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| This glossary contains: 19186 medical terms |
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Gamma-knife
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Gamma-knife The gamma knife is used in the treatment of lesions in the brain by a noninvasive surgical technique called stereotaxic radiosurgery. It is a safe, precise, bloodless procedure. The gamma knife uses 201 beams of highly focused gamma rays. The beams are precisely aimed so as to treat only the target (tumor, trigeminal nerve, etc.) with minimal risk to adjacent brain structures.
RELATED TERMS--------------------------------------
Brain
"That part of the central nervous system that is located within the cranium (skull). The brain functions as the primary receiver, organizer and distributor of information for the body. It has two (right and left) halves called ""hemispheres."" "
Noninvasive
Nonpenetrating. Noninvasive tests or procedures do not penetrate the body and are usually considered low-risk and painless.
Radiosurgery
A radiation therapy technique that uses a large number of narrow, precisely aimed, highly focused beams of ionising radiation. The beams are aimed from many directions circling the head and meet at a specific point.
Nerve
Tissue that conveys sensation, temperature, position information to the brain.
Risk
In clinical trials, the probability of harm or discomfort for subjects, arising from the test product. Acceptable risk differs depending on the condition for which a product is being tested. A product for sore throat, for example, will be expected to have a low incidence of side effects. However, unpleasant side effects may be an acceptable risk when testing a promising treatment for a life-threatening illness.
Adjacent
Lying nearby. Related terms include superjacent, subjacent, and circumjacent. From ad-, near + the Latin jacere, to lie = to lie near.
SIMILAR TERMS--------------------------------------
Gamm globulin test
Gamm globulin test refers to a test used to evaluate the efficacy of intravenous immunoglobulin for treatment of individuals experiencing unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss.
Gamma camera
Basic instrument used to produce a nuclear medicine image.
Gamma globulin
Blood protein that contains most antibodies. Used in the temporary prevention of hepatitis and as treatment for disorders with antibody deficiencies.
Gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB)
Known in Europe as Gamma-OH, gamma hydroxybutyrate is a colorless and odorless drug used illicitly for "recreational" purposes and for "date rape." GBH is a central nervous system depressant. It tends therefore to increase sociability and function as something of a transient antidepressant.
Gamma knife
A type of radiosurgery (radiation therapy) machine that acts by focusing low-dosage gamma radiation from many sources on a precise target. Areas adjacent to the target receive only slight doses of radiation, while the target gets the full intensity.
Gamma ray
High-energy electromagnetic radiation emitted by certain radionuclides when their nuclei transition from a higher to a lower energy state. Gamma rays have high energy and a short wave length. All gamma rays emitted from a given isotope have the same energy, a characteristic that enables scientists to identify which gamma emitters are present in a sample. Gamma rays penetrate tissue farther than do beta particles or alpha particles, but leave a lower concentration of ions in their path to potentially cause cell damage. Gamma rays are similar to x-rays.
Gamma-linolenic acid
Abbreviated GLA. An essential polyunsaturated fatty acid contained in some plant seed oils including evening primrose oil, black currant oil, and borage oil. GLA has been used for a number of different disorders. GLA is of no benefit for eczema.
Gamma-OH
European name for gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB), a colorless and odorless drug used illicitly for "recreational" purposes and for "date rape." GBH is a central nervous system depressant. It tends therefore to increase sociability and function as something of a transient antidepressant. Some persons who have sustained adverse effects of GHB have reported being given the drug surreptitiously (e.g., having it slipped into their drink), while others have admitted to intentional use.
PREVIOUS AND NEXT TERMS--------------------------------------
Gay dating
In sexology, dating activity between same sex potential partners for sex intercourse.
Gay man
In sexology, street term for a male homosexual.
Glomerulonephritis
Kidney disease characterized by bilateral inflammatory changes in the glomeruli (tufts of capillary loops associated with the nephrons, the functional units of the kidney). The disorder is not caused by infection. It is considered an autoimmune disease.
GABA
An amino acid that is found in the central nervous system; acts as an inhibitory neurotransmitter.
Gamma camera
Basic instrument used to produce a nuclear medicine image.
Gamma-knife
Gganglion cysts
Non-cancerous, fluid-filled cysts are common masses or lumps in the hand and usually found on the back of the wrist.
Gardner's syndrome
A condition in which many polyps form throughout the digestive tract. Because these polyps are likely to cause cancer, the colon and rectum are often removed to prevent colorectal cancer.
Gas
Air that comes from normal breakdown of food which is passed out of the body through the rectum (flatus) or the mouth (burp).
Gastrectomy
An operation to remove all or part of the stomach.
Gastric
Related to the stomach.
RELATED TERMS--------------------------------------
Brain
"That part of the central nervous system that is located within the cranium (skull). The brain functions as the primary receiver, organizer and distributor of information for the body. It has two (right and left) halves called ""hemispheres."" "
Noninvasive
Nonpenetrating. Noninvasive tests or procedures do not penetrate the body and are usually considered low-risk and painless.
Radiosurgery
A radiation therapy technique that uses a large number of narrow, precisely aimed, highly focused beams of ionising radiation. The beams are aimed from many directions circling the head and meet at a specific point.
Nerve
Tissue that conveys sensation, temperature, position information to the brain.
Risk
In clinical trials, the probability of harm or discomfort for subjects, arising from the test product. Acceptable risk differs depending on the condition for which a product is being tested. A product for sore throat, for example, will be expected to have a low incidence of side effects. However, unpleasant side effects may be an acceptable risk when testing a promising treatment for a life-threatening illness.
Adjacent
Lying nearby. Related terms include superjacent, subjacent, and circumjacent. From ad-, near + the Latin jacere, to lie = to lie near.
SIMILAR TERMS--------------------------------------
Gamm globulin test
Gamm globulin test refers to a test used to evaluate the efficacy of intravenous immunoglobulin for treatment of individuals experiencing unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss.
Gamma camera
Basic instrument used to produce a nuclear medicine image.
Gamma globulin
Blood protein that contains most antibodies. Used in the temporary prevention of hepatitis and as treatment for disorders with antibody deficiencies.
Gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB)
Known in Europe as Gamma-OH, gamma hydroxybutyrate is a colorless and odorless drug used illicitly for "recreational" purposes and for "date rape." GBH is a central nervous system depressant. It tends therefore to increase sociability and function as something of a transient antidepressant.
Gamma knife
A type of radiosurgery (radiation therapy) machine that acts by focusing low-dosage gamma radiation from many sources on a precise target. Areas adjacent to the target receive only slight doses of radiation, while the target gets the full intensity.
Gamma ray
High-energy electromagnetic radiation emitted by certain radionuclides when their nuclei transition from a higher to a lower energy state. Gamma rays have high energy and a short wave length. All gamma rays emitted from a given isotope have the same energy, a characteristic that enables scientists to identify which gamma emitters are present in a sample. Gamma rays penetrate tissue farther than do beta particles or alpha particles, but leave a lower concentration of ions in their path to potentially cause cell damage. Gamma rays are similar to x-rays.
Gamma-linolenic acid
Abbreviated GLA. An essential polyunsaturated fatty acid contained in some plant seed oils including evening primrose oil, black currant oil, and borage oil. GLA has been used for a number of different disorders. GLA is of no benefit for eczema.
Gamma-OH
European name for gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB), a colorless and odorless drug used illicitly for "recreational" purposes and for "date rape." GBH is a central nervous system depressant. It tends therefore to increase sociability and function as something of a transient antidepressant. Some persons who have sustained adverse effects of GHB have reported being given the drug surreptitiously (e.g., having it slipped into their drink), while others have admitted to intentional use.
PREVIOUS AND NEXT TERMS--------------------------------------
Gay dating
In sexology, dating activity between same sex potential partners for sex intercourse.
Gay man
In sexology, street term for a male homosexual.
Glomerulonephritis
Kidney disease characterized by bilateral inflammatory changes in the glomeruli (tufts of capillary loops associated with the nephrons, the functional units of the kidney). The disorder is not caused by infection. It is considered an autoimmune disease.
GABA
An amino acid that is found in the central nervous system; acts as an inhibitory neurotransmitter.
Gamma camera
Basic instrument used to produce a nuclear medicine image.
Gamma-knife
Gganglion cysts
Non-cancerous, fluid-filled cysts are common masses or lumps in the hand and usually found on the back of the wrist.
Gardner's syndrome
A condition in which many polyps form throughout the digestive tract. Because these polyps are likely to cause cancer, the colon and rectum are often removed to prevent colorectal cancer.
Gas
Air that comes from normal breakdown of food which is passed out of the body through the rectum (flatus) or the mouth (burp).
Gastrectomy
An operation to remove all or part of the stomach.
Gastric
Related to the stomach.
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This dictionary contains 19186 terms.
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