Dictionary

open wound An injury that is exposed because of broken skin. An open wound is at high risk for infection.

open-angle glaucoma Glaucoma in which the aqueous (fluid) that flows through the pupil into the anterior (front) chamber of the eye cannot get through a filtration system called the trabecular meshwork into the drainage canals, causing pressure to build up within the eye which can damage the optic nerve and impair vision. Open-angle glaucoma is…

opening, vaginal The opening to the muscular canal that extends from the cervix to the outside of the body. In medicine, the vaginal opening is called the vestibule of the vagina.

operating room A facility that is equipped for performing surgery. Abbreviated OR.

oligodendroglioma A rare, slow-growing brain tumor that begins in cells called oligodendrocytes, which provide support and nourishment for cells that transmit nerve impulses. Also known as oligodendroglial tumor.

oligohydramnios Too little amniotic fluid. The opposite of polyhydramnios: Too much amniotic fluid.

oligomenorrhea Less menstrual blood flow than usual.

oligonucleotide A short DNA molecule that is composed of relatively few nucleotide bases.

oligonucleotide probe A short sequence of nucleotides that are synthesized to match a specific region of DNA or RNA then used as a molecular probe to detect the specific DNA or RNA sequence.

oligopeptide A molecule that is composed of a few amino acids linked to one another.

oligosaccharidosis One of a group of inherited metabolic disorders that are similar to the mucopolysaccharidoses. These conditions include aspartylglycosaminuria (AGU), fucosidosis, mannosidosis, and multiple sulfatase deficiency. Symptoms generally include deterioration of the nervous system. No treatment is available.

oligospermia Fewer sperm than usual. Azospermia, by contrast, means absolutely no sperm at all.