Glossary

absorption | the process of cells taking in digested substances

absorption | the taking in of broken-down substances into the cells

acromegaly | a disorder that results in overgrowth of bones in the face, hands, and feet in response to abnormally high levels of growth hormone

Addison’s disease | inadequate secretion of hormones by the adrenal glands causing low blood pressure, weakness, and skin discoloration

adrenal gland | the small glands sitting on top of the kidneys that release adrenaline, noradrenaline, cortisol, and aldosterone

afferent | transmits impulses from peripheral organs to the central nervous system

airways | passageways through which gases move to and from the lungs

albumin | a common protein in plasma that carries hormones and helps maintain the integrity of the blood vessels.

aldosterone | a hormone that triggers the reabsorption of sodium by the kidneys

alopecia | hair loss

amino acid pool | molecules of essential and nonessential amino acids regulated by the liver and available for use by the body

amylase | an enzyme that helps to break down carbohydrates

amyloids | proteins that tend to accumulate in clusters that are insoluble; amyloid proteins are associated with a number of conditions, including Alzheimer's disease

anaerobic | relating to the absence of oxygen

angina | chest pain caused by inadequate blood supply to the heart

angiogenesis | new blood vessel development

anticonvulsants | medications used to prevent or treat epileptic seizures; many anticonvulsants are also used to treat certain psychiatric conditions

antioxidant | artificial or natural substances that may prevent or delay some types of cell damage

apoptosis | cellular death

arteries | blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood from the heart to the body

arterioles | arteries shrink to this smallest form and link with capillaries

asthma | a chronic disease process clinically characterized by recurrent inflammation and airway narrowing, limiting gas exchange in the lungs

atelectasis | the collapse of the alveoli

atherosclerosis | plaque buildup within the vascular system

atria | the top two heart chambers

atrioventricular (AV) node | a second node in the heart that creates a delay in the electrical impulse from the SA node to the bundle of His to allow time for ventricular filling

auscultation | listening with a stethoscope for normal breath sounds, abnormal sounds, and voice sounds

autoimmune disorder | occurs when the body’s immune system attacks and destroys healthy body tissue

autonomic nervous system | regulates involuntary body processes such as blood pressure, heart rate, respiration, digestion, and sexual arousal

axons | the long slender projections of neurons that efficiently and rapidly conduct electrical impulses across nerve cells

basal ganglia | a part of the brain that starts and coordinate movements; diseases of the cells leading into the basal ganglia include Parkinson’s disease that results in tremors

bile | a fluid created in the liver that aids in digestion of food in the duodenum

bioavailability | the ability of an organic substance to enter the circulation and produce an active effect

bisphosphonates | medications commonly used to treat osteoporosis and other bone-related conditions

Bitot’s spots | oval or triangular patches on the conjunctiva of built-up keratin

body mass index (BMI) | a tool using weight and height to screen and classify individuals as underweight, healthy weight, overweight, or obese

Braden scale | an assessment tool using six categories to determine pressure injury risk

bundle of His | a bundle of conducting fibers that branch to each ventricle of the heart

calories | the units used to measure the amount of energy needed or ingested daily

capillaries | the point at which arteries and veins exchange blood supply

carbohydrates | large food category that includes starches, cellulose, and sugars

carboxypeptidase | an enzyme that helps to breakdown fats

cardiac cachexia | unintentional severe weight loss caused by heart failure

cardiovascular system | a system within the body that includes the heart, blood vessels, blood, lymph, lymphatic vessels, and glands that moves blood and lymph through the body

cerebral autoregulation | the inherent ability of blood vessels in the cerebrum to maintain homeostatic cerebral blood flow despite a wide range of changes in mean arterial pressure

cerebral blood flow | the volume of blood that moves through the vessels in the brain

cerebral cortex | the protective outer layer of the cerebrum

cholecystokinin | a hormone produced by the small intestine that triggers the pancreas and gallbladder to contract when fats and proteins enter

cholestasis | the slowing or halt of bile flow from the liver

chronic bronchitis | when the airway lining experiences too much inflammation, leading to increased mucus production

chronic kidney disease | a progressive disease of the kidneys that eventually ends in kidney failure

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) | chronic pulmonary diseases known as emphysema and chronic bronchitis

chyme | a mix of gastric juices and digested food

chyme | gastric juices and digested food particles

chymotrypsinogen | an enzyme that breaks down proteins into smaller particles

circulatory systems | interconnected blood vessels that flow through the body

citric acid cycle | final oxidation of protein, fat, and carbohydrate

coenzyme | a non-protein compound that binds with an enzyme to speed up a cellular reaction

Coenzyme Q10 | a nutrient that the body produces and can be found in many foods; CoQ10 facilitates the conversion of food to energy and is a powerful antioxidant that can promote health in cardiovascular and neurologic conditions

complex carbohydrates | long chains of monosaccharides such as those found in starch

cortisol | a steroid hormone that helps regulate the body’s response to stress

cortisol | a hormone released by the adrenal glands to help maintain blood pressure

costovertebral angle | the area on the back flank at the bottom of the 12th rib forming a 90-degree angle to the spine

crepitus | air trapped in and under the skin, typically felt as crackling

crepitus | a grating sound produced by friction between bone and cartilage or bone and bone

cretinism | altered intellectual disability, small stature, and thickening of the facial features

Crohn’s disease | a chronic inflammatory disease that can cause ulcerations and fistulas in the intestines, particularly the colon and ileum

Cushing’s disease/syndrome | weight gain, bruising, and weakness caused by excessive cortisol in the body

cysteine | an amino acid that contains sulfur

cystinuria | a rare genetic condition in which nephrolithiasis are made from cystine

cystitis | inflammation of the urinary bladder

Daily Value | one value for each nutrient selected for the labels of dietary supplements and foods

Daily Values | a list of the vitamins and minerals that an individual should consume each day

dialysis | purification of blood through means other than the kidneys

diascopy | a test for determining how quickly the skin blanches under pressure

diet | the quantity and quality of food and drinks consumed

digestion | the breakdown of solid food that includes both mechanical and chemical actions to form smaller, more absorbable substances in the body’s gastrointestinal tract

digestion | the process by which the body breaks down what is ingested into absorbable substances

disaccharides | compounds containing two monosaccharide molecules

diverticulitis | inflammation of diverticula, which are bulging pouches that can form along the intestines

dwarfism | short stature secondary to a genetic or medical condition

dysbiosis | a disruption to the microbiome resulting in an imbalance in the microbiota of the intestines

dysbiosis | imbalance of gut microbiota associated with an unhealthy outcome

dyspareunia | painful sexual intercourse

dysphagia | difficulty swallowing

dyspnea | difficult or labored breathing

dyspnea | difficulty breathing, or breathlessness

efferent | carrying outward or away; in reference to the nervous system, transmitting impulses from the central nervous system outward to peripheral organs to initiate an active response or action

elastase | an enzyme that helps break down fats, proteins, and carbohydrates

electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG) | a recording of a heart’s electrical activity in which electrodes are placed on the chest to capture signals

emphysema | damage between the walls in the alveoli that exchange gas in the lungs

endocrine system | a network of glands that regulate and control all body processes through hormones

enuresis | bladder incontinence after the age of 3 years

erythropoiesis | the production of red blood cells

erythropoietin | a hormone released by the kidneys that signals the bone marrow to produce red blood cells

evidence-based practice (EBP) | using critically reviewed, scientifically proven evidence to deliver nursing care

fat-soluble vitamins | vitamins that are absorbed along with fats in the diet and are stored in the body’s fatty tissue and liver

fistula | a condition in which two body parts are abnormally connected

fluoride | an important mineral for bone health; it stimulates new bone formation and inhibits the formation and progression of cavities

food | edible substances made of protein, carbohydrates, fat, or other nutrients

food deserts | areas that lack access to affordable, healthy foods

food enrichment | the practice of adding back nutrients that were lost in food processing

food fortification | the practice of intentionally increasing the content of one or more micronutrients (i.e., vitamins and minerals)

food insecurity | limited or uncertain access to adequate and affordable nutritious foods because of social or economic factors

food literacy | the ability to understand labels and how to make good food choices

food security | having access to enough food for an active, healthy life

food swamps | areas that have stores that only sell calorie-dense, non-nutritive food

FRAX assessment | a standardized assessment used to estimate a person’s risk for a bone fracture within 10 years

free radicals | a type of unstable molecule that is made during normal cell metabolism

free radicals | compounds that take part in the cellular destruction mechanism of phagocytosis through macrophages and granulocytes

fremitus | a vibration in the chest wall as the client speaks

frenulum | the small tissue beneath the tongue that provides support

functional iron deficiency | a state in which iron is insufficiently incorporated into erythroid precursors even though body iron stores are apparently adequate

galactosemia | a genetic disorder in which the galactose-1-phosphate uridyltransferase (GALT) enzyme is missing or does not function properly

gangliosides | glycosphingolipids that are highly available in a healthy nervous system and carry most of the sialic acid residues in the brain

gas exchange | oxygen being transported to the cells and carbon dioxide being transported away from the cells

gastrin | a peptide hormone that regulates gastric motility, gastric secretion of stomach acid, and gastric mucosal growth

genu varum | bowing of legs

gestational diabetes | a disorder that produces glucose intolerance during pregnancy as the result of dysfunction or delayed response of the beta cells to blood glucose

glomerulus | a cluster of capillaries around the end of a kidney tubule that filters waste products from the blood

gluconeogenesis | the generation of glucose from non-carbohydrate carbon substrates

glucose | simple monosaccharide that is an important energy source and is found in carbohydrates

glycemic control | maintaining optimal blood glucose levels

glycemic index | system that ranks foods on a scale from 1 to 100 based on their effect on blood glucose levels

glycemic index | a system that ranks carbohydrate-containing foods on a scale from 1 to 100 based on their ability to raise blood sugar levels quickly or significantly

glycemic load | method of indicating the amount of carbohydrate contained in a specified serving of a particular food and its impact on blood glucose

glycogen | stored form of glucose

goiter | an increase in thyroid size resulting from either iodine deficiency or hyperthyroidism

goiter | enlarged, abnormal growth of the thyroid gland

Graves’ disease | hyperthyroidism causing eye protrusion, heat intolerance, and anxiety

guaiac test | a test that confirms the presence of blood in stool

Hartnup disease | a condition caused by the body’s inability to absorb amino acids from the diet resulting in the inability to produce vitamins and proteins

health literacy | how much a person obtains, processes, and understands basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions

heart failure | inability of heart to pump blood effectively to keep up with body demands

hematopoiesis | the formation of blood cellular components

hematuria | blood in the urine

hemoglobinopathy | a group of disorders in which the hemoglobin molecule has abnormal production or structure

hemostasis | the usual reaction to a bleeding injury to stop the blood flow

hepatotoxicity | injury to the liver, or impaired liver function, due to the exposure to certain drugs, food additives, alcohol, solvents, some plants, and other environmental toxins

high-density lipoprotein | molecule comprising lipids and proteins; it removes cholesterol from the blood

hippocampus | a brain structure located just below the ventricles of the brain that is a focal point for emotion, memory, and the autonomic nervous system

hirsutism | an abundance of hair in places where hair is normally scarce or absent

homeostasis | a balanced state in the body that allows for proper function

homeostasis | state of balance in the body

homocysteine | an amino acid that can be found in meat; high levels are associated with the development of heart and neurologic conditions

hormones | body substances that coordinate biological functions like metabolism, sexual reproduction, blood pressure, body temperature, heart rate, growth and development, and sleeping

human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) | a hormone that stimulates the corpus luteum to produce the progesterone necessary for promoting and maintaining a growing fetus; reduces the pregnant individual’s immune function to protect the fetus from immune rejection

hyperemesis gravidarum | a condition during pregnancy characterized by extreme, persistent nausea and vomiting

hyperemesis gravidarum | persistent and severe vomiting caused by pregnancy; can lead to weight loss and dehydration

hyperemia | a condition that occurs as a result of a higher-than-normal blood flow

hyperglycemia | a blood glucose greater than 125 mg/dL or plasma blood glucose level greater than 150 mg/dL

hyperlipidemia | excess of lipids or fats in the blood

hyperoxaluria | elevated amounts of oxalate in the urine

hypertension | consistent blood pressure readings above 130/80

hyperthyroidism | a clinically abnormal, elevated level of thyroid hormone in the blood; characterized by an increased metabolic rate, excessive body heat and sweating, diarrhea, weight loss, tremors, and increased heart rate

hypoalbuminemia | a condition where the body does not produce enough albumin, a protein that keeps fluids in blood vessels

hypoglycemia | a blood glucose level at or less than 40 mg/dL

hyponatremia | a serum sodium level less than 135 mEq/L

hypothalamus | a critical gland found in the brain that works with the nervous system to control the endocrine system

hypothyroidism | a clinically abnormal, low level of thyroid hormone in the blood; characterized by low metabolic rate, weight gain, cold extremities, constipation, reduced libido, menstrual irregularities, and reduced mental activity

icterus | another word for jaundice, a yellowish pigmentation of the skin

ingestion | the first step of the digestive process that involves bringing food and liquids into the body through the mouth

insulin | a hormone that assists in the absorption of glucose into cells for energy usage

insulin-like growth factor (IGF) | a peptide hormone that promotes bone and tissue growth

integrative nutrition | combines medical nutritional therapy with functional medicine and other disciplines to provide education and guidance for a personalized diet based on whole foods and lifestyle recommendations

integumentary system | the body system that includes the skin, hair, nails, sweat glands, sebaceous glands, and nerves on the skin

intoeing | foot turned inward

intrinsic factor | a glycoprotein required for vitamin B₁₂ absorption in the small intestine

iodized salt | table salt fortified with iodine

ketogenic diet | a diet that is high in fat with adequate protein and low in carbohydrates to produce ketosis; has been used successfully to treat certain neurologic conditions, such as pediatric epilepsy

kidneys | a pair of bean-shaped organs that filter out blood wastes and excrete urine

koilonychia | soft nails with a concave indentation, making them appear “scooped out”

kyphosis | an excessive outward curvature of the spine

lipase | an enzyme that helps to break down fats

lipids | fatty acids insoluble in water; lipids in the blood are LDL, HDL, and triglycerides

lordosis | an excessive inward curvature of the spine

low-density lipoprotein | molecule comprising lipids and proteins; it transports cholesterol throughout the bloodstream

macronutrients | water and the energy-yielding nutrients (carbohydrates, fats, and proteins) needed in large amounts by the body

malabsorption | a digestive disorder that causes the body not to absorb nutrients from food effectively

Mallampati score | an airway assessment scale to classify the visibility of the oropharyngeal structures

malnutrition | occurs when the body either does not receive sufficient nutrients or is unable to absorb essential nutrients, resulting in body composition changes and impaired functions

mastication | chewing action of the mouth

mastication | digestion of food using mostly mechanical and some chemical processes

meconium | the first stool passed by a newborn

Mediterranean diet | a diet low in saturated fat and rich in other nutrients, commonly consumed Greece and Southern Italy

Mediterranean diet | a diet that emphasizes foods that are plant based and contain healthy fats, such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and olive oil as the main source of fat

megaloblastic anemia | a condition involving a vitamin B₁₂ and/or folate deficiency in which the bone marrow produces very large, structurally abnormal red blood cells

melena | dark, black, or sticky feces

menopause | a shift in hormones in a middle adult woman’s life that results in physiologic changes, including cessation of the menstrual cycle

menorrhagia | heavy menstrual bleeding lasting more than 7 days

metabolism | the part of digestion in which the body converts absorbed substances into energy

metabolism | the chemical processes in the body that convert absorbed substances to energy

microbiome | a collection of microorganisms that reside in the body, primarily in the gastrointestinal tract

micronutrients | vitamins and minerals

micturition | the act or urinating

monosaccharide | sugar molecule that cannot be further metabolized

multiple myeloma | a blood cancer affecting plasma cells that are found in the bone marrow; abnormal plasma cells multiply rapidly, crowd out normal blood-producing cells, and produce an abnormal protein that leaves the bone marrow and damages organs in the body

muscle tone | a measure of a muscle’s resistance to stretching while in a passive resting state

musculoskeletal system | the bones of the skeleton and the cartilages, ligaments, and other connective tissues and muscles

myelin | the fatty protein membrane that provides a protective coating for nerve cells

myocardial infarction | death of heart muscle due to lack of blood flow and oxygen

MyPlate | a resource directed towards consumers, provides practical information for consumers to use daily to consume nutritious foods

National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) | a health-related program conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics designed to assess the health and nutritional status of adults and children in the United States

near syncope | feeling of loss of consciousness

necrotizing enterocolitis | a gastrointestinal tract disease in which the intestinal lining becomes inflamed, dies, and is sloughed off

nephrolithiasis | kidney stones

nephron | the functional unit of the kidney that contains the glomerulus and its tubule

neuromuscular junctions | locations at the terminal end of motor nerves, where action potential impulses are conducted to various muscles

neuroplasticity | the ability of the nervous system to change its activity in response to intrinsic or extrinsic stimuli by reorganizing its structure, functions, or connections

neurotransmitters | chemicals within the body that allow neurons to communicate with each other to enable the brain to execute a wide range of functions through the process of chemical synaptic transmission

normal sinus rhythm (NSR) | the heart’s cardiac rhythm that originates from the sinus node

nucleases | an enzyme that breaks down nucleic acid chains

nutrients | substances found in foods that can promote health and minimize illness

nutrition | the intake of food to meet the needs of the body

oligohydramnios | very low to almost absent amniotic fluid, which may be related to impaired or absent kidney function in the fetus

omega-3 fatty acids | a group of polyunsaturated fatty acids that the human body requires but does not synthesize

orthopnea | shortness of breath that occurs when lying down and is relieved by sitting up

osteoarthritis | a degenerative joint disease resulting in chronic pain and often edema

osteopenia | low bone density

osteoporosis | loss of bone density resulting in porous, fragile bone

oxidation | a chemical reaction in which a “healthy” molecule loses or is robbed of one of its electrons, producing an unhealthy free radical

oxidative stress | an imbalance in the body’s production of free radicals and antioxidant defense that can set the stage for a variety of neurologic conditions

oxidative stress | disturbance in the balance between the production of reactive oxygen species (free radicals) and antioxidant defenses

pack-years | the number of cigarettes or other smoke packs smoked per day multiplied by number of years smoked

parasympathetic nervous system | the part of the nervous system that relaxes the body after stress and danger and facilitates the body’s “rest-and-digest” response

parenchyma | the renal cortex and medulla together

passive immunity | a type of immunity conferred when a person is given antibodies rather than making them via their own immune system

patch testing | a skin test for allergies

pepsin | an enzyme that begins to break down proteins in the stomach

percent Daily Value | the contribution of a vitamin or mineral in a food portion based on the standard benchmark of a total daily 2,000-calorie diet

percussion | a systematic tapping over the intercostal spaces, moving through the anterior, lateral, and posterior thorax

perfusion | the movement of blood, oxygen, and nutrients to tissues in the body

perfusion | the process of the arterial blood moving through tissues throughout the entire body

phospholipids | a type of fat (lipid) that also contains phosphorus

pituitary gland | gland in the brain that regulates growth and development as well as the function of other glands

plaque | fatty deposits of cholesterol on inner lining of artery

pneumonia | a condition that leads to inflammation of the lung parenchyma caused by infection, chronic pulmonary diseases, ventilator use, or aspiration; pneumonia can lead to chronic damage, such as lung fibrosis

polypeptides | linear organic molecules consisting of many amino acid residues bonded together in a chain, forming part or all of a protein

polyphenols | micronutrients that have health-promoting properties and are present in many fruits and vegetables

polyphenols | beneficial plant compounds with antioxidant properties

prealbumin | a protein synthesized by the liver that transports various thyroid hormones in the blood

prebiotic | nondigestible substances that stimulate growth of “good” gut bacteria

primary endocrine disorders | caused by dysfunction in the affected peripheral endocrine gland

primary health promotion | an intervention to prevent disease or injury before it occurs

probiotic | foods that contain live microorganisms intended to maintain “good” gut bacteria

protease | an enzyme that breaks down proteins

proteolysis | enzymatic breakdown of proteins or peptides into amino acids

pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy (PUPPS) | a skin condition of unknown origin that occurs most commonly during the third trimester of pregnancy and is characterized by itchy, red, raised bumps and hives that most commonly appear on the abdomen, thighs, buttocks, and arms

pruritis | uncomfortable itching

psoriatic arthritis | a long-term inflammatory disease of the joints

puberty | a stage of development in which sexual maturation and reproduction capabilities refine and mature

pulmonary embolism | a thrombus that becomes dislodged and travels to the lungs, preventing the natural flow of blood within the pulmonary artery or its branches

pulmonary fibrosis | scarring of the lung tissues that causes stiffening, limiting lung function

pulseless electrical activity (PEA) | electrical conduction throughout the heart without physical movement of the heart muscle

Purkinje fibers | terminal-conducting fibers in the ventricles

pyelonephritis | inflammation of the kidney

range of motion (ROM) | reflects the client’s ability to move their joints actively or passively

Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) | average daily nutrient intake level necessary to meet the bodily requirements of nearly all (97–98%) healthy individuals

relaxin | a hormone secreted by the corpus luteum and then by the placenta to help prepare the body for childbirth

renal bone dysplasia | a life-threatening condition in which the body breaks down the bones to increase blood calcium levels by releasing the calcium stored in bones

renal capsule | the outermost layer of the kidney composed of fibrous connective tissue

renal cortex | the outer layer of the kidney contained inside the capsule

renal medulla | the inner part of the kidney that contains working filtering units

renal papilla | the apex of a renal pyramid

renal pelvis | the top part of the ureter where the kidney tubules drain

renin | an enzyme secreted by the kidneys that stimulates the production of angiotensin

renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) | system of hormones that regulates blood pressure and fluid balance

respiratory diffusion | occurs when gases move down the concentration gradient across the alveolar sacs and capillaries

respiratory tract infections (RTI) | microorganisms that infect the upper and lower respiratory tract and lead to symptoms such as fever, sore throat, cough, chest pain, dyspnea, and myalgia

rhinitis | inflammation that causes symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, and postnasal drip

rickets | softening of the bone due to vitamin D deficiency resulting in bowed legs

sarcopenia | loss of skeletal muscle mass

scoliosis | a sideways curvature of the spine

scraping | a technique for obtaining superficial dead skin for testing

secondary endocrine disorders | develop when the pituitary gland is either overstimulated or understimulated by the hypothalamus causing an alteration in the peripheral gland’s function

secondary health promotion | an intervention that emphasizes early disease detection through screening

short bowel syndrome | a group of problems related to ineffective absorption of nutrients

sickle cell disease | an inherited red blood cell disorder affecting the shape of hemoglobin, resulting in blocked blood flow

sinoatrial (SA) node | the pacemaker of the heart

social determinants of health (SDOH) | nonmedical factors that affect individuals’ health

soma | the body of a neuron

somatic nervous system | facilitates movement and muscle control in the body

somatostatin | a hormone that regulates stomach acid secretion during digestion

standardized nutritional risk assessment tool | a research-based tool used to assess clients’ nutritional status

stenosis | narrowing and hardening in diameter

stroke | loss of oxygen to cerebral tissue

succussion splash | a sloshing or splashing sound heard on auscultation of the abdomen due to excessive fluid remaining in the stomach

surfactant | a fatty protein that lines the alveoli and reduces surface tension

sympathetic nervous system | a division of the autonomic nervous sytem that is reponsible for the body’s “fight or flight” response

symphysis pubis | the joint consisting of a fibrocartilaginous disc sandwiched between the surfaces of the pubic bones

syncope | loss of consciousness for a short period of time

syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone release (SIADH) | an unsuppressed release of antidiuretic hormone from the pituitary gland or other nonpituitary sources that signals the body to retain fluid

T3 | triiodothyronine hormones released by the thyroid gland to help regulate weight, energy levels, and metabolism

T4 | tetraiodothyronine (thyroxine) long-acting hormone released by the thyroid gland that can be converted to T3

tau proteins | present in nerve cells, proteins that stabilize microtubules

telemetry | the measurement of a heart’s ECG through a portable device that automatically transmits to a monitor

tenting | when the skin remains raised after being pinched on the back of the hand

thalassemia | an inherited blood disorder characterized by less oxygen-carrying protein (hemoglobin) and fewer red blood cells in the body

thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) | a hormone that triggers secretion of thyroid hormones by the thyroid gland

thyroxine (T4) | tetraiodothyronine (thyroxine) long-acting hormone released by the thyroid gland that can be converted to T3

toxicity | side effects from taking large doses of supplements or medications

transient ischemic attack (TIA) | temporary loss of oxygen to cerebral tissue without permanent damage

triglycerides | compounds formed from glycerol and three fatty acid groups; the main constituents of natural fats and oils

triglycerides | fatty substance circulating in the cardiovascular system

triiodothyronine (T3) | hormone released by the thyroid gland to help regulate processes including metabolism, weight, and energy levels

trypsinogen | an enzyme that helps break down fats into amino acids

tympany | a resonant, hollow sound potentially heard during percussion

type 1 diabetes | develops when insulin producing cells (beta cells) are destroyed in the pancreas resulting in low to non-existent levels of insulin

type 1 diabetes | insulin-dependent diabetes; develops when insulin producing cells (beta cells) are destroyed in the pancreas, resulting in low to non-existent levels of insulin

type 2 diabetes | results from insulin resistance that develops gradually from obesity and aging

type 2 diabetes | noninsulin-dependent diabetes; results from insulin resistance that develops gradually from obesity and aging

Tzanck testing | a test used to diagnose viral disease with active vesicles

ulcerative colitis (UC) | an inflammatory disease that affects the superficial lining of the large intestine, causing ulcerations

ultraprocessed foods | foods altered by commercial techniques, usually by adding five or more artificial substances

urea | the wastes from the breakdown of proteins

ureters | two hollow tube-like ducts that allows passage of urine from the kidneys to the urinary bladder

urethra | the hollow tube-like duct that allows urine passage from the bladder to the outside of the body

uric acid | the wastes from the breakdown of nucleic acids

urinary bladder | a hollow organ posterior to the symphysis pubis that acts as a storage reservoir for urine before excretion

uteroplacental | transfer of oxygen and nutrients from client to fetus through umbilical cord and placenta

uvula | the fleshy extension that hangs at the back of the throat and at the end of the soft palate

veins | blood vessels that carry deoxygenated blood from the body to the heart

ventilation | the movement of atmospheric air that is higher in oxygen into the lungs and removal of carbon dioxide

ventricles | the bottom chambers of the heart

venules | the smallest veins that link with capillaries

vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB) | uncontrolled bleeding due to lack of sufficient vitamin K to form a blood clot

vitamins | nutrients the body needs in small amounts to function and stay healthy

vitiligo | skin pigmentation disturbance

vulnerable population | a group of people whose health is negatively impacted by nonmedical factors

waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) | the ratio of waist-to-hip circumferences

water-soluble vitamins | vitamins that dissolve in water

wellness | the pursuit of activities, choices, and lifestyles leading to holistic health

whole foods | foods that have been processed or refined as little as possible and are free from additives and other artificial substances

wood light test | a black light test used to diagnose lesions

xanthelasmas | yellow plaques on or near the eyelids

xanthomas | localized lipid deposits

xeroderma | dry skin

xerosis | extreme dryness of skin or tissue; in corneal xerosis, the cornea may appear hazy