Dictionary

PMDD Premenstrual dysphoric disorder.

Plummer-Vinson syndrome The combination of iron deficiency anemia, esophageal webs, and dysphagia (difficulty swallowing). The iron deficiency is typically chronic and severe. It triggers the growth of web-like membranes in the throat which cause dysphagia. The syndrome is more common in women. Treatment is iron supplementation and, if needed, dilation of the web to permit…

Plummer disease See goiter, toxic multinodular.

plumbism See lead poisoning.

pleurodynia See Bornholm disease.

pleurodesis A procedure that causes the membranes around the lungs to stick together and prevents the buildup of fluid in the space between the membranes (pleural space). Pleurodesis is done in cases of severe recurrent pleural effusions (outpourings of fluid around the lungs) to prevent the reaccumulation of the fluid. During pleurodesis, an irritant is…

pleuritis See pleurisy.

pleurisy Inflammation of the pleurae, the membranes surrounding the lungs. Symptoms include pain in the chest, chest tenderness, cough, and shortness of breath. The chest pain is sharp and aggravated by breathing. A physician can often hear with a stethoscope the friction generated by the rubbing of the two inflamed layers of pleurae with each…

pleural space The tiny area between the two pleurae, which is normally filled with a small amount of fluid. See also effusion, pleural.

pleura One of the two membranes around the lungs. These two membranes are called the visceral and parietal pleurae. The visceral pleura envelops the lung, and the parietal pleura lines the inner chest wall. There is normally a small quantity (about 3 to 4 teaspoons) of fluid that is spread thinly between the visceral and…

plethoric Florid, red-faced. Persons with polycythemia vera commonly have a plethoric facial appearance.

pleomorphic Many-formed. For example, a pleomorphic tumor would be a growth that is composed of different types of tissues. Also known as protean.