Glossary

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Words (or words that have the same definition)	The definition is case sensitive	(Optional) Image to display with the definition [Not displayed in Glossary, only in pop-up on pages]	(Optional) Caption for Image	(Optional) External or Internal Link	(Optional) Source for Definition
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Glossary Entries
Word(s)	Definition	Image	Caption	Link	Source
body mass index (BMI)	a tool using weight and height to screen and classify individuals as underweight, healthy weight, overweight, or obese
calories	the units used to measure the amount of energy needed or ingested daily
diet	the quantity and quality of food and drinks consumed
evidence-based practice (EBP)	using critically reviewed, scientifically proven evidence to deliver nursing care
food	edible substances made of protein, carbohydrates, fat, or other nutrients
food deserts	areas that lack access to affordable, healthy foods
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
health literacy	how much a person obtains, processes, and understands basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions
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
macronutrients	water and the energy-yielding nutrients (carbohydrates, fats, and proteins) needed in large amounts by the body
micronutrients	vitamins and minerals
MyPlate	a resource directed towards consumers, provides practical information for consumers to use daily to consume nutritious foods
nutrients	substances found in foods that can promote health and minimize illness
nutrition	the intake of food to meet the needs of the body
social determinants of health (SDOH)	nonmedical factors that affect individuals’ health
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
wellness	the pursuit of activities, choices, and lifestyles leading to holistic health
amino acid pool	molecules of essential and nonessential amino acids regulated by the liver and available for use by the body
bioavailability	the ability of an organic substance to enter the circulation and produce an active effect
carbohydrates	large food category that includes starches, cellulose, and sugars
complex carbohydrates	long chains of monosaccharides such as those found in starch
disaccharides	compounds containing two monosaccharide molecules
glucose	simple monosaccharide that is an important energy source and is found in carbohydrates
glycemic index	system that ranks foods on a scale from 1 to 100 based on their effect on blood glucose levels
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
high-density lipoprotein	molecule comprising lipids and proteins; it removes cholesterol from the blood
low-density lipoprotein	molecule comprising lipids and proteins; it transports cholesterol throughout the bloodstream
monosaccharide	sugar molecule that cannot be further metabolized
polypeptides	linear organic molecules consisting of many amino acid residues bonded together in a chain, forming part or all of a protein
proteolysis	enzymatic breakdown of proteins or peptides into amino acids
triglycerides	compounds formed from glycerol and three fatty acid groups; the main constituents of natural fats and oils
ultraprocessed foods	foods altered by commercial techniques, usually by adding five or more artificial substances
whole foods	foods that have been processed or refined as little as possible and are free from additives and other artificial substances
angiogenesis	new blood vessel development
antioxidant	artificial or natural substances that may prevent or delay some types of cell damage
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
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
fat-soluble vitamins	vitamins that are absorbed along with fats in the diet and are stored in the body’s fatty tissue and liver
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)
free radicals	a type of unstable molecule that is made during normal cell metabolism
goiter	an increase in thyroid size resulting from either iodine deficiency or hyperthyroidism
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
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
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
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
Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA)	average daily nutrient intake level necessary to meet the bodily requirements of nearly all (97–98%) healthy individuals
rickets	softening of the bone due to vitamin D deficiency resulting in bowed legs
toxicity	side effects from taking large doses of supplements or medications
vitamins	nutrients the body needs in small amounts to function and stay healthy
water-soluble vitamins	vitamins that dissolve in water
absorption	the process of cells taking in digested substances
amylase	an enzyme that helps to break down carbohydrates
bile	a fluid created in the liver that aids in digestion of food in the duodenum
carboxypeptidase	an enzyme that helps to breakdown fats
cholecystokinin	a hormone produced by the small intestine that triggers the pancreas and gallbladder to contract when fats and proteins enter
chyme	a mix of gastric juices and digested food
chymotrypsinogen	an enzyme that breaks down proteins into smaller particles
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
dysbiosis	a disruption to the microbiome resulting in an imbalance in the microbiota of the intestines
elastase	an enzyme that helps break down fats, proteins, and carbohydrates
fistula	a condition in which two body parts are abnormally connected
frenulum	the small tissue beneath the tongue that provides support
gastrin	a peptide hormone that regulates gastric motility, gastric secretion of stomach acid, and gastric mucosal growth
guaiac test	a test that confirms the presence of blood in stool
homeostasis	a balanced state in the body that allows for proper function
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
intrinsic factor	a glycoprotein required for vitamin B₁₂ absorption in the small intestine
lipase	an enzyme that helps to break down fats
mastication	chewing action of the mouth
meconium	the first stool passed by a newborn
melena	dark, black, or sticky feces
metabolism	the part of digestion in which the body converts absorbed substances into energy
nucleases	an enzyme that breaks down nucleic acid chains
pepsin	an enzyme that begins to break down proteins in the stomach
protease	an enzyme that breaks down proteins
somatostatin	a hormone that regulates stomach acid secretion during digestion
succussion splash	a sloshing or splashing sound heard on auscultation of the abdomen due to excessive fluid remaining in the stomach
trypsinogen	an enzyme that helps break down fats into amino acids
tympany	a resonant, hollow sound potentially heard during percussion
uvula	the fleshy extension that hangs at the back of the throat and at the end of the soft palate
afferent	transmits impulses from peripheral organs to the central nervous system
albumin	a common protein in plasma that carries hormones and helps maintain the integrity of the blood vessels.
amyloids	proteins that tend to accumulate in clusters that are insoluble; amyloid proteins are associated with a number of conditions, including Alzheimer's disease
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
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
dysphagia	difficulty swallowing
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
hyponatremia	a serum sodium level less than 135 mEq/L
Mediterranean diet	a diet low in saturated fat and rich in other nutrients, commonly consumed Greece and Southern Italy
myelin	the fatty protein membrane that provides a protective coating for nerve cells
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
omega-3 fatty acids	a group of polyunsaturated fatty acids that the human body requires but does not synthesize
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
polyphenols	micronutrients that have health-promoting properties and are present in many fruits and vegetables
prealbumin	a protein synthesized by the liver that transports various thyroid hormones in the blood
soma	the body of a neuron
somatic nervous system	facilitates movement and muscle control in the body
sympathetic nervous system	a division of the autonomic nervous sytem that is reponsible for the body’s “fight or flight” response
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
tau proteins	present in nerve cells, proteins that stabilize microtubules
anticonvulsants	medications used to prevent or treat epileptic seizures; many anticonvulsants are also used to treat certain psychiatric conditions
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
cretinism	altered intellectual disability, small stature, and thickening of the facial features
gangliosides	glycosphingolipids that are highly available in a healthy nervous system and carry most of the sialic acid residues in the brain
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
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
homocysteine	an amino acid that can be found in meat; high levels are associated with the development of heart and neurologic conditions
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
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
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
phospholipids	a type of fat (lipid) that also contains phosphorus
Addison’s disease	inadequate secretion of hormones by the adrenal glands causing low blood pressure, weakness, and skin discoloration
cortisol	a steroid hormone that helps regulate the body’s response to stress
Cushing’s disease/syndrome	weight gain, bruising, and weakness caused by excessive cortisol in the body
endocrine system	a network of glands that regulate and control all body processes through hormones
glycemic control	maintaining optimal blood glucose levels
goiter	enlarged, abnormal growth of the thyroid gland
Graves’ disease	hyperthyroidism causing eye protrusion, heat intolerance, and anxiety
homeostasis	state of balance in the body
hormones	body substances that coordinate biological functions like metabolism, sexual reproduction, blood pressure, body temperature, heart rate, growth and development, and sleeping
hypothalamus	a critical gland found in the brain that works with the nervous system to control the endocrine system
iodized salt	table salt fortified with iodine
pituitary gland	gland in the brain that regulates growth and development as well as the function of other glands
primary endocrine disorders	caused by dysfunction in the affected peripheral endocrine gland
renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS)	system of hormones that regulates blood pressure and fluid balance
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
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
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 2 diabetes	results from insulin resistance that develops gradually from obesity and aging
acromegaly	a disorder that results in overgrowth of bones in the face, hands, and feet in response to abnormally high levels of growth hormone
dwarfism	short stature secondary to a genetic or medical condition
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
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
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
hyperglycemia	a blood glucose greater than 125 mg/dL or plasma blood glucose level greater than 150 mg/dL
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
hypoglycemia	a blood glucose level at or less than 40 mg/dL
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
insulin-like growth factor (IGF)	a peptide hormone that promotes bone and tissue growth
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
puberty	a stage of development in which sexual maturation and reproduction capabilities refine and mature
relaxin	a hormone secreted by the corpus luteum and then by the placenta to help prepare the body for childbirth
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
triiodothyronine (T3)	hormone released by the thyroid gland to help regulate processes including metabolism, weight, and energy levels
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	noninsulin-dependent diabetes; results from insulin resistance that develops gradually from obesity and aging
bisphosphonates	medications commonly used to treat osteoporosis and other bone-related conditions
fluoride	an important mineral for bone health; it stimulates new bone formation and inhibits the formation and progression of cavities
FRAX assessment	a standardized assessment used to estimate a person’s risk for a bone fracture within 10 years
menopause	a shift in hormones in a middle adult woman’s life that results in physiologic changes, including cessation of the menstrual cycle
osteopenia	low bone density
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
sarcopenia	loss of skeletal muscle mass
standardized nutritional risk assessment tool	a research-based tool used to assess clients’ nutritional status
anaerobic	relating to the absence of oxygen
cardiac cachexia	unintentional severe weight loss caused by heart failure
cholestasis	the slowing or halt of bile flow from the liver
erythropoiesis	the production of red blood cells
functional iron deficiency	a state in which iron is insufficiently incorporated into erythroid precursors even though body iron stores are apparently adequate
hematopoiesis	the formation of blood cellular components
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
menorrhagia	heavy menstrual bleeding lasting more than 7 days
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
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
oxidative stress	disturbance in the balance between the production of reactive oxygen species (free radicals) and antioxidant defenses
passive immunity	a type of immunity conferred when a person is given antibodies rather than making them via their own immune system
primary health promotion	an intervention to prevent disease or injury before it occurs
secondary health promotion	an intervention that emphasizes early disease detection through screening
sickle cell disease	an inherited red blood cell disorder affecting the shape of hemoglobin, resulting in blocked blood flow
thalassemia	an inherited blood disorder characterized by less oxygen-carrying protein (hemoglobin) and fewer red blood cells in the body
vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB)	uncontrolled bleeding due to lack of sufficient vitamin K to form a blood clot
arteries	blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood from the heart to the body
arterioles	arteries shrink to this smallest form and link with capillaries
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
bundle of His	a bundle of conducting fibers that branch to each ventricle of the heart
capillaries	the point at which arteries and veins exchange blood supply
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
circulatory systems	interconnected blood vessels that flow through the body
electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG)	a recording of a heart’s electrical activity in which electrodes are placed on the chest to capture signals
hypoalbuminemia	a condition where the body does not produce enough albumin, a protein that keeps fluids in blood vessels
normal sinus rhythm (NSR)	the heart’s cardiac rhythm that originates from the sinus node
perfusion	the movement of blood, oxygen, and nutrients to tissues in the body
pulseless electrical activity (PEA)	electrical conduction throughout the heart without physical movement of the heart muscle
Purkinje fibers	terminal-conducting fibers in the ventricles
sinoatrial (SA) node	the pacemaker of the heart
telemetry	the measurement of a heart’s ECG through a portable device that automatically transmits to a monitor
veins	blood vessels that carry deoxygenated blood from the body to the heart
ventricles	the bottom chambers of the heart
venules	the smallest veins that link with capillaries
angina	chest pain caused by inadequate blood supply to the heart
atherosclerosis	plaque buildup within the vascular system
dyspnea	difficult or labored breathing
heart failure	inability of heart to pump blood effectively to keep up with body demands
hyperlipidemia	excess of lipids or fats in the blood
hypertension	consistent blood pressure readings above 130/80
lipids	fatty acids insoluble in water; lipids in the blood are LDL, HDL, and triglycerides
myocardial infarction	death of heart muscle due to lack of blood flow and oxygen
near syncope	feeling of loss of consciousness
plaque	fatty deposits of cholesterol on inner lining of artery
stenosis	narrowing and hardening in diameter
stroke	loss of oxygen to cerebral tissue
syncope	loss of consciousness for a short period of time
transient ischemic attack (TIA)	temporary loss of oxygen to cerebral tissue without permanent damage
triglycerides	fatty substance circulating in the cardiovascular system
uteroplacental	transfer of oxygen and nutrients from client to fetus through umbilical cord and placenta
airways	passageways through which gases move to and from the lungs
atelectasis	the collapse of the alveoli
auscultation	listening with a stethoscope for normal breath sounds, abnormal sounds, and voice sounds
crepitus	air trapped in and under the skin, typically felt as crackling
dyspnea	difficulty breathing, or breathlessness
fremitus	a vibration in the chest wall as the client speaks
gas exchange	oxygen being transported to the cells and carbon dioxide being transported away from the cells
Mallampati score	an airway assessment scale to classify the visibility of the oropharyngeal structures
orthopnea	shortness of breath that occurs when lying down and is relieved by sitting up
pack-years	the number of cigarettes or other smoke packs smoked per day multiplied by number of years smoked
percussion	a systematic tapping over the intercostal spaces, moving through the anterior, lateral, and posterior thorax
perfusion	the process of the arterial blood moving through tissues throughout the entire body
respiratory diffusion	occurs when gases move down the concentration gradient across the alveolar sacs and capillaries
surfactant	a fatty protein that lines the alveoli and reduces surface tension
ventilation	the movement of atmospheric air that is higher in oxygen into the lungs and removal of carbon dioxide
apoptosis	cellular death
asthma	a chronic disease process clinically characterized by recurrent inflammation and airway narrowing, limiting gas exchange in the lungs
chronic bronchitis	when the airway lining experiences too much inflammation, leading to increased mucus production
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)	chronic pulmonary diseases known as emphysema and chronic bronchitis
emphysema	damage between the walls in the alveoli that exchange gas in the lungs
free radicals	compounds that take part in the cellular destruction mechanism of phagocytosis through macrophages and granulocytes
hyperemia	a condition that occurs as a result of a higher-than-normal blood flow
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
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
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
adrenal gland	the small glands sitting on top of the kidneys that release adrenaline, noradrenaline, cortisol, and aldosterone
aldosterone	a hormone that triggers the reabsorption of sodium by the kidneys
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
cystitis	inflammation of the urinary bladder
erythropoietin	a hormone released by the kidneys that signals the bone marrow to produce red blood cells
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
hematuria	blood in the urine
kidneys	a pair of bean-shaped organs that filter out blood wastes and excrete urine
micturition	the act or urinating
nephron	the functional unit of the kidney that contains the glomerulus and its tubule
parenchyma	the renal cortex and medulla together
pruritis	uncomfortable itching
pyelonephritis	inflammation of the kidney
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
symphysis pubis	the joint consisting of a fibrocartilaginous disc sandwiched between the surfaces of the pubic bones
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
chronic kidney disease	a progressive disease of the kidneys that eventually ends in kidney failure
cysteine	an amino acid that contains sulfur
cystinuria	a rare genetic condition in which nephrolithiasis are made from cystine
dialysis	purification of blood through means other than the kidneys
dyspareunia	painful sexual intercourse
enuresis	bladder incontinence after the age of 3 years
hyperoxaluria	elevated amounts of oxalate in the urine
nephrolithiasis	kidney stones
oligohydramnios	very low to almost absent amniotic fluid, which may be related to impaired or absent kidney function in the fetus
absorption	the taking in of broken-down substances into the cells
Bitot’s spots	oval or triangular patches on the conjunctiva of built-up keratin
chyme	gastric juices and digested food particles
digestion	the process by which the body breaks down what is ingested into absorbable substances
icterus	another word for jaundice, a yellowish pigmentation of the skin
koilonychia	soft nails with a concave indentation, making them appear “scooped out”
mastication	digestion of food using mostly mechanical and some chemical processes
metabolism	the chemical processes in the body that convert absorbed substances to energy
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
Crohn’s disease	a chronic inflammatory disease that can cause ulcerations and fistulas in the intestines, particularly the colon and ileum
diverticulitis	inflammation of diverticula, which are bulging pouches that can form along the intestines
dysbiosis	imbalance of gut microbiota associated with an unhealthy outcome
galactosemia	a genetic disorder in which the galactose-1-phosphate uridyltransferase (GALT) enzyme is missing or does not function properly
hyperemesis gravidarum	persistent and severe vomiting caused by pregnancy; can lead to weight loss and dehydration
malabsorption	a digestive disorder that causes the body not to absorb nutrients from food effectively
microbiome	a collection of microorganisms that reside in the body, primarily in the gastrointestinal tract
necrotizing enterocolitis	a gastrointestinal tract disease in which the intestinal lining becomes inflamed, dies, and is sloughed off
prebiotic	nondigestible substances that stimulate growth of “good” gut bacteria
probiotic	foods that contain live microorganisms intended to maintain “good” gut bacteria
short bowel syndrome	a group of problems related to ineffective absorption of nutrients
ulcerative colitis (UC)	an inflammatory disease that affects the superficial lining of the large intestine, causing ulcerations
alopecia	hair loss
autoimmune disorder	occurs when the body’s immune system attacks and destroys healthy body tissue
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
Braden scale	an assessment tool using six categories to determine pressure injury risk
crepitus	a grating sound produced by friction between bone and cartilage or bone and bone
diascopy	a test for determining how quickly the skin blanches under pressure
genu varum	bowing of legs
hirsutism	an abundance of hair in places where hair is normally scarce or absent
integumentary system	the body system that includes the skin, hair, nails, sweat glands, sebaceous glands, and nerves on the skin
intoeing	foot turned inward
kyphosis	an excessive outward curvature of the spine
lordosis	an excessive inward curvature of the spine
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
osteoarthritis	a degenerative joint disease resulting in chronic pain and often edema
patch testing	a skin test for allergies
polyphenols	beneficial plant compounds with antioxidant properties
psoriatic arthritis	a long-term inflammatory disease of the joints
range of motion (ROM)	reflects the client’s ability to move their joints actively or passively
scoliosis	a sideways curvature of the spine
scraping	a technique for obtaining superficial dead skin for testing
tenting	when the skin remains raised after being pinched on the back of the hand
Tzanck testing	a test used to diagnose viral disease with active vesicles
vitiligo	skin pigmentation disturbance
wood light test	a black light test used to diagnose lesions

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