Anatomy
a small, butterfly-shaped gland situated at the base of the front of your neck, just below your Adam's apple which produces hormones that control body temperature and metabolism
Thyroid
Inherited disorder affecting the shape of red blood cells which are usually round and flexible. With this condition some red blood cells have a crescent shape becoming rigid and sticky, which can slow or block blood flow.
Sickle cell anemia
a procedure where a needle is inserted into the lower back, between the bones of the lower part of the spine to remove a sample of CSF
lumbar puncture
the development of secondary malignant growths at a distance from a primary site of cancer
Metastasis
a diagnostic imaging procedure that uses a combination of X-rays and computer technology to produce images of the inside of the body. It shows detailed images of any part of the body, including the bones, muscles, fat, organs and blood vessels
CT scan
an organ located in the upper left abdomen behind the stomach. it has two main functions: an exocrine function that helps in digestion and an endocrine function that regulates blood sugar.
Pancreas
a rare condition caused by a combination of four congenital heart defects. These defects, which affect the structure of the heart, cause oxygen-poor blood to flow out of the heart and to the rest of the body causing blue-tinged skin when the blood doesn't contain enough oxygen
Tetralogy of Fallot
the surgical removal of two oval-shaped pads of tissue at the back of the throat — one on each side, usually performed to improve sleep disorders
Tonsillectomy
The most common form of skin cancer which begins in the epidermis, usually in sun exposed areas
Basal cell carcinoma
an imaging test that can help reveal the metabolic or biochemical function of your tissues and organs, using a radioactive tracer to show both normal and abnormal metabolic activity
PET Scan
a fist-sized organ in the upper left side of your abdomen, next to your stomach and behind your left ribs. It's an important part of your immune system, but you can survive without it
Spleen
an inherited disorder that causes severe damage to the lungs, digestive system and other organs in the body. A genetic mutation affects the cells that produce mucus, sweat and digestive juices The result is thick, sticky mucus in the respiratory, digestive and reproductive systems
Cystic fibrosis
a complex operation to remove the head of the pancreas, the first part of the small intestine, the gallbladder and the bile duct, used most commonly to treat pancreatic cancer
Whipple
the most common type of tumor that forms in the head, arising from the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. Most grow very slowly, often over many years without causing symptoms. 85-90% of these tumors are considered benign
Meningioma
A test which measures muscle response or electrical activity in response to a nerve's stimulation of the muscle, used to help detect neuromuscular abnormalities. During the test, one or more small needles (also called electrodes) are inserted through the skin into the muscle.
Electromyography (EMG)
the layer at the very back of your eyeball which converts light that enters into electrical signals your optic nerve sends to your brain
Retina
A highly contagious viral illness which causes fever, cough, sore throat, splotchy red rash on the body and/or white spots in the mouth (Koplik's spots). No longer widespread in the US due to vaccination
Measles
a procedure that combines upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and x-rays to diagnose and treat problems in the liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, and pancreas. The endoscope is used to inject a dye which highlights the organs on x ray
ERCP Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography
a type of cancer of the blood and bone marrow which progresses rapidly and creates immature white blood cells, the most common type of childhood cancer
Acute lymphocytic (lymphoblastic)leukemia
an estimate of the body’s ability to fight infections, especially bacterial infections, measures the number of white blood cell that kill bacteria in the blood
Absolute neutrophil count
The first part of the small intestine, which connects to the stomach and absorbs nutrients and water to be used by the body
Duodenum
a potentially disabling disease of the brain and spinal cord. the immune system attacks the protective sheath (myelin) that covers nerve fibers and causes communication problems between your brain and the rest of your body. Eventually, the disease can cause permanent damage or deterioration of the nerves.
Multiple sclerosis
a surgery for bone cancer near the knee in children. A surgeon removes the middle part of the leg, including the tumor and knee. The lower leg is reattached at the thigh, but rotated 180 degrees. the ankle joint functions as the new knee joint. Using a prosthesis this is a more functional alternative to an above-the-knee full leg amputation.
Rotationplasty
The most common type of cancer affecting the lymphatic system in which white blood cells grow abnormally and can form growths throughout the body. Most common in adults over 60 but also affects children
Non Hodgkins Lymphoma
a measurement of how quickly red blood cells fall to the bottom of a test tube. When inflammation is present, the blood's proteins clump together and become heavier than normal. Thus, when measured, they fall and settle faster at the bottom of the test tube
erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)