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| This glossary contains: 19186 medical terms |
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Gigantism, pituitary
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Gigantism, pituitaryExcessive growth and height due to chronic overactivity of the pituitary gland (at the base of the brain). (Growth hormone is specifically made by the anterior pituitary gland.) In pituitary gigantism, there is secretion of too much growth hormone before the end of adolescence. People with pituitary gigantism can truly be giants. They can sometimes end up over 7 or 8 feet in height.
RELATED TERMS--------------------------------------
Chronic
Ongoing or recurring. Chronic medical conditions include diabetes, epilepsy, and chronic fatigue syndrome.
Pituitary
The gland from which a number of hormones are released into the bloodstream. These hormones include growth hormone, ACTH, B-lipocortin (the precursor to B-endorphorin), FSH, LH, and TSH.
Gland
An organ that releases a chemical. Endocrine glands are ductless and secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream. Exocrine glands secrete externally, either through a tube or duct.
Base
A chemical compound that either donates hydroxide ions or absorbs hydrogen ions when dissolved in water. Bases and acids are referred to as opposites because the effect of an acid is to increase the hydronium ion concentration in water, whereas bases reduce this concentration. Arrhenius bases are water-soluble and always have a pH greater than 7 in solution.
Hormone
A chemical substance formed in the body that is carried in the bloodstream to affect another part of the body; an example is thyroid hormone, produced by the thyroid gland in the neck, which affects growth, temperature regulation, metabolic rate, and other body functions.
Anterior
The front, as opposed to the posterior. The anterior surface of the heart is toward the breast bone (the sternum).
Gigantism
Excessive growth both in height and specific body parts. Gigantism with extreme height may be associated with disorders of pituitary gland, which may oversecrete human growth hormone (somatotrophin) during childhood before the bones fuse. Excessive growth of specific body parts is also a feature of a number of disorders such as the Wiedemann-Beckwith syndrome in which there is macroglossia (an abnormally large tongue).
Feet
The plural of foot, both an anatomic structure and a unit of measure. As an anatomic structure, the foot is the end of the leg on which a person normally stands and walks. The foot is a particularly complex structure made up of dozens of bones that work together with muscles and tendons to execute precise movements. The bones of the foot include the 10 metatarsal bones and the 28 phalanges (toe bones).
SIMILAR TERMS--------------------------------------
Gigantism
Excessive growth both in height and specific body parts. Gigantism with extreme height may be associated with disorders of pituitary gland, which may oversecrete human growth hormone (somatotrophin) during childhood before the bones fuse. Excessive growth of specific body parts is also a feature of a number of disorders such as the Wiedemann-Beckwith syndrome in which there is macroglossia (an abnormally large tongue).
Gigantism, eunuchoid
Extremely tall stature due to the delayed onset of puberty which permits the continued growth of the long bones before their growing ends (epiphyses) fuse and growth stops.
Gigantism, focal
Excessive growth of specific body parts such as an arm, the tongue, or a combination of specific body parts as is seen in Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome or acromegaly. This type of gigantism may occur before or after the bones fuse. If it occurs afterwards, it causes disfigurement. Surgery for mass reduction can help improve function. Other treatments may be available for specific conditions.
PREVIOUS AND NEXT TERMS--------------------------------------
Giardia lamblia
A parasite responsible for a contagious form of diarrhea. The parasite is most commonly transmitted through direct contact with infected feces or by eating food or drinking water contaminated by feces. Giardia is one of the most common intestinal parasites in the world. The disease is most prevalent in developing countries, where infections are associated with poor sanitary conditions, poor water quality control, and overcrowding.Giardiasis affects three times as many children as adults. It particularly affects diapered children and toddlers being toilet-trained. Families with young children who attend day-care centers are at greater risk of developing giardiasis than is the general population.
GIFT
A technique in which the male and female cells required to begin reproduction are injected into the fallopian tubes of the female for fertilization. This technique is one of the methods doctors use to overcome infertility, the inability of couples to produce offspring on their own. The acronym GIFT stands for Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer.
Gigantism
Excessive growth both in height and specific body parts. Gigantism with extreme height may be associated with disorders of pituitary gland, which may oversecrete human growth hormone (somatotrophin) during childhood before the bones fuse. Excessive growth of specific body parts is also a feature of a number of disorders such as the Wiedemann-Beckwith syndrome in which there is macroglossia (an abnormally large tongue).
Gigantism, eunuchoid
Extremely tall stature due to the delayed onset of puberty which permits the continued growth of the long bones before their growing ends (epiphyses) fuse and growth stops.
Gigantism, focal
Excessive growth of specific body parts such as an arm, the tongue, or a combination of specific body parts as is seen in Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome or acromegaly. This type of gigantism may occur before or after the bones fuse. If it occurs afterwards, it causes disfigurement. Surgery for mass reduction can help improve function. Other treatments may be available for specific conditions.
Gigantism, pituitary
Gilbert syndrome
A common but harmless genetic condition in which a liver enzyme essential to the disposal of bilirubin (the chemical that results from the normal breakdown of hemoglobin from red blood cells) is abnormal.
Ginger
A perennial tropical herb that has been used as a treatment for nausea and bowel spasms.
Gingko biloba
An herb that is very popular as a treatment for dementia (a progressive brain dysfunction) and to improve thinking. Gingko can cause mild stomach upset and headache. Gingko seems also to have blood thinning properties. Therefore, it is not recommended to be taken with aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (such as ibuprofen/Advil, Motrin or naproxen/Aleve), or medications to prevent blood clotting (anticoagulants) such as warfarin/Coumadin. Gingko should be avoided in patients with epilepsy taking seizure medicines, such as phenytoin /Dilantin, carbamazepine /Tegretol, and phenobarbital.
Ginseng
An herb that has been used to stimulate the adrenal gland and thereby increase energy. It also may have some beneficial effect on reducing blood sugar in patients with diabetes mellitus. Ginseng can cause elevation in blood pressure, headache, vomiting, insomnia, and nose bleeding. Ginseng can also cause falsely abnormal blood tests for digoxin level in persons taking the drug for heart disease. It is unclear whether ginseng may affect female hormones. Its use in pregnancy is not recommended. Ginseng may affect the action of the normal blood clotting element (platelets). It should be avoided in patients taking aspirin, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (such as ibuprofen/Advil, Motrin or naproxen/Aleve), or medications to prevent blood clotting (anticoagulants) such as warfarin/Coumadin. Ginseng may also cause headaches, tremors, nervousness, and sleeplessness. It should be avoided in persons with manic disorder and psychosis.
RELATED TERMS--------------------------------------
Chronic
Ongoing or recurring. Chronic medical conditions include diabetes, epilepsy, and chronic fatigue syndrome.
Pituitary
The gland from which a number of hormones are released into the bloodstream. These hormones include growth hormone, ACTH, B-lipocortin (the precursor to B-endorphorin), FSH, LH, and TSH.
Gland
An organ that releases a chemical. Endocrine glands are ductless and secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream. Exocrine glands secrete externally, either through a tube or duct.
Base
A chemical compound that either donates hydroxide ions or absorbs hydrogen ions when dissolved in water. Bases and acids are referred to as opposites because the effect of an acid is to increase the hydronium ion concentration in water, whereas bases reduce this concentration. Arrhenius bases are water-soluble and always have a pH greater than 7 in solution.
Hormone
A chemical substance formed in the body that is carried in the bloodstream to affect another part of the body; an example is thyroid hormone, produced by the thyroid gland in the neck, which affects growth, temperature regulation, metabolic rate, and other body functions.
Anterior
The front, as opposed to the posterior. The anterior surface of the heart is toward the breast bone (the sternum).
Gigantism
Excessive growth both in height and specific body parts. Gigantism with extreme height may be associated with disorders of pituitary gland, which may oversecrete human growth hormone (somatotrophin) during childhood before the bones fuse. Excessive growth of specific body parts is also a feature of a number of disorders such as the Wiedemann-Beckwith syndrome in which there is macroglossia (an abnormally large tongue).
Feet
The plural of foot, both an anatomic structure and a unit of measure. As an anatomic structure, the foot is the end of the leg on which a person normally stands and walks. The foot is a particularly complex structure made up of dozens of bones that work together with muscles and tendons to execute precise movements. The bones of the foot include the 10 metatarsal bones and the 28 phalanges (toe bones).
SIMILAR TERMS--------------------------------------
Gigantism
Excessive growth both in height and specific body parts. Gigantism with extreme height may be associated with disorders of pituitary gland, which may oversecrete human growth hormone (somatotrophin) during childhood before the bones fuse. Excessive growth of specific body parts is also a feature of a number of disorders such as the Wiedemann-Beckwith syndrome in which there is macroglossia (an abnormally large tongue).
Gigantism, eunuchoid
Extremely tall stature due to the delayed onset of puberty which permits the continued growth of the long bones before their growing ends (epiphyses) fuse and growth stops.
Gigantism, focal
Excessive growth of specific body parts such as an arm, the tongue, or a combination of specific body parts as is seen in Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome or acromegaly. This type of gigantism may occur before or after the bones fuse. If it occurs afterwards, it causes disfigurement. Surgery for mass reduction can help improve function. Other treatments may be available for specific conditions.
PREVIOUS AND NEXT TERMS--------------------------------------
Giardia lamblia
A parasite responsible for a contagious form of diarrhea. The parasite is most commonly transmitted through direct contact with infected feces or by eating food or drinking water contaminated by feces. Giardia is one of the most common intestinal parasites in the world. The disease is most prevalent in developing countries, where infections are associated with poor sanitary conditions, poor water quality control, and overcrowding.Giardiasis affects three times as many children as adults. It particularly affects diapered children and toddlers being toilet-trained. Families with young children who attend day-care centers are at greater risk of developing giardiasis than is the general population.
GIFT
A technique in which the male and female cells required to begin reproduction are injected into the fallopian tubes of the female for fertilization. This technique is one of the methods doctors use to overcome infertility, the inability of couples to produce offspring on their own. The acronym GIFT stands for Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer.
Gigantism
Excessive growth both in height and specific body parts. Gigantism with extreme height may be associated with disorders of pituitary gland, which may oversecrete human growth hormone (somatotrophin) during childhood before the bones fuse. Excessive growth of specific body parts is also a feature of a number of disorders such as the Wiedemann-Beckwith syndrome in which there is macroglossia (an abnormally large tongue).
Gigantism, eunuchoid
Extremely tall stature due to the delayed onset of puberty which permits the continued growth of the long bones before their growing ends (epiphyses) fuse and growth stops.
Gigantism, focal
Excessive growth of specific body parts such as an arm, the tongue, or a combination of specific body parts as is seen in Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome or acromegaly. This type of gigantism may occur before or after the bones fuse. If it occurs afterwards, it causes disfigurement. Surgery for mass reduction can help improve function. Other treatments may be available for specific conditions.
Gigantism, pituitary
Gilbert syndrome
A common but harmless genetic condition in which a liver enzyme essential to the disposal of bilirubin (the chemical that results from the normal breakdown of hemoglobin from red blood cells) is abnormal.
Ginger
A perennial tropical herb that has been used as a treatment for nausea and bowel spasms.
Gingko biloba
An herb that is very popular as a treatment for dementia (a progressive brain dysfunction) and to improve thinking. Gingko can cause mild stomach upset and headache. Gingko seems also to have blood thinning properties. Therefore, it is not recommended to be taken with aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (such as ibuprofen/Advil, Motrin or naproxen/Aleve), or medications to prevent blood clotting (anticoagulants) such as warfarin/Coumadin. Gingko should be avoided in patients with epilepsy taking seizure medicines, such as phenytoin /Dilantin, carbamazepine /Tegretol, and phenobarbital.
Ginseng
An herb that has been used to stimulate the adrenal gland and thereby increase energy. It also may have some beneficial effect on reducing blood sugar in patients with diabetes mellitus. Ginseng can cause elevation in blood pressure, headache, vomiting, insomnia, and nose bleeding. Ginseng can also cause falsely abnormal blood tests for digoxin level in persons taking the drug for heart disease. It is unclear whether ginseng may affect female hormones. Its use in pregnancy is not recommended. Ginseng may affect the action of the normal blood clotting element (platelets). It should be avoided in patients taking aspirin, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (such as ibuprofen/Advil, Motrin or naproxen/Aleve), or medications to prevent blood clotting (anticoagulants) such as warfarin/Coumadin. Ginseng may also cause headaches, tremors, nervousness, and sleeplessness. It should be avoided in persons with manic disorder and psychosis.
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This dictionary contains 19186 terms.
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