Dictionary

H and P Medical shorthand for history and physical, the initial clinical evaluation and examination of the patient.

H. flu Haemophilus influenzae type B.

granulomatous colitis See colitis, Crohn’s.

granulosa cell tumor A tumor belonging to the sex cord-stroma group of tumors of the ovary, sometimes referred to as granulosa-theca cell tumors. Abbreviated GCT. GCTs commonly produce estrogen, and the accompanying symptoms of excess estrogen are often the reason for early diagnosis. Adult GCTs make up the majority of GCTs and usually occur in…

Graves disease An autoimmune disease that produces general overactivity (toxicity) of the thyroid gland, which becomes enlarged into a goiter. Graves disease is the most common disease that causes an excess of thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism). Grave’s disease is frequently associated with protrusion of the eyes (ophthalmopathy). Dermopathy is a rare, painless, reddish lumpy skin rash…

gravid Pregnant.

gray matter The cortex of the brain, which contains nerve cell bodies. The gray matter is so named because it is darker than the white matter, the part of the brain that contains myelinated nerve fibers.

Gray’s Anatomy A book that was originally titled Anatomy Descriptive and Surgical, by Henry Gray, that appeared in 1858. Known as Gray’s Anatomy.

Great Plague The typhus outbreak that swept London in 1665. See also bubonic plague; typhus, epidemic.

great saphenous vein The larger of the two saphenous veins, the principal veins that run up the leg near the surface. The great saphenous vein goes from the foot all the way up to the saphenous opening, an oval aperture in the broad fascia of the thigh. The vein then passes through this fibrous membrane….

green tea A tea brewed from fresh leaves from the Camellia sinensis plant used in traditional Chinese and Indian medicine. Green tea contains a high concentration of powerful antioxidants called polyphenols. Laboratory studies suggest that green tea may help protect against or slow the growth of certain cancers, but studies in humans have shown mixed…

greenstick fracture See fracture, greenstick.