Dictionary

vesicular Referring to the presence of one or more vesicles. For example, a vesicular rash features small blisters on the skin.

vesicular rickettsiosis See rickettsialpox.

vesiculitis Inflammation of a vesicle, particularly of the seminal vesicles behind the male bladder.

vesiculography The use of special X-ray equipment and a dye to examine the seminal vesicles and related structures. Vesiculography is most often used when prostate disease or cancer is suspected.

vessel A tube in the body that carries fluids. Examples of vessels are blood vessels and lymph vessels.

vestibular 1 Having to do with a structure that is a vestibule (entrance), such as the vestibule of the ear. 2 Having to do with the body’s system for maintaining equilibrium.

vestibular apparatus The vestibule and three semicircular canals of the inner ear. Like an internal carpenter’s level, these structures work with the brain to sense, maintain, and regain balance and a sense of where the body and its parts are positioned in space. See also vestibular disease; vestibular system.

vestibular disease A disorder of the vestibular apparatus, which is necessary for the sense of balance. A disease may cause vestibular problems by directly affecting the structure or integrity of the vestibular apparatus in the ear, by interrupting the feedback loop between these structures and the brain, or by affecting the parts of the brain…

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.

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.

vestibule, vaginal See vaginal opening.

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