Dictionary

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

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…

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…

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.

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…

white blood cell See CBC; leukocyte.

white blood cell count The number of white blood cells (WBCs) in the blood. The normal range for the WBC count varies among laboratories but is usually between 4,300 and 10,800 cells per cubic millimeter. It can be expressed in international units as (4.3–10.8)×109 cells per liter. A low WBC count is called leukopenia. A…

white coat hypertension A transient increase in blood pressure (hypertension) that is triggered by the sight of medical personnel in white coats (or other attire). Ideally, people so affected should do their best to relax when in the medical office.

white matter The part of the brain that contains myelinated nerve fibers. The white matter is white because it is the color of myelin, the insulation that covers nerve fibers.

white spots on the nails See jogger’s nails.

white subungual onychomycosis, proximal See onychomycosis, proximal white subungual.

whitehead A familiar term for what is medically called a closed comedo. A comedo, the primary sign of acne, consists of a dilated (widened) hair follicle filled with keratin squamae (skin debris), bacteria, and sebum (oil). A whitehead is a comedo that has an obstructed opening to the skin. A closed comedo may rupture and…