Dictionary

peer review The process used by medical journals to screen articles that are submitted for publication. Peer-reviewed articles are scrutinized by members of the biomedical community before publication.

PEG Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy. See gastrostomy, percutaneous endoscopic.

pellagra Extreme niacin deficiency, characterized by a rash (dermatitis) on areas of the skin that are exposed to light, trauma and ulcerations within the mouth, diarrhea, mental disorientation (dementia), confusion, delusions, and depression. Pellagra can be fatal if untreated. Proper intake of niacin, a readily available B vitamin, both prevents and cures pellagra. See also…

pelvic 1 Having to do with the pelvis. 2 Colloquially, a pelvic exam.

pelvic exam An examination of the organs of the female reproductive system. During a typical pelvic exam, a speculum is used to open the vagina so that the physician can see the uterine cervix. A sample of cells may be taken from the surface of the cervix for a Pap test, or a sample may…

pelvic inflammatory disease Ascending infection of the upper female genital tract, usually caused by bacteria migrating upward from the urethra and cervix into the upper genital tract. Abbreviated PID. Many different organisms can cause PID, but most cases are associated with gonorrhea and chlamydial infections, two very common sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Symptoms include fever,…

pelvis The lower part of the abdomen, located between the hip bones. Structures in the female pelvis include the uterus, vagina, ovaries, fallopian tubes, bladder, and rectum. Structures in the male pelvis include the bladder, rectum, prostate, testicles, and penis.

pelvis, android See male pelvis.

pelvis, gynecoid See female pelvis.

Pendred syndrome A genetic disease that is characterized by congenital deafness, abnormalities of the inner ear, and goiter. Pendred syndrome is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner and is caused by mutations in the gene known as SLC26A4 (also referred to as the PDS gene) on chromosome 7. Also known as deafness with goiter, goiter-deafness…

penetrance The likelihood that a given gene will result in disease.

penicillin Historically the most famous of antibiotics, which kills many bacteria and some other microorganisms by attacking and destroying their cell walls. Penicillin is not effective against viruses, however, and specific penicillin types may be needed for certain bacteria. The different varieties of penicillin include amoxicillin, ampicillin, bacampicillin, carbenicillin, cloxicillin, dicloxicillin, nafcillin, oxacillin, penicillin G,…