A

adrenal glands: small, pyramid-shaped glands situated on top of each kidney that secrete the steroid hormones estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone, as well as various other substances.

amenorrhea: lack of menstrual periods.

amino acid: organic compound of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen; the "building blocks" of protein.

anovulatory: cessation or suspension of ovulation.

antidepressant: medication or process used to avoid depressive states.

antihypertensive: medication used to lower high blood pressure.

antioxidant: a substance that prevents oxidation or inhibits reactions promoted by oxygen.

arteriosclerosis: used interchangeably with the term atherosclerosis to describe a condition affecting the arteries.

atherosclerosis: a variety of conditions where there is thickening, hardening, and/or loss of elasticity of the artery walls, resulting in altered function of tissues and organs

atrophy: withering of an organ that had previously been normal.

B

basal metabolic rate (BMR): temperature of the body at the time of awakening.

benign: noncancerous.

beta carotene: compound in plants that the body converts into vitamin A.

bioflavonoid: constituent of the vitamin C complex.

biopsy: medical procedure taking a small tissue sample in order to confirm a diagnosis.

C

calories: the measure of the energies supplied by the food we eat.

carbohydrates: a chemical compound, found in plants, which include all sugars, starches, and cellulose; a basic source of human energy.

carcinogens: cancer-producing agents.

cardiovascular disease: a general grouping of diseases of the heart and blood vessels.

cell: structural unit of every organism.

cervix: the necklike narrow end of the uterus that opens into the vagina; it stretches to allow a baby to be born.

chlamydia: a bacterial infection of the pelvic organs and urinary tract transmitted by sexual activity.

collagen: a structural protein of the connective tissues.

colorectal: related to the colon (portion of large bowels) and the rectum.

corpus luteum: yellow glandular mass formed by an ovarian follicle after ovulation.

corticosteroid: hormone produced by the adrenal cortex.

cortisone: adrenal hormone that can be harmful to bones; also, a drug that resembles the adrenal hormone.

cyst: a sac of fluid.

cystitis: bladder infection characterized by pain while urinating, a burning sensation, and frequent urination.

D

D&C, or dilation and curettage: medical procedure to scrape away part of the uterine lining (endometrium) to remove abnormal cells.

DNA: deoxyribonucleic acid, the basic molecular subunit of chromosomes.

diabetes: disease caused by failure of the body to produce insulin or to use insulin efficiently, resulting in high levels of sugar in the bloodstream and urine.

diastolic pressure: the period of least pressure in the arterial vascular system.

dysplasia: abnormal development of cells.

E

endocrine glands: glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream that stimulate or inhibit other body organs.

endometrial biopsy: a small amount of endometrial tissue removed and examined under a microscope.

endometrial hyperplasia: unhealthy buildup of the endometrium due to an imbalance in the levels of estrogen and progesterone.

endometrium: the inner lining of the uterus that builds up and is shed each month.

essential fatty acid: a nutrient that the body can't make but which is essential to good health.

estradiol: type of estrogen.

estrogen: female sex hormone found in both women and men, but in a larger proportion in women, primarily responsible for the development and maintenance of female sex characteristics and reproductive functions.

estriol: weaker form of estrogen.

estrone: weaker form of estrogen.

F

fat: adipose tissue of the body, which serves as an energy reserve.

fluid retention: failure to eliminate fluids from the body because of cardiac, renal, or metabolic disease, or a high level of salt in the body.

follicle: a small sac or cavity composed of cells—for example, the ovarian follicle that produces the ovum.

free radicals: highly reactive molecular fragments, generally harmful to the body.

G

glands: organs that secrete hormones, or other substances that activate or inhibit body functions or that eliminate substances from the body.

gram: unit of mass (weight); about 1/28 of an ounce.

H

hemoglobin: the iron-containing pigment of the red blood cells.

hemorrhage: heavy bleeding.

hepatitis B: highly contagious type of liver inflammation caused by a viral infection, contracted through contact with infected human blood or with people at high risk for sexually transmitted disease.

herpes: painful and contagious viral inflammatory disease of the skin that causes skin ulcers in the genital and other body areas.

high-density lipoprotein (HDL): the smallest lipoprotein that removes cholesterol from LDL cells and transports it back to the liver, where cholesterol is broken down into bile acids and excreted into the intestine.

high blood pressure, or hypertension: too forceful flow of blood, which may damage the blood vessel walls, leading to heart attack, stroke, or kidney failure.

HIV: human immunodeficiency virus, regarded as responsible for the development of AIDS.

hormone: class of chemical substances produced by glands and other body organs that are released into the bloodstream and control various body functions.

hot flash: sudden warmth in the face, neck, or entire body. When it occurs during the night, it is called night sweats.

hyperlipidemia: high cholesterol levels.

hypertension: see high blood pressure.

hypothalamus: neural centers of the limbic brain just above the pituitary that control visceral activities, hormone production, water balance, and sleep.

hysterectomy: surgical removal of the uterus.

I

immune: having a high degree of resistance to a disease.

immunization: process of activating the body's immune response against a specific disease.

impotence: the inability in a male to have an erection or to sustain it until intercourse or ejaculation takes place.

incontinence: inability to control urine retention.

infection: invasion of the body by disease-causing microorganisms, such as viruses and bacteria.

inflammation: reddening and swelling of body tissue as a reaction to infection or cellular injury.

K

kidney: one of a pair of organs located on each side of the lower back that filter waste products from the blood and discard them in urine.

L

lesions: an injury, wound, or a simple infected patch in a skin disease.

libido: sex drive or sexual desire.

lipoproteins: proteins compound of a simple protein and a fat component that carry fats in the blood.

low-density lipoprotein (LDL): particles that are rich in cholesterol.

lumpectomy: removal of a breast cancer without removing surrounding tissue; also see mastectomy.

luteinizing hormone (LH): hormone produced by the pituitary gland.

lymphatic system: the vessels and nodes throughout the body that carry the lymph fluid and help to remove toxins from the body.

M

malignant: cancerous.

mammogram: x-ray of the breasts to check for breast cancer in women.

mastectomy, or radical mastectomy: surgical removal of a breast cancer and the surrounding tissue; also see lumpectomy.

masturbation: self-stimulation of the external sex organs.

menopause: the time of life in which the menstrual period gradually stops and female ovarian hormones decreases.

menorrhagia: excessive bleeding during menstruation.

menstrual cycle: approximately four-week period during which an ovary produces an egg for fertilization, the body sheds an unfertilized egg along with the lining of the uterus (menstruation), and the ovaries again prepare to produce an egg.

menstrual period, or menstruation: the monthly flow of blood from the vagina resulting from the uterus shedding its unneeded lining when there is no fertilized egg; also called the period.

metabolism: the aggregate of all chemical processes that take place in living organisms resulting in growth, generation of energy, elimination of waste, and other bodily functions as they relate to the distribution of nutrients in the blood after ingestion.

milligram (mg): a metric unit of weight equal to one-thousandth of a gram.

microgram (mcg): one-millionth of a gram.

monosaturated fat: a fat chemically constituted to be capable of absorbing additional hydrogen.

musculoskeletal system: pertaining to the muscles and the skeleton.

myomectomy: removal of a myomatous (muscle-like) tumor of the uterus.

myometrium: muscular wall of the uterus.

N

nanogram: one-billionth of a gram.

nervous system: the extensive, intricate network of structures that activates, coordinates, and controls all the functions of the body.

neurotransmitter: brain chemicals that are involved in carrying messages to and from the brain.

O

occult blood: presence of blood in so small a quantity that it cannot be seen with the unaided eye.

oophorectomy: surgical removal of an ovary.

orgasm: the buildup and release of tension of muscles and nerves during sexual arousal; the climax of sexual excitement.

osteoblast: bone cells that form new bone.

osteoclast: bone cells that re-absorb old bone.

osteopenia: lower-than-normal bone mass.

osteoporosis: thinning of the bones of the body, making fractures more common. After menopause, the risk of osteoporosis usually increases markedly.

ovary: one of two oval-shaped glands located in the female pelvic region that contain eggs and produce the female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone, as well as the male hormone testosterone.

ovulation: the release of an egg from one of the ovaries.

ovum: see egg.

oxidation: process of combining with oxygen.

P

Pap smear: taking of a sample of cervical and vaginal cells to detect signs of pre-cancerous conditions.

perimenopausal: the time preceding menopause.

period: see menstrual period.

phyto-: denotes relationship to plants.

phytohormones: plant substances that are structurally and functionally similar to human steroids; they exert a very weak effect on the body.

the Pill: birth-control pill that contains the female hormone estrogen, or a combination of estrogen and the female hormone progesterone.

pituitary gland: the body's master gland, located at the base of the brain, which regulates growth and other bodily changes.

placebo: an inactive substance used as if it were an effective dose of a medication.

placebo response: the therapeutic result produced by the belief in a treatment.

plaque: a localized abnormal patch on a body part or surface.

platelet: a round or oval disk found in the blood, important in blood coagulation.

premenopausal: prior to menopause, also called perimenopausal.

progesterone: female sex hormone secreted by the ovaries and adrenal cortex, responsible for the preparation of the uterus for receiving the fertilized egg. Together with estrogen, it helps regulate the monthly period.

progestin: a term usually applied to the synthetic derivatives of progesterone, which differ structurally from progesterone.

progestogen: a term applied to any substance possessing progestational activity; it can refer to progesterone or a progestin.

prolapse: falling of an organ from its normal position.

prophylaxis: steps taken to prevent diseases or their transmission.

pubis, or pubic area: frontal bony structure of the pelvis.

Q

qi: the vital life energy which runs through the body (also known as chi).

R

radiation: the use of radioactive substances in the diagnosis and treatment of disease.

rectum: lower end of the colon that ends with the anus, or exit point from the body; sometimes a site of sexual excitement and sexual intercourse.

resorption: the loss or dissolving away of a substance.

S

serotonin: substance present in many tissues that stimulates a variety of smooth muscles and nerves and is believed to function as a neurotransmitter.

serum: the watery, noncellular liquid of the blood.

serum cholesterol: cholesterol circulating in the blood.

sexual intercourse: the act in which a man places his erect penis into a woman's vagina; also known as making love, sex, coitus.

sexually transmitted diseases (STDs): infection caused by germs that are spread through sexual contact.

sigmoidoscopy: examination of the intestines through a flexible instrument inserted into the rectum.

stroke: damage to the brain caused by a blood clot or narrowing of a blood vessel so that the blood supply is cut off.

systolic blood pressure: the period of greatest pressure in the arterial vascular system.

T

T lymphocytes (T-cells): a type of white blood cell specializing in the body's defense against viruses and the rejection of foreign tissues.

testes, or testicles: two round glands located in the scrotum that produce sperm and the male sex hormone testosterone.

testosterone: male hormone responsible for deepening of the voice and increased hairiness.

thyroid gland: organ at the base of the neck primarily responsible for regulating the rate of metabolism.

tinctures: powdered herbs that are added to a 50-50 solution of alcohol and water.

trichomonas: protozoa that can cause vaginitis.

triglycerides: a combination of glycerol with three or five fatty acids.

tumor: an abnormal mass of tissue that is not inflammatory, arises without obvious cause from cells, and possesses no physiologic function.

U

ultrasound: diagnostic technique that uses sound waves to produce images of internal conditions, such as that of an unborn child, or to diagnose a breast or ovarian cyst.

urethra: tube that leads from the bladder, through which urine is excreted from the body; in the male, it is also the passageway through the penis for the discharge of semen.

uterus: a pear-shaped, hollow, muscular organ located in the female pelvic area, in which the baby develops during pregnancy.

V

vagina: a passageway extending from the uterus to the outside of the body that functions as a female sexual organ and the birth canal.

vaginitis: inflammation of the vagina.

veins: the tubular branching vessels that carry blood from the capillaries toward the heart.

vertebra: any one of the 33 bony segments that make up the spinal column.

X

xeno: combining form meaning "strange" or "foreign."

Y

yeast: any unicellular, usually oval fungus that reproduces by budding; candida albicans is a type of pathogenic yeast.