Dictionary

transmission, perinatal See vertical transmission.

transmission, vertical See vertical transmission.

transplant The grafting of a tissue from one place to another. The transplanting of tissue can be from one part of a patient to another part (autologous transplantation), as in the case of a skin graft using the patient’s own skin; or from one patient to another patient (allogenic transplantation), as in the case of…

transsexual A person who desires or has achieved transsexualism.

transsexualism Consistently strong desire to change one’s anatomical gender. Some transsexuals were misassigned gender at birth (for example, being anatomically male but raised as female), either on purpose or due to indistinct anatomy. Most, however, are perfectly normal physically. Transsexuals may dress and behave as individuals of the opposite sex, and they may choose to…

transudate A fluid that passes through a membrane, which filters out all the cells and much of the protein, yielding a watery solution. A transudate is a filtrate of blood. It is due to increased pressure in the veins and capillaries that forces fluid through the vessel walls or to a low level of protein…

transurethral resection Surgery to remove tissue using a special instrument inserted through the urethra. The procedure may be performed, for example, to remove an enlarged prostate that is obstructing the flow of urine. Abbreviated TUR.

transvaginal ultrasound The creation of a picture called a sonogram by sending sound waves out through a probe inserted into the vagina. The waves bounce off the ovaries and other anatomical structures, and a computer uses the echoes to create a visual image. Abbreviated TVS.

transverse fracture See fracture, transverse.

toxin A poison produced by certain animals, plants, or bacteria.

toxo See toxoplasmosis.

toxoplasmosis An infection caused by a singlecelled parasite called Toxoplasma gondii that can invade and damage tissues. Toxoplasmosis can be contracted by touching the hands to the mouth after gardening, cleaning a cat’s litter box, or anything that has come into contact with cat feces. Toxoplasmosis can also be contracted by eating contaminated raw or…