Dictionary

prostatectomy, retropubic Surgical removal of the prostate gland through an incision in the abdomen. Retropubic prostatectomy is a treatment option for some forms of prostate cancer.

prostatitis Inflammation of the prostate gland. Prostatitis can result from infection or certain diseases, such as reactive arthritis.

prostatitis, bacterial Inflammation of the prostate gland due to bacterial infection. Symptoms of bacterial prostatitis include chills, fever, pain in the lower back and genital area, body aches, testicular pain, burning or painful urination, and the frequent and urgent need to urinate. In bacterial prostatitis, the urinary tract is infected, as evidenced by the presence…

prosthesis An artificial replacement of a part of the body, such as a tooth, a facial bone, the palate, or a joint. A prosthesis may be removable, as in the case of most prosthetic legs or a prosthetic breast form used after mastectomy. Other types of prosthetic devices, such as artificial hips or teeth, are…

prosthetics The art and science of developing artificial replacements for body parts. Depending on the type of prosthesis, prosthetics may be built and fitted/implanted in a hospital (as in the case of an artificial knee joint) or by an outside specialist.

prosthodontist A dentist with special training in making replacements for missing teeth or other structures of the oral cavity, to restore the patient’s appearance, comfort, and/or health.

protease An enzyme that can split a protein into the peptides from which it was originally created.

protease inhibitor An agent that can keep a protease from splitting a protein into peptides. Examples of protease inhibitors are saquinavir (brand name: Invirase) and ritonavir (brand name: Norvir), and they are used primarily in HIV/AIDS treatment. They are taken as part of a multi-drug cocktail and have been shown to be capable of significantly…

protein One of the three nutrients used as energy sources (calories) by the body. Proteins are essential components of the muscle, skin, and bones. Proteins and carbohydrates each provide 4 calories of energy per gram, whereas fats provide 9 calories per gram.

protein C A vitamin K–dependent protein in plasma that enters into the cascade of biochemical events leading to the formation of blood clots.

protein C deficiency A deficiency of the anticoagulant protein C, that results in thrombotic (clotting) disease and excess platelets, and recurrent inflammation of the vein that occurs when a clot forms (thrombophlebitis). The clot can break loose and travel through the bloodstream, causing damage to organs including stroke and heart attack. Protein C deficiency is…

protein-calorie malnutrition See kwashiorkor.