Dictionary

power of attorney, durable See durable power of attorney.

PPMA Postpolio muscular atrophy.

PPS Postpolio syndrome.

Prader-Willi syndrome An uncommon genetic syndrome that is characterized by severe hypotonia (floppiness), poor sucking and feeding problems in early infancy, and, later in infancy, excessive eating that, if unchecked, leads gradually to marked obesity. Abbreviated PWS. Other sypmtoms include developmental delay, mild to moderate mental retardation with multiple learning disabilities, and small gonads. The…

popliteal Referring to the back of the knee. For example, the popliteal fossa is the hollow behind the knee.

popliteal fossa The hollow behind the knee.

popliteal pterygium syndrome An inherited condition that is characterized by a web (pterygium) behind the knee. Facial abnormalities in popliteal pterygium syndrome are cleft palate (with or without cleft lip), pits in the lower lip, and fibrous bands in the mouth. Genital abnormalities in popliteal pterygium syndrome are underdevelopment of the labia majora, malformation of…

pork tapeworm See Taenia solium.

porphyria One of a variety of hereditary diseases that are characterized by abnormalities in the reactions needed for the production of heme, an essential substance for the body, resulting in increased formation and excretion of chemicals called porphyrins. Most porphyrias affect the skin or the nervous system. Attacks may range from mild to severe. Besides…

portal hypertension An elevated pressure in the veins of the portal circulation. Normally, the veins from the stomach, intestine, spleen, and pancreas merge into the portal vein, which then branches into smaller vessels and travels through the liver. If the vessels in the liver are blocked, it is hard for the blood to flow, causing…

portal vein A large vein formed by the union of the splenic and superior mesenteric veins. The portal vein conveys venous blood to the liver for detoxification before the blood is returned to circulation via the hepatic veins.

port-wine stain A mark on the skin whose rich, ruby-red color resembles that of port wine. Due to an abnormal aggregation of capillaries, a port-wine stain is a type of hemangioma. It can occur on the face as a sign of Sturge-Weber syndrome. See also Sturge-Weber syndrome.