Abdomen: Also called the belly, the abdomen is the part of the body between the chest and pelvis. (Abdominal, Cancer)

Adrenal glands: Very small glands near the top of each kidney which produce hormones that are vital for the body’s regulation of many important functions like heart rate, blood pressure, and digestion. (Abdominal, Urology)

Aneurysm: An abnormal blood-filled dilatation of a blood vessel, especially an artery, resulting from disease of the vessel wall. (Vascular)

Aorta: The major blood vessel in the abdomen. (Vascular) Appendix: A small, finger-like tube attached to the large intestine. (Abdominal)

Arteries: Vessels that carries blood away from the heart to various parts of the body. (Vascular)

Atrium: One of two upper chambers in the heart. (Heart)

B
Biopsy: Removal and examination of a tissue sample to help determine if the tissue is cancerous. (Cancer)

Bladder: A membranous sac that temporarily retains urine. (Obstetrics & Gynecology, Urology)

C
Cancer: Cancer develops when cells in the body begin to grow out of control. Normal cells grow, divide, and die. Instead of dying, cancer cells continue to grow and form new abnormal cells. Cancer cells often travel to other body parts where they grow and replace normal tissue. This process, called metastasis, occurs as the cancer cells get into the bloodstream or lymph vessels. Cancer cells develop because of damage to DNA. DNA is in every cell and directs all its activities. When DNA becomes damaged the body is able to repair it. In cancer cells, the damage is not repaired. People can inherit damaged DNA, which accounts for inherited cancers. Many times, DNA becomes damaged by exposure to something in the environment, like smoking. (Cancer, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Urology)

Carotid artery: The main artery in the neck, which provides blood to the brain. (Vascular)

Carpal Tunnel: A narrow rigid passageway of ligament and bones at the base of the hand which houses the median nerve and tendons. (Neurology)

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A painful progressive condition caused by compression of the median nerve in the wrist. (Neurology)

Cervix: The narrow, lower end of the uterus which leads to the vagina. It acts as a gate between the uterus (the organ in women in which a fertilized egg implants to grow into an embryo and fetus) and the vagina, controlling the passage of menstrual flow, sperm, or a baby during vaginal delivery. (Cancer, Obstetrics & Gynecology)

Crohn’s disease: Chronic inflammation of the digestive tract, especially of the lower small intestine and colon. (Abdominal)

Colon: Also known as the large intestine, the colon forms, stores, and expells waste material (stool). It extends from the cecum to the rectum. (Abdominal, Cancer, Urology)

Conductive hearing loss: Hearing loss resulting from sound not reaching the inner ear properly. Conductive hearing loss can result from trauma or chronic middle ear infections or be present at birth (congenital). (Ear, Nose & Throat)

Congestive heart disease: A condition in which the heart does not pump hard enough, causing fluid to back up into the lungs. (Heart) Coronary arteries: The arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle. Like all other tissues in the body, the heart muscle needs oxygen-rich blood to function, and oxygen-depleted blood must be carried away. The coronary arteries consist of two main arteries: the right and left coronary arteries, and their two branches, the circumflex artery, and the left anterior descending artery. (Heart)

Coronary sinus: A vein (blood vessel) channel that leads from the largest heart vein. (Heart)

D
Dialysis: A treatment to remove certain molecules from the blood, particularly in people with kidney failure. (Vascular)

Diverticulosis: A condition in which pouches form on the wall of the colon. (Abdominal)

Dysfunctional uterine bleeding: A condition in which menstrual bleeding is abnormally heavy or occurs between periods. (Obstetrics & Gynecology)

E
Ectopic Pregnancy: Also known as a tubal pregnancy, this is a pregnancy in which the fertilized egg implants in tissue outside the uterus (the organ in women in which a fertilized egg implants to grow into an embryo and fetus), such as a fallopian tube (which connects the ovaries to the uterus and carries eggs from the ovaries to the uterus) and the placenta and fetus begin to develop there. Ectopic pregnancies cannot continue to term, so removal of the cells is necessary to save the life of the mother. (Cancer, Obstetrics & Gynecology)

Endometrial lining: The mucous membrane lining the inner wall of the uterus (the organ in women in which a fertilized egg implants to grow into an embryo and fetus). (Obstetrics & Gynecology)

Endometriosis: A condition in which cells which resemble the endometrial lining are found in the abdominal cavity outside the uterus (the organ in women in which a fertilized egg implants to grow into an embryo and fetus). This endometrial lining, the mucous membrane lining the inner wall of the uterus, bleeds in response to the menstrual cycle, inflames the surrounding tissue, produces scar tissue, causes pain, and sometimes results in infertility. (Obstetrics & Gynecology)

Esophagus: The organ that connects the mouth to the stomach. (Cancer)

F
Fallopian tubes: A pair of tube-like structures which connect the ovaries to the uterus and carry eggs from the ovaries to the uterus. The ovaries are two small, oval bodies on each side of a woman’s uterus where eggs develop and are released at ovulation during a woman’s monthly cycle. The uterus is the organ in women in which a fertilized egg implants to grow into an embryo and fetus. (Cancer, Obstetrics & Gynecology)

Fibroid: A non-cancerous tumor on the smooth muscle of the uterus, the organ in women in which a fertilized egg implants to grow into an embryo and fetus. (Cancer, Obstetrics & Gynecology)

G
Gallbladder: A pear-shaped organ connected to the liver which stores the bile produced by the liver and assists in digesting food. (Abdominal)

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): Flow of the stomach's contents back up into the esophagus (the organ that connects the mouth to the stomach). GERD happens when the muscle between the esophagus and the stomach is weak or relaxes when it shouldn’t. GERD causes symptoms like heartburn. (Abdominal)

H
Hernia: An abnormal protrusion of part of an organ beyond the abnormal wall.

Herniated Lumbar Disk: Disks are cartilage filled with a gelatinous substance which cushion the bones of the spinal column. A herniated lumbar disk is a condition in which the gelatinous substance of the lumbar disk, in the lower back, is forced through a weakened part of the disk, irritating the nerve root. (Spinal)

I
Intestine: The tube that goes from the stomach to the anus. The intestine, composed of the small intestine and the large intestine, is involved in digestion. (Cancer)

K
Kidneys: The two bean-shaped kidneys, located on either side of the spine, are about the size of a fist. They remove excess water and waste from the blood, and produce hormones that control blood pressure and regulate the production of red blood cells and bone. (Cancer, Urology, Vascular)

L
Larynx: The larynx, also known as the voice box, is the part of the respiratory tract. (Cancer, Ear, Nose & Throat) Liver: Located in the upper right section of the abdomen, the liver plays a major role in the metabolism, digestion, detoxification, and elimination of substances in the body. (Cancer)

Lumbar Disk: Disks are cartilage filled with a gelatinous substance which cushion the vertebrae of the spinal column. A lumbar disk is a disk located in the lower back. (Spinal)

Lungs: The main respiratory organs in the chest where blood is oxygenated. (Cancer)

Lymph nodes and the lymphatic system: The lymph nodes are part of the lymphatic system, the tissues and organs (including lymph nodes, spleen, thymus, and bone marrow) that produce and store lymphocytes (cells that fight infection) and the channels that carry the lymph fluid. The entire lymphatic system is an important part of the body's immune system. Invasive cancers sometimes penetrate the lymphatic vessels (channels) and spread (metastasize) to lymph nodes (small bean-shaped collections of immune system tissue that remove cell waste and fluids from lymph. They help fight infections and also have a role in fighting cancer). (Cancer, Urology)

O
Otosclerosis: The abnormal growth or hardening of the bones of the middle ear. Otosclerosis prevents the transmission of sound to the hearing nerve in the inner ear, resulting in hearing loss. (Ear, Nose & Throat)

Ovarian cyst: A sac filled with fluid or semisolid material that develops on or within the ovary, one of two small, oval bodies on each side of a woman’s uterus where eggs develop and are released at ovulation during a woman’s monthly cycle. (Obstetrics & Gynecology)

Ovaries: Two small, oval bodies on each side of a woman’s uterus where eggs develop and are released at ovulation during a woman’s monthly cycle. (Cancer, Obstetrics & Gynecology)

P
Pancreas: A tongue-shaped organ located below and behind the stomach, in between the small intestine and spleen. The pancreas secretes hormones (insulin and glucagon) important in the regulation of blood sugar and is involved in the digestion of fats in the small intestine. (Abdominal, Cancer)

Polyps: Benign tumors which occur on the ovaries (two small, oval bodies on each side of a woman’s uterus where eggs develop and are released at ovulation during a woman’s monthly cycle) or in the uterus (the organ in women in which a fertilized egg implants to grow into an embryo and fetus). They can cause vaginal bleeding. (Obstetrics & Gynecology)

Percutaneous: Performed through the skin. (Urology)

Pituitary gland: A pea-sized gland attached to the base of the brain. By releasing hormones, the pituitary controls growth and coordinates the functions of other organs and glands, including the thyroid and adrenal glands. (Neurology)

Prostate: A walnut-sized gland in a man’s reproductive system, located just below the bladder. It is involved in the production and storage of semen. (Cancer, Urology)

R
Rectum: The lower end of the large intestine, leading to the anus. (Cancer)

Renal pelvis: The portion of the kidney that collects urine. The renal pelvis and the ureter, the tube that carries urine from each kidney to the bladder for excretion, allow the body to process and excrete urine. (Urology)

Retroperitoneal lymph nodes: Retroperitoneal lymph nodes are located behind the major organs toward the back of the abdominal and pelvic cavity. The lymph nodes are part of the lymphatic system, the tissues and organs (including lymph nodes, spleen, thymus, and bone marrow) that produce and store lymphocytes (cells that fight infection) and the channels that carry the lymph fluid. The entire lymphatic system is an important part of the body's immune system. Invasive cancers sometimes penetrate the lymphatic vessels (channels) and spread (metastasize) to lymph nodes (small bean-shaped collections of immune system tissue that remove cell waste and fluids from lymph. They help fight infections and also have a role in fighting cancer). (Cancer, Urology)

S
Sciatica: Sharp pain that radiates from the back or hip down the leg. It is caused by a herniated lumbar disk (a condition in which the soft, gelatinous central portion of the lumbar disk, in the lower back, is forced through a weakened part of the disk, irritating the nerve root) pressing on the sciatic nerve. (Spinal)

Scoliosis: A sideways curvature of the spine, caused by a neuromuscular disease or unknown causes, or present at birth (congenital). (Spinal)

Sinuses: Cavities within the skull or bones of the head surrounding the nose. Sinuses allow the passage of air and mucus and are joined to the nasal passages. (Ear, Nose & Throat)

Sinusitis: The infection or inflammation of the sinuses. Acute sinusitis lasts for three weeks or less, chronic sinusitis lasts for three to eight weeks or more, and recurrent sinusitis describes several acute attacks within a year. (Ear, Nose & Throat)

Septum: The wall which divides the nasal cavity in half. (Ear, Nose & Throat)

Small intestine: Composed of the duodenum, jejunum, and the ileum, the small intestine is involved in the absorption of nutrients from food following digestion in the stomach. (Cancer)

Spleen: About the size of a fist, the spleen is located in the upper left part of the abdomen, just under the rib cage. It is associated with the circulatory system, and produces blood cells that fight infections. (Abdominal, Cancer)

Stapes: Bones in the middle ear which vibrate to transmit sound to the hearing nerve of the inner ear. (Ear, Nose & Throat)

Stomach: Located in the upper central portion of the abdomen, between the esophagus and small intestine the stomach produces gastric juices (acid) which break down proteins to begin the process of digestion. (Cancer)

Stress incontinence: The involuntary leakage of urine from the bladder (a membranous sac that temporarily retains urine) which accompanies intense muscular activity, such as laughing, coughing, sneezing, or physical exertion. (Obstetrics & Gynecology)

T
Tinnitus: Noises, such as ringing, clicking, hissing, whining, or roaring, in the ears. Tinnitus can result from damage to the hearing nerve, otosclerosis, allergy, tumor, diabetes, medications, or other causes. (Ear, Nose & Throat)

Turbinates: Bony plates within the sinus cavity. (Ear, Nose & Throat)

U
Ureter: The tube that carries urine from each kidney (the organs which remove excess water and waste from the blood, and produce hormones that control blood pressure and regulate the production of red blood cells and bone) to the bladder for excretion. The ureter and the renal pelvis, the portion of the kidney that collects urine, allow the body to process and excrete urine. (Urology)

Urethra: The canal that carries off the urine from the bladder, a membranous sac that temporarily retains urine. (Obstetrics & Gynecology, Urology)

Uterus: A pear-shaped, hollow, muscular organ in women in which a fertilized egg implants to grow into an embryo and fetus. The main function of the uterus is to nourish the developing fetus prior to birth. (Cancer , Obstetrics & Gynecology)

V
Varicose veins: Gnarled, enlarged veins (blood vessels) close to the skin's surface, usually in the legs and feet. Veins carry blood from the body parts back to the heart. They have valves which prevent the blood from flowing backwards. If these valves weaken, some of the blood can leak back into the vein, collect there, and then become congested or clogged. This congestion can create varicose veins. (Vascular)

Ventricle: One of the two lower chambers of the heart. (Heart)