Dictionary

patella See kneecap.

patellar Pertaining to the patella (kneecap).

patellectomy An operation to remove a shattered patella.

patellofemoral joint The joint formed by the kneecap (patella) and the femur. See also knee.

patellofemoral syndrome A common cause of chronic knee pain, which characteristically results in vague discomfort of the inner knee area that is aggravated by activity. Abbreviated PFS. PFS is caused by an abnormality in the way the kneecap slides over the lower end of the femur. Normally, the quadricep muscle pulls the kneecap over the…

patent 1 A legal device that gives exclusive control and possession of a device, an invention, or a procedure to an individual or a corporation. Health-related items that may be patented include medical devices, surgical procedures, medications, and even cell lines. 2 Open, unobstructed, or affording free passage. For example, the bowel can be patent,…

patent ductus arteriosus See ductus arteriosus.

patho- A prefix meaning suffering or disease, as in pathogen (a disease agent) and pathology (the study of disease).

pathobiology The biology of disease.

pathogen An agent of disease. For example, Bacillus anthracis is the pathogen that causes anthrax.

pathogenesis The development of a disease and the chain of events leading to that disease.

pathogenetic Pertaining to genetic cause of a disease or condition. For example, BRCA 1 and BRCA2 are genes that, when mutated, are responsible for many cases of cancer of the breast. Therefore, these genes are pathogenetic.