Dictionary

windpipe See trachea.

winter depression See seasonal affective disorder.

wisdom tooth See tooth, wisdom.

withdrawal symptoms Abnormal physical or psychological features that follow the abrupt discontinuation of a drug that has the capability of producing physical dependence. Common withdrawal symptoms include sweating, tremors, vomiting, anxiety, insomnia, and muscle pain.

WM Medical shorthand for white male.

WNL Medical shorthand for within normal limits. For example, a laboratory test result may be WNL.

Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome A condition that is caused by an abnormality in the electrical system of the heart, which normally tells the heart muscle when to contract. Abbreviated WPW syndrome. In WPW syndrome there is an extra electrical connection inside the heart that acts as a short circuit, causing the heart to beat too rapidly and…

Wolhynia fever See trench fever.

womb See uterus.

word processor’s cramp A dystonia that affects the muscles of the hand and sometimes the forearm and that occurs only during typing or use of a computer. Similar focal dystonias have also been called writer’s cramp, pianist’s cramp, musician’s cramp, and golfer’s cramp.

working memory See memory, short-term.

World Health Organization The subagency of the United Nations (UN) that is concerned with international health. Abbreviated WHO. Also known as Organisation Mondiale de la Santé (OMS).