Dictionary

percutaneous Through the skin. For example, a percutaneous biopsy is a biopsy that is obtained by putting a needle through the skin in order to obtain tissue within the body for examination.

percutaneous nephrolithotripsy A technique for removing large, dense, and staghorn kidney stones. Abbreviated PNL. PNL is done via a port created by puncturing through the skin and into the kidney. The urologist then inserts instruments into the kidney via the access port to break up the stone and to remove most of the debris from…

percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty The use of a balloon-tipped catheter to enlarge a narrowed coronary artery. Abbreviated PTCA.

percutaneous umbilical blood sampling A procedure in which a needle is inserted through the mother’s abdominal wall and then through the uterine wall. Abbreviated PUBS. In PUBS, blood can be withdrawn from the umbilical vein at the point where the umbilical cord inserts into the placenta. Also known as umbilical vein sampling, cordocentesis, and fetal…

peri- Prefix meaning around or about, as in pericardial (around the heart) and periaortic lymph nodes (lymph nodes around the aorta).

perianal Located around the anus, the opening of the rectum to the outside of the body.

perianal abscess A local accumulation of pus that forms next to the anus, causing tender swelling in that area and pain on defecation.

periaortic Around the aorta. For example, periaortic lymph nodes are lymph nodes around the aorta.

pericardial Referring to the pericardium, the sac of fibrous tissue that surrounds the heart.

pericardial effusion Too much fluid within the pericardium, which normally contains a small amount of serous, pale yellow fluid.

pericardial sac See pericardium.

pericardial tamponade See tamponade, cardiac.