Dictionary

juvenile chronic arthritis, systemic-onset See arthritis, systemic-onset juvenile rheumatoid.

juvenile laryngeal papillomatosis A condition characterized by the emergence of numerous warty growths on the vocal cords in children and young adults. A baby can contract juvenile laryngeal papillomatosis by being infected with the human papillomavirus (HPV) during birth through the vaginal canal of a mother who has genital warts. Treatment usually involves surgical excision….

juvenile polyposis syndrome An autosomal dominant disorder in which polyps develop throughout the gastrointestinal tract in the first decade or two of life. People with the disease are at increased risk for developing gastrointestinal cancers. Abbreviated JPS. There can also be diarrhea, GI bleeding, and protein-losing from the intestinal wall. JPS is clearly heterogeneous (more…

juvenile rheumatoid arthritis See arthritis, systemic-onset juvenile rheumatoid.

juxta- Prefix meaning near, nearby, or close, as in juxtaspinal (near the spinal column) and juxtavesicular (near the bladder).

juxtaarticular Near a joint. For example, a juxtaarticular fracture is a break near a joint.

juxtaposition See apposition.

juxtapyloric Near the pylorus, the muscular area at the junction of the stomach and the first part of the small intestine. For example, a juxtapyloric ulcer is located near the pylorus.

juxtaspinal Near the spinal column. For example, juxtaspinal abscess lies adjacent to the spinal column.

juxtavesicular Near the bladder.

K The symbol for potassium, the major positive ion (cation) found inside cells. A proper level of potassium is essential for normal cell function. An abnormal increase in potassium (hyperkalemia) or an abnormal decrease in potassium (hypokalemia) can profoundly affect the nervous system and the heart and, if extreme, can be fatal.

kala-azar A chronic and potentially fatal parasitic disease of the viscera (the internal organs, particularly the liver, spleen, bone marrow, and lymph nodes) due to infection by the parasite Leishmania donovani. Leishmania donovani is transmitted by sandfly bites in parts of Asia (primarily India), Africa (primarily Sudan), and South America (primarily Brazil). Kala-azar can cause…