Dictionary

pelvic 1 Having to do with the pelvis. 2 Colloquially, a pelvic exam.

pelvic exam An examination of the organs of the female reproductive system. During a typical pelvic exam, a speculum is used to open the vagina so that the physician can see the uterine cervix. A sample of cells may be taken from the surface of the cervix for a Pap test, or a sample may…

pelvic inflammatory disease Ascending infection of the upper female genital tract, usually caused by bacteria migrating upward from the urethra and cervix into the upper genital tract. Abbreviated PID. Many different organisms can cause PID, but most cases are associated with gonorrhea and chlamydial infections, two very common sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Symptoms include fever,…

pelvis The lower part of the abdomen, located between the hip bones. Structures in the female pelvis include the uterus, vagina, ovaries, fallopian tubes, bladder, and rectum. Structures in the male pelvis include the bladder, rectum, prostate, testicles, and penis.

pelvis, android See male pelvis.

pelvis, gynecoid See female pelvis.

Pendred syndrome A genetic disease that is characterized by congenital deafness, abnormalities of the inner ear, and goiter. Pendred syndrome is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner and is caused by mutations in the gene known as SLC26A4 (also referred to as the PDS gene) on chromosome 7. Also known as deafness with goiter, goiter-deafness…

penetrance The likelihood that a given gene will result in disease.

penicillin Historically the most famous of antibiotics, which kills many bacteria and some other microorganisms by attacking and destroying their cell walls. Penicillin is not effective against viruses, however, and specific penicillin types may be needed for certain bacteria. The different varieties of penicillin include amoxicillin, ampicillin, bacampicillin, carbenicillin, cloxicillin, dicloxicillin, nafcillin, oxacillin, penicillin G,…

penicillin-resistant bacterium A bacterium that is unaffected by penicillin. The rise of penicillinresistant bacteria is due to overuse of penicillin drugs, including their ineffective but nonetheless frequent use against colds and viral infections.

penile Of or pertaining to the penis.

penis The external male sex organ. The penis contains two chambers, the corpora cavernosa, which run the length of the organ. These chambers are filled with spongy tissue and surrounded by a membrane called the tunica albuginea. The spongy tissue contains smooth muscles, fibrous tissues, spaces, veins, and arteries. The urethra, which is the channel…