Dictionary

lung, collapsed See atelectasis.

lung transplant Surgery to replace a diseased or damaged lung with a healthy lung from an organ donor. Lung transplant is sometimes done in tandem with heart transplant. See also transplant.

lupus A chronic inflammatory disease that is caused by autoimmunity. Patients with lupus have in their blood unusual antibodies that are targeted against their own body tissues. Lupus can cause disease of the skin, heart, lungs, kidneys, joints, and nervous system. The first symptom is a red (or dark), scaly rash on the nose and…

lupus, discoid A chronic inflammatory condition that is limited to the skin and is caused by an autoimmune disease. Up to 10 percent of persons with discoid lupus eventually develop systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Heredity, viruses, ultraviolet light, and drugs may also be involved. Skin symptoms associated with discoid lupus include patchy redness with areas…

lupus erythematosis, systemic A form of lupus that has a tendency to involve the internal organs. Abbreviated SLE. Eleven criteria have been established for the diagnosis of SLE, including the presence of a malar (“butterfly”) rash and/or other discoid skin rash; skin rash in reaction to sunlight exposure; ulceration of the mucus lining of the…

LUQ Left upper quadrant (quarter). For example, the LUQ of the abdomen contains the spleen.

Luschka, foramina of See foramina of Luschka.

luteinizing hormone A gonadotropin (a hormone that affects the function of the sex organs) that is released by the pituitary gland in response to luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone. Abbreviated LH. In females, LH controls the length and sequence of the female menstrual cycle, including ovulation, preparation of the uterus for implantation of a fertilized egg, and…

lochia The fluid that is discharged from the vagina for a week or so after childbirth. At first the lochia is primarily blood, followed by a more mucousy fluid that contains dried blood, and finally a clear-to-yellow discharge.

loci Plural of locus.

lockjaw See tetanus.

locomotion 1 Movement from one place to another. 2 The ability to get from one place to the next. See also locomotive system.