Dictionary

welt See hive.

Wegener granulomatosis See granulomatosis, Wegener.

weaver’s bottom Inflammation of the bursa that separates the gluteus maximus muscle of the buttocks from the underlying bony prominence of the bone that a person sits on (ischial tuberosity). Weaver’s bottom is a form of bursitis that is usually caused by prolonged sitting on hard surfaces that press against the bones of the bottom…

WDWN Abbreviation for “well-developed, wellnourished,” shorthand used by physicians when jotting down the results of a physical examination. For example, a WDWNWF would be a well-developed, well-nourished white female.

WBC White blood cell.

wax dip See paraffin dip.

water-hammer pulse See Corrigan pulse.

water on the brain See hydrocephalus.

wasting 1 Gradual loss (for example, of weight), deterioration, and emaciation as in a wasting disease. 2 Excessive depletion as in salt wasting; the excessive loss of salt.

wasp sting A sting from a wasp, which can trigger allergic reactions that vary greatly in severity. Avoidance and prompt treatment are essential. In some cases, allergy injection therapy is highly effective.

wart, venereal See genital warts.

wart, plantar A wart that grows on the sole of the foot. Plantar warts are different from most other warts. They tend to be flat and cause the buildup of a callus that has to be peeled away before the plantar wart itself can be seen. Plantar warts may attack blood vessels deep in the…