Dictionary

vestibule In medicine and dentistry, a space or cavity at the entrance to a canal, channel, tube, or vessel. For instance, the front of the mouth is a vestibule.

vestibule, vaginal See vaginal opening.

vestibule of the ear A cavity in the middle of the bony labyrinth in the inner ear.

vestibulocochlear nerve A nerve that is responsible for the sense of hearing and that is also pertinent to the senses of balance and body position. Problems with the vestibulocochlear nerve may result in deafness, tinnitus (ringing or noise in the ears), dizziness, vertigo, and vomiting. The vestibulocochlear nerve is the eighth cranial nerve.

vestigial Referring to a vestige (remnant) or a primitive structure and no longer believed to be important. For example, the appendix is considered a vestigial organ, and some infants are born with vestigial tails.

VHL syndrome von Hippel-Lindau syndrome.

viable Capable of life. For example, a viable premature baby is one who is able to survive outside the womb.

Vibrio A group of bacteria that includes Vibrio cholerae, the agent that causes cholera. Other species are common in salt and fresh water as well as soil. Vibrio move about particularly actively.

Vibrio cholerae One of the Vibrio bacteria, the agent that causes cholera. See also cholera.

vidian neuralgia See cluster headache.

Vincent gingivitis See acute membranous gingivitis.

verruca See wart.