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| This glossary contains: 19186 medical terms |
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Latency period
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Latency periodThe period between exposure to a disease-causing agent and the onset or appearance of disease symptoms. The latency period for asbestos-related diseases ranges from 15 years for asbestosis to 30 years or more for lung cancer and mesothelioma.
RELATED TERMS--------------------------------------
Disease
Illness or sickness often characterized by typical patient problems (symptoms) and physical findings (signs). Disruption sequence: The events that occur when a fetus that is developing normally is subjected to a destructive agent such as the rubella (German measles) virus.
Asbestosis
Disease caused by inhalation of asbestos fibers. It usually strikes workers in the textile, cement and insulating industries. Asbestos fibers are microscopic and virtually indestructible. When they are inhaled into the lung, the lung's defense cells try to destroy the asbestos fibers, but the body's defense mechanisms cannot break down asbestos. The result is that the asbestos fibers remain in the lungs and cause scarring and the inflammation continues for decades. This thickening and scarring prevents oxygen and carbon dioxide from traveling between the tiny air sacs of the lungs and into the blood stream, so breathing becomes much less efficient.
Cancer
Any malignant growth or tumor caused by abnormal and uncontrolled cell division; it may spread to other parts of the body through the lymphatic system or the blood stream.
Mesothelioma
Malignant spreading tumour of the mesothelium of the pleura, pericardium, or peritoneum, arising as a result of the presence of asbestos fibres. It is diagnostic of exposure to asbestos.
SIMILAR TERMS--------------------------------------
Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults (LADA)
Autoimmune diabetes (Type 1A diabetes) occurring in individuals who are older than the usual age of onset of type 1 diabetes (that is, over 30 years of age at diagnosis). Sometimes, patients with LADA are mistakenly thought to have Type 2 diabetes, based on their age at the time of diagnosis. However, positive antibody tests would help make the diagnosis of LADA.
Latent content
The hidden (i.e., unconscious) meaning of thoughts or actions, especially in dreams or fantasies. In dreams, it is expressed in distorted, disguised, condensed, and symbolic form.
Latent Diabetes
Former term for impaired glucose tolerance.
Lateral
Toward the side, sideways.
Lateral geniculate nucleus
Structure located in the thalamus which is a major recipient of axons from the retina. About 10% of its input is from the retina. It is composed of 6 layers. While input to the LGN from the two eyes is segregated, significant binocular influence can be exerted on the LGN by the cortex.
PREVIOUS AND NEXT TERMS--------------------------------------
Laser
An acronym of light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation. A surgical tool that creates intense heat and power when focused at close range, destroying cells by vaporizing them.
Local
In the area of the tumor; confined to one specific area.
Lumbosacral
Relating to the lumbar vertebrae and the sacrum.
Lymphadenopathy
Any disease process affecting a lymph node or lymph nodes.
Lymphopenia
A reduction, relative or absolute, in the number of lymphocytes in the circulating blood.
Latency period
Longitudinal study
Investigation in which data are collected from a number of subjects over a long period of time.
L.Ac. (Lic.Ac.)
Licensed Acupuncturist.
Laying on of hands
Contact healing.
Life energy
See "vital force."
L.M.T.
Licensed Massage Therapist.
RELATED TERMS--------------------------------------
Disease
Illness or sickness often characterized by typical patient problems (symptoms) and physical findings (signs). Disruption sequence: The events that occur when a fetus that is developing normally is subjected to a destructive agent such as the rubella (German measles) virus.
Asbestosis
Disease caused by inhalation of asbestos fibers. It usually strikes workers in the textile, cement and insulating industries. Asbestos fibers are microscopic and virtually indestructible. When they are inhaled into the lung, the lung's defense cells try to destroy the asbestos fibers, but the body's defense mechanisms cannot break down asbestos. The result is that the asbestos fibers remain in the lungs and cause scarring and the inflammation continues for decades. This thickening and scarring prevents oxygen and carbon dioxide from traveling between the tiny air sacs of the lungs and into the blood stream, so breathing becomes much less efficient.
Cancer
Any malignant growth or tumor caused by abnormal and uncontrolled cell division; it may spread to other parts of the body through the lymphatic system or the blood stream.
Mesothelioma
Malignant spreading tumour of the mesothelium of the pleura, pericardium, or peritoneum, arising as a result of the presence of asbestos fibres. It is diagnostic of exposure to asbestos.
SIMILAR TERMS--------------------------------------
Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults (LADA)
Autoimmune diabetes (Type 1A diabetes) occurring in individuals who are older than the usual age of onset of type 1 diabetes (that is, over 30 years of age at diagnosis). Sometimes, patients with LADA are mistakenly thought to have Type 2 diabetes, based on their age at the time of diagnosis. However, positive antibody tests would help make the diagnosis of LADA.
Latent content
The hidden (i.e., unconscious) meaning of thoughts or actions, especially in dreams or fantasies. In dreams, it is expressed in distorted, disguised, condensed, and symbolic form.
Latent Diabetes
Former term for impaired glucose tolerance.
Lateral
Toward the side, sideways.
Lateral geniculate nucleus
Structure located in the thalamus which is a major recipient of axons from the retina. About 10% of its input is from the retina. It is composed of 6 layers. While input to the LGN from the two eyes is segregated, significant binocular influence can be exerted on the LGN by the cortex.
PREVIOUS AND NEXT TERMS--------------------------------------
Laser
An acronym of light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation. A surgical tool that creates intense heat and power when focused at close range, destroying cells by vaporizing them.
Local
In the area of the tumor; confined to one specific area.
Lumbosacral
Relating to the lumbar vertebrae and the sacrum.
Lymphadenopathy
Any disease process affecting a lymph node or lymph nodes.
Lymphopenia
A reduction, relative or absolute, in the number of lymphocytes in the circulating blood.
Latency period
Longitudinal study
Investigation in which data are collected from a number of subjects over a long period of time.
L.Ac. (Lic.Ac.)
Licensed Acupuncturist.
Laying on of hands
Contact healing.
Life energy
See "vital force."
L.M.T.
Licensed Massage Therapist.
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This dictionary contains 19186 terms.
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