biliary sand A term used by surgeons to describe small particles in bile that are visible to the naked eye and are large enough to be counted easily in a gallbladder that has been removed. Biliary sand may be looked upon as a stage of growth between bilary sludge, which is made up of microscopic…
biliary cirrhosis, primary See cirrhosis, primary biliary.
biliary Having to do with the gallbladder, bile ducts, or bile. The biliary system consists of the gallbladder, bile ducts, and bile. See also bile.
bilharzia A schistosome, a trematode worm parasite. Three main species of these worms— Schistosoma haematobium, S. japonicum, and S. mansoni—cause disease in humans. Larval forms of the parasite live in freshwater snails. When the parasite is liberated from the snail, it burrows into the skin, transforms to the schistosomulum stage, and migrates to the urinary…
bile sludge See biliary sludge.
bile acid resin A substance that binds in the intestine with bile acids that contain cholesterol and is then eliminated in the stool. The major effect of bile acid resin is to lower LDL-cholesterol. Bile acid resin may be prescribed, together with a statin medication, for patients with heart disease, to reduce cholesterol. Cholestyramine (brand…
bile A yellow-green fluid that is made by the liver and stored in the gallbladder. Bile passes through the common bile duct into the duodenum, where it helps digest fat. The principal components of bile are cholesterol, bile salts, and the pigment bilirubin. Cholesterol is normally kept in liquid form by the dissolving action of…
bilateral Affecting both sides. For example, bilateral arthritis affects joints on both the left and right sides of the body.
big toe sign See Babinski reflex.
bifid uvula See uvula.
bifid Split in two.
b.i.d. An abbreviation commonly used on prescriptions that means twice a day. See also Appendix A, “Prescription Abbreviations.”