax.
Osteoporosis: bone condition that affects older women of reduced bone density resulting in brittle and porous bones.
Ova: plural of ovum.
Ovulation: the time when the ovum is released from the ovary.
Ovum: an egg in the female ovary. |
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PADAM: acronym for ‘partial androgen deficiency of the ageing male’.
Pancreatitis: inflammation of the pancreas.
Papilloma: a form of benign tumor.
Parenteral: route of admission other than taken by mouth, for example intravenously or intramuscular.
Pegylated Interferon: a form of treatment usually given to treat hepatitis C.
Pelvic inflammatory disease: infection of the female pelvic organs.
Penicillin: a type of antibiotic.
Penis: male reproductive organ for sexual intercourse and urination.
Perihepatitis: inflammation or infection of the membrane surrounding the liver. Often caused by chlamydia or gonorrhoea.
Perimenopause: the time (about six years before onset of the menopause) when the physical signs of menstrual irregularity start to appear due to the aging of the ovaries.
Perineum: the area between the rectum and the scrotum in men, and the rectum and the vulva in women.
Pessary: a device inserted into the vagina.
Placebo: an inactive substance.
PMS: Premenstrual stress - physical or psychological changes which may occur just before a period.
Pneumonia: infection of the lungs.
Proctitis: inflammation of the rectum.
Progesterone: hormone that is responsible for the regulation of the menstrual cycle and pregnancy.
Progestogen: a synthetic hormone, similar to the naturally occurring hormone progesterone.
Prostatectomy: surgical removal or resection of the prostate gland.
Prostate disease: disease of the prostate gland, the walnut-sized gland that’s sits at the base of the bladder in men. Prostate disease can include prostate cancer, enlargement of the prostate or inflammation of the prostate.
Prostrate gland: walnut-sized gland that sits at the base of the bladder in men, surrounding the urethra. Together with the seminal vesicles, it is responsible for producing seminal fluid, which bathes and nourishes sperm on their journey out of the body.
Puberty: time when secondary sexual organs develop.
Pulmonary embolism: a blood clot which blocks the main arterial blood flow to the lungs.
Pyelonephritis: inflammation of the kidney. |
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Radioisotope bone scans: a specific scan which looks at parts of the body using small amounts of radioactive material.
Radiotherapy: a form of treatment using radiation.
Reiters syndrome: a disease commonly found in young men consisting of arthritis, conjunctivitis, urethritis and sometimes diarrhoea.
Relaxin: female hormone released by the ovaries and placenta to ease the body during child birth.
Retinitis: inflammation of the eye.
Ribavirin: an antiviral nucleoside analogue.
Rugae: folds or ridges found within the wall of an organ within the body. |
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Scrotum: pouch of soft skin containing the testes.
Secondary oocyte: produced from the primary oocyte during cell division which contains a single set of unpaired chromosomes. This oocyte is released from the ovary during ovulation.
Semen: secretion of the testicles containing sperm that is ejaculated from the penis during sexual intercourse.
Seminal vesicles: air of sack-like glands behind the bladder that are part of the male reproductive system producing fluid that forms part of semen.
Sepsis: the presence of organisms in the blood.
Shingles: a painful infection of a nerve and the surrounding skin, caused by the varicella-zoster virus.
Sperm: spermatozoon, a mature male germ cell, like a tadpole.
Spermatic cord: structure that goes from the abdomen to the testes and descends into the scrotum.
Spermatic deferens: another name for the vas deferens, and also known as the sperm duct.
Spermicide: chemical used to kill sperm and reduce the chance of contraception.
Spirochete: a spiral-shaped form of bacterium.
Spironolactone: a diuretic agent used to reduce the build-up of fluid within the body.
Stress urinary incontinence: the involuntary loss of urine following exercise or sudden voluntary movements, such as sneezing.
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Testes: pair of male gonads that produce semen.
Testicle: male gonad that produces semen (from the Latin testis).
Testosterone: male sex hormone mainly produced in the testes.
Thrush: a fungal infection caused by the organism Candida albicans.
Tuberculosis: an infectious respiratory disease.
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Ultrasound: a method of looking at internal organs using sound waves.
Uraemia: build up of urea.
Urethra: the channel through which the urine empties from the bladder and passes to the outside of the body.
Urine: fluid secreted by the kidneys and excreted through the bladder and urethra.
Uterine prolapse: occurs when the muscles holding the uterus become weak, and the uterus falls from its usual position.
Uterus: the small hollow organ in the female which holds and nourishes the developing foetus during pregnancy.
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Vagina: the female genital organ which is involved in childbirth and sexual intercourse, also known as the birth canal.
Vaginal prolapse: occurs when part of the internal structure of the vagina falls from its normal position and protrudes out of the vaginal opening.
Vaginal rings: a form of contraception inserted in to the vagina.
Vas deferens: pair of excretory ducts that carry semen to the urethra.
Vasectomy: male sterilisation.
Viral load: the amount of virus particles in a small amount of blood.
Vulva: external female genital organs.
Vulvovaginal gland: one of two glands found either side of the lower part of the vagina. |
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