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L GlossaryA | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | MN | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z lactase - An enzyme in the small intestine needed to digest milk sugar (lactose). lactase deficiency - Lack of the lactase enzyme. Causes lactose intolerance. lactose - The sugar found in milk. The body breaks lactose down into galactose and glucose. lactose intolerance - Inability to digest lactose, the sugar in milk. This condition occurs because the body does not produce the lactase enzyme. lactose tolerance test - A test for lactase deficiency. laparoscope - A thin tube with a tiny video camera attached. Used to look inside the body and see the surface of organs. See also endoscope. laparoscopic cholecystectomy - An operation to remove the gallbladder. The doctor inserts a laparoscope (see above) and other surgical instruments through small holes in the abdomen. The camera allows the doctor to see the gallbladder on a television screen. The doctor removes the gallbladder through the holes. laparoscopic lymphadenectomy - The removal of pelvic lymph nodes with a laparoscope. laparoscopy - A test that uses a laparoscope to look at and take tissue from the inside of the body. laparotomy - An operation that opens up the abdomen. large intestine - The part of the intestine that goes from the cecum to the rectum. The large intestine absorbs water from stool and changes it from a liquid to a solid form. The large intestine is 5 feet long and includes the appendix, cecum, colon, and rectum. Also called colon. laryngectomy - surgical removal of part or all of the larynx (usually to treat cancer of the larynx). lavage - A cleaning of the stomach and colon. Uses a special drink and enemas. See also bowel prep. laxatives - Medicines to relieve long-term constipation. Used only if other methods fail. Also called cathartics. LEEP (loop electrosurgical excision procedure) - Procedure for treating cervical dysplasia in which a fine wire loop and low-energy current are used to remove abnormal tissue from the cervix. lesion - An injury or wound. levodopa (L-dopa) - The single most effective anti-Parkinson drug, it is changed into dopamine in the brain. lewy body - A pink-staining sphere, found in the bodies of dying cells, that is considered to be a marker for Parkinson's disease. LH (luteinizing hormone) - Hormone secreted by the pituitary gland in the brain that stimulates the growth and maturation of eggs in females and sperm in males. ligaments - Connect the bones and keep joints stable. liPID - A fatty substance in the blood. lipoproteins - Transporters of fatty substances in the blood. liposuction - Type of cosmetic surgery in which localized areas of fat are removed from beneath the skin using a suction-pump device inserted through a small incision. lithotripsy, extracorporeal shock wave (ESWL) - A method of breaking up bile stones and gallstones. Uses a specialized tool and shock waves. liver - The largest organ in the body. The liver carries out many important functions, such as making bile, changing food into energy, and cleaning alcohol and poisons from the blood. liver enzyme tests - Blood tests that look at how well the liver and biliary system are working. Also called liver function tests. lordosis - An exaggeration of the forward curve of the lower part of the back, sometimes called sway-back. low density lipoprotein (LDL) - The main function of LDL is to carry cholesterol to various tissues throughout the body. lower back or lumbar spine - A complex structure that connects the upper body to the lower body; consists of vertebrae, disks, spinal cord, and nerves. lower esophageal sphincter - The muscle between the esophagus and stomach. When a person swallows, this muscle relaxes to let food pass from the esophagus to the stomach. It stays closed at other times to keep stomach contents from flowing back into the esophagus. lower GI series - X-rays of the rectum, colon, and lower part of the small intestine. A barium enema is given first. Barium coats the organs so they will show up on the x-ray. Also called barium enema x-ray. lumen - The hollow area within a tube. lumpectomy - Breast-conserving surgical procedure for breast cancer patients in which only the tumor and a small area of surrounding tissue are removed. lymph nodes - Small glands clustered in the neck, armpits, abdomen, and groin that supply infection-fighting cells to the bloodstream and filter out bacteria and other antigens. lymphadenectomy - A procedure in which lymph nodes are taken from the body for purposes of diagnosing or staging cancer. lymphangiogram - An x-ray that uses a special dye to determine whether cancer has spread to the lymph nodes. lymphocyte - Any one of a group of white blood cells of crucial importance to the adaptive part of the body's immune system. |
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