Dictionary

white blood cell See CBC; leukocyte.

whipworm A nematode (roundworm), also called Trichuris trichiura, that is the third most common roundworm in humans. The whipworm is found worldwide, and whipworm infections are most frequent among children and in areas with tropical weather and poor sanitation practices. Infection with whipworm most often occurs without symptoms. Heavy infections, especially in small children, can…

Whipple procedure A type of surgery that is used to treat pancreatic cancer and was devised by the US surgeon Allen Whipple. The head of the pancreas, the duodenum, a portion of the stomach, and other nearby tissues are removed.

Whipple disease A form of inability to absorb nutrients from the intestine. It can affect any part of the body, leading to arthritis and then weight loss, cough, fever, diarrhea, hypotension (low blood pressure), abdominal swelling, increased skin pigmentation, and severe anemia. Whipple disease has been discovered to be due to a type of bacteria…

whiplash injury A hyperextension and flexion injury to the neck, often a result of being struck from behind, as by a fast-moving vehicle in a car accident. The mechanics of whiplash injury are thought to be as follows: The victim may be first pushed or accelerated forward, pushing the body forward, but the head remains…

wheezing A whistling noise in the chest during breathing. Wheezing occurs when the airways are narrowed or compressed.

Wharton’s jelly A gelatinous substance that provides insulation and protection within the umbilical cord. Stem cells are present in Wharton’s jelly, as well as in umbilical cord blood.

WF Medical shorthand for white female.

Western blot A technique in molecular biology that is used to separate and identify particular proteins.

West Nile virus A febrile disease that is transmitted from birds to mosquitoes and then to people by mosquito bites. The virus is named after the area in which it was first found, in Uganda. West Nile virus occurs in parts of Africa and Asia and, infrequently, in Southern Europe, the Middle East, and the…

Werner-His disease See trench fever.

Werner syndrome A premature aging disease that begins in adolescence or early adulthood and results in apparent old age by 30–40 years of age. Characteristic features include short stature, premature graying, early baldness, wizened face, beaked nose, cataracts, skin changes reminiscent of those in scleroderma, deposits of calcium beneath the skin, premature arteriosclerosis, and a…