laparoscopy A type of surgery in which small incisions are made in the abdominal wall through which a laparoscope and other instruments can be placed to permit structures within the abdomen and pelvis to be seen. A variety of probes or other instruments can also be pushed through these small incisions in the skin. In…
laparotomy An operation to open the abdomen. For example, laparotomy is used to remove cancer of the intestines or repair bowel blockage.
large cell carcinoma A term used to describe a microscopically identified variant of certain cancers, for example lung cancers, in which the abnormal cells are particularly large.
laryngeal Having to do with the larynx (voice box).
laryngeal nerve, recurrent One of the branches of the vagus nerve, a long and important nerve that originates in the brain stem. After the recurrent laryngeal nerve leaves the vagus nerve, it goes down into the chest and then loops back up, to supply nerves to the larynx (the voice box). It is said to…
laryngeal palsy Paralysis of the larynx (voice box) that is caused by damage to the recurrent laryngeal nerve, which supplies the larynx (voice box), or its parent nerve, the vagus nerve, which originates in the brain stem and runs down to the colon. In laryngeal palsy, the larynx is paralyzed on the side where the…
laryngeal papilloma A warty growth in the larynx, usually on the vocal cords. Persistent hoarseness is a common symptom.
labia, vaginal The two pairs of labia (lips)—the labia majora and labia minor—at the entrance to the vagina. Together the vaginal labia form part of the vulva, the female external genitalia.
labia majora The larger (major) outside pair of labia (lips) of the vulva (the female external genitalia). See also labia, vaginal.
labia minora The smaller (minor) inside pair of labia (lips) of the vulva (the female external genitalia). See also labia, vaginal.
labial Pertaining to a lip.
labial sound A sound requiring the participation of one or both lips. Also known simply as labial. All labials are consonants. Bilabial sounds, such as “p,” involve both lips, whereas labiodental sounds, such as “v,” involve the upper teeth and lower lip.