Dictionary

parenteral Not delivered via the intestinal tract. For example, parenteral nutrition is feeding that is delivered intravenously.

Pap test A screening test for cervical cancer that involves the microscopic examination of cells collected from the cervix, smeared on a slide, and specially stained. A Pap test can reveal premalignant and malignant changes in the cells, as well as changes that are due to noncancerous conditions, such as inflammation. Named after the physician…

papillary tumor A tumor that is shaped like a small mushroom, with its “stem” attached to an organ, such as the inner lining of the bladder.

papilledema Swelling of the head of the optic nerve, a sign of increased pressure within the skull. The optic nerve head is the area where the optic nerve (the nerve that carries information from the retina to the brain) enters the eyeball. Papilledema is diagnosed through use of an ophthalmoscope. The optic nerve head is…

papilloma A small solid benign tumor with a clear-cut border that projects above the surrounding tissue. A raised wart is an example of a papilloma.

papilloma, intraductal See intraductal papilloma.

papillomatosis A disorder that is characterized by the growth of numerous papillomas (warts). For example, laryngeal papillomatosis is the presence of multiple papillomas on the vocal cords.

papular Referring to papules.

papule A solid, rounded growth that is elevated from the skin. A papule is usually less than 1 cm (0.5 in.) across. Papules may open when scratched and become crusty and infected.

para- A prefix with many meanings, including alongside, beside, near, resembling, beyond, apart from, and abnormal, as in parathyroid glands (glands that are adjacent to the thyroid) and paraumbilical (alongside the umbilicus).

paracentesis The removal of fluid from a body cavity via a needle, a trocar, a cannula, or another hollow instrument. A paracentesis may be used for diagnosis or treatment, as, for example, in ascites, where there is free fluid in the abdominal (peritoneal) cavity. If the cause of the ascites is uncertain, diagnostic paracentesis is…

paracentric chromosome inversion See chromosome inversion, pericentric.