Dictionary

rectouterine pouch See pouch of Douglas.

rectum The last 6 to 8 inches of the large intestine. The rectum stores solid waste until it leaves the body through the anus.

rectus See rectus abdominis.

rectus abdominis A large muscle in the front of the abdomen that assists in regular breathing movements, supports the muscles of the spine while a person lifts something, and keeps the intestines and other abdominal organs in place.

recuperate To recover health and strength. Also known as convalesce.

recur To occur again; to return. For example, a symptom, sign, or disease can recur.

recurrence The return of a sign, symptom, or disease after a remission. The reappearance of cancer cells at the same site or in another location is a form of recurrence.

recurrence risk The chance that a disease will strike again. In medical genetics, the chance that an inherited disease that is present in a family will recur in that family, affecting another person or persons.

recurrent Appearing or occurring again. For example, a recurrent fever is a fever that has returned after an intermission, a recrudescent fever.

recurrent aural vertigo See Ménière’s disease.

recurrent laryngeal nerve See laryngeal nerve, recurrent.

recurrent respiratory papillomatosis See laryngeal papillomatosis.