Peutz-Jeghers syndrome A genetic condition that predisposes to an increased risk of developing cancer. The syndrome is characterized by frecklelike spots on the lips, mouth, and fingers and benign polyps in the intestines. Patients with Peutz-Jeghers syndrome are at increased risk for cancer of the esophagus, stomach, colon, rectum, breast, ovary, testis, and pancreas. The…
p53 A specific protein with a mass of 53 kilodaltons that is produced by a tumor-suppressor gene. Like other tumor-suppressor genes, the p53 gene normally controls cell growth. If p53 is physically lost or functionally inactivated, cells can grow without restraint. Many human tumors have mutations in the gene coding for the p53 protein.
PFS Patellofemoral syndrome.
PFT Pulmonary function test.
pH The symbol for the measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a solution. The pH number is from a scale where a pH of 7 is neutral, numbers less than a pH of 7 are increasingly more acidic, and numbers greater than a pH of 7 are increasingly more alkaline.
phacoemulsification A type of cataract surgery in which the lens with the cataract is broken up by ultrasound, irrigated, and suctioned out.
phage See bacteriophage.
phagocyte A cell that can engulf particles, such as bacteria and other microorganisms or foreign matter. The principal phagocytes include the neutrophils and monocytes, both of which are types of white blood cells.
phalanges The bones of the fingers and of the toes. There are generally three phalanges (distal, middle, proximal) for each digit except the thumbs and large toes. The singular of phalanges is phalanx.
periostoma See periosteoma.
peripheral Situated away from the center or being at or near the periphery, as opposed to central. For example, peripheral vision is the type of vision that allows a person to see objects that are not in the center of his or her visual field.
peripheral blood stem cell transplantation See stem cell harvest, peripheral blood.