Dictionary

Vincent gingivitis See acute membranous gingivitis.

vidian neuralgia See cluster headache.

Vibrio cholerae One of the Vibrio bacteria, the agent that causes cholera. See also cholera.

Vibrio A group of bacteria that includes Vibrio cholerae, the agent that causes cholera. Other species are common in salt and fresh water as well as soil. Vibrio move about particularly actively.

viable Capable of life. For example, a viable premature baby is one who is able to survive outside the womb.

VHL syndrome von Hippel-Lindau syndrome.

vestigial Referring to a vestige (remnant) or a primitive structure and no longer believed to be important. For example, the appendix is considered a vestigial organ, and some infants are born with vestigial tails.

vestibulocochlear nerve A nerve that is responsible for the sense of hearing and that is also pertinent to the senses of balance and body position. Problems with the vestibulocochlear nerve may result in deafness, tinnitus (ringing or noise in the ears), dizziness, vertigo, and vomiting. The vestibulocochlear nerve is the eighth cranial nerve.

vestibule of the ear A cavity in the middle of the bony labyrinth in the inner ear.

vestibule, vaginal See vaginal opening.

vestibule In medicine and dentistry, a space or cavity at the entrance to a canal, channel, tube, or vessel. For instance, the front of the mouth is a vestibule.

vestibular system A system that is composed of the vestibular apparatus, the vestibulocochlear nerve, and the parts of the brain that interpret and respond to information derived from those structures.