gouty arthritis An attack of joint inflammation that is due to deposits of uric acid crystals in the joint fluid (synovial fluid) and joint lining (synovial lining). Gouty arthritis attacks can be precipitated by dehydration, injury, fever, heavy eating, heavy drinking of alcohol, and recent surgery. Intense joint inflammation occurs when white blood cells engulf…
Gower syndrome See syncope, situational.
graft Healthy skin, bone, kidney, liver, or other tissue that is taken from one part of the body to replace diseased or injured tissue removed from another part of the body. For example, skin grafts can be used to cover areas of skin that have been burned.
graft-versus-host disease A complication of bone marrow transplants in which the donor bone marrow attacks the host’s organs and tissues. Abbreviated GVHD. GVHD is seen in cases where the blood marrow donor is unrelated to the patient or when the donor is related to the patient, but is not a perfect match. There are two…
grand mal seizure See seizure, tonic-clonic.
granular cell tumor A typically benign, uncommon tumor characterized by the presence of cells with a striking granularity of the cytoplasm when viewed under the microscope. The tumors are derived from neural cells, and the granularity of the cytoplasm is due to the accumulation of secondary lysosomes. Granular cell tumors are generally slowgrowing, solitary, painless…
granulation That part of the healing process in which lumpy, pink tissue containing new connective tissue and capillaries forms around the edges of a wound. Granulation of a wound is normal and desirable.
granulocyte A type of white blood cell that is filled with microscopic granules, little sacs containing enzymes that digest microorganisms. Granulocytes are part of the innate immune system, and they have somewhat nonspecific, broad-based activity. They do not respond exclusively to specific antigens, as do B-cells and T-cells. Neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils are all types…
granulocytopenia A marked decrease in the number of granulocytes that results in frequent chronic bacterial infections of the skin, lungs, throat, and other tissues. Granulocytopenia can be inherited, or it can be acquired. For example, it may be acquired as an aspect of leukemia. Granulocytopenia can more specifically be neutropenia (shortage of neutrophils), eosinopenia (shortage…
granulocytosis An elevated number of granulocytes in the peripheral blood. The term is often used to refer to an increase in the number of neutrophils, the predominant type of granulocyte. Granulocytosis may be a sign of numerous abnormal conditions, including infection or cancer. See also granulocyte.
granuloma One of several forms of localized, nodular inflammation found in tissues. Granulomas have a typical pattern when examined under a microscope. They can be caused by a variety of biologic, chemical, and physical irritants of tissue. See also granuloma, calcified; granuloma, fishbowl.
granuloma, calcified A granuloma that contains calcium deposits. Because it usually takes time for calcium to be deposited in a granuloma, a calcified granuloma is generally assumed to be an old granuloma.